Thanks to the NY Daily News-
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/ba..._piniella.html
Piniella, 65, said he's watching this World Series, but his primary focus remains the Cubs, whom he has taken to the postseason in each of his first two seasons, only to get knocked out in the first round both times. While the Cubs had the National League's best record this season, their flaws - not enough lefthanded hitters, Alfonso Soriano's inconsistency out of the leadoff spot, shaky middle relief - all showed up in the playoffs. Piniella said the Cubs' main agenda these next few weeks will be to re-sign pending free agents Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood and explore trade options for lefthanded hitting and bullpen help. He also said he plans to move Kosuke Fukudome, the Cubs' $48 million Japanese import whose second-half slump exasperated the manager, to center field as part of a platoon with Reed Johnson.
Perfect move by Lou! This definitely opens up RF for a power left handed bat through a trade for FA or the Cubs could put Derosa in RF and go get a speedy leadoff guy like Brian Roberts or Chone Figgins and either Figgins or Roberts place 2nd base. Another option is moving Theriot to 2b in a platoon with Fontenot, Derosa in RF, and signing Furcal to play SS. Just moving Fukudome to CF creates so much more possibilities for the Cubs. Here is a short list of guys that the Cubs should target in my opinion. I broke them down to 3 different list-
LIST #1- Middle of the order Power Bats-
Dunn
Abreu
LIST #2- 20 homerun guys, some good OBP, older guys-
B. Giles
Bradley
Anderson
Griffey
Ibanez
List #3- the speedsters, leadoff guys-
Furcal
Roberts
Figgins
Honestly while I agree that we do need a legitimate leadoff guy, I also think we need a power bat in the lineup. List #1 would be ideal but List #2 is more likely and list #3 might be a little more difficult to get with Furcal wanting to stay in LA and with Roberts and Figgins trade value so high.
Here is another trade/signing senerio-
Angels get Lee
Cubs get Figgins and Prospect and the Angels get Lee.
Cubs then sign Abreu or Dunn.
Move Derosa to 1st, platoon him with Hoffpauier.
Figgins would start at SS, forcing a Theriot/Font platoon.
Line up-
Figgins SS
Theriot/Font 2b
Abreu or Dunn RF
Aram 3b
Soriano LF
Hoffpauier/Derosa 1st
Soto C
Fukudome/Johnson CF
It is just another thought!
2 comments:
Hmm... just couple of thoughts here:
- Griffey: def not a 20HR guy anymore :(
- If we signed Dunn and traded Lee, he would prob play 1B and Figgins would prob play RF w/ DeRo and Theriot staying put.
That's all for now. We'll see what happens.
So is Edmonds retiring then? Cause I wouldnt mind having him back.
I agree... say no to Griff Jr. We need better production and someone who can play all season.
Has it really been reported that Furcal wants to stay in LA? Cause I want to go after him.
Joe
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