According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune and Bruce Levine the Cubs are working on a 3 to 4 year contract for Jim Hendry. The Cubs recently declined to give the Mariners permission to interview Hendry which is a very good sign. Jim deserves the extension and I hope he is here for 3 to 4 more years!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
More on Peavy and Lee.
-Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says Peavy would prefer to stay in the National League and wants to play for a winning ball club. Jake's agent Barry Axelrod mentioned Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, LA, and St. Louis as cities that fit for Jake and his family. The Angels also intrigue Peavy but the AL still remains a longshot to land him. Since it Houston and St. Louis are in the mix for Jake then expect the Cubs to become even bigger players for the Ace. The last thing the Cubs need is for the Astros or the Cards to get their hands on the hard throwing righty. So the Cubs are guaranteed to get involved in trade talks in my opinion considering he would help round out the rotation and the idea of him on the a NL central ballclub besides the Cubs is scary.
- Len Kasper was on the score yesterday and he said he does not expect the Cubs to trade Lee nor does he think the Cubs got swept the past 2 years because of him. I do agree it is not completely the gold glove first baseman fault it was the entire team. I do think a trade for Lee will not happen but it is still a possible and it does help you have a guy named Micah Hoffpauier who destroyed the pitchers in AAA and did well in MLB in his short time there. So a trade of Lee could be handled a little bit easier now than lets say last year. Kasper also said he thinks Jim will be quiet this offseason with little changes to the team. This I do not agree with, we already hear names like Peavy, Dunn, Furcal, etc...and he thinks Jim will be quiet?!?! I doubt that Len!
- Len Kasper was on the score yesterday and he said he does not expect the Cubs to trade Lee nor does he think the Cubs got swept the past 2 years because of him. I do agree it is not completely the gold glove first baseman fault it was the entire team. I do think a trade for Lee will not happen but it is still a possible and it does help you have a guy named Micah Hoffpauier who destroyed the pitchers in AAA and did well in MLB in his short time there. So a trade of Lee could be handled a little bit easier now than lets say last year. Kasper also said he thinks Jim will be quiet this offseason with little changes to the team. This I do not agree with, we already hear names like Peavy, Dunn, Furcal, etc...and he thinks Jim will be quiet?!?! I doubt that Len!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Could Cubs land Peavy??
According to numerous sites including MLBTR, the Padres are listening to offers for Jake Peavy. Peavy has a no trade clause but is willing to waive it to go to another NL club. Peavy does not like the idea of pitching in the AL, nor should he want to with those hitter friendly parks and big hitters in the lineup. Jake's agent said that some AL teams could interest Peavy and that he has not completly ruled the AL out.
The Cubs are interested in adding another quality arm to this rotation. We have already heard C.C.'s name along with Cain, so you know they will have interest in the Padres ace. According to Buster Onley, the Padres could attach Khalil Greene to help with their salary relief. The Cubs are rumored to be one of the teams that have already inquired on Peavy,which is a good sign. Expect talks to heat up quickly because Onley believes the deal should get done even before the winter meeting begin, which would be out of the ordinary for a MLB offseason.
I honestly believe the Cubs will be big players for Peavy even if they attach Greene on the deal. The Cubs could always flip Greene somehwere else like the Giants or another team in need for a shortstop. Although I think the Cubs would have to give up quantiy of players rather than quality to get this done. The Cubs do not have a "top prospect" in their system so they may have to include guys like Cedeno, Pie, Veal, and Marshall to get the ball even rolling.
Expect the rumors of the Cubs interest in Peavy to increase in the next 2 to 3 weeks as team meetings are wrapped up and the playoffs draw to a close. Should be another fun offseason for the Cubs!
The Cubs are interested in adding another quality arm to this rotation. We have already heard C.C.'s name along with Cain, so you know they will have interest in the Padres ace. According to Buster Onley, the Padres could attach Khalil Greene to help with their salary relief. The Cubs are rumored to be one of the teams that have already inquired on Peavy,which is a good sign. Expect talks to heat up quickly because Onley believes the deal should get done even before the winter meeting begin, which would be out of the ordinary for a MLB offseason.
I honestly believe the Cubs will be big players for Peavy even if they attach Greene on the deal. The Cubs could always flip Greene somehwere else like the Giants or another team in need for a shortstop. Although I think the Cubs would have to give up quantiy of players rather than quality to get this done. The Cubs do not have a "top prospect" in their system so they may have to include guys like Cedeno, Pie, Veal, and Marshall to get the ball even rolling.
Expect the rumors of the Cubs interest in Peavy to increase in the next 2 to 3 weeks as team meetings are wrapped up and the playoffs draw to a close. Should be another fun offseason for the Cubs!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Levine with some good rumors.
Levine chips in with some new and already heard rumors. So here they are-
- He expects the Cubs to have great interest in Orlando Hudson. Hudson is the ideal #2 hitter in the lineup. A switch hitter with some pop that is a career .282 hitter with a career .346 OBP. The Cubs will have a lot of competition for the 2nd baseman, so that could be a challenge.
- Levine also said the Cubs would demand Sanchez or Cain for Lee. He thinks Lee would waive his no trade clause for a California based team. We already went over this yesterday.
- The only way the Cubs would sign Adam Dunn is if Lee is traded. Which means he would be playing first base for the Cubs.
- The Cubs will be in the hunt for Brian Roberts and Chone Figgins this offseason if made available. It has been known that Lou would prefer Figgins. Which I agree with.
- He also thinks the Cubs will make a run at Furcal. I think Theriot does a good job at SS but if the Cubs can't land Roberts or Figgins, Furcal would be near the next best thing.
Team meetings begin the 19th so we should really feel the heat of the hot stove soon after that!
- He expects the Cubs to have great interest in Orlando Hudson. Hudson is the ideal #2 hitter in the lineup. A switch hitter with some pop that is a career .282 hitter with a career .346 OBP. The Cubs will have a lot of competition for the 2nd baseman, so that could be a challenge.
- Levine also said the Cubs would demand Sanchez or Cain for Lee. He thinks Lee would waive his no trade clause for a California based team. We already went over this yesterday.
- The only way the Cubs would sign Adam Dunn is if Lee is traded. Which means he would be playing first base for the Cubs.
- The Cubs will be in the hunt for Brian Roberts and Chone Figgins this offseason if made available. It has been known that Lou would prefer Figgins. Which I agree with.
- He also thinks the Cubs will make a run at Furcal. I think Theriot does a good job at SS but if the Cubs can't land Roberts or Figgins, Furcal would be near the next best thing.
Team meetings begin the 19th so we should really feel the heat of the hot stove soon after that!
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Lee to get traded?? A lot of things would have to happen!
There has been a lot of trade talk surrounding the Cubs, especially gold glove first baseman Derrek Lee. Derrek Lee's power numbers have decrease quite a bit over the past 2 seasons but still put up good solid above average numbers for a first baseman. He also will give you great defense at first base. But in order for Lee to get traded a lot of things have to happen, here is just some of them-
1. Lee would have to waive his no-trade clause in his contract. This is not a give in and it is rumored that Lee would only accept a trade to a westcoast team. But even then it is not a give in if you find a match on the westcoast.
2.The Cubs would need a replacement ready to go at 1st base. The Cubs could go in house with a first baseman but they could lose average, defense, and steady productivity from the 1st base position. They could get a first baseman in return in a trade for Lee but that would not make sense. The logical idea would have the Cubs go with Micah Hoffpauir or Mark Derosa at first base. If they move Derosa to 1st they could go after speedy 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, or let Font play the entire season at 2b, or sign a 2nd baseman like Orlando Hudson or Mark Grudzielanek. So there is options there. The Cubs could also go after a free agent 1st baseman. Some of the more expensive guys are like Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, and Mark Teixeira, which I am all for Teixeira but I do not see that happening, way too pricey. Some of the more affordable guys are like Sean Casey, Kevin Millar, Tony Clark, and Nomar Garciaparra will give you less productivity and OK defense but could be serviceable. I like Nomar out of this group because if he gets hurt you have Hoffpauir as a back up and you could even platoon them at first. Either way the Cubs have many options to choose from.
3. The Cubs will have to get good value for him in return. MLBTR says the Giant really like Lee but Chicago will not give him up unless a guy like Sanchez or Cain is in the deal. I am not a fan of Sanchez but throw Cain in a deal for Lee it would hard to say no to. Cain is a young hard throwing righty who is only 24 years old and only going to get better. Low ERA and high strike outs. My kind of guy. Other players that the Cubs would consider trading Lee for are Jake Peavy( although the Padres do not have a spot for Lee), Chad Billingsly( the Dodgers already have a good first baseman in Loney), Justin Duchscherer, Jared Weaver/Ervin Santana and Reggie Willits/Chone Figgins, or Ichiro Suzuki( who is rumored to be made available this off season). Erik Bedard is an option too.
A very interesting situation to watch is the Ichiro situation. The Cubs along with may teams would have interest in the speedy outfielder but unlike the a lot of teams the Cubs need him the most. A guy who can play all three outfield spots, killer defense, great arm, lead-off man, that steals a lot of bases. I think the Cubs have the goods to land them him too. If they offer a package that included Lee, Pie, Veal, Marshall etc should get some talks rolling. Keep an eye on this.
4. The Cubs would have to be sure that they can get a trade done for Lee before they ask him to waive his no trade clause. The chemistry of a team is a fragile thing and you do not want to upset that especially since Lee is the captain of this team, that is the last thing you need!
So as you can see the Cubs would have to go through a lot of hoops to trade Lee which makes me think he will start the year as a Chicago Cub. But there is still the possibility he is traded if the Cubs conquer these 4 steps!
1. Lee would have to waive his no-trade clause in his contract. This is not a give in and it is rumored that Lee would only accept a trade to a westcoast team. But even then it is not a give in if you find a match on the westcoast.
2.The Cubs would need a replacement ready to go at 1st base. The Cubs could go in house with a first baseman but they could lose average, defense, and steady productivity from the 1st base position. They could get a first baseman in return in a trade for Lee but that would not make sense. The logical idea would have the Cubs go with Micah Hoffpauir or Mark Derosa at first base. If they move Derosa to 1st they could go after speedy 2nd baseman Brian Roberts, or let Font play the entire season at 2b, or sign a 2nd baseman like Orlando Hudson or Mark Grudzielanek. So there is options there. The Cubs could also go after a free agent 1st baseman. Some of the more expensive guys are like Jason Giambi, Carlos Delgado, and Mark Teixeira, which I am all for Teixeira but I do not see that happening, way too pricey. Some of the more affordable guys are like Sean Casey, Kevin Millar, Tony Clark, and Nomar Garciaparra will give you less productivity and OK defense but could be serviceable. I like Nomar out of this group because if he gets hurt you have Hoffpauir as a back up and you could even platoon them at first. Either way the Cubs have many options to choose from.
3. The Cubs will have to get good value for him in return. MLBTR says the Giant really like Lee but Chicago will not give him up unless a guy like Sanchez or Cain is in the deal. I am not a fan of Sanchez but throw Cain in a deal for Lee it would hard to say no to. Cain is a young hard throwing righty who is only 24 years old and only going to get better. Low ERA and high strike outs. My kind of guy. Other players that the Cubs would consider trading Lee for are Jake Peavy( although the Padres do not have a spot for Lee), Chad Billingsly( the Dodgers already have a good first baseman in Loney), Justin Duchscherer, Jared Weaver/Ervin Santana and Reggie Willits/Chone Figgins, or Ichiro Suzuki( who is rumored to be made available this off season). Erik Bedard is an option too.
A very interesting situation to watch is the Ichiro situation. The Cubs along with may teams would have interest in the speedy outfielder but unlike the a lot of teams the Cubs need him the most. A guy who can play all three outfield spots, killer defense, great arm, lead-off man, that steals a lot of bases. I think the Cubs have the goods to land them him too. If they offer a package that included Lee, Pie, Veal, Marshall etc should get some talks rolling. Keep an eye on this.
4. The Cubs would have to be sure that they can get a trade done for Lee before they ask him to waive his no trade clause. The chemistry of a team is a fragile thing and you do not want to upset that especially since Lee is the captain of this team, that is the last thing you need!
So as you can see the Cubs would have to go through a lot of hoops to trade Lee which makes me think he will start the year as a Chicago Cub. But there is still the possibility he is traded if the Cubs conquer these 4 steps!
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Cubs will have to start making offseason decisions already.
UPDATE- The Cubs have exercised Rich Harden's $7 MM dollar option for next season. They good news is Harden does not need any sort of surgery this offseason!
- The Cubs will have to make a not so tough decision for next season and that is exercising Rich Harden's 7 MM dollar option. The Cubs have until midnight tonight to decide whether or not to pick it up or decline. They are expected to pick it up unless he needs something like Tommy John surgery, which is not the case.
- The Cubs also have to decide on Henry Blanco 3MM dollar option but he there is no deadline for that right now. I think they should pick it up rather than work out another deal. He is a great backup catcher and very valuable to this team!
- The Cubs are expected to resign Wood and Dempster before they reach free agency.
- The Cubs have organizational meetings in 11 days, they will make decisions on payroll and players they will target.
-Ronny Cedeno likely will be on the trade block again after yelling at trainer Mark O'Neal during a nasty exchange before a game in Milwaukee on the final weekend of the regular season. I am tired of Cedeno and hope he is finally traded to the O's in a package for Brian Roberts!
- The Cubs will have to make a not so tough decision for next season and that is exercising Rich Harden's 7 MM dollar option. The Cubs have until midnight tonight to decide whether or not to pick it up or decline. They are expected to pick it up unless he needs something like Tommy John surgery, which is not the case.
- The Cubs also have to decide on Henry Blanco 3MM dollar option but he there is no deadline for that right now. I think they should pick it up rather than work out another deal. He is a great backup catcher and very valuable to this team!
- The Cubs are expected to resign Wood and Dempster before they reach free agency.
- The Cubs have organizational meetings in 11 days, they will make decisions on payroll and players they will target.
-Ronny Cedeno likely will be on the trade block again after yelling at trainer Mark O'Neal during a nasty exchange before a game in Milwaukee on the final weekend of the regular season. I am tired of Cedeno and hope he is finally traded to the O's in a package for Brian Roberts!
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
News on sale of Cubs.
Here are some good reads for those of you interested on how the sale of the Chicago Cubs are coming. I have to say it is a slow process and hope it ends up getting done soon!
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2459:debt-structure-in-cubs-sale-has-mlb-worried&catid=30:mlb-news&Itemid=42
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-wed-cubs-comcast-jul16,0,1758157.story
http://www.wrigleyexpansion.com/articles/?p=37
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2459:debt-structure-in-cubs-sale-has-mlb-worried&catid=30:mlb-news&Itemid=42
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-wed-cubs-comcast-jul16,0,1758157.story
http://www.wrigleyexpansion.com/articles/?p=37
Some News and Notes
Here are some news and notes for today-
-The Cubs will decide on Rich Harden's $7MM dollar option for next season after he gets his arm checked out. I think it should be exercised regardless because he could be valuable trade bait if not completely healthy.
- The Cubs and Jim Hendry hope to come to a contract agreement soon before he has the chance to opt out of it in December.
- Crane Kenney can see the payroll increasing again this year. Maybe in the 140-150 million range.
- A lot of the media in Chicago are thinking the Cubs will go after a middle of the lineup guy that bats left handed or a switch hits. Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Dolan name Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, David DeJesus, Milton Bradley, and Brian Roberts. They would also consider Adam Dunn or Aubrey Huff. Looks like the Cubs may sacrifice defense for offense next season. Would like to too see any of those guys in Cubbie blue. Especially Dunn, Abreu, Bradley, and Roberts.
-There has also been talk that the Cubs may upgrade shortstop with a speedy guy with good D. Names like Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera have been tossed around.
- I would love to see this lineup-
1. Roberts 2b
2. Furcal SS
3. Lee 1st
4. Aram 3b
5. Abreu RF
6. Soriano LF
7. Soto C
8. Johnson/Fukudome CF
9. Pitcher
I know I am dreaming though!
-The Cubs will decide on Rich Harden's $7MM dollar option for next season after he gets his arm checked out. I think it should be exercised regardless because he could be valuable trade bait if not completely healthy.
- The Cubs and Jim Hendry hope to come to a contract agreement soon before he has the chance to opt out of it in December.
- Crane Kenney can see the payroll increasing again this year. Maybe in the 140-150 million range.
- A lot of the media in Chicago are thinking the Cubs will go after a middle of the lineup guy that bats left handed or a switch hits. Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Dolan name Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, David DeJesus, Milton Bradley, and Brian Roberts. They would also consider Adam Dunn or Aubrey Huff. Looks like the Cubs may sacrifice defense for offense next season. Would like to too see any of those guys in Cubbie blue. Especially Dunn, Abreu, Bradley, and Roberts.
-There has also been talk that the Cubs may upgrade shortstop with a speedy guy with good D. Names like Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera have been tossed around.
- I would love to see this lineup-
1. Roberts 2b
2. Furcal SS
3. Lee 1st
4. Aram 3b
5. Abreu RF
6. Soriano LF
7. Soto C
8. Johnson/Fukudome CF
9. Pitcher
I know I am dreaming though!
Monday, October 06, 2008
Cubs rumors already starting!
The Cubs have not even been out of the playoffs for a week and now the rumors are flying around. So lets take a look.
- The Cubs have left the door open for Jim Edmonds to come back in a platoon role with Reed Johnson next year. The Cubs have said they will pay Edmonds a reasonable salary but will not break the bank for him. Edmonds could get a nice deal for a team looking for a 20 homerun guy with good defense and leadership. There is also the chance he retires but that is unlikely.
- According to the Suntimes, Brian Roberts will again be at the top of the Cubs wish list for next season. Which will make Derosa expendable which would the Cubs good quality players for him considering his career year this year and bad 2nd base market in this FA class. I by all means do not think he should be traded but I can see the Cubs doing so and understand why they would. The Suntimes also said the Cubs will be players in the Sabathia derby. I do not agree with this because the sale of the Cubs will not be competed before he is on another team and I see the Cubs using that money for Demp and Wood rather than Sabathia.
- There is talk that the White Sox may consider trading Dye for starting pitching and a young athletic guy for CF. This may interest the Cubs for many reasons. The Cubs have a young CF named Felix Pie that is available via trade and have a surplus of pitching that may interest the Sox. A guy like Jason Marquis, Kevin Hart, Angel Guzman, Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, or Randy Wells might intrigue them enough to trade the power hitting Dye to the Northside. It is still early for that talk but it is something to keep an eye on.
- Does anyone else think that the Cubs should throw some players at the Twins to try to get that Denard Span guy. To have a platoon in CF with Denard Span and Reed Johnson would be great! Plus Denard would be the ideal leadoff guy and left handed bat. He is young, cheap money wise, and just plays the game right. My kind of guy!
- The Cubs have left the door open for Jim Edmonds to come back in a platoon role with Reed Johnson next year. The Cubs have said they will pay Edmonds a reasonable salary but will not break the bank for him. Edmonds could get a nice deal for a team looking for a 20 homerun guy with good defense and leadership. There is also the chance he retires but that is unlikely.
- According to the Suntimes, Brian Roberts will again be at the top of the Cubs wish list for next season. Which will make Derosa expendable which would the Cubs good quality players for him considering his career year this year and bad 2nd base market in this FA class. I by all means do not think he should be traded but I can see the Cubs doing so and understand why they would. The Suntimes also said the Cubs will be players in the Sabathia derby. I do not agree with this because the sale of the Cubs will not be competed before he is on another team and I see the Cubs using that money for Demp and Wood rather than Sabathia.
- There is talk that the White Sox may consider trading Dye for starting pitching and a young athletic guy for CF. This may interest the Cubs for many reasons. The Cubs have a young CF named Felix Pie that is available via trade and have a surplus of pitching that may interest the Sox. A guy like Jason Marquis, Kevin Hart, Angel Guzman, Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, or Randy Wells might intrigue them enough to trade the power hitting Dye to the Northside. It is still early for that talk but it is something to keep an eye on.
- Does anyone else think that the Cubs should throw some players at the Twins to try to get that Denard Span guy. To have a platoon in CF with Denard Span and Reed Johnson would be great! Plus Denard would be the ideal leadoff guy and left handed bat. He is young, cheap money wise, and just plays the game right. My kind of guy!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
How do you improve this team??
With the Cubs being swept for the 2nd straight year in the NLDS, you have to ask yourself is it the team, players, management, or what?!?! This team had more pressure on it this year than last year because of the " 100 year" issue and just wanting it so bad to be gone. Well, that is all now in the past and the Cubs can start planning and working toward next year's goal, winning a World Series.
Lets take a look at the Cubs next year-
C- Geovany Soto
1B- Derrek Lee
2B- Mark Derosa
3B- Aramis Ramirez
SS- Ryan Theriot
OF- Alfonso Soriano
OF-Reed Johnson
OF-Kosuke Fukudome
INF- Ronny Cedeno
INF- Mike Fontenot
OF/1B- Micah Hoffpauir
OF- Felix Pie
C- Henry Blanco
P- Zambrano
P- Harden
P- Lilly
P-Marquis
P- Marshall
RP- Marmol
RP- Samardzija
RP- Cotts
RP- Wuertz
RP- Gaudin
RP- Guzman
RP- Hart
Expiring contracts after the 2008 season-
Ryan Dempster
Kerry Wood
Daryle Ward
Bobby Howry
Jon Lieber
Jim Edmonds
This would be more than likely your 2009 Cubs if we did not sign any new players and let our current expiring contract players to leave. The Cubs are obviously not going into the 2009 season like this. Although I feel that there will be not a lot of new faces like we saw the last couple of years, I do think they will make some key additions.
First I am about 75% sure that the Cubs will sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood to new deals, in fact I do not think that either of them will test the market. Both have a good relationship with Jim Hendry, the Cubs, and the city of Chicago. I do not see any reason why they would leave considering both have expressed their desire to stay. I expect Demp to get a 4 year deal worth about 50-55 million dollars from the Cubs. I also expect Wood to get a nice deal of 3 years 28 million dollar deal( comparable to Joe Nathan). As far as Ward, Howry, Edmonds, and Lieber, their days as Cubs are over.
After the Cubs sign the players they want to keep from last year, I think its time to give some of the existing player and younger players to new deals. I feel Derosa needs a new deal and Geovany Soto and Carlos Marmol need long term ML deals. Hopefully they can lock them up!
It is hard to determine what the Cubs new owner will want to do this off season, mainly because we do not know who it is. Regardless you know whoever it is will want to make a big impact right away. So I would not be surprised if you hear names like Manny, Peavy(rumored to be traded), McLouth(also rumored), Sabathia, and Sheets.
The areas I feel the Cubs should work on is getting another OF wether it is a platoon partner with Fukudome in LF or Reed Johnson in CF. It could also be an everyday player in RF or CF. They just need an solid consistent bat at one of those positions. Here is a list of potential FA and trade candidates that could fill that void-
Free Agents-
Adam Dunn
Bobby Abreu
Raul Ibanez
Pat Burrell
Jim Edmonds
Wily Mo Pena
Manny Ramirez
Trade-
Nate McLouth
Rocco Badelli
Gary Matthews Jr.
Reggie Willits
Carl Crawford
Hideki Matsui
CoCo Crisp
Chone Figgins
Andruw Jones
Matt Holliday
Aubrey Huff
Magglio Ordonez
Austin Kearns
Wille Taveras
Ryan Spilborghs
Another area I feel the Cubs should look to upgrade is their bullpen. They need another hard thrower in the pen. Here is a list of good pen guys-
Juan Cruz
Kyle Farnsworth
Brandon Lyon
Guillermo Mota
Russ Springer
Dan Wheeler
Luis Ayala
I feel those are really the only two areas the Cubs should really go after guys next year. The rest of the positions they have good talent and depth.
One of the good things about having depth at those positions is that you have the ability to trade away talent to fill other holes. The Cubs have a lot of young chip they could part with, too many to mention. As far as guys on the 25 man roster, I think Ronny Cedeno, Kevin Hart, and Jason Marquis are the 3 players are most likely to be traded next season. Ronny Cedeno is out of options and could be used to land an OFer, Kevin Hart is a decent arm that can be used in another teams rotation or pen, and Jason Marquis is a solid #5 pitcher who can hit, not to mention he is owed 9.875 million. The other thing about Marquis is he is a .500 pitcher with a high ERA, there are better options like Randy Wells, Angel Guzman, Jeff Samardzjia, Donald Veal, and Jose Ceda at a cheaper price. Either one of those three could bring back some good value and be some salary relief in the case of Marquis.
With the 25 man roster how it is, including the new projected contracts for Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, next years payroll will go from 118 million to 130-140 million next season. That is without adding any potential free agents and trades.
If I was the Cubs I would try to trade for an outfielder rather than throw a lot of money at one. If they are going to throw money at an outfielder they better go after someone who can produce all year and in the postseason. A guy like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu would be worth throwing at but you loose a lot defensively with all four of those in the outfield. I rather them trade young talent for a Carl Crawford, Reggie Willits, Magglio Ordonez, Nate McLouth, Ryan Spilborghs, or Rocco Badelli. I think adding any of these guys will really improve this team.
As far as the reliever goes I can only see them signing one of the potential free agents I listed. I would really like to see Dan Wheeler or Kyle Farnsworth. Farnsworth would be the most affordable of the two with Wheeler being the best available reliever not named K-Rod.
Either way the Cubs should be able to return to the post season again if they improve on the things I mention above. It should be another fun off season for the Cubs!
Lets take a look at the Cubs next year-
C- Geovany Soto
1B- Derrek Lee
2B- Mark Derosa
3B- Aramis Ramirez
SS- Ryan Theriot
OF- Alfonso Soriano
OF-Reed Johnson
OF-Kosuke Fukudome
INF- Ronny Cedeno
INF- Mike Fontenot
OF/1B- Micah Hoffpauir
OF- Felix Pie
C- Henry Blanco
P- Zambrano
P- Harden
P- Lilly
P-Marquis
P- Marshall
RP- Marmol
RP- Samardzija
RP- Cotts
RP- Wuertz
RP- Gaudin
RP- Guzman
RP- Hart
Expiring contracts after the 2008 season-
Ryan Dempster
Kerry Wood
Daryle Ward
Bobby Howry
Jon Lieber
Jim Edmonds
This would be more than likely your 2009 Cubs if we did not sign any new players and let our current expiring contract players to leave. The Cubs are obviously not going into the 2009 season like this. Although I feel that there will be not a lot of new faces like we saw the last couple of years, I do think they will make some key additions.
First I am about 75% sure that the Cubs will sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood to new deals, in fact I do not think that either of them will test the market. Both have a good relationship with Jim Hendry, the Cubs, and the city of Chicago. I do not see any reason why they would leave considering both have expressed their desire to stay. I expect Demp to get a 4 year deal worth about 50-55 million dollars from the Cubs. I also expect Wood to get a nice deal of 3 years 28 million dollar deal( comparable to Joe Nathan). As far as Ward, Howry, Edmonds, and Lieber, their days as Cubs are over.
After the Cubs sign the players they want to keep from last year, I think its time to give some of the existing player and younger players to new deals. I feel Derosa needs a new deal and Geovany Soto and Carlos Marmol need long term ML deals. Hopefully they can lock them up!
It is hard to determine what the Cubs new owner will want to do this off season, mainly because we do not know who it is. Regardless you know whoever it is will want to make a big impact right away. So I would not be surprised if you hear names like Manny, Peavy(rumored to be traded), McLouth(also rumored), Sabathia, and Sheets.
The areas I feel the Cubs should work on is getting another OF wether it is a platoon partner with Fukudome in LF or Reed Johnson in CF. It could also be an everyday player in RF or CF. They just need an solid consistent bat at one of those positions. Here is a list of potential FA and trade candidates that could fill that void-
Free Agents-
Adam Dunn
Bobby Abreu
Raul Ibanez
Pat Burrell
Jim Edmonds
Wily Mo Pena
Manny Ramirez
Trade-
Nate McLouth
Rocco Badelli
Gary Matthews Jr.
Reggie Willits
Carl Crawford
Hideki Matsui
CoCo Crisp
Chone Figgins
Andruw Jones
Matt Holliday
Aubrey Huff
Magglio Ordonez
Austin Kearns
Wille Taveras
Ryan Spilborghs
Another area I feel the Cubs should look to upgrade is their bullpen. They need another hard thrower in the pen. Here is a list of good pen guys-
Juan Cruz
Kyle Farnsworth
Brandon Lyon
Guillermo Mota
Russ Springer
Dan Wheeler
Luis Ayala
I feel those are really the only two areas the Cubs should really go after guys next year. The rest of the positions they have good talent and depth.
One of the good things about having depth at those positions is that you have the ability to trade away talent to fill other holes. The Cubs have a lot of young chip they could part with, too many to mention. As far as guys on the 25 man roster, I think Ronny Cedeno, Kevin Hart, and Jason Marquis are the 3 players are most likely to be traded next season. Ronny Cedeno is out of options and could be used to land an OFer, Kevin Hart is a decent arm that can be used in another teams rotation or pen, and Jason Marquis is a solid #5 pitcher who can hit, not to mention he is owed 9.875 million. The other thing about Marquis is he is a .500 pitcher with a high ERA, there are better options like Randy Wells, Angel Guzman, Jeff Samardzjia, Donald Veal, and Jose Ceda at a cheaper price. Either one of those three could bring back some good value and be some salary relief in the case of Marquis.
With the 25 man roster how it is, including the new projected contracts for Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, next years payroll will go from 118 million to 130-140 million next season. That is without adding any potential free agents and trades.
If I was the Cubs I would try to trade for an outfielder rather than throw a lot of money at one. If they are going to throw money at an outfielder they better go after someone who can produce all year and in the postseason. A guy like Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell or Bobby Abreu would be worth throwing at but you loose a lot defensively with all four of those in the outfield. I rather them trade young talent for a Carl Crawford, Reggie Willits, Magglio Ordonez, Nate McLouth, Ryan Spilborghs, or Rocco Badelli. I think adding any of these guys will really improve this team.
As far as the reliever goes I can only see them signing one of the potential free agents I listed. I would really like to see Dan Wheeler or Kyle Farnsworth. Farnsworth would be the most affordable of the two with Wheeler being the best available reliever not named K-Rod.
Either way the Cubs should be able to return to the post season again if they improve on the things I mention above. It should be another fun off season for the Cubs!
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