CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHICAGO CUBS! YOU ARE THE BEST IN THE NL CENTRAL AND ARE HEADING TO THE PLAYOFFS!!!!
YOU DESERVE IT!!!!
GO CUBS GO!!!!
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Bonds a fit for the Cubs?? What???
According to MLBTR-
Cubs a Good Fit for Barry's Bat
Tim mentioned in this post that fielding know-it-all John Dewan thinks Barry Bonds can still play a tolerable outfield. Well, Bob Nightengale has broken the rumor-ice and brought two NL teams into the "Where Will Bonds Play Next" game:
Chicago and Florida.
The Cubbies, heavy in right handed hitters, would love a bat like Bonds' in the lineup. They probably have the money, though they'll add $10MM in payroll for '08 just to maintain the current group. With Bonds' regular need for time off, there'd still be plenty of playing time for Matt Murton.
Bonds, meanwhile, just may be the apple of Jeffrey Loria's eye. The Florida Marlins owner was fined by the commissioners office last year for flying Bonds to New York in his personal jet. But if the Fish deal Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, it'd be hard to convince Bonds that they're a serious contender.
Cubs a Good Fit for Barry's Bat
Tim mentioned in this post that fielding know-it-all John Dewan thinks Barry Bonds can still play a tolerable outfield. Well, Bob Nightengale has broken the rumor-ice and brought two NL teams into the "Where Will Bonds Play Next" game:
Chicago and Florida.
The Cubbies, heavy in right handed hitters, would love a bat like Bonds' in the lineup. They probably have the money, though they'll add $10MM in payroll for '08 just to maintain the current group. With Bonds' regular need for time off, there'd still be plenty of playing time for Matt Murton.
Bonds, meanwhile, just may be the apple of Jeffrey Loria's eye. The Florida Marlins owner was fined by the commissioners office last year for flying Bonds to New York in his personal jet. But if the Fish deal Dontrelle Willis in the offseason, it'd be hard to convince Bonds that they're a serious contender.
Wow I have to say this is a surprise. I wouldn't have thought Bonds would 1. Be interested in the cubs. 2. Cubs be interested in him. Barry as everyone knows has alot of baggage and could demand something like 8+ million a year from his new club. That's alot for a guy who doesn't play day games after night games. Having said all that man would I love his left handed bat in the lineup. He would be a great fit in the two hole hitting behind Soriano and in front of Lee or in the 4 hole in between Lee and Aram. Bonds would finally have a hitter friendly park and have guys in front and behind him that would protect him in the lineup.
I know saying I like Bonds will stir up alot of debate but if you look purely at his bat, you cant say you dont like the potential move.
My two cents worth he lands in Oakland or Seattle.
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Arod to cubs spectulation raises!
It looks more and more arod will opt out of his contract whether the yanks win or lose the world series. The front runners you say???? The Red Sox and.... yes! the Chicago Cubs!
Thanks to MLBTR-
A-Rod, Partial Cubs Owner?
Deadspin's Will Leitch has an article in New York Magazine dissecting the Alex Rodriguez opt-out situation. Leitch, through a source, has a new piece of info for us sure to generate some discussion. He lists the Red Sox and Cubs as the teams most likely to lure A-Rod away from the Yankees, and lays out a unique Cub contract possibility:
Scott Boras knows which [ownership] group is most likely to be awarded the Cubs. The source says Boras has already been in touch with that group about the possibility of a contract that could reach $30 million a year over the next ten years while deferring a certain portion of money toward an eventual stake in the franchise.
David K. Li's source feels that this might constitute tampering. The group Leitch is likely referring to is the one headed by John Canning, who is currently a part-owner of the Brewers.
Pretty wild stuff. Cubs fans can salivate over a lineup featuring Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and A-Rod. Keep all of those guys healthy the next few years and they could have the league's best offense. Still, ten year contracts are pretty rare and quite risky. It's tough to project a player more than a few years out, but it's going to take at least eight years to sign Rodriguez.
The Cubs have roughly $110MM on the books for 2008 (more on that in a separate post). They entered the '07 season with a payroll right around $100MM. Even in a backloaded deal I'd imagine A-Rod would earn $20MM+ in his first year. So if the Cubs want to go past the $130MM mark, they could have Rodriguez. That'd put the Cubs third in payroll behind only the Yankees and Red Sox.
This would be the biggest pick up for the cubs next year! Every cubs fan would approve of Arod becoming a cub, if they don't then they must not watch any baseball. I would personally love to give Arod a share in the company and would love to give him a deal worth 30 million a year. He is above and beyond the best player in baseball right now. No one has equalled his numbers on a constant basis. He will hit 40+ homers( especially at Wrigley), he steals bases, drives in runs, and is all around a great guy. If this guy can produce in the Evil Empire he can produce in Chicago. He is a hall of famer, and wouldn't he look good cubbie blue???? Breaking Bonds homerun record in blue pinstripes??? Playing shortstop for out beloved cubs??? The answer is YES! YES! AND OH YESSS!!!!
The thought of Arod playing at Wrigley has me drooling at the lineup. If he does become a Cub, he would play SS, a place where he is comfortable and a place where he has success( 2 time gold glove winner).
If the Cubs got Arod, they would be the best offensive team in MLB!!!
Thanks to MLBTR-
A-Rod, Partial Cubs Owner?
Deadspin's Will Leitch has an article in New York Magazine dissecting the Alex Rodriguez opt-out situation. Leitch, through a source, has a new piece of info for us sure to generate some discussion. He lists the Red Sox and Cubs as the teams most likely to lure A-Rod away from the Yankees, and lays out a unique Cub contract possibility:
Scott Boras knows which [ownership] group is most likely to be awarded the Cubs. The source says Boras has already been in touch with that group about the possibility of a contract that could reach $30 million a year over the next ten years while deferring a certain portion of money toward an eventual stake in the franchise.
David K. Li's source feels that this might constitute tampering. The group Leitch is likely referring to is the one headed by John Canning, who is currently a part-owner of the Brewers.
Pretty wild stuff. Cubs fans can salivate over a lineup featuring Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and A-Rod. Keep all of those guys healthy the next few years and they could have the league's best offense. Still, ten year contracts are pretty rare and quite risky. It's tough to project a player more than a few years out, but it's going to take at least eight years to sign Rodriguez.
The Cubs have roughly $110MM on the books for 2008 (more on that in a separate post). They entered the '07 season with a payroll right around $100MM. Even in a backloaded deal I'd imagine A-Rod would earn $20MM+ in his first year. So if the Cubs want to go past the $130MM mark, they could have Rodriguez. That'd put the Cubs third in payroll behind only the Yankees and Red Sox.
This would be the biggest pick up for the cubs next year! Every cubs fan would approve of Arod becoming a cub, if they don't then they must not watch any baseball. I would personally love to give Arod a share in the company and would love to give him a deal worth 30 million a year. He is above and beyond the best player in baseball right now. No one has equalled his numbers on a constant basis. He will hit 40+ homers( especially at Wrigley), he steals bases, drives in runs, and is all around a great guy. If this guy can produce in the Evil Empire he can produce in Chicago. He is a hall of famer, and wouldn't he look good cubbie blue???? Breaking Bonds homerun record in blue pinstripes??? Playing shortstop for out beloved cubs??? The answer is YES! YES! AND OH YESSS!!!!
The thought of Arod playing at Wrigley has me drooling at the lineup. If he does become a Cub, he would play SS, a place where he is comfortable and a place where he has success( 2 time gold glove winner).
If the Cubs got Arod, they would be the best offensive team in MLB!!!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Trachsel to start Thursday and Z to start Friday.
Cubs.com-
CHICAGO -- The Cubs have tweaked their rotation and will start Steve Trachsel on three days' rest Thursday while Carlos Zambrano will get an extra day and go Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Trachsel threw 47 pitches over two innings Sunday against Pittsburgh and was roughed up, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk in the loss. He'll face Houston in the series finale at Minute Maid Park.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella had considered inserting rookie Kevin Hart into the rotation for Thursday so Zambrano could face the Cardinals, but opted for the veteran Trachsel.
"I don't think we really have much choice," Piniella said Monday. "He didn't throw many pitches yesterday in Pittsburgh, so it's not like he pitched six or seven innings."
Zambrano, who ended his personal winless streak with a win Saturday over the Pirates, is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA against the Cardinals this year.
Ted Lilly and Sean Marshall will start for the Cubs in Saturday's day-night doubleheader at Busch Stadium, and Jason Marquis will finish the series Sunday. Piniella said Zambrano and Lilly will come back on three days' rest for the series against Cincinnati from Sept. 18-19, respectively, with Rich Hill starting Sept. 17.
"Then everything would be back on track," Piniella said.
The Cubs did lose an off-day Monday to makeup the Aug. 19 game against the Cardinals, but still have two off-days remaining, Sept. 20 and Sept. 24.
"I don't know why you need two days off the last nine games of the season and then play 34 out of 35 days," Piniella said. "I don't understand that reasoning, but look, I'm not a schedule maker. To get everything back on track, we'll have to bring both [Zambrano and Lilly] on three days' rest.
"Our pitchers are fairly fresh," Piniella said. "We've watched their pitch counts all summer. we've got enough pitchers now with all these callups that if somebody's struggling or we have a big lead -- which we haven't had -- we can shorten somebody up."
Head to head: The Cubs will play the Cardinals five times in the next seven days and entered Monday's game 7-4 against the Redbirds this season. St. Louis was nine games back on July 27 and has inched back into the National League Central.
"This is a big advantage to Milwaukee," Piniella said of the Cubs and Cardinals going head to head. "You've got the two teams challenging them playing each other. They'll be picking up ground, assuming they win games against somebody. What we need to do here is get hot against St. Louis and hopefully get them behind us a little more."
September hasn't been great for the Cubs, who are 4-5 and batting .265. The pitchers have a 5.81 ERA this month.
"The starting pitching hasn't been all that good the past two weeks or so," Piniella said. "We've had some sporadic work where we get a good game. The guys who have pitched the best have been Lilly and Marquis. We need a little more consistency. They're capable of it. Everybody goes through little slumps. I'm not overly concerned."
CHICAGO -- The Cubs have tweaked their rotation and will start Steve Trachsel on three days' rest Thursday while Carlos Zambrano will get an extra day and go Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Trachsel threw 47 pitches over two innings Sunday against Pittsburgh and was roughed up, allowing six runs on six hits and one walk in the loss. He'll face Houston in the series finale at Minute Maid Park.
Cubs manager Lou Piniella had considered inserting rookie Kevin Hart into the rotation for Thursday so Zambrano could face the Cardinals, but opted for the veteran Trachsel.
"I don't think we really have much choice," Piniella said Monday. "He didn't throw many pitches yesterday in Pittsburgh, so it's not like he pitched six or seven innings."
Zambrano, who ended his personal winless streak with a win Saturday over the Pirates, is 2-0 with a 2.03 ERA against the Cardinals this year.
Ted Lilly and Sean Marshall will start for the Cubs in Saturday's day-night doubleheader at Busch Stadium, and Jason Marquis will finish the series Sunday. Piniella said Zambrano and Lilly will come back on three days' rest for the series against Cincinnati from Sept. 18-19, respectively, with Rich Hill starting Sept. 17.
"Then everything would be back on track," Piniella said.
The Cubs did lose an off-day Monday to makeup the Aug. 19 game against the Cardinals, but still have two off-days remaining, Sept. 20 and Sept. 24.
"I don't know why you need two days off the last nine games of the season and then play 34 out of 35 days," Piniella said. "I don't understand that reasoning, but look, I'm not a schedule maker. To get everything back on track, we'll have to bring both [Zambrano and Lilly] on three days' rest.
"Our pitchers are fairly fresh," Piniella said. "We've watched their pitch counts all summer. we've got enough pitchers now with all these callups that if somebody's struggling or we have a big lead -- which we haven't had -- we can shorten somebody up."
Head to head: The Cubs will play the Cardinals five times in the next seven days and entered Monday's game 7-4 against the Redbirds this season. St. Louis was nine games back on July 27 and has inched back into the National League Central.
"This is a big advantage to Milwaukee," Piniella said of the Cubs and Cardinals going head to head. "You've got the two teams challenging them playing each other. They'll be picking up ground, assuming they win games against somebody. What we need to do here is get hot against St. Louis and hopefully get them behind us a little more."
September hasn't been great for the Cubs, who are 4-5 and batting .265. The pitchers have a 5.81 ERA this month.
"The starting pitching hasn't been all that good the past two weeks or so," Piniella said. "We've had some sporadic work where we get a good game. The guys who have pitched the best have been Lilly and Marquis. We need a little more consistency. They're capable of it. Everybody goes through little slumps. I'm not overly concerned."
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Chicago Cubs needs next year and payroll.
With rumors and news slowing down and everyone watching the crazy NL Central race I have decided to run down the contract obligations, the needs, payroll, and players the cubs might look at for next year.
First the Contract obligations-
1st- Lee 13m
2nd- Derosa 4.75m
3b- Aram 14m
SS- Theriot .5m
C- Soto .5m
OF- Pie .5m
OF- Soriano 13m
OF- Jones 5m
OF- Pagan .5m
OF- Murton .5m
IF- Font .365m
IF-Cedeno .5m
C- Blanco 5.25m
P- Zambrano 15m
P- Lilly 7m
P- Marquis 3.67m
P- Hill .5m
P- Marshall .5m
RP- Dempster 5.5m
RP- Howry 4m
RP- Ohman 1.6m
RP- Weurtz .5m
RP- Marmol .5m
RP-Gallahger .5m
RP- Hart .5m
PLAYERS WITH OPTIONS-
OF/1st- Ward 1.2m option/50,000 buy out
OF- Floyd mutual option 3m??
RP- Eyre 3.5 player option
PLAYERS OFF THE BOOKS-
RP- Wood
OF- Monroe( a non tender candidate)
SP- Trachsel
C- Kendall
Wild Card-
SP- Mark Prior 3.5m
If you add up all the guaranteed contracts before trades, arbitration, free agent signings, and add the contracts of Ward and Prior( who I think will be the only two back out of the impeding FA, DL, and Option players) you get a total of
102.835 million for next year
Now with not many players off the books with big contracts the cubs may be looking to get rid of bad/bloated contracts this winter. They also may be going the trade route this winter rather than the spending spree they took last winter. This free agent market looks ok but it doesn't match up with the cubs needs. The cubs could look at the Free Agent Market for a good player in RF, like a Kosuke Fukudome who just had surgery but will be ready to hit the FA market next year. The cubs do not need to much in the infield and could get by with the pitching staff they have especially if the can count on Prior being ready by openinig day (LMAO) or the could get one of there young kids a shot like Veal or Gallahger. The cubs could add another veteran pitcher via trade or get one threw the free agent market but with the price of pitchers and the cost they have spent on them this year I don't see that happening but they could surpise you and pick up a pitcher and reliever from Japan.
As far as the players with options that we currently have on this team, I see Eyre going somewhere else. He has struggled this year and needs a fresh start maybe back in a Sox uniform or in Detriot.
Floyd is an interesting option, the cubs or him could pick up his option just to have a veteran pinch hitter off the bench that can spell the corner outfielders once in a while so I cant tell you if is gonna be in a cubs uni next year.
Ward to me would be a steal for next year at 1.2million for a guy who can smash rightys and come off the bench to play 1st or the corner OF spots, he would be a steal. Im 90% sure that he will be a cubs next year.
Now for players like Monroe, Trachsel, Wood, and Kendall, they will all be in different uniforms next year. The most likely to come back would be Wood but I don't see that happening. Pitchers are getting big bucks on the FA market even if you have arm problems( like Adam Eaton and Wolf). The one player who I would love to bring back is Monroe. I guy who kills Leftys and can play all three OF positions would look good as the 4th OF on this team. I like him better than Murton. Having Pagan, Ward, and Monroe on the bench would be great for this team next year.
Players who have a good chance of being traded before opening day are as followed
Ohman- With the bad comments between him and the cubs staff, this is his last year as a cub.
Dempster- He is losing it on the mound, his performances vary each outing and you don't need that as a closer. Marmol will be the closer next year. Not to mention a 5.5m dollar contract for a closer who only has 20+ saves year. Jose Valverde of the Dbacks is making 2 million this year and Hoffman is making 6.5 million! enough said!
Jones- The cubs are going to go with Pie in CF next year and they need more production out of RF next year and with Jones lack of power and problems with cubbie fans.. He will likely be out before winter meeting are over.
If the cubs decide to pick up another utility guy or upgrade in the infield or acquire a pitcher you might see these guys in AAA-
Font
Cededno
Marshall
Gallagher
Hart
Murton
As far as the cubs needs I think they could go into next year just getting a utility infielder and a everyday right fielder with power and let young guys fill the holes in the pen. Of course everyone would love to see Arod at SS in cubbie blue even if it cost them 30+m a year but I just don't see that happening. I rather see them spend 30 million on a starting pitcher, RF, IF and maybe another reliever. Here is a list of some players that would be good additions to the team next year.
The Reliever-
Hitoki Iwase- This guy will be in a cubs uniform next year. He is the most dominate left handed closer in Japan and will be a great addition to the cubs for a small price. Here is his stats-
http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=1065
here is video-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUOipyLNHU
The Utility Guy-
IF- Mark Loretta- be a cheap good addition to the cubs adds versatility and would straighten the bench a great deal
The Righthanded Starters-
SP-Kenshin Kawakami- check out this guys stats he is 32 years old and could be the dark horse in the SP next year. Here is the link to his stats-
http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=1026
SP- Carlos Silva- Another cheap good 4th/5th starter.. He is only 28 years old and has a record of 11 and 13 in 29 starts with a 4.34era. He is work horse already has 180 innings pitched and in the last for years he has made at least 27 starts with at least a 188 innigs pitched so he averages 7 innings pitched a game. Plus pitchers from the AL going to the NL always pitch better there first years.
SP-Koji Uehara- Another one of Japans great pitchers. Would be a great pick up as a #3 starter. Here is a link to his stats-
http://japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=uehara
The Right Fielders-
RF-Kosuke Fukudome- This guy should be the Cubs #1 priority this off season. He is a power lefty, and his glove is better than his bat and his bat is really good! He will be the next great thing! Here is a link to his stats-
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=kfukudome
Here is a couple of videos of him-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yTPVo5KA20&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYllEVLkKdM&mode=related&search=
WOW!
RF-Bobby Abreu- would be a decent pick up, good lefty bat, good OBP would benefit being out of NY
Other OFer who the cubs could pick up but probably wont because of price etc-
Aaron Rowand
Mike Cameron
Tori Hunter
Adam Dunn
Andrew Jones
Here is my opening day 25 man roster, starting lineup, and payroll for next year-
1. Soriano LF 13m
2. Theriot SS .5m
3. Lee 1st 13m
4. Aram 3b 14m
5. Fukudome RF 14m
6. Derosa 2b 4.75m
7. Soto C .5m
8. Pie CF .5m
Bench-
Ward 1st/OF 1.2m
Loretta IF 2.5m
Pagan OF .5m
Font IF .5m
Blanco C 5.25m
Murton OF .5m
Starters-
1. Zambrano 15m
2.Lilly 7m
3.Kenshin Kawakami 9m
4. Hill .5m
5. Marquis 3.67m
Relievers-
CL- Marmol .5m
RP- Howry 4m
RP- Weurtz .5m
RP- Marshall .5m
RP- Gallagher .5m
RP- Hitoki Iwase 4m
DL- Pior-3.5m
Bring the payroll next year to a respectable 120-125 million for next year.
First the Contract obligations-
1st- Lee 13m
2nd- Derosa 4.75m
3b- Aram 14m
SS- Theriot .5m
C- Soto .5m
OF- Pie .5m
OF- Soriano 13m
OF- Jones 5m
OF- Pagan .5m
OF- Murton .5m
IF- Font .365m
IF-Cedeno .5m
C- Blanco 5.25m
P- Zambrano 15m
P- Lilly 7m
P- Marquis 3.67m
P- Hill .5m
P- Marshall .5m
RP- Dempster 5.5m
RP- Howry 4m
RP- Ohman 1.6m
RP- Weurtz .5m
RP- Marmol .5m
RP-Gallahger .5m
RP- Hart .5m
PLAYERS WITH OPTIONS-
OF/1st- Ward 1.2m option/50,000 buy out
OF- Floyd mutual option 3m??
RP- Eyre 3.5 player option
PLAYERS OFF THE BOOKS-
RP- Wood
OF- Monroe( a non tender candidate)
SP- Trachsel
C- Kendall
Wild Card-
SP- Mark Prior 3.5m
If you add up all the guaranteed contracts before trades, arbitration, free agent signings, and add the contracts of Ward and Prior( who I think will be the only two back out of the impeding FA, DL, and Option players) you get a total of
102.835 million for next year
Now with not many players off the books with big contracts the cubs may be looking to get rid of bad/bloated contracts this winter. They also may be going the trade route this winter rather than the spending spree they took last winter. This free agent market looks ok but it doesn't match up with the cubs needs. The cubs could look at the Free Agent Market for a good player in RF, like a Kosuke Fukudome who just had surgery but will be ready to hit the FA market next year. The cubs do not need to much in the infield and could get by with the pitching staff they have especially if the can count on Prior being ready by openinig day (LMAO) or the could get one of there young kids a shot like Veal or Gallahger. The cubs could add another veteran pitcher via trade or get one threw the free agent market but with the price of pitchers and the cost they have spent on them this year I don't see that happening but they could surpise you and pick up a pitcher and reliever from Japan.
As far as the players with options that we currently have on this team, I see Eyre going somewhere else. He has struggled this year and needs a fresh start maybe back in a Sox uniform or in Detriot.
Floyd is an interesting option, the cubs or him could pick up his option just to have a veteran pinch hitter off the bench that can spell the corner outfielders once in a while so I cant tell you if is gonna be in a cubs uni next year.
Ward to me would be a steal for next year at 1.2million for a guy who can smash rightys and come off the bench to play 1st or the corner OF spots, he would be a steal. Im 90% sure that he will be a cubs next year.
Now for players like Monroe, Trachsel, Wood, and Kendall, they will all be in different uniforms next year. The most likely to come back would be Wood but I don't see that happening. Pitchers are getting big bucks on the FA market even if you have arm problems( like Adam Eaton and Wolf). The one player who I would love to bring back is Monroe. I guy who kills Leftys and can play all three OF positions would look good as the 4th OF on this team. I like him better than Murton. Having Pagan, Ward, and Monroe on the bench would be great for this team next year.
Players who have a good chance of being traded before opening day are as followed
Ohman- With the bad comments between him and the cubs staff, this is his last year as a cub.
Dempster- He is losing it on the mound, his performances vary each outing and you don't need that as a closer. Marmol will be the closer next year. Not to mention a 5.5m dollar contract for a closer who only has 20+ saves year. Jose Valverde of the Dbacks is making 2 million this year and Hoffman is making 6.5 million! enough said!
Jones- The cubs are going to go with Pie in CF next year and they need more production out of RF next year and with Jones lack of power and problems with cubbie fans.. He will likely be out before winter meeting are over.
If the cubs decide to pick up another utility guy or upgrade in the infield or acquire a pitcher you might see these guys in AAA-
Font
Cededno
Marshall
Gallagher
Hart
Murton
As far as the cubs needs I think they could go into next year just getting a utility infielder and a everyday right fielder with power and let young guys fill the holes in the pen. Of course everyone would love to see Arod at SS in cubbie blue even if it cost them 30+m a year but I just don't see that happening. I rather see them spend 30 million on a starting pitcher, RF, IF and maybe another reliever. Here is a list of some players that would be good additions to the team next year.
The Reliever-
Hitoki Iwase- This guy will be in a cubs uniform next year. He is the most dominate left handed closer in Japan and will be a great addition to the cubs for a small price. Here is his stats-
http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=1065
here is video-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTUOipyLNHU
The Utility Guy-
IF- Mark Loretta- be a cheap good addition to the cubs adds versatility and would straighten the bench a great deal
The Righthanded Starters-
SP-Kenshin Kawakami- check out this guys stats he is 32 years old and could be the dark horse in the SP next year. Here is the link to his stats-
http://www.japanesebaseball.com/players/player.jsp?PlayerID=1026
SP- Carlos Silva- Another cheap good 4th/5th starter.. He is only 28 years old and has a record of 11 and 13 in 29 starts with a 4.34era. He is work horse already has 180 innings pitched and in the last for years he has made at least 27 starts with at least a 188 innigs pitched so he averages 7 innings pitched a game. Plus pitchers from the AL going to the NL always pitch better there first years.
SP-Koji Uehara- Another one of Japans great pitchers. Would be a great pick up as a #3 starter. Here is a link to his stats-
http://japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=uehara
The Right Fielders-
RF-Kosuke Fukudome- This guy should be the Cubs #1 priority this off season. He is a power lefty, and his glove is better than his bat and his bat is really good! He will be the next great thing! Here is a link to his stats-
http://www.japaneseballplayers.com/en/player.php?id=kfukudome
Here is a couple of videos of him-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yTPVo5KA20&mode=related&search=
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYllEVLkKdM&mode=related&search=
WOW!
RF-Bobby Abreu- would be a decent pick up, good lefty bat, good OBP would benefit being out of NY
Other OFer who the cubs could pick up but probably wont because of price etc-
Aaron Rowand
Mike Cameron
Tori Hunter
Adam Dunn
Andrew Jones
Here is my opening day 25 man roster, starting lineup, and payroll for next year-
1. Soriano LF 13m
2. Theriot SS .5m
3. Lee 1st 13m
4. Aram 3b 14m
5. Fukudome RF 14m
6. Derosa 2b 4.75m
7. Soto C .5m
8. Pie CF .5m
Bench-
Ward 1st/OF 1.2m
Loretta IF 2.5m
Pagan OF .5m
Font IF .5m
Blanco C 5.25m
Murton OF .5m
Starters-
1. Zambrano 15m
2.Lilly 7m
3.Kenshin Kawakami 9m
4. Hill .5m
5. Marquis 3.67m
Relievers-
CL- Marmol .5m
RP- Howry 4m
RP- Weurtz .5m
RP- Marshall .5m
RP- Gallagher .5m
RP- Hitoki Iwase 4m
DL- Pior-3.5m
Bring the payroll next year to a respectable 120-125 million for next year.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Cubs aquire Steve Trachsel.
Cubs got there long relief man today and maybe even a spot starter down the strech in Trachsel. The cubs sent Rocky Cherry and Scott Moore to the O's for the right hander. This is a good move becuase the cubs dont have a long reliever in there pen. Steve is 6-8 with a 4.48 era in 25 games. He will really help this team!
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Coats sent to Reds, Rapada completes Monroe trade.
Thanks to cubs.com-
CHICAGO -- The Cubs sent outfielder Buck Coats to the Reds for a player to be named, and also announced the Tigers have claimed lefty Clay Rapada off waivers, which completes an earlier trade.
The transaction involving Rapada satisfies the Aug. 23 trade in which Chicago obtained outfielder Craig Monroe and cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named.
Coats, 25, was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 18th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He hit .303 this year with Triple-A Iowa, with 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Rapada, 26, was 7-2 with 17 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 55 relief appearances for Iowa.
CHICAGO -- The Cubs sent outfielder Buck Coats to the Reds for a player to be named, and also announced the Tigers have claimed lefty Clay Rapada off waivers, which completes an earlier trade.
The transaction involving Rapada satisfies the Aug. 23 trade in which Chicago obtained outfielder Craig Monroe and cash considerations in exchange for a player to be named.
Coats, 25, was originally drafted by the Cubs in the 18th round of the 2000 First-Year Player Draft. He hit .303 this year with Triple-A Iowa, with 21 doubles, 11 home runs and 59 RBIs.
Rapada, 26, was 7-2 with 17 saves and a 3.58 ERA in 55 relief appearances for Iowa.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Soriano will start against Brew Crew!
Thanks to cubs.com-
PHOENIX -- Manager Lou Piniella confirmed Sunday that left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who has been out since Aug. 5 with a right quad strain, will be activated and bat leadoff for the series opener against the Brewers on Tuesday.
That's big for the Cubs, who are being pursued by the second-place Brewers in the National League Central. The Cubs held a 1 1/2-game lead entering Sunday's series finale against the D-backs.
"He's going to play unless he slips coming off the airplane," joked Piniella. "He's ready to go. He's worked hard, and we could wait another week, but he's not going to get any better than he is."
The Cubs have an 8-11 record since Soriano got hurt.
Great news! Lets hope he is 100%! He will be a great boast to this team going into Miller Park. It should be intresting who will be sent to Iowa until Sept 1st. My guess is Murton.
PHOENIX -- Manager Lou Piniella confirmed Sunday that left fielder Alfonso Soriano, who has been out since Aug. 5 with a right quad strain, will be activated and bat leadoff for the series opener against the Brewers on Tuesday.
That's big for the Cubs, who are being pursued by the second-place Brewers in the National League Central. The Cubs held a 1 1/2-game lead entering Sunday's series finale against the D-backs.
"He's going to play unless he slips coming off the airplane," joked Piniella. "He's ready to go. He's worked hard, and we could wait another week, but he's not going to get any better than he is."
The Cubs have an 8-11 record since Soriano got hurt.
Great news! Lets hope he is 100%! He will be a great boast to this team going into Miller Park. It should be intresting who will be sent to Iowa until Sept 1st. My guess is Murton.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Cubs get Monroe.
Thanks to cubs.com-
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cubs, needing an experienced bat against left-handed pitching, acquired outfielder Craig Monroe from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday for a player to be named.
Monroe, 30, is expected to join the Cubs on Friday in Arizona.
"He's a good athlete, a good outfielder and he's got some pop," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said in announcing the move. "He's a good bat coming off the bench with experience. The teams we're playing here all have left-hand starters in the rotation. He'll be a valuable addition to us, and he gives us more experience."
This season, Monroe was batting .302 with five homers, eight doubles and a .542 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers. He has played all three outfield positions.
Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell knows Monroe well from their days together in Detroit.
"To me, he's an above-average outfielder," Trammell said. "He can play all three positions. He's had some pretty productive years. I haven't talked to anybody over there as to how this came about."
A career .258 hitter who was batting .222 in 99 games this season with the Tigers, Monroe had been designated for assignment.
"As far as what type of person he is, he's a great guy and will fit in very well," Trammell said.
"He'll be a nice fit. He's produced at the Major League level."
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said he has been looking for a more experienced right-handed bat to deal with lefties.
"Our young players have played terrific, but I think going into September it would be nice to get a guy who's done it before and had a world class second half last year," Hendry said of Monroe, who hit five homers and had nine RBIs in the playoffs last season with the Tigers.
"He's 30 years old, so he has a lot left in the tank," Hendry said. "Our scouts feel he could add something to the table, especially against lefties."
The Cubs are batting .253 against left-handers this year compared to .273 against right-handers. They had Matt Murton and Jake Fox as right-handed options off the bench against southpaws, but Murton has shown more power against right-handers, and all four of his homers have come off them.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland complimented Monroe.
"He was certainly one of our big guys last year," Leyland said. "I'm very happy for him. He'll be in the thick of a pennant race. He's going to be playing in a good ballpark for him."
If the Tigers liked Monroe, why was he designated for assignment?
"It was just a situation where we felt here that, this year, it wasn't going to get better, and you have to start making decisions on what you want to do with people in the future," Leyland said.
"That's basically why that was handled that way."
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated Buck Coats for assignment.
I like this move by the cubs. They get an experienced OF that can play all 3 positions, a guy who has playoff experience, has good power( especially against lefties), and we didn't have to give up hardly anything for him. He is a good fill in the corners rather than Murton or Fox and when Sori comes back he would fit well platooning with Jones and Floyd in RF or CF. The player to be looked at as the odd man out is Fox. I don't agree with it but he will probably be sent down to AAA but I wouldn't be surprised if he is called up when the roster is expanded. I am surprised Coats is DFA. He had a solid year in AAA hitting .303 with 11 homers and 59 rbi. I wouldn't be surprised if we get sumtin for him like a PTBNL, or maybe he will be sent to the Tigers.
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Cubs, needing an experienced bat against left-handed pitching, acquired outfielder Craig Monroe from the Detroit Tigers on Thursday for a player to be named.
Monroe, 30, is expected to join the Cubs on Friday in Arizona.
"He's a good athlete, a good outfielder and he's got some pop," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said in announcing the move. "He's a good bat coming off the bench with experience. The teams we're playing here all have left-hand starters in the rotation. He'll be a valuable addition to us, and he gives us more experience."
This season, Monroe was batting .302 with five homers, eight doubles and a .542 slugging percentage against left-handed pitchers. He has played all three outfield positions.
Cubs bench coach Alan Trammell knows Monroe well from their days together in Detroit.
"To me, he's an above-average outfielder," Trammell said. "He can play all three positions. He's had some pretty productive years. I haven't talked to anybody over there as to how this came about."
A career .258 hitter who was batting .222 in 99 games this season with the Tigers, Monroe had been designated for assignment.
"As far as what type of person he is, he's a great guy and will fit in very well," Trammell said.
"He'll be a nice fit. He's produced at the Major League level."
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said he has been looking for a more experienced right-handed bat to deal with lefties.
"Our young players have played terrific, but I think going into September it would be nice to get a guy who's done it before and had a world class second half last year," Hendry said of Monroe, who hit five homers and had nine RBIs in the playoffs last season with the Tigers.
"He's 30 years old, so he has a lot left in the tank," Hendry said. "Our scouts feel he could add something to the table, especially against lefties."
The Cubs are batting .253 against left-handers this year compared to .273 against right-handers. They had Matt Murton and Jake Fox as right-handed options off the bench against southpaws, but Murton has shown more power against right-handers, and all four of his homers have come off them.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland complimented Monroe.
"He was certainly one of our big guys last year," Leyland said. "I'm very happy for him. He'll be in the thick of a pennant race. He's going to be playing in a good ballpark for him."
If the Tigers liked Monroe, why was he designated for assignment?
"It was just a situation where we felt here that, this year, it wasn't going to get better, and you have to start making decisions on what you want to do with people in the future," Leyland said.
"That's basically why that was handled that way."
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Cubs designated Buck Coats for assignment.
I like this move by the cubs. They get an experienced OF that can play all 3 positions, a guy who has playoff experience, has good power( especially against lefties), and we didn't have to give up hardly anything for him. He is a good fill in the corners rather than Murton or Fox and when Sori comes back he would fit well platooning with Jones and Floyd in RF or CF. The player to be looked at as the odd man out is Fox. I don't agree with it but he will probably be sent down to AAA but I wouldn't be surprised if he is called up when the roster is expanded. I am surprised Coats is DFA. He had a solid year in AAA hitting .303 with 11 homers and 59 rbi. I wouldn't be surprised if we get sumtin for him like a PTBNL, or maybe he will be sent to the Tigers.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Good roster moves!
In coordination with Cedeno being sent to AAA Iowa and Hill DFA the cubs have activated Floyd from the RL and activated Blanco from the 60 day DL list. I love this move for the cubs of course. Im a huge Hank White fan and I think with the duo of Kendall and Blanco you have a solid catching core. Another thing I am happy with is Cedeno sent to Iowa instead of Fox. Cedeno is nothing but a mediocre MLB player and Fox has good power and is just a hard nosed player. Good move Hendry!
I would like to also add that I think Ward should be in RF and Floyd in LF with Jones in CF against RHP( giving Murton, Fox, and Pie spot starts). That would put alot of Left handed pop in the line up and imagine facing Jones, Lee, Aram, Floyd, and Ward in the lineup back to back to back to back to back.. That is not a fun inning for a pitcher. I am also in favor for Fox to getting playing time over Murton. I'm tired of Murtons ABs.
I would like to also add that I think Ward should be in RF and Floyd in LF with Jones in CF against RHP( giving Murton, Fox, and Pie spot starts). That would put alot of Left handed pop in the line up and imagine facing Jones, Lee, Aram, Floyd, and Ward in the lineup back to back to back to back to back.. That is not a fun inning for a pitcher. I am also in favor for Fox to getting playing time over Murton. I'm tired of Murtons ABs.
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