Time to play GM

[Rappster]

I like the idea of moving Theriot to 2B, but finding the kind of SS you guys want, is going to be hard.

I could actually see Bradley coming back with an excellent year...it sounded as though he might finally have put his tail between his legs after the suspension. That said, between his injuries and track record, it would be hard to put our eggs back in his basket. I prefer Burrell to Rowand, but worry about Burrell in RF. And remember...he K's a ton. You reap what you sow...so don't get pissed at him, if you're someone who wants him here.

I am not comfortable with committing to Wells. I do think we need to offer arbitration to Harden, unless there's something we don't know about his shoulder. He's 28...stack up his season against the rest of the league, and he doesn't look half-bad. He waned as the season went on...and we need to know the finite reason before kissing him off.

I want Wells to fight with Samardzija and Gorzelany for the #5.

I like Baker as a supersub, and do agree with the "end regressing to the mean" theory.

I do expect Soto to come back. His track record throughout the minors showed absolute skill and improvement, and I think he just succumbed to a bad start, and injuries. Probably needs some maturity and mental toughness...

I want Reed Johnson back. That's someone you build a bench around. I want Grabow back, and if we can...a real closer. If Marmol returns to form, I'm fine with him in the eighth.

Not sure about Lackey...have never been sure whether or not he's the real thing.

And...for the Alf-killers. He was off to a tremendous start before getting hurt. He is not ready to be kissed off...I'm done with him at lead-off, but fine with him lower down.

We won 83 games. We were decimated by injuries. Lilly, Zambrano, Dempster, Alf, Aramis, Lee...

We're just not that far off...

[jstraw]

"I want Wells to fight with Samardzija and Gorzelany for the #5."

You mean in Spring Training?

[Butcher]

<!--quoteo(post=65548:date=Oct 6 2009, 12:48 PM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Oct 6 2009, 12:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->"I want Wells to fight with Samardzija and Gorzelany for the #5."

You mean in Spring Training?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think he meant in a cage match.

[rok]

If we have Wells and Gorzelanny/Shark penciled in as our #4 and #5 starters next season, it's gonna be one helluva year. We're going to need a top 3 offense just to have a fighting chance.

[1060Ivy]

<!--quoteo(post=65557:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:08 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Oct 6 2009, 01:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If we have Wells and Gorzelanny/Shark penciled in as our #4 and #5 starters next season, it's gonna be one helluva year. We're going to need a top 3 offense just to have a fighting chance.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

The Cubs had a top 3 - 6 team pitching (Top 6 in WHIP, Top 5 in ERA, Top 2 in K/ and Top 3 BAA) in 2009 and it didn't get them into the playoffs. It's a shame that so many good/great pitching performances were wasted for a team that just couldn't score runs.

[Scarey]

I think we should just get rid of Wells now. What's the point, right? He's just using up a spot on the 40 man roster.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=65563:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think we should just get rid of Wells now. What's the point, right? He's just using up a spot on the 40 man roster.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now you're seeing things straight. Once you agree that we should trade Zambrano then you and I will be on the same page.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=65564:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:31 PM:name=PcB)-->QUOTE (PcB @ Oct 6 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=65563:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think we should just get rid of Wells now. What's the point, right? He's just using up a spot on the 40 man roster.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now you're seeing things straight. Once you agree that we should trade Zambrano then you and I will be on the same page.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


If we could only find someone to take all of his salary off our hands. Maybe throw in Vitters? We'd only be on the hook for like 5 million a year then. 8 tops.

[rok]

I never said I didn't want Wells on the team. What I did say is that if we have Wells (who is still a big question mark regardless of what he did this season) and Shark/Gorzelanny as our #4 and #5, then it could be a long season.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=65565:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:33 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 6 2009, 01:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=65564:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:31 PM:name=PcB)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PcB @ Oct 6 2009, 01:31 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=65563:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 6 2009, 01:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I think we should just get rid of Wells now. What's the point, right? He's just using up a spot on the 40 man roster.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Now you're seeing things straight. Once you agree that we should trade Zambrano then you and I will be on the same page.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


If we could only find someone to take all of his salary off our hands. Maybe throw in Vitters? We'd only be on the hook for like 5 million a year then. 8 tops.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
How did you know I like my sandwich oozing with sarcasm?

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=65567:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:41 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Oct 6 2009, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I never said I didn't want Wells on the team. What I did say is that if we have Wells (who is still a big question mark regardless of what he did this season) and Shark/Gorzelanny as our #4 and #5, then it could be a long season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
and this I agree with. I don't want Shark anywhere near the starting rotation, not quite yet at least.

[savant]

With Shark, if he ever gets it it will be like a light switch going on. I am not sold on the fact that he ever will really get it. Just keep in mind that compared to the average first or second year major league pitcher he probably doesn't have half as many innings pitched during his lifetime.

Wells is a good example of what could happen with Shark, but if we were able to get good value back for Wells I would move him. He just makes me a bit nervous.


I want Reyes from the Mets.

[Butcher]

I'd like Shark to simplify his windup a bit. I'm not saying that this will solve his issues, but I don't like his mechanics. I don't like his face or his hair very much either.

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=65567:date=Oct 6 2009, 01:41 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ Oct 6 2009, 01:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I never said I didn't want Wells on the team. What I did say is that if we have Wells (who is still a big question mark regardless of what he did this season) and Shark/Gorzelanny as our #4 and #5, then it could be a long season.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I just have an issue with the fact that nobody wants to give Wells credit just because he doesn't strike people out. The guy does a great job of utilizing his pitches and placing the ball. He may not overwhelm anyone and doesn't strike out a ton, but he doesn't give out many free passes either.

Everyone at the beginning of the year kept saying that batters would start figuring Wells out. Scouting reports would get around and he would start getting hit. Teams would see him a second/third time around and knock him around. He would wear down.

It never happened and September was his second best month on the year.

I'm not trying to say that Wells is a sure fire thing. But the guy needs some credit. You don't have to be a strikeout pitcher in this league to be successful. Just ask Mark Buerhle, Jamie Moyer, and Derek Lowe.

[Coach]

Wells' trade value will never be this high.