Washburn

[savant]

I agree just because Hudson is better defensively

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=75121:date=Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM:name=savant)-->QUOTE (savant @ Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Let's sign Sheets, sign either Lopez or Hudson to play second base, and take a late look in the bargain bin for a decent bullpen arm and a back-up outfielder. I would be ecstatic about that for an offseason. Signing a second baseman means there will be no rushing Castro to the bigs. He will only get called up when his play says he is ready. If by the middle of next season he is ready we would be much better defensively up the middle with Castro and Hudson. Theriot can be moved for prospects, or something of need. Fontenot and Baker are both decent bench options.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sounds good.

[Runnys]

<!--quoteo(post=75168:date=Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75121:date=Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM:name=savant)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (savant @ Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Let's sign Sheets, sign either Lopez or Hudson to play second base, and take a late look in the bargain bin for a decent bullpen arm and a back-up outfielder. I would be ecstatic about that for an offseason. Signing a second baseman means there will be no rushing Castro to the bigs. He will only get called up when his play says he is ready. If by the middle of next season he is ready we would be much better defensively up the middle with Castro and Hudson. Theriot can be moved for prospects, or something of need. Fontenot and Baker are both decent bench options.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sounds good.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would love to do those things....but do we even have the payroll flexibility to do something like this?

[Ace]

<!--quoteo(post=75183:date=Jan 9 2010, 09:52 PM:name=Runnys)-->QUOTE (Runnys @ Jan 9 2010, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75168:date=Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75121:date=Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM:name=savant)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (savant @ Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Let's sign Sheets, sign either Lopez or Hudson to play second base, and take a late look in the bargain bin for a decent bullpen arm and a back-up outfielder. I would be ecstatic about that for an offseason. Signing a second baseman means there will be no rushing Castro to the bigs. He will only get called up when his play says he is ready. If by the middle of next season he is ready we would be much better defensively up the middle with Castro and Hudson. Theriot can be moved for prospects, or something of need. Fontenot and Baker are both decent bench options.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sounds good.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would love to do those things....but do we even have the payroll flexibility to do something like this?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not if Hendry gets his way re: the bullpen arm. The Cubs have, at most per Hendry's statements, another $4 to 6 million to spend, presuming none of the arbitration raises are unexpectedly large.

The Cubs should have signed Hudson and non-tendered Fontenot.

[Rappster]

<!--quoteo(post=75186:date=Jan 9 2010, 09:26 PM:name=Ace)-->QUOTE (Ace @ Jan 9 2010, 09:26 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75183:date=Jan 9 2010, 09:52 PM:name=Runnys)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Runnys @ Jan 9 2010, 09:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75168:date=Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Jan 9 2010, 05:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75121:date=Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM:name=savant)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (savant @ Jan 9 2010, 11:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Let's sign Sheets, sign either Lopez or Hudson to play second base, and take a late look in the bargain bin for a decent bullpen arm and a back-up outfielder. I would be ecstatic about that for an offseason. Signing a second baseman means there will be no rushing Castro to the bigs. He will only get called up when his play says he is ready. If by the middle of next season he is ready we would be much better defensively up the middle with Castro and Hudson. Theriot can be moved for prospects, or something of need. Fontenot and Baker are both decent bench options.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Sounds good.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I would love to do those things....but do we even have the payroll flexibility to do something like this?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Not if Hendry gets his way re: the bullpen arm. The Cubs have, at most per Hendry's statements, another $4 to 6 million to spend, presuming none of the arbitration raises are unexpectedly large.

The Cubs should have signed Hudson and non-tendered Fontenot.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Is 4 - 6 really the number?

If so, I would think that would preclude our getting even a reclamation project pitcher.

I don't know about anyone else, but I do want another starter...most of our current names haven't proven themselves to work beyond swing status, at this point.

I'd really like to see what Sheets has...

[rok]

I can't imagine Sheets signing for more than $5 mil+ incentives. What would it take to sign Lopez/Hudson? I'd imagine it would be in the 10-12 mil+ range in total, so unless we cut more payroll, it will be a challenge.

[savant]

I hope this is where we see a difference with having an actual owner with something other than corp for a last name. If the cost of greatly improving this teams chances of winning is a boost of 3-5% of total payroll I really hope that we some flexibility from the Ricketts.

[Butcher]

If we could find a way to sign Sheets and Hudson, I'd call this a fantastic offseason, all things considered.

[Auz]

I would be excited if we gained Sheets and happy if we gained Washburn. However from all reports it seems that Hendry is content with the current starters (which is a crock of shit, especially with last years best starter on the DL for 1-2 months).

I can't see us gaining a 2B guy either since-

They have a collective stiffy for Castro and see him as our SS of the future with Theriot moving back to 2B.
Fontenot will be the starter simply because of his LH bat.

To be honest, I only see us over paying for a reliever and then signing up non-roster invitees to fill up Iowa to finish up the offseason.

[PcB]

<!--quoteo(post=75320:date=Jan 11 2010, 01:54 AM:name=Dingo)-->QUOTE (Dingo @ Jan 11 2010, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would be excited if we gained Sheets and happy if we gained Washburn. However from all reports it seems that Hendry is content with the current starters (which is a crock of shit, especially with last years best starter on the DL for 1-2 months).

I can't see us gaining a 2B guy either since-

They have a collective stiffy for Castro and see him as our SS of the future with Theriot moving back to 2B.
Fontenot will be the starter simply because of his LH bat.

To be honest, I only see us over paying for a reliever and then signing up non-roster invitees to fill up Iowa to finish up the offseason.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
After last years failed experiment Fontenot's not going to start, it's gonna be Baker. I hope.

[veryzer]

<!--quoteo(post=75394:date=Jan 11 2010, 01:49 PM:name=PcB)-->QUOTE (PcB @ Jan 11 2010, 01:49 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=75320:date=Jan 11 2010, 01:54 AM:name=Dingo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dingo @ Jan 11 2010, 01:54 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I would be excited if we gained Sheets and happy if we gained Washburn. However from all reports it seems that Hendry is content with the current starters (which is a crock of shit, especially with last years best starter on the DL for 1-2 months).

I can't see us gaining a 2B guy either since-

They have a collective stiffy for Castro and see him as our SS of the future with Theriot moving back to 2B.
Fontenot will be the starter simply because of his LH bat.

To be honest, I only see us over paying for a reliever and then signing up non-roster invitees to fill up Iowa to finish up the offseason.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
After last years failed experiment Fontenot's not going to start, it's gonna be Baker. I hope.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


And Baker won't be any better than Fontenot.

[rok]

Seriously though, is Hendry actually going to try to just add another RP and 4th OF and then pretend that this was a good offseason? He'd better be wearing a cup at the Convention.

[1060Ivy]

At least, Baker can play 3rd base. Of course that's what was said about Miles and Fontenot at the start of 2008. Oops, I believe someone just bunted to the third base side again.

[Butcher]

Yeah...it's gonna be a big party for Hendry and the new owners at the convention if this offseason continues as-is.

[savant]

Everyone's favorite garden gnome is reporting that the Cubs approached Sheet's agent at the winter meetings. The asking price is 2 years $10-12 million guaranteed. I'm down for one year at that rate with a club opt-out for the second year.