Cubs Commitments - A look ahead

[Baron]

<!--quoteo(post=57299:date=Aug 12 2009, 07:43 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Aug 12 2009, 07:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57257:date=Aug 11 2009, 11:19 PM:name=Baron)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron @ Aug 11 2009, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57253:date=Aug 11 2009, 10:16 PM:name=BackyardLegend)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BackyardLegend @ Aug 11 2009, 10:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57210:date=Aug 11 2009, 09:38 PM:name=Baron)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Baron @ Aug 11 2009, 09:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=57201:date=Aug 11 2009, 09:33 PM:name=BackyardLegend)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BackyardLegend @ Aug 11 2009, 09:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->The Cubs need to Magglio Ordonez/Carlos Lee (Sox pre-2005) themselves of one of those OF contracts. Preferably Soriano. However I doubt anyone is going to take on any of that salary.

The MLB is shifting a bit in that it's more important to grow your own talent. Players are breaking down at an earlier age, and because of that it's not wise to invest in monster free agent contracts. I don't mean to say that the era of A-Rod contracts is over, but teams are going to need find those studs in there own system. Not to mention, if players are becoming more an more fragile, teams may be less apt to take a plunge with an older FA. We may see more Bobby Abreu type deals.

Also, I don't want to have another relapse like we had in 2005-2006 where we really faltered for a few years because we didn't have enough depth in the organization. Of course we can't win 90+ games every year, but we need to make sure we have talent coming up through both the pipeline and the hot stove to ensure that we are (1) competitive and/or (2) making continual progress. I.E. Boston Red Sox/LA Dodgers.

Just my 2¢ for now.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The Sox didn't win because they got rid of those two, they won because their pitching was outstanding in 2005. Podsednik and Rowand both had sub .740 OPSs.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->


I'm just saying we need to rid ourselves of of some of the older stalwarts.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If the option is Soriano in LF or someone who is going to OPS .740 it is a no brainer decision.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Well we have the best of both worlds. We have Soriano in LF and his OPS is .746.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
[img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif[/img] He also has had the worst year of his career and I'll put money his OPS is closer to .800 by the end of the year.