10-05-2009, 02:33 PM
Lineup without moves would look like this.
1.
2. Fukudome RF/CF
3. Lee 1B
4. Ramirez 3B
5. Soriano LF
6. Baker 2B
7. Soto C
8.
Bench
Miles
Fontenot
Hill
Rotation
Carlos Zambrano
Ted Lilly
Ryan Dempster
Randy Wells
Tom Gorzelanny
Bullpen
Marmol
Guzman
Marshall
That leaves Bradley, Fox, and Theriot as trade pieces. I would see what combination of them we would have to deal to Kansas City to snag Gil Meche while taking on as little of Bradley's contract as possible. I'm not wild about Meche, but if KC is wanting to get out of his contract and add a productive hitter, hopefully we can facilitate that. If it doesn't work, I'm fine with Gorz as our 5th starter. The Tigers, Angels, Indians, Mets and Giants may have a bad contract they want to swap out instead. In any scenario, Fox and Theriot can be spun off for prospects.
As for the outfield vacancy, Lou has talked about getting a big bat, but I don't know if that's a possiblity or not. However, I'm thinking if he's talking about it, he has been told his request would be filled. I'm gonna go conservative on expectations though. Abreu may be the guy the Cubs are targetting. If that's what happens, I'd put him no. 2 and bat Kosuke leadoff. Some other realistic names I would be interested in are Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, and Marlon Byrd.
The shortstop hole is not going to be a hole long IMO. There's plenty of Cubs prospects that are going to be able to play there, so I think a quick fix is all that's necessary. I'd like to see a defensive oriented shortstop, so either Jack Wilson or Marco Scutaro would be a nice fit, as long as they don't cost an arm and a leg.
If we could trade Miles, I would. Unfortunatley I think he either takes up a bench spot or the Cubs just DFA him. Either way, the Cubs will be on the hook for his salary. I'm willing to give Fontenot another chance off the bench to see if he can regain his 2008 production as a part time player. Hill is an option to backup Soto, I think he did very well as a backup. I'm not married to him though and if Chris Robinson or Steve Clevenger look like more appealing options, I'm all for it. Hoffpauir, Scales, and Blanco are options for the bench as well. I'd honestly like to see Darwin Barney as a bench player just because he's such a good defender, but I think it would hinder his development. If the outfielder the Cubs get isn't versitile enough to play in center, then Reed Johnson or someone else from the FA pool can be signed.
The bullpen I would put up for grabs. I think Jeff Stevens, John Gaub, and Blake Parker could and should be viable relievers. I'd be willing to give Samardzija a chance to make the bullpen as well. There is absolutely no reason to sign any free agents to the bullpen. I'm actually hesitant to offer Heilman arbitration. He ended up having a somewhat acceptable year, but I hate to see them spend even 2 million on one player for the bullpen unless it's an elite thrower.
1.
2. Fukudome RF/CF
3. Lee 1B
4. Ramirez 3B
5. Soriano LF
6. Baker 2B
7. Soto C
8.
Bench
Miles
Fontenot
Hill
Rotation
Carlos Zambrano
Ted Lilly
Ryan Dempster
Randy Wells
Tom Gorzelanny
Bullpen
Marmol
Guzman
Marshall
That leaves Bradley, Fox, and Theriot as trade pieces. I would see what combination of them we would have to deal to Kansas City to snag Gil Meche while taking on as little of Bradley's contract as possible. I'm not wild about Meche, but if KC is wanting to get out of his contract and add a productive hitter, hopefully we can facilitate that. If it doesn't work, I'm fine with Gorz as our 5th starter. The Tigers, Angels, Indians, Mets and Giants may have a bad contract they want to swap out instead. In any scenario, Fox and Theriot can be spun off for prospects.
As for the outfield vacancy, Lou has talked about getting a big bat, but I don't know if that's a possiblity or not. However, I'm thinking if he's talking about it, he has been told his request would be filled. I'm gonna go conservative on expectations though. Abreu may be the guy the Cubs are targetting. If that's what happens, I'd put him no. 2 and bat Kosuke leadoff. Some other realistic names I would be interested in are Xavier Nady, Hideki Matsui, and Marlon Byrd.
The shortstop hole is not going to be a hole long IMO. There's plenty of Cubs prospects that are going to be able to play there, so I think a quick fix is all that's necessary. I'd like to see a defensive oriented shortstop, so either Jack Wilson or Marco Scutaro would be a nice fit, as long as they don't cost an arm and a leg.
If we could trade Miles, I would. Unfortunatley I think he either takes up a bench spot or the Cubs just DFA him. Either way, the Cubs will be on the hook for his salary. I'm willing to give Fontenot another chance off the bench to see if he can regain his 2008 production as a part time player. Hill is an option to backup Soto, I think he did very well as a backup. I'm not married to him though and if Chris Robinson or Steve Clevenger look like more appealing options, I'm all for it. Hoffpauir, Scales, and Blanco are options for the bench as well. I'd honestly like to see Darwin Barney as a bench player just because he's such a good defender, but I think it would hinder his development. If the outfielder the Cubs get isn't versitile enough to play in center, then Reed Johnson or someone else from the FA pool can be signed.
The bullpen I would put up for grabs. I think Jeff Stevens, John Gaub, and Blake Parker could and should be viable relievers. I'd be willing to give Samardzija a chance to make the bullpen as well. There is absolutely no reason to sign any free agents to the bullpen. I'm actually hesitant to offer Heilman arbitration. He ended up having a somewhat acceptable year, but I hate to see them spend even 2 million on one player for the bullpen unless it's an elite thrower.