Our farm system

[savant]

<!--quoteo(post=66010:date=Oct 8 2009, 03:14 PM:name=Scarey)-->QUOTE (Scarey @ Oct 8 2009, 03:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->While I agree with the general point of your post Savant, I still think we need to churn out some of our own players. Proven vets cost money, and while I don't mind that the Cubs spend, they can only spend so much.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They have to be truly special prospects, fifth starters or middle relievers as far as I am concerned. They can also be used as bench players and depth for the major league team. Rookies just so rarely ever make an impact when you are counting on them, that I would never want to see us going into a season relying on more than rookie as a starter. We have had good luck recently with Soto and Wells.

I am just really starting to have a hard time backing any free agent signings. Soriano, Fukudome, Marquis and Bradley, are all horrible contracts on some level. It just seems the entire concept of free agency just insures that you are going to overpay. Lilly, and DeRosa were good signings. Also, as we move further away from the steroid era it really seems like players in the 28-32 year old range are going to be more and more important.