Washburn

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