For the sake of argument...

[Coldneck]

1. We all know that Derrick Lee's contract ends after this season. We also know that San Diego has Adrian Gonzalez and cannot afford to keep him much longer. Would it be smart to trade Starlin Castro for Adrian Gonzalez and say goodbye to D Lee? Would Starlin be enough?

[Coldneck]

2. How important is defense? Ryan Theriot is pathetic at SS, but carries a decent slappy bat. Would the Cubs be a better team if an Andres Blanco type started at SS and Theriot platooned at 2B?

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=93724:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would the Cubs be a better team if an Andres Blanco type started at SS and Theriot platooned at 2B?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Without a doubt.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=93723:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would it be smart to trade Starlin Castro for Adrian Gonzalez and say goodbye to D Lee? Would Starlin be enough?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No and no.

[Coldneck]

<!--quoteo(post=93727:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93723:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would it be smart to trade Starlin Castro for Adrian Gonzalez and say goodbye to D Lee? Would Starlin be enough?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No and no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really, what your reasoning? I think I'd definitely make that trade, but I'm not sure Castro is enough to make SD do the deal. Basically we are all hoping that Castro turns into someone as valuable as AG. Gonzalez is young, will hit 40+ HRs at Wrigley and is a top defender (albeit at a less important position than SS). The one advantage Castro has is his cost. But I'd definitely trade a potential stud for a proven stud.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=93726:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:57 AM:name=ruby23)-->QUOTE (ruby23 @ Apr 30 2010, 07:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93724:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would the Cubs be a better team if an Andres Blanco type started at SS and Theriot platooned at 2B?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Without a doubt.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why the platoon?

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=93729:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:01 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 08:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93727:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93723:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would it be smart to trade Starlin Castro for Adrian Gonzalez and say goodbye to D Lee? Would Starlin be enough?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No and no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really, what your reasoning? I think I'd definitely make that trade, but I'm not sure Castro is enough to make SD do the deal. Basically we are all hoping that Castro turns into someone as valuable as AG. Gonzalez is young, will hit 40+ HRs at Wrigley and is a top defender (albeit at a less important position than SS). The one advantage Castro has is his cost. But I'd definitely trade a potential stud for a proven stud.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

If San Diego wanted to do that trade straight up, I think I'd do it. I do understand why someone wouldn't though. We're basically digging one hole to fill another. We don't really have anyone to bring in for 1st base because we don't have any prospects and the free agents this year at 1B aren't great. It's going to be tough filling the void that Lee leaves unless the Cubs want to get creative and put either Aramis or Soriano there.

[Coldneck]

I'd love removing Soriano from the OF, but I'm not sure his bat is good enough to remain at 1B. Actually, I'm not sure his bat is good enough to remain on a major league roster. You do make a good point though. It is easier and cheaper to fill LF than 1B, and moving Soriano to 1B would eliminate the biggest weakness on our team - LF defense. However, it might create another weakness depending on how pathetic Soriano is at 1B.

Perfect world - move Byrd to LF and get a top CFer. How good is Colvin at CF?

[Scarey]

<!--quoteo(post=93735:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:14 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 08:14 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'd love removing Soriano from the OF, but I'm not sure his bat is good enough to remain at 1B. Actually, I'm not sure his bat is good enough to remain on a major league roster. You do make a good point though. It is easier and cheaper to fill LF than 1B, and moving Soriano to 1B would eliminate the biggest weakness on our team - LF defense. However, it might create another weakness depending on how pathetic Soriano is at 1B.

Perfect world - move Byrd to LF and get a top CFer. How good is Colvin at CF?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I think Colvin would be comparable to Byrd in center.

I understand why people would be worried about Soriano at 1B, but you have to realize the guy played 2B for half of his career. I understand he was not a flashy second baseman, but the fact that he played in the infield shows me that he's at least capable of handling ground balls. I think he'd be good enough at 1B and that's all we need. As far as his numbers at first... he's going to start somewhere. At least if he's at 1st we could bring in a good outfielder like Carl Crawford, Jayson Werth, or maybe Brad Hawpe if the Rockies buy him out.

Adam Dunn is always an option too at first.

[Coach]

Im afraid that Alf would hop when receiving a throw from the IF, resulting in a runner being safe.

[jstraw]

<!--quoteo(post=93744:date=Apr 30 2010, 09:15 AM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ Apr 30 2010, 09:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Im afraid that Alf would hop when receiving a throw from the IF, resulting in a runner being safe.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

HA!

[Runnys]

If we traded for Adrian Gonzalez we would have to sign him to a huge extension probably upwards of 20 million a year, for that money, I would rather go after that Fielder and keep Castro.

[Runnys]

And yes, I understand that Fielder is going to be looking for around 25 million a year, but I would still rather go after him and keep Castro for ourselves. We need some cheap options on the field and it doesn't get much cheaper than what Castro will cost.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=93731:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:03 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Apr 30 2010, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93726:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:57 AM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Apr 30 2010, 07:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93724:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would the Cubs be a better team if an Andres Blanco type started at SS and Theriot platooned at 2B?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Without a doubt.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Why the platoon?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It wouldn't have to be a true platoon. We should move Castro up now, move Theriot to 2B to start (with Fontenot getting 1-2 starts a week), Baker then takes over the spot held by Tracy as a super sub, Tracy goes to work at your local Seven Eleven.

[ruby23]

<!--quoteo(post=93729:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:01 AM:name=Coldneck)-->QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 08:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93727:date=Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM:name=ruby23)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (ruby23 @ Apr 30 2010, 08:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=93723:date=Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM:name=Coldneck)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coldneck @ Apr 30 2010, 07:25 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Would it be smart to trade Starlin Castro for Adrian Gonzalez and say goodbye to D Lee? Would Starlin be enough?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No and no.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Really, what your reasoning? I think I'd definitely make that trade, but I'm not sure Castro is enough to make SD do the deal. Basically we are all hoping that Castro turns into someone as valuable as AG. Gonzalez is young, will hit 40+ HRs at Wrigley and is a top defender (albeit at a less important position than SS). The one advantage Castro has is his cost. But I'd definitely trade a potential stud for a proven stud.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Because 1st base is the easiest position to find an adequate replacement at in baseball, SS is the most difficult. It would take Castro and probably 2-3 more top prospects to get Gonzalez. Gonzalez would then need to be signed to a Soriano-type extension after the season. It's just not a winning situation for the Cubs, IMO.