Simplistic Team Analysis

by BlueDWarrior on Oct 7, 2007 12:33 AM CDT

(This is my first real Diary here so be gentle)

(This is also a repost from the 10/06 Game Thread)

So I was thinking after watching my LSU Tigers really take the bite out of this loss (great game btw)

< What is it that management need to do to the team to get forward progress >

So step 1 would be to do a quick rundown of what we got...

Well let's go through position by position:

P) Zambrano/Lily/Marquis -- I say Marquis has been a serviceable 3rd Starter (should have started over Hill IMO), but if you can get another established guy then go for it

C) Soto is the catcher of the future (good arm, good bat, ok speed), and I'd keep Blanco over Kendall

1B) Lee -- I think this year was an abberation in terms of straight HR numbers, so nothing to do here

2B/SS ) Theriot/Fontenot/DeRosa -- you can probably swap them any way you want to, I think they have enough upside offensively to warrant holding on to them

3B) Ramirez -- Again, an abberation in terms of HRs, but does one failed postseason mean you ship him out of town (if yes, you're an idiot IMO)

LF) Soriano -- Just leave him there, make sure he get his legs totally healthy btw.

CF) Pie, Fuld(?) -- Here is the one real question mark... Pie is a damn good fielder but needs real help with the bat. Fuld has show the speed to get to whatever's hit, but is an entirely unproven commodity regarding the bat. This is probably where you need to find free agent.

RF) Murton -- Might as well, you don't need Murton to hit HRs with at least 3 (theoretically) good HR hitters in the lineup. And he's a good fielder.

===

Since I am not terribly good at keeping track of who all are free agents or who can be lifted from a team without too steep a price, I'll leave that to the rest of you.

Maybe this can be a running series in the offseason, never know...

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Pie is supposed to be a top prospect. Fuld may not play in the major leagues again. The only reason Fuld was here was because Eric Patterson has a history of arriving late, he got to pratice late one day, and Cubs management wanted to nip his lateness in the bud by sending him down to play in the Double-A playoffs instead of playing with the Cubs in the playoff hunt.

We don't need Tori Hunter/Andrew Jones or any other CF free agent especially when we have Jacque Jones for one more year. What I hope happens next year is Jacque Jones, Matt Murton and Felix Pie do somewhat of a 3 man, 2 position platoon with Jones getting the short end of the stick because A. he only has 1 year left on his contract, B. he's on the wrong side of 30 and Murton and Pie have brighter futures with this ball club.

Hill is erratic, but Marquis is even more erratic. What to do about those two guys will be interesting in the offseason. On the one hand, I don't think you cand do much better for a 3rd/4th starter than those guys. I mean you look at the Indians and C.C. & Carmona are awesome, but then you have Jake Westbrook and Paul Byrd. They too can be good or terrible on any given day. Hill and Marquis will both fail in the bullpen if you ask me so especially with a terrible SP market out there, we are somewhat stuck with them for better or worse. As for the 5th starter, again it's a terrible FA market and we have Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher with Samardjiza a year or two away. Marshall and Gallagher will compete hardcore for the 5th rotation spot, but I think Gallagher will get it in the end. He's younger and has shown better stuff, just not better major league outings.

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 7, 2007 2:26 AM CDT reply actions

Your opinion

is very similar to mine. We should be able to go into next year with essentially the same squad as this year.

As Arizona showed, you don't have to have a power hitting OF to win games. I believe a guy named Kroeger who had a great year in the minors but got injured in September may well be able to replace Floyd and platoon with Murton.

Pie still worries me. He showed absolutely nothing offensively while with the Cubs. I want to see him playing winter ball.

We're much better at C than during the year and Wood adds depth to the relievers, although I wonder if he's capable of starting next year.

Trade Dempster and Marquis for young help and then roll the dice. BTW, Soriano HAS to be moved down in the lineup. Maybe a #1-#2 of Theriot and Murton. Murton isn't a run producer but is suited for a contact hitter with adequate power.

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Oct 7, 2007 3:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Wood won't start

he said so last night, apparently.

I think moving Soriano down works too.

Worst to First in 2007, brought to you by Lou, Sori, A-Ram and D-Lee.

by drewishdrewid on Oct 7, 2007 11:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the info

I hadn't heard Wood's comments about starting. He certainly looks much more in control with his mechanics.

Did he mention just 2008 or career-wise?

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Oct 7, 2007 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I thought

Murton started to show a little pop in his bat the last month or so of the season. He is a decent platoon guy. I don't think you can keep both Floyd and Ward, they are essentially the same player and both are defensive liabilities. Put them together with Murton and that makes three less than average outfielders. I'd be willing to unload Dempster and try Marmol or Wood out as the closer. I would put Hart in the starting rotation and see how he fares, which would make either Marshall or Marquis available for a trade. I'd dump Marquis first; Marshall had a much lower ERA and is younger. It is my personal opinion that he is a better pitcher than Marquis. Neither is ever going to be a perennial all star. They still need another outfielder with some power as well.

by qccub on Oct 7, 2007 11:31 AM CDT reply actions

I love Ward

as a PH. I definitely want him back. He's a quality guy and helps our youngsters prepare when they're brought up and spend a lot of time on the bench.

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Oct 7, 2007 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Schilling

I want him bad even though he's 41. Look how he's pitching now against the Angels. He's a big time pitcher.

by number1cubfan on Oct 7, 2007 3:02 PM CDT reply actions

One-year stopgaps

is what they kinda need with a P and a RF...the kid they drafted in '06 is rising fast in minors (Colvin) and should be future OF along with Pie.

There remains possibility of returning Soriano to 2B as he seems incapable of going back on ball...his play on balls hit over his head is horrible. OK coming in.

Murton is not a good fit as everyday RF but hits OK if move Soriano to 2B, then what to do with DeRosa??

I look for a lot of tinkering no major moves unless new owner wants to make A-Rod type splash.

by writerinwrigley on Oct 7, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions