2008 Roster Predictions
by DeRoMyHero on Nov 11, 2007 7:24 PM CST
26 comments
While I await some heat from the Hot Stove, I thought I'd make some predictions for the 2008 opening day roster. I invite the entire BCB community to predict along. Feel free to make your predictions based on money, statistics, rumors, or gut feeling. Hopefully, Al can resurrect this diary in March.
I predict that on/before opening day:
- Kerry Wood will be a RP for the Cubs.
- Mark Prior will be non-tendered, and will sign elsewhere as a FA.
- At least one of Jason Marquis and Ryan Dempster will be traded.
- If the Cubs sign Kaz Matsui (or Luis Castillo), Mark DeRosa will be traded.
- If the Cubs sign Fukudome, both Jacque Jones and Matt Murton will be traded.
- If the Cubs do not sign Fukudome, they will sign Trot Nixon, platoon him with Murton, and trade JJ.
- Felix Pie will be the CF no matter what he does during ST.
- Ryan Theriot will be in the lineup, either at SS or 2B.
- Bobby Howry will be the closer. Wood and Carlos Marmol will be the setup men.
- Geo Soto will be the C, Blanco will be the backup, Koyie Hill will be at AAA, and Jason Kendall will not be resigned.
- Sam Fuld will be at AAA, but will play for the Cubs before Sept. 1.
- Eric Patterson will be traded.
- Jeff Samardijza (sp?) will be called up in Sept.
- Sean Gallagher will start the season in the AAA rotation, but will be the first SP callup.
- Kevin Hart will make the team as a reliever.
- Sean Marshall will be the 5th starter.
- Mike Fontenot will not make the opening day roster.
- One of the five members of the rotation will have been signed as a FA or obtained in a trade.
- There will be at least one Japanese player on the roster.
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.
0 recs |
26 comments
Email
Print
Comments
Answers to your points...
- Agreed
- Agreed that he'll be non-tendered, but I think he stays a Cub
- Agreed
- Nope. DeRosa stays, as the "supersub" he was becoming last year
- Jones is gone regardless of who is signed.
- No way. (Regarding Nixon)
- Yes.
- Yes, likely at SS.
- Marmol will get the first shot to close.
- Yes on all counts.
- Probably. Has a shot at making the ML roster.
- Yes, ASAP.
- Yes.
- Maybe. Someone else might show up well in ST or early in the minor league season and move ahead of Gallagher.
- Absolutely.
- Depends on whether Kuroda is signed.
- Depends on whether some of the other things above happen or not.
- Yes.
- Yes.
by Al on Nov 11, 2007 7:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think you might have
by markleonette on Nov 11, 2007 7:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no he didn't
Though he was definitely the best shortstop the Cubs had last year, he isn't a very good baseball player, and he falls into the lower tier of shortstops when comparing him around the league. His much hyped "heart" is much ado about little.
by Thelonious on Nov 11, 2007 10:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like the moniker 'Theriot Basher'
by Thelonious on Nov 11, 2007 10:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
dersoa
by Diggs247 on Nov 11, 2007 11:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The only reason I could see Jones staying.....
by ctcoff99 on Nov 12, 2007 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
DeRosa
Remember DeRosa was the Cubs number one target last offseason. As soon as he became a free agent, they offered him a contract, and even outbid a bunch of teams for him.
The Cubs were super high on DeRosa last year, so what did DeRosa do in the last year to change that? The answer to that question is nothing, he had a very good year for the Cubs. DeRosa isn't getting traded, and he won't be a supersub. He will the starting second baseman for the Cubs next season.
If the Cubs add Infante or Matsui they will be back ups at second, and possible starting shortstops.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 12, 2007 12:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
DeRo is not going anywhere.
by ctcoff99 on Nov 12, 2007 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Roster
2.Mark Prior is nontendered, and leaves Cubs
3.Marquis or Dempster will be traded, and they will add another middle rotation starter.
4.Will bring in another infielder to back up at second and play short with Theriot(Matsui,Infante or other)
5.Will try very hard to sign Fukudome, if they miss out on him they will look into signing Bradley,Guillen,Green or trade for Ethier,Church or Winn. Trot Nixon will not be a Cubs(big downgrade from Floyd).
6.Jacque Jones will be traded
7.Pie,Fuld,Pagan and Patterson(if not traded), will battle for the starting centerfield job in camp.The rightfielder they add will be able to play center as well.(so Murton could end up playing right if these four can't make it)
8.Ryan Theriot will go into camp as the starting shortstop, but will have to hit well to keep that job.
9.Howry will be the closer, if Wood gets hurt.
10.Soto is the everyday catcher and will bat 6th or 7th. Blanco will be the back-up, and if anyone gets hurt Hill or another catcher will be called up.
- Agree Samardijiza will get a look in September if not earlier.
- Gallagher will get a few starts this year and have a chance to win the 5th starter spot.
- Sean Marshall will be traded
- Mike Fontenot will be traded, or will be on the roster as the 25th man.
- Lee,DeRosa, Ramirez, Soriano and Soto are locks for everyday roles right now.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 12, 2007 12:49 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome
by Cub Fan in Card Country on Nov 12, 2007 2:35 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I believe you...
by Al on Nov 12, 2007 3:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
AP, looks like
by JohnM on Nov 12, 2007 4:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the link.
I think he already knows very well how much interest there is in him. If the Cubs are serious (and I believe they are), he could be signed by the end of this week.
by Al on Nov 12, 2007 4:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Prior
Despite any rockiness in their past relationship, both sides have too much to lose for this to not happen.
by WGNstatic on Nov 12, 2007 7:20 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
What does Prior have to lose?
by DGU on Nov 12, 2007 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not so sure
Too many teams have been burned with injury prone pitchers, and I would think the Cubs could offer a similar - incentive laden deal like anyone else. The real question is whether Prior wants to be here, and I do have serious doubts about that.
by MPH73 on Nov 12, 2007 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
All these predictions....
1-19. Cubs win it all. 2008 Champions!
:)
by HIGGY on Nov 12, 2007 8:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll give it a shot
- No doubt Woody is back. He's made it abundantly clear in the past that he feels he owes this team something. I can't see him pitching for anyone else.
- I think Prior will be given a short term incentive laden deal and stick with the Cubs.
- Unless they're dealt in a package for starting pitching, I don't see either of them going anywhere. I'd be wary about counting on Dempster being able to go 5-6-7 innings a start, making Marquis/Marshall/Gallagher very valuable to us. Marquis may not be great, but he's an innings eater - starting pitching is our weak point, why deal from our weak point.
- DeRosa isn't going anywhere. He was the main target of Hendry last year and did nothing but produce. He's our 2B for years to come.
- If Fukudome is signed, Jones is likely gone. I don't think Murton is going anywhere. He's cheap and he's a hitter. If he plays well and we're in contention, I wouldn't be surprised to see him dealt at the deadline to help us get over the top, but not before then.
- Oh dear God, I hope not. The Cubs want a left handed hitter with pop, not a lefty with a .336 slugging %. I can't see this happening. Nixon is a downgrade from Jones - this would be stupid.
- Barring injury, I think the Cubs are committed to Pie being their CF to start next season.
- Ryan Theriot will be the opening day SS. There are too many other upgrades that need to be made before worrying about Theriot. I'll go a step further - I'll predict Theriot hits .285/.375/.400 next season.
- I think Marmol gets the first shot at closing out of spring training. Let's just hope the train wreck that was his NLDS performance doesn't haunt him. Closers have to have short memories, lets hope Marmol's is.
- Soto and Blanco will be our catchers. Kendall will be a Padre. K.Hill will be in Iowa.
- Sam Fuld will be called up before all-star break due to an injury.
- EPatt will make the team out of spring training. He'll play once or twice a week. He'll play well enough that people on this board will begin talking about DeRosa to short and Patterson at 2B, Theriot to the bench.
- Samardzija will not play in Chicago this season.
- Gallagher will not start a game for the Cubs this year.
- Kevin Hart will make the team out of the spring.
- Marshall will start the year in the pen because the Cubs picked up a top of the rotation starter, but held on to Marquis.
- Mike Fontenot will not play for the Chicago Cubs this season. Eric Patterson will prove more versitile and take his spot.
- There will be a starting pitcher who did not wear a Cubs (or Cubs minor league affiliate) uniform last year.
- I believe the Cubs will land Fukudome. Kaz Matsui will not be a Cub, neither will Kurodo.
by HectorVillanueva on Nov 12, 2007 8:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hope so!!
Last offseason, he resigned Ramirez and Wood on the first day of free agency. Then the next day he signed Mark DeRosa to a three year deal, traded David Aardsma for Neal Cotts on Wednesday, and then had Soriano signed by Sunday.
That was a pretty awesome week last year, lets hope he has a simliar one this year.
by cubsfan25 on Nov 12, 2007 9:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
My 2 cents:
- I do believe Wood is back, but not as closer
- Prior will not be tendered, but it's 50/50 whether he can get a better deal with anyone else
- Agree, and I would like to see them both gone
- If they signed Castillo, DeRosa would be expendable, but not if they sign Matsui
- Likely
- Possible
- The Cubs will need 2-3 positions where the players are making league minimum and CF could very will be one of those, along with possibly catcher and SS.
- I give this 50/50. They may upgrade
- Agree 100%
- Agree
- Likely
- Could be
- I have no idea, this guy could really improve or turn out to be a bust
- Depends who is traded
- Depends who is traded
- Depends who is traded and who they acquire
- Likely, especially if they signed Matsui or Castillo
- Definately, and maybe up to 2 starters
- Agree
by MPH73 on Nov 12, 2007 9:57 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Sense I agree on a lot of these...
- I think he'll be back because no one will be ready to offer him a contract.
- Maybe. With Dempster moving to the rotation, it would indicate that one of Dempster, Marshall, Hill, and Marquis is moving. Obviously, the young lefties will command more in return than the crappy righties. But they could very well go into the season with all 4, and have Marshall, Marquis, or Dempster wind up as a long reliever/spot starter.
- Disagree completely. If Matsui is signed, I see him platooning with Theriot. DeRosa is just much better than either Theriot or Matsui. It makes no sense to trade him.
- Maybe.
- Lord I hope not. I'd rather stick with Jones in RF than get Nixon.
- Unless he's platooning with Matsui or we find an upgrade at SS.
- Maybe, but he could just as easily struggle next year and never make it.
- I could very easily see us wind up with Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, Hill, and Dempster starting. I wouldn't be happy about it, but if we miss out on Kuroda and Silva, I don't see a lot jumping out at me to replace those five guys (not even sure Silva is an upgrade).
by SouthernCub on Nov 12, 2007 10:08 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Also agreeing on most, also just posting...
- Prior will pitch the Padres to their only victory over the Cubs in the NLDS.
- DeRosa's not going anywhere unless someone left out of the 3B market is willing to overpay and makes that offer before Patterson is traded.
- Murton will only be traded if the market for him is good; if Fukudome can play CF, Murton may platoon with Pie, with Fukudome shifting back and forth from RF to CF.
- If the Cubs don't sign Fukudome, they'll trade for Ryan Church.
- Theriot may be relegated to part-time duty if the Cubs can find a SS who bats lefty (KazMat).
- Wood closes.
- Fuld makes team out of ST.
- Marshall will be a swingman.
- After the Cubs get oudbid on Kuroda, they'll sign Freddy Garcia to an incentive laden contract.
- At least two.
by DGU on Nov 12, 2007 10:42 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Predictions....
- Wood resigns and is competing for the closer spot with Howry. The loser of that competition joins Marmol and Eyre (he'll be back in good form) as set up men.
- Prior signs a one year deal with a club option for the second year (press reports indicate this is the only way a deal gets done from the Cubs side, and I think Prior will want to come back because if he recovers, he could get a great spot in the rotation).
- Fukodome signs with the Cubs. This is a slam-dunk certainty. JJ probably gets traded, potentially for bullpen "help" or in a salary dump. Fukodome plays RF, Pie starts in center; when a lefty starter is on the mound, though, expect Fukodome to shift to CF with Murton going into RF, or Pagan/Murton to be in the lineup.
- Theriot remains our starting SS. I know y'all think he's bad (and I agree, his numbers weren't spectacular), but Lou likes his style of play, he plays good defense, and as the 8 hitter (with Fukodome up at the 2 spot, and Soto's improved bat in the lineup season long), Theriot doesn't hurt you. Matsui/Infante is a possibility in some form of platoon, though.
by Chadnudj on Nov 12, 2007 10:43 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I Predict..
by frustratedfan on Nov 12, 2007 6:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think deconstructing the Cubs roster and plans
Wood, yes the Cubs and Wood are on published record wanting a deal. Wood has star ego and rightfully so, his deal must allow him a pathway to being a closer or return to a starter. 2 years plus mutual option offered.
JJ is already traded: Infante replaces the RH utility OF'er and possible second utility IF'er. Salary relief of $4M...this leaves Murton as starting RF'er and Pie and starting CF'er
Signing Matsui (the Japanese player you might allude to), would be a move to platoon at SS and have a platoon at 2B as all three are not 130 game starters. Matsui and Theriot platoon could work if Matsui can play SS effectively. Can Infante play SS and 2B or was Matsui a back up plan in case Infante couldn't be had. I think Matsui might be had for
Fukudome is the key free agent acquisition and would allow the Cubs to make a blockbuster trade offering Murton and possibly Theriot, and a young arm. For whom you may ask? Tejeda? O's really want to rid a 20-HR SS and Cubs would then have with DeRosa & Matsui on the IF?
by Ivy Walls on Nov 12, 2007 1:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
Click here to order your copy, available now!
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
