Cubs Caravan Lunch

by john62 on Jan 16, 2008 2:32 PM CST

I just returned from the lunch that was part of the Cubs Caravan, held at Harry Carey's. It was fabulous! There were about 140 people, plus the player, staff and coaches. Each table of 8-9 people had someone from the Cubs that attended:
Lou Piniella
Bob Brenly
Len Kasper
Oneri Fleita
Matt Sinatro
Rich Hill
Kevin Hart
Jeff Samardzija
Ryan Theriot
Jim Hendry
Randy Bush
Pat Hughes
Cory Provus
Larry Rothschild
Alan Trammell
Tyler Colvin
Rocky Roquet
Geovany Soto

There was more interaction with the players, because there was substanially less people than at the convention. My daughters and I were able to get some autographs and photos.

Jim Hendry took questions and seems very honest and funny. Of course, he said he could not get specific on players. Some answers:

He confirmed the Jon Lieber signing and was excited to bring him back to the Cubs.

Matt Murton does not fit into the Cubs plans (please no flames, I am only reporting). They feel that he is a much better Left fielder than Right and when Soriano was moved, there was no plan for Matt. Hendy wants to do what is right for the Cubs first, but Matt second. He is trying to find him an everyday job with another club.

The Cubs were not in the Santana talks because 150 million is too much money, when the club is being sold. Hendry said he has gone over the budget before, but not 150 million.

They are still looking at Roberts (it seems) and when someone asked about combining Roberts and Berdard, Henry joked, "We hadn't thought of that, I will get on it this afternoon." (He was at ease and somewhat funny.)

The best part was that as we were leaving Harry Carey's, Ryne Sandburg was walking in and I got his autograph, and it is mine not my daugthers.

If you have other questions, I will try to answer.

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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Thanks!

Did he make any mention of what he is planning to do with the pitching surplus? Marquis? Dempster?

Wait 'til next year. And the next. And the Next. And the next after that too.

by TheEman on Jan 16, 2008 4:30 PM CST reply actions

No

Hendry said that he is of the opinion that it is best to have a surplus and let Lou work it out. He did not mention Marquis and Dempster.

by john62 on Jan 16, 2008 5:18 PM CST up reply actions

Here's what I read into that.

Lou will work with however many starters he has in the spring. It appears, now, that there are seven candidates: Z, Lilly, Hill, Lieber, Marshall, Dempster, Marquis.

Once Lou decides who he wants, he'll ask Hendry to deal with the surplus, whether that means sending Marshall to Iowa, or trading Marquis and/or Dempster.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 16, 2008 5:58 PM CST up reply actions

I hope...

Marshall gets a shot at the rotation. Even though he doesn't have great stuff, he still gives you roughly a 4 ERA out of your fifth spot. And I think I'm much more comfortable with him on the mound than Marquis/Dempster.

Jon Leuer owns you.

by Schwa on Jan 16, 2008 6:52 PM CST up reply actions

With Lieber signed...

... that would mean trading BOTH Marquis and Dempster, and that seems unlikely.

Marshall, too, might be trade bait. Which, personally, I wouldn't like.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jan 16, 2008 7:00 PM CST up reply actions

Dempster could return to the bullpen.

Lou said as much during the winter meetings (the full quote is somewhere in the Lieber thread - look for a blockquote box).

I would suggest you learn to truly interrupt all stats before using any selective stats. -- cubswin

by cwyers on Jan 16, 2008 7:27 PM CST up reply actions

Very possible

This has been an odd free agent market in terms of pitchers and I thought that they would have gone like hotcakes. Instead guys like Kyle Lohse still out there and the Rehab 3 (Colon, Benson and Clement) still unsigned. I believe that Dempster and Marquis are tradable however it makes a lot of sense that with the market and what not, that Hendry would go into spring training and the the situation work itself out.

DmL

by dmlichte on Jan 16, 2008 7:23 PM CST up reply actions