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If I Were Jim Hendry...

Tiny by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on

Many people are saying to leave the Cubs as is and have a couple of minor tweaks.  They compare them to the Red Sox before they won...losing in the playoffs.  But I disagree...
Pitching is not a big problem...
The Offense is...With all that money spent the Cubs have not one STAR, that is feared...Aramis Ramirez is the closest but he is more of a 4 vs. a 3.
That is the biggest diff btwn the Red Sox and Cubs...They had Manny and Ortiz.
Here is my offseason...
These are just some of the options I see…Sorry for the long post...

1)Let Dempster walk...(He performed like a number 2, but he will prob look for a 4 yr. or 5 yr. deal, 13-15 mill per)  Great guy whom we will prob resign hopefully for cheaper but 1 yr is not enough proof for me. 

Instead of him...
2)Sign Derek Lowe to a 3 yr. deal (16-18 mill per) (He is 35, but no injury history, shorter deal, less risk, proven track record)  He is a BIG GAME Pitcher...proven it year in and year out.

I like Sabathia, but way overpriced (6-7 yr 20-25 mill per), too long of a commitment, lots of mileage 

Ben Sheets and Burnett are both injury risks (We already have Harden...)

So Rotation:
Z, Lowe, Lilly, Harden, Marquis/Marshall/Hill/Samardzja)

3)Try to find a taker for Marquis..., 1 year left, decent last year might be more affordable to some teams then some FA's...cash him in for anything.  We have others who can do the job and free up money
(Though 1 interesting fact...all the teams he has been on have made the playoffs including the last 2 Cubs..coincidence??)

4)Most controversial...
Let Wood walk if he wants too much.  Get draft picks and move on...
He is loyal and a good leader but if he wants too much in years and money...
Plus how long can that arm stay on? 2 consecutive healthy years?
I wouldn't go more than 3 and 10 per which I feel is a lot.
We have Marmol (who I don't want to move out his setup, but Cubs have to free up cash to make moves)
But then we'd have to sign another top notch setup man to replace Marmol.  Any ideas?  Didn't see any great name FA's
Don't overpay for Fuentes or K-Rod (Overrated)

5)LH for pen, Neal Cotts is maddening
Damaso Marte...did it in the NL and lowered his value with Yanks

Pen: Wood*, Marmol, Samardjza, Wuertz, Marte...Pretty darned good

6)I would love to sign Furcal (3 yrs..15 mill per), much better range for GB's, maybe Z (after Playoff game 2), Lowe and staff will be less afraid to pitch to contact and reduce walks.  Leadoff and speed

7)Mixup lineup somehow...
I would trade D-Lee but who would replace him?!?
This would be a good time to trade him to whomever misses out on Tex...
Yanks- not sure how they match up
Angels-Chone Figgins (LH, speed, play multiple positions)
However, Tex is the only good option to replace Lee (LH, power, GG defense)
Any suggestions?
Can't trade A-Ram, our biggest bat...
Soriano...Anyway to get rid of him???  Trade him to a team looking to draw revenue for nothing???  I like him but he just can;t hit good pitching...too many holes!!!
Mets??? They need an outfielder..they might shake it up too


How about Beltran for Soriano and others???  I don't think this would happen but I can dream.  Throw in Marshall (they need starters), maybe some bullpen arm, cash...prospect
If you can rid of Soriano...Replace him with
MANNY!!!
Manny would want 20 per for 3 years...maybe, short-term,non-injury risk
Him and A-Ram would be the next Manny and Ortiz!!!
Again prob dreaming b/c I can't see anyone wanting Soriano.

8)Flip Theriot!!!
I love The Riot, but he has terrible range at short and I think overperformed this year.  Look at his minor league stats.  Lots of teams looking for a shortstop..He might have good value now...
Blue Jays
Royals
Tigers (another option here, bullpen arm, Theriot, prospects for Magglio Ordonez...they are looking to slash payroll)  (ARam and Ordonez would be nice)

9) LH bat for 3, 4, 5 spot
I have not given up on Fukudome (can't move him anyways) platoon him in center.
We need a lefthanded bat for RF, or Center
Inquire on Beltran (highly doubt he'd be available)
Otherwise Abreu or Ibanez
I don't like either because of age and defense.  But of the two I'd prefer Abreu, OB machine some speed. 
I wouldn't mind Dunn, But I really don't think he can catch a cold.  But I would love him jacking shots onto Waveland

10) Flip Cedeno, Pie, other prospects to get that LH bat if needed.
Who's available?!?!  Any suggestions
I have not given up on Pie but this team has to win within the next 3-4 years...and We have Fukudome, I don;t know if Lou would stick it out with him and let him learn on the job...with the pressure to win the WS.  So cash him in unless he has no trade value.


11) Sign Orlando Hudson
He can leadoff or bat second, excellent defense, speed lefty

SO there are lots of options for the lineup as I proposed

I just hope Hendry doesn't stand pat
The team will lose a big LH bat in Edmonds (he did hit a lot of HR for the Cubs and big hits)  So he has to be replaced with another one.  Try and try again to move Soriano  If not move him down to 3rd, 4th or 5th

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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If I were Jim Hendry

I’d be taller, richer, heavier and male but still live in the same town.

But seriously I agree with a lot of what you say would be nicebut a lot of it is I’m as likely to grow wings and fly.

Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 10, 2008 6:47 PM CDT   0 recs

Haha LOL

Well FA’s we can sign, money…
and if we can just make 1 trade…
I think it can be done

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Oct 10, 2008 7:05 PM CDT   0 recs

Prince Fielder

Has anyone else considering getting Prince Fielder a serious possibility.

It would allow Lee to be moved to help either SS, or the OF or the relief corps. And it would immediately add a huge lefty power threat at 3, 4 or 5.

The Brewers are blowing up the team right now and they’ve made every indication that they’re not going to try to keep Fielder, especially when they’ve already locked up Braun, and Fielder is going to ask for possibly twice as much $ as Braun got.

I have no idea how well the Cubs and Brewers would match up in a trade, I doubt very well. Hendry would probably have to start with Vitters and Colvin, maybe Cedeño and Theriot and more.

I don’t know how the logistics would work, but putting Fielder at 1st and hitting 4th would be a huge difference in ’09. Especially if they land either Furcal or Roberts as leadoff options.

by WittyUserName on Oct 10, 2008 7:31 PM CDT   0 recs

No thanks

A DH in the making, who is likely to eat himself out of baseball in 5 years.

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Oct 10, 2008 8:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How many

vegetables are there??…oh yeah I guess alot…but if you includel dairy…prince could be the cream puff man.

by StevenABQ on Oct 10, 2008 11:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Whos Slimer?

Matt Cain? or Prince…?

by StevenABQ on Oct 11, 2008 12:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

1.5 Cains:1 Fielder

i think that’s the ratio. But it may be moving towards 2:1

I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg

by Trey2317 on Oct 11, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mr. Stay Puff

He reminds me from Mr. Stay Puff from Ghostbusters.

I like watching him hit, but he is better off in the AL. Besides, it’s appearing that he has an attitude problem. We don’t need any of that. He should go to the TIgers and try to make them forget about his daddy.

by TheHawkRules on Oct 11, 2008 6:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Fielder

I see no way the Brewers trade Fielder to the Cubs their biggest rivals. Plus i don’t think they are blowing up the team, just retooling. They have enough offense and have another good hitting prospect, Gamel i think, need a starter to replace Sabathia, Sheets or both

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Oct 10, 2008 7:43 PM CDT   0 recs

I disagree

I agree that it’s unlikely that he’s guaranteed to be moved, and he’s even less likely to be traded to a division rival.

However, I don’t think Prince Fielder is a Brewer in 2010, no way. He wants super-star money, and they want to not pay him super-star money.

They have a big question at 2B, C, and I believe Hardy is a FA at SS as well. They have holes to fill in their offense, a whole bullpen to rebuild, and a rotation to flush out. Nobody on that team other than Braun or Gallardo is even close to untouchable for them.

I’m not as familiar with their prospects now that LaPorta is gone, but I wasn’t under the impression that they had a good candidate to take Fielders’ place.

I would not be surprised in the slightest if the Brewers trade Fielder to re-stock the farm along with the picks they are going to get from Sheets and Sabathia. He could most certainly be had for the right price.

by WittyUserName on Oct 10, 2008 7:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

actually they have a fine replacement for first

his name is Mat Gamel. Trust me you will come to know who he is. Im also sure you will come to hate him because he is pretty damn good

by Glacier on Oct 10, 2008 8:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Isnt' Gamel a 3B?

I thought LaPorta was the 1B.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 11, 2008 1:09 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Gamel is playing 3B in the minors in the off chance he sticks...

…the same way Ryan Braun was, and likely to the same results. He’s probably going to have to move to one of the LF/RF/1B spots soon.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 11, 2008 1:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Brewers

Have more than enough talent, even after the Sabathia trade. Gamel will likely take over at 1st. Alcides Escobar is the reason that JJ Hardy is getting shopped in trades. Hardy could move to 2nd. Salome/Lucroy/Green are all guys that could potentially be starting caliber players in the bigs. Add in the young ML roster right now, and there’s options offensively. Pitching is a bigger issue, but Gallardo/Parra could, in time, be a good one-two punch, and if Jeffress can stay out of trouble, he can be an impact starter.

In saying all this, I think they do shop Fielder. I’m not sure they would deal to us anyways, but they’d want pitching for Fielder, which is why I am not sure we are a fit.

by toonsterwu on Oct 10, 2008 8:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

exactly

That organization has some nice talent throughout. I hope they DONT trade Fielder because I am afraid of what they will get in return and i know they have more than adequate replacements.

by Glacier on Oct 10, 2008 8:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't agree

Not sure about “more than enough talent” Nashville is now pretty spent, and even with Hardy, Hart…etc they do not have the speed in the lineup that is required… They can hit when hot…but without their savior (CC) Manny Parra cannot save them.

by StevenABQ on Oct 11, 2008 1:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

They never had much in Nashville to begin with

Most of their talent was at the Huntsville level this past year. I have no comment on whether or not they can integrate the kids and be successful next year. Rather, was just pointing out that their system still has some quality chips.

by toonsterwu on Oct 11, 2008 1:25 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

My Plan

1) I would try to move soriano…..Even if we have to eat a little bit of his salary I think you go ahead and do it because he’s not the type of player thats going to lead a team through the playoffs…..He only feeds off bad pitching.

2) Next I would try to make a strong pitch for manny…..He’s proven he can do it when it matters and when he’s determined…….I think manny would try hard to be the guy that broke the cubs through the “curse”….and how much better would lee and aram be if manny was in between them?????

3) In center field I have the platoon of fukudome and johnson……..if fukudome really busts again Johnson would be adequate if he had to take over full time.

4) I would try to work out a trade with seattle for Raul Ibanez. to play right field. He would give the team a left handed bat that could drive in runs and would be great in the 6th spot.

5) I try to resign dempster, he was great this past year and while he’s not an ace…I think he can be a solid 2 or 3, and the market is tough for those guys. I offer him 4 years close to 40 mill with some incentives that could allow him up to 15mil/year if he pitches like he did this past year.

6) I sign orlando hudson to play second and could leadoff, and while this may not be the most popular move, I would use Derosa as trade bait. His stock is high and I believe he could have some decent value in the trade market. I use Derosa to try and get a decent SS and maybe some more bullpen help.

Hudson 2b
fukudome/johnson or new SS
Lee 1b
M. Ramirez LF
Aram 3b
Ibanez RF
Soto C
Fukudome/johnson or new SS

by cubsmania on Oct 10, 2008 7:47 PM CDT   0 recs

*rotation

z,dempster,harden,lilly,marquis and marshall to spot start for harden once in a while

by cubsmania on Oct 10, 2008 7:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

A little bit

Of Sorianos salary???….c’mon we’re talkin’ alot of $$$$

by StevenABQ on Oct 10, 2008 11:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

He's too old.

But he hit really well last year. In fact, he’s hit really well for most of the last several years.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 11, 2008 1:10 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

Three straight years with at least 20 HR, 100 RBI and an OPS+ over 120 while playing half his games at Safeco. He clearly sucks!

by circuitclout on Oct 11, 2008 6:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Go to...

…Lookout Landing and scroll down to the sidebar on the left that says Raul Ibanez Takes Pride In His Defense.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 12, 2008 12:57 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Defensively, who is better: Dunn or Ibañez?

(neither death nor DH is an option)

Other questions:
1. Who is the better #5 hitter / RBI man? Dunn is famous for his TTO approach, but which is more likely to drive in a runner from 2B with 2 out?
2. How will each fit in to the Cubs’ clubhouse? Lou knows Ibañez; Dunn would be a pure question mark. I am a believer in clubhouse chemistry.
3. Can Sori play RF? He doesn’t use flip-downs very well, and RF is the sun field at Wrigley. Can Ibañez or Dunn play a passable RF?
4. How much would each guy cost and how many years will each demand?
5. How would a flyball pitcher like Lilly be affected by having Sori and Dunn/Ibañez on the corners? Is there a CF who could cover for that combination?
6. Ibañez had an .837 OPS last year. Dunn had an .898. Could LBR equal that if he played against all RHP? (Need a RHB 2B partner.) DeRo is a far better RF than Sori, Dunn, or Ibañez.

I’m just wondering if either Dunn or Ibañez will be worth the cost…

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 12, 2008 1:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dunn is better defensively than Ibanez at this point in their careers.

Soriano has the best RF arm of any of them, has decent wheels, dunno about how he handles the sun. Fontenot is probably a true-talent league-average hitter, bump that up a bit in a platoon role.

Worth the cost? Probably not, but the Cubs FO is going to spend the money on a LH-hitting corner outfielder this offseason, because that’s the “need” they’ve talked themselves into. Of what’s available, Dunn is the best LH-hitting corner outfielder for the money.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 12, 2008 2:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

what's your point?

You said Raul Ibanez “isn’t very good at anything.” I pointed out that there is some evidence that he is a good hitter. So you counter with evidence that he is a poor OF, which was never at issue.

by circuitclout on Oct 12, 2008 2:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The word very is key there.

He’s a good hitter, but he offsets his hitting with his poor defense. He’d have to be a great hitter to offset his defensive liability – like Manny Ramirez is, or even Adam Dunn. You’re better off signing a mediocre hitter and average defensive left fielder in the Gabe Gross mold than you are signing Ibanez.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 12, 2008 4:22 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to mention, Ibanez is 37...

… and subject to possible decline at any moment.

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

by Al on Oct 12, 2008 4:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Dunn is surprisingly young...

…only a month older than Theriot and only about five months older than Hoffpauir.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 12, 2008 4:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yabbut...

… he plays with “old-player skills”.

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

by Al on Oct 12, 2008 7:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Bear in mind that in a vacuum...

…a power-hitting left-handed corner outfielder would not be my primary concern this offseason.

But the Cubs have determined that that’s the piece they need this offseason. And of that group (Ibanez, Abreu and Dunn), Dunn is far and away the best value of the bunch.

No, I don’t think Dunn will age very well, given his skillset. I don’t think he’ll be worth the money that he ends up getting over the course of his contract. And yes, he has flaws – almost every player that makes it to free agency shy of A-Rod has flaws, else they would have been locked up by their team prior to free agency.

But all of those things are even more true of Abreu and Ibanez, who given their attrocious defense are likely to be a waste of money as-is; you’re just as well off signing some cheap trash outfielder like Kapler or Gross, given the overall level of production those two give you. Dunn is a real upgrade, at least, for the team. We’d regret his deal in a few seasons, sure. But we’d regret an Ibanez/Abreu deal THIS season.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 12, 2008 8:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you think that Lou's desire for a LHB power-hitting COF

is “instead of” or “in addition to” his previous lust for a LHB leadoff hitter? Do you anticipate Brian Roberts, Part II?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 12, 2008 10:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would guess Hendry will give landing Roberts another shot...

…but won’t waste nearly as much time on it as he did last year. I would hope that he reaches out to MacPhail, gets a quick read on the situation, and makes an offer with a clear timeframe. If Angelos plays his fiddle while Baltimore burns, Hendry moves on.

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 13, 2008 12:53 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

glad

your not jim hendry

I BELIEVE!!!! GO CUBBIES!!!!!!!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Oct 10, 2008 7:59 PM CDT   0 recs

Hmmm

I agree with Manny!!!
He has shown he can hit good pitching, already off Hamels and Myers in this series unlike anyone on the Cubs team.
Also try to move Soriano but I have a feeling no one would want him…He just can;t hit good pitching too many holes in his swing
Only thing I disagree with is Dempster. Why settle for a 2-3 for 12-15 mill when a couple extra mill can get you a more proven pitcher. I like Lowe b/c of his playoff pitching, innings eater, good control, and likely a shorter contract b/c of his age, plus never been on DL

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Oct 10, 2008 8:05 PM CDT   0 recs

No one wants a guy who hit .290 with 30 HRS?

LMAO, Thank god your not Hendry.

Listen Soriano is not going to be traded, and we’d significantly hurt our teams chances just to get TO the post season (granted his failures there) much less win the World Series.

by Galvan316 on Oct 10, 2008 8:07 PM CDT   0 recs

LOL! I loved this post, one of the truest and funniest posts I have come across in a while.

Okay, let’s set the record straight here on Soriano—he’s got great talent, helps win games, and produces. He’s apparently a super teammate. Those are a lot of plusses. He’s a very undisciplined hitter and very good pitchers should take advantage of that. I wouldn’t trade the guy out of spite or frustration with his MIA in the playoffs, you lose too much production unless you intend to install Dunn in LF. If we really wanted Dunn in LF and were willing to do whatever it takes to move Soriano to make that happen then I am 100% behind that. I was hoping we would have acquired Dunn for Soriano and salary help this year, along with minor league help.

Do I tink that the Cubs are going to do whatever it takes to get Dunn—heck, no!

Okay, Soriano is a very good player. It is up to this team’s Manager to decide that it might be best for Soriano and the team if he were moved to say No. 4 in the lineup? But still, th best thing that could happen would be for Soriano to understand that he could become a dominant hitter if he were more disciplined.

In summary, he’s a very good player and he’s staying ut. Time for our frickin’ Manager to earn his money and encourage discipline at the plate and/or batting him down. somewhat. really, who thinks it is insulting to go from Leadoff to Cleanup? Lou must set the tone here.

by DudeVf11 on Oct 11, 2008 6:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano's discipline

I don’t think that Sori is “undisciplined”; he might be overaggressive. The main issue is that Sori isn’t exactly a huge guy — he’s actually fairly small for a power hitter. He generates his bat speed by using a relatively heavy bat, using a high leg kick for maiximum recoil, and using a fairly long swing. Because of those factors, he has to start his swing relatively early, which leaves him susceptible to off-speed pitches and sliders breaking out of the strike zone. (BTW, Fontenot has similar issues as a power-hitting little guy, the main reason that Lou only starts him against certain pitchers.)

I think it is certainly open to debate whether Sori would be more useful down in the order. If you believe in the Moneyball theory, he should not bat high in the order as his OBP isn’t that high. His speed is not as important as simply being on base (i.e., DeRo would be better because of his higher OBP even though he isn’t as good at stealing bases), and the intangible “pressure” that pitchers face immediately in facing a potential 1-0 deficit isn’t important. However, he is more likely to face fastballs, because most pitchers hate walking the leadoff batter. This would be even more true if the #2 hitter were more fearsome than Theriot (i.e., DLee or DeRo).

If you believe in the “clutch RBI hitter” theory, he doesn’t belong in the middle of the order, because pitchers are more likely to bear down, waste pitches, and throw off-speed stuff with runners on base — good pitchers are more likely to “choose their poison” in that spot. (i.e., pitch around Sori to get to Soto or whoever.)

How low are you willing to have him bat? He did have an .876 OPS in an “off” year. Most managers want their best hitters getting the most ABs.

In short, the Cubs as currently constructed (or with a minor addition such as Ibañez) might be best off with Sori in the leadoff spot, but using a better hitter in the #2 spot. The alternative is to do a dramatic make-over (i.e., dump DeRo and/or DLee and/or Sori) and try to sign/trade for Roberts, Furcal, Tex, etc. Does it make sense (even ignoring the finances) to dramatically remake a 97 win team?

"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007

by DeRoMyHero on Oct 11, 2008 7:39 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your first paragragh says it all...

…Soriano is an ’early committer", because he has to be with his swing. These type of guys can generate loads of power, but are always suseptable to changing speeds.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 11, 2008 8:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Slightly longer answer...

Soriano still has to recognize whether a pitch is a ball or a strike and decide whether to swing or hold up. He has to adjust his approach to improve this recognition. Whether it’s called being disciplined or shortening his swing it doesn’t matter.

However, if by shortening his swing he loses power then he might become a different hitter, but that might be for the good, too. 15-20 Hrs and a much higher OBP might warrant leaving him at leadoff.

But let’s assume that nothing changes. Okay, the Cubs are in the playoffs in 2009, then the manager might consider batting him in the order and/or sitting him down for a game based on pitching match-ups. Soriano could have been left off the playoff roster the past 2 years and it likely would have been an improvement. If Soriano’s swing is so susceptible to good pitching, then in the playoffs you may want to bat him as low as 7th or sit him until the other team’s bullpen is tapped or the opposing starter isn’t so hot. I doubt that he would be put on the bench for a game, although it’s only controversial from a player management perspective, not from a performance perspective. If he were hit lower during the season then it’s possible to move him lower during the playoffs if warranted.

by DudeVf11 on Oct 12, 2008 8:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Soriano

I love Soriano as much as any other Cubs fan…He’s the only jersey I own. I love his arm and his power, and charisma. Problem is that he can’t hit good pitching. He launches mistakes. That is why he helps during the regular season but doesn’t do anything in the postseason. He has too many holes that good pitchers can attack. See Lowe in Game 1, how many 3 pitch K’s?
I only recommend trading Soriano if we can free up payroll can replace him with a Manny, (more money per year but less years) or get a Beltran in return (Lefty, power, speed, similar contract, less years)
With Beltran however, i think you have to throw in money, prospects, a starter…but I think it’s be worth it

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Oct 10, 2008 8:14 PM CDT   0 recs

Agree

thats the purpose of moving soriano so a guy like manny can be signed…….I don’t think anybody wants to trade soriano so he can be replaced by reed johnson

by cubsmania on Oct 10, 2008 8:17 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Get Beltran... in return.... for Soriano...

This is not a fantasy league.

If you trade Soriano, you will not only be sending dollars along but you will be getting nothing in return, unless it’s a bad contract (Zito, Matthews Jr, etc).

You don’t trade big expensive stars for other expensive big stars. It rarely, rarely happens.

by Wreckard on Oct 11, 2008 12:27 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed...

You especially don’t trade expensive stars for better expensive stars. Beltran plays a tougher position (and plays it MUCH better), is a switch hitter, is younger, and is a more productive hitter. On top of all of those things, his contract expires three years sooner than Soriano’s.

I don’t think New York is fired up to trade Beltran in the first place, but we’d have to give up a lot more in return to make a move like that. It’s just not realistic.

by SouthernCub on Oct 11, 2008 9:52 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Your not going to get Beltran

Folks this isnt fantasy baseball or MLB 2008 The Show, your not going to trade for Beltran.

by Galvan316 on Oct 10, 2008 8:18 PM CDT   0 recs

Beltran

It wouldn’t hurt to ask…
The Mets are looking to shake up their team too from rumors. Sometimes shaking up a team gets it over the hump. Minaya loves Latin players…and Soriano would put fans in the Stands for their new stadium, they need to do something after 2 straight collapses. I know it’s a longshot but see if he’s on the block at least. Wouldn;t you prefer him to any other left-handed power bat on the market?

by Bleeding Cubbie Blue on Oct 10, 2008 8:29 PM CDT   0 recs

Gut guess on the Mets is that

It never hurts to ask. With 2 straight struggles down the stretch and a new stadium, look for the Mets to spend, and spend big this offseason. If I was them, I’d go hard after a SP/RP combo, but I think Omar will make a play for Manny Ramirez to slide into LF and then perhaps contemplate K Rod to shore up that pen with Wagner out. I’m not sure Soriano is any more valuable than Beltran to them. Actually, Beltran being a CF holds much more value, and since Beltran’s offense is similar to Soriano’s in terms of production, I don’t think they would ponder a move unless we tossed in a lot more, which would make little sense from our perspective.

Only time will tell.

by toonsterwu on Oct 10, 2008 8:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think you get Beltran with trading Marmol

even if Soriano is in the deal. Marmol, Pie, DeRosa might get you Beltran.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Oct 10, 2008 9:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And therefore

And therefore it would be a ridiculous trade for what I think is a good but overratted player.

Giving up our best set up man and we don’t have our closer signed for 2009, our starting left fielder, a prospect and our MVP in 2008 is way too much.

I’d rather sign a lesser free agent and keep the players we would have had to give up.

We are a much better team with Soriano, Marmol, DeRosa and possibly Pie and a free agent than we are with Beltran.

Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.

by cubstoseriesby100 on Oct 11, 2008 9:12 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Beltran is overrated...

He’s the real deal. I wouldn’t do that deal by any means, but I don’t think Beltran is overrated.

by SouthernCub on Oct 11, 2008 9:54 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hendry should have signed him initially.

The last-minute wimping out on Furcal and Beltran have been incredibly damaging to the team.

Fortunately that Hendry appears to be long gone, and he’s now willing to go the extra mile to close a deal.

Unfortunately, the giant free agents that Hendry has been buying haven’t been the caliber of Beltran and Furcal. We couldn’t bear the thought of spending 15 per on Beltran, so we went for 18 per on Soriano two years later. Oh well, I suppose it beats the alternative of never trying.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 11, 2008 1:14 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I know.

It’s just bittersweet to see your favorite team finally adopt the player acquisition philosophy you’d always hoped for…. two years too late.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 14, 2008 10:46 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I like talking about this as much as the next guy....

but this is getting out of control, this is like the 5th “what should we do in 2009?” post……
bottom line is no one in their right mind would trade for Soriano

The Royals wouldnt take Theriot b/c they already have a young SS in Aviles.

Mannys is going to want at least a five year deal, and with the way he quit on the Red Sox, why give him what he wants so he can start sulking in four months. Say want you want about Soriano, but he loves to play, and he plays hard.

And Bobby Abreu no longer has speed, or much power.

I do think youre right about Lee, that he will look more palatable to those teams who miss out on Teixeira.

Dempsters coming back, like it or not, he and Hendry are simpatico.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 10, 2008 9:32 PM CDT   0 recs

Simply Simatico?

Your probably right, but at least if he works 3/4 as hard as last winter…I like his chances…

by StevenABQ on Oct 11, 2008 1:05 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Simpatico

Its a cook book…..REALLY!!!

by StevenABQ on Oct 11, 2008 1:19 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah it just seems a bit too good to be true.

I mean the guy was bounced from two different teams, bad ones at that, moved from starter to middle relief to closer to starter…..it just seems that there is a high likely hood this would be his best season as a starter, I think we were all pretty shocked at his performance, a lot of us were pretty doom and gloom about him being a starter this time last year.

Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.

by bren on Oct 11, 2008 9:04 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would have loved to have picked up Manny for just what you have pointed out in your post.

He quit on the red Sox and knew he had to kick butt with LA to rake in the gravy contract. A motivated Manny would have been a huge boost for the Cubs down the stretch, and maybe enough to get us to the WS. I am not saying the Cubs could have pulled off that deal. I am really getting back to agreeing with you—a motivated Manny for one month is incredible, but the B.S. and the quitting once he’s jumped on to the next gravy train—no way!

by DudeVf11 on Oct 11, 2008 6:25 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah this Soriano stuff

is kind of pointless…he is ours at least for a while…take it and like lit. Thats it. Don’t bitch about it, just hope that he is pushed down in the lineup where he would be most effective.

by StevenABQ on Oct 11, 2008 1:04 AM CDT   0 recs

Agreed...

…if any of the big money guys get traded this offseason, it will be either Ramirez or Lee. I would love to see Soriano sent on his way for a better fit, but I just don’t see it happening.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 11, 2008 1:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Unless you want to trade for Barry Zito

but if that’s all you could get for Soriano w/o paying some of his salary then I’d just keep him.

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 11, 2008 1:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Why would the Cubs...

…want Barry Zito, when they could start a lefty like Marshall (for about 1/20 the money and he would put up better numbers? And, just getting rid of Soriano is not a good enouph reason, because he is productive, you just need to use that productivity in the right way.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 11, 2008 1:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Totally Agree With You - Don't Dump Sori Just To Dump Him

Instead of getting a free-falling Barry Zito, I’d rather have a heart to heart talk with Soriano and sell him on the merits of batting fifth or sixth in the lineup.