I think we’re one carefree guy away. Could it be a coach? Look how Ozzie kept the Marlins relaxed and light in 2003.

We can all agree that the Cubs have one of the widest fanbases in the country, no? With WGN and national recognition, there are transplanted Cubs fans all over America. Well, I make it to Wrigley only once every few years, and when I am there, I am “revel[ing] in the atmosphere”. I like to take pictures with the crowd, of the statutes, come hours early and stay hours late. I would think that I am not alone in this, either. For those living in Chicago that are able to make it to Wrlgley many times a year, none of this is probably a big deal. For me, my family, extended family, and transplanted Cubs fans, a trip to Wrigley is about the Cubs, but also about soaking in the experience of the organization, the field’s aura, etc.

Dan

…. that by putting this in the strip, they perpetuate the stereotype, something I wish the mass media would get away from. Why can’t we be like all the other teams?

The truth hurts. But any of us who routinenly visit Wrigley and have done so for many years appreciate directly this issue.

Wood is easily replaced by Marmol, though the 8th inning role would take some tinkering, and we all have discussed the perils or resigning Dempster, given that he’s coming off an unprecedented career year.

What if they were to let both go? Unlikely sure, but would it necessarily be bad?

Zambrano = $17,750,000
Lilly = $12,000,000
Harden = $7,000,000
Marquis = $9,875,000

Dempster would probably command at least $10M, probably more like $12M. (Perhaps there would be another backloaded deal for 4/$48M and a first year as low as $8M.)

Unless you are the Yankees, you can’t have a rotation where $7M is the low mark. That puts Jim Hendry, who knows that starting pitching wins divisions, in an interesting situation. He can:

1. Sign Demp, and hope that he can trade Marquis without eating salary. He will have to wait until the FA market dries up before having a market for Marquis. If he can’t find a market for Marquis, he trades Harden or Lilly. Trading Harden or Lilly would weaken the rotation in 2009 (since Marquis is the weakest starter), but leaves him with four solid starters plus Marshall (and Hill?) in 2009.

2. Attempt to trade Marquis before signing Demp (during the 2-week filing period). If he finds no interest in Marquis, he passes on Demp. Marquis becomes the #4 starter, and he prays that Hill or Marshall can fill the #5 spot. This does give him more flexibility in 2010 because only Z and Lilly are signed that long.

3. Keep the rotation intact by signing Demp and keeping the other four. Don’t sign Wood or an expensive LHB. After all, the Cubs led the league in runs scored without a great LHB last year, and they won games when Wood was on the DL. They can re-sign Edmonds fairly reasonably (will he want to change teams again?), and they can piece together a bullpen with Marmol, Spellcheck, Cotts, Hart, Guzman, etc. If Rich Hill finds his fastball, they can trade someone in ST or, (worst-case scenario) move Demp back to closer.

4. Keep the pitching staff intact by signing Demp and Wood and keeping everyone else. Trade one of the “Big 3” (which might have to be Ramy, because he is the most valuable, even though most BCBers would choose DLee). Don’t sign an expensive replacement bat. Either pull someone off the scrap heap (Morgan Ensberg? Mike Lamb?) or move DeRo to the open spot and depend on LBR/1Dec full-time at 2B. This weakens the offense, but do you need to lead the league in runs scored if you have the best pitching staff?

Which of these scenarios is best considering the possible budget constraints?

That’s why Tim Wilken is such an important part of the front office. Maybe in 2-3 years we will finally see the system begin to produce from when he was brought aboard.

Think of it this way: would you give up the best 5th starter in the NL if it would allow you to get that big LH bat that the middle of the line-up needs? 5th starters are not vitally important, if they go .500, then the team & the rotation breaks even. In one way or another, the Cubs can fill the 5th starter’s spot internally, and free up needed money for that LH bat they need. I too, think Jason is much maligned, (but sometimes rightfully so), and is only slightly overpaid. The market for pitchers has gone up dramatically; you’ve got the guys making league minimum, guys making like 45 mil., guys making like 10 mil., (seems to be a lot of these guys now), then the top tier 15 mil. plus guys. My point is this: Marquis is attractive, even at his price, to teams in the AL, NL somewhat less. Let’s finally get that bat! (and not Millar).

He may have BEEN the best 5th starter in the league. And, hell of a way to set the bar low going in.

The fact is that Jason Marquis is a mediocre pitcher who had a good year. He’s still Jason Marquis, and if you can dump him, dump him.

Hes way to wild to hit in what is traditionally the most important spot in the order.

That protects the Cubs in case he sucks after three years.

but your assessment of the situation is faulty. Dempster will not command the money that some think he will, nor will he command the years some think either. What will likely happen is that Demp will be signed to an incentive laden deal for 2 yrs. and a mutual option for a third year. Dempster has managed to stay healthy, and this makes him valuable to the Cubs. If he falls off from what he did last year, then he’s a more than serviceable 4th or 5th starter. If the bull pen falters, and the Cubs have internal options for the rotation, he can go back to the ’pen.

One of your favorite sayings is “pitching is king”, right? How does that fit with your assessment of the Dempster dilemma?

Because everyone knows slogans win championships. Right?

I said it played into the same tired old stereotypes, stuff we’d like to get past forever. In doing so, it wasn’t even funny.

I think that one takes the cake. Soriano, Lee, and Cedeno for Rowand and Cain?

Maybe they’ll throw in Lincecum if we ask nice too.

You can’t just plug in players and expect like results. I for one do not want to go back to the days of the roster filled with guys who have already out-lived their use. As for the others who are currently Cubs, Theriot is not a lead-off hitter; and would be hard pressed to have to do that duty on a daily basis. Johnson is not an everyday guy, and he doesn’t hit RH pitchers, with a back issue that requires rest to boot. DeRosa can play RF, but is not an outfielder- and you can not have him play there all the time at the risk of exposing him. Likewise with Fontenot- who is a great bench player, and is not an everyday guy either. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Thank God you are not the Cubs GM.

Bartender, I’ll have one of whaver he’s having.

Not.

So that torpedos my fantasty of dumping Soriano on the Giants. Curses !!

So the Giants might prefer to get a veteran for Sanchez than a younger player for Cain. That, indeed, is the challenge in trying to figure out what Sabean wants to do. In Sabean’s mind, he might rather have Alfonso Soriano than Delmon Young – it’s not too illogical after all. Sabean has cash, so Delmon’s cost-control isn’t an issue. And Delmon’s not hitting yet. He’s still young. He still has upside. But there’s also a reason a second team now wants to dump Delmon. Sabean also has a fondness for veterans. DLee’s still young for Sabean.

I think there might have been an uprising here on BCB. :)

Watch out for that kid! He’s gonna be a star.

Wonder where they got that info.

They tried that in ’99 after ’98, and the results were disastrous.

I know you were kidding (a bit), but they have to tweak it, at least.

Woody has consistently stated that he wants to remain a Cub for his career, and has taken deals from the Cubs to back that up. Demp has also stated a desire to stay with the Cubs. Expect both of them to sign with the Cubs & expect both to give a home town discount to the Cubs.

was at a bar near Armitage, between Damen and Ashland and Wood was there last week. They had a mutual friend so they were all at the same table talking, Wood was buying drinks and I guess is a great guy, no surprise here. Anyways, he was saying him and Demp don’t want to leave Chicago and will do just about anything to stay here.

I would put my money on both of them being back.

that your humor is so far above everyone…Seriously. You are amazing. Your baseball acumen is something that we are blessed with, and everyday, I think about how lucky I am to be able to read your insights.

Now THAT, my friends, is humor.

[Taking a bow]

Couldn’t have been the way you act…. Nope, it must be the intelligence of the plebeians who you spend your valuable time writing hundreds of words each week to educate.

Not that they appreciate your wisdom like I do.