If Dempster gives us a good deal, I’m not opposed, if not also enthusiastic.

I wonder if this is tough talk on Kerry.

Rich Hill: Comeback Player of the Year 2009?

Soriano batting 5-6 means the lefty bat coming in has to have a name, I’d think, to bat ahead of Soriano. Abreu or Milton B. more than Hermida?

Kosuke ain’t the Cubs RF, that much is sure.

I’m bullish on Lee, but if “likely” is the word that Miles used, this things is still open.

I’m bearish on Ibanez and fearful that he’s Jim’s target, so I’m glad to hear this.

None of it is except for the Wood issue.

Bring him back. Period.

who they target as the potential replacement lead-off man, but it better be a doozy if they’re even considering that move.

Other than that, it sounds like the most sensible package of idea and thoughts that I’ve heard so far this off-season. A good vs. average closer gets you what…perhaps an extra couple of wins? Not worth the money, especially with a potential equally talented replacement in the fold. Spend the money on a big bat.

I hope another starter is on the radar then if Peavy isn’t. I also hope they try to figure out how to add a player who has a history of PERFORMING in the postseason.

I love the guy, but you can’t give him a three year deal, especially in an organization stacked with bullpen arms and considering the possible draft picks.

Everything else is good news. I assume signing Demp = dumping Marquis. One of Marshall/Hill/Guzman/ Samardzija can take his spot.

Soriano moving down means Hendry is hopefully going after a legit lead-off hitter. Brian Giles, maybe?

if the Cubs want to improve, they need a legitimate hitter and one who has a track record. Giles is aging and not worth the time IMO.

If Dome and Johnson platoon in CF, does that mean DeRosa plays RF full-time and Fontenot becomes the full-time second baseman? I sure wish Pie could prove he could hit major league pitching. That would solve the CF issue. If Hoffpauir could become even a decent defensive right fielder being a true first baseman, the Cubs could have him in right field. Pie hasn’t hit well, and Hoffpauir hasn’t fielded well in the outfield. What do the Cubs do? Can Reed Johnson prove he can hit right-handed pitching and become a full-time outfield starter for the Cubs?

He’s been a Cub since he was a teenager, he and his wife do a lot in Chicago, and Hendry loves him. I’d be utterly shocked if Kerry isn’t resigned.

I think that this is just a smokescreen to start trying to coax some trade value out of him.

As far as I can tell, there has not been any sign of progress in his rehabilitation this year.

Just a gut feeling based on little input.

… the Mariners have named Jack Zduriencik their new GM. Why is this relevant? Zduriencik comes from the Brewers and is widely credited with replenishing the Brewers farm system. Since joining the Brewers in 1999 Zduriencik was responsible for the team drafting the likes of Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, Yovanni Gaillardo and so on…

 Then any hope I have for next year or this off-season is gone.

First, thanks for the recap, Blue Mike.

Priority # 1 is re-signing Ryan Dempster

I agree. I think he will stay relatively healthy (TJ survivors have a good track record), he will stay in condition (something he neglected early in his career), and give the Cubs 200 quality innings for the next 4 years. However, I don’t think he is a “true ace”, so I wouldn’t want to see him making more than Z.

Cubs are not willing to give Kerry Wood a three year deal which might spell the end of his career in Chicago (very surprising to me)

I think that is posturing by the organization. They will probably do two years with a vesting option. That protects the Cubs from injury while giving Woody the assurance that he will be paid if he stays healthy.

Rich Hill is back on the Cubs radar — organization still has faith in his talent

I wasn’t a big fan of Rich Hill (the pitcher, not the town in Missouri) in 2007, and I have no confidence that he will do anything in 2009. The tricky part is that he is out of options, you have another starter (Harden) that needs a bullpen buddy (Gaudin or Marshall), and that you have to make a decision on trading Marquis before you know that he is back. I’m not sure that they can write him in for anything. Also, even if he has a good winter ball season… if he pitches the entire two months, that will affect his ability to stay strong in August and September.

Organization would like Alfonso Soriano to bat 5th or 6th next year

That might not be a bad move (though I’m in the minority that likes Sori in the leadoff spot), but Lou seems to have given up on using Riot there. (Think of how creative he was with EPatt, Dome, etc. when Sori was on the DL.) I don’t think that they could count on the leadoff man coming out of the Dome/RJ platoon since they aren’t sure what they will get out of Dome. That means, in all likelihood, that they will trade DeRo directly or indirectly for Roberts, or trade DeRo and (shuddering) pull someone like Lugo or Castillo off the scrap heap. The leadoff hitter won’t come from RF (i.e., Brian Giles), because they want a middle of the order LHB there. That also gives Teflon Lou a chance to make DeRo the scapegoat for the playoff failure.

Kosuke Fukudome stands good chance of being platoon mate with Reed Johnson in CF, dependent of course on his ability to hit

I like that. I think that Dome will have a much better year in 2009, though I don’t think he will ever have middle-of-the-order power. I also think that he might not have the stamina for a ML schedule, and it’s tough to develop it on the wrong side of 30. RJ has the same problem, so they can keep each other fresh.

Derrek Lee will likely not be traded on recommendation of Piniella

I’m OK with that. The only real reason to trade him would be to use a 1B with equal or better production who bats LH. Other than Tex, who is out of our price range, I can’t think of anyone. Our farm isn’t big enough to get Adrian Gonzalez.

Jake Peavy is not on the radarscope but the Brewers will be very hot and heavy after him

OK. SP (assuming Demp re-signs) is this team’s strength. There is no need to gut the farm system for him. I doubt if he will go to the Brewers; I think he ends up in Atlanta, with SD and Houston as dark horses.

Raul Ibanez is not really a target because of his inability to play right field

Good, although the real reason is probably that he blossomed after Lou traded him and Lou is still pissed about it.

Bob Brenly shapes up to be finalist for the Milwaukee job

I hope he gets it. As much as I love listening to him and Len, he deserves another shot. I thought the Snakes shafted him.

Re: how he would put his deep knowledge of the Cubs’ organization to use managing Milwaukee.
I say there should be some kind of unwritten pact against this sort of issue. But “all is fair in love and war,” i guess.

They are putting a lot of faith in Shark/Guzman/Gaudin/Cotts/Ceda/Ascanio to get the Job done in the 7th and 8th inning. That is scary…or even more scary…they bring back Howry on the cheap. If they don’t resign Woody because of injury concerns and a three year contract demand, I can probably agree with that. However, if they don’t resign Woody because of money concerns, then I would rather have him over Dempster. A solid bullpen in my mind is more valuable than a starter if you have a capable replacement in house. If you can’t get to the 9th consistently with the lead, I don’t care how good Marmol is.

We just need to look at this year’s cardinals and the Cubs Hawkin’s years to see what a bad bullpen/lack of closer can do to a season. I heard a stat the other day that the Cardinals led the league in games leading after the 7th inning….what does that spell…BAD bullpen.

Bruce Miles was on MIke Murphy radio show and this is where the info is derived. Also, for as much as I like Bruce Miles I’m not so sure I would take all these points as gospel.

For example, when he says the organization would like to move Soriano to the #5 or #6 hole that doesn’t mean it will actually happen in my estimation. A lot depends on offseason manueverings and obviously to Piniella getting Soriano comfortable with the idea. Soriano hasn’t exactly been one to embrace change so this could be an explosive issue???

Rich Hill??? I’ll wait to see what he shows in spring training. Seems to me the organization has vested interested in doing the best possible spin job it can on Hill. Seems also that his ability to make the Cubs in 2009 hinges on making the conversion to bullpen duty.

Kosuke is going to have to demonstrate the ability to hit to be in consideration for a role on the 25 man roster. If he can hit then he proved he can be one of the best defensive right fielders in the game. Why then would you move him out of right field unless you acquired a left-handed hitting run producer to play right field??

Dempster? I’m on record as saying I think the Cubs should take a pass.

Wood? I think this is more blustering than anything. Hendry surely knows Wood wants to stay a Cub. Guessing a two year deal with a vesting option happens???

I predict Cubs and Wood compromise on 2 years with an option that automatically kicks in upon reaching certain incentives.

First of all you all know my feelings on BB. The day he is out of the Cubs booth is the day I pop the bubbly on the finest bottle of champagne I can find at my local gas station.

Okay here we go. Get the Brian Roberts trade done already. I’m not exactly sure what we trade, but not Marshall. Roberts only has one year left on his contract, so Marshall would be too much to give up. Pie and some prospects? Anyway, this does so many things for us.

Gives us another left handed bat. Gives us a true leadoff man and another threat on the base pads (40 steals last year). This allows us to move Sori down to the 5 hole. Gives us a true 2nd baseman. Free’s up DeRosa to move to right. Which free’s up Dome to platoon with Reed in Center.

Your 2009 Cubs look like this
1. Roberts 2nd
2. Theriot SS
3. Lee 1st
4. Ramirez 3rd
5. Soriano LF
6. Soto C
7. DeRosa RF
8. Dome CF
9. Z/Harden/Lilly/Dempster/Marquis

Man that was easy. Anyone have Spendry’s email address?

I have a hard time believing that one. Hendry will give in.

I have an even harder time believing that this organization has any faith in Hill. Maybe everyone but Pinella but since his decision seems to matter the most then I don’t see Hill doing anything for the Cubs in 2009. Maybe they have faith in him as trade material? That I can believe.

Organization would “like” Soriano to bat 5th or 6th? Is this the same ‘organization" that has faith in Hill? I agree with this preference but I haven’t seen any Management with balls in this organization to take on a superstar. The Management here is great at pounding guys with potential in to dust if they don’t like them, but I seriously doubt that Lou will stick with it, as soon as Soriano protests he’ll be back at leadoff.

Kosuke playing again? Unlikely given lou’s prejudice.

Derek lee here because of Lou—I finally agree 100%, of course this is the wrong move.

I’d agree with the rest.

Hendry and Wood arethisclose as friends as well as their professional relationship. He was his first #1 draft choice.

Kerry and his wife just bought a huge house on big time property in the suburbs. They live here now most of the year. They still have their home in Arizona but will live here most of the year now except for the worst part of winter and spring training.

Hendry thinks of Dempster as his big find big taken a chance on guy from the start now pun intended.

And Ryan loves Chicago and is grateful for the Cubs taking a flyer on him back when nobody else would.

The only answer here is: Adam Dunn.

Yes he might be a butcher in RF and looks at his line from this year: .236/.386/.513

Now compare Dunn to another LH middle of the order player’s line from this year: .251/.339/.543

Pretty similar, huh? Any idea who the second line belongs to? (Hint: he is still playing baseball in October)

he is one of my favorites but this is a guy who almost retired a year and a half ago. He still has great stuff but his 85% save percentage compared to Dempster’s 90% (less opportunities), isn’t spectacular. Great club house guy, good experience for the playoffs, but that is too big of a gamble for me.

With regards to the Lee trade talks, I agree he will be tough to trade after next year but he saves a whole lot of throws, especially when Ramirez drops down and whips it across the diamond side arm. I can deal with his power decreasing, Rami in the 3 hole, Sori in 4, and Lee or Soto in 5 and 6. Plus he is one of the few who hit in the playoffs this year.

In RF I still don’t know why Reed didn’t play at all in the playoffs, wasn’t he our best average hitter all year with guys on base? Unless Fuku stops the spinnerama into the ground, he can’t be our full time RFer.

I would have preferred they didn’t resign Harden and made a run at Peavy. I realize it’s a lot more money and years, oh well. Harden was nice to add this year, but a whole year of 5 or 6 or 7 days between starts, and rarely going over 100 pitches. That is the type of thing that will ware down a bullpen, especially if Marquis is traded like some have suggested on this site.

Coco Crisp. He could play a fine center field, switch hit and lead off.

I’m not sure what it would take to pry him from Boston (I might toss Massachusetts native Rich Hill into the deal, if necessary), but he has one year left on his contract and will be available.

I think we can rule out Adam Dunn because I see no chance of him playing right field in Wrigley. We can also rule out Raul Ibanez because he is a barely tolerable left fielder and can’t be expected to play right field at this stage of career.

Bobby Abreu? I see the Yankees keeping him. He was paid $16 million in 2008 and I’m sure the Steinbrenners won’t blink an eye in giving him a 3 year contract at similar rate. After all this is the Yankees we are talking about.

Is the guy I’d like to see in Cubbie Blue. Unfortunately I doubt the Jays will part with him. He can play RF, has some good speed (32 SB), will have just turned 27 going into next year, is currently making under 5 mil.

His line this year was .291 /15 /79 .337 /.461 …. his splits: VS. LEFT: .289 / .735 VS. RIGHT: .292 / .818 HOME: .294 / .830 AWAY: .289 / .766.

Seems like the consistency we need to add. Heck, even a slightly older Vernon Wells would not be a bad fit in CF, going with a platoon in RF. Unfortunately, neither bats lefty.

We’ve really only been talking about filling the need of a left handed bat and/or a leadoff hitter by signing an MLB free agent player or a trade of an MLB player.

Maybe the best way is to look for that diamond in the rough in 6 year minor league free agent, non tendered player, or rule 5 drafted player. An example of this type of player that can have a big impact on a team is Ryan Ludwik with the Cardinals and David Eckstein, formerly of the Cardinals, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth of the Phillies.

Does anyone have any suggestions that would fit these criteria?

I don’t like Swisher. Besides, has anybody ever seen Ernest T. Bass of Andy Griffith fame and Nick Swisher in the same room at the same time? I’m pretty sure they are the same person.

Just say no to Swisher. Don’t want him AT ALL.