Hanging around. I really only took about 10 minutes to finish this after coming up with the Lee/Roberts trades. Didn’t really think much on what happened to Pie.

In this unlikely scenario, Jon Sanchez is in the pen to be a power lefty pen arm for 2009. I think you can live with it for 2009. He could get a shot in 2010 in the rotation. I’m fine with Sanchez starting but that means spending assets to get a LOOGY.

I’m fine with a lot of internal options as the 5th starter, in mock scenarios and in real life. I think Gaudin would be just fine, and I’m okay with Marquis. That said, the one thought in my head when I made this scenario was the payroll and to be wary of it, which is why I “gave up” some guys I really like, Blanco, DeRosa. In Marquis’ case, I’m not a huge fan of him so I was more open to the idea of getting rid of half or so of that contract if it can help you make some other moves. But I’m fine with Jason as the 5th guy. People overrated the role of the backup catcher and the 5th starter.

Again, I don’t expect this to happen. I just got tired of seeing ridiculous Lee and Roberts trades where we either get a ton for Lee, or we don’t give up much for Roberts. Value-wise, the chances of us landing Roberts through the system is very slim. Personally, as I’ve noted before, I think Roberts re-ups with Baltimore. I also don’t like Dunn there but didn’t know which lefty bat to stick. Maybe I’ll rethink Ibanez, who would be cheaper. I’ll get around to posting a semi-realistic scenario soon, but I’m very curious why “yuck”. Looking at this team for it’s own merits, and not the fact that it won’t happen, but just on paper

a) Speed/OBP at the top of the order – Roberts/Burriss would be a solid 1/2 punch.
b) Power in the middle
c) Deep lineup with Soto batting 7th
d) Deep bench, with righty/lefty pop (Micah/Scott), versatile pieces
e) Solid rotation (I mean, let’s be honest, the chances of Hendry resigning Dempster is awfully high)
f) Deep and versatile pen

Forget this scenario as a whole for moment. In terms of Burriss specifically, I like him enough in real life. I think he’ll have an above average glove at short and in time, could provide Ryan Theriot-like numbers (solid avg/obp, poor slugging).

I look at this a few hours later and wonder if I should’ve saved some imaginary cash and put Raul Ibanez in at first instead of Dunn.

Who’s 4 then? It’s the same 4 guys we had this year, and a healthy Harden and Z are ahead of Dempster for me entering 2009. That leaves Lilly, so I guess you can flip that around. Anyhow, that wasn’t an “order”.

So I posted in cwyers as well. Again, I fully admit at the beginning I was just messing around with things after “mocking” two trades in Lee and Roberts that I found more realistic than anything I’ve seen online yet. I’ll post a semi-realistic (I mean, nothing is realistic) scenario soon. That said, 4th place? Really folks? Deep bullpen, solid rotation, speed and OBP at the top of the order, power in the middle, depth in the lineup. I don’t know if I see a first place team, but 4th?

I don’t think people are realizing how tight our payroll will be. As I fully admitted at the beginning of the post, I made this in about 10 minutes of time, although I think my trades are a tad more “realistic” in value than many others. That said, the general point was to show that adjusting for what we might need (lefty power, top of the order hitter to move Soriano down) might take creativity and clear payroll. I absolutely love DeRosa. I think he has been the most valuable member of the team (not most important, but most valuable), but there certainly exists the possibility that clearing off DeRosa/Blanco’s 8.2 million will be necessary to make moves to upgrade this club.

I was thinking that someone like Angel Berroa could slot in there as the backup at 3rd. Scott Hairston plays some 2nd, so trying him at 3rd (don’t think he’s played that since the minors) would be a thought.

I’m very surprised you see a 4th place team there cwyers. Again, this ain’t happening, I was just messing around with the things after mocking up a Lee and Roberts trade that I found more realistic than anyone else has done. But strong pen, speed/on base at the top of the lineup, power in the middle, deep lineup, deep bench. I don’t see a 4th place team. Not saying I see a first place team, but 4th place?

agreed. I’ll get around to posting my offseason scenario soon.

I don’t play fantasy baseball.

I’ve got time to kill so let’s go with

a) The initial premise is that, this was just a quick scenario and I absolutely don’t think any of this will happen. Again, someone show me a “realistic scenario” and I can poke holes in it. The idea that any of us can come up with a specific idea that the Cubs braintrust is tossing around that is not predicated on the rumors that have been tossed around is ridiculous in its own nature. Hence, the for fun at the end of it.

b) This scenario was predicated on all the ridiculous Lee/Roberts trades that people put out there. Again, if you read my real thoughts, it is far different from this scenario.

So why San Francisco? Largely because it’s been rumored and speculated upon, by more than just Phil Rogers. Also because it is arguably one of two viable options for moving Lee, as most indications are he’d only go west. Can you sell Lee on the Giants? I believe you can. They have money to spend, a couple developing young players, a pipeline of young talent, and most importantly, they have pitching. That’s the name of the game, and they have it. They have an ownership that wants to, by all public accounts, be competitive sooner than later while building for the future and the NL West isn’t exactly a juggernaut as all the teams are in some phase of rebuilding or restructuring, including the Dodgers. Again, let’s tie in point a on this – I don’t think this scenario is happening, I have my doubts that Lee even gets moved, and it’s for fun.

I fully believe that Roberts price has gone up. The market on Roberts was limited to 2-3 teams last year. This year, if he is legitimately shopped, the Yankees, Mets, and more have all indicated that they may look in on 2nd base. Furthermore, unlike last year, Roberts has shown that his production wasn’t a fluke (too lazy to dig up stats, but look at the variability and assess all factors, including BABIP prior to 2008 – there was fluctuation, enough to get people worried).

c) The Padres are looking to cut costs, yes. They are looking to cut long term costs and rebuild in 2009. Marquis actually makes a lot of sense there at 4-5 million as a 5th starter. They aren’t finding one cheaper on the market, and Marquis would buy them time. Stew on that for a second before telling me it doesn’t make sense. Their young pitching isn’t ready. Will Inman is arguably their best arm in the upper levels and he needs at least 1 more year.

d) I don’t want, real or fake, to move DeRosa or Blanco, but people have to be aware of our tight situation. As I noted in my real thoughts, I don’t think we move them, but if people want the changes that they think need to occur, payroll is going to be an issue, unless ownership changes course and bumps payroll substantially. Keep in mind that, whether you like it or not, Dempster likely returns at a much higher price, and we’ll need a pen arm at a high cost (preferably Wood, but even in FA it would get costly). I am a huge DeRosa fan, but 5.5 million could become critical, and I can live with Fontenot as the starter. I like Blanco, but a 3 million dollar backup catcher is a luxury, not a necessity.

That was quicker than I thought.

So I don’t think there’s an actual comment suggesting it. I think people are inferring that Theriot is Lou’s pet from Lou’s comments about liking his grittiness or toughness (I know Lou’s said something like that before).