2009 Chicago Cubs

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 5, 2008 12:32 AM CDT

Free Agents:

Kerry Wood

Ryan Dempster

Bobby Howry (THANK GOD!)

Jon Lieber

Jim Edmonds

Reed Johnson

Daryle Ward

Chad Fox

In:

Carlos Zambrano

Rich Harden

Ted Lilly

Jason Marquis

Geovany Soto

Derek Lee

Mark DeRosa

Ryan Theriot

Aramis Ramirez

Alfonso Soriano

Felix Pie

Kosuke Fukudome

Carlos Marmol

Jeff Samardzjia

Michael Wuertz

Neal Cotts

Koyie Hill

Rich Hill

Ronny Cedeno

Mike Fontenot

any minor league guy you can imagine, etc.

Dempster, Wood, Edmonds, and Johnson were so intergal to the Cubs success, I can't see them all staying and the Cubs being able to afford it. Nor would I necesarrily book on Edmonds returning to form. Dempster and Wood are crapshoots, but given the feelings of 2008, why would you stay?

Can Marshall be the No. 4 starter? I think so, but who is the No. 6 guy then to fill in for injuries? Do we want to sign someone to be a No. 6 to stretch out Harden?

Ugh, who cares? This team is lead by Ramirez and Soriano who will just not show up in the posteason again.

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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Comments

Of course

All the bozos are saying trade the entire roster because the players don’t kill themselves after every strikeout which means they have no emotion,

And then bash Zambrano for showing emotion.

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

by puckishcubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 12:37 AM CDT reply actions

we love zambrano.

I don’t understand why you don’t get this. Certain players shrink from big spots. Lee and Aramis are two of them.

If you keep them, you risk Soto becoming one of them. Passive, stoic failures.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 5, 2008 1:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Dempster should be brought back

Hes still an above avg starter even if he comes back to earth, and I think i heard somewhere Harden, due to some sort of grandfather clause owing to when he signed that deal, can in fact opt out this year….I swear I heard that on espn once, but hopefully Im wrong.

I see middle relief, CF and RF being the big areas of debate this off season.

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 5, 2008 12:39 AM CDT reply actions

Harden

I have heard that too, but haven’t seen hard proof.

This guy doesn’t necessarily make a living of of listing the contracts, but he is the best:
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/chicago-cubs_112114177768677294.html

I’m going with him until I hear otherwise

Rich Harden rhp
4 years/$9M (2005-08), plus $7M 2009 club option

    * acquired in trade from Oakland 7/8/08
    * $1M signing bonus
    * 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M, 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M club option (no buyout)
    * escalators based on IP
    * signed extension 4/05, replacing 1 year/$0.3365M for 2005 signed 3/05
    * ML service: 4.074

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 5, 2008 12:42 AM CDT up reply actions

Actually

I expect an upgrade in the middle infield with thoughts of DeRosa going to RF if Fukudome doesn’t come through. I expect him to better in 09.

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

by puckishcubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 12:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Derek Lowe?

Anyone Seems like Monday morning quarterbacking but he seemed very good also 14-11 isnt too bad considering how bad the Dodgers stunk up the NL West April-Jully

by Galvan316 on Oct 5, 2008 12:43 AM CDT reply actions

How much do you want to pay for him?

Just honestly curious on that one, think it could be a good idea

Snarky bastard answer:

Why in the hell would he want to come to this team after getting a front row seat to our playoff problems?

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 5, 2008 12:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Lowe

I’d rather have Dempster for the same money.

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

by puckishcubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions

that says it all.

did you miss the game 3 days ago, in which lowe pitched like a professional and Dempster crapped the bed?

Or, for that matter, lowes previous heroics for the redsox, and dempsters history of failure? For the same money, every gm worth his salt will take lowe.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Oct 5, 2008 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions

blanco

will be a free agent too right?

Go CuBs!!!!!!!!!!

by tbizzle83 on Oct 5, 2008 12:43 AM CDT reply actions

Blanco: Club Option

Henry Blanco c
2 years/$5.25M (2007-08), plus $3M 2009 option

* $0.75M signing bonus
* 07:$1.8M, 08:$2.8M, 09:$3M club option ($0.3M buyout)

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/chicago-cubs_112114177768677294.html

I forgot to list guys with Club Options. Sorry I got lazy in the clutch. I always knew Ramirez and Soriano were my favorite Cubs.

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 5, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Blanco

I want him back because of his leadership. From everything we hear he had a big part in grooming Soto.

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

by puckishcubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 12:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Of that group...

…I think you try to keep Dempster, Wood, and Johnson. Edmunds proved what he had to prove – I’m guessing he’ll retire. The rest seem like dead weight.

by MIMuggles on Oct 5, 2008 12:45 AM CDT reply actions

Call me corny

Call me corny but the only piece of tape I will save from the series is Kerry’s performance on Thursday night just because it might be his last as a Cub. Don’t think it will be but you never know.

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

by puckishcubsfan on Oct 5, 2008 12:50 AM CDT reply actions

resign

dempster wood and johnson. got to find a way to get a clutch batter(Manny or Vlad move fukudome to center) and a legit leadoff hitter. i bet the brian roberts trade talks begin near the winter meetings. right now its hard not to say get manny but i doubt LA will let him go. ward can go, hoff can fill his role. and a 2 bullpin arms. its so hard because i was for sure THIS was the cubs team to win it all.

Go CuBs!!!!!!!!!!

by tbizzle83 on Oct 5, 2008 12:56 AM CDT reply actions

Wood, Dempster & Johnson...

…will be the only ones of the FA back next year. Edmonds proved he could still do it, but he may retire and if he doesn’t, he is too much of an injury risk.

The big issue here is something has to be done to bring in a player or two, that are “winners” and have the ability to lead and set the example for everyone else. This club showed last year and again this year, that they are missing something in the all important playoff spotlight and you ain’t winning anything with that issue.

Here is the problem; what can Hendry do with this sale issue? Escalating contracts, Soriano locked up for 6 more years, Harden is another Mark Prior, etc. etc..

The warts are exposed when the games are most important, and the club has more than any of us could have imagined with the 97 win season.

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

by MPH73 on Oct 5, 2008 12:58 AM CDT reply actions

Speaking of Edmonds

What was his final line with the Cubs?

100 years would have been nice, but 101 years still has a nice ring to it.

by airweino on Oct 5, 2008 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

here

256 .369 .568 19HR, 47R, 49RBI, 45BB:58K

I’d be really surprised if he retired. Someone will sign him for a 1 year contract at least

by IllinoisCubs on Oct 5, 2008 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Dream Roster Next Season!

ROTATION
1. Tim Lincecum (traded D. Lee + others to SF, somehow … hey I said this was a dream roster)
2. Rich Harden
3. Carlos Zambrano
4. Ted Lilly
5. Jeff Samardzija

BULLPEN
1. Carlos Marmol (more of a closer/swingman/fireman, use him in high-leverage situations, not just collect counting stats)
2. Kerry Wood, if he’s willing to give a hometown discount
3. Sean Marshall (my spot starter)
4. Angel Guzman
5. Randy Wells
6. Chad Gaudin

LINEUP
1. Rafael Furcal SS (signed)
2. Mark DeRosa 2B
3. Mark Teixeira 1B (signed)
4. Aramis Ramirez 3B
5. Alfonso Soriano LF
6. Geovany Soto C
7. Felix Pie CF (I’d give him until the trade deadline to show me something, he’d be helping with his defense at least)
8. Kosuke Fukudome RF or Ryan Theriot/Mike Fontenot 2B

Fact: Your Opinion is Wrong.

by northsider on Oct 5, 2008 2:28 AM CDT reply actions

Pros:
Even more potent offense
Better outfield defense
Infield defense improves, much stronger up the middle including Pie
Stability for DeRosa
Soriano in better position to maximize his skillset
Fairly cheap bullpen, a place where teams tend to overspend
Deep rotation, 97mph 2-seam heat from the #5 starter, with two guys (#55, #40) or maybe three (#38) with a legit shot at the CY
Two (#45, #37), maybe even three (#57) or four (#36) starters waiting in the BP if necessary

Cons:
Can Spellcheck be effective as a starter?
What if starters #2 and #3 get hurt?
What if the back end of the bullpen can’t handle the pressure?
Can Furcal stay healthy?
What if Pie is a bust?
Lee for Lincecum? No way would SF pull the trigger.
Teixeira AND Furcal? Are you serious?

Fact: Your Opinion is Wrong.

by northsider on Oct 5, 2008 2:36 AM CDT up reply actions