due to contracts, you can’t ‘dump’ most of the players. Most here think in fantasy baseball terms, and want the impossible.

First. Time. Ever.

If this team faulters slightly, the fans are going to boo///criticize crazily i think..

and forget about marketing and IT, etc.? It would be interesting to know how they compare just considering the total of Basbeall Operations, Minor League Department, and Scouting Department.

The Cubs do have a stat guy, Chuck Wasserstrom, but he’s a former PR guy who read Moneyball (or so it seemed when they created that new job for him a couple of years ago).

-Carlos Zambrano is not effective anymore, look at his stats and he is going downhill!
-Trade Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano!
-Team is not the problem, TEAR Wrigley down!

I do think that if it is possible we should go after Texeira. I love Lee as a player, but he is getting only older and his power is diminishing. I mean I am content with keeping Lee, but if we could get a better player instead..

The Cubs won 97 games because of strong starting pitching and great bullpen work. And they stayed relatively healthy all year long. The offense was solid and BALANCED. No one player was responsible for carrying the team. When DeLee and Dome struggled, Soto, Edmonds and Aram were there to pick up the load.

Hendry has always done what he felt was best to make the team better (i.e. Reed Johnson and Rich Harden) and I don’t think that will change. Onward and upward…

Although I dont think big changes are needed this will be a huge must or bust offseason for Jim Hendry. One of our biggest problems is not knowing when to hold and when to fold on a player. We lack in the good prospects dept. Hopefully we will address that under new mgmnt as Al said.

Their are players that need to be traded like Harden,Marquis,Cedeno etc for prospects. Were getting long in the tooth and have absolutely no one to fill holes. I think Harden brings a big reward back. As much as I like him when he’s healthy, the truth of the matter is,he’s nothing more than a employee.

I think the market for furcal will prove to be too big and he’s really all thats out there thats any better than what we have. I’ll admit theriot has flaws but he cost us nothing. cabrera,furcal,renteria,lugo etc will cost us big without that much of an upgrade. Furcal is great when he’s healthy but he’s not healthy much.

Fukudome is ours,as is soriano,ramirez,soto, and derosa.

I think we need to resign demp and reed. We need to look for a centerfielder and a right fielder. I kinda see a dome and reed platoon in center. Is it perfect? NO but I dont see many options out there. Abreu is out there, could be an option but I dont know his defense is horrid.

can brian roberts play ss or does hendry have dero slotted in in rf and b-ro at 2nd if he’s signed?

If wood wants anything more than a 1-2 year deal—-take the emotion and ties out and let him walk. DO NOT saddle us with his injuries anymore. marmol is ready and we just drafted another pitcher who was a closer. We need a few fresh arms in the pen and a top starter.

I’m not against trading lee ,although he has a no trade clause, but he makes alot of plays look easy when in fact their not.

Alot of questions need to be answered this offseason and hendry better be active. Our core is getting really old and we have no replacements waiting. I think he’s gotta take some chances on some trades even though we all wont agree with them.

I wouldnt have even though to look at the number of full time staff compared to the rest of the league, if theyre looking to add 30-40 full timers, I’ll gladly forward my resume along.

Im not for a complete overhaul on the field, just one impact bat, preferably a lefty, but in doing so, one of our starters might have to go…..thats what I prefer, but dont expect in reality.

I would of thought that the Cubs would be on the level with other big market teams in reference to personnel in the front office. I just want the Cubs to become a model for drafting players. I think the Cubs are making strides, but not at the level that they should be at. Would love to see more players major league ready as postion players.
 Major changes, I don’t think it is necessary, however if this team blows a tire in the first round of the playoffs or does not make the playoffs, there will be changes. ( and a lot of second guessing.)
 Now I am not against exploring trades, I still would look into a Ramy and a arm for David Wright.
 I just fear that this team needs a shake, needs some new juice, they stand pat, and we are talking about the same thing next year

I do not fear change. First with SammyZ, he’s covered on payments for 2008 for several months now, so the sell the team edict say, back in March has long since subsided. On mgmt changes, I would say no; there’s a system in place that is making progress.

On the players however, some change is needed. Like SDSJM said, some players’ contracts will prohibit them being moved. With that in mind:

Soriano and Ramirez will remain and both are good players, though need postseason help. I really like Kosuke-san and truly believe he’s gonna get better. But he should be targeted to work CF as well as RF in ST come February. He’s the backup plan to Pie or Pie-platoon. Re-sign Johnson but JimmyE may have to go unless he takes much less money.

I wanna keep DeRo but as the super-sub, not everyday 2B’er. But what an insurance policy he is for several positions.

I’d like to see what they can get in a SP for D-Lee and a kid or 2. I say this as I don’t think the Cubs will get CC even though I’d drool if they did. If they can acquire a #2/#3 starter for D-Lee, then then can let Demp walk and use the money from him and Howry (oh, BTW, goner) to put towards a CC or Teixeira acquisition. Hoffpauir is the backup if D-Lee is turned into a SP and they don’t get Teixeira.

I’d like to see the Cubs get Roberts and Furcal. Furcal is ‘just’ money, Roberts may be like pulling teeth again especially now if Angelos may want to re-sign him. Orlando Hudson is another 2B/LH guy I’d like to see have some consideration. Think he’s a FA so he’d “only” cost $$$ like Furcal, unlike Roberts. Bottom line is speed at the top, LH batter is a luxury.

Teixeira is my 1B pipe dream. I’m willing to take less defence than D-Lee if it means a LH bat with power in the lineup. Again, like CC – drooling time.

Cedeno is a goner, Fontenot is a keeper. Theriot keeps his spot only if Furcal or other speedier and/or greater power guy can be had. Keep Ward unless there’s a better PH option. Hank White must be re-signed in addition to his option being picked up. He’s soooo valuable for Geo to continue to learn. Getting rid of Geo is like getting rid of Randy Hundley 40 years ago. He’s a total keeper.

Z, Harden and Lilly are already in the fold. Re-sign Woody unless the money demands are prohibitive. Of course Marmol is a main stay and I’ll go out on a limb with the shark. Getting Eyre back is too risky but Cotts should be considered. Wuertz is too risky but I’d like to see Hart develop. Wuertz is like plan-C. Gaudin hopefully won’t run into any more dumpsters. I’ve always liked Marshall and of course Marquis ain’t going nowhere with $10M owed in the final year of the 3-yr deal.

I don’t have strong feel for alternative relievers so I’ll let it go for now.

So resigning guys like Demp and Woody with other players having higher salaries due to the back loading of contracts, I get about $136M for next year. It could max out to nearly $170M if guys like CC, Furcal, Hudson and Teixeira were brought in to replace Demp, Theriot, Fontenot and D-Lee.

Yeah, it’s just a wag and there’s lots of holes but I guess I wouldn’t be against the following lineup:

Furcal – SS
Johnson – CF
Teixeira – 1B
Rami – 3B
Fonzie – LF
Geo – C
Kosuke – RF
Hudson – 2B
pitcher

OK, slam away…

Rather he is likely to pick at the edges. Meaning…

1. Sign Ryan Dempster to new contract (a move that I am loathe to make based on the $$$ he is going to get)
2. Sign Kerry Wood to new contract (another move that could come up snake eyes)
3. Sign Reed Johnson to new contract
4. Acquire a left-handed hitting run producer
5. Add middle relief candidates
6. Make decision on Jim Edmonds
7. Wave goodbye to Bob Howry, Jon Lieber, Daryl Ward, Michael Wuertz

I would love for Hendry to move Derrek Lee but that isn’t going to happen in Hendry-land. I would also be delirious of Alfonso Soriano voluntarily retired to open up a surf shop in the Dominican, but again that’s not going to happen. Kosuke Fukudome also isn’t going to leave us to go play for his former Japanese team.

Ryan Theriot? He’ll be back at shortstop despite the proclamations to the contrary on this board. He’s one of Lou’s favorites, is an ignitor, hit .300 w/ an OBP of .385, can run and is cheap.

I posted this the other day….. there will be little changes and I think what you proposed is very likely, especially with Theriot. I would say a run at Roberts will be made and the left handed bat will probably be an outfield platoon. with DeRosa playing outfield and super sub.

… and it will make this team better. Still, the heart and sole of this team will be back. There is no doubt about it.

Can someone help settle a discussion?

My brother and I were talking about Soriano. I swear back in 2000 that’s who we were going to get as a big piece of the Sosa trade proposed with the Yankees. He said it wasn’t.

If you had just said that the Cubs’ front office employs 128 people, I would have thought, “Wow, that’s a lot.” I would never have thought to even consider that correlation. Good food for thought.

Another part of your post, about the potential owners also gave me pause. How are people who believe in the curse, et al, going to react to the potential owner having the same name as either a communist nation or a bone disease? LOL

I love the housing analagy.

I look at it like my house. We have a very nice house but it needs to be jazzed up to fit our needs.

Do we go and get a brand new house when we have a really good one now?

No we’re making changes and renovations so the new house (Coincidentally the work is starting next week and will be done in the spring) will look very much the same on the surface but different too.

Would be great for baseball and the Cubs……You notice the flux of changes in the strike zone call by Umps….man I would like to see him challange that calling out Bud “say don’t spray it” Selig…..and to have a passionate owner…and passionate fans we are…this would be one owner who would HATE TO LOSE!!!!!
New fresh new start….
…With a small Mgnt. staff it just shows how cheap the Cubs can be as well….

Yesterday on CTL, Kaplan said that he’s been told and that Piniella says he is done with Soriano in the lead-off spot. I think (and I hope it doesn’t happen) that Hendry will go all out for Roberts.

And Rosenthal the other day said that this will be the year the Cubs finally get that power hitting lefty for RF. It’s going to be 1 of Dunn/Bradley. Hendry has coveted both in the past.

All these people can’t wait to get rid of Ramirez and Lee.

Stupid stupid stupid especially when it comes to Ramirez. Wait 30 years to get a third baseman and now fans just want to get rid of him. For David Wright? Wow, at best an even up move.

Still the dumbest is people wanting to trade Soriano just to get rid of him.

Brian Roberts? Honestly, raise your hand if you really think the Cubs are going to get engaged in this all over again. Especially with Mark DeRosa arguably being our MVP in 2008 and Mike Fontenot coming up huge in a secondary role.

Rafael Furcal? Two big obstacles. One, Furcal happens to play for the big money Dodgers who are in the NLCS. Two, Ryan Theriot is the incumbent shortstop in Chicago and has many things going for him, to include a manager who likes him a great deal.

Mark Texiera? Three big obstacles. One, the Cubs aren’t going to move Derrek Lee no matter how much we hope they do. Two, Scott Boras wants his client to get paid upwards of $200 million. Three, the competition for his services will be very stiff coming from the Angels, Yankees and Texiera’s beloved hometown Orioles.

===

So maybe, just maybe, can we center the discussion on realistic perspectives for improvement. I’m not going to participate in a board that yet again gets immersed into 24/7 coverage of Brian Roberts.

changes happening but one thing I hope does happen is Howry moves on.

back then when I thought about the Cubs I didn’t shake my head in disgust like I do now, and probably will until Spring.

This Cubs team is good enough to win it all, and that is why we are all so disappointed. If they can improve in any area they should try, whether it be on the field, management/scouting with more resources. The bottom line is they need to play like they are capable in the postseason, until then, there are going to be quick exits. I would start in scouting, Stephen Drew and James Loney types can’t keep rolling the Cubs in Oct.

I’d like to see the Cubs grab him from Florida. He’s worked as a special assistant for the Marlins for a few years. They’ve shown that they know how to evaluate talent and trade for the right pieces. And it’s a a great PR move at the same time. Win Win in my book.

I agree about Boston, they are clearly a model franchise. We can’t afford to be missing on draft picks especially in the early rounds.

is to overreact this off-season. That being said, the front office doesn’t need to sit on its collective hands. A team can always get better, and I think the Cubs don’t need much to address their shortcomings.

As for the early exit, I do agree that the Cubs RH lineup was over-matched. The media kept calling the Cubs offense “balanced.” I think they are partly right. The Cubs were balanced over 161 games. A short series is a completely different animal. The offensive production was not there at all. Soriano is taking a lot of heat…and maybe he should. It really looked like Soriano was ready to hit a 5 run homer in every AB. His work this offseason should be to become a more selective hitter. He has the power and quick hands…if he would only lay off a few that are just off the outside of the plate. I feel that Lou knows vastly more about the game than I do, but I question why he felt that Fukudome needed to start. He was mired in a horrific offensive slump. Why would he need to prove his worth in the short series as the starter? A general rule is that bad defense usually doesn’t cost a team as much, in terms of wins, as bad offense. I say usually because we all saw Game 2. I would like to forget that one.

What would I do in the offseason to shore up the Cubs? I think the Cubs need 2 things…an impact LH bat (or two) and relief pitching. The LH bat doesn’t necessarily need to be a power hitter. I would rather have high BA with this team, especially because of their high OBP. The relief pitching needs to be addressed because of free agency and because the Cubs had a good (not great) ‘pen. I haven’t taken the time to look at the league FA list yet, so I haven’t decided who I would like the Cubs to go after.

Any thoughts?

By and large I’d stick with the same roster as this year, mostly because it would be hard to make effective trades with so many expensive contracts laden with NTCs.

I’d still look to upgrade at SS (Cabrera, Furcal, perhaps even Renteria) and 1B. If I couldn’t get Mark Teixiera as my new 1B then I’d make the position a left-handed one by way of moving Lee and a prospect to the Rockies for Todd Helton. Lee’s and Helton’s numbers are a wash, and they’re roughly the same age, but at least I’ve made the lineup not so right-handed. Plus their contracts are prohibitive enough that the only guys you could trade them for would be each other.

Interesting that Al speculates Fukudome could head back to Japan. That opens up RF, a spot that could use some power. Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Vlad Guerrero? In fact I still might go after Dunn or Burrell or Vlad if Fukudome stays, because I’d give strong consideration to moving Dome to CF and platoon him with a re-signed Reed Johnson.

Soriano should NOT bat leadoff. I know he likes batting first and all but I’d rather use another in-house option or Furcal if I can sign him. Or if Fukudome decides to stay then I move him to CF and package Pie and some pitching prospects to Baltimore for Brian Roberts (include Theriot in the deal if you sign one of the FA shortstops). Bottom line is that Alfonso should bat sixth and tell him to get used to it. A lineup with a better leadoff man and an unhappy Soriano batting sixth would still be more productive than a happy Soriano batting leadoff and Soto or DeRo batting sixth.

It’s tempting to fortify the roster by making DeRosa the super-sub. One way to do that would be getting a FA shortstop and then making 2B a shared position between Theriot/Fontenot/DeRo. Another way would be by acquiring Brian Roberts.

I’d bring back Wood. I’d try to bring back Dempster but if he asks for crazy money or too long a number of years then I’d prefer signing Derek Lowe for the same price. Goodbye Bobby Howry, hello Angel Guzman.

Ryan Dempster was done by the start of the Fourth inning. It was just not his game that night. He paced around the mound frequently, desperately seeking to regain his lost "command."

Maybe the cold weather affected his usually effective grip and release of the ball. Nonetheless, his lack of command snowballed into setting the tone for an avalanche of the 2008 postseason Cubs melting down, once again.

His pitching effectiveness was NOT there, Lou and Larry Rothschild should have/probably knew this. He NEVER should have lasted to face Loney.

Dr. Mike Marshall can transform an organization’s pitching into a more competitive and advantageous way than ANY pitching coach available today:

www.drmikemarshall.com

He knows more about strategic pitching involving selection and pitch sequence than Larry R. I am not advocating replacing Larry; just get the very best scientifically based pitching expertise in the Cubs organization. His strength training methods ALONE are worth the price of hiring Dr. Mike as the Cubs system-wide Pitching Director.

His long-term strategy of training based on scientific evidence of a proven method for pitching injurious-free is NOT in the mainstream, but needs to considered by the Cubs as the BEST investment that they can make in their organization for now, and the future.

I am aware of the split and negative (uninformed) detractors that Dr. Mike’s very name evokes; however, I attended his 2nd Annual Pitching and Training Analysis Clinic in May 2006. I experienced first hand his superior knowledge, dedication, and positive approach to coaching and individually shaping every player to develop a highly effective repertoire of command of pitches, strategic pitch sequence knowledge, and physical conditioning. His training and coaching resulted in superior ability to pitch more frequently with effectiveness,while INJURIOUS FREE!

Sure, spend gobs of money on more scouting, seeking the genetically superior "freaks" that can “throw” (initially) 90 – 100 mph, but these throwers are NOT pitchers, and generally do not last – plus cost an organization a ton of money that eventually is lost when serious injury inevitably appears, and/or free agency arrives.

Dr. Marshall can establish a system-wide pitching philosophy and program based on injurious-free pitching training methods that will result in selecting pitchers who really want to succeed (not the overpriced and scarce “genetic freaks”), and giving them the real tools to develop into highly effective pitchers.

I would rather have a system loaded with a never-ending arsenal loaded top to bottom with homegrown effective pitchers. Relying on free-agency (much more costly), and the inherent risk in NOT knowing what the organization really has acquired from another organization is a crapshoot.

It would really be uplifting and a winning move, if the Cubs new organization invests wisely in a superior science and data based decision-making to training, developing, and coaching a system-wide effective approach to pitching. How refreshing it would be if the Cubs seized the day and LED the baseball world into the future, instead of always trailing the pack and waiting forever to figure out how to build a long-lasting WINNING system!

Someday…

Ryan Dempster was done by the start of the Fourth inning. It was just not his game that night. He paced around the mound frequently, desperately seeking to regain his lost “command.”

Maybe the cold weather affected his usually effective grip and release of the ball. Nonetheless, his lack of command snowballed into setting the tone for an avalanche of the 2008 postseason Cubs melting down, once again.

His pitching effectiveness was NOT there, Lou and Larry Rothschild should have/probably knew this. He NEVER should have lasted to face Loney.

Dr. Mike Marshall can transform an organization’s pitching into a more competitive and advantageous way than ANY pitching coach available today:

www.drmikemarshall.com

He knows more about strategic pitching involving selection and pitch sequence than Larry R. I am not advocating replacing Larry; just get the very best scientifically based pitching expertise in the Cubs organization. His strength training methods ALONE are worth the price of hiring Dr. Mike as the Cubs system-wide Pitching Director.

His long-term strategy of training based on scientific evidence of a proven method for pitching injurious-free is NOT in the mainstream, but needs to considered by the Cubs as the BEST investment that they can make in their organization for now, and the future.

I am aware of the split and negative (uninformed) detractors that Dr. Mike’s very name evokes; however, I attended his 2nd Annual Pitching and Training Analysis Clinic in May 2006. I experienced first hand his superior knowledge, dedication, and positive approach to coaching and individually shaping every player to develop a highly effective repertoire of command of pitches, strategic pitch sequence knowledge, and physical conditioning. His training and coaching resulted in superior ability to pitch more frequently with effectiveness,while INJURIOUS FREE!

Sure, spend gobs of money on more scouting, seeking the genetically superior “freaks” that can "throw" (initially) 90 – 100 mph, but these throwers are NOT pitchers, and generally do not last – plus cost an organization a ton of money that eventually is lost when serious injury inevitably appears, and/or free agency arrives.

Dr. Marshall can establish a system-wide pitching philosophy and program based on injurious-free pitching training methods that will result in selecting pitchers who really want to succeed (not the overpriced and scarce "genetic freaks"), and giving them the real tools to develop into highly effective pitchers.

I would rather have a system loaded with a never-ending arsenal loaded top to bottom with homegrown effective pitchers. Relying on free-agency (much more costly), and the inherent risk in NOT knowing what the organization really has acquired from another organization is a crapshoot.

It would really be uplifting and a winning move, if the Cubs new organization invests wisely in a superior science and data based decision-making to training, developing, and coaching a system-wide effective approach to pitching. How refreshing it would be if the Cubs seized the day and LED the baseball world into the future, instead of always trailing the pack and waiting forever to figure out how to build a long-lasting WINNING system!

Someday…