Cubs moves

TheRothman said:
1. Assign Crane Kenney to a new position having to do with facilities, stadium upgrades, etc... nothing to do with baseball operations or the president position.
2. Hire Pat Gillick as President.
3. Hire Rick Hahn, Billy Beane, Andrew Friedman, or Billy Beane as the new GM
4. Fire Quade
5. Hire Sandberg
6. Exercise Aram option, he turns it down and walks without the Cubs paying any buyout.
7. Sign Fielder to a 5 year deal. Vogelbach should be ready by then.
8. Bring back Dempster at a 3 year deal.
9. Sign CJ Wilson to a 5 year deal.
9. Trade Zambrano to the Marlins. He is friends with Ozzie already rumors out there.
10. Trade for JA Happ or John Danks
11. Trade or release Soriano. Bring Jackson up.
12. Trade Marmol, Flaherty, Vitters, and pitching prospect for David Wright.
13. Sign Wright to a 3 year extenstion.
14. Add a veteran back-up catcher like Pudge.
15. Add more to the bench like Greg Dobbs and Johnny Gomes.
16. Resign Kerry Wood.
17. Angel Guzman named as closer next season.


That is what I would do!
Click to expand...


Number 1 has pretty much already happened with Ricketts announcing the new GM will report directly to him, so Kenney won't have any more input into that area.
2. Why hire Gillick? If you're going to bring in someone like Beane or Epstein, they'd want that power anyway.
4. Don't worry, Quade is managing his last game tonight.
8. There could be benefit to this. Dempster has a player option of 14 mil I believe. So if you can get him to sign a 2 year extension and rework his current year for less that could work. Get him on a 3 year 27 mil contract and it's not so bad. Otherwise just let him pick up his option then let him walk next year or get a really friendly deal next season.
9. Zambrano's gone. I don't really care where he goes. I'm sure he and Guillen would have fun yelling at everyone together in Miami.
11. Jackson is ready. The Cubs need to make a place for him and that shouldn't be difficult with only Soriano and Byrd signed in the OF.
12. You can trade Marmol straight up for someone, preferably starting pitching prospects who are ready or close to ready. Why let Ramirez walk and then trade a bunch of people for Wright? He might be younger but he's been incredibly fragile and he's just as expensive. If you're going to do that just re-sign Ramirez to a 3 year deal and hang onto the prospects for other moves or hope that Vitters benefits from one more year in the minors and is finally ready soon.
14. I threw up a little bit when you suggested signing Pudge. We've got decent prospects who can back up Soto or replace him if you want to trade him.
17. Please NO! Focus on getting quality starters this offseason, trade Marmol and then you can move Cashner to the bullpen in the closer role where he should be anyway. Hopefully Guzman will at least be ready to take a position in the bullpen but by no means should be the closer.
 
hawkeyehat said:
12. You can trade Marmol straight up for someone, preferably starting pitching prospects who are ready or close to ready. Why let Ramirez walk and then trade a bunch of people for Wright? He might be younger but he's been incredibly fragile and he's just as expensive. If you're going to do that just re-sign Ramirez to a 3 year deal and hang onto the prospects for other moves or hope that Vitters benefits from one more year in the minors and is finally ready soon.
Click to expand...

This year was the first that he has ever shown to be "fragile". Ramirez has missed more games than Wright has over the past 7 years. He hits for a good average, has power, runs the bases well, drives in runners, steals an occasional base, is solid defensively, and will only be 29 years old. With him coming off a bad year and the Mets wanting to trim payroll now would be the perfect time to go after him.

Ramirez is past his prime and it will probably take 3 years @ 35+ million to resign him. With him being the only decent 3rd baseman out there he will probably get it.
 
i agree with a lot of that post except that there is zero reason to have colvin or lahair in LF over Soriano.
 
ssckelley said:
This year was the first that he has ever shown to be "fragile". Ramirez has missed more games than Wright has over the past 7 years. He hits for a good average, has power, runs the bases well, drives in runners, steals an occasional base, is solid defensively, and will only be 29 years old. With him coming off a bad year and the Mets wanting to trim payroll now would be the perfect time to go after him.

Ramirez is past his prime and it will probably take 3 years @ 35+ million to resign him. With him being the only decent 3rd baseman out there he will probably get it.
Click to expand...

Wright was good for 7 years. Now he is not that great and is fragile due to concussions etc. Why in the world would we trade players and prospects to get that. I'd be screaming if they signed him to the contract he has remaining or that was suggested. Why spend that money? It doesn't make sense to me unless you get him much cheaper. If you're going to throw money and prospects at a third baseman make it Longoria.
 
9YRPLAN said:
i agree with a lot of that post except that there is zero reason to have colvin or lahair in LF over Soriano.
Click to expand...

You're kidding right? LaHair is a better hitter than Soriano and bats lefthanded. Soriano has a .759 OPS which is one of the lowest of all starters in baseball and is a liability defensively.

hawkfarmer said:
Wright was good for 7 years. Now he is not that great and is fragile due to concussions etc. Why in the world would we trade players and prospects to get that. I'd be screaming if they signed him to the contract he has remaining or that was suggested. Why spend that money? It doesn't make sense to me unless you get him much cheaper. If you're going to throw money and prospects at a third baseman make it Longoria.
Click to expand...

I would not give up prospects, I was suggesting the trade be even up or even the Mets tossing in a prospect or 2. I am unaware of what concussion issues he has, obviously he would need to pass a medical screen in order for the trade to go through. No GM is going to give up a young premier closer/setup pitcher for damaged goods.
 
Last edited:
The cubs/Theo talks are heating up apparently. I think the cubs off season moves could start quickly and I don't think it would take too long for Epstein to decide he needs a new manager. Who would it be? Sandberg? or does he get scorned again for someone more flashy (francona etc.)
 
Eight of the last nine free agents Epstein has signed have bombed.

Surprisingly, Peter King discusses it in today's Monday Morning Quarterback.

Epstein, whose major free-agent signings since 2005 are Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, J.D. Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks.

• You can look it up: Since 2005, Epstein has signed those nine players to contracts totaling $462 million, with an additional $51.1 million paid to a Japanese team to acquire Matsuzaka. Of that $513 million spent, and those nine players, only Scutaro has been worth every dime of his contract -- and his deal was only for two years and $12.5 million.

The infantile Lackey has been worth not a nickel of his five-year, $82.5 million deal. The most depressing thought of the 2012 season? That I'll have to sit through even one Lackey start.

Stop giving me stats showing how good Drew's been, and that's he the nth-best right-fielder in the league since signing. A player who, in five years, hasn't scored 90 runs once, hasn't hit 25 homers once, and hasn't driven in 70 runs once is not worth even half of the $14 million a year Drew cost. Period.

Crawford? Jury's out, but that's the nicest thing you can say about what appears to be a declining player who can't play on the big stage. I do like Crawford, because he shows up and plays hard and seems to be pained about not living up to his contract. But the overriding point is, Epstein has done a terrible job restocking a good team over the last six years.

I am a bit mystified why the manager goes and the GM doesn't (unless these Cubs rumors are true), based on the track record in free agency.

Aaron Rodgers' epic 6-TD performance vs. Broncos gives him early MVP edge - Peter King - SI.com

Just what the Cubs need, another general manager that makes bad free agent signings.

​
 
ssckelley said:
You're kidding right? LaHair is a better hitter than Soriano and bats lefthanded. Soriano has a .759 OPS which is one of the lowest of all starters in baseball and is a liability defensively.



I would not give up prospects, I was suggesting the trade be even up or even the Mets tossing in a prospect or 2. I am unaware of what concussion issues he has, obviously he would need to pass a medical screen in order for the trade to go through. No GM is going to give up a young premier closer/setup pitcher for damaged goods.
Click to expand...

oh i how love "i only look at AAA stats guy". theres a reason lahair is 29 and still in AAA. there is also a reason he rakes at AAA...hes been there FIVE YEARS. lol at him being a better hitter than soriano.

plus, soriano is better on D than lahair. in case you missed it, and judging by your post you did, soriano was just fine on D this year. not good, but not bad.
 
How would Cubs fans feel about Mark Buehrle coming over the Nothside? He's a 32-year old free agent that might be a solid #2 or #3 starter for 3-4 years. It would allow the Cubs to chase an ace like Wilson and potentially have a really solid group of starters with Wilson, Buerhle, Garza, Dempster, and Wells.

For reference, here's a list of potential free agents this offseason.

Cot's Baseball Contracts: Potential Free Agents for 2012
 
ColumbusHawk said:
Eight of the last nine free agents Epstein has signed have bombed.

Surprisingly, Peter King discusses it in today's Monday Morning Quarterback.

Epstein, whose major free-agent signings since 2005 are Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, J.D. Drew, Daisuke Matsuzaka, John Lackey, Marco Scutaro, Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks.

• You can look it up: Since 2005, Epstein has signed those nine players to contracts totaling $462 million, with an additional $51.1 million paid to a Japanese team to acquire Matsuzaka. Of that $513 million spent, and those nine players, only Scutaro has been worth every dime of his contract -- and his deal was only for two years and $12.5 million.

The infantile Lackey has been worth not a nickel of his five-year, $82.5 million deal. The most depressing thought of the 2012 season? That I'll have to sit through even one Lackey start.

Stop giving me stats showing how good Drew's been, and that's he the nth-best right-fielder in the league since signing. A player who, in five years, hasn't scored 90 runs once, hasn't hit 25 homers once, and hasn't driven in 70 runs once is not worth even half of the $14 million a year Drew cost. Period.

Crawford? Jury's out, but that's the nicest thing you can say about what appears to be a declining player who can't play on the big stage. I do like Crawford, because he shows up and plays hard and seems to be pained about not living up to his contract. But the overriding point is, Epstein has done a terrible job restocking a good team over the last six years.

I am a bit mystified why the manager goes and the GM doesn't (unless these Cubs rumors are true), based on the track record in free agency.

Aaron Rodgers' epic 6-TD performance vs. Broncos gives him early MVP edge - Peter King - SI.com

Just what the Cubs need, another general manager that makes bad free agent signings.

​
Click to expand...

For a couple of those moves, it seemed more like ownership was pushing Epstein to do SOMETHING, even when the right players weren't available. That seemed to be what pushed the Lackey signing in particular.

I agree on Scutaro, that was a solid signing. Not big-money production, but he wasn't being paid big money, either.

I also agree on Crawford to a degree. I do think he'll bounce back next year, but he definitely gives his all. He's a legit good guy in the game, and one of my favorite players.

But, at the moment I'm less concerned with free agency and more concerned with the farm system. And that is something that Epstein has a good history with. He's not my #1 choice (Freidman and Beane are my top 2, Epstein is #3), but he's not a bad choice, either.
 
I like CJ Wilson but i dont see him as an Ace for the future of a team. He would be a great piece in a playoff team but the cubs wont be that for a few years not matter what Ricketts says.

For GM Im not sure who my main man would be but obviously I would be happy with Beane, Freidman, and Epstein. Give those guys full control and then go after a manager who knows how to win and isnt 75 (ala lou).

The first moves need to be made RIGHT AWAY this offseason so that we can get moving. Dump everything and I mean everything possible. I would keep ramirez and pena for 2 years as they are good clubhouse guys who want to be in Chicago. Other then that trade or waive anybody who is over paid. This team needs draft picks and alot of them.

On a slightly unrelated note, i think its time for a new stadium. I was against it for a while but its time. We will not win a championship in wrigley no matter how much I want them too. I would be in favor of HEAVILY renovating the stadium or tearing it down and rebuilding on the same spot and sharing the southside for a few years. You cant just up and leave wrigleyville, if they try i doubt they get the new stadium approved.
This is an interesting take on it:
A look at the proposed new Wrigley Field. - chicagotribune.com

Google Images
 
9YRPLAN said:
oh i how love "i only look at AAA stats guy". theres a reason lahair is 29 and still in AAA. there is also a reason he rakes at AAA...hes been there FIVE YEARS. lol at him being a better hitter than soriano.
Click to expand...

Yes his AAA stats are impressive but his major league stats are not bad either. I am not calling for him to be the full time starter. He makes a good bench player with a lefthanded platoon for Soriano. If the Cubs were to find a way to unload Soriano I would not want LaHair starting full time in left.

plus, soriano is better on D than lahair. in case you missed it, and judging by your post you did, soriano was just fine on D this year. not good, but not bad.
Click to expand...

Are you watching the games or you looking at defensive stats? Every time the ball gets hit to Soriano everyone holds their breath. The only reason why he is even starting in leftfield is because 20 million is to much to spend on a bench player.
 
People need to realize that when GM's sign big time free agents, it's usually the owners decision, not the GM. Hendry continually got killed for signing Soriano, but he didn't even negotiate the contract (ownership and the team president did)

Also, just stop it with the LeHair stuff. He shouldn't get anything more than a bench spot and a platoon is more than a bench spot, especially for a left handed hitter. If you want to platoon Sori, at least do it with someone who can play the outfield reasonably well.
 
hawkfarmer said:
FYI, Brenly does not like Aramis much. There is no way he is back with the Cubs.

Brenly won't miss Ramirez - Chicago Cubs Blog - ESPN Chicago
Click to expand...

I tend to think Ramierez is gone too. There has been talk that Castro won't play SS forever. What the Cubs have lacked for a very long time is a consistent guy at the top of the order who can get on base and create some chaos. So, what if they went after a guy like Jose Reyes and moved Castro to 3rd? Probably far fetched, and they would need another BIG Bat in the middle of the line-up. The thought of a Reyes, Castro, Fielder at the top of the order is nice, but it's a pipe dream.
 
DJL said:
I tend to think Ramierez is gone too. There has been talk that Castro won't play SS forever. What the Cubs have lacked for a very long time is a consistent guy at the top of the order who can get on base and create some chaos. So, what if they went after a guy like Jose Reyes and moved Castro to 3rd? Probably far fetched, and they would need another BIG Bat in the middle of the line-up. The thought of a Reyes, Castro, Fielder at the top of the order is nice, but it's a pipe dream.
Click to expand...

No way do I want Reyes. Great player. Lousy leader. Not the kind of guy I want to have as a cornerstone.
 
tm3308 said:
No way do I want Reyes. Great player. Lousy leader. Not the kind of guy I want to have as a cornerstone.
Click to expand...

That's actually a good point considering the Cubs luck with bad clubhouse guys (Bradley, Zambrano) I would really like to see them get some sort of hitter that can get on a lot and steal some bases. Reyes is such a great player, but it would be a risk.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Share this page

Top