**OFFICIAL CUBS REGULAR SEASON THREAD**

Here is a fun question.

If the cubs could pick up 5 additional players right now to build a team around who would you pick. For this to occur whoever you choose will replace that person for the cubs, for example if you pick Tulowitzki, Castro is no longer on the team etc.

My top 5 go like this;

1. Matt Kemp, replacing Campana/Johnson in CF
2. Clayton Kershaw replacing Dempster
3. Justin Verlander replacing Garza
4. Posey replacing Soto/Clevenger/Castillo
5. Longoria replacing Stewart

Now I didn't choose a 1B due to Rizzo/LaHair or a corner outfilder because I think Jackson could play the corners and LaHair could take a corner spot as well. The cubs need some good starting pitching so i went there twice. Also, didn't pick a second basemen because I think the system has some good middle infielders coming up in Junior Lake and Baez, and Castro could go there if one of those guys is a better fielding SS. Also the cubs don't seem to have a good 3B replacement in mind yet and Buster Posey is a catcher that can do it all, and all 5 of those guys are YOUNG.

I would take those 5 guys any day of the week.
 
And obviously I would prefer to keep Garza and Dempster replacing a few guys at the bottom of the rotation, but Kershaw and Verlander are not bottom of the rotation guys.
 
hawkfarmer, I believe Jackson is projected to be a centerfielder. With the Cubs having a ton of money tied up in left field and DeJesus is owed 10 million over the next 2 years, I think the future outfield is set. You might be able to look at right field for 2014 if they opt out of DeJesus option year and Soriano's contract will be gone after 2014 season. I think your starting 2013 outfield will be LaHair, Jackson, and DeJesus.

You could see the Cubs going after a 3rd basemen as Ian Stewart is not signed to a long term deal and has not proven himself at the plate. You might look at someone for either shortstop or second base depending on if they keep Castro at short or move him along with the development of Lake/Baez. First base will be Rizzo and I think you are looking at Castillo/Clevenger for catcher.

Starting Pitching decisions are based on what they decide to do with Garza. If you sign him long term then I do not see them making big free agent splashes. If they trade him for prospects then you may see the Cubs going after a big name in 2014. Dempster will not be part of the long term plans and I would be shocked if he still is with the Cubs when August 1st rolls around.

Bullpen, is where the Cubs could make some good investments. I would not hold out much faith that Marmol will return to form and I have my fingers crossed Russell can take on the closers role.
 
ssckelley said:
hawkfarmer, I believe Jackson is projected to be a centerfielder. With the Cubs having a ton of money tied up in left field and DeJesus is owed 10 million over the next 2 years, I think the future outfield is set. You might be able to look at right field for 2014 if they opt out of DeJesus option year and Soriano's contract will be gone after 2014 season. I think your starting 2013 outfield will be LaHair, Jackson, and DeJesus.

You could see the Cubs going after a 3rd basemen as Ian Stewart is not signed to a long term deal and has not proven himself at the plate. You might look at someone for either shortstop or second base depending on if they keep Castro at short or move him along with the development of Lake/Baez. First base will be Rizzo and I think you are looking at Castillo/Clevenger for catcher.


Also I do not want the cubs to spend money on a reliever. When has that ever worked. They just need to keep developing young guys, maybe get some good prospects in trades, but I don't think signing a FA bullpen guy is the answer. I do like Russel a lot though.
Starting Pitching decisions are based on what they decide to do with Garza. If you sign him long term then I do not see them making big free agent splashes. If they trade him for prospects then you may see the Cubs going after a big name in 2014. Dempster will not be part of the long term plans and I would be shocked if he still is with the Cubs when August 1st rolls around.

Bullpen, is where the Cubs could make some good investments. I would not hold out much faith that Marmol will return to form and I have my fingers crossed Russell can take on the closers role.
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I'm not going to argue with you on these points, that's why it was a strictly if you could have any 5 of these guys in all of the majors who would you take. I honestly don't think there is a chance the cubs get any of those 5 guys at all but it was fun to think about. also if you could get Kemp you do it, even it means moving Jackson to a corner spot. DeJesus has a 2 year deal i believe so no biggie there and I would take Kemp in center and Jackson in left over LaHair. This was all hypothetical as it won't ever happen. But if I could get Kershaw and Verlander I let Garza go easily. Posey is two levels above clevenger and castillo. And I still hold out hope of getting Longoria someday. Taht would be about the only real possibility on my list.
 
hawkfarmer said:
Here is a fun question.

If the cubs could pick up 5 additional players right now to build a team around who would you pick. For this to occur whoever you choose will replace that person for the cubs, for example if you pick Tulowitzki, Castro is no longer on the team etc.

My top 5 go like this;

1. Matt Kemp, replacing Campana/Johnson in CF
2. Clayton Kershaw replacing Dempster
3. Justin Verlander replacing Garza
4. Posey replacing Soto/Clevenger/Castillo
5. Longoria replacing Stewart

Now I didn't choose a 1B due to Rizzo/LaHair or a corner outfilder because I think Jackson could play the corners and LaHair could take a corner spot as well. The cubs need some good starting pitching so i went there twice. Also, didn't pick a second basemen because I think the system has some good middle infielders coming up in Junior Lake and Baez, and Castro could go there if one of those guys is a better fielding SS. Also the cubs don't seem to have a good 3B replacement in mind yet and Buster Posey is a catcher that can do it all, and all 5 of those guys are YOUNG.

I would take those 5 guys any day of the week.
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Rizzo
 
hawkfarmer said:
I'm not going to argue with you on these points, that's why it was a strictly if you could have any 5 of these guys in all of the majors who would you take. I honestly don't think there is a chance the cubs get any of those 5 guys at all but it was fun to think about. also if you could get Kemp you do it, even it means moving Jackson to a corner spot. DeJesus has a 2 year deal i believe so no biggie there and I would take Kemp in center and Jackson in left over LaHair. This was all hypothetical as it won't ever happen. But if I could get Kershaw and Verlander I let Garza go easily. Posey is two levels above clevenger and castillo. And I still hold out hope of getting Longoria someday. Taht would be about the only real possibility on my list.
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I understand what you are trying to do but that is a fantasy question and not realistic. A better question would be which year are the Cubs going to look at competing and which players will be on the market at that time. Then you can look at what the Cubs now have and anticipate what holes they will need to fill. IMO, I even think next season will be another rebuilding year as the management wants to build a self sustaining farm system to keep the Cubs winning year over year and I think they are 2 years away from that happening. So get your potential free agent list out for 2014 and make guesses on what holes the Cubs may be looking to fill.

This is getting overlooked but a huge part of the Cubs future will be determined on Monday when the draft starts. The Cubs have 4 of the first 67 picks in the draft which is the most they have had this early since 2002 when they had 5 and non of them are still in baseball.
 
ssckelley said:
I understand what you are trying to do but that is a fantasy question and not realistic. A better question would be which year are the Cubs going to look at competing and which players will be on the market at that time. Then you can look at what the Cubs now have and anticipate what holes they will need to fill. IMO, I even think next season will be another rebuilding year as the management wants to build a self sustaining farm system to keep the Cubs winning year over year and I think they are 2 years away from that happening. So get your potential free agent list out for 2014 and make guesses on what holes the Cubs may be looking to fill.

This is getting overlooked but a huge part of the Cubs future will be determined on Monday when the draft starts. The Cubs have 4 of the first 67 picks in the draft which is the most they have had this early since 2002 when they had 5 and non of them are still in baseball.
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You are right, it was a fantasy question, that was the whole point. I agree 2014 is still going to be the year of potential contention. However I don't think anyone in this draft or last years draft will be ready by 2014. I think some guys like Baez will be gettin close, and Maple may be ready for the bull pen but I don't think many of those guys will be that close.

I am rather interested in the trade deadline. I think Dempster is an easy trade target that could bring back some prospects that could contribute in 2014, maybe 2013. Also Garza could bring back some very good prospects but they could extend him as well.

The cubs have a lot of rebuilding to do, and by next season even I envision a very different team. Very different. Very hard to project 2014 needs when some could be met and some could be created as early as next week.
 
I love my cubbies, but I find it funny that "regular season" is used in the thread title. Just in case...
 
hawkfarmer said:
You are right, it was a fantasy question, that was the whole point. I agree 2014 is still going to be the year of potential contention. However I don't think anyone in this draft or last years draft will be ready by 2014. I think some guys like Baez will be gettin close, and Maple may be ready for the bull pen but I don't think many of those guys will be that close.

I am rather interested in the trade deadline. I think Dempster is an easy trade target that could bring back some prospects that could contribute in 2014, maybe 2013. Also Garza could bring back some very good prospects but they could extend him as well.
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You are right, it would be a stretch for anyone in this years draft to be ready by 2014. But not for last years draft along with prospects they have traded for and will be trading for. Just like you said either Dempster or Garza (perhaps both) will get the Cubs some solid prospects and that helps your farm system as much as a draft.

The cubs have a lot of rebuilding to do, and by next season even I envision a very different team. Very different. Very hard to project 2014 needs when some could be met and some could be created as early as next week.
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But making those fixes now is what has failed the Cubs all through the years. Every GM the Cubs have had has tried quick fixes to get the Cubs back to the World Series, we now have management that wants to build the organization from the ground up. There are already pieces here, both on the team and in the farm system. They say the Cubs had one of the best drafts last year and they are in position to make this years draft a real good one. So this whole process should not take 5+ years.
 
ssckelley said:
You are right, it would be a stretch for anyone in this years draft to be ready by 2014. But not for last years draft along with prospects they have traded for and will be trading for. Just like you said either Dempster or Garza (perhaps both) will get the Cubs some solid prospects and that helps your farm system as much as a draft.



But making those fixes now is what has failed the Cubs all through the years. Every GM the Cubs have had has tried quick fixes to get the Cubs back to the World Series, we now have management that wants to build the organization from the ground up. There are already pieces here, both on the team and in the farm system. They say the Cubs had one of the best drafts last year and they are in position to make this years draft a real good one. So this whole process should not take 5+ years.
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I think we are agreeing on this point. I think next years team will be very different, but I dont' think there will be a lot of FA signings that blow us a way. More like addition by subtraction and more young guys.

Nobody from last years draft was at spring training this year and it usually takes a few years for those guys to develop and make the big leagues. Also Baez is by far the most intriguing prospect and he's 19, I don't think many 19 and 20 year olds will make a big impact in 2013. Maybe in 2014, but most likely 2015.

As a cubs fan i don't want a quick fix either that is why 2014 is the first year any contention is even possible.
 
hawkfarmer said:
Top 2014 MLB Free Agents: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

2014 FA class doesn't inspire much. Maybe Colby Lewis or Dan haren for SP.

Side note. Evan Longoria is a FA in 2015. Love to see a trade for him.
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Names that pop out to me:

Nelson Cruz - Would be 33 years old and has power from the right side. Not bad defensively in right field.

Corey Hart - Another right fielder with power from the right side. He would only be 32 years old in 2014 and if he keeps hitting the way he has he will price himself out of Milwaukee.

Robinson Cano - I am dreaming here but a power hitting second baseman sounds like fun. It would take an obscene amount of money to pry him away from the Yankees.

David Wright - Ian Stewart does not appear to be the long term fix at third and Wright is back hitting again for the Mets. He would only be 31 by 2014 but with little options at 3rd base he may go for a big contract.

There appears to be several good right handed pitchers going to be available in 2014, Lincecom would sure look good in Cubbie blue but would take a monster contract to get him.

My dream 2014 lineup:

CF Brett Jackson
2B Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Corey Hart
LF Brian LaHair
3B Josh Vitters
C Welington Castillo
SS Junior Lake

There is talk Lake is considered the third baseman of the future and moving Vitters to first base. The knock on Vitters has always been his defense and he has made significant improvements so far this season and Rizzo appears to be a road block at 1st base.

Rotation:

Tim Lincecum
Jeff Samardzija
Matt Garza
Paul Maholm
Travis Wood

Those top 3 sure look nice, right? ;)
 
ssckelley said:
Names that pop out to me:

Nelson Cruz - Would be 33 years old and has power from the right side. Not bad defensively in right field.

Corey Hart - Another right fielder with power from the right side. He would only be 32 years old in 2014 and if he keeps hitting the way he has he will price himself out of Milwaukee.

Robinson Cano - I am dreaming here but a power hitting second baseman sounds like fun. It would take an obscene amount of money to pry him away from the Yankees.

David Wright - Ian Stewart does not appear to be the long term fix at third and Wright is back hitting again for the Mets. He would only be 31 by 2014 but with little options at 3rd base he may go for a big contract.

There appears to be several good right handed pitchers going to be available in 2014, Lincecom would sure look good in Cubbie blue but would take a monster contract to get him.

My dream 2014 lineup:

CF Brett Jackson
2B Starlin Castro
1B Anthony Rizzo
RF Corey Hart
LF Brian LaHair
3B Josh Vitters
C Welington Castillo
SS Junior Lake

There is talk Lake is considered the third baseman of the future and moving Vitters to first base. The knock on Vitters has always been his defense and he has made significant improvements so far this season and Rizzo appears to be a road block at 1st base.

Rotation:

Tim Lincecum
Jeff Samardzija
Matt Garza
Paul Maholm
Travis Wood

Those top 3 sure look nice, right? ;)
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That's not too bad, but I'm really hoping any trade of Dempster or Garza would return a pretty good SP prospect or two. Also, I hope we can find a young arm that is better than Wood, he's not bad, but I can hope. Also i don't think Vitters is the solution at 3B. I hope he can play but eventually, maybe not in 2014, I see Baez there. And honestly if they go after a free agent OF I hope it's not Hart. I'm thinking like Upton or Jones from Baltimore.
 
Yeah, 3rd base has me scratching my head as Lake does not give you the kind of bat you would want at that position.

I was really searching for a name on that 5th starter and I hope the Cubs have a better option by then as well. But by 2014 the Cubs may be looking to fill 2 holes as Garza may not be around either. Tough to anticipate names the Cubs might get through a trade.

But that lineup will produce runs, especially if Jackson can cut down on his strike outs and improve his OBP.

I did not see Upton on the list for potential 2014 free agents but Adam Jones would be a good fit, I overlooked him. He may not demand that high dollar Hart will plus he is much younger. If LaHair and Rizzo work out the Cubs are going to need a right handed power hitter to squeeze in between them.
 
ssckelley said:
Yeah, 3rd base has me scratching my head as Lake does not give you the kind of bat you would want at that position.

I was really searching for a name on that 5th starter and I hope the Cubs have a better option by then as well. But by 2014 the Cubs may be looking to fill 2 holes as Garza may not be around either. Tough to anticipate names the Cubs might get through a trade.

But that lineup will produce runs, especially if Jackson can cut down on his strike outs and improve his OBP.

I did not see Upton on the list for potential 2014 free agents but Adam Jones would be a good fit, I overlooked him. He may not demand that high dollar Hart will plus he is much younger. If LaHair and Rizzo work out the Cubs are going to need a right handed power hitter to squeeze in between them.
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Upton might be 2013 I can't recall. Also i think Garza is either traded for a big name pitching prospect or he is resigned, so I took the Garza spot as him or his trade replacement in that spot.

I think Baez is the 3B of the future, and Vitters may be a place holder for a year, I don't know. But Lake could end up at 2B as well. To me it kind of depends on who the cubs draft. if they sign this Correa kid he could be a SS or 3B. Who knows, that's why baseball is so unpredictable, the can't misses tend to miss more times than not. And undrafted FAs like Castro are big stars.

If the cubs feel like they have a replacement I could see them moving Castro for some big time prospects.
 
I know Soriano, has "improved on defense" but his horrible route to that ball started that inning's down fall and let a very good outing by Garza go to waste. Nothing Mather could do on the nubber and Castro did all he could on the potential double play. A lot of "soft hits" fall in on this cubs team.
 
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