2011-12 Chicago Cubs Offseason Ideas Thread

[Rice Cube]

The posting fee doesn't go to the player though, it goes to his Japanese team.

I think the posting fee stays around $40MM because of Dice-K making teams sad, and his actual salary is no more than about $60MM. If for some reason the Yankees and Red Sox don't bid, the Cubs can sneak in for a discount.

 

[waldo7239117]

Jed Hoyer said Kerry Wood is on the teams radar. Yeah...we already knew that.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yu Darvish is wishy-washy:

Darvish's Father:

 

[dabynsky]

Darvish would be awesome, but I fear that the Cubs won't go big because of Kosuke. I guess I shouldn't think that because of Theo, but I just fear that Kosuke and Dice-K will make this FO be hesistant to bid on a mid 20s pitcher with top of the rotation stuff coming from Japan.

 

[Rice Cube]

Darvish would be awesome, but I fear that the Cubs won't go big because of Kosuke. I guess I shouldn't think that because of Theo, but I just fear that Kosuke and Dice-K will make this FO be hesistant to bid on a mid 20s pitcher with top of the rotation stuff coming from Japan.

I actually think Theo and Jed are more likely to blow some cash on guys like Cespedes/Soler and Darvish than they are on Prince Fielder or CJ Wilson.

 

[dabynsky]

I actually think Theo and Jed are more likely to blow some cash on guys like Cespedes/Soler and Darvish than they are on Prince Fielder or CJ Wilson.

Cespedes/Soles I think are the most likely targets. I think Dice-K influences their thinking on Japanese players. I hope I am wrong because Darvish looks like the real thing to me (granted I could be completely wrong).

 

[Rice Cube]

Cespedes/Soles I think are the most likely targets. I think Dice-K influences their thinking on Japanese players. I hope I am wrong because Darvish looks like the real thing to me (granted I could be completely wrong).

I think anyone who comes from outside MLB poses a huge risk so I hope they did all their homework. I don't think Darvish is the same as the other guys though...for one thing, he's going to be much younger than the previous Japanese imports when he first signs, and for another, he's simply dominating his league, so you'd hope that translates to something awesome...glad I don't have to make the decisions.

 

[dabynsky]

I think anyone who comes from outside MLB poses a huge risk so I hope they did all their homework. I don't think Darvish is the same as the other guys though...for one thing, he's going to be much younger than the previous Japanese imports when he first signs, and for another, he's simply dominating his league, so you'd hope that translates to something awesome...glad I don't have to make the decisions.

Darvish is also odd since he is Iranian-Japanese in descent, and, to not put to fine a point on it, has the typical ace pitcher body type that most Japanese imports didnt have. I want Darvish. I think he is the best pitcher that might be available, and that pitching is the biggest need for the Cubs. I do recognize the risk and I fear that the current front office will be fearful of making that risk their first big move as the front office of this team given their experience with Dice-K.

 

[waldo7239117]

The Cubs and Angels should talk about Geovany Soto. They really want a catcher.

Maybe a Morales, Soto base trade. He does bat left-naded (switch, not a bad defender, hits for average (at times I must say), a middle of the order bat. Just like Soto, this will be his 2nd year of arb. He made just a little under 3M last year, so he's a cheap option and the Cubs could then look elsehwere to improve.

Instead of going after Fielder, they can trade for Morales and put the money to Cespedes, Darvish and/or MLB players.

Before I forget, he's been injured because of his surgery that didn't go very well. One of the Angels top prospects is a 1B whom is Mark Trumbo. So...they may be fine or instead pursue Fielder of which has been mentioned.

So...a Soto/Morales base trade doesn't sound too bad. I think Castillo can do the same or better than Soto. Then Clevenger can be the back-up in place of Hill or a catching platoon. I guess there could be the free agent route too, but I would eb fine with them platooning.

 

[waldo7239117]

https://twitter.com/#!/BleacherNation

waldo7239117 Thanks in part to your piece (and Olney's tweet) I got clearance to share my bit.

@waldo7239117 I may have heard some things I'm not (yet) permitted to share. I'll just say... that's a good suggestion.

Source says #Angels interested in Geo Soto and Carlos Marmol. #Cubs interested in Hank Conger, among others. More soon.

I think that's pretty cool.

 

[Rice Cube]

https://twitter.com/#!/BleacherNation







I think that's pretty cool.

Wicked. I think the Cubs would rather move Marmol than Soto though. Relievers are often overvalued, but a decent defensive catcher who can hit the ball fairly well is harder to replace. I know people aren't too keen on Soto but there are studies that show he's actually pretty good defensively compared to his peers. He should also be fairly cheap still due to arbitration.

 

[waldo7239117]

Hank Conger could be in play, he's been discussed according to BN. He's a catcher and would put up likeable stats of Soto or better. Let's see how much this picks up.

 

[CODE_BLUE56]

Wicked. I think the Cubs would rather move Marmol than Soto though. Relievers are often overvalued, but a decent defensive catcher who can hit the ball fairly well is harder to replace. I know people aren't too keen on Soto but there are studies that show he's actually pretty good defensively compared to his peers. He should also be fairly cheap still due to arbitration.

i agree, depending on if you have the money or trade to get a good who's good on a side of the ball


and i would no object trading marmol depending on the value....plus i feel his control worsens as he gets older

 

[Rice Cube]

I think it just makes more sense to get rid of the expensive reliever than the everyday catcher who won't cost as much. But it's nice to know that actual smart people (supposedly) are making the decisions

 

[Rice Cube]

All the teams looking for middle infielders makes me wonder whether Darwin Barney would be an enticing trade piece...

Dodgers, Giants, Brewers Interested In Jerry Hairston: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

 

[Mr. Cub]

All the teams looking for middle infielders makes me wonder whether Darwin Barney would be an enticing trade piece...

Dodgers, Giants, Brewers Interested In Jerry Hairston: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

I think he is young enough to keep around though... Maybe I just like him as a player.

 

[Rice Cube]

I think he is young enough to keep around though... Maybe I just like him as a player.

I think with Darwin Barney what you see is what you get...nice enough defender, can't hit for power. If you can get a stupid GM to overpay for him in prospects, make it so.

 

[Mr. Cub]

I think with Darwin Barney what you see is what you get...nice enough defender, can't hit for power. If you can get a stupid GM to overpay for him in prospects, make it so.

Yeah, him having no power was about the only thing I dislike about his game. But for his rookie season he did have a pretty good average start the year. Maybe the long season just wore on him. Or maybe it was a fluke. I would still be willing to try him out for a 2nd season at least.

 

[nwfisch]

If Barney leaves, we'll say goodbye to Mr. Cub on here, and put him back on the field :yep:

 

[Mr. Cub]

If Barney leaves, we'll say goodbye to Mr. Cub on here, and put him back on the field :yep:

I just may go for some more back to back MVP's. And a championship! I'm hungry.