2012 Free Agents: Who do the Cubs go after?

[Captain Obvious]

Since you couldn't figure out what I meant when I said Ramirez was a dog on the bases, (or basepads as I should have put it) I'll explain it to you...


Ramirez was dogging it quite a bit in 2006, meaning he kind of took it easy at times when running the bases. There was one instance that year against Milwaukee I believe where he could have easily stretched a single to a double but for whatever reason chose not to hustle. There were other times that year where he was guilty of this too.


Are we clear on this now?

One instance. That's not exactly concrete proof. Not that I can prove it the other way, because there is no way to judge hustle. However, it doesn't bother me when players don't hustle like that. Especially players like Soriano and Ramirez, because it increases their chances of getting hurt as we have seen like 4 times with Soriano. It would be one thing if they didn't work hard at all. But they do work hard, even though they don't always show it on the field, which makes sense. If you're a slugger and you get your pitch and only hit a single, you'd probably be pretty discouraged too.

However, I will say that I do think that Ramirez does get a little lackadaisical on the base paths, which pisses me off just as much as the next guy when he runs into outs.

 

[Rick]

Time to finally take my own advice...no point to argue with this dude.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Time to finally take my own advice...no point to argue with this dude.

Well ya know, you could post something concrete. Or you can leave. Either way is cool with me.

 

[Rick]

Everything I've posted has been concrete.

 

[Captain Obvious]

Everything I've posted has been concrete.

Oh really?

Since you couldn't figure out what I meant when I said Ramirez was a dog on the bases, (or basepads as I should have put it) I'll explain it to you...


Ramirez was dogging it quite a bit in 2006, meaning he kind of took it easy at times when running the bases. There was one instance that year against Milwaukee I believe where he could have easily stretched a single to a double but for whatever reason chose not to hustle. There were other times that year where he was guilty of this too.


Are we clear on this now?

Very concrete.

 

[The Bandit]

I made a good post and you guys argued right through it!!!! assholes

 

[Rice Cube]

Here's what we need to do.
Sign Prince for starters.
Why? We need a staple in our offense that is a legitimate threat and he is not to shabby with the leather.
Re-sign Aramis Ramirez to a lesser contract after declining his option.
Why? Pretty simple, 1 he is an aging player that isn't at the same level as he used to be,2 there are no real options at 3rd base this offseason so why not bring him back if the price is right.
Bring back Kosuke Fukudome for a lot less money. AS A BENCH PLAYER AND A SUPER OUTFIELD UTILITY. Simple fact of the matter is, he isn't what we thought he was gonna be when we gave him 48 million dollars American. He is a solid player who can get on base and play defense. But he is to inconsistent. He's not Ichiro unfortuntely.
Trade Alfonso Soriano OR Marlon Byrd if the right deal comes along. Why? 1 Soriano is a no brainer here so no need for an explanation. But why Byrd? I love the guys heart and style of play but hes getting older and is an expiring contract. Just get some specs or a big expiring or something like Aaron Rowand, Barry Zito etc. just some random names don't go bananas
Trade Carlos Marmol to the Pittsburgh Pirates with specs for Joel Hanrahan. Why? 1 is the fact that I am sick and tired of gasping in every 9th inning he is in when he walks 3 batters. Hanrahan is a ridiculous pitcher right now. I love him and would love to see him closing out the games.
Sign any two of Ryan Madson, Mike Gonzalez, Johnathan Papelbon, Matt Belisle, or Matt Capps. Why? Our bullpen needs help. Grabow is coming off the books. He needs to be replaced, simple fact is there isn't really any middle relief pitchers on the market this year so take what you can get.
Sign Edwin Jackson, or Zach Duke, and try to sign Oli Perez to a minor league deal. Why? We need a 5th pitcher possibly a 4th aswell, Z, Dempster, and Garza are a lock unfortunatly for a couple more years. Wells in my mind should not be. and Cashner I'm still not sure of. Oli Perez could have a breakthrough so low risk high reward.
Other then this try to trade vets for specs if we are truly rebuilding

If I were trading Marmol, I'd want prospects back. Honestly they shouldn't have even signed the extension. Just give him his arbitration number and then start dangling him before the trade deadline.

I'm all about trading all the old people and restocking the farm.

I also don't want to re-sign the old dudes (Rami, Fukudome) because they are old and would block guys coming up. You can replace their production for much cheaper than any paycut they'd be willing to take.

Just an opinion.

 

[Captain Obvious]

If I were trading Marmol, I'd want prospects back. Honestly they shouldn't have even signed the extension. Just give him his arbitration number and then start dangling him before the trade deadline.

I'm all about trading all the old people and restocking the farm.

I also don't want to re-sign the old dudes (Rami, Fukudome) because they are old and would block guys coming up. You can replace their production for much cheaper than any paycut they'd be willing to take.

Just an opinion.

Who are you going to replace Rami and Fukudome with then?

 

[Rice Cube]

Who are you going to replace Rami and Fukudome with then?

Rami will be lucky if he gets to 2-3 wins for the year. You can replace that with a good minor leaguer and even if they aren't good with the bat they'd probably field the position better.

Fukudome is good OBP and defense, but if Byrd is sticking around you shift him to RF and put Brett Jackson in CF.

Why spend money for marginal wins when you don't have to?

 

[Jntg4]

Here's what we need to do.
Sign Prince for starters.
Why? We need a staple in our offense that is a legitimate threat and he is not to shabby with the leather.
Re-sign Aramis Ramirez to a lesser contract after declining his option.
Why? Pretty simple, 1 he is an aging player that isn't at the same level as he used to be,2 there are no real options at 3rd base this offseason so why not bring him back if the price is right.
Bring back Kosuke Fukudome for a lot less money. AS A BENCH PLAYER AND A SUPER OUTFIELD UTILITY. Simple fact of the matter is, he isn't what we thought he was gonna be when we gave him 48 million dollars American. He is a solid player who can get on base and play defense. But he is to inconsistent. He's not Ichiro unfortuntely.
Trade Alfonso Soriano OR Marlon Byrd if the right deal comes along. Why? 1 Soriano is a no brainer here so no need for an explanation. But why Byrd? I love the guys heart and style of play but hes getting older and is an expiring contract. Just get some specs or a big expiring or something like Aaron Rowand, Barry Zito etc. just some random names don't go bananas
Trade Carlos Marmol to the Pittsburgh Pirates with specs for Joel Hanrahan. Why? 1 is the fact that I am sick and tired of gasping in every 9th inning he is in when he walks 3 batters. Hanrahan is a ridiculous pitcher right now. I love him and would love to see him closing out the games.
Sign any two of Ryan Madson, Mike Gonzalez, Johnathan Papelbon, Matt Belisle, or Matt Capps. Why? Our bullpen needs help. Grabow is coming off the books. He needs to be replaced, simple fact is there isn't really any middle relief pitchers on the market this year so take what you can get.
Sign Edwin Jackson, or Zach Duke, and try to sign Oli Perez to a minor league deal. Why? We need a 5th pitcher possibly a 4th aswell, Z, Dempster, and Garza are a lock unfortunatly for a couple more years. Wells in my mind should not be. and Cashner I'm still not sure of. Oli Perez could have a breakthrough so low risk high reward.
Other then this try to trade vets for specs if we are truly rebuilding

Why would we trade Marmol and specs for Hanrahan?... we should be the one getting specs in that deal...

 

[TheCubfather]

any chance at all the cubs try for david wright or jose reyes?

 

[Rice Cube]

any chance at all the cubs try for david wright or jose reyes?

I don't think Jose Reyes makes sense because they're focused on Starlin Castro, and I think it's too early to shift either Reyes or Castro to 2B as one of them would have to move.

I don't think David Wright is available until after 2012 at the earliest.

In fact, based on the list of names I see in the OF and pitching pools, I'd wait until 2012's offseason before going on a spending spree:

2013 MLB Free Agents: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Save the $ for signing this season's draft picks and for next season's top 5 pick.

 

[waldo7239117]

Davis Wright is expected to be available for the right offer.

 

[TheCubfather]

I don't think Jose Reyes makes sense because they're focused on Starlin Castro, and I think it's too early to shift either Reyes or Castro to 2B as one of them would have to move.

I don't think David Wright is available until after 2012 at the earliest.

In fact, based on the list of names I see in the OF and pitching pools, I'd wait until 2012's offseason before going on a spending spree:

2013 MLB Free Agents: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Save the $ for signing this season's draft picks and for next season's top 5 pick.

i agree with what you're saying but with the way things are for the mets financially, i could see them unloading wright in a trade for relatively cheap. i don't know what they would want from the Cubs but i could see them dealing wright before the deadline.

 

[waldo7239117]

i agree with what you're saying but with the way things are for the mets financially, i could see them unloading wright in a trade for relatively cheap. i don't know what they would want from the Cubs but i could see them dealing wright before the deadline.

If they get the right offer, I can see it.

 

[Rice Cube]

i agree with what you're saying but with the way things are for the mets financially, i could see them unloading wright in a trade for relatively cheap. i don't know what they would want from the Cubs but i could see them dealing wright before the deadline.

If Hendry is still the GM for some reason, Sandy Alderson is going to rape him in this trade too.

 

[TheCubfather]

If Hendry is still the GM for some reason, Sandy Alderson is going to rape him in this trade too.

unfortunately that's the truth.

 

[Rice Cube]

I would absolutely not give up any more of the farm than I have to unless they're grade C or lesser. And Sandy Alderson would not go for that kind of offer. If it's a trade, David Wright is not coming to the Cubs assuming Hendry has brain cells left.

That's why I say if anything, sign him as a free agent.

 

[TheCubfather]

If they get the right offer, I can see it.

i'd be interested to see what the mets would want for him. obviously they wouldn't want to take on too much salary, but they'd probably rape our farm system.