A Different Offseason Plan

[cubsneedmiracle]

Rather than move Soto to a new position, trade him. A 28 year old catcher with his offensive ability would bring back so much in a trade. Why ruin his value by moving him to a new position?

Id think it would help him truthfully..

I'd be ok with a trade too.

 

[Jntg4]

Rather than move Soto to a new position, trade him. A 28 year old catcher with his offensive ability would bring back so much in a trade. Why ruin his value by moving him to a new position?

I'd much rather not. His bat could be hard to replace. If you look at OPS, he is arguably the best offensive catcher in baseball.

 

[waldo7239117]

Good offensive catchers are hard to find, I say keep him.

 

[Jntg4]

Good offensive catchers are hard to find, I say keep him.

What are you talking about? Sure he's only played 1 game but Welington Castillo has a 1.000 OPS, we should trade Soto right away and make him start.

That's what people were saying last year with Hoffpauir and Lee.

 

[waldo7239117]

I don't think Castillo is a starting catcher. I say he's a backup. If I had to take Soto or Castillo; I take Soto hands down. But, I would like Castillo over Hill hands down.

 

[Jntg4]

You really didn't notice that I was joking?

 

[waldo7239117]

You really didn't notice that I was joking?

Now I do after my 2nd read of it. I read it very fast and now I realize it's very sarcastic.

 

[Derkach77]

I like Castillo the kid has pop....to me this is what needs to be done n the offseason...get rid of Lee and Kosuke because we need to clear some salary. I would also atempt to deal big Z only for the right deal because he is also making a boatload of cash. We have a good owner now which would have been nice to have years ago instead if being owned by a stupid ass company. Castro is going to be a great shortstop for years to come, and we have alot of young talent in our organization.

 

[Jntg4]

Lee's gone either way, FA, won't be re-signed.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

Id expect by the time Jackson is ready that Byrd will have degressed some.

I see Jackson ready around 2012, or maybe September of next year, for a call up. We're stuck with Fonzie until 2014, but maybe by 2012, we can see what we can get with him and just suck up the contract for his last two years. I can't see Byrd digressing much over the course of the next few years, personally. He obviously can't put up the same numbers, but he'll be putting up better numbers than Fonzie come 2012.

Rather than move Soto to a new position, trade him. A 28 year old catcher with his offensive ability would bring back so much in a trade. Why ruin his value by moving him to a new position?

I wouldn't move Soto to first. Nor would I want to trade him. He's young and probably won't reach his prime for a couple more years.

Lee's gone either way, FA, won't be re-signed.

Please let this be true. ray:

 

[waldo7239117]

I think if the Cubs cannot sign Dunn, Lee should be re-signed.

 

[Lefty]

I like Castillo the kid has pop....to me this is what needs to be done n the offseason...get rid of Lee and Kosuke because we need to clear some salary. I would also atempt to deal big Z only for the right deal because he is also making a boatload of cash. We have a good owner now which would have been nice to have years ago instead if being owned by a stupid ass company. Castro is going to be a great shortstop for years to come, and we have alot of young talent in our organization.

I'm really interested to hear what teams you think are willing and able to fully take on the contracts of Fukudome and/or Zambrano. Again (I've lost count as to how many times people in this section of the board have needed to be told this), just because you want to trade a guy to free up payroll doesn't mean 1) there is a market for that player and 2) any and all teams interested would take on that player's contract without giving you a similarly-sized deal or wanting cash considerations.

I wouldn't move Soto to first. Nor would I want to trade him. He's young and probably won't reach his prime for a couple more years.

He's 27, he's in the midst of his prime right now and can reasonably be expected to leave it relatively soon.

 

[Jntg4]

He's 27, he's in the midst of his prime right now and can reasonably be expected to leave it relatively soon.

Isn't the prime from ages 28-32? With the peak at about 30?

 

[Jntg4]

I think if the Cubs cannot sign Dunn, Lee should be re-signed.

I'd ONLY sign Dunn to a 1-year deal, NO MORE!

 

[waldo7239117]

I'd ONLY sign Dunn to a 1-year deal, NO MORE!

1 year, with TO for the 2nd year. I think that's a better deal than just a 1 year deal. But, I'm not high on a 2 year contract. If the Cubs do sign Dunn, I hope it's for a reasonable contract.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

Isn't the prime from ages 28-32? With the peak at about 30?

well, it obviously depends on the player, i think. but, this is pretty much what i've always thought.

 

[Jntg4]

I just don't want them to have to trade Byrd or Colvin when Jackson is ready in order to make room for him.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

I'd ONLY sign Dunn to a 1-year deal, NO MORE!

I think if a reasonable deal could be worked out, a two-three year deal wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[EnjoyYourTiger]

I just don't want them to have to trade Byrd or Colvin when Jackson is ready in order to make room for him.

I think there's time. I don't foresee Jackson ready before late next year or the following year, at least. I really see him as Fonzie's replacement.

 

[Lefty]

Isn't the prime from ages 28-32? With the peak at about 30?

Studies have shown that most players tend to peak around ages 26 and 27 and are usually well into their decline in their early 30's. Obviously there are different player types across the whole of the MLB (some peak early, some later, some never at all, etc.), but the general rule-of-thumb is ages 26-27 being the peak years with seasons after age 30 seeing significant decline.