Chicago Cubs Hot Stove Offseason Thread

[Jntg4]

Yes, we really can not do anything externally until the playoffs are over. But it is the offseason now.

So here is what the Cubs got:
Free Agents: Xavier Nady
Arbitration Eligible: Carlos Marmol, Jeff Baker, Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman, Tom Gorzelanny, Koyie Hill, Geovany Soto,

Prime Extension Candidates: Carlos Marmol, Sean Marshall, Geovany Soto,

Top Potential 2011 Rookies: Brett Jackson, Jay Jackson, Chris Archer,

Past 3 Seasons Record: 2008: 97-64; 2009: 83-78; 2010: 75-87;

Notable Rumored Free Agent Interests: Adam Dunn, Kerry Wood, Ted Lilly, Lance Berkman,

Will NOT be Traded:
Carlos Zambrano,

Transactions:
Arbitration and Arbitration-Avoiding Signings

Extensions/Options Picked Up:
Aramis Ramirez - Third Base - 1 year, $14.7, mutual option for 2012 - (Picked up Player Option for 2011)

Free Agent Signings
Mike Quade - Manager - 2 years, $ ???, club option for 2013, $ ???,
Pat Listach - Bench Coach - ? years, $ ???,
Angel Guzman - Relief Pitcher - ? years, $ ???, Minor League Contract, NRI,
Scott Moore - Infielder - Minor League Contract
Bryan LaHair - 1B/OF - Minor League Contract

Releases:

Trades:

 

[Jntg4]

Updated with a new section.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

I'd be very happy if those 3 rooks came in and produced well for us.

 

[waldo7239117]

This is where I think the team stand for next year. These are the positions that are secure:

C: Soto
1B: ? (Colvin ?)
2B: ? (DeWitt ?)
SS: Castro
3B: Ramirez
LF: Soriano
CF: Byrd
RF Colvin as of right now

SPR:
1) Z
2) Demp
3) ? (Wells)
4) ? (JJ)
5) ? (Archer)

RP:
Closer: Marmol
Set-up: Marshall
Set-up: Cashner
LHP: Grabow
RP: ? (Gorzo; he will make team but as SP or RP, IDK. Or he could be traded)
RP: ? (Maine)
RP: ? (?)

Bench:
C: ? (Castillo)
Utility: ? (Barney)
Backup 1B: ? (Nady)
4th OF: ? (Snyder)
IF: ? (Scales)

That's what I see right now...but this is just a BOLD prediction on how things may go down. No FA signings, etc.

 

[cubsneedmiracle]

It sounds like we are getting a protected 1st rounder this year..

So if we do really want to spend and go get a 1st baseman.. We could..

I still don't think its very likely though.

 

[waldo7239117]

The Cubs will get a pretected 1st rounder. The top 16 or so are protected. The Cubs will get the 9th overall pick in the draft.

 

[Jntg4]

Sounds like Quade is getting re-signed.

 

[waldo7239117]

Chi-Town Cubs: Moves the Cubs could make in the Offseason...

Thoughts?

 

[Northside_slugger]

I would be disgusted if they signed any of those free agents from the thread starter. I think they're all over the hill with the exception of Dunn but i wouldn't want to come anywhere near his strikeouts.

As for the article waldo just posted above this post, i would like Brad Hawpe as a depth move.

 

[Jntg4]

I would be disgusted if they signed any of those free agents from the thread starter. I think they're all over the hill with the exception of Dunn but i wouldn't want to come anywhere near his strikeouts.

As for the article waldo just posted above this post, i would like Brad Hawpe as a depth move.

I'm just posting what they have been reported as interested in. And how can you nopt want Wood? He's had an ERA of like 0.39 with the Yankees.

 

[waldo7239117]

Hey Jntg4, you can move the unofficial next to Quade. Just to let you know if you forgot.

 

[Jntg4]

Ya, I was gonna do that.

 

[The Bandit]

heres what we should do.

resign Marmol
Trade Byrd, Soriano, or Fukudome for anything (Soriano or Fukudome) and sign Carl Crawford.. would love to get a leadoff guy on this team for once.
resign Nady and have him work first for the year. have some nobody play backup for him. 2011 comes around sign AGon
Have blake Dewitt and Darwin Barney platoon at 2nd
sign a veteran reliever for a year.
shop dempster Zambrano Ramirez Grabow. and if the right deal comes along do it.
and maybe a couple other things but those would be my goals.

 

[Jntg4]

1. Extension sounds nice
2. Won't happen, no real need to trade Byrd but they could, CAN'T trade Soriano, Fuku probably will be traded. Crawford, I don't think he'll want to come here, and we probably can't afford him.
3. Nady sounds OK, but not for the whole year, depends on what they do with Colvin when B-Jax comes up. I'm not sure if we can afford A-Gon, but Pujols is also a FA after 2011, but I doubt we get either of them.
4. Just DeWitt as 2B IMO, Barney as a MI backup.
5. Kid K
6. Dempst could be traded, already said they won't trade Z, A-Ram isn't going anywhere this offseason, and who would want Grabow?

That off-season's a little to fantasy-esque IMO.

 

[Captain Obvious]

1. Extension sounds nice
2. Won't happen, no real need to trade Byrd but they could, CAN'T trade Soriano, Fuku probably will be traded. Crawford, I don't think he'll want to come here, and we probably can't afford him.
3. Nady sounds OK, but not for the whole year, depends on what they do with Colvin when B-Jax comes up. I'm not sure if we can afford A-Gon, but Pujols is also a FA after 2011, but I doubt we get either of them.
4. Just DeWitt as 2B IMO, Barney as a MI backup.
5. Kid K
6. Dempst could be traded, already said they won't trade Z, A-Ram isn't going anywhere this offseason, and who would want Grabow?

That off-season's a little to fantasy-esque IMO.

Why wouldn't Crawford want to come here? He'll have a legitimate shot to win in a few years AND be the star, whereas in Tampa, it's the Evan Longoria show.

Colvin will not play 1st.

Why would we trade Dempster? Why?

 

[The Bandit]

trade Dempster to free up some money. as for Crawford why wouldnt he want to come to chicago? speedy guy with some pop could play decent a D and could be our leadoff guy.AGon could be a possibility. i saw something on it a couple weeks ago cant remember where

 

[Captain Obvious]

trade Dempster to free up some money. as for Crawford why wouldnt he want to come to chicago? speedy guy with some pop could play decent a D and could be our leadoff guy.AGon could be a possibility. i saw something on it a couple weeks ago cant remember where

And what happens when AGon signs with another team?

As for Demp, why would you trade your best pitcher over the last few years? He's not that expensive.

 

[The Bandit]

hes what 12 mil? and were rebuilding it doesnt HAVE to be AAGON but that would be nice. we need to sign someone or trade for someone at 1st base eventually. why not try? he likes the idea of coming here

 

[Northside_slugger]

Why would they sign a big money outfielder, when in theory, it's the only position where the Cubs have depth in? As of right now, they have four guys who could be starters... in Soriano, Fukudome, Bryd and Colvin. And unless Quade says Colvin is moving to first base full time, you have to pencil him in as an outfielder. Additionally, Brett Jackson will get a Sterlin Castro type look in spring training and even if he doesn't make the roster, he most likely will get a taste of the majors by the all-star break.

 

[Captain Obvious]

hes what 12 mil? and were rebuilding it doesnt HAVE to be AAGON but that would be nice. we need to sign someone or trade for someone at 1st base eventually. why not try? he likes the idea of coming here

12 million for a guy who is worth at least 3.5 wins is nice. Plus, he's a veteran. Plus, he loves Chicago, why would he want to leave?

Okay, if it's not Agon, who is it? Don't say Pujols because he would never come to Chicago. We can try, but the odds are he will sign an extension with the Padres, be traded somewhere(Boston), or we will be outbid(Boston).