Demp not going anywhere

[waldo7239117]

If the Cubs will match and go a little over of what money is coming off the books and sign players for the RIGHT price, they will contend. Not a contract like Fonzie, Grabow etc (who were way overpaid). They are more like 3 pieces available. 1B, 3B and a SP. Then a 2B and a RP. I'm ok with their OF for the time being. Maybe Fielder, Reyes? (if he comes at a good price and if he can play 3B)..dream tho. Sabathia? Even with them spending, I don't seee it...

Dream time!
Trade for Wright
Sign Fielder (bout' 20MM a year)
Sign Reyes (bout 15-17MM, if he can staye healthy.. I'll like that signing.

Then sign a SP, not up there in price who will cost...

Lineup:
2B Jose Reyes
SS Starlin Castro
3B David Wright
1B Prince Fielder
CF Marlon Byrd
LF Alfonso Soriano
C Geovany Soto
RF Brett Jackson (Just so he gets expierence and can get on base..steal or move up on sac bunt. Then will be in scoring position for top of order)

I love that lineup, but I know it won't happen. But, but I think it can if JH really tried..

What would Wright cost?! Vitters, Colvin, Beller, Marquez Smith, Blake Parker for Wright and Thole.... I don't know if this will get it done but I bet it'll attract attention to work on a deal.

 

[Rice Cube]

I would not put Brett Jackson in RF because he's a plus defender and the plus defender must go into CF both to ensure the best defensive outfield and to maximize his value to the team. Move Byrd to RF.

 

[waldo7239117]

I would not put Brett Jackson in RF because he's a plus defender and the plus defender must go into CF both to ensure the best defensive outfield and to maximize his value to the team. Move Byrd to RF.

Yeah I was thinking that too but Jackson has played a lot in the corner outfield this year. So that's why.

 

[Rice Cube]

Yeah I was thinking that too but Jackson has played a lot in the corner outfield this year. So that's why.

If you can play CF competently there's no reason why you can't play a corner outfield spot. Moving him to a corner spot now is silly because while he has great on-base skills and some power, it's not enough power to stay in that corner spot. Value-wise he'd probably be awesome in CF. He'd be just average in RF.

 

[poodski]

You've said 150 million before... you wanted it to be at least that.

But just because we possess money (which we actually don't at this point), doesn't mean we have to spend it.

And we aren't winning next year.

Dude you gotta stop listening to Dewsox so much.

This team isn't nearly as bad as people think. While the following argument isn't really a great argument it will show what the problem with this team has been, and its injuries.

The original rotation was Demp, Zambrano, Garza, Wells and Cashner. Well when those 5 take the bump we are 25 and 25. Garza being the only one not at 500 or better (4-8).

When the backups? garbage pickups? the other guys pitch (Davis, Coleman, Russell, and Lopez) we are 4 and 17.

And we havent even been fully healthy on offense. Now I don't believe the current team is a contender or even probably a .500 team, but its not a team that should be 29 and 42. THAT I do know. Healthy this team is probably somewhere around where the Pirates are, which isn't good enough, but also a reason why 2012 isn't a complete loss.

Despite what some people on this board want to tell you this team isn't the worst team in the history of baseball. It's just mediocre with a lot of injuries. It resembles 2006 so much, except we actually have some better young player that can be built around.

 

[poodski]

I would not put Brett Jackson in RF because he's a plus defender and the plus defender must go into CF both to ensure the best defensive outfield and to maximize his value to the team. Move Byrd to RF.

I agree. Maximizing his value is what's best. Its another reason I don't think the Cubs think that Barney is the future at 2B, because if he was they would flip him and Castro to maximize the value of the team.

 

[dabynsky]

I agree. Maximizing his value is what's best. Its another reason I don't think the Cubs think that Barney is the future at 2B, because if he was they would flip him and Castro to maximize the value of the team.

I have to ask you why you think it maximizes value for this team to flip Castro and Barney? Castro's strengths on defense are his range and arm strength. Moving him to second minimizes the values of strengths on defense and puts more focus on the things he struggles with on defense (footwork and arm accuracy).

 

[poodski]

I have to ask you why you think it maximizes value for this team to flip Castro and Barney? Castro's strengths on defense are his range and arm strength. Moving him to second minimizes the values of strengths on defense and puts more focus on the things he struggles with on defense (footwork and arm accuracy).

Because I think Barney is a better SS than Castro is.

I agree with what you said, but that's why.

 

[dabynsky]

Because I think Barney is a better SS than Castro is.

I agree with what you said, but that's why.

Okay but don't you think the difference between Barney and Castro at 2B is greater than the difference at SS. This weekend gave a few examples of why Castro may actually be better suited for SS. Yesterday he came off the bag too early on the throw. Those type of plays are what second baseman deal with all the time, and while SS have to make them as well he doesn't have to do the pivot that a second baseman has to. The first game were the ball hit off Ramirez twice and than Castro picked the ball up and threw across the diamond. Castro is the only guy on this team that could make that type of throw which resulted in one out.

So to sum up my point here is that Barney is a better SS in that he would be steadier than Castro. Barney wouldn't make nearly the number of errors, but he also isn't capable of making plays that Castro is at the position. Moving Castro to a position that doesn't allow him to use his athleticism as much weakens this team in my opinion.

 

[poodski]

Okay but don't you think the difference between Barney and Castro at 2B is greater than the difference at SS. This weekend gave a few examples of why Castro may actually be better suited for SS. Yesterday he came off the bag too early on the throw. Those type of plays are what second baseman deal with all the time, and while SS have to make them as well he doesn't have to do the pivot that a second baseman has to. The first game were the ball hit off Ramirez twice and than Castro picked the ball up and threw across the diamond. Castro is the only guy on this team that could make that type of throw which resulted in one out.

So to sum up my point here is that Barney is a better SS in that he would be steadier than Castro. Barney wouldn't make nearly the number of errors, but he also isn't capable of making plays that Castro is at the position. Moving Castro to a position that doesn't allow him to use his athleticism as much weakens this team in my opinion.

I guess we will just disagree then. I think the difference would be greater IMO going the other way.

I guess it's just that I think more highly of Barney defensively, and Barney isn't all that surehanded I think he sits near the bottom in fielding pct for 2B.

 

[dabynsky]

I guess we will just disagree then. I think the difference would be greater IMO going the other way.

I guess it's just that I think more highly of Barney defensively, and Barney isn't all that surehanded I think he sits near the bottom in fielding pct for 2B.

I think that is partially due to the fact that Barney has well above average range for a 2B and gets to more balls than a lot of 2B do. I am guessing we will have to disagree, but after having to watch noodle arm SS like Guttierez and Theriot for most of the past 15 years for me it is nice to watch a guy with a plus arm at SS. I think Barney's best value on this team is a guy that can fill in at both 2B/SS, but really I think if we could find another actual table-setter that played 2B to go with Castro the offense could be pretty good.

 

[poodski]

I think that is partially due to the fact that Barney has well above average range for a 2B and gets to more balls than a lot of 2B do. I am guessing we will have to disagree, but after having to watch noodle arm SS like Guttierez and Theriot for most of the past 15 years for me it is nice to watch a guy with a plus arm at SS. I think Barney's best value on this team is a guy that can fill in at both 2B/SS, but really I think if we could find another actual table-setter that played 2B to go with Castro the offense could be pretty good.

Castro's arm is quite nice that I agree with.

And yeah I think we can get a 2B. I think DJ could be that guy though. If not we can always go the Kelly Johnson route as well.

Barney is not starter material IMO.

 

[dabynsky]

Castro's arm is quite nice that I agree with.

And yeah I think we can get a 2B. I think DJ could be that guy though. If not we can always go the Kelly Johnson route as well.

Barney is not starter material IMO.

Kelly Johsnon and DJ Lamahieu are not exactly the type of guys I would call table-setters unforunately. Johnson is better offensively than Barney, but it isn't pretty what he brings to the team. I am not sure exactly which one of those options I would really want to get the bulk of the playing time at 2B. Probably Johnson, then Barney then Lamahieu because I think Lamahieu needs more time to develop.

 

[poodski]

Kelly Johsnon and DJ Lamahieu are not exactly the type of guys I would call table-setters unforunately. Johnson is better offensively than Barney, but it isn't pretty what he brings to the team. I am not sure exactly which one of those options I would really want to get the bulk of the playing time at 2B. Probably Johnson, then Barney then Lamahieu because I think Lamahieu needs more time to develop.

I think Johnson can be a table-setter. As bad as he is playing his sOPS+ is still 111. If we can get him cheap (2 yrs 10 million) I would love to have him as our every day 2B next year.

I think DJ will be better than Barney by ST 2012, but I suppose that's up for debate.

 

[dabynsky]

Yea but I don't think sitting on the bench is helping DJ develop any quicker. Since it is clear Quade isn't going to play him consistently, he really ought to be in AA getting regular ABs.

Johnson is a guy that would be great to have hitting 6th or 7th in a real lineup. I wouldn't be totally opposed to getting him, but I am guessing that even given his low AVG this year he is capable of getting more than he is worth. I was really hoping for a guy that could get on base at a clip higher than .340 to pair with Castro to make a real nice top of the order combination in front of an elite power hitter that we will clearly get in free agency.

 

[poodski]

Yea but I don't think sitting on the bench is helping DJ develop any quicker. Since it is clear Quade isn't going to play him consistently, he really ought to be in AA getting regular ABs.

Oh he should definitely not be up here, but thats the Cubby way!

Johnson is a guy that would be great to have hitting 6th or 7th in a real lineup. I wouldn't be totally opposed to getting him, but I am guessing that even given his low AVG this year he is capable of getting more than he is worth. I was really hoping for a guy that could get on base at a clip higher than .340 to pair with Castro to make a real nice top of the order combination in front of an elite power hitter that we will clearly get in free agency.

Johnson is a career 346 OBP guy who is capable of 370ish. I think he would make for a nice 6 hitter as well. I would still prefer next year to have Fukudome-Castro at the top, but I am not sure Fukudome would sign for what I want him signed for.

 

[Jntg4]

Dude you gotta stop listening to Dewsox so much.

This team isn't nearly as bad as people think. While the following argument isn't really a great argument it will show what the problem with this team has been, and its injuries.

The original rotation was Demp, Zambrano, Garza, Wells and Cashner. Well when those 5 take the bump we are 25 and 25. Garza being the only one not at 500 or better (4-8).

When the backups? garbage pickups? the other guys pitch (Davis, Coleman, Russell, and Lopez) we are 4 and 17.

And we havent even been fully healthy on offense. Now I don't believe the current team is a contender or even probably a .500 team, but its not a team that should be 29 and 42. THAT I do know. Healthy this team is probably somewhere around where the Pirates are, which isn't good enough, but also a reason why 2012 isn't a complete loss.

Despite what some people on this board want to tell you this team isn't the worst team in the history of baseball. It's just mediocre with a lot of injuries. It resembles 2006 so much, except we actually have some better young player that can be built around.

This is my own opinion, not DewsSox's.

And I am not going to blame injuries, I just won't. We go through injuries every year, and will have to face them in any year we compete, and clearly we are missing a lot of depth. The numbers you showed make me less confident of our ability to compete.

 

[poodski]

This is my own opinion, not DewsSox's.

And I am not going to blame injuries, I just won't. We go through injuries every year, and will have to face them in any year we compete, and clearly we are missing a lot of depth. The numbers you showed make me less confident of our ability to compete.

How many teams are going to be in great shape having 40% of their rotation on the DL?

Now take away the CF, LF, C and now the 2B for periods of time.

And I have no idea why those numbers make you less confident. That makes no sense.

 

[nwfisch]

How many teams are going to be in great shape having 40% of their rotation on the DL?

Now take away the CF, LF, C and now the 2B for periods of time.

And I have no idea why those numbers make you less confident. That makes no sense.

I think what made him less confident was the fact that even if the Cubs were healthy, the Cubs would be battling for 4th place instead of 5th.
This Cubs team wasn't supposed to contend this year anyways, so I'm not really sure why the Cubs signed Pena to a $10M deal.

 

[Jntg4]

How many teams are going to be in great shape having 40% of their rotation on the DL?

Now take away the CF, LF, C and now the 2B for periods of time.

And I have no idea why those numbers make you less confident. That makes no sense.

I'm less confident because we clearly have no pitching depth at all. We need that because we are going to have starting pitchers on the DL every year.