To end the week of little Cubs action
Basically the Cubs are done doing anything this offseason. This may or may not be actually true, but judging from the lack of any rumors flying about, I would assume that the Cubs are fine with the line-up they have (I assume Jacque Jones rumors will still persist, just no one will care until something happens) and they're also fine with having a shitty shitty starting rotation. Shitty.
So, let's just tie up most of the rumors. Jason Jennings was traded to the Astros, so write him off. I would assume if the Cubs were really that close to a deal with the Nationals for Ryan Church, it would have been completed by now. So, we move Jones, we still have a whole in center field. Also, the Cubs apparently do not seem that inclined to rush into signing Cliff Floyd at all. Maybe they're just cooling off on Floyd since there aren't as many people interested in Jones.
So, assuming we can move Jones for a good pitcher, we need a center fielder. I don't care who JAKE WESTBROOK we get for Jones, I would just like a JAKE WESTBROOK pitcher who we can plug into the JAKE WESTBROOK rotation so Jason "I'm a worthless piece of shit for 3 years Cubs fans!" Marquis doesn't have to JAKE WESTBROOK pitch in the rotation. He will solely be used as a spot started when our bullpen has been overused and we need to give up 15 runs over 4 innings. I would rather have Les Walrond start. (That may or may not be true, and even I can't tell if I'm joking.)
So who should we put in center field? Well, you can bet that Felix Pie will get a shot in Spring Training. I doubt he wins the job though. There is still the possibility of trading for Ryan Church, but I think Pie would possibly be a better option.
Vernon Wells is close to extending his contract (read: get a monster raise) in Toronto, so write him off the list. It would be awesome to have him, and we could afford to pay 4 position players (unless we turn Zambrano into an outfielder when he doesn't start) and 1 pitcher $15 million or more, but then we turn into the Yankees. And it's not like we need Wells to win, he would just be super awesome in helping us get there.
Rocco Baldelli is a name that is constantly coming up in conversations. The D-Rays have a lot of good young players in their system, their infield is packed full and overflowing into the outfield, and the outfielder who could be moved to make room could very well be Rocco Baldelli. You know what a team who has a lot of position players could use? Young pitchers. You know what the Cubs have a lot of, based on the incorrect idea in the past (14?) years that you build a winning team with pitching prospects only and not focusing on position players? That's right, pitchers.
My only concern with a trade for Baldelli would be the Pie situation. When we still had Corey Patterson (and I was under the incorrect impression that he would be good) I was excited about having someone like Murton in left, Patterson in right and Pie in center. Then Corey could take advantage of being a 'power' hitter.
Well, I think Baldelli wants to be a center fielder. Carl Crawford! Trade for him from the D-Rays! He would be great, but he doesn't like playing center. If he did, we could have him play center for a year, then move him over when Pie got ready.
Meh, I think we could put together a deal of two young arms, then either Murton or Pie for probably either Baldelli or Crawford. It won't happen, but it's wishful thinking.
Seriously, we could be screwed in center field if we don't get Jones out and bring in someone good. Glad we're actually addressing it.
So, let's just tie up most of the rumors. Jason Jennings was traded to the Astros, so write him off. I would assume if the Cubs were really that close to a deal with the Nationals for Ryan Church, it would have been completed by now. So, we move Jones, we still have a whole in center field. Also, the Cubs apparently do not seem that inclined to rush into signing Cliff Floyd at all. Maybe they're just cooling off on Floyd since there aren't as many people interested in Jones.
So, assuming we can move Jones for a good pitcher, we need a center fielder. I don't care who JAKE WESTBROOK we get for Jones, I would just like a JAKE WESTBROOK pitcher who we can plug into the JAKE WESTBROOK rotation so Jason "I'm a worthless piece of shit for 3 years Cubs fans!" Marquis doesn't have to JAKE WESTBROOK pitch in the rotation. He will solely be used as a spot started when our bullpen has been overused and we need to give up 15 runs over 4 innings. I would rather have Les Walrond start. (That may or may not be true, and even I can't tell if I'm joking.)
So who should we put in center field? Well, you can bet that Felix Pie will get a shot in Spring Training. I doubt he wins the job though. There is still the possibility of trading for Ryan Church, but I think Pie would possibly be a better option.
Vernon Wells is close to extending his contract (read: get a monster raise) in Toronto, so write him off the list. It would be awesome to have him, and we could afford to pay 4 position players (unless we turn Zambrano into an outfielder when he doesn't start) and 1 pitcher $15 million or more, but then we turn into the Yankees. And it's not like we need Wells to win, he would just be super awesome in helping us get there.
Rocco Baldelli is a name that is constantly coming up in conversations. The D-Rays have a lot of good young players in their system, their infield is packed full and overflowing into the outfield, and the outfielder who could be moved to make room could very well be Rocco Baldelli. You know what a team who has a lot of position players could use? Young pitchers. You know what the Cubs have a lot of, based on the incorrect idea in the past (14?) years that you build a winning team with pitching prospects only and not focusing on position players? That's right, pitchers.
My only concern with a trade for Baldelli would be the Pie situation. When we still had Corey Patterson (and I was under the incorrect impression that he would be good) I was excited about having someone like Murton in left, Patterson in right and Pie in center. Then Corey could take advantage of being a 'power' hitter.
Well, I think Baldelli wants to be a center fielder. Carl Crawford! Trade for him from the D-Rays! He would be great, but he doesn't like playing center. If he did, we could have him play center for a year, then move him over when Pie got ready.
Meh, I think we could put together a deal of two young arms, then either Murton or Pie for probably either Baldelli or Crawford. It won't happen, but it's wishful thinking.
Seriously, we could be screwed in center field if we don't get Jones out and bring in someone good. Glad we're actually addressing it.
Labels: cubs
posted by Jtrouble at 11:19 AM
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