[smoot27]

Hopefully apologize Steve Bartman for being D-bag fans and fold the franchise up for being lifelong losers.

[9YRPLAN]

garza is a #2, almost a #1. i dont see a reasonable target besides CJ Wilson. Headley would be nice at 3B, and I am fine with Pena for another year or two if Prince doesnt take a 5 year deal. although i cringe to think of castros D without pena bailing him out.

[hawkfarmer]

Problem: Cubs have SO MANY needs and there's just not much available via FA. You say, hey do a trade, but if you want to trade for Kershaw or a Votto type of player do you think the cubs have what it takes in the system to make that happen. I sure don't.

Maybe the new cubs are more willing to let go of Jackson and McNutt for a trade, but I doubt it. Maybe some decent veterans, but again not for that kind of talent.

I think it is going to be a while before the cubs can make that kind of trade.

[woodyk1]

Originally Posted by tm3308

I believe that Kershaw is eligible in 2013-2014. That might be soon enough that the Dodgers will still be a mess. And Kemp is up at the same time. If they don't have their finances in order by then, I don't think they'll be able to keep both (I'd be happy getting either one).

I agree that Kershaw and Kemp are good targets. Both are young (Kershaw = 23 and Kemp = 27) and it will be interesting to see what the Dodgers will be able to do. They are now for sale, so let's see who buys them.

[DJL]

The Cubs need some arms. I wouldn't mind seeing Mark Buehrle in a Cubs uniform. Brandon Webb has had some health issues, but if you could get him cheap enough as a FA, he might be worth the risk.
I also hear the Cubs were looking at Ordonez. He's too old if you ask me. I think he's around 37.

[MikeDog70]

Is Mike Maddux a candidate for Cubs job? - Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

Maddux sure intrigues me. No guarantees a pitching coach would make a good manager, but he's on a great staff in Texas. Plus, a manager who knows pitching would be good for a change. Possibility of adding his brother Greg as pitching coach is another rumor.

[hawkfarmer]

Originally Posted by MikeDog70

Is Mike Maddux a candidate for Cubs job? - Dallas Texas Rangers Blog - ESPN Dallas

Maddux sure intrigues me. No guarantees a pitching coach would make a good manager, but he's on a great staff in Texas. Plus, a manager who knows pitching would be good for a change. Possibility of adding his brother Greg as pitching coach is another rumor.

If that were true that would be awesome. Greg has forgot more about pitching (winning cy youngs) than anyone on the cubs staff will ever know.

[ssckelley]

For Manager

One of the Phillies coaches, Pete Mackanin, is being rumored as someone the Cubs will interview. The Cubs have also got permission to talk to Mike Maddux.

Dave Martinez is another name that keeps coming up but I have not heard if the Cubs are talking to him.

As far as pitching is concerned outside of CJ Wilson there is not much out there for big names. Evidently Epstein had a conversation with Zambrano yesterday which he was quoted as saying was "revealing". With Zambrano pitching in winter ball and being in the final year of his contract I would not be shocked to see him back in a Cubs uniform next season. You bring him in, have him make amends, and if he acts up again send him home as his career is basically over. Being a contract year though, one would think Zambrano would be motivated to get the job done next season. If the Cubs let him walk after next season then they would get another compensation pick out of the deal.

Another bit about Fielder that leads me to think the Cubs are not going after him. He is HORRIBLE defensively, if the Cubs are going to keep Castro at shortstop and you do not know what you are going to have at 3rd base then getting Fielder might not be a good idea.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by ssckelley

For Manager

One of the Phillies coaches, Pete Mackanin, is being rumored as someone the Cubs will interview. The Cubs have also got permission to talk to Mike Maddux.

Dave Martinez is another name that keeps coming up but I have not heard if the Cubs are talking to him.

As far as pitching is concerned outside of CJ Wilson there is not much out there for big names. Evidently Epstein had a conversation with Zambrano yesterday which he was quoted as saying was "revealing". With Zambrano pitching in winter ball and being in the final year of his contract I would not be shocked to see him back in a Cubs uniform next season. You bring him in, have him make amends, and if he acts up again send him home as his career is basically over. Being a contract year though, one would think Zambrano would be motivated to get the job done next season. If the Cubs let him walk after next season then they would get another compensation pick out of the deal.

Another bit about Fielder that leads me to think the Cubs are not going after him. He is HORRIBLE defensively, if the Cubs are going to keep Castro at shortstop and you do not know what you are going to have at 3rd base then getting Fielder might not be a good idea.

Defense and his body type are the two biggest reasons that I've preferred Pujols to Fielder, even though Pujols is older. He just a better all-round player.

[DJL]

Maybe the Cubs should move Castro to 3rd, get Reyes and Fielder and call it good. There may be some minor issues like adding 2 $100 million + contracts and Reyes having a bit of an attitude problem, but that's okay, we need a dugout fight once every couple of years.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by DJL

Maybe the Cubs should move Castro to 3rd, get Reyes and Fielder and call it good. There may be some minor issues like adding 2 $100 million + contracts and Reyes having a bit of an attitude problem, but that's okay, we need a dugout fight once every couple of years.

I definitely want nothing to do with Reyes. Injury-prone, and not the kind of mentality that I want on a team that's looking for cornerstones to build around. He's not that kind of player. Terrific talent, but not a leader, and not someone that you can count on to be out there consistently.

[cjhawks]

Reading some of the stuff in this thread makes my head hurt as a Cubs fan.

Bob Brenly?! Really?!? There is a reason he has been repeatedly passed over for managerial openings since he was fired in AZ. Keep him in the booth where he belongs. And don't go w/ the "but he won a WS in AZ!!!!" - he had Schilling and the Big Unit, with the Unit coming out of the pen in Game 7. I could have managed in that WS and won w/ those two.
Brandon Webb is done. He was with the Rangers last year, but his shoulder was still in AZ. If you're going to pay someone to be on the DL, you may as well bring Harden back. At least he will give you a start or two before getting hurt again.

The rotation will be a priority, as well it should be. Outside of Garza (who got bupkus for run support last year), the rotation is in shambles. Dempster is your innings eater, every rotation has one. It would be a great gift if Cashner secured a spot and remained healthy. Zambrano would be better off in another uniform, but few, if any, will want to take him off the Cubs hands. Wells belongs in Des Moines. I've never liked him. When his sinker isn't sinking, it is being hit for souvenirs.

Not knowing the financial parameters Jed and Theo will be afforded by Ricketts makes it difficult to know how they will attack the offseason. However, I'm guessing some of the following could (and very well may) happen:

1. One of the following is hired to be manager - Dale Sveum, Dave Martinez, Sandy Alomar, Mike Maddux. Personally, I'd like either Alomar or Maddux.

2. Address the rotation, pitching depth. It wouldn't surprise me to see CJ Wilson, Oswalt, Buehrle, Edwin Jackson in play. If they take a flyer, it may be on a guy like Harden, Scott Kazmir, Joel Piniero

3. Address 1b. They will more than likely kick the tires on Fielder. Introduce themselves to Pujols and tell him good luck getting paid, and advise him to leave the NL Central so they don't have to face him. Pena would like to come back, and Theo has a history with him, so don't be surprised to see him back in Wrigley next year. If Pena is gone, a lesser cost like DLee would be available.

4. Attempt to unload Soriano. (I, for one, would not touch Vernon Wells). Eat money, get whatever prospects you can in return, and move on. If not, support him and hope he continues to produce at the plate while acknowledging his defense will always be a liability. Hope to unload at trade deadline.

5. Figure out 3b. The Cubs don't have the minor league depth regarding prospects that it would take to deal for an already established 3b like Wright. Free agent class for 3b stinks, so you may be better off going w/ a platoon with the players currently in the system. LeMahieu isn't going to wow anyone, but he can make the plays there. Same with Flaherty. Only difference being Flaherty has more pop in his bat. Vitters is not ready, and will probably never be a 3b in the bigs.

6. Don't be shocked to see a bunch of minor league signings w/ invites to ST.

7. Move Marlon to RF (if he isn't dealt). Brett Jackson in CF next year. If Byrd is dealt and a signing is needed - please try to sign Josh Willingham. Sizemore may be young and still have a lot of upside, but he has the knees of a 60 year old.

8. I do agree with stormin that the rotation stinks. However, I think he is selling Garza short. Garza has the potential to be an ace. He was not bad for the most part last year. He got crap for run support in a lot of outings (and I fully acknowledge he imploded in others to the point where a 3rd grader could get a hit off him). But it was his first year in the NL. I think he will be much much better this season.

That's all I have time for right now. Feel free to tee off. I don't take it personally.

[busabus114]

Originally Posted by storminspank

Again, Cubs need to go out and get an ace. Their starting rotation is crap.

Good luck with that

CJ Wilson is the best FA pitcher available....yikes

[DJL]

Originally Posted by busabus114

Good luck with that

CJ Wilson is the best FA pitcher available....yikes

Agreed. I did a little research on Webb over lunch, and he is in fact done. I didn't realize he was that hopeless. I don't know how this team can possibly be good with this pitching staff, but the Central is going to be weak next year. Just not sure it is THAT weak. I hope the farm can produce a miracle soon

[ssckelley]

Originally Posted by cjhawks

Bob Brenly?! Really?!?

No, not really. At the time I posted I was just reaching for names. The managerial position is the #1 priority to get taken care of. There has been nothing linking the Cubs to interviewing Brenly. Dave Martinez & that Phillies bench coach are ones that have surfaced.

Wells belongs in Des Moines. I've never liked him. When his sinker isn't sinking, it is being hit for souvenirs.

I agreed with everything but this statement. Wells looked good when healthy, down the stretch he was the 2nd best pitcher on the staff after Garza. But I still think he is better suited on another team which is why I speculated him being traded to the Padres. The occasional sinker mistakes he throws do not end up as home runs in Petco as they do in Wrigley.

1. One of the following is hired to be manager - Dale Sveum, Dave Martinez, Sandy Alomar, Mike Maddux. Personally, I'd like either Alomar or Maddux.

I like some of those names. Sveum is being interviewed for the Red Sox and Alomar was rumored to be on the White Sox list of candidates I have not heard much else on him. I know Maddux is a pretty good pitching coach but does that translate into being a good manager? Also, would brother Greg tag along?

2. Address the rotation, pitching depth. It wouldn't surprise me to see CJ Wilson, Oswalt, Buehrle, Edwin Jackson in play. If they take a flyer, it may be on a guy like Harden, Scott Kazmir, Joel Piniero

CJ Wilson is going to take a TON of money to sign as he is the #1 pitcher on the market. I like the idea of inviting Kazmir & Sheets. Forget about the rest, there is no way the Sox would let Buehrle walk to the Cubs.

3. Address 1b. They will more than likely kick the tires on Fielder. Introduce themselves to Pujols and tell him good luck getting paid, and advise him to leave the NL Central so they don't have to face him. Pena would like to come back, and Theo has a history with him, so don't be surprised to see him back in Wrigley next year. If Pena is gone, a lesser cost like DLee would be available.

A month ago I was with you on Fielder but listening to Epstein talk I do not think they will commit long term money at a player like that. Plus it would give the Cubs the worst infield defensively. I like Fielder and Pujols going to another team outside our division. I like Pena also as he is good defensively, bats left handed, and gets on base. DLee would be a desperation move and if they went that route I think he would platoon with LaHair. DLee is not an everyday player anymore.

(I, for one, would not touch Vernon Wells)..

Why would you not touch Wells? He is a couple years younger and better defensively. Without a deal like this the Cubs will be stuck with Soriano.

5. Figure out 3b. The Cubs don't have the minor league depth regarding prospects that it would take to deal for an already established 3b like Wright. Free agent class for 3b stinks, so you may be better off going w/ a platoon with the players currently in the system. LeMahieu isn't going to wow anyone, but he can make the plays there. Same with Flaherty. Only difference being Flaherty has more pop in his bat. Vitters is not ready, and will probably never be a 3b in the bigs.

I don't think it would take much to trade for Wright. I would like LeMahieu's bat if it started at second base, not third base. His best role might be like a DeWitt/Baker coming off the bench playing different positions.

7. Move Marlon to RF (if he isn't dealt). Brett Jackson in CF next year. If Byrd is dealt and a signing is needed - please try to sign Josh Willingham. Sizemore may be young and still have a lot of upside, but he has the knees of a 60 year old.

I do not want them to rush Jackson, I think he needs 1 full year in Des Moines.

8. I do agree with stormin that the rotation stinks. However, I think he is selling Garza short. Garza has the potential to be an ace. He was not bad for the most part last year. He got crap for run support in a lot of outings (and I fully acknowledge he imploded in others to the point where a 3rd grader could get a hit off him). But it was his first year in the NL. I think he will be much much better this season.

I think Garza is capable of being our #1. But still a few holes in the rotation.