[9YRPLAN]

you are being too tough on wells. he is still somewhat young and he finished strong last year. hes a fine #5 when healthy.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by woodyk1

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.

Let's hope to God it's not Cuban. Those two won't be going anywhere if he finally breaks through the doors of the gentlemen's club.

[cjhawks]

To ssckelley - all fair points. My thoughts on your thoughts -

1. Wells was better down the stretch. I just don't like the guy. Another point regarding these trades w/ SD. I wouldn't count on it, unless the Cubs overpaid for Headley. There seems to be a gentleman's agreement between Ricketts and Moorad that the Cubs will not raid SD, which is why you won't see Bud Black in the managerial search - who would have been an excellent candidate given Hoyer's comments regarding pitching. Now, that is not saying a trade wouldn't or couldn't happen, but if one does it would probably be the Cubs overpaying for a guy like Headley.

2. CJ Wilson is not going to get $100MM. He will probably be in the neighborhood of $75 - $80M. His ERA in the post season will more than likely prevent him from getting $100M+. In the ALDS, he sported a 10.80 ERA, whittled it down to 6.75 in the ALCS, and was good in the WS at 2.92. However, the first two series ERA's are alarming for a staff ace. I didn't say the Cubs would sign him, but he will be one of a handful of guys in play.

3. Again, I didn't say they were going to go all out to sign Fielder. But they will indeed kick the tires and have discussions with him. He is more likely than Pujols. Fielder doesn't turn 28 until next May, so even at 7 years you will have him until he is 34, 35. His body is the wild card. How will a body like that age, given the athleticism the guy has? If the FO doesn't feel that they have a guy in the minors who can take over 1b after next year, then this is the year to sign an established guy long term, as the FA crop next year stinks for 1b. I'm not at all sold on LaHair. I'm in the minority, but I see Micah Hoffpauir version 2.0 in him. Hopefully I'm wrong. I need to see him thrive against MLB pitching for an extended period to be sold. See how he does when advance scouts start breaking him down.

4. Wells may be younger and better defensively, but I don't believe that it is a trade worth making given what you lose on offense. Also, Soriano isn't terrible defensively. He's had more assists in 6 years in the OF (72) than Wells has had in his 13 year OF career (65). Soriano is much better with the stick, so while Wells will probably be more consistent in the field, IMO his bat is a larger liability than Soriano's defense (hopefully that makes sense, it did in my head as I was typing it). That and he is more expensive than Soriano over the final 3 years of his deal - ($18M for Soriano to $21M for Vernon).

5. With Reyes gone, Wright will be the face of the franchise (w/ Santana). If Sandy Alderson is going to trade David Wright, he is going to want a bounty. Something that will help the Mets in the very near future. The Cubs don't have the prospect depth to do that I don't believe.

6. I don't want Jackson rushed either, but I think he wins the job outright in spring training. If he's earned it, play the kid. The same was said about Castro, and he made the jump from AA to Chicago pretty easily.

[LoewDog]

CJ had a bad post season but look at his numbers from the regular season. Those are ace numbers. As a rare Hawkeye/Angels fan, I am hoping my Halos go after CJ to pair with Weaver, Haren, and Santana.

This Soriano for V. Wells deals is intriguing. Wells is a great club house guy (Cubs could use some of that) and although he does not produce 21m value, he did finish the season strong and had numbers similar to Soriano (who also did not produce to his pay). I think most Halo fans would balk at this deal because they do not like Soriano from his Texas and Yankee days, but I would pull the trigger on that.

Any chance he could slide back to 2B for either of us? His -12 UZR150 isn't terrible for those kind of numbers at 2B.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by LoewDog

CJ had a bad post season but look at his numbers from the regular season. Those are ace numbers. As a rare Hawkeye/Angels fan, I am hoping my Halos go after CJ to pair with Weaver, Haren, and Santana.

This Soriano for V. Wells deals is intriguing. Wells is a great club house guy (Cubs could use some of that) and although he does not produce 21m value, he did finish the season strong and had numbers similar to Soriano (who also did not produce to his pay). I think most Halo fans would balk at this deal because they do not like Soriano from his Texas and Yankee days, but I would pull the trigger on that.

Any chance he could slide back to 2B for either of us? His -12 UZR150 isn't terrible for those kind of numbers at 2B.

An ace performs in the postseason. He's given up 10 HR in 10 postseason appearances.

I think he's a damn good #2, but he's not proven to me that he's an ace yet. And he's 30 years old, so his window for proving that is going to start closing soon.

[spliff45]

Theo: Francona is an option

Chicago Cubs' Theo Epstein -- Terry Francona a top skipper option - ESPN Chicago

[HawkeyeMike23]

Originally Posted by tm3308

Let's hope to God it's not Cuban. Those two won't be going anywhere if he finally breaks through the doors of the gentlemen's club.

Cuban will never own an MLB team, his best chance was probably last year when he was able to bid on the Rangers in bankruptcy court.

[ssckelley]

Originally Posted by cjhawks

1. Wells was better down the stretch. I just don't like the guy. Another point regarding these trades w/ SD. I wouldn't count on it, unless the Cubs overpaid for Headley. There seems to be a gentleman's agreement between Ricketts and Moorad that the Cubs will not raid SD, which is why you won't see Bud Black in the managerial search - who would have been an excellent candidate given Hoyer's comments regarding pitching. Now, that is not saying a trade wouldn't or couldn't happen, but if one does it would probably be the Cubs overpaying for a guy like Headley.

Interesting, I have not heard of this. But you sure this agreement isn't just to keep the Cubs from poaching staff? You make trades where it benefits both teams I cannot see there being an agreement not to make trades with each other. The Padres have other 3rd basemen and they have a couple of prospects coming up. Even though Headley is only arbitration eligible, he will still start getting expensive.

2. CJ Wilson is not going to get $100MM. He will probably be in the neighborhood of $75 - $80M. His ERA in the post season will more than likely prevent him from getting $100M+. In the ALDS, he sported a 10.80 ERA, whittled it down to 6.75 in the ALCS, and was good in the WS at 2.92. However, the first two series ERA's are alarming for a staff ace. I didn't say the Cubs would sign him, but he will be one of a handful of guys in play.

With CJ being the top free agent pitcher on the market I think a team is going to over spend for him. That is just my opinion. If the Cubs landed Maddux as manager perhaps it would give them an edge with CJ.

I'm not at all sold on LaHair. I'm in the minority, but I see Micah Hoffpauir version 2.0 in him. Hopefully I'm wrong. I need to see him thrive against MLB pitching for an extended period to be sold. See how he does when advance scouts start breaking him down.

I am not completely sold on him either but I think he has earned a chance in Spring Training. The problems LaHair had was hitting the breaking ball and he has came a long ways since his days in the Mariners system. A big lefthanded power hitter comes in handy even if it is in a platoon role or off the bench. If the Cubs are stuck with Soriano next year I could see LaHair platooning with him in left field.

4. Wells may be younger and better defensively, but I don't believe that it is a trade worth making given what you lose on offense. Also, Soriano isn't terrible defensively. He's had more assists in 6 years in the OF (72) than Wells has had in his 13 year OF career (65). Soriano is much better with the stick, so while Wells will probably be more consistent in the field, IMO his bat is a larger liability than Soriano's defense (hopefully that makes sense, it did in my head as I was typing it). That and he is more expensive than Soriano over the final 3 years of his deal - ($18M for Soriano to $21M for Vernon).

This I will disagree with you. Soriano is a horrible fielder and his batting statistics are not better than Wells. Wells is a 3 time Golden Glove winner and is 3 years younger than Soriano. I would say their batting stats mirror each other the past 3 years.

5. With Reyes gone, Wright will be the face of the franchise (w/ Santana). If Sandy Alderson is going to trade David Wright, he is going to want a bounty. Something that will help the Mets in the very near future. The Cubs don't have the prospect depth to do that I don't believe.

Wright is rumored to be on the trading block. The Mets are not even close to being able to compete in the NL East. I do not think they will make Wright the face of the franchise after the season he had last year.

6. I don't want Jackson rushed either, but I think he wins the job outright in spring training. If he's earned it, play the kid. The same was said about Castro, and he made the jump from AA to Chicago pretty easily.

I agree, if he wins the job in spring training then he deserves it.

[FalseMirage]

I heard they sacrificed a goat in left field. WS hardware in the Cubs near future.

[DeputyHawk]

I'd shop Soto around too. He is the worst with RISP. He is too fat to be a good catcher. I've never seen someone strike out looking as much as he does. He is a waste.

[woodyk1]

Originally Posted by tm3308

Let's hope to God it's not Cuban. Those two won't be going anywhere if he finally breaks through the doors of the gentlemen's club.

Ostrich!

[MikeDog70]

Interesting quote from an article:

The Cubs will not officially interview former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, but Francona remains a candidate.

"I know him like the back of my hand," Epstein said. "He knows me like the back of his hand. I don't think he'd have to (interview)."

The two have already had a conversation about the job, and Epstein said neither was sure it was "the right fit." Epstein added that "this doesn't have to be the 'Boston show,' recreated in Chicago completely."

Epstein is not sure whether it's in his best interest to "work with a new manager," or "live in the past." Still, they may talk again.

"We're going to kind of sit down together and make sure it's a fit," Epstein said. "Clearly he would be at the top of anybody's list as far as available managers. I think that's true of any organization if they were to look at it and say 'Who is somebody with experience, who is a proven winner.' You'd realize he is at or close to the top of the list. But I think it's got to be the right fit here.

"He needs to figure out whether this is right for him, and then as we continue our process and figure out exactly what direction we're headed, exactly who the right fit is for this organization, that would have to be the right fit, too. I'm not sure it is, and 'Tito' is not sure it is. But we have that relationship that transcends the professional side of things... We'll just continue to talk and see if it's the right fit for everybody."


and, apparently the candidates are going to have to face the Chicago media to see how they handle them. Interesting:

Levine on ESPN1000 right now. Saying that part of the interview process will be how the candidates handle the Chicago media that will get the chance to speak with them after the formal interview. Said Mackanin will be interviewed(or maybe arriving, he wasn't definitive) tonight, and his media availability will be tomorrow afternoon.

I see Mackanin interviews on Friday, Maddux, and Sveum to follow.

[tm3308]

Originally Posted by MikeDog70

Interesting quote from an article:

The Cubs will not officially interview former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, but Francona remains a candidate.

"I know him like the back of my hand," Epstein said. "He knows me like the back of his hand. I don't think he'd have to (interview)."

The two have already had a conversation about the job, and Epstein said neither was sure it was "the right fit." Epstein added that "this doesn't have to be the 'Boston show,' recreated in Chicago completely."

Epstein is not sure whether it's in his best interest to "work with a new manager," or "live in the past." Still, they may talk again.

"We're going to kind of sit down together and make sure it's a fit," Epstein said. "Clearly he would be at the top of anybody's list as far as available managers. I think that's true of any organization if they were to look at it and say 'Who is somebody with experience, who is a proven winner.' You'd realize he is at or close to the top of the list. But I think it's got to be the right fit here.

"He needs to figure out whether this is right for him, and then as we continue our process and figure out exactly what direction we're headed, exactly who the right fit is for this organization, that would have to be the right fit, too. I'm not sure it is, and 'Tito' is not sure it is. But we have that relationship that transcends the professional side of things... We'll just continue to talk and see if it's the right fit for everybody."


and, apparently the candidates are going to have to face the Chicago media to see how they handle them. Interesting:

Levine on ESPN1000 right now. Saying that part of the interview process will be how the candidates handle the Chicago media that will get the chance to speak with them after the formal interview. Said Mackanin will be interviewed(or maybe arriving, he wasn't definitive) tonight, and his media availability will be tomorrow afternoon.

I see Mackanin interviews on Friday, Maddux, and Sveum to follow.

I like that little touch with the media. I've not heard of anyone doing that before; is it fairly common practice?

[MikeDog70]

I guess Boston may be doing something similar in regards to having candidates face the media.

Here is another article. For some reason, I am starting to really like the idea of Maddux.

Mike Maddux on both Red Sox, Cubs managerial lists - ESPN

[acharipar35]

There is no way we can start Colvin again. He had his chance last year, and did a terrible job. We need to get a one year fix or try Jackson this year.