2008-2009 Cubs Offseason Thread

[hermes]

probably less than half of what the yankees will be after their done buying up all the pitchers

[Howling Mad]

I wonder what coco crisp being traded to KC means?

How does that affect the Cubbies? Teahan and Crisp for Pie and Cedeno?

[karch34]

I would think it might put Teahan, DeJesus, and Crisp in play for the Cubs. All are lefthanded bats, of course Crisp is at about $5.5 million so I'm sure they'd look at dealing him.

I would think if we ate some of Marquis salary, KC might be interested as they need pitching. Crisp isn't great, but would fill the position of a legitimate leadoff hitter. I think DeJesus is better than Teahan.

[Posey H8er]

I would think it might put Teahan, DeJesus, and Crisp in play for the Cubs. All are lefthanded bats, of course Crisp is at about $5.5 million so I'm sure they'd look at dealing him.

I would think if we ate some of Marquis salary, KC might be interested as they need pitching. Crisp isn't great, but would fill the position of a legitimate leadoff hitter. I think DeJesus is better than Teahan.

I only like DeJesus out of that group. Maybe KC could be the third team for the Peavy deal.

[hermes]

we need to get creative
link

The San Diego Padres say the Cubs are still interested in trading for right-hander Jake Peavy. The Cubs, however, insist they would need to be very creative with their finances and get another team involved to swing a deal.
San Diego general manager Kevin Towers said on Wednesday night he talked to Chicago GM Jim Hendry earlier in the day and said "[the Cubs] still have interest [in Peavy]."
Because of escalating contract commitments to players and because the team's ownership situation is in flux, the Cubs don't have much room in their 2009 budget for Peavy and have other issues to address. The team is in the market for a left-handed-hitting outfielder and a veteran reliever.

A source told MLB.com earlier on Wednesday that the Cubs headed into the offseason knowing they could either sign Dempster or acquire Peavy, but not afford both pitchers.

we need another team involved, who wants to help us out

[SportsWorld]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns

The Chicago Cubs will continue their efforts to obtain Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres despite re-signing Ryan Dempster this week, according to a source close to the negotiations.

The only team known to be engaged with the Padres (the Atlanta Braves are expected to resume their pursuit) on Peavy, the Cubs are attempting to put Peavy alongside Carlos Zambrano, Rich Harden, Ted Lilly and Dempster, easily the deepest rotation in the NL.

Still, as the Cubs’ payroll rose with the Dempster deal – four years, $52 million – there were questions about their continued desire for Peavy, who is owed at least $60 million over the next five years. Padres GM Kevin Towers has said the Cubs lack the parts to swing the trade for Peavy, meaning they’d have to involve at least one other team in the negotiations.

But, the Cubs are still in.

“They are still alive,” the source said.

[Howling Mad]

TWIW,

Caught up with my ND buddy and he said he asked Shark if he would accept a trade. He said if someone guaranteed him the Cubs would win the 'Series, then he'd approve a trade to another team, otherwise he'd rather stay and do it himself.

Thats team fandom.

[GYBE]

He was a White Sox fan growing up, for what it's worth.

[Howling Mad]

FWIW... I swear I can type.

[The Sheik]

If Jimbo trades Fontenot and Marshall for that sack of sh^+ Teahen then he needs to be fired asap.

[hermes]

^^Good call, keep Fontenot!

[Posey H8er]

No to Mark Teahan. We actually want to improve our club for next year.

[GYBE]

Both Fontenot and Marshall have WAY more trade value than Teahan individually. I don't believe that rumour for a second.

[The Sheik]

Just wanted to wish everyone some early Thanksgiving wishes, Im off to Cali. God Bless.

[Posey H8er]

Yeah hopefully everyone has a safe and memorable holiday. I'm staying in the area with the parents/relatives.

[Howling Mad]

Happy Thanksgiving ya'll... even to the Canadaina GYBE! Actually Happy belated for GYBE.

When's the Canadian thanksgiving... first monday of Oct right?

Anywho, Have a good holiday everybody.

[GYBE]

Yep. You guys have it too close to Christmas. We like to spread out our holidays.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I wish I was having mashed potatoes and turkey this week...

[hermes]

happy thanksgiving everyone

i'll be at work for most of the weekend

[SportsWorld]

Piniella likes Ibanez; Peavy not likely headed to Cubs
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball ... 25.article

Cubs manager Lou Piniella has had almost two months at home in Tampa, Fla., to fish, ride his bicycle around his neighborhood and envision changes to his third rendition of the Cubs. That includes new pieces he'd like to see next spring and some new looks he might try with what he already has.

In town for several days over the last week, the National League manager of the year -- who checked in with general manager Jim Hendry over the weekend -- offered these insights during a conversation with the Sun-Times at a public appearance Sunday in Rosemont:

• • On the Cubs' pursuit of left-handed hitting for the middle and/or top of the order, and his preference if only one can be acquired: ''Our preference would be a middle-of-the-order-type hitter if we can get that. It just depends on how things break for us. ... Jim's working hard at it, and he usually gets what he's looking for.''

• • On how free agent Raul Ibanez (career .286 average, 20 or more homers last four years, 100-plus RBI last three) would fit that need, especially considering his background with Piniella in Seattle: ''Raul can hit, there's no question. He's a professional bat, and he's that type of hitter that we're alluding to. ... And he's a great guy, no question. I like the guy. He's a professional hitter; he plays hard; he's a good player.''

[Posey H8er]

Raul would be a good fit. He has seriously been one of the most underappreciated and underpaid players in the league for a while now. And he would be much cheaper than Dunn/Abreu that Hendry could add other pieces like an extra arm in the pen.