2008-2009 Cubs Offseason Thread

[SportsWorld]

http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... ood_again/

Chicago Tribune - Cincinnati manager Dusty Baker wants to manage pitcher Kerry Wood again.

The Cubs - the team Baker was managed prior - decided to pass on offering Wood a multiyear deal this offseason, so Baker says he plans to give the pitcher a call to check on his interest in signing with the Reds.

"We have a closer already in [Francisco] Cordero, who we have under contract for a few more years," Baker said Monday. "But somebody can use Kerry Wood. I am going to call him. I like Kerry Wood as a person, not just as a ballplayer, but as a person. I will give him a call and see what's up."

[The Sheik]

Honestly I understand the payroll concerns, but we have a 2-3 yr window to win a world series before we need to semi rebuild.

Make the move for Peavy and Abreu/Dunn pay a 1/3 of Marquis salary to dump him in a deal and just live with the high payroll for a couple of seasons.

The only other thing I see is dealing DeRo while he is hot and getting a couple of pitchers Towers might like.

If you have enough confidence in Marshall put Lilly out there and see what he can get you.

[karch34]

would Hendry be able to sign Tex with the budget restrictions?

As is, with or without a Peavy trade, I don't think so. If some combination of shipping Marquis and eating some salary ($3mill), trading Lee, and/or a Fukudome trade.

Realistically you'd probably have to find some deal for Lee, but with his NTC it makes it tough and neither him nor Tex is an OF candidate. Trading Lee and his salary + moving Marquis would probably be most of the Texiera contract. I think getting that LH power bat would be the biggest move we could make.

[Posey H8er]

The Cards just acquired Khalil Greene from San Diego. So the Padres do not have a shortstop now....

[GYBE]

I have to think either Theriot or Cedeno is going to San Diego in any Peavy proposal.

[SportsWorld]

Why do people like Khalil Greene so much? He's trash. You can't even use Petco as an excuse.

2008:
Home: .215
Away: .212

Career:
Home: .225
Away: .270

[A.J.]

Why do people like Khalil Greene so much? He's trash. You can't even use Petco as an excuse.

2008:
Home: .215
Away: .212

Career:
Home: .225
Away: .270

He is an above average defensive player.

[The Sheik]

The Cards just acquired Khalil Greene from San Diego. So the Padres do not have a shortstop now....

****! that sucks, I really like Khalil Greene, mainly because we share the same faith. Him on the cards sucks.

[Posey H8er]

Why do people like Khalil Greene so much? He's trash. You can't even use Petco as an excuse.

2008:
Home: .215
Away: .212

Career:
Home: .225
Away: .270

They like this- .248/.304/.427/.731 (career averages).

His OBP is terrible but people fall in love with the fact that he can hit 15 home runs a year, which is silly because his power numbers are not even that great.

[The Sheik]

This is from Rotoworld:

General manager Kevin Towers said Thursday that he plans to revisit talks with the Cubs about Jake Peavy.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the two sides "have discussed a five-for-one deal that could involve a third team" and "the Padres like their chance of getting the Cubs' best prospect, third baseman Josh Vitters, and major leaguers such as starting pitcher Sean Marshall and reliever Kevin Hart." After shedding Khalil Greene's salary the Padres seemingly have more ability to hang onto Peavy if needed, perhaps giving them some added leverage.

We cant give up Vitters...thats a no-no. You cant buy championships anymore. I wanna see what this kid has.

I would rather trade Riot and try Font at SS or sign Furcal.

[DanTown8587]

I think right now the most important thing is finding a lead off hitter and a left handed OF. Right now, my guys of interest are Abreu, Ibanez and Bradley (can flat out rake and COULD play CF still) and would love to move DeRosa and open up AB for Fontenot.

[Howling Mad]

Bruuuuuuce reports...

Cubs are in talks with the O's and the Mets, involving Jason Marquis.

[Howling Mad]

check that... not the O's, but the Royals... I take my 'roll eyes' smiley away.

[karch34]

Bruuuuuuce reports...

Cubs are in talks with the Royals and the Mets, involving Jason Marquis.

Definitely a pre-requisite to acquiring Peavy, IMO.

[Posey H8er]

If the Cubs get a left handed bat and Peavy they will first have to dump some salary. Marquis would be the obvious choice.

[The Sheik]

So when all of this crashes and burns and we have a depleted farm system what do we do? We have players in Lee and Soriano that are on the decline. Aramis is in his prime, Soto is 2-3 yrs away from his prime and everyone else on our team are marginal role players. Unless the LH bat is a big bat I dont see how we can be considered WS contenders.

[SportsWorld]

Sounds like Peavy will be a Cub no matter what according to Tim Kurkjian.

[SportsWorld]

ESPN

Padres GM Kevin Towers said he needs to "have a good feel … when [he leaves] these meetings" about whether there's a deal to be made with the Cubs for Jake Peavy or not. He said that deal wouldn't have to be done before the end of the meetings, but at least by "shortly after we leave here."

[mattbulls]

Sounds like Peavy will be a Cub no matter what according to Tim Kurkjian.

So Peavy must be staying put, everytime we susposed to get someone we never do.

[The Sheik]

If we can do it without giving up Vitters Im all for it. Being as we gave up Ceda for Gregg Im sure we under value our prospects and will give Vitters up for Teahen.

I would think Towers is a bigger idiot then Beane, we ripped them off Harden...why cant we do the same for Peavy?

My offer is:

Theriot, Marshall, Pie, Veal, Castillo or perhaps flipping some for Olsen from Baltimore.