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Chicago Cubs - Hot Stove League
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cubfanindy
Major Leagues
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 174
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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 Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 8:48 pm Post subject: Chicago Cubs - Hot Stove League |
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One of the San Francisco papers reported that the Cubs offered Jason Schmidt a 3 year contract last week. 3 years, $44 million. I find it interesting that it only appeared in that one source, though. Clubber Lang brought up a good point – it was probably his agent who selectively leaked it… the info is out there, but a little hard to find. Teams can get their hands on it, and a bidding war ensues, particularly in what is proving to be a sellers market this offseason.
ESPN is also reporting that the Cubs offered left hander Ted Lilly a four year deal.
I would LOVE to see Jason Schmidt in a Cubs uniform. That would make the rotation Carlos Zambrano, Jason Schmidt, Rich Hill. From there, you have two spots left and can choose from Sean Marshall (who pitched well enough to deserve a shot. He’s no Rich Hill though), Wade Miller (was very effective as a starter for Houston when healthy), Mark Prior (can he stay healthy?), and Neal Cotts (who I hope stays in relief. He’s an asset in the bullpen. In the rotation? I’m not so sure).
Ted Lilly? I’m not too gung ho about. He’s a very average pitcher. We already have a lefty in the rotation in Rich Hill, so that shouldn’t be a factor. If we sign him in addition to Jason Schmidt, fine. Unfortunately, I think the talks with him are more of a contingency plan if the Cubs can’t sign Schmidt.
I shouldn’t let myself get too excited about the Jason Schmidt talks. It’s a long shot that he winds up in a Cubs uniform. I thought the same thing about Soriano, though, so it’s hard not to. |
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cubfanindy
Major Leagues
Joined: 29 Jul 2006
Posts: 174
Location: Indianapolis, IN
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| Posted: Mon Dec 11, 2006 5:51 pm Post subject: |
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Well, Schmidt is a Dodger. I knew it was too good to be true. Still, I’m feeling good about the Cubs rotation and their chances today. Ted Lilly, while average, PLUS Jason Marquis added to the rotation. I like the Jason Marquis signing a lot. He’s 28, is pretty good now, and is really just coming into his prime as a pitcher. We are now looking at Carlos Zambrano, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis, and Ted Lilly etched in stone for four spots. For the remaining spots, the Cubs will choose from Mark Prior, Wade Miller, Sean Marshall, Neal Cotts, or Angel Guzman. Miller and Prior need to prove that they can stay healthy. I’m not sure they can. I prefer to see Neal Cotts remain in the bullpen. There were initially talks of moving him to the rotation. I don’t think he would be effective there. Hopefully the signings of Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis killed those talks. Guzman needs to stay healthy, and start living up to the hype and potential we’ve been hearing about for the past three years now.
Who knows? If Wade Miller and Mark Prior are pitching at top form, you could even see Ted Lilly throwing in long relief.
The thing I love about this? The Cubs are no longer counting on Mark Prior and Kerry Wood to anchor the rotation. There are certainly better pitchers out there than Ted Lilly or Jason Marquis (Jason Schmidt comes to mind), but at least they’re out there. You know they’ll get their innings. You don’t know that about Prior and Wood, and have to stop expecting it. If they do, great, but you no longer need them to.
There are still holes to fill. Center field is still unanswered, though it will probably be Jacque Jones moving to center, with Soriano and Murton at the corners. The middle infield is downright awful. You’re looking at the three headed beast of Cezar Izturis, Mark DeRosa, and Ronny Cedeno right now. I have no faith in any one of those guys. I say take whoever emerges as the best of Izturis or Cedeno after spring training, put him at short, move Soriano back to second base (his natural position), and sign or trade for a natural center fielder now. Felix Pie is likely the center fielder of the future in Wrigley, but he’s another guy who needs to start living up to potential. He probably needs another season in the minors. You certainly don’t throw him in the majors as the Cubs starting center fielder for 2007 if you’re trying to win now.
You can always use more bullpen help too. The Cubs still do not have a stone-wall closer. Dempster or Wood are the likely options, but Dempster is unreliable, and Wood? Well… he’s never stayed healthy in the rotation. Why should we think he will in the bullpen. The guy I have my eye on for the closer roll is in the Cubs minor league system, Clay Rapada. He’s a 6’5 lefty submariner with a very deceptive delivery. Just ask Dontrelle Willis how effective a deceptive delivery can be.
The NL Central is soft. Even with an improved Milwaukee team, and the defending World Champion Cardinals, there is no reason to think the Cubs can’t compete in 2007. |
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