If you're the Cubs GM, what do you do between now and next year's opening day? This years team pretty much ran away with the NL Central. Do you sign Ryan Dempster and pretty much stand pat, and hope that come next year you will fare better in the playoffs, or are there obvious areas of concern that need to be addressed such as a big left handed bat in the lineup? Do you try and sign Adam Dunn?

Hitting.

Hitting.

 

 

Can you be more specific? Who do you bring in, who do you replace?

Keep Dempster, get rid of Fukodome. It wasn't just his slump in the playoffs but the last 2-3 months were bad for him. Get a consistent power hitter, Derek Lee is aging and isn't consistent but has power. Find a great lead off man. I really liked Corey Patterson a few years back but then he got injured and then traded so that ended quickly. The keys are in place, however, I'm not sold on Theirot either at short.

Someone noted that the Cubs are going to send Fukodome to the minors to begin next season. Said it's not a good hitter for what they paid for and that he needs to work on his mechanics of hitting before he becomes a big league player.

If I were the GM, the only way I sign Dunn is if you move Soriano back to second and leave DeRosa in right.

 

I resign both Edmonds and Johnson for center.

 

I try and move Felix Pie for some relief help or maybe a fifth starter.

 

I resign Dempster

 

I don't worry about Fukodome because most Asian players struggle their first year in the U.S.

 

If you don't sign Dunn, you need to give Hoffpauer some at bats in right field. He is ready for the majors.

 

In the past, a playoff sweep would have just killed me because I was never certain how long it would be before the Cubs would get back to the playoffs.

 

Now, I think they have staying power for the next 2-3 years minimum. Once Lou leaves, Lilly retires, and others move on, and then teams like the Reds and Astros improve, I will worry more then.

Keep Dempster, get rid of Fukodome. It wasn't just his slump in the playoffs but the last 2-3 months were bad for him. Get a consistent power hitter, Derek Lee is aging and isn't consistent but has power. Find a great lead off man. I really liked Corey Patterson a few years back but then he got injured and then traded so that ended quickly. The keys are in place, however, I'm not sold on Theirot either at short.

 

 

I would be more than happy to see the Cubs get Patterson back. :lol:

If I were the GM, the only way I sign Dunn is if you move Soriano back to second and leave DeRosa in right.

 

I resign both Edmonds and Johnson for center.

 

I try and move Felix Pie for some relief help or maybe a fifth starter.

 

I resign Dempster

 

I don't worry about Fukodome because most Asian players struggle their first year in the U.S.

 

If you don't sign Dunn, you need to give Hoffpauer some at bats in right field. He is ready for the majors.

 

In the past, a playoff sweep would have just killed me because I was never certain how long it would be before the Cubs would get back to the playoffs.

 

Now, I think they have staying power for the next 2-3 years minimum. Once Lou leaves, Lilly retires, and others move on, and then teams like the Reds and Astros improve, I will worry more then.

 

 

You say you don't worry about Fukodome, but if you sign Adam Dunn, and move Soriano back to 2nd, where do you play him?

The biggest thing with the Cubs is the mental thing with the curse. This may sound stupid but they had a priest in the dugout before the series with the Dodgers. They need to just play and quit talking about everything else. They have the team to win it all. That is why most had them getting to the WS this year.

I would be more than happy to see the Cubs get Patterson back. :lol:

I'll give him a piggy back ride to Chicago...

I'll give him a piggy back ride to Chicago...

 

I was at the Cardinal/Red game on the last Saturday of the year. Why was he in the line-up?

You say you don't worry about Fukodome, but if you sign Adam Dunn, and move Soriano back to 2nd, where do you play him?

I think you platoon him and DeRosa because there will be days DeRosa plays second, short and third too.

I was at the Cardinal/Red game on the last Saturday of the year. Why was he in the line-up?

Dusty's daughter was at the game... :fire:

Alright, here's what I do....

 

1.Theriot at SS and leading off

2.Soriano-LF

3. Lee-1b

4. Aramis-3B

5.Hoffpauir-RF

6.CF-Sign a free agent or make a trade

7. Fontenot-2B

8. Soto- Catcher

 

I too have heard they will send Fukodome to the Minors for a stint, if he can Americanize his swing, play him CF. Hoffpauir HAS to be in the every day line up, guy has a big stick. I also resign Edmonds, the guy is a clubhouse leader. He and FUkodome can platoon, if they don't resign Edmonds, bring back Johnson, we don't need them both. Keep Derosa in his roll of playing everywhere giving days off.

 

Rotation of

Big Z

Lilly

Harden

Dempster, they have to resign him

Hopefully they will make a move for CC but I see him signing with the Dodger or the Giants

Maybe Rich Hill will bounce back but who knows. I also think Marshall should be given a shot at the rotation because I can't see Harden lasting the whole season.

 

Bullpen of Gaudin, Shark, I love K-Wood but I don't think he can get it done as the closer anymore. Move Marmol to the closer roll and go out and get a good set up man or a dominant closer and keep Marmol as the set up guy for another year or 2

 

But we need to add another quality reliever or 2 as well, either from TripleA or FA market

I agree with most things that have been said. Why Hoffpauir was not in the line up in the NLDS is beyond me. He was very hot at the right time and is a big left handed bat. I also think Reed Johnson should have played at some point. He does not swing for the fences, but is always on base--which was desperately needed.