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#Post#: 39172--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: JeffH
Date: October 22, 2011, 7:32 am
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Wouldn't surprise me to see a DeWitt/Baker platoon at third
base.
Given the current offensive standards for that position, Theo
might consider a blended OPS of .750-.775 for $3 million to be a
good value.
#Post#: 39173--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: Ron
Date: October 22, 2011, 7:33 am
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And the above changes don't even address one of the biggest
problems with the Cubs - their starting rotation. I fully
expect that Garza, Dempster and Wells will begin the season in
the rotation. I believe Zambrano is gone.
Will Cashner be ready to take a rotation spot? What will
Samardzija's role be? Will the new guys make Marmol available?
Will they go after CJ Wilson? (I hope not.) Will they trade
for a transitional guy to rack up innings?
#Post#: 39174--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: Ron
Date: October 22, 2011, 7:37 am
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--- Quote from: JeffH link ---
>
> Wouldn't surprise me to see a DeWitt/Baker platoon at third
base.
>
> Given the current offensive standards for that position, Theo
might consider a blended OPS of .750-.775 for $3 million to be a
good value.
>
--- End Quote ---
DeWitt hit LH pitching better than he did RH pitching last
season. Better than Baker too. Maybe it was a fluke. I don't
recall either looking very good at 3B defensively. Got to find
a way of improving the defense - both in OF and INF. Those guys
aren't likely to be an improvement over Ramirez.
#Post#: 39181--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: Cactus
Date: October 22, 2011, 9:00 am
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--- Quote from: CurtOne link ---
>
> I've seen it posted that LaHair's defense is okay, but not
Lee-Grace-Pena caliber. That stat about Pena is especially
intriguing when I recall how often throws got past him or he
wasn't able to come up with. I don't recall Barney throwing
that poorly, so most of these were from ARam and short? Ouch.
>
--- End Quote ---
Matt Garza and the pitching staff had their share too.
#Post#: 39187--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: davep
Date: October 22, 2011, 10:28 am
---------------------------------------------------------
I think that getting Epstein is a good idea, although he seems
to have the exact same flaws as Hendry, who was universally
hated. But although it seems reasonable to bring in a new GM
when the last one has not succeeded as well as desired, why do
we need TWO new GMs? If Hoyer is to be the new GM, and what-s
his-name is going to be President of Business Operations, what
in the world is Epstein going to do?
#Post#: 39189--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: ben
Date: October 22, 2011, 10:41 am
---------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the Levine link, Ron...good stuff. I'll hope
Marshall gets a shot as a starter. He seems to have multiple
quality pitches that he commands. Of course, if he wants to
relieve, great...he just does seem like a good building block to
me. He's a plus pitcher and a high-character, team-first guy
based on everything I've read.
#Post#: 39193--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: October 22, 2011, 11:25 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: Ron link ---
>
> And the above changes don't even address one of the biggest
problems with the Cubs - their starting rotation. I fully
expect that Garza, Dempster and Wells will begin the season in
the rotation. I believe Zambrano is gone.
>
> Will Cashner be ready to take a rotation spot? What will
Samardzija's role be? Will the new guys make Marmol available?
Will they go after CJ Wilson? (I hope not.) Will they trade
for a transitional guy to rack up innings?
>
--- End Quote ---
Why would Cashner NOT be ready for a rotation spot? And for
strictly eating innings, Dempster would likely be a better short
term option than most.
The real question for Epstein, and for Ricketts, is how much
they are going to rebuild, retool, or try to make an immediate
splash.
That is the threshhold question and a lot of answers will follow
from it.
If truly rebuilding, pencil Smardz, Marshall and Cashner into
the rotation to start, expect to add Coleman to that mix and
accept the very high likelihood that the 2012 season will have
more than 95 losses.
And that is the approach I am hoping they take. Put LaHair at
1B, use Dewitt and Baker and Barney as placeholders for 2B and
3B, either deal Byrd now or plan to by the trade deadline,
expect to start the season with Colvin in AAA to give him the
chance to establish a period of dominance, meaning you need a
placeholder for RF, look to move Soto for prospects, and bring
up either Castillo or Clevenger to catch, while also finding
some experienced catcher with no bat but who has a good
reputation for handling young pitchers. Plan on Brett Jackson
in AAA to start, and tell him and the manager that is where
Jackson will start the season regardless how he does in spring
training, and give him specific things to work on at Iowa, but
expect him up to start before the end of the year. Move Soriano
regardless how much contract you have to eat and find a
placeholder to play LF and who plays the game right, even if not
well.
And don't worry about the bullpen, since the season will be a
write-off.
Somehow, I don't expect any of this to happen....
#Post#: 39201--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: davep
Date: October 22, 2011, 12:19 pm
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Cashner had arm problems that caused him to lose most of this
season. I hope they use him in 80 or so relief innings this
year rather than 200 or so starter innings. Give his arm a
chance to recover completely, and make him a starter in 2013.
That is the process that worked well for Dempster, and for
Smoltz in years past.
#Post#: 39203--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: Jes Beard
Date: October 22, 2011, 12:39 pm
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If the doctors say that is advisable, by all means take that
approach. While I know he had arm problems, I also recall that
the original plan was for him to return by about mid-season, and
to do so as a starter. Merely because it was an arm problem
should not mean he should miss 2012.
But his use in 2012 should not in any way be influenced by the
team's record in 2012.
We really do need to write off two seasons for development
purposes. Pocket a boatload of draftpicks and plan for a strong
decade, just starting to begin after the first two years.
#Post#: 39204--------------------------------------------------
Re: Cubs in '12
DIR By: guest61
Date: October 22, 2011, 12:39 pm
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Andrew always told me he didnt like starting and didnt want to
and as soon as they fully commit to him being a starter he gets
hurt.
Maybe he knew something?
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