2007-08 Free Agents
http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2000/04/2007-free-agents.html
I know it's August, we are in first place, but the off season is just as exciting to me as the in season. Anyways, I came across this list the other day. It's going to be a thin crop this year with the exception of center fielders, which we really don't need. Jones is finally hitting enough not to be a liability, and his defense has been better than expected. I can only hope the Yankees would be dumb enough not to pick up Bobby Abreu's option. He really would look nice in right field and hitting behind Soriano and Theriot but ahead of Lee and Ramirez. His left-handed bat also gives the lineup more balance.
Kendall is going to be a free agent as well, but I wonder if he will be like Gary Gaetti and revert back to the pre-Cub Kendall of 2007. However, he and Soto might make a nice tandem at catcher for the 2008 Cubs.
Signing a RHSP might allow the team to trade on of its young left-handed starters for something else it needed, but a successful re-emergence, knock on Kerry Wood, of Mark Prior could allow for that as well.
Given the Cubs needs and the bare free agent market, I see the Cubs being more active in the trade market this winter. My ideal off-season would have Twins GM Terry Ryan become stricken with paranoia about Johan Santana's pending free agency after the 2008 season, and Jim Hendry taking advantage of it. Bobby Abreu would also become a Cubs, and Kendall would be resigned, but at much less than what he is making now. Finally, come spring we would see a healthy Mark Prior throwing low to mid 90's with control, and he becomes the NL's CBPOY. The defending World Series champs would go into opening day with a rotation and lineup as follows.
Sp Zambrano R
Sp Santana L
Sp Prior R
Sp Lilly L
Sp Hill R
Lf Soriano R
Ss Theriot R
Rf Abreu L
3b Ramirez R
1b Lee R
Cf Jones L
2b DeRosa R
Ca Kendall R
Re: 2007-08 Free Agents
Great post, but I have to disagree on several points.
First of all the signing of the players in the off season is a lot of fun with all the possibilities, especially with a team like the Cubs willing to spend money. Too bad Hendry often spends it on the wrong players, but lets not dwell on the past. But it's fun, kind of like trading baseball cards to see how you can stack up your team. :o) I'm worried on the ownership of the Cubs affecting the off season moves. So far so good with signing Z to a longterm deal.
I completely disagree that we don't need a center fielder. Jacque's resurgence in the second half is nice, and sure he can run and catch the ball, but his arm is terrible. I'm ready to part ways with Jones and his $6.3M salary, but I don't know if that'll be an option. I do like Pie's defense and speed, but his .266 OPS so far in 2007 lets me think he's not ready either. Maybe if you have to hold Jones in center till Pie is ready to take over, hopefully by the end of '08. However I would love to replace Jones, but not sure with whom, maybe Torii Hunter?
The Cubs should not resign Kendall, except as a backup. His bat doesn't make up for 1 for 30-something in throwing runners out. You're begging for people on you with him back there. I'm interested in what Soto can do at the bigs. But if you're looking for World Series victory then you don't want with gamble on a rookie catcher. So while we're dreaming I hope the the option clears on Ivan Rodriguez.
Getting Santana would be miraculous, but the Cubs would have to beat out every other team in MLB for him, and the Twins (rightfully so) would mortgage our farm system for Santana. Unfortunately unlikely.
I would love to get Abreu, and that has a chance.
Starting Pitching: Prior is done. I don't think it's possible for the Cubs to sign him unless they pay him $3M, which would be ridiculous. We still have Marquis under contract, so he'll start. I like Marshall still, but am willing to trade him too. But because our pen has so many right handers, I don't mind having three lefty starters.
Here's my hopeful guess:
Sp Zambrano R
Sp Lilly L
Sp Marquis R
Sp Hill L (he's a lefty)
Sp Marshall L
Lf Soriano R
Ss Theriot R
1b Lee R
3b Ramirez R
Rf Abreu L
Ca Rodriguez R
2b Fontenot/DeRosa L/R
Cf Hunter/Pie R/L
Soto
I also think the Cubs need to give Soto a legitimate shot at earning the job next spring. He's still raking for Iowa, hitting .357/.427/.637.
I share your concerns about
I share your concerns about JJ, but he may be untradable. I would like to see more of Soto as well, but I don't see the Cubs just giving him the job, and I have no interest in I-Rod. Blanco is under contract through 2008. So that might allow Soto to be worked in slowly.