Don't trade Prior or Ramirez

December 22, 2005 by socer36

Why is GM Jim Hendry even thinking of doing this? After making brilliant choices by signing Juan Pierre and Jaque Jones, they are going to go out on a limb to purchase some Baltimore Oriole players? Prior and Ramirez did not produce much last year because they were not playing. Play them, Pierre, Walker, Ramirez, Lee, Perez, Barrett.....Pitchers like Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Maddox........How can this team not contend for the division title next year(if healthy) or at least get the wild card. Going out on a limb by signing Tejada and then having to fill a pitching void left by Prior is too iffy for me. This team has at the most an outfielding position and one starting pitching position to fill. This team should focus on what won them the 2003 division crown......Pitching, pitching, pitching.....yes, they hit too, but the difference was that pitching made them a dominant team, especially when it came playoff time. Knowing you had any one of the 4 guys above pitching meant that you didn't have to get 10 hits to win the game. I guess I can understand getting rid of Ramirez, but when you stack him up against Tejada, no team seems to have an advantage, which is no wonder Baltimore wants more than just Ramirez. Don't trade Prior! Good Cubs' pitching does not come around often. It would leave a big void to fill no matter what great pitching prospects the Cubs might have in their system. Maybe instead of rebuilding every year the Cubs should stick with what works and build around the edges(like they did with the leadoff position). Then maybe for Maddux's last season, the Cubs can win the World Series.

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