The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

kinda bummed about Maddux leaving. hard to believe a mind like his is not worth keeping around. like so many other Cub-related things, i am sure i will look back and really be sore about this one day...

[Basketball GURU]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Cubs sign outfielder David DeJesus

The Chicago Cubs signed outfielder David DeJesus to a two-year free-agent contract Wednesday, the team announced.

DeJesus will receive $4.25 million in 2012 and '13, and the team has a $6.5 million option for 2014, with a $1.5 million buyout.

The 31-year-old hit .240 with 10 home runs and 46 RBIs last season with the Oakland Athletics. It was statistically the worst season of a major league career that has spanned parts of nine years.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/7294530/chicago-cubs-sign-david-dejesus

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

That signing is mind boggling.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

yeah...i mean...i guess a team needs 4th and 5th OFers...

Probably the last we've seen of Colvin...too bad Quade et al didnt give him too much of a shot last year...he struggled...but that's what happens when you are forced to sit for days on end...

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Well, the hole at 3rd is filled now. We gave up Colvin and LeMahieu for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers. I'm not sure what I think about this quite yet, I hope the change of scenery helps out Stewart who had a pretty disappointing year in 2011. He's shown that he can play though, and that's a plus. I'm shocked that we gave up Colvin AND LeMahieu, because word coming out of Colorado was they wanted Blake DeWitt straight up for Stewart. They changed their minds, and I wish those guys the best with their new team. And for the other player we received, Weathers, is a minor league pitcher.

I didn't think that Colvin had a chance of staying on the team once we signed DeJesus. Colvin could be once heck of a player, I just don't think he got enough playing time last year to iron out everything that wasn't going for him. Theo & Co. have to figure out what we're going to do for 1st base for next season too. Pena was well liked in the clubhouse, we have LaHair, but in my opinion I think we should go after Mark Trumbo from the Angels. He's young and played relatively well last year. The only problem with this, the asking price may be a little high, just my two cents.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Honestly, LeMahieu isn't going to amount to anything special. Not enough power either. As far as Colvin, he was odd man out. He needs a place where he can play everyday.

It was basically average talent, for average talent hoping both benefit from changes of scenery. Basically a wash for both of us.

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

I don't see how this fits with anything, but for what it's worth, we claimed Jeff Bianchi off of waivers from the Royals. Infield depth? The guy plays SS.

[BleacherBum2310]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

It was basically a need trade, Cubs Needed a 3B and also I may wrong on this.. But I believe Stewart is actually a good defensive 3B which seems to be the key moving forward.. a More focused effort on D and also has the most upside of the group.

[fugazi]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

If they're gonna leave castro at short, then they need all the leather they can get everywhere else.

I wouldnt mind seeing castro at 2b, take his glove out of the game a little.

I also would like to see LaHair get a shot...he did rather well last year in AAA, iirc.


One thing has become quite clear...fans will have to be patient. The FO doesn't look like their going to push things, or make splashes...which is ok.

[k_mac]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Stewart is a pretty good defender and adds a lefty bat to the lineup. I like the pickup, it's not like we gave a whole lot for him. There's been signs of power so that's a plus.

I think we have something like three openings on our 40 man, so there's going to be some more pickups. Anyone know if Kerry Wood is coming back next year? I know Theo said that he'd like to have him back.

[Mo]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Sounds like Theo and Co are doing a complete rebuild. They are going to try and trade everyone.

Garza, Byrd, Soriano, Soto and Marmol. Those are the guys I think have seen their last days as a Cub.

I also think they won't make an offer to Prince.

2012 will be hell to watch, but maybe by 2014 it would be worth it.

[authentic]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Sounds like Theo and Co are doing a complete rebuild. They are going to try and trade everyone.

Garza, Byrd, Soriano, Soto and Marmol. Those are the guys I think have seen their last days as a Cub.

I also think they won't make an offer to Prince.

2012 will be hell to watch, but maybe by 2014 it would be worth it.

Byrd is trade deadline bait. He is a great teammate and would benefit any young team in the hunt for the playoffs next year. Nationals are probably a team to watch. Byrd will draw attention, but I doubt they get much for him.

Garza is interesting. I think they hang on to him. He is young, proven and wants to win. Unless they get an unbelievable offer, he'll be with the Cubs.

Soriano will be gone. The Cubs are doing everything they can do right now to get him off the table. Expect him gone before Spring Training.

Soto is in between. I think it depends on how the young catchers do. If they can perform, he will be gone. Clevenger and Castillo both have potential, and I like both.

Marmol is probably their best trade option besides Garza. They might be able to get something good for him. Depends on how he performs.

We did get Sappelt and a young position player who hit .350+ and had 38 doubles in the minors last year. Sappelt is really fast and hit .243 in his big league year debut. Overall, good trade to the Reds. The Cubs got the best deal out of this.

[JustOpinions]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

As a Fan of the Jays, there are rumours of Garza floating around but when the Blue Jays are linked to a player that usually means the media created it (long story) But Garza and Marmol would make sense for Toronto and chances are you will land some high end minor leaguers and no matter what an outfielder we have tons.

[authentic]

As a Fan of the Jays, there are rumours of Garza floating around but when the Blue Jays are linked to a player that usually means the media created it (long story) But Garza and Marmol would make sense for Toronto and chances are you will land some high end minor leaguers and no matter what an outfielder we have tons.

In order for that to happen, the Cubs would probably want a couple MLB ready players and high end prospects. Jays never pull the trigger on offseason moves anyways.

[1Rose]

Re: The Friendly Confines: The Official Chicago Cubs Thread

Sounds like Theo and Co are doing a complete rebuild. They are going to try and trade everyone.

Garza, Byrd, Soriano, Soto and Marmol. Those are the guys I think have seen their last days as a Cub.

I also think they won't make an offer to Prince.

2012 will be hell to watch, but maybe by 2014 it would be worth it.

Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if there is a whole new roster trotting out there on Opening Day. I would say Castro is the only player safe.

Personally, I love it. I love the emphasis on defense and character. There is a reason that after all these years, we could never make a run like the Cardinals did, twice. Because even when we had good teams, we have always been terrible at the fundamentals, and always beat ourselves. Heck, even in 2003 our defense was just above average. I cant remember the last time the Cubs played small ball either. Weve never been a base stealing team. We tried the one year Pierre experiment, but got impatient.

All I know, is were starting to get a better picture of what the Cub way is going to be. If it is Marmol, Soriano and Zambranos last days, I will be totally ok with that.