2009 Cubs

[pearso66]

I agree that Peavy is one of the better pitchers in baseball, but he would also moving from one of the worst offensive divisions in all of baseball, and also a very pitcher friendly park. Also I've seen that some people had questions about his health. With all of that, plus what the Cubs would have to give up, I don't think he would make them a better team. Remember the problem last year wasn't pitching, but it was the offense. You can put all the Aces in the rotation you want, but the team still has to score runs, and if you get rid of key pieces of your bullpen, you need people to be able to hold a lead also.

[Dan Michler]

Opening Day baby!  Thank god the MLB schedulers got a little smarter this year and put the Cubs in Houston and Milwaukee to start out the year instead of getting games snowed out or playing in 30 degree weather.

I'm feeling jacked up for this season.  I nailed last year's NL Central standings perfectly, so I'll give you some insight as to what is going down this year in the Division.

1. Cubs........A strong lineup that led the league in runs scored last year.  Hopefully Soto can avoid a sophmore slump and Bradley can play 120 games.  Soriano has produced 2 of his highest 3 career slugging %'s with the Cubs the last 2 seasons.  If he can play 155 games, I look for a 40 HR/30 SB season.  Lee is a .290 20 HR 90 RBI guy at this point.  Aram is the model of consistency, expect him to give us the same as last year.  Rotation has some question marks, but its still a top 5 rotation in the NL.  Bullpen, I like Marmol in the setup role and hopefully everything else just magically works out.  You never know with any team's bullpen in the preseason.  Just have to wait and keep your fingers crossed.

2.  Brewers......Well they didn't make any improvements and lost Sabathia.  I still like a lineup with Fielder, Braun, and Hart.  I also really like Gallardo.  They should be the Cubs stiffest competition.

3.  Cardinals....On paper they suck, but they are the Cardinals and always seem to overachieve.  Need Wainwright and Carpenter healthy.  Not sure if Ludwick can give them another year like 2008, but Ankiel seems to keep improving and Khalil Greene will probably have a renaissance year now that he's in a St. Louis uniform.  The Cardinals are just lucky like that.

4. Reds....If they'd lose Dusty Baker they might be contending with the Cubs.  Rotation with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto seems nice until Dusty overworks them.  Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the best young hitters in the league, but since when has Dusty ever gotten the most out of his young guys.

5. Houston....Brutal pitching staff.  Maybe I.Rod and Tejada can juice this team up though!

6. Pittsburgh....They are who we thought they were.

[stpitner]

because I was a moron and said the Reds will be in 2nd place, I'm going to have to say this year that they'll be in 5th place.  So I'll be wrong again there.  I agree with your predictions, but to make sure I punish the Reds enough for making me think wrong, I'd flip-flop your 4 and 5.

let's just hope the Pirates don't pull a Tampa Bay Rays anytime soon.

[Dan Michler]

As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!

As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.

I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed.  He's never been anything else his entire career.  Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame.  What a waste of 30 million dollars.  I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.

[Mike Clark]

As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!

As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.

I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed.  He's never been anything else his entire career.  Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame.  What a waste of 30 million dollars.  I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.

So true.

I would have signed Abreu or Dunn before signing Bradley. Let's just hope the bullpen doesn't kill this team and Bradley has a chance to come around by the second half of the year. In reality they only need him for the post season. That isn't what I want but it is what is important. Maybe he can spend enough time not playing that all the CUB'S options in his contract come through. Then he will only be here for 2 years at less than $10mil a year. I wish I knew the exact details of the contract. But I think it is either missing 75 games or 75 days on the DL in 2009 and the Cub's option for the 3rd year kicks in. then they can buyout the last year for $2mil.

And do not for get that they traded DeRosa and Marquis to make room for Bradley's contract. So now Sean Marshall is your 5th starter and that leaves you 1 lefty in the bullpen, who sux. Now you have no starting 2nd basemen. Not to mention DeRosa was the most versatile player on the team. He can backup nearly every position on the field.

I really hope they can straighten this thing out. Otherwise what a waste of another year with good talent and top 3 in payroll.

[stpitner]

As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!

As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.

I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed.  He's never been anything else his entire career.  Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame.  What a waste of 30 million dollars.  I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.

Not that it's a great consolation prize, but if MB doesn't play enough games, the deal is only a 2 year, $20 million deal.  He has to play something like 125 or more games a year in order to get the vested 3rd year for another $10 million.  So I'm sure he'll only hurt himself *just enough* to still get that 3rd year, but right now the deal is only a 2 year deal.

That doesn't excuse his play thus-far, but I'm willing to give him another month.  Players can have bad months, especially when it's the first month with a new team where there's a TON of pressure to win.  At least his one hit was a homer

[Bruce Brakel]

I'll be bringing at least a dozen freshly dyed Cubs discs to Bevier.  Here's one:

<img src="http://img4.glowfoto.com/images/2009/04/25-0844326468T.jpg" alt="free image hosting" border=0 />

The entire collection is in this album:

http://www.glowfoto.com/users3/bruce_brakel/view.php?aid=67775

[StrikerME02]

The Cubs have gotta get out of this slump there in. Losing the last 4 games. Those cubs discs look pretty cool Bruce.

[Chainmeister]

Bruce, do the Cubs dyes float? I figure that would be helpful.

[pdga#7648]

actually wake up and smell that 101 year odor CUB FANS! And here's a lil song for ya's...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrobcJa_EV8

[StrikerME02]

actually wake up and smell that 101 year odor CUB FANS! And here's a lil song for ya's...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrobcJa_EV8

You're just jealous your team doesn't have a sick song like "Go Cubs Go" playin' in the background after they win.

[Mike Clark]

This could be the Cubs make or break month. 17 road games and 9 homes in the month of June. Ouch. That is gonna hurt unless they pick things up.

[CEValkyrie]

I guess it takes me getting pissed off and turning off the game only to find out a few hours later that the Cubs have won. What a crazy 2 days.

[StrikerME02]

I guess it takes me getting pissed off and turning off the game only to find out a few hours later that the Cubs have won. What a crazy 2 days.

I hear ya. I did the same thing, but hey....now they have got a winning streak...two games.

[Dan Michler]

Milton Bradley fits in so well with this team.  Gotta love Lou telling him to go home in the middle of the game the other day.  Great pickup by Hendry!  Its not like Bobby Abreu was available for half the price or anything and hitting right at his career .300 average while playing every game like he always has.

Also, fantastic move getting rid of DeRosa!  Now he's on the Cardinals who are 3 1/2 games ahead of us.  Clearly DeRosa could not match last years numbers, unless your counting Runs, HR, and RBI which he is on track to outpace last years performance.

The Cubs really do have a dream team right now when you look at their daily lineup.

I love seeing Andres Blanco in there with his .239 average.
Then there's Fukudome with a .261 average, worth every penny of the $12.5 million we pay him this year.

The Cubs need to make a trade immediately if they want to salvage an embarrassing season on the heels of 2008 where we had the #1 offense.  Middle infielder or a center fielder.

[Mike Clark]

Good luck with a trade. Team has no owner. 3rd highest payroll in baseball. I do not see how you can trade any of this dead weight payroll. They are in no position to eat contracts or send money else where.

This season has turned into a huge joke. The Cubs needed to make 1 move after last year. They needed to add a left handed power hitter. Preferably one that played center or right field. Instead they make 3 questionable moves.

1. Miles for DeRosa. DeRosa could have started 2nd base. Filled in for Rameriez. I understand they got some really good prospects for DeRosa but they were in position to seriously compete for a World Series Title.

2. Traded their 5th starter when they had no other replacement other then to weaken their already weak bullpen by making Marshall their 5th starter.

3. Signed Milton Bradley who is a often injured switch hitter with alot of unproven potential.

None of these have panned out.

Here is an extra one for ya.

4. Why did they think that Kevin Gregg could be a closer? He blew 9 out of 38 save opportunities with the Marilns in '08. I understand they had to do something. They were not going to give Kerry Wood would the contract he got with Cleveland.

They could have had 2 much better and more proven players. Bradley might have more potential but a much more risky move.

Dan's choice:(1/2 the money 1 yr)
Abreu - .296 - .393obp- 4hr - 43rbi - 35yo

My choice(same money 2 yrs)
Dunn - .256 -.396obp - 19hr - 53rbi - 30yo

I like Dunn cause is a pure power hitter and younger. His average might be low but his OBP and OPS are always high. He is paid to drive in runs and that is what he does.

I am looking forward to watching Derek Rose and Jay Cutter this Fall.

[StrikerME02]

Good luck with a trade. Team has no owner. 3rd highest payroll in baseball. I do not see how you can trade any of this dead weight payroll. They are in no position to eat contracts or send money else where.

This season has turned into a huge joke. The Cubs needed to make 1 move after last year. They needed to add a left handed power hitter. Preferably one that played center or right field. Instead they make 3 questionable moves.

1. Miles for DeRosa. DeRosa could have started 2nd base. Filled in for Rameriez. I understand they got some really good prospects for DeRosa but they were in position to seriously compete for a World Series Title.

2. Traded their 5th starter when they had no other replacement other then to weaken their already weak bullpen by making Marshall their 5th starter.

3. Signed Milton Bradley who is a often injured switch hitter with alot of unproven potential.

None of these have panned out.

Here is an extra one for ya.

4. Why did they think that Kevin Gregg could be a closer? He blew 9 out of 38 save opportunities with the Marilns in '08. I understand they had to do something. They were not going to give Kerry Wood would the contract he got with Cleveland.

They could have had 2 much better and more proven players. Bradley might have more potential but a much more risky move.

Dan's choice:(1/2 the money 1 yr)
Abreu - .296 - .393obp- 4hr - 43rbi - 35yo

My choice(same money 2 yrs)
Dunn - .256 -.396obp - 19hr - 53rbi - 30yo

I like Dunn cause is a pure power hitter and younger. His average might be low but his OBP and OPS are always high. He is paid to drive in runs and that is what he does.

I am looking forward to watching Derek Rose and Jay Cutter this Fall.

I like Dan's choice much better. While I do like the kind of better Adam Dunn is his defense is probably one of the worst if not the worst in the league. That is why he is the DH for Washington. Either player though I would have gladly taken over Bradley. And why the cubs had to trade DeRosa is beyond me. He is such a vaulable player, a great defense player at a crapload of positions. I dont see the likely hood of the Cubs making moves , but if they want to have a better chance at getting to the playoffs they better at least put in the effort to try and put some deals together.

[ChrisPUTTS]

That is why he is the DH for Washington.

Ummmm... no...

[Mike Clark]

That is why he is the DH for Washington.

The National League does not use a DH. The Nationals play in the National league. He is a Career 1B/LF/RF.

Bradley was not brought here for his defense. He was brought here to drive in runs from the left side of the plate. Bradley's defense is horrible as well. Like most switch hitters Bradley has more power from the right side of the plate which makes it even dumber to have brought him to the Cubs and they needed left handed power. This team is loaded with right handed power.

I can live with Dunn's .390+obp, 40hr, 100+rbi over the past 7 years and some bad defense from time to time. I would rather have Dunn mainly because he is 5, maybe more, years younger and hits for more power. Oh by the way he loves to hit in Wrigley if you ever watched him when he was with the Reds.

Edited cause I get frustrated talking about this sucky team and didn't check my spelling. That's how mad this season makes me.

[Dan Michler]

If your trying to win a fantasy baseball league then you go with Adam Dunn.  If you want to win actual baseball games then you go with Bobby Abreu.