On rotoworld, Lou has named Gregg closer over Marmol a move they deem as bad since Marmol is the far more dominant pitcher.  

I actually like the move.  Gregg has been dominant this spring, has experience and can do the job. 

I alsoe agree that Marmol is more dominant and I would be far more confident having him face a 2 on 2 out situation in the 7th or 8th inning since Gregg seems to walk more batters.

I think Gregg will be fine in the role

What do you guys think?

Mets have soured on him and he has pretty much demanded a trade if he isn't given a chance to start...

I really like his arm....lots of sinking movement on his fastball.  Good change

Plus if the mets do trade him theyd be trading low...He had a really bad season after 3 seasons as a top setup man

I think we should trade for him.  Mets need bullpen help.  How about Michael Wuertz and a prospect...

Wuertz has never been more than a mop up man...He's too inconsistent but he has a good slider and K potential...something the Mets need.

I would give him a shot at starting in the preseason stretch out his arm just like Dempster last year...if he's not good stick him in the 7th inning and strengthen our now weakened bullpen.  Plus he's a cheap option as a 5th starter (assuming we find a taker for Marquis) or a setup guy as he's just now arbitration eligible and under control for 2 more years...

Sounds like a smart pickup to me...cheap and potential just what the Cubs need

So the Kerry Wood debacle was to save dough. It apparently will save the Cubs about 6 mill.  Since Kerry even on a 1-yr deal would have gotten 10 mill, while Gregg will get about 4 mil in arbitration.

Let Dempster go...If he wants more $ or years than 4 for 50 mil...which I thought was too much already...It'll only further lock up the Cubs options for future years as well as this years. 

Grab the 4 draft picks and run!!!  Cubs window to win is 2-3 years and it's time to rebuild the farm and draft some MLB ready arms.

The Cubs already have Zambrano, Lilly, Harden (please stay healthy), Hill, Marshall as options.  I hope Marquis is traded.

Trade Marquis and Neal Cotts or Michael Wuertz to the Mets for Ryan Church. 

Save maybe 5-6 mill if we don't have to kick in money

I would sign a starter or two looking for a 1 yr. deal to rebuild their value.  Those available...Penny, Randy Johnson, and Carl Pavano. 

Likely  1 yr. 7-8 mill will be enough for Penny or Johnson (problem is both are more flyball pitchers, but have been dominant in the past)

Would save at least 4-5 mill over Dempster and years. 

Otherwise go after Lowe if the above options are not appealing to add durability to Cubs rotation,  Ground balls work in Wrigley.  Plus he's prob looking for 3 years max. Offer 3 years and 45 mill.

Peavy is NOT coming to the Cubs...I highly doubt this deal will happen. 

Another deal that I would do (while not popular) is flip Derrek Lee to the Giants if he'd accet the deal.  Flip him straight up for Johnathan Sanchez (who can be a starter/swingman and our lefty in the bullpen)

If we can't find another right field option...how about they throw in Randy Winn as a salary dump.  I think he can leadoff

So for Lee's 12 mill we take back 9 mill and save 3 mill.

Who can replace Lee though?  Hoffpauir how about inquiring the Nationals on Nick Johnson (who's always injured but lefty good OBP, pretty good when healthly, makes 6 mill) they have Willingham now.  Billy Butler...

Then a RF is needed, LH...The ones on the market look to expensive for the Cubs...and none look like smart bets for the money...Ibanez and Abreu age and defense...Dunn while he would smash onto Waveland, has no defense and is a DH in waiting...He'd only be passable at first if that...

So trade for Brian Giles if he's accept a trade.  A one year gamble...I know old but good D and has some pop and good OBP

Last problem would be to find a cheap Leadoff option...I don't see any. Any ideas? Furcal is good only when healthy and in his 3 yr deal with the Dodgers he was only really healthy for 1 yr.  He's prob looking for 3 or 4 for 15 mill.  Orlando Hudson is similar with prob worse offense

However, these deals all leave the payroll more flexible for next year...most are 1 yr. deals and won't lock up payroll

Many people are saying to leave the Cubs as is and have a couple of minor tweaks.  They compare them to the Red Sox before they won...losing in the playoffs.  But I disagree...
Pitching is not a big problem...
The Offense is...With all that money spent the Cubs have not one STAR, that is feared...Aramis Ramirez is the closest but he is more of a 4 vs. a 3.
That is the biggest diff btwn the Red Sox and Cubs...They had Manny and Ortiz.
Here is my offseason...
These are just some of the options I see…Sorry for the long post...

1)Let Dempster walk...(He performed like a number 2, but he will prob look for a 4 yr. or 5 yr. deal, 13-15 mill per)  Great guy whom we will prob resign hopefully for cheaper but 1 yr is not enough proof for me. 

Instead of him...
2)Sign Derek Lowe to a 3 yr. deal (16-18 mill per) (He is 35, but no injury history, shorter deal, less risk, proven track record)  He is a BIG GAME Pitcher...proven it year in and year out.

I like Sabathia, but way overpriced (6-7 yr 20-25 mill per), too long of a commitment, lots of mileage 

Ben Sheets and Burnett are both injury risks (We already have Harden...)

So Rotation:
Z, Lowe, Lilly, Harden, Marquis/Marshall/Hill/Samardzja)

3)Try to find a taker for Marquis..., 1 year left, decent last year might be more affordable to some teams then some FA's...cash him in for anything.  We have others who can do the job and free up money
(Though 1 interesting fact...all the teams he has been on have made the playoffs including the last 2 Cubs..coincidence??)

4)Most controversial...
Let Wood walk if he wants too much.  Get draft picks and move on...
He is loyal and a good leader but if he wants too much in years and money...
Plus how long can that arm stay on? 2 consecutive healthy years?
I wouldn't go more than 3 and 10 per which I feel is a lot.
We have Marmol (who I don't want to move out his setup, but Cubs have to free up cash to make moves)
But then we'd have to sign another top notch setup man to replace Marmol.  Any ideas?  Didn't see any great name FA's
Don't overpay for Fuentes or K-Rod (Overrated)

5)LH for pen, Neal Cotts is maddening
Damaso Marte...did it in the NL and lowered his value with Yanks

Pen: Wood*, Marmol, Samardjza, Wuertz, Marte...Pretty darned good

6)I would love to sign Furcal (3 yrs..15 mill per), much better range for GB's, maybe Z (after Playoff game 2), Lowe and staff will be less afraid to pitch to contact and reduce walks.  Leadoff and speed

7)Mixup lineup somehow...
I would trade D-Lee but who would replace him?!?
This would be a good time to trade him to whomever misses out on Tex...
Yanks- not sure how they match up
Angels-Chone Figgins (LH, speed, play multiple positions)
However, Tex is the only good option to replace Lee (LH, power, GG defense)
Any suggestions?
Can't trade A-Ram, our biggest bat...
Soriano...Anyway to get rid of him???  Trade him to a team looking to draw revenue for nothing???  I like him but he just can;t hit good pitching...too many holes!!!
Mets??? They need an outfielder..they might shake it up too

How about Beltran for Soriano and others???  I don't think this would happen but I can dream.  Throw in Marshall (they need starters), maybe some bullpen arm, cash...prospect
If you can rid of Soriano...Replace him with
MANNY!!!
Manny would want 20 per for 3 years...maybe, short-term,non-injury risk
Him and A-Ram would be the next Manny and Ortiz!!!
Again prob dreaming b/c I can't see anyone wanting Soriano.

8)Flip Theriot!!!
I love The Riot, but he has terrible range at short and I think overperformed this year.  Look at his minor league stats.  Lots of teams looking for a shortstop..He might have good value now...
Blue Jays
Royals
Tigers (another option here, bullpen arm, Theriot, prospects for Magglio Ordonez...they are looking to slash payroll)  (ARam and Ordonez would be nice)

9) LH bat for 3, 4, 5 spot
I have not given up on Fukudome (can't move him anyways) platoon him in center.
We need a lefthanded bat for RF, or Center
Inquire on Beltran (highly doubt he'd be available)
Otherwise Abreu or Ibanez
I don't like either because of age and defense.  But of the two I'd prefer Abreu, OB machine some speed. 
I wouldn't mind Dunn, But I really don't think he can catch a cold.  But I would love him jacking shots onto Waveland

10) Flip Cedeno, Pie, other prospects to get that LH bat if needed.
Who's available?!?!  Any suggestions
I have not given up on Pie but this team has to win within the next 3-4 years...and We have Fukudome, I don;t know if Lou would stick it out with him and let him learn on the job...with the pressure to win the WS.  So cash him in unless he has no trade value.


11) Sign Orlando Hudson
He can leadoff or bat second, excellent defense, speed lefty

SO there are lots of options for the lineup as I proposed

I just hope Hendry doesn't stand pat
The team will lose a big LH bat in Edmonds (he did hit a lot of HR for the Cubs and big hits)  So he has to be replaced with another one.  Try and try again to move Soriano  If not move him down to 3rd, 4th or 5th