My offseason thoughts/predictions

illini23 — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:12:41 -0000

Ok, now that i've had a couple of days to let this crushing defeat sink in I think I'm ready to talk about next season. I don't know if I'll be able to get as invested in the Cubs next year as I was this year, but I'll defintely still watch them.

The first priority is to get Jim Hendry a contract extentsion. Best GM in baseball.

Then the next priorities need to be resigning Dempster, Wood, and accepting Rich Harden's option(which I believe tomorrow is the deadline). I think we should resign Henry Blanco also.

Crane Kenney already said he expects the payroll to jump up in 09' which means there are defintely a couple of moves that are going to be made.

Rafael Furcal is a FA this offseason and I have a feeling the Cubs are going to make a big push for him. If that doesn't work out they'd likely pursue a trade for Brian Roberts. I'd prefer Furcal because we wouldn't have to give up prospects, but either way I expect one of these guys to be on the team next year.

Raul Ibanez --who the Cubs pursued at the trade deadline -- is a free agent this summer and i'd think he would get alot of consideration He is a great clubhouse guy and would give us the left handed bat we need in the middle of the lineup. Milton Bradley would be a nice option also if we can't get Ibanez, but he has some question marks with his attitude and injury history. Bobby Abreu is another option.

I think they'll likely add another bullpen arm or two. Someone like Damaso Marte maybe. They also might try to pursue another SP like CC Sabathia or AJ Burnett. That seems highly unlikely but who knows..

My projected lineup for 09:

1.Rafael Furcal, SS
2.Ryan Theriot/Mark DeRosa, 2B
3.Raul Ibanez, RF
4.Aramis Ramirez, 3B
5.Alfonso Soriano, LF
6.Derrek Lee, 1B
7.Geovany Soto, C
8.Reed Johnson/Kosuke Fukudome/Felix Pie, CF

Pitching Staff:

1.Carlos Zambrano
2.Ryan Dempster
3.Ted Lilly
4.Rich Harden
5.Jason Marquis/Rich Hill/Chad Gaudin/Jeff Samardzija

The #5 spot is completely up in the air. There might be a few other candidates for that spot also.

Thoughts?

Hinrich to Golden State?

illini23 — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:05:20 -0000

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=429942

"If Golden State needs a point guard, the Bulls have long been interested in Al Harrington (whose deal is up in 2010). A straight swap for Kirk Hinrich makes some sense. The salaries match up, but the problem is, Harrington's deal is up in 2010, while Hinrich is on the books till 2012. The Warriors might not want to take on that much salary."

I think that seems like a realistic possibility, and I think Harrington would be a good fit. His contract also expires in 2010, which clears out cap space for us to make a run at D-Wade. Larry Hughes' contract is also up in 2010...

SB Nation User Blog: illini23

My offseason thoughts/predictions

Hinrich to Golden State?