Cubs off-season

[ThatDude]

Guzman and Hill are both top 5 pitchers, and they are the closest to being ML ready, but they dont have the ceilings that Pawelek, Marmol, Marshall, and Gallagher have

Guzman has been battling injuries all through his minor league career, and unless Hill adds another pitch i dont see him being anything more than a back of the rotation starter. of course, moving both Guzman and Hill would really create a problem if/when a starter(Kerry) goes on the DL, as it is he may not even be ready for the beginning of the season. El Toro, Prior, Maddux, Williams, Rusch is not particularly fearsome, and if a Koronka type has to be used if/when a 2nd starter goes down, thats bad news


but an offense upgrade in the lineup is needed somewhere, and Cedeno can easily slide over to 2nd just as he would have done had Furcal signed with the Cubs. Hendry has appearently decided for that Walker's solid production, cheap contract, and horrible glove isnt wanted anymore, hence the constant rumors swirling around him all offseason, and ill be surprised to see him in a Cub jersey next season.

the chances of filling RF with a big bat are slim to none, especially after Cincy dealt Casey off and can move Dunn to first. theres rumors of Hendry taking advantage of Arizona's inexplicable love of Corey Patterson and we will somehow get Shawn Green back. while this would be wonderful, Green has a west-coast only no trade clause in his contract, and i dont know that he would want to leave California

[ThatDude]

per Cubs.com

The Cubs announced Tuesday they have signed free agent Jacque Jones to a three-year, $16 million deal. Jones could fill the vacant right field spot and join new center fielder Juan Pierre, acquired in a trade from Florida, and rookie left fielder Matt Murton.

wow

looking past the fact that its way too much money, its a 3 year deal?


theres really only two reasonable conclusions to draw from this.

A) either this move sets up Pie to be dealt, id guess before the season or closer to the deadline. if he is part of a package that brings a stud to the team (ie. Tejada) then im fine with it

or

B) Pierre is only meant to be a one-year plan, which would mean he was drastically overpaid for, at least in terms of prospects. The Cubs havent gone to arbitation with a player in a real long time, if ever, so it will be known fairly soon if Pierre will be overpaid in dollars as well.


if Pierre gets a 2-3 year deal, then Pie gets dealt. if not, then Pie should be the starting CF in '07.





getting back to Jacque for a minute, blah

thats about all ive got for him



at least the bullpen is looking solid