MLB: Cubs' Cashner to the Rescue?
- Thread starter cigaretteman
- Start date
Let's not mess this kid up like we did Samardzija. He has promise to be a solid starter one day. Bring him up through the system and call him up when he is ready to go into the rotation.
Here's the thing, everyone is so excited about Castro, Vitters, and Cashner and some of the other young guys in the system they want them all up now. Problem is Lou won't play them like they should be. Look at Colvin, he should be starting every day in the OF so he's in a bind because he'd probably tear up AAA right now but he's blocked by 3 contracts in the OF right now in Chicago.
I say wait and see what this team does, if they are not in it by the deadline deal some contracts and start the youth movement then because it's probably right around the corner anyways. I'm sick of Zambrano lately too and would take some prospects for his $18 mil contract right now too. There is starting pitching depth in the organization and Z is not pitching like an Ace should so there is some easy money to free up I think. Problem is the 2 worse contracts on the books in Soriano and Fukudome are nearly impossible to trade right now. If Fukudome can keep hitting around .300 by the deadline someone might take a chance because he only has 1 more year left.
I say wait and see what this team does, if they are not in it by the deadline deal some contracts and start the youth movement then because it's probably right around the corner anyways. I'm sick of Zambrano lately too and would take some prospects for his $18 mil contract right now too. There is starting pitching depth in the organization and Z is not pitching like an Ace should so there is some easy money to free up I think. Problem is the 2 worse contracts on the books in Soriano and Fukudome are nearly impossible to trade right now. If Fukudome can keep hitting around .300 by the deadline someone might take a chance because he only has 1 more year left.
I would love it if all the aging vets on the team would live up to their contract numbers but I just don't think it is going to happen. I wish they would have started a youth movement a little while ago and build up the farm system. They have the budget that if they built a team around young talent, they could actually afford to keep them once they hit their prime. Right now the roster is full of overpaid guys past their prime.
Does anyone think they will let D Lee walk after this year or will they pay him again?
I think as long as Lee is not looking for anything more expensive than his current salary he'll be back on a 2 year deal. Supposedly the plan is to move A-Ram to 1B once Vitters is ready so a lot might depend on his development too. Hoffpauier is a cheap option there and seems like you can always find a decent 1B on the free agent market too. Adam Dunn is a free agent after this season, he might come cheaper than Lee although his defense is not as good but his power from the left side is a big plus.
I would be sorry to see DLee go. I think his D is overlooked way too much. He makes 3-6 look so much better by routinely digging throws out of the dirt and making it look effortless.
He is also a calming influence in a clubhouse that can get a little crazy at times.
I think lou is done after this year. next year i say try and get an extension with A-ram, and Nady. Let Lee go and spend that cash on pitching. maybe 1 starter and **** load of bullpen help. Make Nady the everyday 1B because he doesnt really have the arm to play OF anymore. Move Theriot to 2B so starlin is the everyday SS. Try and ditch fukudome so colvin can start everyday. would love to ditch soriano, but its just not possible because no one wants him. next year i would go...
1B: Nady (a veteran backing up 1B/3B. some free agents could be Mike Lowell, Pedro Feliz, Brandon Inge, etc.)
2B: Theriot (fontenot backing up this)
SS: Castro (theriot playing here when castro needs a day)
3B: Ramirez
LF: Soriano
CF: Byrd (a speedy free agent backing this up, but there really isnt going to be many good ones available)
RF: Colvin
C: Soto (would like to see someone other than hill backing this up)
Rotation: Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, and 2 of Silva, Jay Jackson, Free Agents
Bullpen: Marmol, Grabow, Caridad, and a whole bunch of free agent help
1B: Nady (a veteran backing up 1B/3B. some free agents could be Mike Lowell, Pedro Feliz, Brandon Inge, etc.)
2B: Theriot (fontenot backing up this)
SS: Castro (theriot playing here when castro needs a day)
3B: Ramirez
LF: Soriano
CF: Byrd (a speedy free agent backing this up, but there really isnt going to be many good ones available)
RF: Colvin
C: Soto (would like to see someone other than hill backing this up)
Rotation: Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, and 2 of Silva, Jay Jackson, Free Agents
Bullpen: Marmol, Grabow, Caridad, and a whole bunch of free agent help
Yeah, for DLee to come back, he better be willing to take a paycut. Noone does that these days so I hate to say it, but I think he will end up walking. He has been way overpaid since his injury.
I wonder how well A-Ram can play 1B?
Are you intentially leaving out Wells who possibly is the most consistent and under-rated starter on the staff?
wow. definitely unintentional! i knew i was forgetting someone. yes wells, next to dempster has been the best for the cubs.
was it the first time you've seen him? it was his first start of the year so cant necessarily expect him to be amazing. saw him for the 3rd time on wednesday. pitched 5 innings after lilly and was pretty impressive. The kid has a real good arm and some solid offspeed pitches. i think he'll be up next year sometime, probably a september call-up this year i think
Just saw that. If he keeps it up and earns his paycheck this year I have no problem re-signing him.
True. I've just been impressed the times i've seen him. He's really young, already at AAA, has a good live arm.. 2.98 ERA and 207 K's in just 187 IP in the minors.
In general, i'm happy that the cubs have a lot of pretty good talent coming up through the system in Colvin, Castro, Vitters, Cashner, Jackson, Carpenter, Lee, etc. lets just hope hendry learns to hold on to these guys and build around them, and not trade them off for over priced old players.