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Analysis, News & Rumors
Archives
October 2006 Headlines
The List Continues to Grow - 10/20/06 9:15pm
New Evidence of Cubs Curse - 10/20/06 9:08pm
Cubs to Name Piniella Manager - 10/16/06 10:15pm
What's next for the Cubs? - 10/03/06 7:52pm
10/20/06 9:15pm - The List Continues to Grow
The list of players the Cubs seem to be interested in for 2007 continues to grow.
With "Sweet Lou" becoming the new Cubs manager, it wasn't long before people were talking about a potential trade for Alex Rodriguez. While the Cubs will surely explore such an offer, its unlikely a deal could be reached as the Yankees would want starting pitching, which the Cubs can't afford to lose.
As of last week, other names that the Cubs appear to be interested in were Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Alfonso Soriano, and Carlos Lee. Now, there have been rumors
floating around on the internet about the Cubs looking at Miguel Tejada, Mike Cameron, Carl Crawford, and Ichiro Suzuki.
Its clear that Lou Piniella didn't take the Cubs job to take 2007 as a rebuilding year. He came to Chicago to win and win now. His plans of rebuilding a team ended with the Devil Rays. It would also make sense that Jim Hendry pull all the stops this year to bring a championship to the Cubs. If he can't turn things around, he won't be in Chicago much longer.
It is rumored that Jim Hendry has already promised Piniella an increase in the payroll. Piniella has already likely indicated which players he wants. Its now up to Jim Hendry to open the pocket book and bring in the proven talent.
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10/20/06 9:08pm - New Evidence of Cubs Curse
A new chapter to the curse of the Cubs have been added, but its not based on recent events and it is 100% true and
authentic.
Most baseball fans are aware of the infamous ball between the legs of Bill Buckner during the 86 World Series. The
error caused Boston to lose game 6, forcing a game 7. Eventually the Mets won the series and many fans blamed
Buckner, thus extending the Red Sox curse.
A picture taken over 20 years ago showing Buckner after committing the error revealed something that
has been undiscovered until recently. As Buckner walked off the field, he removed his glove, exposing a
worn Chicago Cubs batting glove with the Cubs logo on the back. Buckner had previously played for the
Cubs before joining the Red Sox and was apparently wearing the batting glove for luck.
What is most surprising is that the batting glove has remained unnoticed for nearly 20 years. It wasn't noticed until
a 12 year-old boy pointed it out while looking at baseball history book.
Instead of bringing good luck to Buckner, the Cubs batting glove is just another addition to the list of reasons why to
believe in the Curse of the Chicago Cubs. The good side of this story is that the Red Sox won the World Series in
2004. Can the curse be reversed for the Cubs as well?
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10/16/06 10:15pm - Cubs to Name Piniella Manager
The Cubs have found their replacement for Dusty Baker. It is none other than Lou Piniella.
Piniella brings 19 years of managerial experience, most recently with the Devil Rays. He also managed the Yankees,
Mariners, and Reds, who he won a World Series with.
Piniella brings a much different mentality to the Cubs, and is a polar opposite from Dusty Baker. He is intense
and will let players know when they are doing things wrong. This may just be what the team needs after playing for
Baker.
Piniella has the option of either bringing in his own coaching staff or bringing back some of the members from Dusty's
squad.
Its clear that Piniella is coming to the Cubs to win. This means he has probably already told Jim Hendry who he wants
to add to this team to patch the holes left in the starting rotation. His intentions have to be clear. He wouldn't have
come to the Cubs assuming they were going to use 2007 to rebuild the team. Could having a good relationship with
Alex Rodriguez bring the stumbling star to Wrigley?
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10/03/06 7:52pm - What's next for the Cubs?
Now that MacPhail and Baker are out, what's next for the Cubs? Can they put together a contender for 2007 or should the just focus on 2008?
Knowing Cubs fans, there will be no mercy on the team if they abandon 2007 and focus on 2008. If 2008 is the focus, next year will likely be
a year of dumping contracts and testing the young players.
A more likely scenario is Jim Hendry piling up on as many free agents as he can. This could be his last year to prove he can bounce the Cubs
back from their slow demise, that is, if he lasts until opening day.
The most likely replacement for Baker is Joe Girardi, considering he was fired by the Marlins on Tuesday. Another fan-favorite option would be Bob Brenley,
who would have to leave the television booth. Other options would be Lou Piniella or Mets third-base
coach Manny Acta. One other option that many haven't considered is Mark Grace. With the departure of Andy MacPhail, Grace has showed
a lively interest in either the manager job or a television spot.
Our picks: Bob Brenley as the replacement for Dusty Baker. Mark Grace as the replacement for Bob Brenley.
When it comes to players, a whirlwind of activity should surround the Cubs. Assuming they can retain Ramirez (who will be eligible to opt out of
his contract), the Cubs should have about $20 million to spend. If Ramirez leaves, the team would have almost $30 million.
A big focus for Hendry will be on starting pitchers. Carlos Zambrano is the only dependable pitcher in the starting rotation. Both Mark Prior and Rich Hill will likely be in the rotation next year, with other youngster backing them up. With Prior's past injuries, the Cubs will want to ensure they have a backup plan. Hill was dominant during
the second half of the season and would deserve a spot in the rotation. Sean Marshall will be a potential 4th pitcher or a backup plan if Prior or Hill don't produce.
The Cubs should add at least one free agent starter. The list available includes Jason Schmidt, Barry Zito, Tom Glavine, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Batista, Woody Williams, Brad Radke, Jeff Suppan, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettite, and even Greg Maddux.
More than likely the Cubs will either buyout Kerry Wood's contract or renegotiate a deal that could have him pitching as a reliever or a closer. It is very unlikely Wood will be considered for a starting spot.
Our picks: Carlos Zambrano, Jason Schmidt, Mark Prior, Rich Hill, and Brad Radke with Sean Marshall or Wade Miller ready to go if needed.
The bullpen shouldn't have as many holes as other areas in the lineup. Howry, Eyre, Ohman, Wuertz, Aardsma, Rusch, Novoa, and Dempster are all signed for 2007. Converting Wood to the closer could free Dempster up for a long reliever or even a starting rotation spot. The Cubs should make every attempt to trade Roberto Novoa and allow Glendon Rusch to retire.
Our picks: Eyre, Wuertz, Aardsma, with Howry as the setup man and Wood as the closer. Any of the rookie starters we used, such as Mateo, Marmol, or Guzman should be used as a long reliever.
Another area that needs some help is the outfield. It is unlikely the combination of Murton, Pierre, and Jones will carry to 2007. The Cubs will probably make an attempt to land a player like Manny Ramirez, Carlos Lee, or Alfonso Soriano. All would look great in left field. The Cubs will also make an effort to re-sign Juan
Pierre, but his price-tag may rise too high.
Depending on what happens in the outfield could determine what the Cubs should do in the infield. If Ramirez sticks around, the team will be less likely to make any big moves. If by some miracle, the Cubs get Soriano, he could either go to second base or left field depending on where he is needed more.
Our outfield picks: Soriano (or Murton when Soriano is in Left) in Left Field, Pierre in Center Field, Jones in Right Field with Pagan as a backup.
Our infield picks: Lee at First, Soriano at Second (or Ryan Theriot when Soriano is in Left), Izturis at Shortstop (with Cedeno backing him up), Ramirez at Third, and Barrett behind the plate.
What is the possibility of getting Schmidt, Soriano, and Radke, while keeping Ramirez and renegotiating Wood's contract? Not good, but it would be a much different team.
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