20 replies to this topic

[Mike Taylor (no relation)]

The 3 sure things in 2013:
Soriano will be traded this off season.
DeJesus/Sappelt platoon.
Cubs will sign two starters (whether to flip or not is up for debate)

LF - LaHair/Diaz (FA)
CF DeJesus/Sappelt
RF Scott Hairston (FA)
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Darwin Barney (should be traded)
3B Luis Valbuena
SS Starlin Castro
C Welington Castillo

C Anthony Recker
2B Adrian Cardenas
3B/SS Alberto Gonzalez (FA)

SP Matt Garza
SP Brandon McCarthy (because of his injury, I don't think he signs more than a 1 year deal)
SP Jeff Samardzija
SP Shaun Marcum (cheap enough, because he needs to reestablish himself)
SP Travis Wood (L)

LR Scott Baker (option declined, rotational depth)
RP Jesse Litsch (3.00 ERA in AAA last year, cheap reclamation project)
RP Michael Bowden
RP Jaye Chapman
RP Jeff Believeau or FA signing lefty specialist
SU Jeff Russell
CL Carlos Marmol

If we can send Vitters and Campana to the Braves for Delgado, he'll get AAA time and then come up after trades.

[Rated Rookie]

I'm very confident that if enough went well, the above team would have an outside chance at winning 75 games.

[hansman1982]

I'm very confident that if enough went well, the above team would have an outside chance at winning 75 games.

Hell this year's team was on it's way to winning 68 before the trade deadline. Had Soto and Byrd not taken a shit on the nightstand and Koyie Hill's services been needed this team could have won low-to-mid 70's.

[DocPeterWimsey]

If we can send Vitters and Campana to the Braves for Delgado, he'll get AAA time and then come up after trades.

Hmmm, shouldn't the Cubs give the Braves a pitcher to take those two? Seriously, it will take some real talent to get the Braves to cough up Delgado.

I'm very confident that if enough went well, the above team would have an outside chance at winning 75 games.

Hell this year's team was on it's way to winning 68 before the trade deadline. Had Soto and Byrd not taken a shit on the nightstand and Koyie Hill's services been needed this team could have won low-to-mid 70's.

And the same thing would/will happen in 2013. If the Cubs are en route to another 70-something win season, the FO will try to trade Garza, Marcum and any other pieces of value. After all, 60 wins is no different from 78 wins, but at least you can get some prospects with the former.

[thejackal]

I'd rather have them suck another year and get some more good picks so they can be ready to contend by 2014-15

very true i hate to say it but what good would being half way bad . id rather be down right shitty for better picks .Lke any cubs i cant pull myself to root against cubs just for a better pick but it would soothe the losing season

[terencemann]

I'm very confident that if enough went well, the above team would have an outside chance at winning 75 games.

I think the 2012 Cubs on opening day should have been a 75 win team if Byrd and the bullpen hadn't collapsed right out of the gate. That all changed after trades but, before the season, it looked like a 75 win team and it should be easy to get back there again.