Now that our season is over....

[JonAL28]

What aquisitions and departures do yall think will happen? I don't see them keeping Lofton. Even as great as he played for us. I just don't see him taking a spot on the pine for Patterson. Hopefully Estes is gone. They only signed him for one year, right? I am not really sure who all on the Cubs is at the end of their contract. I would love to see them get Rameirez signed for a long term deal and start figuring something out for Alou. I just don't see him making it much longer. And I don't know that Kelton is the answer. I saw him play in AA ball in West TN. He was the dominant player there playing first. Even hit a homerun in the game I saw. But I just dont think he is gonna make it against real pitching. I got a lot more thougths and questions about the future of the Cubs just like everyone else. Lets hear some of yall's ideas.:nut:

[bd811]

Well here's some players whose contracts have expired that you can be sure won't be back: Shawn Estes, Eric Karros, Antonio Alfonseca, Dave Veres, Tony Womack, Doug Glanville.

Other potential free agent include Guthrie(team option), Grudz(TO), Lofton, and I think Simon.

I'm hoping Hendry can find a way to dump Gonzalez and Miller. We need more producton out of those spots. We can't have those three straight easy outs at the bottom of our lineup next year. The bullpen can use a lot of work, too, and we need a fifth starter. That 5th starter is really important.

I've heard a ton of big names come up in rumors, such as Richie Sexson, Miguel Tejada, Jason Kendall, and Pudge Rodriguez.

I won't be surprised if the Cubs pick up 2 of these guys or at least 2 big name hitters. They also need to sign Kerry Wood to an extension

[JonAL28]

Yeah, I knew Wood was getting closer to the end of his contract. So is Sammy. I just aint made up my mind about him. I think he is another of those lying about his age and is about done. I can see him still hitting 40-45 hr a year. But the big production numbers are out of his system, namely the all mighty RBI. I noticed, or what seemed to me, a significant body mass decrease this season from the last few. Rumors run rampad on the better players of the game. They can sell Alfonseca to who ever they want. I hope no one picks him up. No team in baseball deserves that greif.
I can't see FLA letting Pudge go. A few months ago, yes, but not now. Unless they are gonna dump salary. I see them dumping Lowell. They got a STUD in Cabrera. Sexon could be a great match in Wrigley, but I think he might believe he is worth more than he really is. Best one I would like to see them make a run for is Tejada. But, Gonzo has a great glove. Even though he dropped that one is game 6. But the strikeouts aint really worth that.
Here is another question...is Choi really all that he is cracked up to be. He definately aint the same after the concussion. What do yall think?:notme:

[rockin500]

estes is done. guthrie should be done. Simon i think is an option year? I'd be happy with Sexson, but he does K a lot.

Wood's contract will be extended. Hendry will go all out for that.

Alou is done after next year. He's gettin old.

lots of decisions, but from what i hear, Hendry can go up to 90 million next year (though preferably around 80~85 mil)

[bd811]

Well Sexson isnt a free agent, he is still under contract. So it doesn't matter how much he thinks he's worth. The Brewers are rumred to be shopping him to dump some salary this offseason.

Pudge is a free aent, so it's not completely up to Florida. They won't be able to keep him anyway, considering they're still gonna be payin his 2003 contract for the next few years.

And there is no way I would pass up on Tejada because of Gonzo. Gonzo's defense really isn't that great anyway. His range factor is in the lower half of shorstops in the game. I don't wanna make the same mistake we did whe we passed up on Thome because we had Choi (although that one didn't come back to hurt u as much as it could have.)

[JonAL28]

If the Cubs have a legitamate chance at signing Tejada, then no Gonzalez should stand in the way. I agree 100%. If they stand a good chance at signing any of the big name free agents I hope they don't screw the pooch like they did on the Thome and Pudge deal last year. I would love to see them have a big bat at 1st. Not necessarily power but a good OBP would be what I think they need. Kinda like Grace did for them in the 90s. Anyone know where I can see a list of 03 free agents? If that is true on the payroll increase, it should be an interesting winter. With the record attendance, they should be able to afford a little more on payroll. They had to have cleaned up hosting 6 playoff games, too.

[Greymire]

Hi guys. First, my condolences on the playoffs and congrats on a great season. I do not stary far from the Boccos forum usually, but afer you traded for half of our team, and the fact that Matt Clement is from my town (and lives about 5 minutes from me) I was pulling for you guys through out. I wondered what changes lied ahead for you guys as well. I figured that season two under Dusty would bring many changes as he helped management tailor the club. After how well Lofton played, I completely forgot about Patterson. I was thinking that you guys should sign him to a one year deal, but with Patterson it may not make sense. I also wondered what happened to Choi? I knew about the bean ball, but was he out or did he just not play? Will he be back? If you can straighten out Ramirez, like your coaches say they can, he will be the steal. We know he can hit, but hill killed the Pirates in the field, mostly with throwing errors. He didnt do as bad with the Cubs, so maybe they did find something. From an outsiders stand point I see you guys lacking in the bullpen, possibly catching, and off the bench. To address this do you sign Simon? He is a free swinger and lower average fielder, but he can come up with a big hit. What about Goodwin? Insurance for Patterson? Lofton would be better, but after the year he put together, he is not going to want to sit on the bench (he should get better offers than the Buccos this year). Kendall could easily be had and I would love to unload him here, but I doubt you would take on that huge salary for an average catcher (fielding wise) with no power, even if he can hit .300. Pudge would be great for you guys, but would you have to trim salary to get him? I have turned into a bit of a Cubs fan (mostly following Matt Clement) but unfortunatley you are a Bucco rival! I still wish you luck next year.

[JonAL28]

I would like to see Simon resigned. But I don't think he should be the starting 1st bagger. Choi showed a great eye and some power early. His injury was where Kerry Wood knocked him to the ground chasing a pop up. First part of Choi's body to hit the ground was the back of his head. He aint been the same since. He is highly touted, so maybe he can have a banner sophmore season. The addition of Pudge would be awesome. But how many more years can he stay behind the plate and play healthy? He did an awesome job this year and he is still only 31, I believe. But a body can only take so much wear and tear.

[awefullspellare]

resign:Simon, Grudzy, Lofton

sign:Tejada, Pudge :)

[danimal]

free agents
Antonio Alfonseca
Shawn Estes
Paul Bako
Ramon Martinez
Tony Womack
Kenny Lofton
Troy O'Leary
Dave Veres

Most of the free agents I really don't want back

Option
Mark Guthrie ($2.2M // $300K)
Mark Grudzielanek ($6.0M // $0.5M)
Eric Karros ($9.0M // $1.0M)
Sammy Sosa

Arbitration eligible
Kyle Farnsworth
Kerry Wood
Randall Simon

Contract run through next year
Matt Clement
Damian Miller
Alex Gonzalez
Aramis Ramirez

[bd811]

Twins' dealings could start with A.J.

It will be surprising if the Twins don't trade catcher A.J. Pierzynski for two young relievers this winter. That's because Twins owner Carl Pohlad is expected to limit general manager Terry Ryan to the same $55 million payroll next season that he worked with this season.

Trading Pierzynski, and starting Joe Mauer's major league catching career a year earlier than initially expected, would save the Twins $3 million next season. Free-agent relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Eddie Guardado are expected to cost more than the Twins would be willing to pay. That would save another $7 million.

Pierzynski's trade value is at its apex. Mauer would cost only the major league minimum $300,000. So would a couple of non-salary arbitration eligible relievers with 95 mph fastballs. Twins minor league pitcher Jesse Crain is on the verge of becoming a big-leaguer.

With the $9 million in savings by not retaining Pierzynski, Hawkins and Guardado, the Twins could try to sign free-agent outfielder Shannon Stewart. That, however, is expected to be a major challenge. Signing Stewart would allow the Twins to trade outfielder Jacque Jones, who is signed for $4.3 million next year. Look for Stewart to fully explore the open market rather than sign soon with the Twins.

[bd811]

jeez...As you can see there are plenty of catchers available this offseason: Pudge, Lopez, Kendall, Pierzinski. So there will be no excuse for Damian Miller to be our opening ay catcher next year.

I'd also look into one of those two Minnesota relievers.

Greymire, I have been very pleased with the defense of both Aramis and Simon since joining the Cubs. I don't know how Simon's defense was in Pitt. but he has been excellent with us. Seems they are correcting ARam's problems too.

And I really hope the Cubs keep Randall Simon, because I think he has a chance to hit .300/20 HRs in a season, although I do not want to count on him as the every day answer at 1B. So I propose trading for Sexson (trade Choi along with a pitcher if thats who they want), and re-sign Simon. Sexson can play left field, so give him one or two starts a week in left, and that's where Simongets his PT. Alou is getting old, so its a good way to keep him fresh and healthy and not hurt the lineup.

[danimal]

Brewers are pretty loaded with first base prospects in their minor league system. There seems to be some good free agent relievers this year.