If the Chicago Cubs want to prevent bad weeks like the previous one in the future, there are a few things that all Cubs fans should expect from the team:
- No. 5 starter — Jason Marquis has been, is, and always will be a bad Major League starter. Get rid of the guy through any trade for absolutely anybody. We have plenty of starters available in the organization.
- Closer — Kerry Wood has been inconsistent. Is Marmol ready? He sure looks ready. This is more of a thought than a necessity at this time.
Before the year is over, Kerry could either straighten himself out or find himself pitching in the eighth.
- Brian Roberts — This guy is talented and is perfect for this Cubs team.
I'm sure Baltimore would jump at the chance to get a major league starter and a second baseman in either Gallagher or Marshall and Cedeno.
Cedeno's trade value couldn't get much higher right now. A trade for Roberts would inevitably lead to...
- Move Soriano — Soriano would be the No. 5 or 6 hitter in the lineup. But let's face it. This won't happen unless the trade for Roberts occurred.
- Acquire another left-handed bat — This is arguably the most important thing in order to ensure the continued success of the offense.
Right now Fukudome is hitting fifth, splitting a predominantly right-handed hitting lineup in half.
If the Cubs could get a left-handed hitting power hitter to hit behind Ramirez, Fukudome could move to the No. 2 hole where he would be most productive.
This and the Roberts trade won't both happen. It's up to the Cubs to decide whether to get Roberts or a left-handed hitting power hitter.
- Remake the rotation — In the long run, one would like to see Big Z, Lilly, Dempster, Hill, and Marshall/Lieber in the rotation.
Marshall would give them three left-handed starters, but with Eyre coming back, there is more of a need for Lieber in the bullpen to be the long man rather than Marshall.
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5 months ago
Marmol is too valuable in the role he is in now to be the closer... He is our best reliever, and I want him pitching as often as he physically can in the late innings. Kerry Wood will be fine, especially when the Cubs start giving him more than one save chance every two weeks.
I would love Roberts, but the Cubs have to be careful in what they try to trade for him. you are right that cedeno's value is high right now, but giving up him, plus gallagher and marshall is an awful lot.
We'll see what happens.
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