Did the Cubs do enough in the offseason to win the NL Central?

Question

I'm also curious as to why they spent basically the same amount of money on Lilly and Marquis that they would have spent to get Jason Schmidt. Marquis is horrible, although he's a helluva hitter

Answer 1

They really shot the wad and did everything they could. I agree w/ some others here and think Pinella was the best aquisition they made. It all depends on players staying healthy. They have the personel to win that division, but that has been said about them many times before. They almost HAVE to be inproved over last year... you'd think. Side note: I think Kerry Wood, if given the chance could be a GREAT closer.

Answer 2

I think the Cubbies made some bold moves, but I don't know if they did enough to win the perennially awful NL Central. The offense has been jacked up something fierce with the additions of DeRosa and Soriano and the resigning of Ramirez. I honestly think this will be the season that Ramirez finally establishes himself as one of the top 3 third-sackers in the game. Derrek Lee should be back and healthy this season and Izturis should benefit from having a full, healthy season at SS. It seems that super phenom Felix Pie is getting ready to make the transition to the pros. Jacque Jones has requested a trade, but I haven't heard much since then and blossoming outfielder Matt Murton is still in the fold. It's a shame the Cubbies weren't able to bring back Kenny Lofton for another go-around b/c he would have been a great presence in that lineup. With one of baseball's top 5 offensive catchers in Barrett it's hard to think the offense won't get the job done this season.

As far as the rotation and your question regarding Schmidt...

Jason Schmidt wanted to stay out west. For the Cubs to bring him in, they'd have had to overpay even worse than the Dodgers did and instead they added two second-tier starters which is probably for the better because as we all know pitching is a commodity, if not quality...well then what the heck, why not quantity, right?!

I think a rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Lilly, Marquis and either Marshall or Prior could look pretty solid out of the gates. Marquis has skill, he's shown flashes of it both in ATL and STL, the problem is he has been through the two best pitching coaches in baseball in Mazzone and Duncan and hasn't gotten it together. Perhaps a change of scenery will get it done?!

I'd say the one thing the Cubs are lacking is a dominant closer. Dempster is a solid, but just not the "lights out" type of guy the Cubs are going to need with the bullpen they've assembled.

I'd expect the Cubs to be somewhat competitive, but if they don't sign Zambrano to an extension by the All-Star break, don't expect it to last beyond 2007.

Answer 3

Yeah, no. They improved their offense quite a bit by adding Soriano, but their pitching staff isn't going to be good. As a Cardinals fan, I know what a nightmare Marquis has been since the '04 playoffs. He's streaky, god-awful when he's off (which was quite a bit last year), and since the cubs pitching coach isn't as good as Dave Duncan, it'll be a mess. Also, Wrigley is notorious for being a power hitter's paradise when the wind is out, and Mr. Marquis serves up a lot of gopher balls. I expect his numbers to fall off from this year, especially in the wins column. Also, Ted Lilly is not worth the 10 million the cubs gave him. they have 1 good starter, Lilly, and the peanut gallery, where the Cardinals will have at least 2 (I expect 3 good pitchers, Kip Wells and possibly Weaver will be okay, and when Mulder comes back, if he's a Cardinal, watch out by august), and the Astros will have 2 (Jennings is good) plus Lee. They did enough to not be a bunch of jokes this year, but it's not gonna get them a title, or the playoffs. They finish 3rd behind the Astros and the reigning world champs, who win the division in another tight race.

Answer 4

Ummmmmm.....Yes i do. I'm a really big Cubs fan and it will be real close for first with the Cubs and Cardinals. About Marquis, he did not listen to the Cardinals coaches that is why he wasn't any good last year. He did listen to Maddux which Madduux told him to listen to Rothschild. So I thonk he will be good this year. It doesn't really matter if he's a good hitter, pitchers just need to know how to bunt to get the man on base over. For example Greg Maddux was defintaly the best hitting pitcher i know. To bad the Cubs got rid of him. Jason Schmidt is good but i would rather get 2 pitchers then one, when the Cubs probalem is pitching.

Answer 5

They will contend as long as Zambrano, Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano stay healthy. I'm not sure why they spent so much on Marquis but either the Cardinals, Cubs, and Astros have won the division since 1995, and I expect those three to take a close battle into September. The Reds and Pirates have no pitching, and the Brewers will miss Lee.

Answer 6

I think that the Cubbies made a lot of good moves, whereas the St. Louis pitching staff has been depleted by free agency, particularly the loss of Suppan. Will the Cubs win in 2007? It's as good a year as any and with their crop of talent, I look for them to contend as the Cards will be looking over their shoulders. I'm a Phils fan, but I'll be rootin' for a playoff, either wild card or division between the Phils and the Cubs. In the end though, Phils and BoSox in 2007 WS.

For more, check out this recent post;

Answer 7

probable the Cubbies. it is going to likely be exciting because the Cubs and playing cards have extraordinarily kickass lineups however the playing cards pitching looks to have better question marks than the Cubs. anticipate that the Cubs' pitchers stay healthful which has been somewhat uncommon they're going to run away with the dep.. Astros may be hurting slightly this season regardless of a healthful Berkman. they have a huge question mark in centerfield, basically they could have the worst outfield contained in the dep.. Biggio is previous and Carlos Lee's bat is high-quality yet he has 0 mobility contained in the field. Even their pitching team is a mess. After Oswalt the rotation is a damage and Lidge couldn't be better inconsistent.

Answer 8

Not seeing it.

I hope the Cardinals take it next year.

Although, at this point anybody not named the Pirates has a decent chance. FSN reported the Cards are close to signing a FA pitcher. Mulder I presume. Weaver is asking too much money. They'll announce who it is tomorrow.

The teams I most expect would be (a) The Cardinals (b) The Astros (c) Cincinnati (d) Maybe the Cubs

Answer 9

They got a decent manager (more than decent), that will be huge. They got the best bat available in Soriano. But their pitching staff is horrible, I like Lilly, but he's not a #1 type starter. Perhaps they can bring some young guy up or make a trade, but they don't look like a playoff team right now.

On the other hand, St. Louis has done nothing but get worse this offseason. Houston's probably the team to beat right now, but the Cubs could slip in there.

Answer 10

I believe that the Chicago Cubs will make the postseason in 2007 and will become the National League Central Divsion Champions with the St. Louis Cardinals making the Wild Card.