Soriano is willing to waive his no trade clause

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by dabynsky

Where are you getting your numbers? In terms of runs scored we are at 4.01 per game which is good for 9th in the NL and 18th in baseball. 7th in baseball in batting average with .263 average, and 11th in slugging percentage with .400. We kind of suck in OBP with .313 tied for 18th in baseball. But this is at worst a slightly below average offense.

The Cubs on the other hand allow 5.02 runs per game which is the second worst rate in baseball and worst in the NL. The Cubs WHIP is 1.472 which is the worst in baseball. The Cubs starters have the fewest quality starts in baseball, and have pitched the lowest amount of innings. Granted injuries played a part in that, but the reason the Cubs are this bad is that the pitching is beyond terrible. If the Cubs want to compete next year, improving the pitching has to be goals 1, 2, and 3 in my opinion.

I just used the default fangraphs setting which was WAR. However, is the rotation really the problem? I would certainly say that health is a problem, but that's not really controllable. The rotation has been fine when healthy, which gets rid of Coleman lopez and Davis. Remove them & we're really doing alright

[dabynsky]

But how do you remove Doug Davis and Casey Coleman from the rotation? You are counting on a converted closer that hasn't pitched since early April to be able to pitch 150+ innings next year. Another starter that has been down right awful this year since coming back from injury in Randy Wells. The options to replace either of them in the high minors aren't great either. Pitching is a problem on this team. I think there will be some bounce back with better health, and Ryan Dempster pitching more like he has since May 1st. However, you are still counting on the same guys to suddenly be able to stay healthy next years if you don't address pitching.

[dabynsky]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious

I just used the default fangraphs setting which was WAR. However, is the rotation really the problem? I would certainly say that health is a problem, but that's not really controllable. The rotation has been fine when healthy, which gets rid of Coleman lopez and Davis. Remove them & we're really doing alright

And isn't the reason the Cubs rank so terrible in WAR is because of the defensive component. The Cubs are 14th in wOBA, but are 24th in FLD with -15.5 which again goes back to the point I've been trying to make that the focus needs to be on run prevention.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by dabynsky

But how do you remove Doug Davis and Casey Coleman from the rotation? You are counting on a converted closer that hasn't pitched since early April to be able to pitch 150+ innings next year. Another starter that has been down right awful this year since coming back from injury in Randy Wells. The options to replace either of them in the high minors aren't great either. Pitching is a problem on this team. I think there will be some bounce back with better health, and Ryan Dempster pitching more like he has since May 1st. However, you are still counting on the same guys to suddenly be able to stay healthy next years if you don't address pitching.

I never said that I don't think that we need to get some pitching depth, because I do. However, that shouldn't be the priority. This team is about .500 when our opening day starting 5 pitches, which is really a good sign for this team. I am just of the feeling that the pitching problems are a cause of injuries, whereas this offensive problem is more of a talent thing.

[dabynsky]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious

I never said that I don't think that we need to get some pitching depth, because I do. However, that shouldn't be the priority. This team is about .500 when our opening day starting 5 pitches, which is really a good sign for this team. I am just of the feeling that the pitching problems are a cause of injuries, whereas this offensive problem is more of a talent thing.

Two problems with that thinking is that the Cubs record in those games has as much to do with an offense that has been decent than the performance of the original five starters. Second, and more importantly, why are you expecting to get those same 5 starters healthy through next year when they couldn't do it this year? Cashner looked great in his one start, but he is a converted closer that needs his innings monitored carefully. And he has still yet to throw since early April. We've seen what the Cubs have at the upper minors and it isn't pretty. So even if the original five we have is good enough what in their track record indicates that you are more likely to get through the season with just needing those 5.

[CubbyBear2290]

Nice to hear if we can agree to terms on a trade, but it will sadden me as he is probably my all-time favorite player, but it's for teh good of the franchise. as much as it pains me to say it.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by dabynsky

Two problems with that thinking is that the Cubs record in those games has as much to do with an offense that has been decent than the performance of the original five starters. Second, and more importantly, why are you expecting to get those same 5 starters healthy through next year when they couldn't do it this year? Cashner looked great in his one start, but he is a converted closer that needs his innings monitored carefully. And he has still yet to throw since early April. We've seen what the Cubs have at the upper minors and it isn't pretty. So even if the original five we have is good enough what in their track record indicates that you are more likely to get through the season with just needing those 5.

I'm not expecting no injuries. I just don't think pitching is a top priority. I would love for us to add a swing man type of pitcher because I have very low expectations for cashner. But I would put it around 5th on the list, considering we do have some pitching prospects on the rise, like mcnutt & jjax

[daddies3angels]

i dont see him going anywhere. we can only pray

[AddisonStation]

I'd be completely willing to eat a portion or Sori's contract to get him out of town. Dream come true.

EDIT: if I was the owner who actually wanted to win I'd be willing to eat it ****