It was likely never anything more than a pipe dream. Still, let's just look at it one last time and dream of what could have been: Jake Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, Rich Harden
Either way, the dream is dead. For weeks the rumors tying Peavy to the Cubs have been on life support, and it almost seems like the rumors that Kevin Towers is floating out the Cubs name to up the offers from other teams have merit. Lou Pinella has continually stated that once Dempster was re-signed, the starting pitching staff was no longer a concern to the team. He reiterated his stance in the Chicago Sun-Times today:
"Starting we don't need. We're set. We've got six good starters [including Sean Marshall], and they're all experienced. Getting Dempster back was the key. We're in good shape with our starting pitching."Pinella also stressed that the remaining pieces the Cubs would pursue are a power-hitting left-handed right-fielder and some bullpen help. He also mentioned that Mike Fontenot would see an increased role in the offense this year, in hopes he would alleviate some of the concerns over the offense being too righty-heavy.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-25-2008 @ 4:51PM
Cubfan786 said...
Keep the hope alive Matt.
Earlier today Towers said that the Cubs are still involved:
http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2008/11/25/sorry-cubs-fans-no-dream-rotation-jake-peavy-no-longer-a-possi/#comments
So either:
A)Lou doesnt know whats going on
B)Lou is downplaying Peavy to lower any deal
C) Lou is trying not to insult his pitching staff
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11-25-2008 @ 10:56PM
Randall said...
"B" is the correct answer. The manager's public role in any manner of player acquisition, by whatever means, is to support the GM. He's not going to open his mouth and say to the press, "oh hell YES we need Peavy. Do you really want to see Jason Marquis out there for another season? I sure don't."
Given Lou, A is a minor possibility as well.
11-27-2008 @ 10:46PM
Joel Manning said...
The Cubs should sign Peavy and then when teams find out they are missing pitching the Cubs will have Marquis who can eat innings to trade and unload a salary that is $4Million less than Peavy a real stud. Cubs pitching would be tops.
Trade what u have to , to get Abreau.
Lastly, to reduce salary, trade Lee for RP, as much as I love him and get Hoffpauer in the line up. Got to at least think about salary structure.
Then need another RP.
Center with Fukudome, Johnson and our minor league will have to do unless we can get a center fielder who can lead off.
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11-26-2008 @ 2:48AM
Wade said...
The real question is, who are the Cubs giving up for Mark Teahan?
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12-04-2008 @ 4:07PM
kj said...
Wow some interesting posts and one that needs to know the facts. Let's see to start Lee has a no trade clause so unless he ok's a deal no deal there. You don't have to trade for Abreu, he is a free agent. But, if you go after Abreu you are probably looking at a 2 to 3 yr deal at close to 16 million per year. ok with that said, I'm sure Lou is kept in the loop but I'm betting that Hendry is still trying to figure out a way to land Peavy and Lou is stating what he feels best for the team. I will ask this question, as a cub fan do you A. feel comfortable that Z will be the old Z or after watching his second half performace, other than the no hitter, do you feel he will be ok? B. Can Harden give the cubs a 30 start season? C. Can Dempster be the guy of 2008 or will he go back to what his career stats were as a starter? D. Does anyone believe that the cubs could actually get anyone to take Marquis with his contract or do the cubs pay half or more of his contract to move him? E. Can Marshall do what Marquis does or will someone finally get Rich Hill to go back to the basics and fix his mechanics that were terrible before he was sent down?
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12-04-2008 @ 4:15PM
kj said...
Other thoughts, I heard on espn 1000 the ohter night that the cubs along with the orioles were working together trying to make a 3 team deal. MacFail, as Mike Murphy of WSCR calls him, really wants Felix Pi'e plus with the pads on the verge of dealing Greene possibly Felix, Cedeno and some minor league arms from the O's and cubs might just reenergize a deal for Peavy. I am also hoping the cubs don't do something stupid and give up too much for Teahan if that is even in talks anymore.
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