AnthraxFan93 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 James Renwick - Scout.com November 26, 2005 at 4:10am ET What moves are necessary? The bullpen seems to have been shored up, the rotation is...well, what the rotation is going to be. Center field? Right? How about shortstop. ITI gives you the latest gossip from the GMs, and they might just put the Cubs infield among the elite in the history of the game. AS THE FREE PREVIEW WEEKEND CONTINUES ITI gives you the good stuff. If you felt a little warmer Friday, that's because the Hot Stove came to town, in a big big way. ITI has learned from a source close to the Cubs that free agent shortstop Raphael Furcal and the Cubs have all but finalized a deal that will bring the shortstop to Chicago for the next five years, with a mutual option for a sixth year. The source told ITI that the deal could pay Furcal as much as $100 million including the sixth year and "significant performance bonuses" that included winning a batting title, the stolen base title, and a bonus if he plays in 150 games for each of the first three years of his contract. The news that Furcal was coming to the North Side would have easily been enough, but our source also had one more juicy bit of info. The Cubs might make one more deal that could give them arguably the greatest infield in the history of baseball. The rumor goes that the Cubs are close to finalizing a seven player deal with the Texas Rangers that would bring Alfonso Soriano and Kevin Mench to the Cubs in exchange for Jerome Williams , Todd Walker , and three minor leaguers, one of whom is believed to be right hander David Aardsma , and another shortstop Ronny Cedeno . According to our source the two clubs have agreed on which players would be dealt, but what is holding it up is exactly what kind of deal Soriano will want in Chicago. He would likely command a deal similar to Furcal's, and while his addition would solidify the infield, and first four spots in the batting order, there are questions about whether or not the Cubs would be willing to shell out a pair of $100 deals in two weeks to two players. Still, if Jim Hendry were to pull this off, the Cubs would, once again, become the favorite to win the NL Central, and probably the World Series. With the addition of Bobby Howry and Scott Eyre , the bullpen appears to be shored up, and if the Cubs were able to sign Furcal and land Soriano, suddenly Felix Pie, even rushed, in center field doesn't look so bad, since he would likely be hitting eighth, with little to no pressure to produce. The Cubs lineup, even with Pie and fellow youngster Matt Murton in it, would almost certainly be one of the most feared in the NL. Furcal, Soriano, Derrek Lee , Aramis Ramirez , Mench, Murton, Barrett and Pie. Be afraid, be very afraid. The only obvious weakness would appear to be the lack of a left handed bat in the middle of the order, but a quality, older, cheaper, left handed hitting corner outfielder could provide that at least some of the time, and it might not matter. Yes, the starting pitching will remain in question as long as perennially injured Kerry Wood is still penciled into the rotation, and the trading of Williams would nix one of the top options for temp duty during Wood's inevitable time on the shelf, but the opportunity to assemble a lineup like this comes rarely (unless you're the Yankees). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg The Bull Luzinski Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Your Title: Cubs Still Not Learning My Response: Cubs are Baseball's Special Education Team Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 ill believe that when isee it .....100 mil for furcal is ridiculous Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 Unfortunately, IF the cubs make these deals, they are a much better team than they would have been had they not made 'em. Mensch and Soriano would be their 2nd and 3rd best hitters, and Furcal would be their best defender as well as bona fide lead off man. I hope Texas doesn't make this deal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3E8 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 The Cubs might make one more deal that could give them arguably the greatest infield in the history of baseball. This is one of the most outrageous claims I've seen in awhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 This is one of the most outrageous claims I've seen in awhile. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'll take Giambi, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevHead0881 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(3E8 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 02:29 PM) This is one of the most outrageous claims I've seen in awhile. You mean, since the 2004 Cubs starting rotation was deemed God's answer to pitching by most "experts"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daa84 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 01:34 PM) I'll take Giambi, Cano, Jeter and A-Rod! id take teixeira young soriano and blalock maybe even Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxPride56 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 i doubt this article is accurate, look how they spelled furcals first name, you would think you could spell his name right if this website was credible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timotime Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 how can you fear this team? watch, i guarentee that the cards will continue to dominate the NL central. the cubs arent going anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chisoxfn Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 ITI knows jack. I'd ignore this, until you hear it reported elsewhere. 100 million, LOL. Maybe if its 6 yr deal with 3 option years that would make it a 9 year deal. There is zero way to spin a 6 year deal as being worth 100 mill when your name is Rafael Furcal. Also, call me crazy, but that proposed Rangers deal doesn't make enough sense. I'd have to see a couple better prospects involved, but that deal may have some life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Bartman's my idol Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 how can you fear this team? watch, i guarentee that the cards will continue to dominate the NL central. the cubs arent going anywhere! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I agree...but they will be better (IF they make the deals). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkokieSox Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(3E8 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 07:29 PM) This is one of the most outrageous claims I've seen in awhile. I hope they meant offensively, but even so... D Lee is a great glove, and Furcal is very good, but Soriano and Rameriz don't qualify this claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoxFan562004 Posted November 26, 2005 Share Posted November 26, 2005 QUOTE(SEALgep @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 05:13 PM) I hope they meant offensively, but even so... D Lee is a great glove, and Furcal is very good, but Soriano and Rameriz don't qualify this claim. I think they may mean fantasy wise, which is where all Cubs fans live. This would be the perfect Cubs moves, bring in a bunch of names that will get all the frat houses riled up with excitement, forgetting that they finished 4th in the division last year, and still leave major question marks in their starting rotation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiderman Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Cedeno and Walker are not BOTH going to be traded, and it would be very shocking for the Cubs to move Cedeno given the way the Cubs feel about him. That article is FALSE - and I'm not a Cubs fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev211 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 wow this article is unbelivable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Id think Rich Hill and Angel Guzman would have to be part of the deal for the Rangers to consider it and I dont know why they would want Walker or Cedeno unless they plan to trade them right away for more pitching prospects. But if the Cubs can do that I think they will be a very good team.... maybe even better than us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wsox08 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(timotime @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 01:36 PM) how can you fear this team? watch, i guarentee that the cards will continue to dominate the NL central. the cubs arent going anywhere! Don't forget about Houston.. Also Milwaukee has improved the last few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmags Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Nov 27, 2005 -> 02:45 AM) Id think Rich Hill and Angel Guzman would have to be part of the deal for the Rangers to consider it and I dont know why they would want Walker or Cedeno unless they plan to trade them right away for more pitching prospects. But if the Cubs can do that I think they will be a very good team.... maybe even better than us. seriously...that would be a crazy lineup... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Sox Josh Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 08:45 PM) Id think Rich Hill and Angel Guzman would have to be part of the deal for the Rangers to consider it and I dont know why they would want Walker or Cedeno unless they plan to trade them right away for more pitching prospects. But if the Cubs can do that I think they will be a very good team.... maybe even better than us. lol! Aren't you the guy who had Pie in his sig? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest $I Need Money$ Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 what will we do if this is true? f***! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kev211 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE($I Need Money$ @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 10:38 PM) what will we do if this is true? f***! laugh at the cubs throwing 100 mill at furcal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felix Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE($I Need Money$ @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 10:38 PM) what will we do if this is true? f***! Look at our 2005 world series rings and not care? Seriously, a.) this won't happen, and b.) it wouldn't make a difference, and the Cubs would still miss the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Sox Josh Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 08:45 PM) Id think Rich Hill and Angel Guzman would have to be part of the deal for the Rangers to consider it and I dont know why they would want Walker or Cedeno unless they plan to trade them right away for more pitching prospects. But if the Cubs can do that I think they will be a very good team.... maybe even better than us. here is my question. Can Rafael Furcal pitch? Can he play Center Field? He won't help them that much if they don't do something about those Question marks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sayitaintso Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 QUOTE(White Sox Josh @ Nov 26, 2005 -> 11:10 PM) here is my question. Can Rafael Furcal pitch? Can he play Center Field? He won't help them that much if they don't do something about those Question marks. I understand the reasoning of your question, but with the arm he has i wouldn't be surprised if he could pitch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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