Cubs need to respond to the Mets and get a starter

[TheBenjamin]

I usually laugh off the idea that if one team in the division makes a big trade, that your team needs to make one in response. But in this case, I do honestly believe that the Cubs need to trade for a top of the rotation starter to balance out the Mets trade for Santana. The Cubs have a decent rotation 1-3, but 4 and 5 scare me. The Mets have a great rotation now that they added in Santana. Santana, Maine and Perez (all 15 game winners) Pedro (if healthy) and who cares about 5. They went from not even being the favorites to win their division, to being the favorites to win the NL. It has been my oppinion all along that the Cubsneeded another front of the rotation quality starter, now I think it is the most important thing that Hendry needs to do. Get bedard. The O's are waiting to send him tothe M's because "other offers are coming in", so swoop in and grab him. He is the top priority. More so then Roberts. If you cant get Bedard, try to trade for Blanton. The A's have ben unloading talent. Try to grab him if yuo fail at Bedard. Hell, try to get both of them.

[Doba]

Zambrano, Lilly and Hill are just as good as their top three. I really think Z is going to win 20 this year. Lilly and Hill could very well combine for 30 wins themselves.

The bottom of the rotation is going to work itself out in Spring Training. There is no need to worry and sell the farm just because the stupid Mets got Santana. We didn't freak out when the DBacks (who swept us and had the best record in the NL) got Dan Haren and now have probably the best 1-2 combo in the game combined with Webb.

[bringbacktuffy]

Well, as the old saying goes, pitching and defense wins championships. If we get Bedard or Blanton, that would turn our rotation from solid to dominant. A dominant rotation is what you need over the course of a season and the playoffs. They would make up for lack of production from CF and SS.

[weeghman]

I don't think we have a combo of prospects equal to what the M's have offered. I thnik Blanton is a great idea but I don't see Billy Boy in Oakland trading him until the trade deadline when teams get real desperate. Over all though I think you are right on.

[TheBenjamin]

Originally Posted by Doba Zambrano, Lilly and Hill are just as good as their top three. I really think Z is going to win 20 this year. Lilly and Hill could very well combine for 30 wins themselves. The bottom of the rotation is going to work itself out in Spring Training. There is no need to worry and sell the farm just because the stupid Mets got Santana. We didn't freak out when the DBacks (who swept us and had the best record in the NL) got Dan Haren and now have probably the best 1-2 combo in the game combined with Webb.

Santana is far better then Zambrano. Santana is the best pitcher in baseball. Since 03', he leads the majors in wins, Ks and I think they said ERA.... though it might have been a different stat.

If Pedro comes back, he is better then Lilly or Hill

John Maine is a good young pitcher, Id take him over Hill.... though his second season might bring a different idea

Oliver Perez seems to have found it again.

I would take the Mets 1-2-3 or the D-Backs 1-2-3 over the Cubs 1-2-3. Cubs need another quality starting pitcher

[TheBenjamin]

Originally Posted by bringbacktuffy Well, as the old saying goes, pitching and defense wins championships. If we get Bedard or Blanton, that would turn our rotation from solid to dominant. A dominant rotation is what you need over the course of a season and the playoffs. They would make up for lack of production from CF and SS.

I think we have a very good rotation, but far from solid. our 4-5 startes are shaky at best.

[weeghman]

Originally Posted by TheBenjamin Santana is far better then Zambrano. Santana is the best pitcher in baseball. Since 03', he leads the majors in wins, Ks and I think they said ERA.... though it might have been a different stat. If Pedro comes back, he is better then Lilly or Hill John Maine is a good young pitcher, Id take him over Hill.... though his second season might bring a different idea Oliver Perez seems to have found it again. I would take the Mets 1-2-3 or the D-Backs 1-2-3 over the Cubs 1-2-3. Cubs need another quality starting pitcher

I wouldn't take Maine over Hill. Maine is a rollercoaster ride. Hill was pretty consistent last year but I believe he had the least run support of any other starter.

Perez can be nasty.

The Mets have a sick rotation now. However, I do believe they are in the wonderful position of "if healthy" status. Pedro's health is very shaky and Perez has a history as well. On top of that there is speculation that Santana may struggle with chronic bone spurs. If they stay healthy, they are a nightmare to face, IMO.

[HOLYCOW!25]

I'd be more worried if we were in the same division as the Mets, but seeing that we're in the NL Central, and they're in the Nl East, I'm not as worried. Yes, it would be nice for Hendry to pull off a nice deal and get another good starting pitcher, but I doubt that's going to happen.

[Doba]

Perez had a good year last year. Look at the previous 3 or 4 years. Not so good.

Pedro is done. He hasn't been good for more than 6 innings in years. Injuries and age have caught up to him.

[Leprechaun]

santana's trade isnt finished, i see no finish of the contract tonight and it has to be done by 4 pm central time tomarrow and there is some complications on what santana's agent wants for money and on top of that his last three games to end the season weren't that impressive (12 runs in 18 innings) rumor has it he was pitchign thru an elbow injury... what happens if santana blows out his elbow?

is our 1-2-3 better i dont think so but i think in the next couple weeks with "these moves" everyone is talking about that we will coem to find out we are a more complete team than the mets

so i dont think we need to freak out and instantly go after a starter