Assuming Fowler leaves after this season (I doubt that he would take a 1-2 year deal, when he will get better offers) and take his .250 average elsewhere, who hits leadoff next year? Coghlan has hit some leadoff, but unless he gets traded, he would likely be a 4th outfielder for the Cubs next season. So who hits leadoff? Castro did it for a couple years, though he never had a very good OBP. But he would be my guess, unless they add someone who is better suited to the role.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

They'll probably package Castro and Soler for Mike Trout.

_________________
Anybody here seen my old friend Bobby?
Can you tell me where he's gone?
I thought I saw him walkin' up to The Hill
With Matthew, Tulsi, and Don

might have to throw in brett jackson for that one....

_________________

_________________

_________________
favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

_________________
Elections have consequences.

on a serious note, when does dee gordon become a FA? and if it's a few years off, what could you toss the marlins for him?

i dont fancy him a .300+ hitter, let alone a NL batting champion, every year cuz i remember when hitting .250 was a monumental task for the guy... but if you could get a little flea who gets on base and steals a shit-ton of bases, well one area where this cubs offense could improve is manufacturing runs, because these playoffs exposed them as being way too dependant on the longball when they're up against top top pitching.

having a vintage juan pierre right now would be slick for this team. are you gonna tell me that joe freaking maddon wouldnt mind having a carl crawford type atop his lineup? hrmmmm

_________________

Denard Span would work for me, if they could get him on a 1-2 year deal. he is coming off hip surgery, so not likely to get big offers. if fully recovered, he is a very good CF and leadoff hitter.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Don't be an idiot.

We'd have to get a ton of additional prospects to do that deal.

_________________

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

So, what about Span???

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Jason Heyward is your 2016 CF and leadoff hitter.

I really doubt it and would not be in favor of that move at all. Almora is going to be a good player and is in CF in 2017 if not before. Martinez is another guy (Cuba) they signed, that scouts are very enthusiastic about playing in CF down the road. Great speed and power. You don't spend 150 million on a position player when you have those already here or on the way shortly, when the money is needed for starting pitching. A stop gap like Span makes a lot more sense.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

Fine. Maybe the rumored interest in Heyward is only to drive up the price so the Cardinals have to pay more. If they don't spend money on a hitter, I need Samardzija and one of Price, Zimmermann, Grienke, or Cueto.

Samardzija??? OMG, you just lost a lot of credibility. Price, Zimmerman or Greinke-yes! A secondary guy for me is Lackey over Shark. Cheaper, on a shorter deal and just plain better.

_________________
Go Cubs!!!!

It will be very interesting who they target for the top of the rotation.

I also will take Lackey as a 3/4. Him and Lester are buddies so a good chance that may happen.

Lester already brought an old man here n he blows.. No more Lester pals..I don't even want Lester here. 155 million for this?

Yovani Gollardo is the second tier arm we need.

_________________

You bat the pitcher first.

#metrics

#CSFMBfirst

#Maddon

_________________
You know me like that.

i'd take heyward in a heartbeat for the cubs.... his offense was picking up at the end there and i still think we've yet to see his best there, but you're gonna have to pay the man, shirley.

then trade almora to the marlins for dee gordon.... thereyago!

_________________

And he's 26, the same age as Rizzo. Born a day apart.