Okay, the starting rotation is solid, with 2 pitchers who have won Cy Young awards and another guy who was a top 10 Cy Young candidate last season and has won 2 World Series Championship clinching games on the staff. The everyday lineup is maybe the best in the league with many young players that should improve. The outfield has 4 players now that are deserving of a spot in the lineup daily, while the infield is one of the best in the league, with a guy (Baez) who probably has more upside than half of them. But if you could make one more move to improve this team, what would it be? For me, it would be a closer like Chapman, who pretty much makes the 9th inning a formality. I like the Cubs bullpen pretty well. Rondon, Strop, and Ramirez have all had some great stretches and when you look at their overall performances, they are solid. But I don't think teams feel like they have no chance against the Cubs bullpen. So a lock-down closer would be my choice. A catcher like say Lucroy would be my secondary choice.

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Go Cubs!!!!

The final piece would be another starter. You just can't predict the injury bug. Was that the Dusty 2004 team that had like 25 different starters because of all the injuries?

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

I agree with Closer.

It'd always be nice to have another stud starter, but they're in pretty good shape right now.

It'll be interesting to see how the middle relievers pan out.

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I don't remember that many starters, but I remember Glendon Rusch having to save our bacon with all the missed Prior starts. May have been some Sergio Mitre action in there too.

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I think that is what Adam Warren is basically. He will likely begin the season in the bullpen, but if an injury happens he would be inserted into the rotation. If you mean to replace Hendricks or Hammel, that was my thinking going into the off-season. I wanted Lackey AND Zimmerman and would have signed Zimmerman and Span, rather than Heyward and still had money left over. However, my strategy would have carried a fair degree of risk, as Span is coming off hip surgery and is a bit older than ideal. After all the money they have spent, I would guess that if they get another top of the rotation starter, it will be near/ at the trade deadline and likely be a rental. But I can absolutely see that happening.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Sonny Grey @ the deadline

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Need a starter at the deadline. dont care if it doesnt look like you need a starter and J Hammel is going to be angry, but 3 years in a row of great first halves and Turrible 2nd halves..Sorry, cant be relied upon.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

I agree. Hammel can have a great April-June and even make the All-Star team, as he almost did last season, but if they can acquire a top notch starter to take his spot in the rotation, I do it. I just can't trust him down the stretch and in the playoffs. But if you have 3-4 solid-outstanding starters, is that as important as a shut down closer? Do you think the Yankees would have traded Mariano Rivera for a 2nd or 3rd starter?

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Go Cubs!!!!

Yeah meat tray started some...
When did Marmot start a few...? The 06 season? 05?
Did anything ever happen to him after 11 or 12?

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

Absolutely need a starter or two.


Doubt they'll acquire two so someone is gonna probably have to help from within.


Dominant bullpen guy is always nice but the starter is more pressing.

Ive heard this so much Im convinced it wont happen. It almost never happens like people think with these trade deadline moves.

Hope Im wrong cause Grey is great

I've never understood the "get a guy at the deadline" thinking. Get him now. I have a feeling they have been trying to get a guy now but nobody is biting at Soler for Carrasco type trades.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Marmol had a start or two in 2006 before becoming the wacky zany reliever in '07. That was fun.

Spot-starters in 2005 include Jon Leicester and John Koronka. shudder.

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Well its pretty obvious Theo, Inc have no idea what they are doing, so we will just hope and pray.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

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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

All our welcome, even guys that wear sheets and believe in ghosts

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

You don't think they would prefer to have a guy in place now rather than have to pursue whatever is available in July?

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

I was hoping this was your final post.

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Nobody here has said this until now.

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More teams will have a need to sell in July. The Cubs won't have to give up as much. You've also made sure the guy is still healthy in July. Pitchers injured in March through June need not apply. The Cubs can also use this time to continue deciding who they prefer going forward as the permanent guy in left field.

I wouldn't mind if the Cubs could get Ross or Gray or Salazar right now. It just isn't needed, and in the long term it might be best to wait.

There is no reason to start making short sighted moves now. The Cubs can still solve for the now and the future.

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.

So, will Frank ...clarify your position for the crowd?

You think Theo, Inc. have done a good job?

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

How could this be? Theo needing another piece?????

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I'm going to bounce from the spot for awhile but I will be back at some point to argue with you about this hoops stuff again. Playoffs have been great this season. See ya up the road.

I'm out.

Any move that can be made that does not substantially weaken the teams long term future and strengthens the teams immediate future should be considered. It's not just a matter of having enough now or not. It's an ongoing daily process to make the team as strong as possible.

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Go Cubs!!!!