Jerry_Manuel
09-29-2001, 08:47 PM
In it he talks about what some teams need to look at in the offseason here is his take on Cubs.
Chicago Cubs
Guaranteed commitments: 11 players, $41.8 million
Key options: Fred McGriff, $6.75 million salary/$500,000 option; Kevin Tapani $6M/$500,000
Free agents: Rondell White, Ron Coomer, Delino DeShields, Matt Stairs, Todd Van Poppell, David Weathers, Eric Young
Key arbitration figure: Kerry Wood ($3M-plus)
Because the Cubs got to 18 games above .500 when closer Tom Gordon began being bothered by tendinitis, the finish is a disappointment. But remember, this was a team that hadn't won more than 67 games in either of the previous two seasons, and as GM Andy MacPhail looks forward he's got the framework for a very good team in a very strong division.
MacPhail has to make a decision on whether or not to bring back White; as Rondell is heading to a leg specialist this winter and MacPhail believes that with White and McGriff around Sammy Sosa, the offense is at least adequate. Three of their key prospects -- first baseman Hee Seop Choi, second baseman Bobby Hill and third baseman David Kelton -- were slowed by injuries, so how they perform in the Arizona Fall League will determine a lot of the decisions they need to make. Jon Leiber, Kerry Wood and Juan Cruz are a wonderful foundation for a long time to come, and while MacPhail wants a left-hander, other kids like Carlos Zambrano, Will Ohman, Scott Chiasson and Courtney Duncan add some depth to the pitching staff.
MacPhail is not worried at all about Corey Patterson. "It isn't a matter of if, it's when," says MacPhail of Patterson. MacPhail, in fact, is trying not to rush right-handed pitcher Mark Prior, the Cubs' first-round pick (second-overall selection) this past June by letting him return to classes at USC this fall. This is a franchise that is building a very solid foundation.
Chicago Cubs
Guaranteed commitments: 11 players, $41.8 million
Key options: Fred McGriff, $6.75 million salary/$500,000 option; Kevin Tapani $6M/$500,000
Free agents: Rondell White, Ron Coomer, Delino DeShields, Matt Stairs, Todd Van Poppell, David Weathers, Eric Young
Key arbitration figure: Kerry Wood ($3M-plus)
Because the Cubs got to 18 games above .500 when closer Tom Gordon began being bothered by tendinitis, the finish is a disappointment. But remember, this was a team that hadn't won more than 67 games in either of the previous two seasons, and as GM Andy MacPhail looks forward he's got the framework for a very good team in a very strong division.
MacPhail has to make a decision on whether or not to bring back White; as Rondell is heading to a leg specialist this winter and MacPhail believes that with White and McGriff around Sammy Sosa, the offense is at least adequate. Three of their key prospects -- first baseman Hee Seop Choi, second baseman Bobby Hill and third baseman David Kelton -- were slowed by injuries, so how they perform in the Arizona Fall League will determine a lot of the decisions they need to make. Jon Leiber, Kerry Wood and Juan Cruz are a wonderful foundation for a long time to come, and while MacPhail wants a left-hander, other kids like Carlos Zambrano, Will Ohman, Scott Chiasson and Courtney Duncan add some depth to the pitching staff.
MacPhail is not worried at all about Corey Patterson. "It isn't a matter of if, it's when," says MacPhail of Patterson. MacPhail, in fact, is trying not to rush right-handed pitcher Mark Prior, the Cubs' first-round pick (second-overall selection) this past June by letting him return to classes at USC this fall. This is a franchise that is building a very solid foundation.