Hot Stove Brewing Again
Now that the Hall of Fame vote is over, time for the hot stove to get cooking 
again. Once again, Brian Roberts name is getting kicked around. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Orioles are talking about trading Roberts to the Cubs for Sean Marshall, Sean Gallagher and Ronny Cedeno. First let me get this out of the way; I know that Roberts was on the Mitchell Report and he has admitted using steroids. I will not buy his reasoning or excuses, and I don't give him any extra bonus points "for being honest", and admitting his past usage. (can't really be called honest when you've been lying the whole time) That being said, if Roberts has played clean in the last few years, I believe he would be a valuable asset to the Cubs. Last season, Roberts bat .290, with 12 home runs, 57 RBI's, 103 runs, and 50 stolen bases. Roberts was 11th in AL in Runs 1st in AL in stolen bases, 9th in AL in walks, and made the All Star Team. Remember that Roberts played for an AL East team and those numbers came against tougher competition then he would face in the NL Central. The Cubs would be giving up Marshall, a lefty who has been decent, but can't stay strong throughout the season, Cedeno (who couldn't beat out Theriot or Cesar Izturis in Spring Training), and Gallagher, who is a young prospect who played a few games with the Cubs last year. I am really not heart broken about losing Cedeno or Marshall, although I would love to keep Gallagher.
Now I hear Lou Pinella talking to Steve Cochran yesterday about his former teammate, Goose Gossage, getting into the Hall of Fame. Lou mentioned that Hendry promised him some more "Christmas gifts", this season. Obviously Lou 
wants some more players, and the Cubs are shaping into the type of team Lou is looking for. Remember last season, Lou got rid of Barrett, Izturis, sent Murton to Triple A, benched Jacque Jones, etc. Roberts is the type of player Lou wants on his team. He wants to add speed, a high on base percentage guy, and another left handed bat to the team. Roberts gives Lou all of that. This is what the projected lineup will look like next season if the Roberts trade goes through;
1. Soriano-LF (righty)
2.Roberts-2B (lefty)
4. Ramirez-3B (righty)
5. Fukudome- RF (lefty)
6. Soto- C (righty)
7. Pie- CF (lefty)
8. Theriot-SS (righty)
9. Zambrano/Lilly/Hill/Marquis/Dempster
Let me answer the questions I know that you are thinking
1. Why don't the Cubs trade a few more players and get stud pitcher Erik Bedard?
Bedard is one of the best young pitchers in the game, and nothing the Cubs could add would be worth it for the Orioles. Other teams are already making much better offers.
2. Why wouldn't Roberts lead off and move Soriano down the lineup?
Not going to happen Cubs fans, so give it up. Soriano has had the most success leading off and has done poorly lower in the order. Having Roberts bat second isn't the worst thing in the world. Remember, Soriano was trying to learn a new position, hurt his legs twice, end of May and early August, and his stolen base numbers were way down. Watch him have a much better 2008 season. Having two guys with speed in the top of the lineup is never a bad thing.
3. What about Mark DeRosa?
Mark is a great player, but he doesn't have the speed or defense that Roberts has. DeRosa grounded into a ton of double plays last season. Lou wants to use DeRosa as a "supersub", playing in right field, second, first, and third. He'll get plenty of at bats, but please don't fool yourselves into thinking he can play short.
Don't think that Hendry would be done either. Look for the Cubs to try and add one more starter before Spring Training begins. I am interested to see how this all plays out.
Go Cubs!
Hey Paul,
What do ya think of moving Fukudome into the 4 spot? It would give the Cubs the L/R flop and another guy to get in front of Ramirez. It seemed like Ramirez was always a good 5 spot hitter as well. Otherwise, I think that's the ideal lineup.
We definitely need another SP, I've heard the Cubs will make a run at Burnett. Not sure how I feel about another oft-injured pitcher but it's worth a shot.
-Jerry
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I agree with you, I don't really care if he has taken steroids in the past, if he is going to help us win now. Also, i picture the batting order with Roberts first, Fukudome second, and Soriano fifth. I really think that's how the year will start off. Theriot and Pie might flip as well.
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Jerry,
I don't think Fukudome would have the power to hit fourth, according to what people say about him. Just my prediction.
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If there is one thing I worry about this year, its starting pitching. Yeah, Marshall hasn't played all year, but he is still young. And Derosa is making too mush to be a bench/sub player.
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Hey Jerry, what's up? I am going to have to agree with homerstarunner93 and say that Fukudome doesn't have the power to bat clean up. He more of a gap-doubles hitter. I still will stick with my lineup though. Soriano, regardless of what everyone things, will bat lead off. They will also bat Theriot eighth instead of Pie so Felix can get more pitches to hit. Right now, Theriot has a better eye. Plus if Pie gets on base with his speed, there are tons of things you can do with Theriot batting behind him compared to a pitcher. As far as the pitching go, the Cubs need another quality starter, but losing Marshall won't be the end of the world. The Cubs pitching staff ranked second last year. One more arm would be an upgrage, plus Hill and Marshall were to similar to be pitching back to back.
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Soriano should be batting fourth whether they get Roberts or not. If they get Roberts, he should bat leadoff, followed by Fukudome, Lee, Soriano and Ramirez.
http://paullebowitz.mlblogs.com/
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Sorry guys, but the Cubs aren't going to get Brian Roberts. That's okay with me, since DeRo is more than capable of being the Cubs starting 2nd baseman. The Cubs are offering way too much for Roberts which is also ridiculous.
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I respectfully have to disagree with some of you. They paid Soriano a boatload of money and he is happiest when he leads off. In a perfect world, I agree 100 percent that I would rather have Roberts leading off and Soriano batting lower in the order. Unfortunately, Soriano has never hit well lower in the order and is more comfortable leading off. Also, the point of getting left handed bats is so that the pitcher doesn't get into a groove and so managers have to burn throug relievers. By batting Roberts leadoff followed by Fukudome, you start with your two lefties, and then go with three or four righties in a row. That's what Lou is trying to avoid. Also, Cubs win, what are you really giving up for Roberts? You are trading a backup shortstop and two minor league pitcher for an All Star. What do you believe would be an even trade? Marshall is a decent pitcher, but struggles to get past the sixth inning, plus you have an identical pitcher in Rich Hill. Cedeno has struggled in every opportunity he's had, plus he has a negative attitude. Sean Gallagher has proven nothing. You have to be reasonable when talking trades. Go to the Baltimore Sun or other Baltimore Oriole blogs and see what there fans think about this deal. They feel like they are getting ripped off. They are getting three guys they possibly could do well. We would be getting proven talent, a guy who was 11th in AL in runs, 1st in AL in stolen bases, 9th in AL in walks, all while facing much tougher pitchers then he will face in the NL.
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