How many Wins If This Was The Cubs '11 Team?

I have no clue who the Cubs are going to get this offseason. I do think they'll try and move Fukudome and maybe Silva (good luck on both counts). Since the Cubs aren't going into the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, the only pitcher I find remotely interesting would be Javier Vazquez, but by no means is he a certainty to land with the team. But here's a possible 2011 Cubs team, how many wins do you think they'd be worth? (remembering they won 75 last year and their expected win-loss was 73 wins).

C - Soto, Backup C (Varitek, Hill, Castillo, Blanco, Chirinos, etc)

1B - Carlos Pena (Berkman, LaRoche, N. Johnson also possibilities)

2B - Dewitt/Baker

SS - Castro

3B - Ramirez

LF - Soriano

CF - Byrd

RF - Colvin

Bench: Backup C, Dewitt or Baker, Barney, Vet Pinch-Hitter (Stairs, Hinske, etc), Utility Outfielder likely right-handed to spell Colvin (Guyer, R. Johnson, Fuld, etc).

SP - Zambrano, Dempster, J. Vazquez, Wells, Gorzelanny, Silva (someone goes to the pen or minors or is traded of course)

RP - Marmol, Marshall, Grab-Ass, D. Wheeler and fill out the pen with 3 of: Cashner, Samardzija, Caridad, Dolis, J. Jackson, Maine, Gaub, Coleman, Russell, Berg, etc

No one quite knows who exactly the Cubs will sign and acquire via trade, but a left-handed power hitting 1b-men, a veteran starter and a veteran right-handed reliever are on the agenda and Pena, Vazquez and Wheeler would fit those roles. I'm sure a lot of Cubs folks would like to see Kerry Wood join the team, but I'm guessing he'll find a closer role somewhere or at least a a chance to compete for the role that he wouldn't get in Chicago.

I'd put that team at 80 wins unless Z and Vazquez find the fountain of youth and stability.

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Cubster 04/16/2024 - 04:59 am (view)

per Tribune: Suzuki MRI results pending from yesterday so we should get a timetable for return later today.
crunch 04/15/2024 - 04:08 pm (view)

suzuki says he injured his oblique running to 1st, not swinging. okay. it's gonna be that kind of 2024 cubs year, huh?

i would say that's good news compared to screwing it up swinging, but i'm not familiar with the recovery time of people screwing up their oblique by running.

right side is at least different from his left side oblique injury last year.
crunch 04/15/2024 - 04:58 pm (view)

5 IN A ROW!

hack wilson, ryne sandberg, sammy sosa, christopher morel, and michael busch.
Cubster 04/15/2024 - 04:46 pm (view)

A bit more Jewish take on one of my favorite Cubs, Kenny Holtzman. His 9-0 season while serving in the National Guard and being available to pitch on weekends was one of my coolest teen recollections.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/388554
Cubster 04/15/2024 - 04:47 pm (view)

Suzuki out with oblique strain. Canario indeed is called up. No word on Morel so that might be a red herring (or a red digit).
AZ lineup is posted but Counsell is always late to post his lineup.
crunch 04/15/2024 - 04:06 pm (view)

You have to C it! (tm)
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/15/2024 - 04:01 pm (view)

Best hitter: IL with oblique strain
Second best hitter: hasn’t looked the same since jamming his right hand during a swing
Third best hitter: playing through a sore hammy
Best pitcher: IL after one start
Second best RP: IL after 1.5 weeks
Noice
crunch 04/15/2024 - 04:58 pm (view)

suzuki 10d IL.

right oblique strain. ow. that's generally more than a 10d thing.
Dolorous Jon Lester 04/15/2024 - 04:56 pm (view)

Seiya on IL with an oblique strain
crunch 04/15/2024 - 04:47 pm (view)

cooper and morel are on the field doing pre-game stuff so it's not them...

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