Pretty bleak picture, you know the Cubs aren't getting Hamels and Epstein isn't a guy to just go out and pickup aging veterans. This Cubs team will stink again next season while essentially relying on poor starting pitching from our farm system and maybe a trade for Dempster or Garza that will only ever get us less in the way of pitching talent. If you thought this season was going to be rough, (and it is), next season is going to be a downright disaster.

I dunno, I could see him picking up some older guys to fill holes. (i.e. at 3B)

The cupboard is pretty bare elsewhere, no-one who really stands out, an ageing Youkilis who's also a bit injury prone? The really good Free Agents were available at the end of last season but of course we're moving away from long, expensive contracts to 'bona-fide' star hitters and going in a different direction, a direction that leaves us pretty short on obtaining decent pitching and it's pitching that will define this team in the next few years. Some of our position players may pan out and there may be one or two players out there worth going after but Cubs starting pitching in the next couple of years is going to be awful, filled with a bunch of Randy Wells's, Casey Colemans and Paul Maholm's.....great, the offense won't need to $.uck next season and contribute to the losses, our starting rotation will do it for us. The recent draft has netted us a few decent looking pitching prospects but those guys are 4 or 5 years away. Next season we'll be relying on Jeff Samardzija and Trey McNutt to anchor our staff, how pathetic is that?

Next season the hitting line-up should be improved but our starting pitching will be a nightmare, not even Epstein has enough magic to change that.

I'd be willing to take a chance on Youkilis as a one-year/MiL contract stopgap. He could not be worse than Stewart and I don't think Vitters is ready / necessarily a viable option at 3B. Or Valbuena.

id look at hamels and anibal sanchez,

the bullpen street

starters:
hamels
garza
sanchez
shark
maholm/wood

bullpen:
beliveau
russell
dolis
asencio
corpas
street

i know that wouldnt happen

I think Sanchez is the hidden gem in the FA pool.

I would do everything in my power to get him to sign off on a deal. He is a ground ball pitcher who pitches better during the day than at night. He is a little shaky in the first inning at times, but is no Paul Maholm. After that, its pretty much smooth sailing until the 3rd time around in the order.

I would float a 6 and 75-100 deal out there and see if it gets it done for the #2 spot in the rotation.

We absolutely need a power hitting outfielder that plays great defense and would be a great leader for the team however, Hamilton is extremely risky. He just gets injured too much!

Unfortunately the steroid era is over. Players are too worried about having an off year going into free agency so they try to sign extensions as soon as they have a good year. Not only that but when is the last time a player extended for a "team friendly" deal. That is rare too.

There are some helpful free agents on that list but most are going to demand too much money and too many years. A lot come with baggage as well.

The weak FA class over the next several years does not bode well for the Cubs rebuild.

Thanks, I knew there was a silver lining................................

91.4%

Although it is not good for the Cubs rebuilding project, I think not having many young guys on the FA list is a good thing for baseball in general. I like the idea of players sticking with a team for the bulk of their careers instead of bouncing around the league. Its important for baseball fandom to have consistent players to root for on your team.

Hamels will get $150M+ from a contender. You can forget about him.

You can forget about adding any kind of all-star from free agency. Most teams are locking their young talent up earlier. The few that do escape, the Cubs have no chance at. See Fielder, etc.

Just pray that Theo's prospects pan out. It's our only hope.

+++Just pray that Theo's prospects pan out. It's our only hope.+++

And a forelorn one judging by the history of great players we've produced through our farm system.

True that age. That said, in fairness, this is a new regime, new ownership, new FO, new farm system and development/scouting systems. I think we do need to allow some time to pass and see if there is positive change.

***id look at hamels and anibal sanchez,

the bullpen street

starters:
hamels
garza
sanchez
shark
maholm/wood

bullpen:
beliveau
russell
dolis
asencio
corpas
street***

Thats actually not a bad starting rotation. Id be estatic if we could pull that off next year!

Cubs fans - - PLEASE, get REAL about Hamels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This team with or without him will not be competing for several more years. Whats the point of getting him and paying the premium dollars? Unless you want to give a pitcher a 7-8 year deal?

I just dont see this, and even if Cubs want to spend the $, how many years are you gonna have to commit to?