Full Court Press

Another step backwards in time. Sure, he was the last Cubs pitcher to win 20 games, but he has been largely ineffective since then. Why give up young pitchers who could be here 5 or more years and get Roberts, but get Lieber who I guarantee won't last 2 years.

Signing Lieber makes me wonder which pitcher is leaving via a trade. Marquis is a better fit in Wrigley than Lieber, who is a fly ball pitcher. Yet Marquis is being payed a much higher salary. This deal must lead to a salary dump in order to accomodate another trade such as the Orioles B. Roberts. Hendry must have another deal in place based on this move.

Great signing. Jon Lieber is a class act, and also can eat up some innings from the back of the rotation when healthy. If you look at his starts last year, his record was poor because he didn't get much run support. Also, I would much rather have him getting the ball every fifth day than Ryan Dempster. Yikes!

I always liked lieber, I was disapointed when they let him go. So I am pleased plus give us some flexability to deal . I think the Orioles want dempster in the package as a closer ,but thats just my thought on the signing. Go Cubs Go

great guy, former 20 game winner... however i think once was enough

I agree the Cubs needed to add another Veteran starting pitcher...in case Marquis forgets how to throw after the all star break again. I didn't expect them to bring in a 38 year old, but hey, at least his season ending surgery last year wasn't arm related. If this means Brian Roberts will be here by Spring Training, I'll be satisfied because our 1-5 hitters will be the best in the National League.

I don't get it $3.5 million for a 38 year old Lieber but a 28 year old Prior wanted the same & that was too much. I was a Lievber fan 5 years ago, but now?

Haha! Classic Hendry. Have fun with John Lieber and closer Kerry Wood Cub Fans!

Way to go as usual Hendry, keep ignoring the most important part of having any chance of winning a world series. It's called Pitching genius! Keep up the subpar work Jim!

Good move. Low risk, possible high return. Smart veteran pitcher.

Signing Lieber is a good lightning-in-a-bottle move. I know he had injuries last year but those were leg related injuries. Lieber has never had an arm injury in his career. Is Lieber the same guy he was during his first stint w/ the Cubs? Probably not. But think about this, Marquis imploded in the 2nd half last year. Raise your hand if you trust Jason Marquis for a full season?

The Cubs aren't asking Lieber to be a 1,2, or 3 starter. There just covering their bases. It's not uncommon for a GM to take a risk on a guy that could possibly help at a minimal financial risk. Lieber is a guy that has had success at Wrigley Field. He doesn't walk guys, he works, quickly, he's hard to steal on because of his quick delivery to the plate, and he can make hitter's ground out hit into DP's?

I understand that everybody wants Santana or Bedard but keep this move in perspective. A rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Lilly, Dempster,+ Lieber is solid, if not spectacular.

At the end of August of last season the Cubs re-acquired Steve Trachsel because Sean Marshall was too inexperienced. The Cubs see themselves as World Series contenders. Re-acquiring Lieber is comparable to re-acquiring Trachsel for the same reason.

I loved Jon Leiber the first time but come on, he is old and washed up. Let the young pitchers battle over the number four and five spot in the rotation. There are plenty of very good, young arms in the organization and Lou and Hendry need to give them a chance, like other teams do.

P.S. Don't expect Ted Lilly to pitch at as high of level as he did last year. His stuff is not that good and the league will have seen him.

I loved Jon Leiber the first time but come on, he is old and washed up. Let the young pitchers battle over the number four and five spot in the rotation. There are plenty of very good, young arms in the organization and Lou and Hendry need to give them a chance, like other teams do.

P.S. Don't expect Ted Lilly to pitch at as high of level as he did last year. His stuff is not that good and the league will have seen him.

This scares me a little bit. Lieber was good back in the day. Now we have have him and Jason in the rotation? Starting pitching needs and upgrade not a down grade. Ted Lilly had a good year last year but teams may figure him out this year. We need a quality starter not a cheap old guy.

Who knows...it could be a brilliant move or a waste of money.Time will tell.At least he throws strikes.

I like the signing of Lieber, he provides good depth (if healthy) and gives Lou another option at the end of that rotation.

I sure hope the Cubs organization don't expect a 37yr old guy to pitch 20 games for 6+ innings. Let's hope this is a middle relief role for the twilight of his career.

I can't believe they would sign a guy that old, and that's been plagued by injuries.
From my understanding this guy has not produced after he was traded. Yet the cubs sign him? Then why did u trade him in the first place?

This is a very good signing. I expect a lot more from him than from Dempster. Now the cubs with Zambrano,Lilly,Marquis,Hill and Lieber have a solid rotation and keeping Dempster as a releiver and should set up Carlos Marmol that Marmol should be the closer.

This does a few things.

1. Gives Cubs a 'fail-safe' in case Kerry Wood fails as closer or gets hurt; as Dempster can be closer again, work short relief, and be spot starter.

2. Frees up Gallagher and Marshall for the Roberts trade. My guess Roberts will become a Cub right before the Cubs Convention to create a stir with fans.

3. Allows Cubs to put Fontenot and Marquis together in trade for CF (Angels Chone Figgins or Gary Matthews Jr.??)

Forget Lieber. Why won't Hendry go after Johan Santana? A package centered around Rich Hill, Sean Gallagher and Matt Murton would have to be just as good, if not better than anything the Yankees, Red Sox or Mets are offering. Hendry, it's been 99 years and counting buddy. We're due

Somewhere along the line Hendry decided having eight starting pitchers is better than five good ones. Zambrano is top line, Lilly is good and Hill is average with potential. After that, you are spending good money on bad pitchers (Dempster and Marquis) or old pitchers (Lieber). The young kids could do just as well for a lot less money while the Cubs could take the money to go after real pitching talent like Bedard and Santana, guys who could actually win you championships. Yet they show no interest in them.

So supposedly we sign Lieber for depth, a guy who may only have one year left in him, if that, so that we can trade good young pitching for a position player. That actually destroys pitching depth! You build depth in your minor league system, not with pitchers that are over the hill who you can't even option to Triple-A.

Hendry seems to have forgotten that you can only pitch one guy at a time and if that guy doesn't pitch well, all the depth in the world won't help you. A whole bunch of guys with 4.80 ERA's won't win you anything. Terrible move... unless Lieber's in the deal for Bedard.

This is the move that will help the Cubs beat the Brewers and put them into the World Series. Haha...just kidding...I couldnt even keep a straight face typing this. Terrible move...last year was the Cubs year...this will be the Brewers year. Enjoy the nostalgia trip of watching the 38 year old Lieber limp out there every five days with his 5.00 era. Hey Hendry (and you idiot cub fans) I hear Sosa is still available...why not sign him?

I thought we already had Marquis? I don't get this signing. I'd rather have Gallager, Hart and Marshall fight it out for the last spot. One of them would put up numbers as good or better than Lieber for a fraction of the cost. Also, the Cubs would control their rights beyond this year. Unless Marquis or Dempster gets traded, I don't like this move. I also don't think the upgrade of Roberts over DeRosa is worth 3-4 players. We can use an upgrade at short, closer and starting pitching more than second base. This is another Traschel, Marquis, Wade Miller move.

To Joseph, I can't stop laughing, Spectacular????What are you smoking? Your manager didn't even want Marquis to pitch in the playoffs???

After reading some of these posts, no doubt in my mind how dillusional cub fans really are.....remember last year, you REALLY weren't that good...your division blows! It's only January and some fans are talking about the WS...it's mind boggling!

How many average arms in the rotation can the Cubs possibly have? I like the Lieber trade assuming it allows us to get Roberts and putting him in the 5 hole. Even if it allows us to get Roberts we still have average pitchers.

I know a lot of people don't want to trade away a Tyler Colvin, but how many times has Cubs nation heard "can't miss prospect?" And unless Colvin can play center where is he going to play? We have Fukudome for 5 years, Soriano for 7 more. So, I say package Colvin along with a few arms and go after Santana! Then give CF to Pie and let him develop and we'd have one heck of an all around team from pitching to offense to defense to our bench!!!!

As a die-hard cub fan since 1948, it isn't often I could get enthusiastic about the acquisition of a 28 year old pitcher, but John Lieber is a really classy guy and a smart veteran who can help this team in many ways, not only on the mound. Welcome back John.

I'd rather have Lieber on the mound than Prior - or Dempster. I agree with some of the above. Hendry has something else brewing. Let's hope it's not the return of Joe Borowski.

Lieber is a "poor man's Greg Maddux. He is a good veteran that can help eat some innings as the 5th starter.

CUBS ARE THE LITTLE GUY'S ON THE NORTHSIDE.I USED TO LOVE WHEN HARRY WOULD GET UP IN THE 7TH INNING AND AT THE END OF TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME HE QUOTES"LET'S GET SOME RUNS"CUBS ARE ALWAYS BEHIND.

CUBS ARE THE LITTLE GUY'S ON THE NORTHSIDE.I USED TO LOVE WHEN HARRY WOULD GET UP IN THE 7TH INNING AND AT THE END OF TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME HE QUOTES"LET'S GET SOME RUNS"CUBS ARE ALWAYS BEHIND.

I seem to remember the first time they got rid of Greg Maddox was because for the money he wanted "we feel we can get 3 quality starters", I think one of them was Al Nipper and I don't remember the other two.
But it didn't work out too well did it? Try and get Santana, this is getting really old. How many stiffs can you pitch at one time?

I think they added Lieber to temper Rothschild's impact on the pitchers. I don't know why they retain Rothschild (he must have pictures of someone). Lieber might be able to teach the pitchers how to pitch. Rothschild surely hasn't.

Plus, they needed someone to replace the oft-injured Mark Prior. Lieber will be less of a pain-in-the-arse than Prior while he's on injured reserve.

Lieber certainly can still win some games. The old saying you never can have enough pitching. I believe another deal is in works.At least Hendry is not afraid to make moves that can actually help club unlike his south side counterpart.

if this means one or both seans are gone, we have mortgaged our future for another single series into the playoffs. we need a number 2, not another 4 1/2

This is truly a waste of time. First Fox, now Lieber. Why not pull the trigger and bag Bedard and Roberts? Cedeno, Marshall, Gallagher and Marquis for those two and throw in the infamous another player to be named later and a bucket of balls to go! I don't want to keep seeing a revolving door with these pitchers. Get some stability and cohesion going now. Does anyone else on the board wonder why we didn't throw our hat in the ring for Santana? We sure have the chips to make the trade. Pie, Gallagher, Cedeno, Marshall and maybe even Theriot. Something to think about.

Ok you guys,enough with the lieber jokes he was a good pitcher.He could be again for a minute and thats enough to get a guy out in a crunch situation.and now they can trade a pitcher for roberts i hope!Besides if they trade Dempster or Marqis,Lieber is better than both of them i think.

IF YOUR GOING TO SPEND 1 MILLION PER WIN ON JOHN LIEBER WHY NOT SPEND 18 MILLION ON SANTANA AND GET 18 WINS PLUS.

jeez will Hendry bribg back Rick Reushel next

GREAT TRADE!!!!!

Leiber will lead the staff to the World Series in 2008!!!!!!!

He is a smart pitcher!!!

HMMMMMM Greg Maddux, Steve Traschel, Jon Lieber, Julie B.....I already know that Jamie Moyer is next. They sure know how to keep us caught up in Nostalgia-to keep us from focusing on a winning team-but hey- there's always next year.

I too was disapointed when they let Lieber go the first time. Nothing like have a classy, well accomplished professional around
for the youngsters. Could this be a sign that they are keeping some, and not giving them away for Brian Roberts?
Sox Fans...the re-signing of Chad Fox is the move you should be making fun of. Not this one.
GOGO CUUUUUUUUUUUBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBIIIIIIIIIEEEEES

how did you get 35 posts up already? Slow day at the Times?

Will:.....I think they are stalling now,because they thought they were getting Bip Roberts. Apparently his car wash burned down and they can't get a hold of him.

Lou was quoted as saying "He's content" with the team and starting the season with DeRosa at 2B "would be just fine with him." Sounds like it's Hendry who's pushing for Roberts. If he goes after Roberts and not Bedard (who is available) he really must not understand the game of baseball all that well after all. If anything get them both. No matter what it takes: Some combo of Pie, Murton, Colvin, Cedeno, Fontenot, Gallagher, Marshall and even Hendry's boy Z, Jr. aka "Irish." Even toss Hart out there. Give 'em six out of that bunch for Bedard and Roberts. Then we'd be the NL front-runner and could hang with the Yanks and Red Sox. But if you're only going to get one, it's gotta be Bedard. No question about it. Pitching wins.

I always liked Jon Lieber, but why not go after a Livian Hernandez? We (the Cubs) have a very good line up if everyone stays healthy and hits the way they are capable of hitting we don't need Roberts. We need a quality starter! I think Soto will have a good year and If Lee, Ramirez and Soriano hit as well as then are capable of doing the Cubs will be the team to beat in the National League.

I can't help but make a comment to some of these posts. The Cubs have a good team. If the owners would stop letting go of the the players we need we would be o.k. letting go of Kenny Lofton and Moses Alou I think hurts along with Matt Clement and now Mark Prior just to watch them help other teams do well and don't let me forget Luis Gonzalez who like wss in the top 10 in batting avarage the following season after we let him go. Alou still gets his 100 R.B.I. Lofton helped the Indians get to the playoff's. I think we need to hold on too Lee,Ramirez and Soriano, Wood and Lilly and add more talent where needed..

I can't help but make a comment to some of these posts. The Cubs have a good team. If the owners would stop letting go of the the players we need we would be o.k. letting go of Kenny Lofton and Moses Alou I think hurts along with Matt Clement and now Mark Prior just to watch them help other teams do well and don't let me forget Luis Gonzalez who like wss in the top 10 in batting avarage the following season after we let him go. Alou still gets his 100 R.B.I. Lofton helped the Indians get to the playoff's. I think we need to hold on too Lee,Ramirez and Soriano, Wood and Lilly and add more talent where needed..

I for one am not excited. Lieber is damaged goods. Another questionable starter with health issues who's best years are behind him. What the Cubs need is an ace.

Good pickup. Even if Marshall is traded, Zambrano, Lilly and Hill are a very solid 1-3. Marquis, Dempster and Lieber are a great start at filling the 4-5. Hendry will bring in another 2 or 3 vets, and give kids long looks in spring training. Give a fair tryout to 7 or 8 guys, a couple will likely end up as a servicable back of the rotation.

Did Traschel get hurt or something??

I dont know why they signed this guy. He is old and has nuttin left in that tank of his. if they wanted to add pitching why didnt they just grab dedard ? this guy struck out over 200 guy in a very good american league. if he did that over there, imagine im in the weak national league central

On paper, the Cubs look to take back the fans which jumped on the White Sox bandwagon a couple years ago and make a serious run at the World Series. And, if raising ticket prices is any indication, it's going to expensive to come back to the north side of town.

Though, I believe the signing of Jon Lieber is a great move in helping to ease the cost of ticket prices and helps make the Cubs contenders from the start to finish. The Cubs needed a veteran starter capable of going into the 7th inning and possibly moving up the 3rd spot on the rotation.

Lieber provides the Cubs with a 'fail-safe' in case Kerry Wood fails as closer or gets hurt as Ryan Dempster can be a closer again, work short relief, and be spot starter. Also, with Lieber on board, it frees up Sean Gallagher and Sean Marshall to be part of the proposed Brian Roberts deal with Baltimore. Roberts likely will become a Cub near the Cubs Convention to create a stir with fans.

Also, the signing Lieber allows the Cubs to put Mike Fontenot and Jason Marquis together in a trade for a CF (Angels Chone Figgins or Gary Matthews Jr.?).

hey guys i think instead of adquiring lieber, why dont you pursue bedard you can give any cub player an those 3.5 million bucks and we will have a nice 1-2 punch and then you get lilly, hill and whatever else,

and i think it will be nicer to get bedard than roberts, we need more a another star picher than a star 2b, everybody knows that pitching win ball games

regards

Let the young kids battle it out rather than this Lieber thing...while were at it I hear Dave Gumpert, Larry Gura, and Mark Clark are all available too, lets see if they still have some magic left...ridiculous signing.