Random Thoughts, To get off my Chest

[Handlebar McSkullet]

I Welcome Comments:

 

1. I wonder if anyone else is like this. I grew up a football fan, an almost obsessed Bears/ UW Badgers fan. Baseball came later. Now, this season will have officially been the year where baseball is number one for me. Not because I stopped loving football but more because I think baseball is the best sport in the world.

1a. That means that I cant stop watching the Cubs! I want to not care or at least not desire to see every game, but I cant. Im sick!! God why couldnt they have been .500 or something close. Not 22 games under. I know the season is over. Yet, I must watch every game, read every article.

 

2. I never in my life been so wrong about a player then what I was with Jacque Jones. For 6 million a year, if can continue to hit even comperable to what he is doing now, he is worth the money. Was it really hitting in the triple H that hurt him?

 

3. I really like Ronny Cedeno, but I hope he can show better plate patience because right now... I only see him as a fringe starter for the rest of his career.

 

4. Keep Prior...... Balls being hit to your pitching elbow is a freak injury that would screw up anybody. I see the old prior emerging.. One or two more starts and he should be old prior again.

 

5. Wood for less than 6 million a year or nothing... He is my favorite athlete, period. I saw him pitch in iowa in the begining of the season 98', and I have had a man crush on him ever since. However, enough is enough. It is unfortunate because I know he can come back like Chris Carpenter did and do well. I havent seen a pitcher as talented as he was his rookie year... and probably never will.

 

6. Keep Dusty.... THATS RIGHT I SAID IT. I dont see a viable alternative. Uncle Lou... he will only last three years here at most. Brenly... I doubt they will go down that road. Dave McKay or Dave Duncan from the Cardinals, Jerry Manuel from the Mets, Don Cooper from the White Sox, Larry Bowa or Tony Pena from the Yanks. Bobby Valentine from Japan.. None of those would be markedly better than Baker. This team, as assembled is crap.

 

7. No trades.. JUST SIGN CARLOS LEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

8. Re-sign Wade Miller, if he will sign another 1 year 1 mil K

 

9. Marmol needs some I-Cubs seasoning.

 

10. Williamson is on the "outside" because he sucks! Throw strikes then we will talk.

 

11. I love murton, but he might not even be the best outfield prospect on the Cubs right now. Pagan doesnt look half bad, I hope he gets more at bats once Nevin is traded/ optioned.

 

12. Dumpster, I get it, youre a dad. Congrats. Get it together.

 

13. Dick Pole, if it wasnt for your name, you would be worthless!

 

THAT IS ALL FOR NOW

[NewUserName]

Wow Jim Hendry is here!!!!!

[UMFan83]

Fixing the Cubs is not as simple as signing Carlos Lee.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Since you welcome comments....

 

I Welcome Comments:

 

1. I wonder if anyone else is like this. I grew up a football fan, an almost obsessed Bears/ UW Badgers fan. Baseball came later. Now, this season will have officially been the year where baseball is number one for me. Not because I stopped loving football but more because I think baseball is the best sport in the world.

1a. That means that I cant stop watching the Cubs! I want to not care or at least not desire to see every game, but I cant. Im sick!! God why couldnt they have been .500 or something close. Not 22 games under. I know the season is over. Yet, I must watch every game, read every article.

 

I know the feeling. I should be moving on to more productive activity, but I keep watching this train

wreck of the season.

 

2. I never in my life been so wrong about a player then what I was with Jacque Jones. For 6 million a year, if can continue to hit even comperable to what he is doing now, he is worth the money. Was it really hitting in the triple H that hurt him?

 

I still don't think Jones will continue to hit like he has. Maybe he will, but color me skeptical.

 

3. I really like Ronny Cedeno, but I hope he can show better plate patience because right now... I only see him as a fringe starter for the rest of his career.

 

Cedeno is a decent player. Unless he develops more patience, he's basically Shawon Dunston with less power.

 

 

4. Keep Prior...... Balls being hit to your pitching elbow is a freak injury that would screw up anybody. I see the old prior emerging.. One or two more starts and he should be old prior again.

 

Right now, I'm still wondering when Todd Van Poppell took over Prior's body. But, I'm not for trading him either. He's ceiling is too high and his value too low right now.

 

5. Wood for less than 6 million a year or nothing... He is my favorite athlete, period. I saw him pitch in iowa in the begining of the season 98', and I have had a man crush on him ever since. However, enough is enough. It is unfortunate because I know he can come back like Chris Carpenter did and do well. I havent seen a pitcher as talented as he was his rookie year... and probably never will.

 

It's time to say farewell to Wood.

 

6. Keep Dusty.... THATS RIGHT I SAID IT. I dont see a viable alternative. Uncle Lou... he will only last three years here at most. Brenly... I doubt they will go down that road. Dave McKay or Dave Duncan from the Cardinals, Jerry Manuel from the Mets, Don Cooper from the White Sox, Larry Bowa or Tony Pena from the Yanks. Bobby Valentine from Japan.. None of those would be markedly better than Baker. This team, as assembled is crap.

 

I'll agree that this team as assembled is crap, but Dusty has to go. The extended losing streaks are bad...even bad teams come out of funks sooner than this one. There are better alternatives to Dusty. Fredi Gonzalez and Larry Dierker would both be better choices. If Davey Johnson can get out of his gig with the Nationals, he would be a better choice. My large breed mutt Felix likely is a better choice. So, yes...Dusty must go. I'd even rather have Lloyd McClendon than Dusty at this point and I'd rather have a vascetomy given to me with a rusty butter knife than have McClendon manage the team. Dusty must go.

 

7. No trades.. JUST SIGN CARLOS LEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I'm not opposed to Lee, but it's going to take much more than that to fix this team. I hope the Cubs explore Jason Schmidt and look into trading for Abreu again this offseason.

 

8. Re-sign Wade Miller, if he will sign another 1 year 1 mil K

 

Why?

 

9. Marmol needs some I-Cubs seasoning.

 

Yes he does, and Rich Hill needs some time in the majors to see what he can do over an extended period.

 

10. Williamson is on the "outside" because he sucks! Throw strikes then we will talk.

 

Williamson has not been as good as he needed to be. Agreed. But his comments show that there is a problem on this team, especially in regards to the treatment of Matt Murton. Also, why is Michael Wuertz still in Iowa? Why was Williams shippped out so soon when Rusch gets chance after chance to suck?

 

There are definitely favorites on this team. Regardless of his performance, I'm glad Scott said something.

 

11. I love murton, but he might not even be the best outfield prospect on the Cubs right now. Pagan doesnt look half bad, I hope he gets more at bats once Nevin is traded/ optioned.

 

I do hope Pagan is good, but the history indicates that Murton will be a much better player. Murton should be given more of an opportunity to work through his struggles.

 

12. Dumpster, I get it, youre a dad. Congrats. Get it together.

 

Time to trade Ryan.

 

13. Dick Pole, if it wasnt for your name, you would be worthless!

 

THAT IS ALL FOR NOW

 

Along with Dusty and the rest of the coaches.

[rynefan]

Carlos Lee was my favorite White Sox player when he was there. I am a Cubs fan, but I liked Lee. We need Lee just to have something to jazz up the team. They used to be just BAD. Not only are they BAD, they are BORING now, too. Lee would give us something to watch..... take the edge off the rest of the season.

 

No more excuses for Depmster..... he's gotta go. But he's got a good thing going... he gets paid rather he does his job right or wrong. I should be so lucky!

 

Murton, Pagan and Cedeno are our future. I have a feeling Crusty doesn't like Murton though, so I bet he'll be gone soon.

 

I want to go back to teh 80s. We were bad most of those years, but we had fun players like Sandberg, Dawson and Sutcliffe. Ah.....

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Carlos Lee was my favorite White Sox player when he was there. I am a Cubs fan, but I liked Lee. We need Lee just to have something to jazz up the team. They used to be just BAD. Not only are they BAD, they are BORING now, too. Lee would give us something to watch..... take the edge off the rest of the season.

 

No more excuses for Depmster..... he's gotta go. But he's got a good thing going... he gets paid rather he does his job right or wrong. I should be so lucky!

 

Murton, Pagan and Cedeno are our future. I have a feeling Crusty doesn't like Murton though, so I bet he'll be gone soon.

 

I want to go back to teh 80s. We were bad most of those years, but we had fun players like Sandberg, Dawson and Sutcliffe. Ah.....

 

I don't want players with pizazz...I want good players. I really don't see how Lee would give something to watch that a player like Derrek Lee doesn't.

 

If all we wanted was a spectacle, why not get Jose Lima to pitch and lure players like Rex Hundler, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk out of retirement.

 

Boring or not, I want a good team. With 100 million dollars, a competent GM should be able to build one.

 

Starting to want players just to "jazz" things up isn't acceptable.

[cubfan1955]

Carlos Lee was my favorite White Sox player when he was there. I am a Cubs fan, but I liked Lee. We need Lee just to have something to jazz up the team. They used to be just BAD. Not only are they BAD, they are BORING now, too. Lee would give us something to watch..... take the edge off the rest of the season.

 

No more excuses for Depmster..... he's gotta go. But he's got a good thing going... he gets paid rather he does his job right or wrong. I should be so lucky!

 

Murton, Pagan and Cedeno are our future. I have a feeling Crusty doesn't like Murton though, so I bet he'll be gone soon.

 

I want to go back to teh 80s. We were bad most of those years, but we had fun players like Sandberg, Dawson and Sutcliffe. Ah.....

 

I don't want players with pizazz...I want good players. I really don't see how Lee would give something to watch that a player like Derrek Lee doesn't.

 

If all we wanted was a spectacle, why not get Jose Lima to pitch and lure players like Rex Hundler, Lenny Dykstra, and John Kruk out of retirement.

 

Boring or not, I want a good team. With 100 million dollars, a competent GM should be able to build one.

 

Starting to want players just to "jazz" things up isn't acceptable.

I think Carlos Lee would be a better player than we've had in left field in a long time. Hendry is not going to find a group of future hall of famers to play for the Cubs in 2007. He will have to work with what's available. I like Murton but he's never going to have the power needed for a corner outfielder if he can't get the ball off the ground. Keeping Murton here with this coaching staff is pointless (And I believe this manager and coaches will be back for 2007). I'd like to trade for Abreu also but who could we trade for him. Lee? Then we'd be worse than we are now. I guarantee we can't get him for Prior.

 

We don't have any bargaining chips really. We're not getting much for Glendon, Pierre, Nevin, Mabry, Blanco etc. Unless Hendry can find a GM wanting to dump salary like he did with Pittsburgh and Florida we're pretty much in deep doo doo.

[Soul]

Carniby. Welcome to the ranks of the damned. I'm quite sorry, but there is no cure, you are a Cub fan for life :) You got any good ways to get decent Badger tix?? :wink:

 

Nobody wants to hear my random thoughts. Besides, I don't want to cause Tim to have to spend the remaining hours of the 4th of July deleting inappropriate words.

 

Don't worry. I'm a Cub fan. We know how to bottle it all up inside. Forever. 8)

[Yestheydo]

 

1. I wonder if anyone else is like this. I grew up a football fan, an almost obsessed Bears/ UW Badgers fan. Baseball came later. Now, this season will have officially been the year where baseball is number one for me. Not because I stopped loving football but more because I think baseball is the best sport in the world.

1a. That means that I cant stop watching the Cubs! I want to not care or at least not desire to see every game, but I cant. Im sick!! God why couldnt they have been .500 or something close. Not 22 games under. I know the season is over. Yet, I must watch every game, read every article.

You are sick. But this season is WAY BETTER than the last two. At least they're not teasing us with occasional mediocrity.

 

2. I never in my life been so wrong about a player then what I was with Jacque Jones. For 6 million a year, if can continue to hit even comperable to what he is doing now, he is worth the money. Was it really hitting in the triple H that hurt him?

I may get banned for saying this, but a player who never walks can still have offensive value. I wasn't nuts about Jones, but that's cause I really really wanted Abreu.

 

3. I really like Ronny Cedeno, but I hope he can show better plate patience because right now... I only see him as a fringe starter for the rest of his career.

I agree with that guy who compared him to Shawon Dunston with less power. At the end of the lineup, he's fine.

 

4. Keep Prior...... Balls being hit to your pitching elbow is a freak injury that would screw up anybody. I see the old prior emerging.. One or two more starts and he should be old prior again.

If Prior pitches well and finishes the year healthy, it's a perfect opportunity to trade him while his value is high. Every year it's the same with him. Get over it. There are other pitchers.

 

5. Wood for less than 6 million a year or nothing... He is my favorite athlete, period. I saw him pitch in iowa in the begining of the season 98', and I have had a man crush on him ever since. However, enough is enough. It is unfortunate because I know he can come back like Chris Carpenter did and do well. I havent seen a pitcher as talented as he was his rookie year... and probably never will.

See #4 above.

 

6. Keep Dusty.... THATS RIGHT I SAID IT. I dont see a viable alternative. Uncle Lou... he will only last three years here at most. Brenly... I doubt they will go down that road. Dave McKay or Dave Duncan from the Cardinals, Jerry Manuel from the Mets, Don Cooper from the White Sox, Larry Bowa or Tony Pena from the Yanks. Bobby Valentine from Japan.. None of those would be markedly better than Baker. This team, as assembled is crap.

You'd have to be out of your freaking mind to want this fool back. THAT'S RIGHT I SAID IT.

 

7. No trades.. JUST SIGN CARLOS LEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What if Milwaukee extends him first? I'd like to see someone like Trot Nixon to platoon with Murton.

 

8. Re-sign Wade Miller, if he will sign another 1 year 1 mil K

If he would do that, he would've given them an option year. He has yet to throw a pitch for the team, so wait and see.

 

9. Marmol needs some I-Cubs seasoning.

The year is half over. He's getting valuable experience right now; who knows how he'll be by the end of the year?

 

10. Williamson is on the "outside" because he sucks! Throw strikes then we will talk.

He wants to be traded. I don't blame him.

 

11. I love murton, but he might not even be the best outfield prospect on the Cubs right now. Pagan doesnt look half bad, I hope he gets more at bats once Nevin is traded/ optioned.

I think we can count on that. I predict Murton will go the way of Corey Patterson, complete with a career rebirth once he's with a team that doesn't have a staff of micromanaging buffoons assaulting him daily with helpful conflicting "advice".

 

12. Dumpster, I get it, youre a dad. Congrats. Get it together.

Even the best closers struggle, especially when the team struggles. If the team ever gets it together, Dempster will too.

 

13. Dick Pole, if it wasnt for your name, you would be worthless!

At last we agree on something.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think Carlos Lee would be a better player than we've had in left field in a long time.

 

Moises Alou says hello. While Moises wasn't beloved, he was just as good a hitter as Lee. I'm not advocating bringing back Alou. He's old and injury prone, but Lee would not be any better than Alou was in 2004.

 

Hendry is not going to find a group of future hall of famers to play for the Cubs in 2007. He will have to work with what's available. I like Murton but he's never going to have the power needed for a corner outfielder if he can't get the ball off the ground. Keeping Murton here with this coaching staff is pointless

 

Well, then the key may be bringing in different coaches. I'm not saying Murton is the answer, and I'm not completely opposed to getting Lee, but I think all avenues, including trades should be explored. Lee is a good hitter, but I don't think he's a difference maker. This team will need more help than Lee.

 

I'd like to trade for Abreu also but who could we trade for him. Lee? Then we'd be worse than we are now. I guarantee we can't get him for Prior.

 

A lot of what it would take to get Abreu is going to depend on what the Phillies try to do. I get the feeling, as have others around the league, that Gillick doesn't like the construction of that team and is eager to make changes. A package of Pie and Marshall might net Abreu if the Phillies decide to move his contract. I don't know yet, but I think it's a little early to settle for Lee.

 

We don't have any bargaining chips really. We're not getting much for Glendon, Pierre, Nevin, Mabry, Blanco etc. Unless Hendry can find a GM wanting to dump salary like he did with Pittsburgh and Florida we're pretty much in deep doo doo.

 

I don't expect much for those guys either, but in the offseason we could have some bargaining chips if we're willing to deal guys like Marhsall, Marmol, and Guzman along with guys like Gallagher then the Cubs may be able to make some trades this fall.

 

The fact remains that the Cubs will have lots of money to spend. Spending it wisely will be the key.

[Pinktermite]

If we could get CLee for say around 10 million per, then I'll say he's a big help in Left.

 

Ditto the thoughts on Miller...bye bye

 

Cedeno is not the answer. Though he should get the chance to say we are all wrong.

 

Leave JJ right where he's at, he's playing very well, and I think he will continue to get better since he's away from the dome.

 

Starting pitching, left field, second base, that should be where they head into the offseason.

 

Zito and CLEE would be a good start. Look at the Red Sox...they lose Damon and don't lose a step. They get these veteran pitchers and continue to bolster their offense...we should follow their lead...and the White Sox lead in how we evaluate what it takes to win. Great topic...

[cubfan1955]

I think Carlos Lee would be a better player than we've had in left field in a long time.

 

Moises Alou says hello. While Moises wasn't beloved, he was just as good a hitter as Lee. I'm not advocating bringing back Alou. He's old and injury prone, but Lee would not be any better than Alou was in 2004.

 

Hendry is not going to find a group of future hall of famers to play for the Cubs in 2007. He will have to work with what's available. I like Murton but he's never going to have the power needed for a corner outfielder if he can't get the ball off the ground. Keeping Murton here with this coaching staff is pointless

 

Well, then the key may be bringing in different coaches. I'm not saying Murton is the answer, and I'm not completely opposed to getting Lee, but I think all avenues, including trades should be explored. Lee is a good hitter, but I don't think he's a difference maker. This team will need more help than Lee.

 

I'd like to trade for Abreu also but who could we trade for him. Lee? Then we'd be worse than we are now. I guarantee we can't get him for Prior.

 

A lot of what it would take to get Abreu is going to depend on what the Phillies try to do. I get the feeling, as have others around the league, that Gillick doesn't like the construction of that team and is eager to make changes. A package of Pie and Marshall might net Abreu if the Phillies decide to move his contract. I don't know yet, but I think it's a little early to settle for Lee.

 

We don't have any bargaining chips really. We're not getting much for Glendon, Pierre, Nevin, Mabry, Blanco etc. Unless Hendry can find a GM wanting to dump salary like he did with Pittsburgh and Florida we're pretty much in deep doo doo.

 

I don't expect much for those guys either, but in the offseason we could have some bargaining chips if we're willing to deal guys like Marhsall, Marmol, and Guzman along with guys like Gallagher then the Cubs may be able to make some trades this fall.

 

The fact remains that the Cubs will have lots of money to spend. Spending it wisely will be the key.

I agree about Alou but he only had a couple of good years. I think we could get more than that out of CLee.

 

I'm just not sure I want Hendry doing the trading of Guzman, Marshall, Marmol, etc...especially after having seen him deal Nolasco, Pinto, and Mitre for Juan Pierre. It sucks that he got an extension.

 

Yes, spending the money wisely is key. Something Hendry hasn't done the last couple of years.

[Pinktermite]

Hendry isn't all bad, he spent money on Lee and Aram...those weren't bad money decisions. nor was Erye and Howry...

[Roast]

Hendry isn't all bad, he spent money on Lee and Aram...those weren't bad money decisions. nor was Erye and Howry...

 

Buttttttt...

 

Neifi, Jones, Macias, Rusch, Troy O'Leary, Tom Goodwin, Freddie Bynum, and all the other players he signs/trades for have something to say about that.

 

I STILL cant believe we actually TRADED somebody for Jose Macias.

[goonys evil twin]

Hendry isn't all bad, he spent money on Lee and Aram...those weren't bad money decisions. nor was Erye and Howry...

 

Yeah, and Neifi once hit a homerun and Rusch once won a game.

 

Having done something good in his stint as GM doesn't mean much. Most of the worst personel people in sports do something right along the line. The problem is big picture. The big picture on Hendry is bleak. This team is worse now than it was when he took over, that says it all. I, for one, wasn't all that impressed with 88 and 89 win seasons. Put together some 90+ win seasons and routinely contend for a spot in the world series and I'll say you've done something as a GM of a big market team.