The Lou Piniella Media Thread

[questionmarkgrace]

thats fox 32 chicago. In the preview they said he'd be talking about Soriano. Interesting.

[PrimeTime]

nice.thanks for letting everyone know.just turned it on..hes coming up next...itll be interesting what on what he has to say

[E.J.]

let us out-of-towners know what he said.

[baseball7897]

He pretty much said he wants Soriano. He also expects Hendry to add some SP.

[questionmarkgrace]

also said that the tribune company reiterated their desire to win during the mesa meetings. said two starters are high on our list and then a big bat.

 

pretty much what everyone has assumed they should be doing. But its nice to hear it from an actual high ranking member of the organization.

[b_wiggy_66]

Said starting pitching is number one priority, says Jim will look to add some at the GM meetings this week

 

Said that a big bat will be looked for, and mentioned Soriano

 

Said Trib has said they will spend what it takes to win

 

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week

 

Also said he thinks Demp will bounce back and return to '05 form

[JeffH]

Hey, Jim - make a big trade offer for Vernon Wells.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Hey, Jim - make a big trade offer for Vernon Wells.

 

I'd rather just sign Drew. Drew is a better player than Wells.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

I'd be happy with 2 quality SPs and a big bat. I'd wet myself over 2 of each.

[questionmarkgrace]

wells hasn't experienced the injuries that drew has either. ANd he is younger and has not yet peaked potential wise.

[baseball7897]

Vernon Wells is going to have a break out year in 07. I would rather take a risk on a guy like Wells than I would with an injury bug in Drew.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

wells hasn't experienced the injuries that drew has either. ANd he is younger and has not yet peaked potential wise.

 

An average JD Drew season is better than Vernon Wells at his very best.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Vernon Wells OPS+ the past three years: 126, 104, 103

JD Drew's OPS+ the past three years: 125, 148, 158

 

Wells' best season barely surpasses Drew's worst.

 

Furthermore, Wells will cost much in players to acquire and he will then command big bucks to keep. Drew will only cost dollars.

 

Now, if Drew were off the market, Wells could be an option. Right now, I'd pursue Drew while keeping my eye on the Wells situation.

 

I'd also look into Andruw Jones before Wells.

[questionmarkgrace]

IF you could tell me drew would stay healthy I would love to have him. But given his past and the fact that he would be playing center field, assuming we don't trade jones; and the fact that he would be playing a position that he hasn't played with anysort of regularity since 1999 I would think that the odds of him getting hurt are pretty good. Especially considering his injury history. If he is playing right field its a different story. He is an on base machine when he is healthy but so was nomar.

 

My point about wells though is that we haven't seen his best yet. He'll be 28 in december. But i agree that his current obp leaves something to be desired.

[A New Era]

Said starting pitching is number one priority, says Jim will look to add some at the GM meetings this week

 

Said that a big bat will be looked for, and mentioned Soriano

 

Said Trib has said they will spend what it takes to win

 

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week

 

Also said he thinks Demp will bounce back and return to '05 form

 

AWE-freaking-SOME. I love it. Sounds like Lou, Jim, and the Trib are eager to put a GREAT team out there. And it sounds like we might be discussing how we like our new pitchers, . . VERY soon. . oohh, euphoria. . :shock: :o :lol: :)

[Dirt Dog Sparly]

Said starting pitching is number one priority, says Jim will look to add some at the GM meetings this week

 

Said that a big bat will be looked for, and mentioned Soriano

 

Said Trib has said they will spend what it takes to win

 

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week

 

Also said he thinks Demp will bounce back and return to '05 form

 

AWE-freaking-SOME. I love it. Sounds like Lou, Jim, and the Trib are eager to put a GREAT team out there. And it sounds like we might be discussing how we like our new pitchers, . . VERY soon. . oohh, euphoria. . :shock: :o :lol: :)

 

 

Actually, on this board, we will be discussing how much Hendry overpaid for some guy and a long contract to boot if the past is any guide.

[A New Era]

Said starting pitching is number one priority, says Jim will look to add some at the GM meetings this week

 

Said that a big bat will be looked for, and mentioned Soriano

 

Said Trib has said they will spend what it takes to win

 

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Said Hendry will look at trades and made it seem like they will move fast, mentioning many times that Jim would like to get things done at GM meetings this week

 

Also said he thinks Demp will bounce back and return to '05 form

 

AWE-freaking-SOME. I love it. Sounds like Lou, Jim, and the Trib are eager to put a GREAT team out there. And it sounds like we might be discussing how we like our new pitchers, . . VERY soon. . oohh, euphoria. . :shock: :o :lol: :)

 

 

Actually, on this board, we will be discussing how much Hendry overpaid for some guy and a long contract to boot if the past is any guide.

 

You guys just didn't have enough of me last off-season. :wink:

[Soriano12]

Said that Ramirez is a good player and he just wants him to play with passion everyday

 

Aram just left 20 million to stay with this trainwreck.

 

Thats passion right there.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This year was Vernon Wells' breakout season, his BABIP was 30 points higher than previous seasons and 20 points higher than it should have been. We're more likely to see Wells decline from last season's performance.

[A New Era]

This year was Vernon Wells' breakout season, his BABIP was 30 points higher than previous seasons and 20 points higher than it should have been. We're more likely to see Wells decline from last season's performance.

 

. . or (possibly) soriano.

[Neuby]

I really hope the Cubs strike quick and Sign Drew if the Cubs can get him under contract at reasonably rate. This will give the Cubs some leverage in possibly trading Jones and give us leverage against some other free agent bats and maybe get Carlos Lee to come here at a discount if this is really his preffered home which might allow the Cubs to still chase after a top flight starter.

[ChiCubsFan]

I really hope the Cubs strike quick and Sign Drew if the Cubs can get him under contract at reasonably rate. This will give the Cubs some leverage in possibly trading Jones and give us leverage against some other free agent bats and maybe get Carlos Lee to come here at a discount if this is really his preffered home which might allow the Cubs to still chase after a top flight starter.

 

I think CLee, Drew, Durham, and a top starter would be amazing. I'm not overly interested in Lee (and it looks like Houston is his likely destination) but if he'd take a discount to return to the Windy City and seek his revenge against the South Siders I'd do it. Of course, that depends on the ability to trade Jacque Jones, which I'm sure can be done. If Todd Hundley was traded with 2 years left on his contract, so can JJ. Imagine this lineup:

 

2b-Durham

LF-Murton

CF-Drew

1B-Lee

3B-Aram

RF-CLee

C-Barrett

SS-Izturis

 

The outfield defense would be pretty bad and Izturis still isn't gone, but that lineup would produce a ton of runs.

 

Either way, I just hope Hendry strikes quick and adds Drew and a stud starter. Then I'd hope for another bat and another starter. I can't wait to see how this ends up.

[CuseCubFan69]

Did Lou actually say anything?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I was hoping Lou would say we would sign eight midgets who walk all the time!

[Soul]

So far sweet Lou has to be pretty happy with how things have gone. He's now got power at the corners and a real backup option at closer if Dempster doesn't pan out.

 

I liked how he mentioned pitching right off the bat. Hopefully this means Hendry is not going to wait on Prior, and sign not only a quality starter for the rotation, but also a journeyman as a hedge against Prior's injury woes.

 

That would be just about as ideal as it could get for one offseason, IMO. Add a genuine power bat, and it becomes a total coup for Hendry.

 

Ahhh.......but I'm probably just dreaming.