Its Scary Quiet

[cheapseats]

I don't remember many people who thought Cedeno was ever the next great thing.

 

Pre-2005 that is certainly true.

 

Sickels had Cedeno rated as the Cubs #3 prospect going into 2006.

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

[SAMMYWHO]

I remember everyone wanting him to be the starting shortstop for along time because of his defense and his cost. When Furcal was rumored to be coming here I thought they wanted him over Walker at second. But I could be wrong on that as Walker was on his way out I think.

[cubweiser03]

I don't know why people think Jacque won't repeat. Wrigley is a great place for LH hitters. He may not repeat his career power numbers, but he was a very patient hitter his last year in Minnesota. If he can get some of that back with a new hitting coach that stresses that type of thing, I'm sure he can put up similar numbers.

 

Well in the last month he did have a shift in the right direction when it comes to discipline and walks. Maybe he can carry that forward. He's got great bat speed no doubt. If he can somehow stop swinging at the inside sliders so much and better recognize those he wont get himself out as much. He probably won't hit for higher average but his OBP will definetly improve. He's not to old to see pitches better, he's got the talent. Some guys dont have the talent to get better as they age, JJ does. Not saying he will but he at least has the foundation. Id really like to see what he can do next year if they let him play CF.

[goonys evil twin]

I remember everyone wanting him to be the starting shortstop for along time because of his defense and his cost.

 

Yes, but that's quite different than next great thing.

[CubinNY]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

[cheapseats]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

 

Furcal had a horrible start (after a surgery, fwiw) but ended up being worth his contract last year.

 

With Furcal, the Cubs may or may not have signed Pierre, certainly wouldn't have traded for Cesar, and might have traded Ronny when his value was at its peak. Oh well. :twisted:

[RichHillIsABeast]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

 

If you still want Cedeno rather than Furcal, and you want Furcal rather than Ceasar, does that mean you want Cedeno starting at SS in 2007?

[CubinNY]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

 

If you still want Cedeno rather than Furcal, and you want Furcal rather than Ceasar, does that mean you want Cedeno starting at SS in 2007?

 

Not necessarily. I was thinking about cost and production. Furcal is obviously the best player of the three. I still think Hendry would have picked up Slappy though. The Cubs had no viable alternative at CF after Patterson was traded for two sticks of bubble gum.

 

We just have to hope Izturis has a break out year, just like last year we had to hope Cedeno would carry his good winter league numbers into the season. The Cubs are dependent on "hope" more than other team I can think of.

[RichHillIsABeast]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

 

If you still want Cedeno rather than Furcal, and you want Furcal rather than Ceasar, does that mean you want Cedeno starting at SS in 2007?

 

Not necessarily. I was thinking about cost and production. Furcal is obviously the best player of the three. I still think Hendry would have picked up Slappy though. The Cubs had no viable alternative at CF after Patterson was traded for two sticks of bubble gum.

 

We just have to hope Izturis has a break out year, just like last year we had to hope Cedeno would carry his good winter league numbers into the season. The Cubs are dependent on "hope" more than other team I can think of.

 

Gotcha. Didn't Hendry say at the time we were pursuing Furcal that he'd like to have both Furcal and Slappy? I doubt he'd have gotten put over the barrel like he did at the trade table. That would have been nice.

[Backtobanks]

 

I do remember a lot of NSBBers saying they'd rather have Cedeno than Furcal during the early part of the 2006 season.

 

I was one of them. And I'd still rather have Cedeno than Furcal. But I'd rather have Furcal than Cesear, so now I wish they'd got the contract done. It would also mean they wouldn't have signed Soriano and maybe have gone after Drew.

 

It's the freaking butterfly effect. :spin:

 

Furcal had a horrible start (after a surgery, fwiw) but ended up being worth his contract last year.

 

With Furcal, the Cubs may or may not have signed Pierre, certainly wouldn't have traded for Cesar, and might have traded Ronny when his value was at its peak. Oh well. :twisted:

 

People are saying the Dodgers are the favorites in the West and they signed Furcal and Pierre.

[BigbadB]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

[SAMMYWHO]

I remember everyone wanting him to be the starting shortstop for along time because of his defense and his cost.

 

Yes, but that's quite different than next great thing.

 

The next greatest thing was seeing his stats here in Iowa and then watching what looked like a productive call up. He hit over .300 his first year in the bigs. I realize pitchers didn't know his weaknesses but it's not like he came out of nowhere like Marshall last year or Rich Hill out of A ball.

This guy was supposed to be a position prospect that was going to make a difference. I still would be against trading him like a Corey situation. If it's in the right deal, Church, Wilkerson or something we could use then fine. I personally want to be remembered as not giving up on him and hope that he has a sophmore rebound in a Cubs uniform.

[Bruce Miles]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

 

These points are all true, well made and well argued. But Ryan Church is not a free agent. The fact is, the Cubs have talked with Washington about him (as have other teams). Perhaps the Nationals are asking way too much (this is what I hear) for Church from the Cubs and other teams. This goes back to my point about taking two sides to make a deal. The Cubs aren't alone in not being able to pull off a trade, either major or minor. I was at the winter meetings, and there was virtually NO trade activity. All these GMs face to face, and the most that was going to happen was that somebody was going to catch a cold. Getting a trade done assumes that the team wants to move the player and is asking for a reasonable amount in return. I don't know if the Nats want to move Church. I do know they've fielded calls and have asked for a lot from everybody who has called.

[Bruno7481]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

 

These points are all true, well made and well argued. But Ryan Church is not a free agent. The fact is, the Cubs have talked with Washington about him (as have other teams). Perhaps the Nationals are asking way too much (this is what I hear) for Church from the Cubs and other teams. This goes back to my point about taking two sides to make a deal. The Cubs aren't alone in not being able to pull off a trade, either major or minor. I was at the winter meetings, and there was virtually NO trade activity. All these GMs face to face, and the most that was going to happen was that somebody was going to catch a cold. Getting a trade done assumes that the team wants to move the player and is asking for a reasonable amount in return. I don't know if the Nats want to move Church. I do know they've fielded calls and have asked for a lot from everybody who has called.

 

So it isn't as easy to trade as it is in fantasy baseball? Surely Bruce you must be wrong, Hendry's just an idiot. When will you get this?

 

:lol:

 

(back to the pub now...London rocks!)

[goonys evil twin]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

 

These points are all true, well made and well argued. But Ryan Church is not a free agent. The fact is, the Cubs have talked with Washington about him (as have other teams). Perhaps the Nationals are asking way too much (this is what I hear) for Church from the Cubs and other teams. This goes back to my point about taking two sides to make a deal. The Cubs aren't alone in not being able to pull off a trade, either major or minor. I was at the winter meetings, and there was virtually NO trade activity. All these GMs face to face, and the most that was going to happen was that somebody was going to catch a cold. Getting a trade done assumes that the team wants to move the player and is asking for a reasonable amount in return. I don't know if the Nats want to move Church. I do know they've fielded calls and have asked for a lot from everybody who has called.

 

So it isn't as easy to trade as it is in fantasy baseball? Surely Bruce you must be wrong, Hendry's just an idiot. When will you get this?

 

:lol:

 

(back to the pub now...London rocks!)

 

Couldn't they just turn off fair trades and force it through?

[b_wiggy_66]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

 

These points are all true, well made and well argued. But Ryan Church is not a free agent. The fact is, the Cubs have talked with Washington about him (as have other teams). Perhaps the Nationals are asking way too much (this is what I hear) for Church from the Cubs and other teams. This goes back to my point about taking two sides to make a deal. The Cubs aren't alone in not being able to pull off a trade, either major or minor. I was at the winter meetings, and there was virtually NO trade activity. All these GMs face to face, and the most that was going to happen was that somebody was going to catch a cold. Getting a trade done assumes that the team wants to move the player and is asking for a reasonable amount in return. I don't know if the Nats want to move Church. I do know they've fielded calls and have asked for a lot from everybody who has called.

 

Right now we have:

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

Ward

Cedeno

 

I think Cedeno should go back to AAA and work on his game. Pagan is alright but I'd like to have a few veterans on the bench to add a little veteran prescence in the clubhouse.

 

I do think that our depth needs to be addressed and I think we need more than Floyd. Bruce, has Hendry been looking for some solid backups this year. Guys like Craig Wilson, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Boone, Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley?

[goonys evil twin]

Right now we have:

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

Ward

Cedeno

 

I think Cedeno should go back to AAA and work on his game. Pagan is alright but I'd like to have a few veterans on the bench to add a little veteran prescence in the clubhouse.

 

I do think that our depth needs to be addressed and I think we need more than Floyd. Bruce, has Hendry been looking for some solid backups this year. Guys like Craig Wilson, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Boone, Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley?

 

The Clubhouse is plenty veterany as is. If you want to argue they need a veteran for the bench because none of their young guys are good enough, okay. But they don't need veteran presence, they need production.

 

 

What's Shea Hillenbrand doing?

[Bruno7481]

Right now we have:

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

Ward

Cedeno

 

I think Cedeno should go back to AAA and work on his game. Pagan is alright but I'd like to have a few veterans on the bench to add a little veteran prescence in the clubhouse.

 

I do think that our depth needs to be addressed and I think we need more than Floyd. Bruce, has Hendry been looking for some solid backups this year. Guys like Craig Wilson, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Boone, Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley?

 

The Clubhouse is plenty veterany as is. If you want to argue they need a veteran for the bench because none of their young guys are good enough, okay. But they don't need veteran presence, they need production.

 

 

What's Shea Hillenbrand doing?

 

Prank calling John Gibbons.

[Garwilly]

Right now we have:

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

Ward

Cedeno

 

I think Cedeno should go back to AAA and work on his game. Pagan is alright but I'd like to have a few veterans on the bench to add a little veteran prescence in the clubhouse.

 

I do think that our depth needs to be addressed and I think we need more than Floyd. Bruce, has Hendry been looking for some solid backups this year. Guys like Craig Wilson, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Boone, Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley?

 

The Clubhouse is plenty veterany as is. If you want to argue they need a veteran for the bench because none of their young guys are good enough, okay. But they don't need veteran presence, they need production.

 

 

What's Shea Hillenbrand doing?

 

Prank calling John Gibbons.

 

A friend for Lilly. Even better.

[Bruce Miles]

I clearly remember my stance on last year's offseason. I said I could live with Cedeno at SS if the rest of the team was improved, which included a stud RF (Giles/Nomar) and someone to split time with Murton in LF like Huff.

 

I said I could live with Murton in LF if they had a stud bat in RF and a better SS option than Cedeno.

 

I said they couldn't go into the season with both in the starting line up. By doing that, the bench would likely be extremely weak as well as a couple of virtual unknowns getting everyday starts in the everyday line up.

 

Hendry just doesn't understand the need for depth. Is Church our savior? No. But, he's cheap and provides depth and can even step in and be a regular starter.

 

Minnesota has depth in their outfield and they always have. They have been able to absorb an injury to Hunter or Stewart by having a capable back up like Lew Ford or Mike Cuddyer ready to step in.

 

Darryl Ward is nothing more than a bench guy at this point in his career. If Soriano gets hurt, is Ward the guy who Hendry thinks can step in and keep the team competitive? Pagan?

 

After last year, you would think he had learned his lesson with running a thin line up out there day in and day out.

 

I guess not.

 

These points are all true, well made and well argued. But Ryan Church is not a free agent. The fact is, the Cubs have talked with Washington about him (as have other teams). Perhaps the Nationals are asking way too much (this is what I hear) for Church from the Cubs and other teams. This goes back to my point about taking two sides to make a deal. The Cubs aren't alone in not being able to pull off a trade, either major or minor. I was at the winter meetings, and there was virtually NO trade activity. All these GMs face to face, and the most that was going to happen was that somebody was going to catch a cold. Getting a trade done assumes that the team wants to move the player and is asking for a reasonable amount in return. I don't know if the Nats want to move Church. I do know they've fielded calls and have asked for a lot from everybody who has called.

 

Right now we have:

Blanco

Theriot

Pagan

Ward

Cedeno

 

I think Cedeno should go back to AAA and work on his game. Pagan is alright but I'd like to have a few veterans on the bench to add a little veteran prescence in the clubhouse.

 

I do think that our depth needs to be addressed and I think we need more than Floyd. Bruce, has Hendry been looking for some solid backups this year. Guys like Craig Wilson, Miguel Cairo, Aaron Boone, Shannon Stewart, Steve Finley?

 

Many of these names have come up in the Cubs' discussions. Some are back-burner guys if they can't get Floyd (seemingly their first choice) done.

If you look at trades since Hendry has become the GM, he's actually pulled off quite a few, getting Lee, Ramirez, Lofton, Grudz, Karros, Nomar, Murton, Barrett, Nevin, Izturis and others. He's also been able to move guys like Wellemeyer, Hollandsworth and Remlinger via trades, least getting warm bodies instead of losing guys on waivers or having to release them.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Quick question Bruce: Adam Dunn or Andruw Jones, have the Cubs shown any interest, or are they not thinking that big at all? The Cubs have an awful lot of extra players at this point, a good half-dozen.

[Bruce Miles]

Quick question Bruce: Adam Dunn or Andruw Jones, have the Cubs shown any interest, or are they not thinking that big at all? The Cubs have an awful lot of extra players at this point, a good half-dozen.

 

From what I gathered at the winter meetings, the Reds weren't moving Dunn. I don't think the Cubs have visited that one in some time. Hendry always liked Kearns when he was with the Reds. I haven't heard any talk on Jones. The Braves may wind up keeping him through the entire 2007 season or making a July 31 trade.

[Voiceontheair]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I cringe at the thought of Murton being platooned. There's no reason to take away at-bats from this promising young player. His splits don't warrant it, either. Unfortunately, Jones is horrible versus lefties, and should almost never face them.

[goonys evil twin]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I cringe at the thought of Murton being platooned. There's no reason to take away at-bats from this promising young player. His splits don't warrant it, either. Unfortunately, Jones is horrible versus lefties, and should almost never face them.

 

Platooning Murton is far from ideal. But the Cubs need more offense. If they don't improve the blackhole at SS, or get something in center, a LH bat that could provide greater production against RHP than Murton could, might be the next best thing.

[YearofDaCubs]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I cringe at the thought of Murton being platooned. There's no reason to take away at-bats from this promising young player. His splits don't warrant it, either. Unfortunately, Jones is horrible versus lefties, and should almost never face them.

Bob Brenly is that you? :)