Bruce Miles Chat, 2004-12-20

[Tim]

North Side Baseball welcomes Bruce Miles to a chat with our members right here at nsbb.com. Bruce covers the Cubs for "The Daily Herald"; he also contributes articles to the Cubs' official publication, "VineLine". Bruce has been covering the Cubs for more than a decade; he knows the players and the front office folks.

 

Welcome to the chat, Bruce!

[Tim]

With the Mulder trade in the books, does Jim Hendry feel that he must sign a big-name player to counter the Cardinals?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Bruce,

 

You mentioned last year's suspensions. Do you think there will be any carry-over from those incidents into the 2005 season?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

How close is the Jacque Jones mistake close to happening?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Have you any thoughts on the Cubs first (second round) pick from last year, the pitcher from Notre Dame, Grant Johnson I think his name was.

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

What kind of contract to think Aramis Ramirez will ask for/get? Hendry doesn't negotiate during the year, so when do you see something getting done. ARam had such a key role for us last year, and we all know about the Cubs longstanding 3b problems, any chance they'd let him go? I forget what Adrian Beltre got, I think around $12/year - who is ARam's agent?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Admit it, you're thrilled to not have to see Bako play for the Cubs anymore. Your take on the Blanco signing?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Also, a lot of posters here complain that Hendry overpays for role/bench players - do you agree?

 

I think Hendry has done a great job not overpaying for his stars, which can really bind a team. What's you're take on the big contracts he signed Lee and Wood to. I'd like to see ARam, Z, and with improvement CP sign what I like to call "the Lee standard" contracts - 3 years, $22.5 mil (You can feel free to use "Lee standard" in your columns if you like).

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Dusty got so much flak last year - was he really as big a problem as the Chicago sports media makes it out to be? It seems the Chicago sports media largely can't stand the guy - but could we do better at manager?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

What's the payroll situation? I realize Hendry and FitzSimmons don't tell you, but are the days of a sub $100 mil payroll finally over?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Taking in all considerations, who should the Cubs sign - Drew or Beltran?

 

Looking in your crystal ball, who will they sign?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Prior looked very frustrated at times last year, it probably was the first continued stretch of adversity he's ever had. What was his problem geting on track and what are your thoughts for his '05 season?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Hawkins? Good, bad, reason for us not making the playoffs? '05 closer....??? :shock:

 

I'd much rather see him as set up man, and he did fine as a closer when he had more than a 1 run lead, but what do you see his role being in '05?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

It's an odd year, so Farnsworth will be lights out. Any chance they'll try him as closer? May give him that additional focus he lacks....

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Bruce,

 

Does the trade for Mark Mulder put any pressure on the Cubs to make a splash?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

How much interest do the Cubs have in JD Drew? I keep hearing that the Cubs want to trade Sosa before going after Beltran, and that they are willing to wait until after Jan 8 to make an offer, but don't they run the danger of letting Drew sign elsewhere, essentially making it Beltran or nobody? Hendry got Nomar after waiting for a deal to pan out, does he feel as confident as he did in July about getting his man?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Bruce,

 

Of all the Sosa trade speculations, which ones do you think are most viable?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Bruce, are there any players who could be non-tendered tonight that the Cubs have particular interest in?

Edited December 20, 2004 by Tim

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, do you believe that Hendry and the Cubs have gotten themselves into a position where they must get rid of Sosa and Farnsworth? Or is it reasonable to expect that with no helpful deal out there, they can live with and succeed with both still on the roster? If they do keep Sosa, do you foresee any type of public reconciliation, possibly with MacPhail visiting Sammy's home and bringing him together with Baker to smooth things out and reset some ground rules for the benefit of both parties in 2005?

 

No, I don't believe either situation is irreparable. If need be, Jim will referee a meeting between Dusty and Sammy. I believe it will be Jim, and not Andy, who does this. I thought Farnsworth might have been through after hurting his knee late last year, but the Cubs brought him back. Hendry will speak with him, too.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Is Jason Dubois going to get serious consideration for a starting job?

 

What are the chances that Kelton or Guzman make the club out of spring training?

 

Who are the other minor leaguers that you expect to make contributions in the near future?

 

 

Thanks for taking time to stop by NSBB.

 

:D

Always my pleasure to come here. You have a great community. Dusty, as one might expect, did not sound overly enhused about Dubois when I asked about him at the winter meetings. I'm a little concerned about this. But we might end up with a situation where the front office leaves Baker little choice but to play the kid. I hope he gets a shot. Kelton has opened some eyes in winter ball and may be a darkhorse. I suspect the Cubs will not want to rush Guzman back. Look for him after the season starts.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

I was wondering how much information that is reported by beat writers is true? Do they actually know what is going on and if they don't, do they tend to make things "interesting" to keep a reader base? How much is assumed and how much is actual fact in what happens in the dugouts and behind the scenes?

 

Thanks for your time.

I know that everything I write is true to the best of my knowledge. Speculation is part of the fun of watching _ and covering _ baseball, so all writers will speculate. I might say, for example, that J.D. Drew would make a great fit at Wrigley. That's true, but it doesn't necessarily mean the Cubs are after him. If I know they are, I will say the Cubs have spoken to the player or his agent. We get to the clubhouse three and a half hours before every game and stay in there about an hour afterward. If you're a good reporter and do your job honestly, you have a pretty good idea of what's going on, and the readers can trust what you write.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Thanks for stopping by. What players are the Cubs targetting for bench spots this year?

 

I know that we have Blanco and Perez, but who else rounds out the bench? Is Hendry looking for veteran players, or will guys like Kelton and Bacon be given a look at bench roles? Also, is there any interest in Makowiak?

Bacon is a ways away yet, but Kelton certainly has a chance. They'll look to re-sign Hollandsworth. Yes, the Cubs do like Mackhowiak, but my guess is the Pirates will keep him. We'll find out about that later today.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, thanks for stopping by.

 

How do you feel the Cubs have done in terms of paying for their own FA's in comparison with the rest of the market?

Seems to me the Cubs and their own free agents have a great deal of respect for one another and that has led to some pretty good deals for both sides. Even the Sammy deal looked good at the time, considering he wanted 6 years and 120 million at the time. (Imagine that!!!). The Lee and Wood deals were good examples last spring. I think you'll see the same attempt made with Aramis this spring.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Everyone knows that the Sosa situation plays a big role in any decisions the Cubs make this year. With that in mind, do the Cubs end up with either of the top two outfielders on the market (Drew and Beltran)? If not what direction do you see Hendry taking?

 

I've read that Drew may be headed to L.A. but they seem to be in a real mess out there. I still think Hendry will find a way to land one of the top three Boras outfielders. If not, we'll see Sammy in right and a combination of Dubois and a veteran in left.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

What kind of contract do you think Magglio Ordonez will get this year? How interested are the Cubs in acquiring him, and do they believe that he will be healthy enough to play most of 2005?

 

My guess is Magglio will get a one year or one an an option with lots of incentives. The Cubs like him, but they will be very very cautious about the medical reports. Can't say that I blame them.