[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Now the question is, do we re-sign Nomar at a discount? I say yes. But I'm sure there are probably 10 threads on that already.

 

Is it just me, or did that stadium seem empty last night? Aren't the Stros in a playoff race?

[erik316wttn]

Now the question is, do we re-sign Nomar at a discount? I say yes. But I'm sure there are probably 10 threads on that already.

 

Is it just me, or did that stadium seem empty last night? Aren't the Stros in a playoff race?

 

Yes. This is how a healthy Nomar hits. Imagine having that bat in the lineup for (hopefully) 135-145 games or so next year.

[gflore34]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

 

Well, he won't have much of a choice. This was his "try out" year. He was auditioning for other teams. Not much of an audition though. He'll have to take what we offer unless some team is willing to take a huge gamble on him. I say offer him another 1 year deal not worth more than 3 or 3.5 mil.

[erik316wttn]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

 

Well, he won't have much of a choice. This was his "try out" year. He was auditioning for other teams. Not much of an audition though. He'll have to take what we offer unless some team is willing to take a huge gamble on him. I say offer him another 1 year deal not worth more than 3 or 3.5 mil.

 

I'd even go as far as $4.5 with an automatically vesting option for 2007 based on 500 PA's.

[Jimy is a misspell]

 

Also, MMP absulutely sucks. Astros fans don't know to cheer unless a hiuge scorboard tells them to. It became a joke. If the crowd got louder, you could bet there was some obnoxious sign with a fake decible meter or something flashing in right field.

 

I respect the Astros as a team and like the way they play the game. But their "fans" should stick to football. They have no idea what's going on in the game. Like when they showered down boos because they thought the umps had made a bad call when Murtons ball shot off the foul pole for a HR. Shouldn't fans at least know that that's a fair ball?

 

1. MMP doesn't suck. It's a great palce to watch a game. You can have good sightlines from almost anywhere in the park, and it feels cozy even though it seats 45K. It's easy to get in and out of as well. It doesn't have thr tradition of Wrigley, but what does? It's still a great place to see a game.

 

2. Houston sports fans are just laid back in general. Have you been to a Rockets game? They don't make much noise, sans football. That's just Houston, always been that way and always will. 28K is about right for Monday night. Tonight you'll see a bigger turnout.

 

3. They weren't booing the call, they were booing the pitcher.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

3. They weren't booing the call, they were booing the pitcher.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought was going on too. That's why this thread confused me at first.

 

But anyway, I don't know if I'd go as high as 4.5 for Nomar. For one, we could easily sign him for less and there'd be almost nothing he could do about it. And if we wanted to give him more, we could give him an incentive based contract where he'd make 2.5 base and have the opportunity to go as high as 6 mil based on plate appearances, etc.

 

If he's going to ask for too much money, I think we have a major league ready SS just itching for his chance to prove himself. (Cedeno)

[CDBears1259]

Also, MMP absulutely sucks. Astros fans don't know to cheer unless a hiuge scorboard tells them to. It became a joke. If the crowd got louder, you could bet there was some obnoxious sign with a fake decible meter or something flashing in right field.

 

I respect the Astros as a team and like the way they play the game. But their "fans" should stick to football. They have no idea what's going on in the game. Like when they showered down boos because they thought the umps had made a bad call when Murtons ball shot off the foul pole for a HR. Shouldn't fans at least know that that's a fair ball?

 

Although I wasn't there and can't attest to what they were booing about, I do agree that most of their fans are very casual and don't seem to know much about the game in general. While I've never been to Dodger stadium it has a certain fan reputation and I get the same general feeling when I've attended Astros' games in MMP. And yes, I too think MMP stinks.

[TB_11]

And if we wanted to give him more, we could give him an incentive based contract where he'd make 2.5 base and have the opportunity to go as high as 6 mil based on plate appearances, etc.

 

That's what I was thinking, not because Nomar is an injury risk so much as the fact that he'll turn 33 next year. I'd like to see the Cubs make him an offer, though.

 

If he's going to ask for too much money, I think we have a major league ready SS just itching for his chance to prove himself. (Cedeno)

 

Hopefully we'll have a manager who is in favor of playing young guys if Cedeno is to get significant playing time next year, as Hendry has indicated he would like to see.

[TheDude]

But anyway, I don't know if I'd go as high as 4.5 for Nomar. For one, we could easily sign him for less and there'd be almost nothing he could do about it.

What gives you this impression? From what I have seen, only pitchers take such drastic "injury risk" paycuts when coming back.

 

Sexson and Ordonez got pretty stellar contracts as FA coming back from serious injury.

[UMFan83]

If Nomar has a good September, you can bet with the weak FA market there will be a team willing to overpay.

[erik316wttn]

3. They weren't booing the call, they were booing the pitcher.

 

Yeah, that's what I thought was going on too. That's why this thread confused me at first.

 

But anyway, I don't know if I'd go as high as 4.5 for Nomar. For one, we could easily sign him for less and there'd be almost nothing he could do about it. And if we wanted to give him more, we could give him an incentive based contract where he'd make 2.5 base and have the opportunity to go as high as 6 mil based on plate appearances, etc.

 

If he's going to ask for too much money, I think we have a major league ready SS just itching for his chance to prove himself. (Cedeno)

 

Well yes, if we can sign him for less, do so, but if you HAVE to go as high as 4.5, I think it would be wise.

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

Amid the boos were shouts of "it was foul" and the like. I was surrounded by booing Astros fans so I have a pretty good idea of what they were saying. They thought it was a foul ball. The HR only made the score 3-2, I sincerely doubt any Astros fans cared so much about 1 HR at that point that they were booing the pitcher. It was a lack of fundamental knowledge about the game.

 

As for the asthetics of MMP, it's as sterile as a mall. The train, hill and pop up HRs to the Crawford boxes make it a joke. It may not seem like that to Houstonians who can only compare it to the Dome, but it's the truth. All loud music and flashing lights. Absolutely no character that isn't contrived.

 

And to the other poster, yes the place was pretty empty. 26,000 I think. But school just started down here and they rarely sell out unless Clemens is pitching.

 

Please don't get me wrong. I think the Astros are a great team of players who know how to play the game. Ijust think the fans of a team that has made the playoffs quite a bit recently should have a better grasp of the rules. They booed a pitch out in the second inning. What's that about?

 

EDIT: I did not mean that the HRs last night were pop ups to the Crawford boxes. They were all mashed. But in general, when a 315ft pop up gets the crowd on its feet, that's a bad thing.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

 

Well, he won't have much of a choice. This was his "try out" year. He was auditioning for other teams. Not much of an audition though. He'll have to take what we offer unless some team is willing to take a huge gamble on him. I say offer him another 1 year deal not worth more than 3 or 3.5 mil.

 

 

see: Ordonez, Magglio

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

 

Well, he won't have much of a choice. This was his "try out" year. He was auditioning for other teams. Not much of an audition though. He'll have to take what we offer unless some team is willing to take a huge gamble on him. I say offer him another 1 year deal not worth more than 3 or 3.5 mil.

 

 

see: Ordonez, Magglio

 

And see how many games Magglio has missed this year. Plus, I doubt the Tigers are really happy with that decision right now. They paid too much. And I might be wrong, but he wasn't coming off of two consecutive injury riddled seasons. If we can get him for cheap, I say do it. If someone is willing to pay more, we have Cedeno to go for us, or we have freed up money to burn on someone else.

[Jimy is a misspell]

Amid the boos were shouts of "it was foul" and the like. I was surrounded by booing Astros fans so I have a pretty good idea of what they were saying. They thought it was a foul ball. The HR only made the score 3-2, I sincerely doubt any Astros fans cared so much about 1 HR at that point that they were booing the pitcher. It was a lack of fundamental knowledge about the game.

 

As for the asthetics of MMP, it's as sterile as a mall. The train, hill and pop up HRs to the Crawford boxes make it a joke. It may not seem like that to Houstonians who can only compare it to the Dome, but it's the truth. All loud music and flashing lights. Absolutely no character that isn't contrived.

 

And to the other poster, yes the place was pretty empty. 26,000 I think. But school just started down here and they rarely sell out unless Clemens is pitching.

 

Please don't get me wrong. I think the Astros are a great team of players who know how to play the game. Ijust think the fans of a team that has made the playoffs quite a bit recently should have a better grasp of the rules. They booed a pitch out in the second inning. What's that about?

 

EDIT: I did not mean that the HRs last night were pop ups to the Crawford boxes. They were all mashed. But in general, when a 315ft pop up gets the crowd on its feet, that's a bad thing.

 

1. So you were sitting around a few astros fans saying it was foul. Can you attest to the other several thousand booing a pitcher that just given up another homerun (on a two striek count I believe) after the team who had not scored any runs in two games had just tied the score?

 

2. So we differ on the park. Each to his own. It is more sterile with the roof closed than open, but personally I don't like to sit outside in Houston when it's raining or when the heat index is topping 110 degrees. I do wish they would open the roof more later in the game, but Drayton thinks fan comfort is more important. You'll see the roof open more in September when the death heat leaves. I encourage you to sit on the first baseline with the roof open and check out the skyline behind left field. It's a great site. But like I said if you don't like it I understand, to each his own.

 

3. You are smart to note the start of school, which certainly factored into the attendence. But to say they only sell out when Roger is pitching is also incorrect, I think they are still avg. ~ 35K.

 

4. I never said I agreed with the laid back style of Houston fans. They remind me sometimes of Atlanta fans who didn't sell out the first round of the playoffs.

 

5. You seem genuine and I am not trying to flame you. Good that you pointed out those shots to left were not cheap ones. But I agree it is frustrating sometimes when you give up a 315' Crawford Box special, as I like to call them. BUt it works both ways, and when the wind is howling out of Wrigley how hard to you need to hit a ball to get it out.

 

Glad you went to the game, go again in September when the roof is open and sit in the Terrace deck on the 1st base side behind homeplate. ~ $20 bucks and even better than sitting down close b/c of the "movie theater balcony" perspective you get on everything.

[minnesotacubsfan]

I believe Nomar should be re-sign as well, given what has happened the past two seasons, I also believe he'll take whatever deal the Cubs offer.

 

Well, he won't have much of a choice. This was his "try out" year. He was auditioning for other teams. Not much of an audition though. He'll have to take what we offer unless some team is willing to take a huge gamble on him. I say offer him another 1 year deal not worth more than 3 or 3.5 mil.

 

 

see: Ordonez, Magglio

 

And see how many games Magglio has missed this year. Plus, I doubt the Tigers are really happy with that decision right now. They paid too much. And I might be wrong, but he wasn't coming off of two consecutive injury riddled seasons. If we can get him for cheap, I say do it. If someone is willing to pay more, we have Cedeno to go for us, or we have freed up money to burn on someone else.

 

i totally agree with you.

 

 

now if we could get Dusty on the Cedeno wagn

[Houston_Cub_Fan]

True, I can't speak for everyone who was booing. Again, I'm not trying to start a fight. I just don't like sensory overload at a baseball game. To each his own. I liked my seats in terms of view and comfort etc. But the overall experience was negative - probably because the Cubs were getting their buts handed to them.

 

Didn't mean to pull the thread off course. I really wanted to talk about Nomar.

[Balsa]

I absolutely want him for next year. And I think he wants to come back as a Cub too. He doesn't really strike me as the kind of guy that would sell out the highest bidder. I think he really likes Chicago, and hopefully he feels like he owes us something. I would imagine he'd need days off as well, so Cedano could platoon with him.

[UK1679666180]

Nomar is hitting line drives, he is staying compact and not reaching for breaking pitches low and away. He is also working the count better than he has at any point since becoming a Cub.

[Jimy is a misspell]

Hey UK, you should have seen Derk last night. He was wearing a bowtie for the game broadcast.

[UK1679666180]

Hey UK, you should have seen Derk last night. He was wearing a bowtie for the game broadcast.

 

Was he wearing the bow tie over a Hawaiian shirt? :)

 

How has it been listening to #49 again during home games?