Verducci's SI Hot Stove Article

[HoopsCubs]

Hot off the presses...

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writers/tom_verducci/11/01/insider/index.html

 

"6. Will the Cubs spend big money in the free-agent market?

 

 

Welcome to Year 98 in the kingdom of long-suffering Cubs fans, the first one in 88 years in which they have to stomach a title on the south side of town. The White Sox's world championship may exert even more pressure on the Cubs to step up their spending on veterans rather than get younger. That means the Cubs could get into bidding wars for outfielder Johnny Damon and infielders Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra."

[David]

I'm hearing far too much of this Johnny Damon crud... Please, no more, or I'll start to get worried... :x :x

[da bears]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

[da bears]

I'm hearing far too much of this Johnny Damon crud... Please, no more, or I'll start to get worried... :x :x

 

I'm 100% in agreement with you on this one.

[St.Paul Cub]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

[da bears]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

 

Yeah, I like Furcal, but Hendry is still gonna have to do something big even if he lands Furcal to get me excited.

[da bears]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

 

Yeah, I like Furcal, but Hendry is still gonna have to do something big even if he lands Furcal to get me excited.

[Neuby]

Re-sign nomar, sign Dotel, Sign Burnett, Sign Giles, trade for Bradley, Trade for Manny. I wish Hendry would follow my MVP baseball moves.

[da bears]

Re-sign nomar, sign Dotel, Sign Burnett, Sign Giles, trade for Bradley, Trade for Manny. I wish Hendry would follow my MVP baseball moves.

 

Alright, those moves would get me pretty excited.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Re-sign nomar, sign Dotel, Sign Burnett, Sign Giles, trade for Bradley, Trade for Manny. I wish Hendry would follow my MVP baseball moves.

 

Alright, those moves would get me pretty excited.

 

You could always become a Yankees fan

[da bears]

Re-sign nomar, sign Dotel, Sign Burnett, Sign Giles, trade for Bradley, Trade for Manny. I wish Hendry would follow my MVP baseball moves.

 

Alright, those moves would get me pretty excited.

 

You could always become a Yankees fan

 

No thanks. Just suffering from some White Sox championship depression/ jealousy here.

[Magnetic Curses]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

 

no small ball, plz.

[ManEatingTarp]

Cubs off season.

 

Sign Damon 5yr 60mil

Sign Furcal 5yr 55mil

Sign Burnett 4yr 45mil

Trade for Ray King

 

 

This is of course my wish as a Cards fan ;)

[CardsFanInChiTown]

Cubs off season.

 

Sign Damon 5yr 60mil

Sign Furcal 5yr 55mil

Sign Burnett 4yr 45mil

Trade for Ray King

 

 

This is of course my wish as a Cards fan ;)

 

I think locking up nefi for the next 7 years should be their first priority.

[TheDude]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

 

no small ball, plz.

So you like futility in tight games games then? Being able to play different styles of baseball when the need arises is how you win.

[USSoccer]

Cubs off season.

 

Sign Damon 5yr 60mil

Sign Furcal 5yr 55mil

Sign Burnett 4yr 45mil

Trade for Ray King

 

 

This is of course my wish as a Cards fan ;)

 

I think locking up nefi for the next 7 years should be their first priority.

 

god help us all, then, if that happens

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Maybe it's just me, but neither of those three excites me to the point where I think this team can actually contend with the Cardinals and even the Astros next season. I have no idea what Hendry is going to do this offseason, but for me personally to have the same hope that I had after 2003, it's going to take a monster offseason by Hendry.

 

I really want Furcal, but agree that those 3 don't necessarily excite me into thinking we'd be contenders. However, I look at Furcal as having the Lofton-catalyst effect of a few years ago, allowing us to mix small ball with the long bal.

 

no small ball, plz.

So you like futility in tight games games then? Being able to play different styles of baseball when the need arises is how you win.

 

or you could play the odds and win more games. :wink: