Hey Bruce...do you have time for a few questions?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

1. Do the Cubs have any interest in the following:

a. Milton Bradley?

b. Brian Giles?

c. Luis Castillo?

d. Octavio Dotel?

3. Kevin Mench?

 

2. Why Neifi?

 

3. How long before Walker is gone?

[Bruce Miles]

I've got to go on a conference call (with Neifi) at 11:30 this morning, so I'll make it quick:

 

I'm not seeing much interest at this point in the players you mentioned. They do like Giles but feel he'll be overpriced. There is some question within the organization as to Giles' "declining" production. Funny, his OBP was higher than even D-Lee's this year.

 

Hendry is going to do all he can to trade Walker.

[E.J.]

I've got to go on a conference call (with Neifi) at 11:30 this morning, so I'll make it quick:

 

I'm not seeing much interest at this point in the players you mentioned. They do like Giles but feel he'll be overpriced. There is some question within the organization as to Giles' "declining" production. Funny, his OBP was higher than even D-Lee's this year.

 

Hendry is going to do all he can to trade Walker.

 

Haha. Hendry can overpay for crap like Rusch and Neifi, but heaven forbids he overpay for someone who actually produces.

[CuseCubFan69]

Wow...Bruce you just bummed me out even more. Giles would be over priced and Perez at 2.5 is not. Attention K-Mart shoppers Jim Hendry is here.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I've got to go on a conference call (with Neifi) at 11:30 this morning, so I'll make it quick:

 

I'm not seeing much interest at this point in the players you mentioned. They do like Giles but feel he'll be overpriced. There is some question within the organization as to Giles' "declining" production. Funny, his OBP was higher than even D-Lee's this year.

 

Hendry is going to do all he can to trade Walker.

 

Thanks, Bruce. I'm getting the feeling this is going to be a horrible offseason. Maybe they should introduce the team at this year's convention..."Ladies and Gentelmen, your 2006 5th place Chicago Cubs! But hey...we can catch the ball!"

[JoshiQ]

Wow...Bruce you just bummed me out even more. Giles would be over priced and Perez at 2.5 is not. Attention K-Mart shoppers Jim Hendry is here.

 

I grow weary of the Cubs.

[JeffH]

Bruce, when you have time...

 

Is the Cubs reported interest in Juan Pierre dependent upon them not getting Furcal, or might they get them both?

 

Is it an either/or thing?

 

Thanks ever so much.

 

Say "hi" to Neifi for me.

[Bruce Miles]

Furcal-Pierre is not an either-or thing with the Cubs. They'd like to have both.

[YearofDaCubs]

I've got to go on a conference call (with Neifi) at 11:30 this morning, so I'll make it quick:

 

I'm not seeing much interest at this point in the players you mentioned. They do like Giles but feel he'll be overpriced. There is some question within the organization as to Giles' "declining" production. Funny, his OBP was higher than even D-Lee's this year.

 

Hendry is going to do all he can to trade Walker.

 

Haha. Hendry can overpay for crap like Rusch and Neifi, but heaven forbids he overpay for someone who actually produces.

Exactly why Hendry is a clown.

[BigbadB]

If it cost the same money to have:

 

Giles

Bradley

Furcal

Fontenot

Cedeno

Williams spot/long relief

Burnett

 

than it would

 

Jacque Jones/Juan Encarnacion

Juan Pierre

Furcal

Perez

Cedeno

Rusch

Burnett

 

Assuming that 5m would be the difference between Giles and Jones or Encarnacion, which team would you rather have? If with 11m you could have had Brian Giles or Juan Encarnacion, Glendon Rusch and Neifi Perez, I'll take the Giles deal 100 times out of 100. It's a no brainer.

[David]

This is so frustrating. All this incompetence in the management of our favorite team and there's absolutely nothing we can do about it.

[nick23]

I've got to go on a conference call (with Neifi) at 11:30 this morning, so I'll make it quick:

 

I'm not seeing much interest at this point in the players you mentioned. They do like Giles but feel he'll be overpriced. There is some question within the organization as to Giles' "declining" production. Funny, his OBP was higher than even D-Lee's this year.

 

Hendry is going to do all he can to trade Walker.

I can't even begin to describe how frustrating that line is after today's signing.

[JeffH]

Bruce, also, at your leisure...

 

There are reports of Cub interest in B.J. Ryan, even after having signed Dempster.

 

If you know, is that genuine?

 

Seems like he might be a better value at $7 or so than Burnett at $11-ish.

 

Thanks ever so much.

[mg420]

Bruce,

 

any news on right field? what do the cubs think of chad tracy from the dbacks? at 25, i would rather have him than giles anyway (assuming they dont want the world in prospects for him).

 

thanks in advance.

[TB_11]

Thanks Bruce.

 

No Giles + Interest in Pierre = Bad offseason.

[BigbadB]

With Giles STILL on the market, is it a good idea to spend money like it's going out of style (overpaying for bench players Rusch and Neifi), then realize later you HAD the money to sign him, but you don't anymore?

[CubfaninCA]

Ironic that Giles may be overpriced. Encouraging to hear they'd like Furcal and Pierre. Jmo but top of the order hitters are a must in SS and CF. Gotta Neifi/Dusty proof the lineup. Edited November 8, 2005 by CubfaninCA

[CuseCubFan69]

With Giles STILL on the market, is it a good idea to spend money like it's going out of style (overpaying for bench players Rusch and Neifi), then realize later you HAD the money to sign him, but you don't anymore?

 

You're using common sense BbB and not Cub logic. It's amazing how Hendry can use up the cash for B or C players while the A's go to someone else.

 

He also seems to be looking at the wrong players anyway so it doesn't really matter how he does it. IMO his only strength is doing trades while signing free agents is a HUGE weakness.

[E.J.]

Ironic that Giles may be overpriced. Encouraging to hear they'd like Furcal and Pierre. Jmo but top of the order hitters for a must in SS and CF. Gotta Neifi/Dusty proof the lineup.

 

Yeah right. It's almost a guarantee right now that Neifi will bat in the 2-hole. I wasn't a big fan of getting Pierre, but if it means Neifi will be batting 8th I'm all for it. I'm sure this is a happy day for Ronny Cedeno. :roll:

[CuseCubFan69]

Ironic that Giles may be overpriced. Encouraging to hear they'd like Furcal and Pierre. Jmo but top of the order hitters for a must in SS and CF. Gotta Neifi/Dusty proof the lineup.

 

I still see Perez hitting #2 under too many scenerios. You're right about Dusty Proofing this team but what that means to me is trashing the whole organization player wise.

[EricG]

He did overpay for Maddux. Why wont he overpay for Giles?

[USSoccer]

I hate being right. It's laughable that Hendry thinks Giles is overpriced, yet has no promblem overpaying mediocrity. He's pound wise, penny foolish.

[frostwyrm]

Gary Sheffield available? We could use him.

[UMFan83]

Hendry is overpaying for known quantities and trying to 'play it safe' with unknown quantities. That is why the Cubs haven't won a World Series in 97 years. Playing it safe....

[CubfaninCA]

Ironic that Giles may be overpriced. Encouraging to hear they'd like Furcal and Pierre. Jmo but top of the order hitters for a must in SS and CF. Gotta Neifi/Dusty proof the lineup.

 

I still see Perez hitting #2 under too many scenerios. You're right about Dusty Proofing this team but what that means to me is trashing the whole organization player wise.

 

Furcal is a must for SS, and either Pierre, Lofton, Crisp or Damon for CF. Forget Mike Cameron now. Am kinda leaning towards Crisp for CF. His .810 ops would rank him 5th amongst cf's for 2005. He has the speed and adequate obp for the 2 hole.

 

I don't mind Neifi as a starter just as long as he's batting eighth. He has a great glove and some pop in his bat. Furcal & Neifi up the middle should make the pitching staff real happy at least.