Nice Article Mariotti re: Giles, Furcal, Pierre

[CUBZ99]

From today's Suntimes:

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay25.html

 

Good read and it seems like Mariotti agrees with many on the board.

 

On the Bullpen

 

Sure, it's nice to see Hendry address an ongoing crater in his general-managing career and fix his bullpen, throwing a whopping $23 million at setup men Bobby Howry and Scott Eyre. But building a bridge to a closer who might or might not be reliable (Ryan Dempster) barely whittles the list of needs.

 

A Milton Bradley sighting:

 

They can't possibly bring him back again if Pierre ends up, say, on the South Side. I'd rather gamble on a problem child such as Milton Bradley than keep using a moping flop such as Patterson.

 

On the OF:

 

The bleachers expansion project, for instance, is much further along than the Cubs' outfield.

 

Alfonso Soriano is available, just months after Hendry eyed him in a potential trade, but the Cubs apparently are more interested in a cheaper Kevin Mench, who sounds like a younger Jeromy Burnitz. Free agent Brian Giles would seem to be the perfect weapon to place in front of Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez, given his .423 on-base percentage last season, his league-leading 119 walks and his big offensive numbers beyond the pitchers' friend that is Petco Park in San Diego. And Giles is hot to trot now that his former team, the Padres, have rejected his three-year proposal to re-sign at a reported $30 million. But so far, anyway, Hendry hasn't shown much interest in a player about to turn 35.

 

On the pitching Staff:

 

From this point on, Wood should be viewed as a perpetual injury waiting to happen, I hate to say. If he returns and wins some games, great; just don't expect it. Anyone who wants to deal Carlos Zambrano, even for Ichiro Suzuki, is loony. I'm going to assume, perhaps foolishly, that Mark Prior will stay healthy for an entire season and win 20 games. But Greg Maddux is so old, he sometimes looks like a glorified batting-practice pitcher. And it scares me to think Glendon Rusch and Jerome Williams are the fourth and fifth starters. Rich Hill? Sergio Mitre? Trade bait.

 

On Baker:

 

It's no wonder we've heard precious little about Baker and the reported extension the club is prepared to offer. If the fans aren't fond of him and he isn't fond of the fans, why sign up for more torture?

[USSoccer]

At least Giles is getting a little more ink when it comes to the Chicago papers. Public pressure can work wonders... :D

[CardsFanInChiTown]

it seems like Mariotti agrees with many on the board.

 

Haha, ouch.

[fearthecubs]

It's no wonder we've heard precious little about Baker and the reported extension the club is prepared to offer.

 

WHAT!?

[David]

It's no wonder we've heard precious little about Baker and the reported extension the club is prepared to offer.

 

WHAT!?

 

Old news.

[nolanwood]

We shoulda jumped on Girardi and told Crusty to hit the highway :)

[TrueBlueCubFan]

We shoulda jumped on Girardi and told Crusty to hit the highway :)

You think Giradi's regretting his decision to take the Marlins job?

[nolanwood]

We shoulda jumped on Girardi and told Crusty to hit the highway :)

You think Giradi's regretting his decision to take the Marlins job?

 

 

I've got to believe that they told him prior to taking the job what he was in for - but I know if he had the opportunity to come back to the Northside and replace Crusty he would've been here in a heartbeat.

 

It's gotta suck being in his shoes now, though. At least the expectations won't be very high this year... :wink:

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We shoulda jumped on Girardi and told Crusty to hit the highway :)

 

Nah...as long as Fredi Gonzalez is still out there, we're ok.

[CuseCubFan69]

We shoulda jumped on Girardi and told Crusty to hit the highway :)

 

Nah...as long as Fredi Gonzalez is still out there, we're ok.

 

I think Fredi should be in your sig Vance.

[WrigleyinEngland]

Mariotti is isuch a tool, while i agree with some points what an earth is he dribbling on about with Soriano??. He then adds how good giles's OBP would be, check out the OBP and defence on Soriano jay. He then talks about Mench as another Burnitz for your information Mr Controversy putting the ball in play is not mench's problem, keeping it away from fielders is!!!!!