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HoopsCubs

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  1. HoopsCubs
    The "problem" stems from an allegation that Lowe (who is married) has been having an affair with a Dodgers beat reporter, which has caused some awkward moments in that clubhouse. That's what I have been told.
  2. HoopsCubs
    That is correct. While it does seem far fetched in some ways, the money part of it makes sense for the Marlins, and the Dodgers do figure to shop Bradley and either Lowe or Odalis Perez. Curiously, neither of these rumours involved Corey Patterson. I am pretty convinced Hendry will trade Patterson, so it will be interesting to see where he ends up. Hoops
  3. HoopsCubs
    Please take this with a grain of salt, as it is not from any of my reliable sources. Curiously, though, I have heard this from 2 different people in the last 2 weekends: Florida trades Mike Lowell and Luis Castillo to the Cubs for Todd Walker (after Hendry picks up his option), Ricky Nolasco and an OF prospect (not named Pie). The Cubs trade Lowell, $2M in cash and a pitching prospect (not named Hill or Pinto) to the Dodgers for Milton Bradley and Derek Lowe. Financially, the Marlins free up a lot of payroll to pay Carlos Delgado's salary bump; the Dodgers trade 2 clubhouse problems and get some payroll flexibility in exchange for an everyday 3B; the Cubs spend $22M of their available $40M on a CF, 2B (who can bat 1-2) and a 200 inning sinker baller. Hoops
  4. HoopsCubs
    I wouldn't give him arbitration. Today, right now, I'd offer him a 2 year deal for $6M total ($3M each year) as a super utility player - play some 3B, play some SS, play some 2B, play some OF. He gets an additional $3M each year if he reaches 500 PAs. This is a keep your options open move for Hendry. With his payroll and available cash, giving $3M to Nomar is nothing. It does not prevent him from going after Furcal or Lugo. Nomar is the fallback if he can't acquire a better SS or has reservations about Cedeno. Now, would Nomar sign a deal for 2 years and $6M as a super utility? The answer may surprise us.
  5. HoopsCubs
    This is a great response. All GMs make great moves and dumb moves - it comes with the territory. Kenny Williams was brutal early on, but those Contreras and Garcia trades were really, really smart. And everyone figured Garland would wake up one of these days. He made one move this last offseason, which really worked for this club. He changed formulas. Instead of the Konerko/Thomas/CLee/Magglio lineup, which got them nowhere for 5 years, he decided to go speed and pitching and defense. Everyone thought he was nuts when he traded Carlos Lee. The lesson for Jim Hendry is clear. renew your team. Change things around. Some things just don't work - accept it and move on. If he follows that principle, we have most likely seen the last of Corey Patterson, Todd Walker, Neifi Perez, Jose Macias and Jeromy Burnitz on this team. If that principle holds up, he is serious about acquiring a #2 or 3 starting pitcher. If that principle holds up, he is serious about acquiring a quality lead-off bat and a power OF. Even if the Sox win it all, I don't think Hendry is pressured by that. He will be pressured by trying to field a winner for his fans after his team was just 5 outs away from doing what the Sox did last night.
  6. HoopsCubs
    I think I read about it in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Beltre wants out. The Phillies want Thome out.
  7. HoopsCubs
    Is anyone else hearing this rumour: Jim Thome and David Bell to Seattle for Adrian Beltre?
  8. HoopsCubs
    Now that's blech. Low trade or value not, Patterson's got to go in order for the organization to start its renewal process.
  9. HoopsCubs
    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/story/354962p-302565c.html According to this column, the Yankees may have interest in Giles too - as well as Hunter, Cameron, Lofton and Jacque Jones. The columnist believes they have little to no interest in Damon. The Hartford Courant downplays Damon a bit too. "Johnny Damon may be irresistible to the Yankees if he gets out on the free agent market, but the Yankees will have to consider whether his physical problems are the start of a decline and whether they can live with his weak throwing arm in Yankee Stadium." http://www.courant.com/sports/baseball/hc-yankees1012.artoct12,0,2307811.story?coll=hc-headlines-baseball
  10. HoopsCubs
    http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/1005/11furcal.html This link may give you the article or the registration page. A few quotes: "With their season over and the free agent filing period to begin after the World Series, the Braves can focus on re-signing Rafael Furcal, a situation some teammates described as the most important one facing the team." ""John [schuerholz] has been working as hard as he can work to get that done," manager Bobby Cox said Monday." This isn't a slam dunk case in Atlanta's favor. While he prefers to play for Cox, Furcal has indicated that he wouldn't turn down a lucrative offer from another club. Hoops
  11. HoopsCubs
    From rotoworld... "D'Angelo Jimenez - 2B - Reds Reds sent second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez outright to Triple-A Louisville. Jimenez rejected the assignment and became a free agent. He could be quite the bargain pickup this winter. It's true he struggled mightily for the Reds this season, but it was just a month and a half. He's still a fine offensive second baseman, and that he spent a lot of time playing shortstop after being sent to the minors won't hurt his stock." From a utility standpoint, you got to figure he would be much better than Jose Macias or Neifi Perez, given his career OBP of .350. Hoops
  12. HoopsCubs
    I suppose it could end up being Austin Kearns as the beat writers have indicated that Hendry likes him. If you are registered, there is an article about the Reds in the Dayton Daily News, where the columnist suggests that Kearns be traded to the Cubs and Wily Mo Pena to the Nationals for young pitchers. Hoops
  13. HoopsCubs
    By the way, just playing with a lineup after a series of moves like this, and the lineup is insane: Giles Giles Lee Helton Ramirez Barrett Murton Cedeno Assuming Helton at $14m (Rox have to pick up some of the deal if they trade him), Giles/Giles at 5.5/10, respectively, a crazy 3/30 deal for Wagner, a bench of Blanco/Theriot/Fontenot/Greenberg/1.1m OF, and I've got a $102.75m juggernaut. Having 2 minimum wage starter helps a lot. And with that lineup, you have to be happy to go with the kids on the bench. Don't you dare say things like that. My hopes for this offseason are already precariously waiting to be dashed against a Preston Wilson signing. Your lineup, while formidable and roughly within budget, is so far out of the realm of Jim Hendry's reality that I don't even want to think about it - because I might cry. Please no Preton Wilson That rattled me so much I couldn't even spell his name correctly...... Preston would be fine on 1-2 year deal/batting 6th or 7th IF the Cubs had an Abreu, Giles or Burrell type playing corner outfield, AND an adequate lead-off option playing 2B or SS. What you don't want is for Preston to be your leading OPS in the OF. If so, then we will suffer from Burnitzitis. Hoops
  14. HoopsCubs
    Derrek Lee might be the player of the year.
  15. HoopsCubs
    I wonder if Jose Cruz, Jr. would be a good short term solution (1 year) for CF and lead-off. Nice OBP (100 points above batting average), decent slugging and he's a free agent. He had a terrific September. Hoops Didn't he get released twice last year? I'm not necessarily against the idea, but let's just say that he's not my first choice. Yes, Arizona released him in July and then Boston released him in August. He had ~115 PAs with the Dodgers in September: .317 .400 .604 1.004 (ave obp slg ops) with 6 home runs and 15 rbis.
  16. HoopsCubs
    I wonder if Jose Cruz, Jr. would be a good short term solution (1 year) for CF and lead-off. Nice OBP (100 points above batting average), decent slugging and he's a free agent. He had a terrific September. Hoops
  17. HoopsCubs
    Not surprising, but Giles was also fourth in the leage in runs created. Giles + Lee + Ramirez = Lot o' runs. Certainly more runs than Burnitz+Lee+Ramirez, but I would hold back on using your phrase "lotta runs" until we see who is batting 1 and 2.
  18. HoopsCubs
    Vance, I had read some place that their owner was planning on increasing payroll if they made the post-season. Since they did, I assume he will. By how much, I have no idea. I do think the Astros will be in on the Giles and Furcal sweepstakes. Cardinals will definitely be in on Giles. By the way, Oswalt is under contract for $11M in 2006. He will still be final year arbitration eligible for the 2007 season.
  19. HoopsCubs
    I still think Huff has peaked and his numbers are going to continue to go south. Add to that he can't play defense well and I see it as a bad move. If it wasn't for the fact that the new owner is planning on spending more, I would have said that this is the offseason that Tampa Bay would shop Julio Lugo, who arguably might be a better bargain that Furcal. This is one area that Jim Hendry should keep close eyes and ears on. From all indications, Huff is lazy and a cancer in the clubhouse. Best to stay clear.
  20. HoopsCubs
    Looking at it statistically, there were 16 right-fielders in 2005 that had at least 200 plate appearances and OPS values of .800 and above: V. Guerrero, J. Drew, B. Giles, G. Sheffield, G. Jenkins, L. Walker, J. Francoeur, B. Abreu, J. Dye, J. Gibbons, S. Green, M. Cameron, J. Guillen, J. Lane, E. Brown, T. Nixon Interesting to note that Francoeur, Dye, Gibbons, Guillen and Lane had OBPs below 340. It's pretty clear: unless the Cubs plan on taking a 1-year flier on Larry Walker or convince the Dodgers, Yankees, Brewers or Phils to trade Drew, Sheffield, Jenkins or Abreu respectively, the only real impact bat available for RF is Brian Giles. Screaming to the choir here, but Hendry has to focus on Giles. I would even advocate over-spending a little if he had to. On the flip side, Hendry must stay away from the Juan Encarnacion, Aubrey Huff, Jacque Jones, Craig Monroe types of the world - that's a recipe for Burnitzitis.
  21. HoopsCubs
    Sorry for asking this if it has been addressed someplace else, but what are Manny's reasons for wanting out of Boston? I've never understood them.
  22. HoopsCubs
    Then they are screwed. They have no choice. They must improve the OF. Hendry will go sign Juan Encrnacion to play RF and Preston Wilson to play CF, and will say, "hey, NSBB, I did improve the outfield. I went from 750 to 790 OPS in RF and 650 to 790 OPS in CF." Scary stuff. Hendry should just over-spend to get Giles.
  23. HoopsCubs
    I'm beginning to think that that is what is going to happen too. Damon will go to the Yankees or Angels. Beltran will become Boston's CF. Cliff Floyd coming here. So Hoops, 3 minutes after you said we'd be going for a RF or CF, you say Cliff Floyd is coming here? :scratch: Actually my source thinks we're going after a RF AND CF. As for Floyd, I think if Hendry brings him here, it will be to play RF. Is your source of the mind-set that Furcal is the primary target, Hoops? And does your source think we have any chance for Giles? My 2 key sources would love Giles and Giles in Cub uniforms. Wouldn't we all? As for Marcus, there have been grumblings that he does not get along with Braves management, which has fueled the trade rumours, especially because he's 2nd time arbitration eligible and stands to get a raise from $2.3M to possibly $5.5M. Furcal is an obvious target for the Cubs, Mariners, Astros, Mets and Blue Jays because he plays SS and can lead-off, which are 2 key holes this off-season for many teams. Is he the primary target? I don't know. I will say I like the idea of acquiring Castillo, Giles, and/or Lugo before signing Furcal to a 4 year/$32M type deal.
  24. HoopsCubs
    My angle on this whole thing is I hope the Braves just re-sign Furcal, and trade Marcus Giles (to us).
  25. HoopsCubs
    I'm beginning to think that that is what is going to happen too. Damon will go to the Yankees or Angels. Beltran will become Boston's CF. Cliff Floyd coming here. So Hoops, 3 minutes after you said we'd be going for a RF or CF, you say Cliff Floyd is coming here? :scratch: Actually my source thinks we're going after a RF AND CF. As for Floyd, I think if Hendry brings him here, it will be to play RF.
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