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HoopsCubs

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  1. HoopsCubs
    From a strict OPS standpoint, Walker is currently ranked 10th among 2B in the majors. 4 of the 9 guys ahead of him (Vidro, Cantu, Biggio, Polanco) are within a few percentage poins of Walker, so you can easily make the argument that Walker is 6th, which is pretty good. But, the 5 ahead of him (Giles, Soriano, Utley, Kent, Roberts) are significantly better than him, so I would look to see how to acquire one of them, although I doubt Atlanta, Philly or Baltimore would trade theirs. From the Cubs standpoint, I don't look at it so much as $2.5M vs. $7.5M. I cling to the belief that if Jeff Kent (batting 4th) or Alfonso Soriano (batting 6th) were in this line-up, we'd be a lot closer to the WC lead, if not leading it.
  2. HoopsCubs
    I wouldn't hesitate one second to sign him to a 2-year deal. As for 2B, I'd like us to acquire Kent or Soriano. Todd Walker doesn't do much for me.
  3. HoopsCubs
    Best thing? If the Cubs sweep the Astros this week, they're 4 back in the loss column with 40 games left and a ton of momentum on their side. The goal is to win, right? I certainly know I am not rooting for the Cubs to fall out of the WC race. Hendry/Baker should be creative and open-minded enough to insert Murton and Pie (for the struggling Burnitz and so-so Patterson) into the line-up with the goal being to win games.
  4. HoopsCubs
    (1) Sign Kevin Millwood (2) Sign AJ Burnett (3) Re-sign Matt Lawton (4) Re-sign Nomar Garciaparra (5) Re-sign Ryan Dempster (6) Trade for Ken Griffey, Jr. - send Corey Patterson and a prospect (7) Trade for either Jeff Kent or Alfonso Soriano - send Kerry Wood (an extension might offset his no trade clause) and a prospect Lineup: Lawton Garciaparra Lee Griffey Kent or Ramirez Ramirez or Soriano Barrett Murton Pitcher Rotation: Prior Zambrano Burnett Maddux Millwood
  5. HoopsCubs
    While $12.5 million per season is pricey, it's not an outrageous sum to pay a guy who can put up a 900 OPS from CF. My only real objection to acquiring Griffey would be his health questions. (And to a lesser extent his age at the end of the contract.) The Cubs definitely need a lot of OF help next year, though, so I'm open to any deal that would get a player capable of Griffey's production. To me, the decision here comes down to just money. He is owed $12.5M per year '06 through '08 and then a $4M buyout in '09. If a deal was structured in such a way where the Cubs picked up no more than $6.5M per season and $500K of the buyout, i.e., $20M over 3+ years, I'd be all over this. Given the lack of outfield free agents, the freed up salaries of Sosa, Remlinger and Hawkins after 2005 and the fact that the Cubs are one of the top spenders, he is easily affordable if the Reds agree to the Cubs terms. JMHO.
  6. HoopsCubs
    Not me. But I wouldn't mind having Kevin Millwood.
  7. HoopsCubs
    Keep in mind folks, Brad Penny signed a 3 year extension in mid-June. Thus, he is not a free agent until after the 2008 season, or maybe 2009 if his option is picked up. http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/8556254
  8. HoopsCubs
    You're right - it's time for me to get off that topic now. It's water under the bridge. It just upsets me that the Cubs had a chance to get this guy twice - after the 2002 season, and again after the 2004 season, and both times couldn't (or wouldn't) close the deal.
  9. HoopsCubs
    Think about it. Over the 2004 and 2005 seasons, the Cubs had invested close to $18M in Remlinger, Hawkins and Borowski. That amount would have paid for Jeff Kent. I know - it's not an apples to apples comparison.
  10. HoopsCubs
    Agreed. I think it is the right baseball move, but I'm still surprised Hendry is doing it. Then again, DFAing Borowski set the precedent.
  11. HoopsCubs
    Just heard on ESPN AM 1000 (noon CDT). Mike Remlinger will be Designated For Assignment later today to allow Scott Williamson to be put on the 40/25 roster. I think it's fair to say we did not get $10.65M of value over the 3 years he was here. Hoops
  12. HoopsCubs
    That's a good point. I think we could be surprised here. Everyone wants Macias and/or Remlinger to be DFAd to free up one spot - I certainly don't see Macias getting axed at this point as Hendry seems reluctant to bring Mike Fontenot up. Remlinger, maybe, but I still have doubts even though he should get cut (a la Borowski). It could be Grieve - perhaps Hendry snuck him through waivers with other visible players on the list. You know, maybe Angel goes on the 60 day, but I think he's going to pitch soon. So, I'm guessing a dark horse candidate loses his 40-man status: goodbye Russ Rohlicek.
  13. HoopsCubs
    Pretty heavily guarded secret from what I've been told in terms of both who gets placed, and who clears/doesn't clear. Based on what a source told me, it is pretty routine for teams to put 50% of their players on the waiver wire just to see what happens. Teams try to use the waivers process this time of year to hide certain young players who may be out of options and/or need to be outrighted. Since players can always be pulled back, if claimed, there doesn't seem to be any downside (the first time). Back to your specific question, there is no public source other than a few things leaking out every now and then from anonymous sources in the know. From a Cubs perspective, I am pretty certain that guys like Remlinger, Hollandsworth, Macias and Hairston will be placed.
  14. HoopsCubs
    Both Wood and Maddux have no trade clauses, and if Maddux doesn't get the necessary innings for his auto vest, that will most likely mean the Cubs have failed in the wild card attempt. By the way, it's a pretty poor free agent class, so don't be surprised if the Cubs operate on a $85-90M payroll in 2006, and that expand that to the $110M level in 2007.
  15. HoopsCubs
    Hard to say. One of my sources told me that Hendry is going to look at the next 16 games (3 @PHL, 3 @NYM, 3 CIN, 4 STL, 3 @HOU) and then take stock on August 18 - off day.
  16. HoopsCubs
    I listened to him this morning on Mike and Mike's radio show on ESPN (around 7:30 AM CDT). While the "bulk" of the timeslot was spent discussing Palmeiro, he was asked in the last few minutes about deals in August and players clearing waivers, and he stated his opinion that as more teams fall out, we could see 1 or 2 big trades. The names he rattled off (in terms of players he believe will be clearing waivers): Mike Sweeney, Ken Griffey, Manny Ramirez, Edgardo Alfonzo. He didn't say that one of those guys would be dealt, but implied, they'd be the right type of player to be moved, i.e., multi-year contract with big money playing for teams not in it (Manny being the exception). I guess we'll see what transpires. I have a hunch that the Angels, Yankees and Dodgers are going to try and do something. Hoops
  17. HoopsCubs
    Uhh.. Okay, hoops, correct me if I'm wrong, but I beleive he was asking if he could CLEAR waivers, as in a trade. He's not saying release him, if he was, who would care if he cleared waivers. he wouldnt have to. He, I beleive, is asking that if we traded him somewhere, would he clear wiavers? Roast, thanks for saying it better. I'm not advocating a release at all. I asked if he could clear waivers to facilitate a trade. I suppose even if he was claimed, a trade could be made, but it is tougher. Hairston is in Murton's way right now, I would like Hendry to correct that problem because I doubt Dusty uses Hairston as a bench player. Hendry has to force the issue, and NOT give Dusty too many options. Besides, you have to believe that the Cubs' preference for 2B next year is Walker first, Fontenot 2nd.
  18. HoopsCubs
    water under the bridge my friend... everyone (fans, cubs, critics, etc...) should just look forward.
  19. HoopsCubs
    4 interesting facts: (1) Jerry Hairston had a .304 OBP in July when given the chance to start everyday after whining about lack of playing time earlier in the year. (2) Matt Lawton (.431 OBP in July) was acquired. (3) Bruce Levine stated last night, and again this morning that the Cubs are strongly leaning towards bringing Corey Patterson up in 7-10 days. (4) Dusty Baker dislikes Hairston, and Jim Hendry's comment in June about a ballplayer like Hairston needing to play smarter. The Twins need a 2B. If he clears, the Cubs should move Hairston, Jr. up north. And, even if someone claims him, I say let them have him. Hairston no longer has a role on this team in 2005 and beyond. Lawton will probably a Cub in 2006 or Felix Pie will be the leadoff hitter playing CF, and the Cubs will re-sign Todd Walker. Just let him go! Hoops
  20. HoopsCubs
    Conventional wisdom says you want power from 3B/1B/LF/RF. But I say, if you got power from 3B/SS/2B/1B, then you can afford to go high OBP at LF/RF. Imagine an IF of Ramirez, Garciaparra (healthy), Kent and Lee. Well, would we be concerned then if Lawton, Patterson and Murton was the OF? Of course not. So, I am biased of course. I am a huge Jeff Kent fan. Hendry had a chance to sign him twice. He didn't wither time. We all look back and say why didn't we go for Vlad, why didn't we go for Beltran. I agree with some of that, but I also think Vlad had injury flags that concened the Cubs and the Cubs were just not going to hand out 7 year deals. But why not Kent? Because he was in his mid-30s? Well, then give him a 2 year deal. Oh yeah, that's what Houston and LA did. He, in my opinion, was the real missed opportunity. We tend to get so enamored by guys like Walker - sure he's gritty and all, but he's not even in the same league as Jeff Kent.
  21. HoopsCubs
    See, that's what has been bothering me for the longest time. Not only did Hendry not do anything to the OF he made it worse during the off-season. And since no trades were made for a significant upgrade we dont really have many options this off-season either since this crop is weak. I dont know about you but I would rather NOT give Giles a 3 year deal and have him here until he's forty. Burnitz is another year older and his contract next year is not exactly for peanuts. Too many holes on this team, and a HUGE question mark in the OF. EDIT: Giles would be 35 so a 3 year deal will make sure he here when hes 38. Let's see what the Winter Meetings hold. If Hendry wants Kearns, he'll figure something out.
  22. HoopsCubs
    In addition to Tejada, Tim, I would add that in my opinion Jeff Kent was a great signing for Houston and for LA based on his high OPS. Good point about Kent. He seemed like a good fit, as he has a track record w/ Dusty. If we had signed Kent either time he was available, I dare say 2004 and 2005 would have been different stories. There is still time to finish writing the 2005 story - GO CUBS.
  23. HoopsCubs
    In addition to Tejada, Tim, I would add that in my opinion Jeff Kent was a great signing for Houston and for LA based on his high OPS.
  24. HoopsCubs
    Let's put it this way - from all accounts, Jeromy Burnitz would be better. I'm all for it. Bench Hairston.
  25. HoopsCubs
    This is very helpful - thanks! Also, there are 2 kinds of waivers, right? Revocable (the ability to pull the player back) and Irrevocable (player automatically gone if claimed with no ability to pull back). Is that correct? That 2nd category, irrevocable - isn't that what Boston did to Manny Ramirez a year or two ago, and nobody claimed him?
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