TruffleShuffle

I didn't realize he'd reached favorite player status with you. I like having prospects, but I don't think any of the Cubs' deserve to be favorites at this point. Like I said, I guess it was because I always thought he was sort of a diamond in the rough and projected as a good leadoff hitter, something the Cubs haven't had, aside from sporadic successes like Jerome Walton. Mark Prior was my favorite player, but "player" implies that the guy will "play baseball" - and it's hard to have a favorite player who doesn't do that. I still like him, though.

I didn't know Wilson Alvarez had retired.

It definitely would be cool if he did. But I'd trade him for better talent if somebody wanted him. yeah, I'd be sad if he was in a deal for a real good player, but I'd understand. But if the Cubs were to deal him to acquire, say, a Matt Karchner clone, then so help me God I will never root for this team again.

I hope not. Although I do remember that when Green Day got big, I got pissed off when I heard a DJ introduce the song "Welcome to Paradise" by saying "here's the latest song from Green Day." No it isn't you moron - it was from Kerplunk, which I had bought at least two years prior to this encounter on the radio. I felt kind of ripped off, like they stole Green Day from me. I had 'em first. But anyhow... everyone has their favorite player on the Cubs - some like Zambrano, some like Prior, some like Lee, some like ARam, nobody likes Bynum. My favorite player on the Cubs happens to have not reached the major leagues yet, so I just want to see him play for them and play well.

not to mention that the Cubs' minor league system produces good position players once in a blue moon (when was the last one, really? mark grace?) so it'd be cool if he made it

yeah, I think I'd find another team to root for at that point

I can't endorse any deal in which Patterson is traded. And yes, I know Kendrick is a better prospect than him. I'm just stubborn. I really don't get the lust over Patterson. He's far from an untouchable. Because, he came in as an 8th round draft pick and I was the most excited about it at the time, and a lot of people doubt him but he has succeeded along the way so far. It's like when you have a favorite band and they're pretty obscure, and then they start to make it big - you feel like you discovered them. What can I say, I'm just liked the kid from when he was drafted, thought he'd be a real solid major leaguer for the Cubs, and I'm still hoping it happens.

I can't endorse any deal in which Patterson is traded. And yes, I know Kendrick is a better prospect than him. I'm just stubborn.

I think Nady has played some first base, and Bay can play CF if need be - albeit not that well. Nady's been all over the place. I believe he was drafted as a 3b. The Padres attempted to convert him to a 2b when Burroughs was at 3b. Nady has played some 1b and lots of outfield since. True. I guess I'd have to assume that one of those guys would be put at 1B, especially since the Pirates don't have a 1B worth a crap on their roster or in the minors right now. Bay probably would be the best guy to keep in the OF - he's a good fielder in left.

Z and Izturis for Ervin Santana, Wood, Kendrick, and Adenhart. Sign Schmidt. Schmidt Zito Ervin Hill Westbrook We'd have perhaps the best middle infield cheap for 6 years, a very good young pitcher, we'd sign an ace to nearly replace Z's productivity and his rapidly escalating salary, and a very highly touted pitching prospect. I don't want Z to go, but I'd have to do it. Can't see the Angels giving up four young, really good players though. If we have to, we toss in Eric Patterson. deal's off

They haven't been great this year - nobody would argue that. But considering that they've lost two Pro Bowl players - their most important offensive plalyers - they've done well to stay afloat. I picked them to win the Super Bowl in the preseason and if they play well against Denver and SD, I'll feel more confident in that pick. If they get beat by those teams, then they really won't have beaten a strong team all year - not a good sign for playoff success.

The Bears can't lose HFA can they? Their schedule the rest of the way is bad, with @StL the only somewhat difficult game. HFA is real cool, but as an Eagles fan I can tell you that it is no assurance to making the Super Bowl. I guess you could ask the three teams the Steelers beat on the road last year, too.

Z and Izturis for Ervin Santana, Wood, Kendrick, and Adenhart. Sign Schmidt. Schmidt Zito Ervin Hill Westbrook We'd have perhaps the best middle infield cheap for 6 years, a very good young pitcher, we'd sign an ace to nearly replace Z's productivity and his rapidly escalating salary, and a very highly touted pitching prospect. I don't want Z to go, but I'd have to do it. Can't see the Angels giving up four young, really good players though.

I think Nady has played some first base, and Bay can play CF if need be - albeit not that well.

You think Hawpe's a better player than Soriano? Yes. Wow, I mean Hawpe is a very nice player but I personally dont think he is on Soriano's level. I think it is quite obvious that you dont really like the signing of Soriano, but dont let that cloud your judgment. If you are going the route of production vs. price, then I can see your point, otherwise I would have to disagree. But I would love to hear why you came to that conclusion. Hawpe in 2006: .293/.383/.515/.898 Soriano in 2006: .277/.351/.560/.911 Soriano has only put up Hawpe's OPS once in his career. And Hawpe is 3.5 years younger with just two full major league seasons under his belt. Soriano offers much more on the basepaths and, if put at 2B or CF, offers more bat relative to others at his position. Just sayin'.

I just mean that he'll have to present some sort of a threat. Denver at least kept passing the ball with Plummer, even though he sucked. My point was that they can't just shield Cutler and run the ball 60 times in the game. If he doesn't make critical mistakes, I think they win - but then again, that team isn't playing well lately, barely beating Oakland, falling apart against SD and then losing to KC. And, their run defense has been bad, albeit against the two of the top 3 RBs in pro football. Of course, the other member of that elite RB group will be in town this weekend, so they'd be wise to shore up that problem ASAP.

I'd love to trade for santana, and Stoneman's recent crappy moves make me feel like he might give Santana up for less than he should - but I don't know that the Cubs have the right pieces in this case, even in a trade with the White Sox. And, you'd have to assume that two GMs would be dumb enough to give him up, not just one.

yes, but was it the GOOD or the BAD 3-way proposal?

I don't think they're the prohibitive favorite, but they've got an easy schedule the rest of the way: @Denver (against a QB making his first NFL start) @Arizona SF SD @TB I think they go 4-1 with that schedule and win their division going away. Dallas has three fairly tough games (@NYG this weekend - don't underestimate the difficulty of a big divisional game; vs NO, @Atl) and two cupcakes (vs Philly, vs Detroit). NO should beat SF and Washington at home, but has to play @Dallas, @NYG and vs Carolina. So, it's certainly possible that Seattle could get the bye and only have to play one game at most on the road. Hmmm...I don't view that schedule as being easy. I think Seattle will lose to Denver and SD. On the other hand, I feel Dallas has a good shot at winning out. I don't see any way Seattle goes to Dallas or Chicago and wins. But hey---I've been wrong before. I guess I can see them winning in Denver if Cutler plays scared. Denver doesn't have the running attack that it used to - Cutler is going to have to be able to pass the ball for them to win. Both of SD's losses were on the road, and Seattle is really, really good at home - only four losses there in the past four years. And, Dallas will not win out. I would bet my house on that.

They should have a Big Ten-ACC challenge in football... then the Big Ten would show them who's boss.

Too many dudes on this board - I knew this thread title couldn't be a good idea.

I've heard a lot of people stay that. I don't know how you can say that there's no way they beat Dallas or Chicago. The Seahawks did win the conference last year, and lost very little from that team. They've got Alexander back, and there's a good chance that if his foot holds up, he'll be REALLY fresh for the playoffs after missing nearly half the year. They've also got their QB back. On paper, they might be the most talented team in the league. I don't think they're the prohibitive favorite, but they've got an easy schedule the rest of the way: @Denver (against a QB making his first NFL start) @Arizona SF SD @TB I think they go 4-1 with that schedule and win their division going away. Dallas has three fairly tough games (@NYG this weekend - don't underestimate the difficulty of a big divisional game; vs NO, @Atl) and two cupcakes (vs Philly, vs Detroit). NO should beat SF and Washington at home, but has to play @Dallas, @NYG and vs Carolina. So, it's certainly possible that Seattle could get the bye and only have to play one game at most on the road.

And the media has been hammering Eli for his play the past few weeks.

I think he may have a shot. Ozzie made it for God's sake! Pulled this data from a hardball times article. Here are SS from the last 30 years. Larkin has the third largest difference between his OPS and the league SS OPS OPS SS OPS DIFF* Alex Rodriguez .963 .735 31.0% Nomar Garciaparra .919 .736 24.9% BARRY LARKIN .815 .678 20.2% Cal Ripken Jr. .798 .675 18.2% Robin Yount .757 .641 18.1% Alan Trammell .767 .665 15.3% Derek Jeter .848 .737 15.1% Miguel Tejada .807 .744 8.5% Dave Concepcion .679 .629 7.9% Ozzie Smith .666 .648 2.8% And here's Runs Created Above Position - basically, how many more runs a guy produced over the average SS during his playing career: RCAP Honus Wagner 926 Arky Vaughan 591 BARRY LARKIN 488 Alex Rodriguez 474 Joe Cronin 425 Cal Ripken 400 Luke Appling 366 Alan Trammell 365 Derek Jeter 328 Ernie Banks 324 He's Cal Ripken without the consecutive games streak. He made 12 All-Star games, won 9 silver sluggers, 3 gold gloves, an MVP, and a world series ring - so he even has lots of the shiny things that voters like. If Larkin doesn't get voted into the Hall, then the process is a complete joke - well, even moreso than it already is.

boy, that sure is an exaggeration of what really happened