Shawon12

And probably will never put up a line like that again.. ..not until he signs with the Cards

Does anyone know what the Cubs payroll is this year?

I thought I remember reading a post, but I can't find it..

I agree with most of your post. There are similarities. And if Dopirak emerges into a big power hitter, well, there's value somehow. And obviously he's limited to 1B/DH/PH, it's not like he has defensive potential to move. (It's not clear whether he has defensive potential to be even adequate at 1B). And obviously it's not like he needs to hit like Howard. There is a level less than MVP-caliber that is still of value. But, the real question for Dopirak revolves around how much huge power he'll ever had. "Both have hit for huge power numbers in the minors..." doesn't really seem true to me. He had one good power season, in low-A. He's consistently hit for big power in batting practice. But only at Peoria (or was it Lansing then?) did he hit for meaningful power. His Daytona season he showed only minor effective power. Producing huge power is more than a matter of being strong and able to hit batting practice bombs. It requires that you can hit the pitches with the speed and movement that real pitchers throw when they are not trying to feed you bombables, but when they are trying to avoid throwing you bombables. Dope obviously has the physical power to do that. At present, it seems that Peoria is likely to be the production exception, and that against better pitchers he'll never be able to apply his power often enough to be a value power guy. It's also obvious that last year was injury. So basically he had one good year at Peoria, and one bad year at Daytona. If he stinks again this year, 3-years-ago Peoria will be further established as the irrelevant fluke. If he produces big this year, the fact that he stunk at Daytona for a year will appear to be the who-knows-why fluke. I see this as a make-or-break year for him. Most likely it will be a break, but too soon to know.l Do you really think believe Dope was not on some sort of Performance enhancing drugs? It's difficult to even have a conversation about him because of this.

my honest opinion on Prior is he just wants to make to his 2nd contract with his arm in place, so he doesn't want to do anything to push the limit. He has the ability, he just looks at it too much like a business.

Thanks for posting this. I can't believe more people are drilling down into this. To me, it's quite obvious. Wasn't his pitching coach, Tom House busted for juice?

So... One small thing, can effect many others. I'm more into focusing on what happens in the game. Hypothetical example: Soriano gets on base. Murton is up next. Soriano is caught stealing on a failed hit & run. The next pitch, Murton homers to left field. We are then all left saying "Man, why did he try to steal? It would've been a 2 run HR!! That idiot..."... How do we know that? How do we know that the pitcher's mind drastically changed to something as little Soriano being caught stealing 2B, or how do we know that Murton's mindset didnt change because of the failed hit & run? Should we really assume that Murton would've hit the home run anyway? Feel free to post your opinion. Great post. That's why breaking down every historical stat, while fun for fantasy baseball, tells only part of the story.

98Nav, who is that picture of in your sig?

Shhh, defense doesn't matter.

Sorry to the Hill fans, but I have a feeling the rotation will settle as: Z Prior Lilly Miller Marquis Iowa: Hill Marshall Guzman

Great for Ryno. I feel sorry for the players, though. I hope the coaches are legitimate teachers and developers and Ryno sticks with PR

People, Jones did not have a "career year". It was above his average, but not career. I wish people would stop saying that as a way to justify the overreacting, bandwagoning negitive response they had from his signing last year. He is who he is.

Because most players don't want to play for the Cubs unless they are get a premium deal. Something about 98 years, day games, and two months of hitting with a turtle neck and stocking cap!

a good start would be coming clean on being a fraud with regards to corking his bat and taking steriods.

From what I've heard, Pananazo was an under qualified pompous, jerk.

another old one from the Sox.. "It's so hot out that the 3rd Baseman is Melton" -In reference to Bill Melton. Or, when Arnie zoomed in on Ronny Woo Woo in the bleachers, prompting Harry to say, " Is that Ernie?"

The tranaction of all transactions!!!!

I tend to think that's pretty accurate. I think they're responsible for defensive positioning, but that's all I know. They can be in charge of defensive positioning, but I don't believe all are. I think Speier was this year, adn I believe Ron Washington was in Oakland. My view on Bench coaches is that they're like an assistant manager. Assistant TO the manager

Awesome! Now let's start constructing the team. Lou is as good as any of them and comes with an expectation of winning. I'm back to being excited about Cubs baseball.

I will go on record and agree with this right now. Way to cover your butt. The comments of some on this great board are starting to diminish the quality it once had. Too many people jumping on the opinions of the outspoken. I think if the Cubs win in '07, it will be 95% due to the players and 5% to the manager, no matter who they hire!!

I'd say let's cross that bridge when we/IF we get there. I'll believe it when I see it

Nice summary of the three leading candidates. IMO, I say hire any one the three and FOCUS THE ATTENTION ON GETTING THE RIGHT PLAYERS FOR ONCE!!!! http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp

sign Zito and Schmidt and trade Hill for Wells

Unfortuntately, Barrett wouldn't net us much. He is a defensive liability and most teams that are interested in winning, place a higher value on the defensive side of plate. He is worth more to us than he would be to other teams. I love Barrett, but Hendry as created a flawed team.

I thought Theriot was caught stealing third with two outs??? If so, it's a completely different situation than JP trying to get to third w/ 1 out. If this is the case, then these are two completely separate situations and should be viewed differently.