CubinNY

Santo on Zambrano "The man is a horse"

Red!

Santo is dispondent already. Ron wears his heart on his mic.

Deja vu of 2005 opening day?

Not me. I just sit here and think about the Cubs.

Production and nothing else should be what gets a guy promoted. But in the world of baseball that is rarely the case.

I pretty much read them all too. At the risk of souding like a kiss up, I think the Herald is the best. As far as the "beat" writers go, I really have a hard time with Sullivan, but I like Kiley and Bruce. Like a lot of guys at the bigger papers, I think Sullivan spends more time trying to demostrate to his readers how smart and witty he is and less about the game on the field. I also think he is a little too slanted toward spouting the company line.

like I said in my initial post, I don't know what the bench situation for Cleveland is, nor their organizational situation in terms of outfielders, but I have to wonder, were you saying that before Marquis Grissom retired? what if Holla was back in Cubs camp this year and the choice was between Restovich and Hollandsworth? I know there are differences in leagues and starter v. backup and needs of the team. but looking at the roster a little closer, you guys are also failing to take into account the Indians first base situation. Ben Broussard's complete inability to hit lefties and Eduardo Perez as the righthanded option (who by the way can only play one position). it really seems to me that Cleveland's GM, who I think is outstanding, has filled two roster spots with crappy veterans, when giving DuBois 350-400 ABs at first and outfield seems to be a viable option. I suppose Hollandworth CAN play center. it's not like he has done so in a number of years though. Casey Blake had one nice year but doesn't appear to be anything special (I don't know about the prospects at all), and the Indians have plenty of lefty sticks (Hafner, Sizemore, Martinez, Broussard). sorry, but the more I look at this it seems people will give Shapiro the benefit of the doubt for making the same decisions they would crucify the Cubs for making. But as you stated you don't know what the situation is in Cleveland. Neither do I. So I won't criticize the move.

What does that mean? They can play many positions? Not one of those guys is a deep threat or has much of a bat at all. What are they going to do with 1 out and a man on third in a tie game in the eight inning? I don't know that it would change the outcome of many games, but I would like to see at least a few guys on the bench who have the possibility to take a guy deep. That is why I wanted Sing or Restovich in one of those slots. Our bench is strong defensively and has speed. And can't hit. The Cubs are supposed to have an improved bullpen. If that is ture (and I'm not saying it is), then it seems much more prudent to find at least one guy with deep threat capabilities. As it stand now they have exactly 0 guys who fit that description. I don't think this is worth arguing over, so I leave it at that.

Outside of Cano, all the Yanks have is uber-expensive players and riff raff. You are forgetting about the big Wanger!

Who?

If Aramis walks Cabrera will play third base. He was only put in the outfield in the first place because Hollandsworth was stinking up right field and Lowell was at third. I would love for the Cubs to get him but there are other organizations that can afford to deal away much better, and more prospects than the Cubs. And then there is the "attitude" thing. Hendry spent the 04 off-season ridding the team of malcontents and did his damnedest to get rid of the best second baseman on the team this off-season. BTW> Who wouldn't have a bad attitude with the group of players assembled in Miami this year? If I'm Willis or Caberera I am marking the calendar every day until I leave or the Marlins leave S. Florida.

What does that mean? They can play many positions? Not one of those guys is a deep threat or has much of a bat at all. What are they going to do with 1 out and a man on third in a tie game in the eight inning? I don't know that it would change the outcome of many games, but I would like to see at least a few guys on the bench who have the possibility to take a guy deep. That is why I wanted Sing or Restovich in one of those slots.

I was thinking last night, as much as I rip Hendry he has done almost exactly what I wanted this offseason. The Cubs have overhaulled 4 positions from last year LF, CF, RF, and SS. They've went with youth instead of retreads and they've bolstered the pitching staff. Now, I'm not going to sit here and tell you that Hendry has done exactly what I have done, b/c I would have traded for a big bat in the outfiled. Nevertheless, He certianly remade the roster. In the end I really don't think it is going to improve the Cubs that much from last year, but at least he didn't just rearrange the deck chairs.

This is such a hard question. Do you mean for one game? A season? A career? I don't think there is a "best" pitcher, put a select group of the best pitchers, and Maddux is certianly among them.

But flexible! and they're fast! and they can catch the ball. Hitting, now that is a horse of a different color.

Maddux never was nor has he ever been a nibbler. Maddux is a control pitcher who is able to out think a batter. Maddux is a rare breed of pitcher who never has high pitch counts, actually he the exact opposite of a nibbler.

Both Cin and Oak are outliers. That doesn't change the facts. But your points are well taken. Nevertheless being a big market/big dollar team is no excuse for poor draft philosphy and poor player development. And I think it is quite clear the Cubs "philosophy" translates to wasted investments and a poor record.

When Jose was with the Yankees he was afraid to throw a strike. He was a power pitcher who tried to nibble. Last year he changed his approach. We'll see if he reverts back to form. --------------- Not to hijack the thread but Rusch was the same way (although he doesn't have the pitches of Jose), nibble, nibble, nibble. He became more successful when he started going after guys. Last year Glavin stopped nibbling after the ASB and he was much more effective in the second half. I hate nibblers.

Can we get a pic of Harang so we can get a before and after shot of the beating he will be taking?

NL West: San Fransisco (if Bonds plays); LA if not Central: Milwaukee East: Philadelphia WC: Atlanta AL West: Oakland Central: Minnesota East: Toronto WC: Boston NLC: Milwaukee ALC: Oakland WSC: Milwaukee CubinNY goes to Las Vegas and collects $6,000.

I wonder what swayed Dusty to choose Walker.

Ah, hell. I'll join in on the fun, too. Care to wager on that? I don't wager, ever. Well........I *did* bet on the Marlins on games 6 and 7 and won about 1,500 bucks. Almost never. It's a feeling, based on past history with how our starter's injuries tend to go. You should be banned from all things Cubs for the rest of your life. :twisted: :wink: I don't feel guilty about it, though I understand people's reaction to it. It was based on a hunch. No, the money didn't help soften the blow. It paid my rent instead :wink: Did you ever see The Bad lieutenant?

I actually don't want to hear anything about Prior until they announce when his first start in a real game will be. I would just as soon not know anything untill then. I don't think Wood will make almost all of his starts but I am not willing to put a bet on it.

I think Slappy's head is skinnier, he can't even keep his hat on. I bet he wears a 6 1/4.