CubinNY

Manny is worth 1.5 Tejada's IMO. He also makes a lot more money. But not a bad trade idea at all.

With all the Snow, who is at work today?

Those are some pretty big ifs there, Fred. Hendry just blew most of his best tradeable commodities to obtain Pierre, especially if you assume he has no intention of trading Hill or Pie. Unless you want to give up one of Prior or Zambrano, I just don't see us having a shot at getting a stud RF at this point. As for Murton and Cedeno, I also hope they live up to our hopes but it's probably not realistic to assume they both will. Few young players immediately reach their potential, and Baker's history is such that they're in danger of losing playing time to the likes of Mabry and Neifi at the first signs of struggle. Pierre's value is pretty much entirely dependent on his BABIP, as he doesn't take many walks and his power is best described as laughable. The good news is his skill set is conducive to a high BABIP. (Good contact ratio, lots of GB, great speed.) The bad news is that BABIP is by it's very nature heavily influenced by luck, making players like Pierre prone to the occasional poor season such as his 2002 or 2005 campaigns. There's really no way to tell which version of Pierre we're getting for 2006, though I admit the 2004 version is probably a bit more likely than the 2005. Finally, the degree of upgrade from the 2005 leadoff hitters to Pierre has a lot less to do with Pierre being good than it does with last year's bunch being absolutely pathetic. Nicely put BK. The Cubs have to hope that one of a few things happen if they don't want to give up the top prospects or a front end pitcher for an impact bat: 1. They can piggyback on a multi-team trade. 2. A trade falls through and Hendry is there to pick up the pieces (ala DLee). 3. A salary dump (not likely). 4. "Chemistry" problems (Milton Bradley type). 5. They trade Aramis or Lee (not likely either).

I agree. I am expecting 10-12 starts with a very good ERA and about 4 wins (Not necessairly Woods fault).

Is Valdez a legitimate prospect? I remember when the Cubs signed him, he had some pretty good numbers during his "career" in Cuba.

Thanks craig. I always learn something when I read your opinions.

I'll see you bid and raise two bad contracts

The problem is they would want Prior or Zambrano. And that is for starters Tejada is the real deal and has a decent contract. The ironc thing is that LA has the prospects and with Lowe perhaps the starting pitching to maybe swing the deal. But now they have the 13 million dollar man at SS.

That's another free agent signing I got wrong. Me good at free agent game.

It doesn't bother me one bit. I fail to see how making a ridiculous contract even more ridiculus is a good thing.

If they are smart they will take some of it and invest it in more and better scouting and minor league player development. They could upgrade their DR acadamy. They could hire a Pacific rim scout (Leon Lee for example). They don't have to spend all of on overprice castoffs. Hendry could also save some for the trading deadline or for next year. It is time to do some forward thinking. As of today I don't see 2006 becoming the year of the Cub. But you never know.

I do too. And I think he can be had for on the cheap. The guy is done in Tampa just as Patterson is done in Chicago. I'm not suggesting a patterson for Huff swap at all. I think he is a pretty decent baseball player and this would be a case of Hendry buying low...as would Bradley. We shall see if Hendry is into bargin hunting.

87 players had an ISOD over .100 (with at least 200 PAs) in 05. That's a pretty decent sized group. 167 players were at (or above) Walker's career average of .081. 207 people with over 200 PAs had a higher BB/PA than Walker. I like Walker as much as anyone and want him on this team badly next year, but he's not the great leadoff hitter we all think he is. Especially, when he's as like to post a .330's OBP as he is one in the .350's. Was Juan Pierre among them?

You have my proxy in this matter as I am done with the discussion.

I agree.

I'm just going to cut and paste this form the emergency board from last night Not to get political here but this problem kind of reminds me of a union. When I was professing for a living we had a union. About 15% of the professors belonged to the union. The union negotiated contracts with the University on behalf of all the faculty. But becuase only a small minority of people payed dues the University allways "won" when negotiating. Then people would complain about the union "not working". I would tell them then join the union and reap the benefits. People like you and me (and others) pay so other can ride for free. It is the American way. If people would pay 5 dollars a month (less then the cost of a McDonald's lunch) then Tim could upgrade.

Is there some point to continuing to call him "Slappy" over and over in each post you make? Try the cubs.com message board, the 12 year olds that post over there will probably think it is hilarious. I call him slappy b/c I can't remember if is last name has two r's or one and I think it describes his game well. It is not a slight in any way. It is like calling a HR hitter a bomber. You are a premium member, if you don't like to read my posts put me on ignore. It is just that easy. I like it here.

wow I completely agree.

The Cubs have a solid leadoff man His name is Todd Walker Hendry is trying to trade him as we speak The Cubs need an upgrade in CF, Slappy is an upgarde I am happy they have upgraded but I believe they could have done better. The Cubs need a bunch of solid baseball players not a leadoff hitter, a 2 hole hitter, etc.. Because people confuse speed with being a good leadoff hitter people will like Slappy. I don't.

eleventybillion Seriously, Piazza is off the books, they have a new cable network, and had a great season at the box office last year. In additon, the Wilpons' are worth more than Poland.

Pie is having a miserable season in Winter Ball. I don't think he will be ready anytime soon.

Is this anything more recent than his comments from yesterday (and I think he had others the day before yesterday)? Idealistically? If there is one thing Dusty is good for it is humors quotes.

Man San Diego must be one helluva town.

One reason for Wilk> Slappy is that Wilk was injured Wilk moved to a bigger park Slappy had no excuse However, I expect Slappy to move toward his career norms in Wrigley. I would bet though that his slugging is going to decrease, but then again slg. is not that important from the Juan hole. Slappy isn't a terrible player but IMO not who the Cubs need. But he was available and Hendry got him (overpayed too). So I think one has to give Hendry that. He got his man. The story is not done yet. If Hendry can get some top notch LF and RFers all is well.

I am not sure if I understand you question. But if you are asking is Proplayer a harder park to play defense in? I would say no. CF is deeper but a ball not gotten to is a ball not gotten to. It doesn't matter what park one plays in. Both parks are big but Coors is more symetical and perhaps easier. But I do not think that much easier. What makes you say that? To me they indicate he is an almost an exactly average CFer.