CubinNY

As far as I am concerend he is just as much a victim as his wife.

It's easy if one takes logic and the realities of the baseball business out of the equation. I hope someday I can be as smart as you think you are. Let me try this on you: I grow tomatos. I've been growing them for five years. Three of those years my crop was not tasty but the last two of them my tomatos were sweet and juciy. My neighbor has been growing tomatoes for five years as well. Every year his tomatos are plump, sweet, and juicy. My neighbor and I go to the market. We meet wholesalers who knows our growing histories. One says to me I'll give you $1.50 per pound. Another says I'll give you $1.51 per pound. A thrid says I'll give you $1.49 per pound. A fourth says I'll give you $3.00 per pound. I don't need to ask a fifth. Now my neighbor has been watching me. Where do you think he will start the bidding? Look, I'm happy Hendry is upgrading the pen but to suggest that these signings didn't impact what Ryan got is to completely ignore the business side of baseball.

It's easy if one takes logic and the realities of the baseball business out of the equation.

It's more likely that Hendry help set the market by giving ridiculus money and years to two mediocre middle relievers. There was a quote from one agent suggesting as much. An agent said it? OMG it must be true! So Hendry giving 3 year deals for $4M or less pressured the Jays into giving Ryan 5 years at over twice as much per year? If true, that seems like quite an exaggerated response. More likely is that the Mets flirting with Wagner is what pushed the Jays into that offer. It is one thing to debate a point and quite another to take a point and run. Keep running you might get somewhere someday. As to my post. Agent's use figure to establish market value. Those figuers are know because of the collective bargining agreement. I do not know for certian that Hendry's overpaying of Howry and Erye led to Ryans outrageous contract, but here is what I do know. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051118cubseyre,1,6706818.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines This leads me to believe that Hendry's offer was so far beyond what anyone else was going to give Eyre he did even need to look for other offeres. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051123cubshowry,1,7027563.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines Now Howry signed for 3 years for 12 million. I'd expect that these two signing had something to do with Ryan's contract. But that is just me. I like to form my opinions on evidence. I'm kind of crazy like that. How do you form yours? Exactly what in the articles provides your evidence other than conjecture by unnamed sources? It is pretty simple. Erye signs for x amount- Market set for Howry Howry signs for x amount- Market set for Ryan Ryan signs for x amont- Market set for Wagner Wagner will sgin for x amont based on what the others signed for. I don't say there is a direct proportional arrangement to the contracts. But that is how things work. Each agent knows exactly how much the last guy got and they base their proposal on president. They don't work on chemistry or magic. They work on money. Hendry has set the market for relivers. You two can choose to believe what you want. But every year we see the same thing. The little fish sign, the medium size fish sign, the big fish sign. Their are always exceptions but that is generally how it works.

It's more likely that Hendry help set the market by giving ridiculus money and years to two mediocre middle relievers. There was a quote from one agent suggesting as much. An agent said it? OMG it must be true! So Hendry giving 3 year deals for $4M or less pressured the Jays into giving Ryan 5 years at over twice as much per year? If true, that seems like quite an exaggerated response. More likely is that the Mets flirting with Wagner is what pushed the Jays into that offer. It is one thing to debate a point and quite another to take a point and run. Keep running you might get somewhere someday. As to my post. Agent's use figure to establish market value. Those figuers are know because of the collective bargining agreement. I do not know for certian that Hendry's overpaying of Howry and Erye led to Ryans outrageous contract, but here is what I do know. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051118cubseyre,1,6706818.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines This leads me to believe that Hendry's offer was so far beyond what anyone else was going to give Eyre he did even need to look for other offeres. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051123cubshowry,1,7027563.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines Now Howry signed for 3 years for 12 million. I'd expect that these two signing had something to do with Ryan's contract. But that is just me. I like to form my opinions on evidence. I'm kind of crazy like that. How do you form yours?

I hope it is Patterson and prospect, not couple of prospects. Wilkerson is good but not that good. I wouldn't mind if Wilkerson at all.

Anyone watching the Southern/Grambling game. What a fun game to watch. No defense whatsoever.

Exactly. Have an opinon. But be ready to back it up.

Really? Which team had a higher payroll during the 90's when the Yankees were on their run? There were several. The Yankees were near the top but not at the top. Jeter Bernie O'neil Posada Brouscus Tino Pettitte These guys were the core of that team and none were that expensive at the time they were winning it all

Does it really matter? At age 28 or 29 Piere is no hall of famer. Hell, he isn't even the top CFer in baseball. At best his is an upgrade over what the Cubs had last year, but that isn't saying much. IMO, you don't give up the likes of Pinto for one year of Piere. Doubles show what type of hitter he is. I don't want Slappy in a Cub uniform if it means giving up talent. If Pie rights himself there will be no place to Play Slappy anyway.

The opposite. Several reports(including Hendry himself I believe) said that Pie would have been up last year if not for his injury. I know Pie is young but I don't have hope that he will develop as much plate discipline as we would like. This is his third season in profesional baseball and he has not progressed in that department. He has been getting by beacuse he has the most talent on the fieild. I think we are all going to have to hope his talent carries him.

Great find Vance. I love the last line. It about sums up Piere for me. Also pointed out in the article the fact that Piere has never hit over 30 doubles in a season or, somewhat more shocking seeing as he played in both Colorado and Flordia, never more than 35 combined doubles and triples.

It's more likely that Hendry help set the market by giving ridiculus money and years to two mediocre middle relievers. There was a quote from one agent suggesting as much.

The "article" (and I use that term loosly) is from a message borad like this one. I question its veracity. If it is true Hendry should be immediatly terminated and whomever lets him make that deal should go too.

I read that too. At least it gives me hope.

winning %? You should stop reading Van [expletive]. I'm glad Hendry is upgrading a weakness, I wish he wouldn't overspend to do it. And one more thing, it is an upgrade on paper only. This entire plan may well blow up in his face. Relivers not named Gagne and Wagner are a fickle lot. If that happens, then we will have a new GM to kick around.

All these moves and they still haven't addressed the crator in right field. If they get Piere then they have to go after Giles or trade for Abreu.

Great! So the Cubs won't get into a bidding War for Giles but will for Pierre? Unconcievable! (no reference to the Princes Bride intended)

dbl post

I won't be happy if that happens.

The 2006 season will not exist to me if that happens. I heard the White Sox could use some more fans. Have at it! I'd much rather it was you Superfan. Then you could tell every one of them about what it takes to be a true fan. Come down off the horse already would you?

Spoken like a true Cardinal fan. Give me (a healthy) Beltran and Tejada and the Cubs wipe the floor with the NL.

I'll take Adam Dunn and Eric Milton please.

I voted other and it's color Alabama Crimson tide, Stanford Cardinal (Their mascott is a fricken tree). Those people are supposed to be smart you'd think they could come up with a batter nickname.

Rehabing a torn shoulder muscle I believe.