CubinNY

Then if they land Lofton too, they will have two very mediocre number #1 hitters. See, that's what I mean. I want to see some vision from the Cubs front office and all I ever see is a bad case of myopia.

If the Cubs are targeting Furcal then they have to try and deal Cedeno. I cannot understand why Hendry would target Furcal when the Cubs already have not one, but two SS under their control, so to speak. I really cannot understand how the Cubs operate these days. They have a second baseman who they don't want who is moderately priced and very productive. They have a young SS who is cheap and has demonstrated he can field and hit at the ML level. They have a second SS who is high priced and often injured, but when healthy is still one of the best in the game. Yet they are targeting someone who will not be an upgrade to either one and likely be as expensive as the vet. They appear to be targeting a SP, one of the most expensive positions to acquire via free agency. Yet they have three or four cheap options in the minors. I have a hard time believing the Cub should pay 5-9 mill for a fourth or fifth starter. Or worse yet, 10-15 million for an often injured #2 or 3. In the meantime they need at least two sticks in the outified. If they target Giles they will severly overpay either in dollars or years to get him to leave the West Coast. If they target Kenny Lofton for CF we will all be sorely disapointed. I don't presume to have all or any of the answers, but it sure looks like Hendry/MacPhail/Baker don't have any either. I am hopeful but not optomistic about the offseason.

Atlanta is a terrible sports town. There are lots of people transplated from somewhere else. I do think the drew about 2.5 million fans this year though.

I've heard a rumor that Florida is going to contact the Yankees about talking to Joe Girardi. (From Mike and the Mad Dog on WFAN)

I wanted the Cubs to try and get him a few years ago when the Angels were trying to trade him. Instead they signed a Dusty guy (Estes) with terrible splits outside of Pac Bell.

Those quotes go to show how little managing Dusty actually did this year. He never changed his behavior even though his behavior repeatedly produced unwanted results. The definition of bad managering. I don't know if I can stand another three years with this guy. But he will be in the dugout for the centenial of the last Cubs World Series win. Whoopie!!

Matt Morris. He comes to the Cubs and is the second comming of Lou Broglio.

Their rotation held up unlike the Cubs. And whose fault is that?

That's just in the tidbits section of the article, which is about several other things. But with Abreu's little post-HR Derby hiccup, maybe his price tag is down a little bit. OK, probably not. But it's fun to think about, and if he's at all available, Hendry should be beating down the door. I've thought for quite a while that if Philly didn't make the postseason this year, affectively wasting the first two years in their new ballpark, and a ton of money at the same time, there would be a very large chance they'd make changes that might include trading Abreu. As well respected as Abreu is in the fantasy baseball world, in real life in Philly he's just not treated like a star. I'm not saying he's not appreciated, just that I don't think Philly views him as a franchise, cornerstone irreplacable player. Personally I think they're more likely to deal Burrell before his contract goes berserker, but you never know who the favorites are among the front office types. Somebody who could end up with more control this year might be a Burrell supporter, and that person could look to build around Pat by acquiring pitching with Abreu. With that fractional behind the scenes ownership situation, it's a total wild card. What I'd love to see happen is the Cubs acting as a middle man for a Thome deal, perhaps sending Jim to to the White Sox, Red Sox, Baltimore or Anaheim. They would send a big chunk of prospects, as well as pay some of the Thome money, and end up with Abreu. Philly would clear their books of a bad deal, an AL team could split Thome between 1B and DH, and the Cubs would get the difference making bat they so desperately need. The Cubs have the money to take on deals, the problem is the lack of talent to pay that money to. And I would have no problem dealing away Walker or Hairston and Murton in such a deal if they end up signing Giles as well. Then go with Cedeno at SS, Walker or Hairston at 2B and Patterson in CF. The Giles, Lee, Abreu, Ramirez fearsome foursome would more than makeup for a lack of big time O at some other positions. I love this time of year.

How did the Cardinals make the playoffs with their injuries? But more to the point why make such a silly comment over-generalizing the opinon of people you don't even know. Are you looking for an argument?

Sadly not Jason Dubios. It is hard to bat or play left field when you have to constantly look over your shoulder.

I'm blind now, thanks a lot for posting that. I hope you are happy.:wink: Time to turn on the speakable items on the ole Mac

CubinNY thinks Rickey Henderson is the best in his lifetime. CubinNY says it is hard to judge Rickey against guys he hasn't seen.

Amen

If I may interject a little philosophy here. Technically you are correct. The question is what definition of punishment one wants to use. There is the common definition that we use in the criminal justices system, that is is retribution (i.e., paying for one's crime). Then there is the scientific definition of punishment, that is a consequence that decreases the probability of a particular behavior occurring again. From animal research, science knows quite a bit about the effects of the latter. In addition, scientists know the "best" way to administer punishment so that it has a maximum effect. Research indictates that in order for punishment to be theraputicly effective it must be: -contingent on a behavior -administered immediately -at maximum strength -short in duration The problem is most punishment administered does not meet one or more of the four pieces I outlined above. If we wanted to decrease speeding we could reward people who drive at the speed limit or we could make speeding a $10,000 fine to be paid at the time of the offense. If we use the second definition of punishment in baseball, I would think an immediate 1 year ban w/o pay with no arbitration or apeals would be sufficient for most players. However, if some continue to violate the policy then the punishment would increase.

I wonder if the tough guys in baseball could take a hit from Ray Lewis? Adam Dunn could. So could Zambrano.

LOL

Pie would be better off playing a full year of baseball (everyday) in AA/AAA. He only played 2/3 of a season this year. I love pie (insert your favorite Homer Simpson joke here), but considering he IS coming off injury, I rather him spend atleast half the season in AAA, if NOT all at AAA. He is ONLY 20 yrs old, and one full season at AAA wouldn't hurt him. I wouldn't mind if Adam Greenberg is given another shot at CF/leadoff provided his head is on straight. I think at least short-term, Greenberg's grit could help the Cubs. I agree. As for Greenburg, at least see what he can do coming out of ST. I would flip if Dusty's opening day line up looked like this (not necessarily saying it would be a good one) Greenburg CF Walker 2nd Lee Aramais Giles RF Murton LF Barrett Cedeno SS

Pie would be better off playing a full year of baseball (everyday) in AA/AAA. He only played 2/3 of a season this year.

Kind of like message board policing, which is both childish and stupid. Aren't there some spelling errors and typos somewhere you can get excited about next? I think you've done quite enough in your time here to raise the level of discussion on this board. That comment was beneath you. Or may be it wasn't? I'll let others decide.

Enough with Corey stuff. It is neither witty or cute. In fact, it is pretty childish.

Can anyone enlighten me about the AAA pitching coach?

Oh my Len, I would hate to see Hill in the hands of Mazzoni.

The comments mentioned here and in other threads should be more than enough fodder to end Dusty's tenure in Chicago. But then this is the age of people in responsibility passing the buck. injuries, day games, night games, broadcasters, electric fans, ticket paying fans, single ball players, when will this nonesense end?

I'd love that line up. The way I see it is that the Cubs haven't gotten very far attempting to rely on pitching and big boppers, so they should try something different. I don't quite think it will work out that way though.