Cubzfan64

Contrary to what the other poster mentioned, I haven't heard that it has anything at all to do with being put on waivers or trying to trade him for ARod - in fact, if I recall correctly he didn't even know he was involved in talks for ARod. Manny for the most part could care less what anyone says about him - Manny's latest complaint is that he's tired of the lack of privacy in his life in Boston. I don't think he's expounded on that to specify exactly what part of his privacy he's talking about - it could be just him, his family whatever. Keep in mind too that Manny and Pedro Martinez were/are good friends and Pedro has NOTHING good to say about playing in Boston. The media in Boston can be brutal (as can the fans at times), so it could be that Manny has just reached the point where he's won a World Series and is sick of Boston - only Manny really knows what's motivating his desire to be traded.

If Manny and Mueller were 3-4 years younger I would say go for it, but as much as I love Bill Mueller and the way he plays baseball, I just think his knees only have a certain amount of time left in them - and Manny has been on record saying he was going to retire from baseball when his contract is up (2-3 years?). I try very hard not to overvalue "my" team's players - when you're a fan, you tend to think much more highly of your guys than is realistica. That said, Aramis is only 27 and is just coming into his own - I don't think he's as much of a liability at 3B as Steve Stone seems to think and it's likely he will only get better with more practice. The only thing that scares me about him is that these hamstring and quad issues seem to surface and resurface a bit too often for me (maybe a great stretching program in the offseason?).

The word above is the one that concerns me the most and has for over 2 years now. This offense is generally not built to be consistent - it's just not. If Hendry does nothing to improve that aspect of the team in the last 1/3 of the season, then I hate to say it, but it will be mostly luck as to where we end up at the end of the season. The team is generally an all or nothing type of offense and when all cylinders are firing it's awesome, but when they aren't we get lots of solo HR's and don't generate enough runs to win close games. I'm eager to see what if anything happens by Sunday night.

Dusty is that you?? Personally I take offense to being compared with Baker :-P NO - I am referring to my "Nostradamus like" prediction from page 30.... I'm really not kidding you all - about a half dozen times a year I get this "calm" type feeling while I'm watching a game and I'll just KNOW that it's going to end with a win. I've been keeping track for a few years and it's up around 83% of the time (ok, sue me - I like statistics :-P). It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's almost always right.

The nice thing about it too was that it was 2 walks that made that possible - how often does that happen with this team!!!!

Never underestimate my gut feelings!!!! I get them rarely, but in all honesty they've been right over 75% of the time :-) Way to pull it out guys - big win!

Have you considered the possibility that A-Ram's quad is still hurting him and he is unavailable? That's my thought - I disagree with Dusty plenty, but I'm sure if Ramirez was good to pinch hit there he would have done it.

Considering how well we score runners from 3rd with less than 2 outs, I almost prefer to try to score him from 2nd :-P

I agree with your statement, but I also recall a segment of my life where I lived and died by whether we won or lost. A loss could ruin an entire day for me and put me in a crappy mood for at least 24 hours - a slump would make me miserable to be around. It's all a matter of perspective as well as a person's competitive nature etc.... as to how they react. The fact is, everyone taking the time to visit these boards are Cub fans - we all want them to win - some take a loss harder than others and some get angrier than others. What I DO know is that just telling people "it's just a game" generally starts a whole 'nuther argument :-). How bout we all just see if we can coax a win out of this one!!

My wife calls me a terrible pessimist, and I know I generally look at things from a negative standpoint most of the time, but....... I have this weird good feeling about how the game is going to end - I have a feeling we're gonna pull this out in the 9th.

You know what's the funny thing about this question to me??? Ryno was just a "come out and do the job the best way you can" type of player - he wasn't often flashy, didn't play the part of the hero very well, was softspoken etc... I know it sounds a little odd, but there's so many things I remember him for, but at the same time there are so few "specific" things I remember him for - does that make sense?? Here are a few of mine - I'm sure they are odd ones to some people: 1. I remember when Ivan DeJesus was traded to Philly for Larry Bowa and a young kid named Ryne Sandberg - DeJesus was always one of my favorites and I remember being really disappointed to see him go. 2. I remember Ryno going hitless playing 3B for the Cubs his first season game after game in the beginning of the year and I remember hearing people tell the fans to "be patient" with him and how the manager at the time (who was that?) kept him in there to work through his struggles. 3. Of course I remember the "Sandberg vs. Sutter" game in Chicago. 4. I remember his errorless streak at 2B and I remember when it ended. 5. last of all I just have a mental picture in my mind of him in his stance at 2B as well as his batting stance and how I was always surprised that he could generate as much power as he did.

One thing to note - Manny appears to be quite unhappy in Boston (for whatever reasons). My guess is no matter where he would end up he will be happy for at least a year - a happy Manny is an even better player than the one you've seen in 2005. Personally I think his defense in LF is slightly below average - he doesn't always hustle, doesn't always get a good jump on the ball and sometimes takes dumb chances. That said, he usually has a strong and accurate arm and he has the ability to make surprisingly good plays. In short, he's not a disaster, but he won't keep you from cringing when you see a ball hit to LF with the game on the line either. The stories about Manny's antics (wanting days off, relatives dying requiring him to take a leave for a day or two, etc....) are not exclusively from Boston - on numerous occassions I've heard of former Cleveland players and/or Indian organization folks laugh when they hear of things he's doing in Boston and say "he hasn't changed at all." He'll do the same things if he comes to Chicago as well - my guess is though, the change of scenery alone would make him happy for 1-2 years and by then his contract is almost up and we can do whatever we want with him because we won't have that albatross around our necks. I wonder if there's any way for Texas, Boston, Chicago and New York Mets to work a deal where we get Floyd, the Mets get Manny, Boston gets Soriano and Texas gets ?

I understand what you're saying about scoring runs, but runs scored isn't a product Soriano soley is able to control - Alot of those runs scored are because of the guys following him in the lineup. To me, statistically it looks like when Soriano gets on base, he has a good chance to score a run - the problem is ON THIS CURRENT CUB TEAM, we need guys who can get on base consistently and I don't think adding Soriano alone will help the team all that much. I will say that I really like the idea of adding a speed factor and he fits that bill just fine for me. I'm worried about his comments and past feelings about moving to the OF and how he doesn't want to do that - I don't want an unhappy guy playing LF - unhappy ballplayers in general don't play up to their potential. In a nutshell here is how I feel about Soriano: If the Cubs were to get him, I would want him playing 2B. In doing that, Todd Walker either has to play LF (which I don't know if he can do), or he has to be packaged in a trade for an OBP guy to play LF (or we just put Murton out there and let him play and hope he can continue getting on base consistently). I'm not dead set against getting Soriano - I just think only getting him does not solve the majority of this team's problems. If it's part of a big picture move by Hendry to acquire someone who can get OB for LF and play Soriano at 2B, then I would say go for it. Does that make more sense?

Perhaps you should check his road splits. He has 7 HR on the road. His line is .240/.276/.401/.677. He's another hacker. Cubs hitters lack plate patience, and he just adds to the problem. I really don't think this guy is a difference maker. I'm sure Hendry/Baker will love him though. I don't see how anyone can say the OBP statistic has no use here, I really don't. This team's GLARING weakness is a lack of guys who can get on base consistently. Soriano would be a fine addition to this team if we didn't have a glut of players like him. We've built an entire team offense using the same strategy - guys who swing at too many pitches and can't get on base - that's the reason we have one game where we outscore the opposition 10-2 and the next day can't score 1. Todd Walker has the ability to get on base, plays a decent enough 2B defensively and shows some power now and then. On the current team, I'd rather have him playing than Soriano - in addition, as others have mentioned, what makes anyone think Soriano would be happy to move to the OF for the Cubs? I want to make trades that fix some of the problems of the team, not add to them

Personally I'm not particularily interested in adding Soriano to the current team. It does nothing to address the OBP problem that our offense has had for over 2 years now while adding another impatient free swinging hitter who strikes out too much. If it's part of a "master plan" to move him to some other team for someone to fill a need for us, then it's worth it, but if not I say no to picking him up.

Although I haven't heard any rumors about it, it seems to me that the perfect place for Manny to end up IF (and I still think that's a big if) he gets traded is New York - Mets, not Yankees and here's why.... 1. The Mets are still in the hunt for the WC 2. With the way the Yankees are playing, 2005 could be the season the Mets take over the "honors" in NY. 3. Manny could be re-united with his best bud Pedro Martinez 4. Cliff Floyd (subject of many trade rumors this season) would be a reasonable replacement in the OF for Boston I think if the Mets really wanted to make a statement, they would find a way to make the deal for Manny. Remains to be seen if anything happens, but it should all be interesting.

And to add insult to injury, it's an ex-Cub who does it - funny huh? Gonzalez could have been our everyday LF for how many years now??

I wonder what Manny means by "wanting more privacy?" The Boston media can indeed be absolutely viscious in it's criticisms, but I don't get the feeling that Manny really pays much attention to reading, watching or listening to sportsnews. I wonder if it's more along the lines of his family maybe hearing alot of those things or maybe his friends telling him what's being said etc... Hard to say - I still think Manny is not really a team player, but even the folks in Boston generally believe that the good things Manny provides for the team outweigh the bad things - the problem is, when you factor in the ~$20 mil per year into the equation, they aren't sure it's REALLY worth it anymore.

There's a number of games I'd love to have video copies of. 1. The "Sandberg" (or "Owen") game 2. The slugfest between the Cubs and Phillies (something like 24-21) 3. Kerry's 21 SO game and if I thought about it enough there has to be more games than that!

I was ready to hate the guy when he came over here, but he's also won me over with his effort and at the very least adequate defense and production from RF. If he's here next year, I just hope we have a better CF and LF to play with him.

The sad thing is exactly what you said about Dusty likely reinforcing his decision to use Murton in a "pinch hit role" against a lefty and putting him in situations where he can "become successful." Dusty justifies his moves in his own mind - regardless of what anyone else has to say. I like Matt Murton and his approach at the plate - I know I for one would sure like to see him out there regularily for a week or two at the very least.

Manny must really want out of Boston - yesterday he lollygagged down the first baseline in extra innings, then today they say he told Francona he wanted a day off - when asked if he would reconsider and/or come in if needed he said no - he needed a "full" day off. His salary certainly is a problem, but I wonder how badly Boston would really like to say goodbye - especially as it nears the deadline. Would you consider trading Aramis Ramirez (perhaps packaged with a relief pitcher) for Manny Ramirez and Kevin Youkalis? Youkalis is a really hard nosed "down and dirty" kind of ballplayer who plays a decent 3B and I honestly think if given a starting job would be a good hitter. Manny + Youkalis offense > Aramis It was just a thought - trying to think of something Boston would want - it would allow them to ship off Mueller to Minnesota the way they want for a pitcher.

I agree - I honestly don't know how Hendry can continue to give Dusty Baker votes of confidence. I picture Hendry trying to stay calm and cool in front of the cameras and press, and then go into a closet and scream into a pillow. I certainly don't blame Baker for everything - I mean his players need to come through as well, but when he does things that the majority of the people on this board criticize BEFORE the fact rather than 2nd guessing, I have to wonder what his motivations are for trying to win games. I listen to the Boston media rip Terry Francona every other day for what they consider to be stupid moves - trust me, if Baker were managing in Boston and doing what he's doing in Chicago he'd know what REAL pressure is from the media and fans!!!

I'm one of Neifi's harshest critics, but he hasn't played today. Oops - I take that back - I'm just disgusted is all - I meant to say Macias instead of Neifi :-(. Games like this just make me want to scream out loud!

Maybe our guys will find a way to win this one despite Neifi, Hollandsworth and Dusty. The ineptitude of some of these guys and the head scratching moves and non-moves of our manager are indescribable sometimes.