Illini Iceman

I think it has more to do with knowing he will get WAY more than $2.75M by filing for arbitration. define "WAY." this early on in prior's career, i can't believe he's going to be getting anything crazy. I know Hendry and MacPhail hate arbritation so I wouldn't be surprised if they try to sign him to a 3 year deal to cover him up until he is a FA. I can't say I am too sure on the numbers but even at $4M this year he would seem like a bargain and that is almost a 50% raise.

I think it has more to do with knowing he will get WAY more than $2.75M by filing for arbitration.

You seem to have anger issues. Threats aren't appropriate here. I don't have anger issues, and I'd be right behind him the whole way. I have extreme anger issues, and I'm in. I don't even understand how Hendry could turn this into Maddux II? Maddux was a free agent that Himes played hard ball with and lost to another team. What similarity does that have with Prior voiding his contract and filing for arbitration?

This seems like a complete no brainer. Prior and his agent would have been fools not to exercise this option. I would think it was fully expected by Hendy since I can't think of any reason Prior would not have done it.

The fact that Hendry was shopping JVB and this was the best offer he could get is a pretty good indication about his "value". Sorry to say, but obviously there weren't many teams tripping over themselves to have JVB on their 40 man roster. BTW, to say that the Cubs would have lost Hagerty if he would have stayed healthy is missing the point. The main reason he was left exposed was health concerns. Leicester was out of options and I don't see any way he was making the opening day 25 man roster so he was gone after ST anyway.

Ahh, the Brewers - everyone's sexy sleeper pick! Although Zambrano is more durable Sheets has been the better pitcher the last two years with WHIP of 0.98 and 1.07 compared to Z's 1.22 and 1.15. I'm not knocking Z - he's awesome but Sheets has been better IMO. Not sure why whip is the only stat you're including. A closer look at the stats shows that Sheets has better control. Thus, the better WHIP. But that's it in favor of Sheets. Let's look at their careers. Big Z: 1.27/.228/3.26 Sheets: 1.22/.258/3.83 That's career WHIP/BAA/ERA. Aside from the nearly idenitcal WHIP, Z has the advantage, and it's a fairly healthy one. Other pertinent stats: Big Z: 7.73 K/9 • 1.97 k/BB • .341 SLG • .656 OPS Sheets: 7.57K/9 • 3.79 k/BB • .417 SLG • .717 OPS Nothing surprising here. Z has the better numbers except for a lopsided advantage for Sheets in K/BB. But Z's OPS against is over .050 better, primarily because when people hit Sheets, they hit Sheets much harder. Factor in the age (24 vs. 27) and the durability, and it seems to me the Z is a prett clear cut winner. Sheets gets hit more often and harder than Z. He gives up more runs and Ks less people, too. Don't get me wrong, he's a great pitcher, but it seems like the only thing he's got on Z is control. I can't imagine anyone in their right mind would trade Zambrano straight up for Sheets. IMO Zambrano is going to keep getting better and unless he has some injury issues may very well wind up being the dominant SP in baseball over the next few seasons.

I'm really beginning to seriously doubt the effectiveness of the Cubs minor leauge development and coaching staffs. ...but we developed Mark Prior. :roll: Zambrano and Wood don't count? Is wood really a testament to our minor league system? he had all the talent in the world coming in and can't stay healthy b/c of mechanics, which probably should have been altered when he was younger. great job on Z. that's one solid pitcher in how many years? All I know is that if Hill wins the 5th spot in ST then 80% of the Cubs rotation will be "home grown". Depending how things go this year with Guzman and Wood's health you could potentially have a rotation in 2007 of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Hill and Guzman. Even if you throw out Prior the Cubs drafting and minor league system is doing a pretty good job of stocking the rotation.

What about Kelton would have made him a nice fit? Nothing I have seem from him indicates he is capable of hitting ML pitching and coming off the bench in PH and spot duty is probably harder than with regular playing time. He hasn't established himself at any position so he isn't really valuable as a defensive replacement. His speed is average so he doesn't add much as a pinch runner. There have to be a ton of low cost options better than Kelton that will be available

So that's two players now that Tejada has had so many personal problems with, that they affected (supposedly) his on the field ability. Clubhouse problem? A problem worth having.

I'm really beginning to seriously doubt the effectiveness of the Cubs minor leauge development and coaching staffs. ...but we developed Mark Prior. :roll: Zambrano and Wood don't count?

Let's see where he signs before we decide he changed his mind. Furcal was talking pretty big about playing any position too. It is most times just a negotiating tool by the agent to make teams that are interested think there is more competition for the player's services than actually exists.

how does this guy have a job to write about sports? the cubs would have the worst OF in baseball w/ pierre, murton and taveras. http://www.suntimes.com/output/deluca/cst-spt-deluca092.html it's very disappointing that people with sportswriting jobs, people who are paid to do research and report after reflection and investigation often have no idea what they're talking about. do people just not get it? do they just ignore statistics like OBP, SLG, and OPS? come on! This is my favorite quote from this inane article: :shock: That's what we learned?

How many 3B's does Boston need?

Good guy to have at AAA to be brought up as a utility infielder on a temporary basis in case of injuries.

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 like the trade because I think Pierre will add a badly needed dimension to the offense. Hendry probably overpayed a bit but in his situation it is better than holding out and risk being stuck with CPatt in CF next year. Pierre was a hot commodity so Hendry needed to stretch to get it done. I think Mitre is mediocre and no great loss and Nolasco is definitely selling high. Pinto is the only one that worries me a bit but based on the prospect lists of the experts here and at BA he has been passed by a lot of other pitching talent in the system. Can't wait to see what happens next!

We all know you love Wilkerson. :lol: I think you might get your wish, though. It's no secret that Jim Bowden has always been infatuated with c-patt. Corey + Guzman + Nolasco = Wilkerson I sure hope that isn't true.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5141196 Who is Mark Johnson?

Maybe so, but with the Yankees involved in the Pierre derby and Florida's apparent preference to deal to AL teams I think that Hendry will be forced to plan B (hopefully Wilkerson).

I think the Jays are going to get an impact hitter next. Sammy Sosa? :P

Mabry isn't on the roster so I doubt he would be playing in your imaginary game. Anyway, if the Cubs had a game tonight it wouldn't be the offseason. Stew on that. I agree with Vance on the Hill issue. Hendry is building up his value by telling anyone that will listen that he is untouchable. He may very well want to keep him, but I would be very surprised if Hendry was unwilling to trade him to get the right player. I just don't think that Lugo, Huff or Pierre are that player.

Get Kearns for RF, Wilkerson/Bradley for CF (patterson + prospect(s)), Lugo for SS (maybe)and we're set. Even with Cedeno/Walker Wilkerson/Bradley Kearns Collectively that is significant improvement to last years lineup. Wilkerson Walker 2B Lee Ramirez Kearns Barrett Murton Cedeno SS or Wilkerson Lugo SS Lee Ramirez Kearns Barrett Murton Cedeno 2B or Lugo SS Walker 2B Lee Bradley Ramirez Kearns Barrett Murton etc. You can really play around with lineup What is the payroll on that lineup? Not saying that the money should burn a hole in Hendry's pocket, but going into the season with that group would probably still leave him with at least $10M in budget. He would almost have to make a run at someone like Millwood if he goes that direction with the offense.

Players in BOLD are marquee FA's. Barry Bonds is not in BOLD. :shock:

With Hendry's new "I like guys who can catch the ball" mantra, I see about a .0000001% chance of that happening. Plus, you gotta remember, Hendry already more or less told both of them to move on. Yeah, both are as good as gone. When did Hendry "more or less" tell Walker to move on?

No it is an hour away from Tampa and it is in St. Petersburg (sorry if I wasn't clear in the last post). At least it took me an hour to get there from Ybor City the one time I went. To me the stadium had the feel of an empty warehouse. Maybe they didn't have the lights turned up or something but it was like a night game. but the biggest problem is the owner. Agree? Hopefully they solved that problem this offseason. And free parking! :lol: