ManEatingTarp

That's not arguable at all. It's the Bears, and it's not even close. Quoted for truth.

Thanks folks. Good info. I see the Brewers as having the most flexibility for making a major move this season. Prospects + Payroll Flexibility = Impact Move. The Cardinals have prospects and payroll flexibility, but don't seem to have the desire to part with the prospects yet. That and they know they have to back up the truck for Pujols in the next year or two and taking on a Peavy type contract would make that more difficult. We're only at the 1/3 point of the season, but if I had to out money on it, I'd say the Brewers are the team to beat from here on out.

Hey folks, We're getting closer to the time in the season where talk about trades and other types of player acquisitions really heats up. What in your opinions do the Cubs have in the way of prospects or 25 man roster players that they can move. Also, with the ownership in flux, how much of a payroll increase do you see the Cubs being able to make with one or more of these moves? Are there any "untouchables" in the farm system? Who are the prospects that you see as bringing the most value in a trade? Thanks MET

Albert looks fine now. Rasmus appears to be warming up. Kid looks like a player.

The Mets may be under .500 now, but I doubt they finish the season that way. 5 days ago I said the same thing about the Cubs. My point about the DL is that the "strength of schedule" debate can be skewed in the early parts of the season. Technically the Cubs have been the healthiest team in baseball so far. For the Cardinals or any other team to say they split or took a series from the Cubs and think they did it against a team that was at full strength is misleading.

They also played (and swept) the Mets. Blaming or thanking the schedule can get kind of silly. Saying that this guy was hurt, or that a team lucked out by missing a stud pitcher in a 3 game series etc. I try not to get to excited or frustrated by the standings till Memorial Day, and probably shouldn't till the All-Star break. To show you how misleading somethings can be in the early goings, the Cubs on paper are the healthiest team in baseball. They've had the least amount of time by players spent on the DL. Using the Mets as an example of a good team they've played doesn't really help your argument. And your example about the DL is completely useless. Really? On paper the Mets have one of the best offensive teams in baseball. After they addressed their bullpen a lot of "experts" picked them to go to and maybe win the World Series this year. Sounds like a competitive team to me. If we used the same scale for the Cubs I could say they haven't played anybody of note either. Nobody knows what teams will or won't be above .500 at the end of the year, so it doesn't make much sense to say that the schedule is this way or that way in the first month. My point about the DL is that you can skew things in any direction early in the year. The Cardinals split the first 6 games against a COMPLETELY healthy Cubs team. We both know that's not true.

They also played (and swept) the Mets. Blaming or thanking the schedule can get kind of silly. Saying that this guy was hurt, or that a team lucked out by missing a stud pitcher in a 3 game series etc. I try not to get to excited or frustrated by the standings till Memorial Day, and probably shouldn't till the All-Star break. To show you how misleading somethings can be in the early goings, the Cubs on paper are the healthiest team in baseball. They've had the least amount of time by players spent on the DL.

It's early. The Cardinals have not played their worst baseball, and the Cubs have not played their best. My guess would be that it's going to be a tight race. As one poster mentioned, the Cards are in a better spot to trade at the deadline this year, and with their farm system finally showing that it can produce, this won't be the same team at the end of the year. BW, it wouldn't shock me if they sign Sheets. Wallace won't get traded because this is Glaus's last year under contract. Wallace will "probably" be the opening day starter at 3rd next year.

Quiet you. Brian Barden has an ops over 1.000. I think we can get a grand slam from one guy who isn't supposed to be a power hitter. ;)

Was Jack Buck there to tell people to "Go Crazy"? wow

My impression is that you can't win a division in April but you can lose one, and nobody has lost the division yet. The Cubs are .500 after the first month.

There's a reason he and Bob Knight are such good buddies, and I'm a big Knight fan. They're both bullies who need to be the center of attention and love to whine when things don't go their way. But those are also some of the characteristics that have made them both so successful over the years. If you don't kiss their butts, they either want nothing to do with you or attempt to belittle you until you do start kissing ass. I can agree with that. Believe me, I see the personality faults. I also see how they may make him a pretty effective manager. I hate that he and Ozzie Smith, Scott Rolen, Van Slyke and other players I enjoyed watching have made no bones about not liking each other. At the end of the day it's about winning, and he's done that.

It's been a weird relationship with Tony and a lot of Cardinal fans. He's not Herzog, so he'll never be a good manager in a lot of people's eyes. It's similar to Ditka here in Chicago. I know he can come off as elitist, cocky and class A jerk. But, I look at his animal rescue foundation and other charity work, and the couple times I've been able to meet him in person, and I really believe he's a good person. It's kind of obvious that he's one of the best managers in the history of the game. St. Louis won't really appreciate the job he's done till he's gone. I'm guessing that he and Duncan will be there for two, maybe three more years. For what it's worth I like Lou as well. Couldn't stand Dusty, and still don't like him.

It's like pitchers, they judge 'em by wins, not wins and losses. So you guys are saying that a manager that is almost 500 wins above .500 for his career is a "loser"? That's just funny.

Winningest Managers List Through 2008 season 1. Connie Mack 3,776 2. John McGraw 2,840 3. Tony La Russa 2,461 4. Bobby Cox 2,327 5. Sparky Anderson 2,194

As a Cards fan, I always hate playing the "B" team. Boggs is just an arm, so I don't have big expectations about today. I'm a little scared because Lou has seen the light by dropping Lee in the order. I was hoping for that to happen in late May or June. Anyway, looking forward to watching this one.

Mets pushing back. Beltran with a 3 run HR to make it 8-12

Say what you will, that was a fun game.

If Marmol doesn't pitch this inning something is really wrong.

This has been Soriano vs. the Cards for the last couple of years. 3ks followed by game winning HR. He's a stud.

Truth be told, a lot of Cards fans keep expecting the other shoe to drop in regards to Ludwick. There were a lot of cries to trade him while his value was high in the off season.

OK, you guys may be right.

And Trevor Miller is our Cotts. :sick:

Another Cards fan here. We are not irked by Fontenot and Theriot. But I doubt any Cubs fan is seriously irked by our no-named infielders. Ludwick is the most maddening. Ludwick was a very highly regarded prospect that just couldn't stay healthy. He could always hit. The Cards have been lucky with some guys, it just gets magnified sometimes. There have been plenty of turds thrown out there that haven't worked as well. Stubby Clapp anyone?

Agree. I'm a Cards fan, and I like Soto a lot. He plays the game right, and he's an exciting young player. I even bought my Cub fan Dad an authentic Soto jersey for Xmas.