erik316wttn

If that's true and not just posturing, I'd put the Cubs chances of getting Peavy down to like 40% You still would have more than two whole months of offseason before pitchers and catchers report. Why stop so soon?

Well, Ron won't go into the Hall in his lifetime. As much as I hate to say it, I don't think Ron has too many years left. It's so sad he won't be alive to see the two things he wants most: A Cubs World Series victory and election to the Hall of Fame.

Hey, don't forget the great Rabbit Maranville.

I'm rooting for you, Ronny! If Ron gets elected, who does the "Best eligible player not in the HOF" fall to?

I have always wanted to hear Pat Hughes sign on to Cubs radio broadcasts saying "....along with Hall of Famer Ron Santo, it's Pat Hughes reporting...." When is the writer's ballot announced? Also today?

If it's any consolation, with the way the economy and the market is going, I'm sure that if it does drag out and we finally end up with him, there should still be some serviceable and affordable bats left to fill our OF hole. Teams seem to be very slow to sign players this offseason, so hopefully there will be enough talent left.

ERA and wins are lousy metrics on judging a pitcher. I'm not convinced.

How quickly we turn. When we traded for Harden, there were a ton of people on here stating how Gaudin was treated as a throw-in, but actually was a huge steal. Now we want to see him gone. Was he really that terrible in a few months that he's not deserving of another chance?

Someone on Baseball Tonight predicted Wood would end up in Milwaukee as the closer. I can't even imagine that.

At one time I wanted him on the Cubs because I thought he had the potential to be awesome.

So with Vitters as the possible centerpiece of this deal, do we still need the 3rd team to get involved?

I'm pretty sure the last time the Cardinals traded for a Padres shortstop, it worked out pretty well for them.

It'll be even funnier when our hitters get too anxious and he pitches an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Yeah, the perennial playoff appearances, the championships, the good ol days... Don't forget spending top dollar to retain our best players like Greg Maddux.

The only reason Mattingly gets consideration is because he played in New York his whole career. If he'd have played in a smaller market like Kansas City or Pittsburgh, there'd be no way he'd even recieve a single vote. I'm not saying he'll get in, but he'll get the fair majority of his votes for the sole reason of being a very good Yankee. The same will go for Derek Jeter when he's on the ballot. Grace also doesn't deserve admission. It's the Hall of Fame, not the Hall of Very Good. Lee Smith I could see. McGwire I could see. Henderson should absolutely make it. I wouldn't be upset if Blyleven made it in. And, of course, I'm a HUGE Andre Dawson fan, so I'm rooting for his admission, too. And, of course, Ron Santo has to get in. This has gotta be the year. I don't think he'll be around for too many more of these, and I'd like to see him get in while he's alive.

I will go ahead and agree with Goony that a monkey could have put a competitive team on the field 5 out of 6 years, along with making the postseason 3 of those 6 years, given the resources Hendry has had to work with. Payroll has nearly doubled since Hendry took over and he already had a fairly stocked team of regulars and a highly rated farm system. What I have found to be the most troublesome with Hendry's tenure as the Cubs GM, is his constantly changing philosophies of building a winner. To me, he's been extremely narrow minded with what type of player can help him now and in the future. He gives the perception of tunnel vision when it comes to "getting his man", even if a better man is available and at his disposal. The lame quotes like "guys who can catch the ball" and "left handed power hitter" are only the tip of the iceberg with the problems I've had with Hendry over the years. I won't call it all bad. I like a lot of the players Hendry has brought to this team. At times, he's looked like a magician. However, over his full body of work, he just isn't getting the job done. Winning divisions when 4/5 of the teams in your division are crappy small market teams going nowhere ever isn't really the best indicator of your body of work. Switch us with Boston and Boston is winning more than 100 games a year while we are struggling to break .500. Epstein is a good GM. Hendry, not so much. win

Cue the Dunn love in 3...2...1.....

If this were the dark ages, Hendry would be executed without trial. This is completely and totally indefensible. There is NO downside to offering him arbitration. None. And Hendry declined.

He has a family That's true, but he probably spends more time with the Cub organization than he does with his family (just like most of us do with our own jobs). Seems like it would be more difficult to stay where you're not wanted than to move to another team. I'd have to believe that there's a good chance that he posture for the best trade possible (for he and his family). Doesn't his little girl have some sort of eye condition that causes blindness? Maybe if there was a good hospital nearby that could treat her he'd ok a trade. I know that would be first on my mind if I was in his position. However, if he doesn't want to move her or if he thinks she's already getting the best care that she can , he won't want to upset that. And I can't say that I blame him.

If he'd go for it, I'd be in favor. This is where a guy like DeRosa becomes even more valuable. With his versatility, you can sign an OF and keep him to 2nd, or do something like sign Furcal at SS, move Riot to 2B and DeRo to the OF, or if you trade Lee, you can put DeRo at first and upgrade in other places. Wost case scenario, you can start Fontenot at 2B and move DeRo to RF. It's a nice problem to have and you're not handcuffed to find help at any one position. You can upgrade pretty much anywhere and put DeRo in to fix just about any hole.

http://www.prosportsdaily.com/forums/showthread.php?t=297233&page=38 I'll believe it when OriolesHangout reports it.

Would Lee and Marshall possibly get it done?

Don't give Hendry any ideas.

Geez, way to settle. Let's not go for Bradley or Ibanez. Mark Teahen is the future of this franchise!! Give me a break, Jim.

This has probably already been addressed, but is there a deadline for Wood to accept arbitration?