TrueBlueCubFan

Please be true... Jones wouldn't be a bad fit in St. Louis. They don't need the same type of player the Cubs do. What kind of players do they need then? Bad players? yes :D In seriousness he is not that bad. but if the money is true that would be a bad contract. Very bad. He's a GG caliber OF & a mediocre hitter. JJ would be a nice fit for the Cards. He is a 6-8 type hitter in that order.

They will gone after today, just like the few Panther fans who are no where to be seen this week. GO BEARS!!! Prediction: Bears 24 Bucs 13

I didn't think the Brewers deserved more then one thread, so I decided to post this here: Brewers GM Doug Melvin said "there's about an 80 percent chance that [Lyle] Overbay will" still be with the team on Opening Day. "There is interest in him, but it's not at the level I feel I could do something to help the club," Melvin said. Perhaps that will change after Paul Konerko signs. If Overbay stays, Melvin said Prince Fielder will go to Triple-A for the first half of the season and the Brewers will revisit the situation in July. Nov. 27 - 3:32 am et Source: New York Times In my opinion, the games I saw Fielder play, seems more than ready for the bigs. However, Overbay's a very nive player so I understand why they don't want to get rid of him.

@ 2-3 times the cost. FYI, Neither Ryan nor Wagner were ever options for the Cubs since the day the Cubs signed Dempster to an extension. He's also several years younger and his numbers are much better, hence the higher cost. You're probably right on the second point, which shows a lack of imagination on Hendry's part. Would you rather have Ryan @ 5 yrs. 47 mil or Dempster @ 3/ 15.5? Both were in their 1st year as closers. FYI, Ryan is 29 & Dempster is 28 It's not an either/or decision. explain

@ 2-3 times the cost. FYI, Neither Ryan nor Wagner were ever options for the Cubs since the day the Cubs signed Dempster to an extension. He's also several years younger and his numbers are much better, hence the higher cost. You're probably right on the second point, which shows a lack of imagination on Hendry's part. Would you rather have Ryan @ 5 yrs. 47 mil or Dempster @ 3/ 15.5? Both were in their 1st year as closers. FYI, Ryan is 29 & Dempster is 28

@ 2-3 times the cost. FYI, Neither Ryan nor Wagner were ever options for the Cubs since the day the Cubs signed Dempster to an extension.

I want your crystal ball. You're basically guaranteeing that Howry/Eyre will suck in the near future while Ryan will absolutely improve on his stats. The Cubs should hire you right away with such unbelievable skills of prognostication I call it: ultra pessimism

Yup. Here's Ryan v. Dempster, and remember that Demp began 2005 in the rotation: http://www.baseballreference.com/r/ryanb.01.shtml http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dempsry01.shtml Anyone have Dempster's closer-only stats? Dempster as a reliever in 05': 4-0 57 G 1.85 ERA 33/35 sv/svo 58.1 IP 46 H 12 ER 1 HR 3 HBP 27 BB/ 53 SO Yeah, those are really good. I just hope he either a.) lowers the walk rate or b.) keeps that HR/A rate, otherwise his numbers could get ugly His H/IP rate is also very impressive. If he does improve on his BB/SO rate he could turn into a dominant type closer.

Yup. Here's Ryan v. Dempster, and remember that Demp began 2005 in the rotation: http://www.baseballreference.com/r/ryanb.01.shtml http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dempsry01.shtml Anyone have Dempster's closer-only stats? Dempster as a reliever in 05': 4-0 57 G 1.85 ERA 33/35 sv/svo 58.1 IP 46 H 12 ER 1 HR 3 HBP 27 BB/ 53 SO

That's what shook me - 3 years made more sense. The spending is over the top so far this year, and it ain't just Hendry. Well, Wagner was offered 4 years, and Ryan is younger (with far less mileage on his arm), so I guess thats not too surprising either. It's free agency and there are a ton of teams with money to spend and fans to please by bringing in the bigger names. So its okay to spend if you bring in a "bigger name". Just clarifying. If Hendry had done this deal instead of the Eyre and Howry deals, you would have been okay with it b/c Ryan is the "bigger name"? Neither B.Ryan or B.Wagner were options for the Cubs. They have their closer: His name is Ryan Dempster!!

This makes the Dempster signing look like a steal. 3 yr. 15.5 mil

Not sure if the Brewers would be able to take on Clement's brutal contract.

because our organization steers clear of guys who get on base, as a rule. hendry won't sign him because we might win with him, which would make his previous philosophy look worthless. GM's like hendry don't all of the sudden change their "conventional" ways for ways that are proven better, they just go out after guys who "can catch the ball", pitch one inning of relief, bunt, and/or steal bases and call it a day. if we make any trades, they won't be for abreu, who actually steals bases well. Seriously though, how do they not see him as "toolsy"? He's kinda fast, right? Good at defense. I just don't get it. He can't field. He does have at least 3 of the 5 tools, with decent speed (possibly being 4), although I don't think that is enough to qualify him as "speedy." I've actually thought the Cubs organization as a whole has greatly admired Giles for years. I just never understood why they didn't seem to get in on the talks when Pittsburgh was looking to move him despite having about the most team friendly post-arbitration contract in the league. And I can't understand why they wouldn't be interested now. Talks of a 5/$50-60 are legitimate reasons to stay away from Giles. But he is much better than Alou was when Moises signed and a 3/30 is completely rational. I've had the same thoughts. How can JH & the Cubs be interested in the injury prone Moises Alou(@ the time of his signing) & not be interested in B.Giles? Maybe Hendry & the Cubs are interested in Giles. JH tends to fly under the radar & is good keeping the media off-guard on his goals & expectations on his off-season.

You think Giradi's regretting his decision to take the Marlins job?

He is on the roster, however, there are still many additions that have to be made. The roster is @ 40, right now: 1)Scott Moore has to be added 2)Bob Howry has to be added 3) 1-2 OF spots need to be added- Pierre for 3 pitching prospects? 4)JH to improve the bench? Mabry? Sweeney 5)add a SP via trade or FA? Macias doesn't stand a chance to make this team in 06' or does he? Too many moves yet to be made by JH or does he find a way to put Macias back on this roster.

I'm thinking they White Sox made this move b/c of their uncertainity to be able to resign Konerko. I could be wrong.

Good insite. I could also see the Dodgers being interested in Nomar.

The Dodgers do have Cezar Izturis as their everday SS. However, they do have a whole to fill @ 3B. Furcal's guy has already said he'll play anywhere. "Just give him a glove." It's an expected quote from an agent who is trying to get the most value & as many teams invovled in negotiations for his FA he can. Furcal's highest value is as a SS.

The Dodgers do have Cezar Izturis as their everday SS. However, they do have a whole to fill @ 3B.

FYI, Lofton is a FA

It's easy to say that, but can you come up with the alternative to Eyre/Howry production via trade or other FA signing? How do you know that wasn't market value for Eyre/Howry? The fact that they've already signed, it not even being December, hints at as much. You statement sounds very speculative to me. Do you have 1st hand knowledge that neither Eyre or Howry have negotiated/talks with other teams? Do you have 1st hand knowledge that Eyre or Howry were had for below market value or even fair market value? It goes both ways. Were did I ever state that Eyre & Howry were had @ below market value? Answer: I didn't, so please do not put words in my mouth. IIRC, I did read an article stating Eyre had discussions with Torre & the Yankees were very interested in him. I will try & locate that article.

It's easy to say that, but can you come up with the alternative to Eyre/Howry production via trade or other FA signing? How do you know that wasn't market value for Eyre/Howry? The fact that they've already signed, it not even being December, hints at as much. You statement sounds very speculative to me. Do you have 1st hand knowledge that neither Eyre or Howry have negotiated/talks with other teams?

It's easy to say that, but can you come up with the alternative to Eyre/Howry production via trade or other FA signing? How do you know that wasn't market value for Eyre/Howry?

Ease up on the personal attacks. It's just a difference of opinion. He's responding to someone calling JH a moran is their avatar. You may want to ease up on your hate for some of the Cubs. I don't "hate" any of the Cubs TBCF. I don't like some of them as players, and have criticism of moves, but I don't "hate" them. Look, I just want everyone to get along. If you disagree with those of us that are critical of JH's decisions, or whatever, fine, that great, but let's debate that instead of talking about how we don't know what we're talking about. Likewise, there's no reason for any of "us" to call anyone a moron, or a moran, or a "Moran", unless your last name is Moran. In any case, let's just chill. Let's agree to disagree. Or, let's have a constructive argument. :D I agree, but there is a double standard on this board which allows attacks on certain members of the Cubs(JH,Neifi,Dusty,Macias,etc) & doesn't allow attacks on Sosa & Patterson. Defending someone who calls JH a moran in their avatar is hating on the Cubs. Sorry, if you don't like it, but I call it the way I see it.

Ease up on the personal attacks. It's just a difference of opinion. He's responding to someone calling JH a moran is their avatar. You may want to ease up on your hate for some of the Cubs.