RynoRules

Radke always seemed like a cool guy. He stuck with that org even though they stunk for most of his "formative" years; picthed through pain more than once, IIRC. I also will always remeber the video game commercial he did where they made fun of the fact that he gave up the most HRs in baseball during one season. Good sense of humor to do that one. Best of luck, sir.

The Sox fanbase clearly underestimates Drew's value. Whether they underestimate his personality and character is another matter.

Sure would rather have Giles for a year than DeRosa for three, but I don't think its as big a deal as other issues are.

Getting Vasher back will be helpful.

In other news, two Yankees pitchers plan to trade wives...

Fortunate win, but you most winning teams have a few of those, especially in the modern NFL. Also, I'd submit that the D probably prepped for Gradowski for much of the week, only to have Ratay come in. Could be wrong about that one though. I think the GB game will tell us more about the D, assuming the 1st team plays at all that is.

That's interesting. As we know all too well, Carroll is pretty reliable in reporting such things.

I would think that if you intend to apply you should harp on your applicable experience - if you have a degree or background in statistical analysis for example. If you are just going to say, "I am a die hard Cubs fan and watch lots of baseball", I think you'll find they will place your app ever so gently in the circular drawer.

Sheesh, if Hill approachs those nos. this team could be a legit threat in the NL (assuming the pen is decent).

You're gonna hurt Alfonso's feelings saying things like that. Meh - I forgot that Murt is there too. Or maybe I am still pining (unrealistically) for Manny.

I thought Ward was older than that. Hm.

Ugh - I was ready to put a stamp of approval on this offseason if he got Church or someone else for RF and moved Jones to CF. There's still time to do the right thing, Jim!

Kill me now. :evil:

Am I totally misunderstanding you quote below? Ah, finally some sanity. Nope - and I fleshed out my opinion rather than just leaving it at that. I still don't see what the problem is. People criticize each other all over the place here, and yet you have seen fit to accuse me of being judgmental.

Didn't Crisp get a big extension from the Sox, though? What do we do when Pie is ready?

Do you mean other than what Bruce "thinks"? Ah, so now Bruce's credibility and knowledge of the inner-workings of these matters is on par with yours and mine? I'm sorry. Do you mean other than what Bruce has "heard". I don't know where you are attempting to go with this, but I have no disrespect for Bruce Miles, and I appreciate that he provides incite to our message board. Are you trying to insinuate something? Because it really just needs to stop. It has nothing to do with the topic. Then stop replying. My point is Bruce has greater credibility than you or I on these issues.

That's a load of nonsense. You must be having some problems with reading my posts, so I am going to restate them in simple terms, bullet by bullet: - I am critical of people's methodoligies, and have not personally attacked anyone in this respect. - Disagreeing with methedoloy and opinion is supposed to be what this bd is about, IMO. - I am not trying to tell anyone how to post or argue. I have at all times qualified my statements with "I prefer" or "it bothers me when". Other people (including yourself) have made absolutist statements telling me (essentially) to "get out if I don't like it". I have made no such statement. If I choose to disagree with how some people support their arguments, I think that is my right. - My opinion is that arguments supported by facts are far more persuasive than those based on naked speculation. For example, I prefer "He stinks b/c his stat line is .225 / .280 / .300", rather than "He stinks b/c he doesn't look like he can hit to me." I still fail to see why any of this is so offensive to your sensibilities. Of course, if you choose to ignore these points and twist them around into something they are not intended to be, well that's another matter.

Its just an o/u. He could do much better - who knows?

Do you mean other than what Bruce "thinks"? Ah, so now Bruce's credibility and knowledge of the inner-workings of these matters is on par with yours and mine?

Ah, finally some sanity. That's ridicilous If this place is so insane and the people who post here so unrealistic and unknowledgable why do you or anyone else who is bitching stay here? You are really overreacting to my post and completely missing the point. My point is that I appreciate measured criticism based in fact (like stats) rather than pure speculation such as, "That Hendry stinks because he didn't trade for Chruch. I know they were only asking for (names of players)". I also prefer criticism based on actual results (such as guys we have actually acquired, the team's performance, etc.) rather than "Hendry sucks - he didn't sign Schmidt!" EDIT: For example, many of us (myself included) took shots at Hendry for the contracts he gave to DeRosa and Lilly. I don't have a problem with that. What bothers me is when people slam Hendry for things he cannot control, such as the fact Schmidt apparently preferred to sign on the Coast in spite of the fact that the Cubs offerred him more money and an extra year. Nothing he can do about that, IMO. EDIT No. 2: Please show me where I referred to anyone here as "unknowledgeable". I don't get why the criticism has to be so limited in scope. Getting the job done in the big picture requires getting the job done on specific moves. Under your rules, we can't complain that Hendry went after guys like Perez, Rusch, Burnitz, Jones etc instead of getting a player like Vlad, Tejada or Beltran when they were available. Why can't people just let fans react how they want to the ineptitude of Cubs management? You just completely misstated my position, which is that it is very reasonable to kill Hendry for signing guys like Burnitz, Jones, Rusch, neifi, macias, etc. rather than Vlad and Miggy, simply b/c that is something that actually happened. What I don't like is when people say its Hendry's fault that we can't acquire a guy like Church; these people don't understand Bruce's point, which is that "it takes two to tango". I agree that getting the job done means getting the job done both with specificity and in the "big picture". I don't think I am stating rules and I don't think I am creating some unworkable standard or one that does not subject Hendry to crticisim. Rather, I dislike arguments based on pure speculation and without any ("any" meaning "none", "nada, "zip") basis in reality. People can fire away at Hendry in any way they choose, but that doesn't mean I have to like it or agree with it. As I understand it, I am free to feel that way. When Jason Shmidt signed with LA I didn't read very many posts where people were complaining that Hendry didn't get the job done. Some of the criticism of Hendry is over the top and irrelevent (fat jokes). But, overall I think most of the criticism is based on what he has or hasn't done in relation to what the person wanted him to do. Last year he didn't seem to be interested in Giles at all, and stated that he "wasn't interested in getting into a bidding war". Well there was no such war. I and some others criticized Hendry for not pursing Giles. There were some people who accused us of being unrealistic as "Giles wasn't leaving the West Coast". I think you were among them. In reality we'll never know because Hendry didn't seriously pursue Giles. This year we've seen that when Hendry wants his man he can get him. Even if he doesn't fit what the Cubs need. I don't recall if I used the word "unrealistic', but yes, it was certainly my opinion (based on numerous reports) that Giles had no intention of leaving the West Coast. I agree, looking back, that Hendry should have at the least inquired as to Giles availability and interest.

You are also welcome to ignore the threads that posters aren't saying the exact thing you would want them to say, which is basically what you are saying. Way to spin my argument - is there a particular reasonw hy you target me so blatently everytime we disagree on something? All I have said is that I disagree with certain methdologies. Its no different than the stance that is taken by many with respect to the importance of stats. Don't put words in my mouth, pal.

Oh c'mon now - people often make baseless assertions on this bd and other posters (rightfully) ask, "Huh? Can you showm me where you read that? Can you show me the stats to back that up?" I have seen you do it on several occassions. You mean other than what Bruce said.

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game? I don't get it. I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck. If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess. I don't think that's entirely unrealistic. Do you think that qualifies under "sucking offensively"? I wouldn't, which is why I doubted the absolute declaration he'd be terrible. I think there's a very small chance he'd be good, but also a sizable probability that he won't be terrible. Oh, I agree that would not suck. The question in my mind is can we acquire someone on the relative cheap to play CF who would be more productive?

Ah, finally some sanity. That's ridicilous If this place is so insane and the people who post here so unrealistic and unknowledgable why do you or anyone else who is bitching stay here? You are really overreacting to my post and completely missing the point. My point is that I appreciate measured criticism based in fact (like stats) rather than pure speculation such as, "That Hendry stinks because he didn't trade for Chruch. I know they were only asking for (names of players)". I also prefer criticism based on actual results (such as guys we have actually acquired, the team's performance, etc.) rather than "Hendry sucks - he didn't sign Schmidt!" EDIT: For example, many of us (myself included) took shots at Hendry for the contracts he gave to DeRosa and Lilly. I don't have a problem with that. What bothers me is when people slam Hendry for things he cannot control, such as the fact Schmidt apparently preferred to sign on the Coast in spite of the fact that the Cubs offerred him more money and an extra year. Nothing he can do about that, IMO. EDIT No. 2: Please show me where I referred to anyone here as "unknowledgeable". I don't get why the criticism has to be so limited in scope. Getting the job done in the big picture requires getting the job done on specific moves. Under your rules, we can't complain that Hendry went after guys like Perez, Rusch, Burnitz, Jones etc instead of getting a player like Vlad, Tejada or Beltran when they were available. Why can't people just let fans react how they want to the ineptitude of Cubs management? You just completely misstated my position, which is that it is very reasonable to kill Hendry for signing guys like Burnitz, Jones, Rusch, neifi, macias, etc. rather than Vlad and Miggy, simply b/c that is something that actually happened. What I don't like is when people say its Hendry's fault that we can't acquire a guy like Church; these people don't understand Bruce's point, which is that "it takes two to tango". I agree that getting the job done means getting the job done both with specificity and in the "big picture". I don't think I am stating rules and I don't think I am creating some unworkable standard or one that does not subject Hendry to crticisim. Rather, I dislike arguments based on pure speculation and without any ("any" meaning "none", "nada, "zip") basis in reality. People can fire away at Hendry in any way they choose, but that doesn't mean I have to like it or agree with it. As I understand it, I am free to feel that way.

Really? I see it as close to 100% that Pie will suck offensively. How will that increase his trade value----when he's posting .280 OBPs and whiffing more than once per game? I don't get it. I don't see how you can see it as close to 100% that he'll suck. If Pie played regurlarly in the bigs next season I would put the over/under at .260 / .315 / .425 for his stat line. No real formula, just my best guess.