RynoRules

I dunno. I think George is out to burn and pillage this year, no matter the rumors that they are cutting payroll. I could see him trading whatever he has (based on what I have read, it ain't much) to get Delgado, and inking Giles, without dealing Sheff. That would make that lineup ridiculous: 1B Delgado 2B Cano SS Jeter 3B ARod C Posada RF Sheff CF Matsui LF Giles DH Giambi That could be as good the Yankees of the 1920s.

Yea well, if Hendry had fired Baker and hired someone like Girardi I'm sure EVERYONE on this board including his harshest critics (whom I don't agree with) would certainly offer him a great deal more of latitude in his decision making because they realize the bullpenn is going to be misused, Neifi wouldnt be starting regardless of how much he's making etc. But Hendry is loyal to a fault, and it's gonna sink him. I sorta saw this coming, and I agree that JH has (at least publicly) afforded the Dust Man too much latitude and deference. I wanted Girardi probably more than anyone, but after this year's performance and the lack of rumbling re Dusty's future, I became resigned to him being here. I have just accepted it and moved on. I also think JH sees Dusty as "his guy", and therefore may feel a certain sense of obligation to keep him on longer than might be prudent. Just some thoughts in general. Back on topic: I think Jocketty will have to get lucky again with this year's FA crop being as weak as it is.

There has been nobody in this thread that has said Jocketty is head and shoulders above Hendry. The question was brought up as how can Cards fans "trust Jocketty to find something" and me along with I believe some others are just saying they can trust their GM to find something because he has done it in the past with players nobody else wanted. You can say Larussa is the difference maker to a point, but Jocketty is the person that obviously seen something in players such as Eckstein, Rodriguez, Nunez to bring them in when nobody else wanted them. Yes it helps to have a manager that might put these players in a position to succeed, but Jocketty is the one evaluating the talent. I find that a completely self-serving analysis based on the history of those players. In other words, nothing they had done previously indicated that they would play as well as they did. Sometimes luck is involved, and Jocketty and co. have been lucky with some of those players. By contrast, IMO, Hendry has taken fliers on similar types and it hasn't gone well. That, at least in part, is Dusty's resposnibility as well.

For those of you who think Jocketty is head-and-shoulders above Hendry, remember that he is made to look better by the guy in the dugout. Please don't tell me you were all pining for the Ecksteins, Nunezs, Taguchis, and Rodriguezs of the world. LaRussa is the difference maker - he knows how to handle what is given to him.

Is there someting wrong with Matt Morris besides his Cardinal-ness? The more I think about it, he should come cheaper than Millwood or Burnett, and would be nice 3 or 4 starter. Particularly based on Rothschild's recent comments, that makes some sense. I don't dislike Morris as some do. I recall that he and Wood were considered the future aces of the NL not so long ago. Plus, he now has a ton of playoff experience with an organization that does not tolerate excuses or nonsense. I like that about him. I am wary of how much cash we might give him, but 3 years sounds fine, especially since this will be Maddux's final one with us.

So by virtue of the fact that the Cards have less $ to spend, and they have Pujols, Edmonds and Rolen (if he is healthy - who knows?), they shouldn't worry about the fact that they are looking at the possibility of having an OF of Edmonds, Taguchi/Rodriguez and Jacque Jones? Plus there is no guarantee that Grudz will resign. If you were a Cards fan, would you criticize that possibility? I would. The Cards have been very fortunate that some unproven and unknown commodities on their bench have come through for them (Rodriguez, Nunez, Taguchi, etc.). I am just checking, because Hendry has only said that he does not want to get into a bidding war over Giles. The rest of the "conclusions" that have been made with re to Giles are naked conjencture based on certain reporters' source-less conclusions.

Will those of you who have criticized Hendry for not going all-out to get Giles please opine as to whether Jocketty deserves the same treatment? He's got holes at both corner-OF positions.

I think you are overreacting, Southside. The point is to wait for the finished product (e/t/a mid-January) before judging.

Agreed. No use in not welcoming him. If the team plays well enough, he's the kind of guy wo could help us in the playoffs. We can hope anyway.

That's really the key now: a SS, and, IMO two OFers (Pierre, Furcal and Dunn or Abreu, please).

I'm probably known around here as a Hendry apologist, but even I don't like the cash involved here. 3 yrs and 9 mill would have made more sense to me. I like Eyre; I don't like the cash. That said, what is the current rate of inflation re middle reliever contracts? And do we know for certain that the budget isn't going to be a little more than 105 mill?

God forbid we actually make the effort to analyze what we've already seen and use that information to make an educated guess that we'll just see more of the same. Educated guess? Seems like an oxymoron with alot of people I've been seeing. Knee-jerk reaction guess is more like it. God Forbid we wait more than 2 FREAKING WEEKS since the offseason started to start rampant crucification. Hell, if our final lineup is Furcal Perez Lee Ramirez Jones/Encarncaion Murton Barrett Patterson Then I'll be as pissed off as everybody. Hell, I'm alreadly pissed off about the Neifi signing and somewhat, the Rusch Signing. But we've had 2 weeks. Can't we even wait til one major impact signing with some club has occured before making this UNeducated guesses? Hendry has made some EXCELLENT moves in the past, along with some not so excellent moves. I don't think he's an idiot - so let's wait and see what actually happens. I really don't have a problem with speculation, but the crucification of Hendry that is occuring on what might POSSIBLY happen, is idiotic, moronic, short-sighted, and any other negative word I can think of. Discuss away though, I just enjoy being more rational in my approach, at least in November. Come talk to me in February, and I might be frothing at the mouth though in pure Anger. Agree pretty much with what the above. Its too early to judge an offseason that isn't 25% over.

seriously. it's a winter tradition -- hendry signs a reliever that will eventually fall apart to a three year deal. At least he's a real LOOGY. Do you go to another board or something and just laugh after reading this board? I really couldn't blame you if you did. It's a pretty interesting that's for sure. It's amazing how far everyone's offseason expectations have dropped around here. Agreed. Though I still say its premature. I am not going to judge this offseason until I see who is maning SS and the three OF postions. Those are the biggest pieces of the puzzle, IMO.

Interesting stuff. That Marquis deal makes some sense -isn't that Wainright (sp?) kid they got from Atl. ready? By the way mul21, stop stealing my avatar! :wink:

What he said. And BTW, I forgot to note post no. 1,000 by yours truly. Good stuff. I love it here.

Is there any way we can wait on the signing of Giles, wherever it may be, before we begin thumping the Cubs for their ineptitude? No. If you want to do that fine, refrain from posting. But why ask other to do it? If this is how you feel I'd suggest you avoid the whole transactions topic all together. That way you will not have to needlessly make such posts. EDIT: I don't know that anybody has ever said that Sullivan doesn't have information correct. What people have complianed about is his gossip mongering, and foolish ideas. But I think he is the mouth piece of the Chicago Cubs. Nothing like supressing speech and the free trade of ideas, which is wha tthis bd. is all about. I couldn't agree more which exactly what his post was about. Now on to Sullivan. Who broke the Sammygate story? Who broke the Farnsworth bad apple stuff? Who broke the Hariston is not playing b/c he missed signs stuff? Who broke the players confronting Stone and Chip? I'd say he is pretty much glued into what is going on at Addison and Clark. Now, I'll turn it arount to you. When has Sullivan reported something that later came out to be false? Look, the guy is a hack, but he does nothing but spout the company line with an occasional gossipy tid bit. I think he has as much credibility as any beat writer include Brue Miles. IMO, Sullivan has swung-and-missed a lot more han he's connected, and his columns tend to contradict each other from day-to-day, if you look closely. I still don't see any evidence that he is Hendry's mouthpiece, though. If Hendry is leaking that info to Sullivan, than Sullivan should cite to "highly placed anonymous sources". BTW, I hope somone else notes that you are equating him to the revered Mr. Miles.

Points well taken. Though this is Big Stein we are talking about.

Is there any way we can wait on the signing of Giles, wherever it may be, before we begin thumping the Cubs for their ineptitude? No. If you want to do that fine, refrain from posting. But why ask other to do it? If this is how you feel I'd suggest you avoid the whole transactions topic all together. That way you will not have to needlessly make such posts. EDIT: I don't know that anybody has ever said that Sullivan doesn't have information correct. What people have complianed about is his gossip mongering, and foolish ideas. But I think he is the mouth piece of the Chicago Cubs. Nothing like supressing speech and the free trade of ideas, which is what this bd. is all about. Sullivan is almost never accurate in his reporting. If the Cubs don't get Giles or if it is eventually evident that they never tried, then flame away. To do so now is premature, especially since there are reports that contradict Sullivan and he has been known to flip-flop positions on a daily basis. Moreover, if you look closely at the entire article you will see that it was a bunch of different thoughts glued together by some editor. Its horribly done, and I wouldn't be surprised if some ofthe context got lost in the editing. And did he cite to any source? And how do you know that Sullivan is the Cubs mouthpiece? That's quite a statement; can you back it up?

What bidding war? Between the Cubs and Braves? If he reports are to be believed, the Yanks and others are involved in the Giles sweepstakes. I'd say that's very different than the Furcal situation.

I'm glad you already know how they will fare in the future. The only thing spoken about in the future is Blum's performance. It was a sarcastic post that was insulting to Guillen and the Sox, met with a sarcastic response. No big deal. Leave it alone.

agreed

In what way? He was having a career year before getting hurt. He turns 33 this January and is going from one pitcher's park to another. I don't see him improving at all. The Mets make out like bandits in that deal. Nady is young and cheap, and has potential to be a solid 1B: http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/nadyxa01.shtml I like the deal from the Mets' perspective. Nady's minor league numbers suggest that he could be a good corner OF and an above average 1B offensively, but he's had 775 MLB AB's, and he hasn't been very good for a corner OF/1B, and his splits aren't any better(worse actually) away from Petco. He certainly has the potential, but if it were me I would've tried to capitalize on Cameron's big year more with more proven production. Cameron was having a big year?

In what way? He was having a career year before getting hurt. He turns 33 this January and is going from one pitcher's park to another. I don't see him improving at all. The Mets make out like bandits in that deal. Nady is young and cheap, and has potential to be a solid 1B: http://www.baseball-reference.com/n/nadyxa01.shtml I like the deal from the Mets' perspective.

The one with the pencil in it with his teeth marks? Did you get Tim Watley to look at it for you?

Bah, beat me to it. This is an interesting set up move, I think. Clearing some room.