Bruce Miles

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-071201rogers,1,7650706.column?coll=cs-cubs-headlines Phil Rogers is insane. An offer Hill/Marmol/Pie/Marshall in my mind is blowing away the offers from both evil empires. Why in the world would the Cubs have to part with either Soto or Veal along with the big three they are offering is beyond me. If the Cubs wanted to win this Santana Derby they could easily but at this point with ownership issues there's no way Hendry gambles the farm on one year of Santana. They're not in on Santana. Bruce, if you're still here could you clear up one thing? I know we will offer up some of our pitching this weekend to improve the team like you said, but are we doing this with the intention to acquire a RF'er and not go after Fukudome? Or is this with the intention of getting the speedy lefty (infielder i'm assuming) and still trying for Fukudome? Right now their No. 1 priority is a left-handed hitting RFer. While they await word on Fukudome, they'll talk with other clubs about possible trade targets. Things will settle after RF is decided.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-071201rogers,1,7650706.column?coll=cs-cubs-headlines Phil Rogers is insane. An offer Hill/Marmol/Pie/Marshall in my mind is blowing away the offers from both evil empires. Why in the world would the Cubs have to part with either Soto or Veal along with the big three they are offering is beyond me. If the Cubs wanted to win this Santana Derby they could easily but at this point with ownership issues there's no way Hendry gambles the farm on one year of Santana. They're not in on Santana.

From what I've been told, and I've asked, Tejada costs too much for the Cubs in terms of money. Unless something changes, I don't see him ending up here.

Link. That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run. Oh Jesus! Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry. But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players? Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end. Thanks for your reply, Bruce. Do you believe that the Cubs will soon obtain what they're looking for since Hendry and other GMs have been so straightforward about their needs? Also, is the MLBPA alleging collusion again, and if so, will there be action taken against owners? Have a great time in Nashville. Thanks in advance for helping to keep us in the loop! Don't know if a collusion case will be filed. After all, Torii Hunter and Scott Linebrink did pretty well for themselves. As far as getting what the Cubs want, we'll see. It takes two to deal, whether it's a trade or a free-agent signing. I don't see Tampa Bay trading Crawford, especially after they dealt Young. His contract is pretty favorable to the Rays, anyway. The Cubs No. 1 target is Fukudome. We'll see what happens there, too. The Cubs will be dangling several of their pitchers. When you say dangling several of their pitchers, do you mean just putting their names out and saying that they can be had for the right price, or actively trying to trade them? And which pitchers are you referring to? Anyone that might surprise us? It's a little of both. Marshall, Gallagher, Veal are all names I've heard. The Cubs do not want to trade Rich Hill, and it would take an awful lot for them to change their minds on this. Hill pitche nearly 200 innings in each of the last two seasons (majors and minors in '06) and the Cubs feel he'll get only better.

Link. That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run. Oh Jesus! Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry. But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players? Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end. Thanks for your reply, Bruce. Do you believe that the Cubs will soon obtain what they're looking for since Hendry and other GMs have been so straightforward about their needs? Also, is the MLBPA alleging collusion again, and if so, will there be action taken against owners? Have a great time in Nashville. Thanks in advance for helping to keep us in the loop! Don't know if a collusion case will be filed. After all, Torii Hunter and Scott Linebrink did pretty well for themselves. As far as getting what the Cubs want, we'll see. It takes two to deal, whether it's a trade or a free-agent signing. I don't see Tampa Bay trading Crawford, especially after they dealt Young. His contract is pretty favorable to the Rays, anyway. The Cubs No. 1 target is Fukudome. We'll see what happens there, too. The Cubs will be dangling several of their pitchers.

Link. That's our very own Jim Hendry there folk....looking for someone left-handed who can run. Oh Jesus! Carl Crawford, your table is ready. Bring him home from Nashville, Mr. Hendry. But why does Hendry come out and essentially say exactly what we're looking for? Does he not realize that he loses hand in potential trades when other teams infer that we need (and are willing to overpay for) their players? Makes no difference what Hendry or any other GM says in the press. Every GM knows what every other GM is looking for. It's a very small world, and if you remember, the GMs all had a big show and tell meeting at the GM meetings last month, upsetting the players association to no end.

Good question. I haven't heard his name much. They could trade him or use him as a fourth outfielder. I'll ask as I get set to go to Nashville.

Well, I remember last year, when there was a lot of hand-wringing over the Cubs signing this utility player DeRosa to a three year deal. At the time, he had played three games at first base, 114 at second, 147 at third, 137 at short, 13 in left and 90 in right. This year, he played 93 games at second, 37 at third, one at short, 22 in right, one in left and nine at first base. So I'm not sure he has a "regular" position. He played the hell out of third base when Ramirez was out.

The way I'm reading this also indicates to me you're quite confident a deal will get done. Perhaps I'm reading too much into it. That's up to Matsui. He's the one who has to sign. All I'm saying is the Cubs are going hard after him.

Any chance they will say (Borat style) "Not!" I don't think so. If they get Matsui, they'll be confident they can get Fukudome, if he declares he's coming to North America. Matsui and Fukudome go back a long ways.

Second base. I'm sure they'll say this: He and DeRosa will share time there, probably with Matsui getting most of the time there. He's a switch hitter, and we need a lefty at the top of the order. Lee can't play 162 games. Ramirez can't play 162 games. Maybe the right fielder can't play 162 games. Matsui can't play 162 games. So there will be plenty of playing time for DeRosa. I'm relaying this to you as how I think they'll say it.

The fact is there has been no signing yet. The rumor last night was false. But the Cubs may indeed end up with Matsui. They are pushing very hard to obtain him.

I'm holding off my praise until you convince Hendry not to screw up this offseason by signing Matsui. It's the least a servant can do. I'm doing what I can.

Fuld has won MVP honors for the Arizona Fall League, as your intrepid servant reported this morning: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=84592 It's at the bottom of the story.

Is the report true Bruce that Hendry wants Matsui to be the full-time starter at second and move DeRosa to a utility player? Does he want either one of them to be the SS? Neither one for SS. Probably split time at second between Matsui and DeRosa and have DeRosa fill in at third and right when needed.

That sucks, thanks for the update. Any hint from Hendry that he's looking to trade for OF help? Yes, he is looking to trade for outfield help. Got to find a team that's willing to get a deal done.

Cubs are still in the Matsui sweepstakes. I'd make it better than 50-50 that they get him. But that's as things stand now.

Book it.

Here is our winner. Jenkins is seen as an absolute last resort and as a platoon player. The Cubs' No. 1 target is Fukudome. He has yet to say he's coming to North America. That's a huge, huge decision in Japan. On Crawford, the (Devil) Rays don't need to trade him. He has a favorable contract, and they, like all teams, could use a left-handed hitter. They'd have to be blown away by an offer, and the Cubs aren't going to blow them away. This stuff about Hill and Marmol and another guy for Crawford is nonsense. My guess is that once Fukudome says he wants to come over here, the Cubs will go hard after him. That doesn't mean they'll get him, but they're prepared to make a good offer. I look for the payroll to be about $115 million, by the way. Thanks for the update Bruce. What kind of offer would you see the Cubs making to Fukudome, and who do you see as the most likely fall back option? Well, it won't be Soriano money, but it'll be a good offer. I'm not sure of numbers. On the fallback, let's not discount a trade, whether it's the unlikely Crawford scenario or another avenue. (The Rays also are a difficult team with which to deal. They have a hard time pulling the trigger.) It's not a great or attractive free agent market, so the Cubs are very active in pursuing trades. I'm told some big-name players will be on the trading block all around baseball. But again, it takes two teams to make a deal. Bruce, if you're still here, do you see the middle infield as being set now, or are the Cubs still possibly looking for an upgrade there? Is Theriot the confirmed starter? Are they going to make it an open competition between Theriot, Cedeno, and Infante? What are they trying to do with DeRosa with the Matsui talk? I've been away for about a week, so I'm getting caught up here. I've got to look into the Matsui thing more. Myself, I can't see it, but...who knows? I would think DeRosa would be the starter at second, and Theriot would start at short but get more backup than he got this past season. But I've got to research this Matsui talk a little more.

Here is our winner. Jenkins is seen as an absolute last resort and as a platoon player. The Cubs' No. 1 target is Fukudome. He has yet to say he's coming to North America. That's a huge, huge decision in Japan. On Crawford, the (Devil) Rays don't need to trade him. He has a favorable contract, and they, like all teams, could use a left-handed hitter. They'd have to be blown away by an offer, and the Cubs aren't going to blow them away. This stuff about Hill and Marmol and another guy for Crawford is nonsense. My guess is that once Fukudome says he wants to come over here, the Cubs will go hard after him. That doesn't mean they'll get him, but they're prepared to make a good offer. I look for the payroll to be about $115 million, by the way. Thanks for the update Bruce. What kind of offer would you see the Cubs making to Fukudome, and who do you see as the most likely fall back option? Well, it won't be Soriano money, but it'll be a good offer. I'm not sure of numbers. On the fallback, let's not discount a trade, whether it's the unlikely Crawford scenario or another avenue. (The Rays also are a difficult team with which to deal. They have a hard time pulling the trigger.) It's not a great or attractive free agent market, so the Cubs are very active in pursuing trades. I'm told some big-name players will be on the trading block all around baseball. But again, it takes two teams to make a deal.

Here is our winner. Jenkins is seen as an absolute last resort and as a platoon player. The Cubs' No. 1 target is Fukudome. He has yet to say he's coming to North America. That's a huge, huge decision in Japan. On Crawford, the (Devil) Rays don't need to trade him. He has a favorable contract, and they, like all teams, could use a left-handed hitter. They'd have to be blown away by an offer, and the Cubs aren't going to blow them away. This stuff about Hill and Marmol and another guy for Crawford is nonsense. My guess is that once Fukudome says he wants to come over here, the Cubs will go hard after him. That doesn't mean they'll get him, but they're prepared to make a good offer. I look for the payroll to be about $115 million, by the way.

'Twould be true. I talked to both Hendry and Dempster about it. Ryan is excited about the resurgent Blackhawks, I might add. At the expense of whom? Don't know yet. Stay tuned.

'Twould be true. I talked to both Hendry and Dempster about it. Ryan is excited about the resurgent Blackhawks, I might add. So he's going to be in the 'Hawks frontline rotation? Yeah, I guess that's what it all meant. :D

'Twould be true. I talked to both Hendry and Dempster about it. Ryan is excited about the resurgent Blackhawks, I might add.

Here is your proof: http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=71530