Bruce Miles

Thanks for the link, guys. Should be a fun afternoon, heading to Phoenix and then back to Mesa. Maybe Jim can give Z a lift over there.

This coaching staff here works and works and works.

Do you think that Floyd is a part of reason why he didn't answer? No, you have to understand that Lou was surrounded by reporters and that these questions sometimes come rapid fire. At this point, nobody knows how this is going to shake out yet. Floyd's health will figure into things as well as where Soriano ends up. All Lou is doing is considering all his options, as he should be doing. I agree and that's wonderful to hear. I like Lou being able to have an open mind when Spring starts. Do you ever get to spend some time with Lou alone? Yeah, Lou is pretty cool. I look forward to spending more time with him as he gets settled.

Do you think that Floyd is a part of reason why he didn't answer? No, you have to understand that Lou was surrounded by reporters and that these questions sometimes come rapid fire. At this point, nobody knows how this is going to shake out yet. Floyd's health will figure into things as well as where Soriano ends up. All Lou is doing is considering all his options, as he should be doing.

I did ask about Murton, but Lou didn't really answer it. This is all going to take time to develop, and what Lou said yesterday may have little resemblence of what things look like on March 15 or April 2. I guess that's what spring training is for.

Time will heal. Sammy brought a lot of things on himself with his petulant and selfish behavior.

Maybe, but if he does well he won't need to be gone-he's certainly proven before that he can do well, just as he's proven he can do horribly. Instead of automatically trying to get rid of him, why not hope he can pitch well first? There you go. Well written.

This signing has indeed been made. However, it does not include an invite to big-league camp. Hill will report with the minor-leaguers and will take part in minor-league camp.

I wish they would have stuck it out with Nomar another year, too, but I understand why they didn't. Yes, finding a position for him was probably a factor besides the fact the Cubs didn't really get their money's worth the 2 previous years. We couldn't have predicted Cedeno would end up being as bad as he was. I was penciling him into RF, with a move to 1st being perfect for him when Lee got hurt. Jones/Murton in left would have been a good platoon last year with Nomar in RF. I don't wish to dwell on that, however. Hendry does deserve kudos for getting Murton in that deal. I never said he didn't deserve it. Yeah, I wish they would have kept Nomar, too. What a joy to be around. He really treated us media members well, probably because of his experience in Boston. I went up to him a couple times last year, and he was a true gentleman. In hindsight, he would have fit perfectly at first base when D-Lee got hurt, but who knew? Bruce, you think the fact that all they had for 1B when dlee went down was macias/blanco/mabry (until they aquired nevin) is one of the reasons why they went after such a good bench this year? They found out 1st hand how having a lacking bench can really hurt last year. And I beleive Ward and Floyd coupled with Theroit and whoever else is a GOOD bench. If Lee has to miss a week at any point Ward at 1B sure looks better than anything we had out there last year. . I'd say you've got this sized up pretty well. Remember, too, that Walker had to play some first base.

I wish they would have stuck it out with Nomar another year, too, but I understand why they didn't. Yes, finding a position for him was probably a factor besides the fact the Cubs didn't really get their money's worth the 2 previous years. We couldn't have predicted Cedeno would end up being as bad as he was. I was penciling him into RF, with a move to 1st being perfect for him when Lee got hurt. Jones/Murton in left would have been a good platoon last year with Nomar in RF. I don't wish to dwell on that, however. Hendry does deserve kudos for getting Murton in that deal. I never said he didn't deserve it. Yeah, I wish they would have kept Nomar, too. What a joy to be around. He really treated us media members well, probably because of his experience in Boston. I went up to him a couple times last year, and he was a true gentleman. In hindsight, he would have fit perfectly at first base when D-Lee got hurt, but who knew?

No, the Cubs should not be given credit for "developing" Murton. I've written that. They do deserve credit for trading for him. When the trade was made, others in baseball were aghast that the Cubs came out of it with both Nomar and Murton. We'll see how the Cubs handle it from here. The jury is out.

How do you know that for sure? No offense, but I doubt Hendry tells reporters all the deals that he's discussing. OK. Believe what you will. I think my track record holds up pretty well. I guess it does, and I wasn't questioning your integrity. I was just asking how you knew for sure to make such a declarative statement. Has Hendry flat out told you that he has zero interest in Ichiro, or is it that you haven't heard anything regarding possible talks? Because there's a big difference between the two. I'm told by Cubs people that there have been no discussions. Let's break it down. Ichiro is an extremely popular, if not iconic, figure in Seattle. The team has Japanese ownership, and Seattle has a large Japanese population. Run this by your public: "We're trading Ichiro for Jacque Jones, a prospect you've never heard of and a player to be named later. Yes, that Jacque Jones, a pitcher you've never heard of and a player to be named later." Can you imagine the reaction there? If the Mariners are indeed looking to trade Ichiro _ and I'm told they'll try like hell to get an extension done _ they're going to ask for a whole lot more than that in the beginning. Not to mention the Cubs would be stupid to trade one of their better pitching prospects for a one year rental. Especially after an off season where they had to overpay severely for mediocre pitching. Bruce, beside the bullpen and the last person in the rotation....are there any starting positions up for grabs? (2B, SS) ?? No. DeRosa is your second baseman, Izturis your shortstop. Theriot has the inside track on winning the main backup spot in the infield.

How do you know that for sure? No offense, but I doubt Hendry tells reporters all the deals that he's discussing. OK. Believe what you will. I think my track record holds up pretty well. I guess it does, and I wasn't questioning your integrity. I was just asking how you knew for sure to make such a declarative statement. Has Hendry flat out told you that he has zero interest in Ichiro, or is it that you haven't heard anything regarding possible talks? Because there's a big difference between the two. I'm told by Cubs people that there have been no discussions. Let's break it down. Ichiro is an extremely popular, if not iconic, figure in Seattle. The team has Japanese ownership, and Seattle has a large Japanese population. Run this by your public: "We're trading Ichiro for Jacque Jones, a prospect you've never heard of and a player to be named later. Yes, that Jacque Jones, a pitcher you've never heard of and a player to be named later." Can you imagine the reaction there? If the Mariners are indeed looking to trade Ichiro _ and I'm told they'll try like hell to get an extension done _ they're going to ask for a whole lot more than that in the beginning.

You must remember that health will be the overriding factor. I see the rotation, as of Feb. 2, as: Zambrano Lilly Hill Marquis Prior/Miller or Miller/Prior Bullpen: Eyre Ohman Cotts Howry Wood (if healthy) Dempster Battle among Wuertz, Novoa and somebody I'm surely forgetting if Prior wins the last spot what will the Cubs do with Miller? If Miller wins the last spot does Prior go to AAA? If Miller wins the last spot, it probably means Prior is on the DL. If Prior wins the last spot, it means Miller is on the DL, somebody else is on the DL or the Cubs don't see enough from Miller to keep him. We're a long, long way from these things sorting themselves out. Wait? What if Prior and Miller are both healthy and effective in ST? Would they move Marquis to the pen? They wouldn't be stupid enough to send Hill to the pen or AAA would they? Also, unrelated question. Why do the Cubs seem to view Soriano as a viable option in CF but don't view Jones as a viable option, even though Jones has played CF, and played it decently in Minnesota, while Soriano has never played the position before? What are they seeing that we're not? As to the first question, I'm not sure what they would do. Let's see how it plays out. As to the second, they probably see Jones as more of a right fielder than a center fielder. If his shoulder is healthy, maybe we won't see as many "spiked" throws from right. They also may worry about Soriano getting acclimated to a very tough right field in Wrigley. Center field is relatively small there, while right presents a number of potential hazards.

You must remember that health will be the overriding factor. I see the rotation, as of Feb. 2, as: Zambrano Lilly Hill Marquis Prior/Miller or Miller/Prior Bullpen: Eyre Ohman Cotts Howry Wood (if healthy) Dempster Battle among Wuertz, Novoa and somebody I'm surely forgetting if Prior wins the last spot what will the Cubs do with Miller? If Miller wins the last spot does Prior go to AAA? If Miller wins the last spot, it probably means Prior is on the DL. If Prior wins the last spot, it means Miller is on the DL, somebody else is on the DL or the Cubs don't see enough from Miller to keep him. We're a long, long way from these things sorting themselves out.

You must remember that health will be the overriding factor. I see the rotation, as of Feb. 2, as: Zambrano Lilly Hill Marquis Prior/Miller or Miller/Prior Bullpen: Eyre Ohman Cotts Howry Wood (if healthy) Dempster Battle among Wuertz, Novoa and somebody I'm surely forgetting

Boo. Thanks, Bruce. Looking like we are set with Jaque then? For the foreseeable future anyway. If possible, could you define forseeable future? Not possible. I'd say Jacque is here at least through spring training if not longer.

How do you know that for sure? No offense, but I doubt Hendry tells reporters all the deals that he's discussing. OK. Believe what you will. I think my track record holds up pretty well.

I'm more than ready. I leave Feb. 13. "This weather," as you put it, has a lot to do with my feeling these days!

Boo. Thanks, Bruce. Looking like we are set with Jaque then? For the foreseeable future anyway.

You don't have to worry about any of this. There is no such deal being discussed.

Is an ignigma some sort of a lizard? O:) Enigma! Hmmm...Prior is a lizard, eh? Frontpage news in the Sun: "Prior is called a lizard by writer, demands an apoligy!!" He's an enigma.....swallowed by an iguana.....surrounded by an igloo Nice!!! We have a winner.

Is an ignigma some sort of a lizard? O:)

I can live with that. I just wondered what would the Cubs reasoning for choosing not to sign him. Inquiring minds would like to know. Aside from the "character" issues, which the Cubs consider, there is the little matter of a budget. Despite what the Cubs have spent, Bonds would bust the budget. And let me say it again, the Cubs are not interested, so the whole thing is moot. And as somebody else pointed out, what do you do with Murton, Floyd, Soriano, Jones, Pie?

With veteran players such as this, they either make the major-league team or they go home.