uppercase_D

My wife and I are going Saturday. But we are having trouble finding a room for Saturday night. Closest we have found is about 5 to 7 miles from downtown. Not real far, but we really enjoy going out downtown after a Cubs win, err I mean after the game and throwing back a few. Any suggestions? I guess we could consider a taxi? We were able to get a hotel from priceline.com a couple days ago for $65 a night at a marriot about 3 miles from the stadium.

Very cool. We got tickets in the bleachers for both games. Also remember that they changed the game time on Saturday. Its now a day game.

A few weeks back when looking at the schedule it looked like the division could go down to the last few games, so my girlfriend and I got tickets and a hotel for next weekend hoping to see the Cubs clinch. Anyone else making the trip? Also, for anyone who lives close to or in Cincinnati, got any good recommendations on good food downtown?

I got shut out as well, had about 60 windows open. Anyway, I'd be interested in a pair of SRO's for either game, preferably game 3. Most I could do would be 150 though. Thanks. Congrats to the folks who got through.

UGH

Why did they pull Para? Didnt he have a low pitch count?

Or the throw? take a step FORWARD, when you throw. JEEBUS!

ugh.. why even through the ball to third?

Hart giveth, Hart taketh away. Darn!

Way to go Jones! Keep pourin it on guys!

Hart for Cubs MVP!

I would try calling them soon because I dropped around 200 spots this offseason, from 915 to 735.

I guess the biggest one is the 12 second rule. I know they are trying to speed up the game, but 12 seconds seems awfully quick. I really doubt that gets heavily enforced. Thinking about it, I cant really remember a time when the 20 second rule was enforced either.

Count me in as one of the folks that likes the high profile hats. I may buy a home and a road hat before these changes take place, just in case I don't like the new ones. With that being said, if the new hats cut down on the sweat issue of the hats shrinking and stinking to high heaven, I guess I'm all for it. For those of you out there that have problems with your old hats shrinking you should try popping the plastic sizing in the hat. http://www.cluburban.com/nav/new-era-cap/cap_care.html

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--mlb-newcap0220feb20,0,948732.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork

According to my own spot in line they went through about 300 spots on the waiting list this offseason. I went from 1000 to 731. Maybe in a few more years.

because what can be done with the extra 5M could possibly improve the team more than just having Schmidt. I also have seen nothing on Lilly being offered 10M, more in the 8-9 range. his agent is on the record as saying he wants Washburn money, ie 9M/year. While in a normal offseason year i'd tend to agree with you, this year, the player talent available in free agency is pretty thin. The drop off between the A free agents and the B free agents is pretty steep. I also dont see where you'd make up for the talent difference between Lilly and Schmidt in free agency elsewhere. you might not see it, but there are a myriad of ways to keep improving the team via free agents. it will come down to a matter of preference of course, but improvement is out there, even in this limited talent market. you are also not seeing other ways the extra money could be used, ie. allowing you to release Izturis or using that extra money in getting a player from a team dumping salary. again, it's all each posters preference, but to close out the debate because you don't see a better way to improve the team is a little silly. I was simply going on past practices, the "usual" way things get done around here would be that we go out and sign Lilly at 9m and go out and get more mediocre talent with the other 6m.(See Neifi Perez and Glendone Rusch) This team has a history of doing those sorts of things. I prefer the way they seem to be doing things now as with the Soriano signing. If you have the money sign the best. I also was just talking about pitching and free agency, I am in no way talking about trades. I am not a fortune teller. If a number two pitcher is available through trades at a cheaper cost and allowed us to go out and sign Lugo through free agency, with the extra money, then I'd be all for that over signing Schmidt for 15M per.

because what can be done with the extra 5M could possibly improve the team more than just having Schmidt. I also have seen nothing on Lilly being offered 10M, more in the 8-9 range. his agent is on the record as saying he wants Washburn money, ie 9M/year. While in a normal offseason year i'd tend to agree with you, this year, the player talent available in free agency is pretty thin. The drop off between the A free agents and the B free agents is pretty steep. I also dont see where you'd make up for the talent difference between Lilly and Schmidt in free agency elsewhere.

This alone should be more inspiration to put a nice offer out there for him, 3 years isn't going to get it done, and the last thing you want is for the Cardinals to end up with him. Start thinking like the Sox and Yankees. You gotta block what the other teams that are in your division are trying to do. You get better while they do not. You sign Schmidt and they are forced to sign the Lillys and Padillas.

I dont understand the concept that Schmidt isnt worth 15 million when Lilly is being offered 10 million per. Thats insane. He's worth the extra five and then some.

Just heard on local Fox news not too long ago that the Cubs have offered Soriano 5 or 6 years at 14 million per. I dont think that gets him in this market.

I think the team could realistically be transformed into a contender through trades/ free agency if only the amount of money was available. Free agent signings: Soriano, Zito, Lofton, Loretta. Trade Murton and Cedeno for a #3 starter let Blanco walk and replace with rookie Bynum, Pagan, Nevin, Rusch need to go Kerry Wood walks. Lineup for 2007 CF- Lofton 2b- Loretta 1b- Lee LF- Soriano 3B- Ramirez RF- Jones C- Barrett SS- Izturis Starting Rotation Zambrano Zito pitcher in above trade 4 and 5 from our rookies and maybe Prior I believe the bullpens problems have been due to mismanagement, so i'll leave that be. While I think that the above starting lineup would most definitely contend, I am a realist and know that there is no way that we would ever end up signing two big names and two type B guys.

Especially if Aramis decides to opt out of his contract. Thats a sure-fire lose/lose situation. We either overpay to keep him and have less for needed improvements, or let him walk and end up with Bell as our starting third baseman. Hendry will of course overpay Bell cause he's in a panic.

Any general ideas of how much they have to spend in the off season?