CP_414

Wilson.

That game starts 6 hours after the deadline. I hope he's scratched.

If Baltimore doesn't take that deal they are freaking nuts. Seriously, why even pretend like you might trade the guy if you won't take that trade?

With Nomar being hurt, Nevin or Walker could helpen sweeten the pot on a Maddux trade.

Well I still have alittle. If the maddux and ramirez trade rumors come to fruition, that IMO is a step in the right direction to fixing the cubs. I'm giving hendry this trade deadline and this offseason to get the Cubs competitive for '07. If he fails. He's lost all respect from me. But the players in the trade rumors are very good players I would love to see on the cubs. I don't think it's a step in the right direction. I think it's a tremendous risk to think our system and coaches can get the best out of any young talent that comes our way. Hopefully it won't be the same coaches next year.

Overpay. I think Lee wants to be here. It was reported in Milwaukee today that he would have accepted 5/60 from the Brewers rather than the 4/48 they offered. He kept living in Chicago even after he joined the Brewers. He talked about being interested in being a Cub both when he was a White Sox and a Brewer. It's not guaranteed, but I think if the Cubs offer 5/60 he'll sign. I think that's going to be overpaying for him down the road, but it's not a bad deal for the first 3 years.

Maybe we can address that in the Maddux trade. The Dodgers are loaded with positional prospects. Maddux and Angel Guzman for Joel Guzman? or LaRoche? We would have a young left side of the infield, but that gives us freedom to spend big in other places. Or how about Nomar at 3B at about $7M a year? Aubrey Huff will be availble and shouldn't be more than about $6M a year. I would try to get a solid prospect who is big league ready at 3B for any combination of guys who won't be back next year, and some of our more expindable pitching prospects. Then rebuild the outfield and rotation. Maybe sign Trot Nixon and Mark Loretta with Aramis money, and shift Jones to CF. Use the other money coming off the books on Carlos Lee and Jason Schmidt.

That doesnt even make sense. The comparison isnt santana and Lee vs a FA pitcher and Ramirez. The comparison is Santana and Lee vs Lee, Ramirez, And a FA pitcher. Since when does keeping ramirez mean losing lee? Carlos Lee.

Thing is it's really Santana and Lee or Aramis and any free aent pitcher you can get for $1.5M a year. Even without this trade the Cubs will have enough money to sign Lee and Schmidt. With this trade you can sign Lee, Schmidt, and acquire another $10M player and also have Santana in the rotation.

Who are you being told this by? Just wondering, because to be honest idk whether to believe you or not. You've been her a year and a half and havent posted anything bogus yet. But im always skeptical of people who are "told" things. According to his 1st post someone with the Angels. It's not hard to believe knowing the Santana/Aybar offer was made for Tejada and numberous reports have the Cubs and LAA talking about Aramis. Steve Phillips was just on Sportscenter2 minutes ago saying the Cubs and Angels were talking Aramis. He also said the Dodgers have great interest in Maddux, from the not so breaking news category.

There are few offensive upgrades out there in the FA market, and even if you sign one of them, you're right back to status quo, really. You'd have to sign 2 good offensive players if you deal Aramis Sign Carlos Lee and the offense is a wash. Then factor in Santana and it's an improvement. Then facto in Aybar and it's an even better improvement. Ayber sounds like a slightly better Ronny Cedeno. Santana is good, but I want more than that for Aramis. I guess I just think Aybar's numbers are more promising than Cedeno's. Aybar has hit for a good average all 4 years he has been in the minors. He also seems to be faster than Cedeno. Ronny really only had 1 season in the minors where he hit well.

Does LAA have a 6th starter to finish the season in Santana's place? Is it possible Maddux is part of this deal to finish the season in the Angels rotation? Being a SoCal team in the hunt, he might be willing to spend a few months in the AL.

There are few offensive upgrades out there in the FA market, and even if you sign one of them, you're right back to status quo, really. You'd have to sign 2 good offensive players if you deal Aramis Sign Carlos Lee and the offense is a wash. Then factor in Santana and it's an improvement. Then facto in Aybar and it's an even better improvement.

Is it really that bad of a trade? I like Aramis as much as the next guy, but it's a fair offer. Ervin Santana is a very talented young pitcher who has had big league success and will be cheap for 3 more years. Aybar sounds like a good prospect too, as Tiger pointed out he has had much minor league success at a young age for his level. You also have $11M more to spend in free agency on top of the $24M from Maddux, Wood, Pierre. You could realistically sign 2 big-time free agents like Schmidt, and Carlos Lee while also making a trade for a playter with a salary over $10M a year. The Cubs badly need to improve the rotation and if they can turn this trade into: Zambrano, Schmidt, Sanata, Prior, Marmol...with our current bullpen that is nasty. They also would have the money to improve the offense with Lee and another big-money hitter. I wouldn't hate this trade.

If we know Aramis is gone after this season, I think Hendry's hands are tied and he must trade him. If LAA offered Santana and Aybar for Tejada, I would offer them Aramis, Maddux, and Rusch (they MUST take Rusch) for Santana, Aybar, and that single A prospect Hendry likes. I know Maddux has been reluctant to go to the AL before but based on his comments ysterday, the fact that it is a SoCal AL team, the fact LAA can win the World Series, and the fact that it is only for 3 months I think he would agree to it. Let's assume a $7M payroll increase next season to $101M. About 4M of that will go to raises for current players (mostly Z). We also have $9M coming off from Maddux, $9M coming off after Wood's buyout, and $5.5 for Pierre. I think like it or not the Cubs will sign Carlos Lee. It was reported in Milwaukee yesterday that he would have accepted a 5/60 deal. So book $12M in 07 for Lee. Then sign Jason Schmidt to a 3/35M deal that pays him 11M in 07. Factor in 500k for Santana and that accounts for all the Wood/Maddux/Pierre money. Use Walker's 2.5M and Williamson 2M to sign Mark Loretta to a 3 year 12M deal. Use the extra .5M for Wuertz to replace Williamson in the pen. Now we still need a LF, CF, 3B and have Aramis $11M, Rusch's, 3.5M, and $3M left from the payroll increase. SO we have $17.5M for the 3 spots. Give Trot Nixon a 3/21 deal, Sign Nomar to a 3/26 deal that pays him $8M in 07. Now we have 2.5M left for CF. Obviously if we can move Neifi's salary that would help, but I don't think we can. With the money left sign a vet to a 1 year contract to play good D and have the ability to be an ok leadoff guy. Maybe dave Roberts from the Padres. He makes 2.25 this yeat, so that might work. 2007 Cubs C - Barrett 1B - Lee 2B - Loretta SS - Aybar 3B - Nomar LF - Lee CF - Roberts RF - Nixon SP Zambrano SP Schmidt SP Santana SP Prior SP Marmol CL Dempster BP Eyre BP Howry BP Ohman BP Wuertz BP Guzman/Hill/Marshall Batting Order: Roberts Loretta D-Lee C-Lee Nixon Nomar Barrett Aybar Then you have guys like Marshall/Hill/Guzman/Cedeno available to trade at the deadline if you can improve the team. I think my math is right, and this team could contend. The pitching staff is as good as any in the NL and the offense has some holes, but is better than the one we have this year. ***EDIT - I forgot about Jones. Trade him for prospects even and you have another $5.5M to spend.***

Basically when he was coming off the mound he took off his hat and tipped it to his left, then directl in front of him, then his right, put his hat back on, and waved to the crowd and said "thank you" or something along those lines as he went into the dugout. EDIT: go here: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20060729&content_id=1581693&vkey=wrapup2005&fext=.jsp&team=home Click top plays, and it shows it at the very end. at least, most of it. I see it. Freaking hilarious. It wasn't in the individual top plays, not in the whole condensed game, but it was in the clickable "TOP PLAYS"? Confusing how that works. It's in there but not in the 'longer' condensed game (I watched all of it) Funny how the respected Will Carrol mentioned "emails" from several fans in his article today, thanking them for pointing out Maddux mouthed "goodbye". . It looked more like he just sort of opened his mouth to acknowledge the fans. You know how sometimes you do that? It could be seen as mouthing "mmBa"? Haha stupid people thought he was saying BYE. I doubt they thought he was literally saying the word "bye." I think what they are saying is by the way he acknowledged the crowd and seemed to be saying "thank you" he seemed to know something might go down. Maddux typically doesn't respond to the cowd and by doing so today, it seems like he is saying thank you anf goodbye to Cubs fans.

How about Mike Maddux as a manager canidate for next season? I never hear him mentioned when there are vacancies, but he is an excellent pitching coach, and as a member of the Maddux family, he must know the game. Maddux has gotten the most out of most pitchers he gets in Milwaukee. It is rare someone will leave there and pitch better than they did under him. Plus look at the success guys like Doug Davis, Chris Capuano, Dan Kolb, and Derrick Turnbow have had under him. Being a good pitching coach doesn't equal being a good manager, but it is worth a look. Then when Greg hangs it up he can be the pitching coach under his bro.

That is horrible news if true.

Where did you see that? If that's true Baltimore is not smart. It was mentioned on ESPN News by Buster Olney an hour ago that the Angels have offered Ervin Santana and Aybar for Tejada, and that the Orioles are considering it. They should take it.

Where did you see that? If that's true Baltimore is not smart.

I think both Maddux and the O's would say no to that trade.

Speculating. I don't think Joe knows anything period, let alone anything we don't. That said, I also believe Maddux will get traded. Joe isn't that bad. I think he can be pretty entertaining at times. :shock: To each his own, I guess. I think Joe is as entertaining as a headache.

It was a bunt situation and Maddux got the job done. He also wouldn't have taken Maddux out after 2 pitches if he didn't allow a double. I don't think Dusty did anything wrong there.

Speculating. I don't think Joe knows anything period, let alone anything we don't. That said, I also believe Maddux will get traded.

I agree. I think that was it. I hope wherever he goes wins the World Series if he is traded (unless it's the Cards or White Sox).