CP_414

This was also in that article: Those are Bill James projections. 21 HRs for Pie? Seriously? I'll take those numbers from Pie, Cedeno, and Murton.

Studio Phone: 312.332.ESPN (3776) Office Phone: 312.980.1000 Whiner Line: 312.WHINER2 (312.944.6372) Someone plz call I tried the studio line number but no answer. It said "The Nextel custumer you are trying to reach is unavailable"...are you sure that number is right. I'm sure the office is closed and no one will ever answe the whiner line.

Looking at the link it seems that only the 1 guy heard the report. Nothing on the ESPN or (ugh) Cubs.com boards either. I'm guessing this guy misunderstood what was said. Someone should just call the ESPN 1000 studio and ask the call screener if Levine reported this. Anyone have the number?

Maybe to Boston as part of a Manny trade?

With the way this offseason has started, I would LOVE that lineup. Unfortunatly, with the way this offseason has started I would be shocked to see a lineup resembling that one.

The Rays boy wonder Andrew Freidman was discussing a 6-year deal with Baldelli before it was put on the back-burner until the GM/Manager searches were complete. I wouldn't be surprised if he signs a long-term deal in Tampa this winter. Let's see. In TB's outfield, the potential guys who could be seeing action there next season includes: Delmon Young (depending on what ownership decides) Jonny Gomes Joey Gathright Rocco Baldelli Aubrey Huff Carl Crawford Interesting. Combine that with the talk that they might move BJ Upton into the OF and the fact that Elijah Dukes could do well enough in AAA to merit a callup at some point next season, they have a decidedly bizarre (yet enviable) OF situation. I'd jump all over Baldelli for some pitching. It would take a lot to get him, but coming off his injury, he may be more available than alot of those other guys. He doesn't have the plate discipline yet, but he has superstar potential and is still very young. TB could still field an OF if Gomes, Crawford, Young (LF-to-RF). Or they could keep Crawford in LF, with Hollins (who they inexplicably love) and Gathright in CF. Gomes could DH. I could see Baldelli being more available than Gomes, Crawford, and certainly Delmon. I'm not necessarily disagreeing with you. More asking your opinion. But what is the big deal about Baldelli? He had one really good season at Bakersfield in A-ball. Other than that, he hasn't put together any great numbers. His .326 OBP at the major league level isn't great. His strikeout to walk ratio isn't great. He put up his numbers at a young age, so I can understand people's expectation for him to improve, but his minor league numbers aren't consistently good enough to support this expectation. So why is Baldelli considered such a catch? He improved from 03 to 04 in every single category but batting average. He was the top rated HS player coming into the 2000 draft. He's 6'4" and an amazing athlete. He put up solid number as a 21 and 22 year old. Sure his plate discipline isn't good. But he has all the talent in the world. Rocco to sign a 6-year, $33 million extension with the Rays. http://www.sptimes.com/2005/11/09/Rays/Rocco_commits_to_Rays.shtml

The Rays boy wonder Andrew Freidman was discussing a 6-year deal with Baldelli before it was put on the back-burner until the GM/Manager searches were complete. I wouldn't be surprised if he signs a long-term deal in Tampa this winter.

Williams, Hill, Hairston for Dunn? Williams, Wuertz for Huff? Hill, Mitre for Klesko? Williams, Hill, Welly for Burrell + Cash? Williams, Mitre for Mike Cameron? I know Williams is in almost all of these, but he has the most value. Don't want Klesko or Cameron. Not sure the Reds would give up Dunn for that little. Same with Burrell. Klesko has a weird Farnsworth, every other year thing going. In 2002 he had a .300/.388/.537 line with 29 dingers. In 03 he had a .252/.354/ .456 with 21 HR's. In 2003 he had a .291/.399/.448 with only 9 HR's (new park must have screwed him up bad). In 2004 he posted a poor .248/.358/.418 with 18 HR's. I don't really want him either, but he's a decent plan E or F, especially if the Padres help with the contract. Philly may look to get out of Burrell's contract and open a spot for Howard if they can't trade Thome. If he or Dunn were acutally available though, I would give up more to get them, especially Dunn. Cameron isn't a bad option for CF, but it would have to be in addition to a RF upgrade.

Williams, Hill, Hairston for Dunn? Williams, Wuertz for Huff? Hill, Mitre for Klesko? Williams, Hill, Welly for Burrell + Cash? Williams, Mitre for Mike Cameron? I know Williams is in almost all of these, but he has the most value.

Go Bulls! Similiar to last years season opener...of course the Bulls will win in OT this time.

I agree completly with everything you just said there. I'll take my chances with Walker, too (or Marcus Giles, or Luis Castillo).

CPatterson20 wrote:

So, is this true? If so it is good news.

dusty would try to make him into a leadoff hitter b/c he has speed. :oops: Not if Furcal is signed. No, he'd stick Soriano in the 2 hole instead. Also, get him out of Ameriquest and I don't think he comes that close to 36 HR. I know his home/road split was awful this year, but this is a guy who hit 40 HR's as a Yankee. I am not saying the Cubs should trade for him, but I don't think it's fair to question his power. His defense, and inability to take a walk however is fair game.

dusty would try to make him into a leadoff hitter b/c he has speed. :oops: Not if Furcal is signed.

Please stop it with that moniker. I don't get it.

There's no debate now. The Sox won it all. Karma is a myth.

Amen. I've been waiting for this season since August. With $35-40M to spend it should be a crazy winter.

There's like 50 people at the Cell. Looks wild.

Well that sucked. Time to get ready for 06. Hopefully Hendry will right the ship and us Northsiders will be celebrating soon. Our day will come.

Correct. The 1 loss was to the Cubs on the last Friday of the regular season...seems like years ago.

I think people are more hopeful that the Dodgers will hire Dusty, not that we would hire Tracy.

per ESPN News maybe they want Dusty 8)

That is over now.

Eh, he'd be justified in moving Dempster to a setup role if he acquired a comparable or better closer in the offseason. I don't think anyone would be mad about that. The Cubs ARE NOT, I repeat, ARE NOT going to sign a Billy Wagner or a BJ Ryan, now that they just re-upped Dempster. For those who think Hendry will still focus on closer, needs to come back to reality. Any bullpen help with be acquired through trade. I agree that Dempster will be the closer in 06, but they could still sign FA bullpen help. I don't see any reason why any other bullpen arms they acquire will be via trade.