Electron Blue

Sorry, I wasn't really clear at all. I meant that to sound more hypothetical. But that's my point. It's a reasonable suspicion, thus teams looking to sign him should consider it, and thus so should he. I'm not condemning him, I'm really not. But it has to be mentioned.

Considering his shrunken body and minuscule stats I think the thing Sammy doesn't have this year is steroids... :roll: Three posts. I think that's a record. Please explain why it is out-of-bounds to suggest that he was on steroids. In light of the fact that he is a confirmed cheater (cork) and liar (game 162 a year ago), I'd say its perfectly reasonable to do so. I think it's pretty unnecessary to make a comment like that in a thread discussing where Sammy might play next year. It has absolutely no relevance at all. Its absolutely relevant considering the effect on his performance. Is his age and slowing bat also irrelevant? This thread is about where Sammy might play next year... what do steroids have to do with that? Sorry, I just don't see any logic in mentioning roids EVERY time Sosa's name is brought up on here. How is it not relevant? Discussing his future obviously must include what kind of numbersyou can expect from him. If he's not on steroids (and he used to be), a team should be worried about that, since it means he's probably worth next-to-nothing. And, of course steroids are going to come up when we talk about him. It's a very defining issue for him. If someone is so worried about a player getting bad-mouthed they should avoid any topic that concerns that player. I've got no problem with sammy-lovers or loyalists of any other kind, but "don't mention 'roids" complaints are as annoying and unproductive as "he is too on 'roids" statements. And you're right, there's no proof, so it's a circular and unwinnable argument. Let the "sammy-bashers" say their piece and then you can say yours, but we can all be civil about it. As for the topic of discussion. I predict that Sammy will wait a few months, and then very quietly retire.

What a great page, Tim. Thanks alot to you and Cpat for the info and interface - very handy for quick queries!

I'll wait for financial terms to come out before I give it a true thumbs-up, but it is good to have him locked up for next year. I don't know if I want him to close next year, but at the very least he's a back-up plan if we don't get someone better.

I've definitely been frustrated about this in the past. But I'd like to see some stats that support it, since I think it may just seem like the Cubs struggle more than other teams since I only watch the Cubs. Who's good at rounding up those kinds of numbers?

"We just wanna win a GAME!!"

He's too cheap for CIN to consider it. They're more likely to trade one of their expensive OFs and replace him with Freel in the lineup. If CIN is dumb enough to do it, though, I would hope JH would be one of the first in line to see what they're asking for.

A lot would argue that this year was bound to happen for him. He's never really been a fundamental hitter (i.e. swinging at the first pitch, chasing high balls, not settling in as a power or leadoff hitter). He's got plenty of talent, but I would say he's a mess of a ballplayer right now. He's got a lot to figure out before he starts to perform like he can.

I disagree for 4 reasons: 1. Baker is back next year no matter what happens down the stretch this season. 2. An over .500 season is meaningful because the Cubs still need to show that they are a consistently winning franchise. 3. The Cubs were without much of that talent for a significant part of the season. I don't like the injuries but they sure didn't help. 4. Barring a miraculous 2nd place finish, I doubt anyone will praise Baker for managing to finish 82-80 I agree with 1-3, but I think you're way off on the 4th one, no offense intended. He got all the credit for getting the first two winning records (endless quips in the paper and on TV, that it hasn't happened in 30 years), so why wouldn't they shower praise on him for doing it again. Especially when he had so many injuries and still pulled off a great September. He won't deserve the praise, but I'd bet every cent of Jose Macias's Million dollar salary that he will . . .

Hey, Len, great to see you around here. Two Questions: * How do you and your partner approach calling a game, regarding players who are really struggling. Say a guy is hitting .220 all year and has looked pretty awful - do you find it hard to bring this up, do you worry about saying it "right" and not coming off as overly critical. * Is broadcasting harder when the team is mathematically (or realistically) out of the playoff race? Thanks, BTW, what happened to Word of the Day? I've got one for you - quiescently

There's absolutely no reason for the Cubs to spend big money on a closer. What they need are set-up guys. Signing Burnett and Furcal wouldn't be a bad idea though. wood would make a great lights out 2 inning setup up guy imo. Maybe, but it would be hard to rationalize paying your setup guy 12 million. True. But on the other hand, if you can't trade him (and they may not be able to), would you rather spend the $12 M on a iffy and oft-injured 6-inning starter or a light's out setup man?

This week's sign of the apocolypse.

I like Walker but if we can get a pretty good prospect for him (and we should be able to, IMO), I like the idea of Cedeno and Nomar playing up the middle. I think it works for everybody.

How do you figure? Pavano came out of nowhere to have his good year. All of his career he's been said to have so much potential and so much raw ability. This is is the validation and fruition of his hype; it's not creating it. Sure he could end up being a bust, but I see no reason to predict it.

I'm glad Hendry sticked to his guns on this one. A top prospect is the only thing I wanted Walker traded for.

Here's one place he was quoted

FWIW, Livan Hernandez's durability is greater than just about anyone in the game today. Some of his high pitch counts this year include: 123, 125, 127, 130, 131, 136, 145, 150.

No matter how many HBPs Biggio finshes with, in my mind that record (with all of its prestige and glory :wink:) still belongs to Baylor, who never walked up to the plate with armor.

Doesn't Lee still have a shot at the MVP? I highly doubt that Lee would want to be sitting while Albert, Cabrera, and A. Jones continue to build upon their stats. If D. Lee only wins the BA title than he does not win the MVP, IMO. And frankly why else would people watch the Cubs in the next month, if Derrek Lee was guarenteed to be on the bench? Plus, heck, he's a great September away from the Triple Crown. Unlikely of course, but the Cubs could use the positive attention.

Agreed. And I'm pretty much done feeling sorry for the players, too. It's been fun/easy to blame Dusty, and for awhile that's all I blamed, but frankly . . . just about everyone deserves a 2nd-to-last finish.

I would be very disspointed if Walker was traded. His option is very affordable, given his production. Nevertheless, count me among those not too worried, since it's Sullivan . . .

The other Maddux. seconded. Hear! hear! The Cubs would be better served with GREG Maddux coaching next year rather than pitching. We still probably have to pay him the $9M though and if most of that will go towards Maddux improving the rest of the staff, then I'm all for it. I like it. If anything can coax him into retirement it's an immediate coaching job (somewhat of a guess). I think he's, at the very least, worth a try.

Yippee-ki-yay . . .

I'm not sure what the rationale would be for that. It should be a run and an SB, and as far as I know, it is.

If what you're saying is that there should be a seperate forum for non-cubs talk, I suppose I'd be for it, although it's not a huge deal.