BigbadB

<----------Huge Prior fan!

I've always enjoyed Sickels. Rating 30 major league teams prospects has to be a pretty tough gig. His list isn't bad considering he just arranged most of the name prospects into a list that met his liking. Most of us here would probably do a better job of ranking them, but he's doing it for 30 teams, not just one.

Is Boras his agent? Regardless, if Boston could find something in an x-ray that broke the deal, it would be hard for anyone to prove otherwise unless Drew made a huge deal of it and went to specialist after specialist to disprove the claim. Then there would be lawsuits. But, I can't imagine Boras would stop dealing with Boston over it, or that FA would stop signing with Boston, because Boston is one of his best meal tickets, not that he really needs anymore meal tickets. :D

My guess is probably a bit too extreme. Maybe what they'd really like to do is rework it so it's not nearly as much. Isn't it odd that this far into the announcement, they still don't have a deal signed? Has Drew had shoulder issues before? I know just about everything else has been injured, but I'm not sure about the shoulders.

That's a very good question. But, if this contract gets nixed, I'm sure we'll get to hear all about it. My guess is that Boston didn't really want to pay for Manny, Mats, Lugo AND Drew and they're attempting to find a way out of the Drew deal. Why would they offer Drew a contract in the first place if they didn't intend to honor it? Covering all the bases? I don't know. There were many indications that Boston wanted to move Manny. That didn't happen. They won the bid for Matsusaka. They apparently forgot that Boras was his client, so getting off cheap wasn't going to happen. Now the outfield is a little too deep and weeks later, Drew's contract has issues? It's odd. I don't know all the inner workings of a baseball teams front office, but I could understand their wanting out of a deal if a Manny trade didn't end up happening. They've spent big bucks this offseason.

Hendry is totally and deeply in love with Cesar Izturis. Why again must we wait to crucify him? I'm pretty much ready now.

That's a very good question. But, if this contract gets nixed, I'm sure we'll get to hear all about it. My guess is that Boston didn't really want to pay for Manny, Mats, Lugo AND Drew and they're attempting to find a way out of the Drew deal.

Yep, a winning record each year shouldn't be that difficult a feat with what the Cubs front office has to work with. The Cardinals have had 2 losing seasons during the LaRussa regime. The Cubs during that same time span? 7 The Cardinals have won 100 or more a few times in that span. The Cubs? Well, they hit 90 once. The Cubs haven't won more than 90 games in a season since 1989. And consistency? Forget about it. I'm sorry that I prefer results over promises. As illogical as that may seem, it's still my preference. Just call me unrealistic.

Would it be wrong for me to suggest that the San Fran football team switch names with the San Fran baseball team? San Francisco 49ers would be quite fitting for the baseball team these days. :D

I haven't quite figured out exactly who Atlanta is committed to at 2b just yet. Is it Aybar or Johnson?

Oh yeah. Forgot about that.

I agree that the comparison isn't fair, but at the same time Floyd is now getting into those baseball years where a decline is quite common. I'm sure all of us would be excited for a revival of his '05 production, but if he's signing an incentive laden deal, there has to be some concern that injuries may have taken their toll.

Speaking of San Fran, has Moises landed with a team?

Now playing 2b for the San Francisco Giants, Minnie Minoso! :D

Meh, he'll have learned his lesson by playoff time.

I think you're wrong. I remember who wore those numbers, but I have to think about it for some. And I've followed the Cubs more closely over the past 25 years than most Cubs fans. The number isn't nearly as important as the name. I think the uproar is silly. I remember the names and not the numbers. I know Sammy is 21 because of the jersey I own but after that, I don't really know any of the old timers' numbers. But I know who Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, etc. are. And that's the point I've been trying to make. If you need to know the number to remember the player, then obviously the fan didn't follow the players' career, or the player wasn't worth following. Great players should be honored, NO DOUBT, but retiring numbers is not the option, I would use. So what you are really saying is that retiring numbers never should have become a time honored tradition? I'm sure many would agree with that. How about a bronzed statue somewhere within the stadium grounds? That would be pretty cool. Some teams already do this. But, if retiring numbers is a time honored tradition, why stop now? The Cubs are now playing in their 3rd century and have retired a total of 4 numbers. At that rate, they shouldn't run out of numbers anytime soon. Sammy (and I'm really not that big a fan of Sammy at all) should have his number retired. 545 career HR's as a Cub. MVP. 7 time all star. 3 seasons with 60 or more HR's. Over 100 XBH's in a season in 2001. He had a remarkable career as a Cub.

and the Padres just got a Sandwich first round draft choice. Klesko was rated higher than a "C"? He sure hasn't played much baseball the last 3 years.

How exactly are pitching starts going to be restricted? Or is that still being analyzed?

Clemente was far from the first Latin American player. He did great service work, but he didn't break down any 'barriers' that I know of. True, but his accomplishments in baseball coupled with dying in an airplane crash on his way to help victims of a natural disaster is definitely noteworthy. If he was flying to Vegas for a long weekend of partying, that might be another story.

If DeRosa hit .300, his OBP would probably be right around .360. I'd take that from the #2 hitter. If Soriano could somehow be better than .340, Lee and Ramirez will be very happy hitters.

Disagree I agree with the Disagree! NO ONE should wear #21 in a Cub uniform again. Plain and simple. quote] Sorry, but IT'S A NUMBER.....A NUMBER....For goodness sake. All this fuss about a FRIGGIN' number. If Marquis wants to wear #21, fine, if he doesn't fine. I don't really see anyone fussing. They are discussing, and it's actually a pretty good discussion. And it's not like retiring numbers is something new. Most teams do it in honor of a local sports hero. Besides the many Cub records he owns, the fans absolutely loved him for most of his career in Chicago, and many still do and always will. The front office really should block that number from use, at least temporarily.

Line up structure matters way more than line up protection. Guys like Izturis should not bat 2nd. Ever.

I threw a tantrum when I saw him come in from inside the goal line to touch that ball. With no sound, I thought for sure it was an easy touchback. Everyone else in the bar thought so too. The real argument was how two different refs could miss the obvious. :D

Thanks. Never heard that one before.

I didn't have sound for the game and I don't feel like digging, can someone help explain to me how that kick didn't result in a touchback? He was clearly across the goal line and there were not one, but two referees standing on the goal line. On top of that, there was a booth review and it still didn't result in a touchback. What happened?