BigbadB

I'll give you a fact. The Cubs have been horrible at scoring runs when a crap hitter like Izturis bats 2nd. Replace Izturis with all the horrible #2 hitters the Cubs have employed over the last 2 or 3 years and the result is the same. Poor run production. We've played that game. It doesn't work. Let's try something else. And it absolutely blows me away that a manager in the 21st century would even remotely consider batting someone as inept at batting as Cesar Izturis is ahead of your best productions guys, Lee and Ramirez. Derrek Lee's 2005 season should have been evidence enough that you are really hurting the team's overall production when you bat guys like Corey Patterson and Neifi Perez at the top of the order for most of the season. It's scary to think about how many RBI Derrek might have had if he got even semi-respectable OBP in front of him, rather than league worst. And if he actually had really good OBP guys in front of him that year, MVP would have easily been his. Fact!

fixed Thanks. I was having a very difficult time coming up with terms that would be fit to print at NSBB.

Aggravating is only one useful term for Izturis getting any consideration, whatsoever.

Maybe it's because "White Chrismtas" is currently playing in the background as I type this, but I dream of an offseason that doesn't leave me wishing for all kinds of players over the one's we signed. But, I suppose that's a pretty unrealistic goal. How about just addressing all the needs of the team instead? Rumors are the Cubs are done, and SS, 2b and CF are still just as much of a concern now as they were before the offseason started. Much like RF has been a concern since Sammy.

How many Sosa jerseys does one see still to this day when they go to a game at Wrigley in 2006? I live too far away from Chicago to get to any games, but from my tv it sure looks like a lot. Sosa is the greatest Cub player to this last generation, and many generations before this one. Even though the relationship between the front office and Sosa has soured, I don't believe the relationship between Sosa and Cubs fans of the last 15 years has soured. Marquis will be putting undo pressure on himself if he elects to wear #21 because of the tremendous sized crowd that idolizes Sammy Sosa. Personally, I don't think #21 should be available. I don't think Sosa needs to be in the HOF in order to keep other players from wearing it. All it should really take is honor from the team you played for. All I think is necessary is for the front office to actually do the right thing and honor the man for his accomplishments instead of continuing to harbor hard feelings. There are just as many "stories" that Sosa was granted permission to leave the park that day as there are that he left without permission. Marquis would be doing himself a huge favor by electing to wear a different number. If he elects to wear that number, I'll assume he's just as egotistical as Sammy, but just not as good a player. It's really all on Jason at this point, but the front office isn't helping matters. I see it as a distracting sideshow in a season everyone should just be focused on winning.

I hear the tacos in Mazatlan are pretty irresistable. The stupid stuff can be excused when you are in your late teens/early twenties. Not so much anymore. His immaturity is probably going to cost him millions. That's pretty sad.

I wouldn't discount them too quickly. I think they might be better than Cincinnati right now, and if a lot of things go right for them, they could be pretty good. That is assuming they get someone decent to play 1b.

Do you think the Cubs would have then attempted to work a trade with KC if he wasn't working out so well on the 25 man roster in 2005 rather than have him return to the club?

Good for Toronto. With this signing, I can see the wild card coming out of a different division than the AL East once again. If Tampa made some moves for pitching, I think it would be hard to argue that there is a better division in baseball than the AL East. Toronto has a pretty respectable offense. If they can get a surprise starter to step up in 2007, they'll be a force. Alex Rios Aaron Hill Vernon Wells Lyle Overbay Frank Thomas Troy Glaus Reed Johnson Royce Clayton (ugh)

Let's see. A franchise (Cubs) that values, if not overvalues, hard-throwing pitching prospects exposes Sisco to the Rule V draft. Another franchise (Royals), desperate for starting pitching, trades Sisco for a generic bench player. Speaks volumes about Sisco's makeup, doesn't it? Possibly. I found it to be really strange that the Royals didn't send him to AAA last year to stretch him back out in a starting role. It will be interesting to see what the Sox do with him.

Odd trade. A young left handed arm with tons of potential for a guy that would be lucky to get an invite to minor league camp from any major league teams this offseason.

The injury concern must be scaring everyone away. He could end up being quite a bargain. I was extremely vocal at the end of 2004 for a Sosa/Floyd swap. Floyd was an absolute stud in 2005. The steroid controversy, the corked bat, leaving early the last game and the dip in performance probably all played a part in that deal falling apart, but I recall Minaya really wanting Sosa badly.

How is Soriano's english? I've never heard him speak. Also, I was reviewing his stats page and thought it was really strange how few triples Alfonso hits for such a "speed/power" guy.

I'll list my keepers as well at this point: C- 1b- 2b- Dan Uggla (exempt) SS- Jimmy Rollins 3b- Scott Rolen OF- Rocco Baldelli OF- Jonny Gomes OF- U- SP- Roy Halladay SP- Jeremy Bonderman SP- Matt Cain (exempt) SP- Ervin Santana (exempt) SP- Adam Wainwright (exempt) Total points= 2403 Guys available in trade: Kenji Johjima (exempt) Chien-Ming Wang (exempt) Joe Blanton (exempt) Craig Hansen (exempt) Brandon League (exempt) Mike Jacobs (exempt) Ken Griffey Frank Thomas Mike Cameron Wade Miller (low points) Carlos Marmol (exempt) Scott Linebrink

I sure couldn't figure out why you wanted to know his point change. Thought maybe you just wanted to see how much value he added.

I have to admit, I was admiring your handiwork in Excel. Greatest computer program ever invented. I use it for just about everything.

Which brings us back to the same question I asked before. Why is Colorado thinking about trading him when they have been attempting to trade for a CF all winter long? He's actually a pretty good fit in Colorado, and a lot like the good fit Pierre seemed to be when he was in Colorado.

Santana goes from 542 to 675 Webb goes from 504 to 642 McCarthy goes from 107 to 156

Stop the presses!!!!! Huh? Gomes is exempt? How do you come to that conclusion? Oops. Sorry, forgot about the 15 ab's in 2003 and 2004. :oops: Meh, I was hoping you knew something I didn't. I call for a new rule that less than 20 at bats in a season should not count as an exemption year. :D

The bigger question that hasn't been answered for me is why Colorado would trade Taveras when they've been hunting for someone all winter long that can play CF.

Stop the presses!!!!! Huh? Gomes is exempt? How do you come to that conclusion?

Dewan, in the Fielding Bible, said Taveras should have won the gold glove in 2005, and Taveras ranks near the top of most advanced metrics. I'm not saying I want him - far from it - if the Cubs trade for him, I'm selling all my tickets again this year - but defense is the one positive he brings. Which would then make perfect sense for Colorado to keep him, since they have the most spacious CF in the big leagues.

Hahahahaha! Okay, it's become clearly obvious that Hendry doesn't like me, and he's going out of his way to get players that I don't like just to spite me. I may have to resort to reverse psychology.

I remember that now. That is funny. Wonder how that's working out? :D

That's my opinion, too. Washington basically slashed his trade value by not playing him last year and basically telling the world they want him gone.