BigbadB

I thought that Miller was a Hendry priority this offseason as well? I'd love to see Schmidt and Soriano. Lugo or Durham (preferably Lugo to play SS). Lofton and Pagan sharing CF until Pie is ready.

There are plenty of differing theories out there as to what would constitute the best plan of action to build a World Series Champion, and 30 some odd teams are all attempting to execute their plan. It's a crapshoot as to what will win it each year. The best team in baseball does not always win the World Series. The best team does usually end up with the best record in baseball, however. And building the best team in baseball is probably the best plan of action I can think of. Building the best team in baseball does not place focus on pitching only or hitting only or defense only. It takes focus on all 3. If Kerry Wood and Mark Prior were completely healthy in 2006 and pitching like they did in 2003, this Cubs team most likely still would not have made the playoffs. The offense was horrible. Much more emphasis must be put on the value of a walk. The Cubs were far and away dead last in drawing walks (395). They had an embarrassing low number of drawn walks this year. I had to dig back to 1998 to find a team with less walks in the regular season in the NL than the Cubs had in 2006. Coincidentally, the Pittsburgh Pirates and their 393 finished in 2nd the last in runs scored. Every team in the 1995 strike shortened season (144 games) outwalked the 2006 Cubs by a significant margin. Drawing walks puts runners on base to be driven in. On the pitching side, giving up walks needs to be addressed as well. The Cubs gave up 687 walks, far and away the most walks allowed on the season. The last team to give up that many walks in a season? The Rockies in 1999. They gave up over 1000 runs that year. It's not a coincidence that if you walk a lot of players, a lot of runs will score. Target the best players available to fill the needs of the team. The teams with the lesser holes as a whole will be the team that has the best chance of finishing higher in the standings at the end of the season.

=D> And Hendry

I can see it now. Aramis signs with the Dodgers. Hendry's other prime free agent target also signs with the Dodgers. He lost his main target last year to the Dodgers while ignoring another guy that he could have easily retained. The guy he ignored also then signed with the Dodgers.

I think he's pretty content to coach the team (SD State) and at the school that named their stadium after him.

Why would you ever replace Dick Trickle with anyone? Dick Pole and Dick Trickle on the same team? :cheers:

I think I'll schedule a root canal.

The perceived value was only there because Hendry was dumb enough to fall for it. If Cincy wanted him, why wouldn't they have made a move for him last year while they were in the thick of a playoff hunt? The Dodgers were trying to dump Izturis all of last year. They had zero need for him. None whatsoever. No one came a calling. Except Hendry. If all the Dodgers had to offer was another run of the mill, light hitting, all fielding utility infielder, he should have just let Maddux finish out the year as a Cub. The list is getting pretty extensive lately. Damian Jackson, Rey Ordonez, Neifi Perez, Freddy Bynum, Ronny Cedeno, Tony Womack, Alex Gonzalez, Ramon Martinez, Jose Hernandez, Augie Ojeda, Jose Macias, Jerry Hairston Jr., Enrique Wilson and now Cesar Izturis. 14 craptacular utility infielders just since 2003. Hit us all in the head with a hammer again, Hendry. We enjoy it immensely.

There's no way it happens. What will likely happen if they went out and got Alou is Murton would sit the pines.

Dubois versus LHP>>>Jacque Jones vs. LHP. But, I'm all for getting rid of Jones for someone who can hit major league pitching, no matter which arm is doing the throwing.

somehow im surprised that this comment didnt come from BBB Why, I would never say such a thing. :shock: But, the Wrigley Field custodians are still trying to figure out a way to get rid of the urine smell in the Cubs clubhouse ever since Peehands left.

We already received compensation for the Type 4-3 FA. A swift kick in the crotch.

I like the new rules for Rule V. Guys like Hagerty, Dubois, Sisco, etc. get an extra year to show whether they are major league material and need protecting.

Who made the comment after the 2005 season that he liked players who can catch the ball? I rest my case.

The Cubs had over 30m to spend in 2006. Remind me again what that was spent on? Because I didn't see any Zito's added to our roster. 30m might sound like a lot, but it can disappear in a hurry.

That 30m will be eaten up by pitching pretty quickly, and that's where I expect the Dodgers to focus their energy this offseason. That's where I'm expecting Zito to go this offseason.

Fuld would have needed to be protected under the old CBA already? What year was he drafted?

Signing Wakefield requires signing a catcher who can catch him as well.

What's Wendell Kim doing these days? :P

I never considered Jones a target this offseason anyway. Another 1 year rental. It would take too much in talent to trade for him, and you better believe Jones will test the free agent market, so an extension is out of the question.

They should give 2 picks to the team that finishes dead last in the worst division in baseball. :oops: 8-[

Yes, you are missing something here. Teams in the playoff hunt must give up something to get something. The Cubs could have held out for a prospect or just kept Maddux. Why give Maddux away to a team who is obviously trying to lowball the team into parting with him for someone like Izturis, who didn't even have a spot on the end of the Dodgers bench anymore. The only way a Maddux/Izturis deal has any legs is if Hendry was using this deal to set up future deals with the Dodgers. The Dodgers overpaid for Lugo and underpaid for Maddux when I compare the two trades.

We're still waiting. What was this thing of value Hendry got in return for Maddux?

And with that being the case, the Cubs may have to look elsewhere to improve the offense. I'd at least offer up a package that gets them talking. When they balk, talk to LAD about Jacque Jones and pitching prospects for Drew for salary relief. There's enough on the market to improve the team without overspending in trade.

They aren't. Hendry clearly overpaid for Pierre like he did with many others on the 2006 Cubs. Neifi, Blanco, Rusch, etc...