BigbadB

Did I hear Royce Clayton was still available? Wouldn't Neifi and Royce make for about the worst middle infield in the history of MLB? Can I rule out that possibility completely? No!

Can we still trade Brandon Sing? Oh yeah, I guess not. How about Scott Moore instead. They could probably use a 3b prospect.

Nor would he go to Philly, I suppose. I read in the Sun-Times that Mench isn't a target and the Cubs have decided to get a LH bat in the OF, and I can't think of anyone on the Rangers squad who fits the bill. Perhaps Walker to the Mets for Floyd? I think that would be worth exploring, I think you'd have to have a quality 4th OF'er given Floyd's injury history. I'm not sure how eager they'd be willing to give floyd up now that they unloaded Cameron, depending on how they feel about Nady. It could be clearing the way for Manny. Then Diaz could get his shot in a Manny/Beltran/Diaz outfield. A lineup of Reyes/Walker/Beltran/Manny/Delgado/Wright/Diaz/Molina or LoDuca would be nothing to scoff at, and less expensive sans Floyd. Who do you believe the Mets would have to send to Boston to make the Manny deal work? If they still have Floyd to trade to Chi. for Walker, the only people I see missing from your Mets line up is X Nady and Kaz Matsui. I don't think Ramon Hernandez can be ruled out as their catcher instead of Molina or LoDuca.

Getting back to Huff, Tampa might have our answers at all 3 positions of need. SS -Lugo: Puts up numbers nearly identical to Furcal RF- Huff: Coming off a down year, but a very good middle of the order, left handed bat in all of his previous seasons CF- Gathright: He's on the market, which leads one to believe Baldelli will be ready on opening day. I haven't heard any comparisons on Gathright, but I liken him to Kenny Lofton. Tampa can fill every one of those holes internally and cheaply. What they would want in return would likely be pitching. After Kazmir, they have very little. They aren't going to get anyone via free agency, unless no other team wants them. It would cost a lot for those three guys. And I might try to get Bradley before making this deal. If Bradley is going nowhere, what might it take to land these 3 guys? Jerome Williams, Rich Hill, Sean Marshall and Brandon Sing? Huff and Lugo aren't cheap. Between those two, we'd be taking on 10m. Would that lower the amount that Tampa would want in return if we relieved them of that salary?

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I'd be absolutely shocked if Nomar came back to the Cubs after the way they kicked him to the curb this offseason. A huge "if" ... But, if Hendry said..."Nomar, if we sign Furcal your gone. If we don't your back" Maybe Nomar will be back in Cubbie blue after all ? The only way the Cubs are getting Nomar back, IMO, is if they outbid every other team currently interested in his services, years and dollars. Time is running out to do that. Nomar hasn't been sitting around waiting to see what pans out with Furcal (though it does help his situation), no teams were going to sign him until after the Cubs decline arbitration. Since they can still offer arbitration, that might be the one thing going for the Cubs. Problem is, Nomar is a "B" free agent and not an "A". Re-signing Nomar was my first offseason priority. Get him signed to a 1 year deal, low base with incentives. If you got Furcal, stick Nomar in left or right. Of course, I didn't want Furcal anyway. I wanted Giles. Re-sign Nomar Pick up Walker's option Bid adieu to Neifi and Macias Sign Giles (3/15) Sign Lofton (1/1m) Patch the bullpen by trading off Patterson, the relief corps and prospects. You have about 25m wrapped up in the moves listed above. Maybe instead of signing Lofton, trade Walker for Bradley and stick Cedeno at 2nd. Done.

Amazingly, I'm not the slightest bit phased by this news.

That's pretty much it in a nutshell. I'd be absolutely shocked if Nomar came back to the Cubs after the way they kicked him to the curb this offseason.

Aramis played 2002 on one leg. That's the explanation for his dip in numbers that year.

More fun stuff for San Diego fans....... The Padres lowballed David Wells (native San Diegan) after the 2004 season, a season in which he was their most effective starter. A season in which Wells gave San Diego a home town discount. Wells, angrily took a two year offer from Boston. The Padres then proceeded to sign Woody Williams to take Wells place. Woody was horrible. Nothing like the Woody Williams they "gave" to St. Louis for a delapidated, broken down, overpaid Ray Lankford. Williams was horrible last year. A 4.85 ERA in a pitcher's park is not good at all. Williams makes more than Wells. Wells is now in the last year of his contract and he not only wants to go back to San Diego, but San Diego now wants him back. To get him, it will cost San Diego Mark Loretta AND one of Dave Roberts or Aki Otsuka. Oh, and San Diego will have to pay the price Boston paid to get Wells in the first place, which might have been a million dollar difference per year at most. Of course, Dave Roberts is where the "fun stuff" all originated. Los Angeles traded Roberts to Boston for an unheard of minor leaguer, who is still unheard of today. Boston proceeds to trade Roberts to San Diego after winning the World Series for a veteran middle infielder (Ramon Vazquez), a decent 4th outfielder (Jay Payton), a minor league prospect AND 2.5m in cash. If San Diego makes that deal, Towers deserves some sort of award for this. But, not an award that he would want to proudly display on any mantle. Meanwhile, San Diego will be getting closer to being older than the San Francisco Giants with the likes of Vinny Castilla, Ryan Klesko, Brian Giles, Eric Young, Woody Williams, David Wells, Chan Ho Park and a closer (Hoffman) who might yet return.

Rotoworld does make a lot of typographical errors. But, maybe we now know Hendry's plan. He plans on signing all of the middle relievers and utility infielders and force teams to overpay for them at the trade deadline. Go Jim.

And now KC can focus their energy on turning him back into a starter.

My apologies. That's a quote from Steve Stone on the Score. Stone said that the Cubs could not afford to go into the season with 2 rookies in the line up. I disagree, especially if the reason one of the rookies is sitting is because Neifi Perez is playing his position. But, that's just me. Hmm. Something Stone and Dusty could actually agree on? I think Steve is losing it.

I haven't seen him play the outfield, so I can't make any judgments on his defensive ability. He did play in 95 games in RF last year. He had a comparable fielding percentage to Burnitz (.984/.986). Burnitz had 5 assists in 158 games. Huff had 6 in 95 games. Must be range that concerns people.

Furcal is young enough to do a 3/40 and turn around and sign another 5/50 right behind that if he's still productive. This is smelling more and more like Furcal is just waiting for Atlanta to up the offer so he can stay with his boys. Chipper has already made salary space for Furcal and what is the current hold up? Dusty was just quoted that the Cubs would not have 2 rookies in the line up (even though Murton doesn't classify as a rookie). There is your answer as to who will play SS between Perez and Cedeno. Nomar's ship has sailed. I suppose he could consider coming back, but I sure wouldn't if I was him. And there most certainly won't be a discount or incentive laden deal. I'm not so sure they would even get a 1 year deal like they probably could have if they pretended like he was alive since the offseason began. If Furcal re-signs with the Braves, the Dodgers will look to Nomar along with umpteen other teams that are now starting to court Nomar. I'm not so sure Hendry would do anything at SS if he doesn't get Furcal. He'll say that Neifi was insurance in case he couldn't get Furcal and then focus on a lead off hitter from the CF position. I still have no idea what he's looking at for RF, other than the rumors of Mench and Preston Wilson. Ugh. Oh, and if Furcal stays with the Braves, you can also forget about Bradley. The Dodgers already commented that they would consider keeping Bradley after Giles resigned with SD. Once they lose out on Furcal also, I doubt they move him. I'm holding off judgment until it's all said and done. But, I'm not liking this one bit.

I wanted Beltran then and I'd take him now. The Mets would have to eat some salary of course.

You missed my point, Don. No one in our farm is Delmon Young, therefore they are all available in the right deal. The example that was made was Pie and Walker for Bradley. Would you do that trade? I sure wouldn't. Walker for Bradley I'd do. If Bradley was the difference between being a playoff caliber team or a .500 team, then I'd consider adding prospects to Walker to get Bradley, but it wouldn't be Pie. Pie or Hill would be saved for a premium bat, like Abreu or Dunn. The Yankees aren't coughing up Wang for just anybody. I want the Cubs to be good every year, therefore you don't make moves like Walker and Pie for a guy who "might" be such a problem that they have to dump him. Now Bradley is gone and you no longer have that blue chip prospect to use in a big trade. I want the Cubs to trade prospects. I think they blew the opportunity to rebuild the bullpen by trading prospects for bullpen arms that don't cost an arm and a leg like Eyre, Howry and Rusch. I realize you liked the Eyre and Howry deals, and those guys may end up having great back to back years, so I'll leave it at that. There are a ton of teams like Florida that need to stay below their cap. There were most certainly some role players and middle relievers that could have been had for a prospect or two to finish off the rest of the Cubs offseason. Mike McDougal comes to mind. He made league minimum last year.

Japan? :D I just don't see the benefit of chasing off 3/4 of the interested teams by throwing out a ridiculous number like 7/84m at the beginning of the negotiating process. If that's the number he really wants, after he was signed to a 3/21m contract, I'd make a uniform that had the number 7.84 with his name on the back. :D

Whatever it is Tampa would want, the Cubs don't have it. :D

Single A: 62 BB / 90 K in 548 AB Double A: 16 BB / 45 K in 211 AB Triple A: 48 BB / 93 K in 462 AB Total minors: 1221 AB, 126 BB / 228 K Nice work. Got any comparison stats. Lofton? Pierre? That's not too shabby. Minor league, Kenny Lofton: 159 BB / 266 K in 1423 AB, .300 AVG, .379 SLG Minor league, Juan Pierre: 90 BB / 74 K in 1305 AB, .330 AVG, .392 SLG Interesting. But, his walk rate would likely decrease if he played for the Cubs.

Throw a couple more arms at Tampa and get Lugo and Huff. Done. We land Lugo and Huff then Bradley and I will be one happy camper. Do you guys think Tampa will be more reasonable than during the season when they were supposedly asking for Z before talking about Huff? Refresh my memory.... Was that before or after Johnny Gomes introduced himself to MLB? With Baldelli due back, Crawford locked up and Gomes looking like a budding star, Delmon Young needs to be promoted SOON, and then toss in Gathright into the mix, they are nice and full in the outfield. Huff made 5m last year, which is just about out of Tampa's budget. Zambrano is not someone that Tampa would easily afford either, and they aren't getting him anyway. Tampa needs pitching and we have it. Tampa would probably want one of Scott Moore, or Dopirak in the deal along with arms, as 3b, 2nd and 1st is probably where they could use the most help outside of pitching. But, for Tampa, it should be all about pitching, pitching and more pitching. We have it. Jerome Williams, Roberto Novoa, Todd Wellemeyer, Mike Wuertz, Will Ohman, Ricky Nolasco, Rich Hill, Renyel Pinto, Bobbie Brownlie, Jae Kuk Ryu, David Aardsma, Sergio Mitre, Bobbie Brownlie, John Koronka, Luke Hagerty, Jon Connolly, Sean Marshall, Raul Valdez, Carlos Marmol, etc..... Who do they want? A nice fit for both teams. Let the Dodgers or Braves pay 12m a year to Furcal. Heck, Tampa can fit all 3 of our needs offensively. Gathright, Huff and Lugo. We could throw in one of Corey Patterson or Hairston Jr. and pay part of their contract if they didn't want pitching. If I'm Hendry, I'm heading straight for the Tampa GM on Monday.

I know exactly what you are saying. But, I was referring to the example of Pie and Walker for Bradley. A trade like this what the Yankees have been doing for the last 5 years. Now, they have hardly anything left in their farm system and they rely completely on one sided trades with plenty of cash to add to the deal and free agency. Interestingly enough, they started their run in the 90's by developing talent from the farm system. Ever since they steered away from that philosophy and leaned towards "buying" a World Series, they don't win anymore. And I love it.

Single A: 62 BB / 90 K in 548 AB Double A: 16 BB / 45 K in 211 AB Triple A: 48 BB / 93 K in 462 AB Total minors: 1221 AB, 126 BB / 228 K Nice work. Got any comparison stats. Lofton? Pierre? That's not too shabby.

Throw a couple more arms at Tampa and get Lugo and Huff. Done.

Unfortunately, there is no mention of his patience at the plate. His major league stats are a pretty small sample size, and his walk rate is not good. That's too be expected. Anybody know what his walk rate was during his minor league career? Gathright reminds me a bit of Lofton. If he can take a pitch, he'll be a good major league lead off hitter for many years to come.

No, I wouldn't want him to mortgage what could be several trips to the pennant for one World Series. The best team does not always win the World Series. What if he mortgaged the future, and they fell short of winning the World Series that year? The Cubs, as of 2004, were in a position to be good for a long time. I didn't include 2003, since they did play better than anyone would have imagined. We are still waiting for them to be good.