Laura
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Everything posted by Laura
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JUST VISITING http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/images/fan_forum/133x100_wallpaper_08.jpg or GO TIGERS (DESPITE 1945!)
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Rothschild has interviews in a few of the papers today about moving forward with the pitching staff. Here are a few comments about Prior.
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I could have swore I read a version of these quotes where he said something along the lines of Baker throws toothpicks and Piniella throws bases. Eyre comes off as pretty lazy, which shouldn't be surprising given that he said he was interested in joining the Cubs because they wouldn't make him run. Oh well, if he can get outs (assuming he stays - I think he might have been given a no-trade, too?) I don't care. A Cubs.com article had the quote you were thinking of, but it's already been edited out.
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Pierre Gone?
Laura replied to b_wiggy_66's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
from what i can tell pierre didn't like it on the north side of town. i'm glad. I haven't heard Hendry say something like "but you have to want to be here, too" about another player. It sure seems like Pierre wants to test free agency and I hope he does. The traded players are already a sunk cause cost ... -
Julio Lugo?
Laura replied to HoopsCubs's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
Lugo was acquitted because his wife recanted during the trial. She said she stumbled as she was pulling away from him and slammed her own head into the car and that the incident was her fault for provoking him. She also said that although they had filed for divorce, they were going to reconcile. Apparently reconciliation didn't work out, since he's now divorced. During the trial, defense attornies claimed that Lugo was acting in self-defense and was trying to block her blows when she received a lump on her forehead and a swollen lip. After the verdict, Lugo signed autographs for the jury and offered to send them baseballs. So sure, he was acquitted, but I have my doubts as to whether the acquittal means he didn't assault her. Does it matter? I haven't heard that he's caused any problems other than this off-the-field matter, so I wouldn't rule him out. I also wouldn't run out and buy a Lugo jersey if he were signed. -
I think there has been plenty of money to spend in the past few seasons, the problem lies with how it was spent. I agree, that's how the hole was dug. Hendry is still here and there's still problems to be addressed.
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Cot's Baseball Contracts blogspot has a Transactions Calendar that I check periodically. Anyone have any other calendar suggestions?
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Downy rips the Cubs in his aptly-named column: "Optimism is just Plain Delusional." He lists 5 misconceptions: 1. The Cubs have a lot of talent. 2. The Tribune is willing to spend. 3. Fans love this team, no matter what. 4. They're in a weak division. 5. Piniella will light a fire under them. #2 has been a concern of mine. All this talk about turning the team around is great, but given the weakened farm system and dearth of draft picks the past couple of years, the Trib is going to have to throw money at the team if a turnaround is to be expected. Trading is great, but the Cubs don't have a whole lot to trade these days. We've all lived through endless "not rebuilding but not competing, either" cycles. It gets old. Hiring Piniella is supposed to mean that the wallet is going to be opened. It'll be interesting to see who they end up with.
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Mangerial Merry-Go Round
Laura replied to vance_the_cubs_fan's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
Rangers will be interviewing Manny Acta on Friday. (MLB.com link). They'll be interviewing 5 total candidates: Washington, Acta, John Russell (Phillies' AAA manager), Trey Hillman and Don Wakamatsu. -
Mark Prior's Calves has decided to keep the Sandberg auto'd baseball and let someone else choose the other items in the Hall of Fame package. Now there are 11. :)
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I finished last in my own contest. 8-)
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Yes -- Truffle's been sitemailed, so feel free after he posts his pick.
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I'm glad to hear that. People who know a lot more than I do about scouting (individually and organizationally) have advocated the Cubs beef up their international scouting. If they want to right the ship, they'll need an infusion of talent relatively quickly. It makes sense to look into importing some.
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What was the first prize taken? The Hall of Fame prize -- I highlight it in blue and put the username of the person who chose it next to it so people will know what's been taken when their turn comes up.
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He said basically the same thing last night on WGN radio. I was also encouraged that he seemed optimistic about Aramis re-signing.
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Maybe I was incorrect ... I have friends who like to think that Rothschild invented and implemented it in an insidious plot to prevent Cubs pitchers from ever pitching again.
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Truffle's turn to choose.
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Lou wants A-rod
Laura replied to b_wiggy_66's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
What do you mean by "yeah, I know, Gary Hughes" I wouldn't want him as my GM, but he's a scout. And a damn good one at that. This is what he should be doing is scouting international players where (I believe) stats can't be translated reliably to the majors. I mean that he is the Number One Target in Cubs Scouting because of his interview about whether stats could influence scouting, wherein he expressed incredulity about any advanced stats. Do we need the link? It's easy to google. Do you think Matsuzaka should be signed? Do you think Hughes agrees with you? What do you mean? ETA: Should I apologize for being the only person here who mentions that Hughes was dispatched to Japan in, oh, say, late August-September to scout these players? Or were you going to get around to that after scolding me? ha ha -
From a symbolic standpoint: Keeping Rothschild and O'Neal = The Cubs Have Made No Mistakes they've just been unlucky and unhealthy I think that's the big problem a lot of people, including ME, have with rehiring them.
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Bruce at least said that was the front-office view. I do think Rothschild gets blamed for some things that he didn't institute, like the towel drill. It's a USC thing! My point of view is that everyone should have been fired from the top-down. Even Yosh!! (And including the Tribune Company as owner, which I know is impossible) (I would have kept whoever was responsible for the Cardinals cold water shower in April, though). That isn't going to happen. I don't know anymore if medical problems -- Prior and Wood as shorthand examples -- like the medical problems that have plagued the Cubs are even curable anymore. If neither of them were around, would we be having these debates? The problem for me is that I suspect that they were pitched to death in '03. Not everyone agrees. Hence the arguements about when to cut them loose from a business standpoint, from a fan standpoint, from whatever standpoint.
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Piniella has had some good things to say about his philosophy, both before and after he was officially named Cubs manager. But the fact that Rothschild + O'Neal (and one assumes anyone else on the training staff) has been signed to 2-yr contracts AGAIN makes it seem like Business as Usual. Which sucks. Is there hope? Is Rothschild actually a good pitching coach who has been ignored and beaten down under Dusty's regime? Or is this just going to be another hugely expensive-yet-futile treadmill ride?
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Can Jacque Jones play RF? I guess he has range but ...
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Start a Rothschild thread if you wish. The Tribune updates it's stories throughout the day. The article about Prior getting a 2nd opinion also broke the news that Rothschild -- and O'Neal and the training staff -- all got 2-year extensions. Maybe you shouldn't be amazed "that Rothschild got an extension got little reaction yet Prior getting a freakin' second opinion does" since the story was one and the same -- which you can complain about -- but you're complaining to the wrong audience. We're just picking this stuff up out of the constantly updated articles here. If you want to snipe about it, snipe at the people who are responsible. Newsflash: That ain't us.
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Lou wants A-rod
Laura replied to b_wiggy_66's topic in MLB Draft, International Signings, Amateur Baseball
I'll repost the post I made about Hendry on WGN Radio Sports Central below. He said he'd be pursuing starting pitching agressively, though I don't think he mentioned 'international' at all in this interview. They did send Gary Hughes over late in the season to scout Japanese players (supposedly). (yeah, I know, Gary Hughes) ---- Hendry was on right at the beginning of the show. You can download or listen to his interview here, it's the hendry_10172006.mp3 file. It's about 11.5 minutes. -
I hope they submit a legit bid and not "submit a bid" like they "made an offer" to Beltran.
