Rob

I recall a story a few years ago about a third baseman who was a minor league/Japanese League lifer and got an invitation to Cubs camp at age 31 or 32. He and his wife had squirreled away every dollar they could and had managed to save almost $2 million. At that point, he had been invited to a few camps and had a better chance of making the cut with one of the other teams. However, he had always wanted to play for the Cubs and, with the money in the bank, lived his fantasy -- at least for spring training. While I don't remember his name, I recall that he was a pleasant person and a good story for the papers. I don't think it was Casey McGehee, but his name was similar to that. Does anyone remember this guy? __________________________________________________________ Sandberg>Mazeroski>Morgan Only person I can think of that fits the bill is Scott McClain, but I don't recall that story.

Whoop de crap. I was one of the very few people who still believed Andruw Jones of all people still had something left in his bat before this season... I actually defended the Jim Edmonds trade the year before when he looked washed up... and even I think Freddy Garcia is absolutely toast.

He just got career win #2000 in a 15 inning marathon game vs Pittsburg. He's not perfect by any means, but he's absolutely the best manager of his generation... Tony La Russa's loud cries for attention notwithstanding.

Has anybody heard how much Kentrail Davis is asking for?

I'll be the first to admit I haven't seen much of him, but he seemed to have plus raw power to me. I don't expect him to put up the mega power numbers Dominguez will, but I think his ability to make contact covers the gap.

Heckathorn is off the board. I wouldn't mind Renfroe either. Damn, you're right. I'll edit in a second. And Meph, what do you have against Poythress? And for that matter, Sanchez?

Based on what's left on the board, my top five at this point. 1) David Renfroe, SS, South Panola HS 2) Rich Poythress, 1B, Georgia 3) Garrett Gould, RHP, Maize HS 4) Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College 5) Slade Heathcott, OF, Texas HS

He's probably a supplemental pick, though I would certainly understand if a team had him higher on their board.

Mitchell seems like the perfect Wilken pick. I don't see us passing on him should he happen to drop... but I don't see it as particularly likely. I think Andy Oliver is a bit of a sleeper for us as well.

I feel drained just watching that game.

He doesn't like anything.

1-1) Washington Nationals - Stephen Strasburg, RHP - San Diego State 1-2) Seattle Mariners - Dustin Ackley, OF - North Carolina 1-3) San Diego Padres - Grant Green, SS - USC 1-4) Pittsburgh Pirates - Aaron Crow, RHP - Ft. Worth Cats 1-5) Baltimore Orioles - Alex White, RHP - North Carolina 1-6) San Francisco Giants - Tyler Matzek, LHP - Capistrano Valley HS (Mission Viejo, CA) 1-7) Atlanta Braves - Zack Wheeler, RHP - East Paulding HS (Dallas, GA) 1-8) Cincinatti Reds - Jacob Turner, RHP - Westminster Academy (St. Charles, MO) 1-9) Detroit Tigers - Matt Purke, LHP - Klein HS (Spring, TX) 1-10) Washington Nationals - Mike Minor, LHP - Vanderbilt 1-11) Colorado Rockies - Rex Brothers, LHP - Lipscomb 1-12) Royals - Jared Mitchell, OF, Louisiana State 1-13) Athletics - Kyle Gibson, RHP, Mizzou 1-14) Rangers - Shelby Miller, RHP - Brownwood HS (Brownwood, TX) 1-15) Indians - Bobby Borchering, 3B, Bishop Verot HS 1-16) Diamondbacks - 1-17) Diamondbacks - 1-18) Marlins - 1-19) Cardinals - 1-20) Blue Jays - 1-21) Astros - 1-22) Twins - 1-23) White Sox - 1-24) Angels - 1-25) Angels - 1-26) Brewers - 1-27) Mariners - 1-28) Red Sox - 1-29) Yankees - 1-30) Rays - 1-31) Cubs - 1-32) Rockies - I was debating Miller vs Tate for the Rangers as well. The Indians have a bunch of organizational needs, but I don't see them paying up for Tate. Borchering should sign for around slot, and is the best player available right now that will.

Behind Vitters, Cashner, and Samardzija definitely. After that he fits into the debate anywhere. I'd rank Jackson ahead of him (and I'd rank Jackson ahead of Cashner). As would I, but I'm trying to guess how BA looks at it.

1-1) Washington Nationals - Stephen Strasburg, RHP - San Diego State 1-2) Seattle Mariners - Dustin Ackley, OF - North Carolina 1-3) San Diego Padres - Grant Green, SS - USC 1-4) Pittsburgh Pirates - Aaron Crow, RHP - Ft. Worth Cats 1-5) Baltimore Orioles - Alex White, RHP - North Carolina 1-6) San Francisco Giants - Tyler Matzek, LHP - Capistrano Valley HS (Mission Viejo, CA) 1-7) Atlanta Braves - Zack Wheeler, RHP - East Paulding HS (Dallas, GA) 1-8) Cincinatti Reds - Jacob Turner, RHP - Westminster Academy (St. Charles, MO) 1-9) Detroit Tigers - Matt Purke, LHP - Klein HS (Spring, TX) 1-10) Washington Nationals - Mike Minor, LHP - Vanderbilt 1-11) Colorado Rockies - Rex Brothers, LHP - Lipscomb 1-12) Royals - Jared Mitchell, OF, Louisiana State 1-13) Athletics - 1-14) Rangers - 1-15) Indians - 1-16) Diamondbacks - 1-17) Diamondbacks - 1-18) Marlins - 1-19) Cardinals - 1-20) Blue Jays - 1-21) Astros - 1-22) Twins - 1-23) White Sox - 1-24) Angels - 1-25) Angels - 1-26) Brewers - 1-27) Mariners - 1-28) Red Sox - 1-29) Yankees - 1-30) Rays - 1-31) Cubs - 1-32) Rockies - The Royals have a crowded farm system at the infield corners right now, and while the crop of pitchers at this point is uninspiring, I don't see them ponying up for a Donovan Tate with the questions about his work ethic. Mitchell is a nice, high-upside pick with some advanced ball already under his belt, something the Royals brass seems to appreciate. Edit: Forgive me for expanding on the format this far, but I was getting tired of trying to remember the draft order.

Behind Vitters, Cashner, and Samardzija definitely. After that he fits into the debate anywhere.

1-1) Washington Nationals - Stephen Strasburg, RHP - San Diego State 1-2) Seattle Mariners - Dustin Ackley, OF - North Carolina 1-3) San Diego Padres - Grant Green, SS - USC 1-4) Pittsburgh Pirates - Aaron Crow, RHP - Ft. Worth Cats 1-5) Baltimore Orioles - Alex White, RHP - North Carolina 1-6) San Francisco Giants - Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS The last few years have signaled a change with Sabean's policy on drafting. He's willing to spend, but he likes young guys... and he loves pitching.

John Sickels is running another mock today. Guess who the Cubs picked? Yup, AJ Pollack again.

If I pointed out the benefits of moving from being an impoverished and malnourished young man to being a multimillionaire with access to wonderful nutrition and exercise equipment, would it suggest there are methods of vastly improving his production and physical size that don't necessarily involve steroids? How about pointing out how his production skyrocketed at the same time Jeff Pentland finally taught him to lay off the breaking ball low and away? There's just as much anecdotal evidence to suggest he's innocent as guilty. I can absolutely understand harboring some doubts about him, but the only logical thing to do is error on his side... after all, later evidence could certainly arrive to prove he actually used steroids. It's an impossibility for anybody to prove they didn't use. To assume his guilt at this point, with no actual evidence... it's beyond irresponsible. Simply ponder this for a moment. Suppose he didn't use. What do you tell him? "Tough luck, buddy. You shouldn't have worked out so hard in the gym and with the batting coach."?

Believe it or not, the thing that finally got him onto my ignore list was his sig. I can deal with potential idiocy in every post... even cubswin2009 doesn't manage it every single time. A stupid sig guarantees it though.

Just saw it on CSN.

I'm willing to let somebody prove that to me. Nobody has managed it yet, though. All I ever see is anecdotal evidence... I could use anecdotal evidence to "prove" any player ever used steroids. Nobody can prove they didn't use steroids... so operating without the basic assumption of innocence is absurd. The only logical thing you can do is wait for some sort of hard evidence.

He's guilty until proven innocent because of an irresponsible media and irresponsible fans. It's a shame that so many idiots speak so loudly as to alter public perception with no proof to back their claims up.

He has had few at bats and was given quick runs against premiere SP. He had a .474 OPS since May 20th but that's over a very sporatic 28 ABs. I am not worried, he seem to be a solid .775/.825 hitter which people should be ecstatic that we could pull a player like that off the scrap heap of the Cubs farm system. Then again, an AB from Hoff is a AB taken away from Fox for the most part. Oh, I realize there's a sample size issue. But I was responding to the statement that he was a hot hitter at the moment. A two week cutoff seemed suitable, but he hasn't done much since the calendar turned over from April... cut it up however one wants. But I agree. He seems to be about an .800 or so OPS guy. I have zero problems with him being a big bat off the bench, and kudos to the Cubs brass for not paying 3 mil for veteran production of that caliber.

He's been pretty good with 2 outs and RISP, but his numbers from the 7th on are not very good at all... and they get progressively worse the closer the game gets. http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=hoffpmi01&year=2009&t=b#clutc edit: I don't mean to imply that he wont hit in "clutch" situations, or to even rag on Hoff at all. I'm just debunking silly statements.

Should this post be taken seriously? Not the best, but hes 3rd behind Lee and Fuku at this time. And what are you basing that on? The fact that we have a lot of bad hitters on this team? Behind Lee and Fuku, theres a lot of guys clustered for 3rd, being Hoff, Font, and Reed, and none of them are spectacular. Im just talking about now. Overall, there are a lot of bette hitters than Hoff on the team, but they dont happen to be producing. Since mid May, Hoff has an OPS under .700. He's been very cold the last few weeks.