nick23

I agree on Soriano. I just fear that Baker would bat him 2nd where he would hurt more than help.

good point. IMO, we need a decent fielding RF. Pierre has mediocre range for all his speed and Murton seems a little rough sometimes. It would be nice to have at least one gun in the OF. Where is all of this stuff coming from about Pierre being a bad defensive player? I've always thought he was considered to be a good CF with just a weak arm. I'm not saying you guys are wrong, just asking where this information is coming from. I keep seeing people say things like he takes bad routes on balls, or he gets late jumps. You people make him sound like he's another Moises. What I'm asking is, is he really considered that bad?

I found this blurb from Rotoworld quite entertaining. MLB PLAYER NEWS MLB PLAYER TRACKER Customize More Player News AL NL A.J. Burnett - S - Blue Jays Blue Jays signed RHP A.J. Burnett, who had been with the Marlins, to a five-year, $55 million contract. ESPN is reporting that Burnett has an opt out after three years. Burnett will earn $7 million next year and $12 million in each of the following four, so he'd make $31 million before he could opt out. Since no one else is saying it, we will: this is a very good signing for the Blue Jays. Burnett is risky, but he's the one pitcher out there capable of being a dominant force for the next several years. If you're going to take a chance, it's much better to spend $11 million per year on Burnett than $7 million-$8 million on Paul Byrd or Matt Morris. And, frankly, everyone on TV and the papers expressing shock and disbelief at this deal just hasn't been paying attention. This doesn't raise the market for everyone else. Every team in MLB knew that Burnett could and likely would get this type of contract as a free agent. Deal with it. The money is out there, and it's going to get spent. Dec. 6 - 5:22 pm et

Anyone see where he was traded to Baltimore for Steve Kline?

So you're saying the team shouldn't pull the trigger to fill one of the holes because there are too many holes to fill? Isn't that an infinite loop of indecision? No, I'm saying this team has too good of a chance to be crappy next year. Therefore I wouldn't give away maybe our most talented pitching prospect for a 1 year rental in the lead off spot. But if we were set in RF and in the infield and we had no other option for lead off, then I might consider this deal.

If all this team were missing was a centerfielder and lead off hitter then I might consider the trade. But this team has far too many holes to make a trade like this now.

The only problem I have with this is fisrt of all, the bullpen was a glaring hole in my opinion. He had to act fast with the bullpen signings because more than likely those guys were going to be the first to go. I think he was correct in that assesment. Hendry knew there were going to be a lot of options for the outfield via trade. As we're seeing now , that is the case. As for him going so hard after Furcal, It reminds me of a couple of years ago when Tejada was available. We didn't go after him because we had AGon(in house candidate). That turned out to be the wrong move. Now I'm not comparing Furcal to Tejada by any means, but maybe Hendry is just not confident enough with Cedeno to not pusue other options at SS.

Where is your proof? The only quote that I have read from Hendry that had anything to do with Giles at all was this http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-051116 cubs,1,1236145.story?coll=cs-home-headlines I need proof for saying I think Hendry asked about Giles? Are you serious? I think you need to go back and look at what I was responding to. Once again, I never asked anybody to prove anything.

And saying I don't know what I'm talking about, all while basing your theory on no more evidence than I based mine, which is an incredibly rude and arrogant remark. You're right. Sorry for the remark.

Here we go again. It's not okay to question Hendry, instead, let's just bash the people on this board who don't like Hendry's moves. I know what I'm talking about, and I feel very comfortable stating that he put a lot of eggs in the Furcal basket and not enough in the Giles basket. If there were some secret backdoor negotiations that no media outlet picked up on or felt were worth reporting, where Hendry repeatedly tried to convince Giles and his agent to talk to the Cubs in the neighborhood of 3/30 or a little more, then I will admit I was wrong on this one. But I highly doubt that's the case. Instead of just attacking me, why don't you offer up your take on the subject with some sort of logical explanations based on what information is out there? It's not like I just pulled some wild conspiracy theory out of my butt with nothing to base it on. Why are you so interested in what other fans think about the Cubs, instead of what the Cubs are actually doing, or not doing? I'm not attacking you. We all pretty much get the same info when it comes to the offseason. I think Hendry did contact the Giles camp. I think he didn't get the reaction he was looking for so he started to look elsewhere. I do however feel that all along Furcal was priority number 1. I don't however agree with this. Giles was the perfect fit for the cubs, unfortunately he didn't want to come here. Hendry still has time to turn this thing around though. Ideally he could keep the infield intact, trade for Bradley and Wilkerson, then sing Millwood(assuming Williams is traded). Make those moves, or similar moves and imo we're in the playoffs. Then what is with all the "where is the proof" "you don't know what you're talking about" BS. You have no more proof than I do, but it's okay for you to state your opinion and not me? I have to wait until I have iron-clad proof before I write about what I think happened based on every report that has been made available? I never said "where's the proof". You said Hendry did not go after Giles. I said how do you know this. All I'm doing is disagreeing with you. I think Hendry did ask about Giles.

How exactly do you know this? Is it that hard for you to accept that maybe, just maybe, Giles didn't want to play for Chicago? It's very hard for me to accept that Hendry apparantly didn't even try to talk him into the move, like other GMs have done with players who used to be against playing for that team. Like I asked before, How exactly do you know this? Well, we didn't get Giles, so that alone says he didn't do enough. But no, I don't know this as fact. None of this crap we talk about is known as fact. But any reasonable person who has read up on the situation would have to come to the conclusion that Hendry didn't really try hard to get Giles. If you disagree with that statement, or the statement that he did try really hard to get Furcal, than go right ahead and say it. But don't ask me to prove every statement, or else make sure you do that to every other poster who makes an educated assumption based on several reports by many baseball media outlets. I just don't think you know what you're talking about. That's all. You claimed Hendry didn't put enough eggs in Giles's basket. I was just wondering how you knew this. Nick, Goony doesn't know what he's talking about anymore than you know what you are talking about, and I don't have any facts to back up anything I'm talking about. No one here is Jim Hendry. Goony is free to make his own assumptions of whether Hendry tried aggressively to get Giles or not. He's not calling you out for believing that Hendry did everything in his power to get Giles. Therefore, there is no reason for you to call him out for believing that Hendry did not do all he could. Disagree or move on. If you prefer to trust that Hendry at least asked about Giles availability, good for you. Some of us don't buy into it, just like a lot of other people won't believe another Chicago Cub injury report. The only thing that will change my mind that Hendry did everything he could to get Giles, would be if he came out publicly and said he offered Giles a 3 year deal that was better than any other offer and Giles turned him down. Personally, I don't know why Hendry didn't offer Giles 3/45m to come to Chicago. No, I can't prove that he didn't make that offer. But, if he did, I'm sure someone would have heard about it. In fact, I'm not so sure Giles would be putting all his equipment back in the same locker he had last year if Hendry did make that offer. To me, and in my opinion only, Hendry wanted Furcal, not Giles. He placed more importance on a lead off hitter, rather than the most productive outfielder on the market. I sure hope someone flat out asks him why he didn't seem interested in Giles at convention this year. Maybe we will get some truth. First of all, please don't tell me when to move on. Second, read my last post.

Here we go again. It's not okay to question Hendry, instead, let's just bash the people on this board who don't like Hendry's moves. I know what I'm talking about, and I feel very comfortable stating that he put a lot of eggs in the Furcal basket and not enough in the Giles basket. If there were some secret backdoor negotiations that no media outlet picked up on or felt were worth reporting, where Hendry repeatedly tried to convince Giles and his agent to talk to the Cubs in the neighborhood of 3/30 or a little more, then I will admit I was wrong on this one. But I highly doubt that's the case. Instead of just attacking me, why don't you offer up your take on the subject with some sort of logical explanations based on what information is out there? It's not like I just pulled some wild conspiracy theory out of my butt with nothing to base it on. Why are you so interested in what other fans think about the Cubs, instead of what the Cubs are actually doing, or not doing? I'm not attacking you. We all pretty much get the same info when it comes to the offseason. I think Hendry did contact the Giles camp. I think he didn't get the reaction he was looking for so he started to look elsewhere. I do however feel that all along Furcal was priority number 1. I don't however agree with this. Giles was the perfect fit for the cubs, unfortunately he didn't want to come here. Hendry still has time to turn this thing around though. Ideally he could keep the infield intact, trade for Bradley and Wilkerson, then sing Millwood(assuming Williams is traded). Make those moves, or similar moves and imo we're in the playoffs.

How exactly do you know this? Is it that hard for you to accept that maybe, just maybe, Giles didn't want to play for Chicago? It's very hard for me to accept that Hendry apparantly didn't even try to talk him into the move, like other GMs have done with players who used to be against playing for that team. Like I asked before, How exactly do you know this? Well, we didn't get Giles, so that alone says he didn't do enough. But no, I don't know this as fact. None of this crap we talk about is known as fact. But any reasonable person who has read up on the situation would have to come to the conclusion that Hendry didn't really try hard to get Giles. If you disagree with that statement, or the statement that he did try really hard to get Furcal, than go right ahead and say it. But don't ask me to prove every statement, or else make sure you do that to every other poster who makes an educated assumption based on several reports by many baseball media outlets. I just don't think you know what you're talking about. That's all. You claimed Hendry didn't put enough eggs in Giles's basket. I was just wondering how you knew this.

How exactly do you know this? Is it that hard for you to accept that maybe, just maybe, Giles didn't want to play for Chicago? It's very hard for me to accept that Hendry apparantly didn't even try to talk him into the move, like other GMs have done with players who used to be against playing for that team. Like I asked before, How exactly do you know this?

How exactly do you know this? Is it that hard for you to accept that maybe, just maybe, Giles didn't want to play for Chicago?

Why don't we wait and see what the Twins gave up before we start ripping Hendry again. You know it is possible that Minnesota could put together a better package than us. Why don't you stop reading things in my post that I didn't write? Where did I rip or even mention Hendry's name? Who were you referring to that dropped the ball? Dusty? I was just assuming since the ball is in Hendry's court, he must have been the one who dropped it. Did I assume wrong? YES Then I apologize. So who dropped the ball?

Why don't we wait and see what the Twins gave up before we start ripping Hendry again. You know it is possible that Minnesota could put together a better package than us. Why don't you stop reading things in my post that I didn't write? Where did I rip or even mention Hendry's name? Who were you referring to that dropped the ball? Dusty? I was just assuming since the ball is in Hendry's court, he must have been the one who dropped it. Did I assume wrong?

Why don't we wait and see what the Twins gave up before we start ripping Hendry again. You know it is possible that Minnesota could put together a better package than us.

Mulder is not from Arkansas, and he's not going to take a home town discount. I figure he's as good as gone. The very formidable rotation of Carpenter, Burnett, Mulder will last just one year, I fear. I really wonder how Reyes will pitch next year.. He's got ace-caliber stuff. Maybe he's ready to step in as the #3 in 2007? If the Cardinals don't win the WS and Mulder leaves after next season, that trade has the potential to go down as one of the worst trades over the last 10 years. I can't explain how happy that makes me feel.

I think I read somewhere that he's been put on the DL 5 times between 2002 and 2005. He may have had only 1 surgery but he's sure not the picture of durability.

I was talking about as a 4th outfielder. I don't want him as a regular either. But he'd be a nice left handed hitter coming off the bench, plus he could be someone nice to spot start at one of the corner spots once every coulple of weeks.

I think I remember some of you used to be somewhat high on this guy. Anyways I would do this deal in a second if it's Welly for Bigbie straight up. Larry Bigbie - OF - Rockies The Rockies offered Larry Bigbie to the Mariners for Yorvit Torrealba and the Indians for Josh Bard, but neither club seems interested right now. The Mariners want pitching in return for Torrealba. The Indians are holding out for Ryan Shealy, which isn't happening. According to the Denver Post, the Rockies also have an offer out for Cubs reliever Todd Wellemeyer. Bigbie might be involved there, too. Dec. 1 - 1:40 pm et

What I don't understand is why everyone assumes that the signing of Eyre automatically puts Rusch in the rotation. Rusch was never going to be our lefty set up man. I'm sure Hendry would trade Williams if the right deal comes along, but right now I think Williams is our 5th starter, with Rusch still in the swing/long relief role. No way is Glendon Rusch guaranteed a spot in the rotation right now.

Because you're misunderstanding my point. It's just as easy for me as it is for you to go to ESPN and see that Burnitz is near the bottom for NL OF's in OPS. My point is he did what he was asked, and I'd rather have a whole team of players like that than Kerry Woods. Please explain "did what he was asked" because I seriously doubt the cubs asked him to suck at hitting.

Uh, I'm sorry? I will tackle your agument that it's not a team game - go ask Ozzie that. This could be the worst argument in message board history. Neifi and Burnitz were two of the worst hitters in baseball last year per their position. How can someone even try and justify that?