oldcubsfan

I think Atlanta is doing a great job. They really picked off Boston. They now pay $6 mil for one of last years hottest free agents and gave up an unproven guy that they had no position for. Saved $4 mil over signing Furcal and got a great SS.

I think trying to say that Andy has no right to be involved in contract talks is rather illogical and naive. The Cubs just went through the Sammy thing, Andy was very much involved. Just like Hendry should tell Dusty, I got you this guy to be the starting LF, Andy should get involved. I would be pissed if they came up $500,000 short for 3 years on a really good player like Giles who would fill a big need position, but that's because they would have failed to sign a really good player at a big need position, not because Andy "stuck his nose where it didn't belong." Talk about hyperbole. He's not the president's wife determining tax policy. He's very much involved, and should be. Everybody has different levels of input. The top guy should have final say, and get involved when he things it's necessary, that is why he is the top guy. It's not like he's muddling up every move they try to make. If Hendry was willing to trade Pie, Hill, Guzman and Pawelek for Scott Podsednik because he knew he had to "win now" or lose his job, I'd expect Andy to step in and enforce organizational philosophy. Nothing naive or illogical about it. This isn't a spot for MacPhail to initiate his clause as the enforcer. Furcal's contract demands would've fit under the Cubs budget, I'm sure both him and Hendry both agreed that Furcal should be the main target. Now, there would be no doubt that it would have been overpaying, but that Hendry's mistake to potentially make. I also disagree with Hendry telling Dusty who he should play and who he shouldn't, leave it up to Dusty regradless of how much I disagree with it. If they were in conjunction that Furcal is the prime target, whomever decided against increasing the offer crossed the line as far as interfering. Called a hyperbole or whatever stupid remark you want, but that should've been a Hendry decision w/out someone stepping in. It is up to the GM to set the parameters. Hoops, by saying you're glad they didn't spend extra to get Furcal, either you're content with upper management clouding the role of Hendry or you're ignoring the principle of it. You seem to be basing the whole argument on the premise that little georgie is accurate. I find that a huge stretch. George guaranteed people that Maddux wouldn't sign with the Cubs, god, he even missed the Marte trade today. He is not a good source and he works for a lousy, inaccurate, biased station. I wouldn't put two cents into his claim. History shows that they aren't reliable.

I agree with you, they have stockpiled pitchers. People always want pitching and they will be able to trade for position players when they get to a real major league city.

Is there anyone on the radio in Chicago that likes the Cubs? It really is a very short list. Kaplan, and one or two guys on MVP. The score sure seems to have it in for the Cubs, even before they got the Sox contract.

Little Georgie making up stuff again?

To answer your question-no. But he's there to replace Nunez.

I respectfully disagree my friend. While not being the sub 2.00 era and 20+ win seasons, Maddux typically always gives you enough to win a game. He is an amazing pitcher ... just takes him about 7, 8 starts to warm up. I do recall a <95 pitch performance against the Brewers last September that was an absolute masterpiece to watch! I'll take him as our 5th starter anyday of the week, and twice on Sunday's! Not only that, he takes a lot of salary out of the Houston budget. The way he pitched last year, he's sure not done yet.

Well, Nomar is getting no interest using him at SS, so why not RF? Either Pierre or Lofton leading off and Walker at 2nd with Cedeno at SS. Acquire another pitcher and leave the cash until midseason to fill whatever needs during salary dump time.

For the same reason the Mets didn't-worries about his hip. Can someone tell me what is wrong with Cedeno's play at SS? I don't understand why the cubs are in such a hurry to get another SS? Is his defense that bad?

Ronny is murding the pitching in Venzeula this Winter. I'd say he is going to be able to fill SS if need be. Yeah, I'm glad he's hitting, but do you equate the Venezeula league with the majors?

I never said he was a bum. He is a good SS but I think not worth 13 mill a year when the Cubs have a SS who can produce a large fraction of his output for a small fraction of his price. Let me ask you a question Do you go to the doctor? just bare with me, I promise not to insult you in any way. What the heck does that mean? BTW, how do you know what Cedeno will produce?

I hope Cedeno is better than DuBois, Choi, Hill, Kelton, whoever that rule 5 relief pitcher that everyone loved-Jason (MIT)?, turned out to be. But when you have a huge hole to fill, I'll take a proven player rather than rolling the dice.

For the Cubs to solve problems, he is worth a good amount, whatever that turns out to be. Your selective use of stats is entertaining, but not complete. Help me see the light then. How much is a good amount? Select some stats that shows he is worth 13m a year? Throw me a freaking bone I guess you are right, he's a bum. We sure don't need him. Everyone evaluates worth differently. DePo thought laughably that JD Drew was worth 55 mil for 5 years with his injury history. I guess while he collects his checks, while looking for a new career, he can say his numbers told him to do it. That's the problem with the selective use of stats. The whole world knows JD is fragile, but the stats said it was a good idea. Your use of a selective stat is the same thing.

For the Cubs to solve problems, he is worth a good amount, whatever that turns out to be. Your selective use of stats is entertaining, but not complete.

Typical from the score, I just read the article and there is nothing in it about a trade. Phil says that the Cubs MAY make a pitch for Burnett, which would then possibly make Wood available. He's speculating on that, then it says Beane might be interested in Soriano and then the Cubs could possibly trade him for Zito. The damn score didn't even buy the paper!! You read the article that's not in the paper until tomorrow :?: :!: :?: :!: :?: Maybe where YOU live they don't sell the early edition of the Sunday paper on Saturday, he here in the big city, it comes out Saturday morning. Yes, but the sports section is usually held back until Sunday or else your Sunday paper doesn't have Saturday's scores in it. The columns are in it. I don't care about the scores, I get that on the net. So where you are they sell a paper without the sports section? Where the heck are you?

It is certainly not much of a drop, I don't have the stats in front of me but i'm pretty certain Walker gets on base at a better clip than Soriano and their defense is probably equal. And Soriano knocks in more runs, scores more runs and hits more homers. OBP is not the only thing in baseball, unless you bat 1st or 2nd. You need run producers to knock in the OBP guys. Even billy Beane acknowledges that.

What upgrade at 2nd? Walker? Don't think that is an upgrade.

Well, it's not really that. It's that people talk about trading Wood like it's easy. First off, he's coming fof a shoulder surgery. He doesn't have all that much value right now. Why would you trade low like that? Also, ignoring the NTC is stupid and lazy journalism. His wife is from Waukegan, they're expecting their first child, so why would he waive it and move his family to Texas? That's what it is. I just look at it as a trade rumor . No need to take shots at Phil Rogers or the Score, they are simply doing the same thing many of us do on the board everyday, which is to speculate or discuss trade ideas. The idea of trading Wood to the Rangers is one that has been floating around for awhile, presumably because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching. First, if you're going to speculate, do at least the bare minimum of research if you're hosting a radio show. That's what they are paid to do, and that's what should be expected of them. Next, just because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching doesn't mean beans. Everyone needs pitching, and no one on our roster is from Chicago except for Hairston. Are there ill informed rumors about them? People have had it out for Wood for a few years in this town. I'm not shocked that people would pick up on such an obviously stupid rumor and run with it, but professionals should know better than to spout ignorant and poorly educated opinions. Sorry, but I don't see this rumor as being any worse than some of the other garbage reported this off season. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that the Cubs are shopping Wood. If Wood has a NTC, they would have to at least send him to a team they thought he would accept a trade to (which Texas is probably one of them). BTW is Wood's trade clause a full no trade or a partial no trade? I think the main thing is the surgery. Why trade for someone if you don't even know if he can throw yet?

Typical from the score, I just read the article and there is nothing in it about a trade. Phil says that the Cubs MAY make a pitch for Burnett, which would then possibly make Wood available. He's speculating on that, then it says Beane might be interested in Soriano and then the Cubs could possibly trade him for Zito. The damn score didn't even buy the paper!! You read the article that's not in the paper until tomorrow :?: :!: :?: :!: :?: Maybe where YOU live they don't sell the early edition of the Sunday paper on Saturday, he here in the big city, it comes out Saturday morning.

I emailed them, but it is the score and they never let the facts get in the way of giving their half baked opinions. They are embarrassing as a sports station.

So have half the hosts on the Score. I just called The Score and when asked what my comment was going to be I told them that because of Wood's NTC the Cubs have to get his permission before a trade can be completed. The phone screener asked someone else in the room if Kerry had a NTC (insulting), then came back to me and said no he doesn't because he's not a 5-10 guy! I insisted that he did and that clown disconnected my line. I wish someone else would tell those fools the truth. Holmes and Cannelias are talking like the Cubs can ship Kerry out without his consent. :? :x Lou Canelis is a low rent loser. He's been fired numerous times. He hasn't even read the paper. Just a loser, but then again, he fits in with the score.

Typical from the score, I just read the article and there is nothing in it about a trade. Phil says that the Cubs MAY make a pitch for Burnett, which would then possibly make Wood available. He's speculating on that, then it says Beane might be interested in Soriano and then the Cubs could possibly trade him for Zito. The damn score didn't even buy the paper!!

More fantasy from good old Phil. I think he spends his time making up trades all by himself. Why would anyone trade for a pitcher who JUST had shoulder surgery and hasn't thrown yet? More nonsense from the worst baseball guy in the city.

They need to open up a space on the 40 man roster.

You can use background info to help decide who to hire. Most companies feel character counts. the laws governing background info in the hiring process are strictly defined. allegations from newspapers are not valid reasons for denying unemployment. convictions are. how would you like it if someone accused you wrongly of spousal abuse and you were no longer allowed to hold any job other than a cook at McDonalds? after all, character counts. You sound like a law student who seems to know the basics, but companies don't have to tell you why you aren't hired. They just choose the other candidate. Most jobs create numerous applicants and it is very easy to screen out those you aren't comfortable with. Yup. I was going to say the Cubs could go that route, but the whole debate arose from people saying we shouldn't acquire players like Bradley, who have haven't been convicted of a crime. If Chicago didn't want to hire Bradley, they wouldn't even have to show an interest, much less give a reason for passing him up. I was just saying that, legally, you can't deny someone employment based on allegations alone (this would obviously have to be provable in any legal action), since posters seemed to be unfairly labeling Mr. Bradley as a spouse abuser. It would be easy for Chicago to get rid of Bradley should he become a problem. I don't see the logic in avoiding him b/c of a "moral stance" on spouse abuse. It doesn't improve the world one bit denying him a spot in Wrigley. He's going to make his money somewhere and is going to abuse his spouse (worst case scenario) wherever he lives. He does have injury concerns and that is a very valid reason not to want him in Wrigley. I don't think it is moral (lol) to punish someone for alleged misconduct. I agree with you. The main reasons to pass on him has been his disruptive past with two other clubs.