C.C.

That's exactly what they said! They said that Cuban's realistic chances of being approved are very slim. Baseball owners, first and foremost, care about the value of their franchises. They will question his antics, but they will think long and hard before subverting the potential sale of a ballclub for significant profit. Virtually everyone of these owners will, at one point, sell their team. And they will want others owners to approve the sale of their team. Not at all because if the Cubs are truly for sale, finding a buyer won't be difficult. That is why the other owners can be selective. Very true...But then again if Cuban is the highest bidder how could they say no, if it drives up their teams price.

I can't see the other owners allowing it. Cuban is too vocal for baseball.

No way, no how are the Cardinals going to lay down the money it'll take to get Clemens.

NL East Winner: Phils NL Central: Chicago Cubs NL West: LA Dodgers NL Wild Card: Arizona Diamondbacks AL East: Boston AL Central: Cleveland AL West: LA Angels AL Wild Card: Yanks ALCS: Boston over Angels NLCS: Cubs over Phils World Series: Cubs over Boston

No one beats Wood in that department.

And for a Cub fan, that's usually it. Well played...

I know you're just doing this to protect yourself from being let down, but what's the point? I'd say it's extremely likely that that won't be the case. Granted, something could come up, but you could say that about anybody. Given Prior's history, I can see how there's cause for concern, but nothing that has actually happened leading up to this spring and so far in camp could lead you to believe that. If I had to put money on Prior either starting on time, or not making his first start until June, based on what we know right now, I'd have to go with the former. I'm not criticizing you or anything. I just don't understand it. It reminds me of the guy on the Score (I think it's Offman) who refuses to put the Cubs anywhere above 3rd place in his predictions this year even though he openly concedes that the Cubs are probably a better team than the rest of the division. He just "can't" put them ahead of the Cardinals or Astros. Whatever. He claims they were too bad last year and that it's too hard to go from worst to first, which really makes no sense. Besides, where's the fun in setting yourself up for the worst case scenario? Sports would be absolutely no fun for me if I started out every season expecting my team to finish in last place. Half the fun is the preseason anticipation/optimism, for me, at least. So you won't get disappointed. Even though that never works.

Unlike Dusty and his staff trying to get Murton to pull the ball for power.

YES! That's great news! PLEASE BE HEALTHY!!!!!!

I am too. I believe Cotts will handle the long relief/spot starter slot very well this year. That is great news. Hopefully Cotts can rebound from last year.

Not really... http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior..... just trying to be positive....someties its hard. Just have low expectations and you'll keep your sanity. I honestly feel if he does make it back he won't be in the 2003-04 form nor will he last the entire year. Just a feeling and I pray and hope I'm wrong. 2005 Prior was also good. Last year is the only truly horrible season he's had. You're right...2005 he was good, but I still don't think his health is going to hold up to support even those numbers.

Not really... http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc yeah, but that article had a picture of Wood throwing...and just a "Rothschild said" when speaking of Prior..... just trying to be positive....someties its hard. Just have low expectations and you'll keep your sanity. I honestly feel if he does make it back he won't be in the 2003-04 form nor will he last the entire year. Just a feeling and I pray and hope I'm wrong.

Not really... http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060224&content_id=1321928&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

When you're trying to build a team up through FA, you have to make those low cost / potentially high return moves. We could go the other route and just trade away our prospects... Or use the prospects. Honestly, has this type of activity really worked? It takes away a roster spot and also takes away some young guy from getting innings too. I see a lot of complaints about Perez and his 2.5 and Macias and his contract but these guys that don't come close to panning out get a free ride from complaints. And I really don't consider all the money the Cubs have spent on Miller to really be low cost. Yes, it does work; for the Cubs as well as other teams. It's a good gamble. The reality is, Miller has been on the DL, more often than not, during his brief time with the Cubs so it can hardly be argued that his presence has prevented the team from using its prospects. If the Cubs can't extend Z because of the $1M+ they have given Miller, thus far, then they have big problems. I doubt that's the case. Didn't they pay him last year and are paying him this year? Miller has been on the 40 man roster or am I wrong? Yes, last year he made $1M. This year's deal is $1.5M plus incentives. So if he amounts to nothing the Cubs have only gambled $2.5M because the incentives wouldn't be earned. Again, that's not going to keep them from extending Zambrano. It's totally low risk with a potential high reward for a guy with a decent ML track record. If a team can catch lighting in a bottle and help a guy resurrect his career, it's worth it. If not they part ways amicably. So you're ok with losing 2.5 plus (yes, it costs money to rehab) off the payroll? Z asks for 17 and the Cubs top off at 14.5, what's the difference? I see it as a waste of money especially since Miller was a power pitcher to begin with. Spending 2.5 million dollars (the past two years) on a pitcher that has a low risk-high reward is not that big of a deal, when our payroll combined those two years was around 200 million.

Wade Miller was worth the 1M risk. I have no problem with that. Marquis on the other hand....

Can't wait to see what this kid does this year.

I find it interesting that Lou always seems to call Rothschild "the pitching coach." I wonder what, if anything, is behind that. Perhaps because he is the pitching coach?

I JUST GOT WOOD!!!!!! http://www.gibson.com/Whatsnew/pressrelease/2003/images/KerryWood.jpg

link Sounds good to me.

It's not only Chicago. NY and Boston are the same way. Yeah. Mark me down as not wanting to follow NY and Boston's lead......on much of anything. I'd like to follow their lead in winning a World Series...

It's not only Chicago. NY and Boston are the same way.

For some. Not everybody. Exceptions don't always make the rule. Please. No one, at any job, ever, goes 100% all of the time. Espically if they are posting right now...

Seriously? This is what people care about? Why even bring this up. I think just about everyone that post here knows the importance of Ram. Good or bad, he's going to have this label through-out his career as a Cub. No reason to beat a dead horse.

They're not a lock, but they're definitely in good shape going in. The only thing that would really hurt them if they lost tonight is how they'd matchup against a team like DePaul's resume. If they won tonight, DePaul would have swept ND on the season, and improved their conference record. They have cupcakes left on their schedule after ND, and could very well finish 10-6 in conference. So DePaul would have a better conference record, would have completed a season sweep, and have major wins over Kansas, Marquette, and ND twice. All that hinges on them winning out though. latest bracketology has 7 (I think) Big East teams getting in, with 8th ranked Villanova getting in over 7th ranked DePaul. There is work to be done. Hopefully the conflict between the 2nd half and American Idol won't be a moot point.... Depaul needs to win out. If we can just get past ND we got a shot at it.