C.C.

Well whatever the case it's going to be really interesting to see how all this pans out. Whoever takes the Cubs job is going to have their hands full.

Why is that a more attractive job? Because you'll get to watch expensive players leave after they hit arbitration while managing a team in an empty stadium and having Loria in your ear at all times? No, because right now they have a hell of a lot more talent then us and are very young.

Not the greatest source but here you go... http://bleedcubbieblue.com/ The Marlins also want him and that is the more attractive job. Cubs would have to ante up a bit.

Gary Gillette from ESPN.COM answered my question. Anyone else get the feeling he dislikes the Cubs? Although, it's a pretty funny reply...: cubbiechris (chicago, IL): Who is the Cubs manager in 2007? SportsNation Gary Gillette: (4:06 PM ET ) I think Girardi, but with the full-of-themself mismanagement that is the Cubs' front office, anything is possible. Maybe they'll bring back Tom Treblehorn.

Sounds like Hendry can't win in this scenario. Sucks to be him I guess...

Kevin (Manassas): Do you think Rich Hill is capable of being a solid starting pitcher for the Cubs next year? SportsNation Buster Olney: (3:01 PM ET ) Kevin: All about how he attacks right-handed hitters... Seems like when he struggles, it's because he can't get the ball inside effectively, and when he's good, it's the opposite... But if I were the Cubs, I'd feel good about penciling him in as a No. 4 or No.5 next year, with Prior...

Kevin (Manassas): In your opinion, is Joe Girardi the right man for the Cubs? Do you think he can turn them around? SportsNation Buster Olney: (2:45 PM ET ) Kevin: He's the right man for the job only if Jim Hendry, the GM, wants him. If Jim doesn't want him, he shouldn't hire him, and there seems to be a sense that the Cubs are reluctant. They should not let public pressure dictate this decision; Jim needs to hire the guy he really wants (although his decision to not fire Dusty during this season tells you that maybe he doesn't have the guy -- or can't get the guy -- he really wants).

Today quote from Buster Olney: Kevin (Manassas): Please tell me that the Cubs will do whatever it takes to keep Aramis Ramirez, and will the Cubs go after Soriano? SportsNation Buster Olney: (2:01 PM ET ) Kevin: They're crazy if they don't get it done; they should make a pre-emptive strike right now, because once the guy gets a real sniff of what the market is going to be, he suddenly could be in a position where he's got 5-6 teams with big dollars bidding on him. If the Cubs want to keep him, they might have to make him a Derrek Lee-type offer right now -- because in the end, he may get more than that. Gordon, (Philly, PA): Hey Buster, I've heard lots of talk about possible suitors for Aramis Ramirez if he opts out of Chicago but nothing about the Phillies being one of them. As a team in desperate need of a third baseman and right handed bats (as well as better protection for Ryan Howard), wouldn't he be a perfect fit? Do you think the Phils will make a serious run at acquiring him? SportsNation Buster Olney: (2:13 PM ET ) Gordon: The Phillies make sense, and so do the Angels, the Rangers, the Padres, etc. That's why the Cubs should be working very hard right now to make him an offer he can't refuse.

It's actually quite a different situation. He signed Lee early in the season, when he had incentive to sign early (avoiding the risk that injury would hurt his negotiations). With Aramis the season is over. There's no incentive to sign early. Hendry is up the proverbial creek with Aramis. He's got to sign him and Aramis's agent knows it. Hendry would look like a complete fool if RAM bolts. Not only would he look like a fool, but he would probably be an unemployed fool next fall. There would be too many holes to fill if ARam leaves. He'd be a fool to give ARam a stupid contract because he feels like he has to. Stupid contract? What your idea of a stupid contract? There doesn't seem to be a lot of support for the 5\75m contract I floated. My point isn't about the actual money involved it's a GM doing something stupid because he feels like he has to instead of what he should do. It’s a recipe for disaster. Why would signing RAM be stupid? What should he do?

It's actually quite a different situation. He signed Lee early in the season, when he had incentive to sign early (avoiding the risk that injury would hurt his negotiations). With Aramis the season is over. There's no incentive to sign early. Hendry is up the proverbial creek with Aramis. He's got to sign him and Aramis's agent knows it. Hendry would look like a complete fool if RAM bolts. Not only would he look like a fool, but he would probably be an unemployed fool next fall. There would be too many holes to fill if ARam leaves. He'd be a fool to give ARam a stupid contract because he feels like he has to. Stupid contract? What your idea of a stupid contract?

It's actually quite a different situation. He signed Lee early in the season, when he had incentive to sign early (avoiding the risk that injury would hurt his negotiations). With Aramis the season is over. There's no incentive to sign early. Hendry is up the proverbial creek with Aramis. He's got to sign him and Aramis's agent knows it. Hendry would look like a complete fool if RAM bolts.

I think RAM will get the exact same deal as Lee. If that's not good enough Cubs let him walk. We can't say we have a boatload of money yet because we have no idea what the team salary will be set at in 2007. I'm worried that the TRIB is selling the Cubs, and that could impact the 2007 salary...

I agree. What's lou going to cost 5 million a year? I'd rather spend that money on players.

If Hendry felt he couldn't sign him he would've traded him at the deadline. Right? I'm hoping at least...

Lou Piniella or Girardi??? I'm not sure if I want either of them... If Girardi is fired next Sunday and Baker and the Cubs part ways, Girardi is likely to get an interview from the Cubs, though Lou Piniella remains high on the Cubs' wish list, according to sources. http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cubnt25.html

Twins magic is 3!

Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609240105sep24,1,3202061.story?coll=chi-sportscubs-hed I'm hoping he was scouting Cabrera. :) What's to scout? He's great! Case closed!

Things to make you go hmmm? Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/chi-0609240105sep24,1,3202061.story?coll=chi-sportscubs-hed

Interestingly, Izturis will make about the same as Wells next season. If we would have traded Maddux for an inexpensive prospect, and assuming we have enough to pay for Soriano and Zito and Izturis, we could have just paid for Wells, Zito, Soriano. I don't just mean financially. what do you mean then? I don't think any GM is capable of simultaneously trading for a top trade target and signing the top 2 free agents available. When was the last top level FA we signed? And now we are talking about signing 2 of them? It's not going to happen.

He would no doubt get a similar if not better deal in the open market. If the Cubs offered that deal I'd think he'd take it, if not then he doesn't want to be here...

More about Ram this Morning: http://suntimes.com/output/sports/cst-spt-cub23.html ''It would be a tremendous loss,'' Baker said before the Cubs fell to the Cincinnati Reds 4-2 in a game shortened to five innings at Great American Ball Park because of rain. ''The key word is IF he becomes a free agent,'' Baker said.'' He talked to me briefly and said he likes it here and wants to stay here.'' Get it done Jim!!!!!!!!!

The Twins never spent 100 million, so fans don't have those expectations and minnesota is a small market team. If the Twins could spend 100 million they would. If the Cubs slashed salary to 75 million it would be a insult to the fans. Espically when the W.Sox are spending over 100 million. I can't see the TRIB doing this.

GO HILL!

I understand your point. This year though----there's got to be a drop in revenue. Those stands are looking pretty empty these days. Who knows how many hot dogs are going cold, replica jerseys remaining unsold.....advertisers complaining about the dropping viewership. Trib will never tell us. But some of that has to be happening. Fan interest in this team has dropped through the floor this year. The money was being made despite the losses because throughout the late 90's and early 00's, there was a ton of hope based on the belief in the farm system. Ticket sales increased based on expectations for future success, and the playoff entries just fueled the fire. Those empty seats are hitting home right now, both in terms of a loss of revenue this year (concessions), and expectations for a drop in ticket demand next spring. People bought tickets early when they realized they would be so expensive, and hard to come by, later in a successful year, and nobody wanted to be left out of a championship year. 2004 had high expectations. 2005 were just as high, despite the late season collapse in 2004. 2006 was a case of being forgiving one bad year. But 2007 is a big question mark. The team is in dissarray. Revenue is far from guaranteed. There has to be something to spark expectations, which is ultimately what drives preseason sales demand. A change in managers probably isn't going to do it. The Trib's options are to overhaul the front office, or invest in some big time players, or at least names. Or hopefully sell the team!

BTW - My buddy just heard Murphy on the SCORE say that 3 sources he knows of tell him MacPhail is going to get the boot.