WrigleyinEngland

Ok, i'm no pitching guru but his FB just doesn't locate as it use to. I don't know if that's due to his mechanics or injuries. It's too high in the zone with zero movement.

Is the gun right?? 79 on one of those FB's

I just can't figure Angel out, he hits 95 on the gun has a nice curve that he can get over yet they knew what was coming. The at bat against uribe was ridiculous it was as if Guz was pointing to his spots. I haven't given up on guzman nailing the 5th spot i just think he needs a little better pitch selection on the 0-2 counts.

Big Murt!!!!

Nice from the guz, regularly at 94 and getting those ground balls all looks good....so far

"I didn't know what the talent level was here," Piniella said of a team that went 66-96 last season. "I'm learning the talent level here ... and I'm beginning to recognize there's a lot of work to be done. "I didn't talk about wins and losses. I talked about how I expect them to play when the umpire says 'Play Ball.' " He had an early message to his players, one that he hopes changes the tone of Chicago's spring training. "You know what? You want a job?" Piniella said. "Go out and earn one." This snippet is after the team meeting that took place. The first statement about the talent level got me thinking. Is he talking about players not having the effort and desire or is this a swipe at management that the players we have assembled are clearly not good enough?. In previous statements he's talked about how grateful he is to Hendry for spending and aquiring talent yet he now seems dis-pleased with what he sees. Part of me thinks that this might just be Lous pep talk and rally cry but i wonder wheather we are actually getting an honest insight in to what baker had assembled these last few years (letting guys take it easy and not earn thier spot) and the general apathy that surrounded the team. I take it the last statement is aimed at guys like Cedeno,Moore,Theriot and Pie. This is going to be one hell of a ride with Lou and i can see some Vets suffering. This isn't going to be Bakers chill out pad any longer. I don't think guys like Prior can expext to ease back in to things, if you're not producing he's going to get you out of here, watch out Mr Dempster that Kid K behind you!!! 8-)

I'm saving all my profanities for the first month of the season when the fonz goes down with an injury bug that bites all our fave players until we are watching cedeno-izturis-Pagan-Blanco everyday with a rotation of O'Malley,Karonkas brother (joke!) and Mark prior now throwing left handed because his other arm no longer works. gotta love those dog days of summer!!!!!!! 8-) 8-)

Don't like the sound of 'Lee checking out his wrist'

come on Marquis we need a 1-2-3 ....damn poet i am!!!!

Fast starting A-ram ....K???? :D

Here we go D-Lee Bad-a-Bing!!!!!

Let's go Big Murt........

Whats the call on Sorianos 1st AB i'm going K....

My prediction of a 1st inning run is worryingly good....

Nice D Derosa................

I got Marquis to give up at least a run in the first........

Woooo hoooo!!!!! 2007 is here and i'll be the first to say it....this is the year!!!!!!!

'i'll be there for both...sections 219 and 224' look out for an england flag with 'all the way from england for ron and the cubs' that'll be us!!!

YEEEEEEEEESSSS!! all the way from little 'ol england we'll be there for the reds and san diego games!!! who's up for a beer???!!!!!

I know the price of FA pitching is a joke but if that's what it takes to trade for an average starter i'll keep gallagher and Veal and take my chances on Lilly and Prior staying healthy.

From this mornings Sun-times........... 'Sources say he continued talks with the Washington Nationals about center fielder Ryan Church' Is Church an upgrade over Jones?? Would the Nats take Jones in a straight swap?? Would Church be our starting CF?

What angers me most about this is the O's assumption that when we make a trade we just clear out the trash and take whatever they offer. On certain baltimore messege boards they are asking why on earth the cubs would do this. Trades shouldn't be about ripping off a team it should be about 'good baseball deals'. The Cotts-Ardsma trade is a good example as both players project similarly and will have a better chance to play at the other club. As cubs fans we are often told we overvalue our own prospects well if we do what the hell do Tamps and Baltimore do?. They always want to 'sell' trades in order to passify their fanbase, so unless they can rip a team off they don't deal truely pathetic.............

Newham??WTF??!!! I'm sick of Baltimore let's deal with a club that realises Jones contract and production don't deserve pathetic offers like that. I would offer Jones,Marshall,Ryu and another PTBNL for Church and Kearns and i would expect a yes from bowden.

'Then Lilly, who I view as better than Guz/Marshall/Mateo/Marmol' I agree at this point Lilly is better than those listed but in terms of stuff and ceilings Guzman and Marmol may have the chance to make Ted look like a little league pitcher.

I think we're getting to the point of realisation that we had so many holes this weak FA class was nowhere near adequate to fill them all. To get over the top we are going to need Murton,Hill,Wood,Prior, and one of Guzman,Marshall, Marmol to step up and realise their potential or in the case of wood and Prior stay healthy. Way to many if,buts and maybes for me.........