LoneStarCubFan

Why would Baltimore be in a hurry? The longer they wait, the better the offers.

And I don't know why Manny would agree to the deal.

Somebody mentioned a few pages back that the Cardinals message boards were lighting up with possible trades for Tejada. What did these wanna-be GMs want to do with Eckstein if they picked up Tejada? If he's part of the deal who do they expect to lead off for the Cardinals?

There is no "opt out" as you describe it. If he's traded to the Cubs, he can demand that the Cubs trade him next offseason. If they don't or can't, then he can become a free agent on March 15th. Anyway, Tejada can DEMAND all he wants that the Orioles trade him. They don't have to. It's all perfectly fair. My point is, if a player demands a team trade him when they had no intention of doing so, you shouldn't be able to turn around and demand a trade from your new team a year later and become a free agent if they don't.

Novoa, and I don't even think twice about it. Maybe if you go by last years stats alone (even then it's close), but i'll take the LaTroy of '02, '03, or even '04 (hell, even the Cubs '05 version, people only remember the blown saves and not the 3.32 ERA) over the unknown. Dusty so thoroughly screwed up Hawkins' head by forcing him into a role he couldn't handle that I don't think he'd ever pitch effectively at Wrigley again. That's why I'd rather have Novoa.

I mentioned this on another thread but with the Cubs' old scouting director now working as Baltimore's assistant GM he may want to primarily target guys in our farm system right now. Something like Cedeno/Aardsma/Hill/and one minor league bat could very well be the asking price. Wonder what Hendry would say of they wanted both Hill and Guzman as part of any deal? I know Guzman's hurt but Stockstill should have a pretty good idea of Guman's status and he may think it's worth the risk.

Novoa, and I don't even think twice about it.

Has Baltimore picked up a closer to replace B.J. Ryan? I'm thinking the bare minimum would have to be Hill/Cedeno/Williams and probably Aardsma. However, as Bruce Miles mentioned in his column the Cubs' former scouting director, John Stockstill, is now Balitmore's assistant GM so he would have a pretty good idea who he would like to get his hands on out of the Cubs' system. It's entirely possible this deal would only cost one "25-man roster" guy along with two or three high-ceiling prospects. Maybe Cedeno, two pitchers and one bat from the system.

Maybe they want Hairston back...

Wow, Tejada could potentially exploit a pretty massive loophole in the rules regarding long-term contracts. Baltimore had absolutely no intention of trading Tejada this offseason until he DEMANDED a trade. Now if they deal him he can opt out of his contract and become a free agent next year, sign for more money and leave the team who traded for him with nothing. Unless, of course, the team Baltimore trades him to sweetens his deal and gives him more money. All because he FORCED Baltimore to trade him when they had absolutely no intention of doing so. I can't believe MLB hasn't tried to close this loophole. If you demand a trade, you should lose the "opt out" automatically.

I see John Mabry.

I suggested trading for Vidro based on a couple of assumptions: 1. It'd only take Patterson to get him, which it might since Jim Bowden is dumber than dirt. 2. Walker is going to get dealt for Bradley. If Walker doesn't get traded then the Cubs don't need Vidro. Of course if Walker doesn't get traded John Mabry is probably going to be our starting right fielder.

For what it's worth, even if he didn't pitch in those meaningless games in August he still might not be ready for Opening Day anyway. But that doesn't change the fact that Dusty's still an idiot.

corey=laynce nix jmho I'm just basing this on what has been written about Nix in the papers but he seems to have the same hard-headedness problem that Corey does. That put him in Showalter's doghouse pretty quick. Much like Corey he looks to have all the ability in the world and he's a great glove guy but he looks clueless at the plate and the impression is he wants to do things his way.

I think that's just speculation by the writer. No way the Cubs would want Nix. But it's entirely possible the Rangers want him to be part of the deal though.

NO, NO, NO. If Walker gets dealt for Bradley who would you rather see at 2B? Neifi or Vidro? I'm thinking Bowden would be dumb enough to take Patterson for Vidro btw.

No, I was thinking Vidro at 2B in Chicago.

Jose Vidro anyone?

So right now, the 25-man looks like this, assuming Baker wises up and goes with an 11-man pitching staff: C: Barret 1B: Lee 2B: Walker SS: Cedeno 3B: Ramirez LF: Murton CF: Pierre RF: Open Blanco- R Mabry- L Perez- S Hairston- R Patterson- L One TBA Zambrano Prior Wood Maddux Rusch Dempster- R Eyre- L Howry- R Williamson- R Ohman- L Wuertz- R Of the guys on this list Patterson and Walker would be the most likely candidates to be moved by the time camp opens up. If Baker goes with a 12-man staff I guess No. 12 would be either Novoa, Williams or Wellemeyer with Williams being the most likely one of the three to be included in a trade. Now, assuming Walker is part of any deal for a RF, can Hendry afford not to pick up a starting 2B or SS based on what the 40-man looks like right now? If Walker goes, Perez moves into the starting line-up and the bench is now Blanco, Mabry, Patterson and Hairston with one or two open spots depending on how many pitchers Baker carries. Assuming Patterson is shown the door as well all we're left with is Blanco, Mabry, Hairston and maybe Neifi if a 2B or SS is found. If not, Neifi is still in the line-up. I guess the question is, what's available from the bargain bin to fill out the roster? I can't see Baker going with Theriot and Moore as two of his bench guys.

Worse than Duhollansboisgerutlawton/CP/Burnitz? Please. That outfield would be a massive upgrade over last year. I don't understand the Juan Pierre hate around here.

No. It's beginning to look like Dusty's pet will start at 2B after all. And bat second.

One of the yahoo's on Baseball Tonight thought Soriano would end up as the Dodgers 2nd baseman. Not sure who the yahoo in question is but he's right.

Panama must really suck if Macias is already assured of a roster spot.

Buck Martinez will be the U.S. manager. Coaching Staff Davey Johnson Reggie Smith Marcel Lacheman Ken Griffey Sr.

Surely the Rangers are offering a boatload of prospects along with Mench otherwise Billy Beane probably ruptured a kidney from laughing so hard at John Daniels' initial offer.