mg420

Would you make the same argument about a GM like Jim Bowden? Does the fact that every GM holds a GM position automatically make them well qualified and more baseball intelligent? And Bowden is just evidence that once you're inside the inner circle of MLB, you can stay there for a long, long time. regardless of how one gm compares to the others, i think its safe to say that not one person on this board has the slightest clue as to what it takes to be the gm of a major leauge team. baseball intelligence is one thing when it comes to throwing around idea's on a message board and quite another when one is dealing with a real business, real players and real $.

Without a doubt. Considering his recent health, I wouldn't be surprised to see him take a 2 year extension and run. Could be a wise business decision. Washington is a team without an owner and as such is in no position to be offering contract extensions like this. This "deal" is not in the realm of possibility. Bruce, since the wood deal is virtually impossible, what about williams instead as someone else suggested? perhaps williams, wuretz & walker would be enough to get vidro & church from the nats?

huff is not a good option imo. he's a butcher in the field & guzman is too much to give up for him. i would much rather see wilkerson in rf. if not brad, maybe giving corey another shot & batting him 7th is not a bad idea. with pinto & nolasco gone, hill & guzman are just about the only minor league guys ready (or almost ready in guzman's case because of his health issues) to step up in the majors in case of injury.

they also seem to have some errors. look up matt murton and his ops for aa and aaa are his ba + slg instead of obp + slg. the major league # is correct at .907 though. same thing with cedeno's aaa ops & epatt's #'s.

It just seems to me that there's quite a bit of circumstantial evidence that Giles told his agent, "I'm going back to SD. Get me the best deal you can.". There's also a lot of circumstantial evidence that Hendry never tried, or at least never had serious interest in going that route. You're going to lose on free agents like we did with Furcal, but showing some effort to try to get the best option available for that position would be great. I don't discount the trade route. But a bunch of garbage/mediocrity for a superstar is not especially realistic. I would have hoped that something like Williams, Novoa, and Ryu/Marmol might have been able to get Wilkerson from Texas, but it seems like Daniels may have developed an unnatural attachment to Wilkerson. Hundley turned into Grudz. Garbage for quality player. Bobby Hill turned into Aramis Ramirez. Garbage/Mediocrity for All-Star caliber player. Choi for Lee. Garbage/Mediocity for arguably the best position player in the National League last season. It happens. How is it therefore unrealistic? perhaps it was because he knew giles only wanted to go back to SD. why sould he waste his time on talking to someone who's not interested in playing for the cubs?

but what were the power alleys & cf in yankee stadium? it was alot more than 367 & 400. in fact, wasnt it like 460 to cf before they moved in the fence & built the shrine?

If you can point to one article written by any news source that Hendry has been interested in any Pacific Rim player since Hee Sop Choi and Jae Kuk Ryu I'd really like to see it/them. Untill then the absence of evidence does equal the evidence of absence no matter what Dick Cheney wants us to believe. there are a huge amount of things that go on in baseball that do not and will not ever get reported. that does not mean they dont happen. that is a very naive way to think imo.

Since when did everything have to be proven as fact in order to post here? From the day I started posting here, I've always been under the impression that a message board was about expressing one's opinions. The problem isn't Goony providing facts to back up his opinion, but rather your lack of ability to provide baseball discussion in a baseball discussion forum. Since you know already that Goony cannot back up his opinion with fact, instead of calling him out, why don't you just disagree with his opinion and provide some opinions of your own. Opinions that discuss the topic at hand, of course, rather than trying to run down another poster. i think the issue is that people's assumptions are being posted as if they are facts and these assumptions are the basis of their arguments.

That didn't go to show anybody anything. What is the point you are trying to make? Is there one, or are you just trying to start stuff with me, again? i guess you are speaking for eveyone then.

You read that whole post and that's the line you respond to? And you don't even respond, just leave a smartass line? Do we have to get into this fact or not a fact debate everytime signings are debated? The Cubs have not rumored to be serious in talks with any Japanese players in recent years. They haven't gotten any, while supposedly lesser GM's like Williams has. And the whole point of that Iguchi mention was to point out that with the Money saved from dealing the much overrated Carlos Lee, KW got Pods, Dye and Iguchi, who combine to make less money, while Dye alone is more productive. But if you want to ignore the actual debate and just harp on semantics, go right ahead. it just goes to show how assumptions stated as facts can be misleading. if you want to call that semantics be my guest. i also consider it a valid question and not a "smartass line". whos to say that williams is a supposedly lesser gm btw-he's the one with the ws ring. unless one subscribes to the fact that he's not good but lucky (which is VERY hard to do in a full season & post season in baseball imo).

Way to gloss over the points that don't support your theory. What about Iguchi, a Japanese player. Hendry and the Cubs haven't even thought about bringing in Japanese players. If you call the $8m Lee's line of .265/.324/.487 very good for a LF, then Iguchi's .278/.342/.438 at 2.3m from 2B is great. Iguchi, Pods and Dye combined to make less than Lee, while Dye (.274/.333/.512) outperformed Lee on his own. Like I said, individual deals can be debated forever. But they don't matter. What matters is the total package. Williams has done a much better job with the total package than Hendry, and he's done more to improve his team this offseason than Hendry, and he apparantly still has plenty of youth to both add to next years roster plus trade for more parts. And Kenny did all this with a payroll $25m below Hendry's. That right there is a huge fact that people like to pretend doesn't exist. Williams has to make due with an average payroll, he's had an above average team every year, and built a great one last year. Hendry has had a top 5 payroll every year, and has had either an above or below average team as a result, never greatness, and it doesn't look to be coming. Hendry's extra $25m can be used to bring in a sure thing corner OF and allow you not to take the downgrade from Lee to Pods. Hendry's extra money should be an asset. So far it has not been. you know this as a fact because... Because the Cubs have regressed every year since 2003? hendry hasnt even thought about bringing in japanese players because the cubs have regressed every year since 2003? i dont get the connection.

Way to gloss over the points that don't support your theory. What about Iguchi, a Japanese player. Hendry and the Cubs haven't even thought about bringing in Japanese players. If you call the $8m Lee's line of .265/.324/.487 very good for a LF, then Iguchi's .278/.342/.438 at 2.3m from 2B is great. Iguchi, Pods and Dye combined to make less than Lee, while Dye (.274/.333/.512) outperformed Lee on his own. Like I said, individual deals can be debated forever. But they don't matter. What matters is the total package. Williams has done a much better job with the total package than Hendry, and he's done more to improve his team this offseason than Hendry, and he apparantly still has plenty of youth to both add to next years roster plus trade for more parts. And Kenny did all this with a payroll $25m below Hendry's. That right there is a huge fact that people like to pretend doesn't exist. Williams has to make due with an average payroll, he's had an above average team every year, and built a great one last year. Hendry has had a top 5 payroll every year, and has had either an above or below average team as a result, never greatness, and it doesn't look to be coming. Hendry's extra $25m can be used to bring in a sure thing corner OF and allow you not to take the downgrade from Lee to Pods. Hendry's extra money should be an asset. So far it has not been. you know this as a fact because...

Maybe, but the thing is, they don't have to. The Cubs are the team in dire straits. The Sox are sitting pretty, and have already significantly improved their team this year. The Cubs are in the crapper, and have made minimal improvements. funny how last year when the season started most experts & fans thought the situation was exactly the opposite with the cubs favorites & the sox going nowhere. the season doesnt start for a long time and there are still free agents out there who can help the cubs and trades to be made. i cant see giving up on the season because of how the team looks on paper (especially not in december!).

Personally I don't like it at all. The Cubs have arlready given away 2 near major league ready pitchers to the Marlins, and our system isn't exactly loaded with talented, major league ready prospects. If you throw Cedeno, Guzman, and Hill in there, about the only prospects who could make an impact on this club (in the next year or two) are Murton, Pie, and E Pat. Conventional wisdom tells me that at least one (maybe 2 ) will never be better than average so that leaves this team with one impact young player. Now factor in the fact the Cubs have SEVERAL key players with contract years/big rasies in the offing (Pierre - if they keep him, DLee, Prior, Zambrano, A-Ram, Wood - if they keep him, possibly Barrett, etc.) and you realize they simpley CAN'T afford to make this trade. That would mean (assuming DLee is extended) a good $30 mil would be allocated to the infield, with RF still being a gaping hole. Although TribCo Could find the money if they wanted to, we all know that they limit their spending. What I'm trying to say is at some point the Cubs (I'm talking to you Dusty) have to bite the bullet and play some of their younger players. You simply can't afford to have no infusion of young talent and expect to succeed. The Cardinals may be an exception, but look at the Yankees. Although we all know they've spent their money rather foolishly, much of their demise is associated with their inability to groom and foster their young talent. Once their mid 90s prospects began to age (and decline), we've seen the toll its taken on this team. Now they're to the point where even THEY can't afford to keep signing the "best" free agents out there. It's pretty much ruined there team. And, believe it or not, the Cubs are quickly approaching the quagmire. In 2 years most of our current key players (Lee, Aram close, Pierre, Walker - if he stays, Miggy - if he comes, possibly RF) will be on the wrong side of 30. Imo we need young players and we need some NOW. Besides, I have the feeling Cedeno is going to be the real deal. It would be a shame to throw him in a deal now. i agree with this. with all the tejada talk i would be happy if the cubs signed mueller to play 2b & traded wuretz, walker, & a prospect like ryu to the rangers for wilkerson and kept hill & guzman. after 2006 wood & maddux will most likey be gone and starting pitching will be a concern. i have no doubts that cedeno & murton will do well if given the chance to start every day in the majors.

I don't really think it's because the Cubs don't want Todd, because they do (and should). But part of the problem is the Cubs aren't viewed to have a lot of positional ready prospects who could serve as trade bait. Add this to the fact they have an oft injured pitching staff (so they need all the MLB ready pitchers they can get), and the Cubs just don't have a lot of appealing tradeable commodities. Then there's Todd. A left handed bat who hits for good numbers, is versatile densively (even it below-average at every position), is a great clubhouse personality, and has enough integrity to where his salary isn't ridiculous. Bottom line is the Cubs would pry LOVE to keep Todd, AND be able to trade for what they want, but its just not a very plausible scenario. What maybe the only saving grace for Todd is the Cubs 05 lineup. Although its definately not scaring anyone as of yet (though I think it will surprise, people underestimate the power fundamentally sound hitters have on a lineup...ie Murton, Cedeno, Pierre), this lineup figures to be DEMONSTRABLY better in the speed department. Pierre's an upgrade over Patterson (he actually knows how and when to steal a base), Cedeno's an upgrade over Nomah and Neifi, and Murton's an upgrade over Holly and Dubois. Especially if the Cubs are smart enough to bat Cedeno in the 2 hole (he makes exceptional contact, can situational hit, and makes for an impossible DP target), they may be able to slide Todd down to 7th in the order. IMO, he'd be a pretty good fit there, and the Cubs could maybe use some hit and run with he and Neifi (or whoever 2b will be). But if this doesn't happen I think he's gone. It's too bad becasue he's one of my favorite Cubs (he has enough character not to demand ridiculous salaries, and just plays where he wants to play). they wont be able to replace his production at 2b for anywhere near 2.5 mil a year so if they do trade him to upgrade another position like rf (the only one open as of now), they might end up weakening 2b. vidro would be a very interesting option if he's healthy but if he is healthy the nats would most likely not trade him.

If the Cubs insist in wanting to trade Walker, why not just sign Tony Graffanino? He's steady with the glove, has decent OBP and plate discipline for a #2 hitter and he only costs money. Or heck, bring Grudzielanek back. that would be a good fit for the cubs even if they keep walker. grundz wants 3 years & big $ so i'd have to take a pass on him.

That may be an issue but I also think the Cubs view him as a defensive liability. i dont see why they would. he is probably about average on d imo but his offense makes up it and then some. but thats the cubs for you.

i hope whoever they go with bats lefty. even if they get a left handed hitting rf like wilkerson, that will only give them 2 lefties in the lineup along with pierre. the only reason i can think that they dont want walker would be because of how vocal he is with the media. i would like to see him at 2b next year myself.

I guess its all about perspective; I suspect that JH views Pierre as a major upgrade in CF. I agree that he is an upgrade, but not a major one. even his off year in 2005 will be a big upgrade over what the cubs had in cf. if he has a year like he did in 2003 or 2004, pierre will no doubt be a major upgrade.

sounds like the phillies might sign looper leaving the rangers still needing a starter & a bullpen guy. perhaps wuretz & williams could be traded for wilkerson and jj can go to kc where he belongs.

from what i've read recently, it seems like the diamondbacks are the only team serious about getting cp. a suggested trade i read is cp for a similar problem guy with potential named Josh Kroeger. anyone know anything about him? he had 2 really good years in the minors in 03 & 04, (not so good in 2005), plays rf, hits left handed & will be 24 in 2006.

assuming koronka is going to stay in the pen and brownlie goes back to the rotation (if his increased velocity reports are true): hill, guzman, marmol, brownlie & pignatello sounds like a pretty good rotation to me (especially the top 3).

in order to be a bobby abreu type-player, he'd have to walk 100 times as well. you forget that the most attractive feature of abreu's game is his disicpline. if we wanted 30 hrs plus 30 SB's we could go out and acquire soriano. and have a horrible defensive rf. pie is supposed to have a great glove and very strong arm to go along with his offensive production.

didnt see the other one. but mine has a link! my bad.