JonnyRed

At this really depressing point, I think we really need to start questioning the overall Cubs approach to pitching prospects. Is it me or does it seem like the Cubs have faired much worse than most when it comes to their top arms? Some possible reasons include: 1) Do we draft guys who already have too much wear and tear on their arms? Seems to be the case with Woody and Brownlie. Even with the good mechanics, did Prior pitch too much to earn the label of "best college pitcher ever" 2) Do we not manage pitchers properly in our minor league system? It seems like the majority of our top prospects have arm problem before (and if) they get to Wrigley Field. Guzman, Beltran, Haggarty, Jones, etc. all have slowed by arm injuries. 3) The fan favorite choice is Dusty's overuse of Wood, Prior, and Zambrano. It certainly seems to play a factor, but isn't it logical that your best pitchers will throw the most innings? 4) What effect has Larry R. had on these pitchers as well? At this point, we really need to reassess all of the practices because we can't continue to invest in developing what should be stud pitchers only to see them come up lame. I think it's a combination of

Assuming Prior is out for the beginning of the season--joining Wood and Miller--what should our starting staff look like? Frankly, our injured staff looks quite a bit better than what's left. 1. Zambrano: We need him to take that next step up to become an elite pitcher (ie 20 wins) 2. Maddux: Let's hope his improved conditioning pays off 3. Rusch: Sad to have to place him this high in the rotation 4. Williams: Now's his chance to shine 5. Hill? Guzman? Trade?: I don't see anyone trading a starting-caliber pitcher and Guzman needs more work, so Hill might win by default. Let's hope that Prior, Wood and Miller can return by May and we can rely on the improved bullpen early in the year. (Maybe Hendry could have signed that #3 pitcher I really was hoping for in the offseason)

Unfortunately it doesn't look like the Cubs are doing their thing yet...

Anyone have some info on this Wells guy? I haven't heard of him.

Pierre with another CS. Hope he gets them out of his system in ST. Nice to see the RBI though.

Hey Brian, Love the Edger memorial photo...nice touch!

JJ doing it again. Can he continue in the reg. season? I'd be pleased with a .270/20/80/15 type of season. Plus he will be better in the outfield than Burnitz. I still don't like the 3-year deal, but JJ isn't a bad option for this season.

I heard something that MLB requires teams to have a certain number of starters in the lineup every day. That could be why A-Ram got his one AB and then left the game.

After the top 3 (and Miller IF he is healthy), none of those guys are starters for a playoff team, and that's what our focus should be. I'm more upset that Hendry didn't land us a #3 or #4 starter this offseason as I am with the JJ signing.

Who would want a guy who gets hurt even when he's already hurt?!? What the heck is going on?

I highly recommend the Pioneer Airwave as well. The best thing about it is that it comes with everything you need for access at home, in your car and on the go. You can also record up to 5 hours of content, which comes in handy with you can't get reception at work. When I connect it at home, I can sync up any of my stereos anywhere in the house to the signal. It will be my first year getting all the baseball games, and I can't wait.

May God keep you safe while you're protecting our country Jehrico...

Unless he improves his BBs and Ks, we would have been better off keeping Corey Patterson. Considering that Tampa hasn't changed much despite having a new GM in terms of making impressive demands for their players, I'm sure they'd be asking for some ridiculous package. ??? Iirc Crawford's ops was 200 points better than CPatt last year. I do agree that TB would ask for something absurd. Two things. First, Corey was absolutely abysmal last season (600 OPS). I don't think he's as bad as those numbers indicate, but his numbers are etched there. Saying that Crawford's OPS was 200 points better last season is darning him with faint praise. Secondly, comparing three year splits, Crawford's OPS is only a little under 20 points better with Corey getting an edge in power and IsoD. You can make the argument that Crawford's better than Patterson, but I don't think he's so much better that trading for Crawford would be a jusifiable upgrade over Corey, especially given the likely price the Cubs would have to pay. Besides, I don't think Crawford's production in LF would be good for this particular offense. I'm not sure what you see in Patterson to say he's better than Crawford. Crawford has a much better average, OBP and he's better on the bases. Sure, C-Pat hits homeruns, but Crawford has scored more runs and RBIs are close. Not to mention Crawford's best years are ahed of him whereas Patterson may never learn the strike zone. Crawford/Patterson Ave .289 /.252 HR 33 /70 RBI 220 /231 R 308 /293 SB 169 /86 OBP .320 /.293 AB 2159 / 2176

I don't understand how a trade for a 30/30 player who drives in 100 runs for a rookie could be so bad. I know his plane discipline isn't great, and his numbers were elevated in Texas, but the guy can hit and run. And as much as I like Murton, he's all potential until he proves it in the bigs.

Don't get me wrong, I still like Stony and think he's one of the best analysts in the game, but his comments now are usually flavored with his distaste for the Cubs. Last year, it was "Wood will be pumping gas if he doesn't change his delivery." Now, it's the "pigs will fly."

My Sox loving father- and brother-in-law and I got into a good debate about Chicago's best starting rotation last night. Of course, it quickly became a discussion on potential versus production. Here's what I came up with, and with pitchers & catchers having reported this week, I'm wondering how everyone else rates Chicago's best? 1. Mark Beurlie: Workhorse who gets the job done with the game on the line. 2. Carlos Zambrano: Has all the talent, now can he take his game to Beurlie's level? 3. Mark Prior: This is where the real debate began. Prior has what it takes to be the best pitcher in the game, but he has to stay healthy and deliver. 4. Freddy Garcia: Solid all-around pitcher 5. Jon Garland: Is he a one-year wonder? Others: Contreras (which pitcher will we see in 06, the second half pitcher or the old version?), Vasquez (has the promise, but how will he do back in the AL?), Wood (same old, same old questions)

I'm sure the Cubs could figure out a way to manage the crowds. I can't imagine people camping out for the entire game. It's kind of like telling kids them can come inside to the pool, but they can't go swimming. What's the point?

When I first heard that the Cubs were building a window out in right field to allow people walking by to get a knot hole view into the games, I thought it was a great idea. What a perfect way to extend the classic architecture of Wrigley Field while also building some better connection with the neighborhood. Now, we understand that the Cubs won't be allowing fans to see into Wrigley on gamedays. They will instill one of those infamous windscreens to block the view during games. So what's the point? Sure, maybe it will be novel the first time or two to be able to look into the infield from outside, but isn't the point of a knot hole to catch all the action? I supported the Cubs when they blocked the view for the rooftops, because they shouldn't have been able to block the bleacher expansion and make a free buck off the Cubs, but this is ridiculous.

Yeah, but remember that Chicago fans depised Rodman until he came to the Bulls. Then you had people buying his jersey for their little kids. That's the way it goes with "fans" these days...

My collection has been growing during the last few years.... Autographed balls: Entire 1984 team ball w/ Ryne Sandberg and Buckner before the trade Greg Maddux Mark Prior Kerry Wood Nomar Garciaparra Aramis Ramirez Ernie Banks Baseball cards: Billy Williams rookie cards Andre Dawson Shawon Dunston Misc. Billy Williams on a ticket stub from my first Cubs game in 1978 (my favorite piece) Harry Carray on a Cubs program Jim Frey, Ron Cey and Bobby Dernier on a 1985 calendar

Didn't the White Sox take a similar low-risk high-reward strategy last year? They signed players who had underperformed in recent years or had been hurt and hoped for the best. Guys like Dye, AJ Prick, Contreras, El Duque, etc. weren't hot items on the '04 FA market, but it turned out okay for them. I see no problem with what Hendry is doing. It's worked out nicely with Dempster, Rusch has been okay and if Williamson and Miller return to health, our staff looks like one of the best in the NL.

Man, this is the most positive posting on the board in quite some time. I like the signing simply for that reason.....but I also love low-risk, high-reward pickups. Dempster has worked out well, Williamson hopefully will rebound this year and Miller gives us much needed depth in the rotation.

I have wanted another starting pitcher all off season and would love to see the Cubs land Weaver. We should have the money. A one-year contract actually favors us since we will have a better idea of Wood, Guzman and Hill after this season. Plus, Weaver finished in the top 10 in quality starts the last 2 years. Right now, we have one dependable starter (Z) one potential ace if healthy (Prior), one aging HOFer (Maddux) and nothing else. I'm not sold on Rusch. Williams might not get a fair chance at starting. And Hill and Guzman need to prove themselves worthy of making the starting day roster. What are we waiting for?

And would be grossly overpaying IMO.... especially for a guy entering his contract year. I would think the Cubs could get a lot more than Lugo for Welly, Dope, and Marshall or a combo of Welly, Harvey, and Marmol (and I consider Welly pretty much a throw-in at this point). Well, what if Huff was thrown in the deal? Maybe Williams, Welly, Dop/Harvey and a mid-level prospect for Lugo and Huff? We could throw Walker in as well. I'd like to see the improved defense up the middle and speed in the lineup, not to mention Huff's potential 30 HRs.

I still am interested in fortifying our starting rotation with either Jeff Weaver or Barry Zito. We still have $$$ to spend and you can never have too much starting pitching. Would the As be interested in Walker, Williams and Guzman for Zito? Weaver could also be that innings grinder that we'll need. Maddux and Wood/Rusch can't be counted on for 7+ every time out.