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He would have guys that can catch the ball behind him though.

I would give him $15M for 1 year and limit his innings. He can fly home in the summer. Get about 150 IP from him, and he'll be good down the stretch and the potential playoffs.

I think they could potentially be better. Like the trade or not (I did not) Pierre will be a big lift for this team offensively. He gives them a steady in the leadoff spot, and with this being a contract year, I expect him to show that 2005 was an anomoly, and get back to the .300/.360 range in BA/OBP. Jones and Murton should at least be in Burnitz's neighborhood of production which was better than any other OF. Losing Walker, though, would cause a serious hit to the offense if that means Neifi is the starting 2B. I think the pen will be greatly improved. The rotation will be solid. I expect Williams to have a pretty good year and if Prior and Wood are out there alot, the Cubs have a good chance to improve. If they are in 2003 form, they have a chance to be good enough. That's a lot of ifs though.

Agreed, Goony. I can't believe this poll's results. The only reason he's even on the ballot is because of his MVP and what he could have potentially done with good knees.

I've been debating this all day, and I think I would change my vote to get Belle in. 6-7 dominant seasons makes a very strong case. Obviously, Sosa has better all around power numbers, but I would vote him if he only played from 1996-2003, and had nothing else, not even including the pure historic nature of his big HR numbers of 98-01.

I'd be all for that, but I don't think there's anyway he'll be that patient and reasonable. I don't know. He's already had a big contract that he didn't live up to, so I think teams are reluctant to give him another one. The similarities to Millwood are many. Same agent, same type of contract at a similar age, similar high HR allowed season. Different market. When Millwoon waited a year there was hardly any money for FA's. This year there's a huge demand for starting pitching this offseason. Not to mention next offseason there will be a lot more top tier SP talent out there. I beg to differ. Benson, Clement, Lieber, Lowe, Pedro, Milton, Ortiz, Pavano, and Wright all got at least 7.5M last offseason.

Not even close.

I forget Bonds ruled in the 90s too, because of what he's done this decade.

he's not good enough to pull a Loiaza. Maybe he'll pull a Jaime Navarro though, and the Cubs will give him big money.

I'd be all for that, but I don't think there's anyway he'll be that patient and reasonable. I don't know. He's already had a big contract that he didn't live up to, so I think teams are reluctant to give him another one. The similarities to Millwood are many. Same agent, same type of contract at a similar age, similar high HR allowed season.

I'd really like the Cubs to go after Weaver. Like I've said, I think he would be open to signing a Kevin Millwood type deal for 1-year and waiting a year on his big payday.

I think you are forgetting someone... ???????

Maybe the bullpen? That's probably about it though. A package deal that had us take some salary could probably be arranged, but I'm not overly excited about Gonzalez. I wouldn't mind Green, but I think he'd invoke his no trade clause. Pitching of all kinds. They could field a team full of under 28 players next year with C-Estrada, 1B-Jackson, 2B-Hudson, SS-Drew, 3B-Tracy, LF- Quentin, CF- Young, RF- Green (only older one). But they don't have much young pitching. A couple of good arms, but they could use a few more.

And Scott Hairston.

So, lets see. Shawn Green Luis Gonzalez Conor Jackson Carlos Quentin Chris Young Eric Byrnes Luis Terrero

I think Paul Sullivan is beyond rehabilitation. Yeah, I think he meant Williamson.

He probably also sees a former leadoff hitter with speed. He'll hit 2nd.

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along. I don't think they're more talented or athletic than MSU or IU. I would agree, but Bo can outcoach Mike Davis. And they always give MSU a tough game. Yeah, Bo is the best coach in the conference, and I really like Izzo and Weber too.

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/PremiumForum/viewtopic.php?p=778206#778206 See this thread.

1. MSU...Most Talent + Izzo 2. IU...Even Davis can't ruin that much talent 3. Illinois...Weber is a very good Coach 4. Ohio State...Dials is a beast, Thad has a good thing going 5. Wisconsin...Bo Ryan is a great coach, but I don't see enough talent there 6. Iowa...Another underachieving year for Alford 7. Michigan...They are getting better. 8. Minnesota...Not that good. 9. Northwestern...I like Carmody, he might win a few he shouldn't 10. Penn State...Um, it's Penn State 11. Purdue...Purdue is really really bad this year. They havn't been this bad in decades. I mean really bad. I agree with your standings, but I'm curious about this quote. Davis has already been to the finals- yes with Knight's players, but Knight couldn't do squat with them. I think he's a fine defensive coach, and now that he's got the athletes his offense should be ok (although it sometimes hurts my eyes to watch). This team was putrid offensively for the last two years, but really, who did they have? Bracey Wright was one of the worst things to happen to Indiana basketball in a while, as they ran everything through him based on reputation. He was an inconsistent shooter with very little supporting cast, which was a terrible combination. I would not be a bit surprised to see them in the elite 8 or even final 4 if they shoot well from the perimeter. I agree. As I have said in other threads, IU leads the nation in shooting right now (from the field and from 3), they have enough bodies to throw out there where they can deal with off nights from certain players. In previous years, if Bracey was off....IU lost. Every single non-point playing guard on the Hoosiers has had at 15+ point game this season.

Actually, top to bottom this group could be his most talented/athletic, they are just extremely young. I believe there are 9 Freshman and Sophmores on the roster and Bo can go 10 deep. The question is who will step up when Alando Tucker and Kam Taylor have an off night. A couple of freshman to watch progress are Marcus Landry (brother is at Purdue), Dearon Williams, and Joe Krabbenhoft. These three are getting some significant minutes and should get better as the season goes along. I don't think they're more talented or athletic than MSU or IU.

Belle is interesting. He did rule the 90s, but his attitude and post-retirement salary make him a no chance HOFer. I voted no, but it was close. I tend to give more consideration to dominating the game for a short period of time over career-long consistency with similar numbers.

Ok. I think Rios has a lot of talent. But I think his upside is of a .300/.350/.450 hitter. He would look a lot better as a CF.

Really? You think that highly of Rios? I don't think he's horrible, but he's never shown anything close to Shawn Green's power or patience. 20 HRs in over 2000 minor league ABs, 11 HRs in just over 900 ML ABs. For a RF, he's probably as unproductive as you can get. I agree with the rest though. Hinske stinks.

This is a serious question. Is it a warning only when a mod is called nuts or when any poster is called nuts? When anyone is called nuts. But I have banning power! :w00t: :assault: So are you serious or what? I am serious. Nobody is to be called names. But I was joking about the last part.