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I thought Jose Vidro is their most popular player. They like Nick Johnson there too. I still think the Nats sign or trade for a big bat this offseason.

I was at that game. Don't remember a 96. He hit 94 though. Mostly around 91 with his fastball. Then again, that was a long time ago. Sorry, it was 95: http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/minors/04league20s/mwl.html (Sean's #9) ok, maybe I wasn't at that game. I thought he opened the season in South Bend.

Yeah, his defense was a finely tuned in Lansing. He could have been one of the top 15 defensive CFs in the majors at 18.

I was at that game. Don't remember a 96. He hit 94 though. Mostly around 91 with his fastball. Then again, that was a long time ago.

Harvey has superstar potential, but has a LONG way to go to get there. Completely forgot about Harvey.

No Walks! Get Healthy and Stay Healthy, ANGEL!

Yeah, a lot of potentially solid major leaguers (Pie, Hill, Nolasco, Cedeno, Pinto, Gallagher, Patterson, Marshall, etc)......but the only 2 guys that have superstar potential are Pie and Pawelek. Pie's gonna be a work in progress for a while (but still should be a solid contributor when he's up) and Pawelek is at least 4 years away. I'd say the Cubs have one of the top 3 systems in terms of depth. But they are far down in having elite players, especially position players. Of course, the Cubs had their share in the early part of this century with Patterson, Choi, Zambrano, Prior.

yeah, I guess that makes sense. But I was thinking Bay was exempt because he didn't lose his rookie eligibility in 2003. Bonderman had a full year in 03. I assumed he wasn't exempt because of that. I'm not complaining about getting the 5th best offensive player in baseball for free. My understanding is that the exemptions start the first season a player appears in a major league game, regardless of whether he plays enough to lose rookie status for the next year. So, for example, Greenburg's one plate appearance for the Cubs this year starts the exemption clock ticking and he'd be exempt through 2007. Well, in that case neither Bonderman or Bay would be exempt.

Is the name calling really necessary? What has the man done to you?

It's about time. Gage stinks. All that talent and athletic ability for nothing. I'd like to see more Bobby Wade over him.

yeah, I guess that makes sense. But I was thinking Bay was exempt because he didn't lose his rookie eligibility in 2003. Bonderman had a full year in 03. I assumed he wasn't exempt because of that. I'm not complaining about getting the 5th best offensive player in baseball for free.

Why don't Bonderman's points count? He just completed his 3rd full season. Shouldn't he be out of exemptions?

Ha, thanks Tim! I like how Fox's power numbers improved as the year went on. I think Fox has a lot of potential. PLUS he's a Michigan guy, which is always a plus in my book (I used to go to all the UM games). Any reports on how Fox is progressing defensively? Any big changes you would make to the list Tim? Yes, but my top 30 list won't be coming out for a while! :D I'd move Aardsma down - but I always am tough on relief prospects. Marmol is too low. Pawelek is too low. There's more, but I don't want to ruin the surprise. ;) Yes, but you actually never came out with a list of your own last year! :wink: PLUS I challange you to come out with a list BEFORE Baseball America (among others) comes out with their lists. After all, it's too easy to see how the others do the rankings...and then do them, right...? I like the group moderator top 30 prospects that you came up with...however, I'd welcome you doing your own list as well this year. I wanted to have Aardsma a little further down as well to be honest. I also wanted to fit in McGehee somewhere...he's in there with the 20-30 group I believe. I'd be interested to know how you rank the lefties: Marshall, Hill, Pawelek, and Pinto... I'll see what we can do to get something out earlier this year. We were considering a much larger project last year and I think that delayed things a bit. But we'll see what we can do this year. The lefties... (off the cuff and subject to change) Upside: Pawelek Hill Pinto Marshall Closest to ready: Hill Marshall Pinto Pawelek Likeliest to contribute something meaningful: Hill Marshall Pinto Pawelek Overall: Hill Pawelek Pinto Marshall The lefties are all pretty close. All may be in my top 10. I'd say: Upside Pawelek Hill Pinto Marshall (with the last 3 being extremely close, all having #3 starter ceilings) Closest to ready: Hill Pinto Marshall (because he hasn't pitched many innings) Pawelek (at least 4 years away) Likely to contribute: Same as Tim Overall: Hill Marshall Pinto Pawelek I like Marshall's control more than Pinto's, though they are extremely close. Pawelek could be #1 with a solid full-season in 06.

It would be nice if Red Sox fans would get shutup. I'm rooting for the WSox, at least over Boston, St Louis, and the Yankees.

I've come to grips with the fact that the lineup will be: SS- Furcal CF- 1B-Lee RF- 3B-Ramirez C-Barrett LF-Murton 2B-Cedeno Can only hope Bradley and Giles are the names that fill in the blank.

I'm completely on the Nolasco bandwagon. I serious think he's gonna have a pretty good career. We've mentioned Paul Byrd in other threads, and I think he's gonna be a similar type pitcher. Not gonna be an elite All-Star pitcher, but should give you some sustained years of high 3's/low 4's ERAs and 200 innings in his prime.

Nothing in particular. I just wanted to list the important numbers for arguably the 10 best unrestricted free agent starting pitchers out there, and see what type of discussion and analysis we could come up with. I believe Hendry when he says he will strongly consider signing or trading for a starting pitcher. After seeing the often-offensively-punchless Astros and White Sox get into the post-season with strong pitching, I think Hendry feels that despite the offensive woes, the Cubs could have secured the wild card with better performance at the top of the rotation. He has money to address holes in all areas. Most of you here know I like Kevin Millwood a lot. Before Cleveland went on their second half tear, I was advocating we trade for Millwood. I still feel that with Maddux and Wood potentially both off the payroll starting in 2007, signing Millwood now even to 3 years does not handcuff us. Hendry and Boras have a good relationship. Speaking of Boras, I think Jeff Weaver would be a good signing too, but I think someone else will give him a 4 year deal in the $36-40M range. I'm not a big fan of Burnett, Washburn, Loaiza, Rogers, or Morris. I know neither Clemens or Moyer are coming here. That leaves Paul Byrd - he's intriguing too. I like the fact that he doesn't walk folks - decent WHIP. If Hendry is addressing starting pitching through free agency, the only guys worth looking at are Millwood, Weaver and Byrd. That's how I feel on all accounts. I wonder how much Hendry will spend on pitching though. He already has $20M+ tied up in 2/5 of the rotation. Add in another $10M/year starter and you're looking at $30M for what is essentially your 3-4-5 guys. Millwood and Giles are definitely doable, but if the choice is between a $10M 3rd-5th starter or a $10M great RF....I'll take Giles and stick with Williams at the 5th. Byrd would be a nice, cheap, consolation prize though.

Am I the only one that wants the White Sox to win this series (but lose to the Angels in the ALCS)?

Williams will get some carries, but Brown will still be the feature back. He's the long-term there in Miami. Williams will be gone after this year one way or another.

I was injured part of the season, and I mostly posted during the day. So blame day posting, not us. I blame my keyboard. My keyboard at home and at work are black. I sit next to a window, and black keyboards don't do well in the sun. The lighting is bad at my house, and I couldn't see it well at night. And it gives you glares, man, you know.

Ronnie Brown had a big week in Week 3 (Miami had a bye last week). Frerotte has been pretty good and has opened up the running game for Brown. So, teams aren't ganging up on him like earlier in the season. Only thing I would worry about is the Colts offense getting really hot again (it's gonna happen) and Wayne getting a lot of balls. Dominick Davis will get hurt, so beware.

The awards should be done like the Rolaids relief award. Have a points system for the best player/rookie. Heck, go by fantasy points. In my points league, Arod would be the AL MVP. Pujols and Lee actually tied in fantasy points in the NL. Carpenter and Santana Cy Young.

I've always hated when Stone said that. Not every team wins 60, and not every team loses 60. Granted most do, but you can't simplify the season down to 42 games. If you're a good team you will win games, if you're bad, you will lose. It's about how you do in 162 games.

Definitely. This board was a huge bright spot for this season. DJaxxFan was amazing getting all the chats together. The Mods have done a good job keeping things civil. It's amazing how far this site has come in 2 years. I promise to do more of my part next year as far as articles, and farm reports.

HE can go to Tampa then.