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And he wasn't good out there.

I would hope Lawton isn't given a payraise if he does get an extension. He's already overpaid for what he offers. I'm happy with the move. It gets a guy on base in this lineup. And I don't know why you grouped Texas with Cincy. Texas has a great young IF, a couple good young OFs, and a couple of good minor league pitching prospects....not to mention a winning record this season. A 2 year 12.5-13 mil with an option for a third year wouldn't be that bad IMO. Depends what else is out there. I'd still like to see Hendry go after Dunn, Huff, Manny this offseason. The Cubs are gonna have an interesting decision whether or not to offer arbitration. Raw I think alot will depend on the future of Corey Patterson with the Cubs. For some reason I just don't see Dunn, Huff, or Manny with the Cubs. Of all the Reds' outfielders I see Kearns a Cub if possible, but I'm not holding my breath. I still think Hendry will look for a mid-tier OF help next year (Brian Giles, Luis Gonzalez). Yeah, I think Kearns is possible too. But I don't think Gonzalez or Giles are gonna be Cubs. Hendry has done a good job of getting young production the last couple seasons (Lee, Nomar, ARam, Barrett). Burnitz and Maddux are the only old guys he brought in. Maddux for sentimental reasons. Burnitz because that's all that was left.

Mets just took the lead on Houston. It'd be nice NOT to fall 5 games back.

I would hope Lawton isn't given a payraise if he does get an extension. He's already overpaid for what he offers. I'm happy with the move. It gets a guy on base in this lineup. And I don't know why you grouped Texas with Cincy. Texas has a great young IF, a couple good young OFs, and a couple of good minor league pitching prospects....not to mention a winning record this season. A 2 year 12.5-13 mil with an option for a third year wouldn't be that bad IMO. Depends what else is out there. I'd still like to see Hendry go after Dunn, Huff, Manny this offseason. The Cubs are gonna have an interesting decision whether or not to offer arbitration.

I would hope Lawton isn't given a payraise if he does get an extension. He's already overpaid for what he offers. I'm happy with the move. It gets a guy on base in this lineup. And I don't know why you grouped Texas with Cincy. Texas has a great young IF, a couple good young OFs, and a couple of good minor league pitching prospects....not to mention a winning record this season.

Lawton's a rental. FA after this season. He's an OK OF, but not good enough to play CF. I'm thinking the lineup will be LF-Lawton CF-Hairston 1B-Lee RF-Burnitz 3B-Ramirez SS-Nomar 2B-Walker C-Barrett come friday.

Griffey's OPS is over .900 this year. He gets on base. He's been healthy. He would be a pretty good pickup and it wouldn't take too much depending on how the Cubs are willing to take of his salary.

What's wrong with Mitre and Rusch? Both are much better in a starting role. Both were doing pretty well when they got moved to the pen. If you assume Wood and Williamson in the pen...at least one of those guys will be in the minors anyway (Mitre). The Cubs still have rotation depth with or without Wood.

I think Williams is the best bargaining chip the Cubs have. He's had ML success in a pennant race or 2. He has playoff experience. But trading him gives the Cubs much more leverage in a deal. The things I mentioned earlier could be valuable to teams like Texas, Boston, Cincinnati, or Tampa Bay. And being that Williams wasn't in the system when the season started is like having a free arm to trade.

Only thing I'd like to point out is that Lawton is not that good of an OF. He's not a CF'er. Hasn't played there since 2000 and wasn't good there when he was. He's also more of a LF than a RF, because of his arm. Anyway, I would like to have Lawton. Wouldn't pay too much for him, but he would be a nice addition in LF.

Thanks Coach Dickerson for taking time to field our questions. I'm gonna put you on the spot right away! In your 4 years with the Jaxx, who's the most talented player you've had a chance to coach? Secondly, what was it like to be a player coach in 93? How did the other players take to a peer of sorts telling them what to do? Thirdly, you have had pretty good success as a minor league manager. We all know how a minor league player gets to the majors....how does that work for a manager?

Thanks Mr. Searles for taking our questions. You were a starter in the early stages of your career. In 2001, you had a darn good year as a starter in the Pirates system, but were moved to the pen the next year. What brought about that initial move to the pen? You have become quite the workhorse this year for the Jaxx, do you still prefer starting or do you like getting out there every other day and letting it all go for 1 or 2 innings?

Thanks Ryan for fielding our questions. You have been Mr. Everything for the Cubs minor league system. You have been in short relief, long relief, and seemingly spot start at every level. Do you have a preference on starting vs. coming out of the pen? Which one do you see yourself doing in the majors? Also, can you give us a quick rundown on your stuff? Pitches you throw, velocity, etc?

Thanks Mr Shipman for fielding our questions. First question: Do you think the "Closer's Mentality" is real or a myth? Meaning, do you believe you have to possess a certain level of intestinal fortitude to be a successful closer? Secondly, (don't want to jinx you) but you have not given up a long ball in 50 innings this season.....you must have a killer sinker! Could you tell us what pitches you throw and how often you rely on them?

Thanks Dwaine for taking our questions. First off, you were rated the fastest baserunner in the Cubs minor league system last season. Have you ever actually had a footrace with guys like Felix Pie, Chris Walker, or Corey Patterson? Secondly, can you briefly describe the art of basestealing for us? What do you look for from a pitcher to know you can run on him?

Thanks Mr. McGehee for taking our questions. Congratulations on a big year so far, and continued success. My question is whatever happened to the catching experiment? You seemed to be a pretty good fit back there from all eyewitness accounts last season.

Thanks for fielding our questions, Mr. Sing. It's a pleasure. First off, I want to commend you for an amazing season. Don't want to jinx it, but here's to a 2nd consecutive HR and MVP title! And speaking of which, a recent top 150 prospect list came out and your name was nowhere to be found. Despite putting up numbers very comparable to top 10 prospects (Delmon Young and Jeremy Hermida), are you disappointed that you aren't getting as much press for having another great year? Also, how's the OF defense coming, are you comfortable in RF? Does the presence of Derrek Lee at 1B for the Cubs put more pressure on you to be able to play RF well? Lastly, as a local boy, what would it be like to run out on the field in the Chicago Cubs uniform?

Thanks for taking our questions, Mr. Greenberg. First off, I hope you are doing ok after your unfortunate incident. There has been a lot made of Dusty Baker showing preference to veterans, but you were a guy that he specifically mentioned that he liked in spring training. How much playing time were you expecting to get when you were called up? Were you promised a certain amount of PT by anyone in the organization? And do you think you can still be productive getting sporadic at bats in a bench role, if that's what it takes?

Dunn: .245/.386/.570 28 HR 63 RBI Manny: .273/.368/.571 28 HR 92 RBI How so? Manny has the edge in every category except OBP. And they are tied in HR's. I will agree with the age and contract thing though. What you also have to keep in mind though, is these numbers (avg/obp/slg) are down from manny's career numbers. Dunns are right on par. One could say manny is havign a bad season or playing unhappy, and still outproducing dunn. Dunn gets on base more. The SLG is basically the same, despite Dunn hitting nearly 30 points lower....he's more productive. The RBI difference could be due to the names Johnny Damon, David Ortiz and Trot Nixon.

Well, apparently Levine was on ESPN Radio and said the Cubs are talking about Soriano and Dunn. Dunn>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Soriano, IMO. That being said however Manny>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Dunn>>>>>>>>>>>Soriano. agreed Dunn > Manny simply because of age and salary. Dunn has actually outproduced Manny this season, too.

Que? And whats with the hate for Manny? Sure he's a malcontent, but malcontents that play well are theoretically invisible. No way you can prioitize Huff and Floyd over someone with a career OPS over 1.000 Salary concerns? But why Beltran then? I'd go Beltran, Dunn, Ramirez, Floyd, Huff, Soriano

20 million dollar, I need my days off, Manny? I'll pass Career 1.007 OPS, first time since 98 not in top 7 in MLB, Manny? I'll accept. People are so picky. Who cares if he can run, catch, throw, asks out of a game.....he's an elite offensive force? I agree with your arguments, Raw. However, I can see no way that Manny is brought to the Cubs. Management spent an entire offseason cleaning out the "distractions" from the roster. Bringing Manny in would be an obvious about face for the organization. Manny is the embodiment of a distraction, and this organization has invested quite a bit of ridding the dugout of such characters. I don't either. However, to completely dismiss one of the top hitters in the game because he asked for a day off is not right. I've never seen so many people make petty excuses NOT to want a top flight offensive player.

Would Theo have interest in Soriano?? Delucci, Soriano, Murton, Remlinger to Boston Manny to Chicago Patterson, Rusch and Cub pitching prospect Hope Boston has to give up a lot more than that and the Cubs less. That's a 5-for-1 to get Manny, while Boston gets 4-for-1 for him.

20 million dollar, I need my days off, Manny? I'll pass Career 1.007 OPS, first time since 98 not in top 7 in MLB, Manny? I'll accept. People are so picky. Who cares if he can run, catch, throw, asks out of a game.....he's an elite offensive force?

I never really understood this logic. I believe a hitter should take a walk no matter where they are hitting in the lineup. Even in the 8 hole, the hitter should be patient and take a walk to bring the pitcher up, so you can then lead off the next inning with the top of the order. It isn't so much an OBP factor as it is patience. Every hitter should be patient and work the count until they see a pitch to hit, and Soriano doesn't do that. What's his P/PA? I should have made myself more clear. I was speaking about the 6 or 7 hole. Of course in the 8 hole you want someone to get on base by any means necessary (and I mean any), to get that pitcher to the plate. However, with a decreased likely hood of driving runs in as you move from 7-9, I want a guy who can drive in runs with extra base hits (in the 6 hole) otherwise your good OBP guys (3-5) are getting stranded more. I'm not saying to disregard walks completely, just that I believe it's more important for that 6 hole guy to be able to drive guys home with a high SLG%. I don't believe Soriano is the answer to our prayers, but inthe 6 hole his production would belittle what we have now. That's too simple. Great run producer behind great on-base men = more runs. That may very well be true, but you are still depending on situational hitting, which is wishy-washy and unpredictable. It is more important to get guys on base so the team will have more scoring situations. More scoring situations = more runs scored. That being said, I'd still welcome Soriano, because he'd be better than what the Cubs have now.