Balsa

And if he tears up Winter ball and spring training, would you still want to trade him? Or keep him for at least the first half of the year?

Yeah, I thought I'd break the mold on that one, a little too obvious for my taste.

Who said 4 years anyway? I'd be much happier with a 3-year, 30 million contract than a 4-year, 36 million contract. Also, if we do land Furcal, there's no question we'd move Todd Walker in my mind. Cedeno is gonna be cheap for a long time, and with the added expensive contracts of Furcal and hopefully Giles, not to mention someone in the Starting pitching role, Cedeno will be a much better bargain. Plus, he'd be a decent 2 hole hitter as well. Also, this is very exciting. I can't wait until Nov. 11th.

In all fairness, if Carlos had made that behind the back between the legs toss to DLee for the out, I don't see any way Z wouldn't have won this award. That particular play would have been on highlight reels for decades to come, imo. Obviously you missed Z's summersault. Was that when he tried to slide?

That is true. However, it looks like Maddux had more Double plays and more assists in 5 less innings, and also had a 2.72 Range Factor compared to 2.08 of Smoltz. For fun, I looked at Z-machine, and although he had one less error, he had less assists and double plays, and also had a 2.22 Range Factor.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no and no. I'd rather have Burnitz back than Sheffield. He's a clubhouse cancer, and I certainly would trade away Walker for him, let alone including other people. I will be extremely pissed if this happens.

"In sports news, both Kerry Wood and Mark Prior were injured today when Neifi Pear-ez stormed into their bowling charity drunk out of his gourd. He proceeded to approach the pitchers and call for a 'conference' during which he tried to instruct the pitchers on how to bowl. Security saw him promptly escorted out, but not before they had him sign his free agent filing papers. Wood and Prior then resumed bowling, but were injured simultaneously as Macias charged into the bowling alley demanding a 'double switch'. Both lost concentration at the exact wrong time, and ended up falling on their pitching arms. Preliminary medical exams say that Prior should be healthy 'in like a week or something', and that Wood's arm has completely transcedend time and space, leaving 'nothing but an empty socket'. Cub's GM Jim Hendry had this to say, 'We presume that both Wood and Prior are going forward strongly in their recovery, and we do not have a timetable for their return as of yet.' In response to reporter's questions, Hendry simply said 'No, we do not have a timetable for their return, although we expect to bring them back too early, watch them fail, and then announce that surgery is needed.' Cub's Manager Dusty Baker had this to say regarding the incident, 'Well Macias and Neifi both had resonable demands, and although my pitchers are both now injured, I expect to be visiting Macias in jail.' Dusty added 'You mah boy blue....you mah boy.' When asked if the injury to these young pitchers would be a testing of the Cubs AAA team, Dusty replied 'Absolutely not. We owe a duty to baseball to make sure they don't get a chance to play, or even see a baseball. I've talked to Lenny Harris, and he seems willing to fulfill our needs.' When asked about the up and coming star Felix Pie, Dusty reponded that '[Pie] Pi had been worrying for a while, until I can up with this new position called the 'futility role'. It's like the ultility role, except they never leave the bench. I fully expect [Pie] Pi to be learning from the bench by July.' This is Carrie Muscrat reporting from Europe. Hey, didja know they don't have baseball over here? Isn't that crazy?

Oh come on. Who was a better fielding pitcher?

That's it? *snore*

Yeah, I mean the Patterson plays are to be expected since he is CF and gets the chance to do tricks, but I can think of a few awesome double plays. (You can find all these plays on the Cubs website) Sept. 29, when Blanco holds on to the ball and makes Gibson look like a fool. Sept. 8, Hairston makes two AWESOME diving catches, both laid out completely Sept 5, Wuertz's run and dive to catch a bunt Aug 6, Maddux makes a great throw from a bunt to a stretching out Lee, gorgeous play by two Gold Glovers July 31, This one you really have to see. Maddux runs to field a bunt, scoops it up with his glove, and flips it Lee almost laying out completely. July 29, Blanco hits a 2 run homer after an 11 pitch at bat, and the cubs go on to score 2 runs in the ninth to win, scoring on a throw to the plate (the videos on MLB are crap, it's much better to listen to Jon M. Davis's wonderful recordings of this game, Ron Santo is going ape@#$^ in the background, it's hilarious) http://www.jonmdavis.net/cubs/july292005.mp3 July 27, Burnitz drives in the winning run in the 9th inning (http://www.jonmdavis.net/cubs/july272005.mp3) Just for fun, the link to Ron Santo and Pat Hughes for that granny against the Cards (which probably should win play of the year) http://www.jonmdavis.net/cubs/july242005.mp3 July 22, Zambrano strikes out 12 in nine innings, allowing only 3 hits, no walks, and the only run coming from a homerun. Also, Burnitz robs Pujols of a homer much to the joy of all Cubs fans. July 21, Bases loaded, 2 outs, Cubs up 5 to 4 in the 7th, and Hairston makes what looked to be then the game-saving catch. July 18, First Walker, Lee go back to back, then later Lee-Ramirez, and then later Walker again July 17, A huge rally in the third, as the Cubs score 5 runs on 6 hits. There's others, but I gotta eat soon, so here's the best: June 25, To celebrate his birthday, Aramis hits a grand slam in the first inning. Against the White Sox no less. This one is worth listening to just to hear Hawk all depressed. June 10, Greg Maddux hits a home run against the BoSox June 1, Against the Dodgers, Lee goes 5-5 with 4 RBIs and a HR May 17, The day Derrek Lee eclipsed the sun. 4-4 with 2 HR, a double, and a sacrifice fly, driving in every run to give the cubs the win in the ninth. My god, I still can't beleive that. A one-man wrecking crew. May 11, Derrek Lee hits a game-winning HR right into the wind to leadoff the bottom of the 10th as the Cubs beat the Mets 4-3 April 27, Derrek Lee goes 4-4 with SIX RBIs and 2 HRs....giving the Cubs win the after they were down 6-1... Wow. I can't beleive we actually played a game with this lineup. Look at this... Hairston Neifi CPatt Lee Burnitz Hollandsworth Macias Blanco Editors note: @#$@ this was fun. Took a long time, but it's fun to see those great moments again. Especially on that night Derrek Lee was the sole Cubs offense, you can hear the Reds annoucers just in disbelief.

Is his agent Boras?

What is he asking for this offseason? Would he really be that bad for our team? Could he play RF? Will our hero see the Bruce signal in time?

So his walk rate was going down before the injury....oh well, I'm just trying to extrapolate what he would have done had he not been injured, I was thinking maybe that he was getting better as the season went along, but then I rememberd he started off really hot going something like 30 innings without an earned run.

Very interesting. I see that pre-injury 2005 was a little worse than Prior 2003. Man, those 2003 stats are unbelievable...although holy crap he threw a lot of pitches... Another interesting point is that although post-injury Prior gave up less homers and struck out more per inning, gave up a lot more walks and hits per inning. Would it be too much to ask to get the last three starts before he was injured? Thanks Fred your in my hall of fame.

Not true. Sneed knows that John Malkovich dined with actress Dana Delaney at Tavern on Rush Thursday. Scandalous!

Can we get Fred in here? Fred how was Prior during before he got injured this year compared to the same amount of time in 2003? Also, unless Wood has a bad season, or another injury that takes half the season, I see him re-signing. He likes Chicago, and let's face it, talented pitchers are rare. Also, "Told his friends "You know the law of averages says: Anything will happen that can" That's what it says "But the last time the Cubs won a National League pennant Was the year we dropped the bomb on Japan"

WOAH how did you miss this? That's news to me. So Cedeno will start either at 2B if we trade Walker or SS if we can't get Furcal? Is that the plan?

First, of all hats off to Barrett and D.Lee. Secondly, how much you wanna bet Aramis wins this if he doesn't get injured? Thirdly, why did Jason Marquis win over the Z-machine? Carlos is a switch hitter with power!

I actually like that pen quite a bit. A for JVB, you never know, Williamson could re-break something and that would force Dusty's hand, especially if JVB is tearing up the minors. Honestly though, I'm not sure I trust JVB yet. Every time I've seen him pitch he's been really wild and can't find the plate at all.

Talked to my grandpa, big Cardinals fan. He said the Cardinals, to his knowledge, were very interested in Giles because he's "one of two servicable OF's available this year". So uh, c'mon Hendry. Outbid someone for once.

Maybe because they've been Cubs fans for more than 20 years and a couple bad endings to seasons aren't gonna disgust them so much they throw away very valuable things? BTW, where are your seats and could I possibly buy some on days you won't be going?

I wouldn't rule him out.

Ok so who should he have signed? Beltan? Lowe? Pavano? Let's face it, last offseason looked promising on paper, but most of them have been busts. And expensive busts at that. I'm d#$@ grateful we didn't get tied down to someone who can't hold their weight now. EDIT: I'm sure glad we got rid of Sosa somehow though. He would have been a nightmare in RF this year.

Al Reyes then? EDIT: Ooooh, and Bob Wickman is available too.

Hm....Jose Mesa anyone?