Hosak8

And that's why you'll see Manny Ramirez in Dodger Blue in 2007.

Are you kidding? Why not?

Why would we want him? He's not the elite offensive player he once was, and his defense is steadily declining as well. Granted, he's probably a better alternative to Cesar, but he's not worth anywhere near what he'd cost us in prospects OR cash. Pass.

They are "trying to get rid of Manny" because Manny has asked to be traded out of Boston, again. He's asked about 4 times now. It's not just a matter of a guy having a bit of an attitude, it's a case of the guy not wanting to be on the team. To be fair to Manny, he's been a good sport about it the last few years. As long as they make an attempt in good faith to trade him, he works hard for them. That's debatable. Has there ever been an established reason why Manny wants out so badly? I mean, I'm no Boston fan, but great baseball town, pretty good ballclub year in and year out, great classic stadium to play in, owners who are genuinely trying to win.... Doesn't seem all that bad to me. Not to mention the fact that Manny CHOSE to play in Boston. Perhaps is was all about the money, but Boston CHOSE to give Manny more money than anyone else was offering. So, I'm not sure that I see the reason that Manny has been such a pisser and moaner in his time in Boston. He CHOSE to play for the team who would pay him the most. And, since that time, all you hear about is how Manny wants out. I don't get it. I'd prefer that we just sign Drew.

Well, that and middle infielders with almost no spectacular tools. Izturis Derosa Theriot Cedeno EPatt Deal 2 of 'em...

OOORRRR... JJ, Cesar and Dempster for Manny? Other arms to TB for Baldelli. Lugo Murton Lee Manny ARam Barrett Baldelli Derosa/Theriot I'll take it. Where do I sign?

Hmmm... Sign Lugo for SS. Trade Cesar and Dempster to Boston for a solid arm, then deal that arm in a package with a couple of ours to get Crawford or Baldelli? Me likey.

You have no way of knowing that. If Iwamura signs a 3/10 deal, then he would have been more expensive than Derosa. The 4.2 already bid was only for the rights to negotiate a contract with him. That's not his contract. He'll end up being more costly than Derosa.

So, a proven commodity (though it is only a solid and unspectacular commodity) in an area of great need is not worth as much as a prospect who is far from "can't miss" and won't be helpful for a couple of years even if he doesn't miss? Seriously? This reminds me alot of people who wouldn't trade Guzman, Kelton, Bobby Hill, or Choi several years ago. Until the Cubs produce a position player with a clue at the Major League level, I am all for dealing a "prospect" for a Major Leaguer who is a position of need. I think Pie could be helpful THIS year. Certainly by next year... Pie rates well about what Kelton or Hill ever did. He's produced at a much higher level than either of them did...and at a much younger age. The jury's still out on Guzman. I do think he's going to be successful. It's not fair to put pitchers in the same category as position players though. Pitchers are much more likely to get injurred. No, Jennings is not worth Pie. Heck, I think Marshall in two years will be as good as Jennings. But maybe that's just me. I'm sorry, I just whole-heartedly disagree. Jason Jennings is a pitcher entering his prime who just posted a respectable WHIP (1.37) and ERS (3.78) while pitching half his games at Coors. Pie is a prospect who posted a decent OPS in AAA, with a little power (15 HR) and a little speed (though his 17/11 SB/CS ratio is very bad. Heck, people are butchering Soriano for his 41/17 ratio). Jennings is a possible 15 game winner for us over the next couple of years. Pie is a guy who might sniff the bigs this season, and won't likely offer any valuable help until 2008. A solid SP who might win 15+ games for us in 2007 or a AAA CF who still has miles to go before becoming the leadoff hitter we desperately need him to be? Sorry, but I'd do it in a heartbeat.

So, a proven commodity (though it is only a solid and unspectacular commodity) in an area of great need is not worth as much as a prospect who is far from "can't miss" and won't be helpful for a couple of years even if he doesn't miss? Seriously? This reminds me alot of people who wouldn't trade Guzman, Kelton, Bobby Hill, or Choi several years ago. Until the Cubs produce a position player with a clue at the Major League level, I am all for dealing a "prospect" for a Major Leaguer who is a position of need.

I'm sure you can get Burrell without including Barrett, but I'd take the defensive upgrade of Molina over Barrett, and the money saved to make that move. Plus, you could possibly get the Phils to throw in Rowand in that scenario (Victorino is their guy in CF) and I'd do taht in a heartbeat.

Most are plausible moves, though not sure that any are likely... 1. Detroit is looking for a lefty reliever. Send 'em Glendon for nothing. OR, if rumors are true about Bonderman being on the block, send 'em Eyre, Marmol, and Glendon for Bonderman. 2. The Mets are looking for an everyday 2B, and have eyes on Rich Aurilia. Send 'em Izturis. Single A refuse is fine in return. 3. The Padres are looking for more power than Dave Roberts offered. Goodbye Jaques Jones. I'll take back your AA mascot. 4. The Phillies are looking for a catcher and bullpen help. They are desperate enough to be talking about Borowski. Plus, if they land Soriano, Burrell is good as gone. So, Barrett and Dempster for Burrell. Now, I'm looking to sign Drew (3/39 or 4/48), Lugo (3/23), and Bengie Molina. I'd even consider bringing Walker back at the right price, and I'd give Erstad a long look for my bench. Everyday lineup could look like this: SS- Lugo (S) LF- Murton ® 1B- Lee ® CF- Drew (L) 3B- ARam ® RF- Burrell ® 2B- Walker (L) C- Molina ® Put Erstad in LF or at 1B on days we need another LH bat in the lineup, or one of those guys needs a rest, and put Theriot/Cedeno at 2B on days we need another RH bat in the lineup. That would be a significant offensive upgrade, and would still allow us to spend 15-18 M on the pitching staff. Fire away...

I want. I'm not so sure I do.

ARod wasn't traded to Texas... he signed with them as a free agent, and passed on a coule of other opportunities to be with much better offenses. That being said, I doubt ARod really wants to be a Cub. A White Sock? Perhaps. If I could get Broadway and Crede for ARod, it'd be a no-brainer.

83 or 84, or sometime around then, Luis Salazar has a ball popped up to his side, and drops the ball because he couldn't find it in the sun. Harry groans "Christ, how does a Mexican lose a ball in the sun?!" Or, in the late 80's, when Harry asks Steve "Did you know Benes backwarrds is Seneb?" And finally, one of my all time favorites... "HEY! CHeck out the kid in the giant sombrero!"

Jim Rome just made a funny comment on the hiring. He was basically debating the Padres position and had this to say: "Hmm, let's see... should we hire Bud Black or bring in Dusty Baker to shred Peavy's arm with pitch counts of 140 every outing?" Hammer, meet nail.

Link This is interesting. Of course, I'm not sure Arod gets as much money if he opts out...but there is the chance he could get more. I don't think that there's any conceivable chance for him to get more.

Hello all... Just returned from breakfast with Doug Kirchhofer, and I have to say that I am extremely grateful for his attitude toward developing a partnership between the Smokies and the website. I guess that I need to work more with DJaxx and Tim on making things official, but the process is moving in a positive direction for all parties. Eric

Wasn't Hatcher fired by the Reds yesterday? (Edit to reflect the answer to my own question. Chris Chambliss, who was the Reds hitting coach, was fired by the Reds Wednesday.)

Breakfast with Doug is hopefully on the docket for Monday of next week. This is a copy of the email he sent me. Sounds great. I am so excited about the partnership that NSBB and the Smokies are about to embark upon. Before the 2 year runs of the Cardinals and Diamondbacks affiliations, the Smokies had a 20+ year affiliation with the Blue Jays. Here's hoping that he Cubs and Smokies match that!

Honesty, I'm not buying that rumor. Who in their right mind would give up even half that much to get ARod? Sure, the ability is there... but that's not what the Yankees will have to consider. FIrst and foremost, the Yankees have to consider that ARod is a pariah, and that there is little to no hope for fans there to do anything but hate him. His career in New York is over, and every GM in baseball knws it. Cashman asks for anything close to that, and every other GM walks away, laughing in his face about the mess he has on his hands. ARods value continues to plummet. Not because he isn't a great player, but because of how the New York fans and media will eat him alive.

True. But, I'd like to see Pedro Feliz in Cubbie Blue. Give me Feliz, Soriano, Zito, and a ARam for ARod swap, and then we're talking.

Well, it appears that the ARod postseason disaster continues, virtually assuring that he will be the most hated person in the Bronx. No way Steinbrenner and Cashman can conceivably have ARod back in 2007, is there? Now, we've got our own worries with ARam. Is now the time to put together the deal, swapping ARam for ARod? I'm sure that a couple other guys could switch teams as well, but one for one sounds like it might work. I would of course want the Yankees to pick up some money, though how much could be left open for debate. Take Jones and call it even. Any thought or anyone hearing any rumblings?

Let's chat about all that you would like to see happen. I am replying to his email asking specifics about what he would like for me to present to him.

Hi folks... Well, Tennessee Smokies President Doug Kirchhofer has invited me to breakfast or lunch with him next week to discuss NSBB and the advantages of a partnership. Therefore, I need Tim and others to advise me on what you would like presented to him. I haven't replied yet with a schedule, so the sooner you could get into contact with me, the better. Thanks, and here's to a great relationship between NSBB and the Tennessee Smokies.