Blueheart05

So if Piniella wins the World Series this year with the Cubs, do you think it's automatic that he wins Manager of the Year? I believe the award only takes the regular season into consideration but if the Cubs are positioned to get to the postseason in 2007, after having the worst record in the NL, he will be a strong contender for Manager of the Year.

Well at least we get a 40 man spot out of it. ....or maybe not. When did Vazquez get taken off the 40? A couple of years ago. I just heard on the radio that he was suspended for steroid use in 2004 so that may have been the reason why he was left unprotected.

Maybe the Cubs will turn him into a starter? I know the Sox were entertaining the idea in 2004 and early 2005 but scraped that idea when they went on a roll that year... I think the Cubs also included Vasquez?

I don't know about a blank check but I think there is a high ceiling; luxury tax doesn't kick in now until about $148M. I don't expect them to cry poor mouth!

I'm not so sure they won't have the money. I just read that entire article and the usually cynical Rogers seems to think payroll will extend beyond $120M if need be! They're talking about having 6 starters (Sounds like they're trying to take a page out of the White Sox book). I know it's dangerous for my emotional well being but I'm drinking the Kool aid now. Get it done!

http://foxsports.foxnews.com/mlb/story/6174052 Ken Rosenthal has some interesting things to say about the Cubs...

I think the new threshold is $148M -- at least according to a Red Sox site that was tracking their payroll and projecting their final budget to be ~$140M. I linked to it, but it's likely lost in the morass of either the JD Drew thread or the 51.1 thread. Thanks, you're probably right. I knew it was significantly higher but I couldn't remember the exact amount. I think the speculation about the Cubs going up to 115M was because they wanted to avoid the previous luxury tax limit of 117M. They have more playing room now.

No, none of those names have been mentioned tonight. However, Westbrook was specifically mentioned yesterday in trade speculation involving our bullpen (that was Levine on ESPN AM 1000). Edit: I didn't hear them mention those guys but they may have talked about them in the few minutes I was away from the radio.

I think some of the speculation on here is probably right on that Hendry is trying to drive up value on Izturis to move him, then take Lugo and put him at SS with Soriano in CF. Whether or not Hendry can actually get that done is anybody's guess. Supposedly, Boston showed some interst in Izzy. I really can't tell if JH is playing possum or if he just really likes Cesear's glove.

If true, my guess is Murton's traded for pitching or becomes a 4th OF.

I'm listening to Sports Central on WGN radio and Kap said that Jim Hendry told an, unnamed, agent this week that while he can't force Soriano to come to the Cubs if he wants to play elsewhere he (Hendry) will Not be outbid by anyone to get him... That's interesting because the Cubs aren't known for outbidding anyone and maybe it means that the payroll will go higher than expected. I know that the luxury tax threshold has been raised from 117M to around 130M(?) or so with the new agreement. Also, the Cubs may be looking for Lugo in CF and Soriano in LF. They also confirmed that they have been talking to Gil Meche's agent. Finally, FYI, Joe Girardi will be on later to talk about winning Manager of the Year.

This deal with Meche isn't done yet so I will reserve judgement for now but I do agree that Hank is overpaid. Who knows, Barrett might be traded; his name has come up quite a but in trade rumors which is unusual because he was once thought to be one of Hendry's untouchables.

Bruce Levine reported that Meche could be the Cubs next signing. Levine isn't always accurate but he's actually at the GM meetings and he's been breaking news thus far...I don't know much about Meche but I don't think he is a 2 or 3 starter. Am I wrong?

Hank got a raise... Apparently, the Cubs are in spend mode. Hopefully, this will soon translate to a big bat and two good pitchers.

Looks like we are getting Izturis and Derosa next year up the middle. 2007 is over before it even had a chance to begin. Nonsense. That is silly. Why does it end anything? Exacly,the Cubs can still sign two more A/B free agents and, for what it's worth, ESPN AM 1000 is reporting that the Cubs have been talking to the Indians about acquiring Lee or Westbrook for bullpen arms so a trade may be in the works as well. Who are they trading? Hendry clearly thinks Izturis is the answer at SS. I've seen little to indicate Jacque would be traded...if anything, Hendry will take Jacque's numbers from last year as vindication for his contract and feel he has to hold onto him. These are the kind of things you have to keep in mind with our GM. He makes baffling decisions for seemingly ridiculous reasons. Murton seems to be the only one with a chance of being the odd man out. They didn't mention trading an outfielder for either Lee or Westbrook. "Bullpen arms" was specifically used so I take that to include Novoa, Ohman, Wuretz, etc.