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Blueheart05

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Everything posted by Blueheart05

  1. 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.
  2. Blueheart05
    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.
  3. Blueheart05
    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?
  4. Blueheart05
    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!
  5. Blueheart05
    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!
  6. Blueheart05
    http://foxsports.foxnews.com/mlb/story/6174052 Ken Rosenthal has some interesting things to say about the Cubs...
  7. Blueheart05
    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.
  8. Blueheart05
    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.
  9. Blueheart05
    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.
  10. Blueheart05
    If true, my guess is Murton's traded for pitching or becomes a 4th OF.
  11. Blueheart05
    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.
  12. Blueheart05
    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.
  13. Blueheart05
    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?
  14. Blueheart05
    Hank got a raise... Apparently, the Cubs are in spend mode. Hopefully, this will soon translate to a big bat and two good pitchers.
  15. Blueheart05
    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.
  16. Blueheart05
    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.
  17. Blueheart05
    LMAO!
  18. Blueheart05
    I'd just go with Soto and save the couple of million. I can easily see the Cubs allowing Hank to walk while promoting Soto; especially since he works well with Rich Hill. That being said, I think Blanco is the best defensive catcher on the team.
  19. Blueheart05
    How often does a team that loose exclusive rights end up resigning the player. I can't think of one time with a big name player. I still hope Hendry gets this done and it get announced tomorrow. Paul Konerko. That said, I still doubt this'll happen with ARam. Yup, the Angels helped to increase the price the Sox had to pay to keep him. Strangely, he ended up giving the White Sox a discount instead of bolting to the West Coast. Hopefully, Aramis follows this model..;
  20. Blueheart05
    For what it's worth, the Score is reporting that the Cubs bid 20M and that it is also believed to be too low.
  21. Blueheart05
    I don't thinK she received 40% of the vote; looks like she could have used the support of Cubs fans in IL. LOL
  22. Blueheart05
    Or, if we're REALLY lucky... Z Matsuzaka Schmidt Kuroda Hill/Prior :D If they get both Matsuzaka and Kuroda there will be no room for Schmidt because I get the feeling that Miller will be signed soon (based on Hendry's own words and items written in the newspaper). However, I won't hold my breath for Matsuzaka...
  23. Blueheart05
    It's looking as if Brenly is not even a serious candidate for the Giants' job. I'm reading Wotus, Bub Black, Acta, and Bochy all ahead of Brenly. About two weeks ago, Brenly was quoted (on The Score) that he was not a candidate for any other managerial position. To the original comment, it's more likely that Steve Stone would return to the broadcast booth if Brenly departed. However, it is possible that the Cubs could add a third person to the TV or radio team (I doubt it).
  24. Blueheart05
    First of all, I find it really, really unlikely that this is true. There's no way a NTC goes unreported, nor do I think the fact that MacPhail wrote the contract would go unreported before this offseason. However, this fits in somewhat nicely with my theory about the Tribune media laying the groundwork for Ramirez not being signed. By Blaming Andy for the opt-out clause AND a supposed NTC that prevented him from being moved in July, Hendry has some cover now and a scapegoat in case anyone's upset Ramirez walks and we get nothing for him. So you now have all your bases covered. Those that have no clue will read all the stories about his "loafing" and think that the Cubs got rid of a lazy bum. Those that actually have the ability to think critically will blame MacPhail, and not Hendry, for not getting anything for him, and for allowing for the opt out in the first place. /takes off tinfoil hat. I've heard the rumor that MacPhail, and not Hendry, agreed to the opt-out clause on The Score (Murph and Boers) as well as on ESPN AM 1000.
  25. Blueheart05
    No The one word response is always good. Offense makes up more of the game than defense. Considering the makeup of the Cubs, with a lack of offense at SS, CF, and at least one corner OF spot, it would definitely make more sense to get an offensive minded 2B, even if they are not gold-glove caliber. Why would it behoove them to make infield defense more of a priority? That sounds nice to say, but what's the justification? You're not understanding me. My whole point is that the Cubs are flawed as currently constructed, and as long as they are in a position to make changes they can't go wrong with adding defense up the middle. IMO, they shouldn't be dependent on offense from secondbase. Edit: Also, to answer your question about why good infield defense is justified, I think the best answer is because it makes the pitching staff better because there is a greater chance for infield balls to turn into outs... Zambrano, Maddux, Marshall, and Dempster are all ground ball pitchers and the Cubs have other pitchers who, although they are more dependent on air-outs, can also benefit from having a solid defense behind them.
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