Blueheart05

From everything I've seen, Cedeno has not played at all at 2B this offseason. It is different, but not to the point where you can excuse Hendry for failure because he has more work to do. The fact that there are more holes in the first place is very much his responsibility. He's not stepping into this situation, he created it. First off, I thought I read that Cedeno was moved to 2B this off season. I will look for something to back that up and post it. Secondly, my point about the holes is not that he's excused it's that it's much easier to make a splash (i.e. Thome) when you're dealing from a position of strength. For instance, I firmly believe that, for the first time, Hendry is negotiating a deal where he doesn't have the upper hand. Furcal's price has risen because the team's involved are all desperate for a SS/leadoff man. Also, he didn't create all the holes but I do agree that it's his responsibility to address them. All things being equal, the Cubs should only be seeking a RF. Who would have predicted Patterson's fall and Nomar's subpar first half (especially when he looked so strong in ST) and his eventual injury? Not to mention the failure in the bullpen last year by guys who flat out didn't get the job done or who were injured. No one gets a pass but let's not act like he's sitting on his hands either.

It's Complete:

Are you really unhappy about it from the perspective that we all knew ahead of time (without knowing the market price) that Hendry would pursue Furcal and (probably) look to play Cedeno at 2B? I don't know if Jim pursued Castillo for second base but it seems reasonable to me that the Cubs have/had plans on allowing Cedeno the opportunity to start at 2B (didn't they switch him to 2B in winterball?) The Marlins (and other teams) aren't going to wait and, considering what we already know, having Cedeno play SS would be a backup plan (all this while theoretically plan A is still viable).

I don't know if its restlessness or what but, at every turn, Hendry' letting the Cubs be upstaged by White Sox. First the WS now, the Sox trade for Thome and resign Konerko and what has Hendry done? Sign a couple of over priced middle relievers, Nefi the Great and made the infamous trade for a PTNL, way to go Jimbo. I don't feel upstaged about the Thome signing. Frankly, he has things to prove coming off of an injury year. Plus, Thome certainly has a cloud of rumor and innuendo following him considering the new rules against performance enhancing drugs... I digress... I think it's obvious Hendry is trying to work other deals. You really can't compare his task to the Sox because he has more holes to fill. Anyway, there will be plenty of time to judge the offseason; the Winter Meetings haven't even started yet. I expect action and if I don't get it I will blast him too.

Giles tidbits from Rotoworld:

Dude, no offense, but could you take an extra minute or two and improve punctuation and grammar in your posts. I'm not exactly an English major, but your posts have got to be getting passed up by more than just me.----------good enough? EDIT: Please reduce the size of Pujols' mid-life crisis pic, too. ---He is not in a mid-life crisis, he is just showing that he doesn't use cork. :wink: Thanks! :lol: Nah, the cork is just further up the shaft. :wink: :P

Nah, don't feel that way. I'm sorry if you feel like you were jumped on. I'm sure we've all done it. :)

Wow, that's a bit strong. I'm sure She/he was just trying to be informative.

Yeah, we touched on it here: Thread

It's up now: link

Luis is now a Minnesota Twin that's why. :wink:

You beat me to it. :D

LOL, yes, I saw that too and told him there was no reason to spy. :D

just asking how many times has kerry been on the dl? Kerry isn't a FA and not in question. :wink:

LMAO :lol:

i must come to burnett's defense here, he's only had one injury. although i'd take a healthy wood over him any day. I thought I read that Burnett had 2 TJS's? 2001: 173.1 IP 2002: 204.1 IP 2003: 23 IP 2004: 120 IP 2005: 209 IP these numbers only leave room for one surgery. In 2000: Link In 2003: Link

i must come to burnett's defense here, he's only had one injury. although i'd take a healthy wood over him any day. I thought I read that Burnett had 2 TJS's? 2001: 173.1 IP 2002: 204.1 IP 2003: 23 IP 2004: 120 IP 2005: 209 IP Yes I believe in 2000 & 2003

Oh yeah, for all the Wood bashers that say he's no good because he's never won more than 14 games, Burnett has never won more than 12 games in his career.

BINGO! I've been saying that all along (it has nothing to do with the Cardinals interest in Burnett). The contract offers to him are way out of step with his durability. Frankly, 3 years guaranteed might be a stretch and rumor has it he was 5 years. :lol:

Thomas can play zero defense so I don't see him coming to the NL. His future is as a DH.

Did you mean Blanco or am I missing something?

Between the two, Furcal has a greater chance of playing out his contract. AJ Burnett can dominate but he hasn't proven to me that he's worth a 5 year commitment. I agree about playing out the contract - Burnett is high risk high reward. Still, I'd rather have Burnett. Perhaps... Teams spend based on need and with the current state of the Cubs' rotation I'm not sure they can afford to gamble on Burnett. However, I can certainly understand the Cardinals interest in him. Conversely, aquiring Furcal solves a couple of different problems for the Cubs so I can see why they have offered him 5/50. On another note, while I'm not the least bit confident that Wood will be completely healthy this year I am hoping that the law of averages are on the Cubs side, this season, and that he'll make a substantial number (dare I say all) of his starts. Given Burnett's track record over the last three years don't you have the same concerns about him? Yes, he made 32 starts last year but only 19 in 2004 and 4 in 2003 before having a second TJS. The funny thing is I think Furcal makes more sense for the Cards then the Cubs. As it stands STL has no 2nd basemen - Eck could slide over there and we could put Furcal. The Cubs however have RC and Walker - both are solid options. The Cubs don't have a leadoff hitter. Moreover, they seem hell bent on trading Walker and (probably) starting Cedeno at second unless something more proven comes along. That leaves SS open (and NO Neifi is not a viable starting option). I think Furcal is going to stay with the Braves. His agent is using the Cubs and Dodgers to try to squeeze more out of Atlanta. Why wouldn't the guy take a 5/50 contract? As it stands, I think that's the best deal this offseason (this side of BJ Ryan) in terms of money and length of contract.

http://www.anytimecostumes.com/Merchant2/graphics/bodyparts/00173287.jpg Three of a surgeon's best friends, an old guy, and Vicente Padilla? Yikes. Besides you already have one Wood. Do you really need two? when did prior have surgery? and has burnett had more than one injury in his career? Burnett has had two TJS.

Between the two, Furcal has a greater chance of playing out his contract. AJ Burnett can dominate but he hasn't proven to me that he's worth a 5 year commitment. I agree about playing out the contract - Burnett is high risk high reward. Still, I'd rather have Burnett. Perhaps... Teams spend based on need and with the current state of the Cubs' rotation I'm not sure they can afford to gamble on Burnett. However, I can certainly understand the Cardinals interest in him. Conversely, aquiring Furcal solves a couple of different problems for the Cubs so I can see why they have offered him 5/50. On another note, while I'm not the least bit confident that Wood will be completely healthy this year I am hoping that the law of averages are on the Cubs side, this season, and that he'll make a substantial number (dare I say all) of his starts. Given Burnett's track record over the last three years don't you have the same concerns about him? Yes, he made 32 starts last year but only 19 in 2004 and 4 in 2003 before having a second TJS.

Between the two, Furcal has a greater chance of playing out his contract. AJ Burnett can dominate but he hasn't proven to me that he's worth a 5 year commitment.