Blueheart05

There's a feature story about Matt on MLBPlayers.com(and Cubs.com). The article is written in the first person and gives some insight into his perspective as a new Major Leaguer. This paragraph is my favorite:

That's because he could go to the Dominican Republic for his supply. They don't have smoking guns in the DR (except for Manny Alexander). Sammy has proven that he is not above cheating, e.g. corking his bat. Given that, I am fairly confident that he would have no problem taking steroids. But that just answers part of the questions. Supply is one thing, but where would he have injected it? Sosa wouldn't have taken steriods exclusively in the DR in the offseason, would he? I don't think the drugs work like that. I believe that Sammy did take steroids, but I'm just trying to figure out how he's never been ratted out. There's no real way of knowing if he definitively took steroids but Sammy did have "personal assistant" Julian Martinez. Martinez's role came into question following the BALCO uproar and change in MLB rules about eliminating "...non-essential personnel from the clubhouse." It's very possible that he helped Sammy take performance enhancing drugs during the season. Sammy claimed that Julian was there for everyone's benefit but the truth is, Martinez had a locker next to Sosa's, was known to follow him around, and was paid a salary by Sammy with the exception of the meal money the Cubs supplied. On a slightly different note, Giambi and Bonds were prevented from having their personal assistants remain with their respective teams after the new access rules went into being. I found an interesting note about Giambi's assistant: Considering Giambi has all but apologized for taking steroids, it's hard to think that Alejo was unaware of his use. It's a better bet that he was supplying and or administering the drugs. Also, there's the curious link of bringing someone over from the A's (especially in light of Canseco's claims about Palmerio, McGuire, and others in the Oakland locker room).

Maybe we can trade Walker for Patterson then. LOL, I know you're kidding but there are some rumblings that Patterson might be traded (not to the Cubs of course).

Choi was claimed off of waivers by the Red Sox Link

Bonds' lawyers are "denied." Link

I'm curious about this as well. Steve Stone was opining on The Score today that Pierre is only here for one season because Pie will start in CF for 2007.

They are talking about the most recent game. Corey was 1-15 leading up to that... Thanks for pointing that out. It's not like the original post said that explicitly or anything... LOL :wink: LOL, I could be wrong but it seemed like the timing of that post was suppose to dispute my claim that the Baltimore Sun reported he was struggling. I was just trying to put it in the context of one game... :wink:

Markakis' development has started some buzz in Baltimore about Corey (and Matos) being traded. I found this quote from, Roch Kubatko, a Sun baseball writer This is also interesting as it relates to Corey's chances for playing time if he isn't traded:

They are talking about the most recent game. Corey was 1-15 leading up to that...

No, they will probably use Matos' resurgence as bait to trade with another team. They still have other holes to fill. Link Of course, if the Cubs decide to pay the 900k difference in salaries, at the last minute, this trade with Walker may still happen.

That's why you have Spring Training. LOL. On the other hand, I hope he isn't dogging it on purpose...

The last time I checked it wasn't too good. I think he was hitting in the low 200s. But ST numbers don't really mean the much. Corey is hitting .250/.286/.365 with 1 home run and 8 strikeouts in 52 at bats. It makes me happy to hear this. I hope he does well. The better our "castoffs" perform after we trade them off, the more likely we are to get something useful in return in the future. However, if our castoffs routinely do well after we get rid of them, then that should be considered like a screaming indictment of our coaching at the major league level. Conversely, if Patterson continues to play poorly for another team, we will have to admit that he, and not the ML coaches, is responsible for his failure (or success). One thing is for sure, he certainly isn't making the Cubs coaches look bad in Spring Training. The Baltimore Sun reports that Markakis (and Matos) are outplaying him which is one reason why he was moved to a corner OF spot. There's certainly a possibility that he won't be a starter during the regular season.

It'll be interesting to see how the Cubs fare against a knuckler. That's a great quote, thanks for sharing! :D

Yes, they are considering demoting Wuertz if he doesn't get it together. Ryu might get his spot but the true beneficiary is Welly (unless he tanks in the final days they will keep him). You would think Wuertz would get the benefit of the doubt based on last year.Ryan Dempster didn't exactly pitch well last spring,or his first few starts,but they kept him.I thought a proven vet is supposed to come to spring training to get in shape for the season.Spring Training stats are misleading. Is Wuertz really a proven vet? Plus, the Cubs couldn't afford to get rid of Dempster last year especially considering he started the year in the rotation.

Howry's pitching the top of the 9th. Hmmm, looks like Ohman's in now (not sure if Howry was ever in the game).

MLB says Williamson is in.

uh, the boston media certainly has a reason to misrepresent him. just like they do with every other player that's ever left the city. Juan was never really there... you've got to be kidding me. nice argument. the boston media is notoriously extremely critical of anyone who decides not to play in the BEST BASEBALL TOWN EVAR. taking anything they say seriously is a big mistake. Nice argument? All they said was that there was "speculation." No one directly bashed him. My comment stands, if he indeed did not show or call it was not very classy.

uh, the boston media certainly has a reason to misrepresent him. just like they do with every other player that's ever left the city. Juan was never really there...

Hmmm, that's classy. of course you're going to get biased information coming out of boston - his agent may have contacted the team for him. Boston doesn't have a reason to misrepresent him; he wasn't guaranteed anything. My comment encompassed he and his representatives.

FYI, that story is from the Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec.

I think the team is concerned about having a struggling guy in the bullpen right now. As it stands, they will need a good bit of execution (and fortune) to do well the first month of the season. Of course, if Wuertz is demoted he probably will have an opportunity to regain his spot by pitching well in the Minors.

Yes, they are considering demoting Wuertz if he doesn't get it together. Ryu might get his spot but the true beneficiary is Welly (unless he tanks in the final days they will keep him).

Is this speculation or have you heard this somewhere? From KFFL.com: Cubs | Ryu could spell relief Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:21:02 -0800 Updating a previous item, The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Cubs P Jae Kuk Ryu may make the team as a relief pitcher instead, as the Cubs are looking for reliever help. It cited Kiley as the earlier source. Here is Kiley's quote in today's Suntimes Here's Sullivan comments from the Tribune

Hmmm, that's classy.

link From what I read, he was scheduled to play LF and leadoff. He was on the grounds when his name was called but he wasn't in uniform. He also left the ballpark before the completion of the game. Link