Blueheart05

This is an interesting quote from theWashington Post I don't see the Cubs getting into this mess at all...

I think the problem is that they spend 100 million when they could spend 10 million+ more. They look at the Cubs as something that should turn a profit. If it were strictly about turning a profit, the player salaries would be significantly less and they would not be paying the manager 4M/year on a team with 3M+ in attendance. The Cubs have gotten the wrap of being a team that doesn't spend to win based on past leadership. In truth, a team doesn't need 100M payroll to win a championship. IMO, the Cubs have increased the team payroll, in the last few seasons, in an effort to both counterbalance the negative view of never spending as well as to field more competitive teams. We can debate about some of the moves but it's clear that they aren't made on a team that isn't trying to win. Cubs tickets were a dime a dozen not that long ago. After the barren 1970s, -80s, and much of the 1990s, the team attempted to bring in a winning managment team. Andy MacPhail may be controversial now, but his hiring was suppose to signal a positive change in the direction of the team. Afterall, he has a winning resume (with the Twins). Similarly,the promotion of Jim Hendry, to GM, and the hiring of Dusty Baker, as the field manager, were both apart of the team's committment to winning. Obviously, the team still has a lot of work to do but I don't see the general failures as a specific desire to turn a profit at the expense of winning.

Marshall pitched 3 innings, 1 BB, 2 H, 2 SO, 0 R He's yet to give up a run this Spring.

What happened? I stepped away for a minute and the game is done? Did it rain? Rain shortened.

Wood is progressing a lot better than expected but he's still building strength. He may return much sooner than expected. Cubs.com

The game ends as a tie. 4-4

get your tickets now for 2009? No, it was talking about this year's games. :lol:

Jenkins stills a hit from Marshall.

Ronny with the 2-run blast!

I think rumors of trading Williamson were perpetrated by the Chicago media in an effort to create "news". I never gave them much credence. It's not logical. Actually, it was Willamson who started the rumors by saying he still has a desire to close. To be honest, I think his comments were sparked by being traded in the past. Plus, at the time, it also appeared to be a crowded bullpen but now Novoa's failing health and Wuertz's struggles have made Williamson's future here a near lock. Hendry took a chance on Williamson for 2006 not 2005 (he knew Williamson wouldn't be effective last year) In the March 1,2006 Suntimes He talks about his desire to close. Before this article, Hendry hadn't been quoted about trading Willamson. These kind of quotes have also, no doubt, caught Dempster's attention. He has a lot of competition this year if he falters. I think that's why he's been throwing side sessions and working extra hard to build arm strength. Demp is scheduled to get into the game today after a week off of live pitching.

found in today's Washington Post

I also agree with this quote

Who knows, the Nats might look to acquire another player while letting Soriano go unpaid for the year. If that happens, Soriano will definitely be the loser; he won't accrue time so he won't be a free agent at the end of the year and he won't get paid. LOL, I hope they disqualify him and get someone else to play LF.

The Reds need pitching desperately, particularly pitching they can afford. Arroyo becomes their best pitcher (even if he should be a servicable 3rd), and allows them to shift Dunn back to LF, and possibly add another pitcher . Pena may seem like a lot of talent to give up, but the Reds could afford to give him up (and clearly favored Kearns more), and they still might be able to acquire another pitcher with the financial flexibility Arroyo provides. It really is a smart move for them, as well as Boston. I'm sorry, I don't understand "allows them to shift Dunn back to LF." a) how is that positive? b) Who's playing first if he's in LF? Narron says Hatteberg at 1B with Dunn in LF.

WHo plays LF for the Nationals? I doubt they would put walker out there.

Entirely untrue, especially the part about the NL OF. Jones was 5th in NL OF's and OPS, and the large OBP differential between him and the players immediately below him(Edmonds, Giles, Burrell, Jenkins, Abreu) makes it even worse for Andruw. Soriano's OPS last year barely puts him in the top 15 of NL OF's, worse if you consider players with 400 PA's or more. His best season ever barely puts him in the top 10, and outside it if 400 PA guys are included. LOL, thanks for the info. I certainly didn't check the numbers on it. I was going purely by what the author wrote. :oops:

It's not like Wilkerson can't slug. He may not hit as many homers as Soriano, but his combination of OBP and power make him a more complete, and better, hitter. As far as the lineup is concerned, a better idea is to get the best players available at each position and then worry about where to hit them. Trying to find prototypical hitters is a bad strategy. It's hard for me to argue that Soriano is a better complete player because I think his defense at 2B takes away a lot from his total value (thus a switch to the outfield might benefit him). I'm also not advocating prototypical hitters (i.e. "leadoff hitters). I guess what I'm saying is that, even with his subpar OBP (high strikeouts and almost non-existent walks) he has still managed to be among the most productive players in the ML (certainly at his position). The article also points out that, quite possibly, Soriano would only be second to Andruw Jones offensively among NL OF (if he makes the switch). Between Soriano and Wilkerson, I think Wilkerson has much more to prove. Maybe my view of his game is marred by the fact that he traditionally doesn't score a lot of runs. With the exception of 2004, his career year, he has yet to score more 100 runs (92 runs in 2002 was the closest). Of course, that has a lot to do with the players hitting behind him (which can mostly be chalked up to playing for the Expos. Some of that also has to do with his low stolen base %). It seems like he's been miss cast as a "leadoff man." At the very least, I would bat him second and take advantage of his ability to hit doubles. He also has to prove that he's healthy this year.

I'm sure that's the reason why he was traded (that and his horrible defense on a team with more than enough offense).

You think Wilkerson will out perform Soriano offensively? I think a move to the outfield will only improve Soriano's defensive numbers. 2B is too important for a player with his defensive deficiencies. However, Wilkerson would still probably out perform him defensively. Three-year OPS plus. Wilkerson 2003: 104 2004: 128 2005: 105 Soriano 2003: 131 2004: 98 2005: 110 It's possible that Wilkerson could outproduce him. Wilkerson played last year with a lingering injury. If he's healthy, he could produce an OPS+ of 110-120. That would be the range I'd expect of Soriano. I see the numbers but I still don't think he will do it. Wilkerson being ticketed for the top of the lineup doesn't help his case either. Soriano will strike out more but he's also a safer bet to have 30 homers and 100 RBI. A player's lineup spot doesn't do anything for his value if he puts up the production, and there's no reason to expect Wilkerson's numbers to drop at the top of the order. Also, 30 HR and 100 RBI are arbitrary and ultimately inaccurate measures of a hitter. Wilkerson is more likely to have a good combination of OBP and power, therefore, he's more likely to be the better hitter. I value OBP, and thus Wilkerson's ability to get on base, but without a player with the ability to consistently get the runner home it doesn't mean much. Conversely, Soriano is someone with a lesser ability to get on base but he consistently drives home runs. Also, the spot in the lineup does come into play, to some degree, when you look at each players value to their respective team. DO you want to bat the guy with consistent 30 homer power at the top of the lineup? I don't.

You think Wilkerson will out perform Soriano offensively? I think a move to the outfield will only improve Soriano's defensive numbers. 2B is too important for a player with his defensive deficiencies. However, Wilkerson would still probably out perform him defensively. I think it's pretty likely Wilkerson outperforms Soriano, especially given that they just swapped ballparks on opposite ends of the spectrum. I'm talking about offensive ability. I do agree that Soriano's power numbers will likely be affected in his new home park (that is if he takes the field or isn't traded). My point is, Soriano is a much more productive offensive player than Wilkerson. And that's not really true. Soriano slugs, but can't get on base very much. Wilkerson is going to get on base at a good clip, and if his (shoulder?) injury is behind him he will likely slug very well too(moving from RFK to Arlington can only help that). Well, it is true. Wilkerson will get on base more often but he will also work at or near the top of the batting order which limits his RBI opportunities. In 2004, when Wilkerson hit 32 homers he only had 67 RBI. If teams really respected his offensive prowess he would bat in the middle of the lineup.

You think Wilkerson will out perform Soriano offensively? I think a move to the outfield will only improve Soriano's defensive numbers. 2B is too important for a player with his defensive deficiencies. However, Wilkerson would still probably out perform him defensively. Three-year OPS plus. Wilkerson 2003: 104 2004: 128 2005: 105 Soriano 2003: 131 2004: 98 2005: 110 It's possible that Wilkerson could outproduce him. Wilkerson played last year with a lingering injury. If he's healthy, he could produce an OPS+ of 110-120. That would be the range I'd expect of Soriano. I see the numbers but I still don't think he will do it. Wilkerson being ticketed for the top of the lineup doesn't help his case either. Soriano will strike out more but he's also a safer bet to have 30 homers and 100 RBI.

You think Wilkerson will out perform Soriano offensively? I think a move to the outfield will only improve Soriano's defensive numbers. 2B is too important for a player with his defensive deficiencies. However, Wilkerson would still probably out perform him defensively. I think it's pretty likely Wilkerson outperforms Soriano, especially given that they just swapped ballparks on opposite ends of the spectrum. I'm talking about offensive ability. I do agree that Soriano's power numbers will likely be affected in his new home park (that is if he takes the field or isn't traded). My point is, Soriano is a much more productive offensive player than Wilkerson.

You think Wilkerson will out perform Soriano offensively? I think a move to the outfield will only improve Soriano's defensive numbers. 2B is too important for a player with his defensive deficiencies.However, Wilkerson would still probably out perform him defensively.

Well, Bowden gave away something for him but I don't think Wilkerson et al was equal near equal value for the kind of offensive game Soriano brings. I agree with this quote: Possible senarios

I don't happen to agree that Bowden is the main offender here but I found a quote to support your argument (it also supports my idea that Soriano is crazy because he would benefit by moving to the outfield; he isn't exactly a stellar defender). The Washinton Times