Blueheart05

I'm not so sure. Ponson could be healthier since it's hard to miss time with pulled fat. LOL! :lol: :lol: :lol:

2001 Miller > 2005 Ponson 2006 Miller = Allen Benes And what does the 2006 Ponson equal?

Does anyone know if Miller still has the stuff (i.e., velocity on fastball and snap on breaking pitches) since the injury? I will wait and see what happens, but IMO stockpiling injured pitchers isn't really a formula for success in the short term and is quite a gamble in the long term. A good buisness always needs insurance. If the Cubs where betting on Miller being there 5 starter in April then thats a gamble. With eveyone healthy Miller might be AAA filler Zambrano Prior Wood Maddux Rusch/Williams/Guzman/Miller/Hill/Valdez /Welley. Dempster/Williamson/Howry/Ohman/Eyre/Wuertz/Nova the Cubs have assembled enough arms this year that whatever Miller can give them is a bonus . With everyone healthy Miller is better than Maddux. His contract has incentives for upwards of 25 starts; If he's healthy enough for that many starts the Cubs rotation should be in good shape even if Wood is off a significant amount of time (which I doubt). FWIW, the Cubs expect Miller in May and Hendry says that he thinks Miller is a month behind Wood (which means Wood is on target baring setback). Link

Miller's million dollar contract includes up to a million in incentives: SI

This is ridiculous. The guy had around 350 PA's each of the last two seasons. He's not some specialist who only sees the light of day in certain situations. It's a greater assumption that he'll somehow fall apart with an extra 150-200 PA's than to assume he'll stay productive, and not fall apart for reasons that no one is able to provide, other than "there's a reason Philly never started him". At the very least, Michaels will get 200 more ABs in 2006 if he plays full time. Assuming he hits near the top of the order, he should expect an additional 300 plate appearance than his 289 last year. By comparison, Crisp had 594 ABs in 2005. I'll be curious to see how he performs for a full season.

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market. He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer. That's an dumb move on his part. Does he really think his value will go up after sitting out a year and being a year older? You gotta take what you can get. Exactly! It's crazy. Los Angeles Daily News

Plus isn't Bengie Molina 33 or something around there? For a catcher that's pretty old. There has to be a reason he's not getting any love on the free agent market. He's demanding 6M a year and threatening to sit out a year if he can't find a suitable offer.

I'm thinking: Zambrano Prior Wood Miller Guzman / Hill / Marmol Jerome Williams is not in my immediate plans for the rotation. I'd trade him if he's got any real value. Where's Maddux? I don't think he's going to the pen, or I sure as hell hope not. He's terrible in the first inning IIRC. I like this signing, A++, wish he would do it again. Z/Prior/Wood/Miller/Maddux would be my guess. Williams will be traded some time, and they'll probably use Hill out of the pen or as a spot starter, like Guzman. They are talking about 2007. Of course, Wood's mutual option would have to be exercised to see him too.

This is what Rotoworld said on 1/19: I wonder what kind, if any, incentives the Cubs included?

Anything he brings will be a bonus. Maybe he's healthy...

For Yadier Molina yes. LOL. I like the idea of Bengie Molina but really, if we're going to sign an offensively challenged catcher with great defense and game calling skills why not just let Blanco get the majority of the starts and trade Barrett? Just a thought, I don't seriously think the Cubs would consider it. How is Bengie Molina offensively challenged? His numbers are almost identical to Barrett's. Or are you saying the NL Silver Slugger at catcher last year is offensively challenged? I'm confused. Brain cramp. I was thinking about Jose Molina. I still wouldn't go for Bengie at 6M. He's going to be 32 while Barrett is turning 30 in October. If we could get him cheaper it would be a deal.

For Yadier Molina yes. LOL. I like the idea of Bengie Molina but really, if we're going to sign an offensively challenged catcher with great defense and game calling skills why not just let Blanco get the majority of the starts and trade Barrett? Just a thought, I don't seriously think the Cubs would consider it.

If the Cubs acquired Lugo (and his $4.95M contract) without shedding any salary of their own, it would probably prevent them from being able to sign Weaver, especially if the payroll is $100M. FWIW, reports say that Hendry expects the payroll to exceed 100M. I also think it's fair to say that they would shed some payroll in acquiring Lugo (if it comes to that). Plus, Walker's days seem limited. God, this has to be the worst collection of 100 million+ talent ever. No team with a 100 million+ payroll should have an outfield of Murton/Pierre/Jones. Pierre will maybe be better than average, but Murton and Jones have to be top 5 in the "worst group of corner outfielders". How can a team have Prior and Zambrano making relatively little, a group of 3 middle infielders making somewhere around 6 million, a rookie corner outfielder, an MVP candidate at first base making what, 8 million, and still come up with 100+ million? 5 salary increases for arb eligible players (included in that is Juan Pierre who started off making more than Patterson) plus the Cubs will likely extend Lee's deal before the season begins. Other moves yet to be made also will contribute to the 100M+ total (which is what Hendry seemed to be alluding to in the Suntimes).

and anger problems. Of course, there are other players with similar problems who manage to function well on the field.

Actually, that's been reported since Saturday (even thought it has today's date). The Boston Herald claims only one minor leaguer and Crisp with be exchanged for Mota and Marte.

If the Cubs acquired Lugo (and his $4.95M contract) without shedding any salary of their own, it would probably prevent them from being able to sign Weaver, especially if the payroll is $100M. FWIW, reports say that Hendry expects the payroll to exceed 100M. I also think it's fair to say that they would shed some payroll in acquiring Lugo (if it comes to that). Plus, Walker's days seem limited.

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS? I predict Cedeno will be as good as Lugo within a year or two. By all reports, the Cubs aren't looking for Lugo to replace Cedeno. He will probably play 2B and bat 2nd if acquired.

Not at all. At least not from my perspective. He's a nice hitter, for a 2B, but his defense has always been a problem. It's more of an explanation for why so few teams seem interested in him... I also dispute that the Cubs have screwed him. I remember hearing the guy from Baseball Solutions.com on the radio rattle off the numbers about 2B . Walker was the worst 2B in the MLs at turning the double play in 2003. He platooned in 2004 and was injured for part of 2005 so I don't think he's improved in that area. I think teams are taking those things into consideration. Certainly, if he were a hot item he would have been traded already. Defense is not a static ability. Like hitting people have good year's and bad years. Walker had a very bad year defensively in '03, and was better in '04 and '05. Still below average, but not the travesty that people are making his defense to be. In fact, very similar to Juan Pierre in CF. It might not be static but he is still a below average defender. One could argue that Pierre's defense will improve now that he's playing half of his games in a cozy ballpark. However, I don't think there is a senario where Walker's defense can be improved dramatically. Juan Pierre will not become a better defender because he plays at Wrigley. Wrigley will not help him take better routes to balls, or put some extra zip on his throws. It may help disguise his shortcomings because of tinier alleys, but he's still the same guy. It certainly wont make his weak throwing arm stronger but not playing in a football stadium will help minimize (if even a little) it's impact. Also, taking bad routes doesn't mean that the ball won't be caught. His speed should make up for any errors in judgement because he'll be covering significantly less ground. Murton also has a weak throwing arm. The key to the outfield will be utilizing their collective speed to track down balls and hitting the cut-off man. Only Jones will have the ability to throw out runners (and he isn't always accurate).

Not at all. At least not from my perspective. He's a nice hitter, for a 2B, but his defense has always been a problem. It's more of an explanation for why so few teams seem interested in him... I also dispute that the Cubs have screwed him. I remember hearing the guy from Baseball Solutions.com on the radio rattle off the numbers about 2B . Walker was the worst 2B in the MLs at turning the double play in 2003. He platooned in 2004 and was injured for part of 2005 so I don't think he's improved in that area. I think teams are taking those things into consideration. Certainly, if he were a hot item he would have been traded already. Defense is not a static ability. Like hitting people have good year's and bad years. Walker had a very bad year defensively in '03, and was better in '04 and '05. Still below average, but not the travesty that people are making his defense to be. In fact, very similar to Juan Pierre in CF. It might not be static but he is still a below average defender. One could argue that Pierre's defense will improve now that he's playing half of his games in a cozy ballpark. However, I don't think there is a senario where Walker's defense can be improved dramatically. Walker's defense is not that bad. Besides with the Cubs staff, defense is even less of a premium (high K and high BB). The Cubs didn't loose last year because they couldn't play defense at 2nd. This idea that no team wants Walker b/c he can't play defense is shaky to me. First, how many teams are in the market for a 2nd baseman? Second, given Walker's value in terms of contract and production, one would have to think Hendry is asking for a fair trade. Maybe teams don't see the upside of trading a valuable piece of the future for a one year rental. If Hendry didn't want Walker then he shouldn't have picked up the option. I believe it was Bruce Miles that mentioned that some of the Cubs pitchers didn't like his defense. Perhaps that is the motivating factor. Walker's problem isn't errors so much as it's the balls/plays he doesn't make because of his range or speed. Perhaps 2.5 M is overpriced, for him, at this stage of his career. The Cubs signed him as a FA in 2004 for 1.75M and from 2001- 03 he was undercontract for 6.55M (that's 2.18 M per year base)

Pie was hurt for a while and because of that you shouldn't put much stock in his winter league play. It was always his tools moreso than his results that had everyone excited anyways. He is still a top 30 prospect, imo. That sounds like Corey...

Could that spectacular prospect be Pie or Cedeno now that the Red Sox are apparently going in another direction as SS? My guess is that they are asking for pitching....but maybe Cedeno. I can't see the Rays having much interest in Pie. With Gomes, Crawford, Baldelli, and Young on the way...a CF isn't much use to them. If they think they'll have to shift Upton to third or the outfield, they may want a SS, so I could see them asking for Cedeno. You're right about them wanting pitching from the Cubs at least according to the St Petersburg Times Maybe a more reasonable trade for Lugo can take place now that Marte is out of the way.

Not at all. At least not from my perspective. He's a nice hitter, for a 2B, but his defense has always been a problem. It's more of an explanation for why so few teams seem interested in him... I also dispute that the Cubs have screwed him. I remember hearing the guy from Baseball Solutions.com on the radio rattle off the numbers about 2B . Walker was the worst 2B in the MLs at turning the double play in 2003. He platooned in 2004 and was injured for part of 2005 so I don't think he's improved in that area. I think teams are taking those things into consideration. Certainly, if he were a hot item he would have been traded already. Defense is not a static ability. Like hitting people have good year's and bad years. Walker had a very bad year defensively in '03, and was better in '04 and '05. Still below average, but not the travesty that people are making his defense to be. In fact, very similar to Juan Pierre in CF. It might not be static but he is still a below average defender. One could argue that Pierre's defense will improve now that he's playing half of his games in a cozy ballpark. However, I don't think there is a senario where Walker's defense can be improved dramatically.

There was speculation that he had a slightly torn laburm (?) but that rumor was refuted by the Braves. I think the Red Sox planned to keep him but when Damon flew the coop they were forced to act.

Not at all. At least not from my perspective. He's a nice hitter, for a 2B, but his defense has always been a problem. It's more of an explanation for why so few teams seem interested in him... I also dispute that the Cubs have screwed him. I remember hearing the guy from Baseball Solutions.com on the radio rattle off the numbers about 2B . Walker was the worst 2B in the MLs at turning the double play in 2003. He platooned in 2004 and was injured for part of 2005 so I don't think he's improved in that area. I think teams are taking those things into consideration. Certainly, if he were a hot item he would have been traded already.

The Boston Globe is reporting a six-player swap: "The Red Sox, according to a source with knowledge of the deal, have reached agreement in principle with the Indians on a complex six-player deal centered upon 26-year-old Coco Crisp that also will bring to town a quality setup man in 28-year-old David Riske and young catcher Josh Bard." Link. We'll see. I'm not interested in judging the merits of this trade. I just wish we had been in on Crisp. TheBoston Hearld says there's a possibility that Crisp and one (unnamed) minor leaguer may go to Boston for Marte and Mota. Marte is a blue chip prospect and frankly, the Cubs don't have one. It would have taken a number of prospects to equal Marte plus, they would have asked for a ML reliever. I'd pass.