Blueheart05

The Astros might also be willing to part with Lidge in a deal for Abreu which trumps anything we'd be willing to offer.

You beat me to it. It looks like a six player deal Foxsports.com

The rumor mill says the Astros may be on the verge of making a big signing. The Houston Chronicle confirms that Abreu is on the radar but McClain is tight lipped overall.

.335-.340 or higher in my book That would give us the second highest OBP in the NL. A number of teams in the NL were between .330ish -.339 with Philly leading the way at .348 The Cubs inability to walk (last in the NL) as a team is largely accountable for their subpar OBP.

It appears that Alfonso is both insisting that he play 2B and threatening to go back to the AL next season. With that in mind, the Nationals would be smart to try to flip him for a longterm player. Foxsports.com

.335-.340 or higher in my book

They seem to think Walker' going to have a subpar season.

Only if he can be signed to a minor league contract while he rehabs. Hendry likes projects so it's not out of the realm of possibilities.

Rotoworld I didn't feel like reading this whole thread but that has always been the concern with Renyel. He has always had the stuff but it was just a matter of him finding a way to command it. This isn't some newfound insight that just came up. Yes, I know he's especially had ongoing command problems but that was in the minors (AAA where he had more walks than IP). This news relates to his Winter Leagues appearances where's he's facing a lot of ML- quality hitters.

If that's the criteria than they'll probably have 5 servicable (uninjured) outfielders on opening day as well. That doesn't mean they'll be any good, just like Rusch or Maddux being healthy in April doesn't mean they'll be any good in April. LOL, I didn't say they were going to be good but I do dispute that 80% of the rotation will be injured. Let's not make sweeping assumptions. You didn't quote my second paragraph. Rusch and Maddux aren't the problem the fact that we wont have a true number 3 pitcher is. I would prefer another SP before the season starts.

Why? I remember him kicking ass in both playoff series. For the record, I was among the anti-Alou crowd but would love to have him back. Last year's abominable offense made me miss the piss. I blame the Bartman incident on both Alou (and Gonzo). IMO, it was Alou that unnerved the crowd, Prior, and the rest of the team with his outburst. Had Moises simply acted like the ball was a routine ball out of play the inning would have proceeded without incident (and Prior would have probably escaped unscathed). Alou's reaction quieted the crowd and made eveyone feel weird. I was watching at home thinking "oh no" and I'm sure it affected AGon, Prior, and everyone else. From what I've read, McKeon said , in response to the Bartman ball, "let's make this kid famous." In reality it was Alou that made him famous with his usual lack of self control. Given the circumstances I think most people would have reacted the same way as Alou. It was just one of those freak things in an intense playoff game. I understand intensity but I think Alou's reaction was over the top (and it wouldn't be the last time he flew off the handle as a Cub). IMO, all the things he does wrong (including not controlling his temper) outweigh his offensive abilities.

good point, the cubs better trade pie, harvey and hill for aubrey huff since we cant get anything better You missed the point. When did I say that the Cubs have depth in the outfield? the cubs have so much depth the glendon rusch is in the starting rotation. also, when you account for the fact that something like 80% of these guys are going to get hurt, i dont know why you go out of your way to make sure you don't have too many good young pitchers. 80% hurt? Wood is a given but I'm not in favor of calling Prior's flukish injuries chronic (of course, if he isn't ready to go out of ST I might. LOL). The Cubs should have 5 servicable (uninjured) arms on opening day. I don't have a problem with Rusch per say if he's 4th or 5th in the rotation. The problem is that with Woody hurt (again), Williams is also thrusted into the spotlight which leaves three (Maddux, Rusch, and Williams) of the 5 guys as question marks for effectiveness.

Why? I remember him kicking ass in both playoff series. For the record, I was among the anti-Alou crowd but would love to have him back. Last year's abominable offense made me miss the piss. I blame the Bartman incident on both Alou (and Gonzo). IMO, it was Alou that unnerved the crowd, Prior, and the rest of the team with his outburst. Had Moises simply acted like the ball was a routine ball out of play the inning would have proceeded without incident (and Prior would have probably escaped unscathed). Alou's reaction quieted the crowd and made eveyone feel weird. I was watching at home thinking "oh no" and I'm sure it affected AGon, Prior, and everyone else. From what I've read, McKeon said , in response to the Bartman ball, "let's make this kid famous." In reality it was Alou that made him famous with his usual lack of self control.

You're exaggerating to say the least. How can two prospects that haven't been able to pitch well outside of AA be worth more than Juan Pierre? I realize that "worth" is subjective to a degree but let's look at this objectively; Juan Pierre is a more than servicable Major Leaguer who has helped to contribute to a WS victory. One can argue that there are more effective CF's but that isn't the point, he isn't the worst CF either. Plus, the Cubs weren't the only team looking to trade for him (which can point to his worth). That's certainly one way to describe Pinto and Nolasco. Another would be "two prospects with good stuff who dominated AA at age appropriate levels". One could also argue that when Pinto was promoted to AAA he couldn't compete. The Cubs should have promoted Nolasco last year but they left him in AA to continue working (who knows, it might have been because they didn't want to risk lowering his tradeability. I wouldn't be surprised if Hendry had plans to use them as trade bait before the offseason began). I like potential like the next person but Pinto and Nolasco haven't had enough sustained success to really worry about loosing them. That's not to say that it wouldn't bother me if one or both had successful ML careers in the near future. On the other hand, if it takes 5 to 7 years or more before they blossom that is the chance every team will take because you can't hold on to all of them...

Only to people who sorely devalue Pierre. One weak hitting CFer who won't take a walk making his entire worth dependent on his speed and batting average are never worth two left handed pitchers with decent upside plus a 4th starter. Never. Nolasco is a RHP and he's probably the best of the three. The only sure thing the Marlins got out of the trade was Mitre because he will most likely be in their rotation next year.

You're exaggerating to say the least. How can two prospects that haven't been able to pitch well outside of AA be worth more than Juan Pierre? I realize that "worth" is subjective to a degree but let's look at this objectively; Juan Pierre is a more than servicable Major Leaguer who has helped to contribute to a WS victory. One can argue that there are more effective CF's but that isn't the point, he isn't the worst CF either. Plus, the Cubs weren't the only team looking to trade for him (which can point to his worth).

Not me. I want all three to become good major league pitchers, but none to become a superstar. The last thing we need is for the Cubs minor league system to get a bad reputation around baseball. In all fairness, if nothing becomes of the MiL's it wouldn't/shouldn't reflect poorly on the Cubs. Teams understand that they are taking a chance when they trade for unproven talent. Having said that, I agree that it is best for teams to make trades that help both sides; it isn't good to give the appearance of always getting over on other teams.

I'm with you!

Pinto may turn out to be a bust if he doesn't harness his control. Of course, he might learn command of his pitches overtime but right now he's either very wild or very hittable. It's obvious he isn't ready for primetime considering his output in the VWL (against many ML quality hitters) as well as his missteps in AAA. Rotoworld

This doesn't make sense. Kolb does not "have to" be non-tendered just so the Brewers can sign him to a lower contract. The Brewers can resign him before the 20th to a lower rate than his 2005 contract. If he is non-tendered, he is free to negotiate with any team, including the Brewers, but that puts Kolb in a better bargaining position. :roll: I'm not sure why you rolled your eyes. Apparently, Kolb and the Brewers have come to an understanding about lowering his pay. In theory, being nontendered makes him a FA however, he must be happy with the idea of going back to the Brewers otherwise the team wouldn't be willing to take the risk that he would attempt to sign elsewhere.

I, too, could be wrong, but I don't believe that the Cubs can dictate to WL teams where they want their guys to play. They can ask, but that's all. I don't know either, but seening as to how it seems to function more like an instructional league with players coming and going all the time I would think that having Cedeno play 2nd wouldn't be much of a problem. The VWL doesn't view itself as an instructional league of MLB even though it is often used for that purpose. The league is autonomous.

The As have not signed him since trading for him. Certainly makes one wonder if they don't sign him today, will they take a chance on what he might get by offering him arby? Yes, of course. This is a team that exercised a $4 million option on Jay Payton. They won't blink at paying Bradley a $4-ish contract. Interestingly enough, the Brewers just traded for Kolb, and now may non-tender him if they can't work out an agreement before the non-tender date. Would the A's do the same? I'm curious. From what I read, the Brewers have an agreement with Kolb that he will be non tendered with the intention of re-signing him to a lower contract. MLB.com

No thanks. Alou is better in LF which still leaves a hole in RF (he's not a platoon guy). I don't think it's as easy as moving Murton to RF. Besides, I've been disgusted with Alou since the 2003 playoffs...

I think when the Cubs missed out on Furcal, it changed the chances of Walker being traded. I disagree based on quotes from Hendry after the Furcal signing. He mentioned having three middle infielders (Cedeno, Perez and Hairston). He suspiciously didn't mention Walker at all which would lead most people to believe that Todd is on the block. Suntimes.com I was aware of that quote and thinking about it as I wrote the above post. I agree that it can certainly mean that Hendry has every intention of trading Walker. He also could have simply misspoke and we are reading a lot into it. Regardless, Walker is still with the team. There are no half way decent free agent 2B left and yet there are still teams that are in need of a 2B. I think his trade value is higher now that it has ever been. That said, I still don't want Walker to be dealt without getting someone of equal or better production at SS or 2B to replace him. I don't think that's true. I remember reading some where that Hendry was specifically asked about Walker and he balked at mentioning him in the same light as the other three. IIRC, he said something like "he's [Walker] still a member of the team" which doesn't do anything to dispell the rumors that he's being shopped. BTW, I agree. If Walker is traded we need to get something comparable for him.

I don't think anyone was really advocating that. I think they were talking about Ronny playing 2B. It certainly was rumored in the papers that Hendry wanted Lugo and Huff (and that a trade offer is on the table). It had nothing to do with getting rid of Cedeno.