CardsFanInChiTown

I edited my post. Anyway, 119+ is top 150 all-time? baseball-reference.com has #100 @ 136 - I doubt he's near 150. Anyway who cares - he was a corner OFer. OPS+ doesn't take in to account a players position.

nor should anyone with a career OPS+ of 87. Whose OPS+ does that belong to? Ozzie Smith. Smith should be in the hall, he was a decent hitter for a SS of that era. I think you could make a better case against Lou Brock if you want to slam a Cardinal HOFer.

The same thing happened to me.

Corner OFers with a career line of .279/.323/.482 shouldn't make it.

edit - Wrong Link

I think the Cards will do something. They'll end up with Dontrelle Willis - I'm basing on nothing.

I have serveral life-time diehard Sox fans and they all called me saying the same thing. It might be good for long term or might not, but the fact remains if you can win now why plan for long term. Except for penny-pinching, I don't understand this deal. The Sox weren't that far out of it this year and a few good moves put them right back in it. Along with all of these prospects (and they are just that until they prove themselves), you've got a future of Thome digressing or retiring, Konerko regressing, and Dye leaving for FA. The only way some of these trades make any sense is if they use the young pitching in trade for young positional players (Crawford, Baldelli, Cabrera, etc.). Also, if they're going young, they had better trade Buerhle at some point. What has McCarthy proved? It's not like he's been dominating MLB. This deal could better their team this year and in the future.

Last year McCarthy proved he can put up a 4.68 ERA as a relief pitcher.

Why is this a step backwards for the Sox? McCarthy wasn't a stud out of the bullpen last year. The guys they got for McCarthy might have potential.But they are 2 or 3 years away and now it leaves that spot in the rotation open ..All their fans have the win now attitude and expectations are so high after winning the series in '05..they don't want to see the pieces they need to win it again sent away for prospects..They have the same win now attitude as we do..Not looking 2 or 3 years away to see what happens.McCarthy is the only Major League ready guy in that trade and has proven to get out hitters.Almost all their fans hate the trade and I dont blame them..It might ending up being good a couple years from now.But right now its a step back Baseball America thinks both of them are probably ready. I suspect Williams has Danks pegged for the #5 spot. This isn't a huge step back.

Why is this a step backwards for the Sox? McCarthy wasn't a stud out of the bullpen last year.

Masset has relief ace potential. I like this deal for the Sox. I was never a huge McCarthy and it looks like the Sox weren't either. They never really gave him a shot at the rotation.

I should have mentioned this is his preliminary list. Here's what he wrote about it:

2007 Chicago Cubs Prospects 1. Felix Pie, OF, Grade B+ (tools look like they are developing) 2. Donald Veal, LHP, Grade B+ (excellent stuff, needs to reduce walks) 3. Eric Patterson, 2B, Grade B+ (looks solid to me, has improved in all phases) 4. Sean Gallagher, RHP, B (inning-eater type) 5. Mark Pawelek, LHP, B (could rise to B+ if he stays in shape) 6. Jeff Samardzija, RHP, B- (talented, but raw for a college guy and the whole football thing scares me) 7. Tyler Colvin, OF, B- (I'm not as wild about him as some people) 8. Jae Kuk Ryu, RHP, B- (looked bad in the majors but a good Triple-A season) 9. Scott Moore, 3B, C+ (utility guy with a power bat) 10. Ryan Theroit, INF, C+ (not technically a rookie, but the Cubs system is thin enough that I will probably put him in the book. Last year was a fluke but he's a decent player) 11. Juan Mateo, RHP, C+ (was rushed and it showed) 12. Adam Harben, RHP, C+ (gets lots of grounders) 13. Mitch Atkins, RHP, C+ (sleeper prospect to watch) 14. Jake Fox, C, C+ (nice power bat) 15. Chris Huesby, RHP, C (good arm but a long way away) 16. Jose Ceda, RHP, C (good arm but a long way away) 17. Ryan Harvey, OF, C (I'm getting skeptical) 18. Clay Rapada, LHP, C (good LOOGY) 19. Rocky Cherry, RHP, C (maybe a good ROOGY) 20. Chris Shaver, LHP, C (finesse pitcher who did well in Double-A) Additional Comments

Exactly. And when it's all said and done, I believe the point will be moot. My guess is that Marquis won't mess with 21 and the Cubs eventually will retire it. I hope the Cubs will eventually retire the number, I'm afraid that too many bridges were burned. Time heals a lot of wounds. Plus, I doubt 10-15 yrs from now the front office will look completely different. I doubt they will care.

I'm starting to think this team is just a pretender. /knee jerk reaction

Bernie is very reliable... Link

A kinda sorta crazy internet rumor: If LA signs Schmidt they'll trade Penny and prospects for Manny. Take it with a grain of salt.

A strong deal will have to be something like 4/$70M. There's a chance but I think Schmidt is just angling to get a few more dollars out of L.A. BTW, Bernie is a very credible source. We shall see.

Uhm....HUh?!?! I thought it was official. Wioshful thinking on the Cards part? Maybe. I'm just reporting what's on the radio. I thought you guys might find it interesting, maybe the Cubs still have a shot to.

On 590 Schmidt's agent said they will meet with the Cardinals one more time.

VORP doesn't measure defense, only offense.

Albert please stop saying these things.

Outstanding link It was on the radio. Here's the summary from the guy who interviewed him... Link

The Cards are going to bid on Schmidt's services.