CardsFanInChiTown

If all "#4" pitchers are getting "#2" money is it really "#2" money anymore? The whole cost curve has shifted.

Prospect Retro: Alfonso Soriano by John Sickels

it could be used for any one of a variety of reasons. doesn't like the manager, the Cubs aren't winning, his mistresses are hiding around doorways with weapons, the crowds are on him or he thinks he's not getting full market value whether he is or not. he can strong arm all he wants, the Cubs don't have to sign a 33 y.o. player to a 5 year contract if they don't want to. he can opt out and the parties can part ways. the way I understand it is at the end of four years, Aramis can decide if he wants to opt out. if he does, the Cubs can let an aging slugger walk or resign him. if he decides not to opt out, then the Cubs then have a regular team option. so he can strong arm all he wants, the Cubs don't have to sign a 33 y.o. player to a 5 year contract if they don't want to. he can opt out and the parties can go to arbitration or part ways. the only way he can hold the Cubs over a barrel is a terrible market for thirdbasemen in 4 years, no viable prospect or filler, and the Cubs are trying to remain competetive. nobody knows what the market for thirdbasemen will be in 4 years or if the Cubs will be trying to remain competetive. The point is the Cubs would have to make a tough choice in that situation because it'd indicate he's playing well. On the other hand if he's not then he won't exercise it. That said, if it saved the Cubs 30m by giving it then it makes sense however overall the opt out is a bad thing for the Cubs.

How can an opt out clause be a good thing? It'll only be used if he's being paid below full market value. Heck he could strong arm the Cubs in to giving him another 5 year deal before he really hits his decline. The opt out clause is a significant issue.

I found this on hardballtimes.com. Link The whole article discusses position shifts in the OF.

The Yankees have cooled on Suppan.

You know he signed that deal at 28 and will be 36 when it's done. I'm pretty sure he was 36 when he signed it, 44 when it's done. The Cardinals thought it weird that one of his contract demands was to be paid in Confederate dollars.

GatewayRedbirds.com is a crass ripoff of NSBB so hopefully it's what you're looking for. We are appreciative of "outsider" opinions, feel free to sign up. You'll see lots of friendly posters over there, including me (Michael). Nice to see you made it over ndistops!

it's amazing how inconsistent the voting is. When Sosa won it, people were clamoring for McGwire because of better numbers. Now we see the reverse, with the guy with better numbers losing to the guy on the better team. pujols had a better VORP, a better EqA, better OPS, and a better WARP3. ...defense, base running and his team made the playoffs. Not that the playoffs thing should make a big difference.

I surprised Berkman did that well. He never seemed to have any pub the whole year.

I was right, Howard won it.

Howard is considered a terrible defensive 1B.

He also a better base runner and has better "clutch" numbers. That said, Howard winning wouldn't be a travesty.

The Cards wouldn't have made the playoffs without AP.

Pujols should win but Howard will.

It's not like Dusty's teams didn't have a large payroll.

I think this thread achieves NSBB's mission statement...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v311/Varchon/1155366700077.jpg

There were only two good parts to that episode. But overall, it sucked. I refuse to believe you are serious. It was one of the best of the season IMO. Nah, this season had much, MUCH better episodes than that one. I haven't watched South Park this season, but this is my 3rd time seeing this episode. It kills me. "I can't talk to him, I'm just his dad. But you, coach, you're like a father to him." You can watch any South Park episode you want here: http://allabout-sp.net/ http://www.tv-links.co.uk/index.html OMG they have Sifl And Olly!

Plus I got this tat... http://www.insidestl.com/webpics/stlsports/hoosiertatoo.jpg http://www.insidestl.com/webpics/stlsports/hoosiertatoocloseup.jpg THIS IS OUUUUR COUNTRY HOOSIER!!!!!! After I got that tat I jumped on top of my pickup truck and started to wave the American flag.

Plus I got this tat... http://www.insidestl.com/webpics/stlsports/hoosiertatoo.jpg http://www.insidestl.com/webpics/stlsports/hoosiertatoocloseup.jpg THIS IS OUUUUR COUNTRY

http://i.mynicespace.com/1/101.gif

http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c77/Mr_G77/urf.jpg http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r114/tcbm7/img/funny/80.gif

Dont crap on our party, Captain Bringdown. Didnt you see we're now discussing Soriano with the body of a chick having intercourse with a small cat? Sorry, Sorry.... Back on topic... http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/rjackson31/inyourface.gif Holy crap, where the hell did you find that? http://gatewayredbirds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3305&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=100

Dont crap on our party, Captain Bringdown. Didnt you see we're now discussing Soriano with the body of a chick having intercourse with a small cat? Sorry, Sorry.... Back on topic... http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b79/rjackson31/inyourface.gif