CardsFanInChiTown

Woo Gross!

You were right Jon - here comes Grossman!

How could Lovie not be happy with the 12 yeards ortin put up?

Point taken however I think this is one of those times a GM needs to look at player as a human being and not an asset. CPatt should be traded even if Hendry doesn't feel he's getting maximum value. I know that's easy for me to say as a Cards fan but that's the way I feel.

The bears should just punt on 1st down. The bears D has a better chance at scoring.

If they go in to the half losing I bet grossman starts the 3Q.

It's on WCIU, as well. And no. Speaking of which, the WCIU broadcast is actually slightly ahead of the radio broadcast, but it's still better than listening to ESPN. Wow thank you! Watching the game now. 8)

I don't have cable. Did they put grossman in?

With what resources? Right now at OF, there is little supply, greater demand, and a higher price since the supply can't meet the demand. 2B- There's no supply, somewhat of a demand unless you're comfortable with Luna, and once again no money. Last year, when he got Grudzielanek, Eckstein, and Molina, they was decent quailty avail. as well as the money to get them or in the case of Molina slide him in there. Stop it - I'm in denial. Leave me alone.

I think it would be inhuman not to trade CPatt your average Cub fan (most people on here aren't) has made him their new whipping boy.

I think Maddux will be serviceable. I also think you expect too much out of bottom of the rotation guys.

Step away from the ledge. If you started the season today you guys would only have a major hole in RF. Plus you forgot about Maddux as a SP and Ronnie Cedeno for SS.

I certainly think he has good trade value, I'm surprise there hasn't been more rumblings about him. I suspect GM's see him as a bad gloved-injury proned-platoon type guy. Who knows...

Can't he opt out of his contract after next year?

Agreed Agreed Agreed Agreed Wah Wah Wah Wah Seriously, what makes his era any more valid than the current "live ball" era? The run scoring environment was much higher in the '27 - '35 era than it has been through the "juiced" era. Wasn't that one of the "golden ages" of the sport? Has the game changed since Goose played? Absolutely. Is it worse? Matter of preference. =D> Old timers of every generation complain about the lack of funamentals and how much better their brand of baseball was. Bold prediction - players of today will be complaining about same thing in 20 or 30 years.

Ahh, the Brewers - everyone's sexy sleeper pick! Although Zambrano is more durable Sheets has been the better pitcher the last two years with WHIP of 0.98 and 1.07 compared to Z's 1.22 and 1.15. I'm not knocking Z - he's awesome but Sheets has been better IMO. Not sure why whip is the only stat you're including. A closer look at the stats shows that Sheets has better control. Thus, the better WHIP. But that's it in favor of Sheets. Let's look at their careers. Big Z: 1.27/.228/3.26 Sheets: 1.22/.258/3.83 That's career WHIP/BAA/ERA. Aside from the nearly idenitcal WHIP, Z has the advantage, and it's a fairly healthy one. Other pertinent stats: Big Z: 7.73 K/9 • 1.97 k/BB • .341 SLG • .656 OPS Sheets: 7.57K/9 • 3.79 k/BB • .417 SLG • .717 OPS Nothing surprising here. Z has the better numbers except for a lopsided advantage for Sheets in K/BB. But Z's OPS against is over .050 better, primarily because when people hit Sheets, they hit Sheets much harder. Factor in the age (24 vs. 27) and the durability, and it seems to me the Z is a prett clear cut winner. Sheets gets hit more often and harder than Z. He gives up more runs and Ks less people, too. Don't get me wrong, he's a great pitcher, but it seems like the only thing he's got on Z is control. You're using career stats however Sheets has made a huge step forward in the last 2 years. If Sheets puts up a full year of baseball next year I think it's probable he puts up better numbers than Z. My post "I'm not knocking Z - he's awesome but Sheets has been better IMO." was misleading. Isn't that unfair to Z since he's several years younger and still has those years to "step forward"? He's outperformed Sheets to date at a younger age, that means he's been better. Not really since the original post was in regards to next years production. If both guys make 32 starts next year Z might be better but I doubt it. edit - If you are wondering about total value please see my post before...

Just no, huh? Tampa can shoot for the moon if they want, but I find it hard to believe they would rather go into the season paying Huff and Lugo a combined 12m when they have depth at both positions, and major weaknesses on the mound. They are a small market team. They can't afford to pay 2 guys 12m. Especially when they can bring up Delmon Young and BJ Upton to replace those 2 for league minimum. Maybe my position is whacked. Maybe Tampa really would hold every team over a barrel at this point in the offseason for a guy who had a very bad year (Huff). If I'm Hendry, I look elsewhere. Prior to the first game of this season, I'm going to bet that Tampa backs way off on those demands. Is Tampa a playoff caliber team with these guys? No. Is the 12m better spent getting some pitching before they lose them to free agency? Yes. I would have much rather seen Hendry make a move like the one I suggested over WAY overpaying for Pierre in his walk year and then overpaying for Huff also in his walk year. Granted, because it is their walk year, we may get one of those contract year like seasons (Adrian Beltre). But, they could be gone next year, and all those prospects will be gone too. I'm not even sure these additions will make the Cubs a playoff caliber team. My Magic 8-Ball says "Outlook not good". Just because they are looking to deal doesn't mean Mitre, Nolasco, Guzman, Pinto and Wellemeyer would get it done. There are 28 other trading partners out there. I really think Tampa can get more for those guys.

Ahh, the Brewers - everyone's sexy sleeper pick! Although Zambrano is more durable Sheets has been the better pitcher the last two years with WHIP of 0.98 and 1.07 compared to Z's 1.22 and 1.15. I'm not knocking Z - he's awesome but Sheets has been better IMO. Not sure why whip is the only stat you're including. A closer look at the stats shows that Sheets has better control. Thus, the better WHIP. But that's it in favor of Sheets. Let's look at their careers. Big Z: 1.27/.228/3.26 Sheets: 1.22/.258/3.83 That's career WHIP/BAA/ERA. Aside from the nearly idenitcal WHIP, Z has the advantage, and it's a fairly healthy one. Other pertinent stats: Big Z: 7.73 K/9 • 1.97 k/BB • .341 SLG • .656 OPS Sheets: 7.57K/9 • 3.79 k/BB • .417 SLG • .717 OPS Nothing surprising here. Z has the better numbers except for a lopsided advantage for Sheets in K/BB. But Z's OPS against is over .050 better, primarily because when people hit Sheets, they hit Sheets much harder. Factor in the age (24 vs. 27) and the durability, and it seems to me the Z is a prett clear cut winner. Sheets gets hit more often and harder than Z. He gives up more runs and Ks less people, too. Don't get me wrong, he's a great pitcher, but it seems like the only thing he's got on Z is control. You're using career stats however Sheets has made a huge step forward in the last 2 years. If Sheets puts up a full year of baseball next year I think it's probable he puts up better numbers than Z. My post "I'm not knocking Z - he's awesome but Sheets has been better IMO." was misleading.

Bad News: They've priced themselves out of Jones' range. Walt Jocketty is one of the most patient GM's in baseball. I'm not in panic mode... yet.

If I were the Cubs I'd trade the Aramis for Manny straight up. However, I doubt Boston would do the deal considering they have other 3rd base options.

How were those absolutes delevoped? Is there any good reading on this subject?

Jenkins 05: 292/375/513 Burnitz 05: 258/322/435 Plus Jenkins is 5 years younger. I really doubt the brewers trade him unless they are blown away prospect wise or it's a midseason salary dump. Burnitz 04: 283/356/559. career- 255/348/485 Jenkins 04: 264/325/473. career- 281/349/508 BURNITZ=JENKINS Burnitz is old, I really doubt he'll ever see 255/348/485 again.

How does anyone really know what "good" mechanics are? I'll admit I know just about nothing on this subject but it seems like a bunch of pseudoscience and speculation.

Jenkins 05: 292/375/513 Burnitz 05: 258/322/435 Plus Jenkins is 5 years younger. I really doubt the brewers trade him unless they are blown away prospect wise or it's a midseason salary dump.

There usually has to be something to work with there to revive. Woody has nothing, his FB has gone from avg. to bad and he doesn't have enough deception between his FB and his best pitch (change-up). He's Doug Davis w/out talent. There has to be better NRIs out there, but the glamour of playing for your hometown might just be enough to sway Rueter and his "numerous" options to give it a shot w/STL. I just looked up his stats. Excuse me... :pukel: