MeatampPotatoesMan

If we're trying to get rid of Walker b/c of his mouth and his D, why on earth would we replace him with Soriano, who is even worse defensively and isn't much of a team player (e.g. not moving to the OF in Washington).

It means no pickup at the trade deadline and no possibility of discovering our weakness and strengthening it for the playoffs (ideally).

It seems, to me at least, that it will. From the little I have seen, it seems like they have more of a "workman" type attitude. Like they know what it takes to get it done, and work on it. I have seen 22 spring trainings, and this one just seems diffrent to me. I see a lot of focus, a lot of personal commitment, and team commitment. Something that I have not seen since 1984. Pierre's work ethic should be a plus. I'm pretty happy to hear Murton bulked up, Z lost weight, Maddux hired a personal trainer in the offseason, and Williams lost weight. The individual competition for spots (and contracts) should get certain people motivated. Others motivate themselve, e.g. Pierre and Lee. I guess the Cubs are into a new "dynamic stretching" routine to help keep injuries down. I hate to be too optimistic about this team given its history, but we're starting to look good, even if I didn't love our offseason. I certainly feel better about this team than I did about the '05 team, and I was super pumped to have a healthy Nomar at the time (who was demolishing the ball in ST).

I really hope so. I just really hope he doesn't pull a Dan Kolb. From the spring training pictures, his stomach looks a little Kolbish. That bothers me. He was like that last season too and did just fine. I don't expect last year's save % numbers, but as long as he doesn't pull a Hawkins, I'll be more than satisfied.

I don't think they liked getting embarrassed last season. Watching the Astros celebrate wasn't the best experience in the world, either. Let's hope that drive lasts 162+ games.

I really hope so. I just really hope he doesn't pull a Dan Kolb. At least we have Eyre and Howry to step in if Dempster tanks. It's not ideal, but at least we have a couple fallback options this year.

good one :lol:

I'm starting to get pumped for this season. :)

Good job, Pierre. Let Dusty know how you feel while you're at it. Seriously, Having Neifi/Hairston in the 2 hole will really limit Pierre's effectiveness. I'm not big on SB, but a crappy 2 hole hitter basically eliminates the SB contribution to runs scored by Pierre.

He's fine. He was sick in december with some flu going around California (ended up in the ER to get some fluids), so he didn't start his throwing on time. he's only a little behind and should throw a bullpen session on sunday. His shoulder and achilles are fine according to Prior and Hendry. Unlike with his injuries before, we're hearing emphatic denials of Prior being injured from both Prior and Hendry. Bruce Miles denounced the rumors, so that's good enough for me.

Neifi won't advance the runner. he'll probably hit into the DP. yeah, probably. hehe, caught you trying to be optimistic, didn't I? :lol:

You want Walker dead, or not to shave? :?

Neifi won't advance the runner. he'll probably hit into the DP.

Murton bulked up? Where'd you hear/see this? :) I don't think Murton will start swinging for the fences. He's a pretty smart kid and won't stray too far from his game.

His OBP was .309 last year. Neifi with power minus defense. That's Soriano.

Check this out. C Barrett 1B Teixeira 2B Roberts Biggio 3B Garciaparra SS Barmes OF Griffey Drew Alou Green Jones Cameron SP Zambrano Prior Wood RP Rivera Nathan Gagne Valverde Linebrink Baez

I agree that he probably won't on both accounts. However, I don't think it is a stretch that he could hit 30 HR. I do think it is a stretch that he keeps that line, especially considering he had a pretty crazy BABIP last year. The biggest obstacle to Murton even having the opportunity to hit 30HR is Dusty. I don't see any way Murton gets the number of AB to even have a chance. He'll be hard pressed to get 20HR in the 400-450 plate appearances he'll likely get. I was heartened to hear that Dusty denied Walker's request to play LF b/c we need to see what Murton can do in full time duty.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-cub21.html

It sounds like the OF isn't expected to go out and hit HR this season. Baker/Hendry sound like they want solid D and athleticism, whatever that is. I haven't quite figured out how athleticism generates runs, but maybe someone can enlighten me. Murton probably won't hit 30 HR. He probably won't keep his .321/.386/.521 line either. :wink:

I am not going to deny that Edmonds showboats, but he gets the job done. Z man does his fair share of showboating too, and I don't hear many (any) Cubs fans dogging him about it. Hey, if someone doesn't like his on the mound antics (talking to himself or the sky, not the batters), then they can throw at him when he steps in the box. This isn't the AL. If anyone wants to play beanball war with Z, go for it. Z doesn't need to hide behind a DH, especially when he can hit .300.

I respect the love for Zman, but lets remember that the Cubs lost this game and Zman was ejected. We were losing when he was ejected (5-3 or 6-3, can't remember). It didn't keep us from the playoffs and I don't remember the loss so much as Edmonds getting what he deserved. What he deserved? I don't get Cubs fans obsession with hating Edmonds, especially considering he was only 1 of 3 Cards to hit HR's that night, and like it or not, Edmonds smoked that HR. It was gone immediately. (Sorry to hijack the Z love thread.) If anyone was to blame for that game, it was Waivin' Wendall, not Z. Why do I hate Edmonds? Mr. Time and Dive. He's a showman, not a baseball player. What do showboaters get in baseball? That's right, a fastball to the ribs. Aramis's antics (and Sammy's) irritate me too. If I was a pitcher they'd be getting the same treatment Edmonds got from Z. If it wasn't for the strong arms protecting them, they probably would have been hit a lot more.

I respect the love for Zman, but lets remember that the Cubs lost this game and Zman was ejected. We were losing when he was ejected (5-3 or 6-3, can't remember). It didn't keep us from the playoffs and I don't remember the loss so much as Edmonds getting what he deserved.

What fantasy league/how many players, etc? Miller and Aardsma are far down the list, that's for sure.

:shock: Crawford is a WHOLE lot better than CPat. From an offensive standpoint, Crawford is to Patterson, as Miguel Tejada is to Neifi. Three year splits: Crawford: 1900 ABs, 556 H, 77 2B, 43 3B, 31 HR, 190 RBI, 88 BB, 7 HBP, 267 K, 160 SB, 33 CS, .293/.324/.427/.751 Patterson: 1411 ABs, 363 H, 65 2B, 16 3B, 50 HR, 161 RBI, 83 BB, 7 HBP, 363 K, 63 SB, 19 CS, .257/.301/.432/.733 You could also make the argument that Dusty does not run as much with CPatt as Uncle Lou ran with Crawford, but I'll leave that to your own judgment. Like I said, given the price, keeping Corey would have been a better option than trading for Crawford, especially given his likely price tag. Plus, Crawford posting that kind of output in LF (given his price) would just be bad. I don't know that using the three year splits is fair in this case, as Crawford has only had 3 complete MLB seasons due to age (and he's progressed each season). Crawford put up better numbers at 22 and 23 years of age. CPat had Crawford by 40 OPS points at 24 (when he was injured and didn't get to finish the season...who knows if he would have regressed). Crawford has always had a much better SB ratio than CPat. I don't want Crawford either as we're already looking at one of the weakest SLG OF we've ever had. I'd take him over Jones, but that's not going to happen.

Here's a schedule: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/worldcup/wallchart?cc=5901 I was wrong about Italy. I don't even know if a 100% Totti gets them past the quarterfinals. As far as being criminally overrated goes, they're typically like England, with the talent to get it done, but play like absolute crap when it counts. We'd better take 1st in Group E, otherwise we're looking at Brazil in the Round of 16. Not cool.