forbez18

It is fair to say that Hendry was at the top of the game a few years back, he had the Cubs ready to win the world series and not matter what anyone says it was very close to happening. I know I would have tradded grinding Prior into the ground and Wood never being the same guy again "if" they would have won the World Series. However, they didn't they failed just like they seem to do every year. The problem is Hendry didn't see the long run and that there are little things that can happen to throw a team off track and that is why you have to have a team that can get lucky and win the World Series each and every year, just incase one year a fan knocks down a ball that could send you to the Championship, or if a SS makes a big error, or if a starting pitcher goes down. At the time it looked like he could do no wrong and if the Cubs would have won it that year, there would be no looking back at him. But, he can't stop at his past performances he needs to earn credit every year, and he has failed in the past two years. It is acceptable to judge an athlete, manager, or GM based on performance thats the great thing about sports, and right now we all know what the reaction to Jim should be.

NO Thank you to Marmol as closer. You can't walk 4 guys an inning and be a closer. You can't walk 1 guy every inning and be a good closer. I dont care if they trade Depster just but erye or Howry in there. But no thanks to Marmol keep him as a starter for now let him figure out his control first and he can be a very good starting pitcher.

If Patterson could teach himself to lead off he would have been a guy with a good arm, fast, and pretty much everything I guess besides getting on base or making contact enough.

Do you give him a free pass again next year if he struggles in spring training or do you act like any other player, either sit him down in the pen, or (not sure if they can), designate him into the minors. I know that may be a stretch but he had two okay outtings this year. If you want the Cubs to win next year you can't have that on the team.

It is just sad to see this happen to a guy that could have been such a big Super Star in Chicago. He could have been great for the city. Now it looks like he is just going to drift into the dark. When you dont even get mentioned when you go to the DL on espn besides for making a joke out of you, it can't be a good thing. I do feel bad for this guy I thought he was going to be around for a long time and have an outstanding career, but it looks like one thing has lead to another and he is either going to come back and be an okay pitcher prob. not with the Cubs or he will just disapear.

Its always nice to talk about because it would be one of thoughs things you see once in your life time, but it is nearly impossible, people do understand that right?

Is his motion allowed in the MLB. It looks like he actually does stop so that would have to change right? I have heard about this guy for the last couple of years. I head he doesn't throw they gyro that much its more of an experiment still. Replace wood salary + a little to get him over, and give mad dogs contract to another good pitcher.

Who cares who they get for the field. The Cubs need PITCHING!! They need to figure out maybe the top young guy that can start, move the next best guy to the pen. Go out get Shmidt or Zito or someone that can be a number two guy. Then possibly trade for a pitcher that could be a number two/three guy. You then have a rotation of Z, Z or shimdt, (new guy), Prior, and Marshall/Hill/Marmol..Get a good outfielder that can rotate in keep aramis and the Cubs would win the division.

Now that two of my fav. Cubs at the time are traded who should I cheer for. The padres because they finally gave Walker a chance and got him off the Cubs where he was being wasted away, or should I cheer for the Dodgers who have a few players that were good guys for the Cubs and to top it Mad dog. By the way who is going to be his catcher over there?

So next year Big z will be the opening starter with most likely Prior being the second starter. After that what do you see as the future staff for the Cubs? Marshall has pitched pretty good this year and probrally has earned a way into the rotation for next year. I am not to sure how long this injury is going to keep him out, but I would like to see him pitch a little more. But is he the Cubs third or fifth starter? Then you have Marmol, Hill, Guzman, Mateo, and prob. some other guys down there. Which one of them do you think would be able to fit the rotation and fit into the the Cubs making a playoff race. What do they do with the rest of them? Who else should they get?

What else can you say about big Z he is just that good. I love to watch him play and I like when he shows his emotions. I remember the big fist pump against bonds a few years ago. He pumps himself up for the best hitters and shows no fear. I hope he is with the Cubs for years and years.

Hill did a great job yesterday I was very happy that he had a game like that. His curve ball looked outstanding yesterday, but that gave me a little concern. When Marshall comes back they seem like they are very similar pitchers and would that work against them if they were near each other in the rotation. I also have to believe that would eliminate Zito from the Cubs future if both Marshall and Hill are in the rotation next year.

If you had to have one starting at short stop for the Chicago Cubs next year who would it be between Izturiz and Cedeno? Cedeno in young and has potential, not a great fielder with almost a year under his belt and a line of OBP .279 SLG .338 AVG .254. Do you think he will develop into a better player? Izturis is still younger but may not have as much potential. He is a speed guy that can cause some trouble on the base path. He is a great fielder with a gold glove and only a year off from being a all-star, but he had surgery and may be losing something. He has a carrer line of OBP .295 SLG .340 AVG .261. Is the other good enough to start at second? What would be your ideal scenario, and can the Cubs win with your scenario??

Okay it is possible to be positive sometimes. Yes, this guy went way over board on the trade. So what he likes him on a defensive side. I belive having a great middle infield defensivly is a great idea. Now do I think they should upgrade the outfield? YES. Do I think they need to figure out their pitching rotation for next year? YES. But, having a good middle infield that could have Cesar and Cedeno in there almost every day is okay with me. How many power hitting great OBP middle infielders are there, that can play good defense? With LEE, RAMERIEZ, BARRET in the infield they can cover up a weaker middle infield a long as they get a power hitter in the outfield, you then bat Cesar or Cedeno second and eight.

First let me say I didn't quote anyone because I was talking about the generl tone of the board today. Then to what you are saying. Ronny is good and I like him, but he isn't as good as Cesar right now. Put him on the bench and let him develop the ability to lay off pitches at his head and pitches in the dirt. If you put him on the bench for two years are you killing his carrer? The Cubs can buy Cesar out in two years I believe for pretty much nothing. If Cesar returns to his all-star performance that he had before he was injured was it a bad move to have him on the team, and possibly be able to trade Cedeno? Then there is Abreu who I honestly I just dont think is worth the money or giving away prospects for. I believe I could be wrong but they gave away their first round draft pick from 2005? plus three others for him and a okay-bad-okay pitcher. If you dont want to pay Cesar how could u want to pay Abreu is he that much of an upgrade over Jones, besides maybe his ability to take a walk and with less power. I see it a lot easier to get good power out fielders then good middle infielders that the Cubs have not had for year and years now. Maybe I am spoiled because we had Sosa and Alou and a speedy centerfieder at one point. And the last time we had a good middle infielder was prob. Sandberg..

Alright, I am just sitting here and reading these posts all day and its starting to make me sick. And no I am not talking about the trades that the Cubs GM made. I am getting sick because I enjoy coming to this message board because it is usually informative and more insightful discussion then on some of the other boards. However, some of the comments are just horrible. What did you want in return for Maddux??? I love the guy, however have any of you seen him pitch the last two years?? He is a a low depth pitcher that can eat some innings. No team actually in the race wanted to put him into the rotation. Luckily LA dropped out a little and they know just like everyone else that bringing Mad dog in will keep fans in the seats, and they gave up a pretty good player for him. Yes they may not have given up their future to get him, but you shouldn't have expected that for Maddux. Izturis will however be a good addition to our team. He is BETTER then Cedeno so if you have a problem with the middle infield it should be Cedeno not Izturis. I believe Cedeno should be a bench player that means they COULD go out and get Soriano next year, and say Lee for right, and would anyone complain with that line-up??? My point is he got something of value for a guy that honestly didn't deserve it in his career. Stop complaining about every move and see how things play out.

Why not have the Cubs go to a six man rotation towards the end of the year. This could solve a lot of problems that the Cubs have. First it would let them see if there is anything there with Hill, they have to find out before going into next year. There is no way they can have the rotation set as Zambrano, marshall, marmol, maybe prior, maybe prospect, and a maybe a prospect. They have to find out who they can lean on and if Hill is not a guy they can then they have to look somewhere else next year, but this year is the time to find out. He has to be given the chances first and 50 innings is not enough. It would also hive Marshall time off because we all know he is nearing his max. innings, and prior could also use the time to rest so he doesnt get injured. But retaining to this post I think Hill should find his way in the rotation for a good amount of time this year.

It would be a smart move for the Rays to Keep Lugo he seems to be entering his prime in his carrer and if the Rays ever want to make a move, SS is one of the hardest positions to fill, as the Cubs have found out.

I do think that would be undervaluing Marmol. Will Mo isn't a stud by any chance he has a life time average of .257 he strikes out 1 out of every 3 times he goes up to hit and he still has to develop into a full out power hitter if he is going to hit that style. Marmol on the other hand is only 23 years old and has outstanding stuff. He has been thrown into the majors early and he is adapting. If he had control of his pitches he would be around 6-2 right now. He is only giving up around 7 hits per 9 innings which is pretty good for a 23 year old and the Cubs are going to have to reley on pitching in the future. His romodel is none other than Zambrano so you want to keep Marmol here so Z will stay around forever, and hopefully they progress the same.

Its just nice to actually start seeing some HR's at all in the past few days. It is hard to believe we are only a few years away from having Sosa and Alou on the team that we didn't appreciate them enough when we had them.

So there is only a few more months left in the season, but lately it actually looks like the Cubs players like to play the game. It also looks like they are all trying their hardest to win every game, yes even Rameriez. At the all-star break people were saying that they were going to lose close to 100 games is that still what people think or will they play 500 ball the rest of the way or even better then that??

So do you like him or not? and if not who would you rather have? Aramis is a player that no matter what people say he isn't going to always be a 100% effort guy. But that is nothing new it seems like the better you get the less you have to try. Bonds he stoped playing any out field, Soriano did u see him in the outfield? Aramis is not hurting his team yea sometimes he gets caught up in what is going on in the game and doesn't play the game like some people think it has to be played, but I know I would take him on my team pretty much 9 out of 10 times.

I know that Dusty likes Nefi, and I know that you can't understand Dusty at all. But, why does he hate Walker so much. He did a good job at first base when Lee went out the first time. He has not played him in a few games now, and it would be a great time to get him back in the lineup somewhere. If they arn't going to play him dont they owe a veteran the respect to at least give him away to someone, since if he isn't playing they arn't going to get much for him, and you know he want to play. I just feel bad for him I guess. So like I said I know, I know, but why??

Now its time to bring back Womack just like they did when he originally went down. I would rather see an old Womack play then an old Nefi who might do good for 2 or 3 games and make the Cubs keep them again next year.

Soriano would be a huge boost to the Sox. In exchange for a middle reliever for an all-star you have to be insane not to take that trade. Then they turn around and can trade for McDougal for a Minor League player gives you a great chance to make a good run at back to back WS. And that drives me crazy, I can't believe things have changed so quick.