AC036198

Mad Dog is a dependable stopgap in the #5 hole. In the playoffs, they can make Maddux a reliver.

Shortstop FA's after this season: Rey Ordonez (Agent Adam Katz) Barry Larkin (Retired) Royce Clayton Ricky Gutierrez Jose Vizcaino Chris Woodward Desi Relaford Alex Gonzalez (FLA) Nomar Garciaparra Deivi Cruz Jose Hernandez Jose Valentin Luis Lopez Ramon Martinez Alex Gonzalez (TB) Rafael Furcal Benji Gil Lou Merloni Chris Gomez Rich Aurilia Rey Sanchez Neifi Perez http://mlb4u.com/freeagent.html

If we can't get Furcal, give Nomar $3M guarenteed, 5M incentives based on performance, another $3M based on being on the active roster on certain dates or berevment leave. Otherwise, ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) ](*,)

Big Z and Urlacher on the same defense! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o Hey man, Taverez's picture in your sig, not cool. If you haven't read my whole sig, Taverez is on my off-season wish list.

Big Z and Urlacher on the same defense! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o He could take tackling lessons from Kyle Farnsworth LMAO. The Farns, Urlacher, and Big Z on the same defense! That would be murder. :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz. I hope it is rebuilt. Chicago and New Orleans are great places for Jazz. I need Jazz or else I'll go insane.

I think that the Cubs should make Wood a reliever. He's on the DL too much w/ pitching problems, and they've tried shuting him down and bringing him back a million times, and surgery, and everything, and he just ends up on the DL. I say it's time to make him a reliver permanatly. Feel free to give your thoughts as well.

I don't think so. Saying they want the money used elsewhere is sad. I'd like to see what we do w/o Wood, Prior, and Mad Dog at the same time.

Unless he replaced a player put on the DL, right? Yeah i think you are right but im not sure. But if i recall that is what the Angels did with KRod a few years ago. Yes. If a playoff team got Ponson, they would have to DL a pitcher so he could play in the postseason. The Cubs did this last year. They put Ramon Martinez on the DL to allow Niefi Perez to be on the post-season roster had they made the playoffs.

They'd be MLB's version of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Yes. This is the moneyball idea. You develop players, get them cheap, and use them. Billy Beane is a master at the moneyball. The A's have been on fire ever since they were 19-32. If Oakland makes the playoffs, Billy Beane has to be executive of the year, as he built a team w/o Mulder and Hudson.

He got rid of Mukder and Hudson, b/c he had other quality players cheap. Once he can get some more quality pitchers cheap, he'll get rid of Zito when he is too expansive.

My bad. This guy has the service time starting from the start of the season. Yes, a player is given MLB service every day he is on the active roster, DL, or berevement leave. http://www.mlb4u.com/pcontracts.html

I don't think Billy Beane will get rid of Zito just yet. Maybe once the moneyball is good enough to allow for Zito to leave.

Octavio Dotel: signed deal for 2005 season worth 4.75M on 1/18/05 Agent: Danny Horwits Service Time: 5.113 Source: http://mlb4u.com/oak.html He's protected for one more year by Oakland. If the A's tender him a contract, he'll be back, otherwise, yes, he's a FA.

I would like to say something about everyone wanting Maddux out. I know Mad Dog has struggled and been inconsistant, but I still like him on the team. He has lead the team in wins since 2004, or is like 1 game behind Big Z, I forget, but the point is, he's among the team leaders in wins. If not for him, think of where we'd have been last year when Wood and Prior were hurt. We would'nt have been in the wild card race. Besides that, he brings a lot of intangibles. He's a veteren presence in the clubhouse, and we've got a lot of young arms. W/ Mad Dog around, they can learn a lot from him. I will never want Maddux out. He should be allowed to retire when he wants. I hope you will at least think about before bashing Maddux.

I bet Jason Dubois is going to reach 2,000 PA, and put up some big #'s once he gets the chance. Same w/ Bobby Hill.

Big Z and Urlacher on the same defense! :o :o :o :o :o :o :o

I heard on the radio that soccer is a part of his off-season conditioning program in Venezula.

It said on cubs.com he might not play tonight.

Due to some people talking about getting Manny Ramirez, I've decided to create a poll asking if we should get him. I don't think we should go after him. He has a Sosa like contract, and a Sosa like attitude. Here is his contract: Manny Ramirez: 8-year worth 160M- will make 18.067M in 2005, 19M in 06, 18M in 07 and 20M in 08- deal includes 2009 and 2010 Team Options worth 20M- + 3M of 2001 salary deferred and 4M of 2002 thru 2008- + 75K bonus for every All- Star selection- other incentives: 150K for LCS MVP, 150K for WS MVP, 75K for silver slugger, 200K for MVP, 125K, 100K, 75K, 50K for 2nd,3rd,4th and 5th for MVP voting finish- + receives 1M bonus if traded- + receives a NO-TRADE clause if any other Sox player should receive one- + the PA values the deal at 141,342,731M due to low-interest on deferred pay- deal was signed in Dec. 2000- + Bonuses he has received: 100K bonus for 2004 Silver Slugger award, 100K for 3rd place in 2004 AL MVP voting, 75K for 2005 All-Star selection- + he becomes a 10-5 player following the 2005 season Agent: Greg Genske Service Time: 11.033 And Red Sox team policy that will get him that no-trade clause: Red Sox new team policy: A Red Sox player cannot be traded without his consent if he reaches eight years of uninterrupted major league service, all with the Sox. (Currently no players fit under this policy, but Jason Varitek will likely be the first when he should fall under the clause in Sept. 2005) Besides, Lee and our Ramirez is enough power, IMO.

Not enough balance. :x :x :x :x :x :x :x No way will Tribune take on Manny's contract. Damon is a lead-off hitter, but he still can hit 20-25 HR's. Look what our 2004 team did. 4 guys w/ 30+ HR's and we didn't make the playoffs. Wood's health will determine everything, IMO.

It was made after I started this thread.

The Farns is a free agent after this season, and so is Taverez, both ex-Cubs.