b_wiggy_66

Is it so hard for you to comprehend that I simply think Fielder is a poor risk on a long-term deal? Is that concept too difficult to get your head around? If you're talking true elite players, they're almost always going to require a 6-8 year deal, unless they're at the tail end of their prime, at least the way the market is constructed now. Also, more and more teams are locking up young star players long term, which is why so many people want to jump on Fielder. Who knows the next time an elite player at a young age is going to even hit the maket. But like I said, you never know the next time that a 27 year old elite player will even be available regardless of their physical build. That may be true, but it's not a compelling argument for entering into a contract you think will turn out to be a mistake. True, but when you have a market deficiency you sometimes have to overpay knowing it may not work out perfectly. This may be our only chance to add a 3 or 4 hitter in the near future. We have nobody in the pipeline, nor do we have enough assets in the minors or major league roster to trade for one. Who is going to drive in runs on this team right now? Byrd and Castro? I hope that won't be the case.

I'm a big Prince advocate, but I don't see his body holding up well in the Texas heat every summer.

I hope you are guessing wrong because that would be a stupid way to think. "We don't have to get that good because the division is weaker now" Probably could have been worded better. I don't think they are saying we don't have to be that good. I assume it at least entered there mind that now they have a little more flexibility here in a much weaker division to make a few more mistakes and take some more risks, than say being in the AL east. There isn't a guaranteed 90 win team every year in the Central like the Yankees and Rays in the east.

That isn't the logic. The logic is we have a need for more left-handed hitters, power, youth and a middle of the order bat. Turns out Fielder fits that and he is just coming into his prime. You will never be able to sign good players if you are unwilling to take the risk that it may not work out. We have money, plenty of it, and more coming off the books soon. We aren't the Pirates, if we make smart moves the majority of the time, we can afford to make a big mistake here and there, which I don't think Fielder would be.

This. Let's not sign Fielder, and we'll just stand pat and wait for the perfect situation which may never come. If Fielder's not worth a couple of possibly mediocre years at the end of a seven year deal, who is? He's 27 years old and entering his prime. We are likely to get at least 4-5 years of elite production out of him. I've seen a lot of bellyaching about how we shouldn't sign him because 1-2 mediocre years at the end of a contract are going to somehow cripple the Cubs in the future, but no alternate suggestions. If not Prince, who is going to pop up in the next few years as the long term solution at first base? I also find it interesting how the general attitude on this board toward getting Prince changed as soon as Theo took over. it changed because people thought theo was going to draft a million elite players and we wouldn't need to sign free agents. it goes back to the meatball idea of "building a team the right way", which is closely related to "playing the game the right way". sure, any team that's in contention year after year is going to have some home-grown starters, but if you are a big market team, you have the luxury of signing elite talent for elite money. Why would people think that? That's not what he did in Boston. People thought that because of the comments made at Theo's PC about rebuilding the farm system. Unfortunately, those same people have consistently ignored pretty much every comment about "dual fronts" and "every chance to win is precious and we won't ignore that chance". Basically, they heard what they wanted to hear. And I can't believe we're having that same argument for the 500th time on here. Well, the rational side of me can't believe it. The realist aide understands how many dense people there are. Agree completely with that statement. The FO isn't going to punt an entire season, but they are trying to build a team that will consistently be in the playoff race. That takes both a strong farm system and shrewd signings at the major league level. I'm sure they are also still retooling their gameplan after the new CBA rules. Plus, I'm guessing they don't think they need as strong a team, or as many big FA moves in the NL central as they did in the AL east, especially with Pujols and possibly Prince now gone from the division.

After the history of Japanese pitchers transitioning to the majors and underperforming for the most part, bidding on Darvish makes me nervous. However, I think this is the best move we could make this offseason, finally placing an emphasis on starting pitching. This is a spot where I think we will see what kind of path the FO would like to take this offseason.

He didn't go complaining to the media. $100 says he was asked something along the lines of "so what do you think of batting so low in the lineup this year?" Soriano then responds with his limited grasp of english and essentially says "I'll hit where they want me to hit, but I don't like being bounced around the lineup as often as I have been this year." What's wrong with that? It's not like we haven't been griping about Quade's crappy lineup management all season long. I didn't say he went complaining to the media. I said it is selfish to complain to the media about it, whether they were seeking him out or not. It's baseball. Hit the ball no matter where you are! If you are Soriano you are going to take the same approach no matter what slot you are hitting in. He has had the same approach whether he has hit leadoff, third, sixth, or wherever since he has been with the team. I've had enough of the Ramirez and Soriano show. Send them somewhere else. They haven't won and titles or created a winning atmosphere in the clubhouse anyway. Good riddance!

This Cub team makes it so hard for me to like them. Just play!!! It is beyond selfish to be complaining to the media with a few days left in the season. Don't let the door hit you on the way out because it would be the only thing you since you've been here!

I feel like Wittenmeyer just gets bored once a week and makes up some crazy rumor just to get a story. Seems like he is always throwing out ideas none of the other beat writers have heard mentioned at all.

I don't think this is on Quade. A series of lucky plays for them and unlucky plays for us led up to that HR. Happened in a flash

Well do we chalk that HR to Z losing his composure with a rough inning? Crap

Colvin has looked real bad on defense this series. That's his ball. Take charge!!

What a horrible way to lose. Especially to the damn Pirates again.

Sori putting a drive into it

I won't if this Byrd batting #3 [expletive] keeps up. I agree not looking good at all from the 3 hole. Swinging at everything.

Please yes. If we're not getting Dunn, and we only get a one-year stop gap so the Cubs can go after someone like Fielder or Gonzalez, Pena is the best option in terms of short term signability and upside. He plays great defense, will draw 80+ walks, and will be a legit power bat in the middle of the lineup. His BABIP last year was .222 which was 57 points below his career norm, he won't hit under .200 again, especially not if he transfers to the elite pitching smorgasbord that is the NL Central. I agree if Dunn is not an option (which appears to be the case) I think Pena is our best option on a one year deal. I would much rather have him than say Nick Johnson. There is some upside with Pena and if we could get him for a good one-year deal it would be the rare case of Hendry buying low.

I don't blame Brenly. He's making good money to work one of the best jobs in sports. He's good at it and people like. No pressures and resentment like there would be if he were manager. Can't blame him one bit. Not excited at all to see Bob Melvin and Don Wakamatsu popping up on the radar. They are proven as losing managers. Don't like either of them and I still think Hendry will wait on Girardi.

So Im guessing that Fuld goes to center with Kosuke to RF and Bradley on the bench where he belongs. So Sam Fuld is everyone's new flavor of the month. Lets wait a little bit till we enshrine him into the HOF. No it's hes just a breath of fresh air if he produces anything will be better than what we have had lately out of the leadoff spot. Plus he can give the struggling outfield some much needed physical but mostly mental rest because Hoff can't play center.

I really dont like Perry's articles, but this one is especially dumb. He picks the All-stars and mostly bases it off their past statistics and All-star appearances. http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8250248/Track-records-big-factor-in-picking-All-Star-starters?MSNHPHCP&GT1=39002 Giambi, Roberts, Giles? All-stars should be based on this year not their past seasons.

Jim Leyland said Ivan Rodriguez likely will bat leadoff against left-handers this season. Pudge has been batting eighth for most of the spring, but Leyland thinks highly of his base-running skills. Leyland also suspected that Pudge gets excited to bat leadoff and that excitement translates to solid at-bats. "I think it pumps him up a little," Leyland said. "It's good for him, psychologically." Pudge hit leadoff 17 times in 2007, but walked only nine times all year. His OBP was .294.

seriously If I'm Roberts I'd be getting more vocal about it. Either trade me or keep me! And hopefully he would say "trade me" :D

You forgot Roberts ;)

Roberts is still and Oriole I just wanted to post in this thread again :stickman:

Gotta love Dusty....... Especially when he's managing a divisional rival!!!!!

I can't do this but I want to see my team Illinois St. get some serious at large consideration here. 13-5 conference schedule and 22-8 overall, key wins against SIU and Cincinnati. Only lost by 13 to Indiana but did lose some bad games to Kent St, Northern Iowa, and two losses to Drake. Put em in there. 22 wins is hard to keep them out.