b_wiggy_66

I've heard Alou's name mentioned in many places this offseason: Detroit, Cleveland, Boston, and Baltimore. I think he will get a starting job somewhere as a DH possibly as a fielder somewhere. Plus with the way the Cubs let him go(not picking up his option after a big year) I don't think he was to happy about that. So I don't think he would come back.

Got them from the Tigers website

He could be a decent platoon partner vs. Left: .284 vs. Right: .226 Home: .294 Road: .227 I don't like those home/road splits though

Is Ron available?

Will they have the Special Assistant position again or whatever Sonny Jackson did?

Also from the article: What makes Sheffield especially attractive is that much of his $13 million salary for next year is deferred, making him a much cheaper alternative to the only two premier corner outfielders on the free agent market, Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee. Would be worth the risk if the price is right. That price being no more than a mid-level prospect or two. Although I would give up Jones for him if they would take him.

Do you believe in Miracles??? Not in this case

We would be better off getting Wolf. He will come cheaper and is essentially tha same pitcher. Both of them also have a history of injuries. The Cubs would be better off getting one of the Cardinals (Weaver, Suppan) who are both very durable and quality pitchers, and one of the big 3 (Zito, Schmidt, MAtsuzaka)

Good signing. Someone with managing experience who was a quality player in their day.

Heard on WGN the other night that Dave Kaplan said that Pierre had turned down a 3 year- 21 mil contract extension offer from the cubs. According to what Kaplan said on sports central last night, Pierre is looking for 36 mil over 4 years. If this is true Bye-Bye Juan, in my mind your not worth half that.

I know this thread had sort of died off, but I was bored and looked up Saito on You Tube. After watching the video I noticed a few things. First off he has a very, very good sinker. This seems to be his favortie pitch (Chien-Ming Wang anyone?). He also has a good breaking ball he doesn't throw it that often though. If you watch the whole video he also looks like Zambrano out there on the mound, yelling and pumping his fists. He really looks into the game. If he can be had as a cheap alternative I think he would make a good 4-5 man. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFZSsosZek8

You said that being able to hit to the opposite field causes power down the road. Juan Pierre's done all of that but the power never came. He' a 25 year old with 150 isolated power. That's not terrible, but it's certainly not good. It's likely he's going to increase his power, but it's highly unlikely to see a significant power increase. His value to the team is his ability not to get out, not really his power ability. Murton's first 650 or so PA's have resulted in a .303/.370/.462 line and a .286 EqA. That's good overall of course - but for a leftfielder it's only about 10 runs over average for 162 games. If he's as good as the statistics say on defense, he's a solid left fielder - if not he's a an average one. I think Murton's solid as is, but I think to predict a sustainable power increase is simply wrong. Matt Murton in LF wouldn't be a problem if the Cubs had good production out of RF, CF, 2B or SS. Which the Cubs have below average production at all over the place. Those four positions are bigger needs, but finding an offensive minded LF is relatively easy compared to a centerfielder, shortstop or secondbaseman. Power develops over time. Look at all the good sluggers. They all started out with between 15-20 homers in their first couple full time years in the bigs. Power will come as Murtons body continues to grow and he continues to lift weights and gain strength.

Those stats are very telling, Murton is a keeper. Anyone who is a lock to hit at least .285 and can consistenly go opposite field is a keeper. THe power will come, once you can hit to all fields the power part is the next step. We can't get all free agents all the time. You have to have some home grown talent.

You don't need the article, common sense dispproves his theory

I also think he'll want that big contract that he thinks he deserves, and the Cubs would be nuts to offer it to him. The Padres might lose Roberts and Cameron. They might offer up a lengthy deal for a guy like Pierre. They will want someone who can cover a lot of ground in CF and can lead off. Don't forget the White Sox, Phillies or Rockies either. They have all said they would want him. As far as I am concerned they can have him. Pierre was a Dusty boy and he said he wanted Dusty to stay so much he can go with him.

I have been seeing many articles about the Cubs offseason and none of them have mentioned anything about Pierre in them. Does this mean he won't be back? Personally, I dont really want him back he did hit well the second half, but I think his best days are behind him. He doesn't have quite the speed he used to and those slappers are going to start turning into outs. His basestealing wasn't as good as it should have been he was caught stealing 20 times, and that noodle of an arm he has out there is pathetic. I think we would be better off with Soriano in CF and Lugo in the infield so he could lead off. Lugo has a higher OBP and he is a better all around batter, he has more pop and can hit the ball hard to the outfield. I think that would be the better choice to go with.

I don't believe in "too right handed". I think too many managers get caught up in L/R lineups, instead of the best hitters. Besides, the Cubs are actually middle of the pack in the NL for OPS against righties, and at the bottom against lefties. I agree with you that as long as a guy can hit both L/R it doesn't matter whether he is a lefty or righty batter. It seems like Hendry believes that having a mix is important though. I think he would do Jones for Burrell though.

I agree both of these guys would be cheap and could be #4, #5 starters. Most Japanese pitchers are very durable so I would think that these guys would be to. We need a couple innings eaters in that rotation. Could be a good way to get two solid starters without breaking the bank.

The Cubs got away from the "wait for the 3 run homer" approach last season. They tried to make things happen on the basepaths, and do the little things. It didn't work out well. They still had to wait for the homer because Hendry has yet to build an all around solid lineup. I know they said they weren't waitng for the big homer but they still did.

I liked almost everything he said. I definitely got the impression that they are gonna spend a lot of money this offseason. I also like his comments on not waiting for the 3 run homer. I think that is something that the Cubs need to get away from(sitting back and waiting for the big bomb). It also seems like his coaching staff is very important and plays a big role in the team. Due to this they better hire some good guys. Not happy about Rothschild being back, but oh well. LETS ENJOY WORLD SERIES BASEBALL, THEN FIRE UP THAT HOT STOVE!!!

Don't forget A-rod said today that he would feel like he was walking away from a challenge if he allowed a trade to anther team. I think A-rod has a chip on his shoulder and wants to win over the Yankee fans.

Bruce Levine said on ESPNRadio's GameNight this evening that he expects the Cubs to have at least two new OF's in 2007 and believes Jacque Jones could be a player on his way out. Goodbye Jock don't let the door hit you on the way out.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2628823 I don't think A-rod is worth Ramirez and a quality pitcher. He is good but A-ram had similar numbers and he is younger. Giving up an arm as well makes it even less attractive. Subtracting a big bat and a pitcher for another big bat is not a real big upgrade.

Well I better change my avatar, the good thing about this is that this means they are ready to spend, now.

And this guy is gonna be our manager? Piniella just asked Brennaman what a GED is. Are you kidding me? Even after he explained it he still acted like he had never heard of it before. Yikes