Sammy Sofa

Seriously. Why does anyone even read her columns? We're all smart enough to know what she's going to say. Reading her articles and then complaining about them is just a waste of time and energy. I have a bad Cubs addiction and read just about anything that is written about them. Regardless of whether we know the motives, the fact is they/she tries to pass the stuff off as journalism and it bothers me. I don't read much of the stuff, unless I see a link to it elsewhere or am really bored/desperate for crap to read. Call me a fool for reading it in the first place (you'd probably be right), but I can't help but react to the ridiculous stories. And to top it off, it's an opinion that's often shared by many. If she was a rogue voice, that would be one thing. But she pretty much echoes the sentiments of the majority. And that's troubling. But again, is that really her fault? You keep insisting otherwise, but I don't see how she could possibly publish anything that isn't towing (toeing?) the company line. If people choose to only go to the official site for their Cubs news, well, they're gonna get what they seek out. If they choose to ignore the dozens of other quality sites/blogs/boards out there that provide contrary opinions and perspectives, well, she has no control over that. Cubs.com is never going to have the content that most of us would prefer to see it have...CM is just the mouthpiece du jour.

It's really not fair lump Wood in with those guys since he made, what, $1.5 million last year? More than what most cheapie young relievers get, granted, but let's not act like he's getting paid what those other guys are. Out of the 4, his salary was by far the least of their problems.

And you would be comfortable with that? Of course not. Seeing as they're not relying on him or Prior for anything, that's simply not the situation the Cubs are dealing with.

They're only "depending" on Wood if they have no other options.

Next we'll hear ARod is tight with Billy Jack.

Did you just name drop Billy Joe Tolliver? My god, that would have ended the name dropping thread if it were on the first page. Nice work. BTW, what in god's name do you think Billy Joe and AROD talk about when they hang out? Pretty soon, someone's going to tell me that Jon Kitna and Carl Everett are going to church together. Forget that, what the hell do Vitale and ARod talk about? I can't even wrap my head around that. Count me in the "he goes to the Angels" camp.

After 2 years, he's almost 35. He'll still be excellent, but the time for his last big contract is now. There's no way this deal is less than 6 years.

Besides having doubts that he could stay healthy, I'd rather be able to re-sign him for the 'pen so Marmol can be used in a trade.

Joke account strikes again.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!! I'd like to say something a little more in depth, but that's about all I can muster. Sorry.

Negative = Me, KC, Jon, TT, Navin, CubsinNY, Rob (might have missed a few) Positive= Everyone else You missed me. I may have been more negative on the Soriano signing than anyone here. Can't find the link, but I remember stating that it would land on the short list of the worst contracts in the history of sports. Too bad search is still disabled. I complained about that contract so much I got sick of my own bitching. I found this on page 17 of the signing thread: viewtopic.php?t=36777&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=240 frost, I hated the contract too - I was right behind you a few posts down: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A five-year deal will be bad enough, but if it's eight years?? I just threw up in my mouth a little. Face it, if Soriano's signed Drew's *not coming*. Hendry will think he's done as far as the offense goes, with an OF of Murt, Sor and Jones. Next he will sign Lilly or Meche and call it an offseason. To clarify things, I think you'd have to struggle to find that many people here, if any, that actually "liked" the idea of signing him for that long and for that much money.

I can't wait until we have the Soriano contract haters remembering the thread where they remembered the thread where they hated his contract.

Slightly tweak it and I think you're right...though I'm not sure how trading Bedard helps them address that particular problem. But if Andy thinks the best way to improve the Orioles is trading one of the best pitchers in baseball, I'm more than happy to oblige. Well, they'd likely want at least a proven young starter and a good to great pitching prospect in return.

He just turned 32. You keep talking like he's 35 or 36.

Why does everyone want to trade away the farm for players? I would never send Marmol or Hill For Bedard and Tejada? Hell yes. Tejada is older, but he fills a HUGE hole very well...and Bedard is one of the best young pitchers in all of baseball. He's very likely better than Zamrano in the long run. And Marmol is awesome, but he's a reliever. This would definitely be trading up.

I think he ends up out west...probably the Angels.

You honestly think they wouldn't want Marshall or Hill (especially the latter) as part of a deal for Bedard? How exactly would you obtain him?

I am going to ignore nothing. I pointed out that there was a strange shift in JJ's production. I have no idea what the plans are for improving this team in 2008, but one of the big problems the Cubs had was beating LHP, and having LH hitters in the order. If you are asking what I would do, it is acquire another player (at least one) that is preferrably a LH batter who can crush LHP and hit in the clutch. Hopefully that player will hit more than 5 HR, too. If the Cubs acquire this player who will bat in the middle of the order, I wish them luck dealing JJ, or whoever. If JJ can produce over the full season like he did in the better part of 2007, only with more power - I'd take it. His power numbers went way down...his lefty numbers went way up...why do you assume his power levels are just going to jump back up AND his lefty numbers will stay, contrary to the rest of his career. Can you show me where I assumed anything on the lines of what you said. IF Jones can hit LHP like he did last year, and IF he can hit for more power - I think that it's clear that I didn't really assume he would, only pointed out that IF he could, we would be crazy not to be happy with it. Those are ridiculous huge if's to even think about counting on.

I'd offer Hill, Marmol, Patterson, Cedeno, and Veal for both. But I think they could easily do much better with other teams if they wanted to try a package deal.

I am going to ignore nothing. I pointed out that there was a strange shift in JJ's production. I have no idea what the plans are for improving this team in 2008, but one of the big problems the Cubs had was beating LHP, and having LH hitters in the order. If you are asking what I would do, it is acquire another player (at least one) that is preferrably a LH batter who can crush LHP and hit in the clutch. Hopefully that player will hit more than 5 HR, too. If the Cubs acquire this player who will bat in the middle of the order, I wish them luck dealing JJ, or whoever. If JJ can produce over the full season like he did in the better part of 2007, only with more power - I'd take it. His power numbers went way down...his lefty numbers went way up...why do you assume his power levels are just going to jump back up AND his lefty numbers will stay, contrary to the rest of his career.

Yeah, part of me wonders if Boras just wants to see if he can get the $30 million per he's been hyping up, since the Yanks are likely the only team to pay that much. If the Yanks bite, he stays, if not, even if it's for something like $27 million, I wouldn't be surprised to still see him opt out.

Oh, without a doubt. I'm just talking from a spectator's standpoint, I'd much prefer to see them win it in Boston.

Anything can happen...including being slaughtered like a hog wandering into a cage of velociraptors.

Man...kinda sucks that the Red Sox will have won both of these recent WS away from Boston.

"He's right, I can't feel anything!" http://www.movievillains.com/images/ming.jpg