A New Era

I disagree. Gooz needs to log innings, not just get a few ML innings. His stuff will translate to the major leagues. It's just too good not to. He needs to show he can handle the workload of a starting pitcher (last year was the first step). You don't waste a pitcher with 3+ above average pitches in the pen, especially when you have a pen loaded with arms as the Cubs 'pen is. Ok, well my other point is there are alot of other guys avaialbe that should be above Novoa. Novoa should just be traded for a prospect at this point.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-02/28162844.jpg Henry either looks suprised in that photo. . . . or he is in the process of farting. .

Yeah he looks bad. But remember that's just a few short minutes of a whole week and a half he's been there. Give him some time, see how he does in ST games. . I'm sure Lou and gang have backup plans. With 1 hopefully being getting Jones some time in CF and Sori in RF. That honestly works out much better, because we might be waving bye bye to Jones in a year or 2, and obviously will NOT to sori. Might as well put the "temp" guy in Pie's future spot. .

Bold prediction. Marquis looks sharp. Surrendering no runs. .

Don't forget Guzman or one of the many young kids. This would be a good way of easing guzman into the rotation. Let him releif pitch for awhile, see how he does.

Not only does Murton have the OBP. But he knows exactly what his job is. God I got so peeved when Neifi was batting 2nd, and he would foul a ball off when Pierre had a great jump. What a refreshing change it will be from last year. Here's hoping he impresses. link

I have to post this again. Kinda like the Lion King, it just makes me SHIVVER!! OOwwwww. Soriano, CF Murton, LF Lee, 1B Ramirez, 3B Barrett, C Jones, RF DeRosa, 2B Izturis, SS Marquis, P

no. 8-)

OBP + SLG = OPS for offense and ERA + WHIP for pitching. .

I was going to post this earlier but I figured it'd be better (funnier) if I waited. I guarantee you someone is not going to get the sarcasm and is going to try to flame you for this. sarcasm on the internet is so hard to pick up most of the time No it's not. Especially if you know that Ken Griffey was rumored to have taken steroids. Therefore, when he says "like ken griffey" you should catch the "tongue in cheek". And don't reply saying you were being sarcastic, proving me an idiot. :lol:

My favorite moment is when he went ape **** and went out there throwing his hat, his score-card, and shoutin down the throagt of the umpire. After that he said he was embarrassed, and never did it again. It's too bad, because teams need a manager to show some passion like that every now and again. .

Well you'd have to look at teams that had a 96 loss season and then spend $300 million in the offseason after that. This case is unique. What does the W-L record and offseason spending have to do with Dempster's struggles and possibilities of returning to form? Number of save opportunities. Number of times Dempster was not allowed to pitch for days on end. Remember we've all talked about this before. Adding $300 million worth of players also raises the regularity Dempster will be used because they will be leading in more ballgames. . And an overall higher confidence in all the players because they KNOW they are much improved. This is exactly how I feel. I think the lack of usage coupled with Dempster's already not so great control led to a lack of confidence in his pitches when he did get out there and he got roughed up. He was absolutely fine the year before when he got regular work and had his confidence riding high. I think more opportunities and the new season should be all he needs to find his groove. I hope. Right. Or in other words, let's call Dempster our closer now. And give him a chance to prove himself again before we start looking foward to Wood taking his spot. Because if Dempster works out well, then you have "super wood" for those situations in the 7th and 8th when you NEED to get somebody out. It makes our team that much stronger if all works out well.

HellOOOOOOOOOOOOO chicago cubs baseball.

Yeah, they did that to us LAST year. I'm on hold waiting to talk to them on the phone before I sign up. I want to sign up for 1 month just for spring training games. .

Things will *click*, players will not underperform under Piniella. And all of the coaching and player moves will drive the Cubs to a 90 win season and they will make it to the world series. . 8-)

Well you'd have to look at teams that had a 96 loss season and then spend $300 million in the offseason after that. This case is unique. What does the W-L record and offseason spending have to do with Dempster's struggles and possibilities of returning to form? Number of save opportunities. Number of times Dempster was not allowed to pitch for days on end. Remember we've all talked about this before. Adding $300 million worth of players also raises the regularity Dempster will be used because they will be leading in more ballgames. . And an overall higher confidence in all the players because they KNOW they are much improved.

Well you'd have to look at teams that had a 96 loss season and then spend $300 million in the offseason after that. This case is unique.

Maybe he just smiles the same. 8-)

Murton hitting second!!! OMG!!!!! Sweet! Man, things are going too good this Spring. Let's not get too excited. Murton might only be playing, and in the two hole, because we're facing a lefty. Which is a major bummer. That's my guess as well. I think Murton will be playing against some-right handers, but I don't know how often he'll be in the 2 spot against them. Even if he bats in the 2 spot against left-handers though, that's still an improvement though and one that was unexpected (considering that there have been rumors about 3 possible people in the 2 spot, and Murton was not one of those hitters). If Murton does obviously better than others in the 2 spot, against lefties or anybody else. Lou will see that and bat him there more. That is why it's so awesome just to see him TRYING it.

from cubs.com article (new pic not posted I don't think) http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/images/2007/02/27/TayVDCSv.jpg I like Dempster's new look. maybe new look = coincide with new (better) performance? 8-)

As spring training is drawing near, very near. I'd like to share what I'm looking foward to. . I'm looking foward to March 1st, Pat Hughes saying "Chicago Cubs baseball is on the air!!" To hearing santo again. To seeing Len and Bob call the games again. Looking foward to Soriano playing in a Cubs uni. . And lastly. I'm looking foward to a standing ovation for Maddux as he returns to pitch against chicago. Fans should show their love for maddux when he comes to play us. . How about you guys?

Come again? What would you be doing (or buying) if you wanted to catch the most spring training games. MLB.tv or XM radio service.

On MLB. They show whoever is the HOME team broadcaster. Len & Bob will be on every wrigely feild game and it's replays. Any AWAY game for the cubs and you will see the other broadcasters. .

Tomas "toilet paper" perez. Preceeded by. . Neifi "no patience" perez. .

He may have looked angry at the time, but he did it for the good of mankind. Do you know how many people around the world he made smile that day? :lol: Plus, roast mean he is generally kind and happy to CUBS fans. A.J. is completely moot to the point. I know, I hate AJ too, it was just a joke. Oh I understood it as a joke. Just because I'm generally boring doesn't mean I don't get it. I'm just boring, like Derosa. We'll arrive at the location in approximately 2.5 seconds sir.