A New Era

I wish Rusch and Bynum and Pagan were not on this team. With a new manager next year I am not against Pagan he is a good bench guy. But he's taking at bats away from Murton under Dusty. Which aside from a day off every couple of weeks, is inexcusable. . Murton is our future, not Pagan. .

You reffering to his 2 walks, today?

Oh I agree. DLee and RHill 2 huge positives of this game. .

Hell I agree. Man it seems like EVERY hitter he's pounding a fast ball right on the outside edge for strike one, looping tons of curves right in there for a strike. And he gets ALOT of 0-2. He's been pictching aggressively and he looks downright dominant out there, and it's a joy to watch.

I think he's pretty much guarantee'd it with his sub 2.0 ERA in his last 8 starts. .

Looking foward to KKKKKKKHill, yet again. .

I honestly think people who think that are going to be very suprised. After this HORRENDOUS season, it's almost like fate is forcing them to make some big moves. If they do not, there is going to be such a negative light put toward the Cubs and ownership. They will have a "bad name", so to say. It's almost like they have to make a big splash just to make up for this terrible year. I fully expect atleast 1 big signing, and Soraino would be a very good choice, if for 2nd, as said. .

It supposedly was on fox sports. It was said on TV.

I am so sorry to do this, but I heard this over at Cubs.com. Yes I know the general opinion about that place over here. But someone claimed he said it on fox sports a couple of days ago. Did anyone catch him saying that he thinks it's highly likely Soriano will be a Cub next year? The reason I post this is because Soriano would be my #1 choice because it gets us our big bat and replaces a very unproductive Cedeno and keeps Murton in LF. It's the most logical choice.

I think that Cabrera is about the only player that you can name who won't get a 20-page discussion on the pros and cons of a trade. I shouldn't speak so soon because if by some miracle Hendry got Cabrera, the Hendry bashers would be complaining about how much he gave up for him. Maybe so, but I think the "bashing" would be alot less than usual. Because it's CABRERA.

It would be nice, just to see one last standing Ovation for the great greg maddux from cubbie fans.

Awh shucks, whose gonna be our player-scapegoat now?! I vote we all travel back to pierre. Take your pick for next year. . . Izturis Dempster Wood Prior Blanco Jones Pierre Cedeno

Well if THAT happened. Then that would be a very sucessful off-season. I think. Yeah. I mean I'd rather not have Pierre for the deal he's gonna get, but the other acquisistions would make up for it I think. I think to honestly have a change to get what your predicting, is to ditch pierre and his possible 8 mil and go with Pie. Which I wouldn't be against either. .

Well if THAT happened. Then that would be a very sucessful off-season. I think.

Don't think we can afford THAT much. I would be happy and think we could win the division easily if we got 1 big bat and 1 top teir SP. Let's just assume, Miller progresses and can possibly get up to 92-93 next year, I'd take the gamble on an incentive laden contract. Add the big bat and top teir pitcher and this easily contends with st. louis. . Pierre Murton D Lee Ramirez Soriano Barret Jones Izturis P Zambrano Top Teir #2 Hill Miller Prior/Marshall/Mateo

Who's this "Harry" guy you keep referring to? You've mentioned him in at least three different threads. Maybe they are trying to start a 'trend'. .

I think the handwriting is so much on the wall now that I'd be totally shocked if Dusty returns. I wouldn't have said that two months ago.If it was any team not named the Cubs I would agree. Somehow they always manage do do the wrong thing. It isn't just the Cubs' decision, however. Even if they stupidly want him back, that doesn't mean Dusty wants to return. I, along with several other posters, think that he may choose to look elsewhere regardless of what Hendry decides. Everything points to it. Hendry's words, Dusty's words, fan and media pressure on dusty to get the heck out of town. All of the stars have aligned and we will see dusty go. Remember during our huge decline people were still thinking hendry would still re-up dusty? I remember all of the radio shows all thought dusty would still be back. But alot has happened since then. .

Oh yeah right, that was debunked. Sorry about that little brain fart of mine. . :P

Who is your source? Why wouldn't a club offer him a 2 or 3 year deal now that he's surgically repaired and rehabilitated? If he shows improvement and stays healthy over the next few months, there will be teams interested. Hendry already took the big risk -- it's nowhere near as great when planning for '07. The velo on his fastball is topping out at 91. He was at 95 easily pre-injury. He's not rehabilitated and repaired. It'll take time. He hasn't put up great numbers in his minor league starts, much less against the Braves in his first ML start. If he was hitting 95 with little velo drop after 100 pitches, then you'd probably see a multi-year deal thrown his way. You don't throw a multi-year deal at someone who hasn't proven his health or stuff. Miller isn't going to gain 4+ mph on his fastball in the remaining 20 games, which means another 3 possible starts for him. 3 decent starts aren't going to get him a multi-year deal from anyone. Ya'll are worrying over nothing. Miller will be a Cub if Hendry wants him. It could be our scouts see some things they don't like and we take a pass. Miller's return to pre-injury form is no sure thing as TT pointed out. We'll have a better idea what the chances are than any club out there has. If we pass, buyer beware. :lol: :lol: You got that right! If the CUBS pass on an injured or pre-injured pitcher, you'd better watch out!! :lol: :lol:

As far as manager is concerned, out of all the names mentioned, who do you think is most likely? My choice would be Girardi but that's not a guess, just a choice. Who, if any, do you think will be the biggest impact bat signing or trade we will see. I'd like Soriano at 2nd but I'd bet it will be Carlos Lee in LF. All the things point to Lee. Him liking chicago, him having boras as his agent. It just seems the most likely aquisition, to me. .

No inconsistency whatsoever. I wouldn't have signed him at all, but, if you're going to sign a rehabbing pitcher, there has to be some upside to the signing. Having signed Miller for 2006 gives the Cubs exactly ZERO advantage over the 29 other teams going into the '06-'07 offseason. Where's the upside? Miller will resign with the Cubs, if that's what Hendry wants. He's not getting a multi-year deal from anyone. We can give an incentive laden 1 year deal just like anyone else and we're in his good graces for signing him at 1M. It's not like organizations are lining up to take risks on players. Hendry doesn't mind the several million dollar gamble on a starting pitcher. I don't either considering their worth to a ballclub. Maybe Hendry did mess up. The future will tell. But, don't rag on Miller for being "toast" when he's still rehabbing. I can't think of a player who wasn't mediocre when rehabbing from a semi-serious surgery. So he doesn't have his velocity back. Big whoop. It'll come back or it won't. I'd be fine with the cubs spending several million bucks to find out. We spent how many millions on the likes of Neifi Perez and Glendon Rusch? At least Miller has a high upside. Will he reach it? Maybe. Maybe not. Let's find out. Be patient. Big whoop? I would like to see a WS championship some time this century. It's time for a fully qualified GM to take over. Just curious, what was your big whoop about? That you wouldn't want to give Miller an extremly incentive latent deal to be our #5? I would, especially if he shows decent progress the rest of the way. If he doesn't, then no.

Yeah, me too. And I know exactly what you are shooting for. :wink:

Alright, later guys. I have to go out. But I'll be listening to pat and ron along with ya!!

And WE WANT HIM!! Yes.

oooooowwwwwwww. aaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh.