goonys evil twin

I hope like heck that Floyd never plays 1B, let alone once a week. That would be terrible. Lee better not get 26 days off either. He needs to play 155+ games, and play very well.

What's this?

Please let Wilken find a worthwhile pick. Seasons like 2006 are only good for 2 things, creating an overhaul of the decision makers and providing an opportunity to draft top talent. They had a partial overhaul, but still need a massive talent intake to make up for Hendry staying onboard.

I haven't heard a thing about Lovie, have you?

I doubt that. He's got 7 years pro experience, without about 3000 PA, playing just about everyday for most of the time. And he's 24. The developmental stage is over. Now he's either going to take to major league pitching or not. Hitting in AAA isn't going to help a thing, as far as his development in concerned. And if the team needs backup MI help (it does), then they might as well use him there than go out and find another roster spot for Enrique Wilson.

I really don't understand the value in letting him play everyday in AAA. He's not going to be learning anything new there. If anything he can benefit from a different coaching staff in the bigs, and seeing major league pitching. I want what's best for the major league team. And at this point, they'd have to go outside the organization to find any better option than Cedeno for a backup MI position, and that will cost them. There's no justification to spend to find a guy that in all likelihood won't be any better than Cedeno in that role.

NY still holds a special place in its heart for Lou. There have been a lot of articles about him and the Cubs the past few months. And many 40+ year old Yankees fans are paying attention to the guy. They generally seem to be wishing him, and the team, well. I think they've wanted Lou as manager for years but have begrudginly accepted the fact that it's Torre's job to leave thanks to his success.

I don't see any reason why he needs that. He's not lacking playing time on his resume. I don't see him learning anything more by playing everyday in AAA as opposed to subbing at the major league level. At some point guys have to sink or swim. The time for keeping guys in the minors playing everyday is when they are 21/22 with minimal professional experience. Cedeno is 24 and has plenty of experience. Now he has to establish himself as a major leaguer, and hope to be good enough to one day start.

At this point, I don't really care about what's best for Cedeno's development. I didn't think he stood a chance of being a good regular a few years ago. But I was intrigued by his brief success a couple seasons ago. Now that's he's 24, with about 3000 professional PA, I'm not worried about finding him playing time. He's a perfectly acceptable $350,000 backup middle infielder.

Yep, there's no longer a value to Soriano for having the ability to play 2nd.

Also, if Theriot proves he can play CF it might spell the end for Pagan in favor of another backup middle infielder. let's hope so. I could live with no more Pagan, but I don't see much use for another backup middle infielder. If Cedeno doesn't make the team, he should be the first guy called up to take somebody's place. I'd like to see an OF who can provide some offense against LHP.

It would be so nice to see the Cubs actually utilize an internal cost effective option in the role of utility man. I'm so sick of them going out and wasting millions on guys who are no better than AAA players. Use your millions on difference makers, use your farm for role players.

No, I actually try to avoid Pete Rose whenever possible, just like I try to avoid discussions about HOF worthiness, All Star voting/snubs and Barry Bonds. My baseball related thoughts typically revolve around the Cubs, and what they can do to get better.

People claiming that 5/90 is lowball, very low, or insulting are not being rational. It's a contract that averages to $18m a year. The difference between that and a Zito contract is that Zito went through free agency. You have to go through free agency to get those 2 extra years. Teams generally don't hand guys who are on their own team 7 year deals. It's the length that gets guys to move teams. 5 years is a very normal term for a player to re-up with his own team. It still gives him the opportunity to hit free agency again at a relatively young age, but does not short change him any money in the meantime. 2/36 might be lowball, but 5 years at $18m doesn't come close to fitting that description. On the other hand, Bruce Miles claims that Hendry hasn't actually offered such a deal, they've just discussed parameters that would most likely include 5 guaranteed years.

That would be the best. He really is a sorry sad pathetic man. Seriously, his life is that tough because he's not in the Hall of Fame? He's getting more attention, and more money, than he'd get if he made it through on the first shot. He's such a whiny creap. I can't believe so many people still hold him in such high esteem. Geez, he was a good baseball player that stayed in the game for an extremely long time, but other than that he's basically proven over and over to be a complete jerk.

People need to get over the TE fascination. The Bears TE group is fine. There are only a handful (maybe 5?) really good TE in football. Unless you get one of those, there's no reason to be spending 1st round picks on them. Every year there's 2-3 guys who are considered can't miss TE who are picked early and flame out. Clark/Heap/Crumpler/Gates/Gonzalez/Whitten/Shockey/Winslow( So and no, goony, the Bears TE core is not fine. I like Desmond Clark, so he is solid, but Gilmore/Reid are practice squad caliber TE. So yeah, count me as one who believe the Bears offense would be better, if they had an IMPACT TE on the team. TEs are having bigger impacts on Offense in today's game, then ever before, and if the Bears continue to "ignore" the problem, it's going to hurt the offense. Not to mention neither Bradley/Berrian have established themselves as "true threats" consistantly. So, until then, I like to give Grossman, or whoever will be the QB in 2007 as many OFFENSIVE weapons as possible. Ignoring the TE is a problem, because sooner or later you will have to replace Clark. So to get Olsen/Miller or Chandler this yr, would go a long ways to help the offense. So goony, it's not a "TE fascination", it's fact. If the Bears miss out on a TE in this yr's draft, then perhaps Angelo is "asleep at the wheel." I heard the same crap last year and the Bears went from a bottom of the barrel scoring team to top of the league. Blahblahblah. Clark is perfectly fine. How many teams have better backup TE's than the Bears, and how does that make a difference?

You sound ridiculous. I said he's not as productive as a true superstar. I don't care about his media attention, that's an absurd thought to even bring up.

Shrinkage in a hot tub? That shouldn't happen.

Sounds like Kerry and his soon-to-be 30-year old wife were trying to spice up the marriage.

People need to get over the TE fascination. The Bears TE group is fine. There are only a handful (maybe 5?) really good TE in football. Unless you get one of those, there's no reason to be spending 1st round picks on them. Every year there's 2-3 guys who are considered can't miss TE who are picked early and flame out.

I'll have to disagree with you on this. How many people are members of the 40/40/40 club? I don't really care. It's a worthless stat. His overall numbers don't compare to true superstars, his unique speed/power combo makes him a good story, but not as productive as actual superstars.

It's not that hard to believe. He got paid like an absolute superstar but he's not one.

some article (Daily Herald?) said Prior was ahead of Miller, who is in the long-toss phase of his rehab. didnt say where prior was, though. how is miller rehabbing? he was pitching in the big leagues in september? But not at 100%.

I'm not sure it's quite that long, but that's probably Jeff Samardzija, the pitching prospect from ND. I just watched a video on the trib's website, it was Dan Roan's report on WGN, and yes, Samardzija's hair was definitely shoulder length. He had that goofy mop top pulled back and behind his hat, so it hung low.

Anybody have something like a top 5 most likely Cubs first round picks this year?