goonys evil twin

I didn't know he was alive.

I was kind of hoping they wouldn't have to spend a draft pick on a DTackle. They've spent a bunch on them already and need so much more.

After he's traded here in 2 weeks there will be a spike, but then there won't be any need to talk about it anymore.

I used to read the Trib and Sun-Times online (back in college). Then I added the Daily Herald. I removed the Sun-Times from the list years ago. Occasionally, depending on the situation, I'll go there to see what they have, but that's only at times when I'm starving for information, or if there's a big event, like the Super Bowl. But I haven't clicked on a Mariotti column in years. I've read maybe 3 or 4 during that time after clicking on a link here. But I know what Jay has to offer and I've seen him enough on tv to know he's only gotten worse.

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots. And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS. ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post. Besides, ARod can play SS. My point is that an older, bulked-up ARod is still a much better SS option than what the Cubs now have, so why in the world would people talk about putting him in the OF. As a backup plan in case, for some reason, he can't play SS anymore. It's pretty safe to assume he won't retire a SS. At some point he'd have to move. If he became a Cub, it's not unreasonable to think about him eventually being in the OF.

I don't think so. It's like comparing a pitcher and a hitter. They are both still baseball players, even though they are asked to do different things. You can trade one for the other, value one over the other, etc. We've seen there are "Mariotti" type beat writers as well as columnists. Bruce is a writer who appears to stick to the facts and just tell the story. He writes columns from time to time (like today) that express opinion. But instead of just going on a Jay rant, he simply talks about the baseball team and what it can, and should do to win more games. sure, I'm just saying that people who complain that Mariotti isn't using facts and stats in his column don't understand that he's paid for his opinion. I'm not saying he does a good job of it, or that he isn't purposely stirring the pot. Don't understand? Perhaps they believe he should use facts to back up his opinion.

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots. And then we could go after Bonds or Dunn to play SS. ARod in the OF is realistic, Bonds or Dunn at SS is not. There's no reason for your post. Besides, ARod can play SS.

I don't think so. It's like comparing a pitcher and a hitter. They are both still baseball players, even though they are asked to do different things. You can trade one for the other, value one over the other, etc. We've seen there are "Mariotti" type beat writers as well as columnists. Bruce is a writer who appears to stick to the facts and just tell the story. He writes columns from time to time (like today) that express opinion. But instead of just going on a Jay rant, he simply talks about the baseball team and what it can, and should do to win more games.

It's a little ridiculous to talk about small sample size here. What are we supposed to do, give Stanford 100 games to get into the second round before determining they were a bad selection.

He's out for half my 2007 season in Madden. I've got Adrian Peterson and Anthony Thomas splitting time now that I traded Jones to the Jets. Good thing Rex is just ungodly good.

I don't see the humor. He just insults and complains, and repeats the same stuff over and over. Cubdom, cheap owners, Prior and Wood, Ozzie, blah blah blah. I really don't see the humor.

I like the way those look. If you're at a circus maybe. If the Cubs didn't have such an obnoxious blue, and you limited the amount of red, this could work.

I hear ya but believe it or not, I wouldn't want Tejada. The dark steroid/HGH cloud seems to be following him around. This team doesn't need that kind of distraction (as it is, some people in the local media are speculating that Prior was on 'roids). Who cares about a distraction of rumors. You don't need to be distraction free to win a World Series. You need production. This isn't math class. No, a team doesn't have to be distraction free to win a WS... The Cubs WS drought and media hype are built-in distractions, there's really no good reason to invite a potential dark cloud... I'm of the opinion that Tejada hasn't faced the kind of nasty, local media, barrage (in OAK or BAL) that he would likely get here. It could very well effect his production. I'm of the opinion that that's all a bunch of malarkey. If Tejada showed up in Chicago and produced from day 1, without all the Sammy Sosa sideshow (meaning, the stereo, the "my house" talk, the gladiator stuff, the kissing and hopping) the media would be more than willing to play along. If he got busted tomorrow, that's a different thing, but that could happen to anybody (see Palmeiro, in Baltimore). That's overly cautious on your part and a great way to sell your team short. The Cubs need to stop worrying about all the non baseball nonsense they've concerned themselves with over the years (purging "cancers", talking up the need for a change in mindset, getting guys who can handle the chicago media) and just acquire some baseball players. They need production, not match.com compatibility.

The only time he played less than 140 games in his career was 1999 when he played 129 games-so he has never been hurt for a significant period of time. I forgot one other thing-people believe that A-Rod's defense is getting worse at 3B, not better-which leads them to conclude that his overall defensive skills are slipping and that a move to SS would not help matters in that regard. Except the skills needed are quite different. ARod has never been completely comfortable with the move to 3rd, so any struggles there don't tell you a thing about how he'd handle SS. Regardless. Even if he's slipped, he's still overall the best by a wide margin.

There are 2 corner OF positions, and they are nowhere near set for the next 3-4 years. One of those corner outfielders certainly is set with Soriano. The Cubs already said that the reason they had a tough time finding a guy to replace Jones over the off-season was that they refused to get anybody that could block Pie for any reason-that's not likely to change, so Pie gets CF. Then you have Murton. To sign A-Rod, they would have to pay him 15+ million, then shift him to completely different type of position than he's ever played, and then trade Murton. That seems very, very unlikely to me. You are just giving away a spot to Pie, who hasn't come close to locking down a gig, and claiming the Cubs are dead set on a guy who they are platooning this year. Soriano is the only sure thing, and they might need him for center for the next several seasons. Besides all that, you'd be insane to pass on ARod because you think you might have a decent OF without him. ARod is a difference maker. He would easily vault to the top spot on the Cubs. You make room for people like that. Hell, trade Murton if you have to. I like the guy, but he's no Miguel Cabrera.

There are 2 corner OF positions, and they are nowhere near set for the next 3-4 years.

Surprising this quote is about something other than Mariott(i) in a thread about him.

I don't think that is the case at all. He could play 2nd base or one of the corner outfield spots. 2B, maybe. The Cubs are not going to sign him to play corner outfield though-they already have their future plan for the outfield set out. How is that? Pie and Soriano are two, but if you're thinking Tyler Colvin three, I like Colvin's upside. But he wouldn't bump A-Rod from a job, c'mon. Rodriguez, Soriano, Pie--yep, I could live with that. :-) It seems like they are content with Murton (after this year) to have the job full-time for at least 3-4 years. That kind of stuff is constantly in flux. Ruling out the acquisition of ARod because you think you might have a position settled for 3-4 years would be absurd.

I hear ya but believe it or not, I wouldn't want Tejada. The dark steroid/HGH cloud seems to be following him around. This team doesn't need that kind of distraction (as it is, some people in the local media are speculating that Prior was on 'roids). Who cares about a distraction of rumors. You don't need to be distraction free to win a World Series. You need production. This isn't math class.

That makes no sense. If injuries caused the decline, how can you describe the good year as a fluke? And people who still don't acknowledge the 280+ very solid innings in 2004 and 2005 simply cannot partake in any analysis of Prior. If he's truly done, that doesn't make 2003 a fluke. It simply says 2003 was his best year before injuries (most likely due to severe overuse) damaged his body and ruined his effectiveness. But the guy is 26, not 31. Pitchers battle through all kinds of problems in their 20's quite frequently. The very best HOF types get through this timeframe unscathed, but there are still good pitchers who had up and down results before their late 20's.

I'm glad he finally decided he needed the minor league time, instead of thinking he should go right to the majors. Hopefully after spending time in Lou's presence, and under his influence, he'll open his eyes a bit from his very narrow view of the game. I think a couple seasons in the minors, and then maybe some time as a bench coach under the right manager would help him a lot. But he won't be successful if he sticks to the rigid mentality of yesteryear.

True. How about Anthony Thomas to a lesser extent? Didn't he win ROY? Barely hear his name anymore. Rashaan Salaam was another example. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie season but barely over 600 for the entire rest of his career (which was only two more seasons). I think something we're missing here is that these guys all had nice starts to their career, but nothing along the lines of Mark Prior's. You'd have to think of a RB who flirted with the rushing title and/or total yards number and was way up there in TD's. Or a QB that nearly led the league in passing. Prior was one of the very best pitchers in the game, not just good for a rookie.

Seeing as the temps are getting into the mid-90s during the day in Phoenix already, it's probably a good idea. I left Los Angeles on Sunday headed for Texas. Very glad to find out that the A/C in my new truck works just fine. I needed it, and I now have a bad cold to show for it. But now, I'm stuck in Omaha.... and the temp is in the low 30's. When is it gonna be spring ??? The day before summer starts.

Yeah this was my initial thought too. If A-Rod has been telling "everyone" this, than why is only Olbermann reporting it? I don't think Keith is making it up, but maybe he's not really saying this to as many people as Keith thinks... I must keep myself skeptical on this. I've heard it quite a bit. The local media seems to think that somehow, someway, ARod will play for somebody other than the Yankees next year, and that the Cubs (because of Lou) are the obvious front-runners.

At the risk of over stepping my bounds here, I'd guess a real big difference might be in their paychecks as well. Because unfortunately, the most financially successful sports writers are the ones making the most asinine statements in an effort to garner the most attention, and thus, income. I'd imagine it's really tempting to go down the Marriotti route whenever possible.