Yestheydo

Isn't value relative though? Is it impossible to imagine Hendry giving up Murton + a pitcher for Byrd? They may know he's not "worth it", but see an opportunity to take advantage of a GM desperate to win big now at all costs. IMO, this is why the Roberts trade hasn't happened yet either. These guys believe they have a sucker on their hands. I believe they may be right.

Theriot is slated to hit #2 right now, anyway. Not sure what you're saying in the rest of it. Who bats 3rd in your joke scenario? Theriot may be slated to hit second, but most people seem to be assuming the goal is to move him to the bottom of the lineup, even though there's little evidence to suggest Piniella feels that way. Soriano (hypothetically) would bat third, in an attempt to placate him by letting him see lots of fastballs in front of Ramirez, and also because he's pretty speedy his own self.

Does anyone think the plan is for Theriot/ Roberts at the top of the order? It would go something like this: Step 1: We got Roberts! A top leadoff hitter to get Soriano to move down in the order! Step 2: But who will bat second? Why, Theriot of course! For he is so very speedy! Step 3: But looky at all them righties in a row! How bout we just switch them two, Soriano won't even notice, all them white boys look alike! Step 4: Fukudome and Lee bat 5th and 6th, NSBB erupts daily. Thank you Andy MacPhail, for holding out. Let this thing just go away.

This isn't something I'd use against Roberts, but that's just me. Feel free to elaborate. I don't know, I just don't think that's something I'd put a lot of stock into. It'd be an entirely different league, with entirely different players, and of all the reasons to not get Roberts (there are plenty, I'm not for or against him at this point), I don't think this is something I'd use as an argument against. You can't assume that the Cubs will falter late in the year just because that seems to be the norm with the team. Wins are wins regardless of what month it is. The games in April and May still count, and DeRosa's monthly career OPS's have never touched .800, let alone above .850. Okay, thanks. Like a lot of people, though, I really like the Cubs' chances of making the playoffs whether they add anyone else or not. It's winning any games in the playoffs that I'm concerned about, and a guy who projects to have an OPS in the 600s if he ever got to be on a playoff team putting one of the few guys the Cubs had who actually played well in their short playoff life last season on the bench seems less than ideal to me, especially when you consider the cost in players and money. Look at the numbers closely; it's an alarming trend any way you look at it. He'll be great until the ASB, then slowly turn into Ryan Theriot the rest of the year. Carved in stone at the top of the lineup. Whoopee.

This isn't something I'd use against Roberts, but that's just me. Feel free to elaborate.

Brian Roberts career OPS by month: Apr .869 May .855 June .760 July .737 Aug .710 Sept .701 The Cubs don't need help establishing themselves as contenders in the crappy NLC in the first half. They need help not humiliating themselves at the end of the season. A guy who gets progressively worse as the season goes on seems like a bad idea. In fact, you could make the argument that when they need him most, DeRosa's career OPS of .790 in Aug and .744 in September would be a significant upgrade over Roberts, who appears to be a great first half player but not much more. I'm at the point where I'm almost praying MacPhail saves Hendry from himself.

Freel will have the edge over Hopper because of his contract. Bruce and Hopper will be in Louisville waiting for Griffey and Freel to hit the DL. So the Reds are going to only carry 4 outfielders? That's interesting. If Craig Wilson makes the team he can play some RF. I guess we'll find out. Yeah.....and Votto and Keppinger can both "play some" LF. I'll be stunned if Hopper doesn't make the team out of spring training. Stunned. The odds are better then Freel gets traded then Hopper doesn't make the team. Now that I think about it, you're probably right. Hopper's refusal to take a walk and penchant for bunting will definitely work in his favor. Hell, he's like Juan Pierre and Neifi Perez put together, Dusty may make him captain.

You can forget about Votto or Keppinger batting 2nd. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060221&content_id=1317995&vkey=spt2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb "It's also a position that won't run as much because then they'll walk D-Lee." Horrors! Two guys on base for Ramirez? What ever shall we do? Buckle up, Reds fans.

Freel will have the edge over Hopper because of his contract. Bruce and Hopper will be in Louisville waiting for Griffey and Freel to hit the DL. So the Reds are going to only carry 4 outfielders? That's interesting. If Craig Wilson makes the team he can play some RF. I guess we'll find out.

Freel will have the edge over Hopper because of his contract. Bruce and Hopper will be in Louisville waiting for Griffey and Freel to hit the DL.

I would be very happy with that return for Blanton. Too bad he's not a reliever or the deal would already be done. It's not going to happen. And. These. Jokes. Are. Not. Funny. At. All. Give them a break. Their team is the poster child for sports futility so they get really excited whenever they see evidence of another poorly run organization. Also, I've heard Cueto, not Votto, is the main piece Beane would be after. I doubt that happens either though. At least Dusty will think they tried.

Thank you. I'm also detecting hints of jealousy on NSBB that we have nothing close to the insider info OH has enjoyed in the past. People naturally don't want to believe another board has (or had) such connections. That's life.

Why? Bruce is the new Adam Dunn. The Cubs should trade for Bruce. Marquis for Bruce. Dempster for Bruce. Murton for Bruce. How bout all three plus Pie? Bruce, Bruce, Bruce. Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce Bruce.

Whoa, I never noticed that; you should definitely change it. I suggest "FukudomeHomie".

So would Marquis I think Larry Rothschild, might have a fit. Might be pals with Fukudome though

I'm getting the feeling that if the M's deal falls through, Bedard and Roberts to the Cubs is Baltimore's plan B. Otherwise it's just Roberts and the Cubs keep Pie and Hill.

So would Marquis

No, but Mr. Snuffalupagus says the Tejada trade is OFF

Phase One: Collect underpants Phase Two: ?????? Phase Three: Profit

http://fasterthantheworld.com/elmer.jpg KILL THE WOBERTS THWEAD, KILL THE WOBERTS THWEAD!!!!

Forget Roberts, here's the two trades I'd like to see: 1. Pie, Colvin, Gallagher, Cedeno, Murton for Bedard and Luke Scott. Tell Soriano the good news is he gets to stay at leadoff, the bad news is he'll have to get used to CF. 2. Marshall for Felipe Lopez. CF Soriano RF Fukudome 1B Lee 3B Ramirez LF Scott 2B DeRosa C GEOVANY SOTO SS Lopez/ Theriot (platoon/ competition). If Lopez rebounds, he and Theriot can lead off if Soriano struggles offensively as he gets used to CF. Life would be easier because Murton would be left-handed.

I keep wondering why it doesn't appear Dempster is being shopped as a closer.

I wanna Friggin' stop hearing about Roberts too.

Consensus on the Orioles board is that MacPhail wants to wait til Bedard is traded, at which point the return will determine what they'll ask for Roberts. But Hendry is getting antsy and wants the deal to happen now. So no news is probably good news.

I still believe Roberts will be acquired. Soriano Roberts Lee Ramirez Fukudome Soto Pie Theriot We could do worse.