Abe Frohman

If Dempster is gone before the season - it is because someone needs a closer. The man has value.

A good thing for Prior - with San Diego being a beachfront community - there will be no shortage of towels. Hahahahahahahaha.

He did. You're just imagining this is happening; go back to sleep. Wake me up when we acquire Brian Roberts, ok?

Wow. I thought he retired like 3 years ago.

I just want to get in on this fabulous thread.

The New York Mets need to change their name to the New York: a)Salsa b)Chupacabras c)Plethora

Sounds like he has too many irons in the fire concerning particular players.

I seriously doubt that Juan Pierre will be a Cub again for several reasons: a) I am assuming that Pierre has some sort of no-trade clause considering how much he was given by the Dodgers. Can someone check out the makeup of his contract? b) Hendry seems to be "getting it" that OB% is important - especially at the top of the order (well, that doesn't make too much sense - but Soriano's SLG seems to make Piniella/Hendry happy enough). c) I distinctly remember Pierre being asked after the last game if he is planning to return to Chicago - and his answer seemed very cold. Personally, I think he sided with Dusty and was bitter about his departure from the Cubs - and also he made comments that he wasn't real happy about the treatment Jacque Jones got from the fans. Am I the only one who remembers this? Hate to bring it up without quotes. If Pie is dealt (hope not) I would MUCH rather see Lofton signed than Pierre traded for. It would not make any sense to trade for Pierre considering his high salary, unless we would be dumping one Marquis - who wasn't bad in the first half and probably isn't even needed in LA.

Bump.

Did you read the article? http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/base-stealer-intangibles-part-2/ Of course not.

Negligeble? I don't understand how you can make a stat out of it. If anyone says that a baserunner can have no effect on a pitcher's pressure level and/or performance obviously has never played baseball before. I agree that a batter who has a base-stealer on base while he hits may have a negative effect (a good batter will take pitches so the baserunner has a chance to steal - thus getting himself into an undesirable pitchcount), but I disagree that a pitcher is unaffected with a good base-stealer on a bag.

That is greatness. Brought a tear to my eye. No Santo/Dawson?

I would much rather live and die with Soriano in CF, Murton in LF then give Murton away for anything less than a valuable CFer. I just don't understand why a place can't be made for Matt Murton.

Amen.

I guess that's why a first baseman and catcher use mitts instead of gloves. Kinda like gloves and mittens. I can't tell you why all infielders don't use mitts, since 3rd basemen and middle infielders do a lot of digging and picking too. I guess the reason why MI use smaller gloves is for the quick transfer in turning balls, but it doesn't explain why they couldn't do that with a rounded glove that was 10-11.5 inches.

I know that "negy" means "onion." Negy negy means "2 onions."

This was a great read.

Lord knows he's due.

Total numbers? Or just BA, OB, OPS? You are discounting a lot. Corey had 200 more AB's at the age of 20 than Pie. Pie's numbers are based on 59 games. The reason I used their first full seasons is there was a level of comparison on games played and PA. Anyway, my point is that Corey had pretty impressive minor league numbers - and didn't really pan out as the star everyone hoped/thought he would become. He didn't necessarily have the plate discipline that usually indicates a hitter who can have a good level of success in MLB. Pie, has pretty similar characteristics (low walks, high strikeouts) to Corey. Unlike Corey, Pie wasn't rushed, so who knows what might happen. Eric Patterson has a respectable BB/K ratio, indicating a level of plate discipline. If you ask me who PROJECTS as a better big league hitter of the three - I'd say Eric Patterson. All three are great prospects. Unfortunately, there comes a time when the "prospect" tag wears off - and the type of hitter he is will be evident.

Not really.

Imma call BS on that article, as it says that DeRosa and Hendry have talked more than once this winter. Hendry was on the Mike North show recently, and North asked him about some comments DeRosa made - and Hendry said that he hasn't spoken to Mark and that he knows how to get in touch with him if he has concerns.

Corey Patterson http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=11036 His first season, age 19, A ball in the MWL. 112 games, 152/475 with 94 runs, 35 doubles, 17 3B, 20 HR, 79 RBI, .320/.354 and 33 SB. Felix Pie http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=11427 His first FULL season, age 18, A ball in the MWL. 124 games, 144/505 with 72 runs, 22 2B, 9 3B, 4 HR, 47 RBI, .285/.339 and 19 SB (13 CS). Eric Patterson http://minors.baseball-reference.com/players.cgi?pid=11039 His first FULL season, age 22, was split between A ball in the MWL and AA ball in the SOU. 119 games, 150/462 with 95 runs, 28 2B, 11 3B, 13 HR, 73 RBI, .325/.400 and 43 SB. Now - that is a fair comparison with a big difference in ages (mainly E. Pattersons), and only thier first years. Corey Patterson didn't have the luxury of many years of seasoning in the minors like Pie and his brother Eric. That may be the main difference - but of the three I think is pretty obvious that E.P. is the better offensive player and ready for MLB. Yes he is older, but still he is young. It is a debatable comparison, but not as far fetched as a couple of you are making it seem. Coupled with the fact that E.P. can play multiple positions (and discounting personal issues, like showing up on time), I think that Eric has more attractive statistics. They all have great upside, and only two have had adequate time to develope.

Look at the statistics. They don't necessarily equate to Major League success. Pie and Eric Patterson still have to earn it. As does Cedeno, etc.

Corey Patterson had better minor league numbers than Felix Pie. Eric Patterson has better numbers than both of them.

This is a good signing. It can mean many things, least of which we have competition for the #5 spot. Competition is very good. Also, the bullpen gets more depth - or the potential of more depth if Dempster doesn't work out in the rotation, or if he isn't needed there.