Abe Frohman

FWIW, as a Cubs fan, I own a Pujols jersey. It's a Dominican Republic jersey, though. I'd never where a Cards jersey. Ever.

I would love to see Soto get a shot at hitting 3rd.

I'd offer way more than $3.00 to a guy who can smash clubhouse boom boxes as well as Kerry Wood. Maybe $3 mil?

That's a freaking GREAT signing. He is worth $3 just for the affect he is going to have in the clubhouse. Good day for the Cubs. Marshall and Wood in the later innings is pretty nice. Woody has taken some bad contracts to be a Cub. It's good to have him back, wish he never left.

Not me. That choke job haunts me to this day. You can't blame Bartman, but their was no overcoming that change in momentum - or whatever the hell you call it. That series was in the bag. Makes me sick now just thinking about the pain.... Those two sweeps combined don't even touch the pain that was 2003.

2003 was the greatest and worst season - and more exciting than I can imagine a season being. The Cubs were the best team in the NL in 2008, and the whole season was fun to watch - until the sweep. It didn't compare to 2003, though. Perhaps because it had been a few years since a playoff appearance. Sigh.

Would the Cubs really be getting that much better with this deal? Wouldn't save money.

Sorry guys. You are right. It all points to the fact that it would be nice to win it all for Ronnie.

CLEARLY, Ronnie is in HOF company with his career. This is a HUGE loss for all of us Cub fans, and even though I thought it was a real possibility that Santo would pass before he was finally enshrined in the HOF, now that he is gone and never got to enjoy the fruits of his labor - IT ENRAGES ME. It also makes me look at the Cub organization and see some things that make me feel things just aren't right. Sandberg's departure, mainly. Not that I object to the Quade hiring, but losing Sandberg to the Philly's, and the other small hints we get make me think this ship is going in the wrong direction. The Ricketts are business men. The are in it for the profit. Clubs that make money don't spend it, and so far that is exactly what seems to be happening. Honor Ron by doing what it takes to bring Chicago a winner. Quit [expletive] around. This sucks.

So what's more important - having lefties or righties, or having guys who can hit lefties or righties?

Theriot ain't gonna be doing a lot of running in front of Pujols, I'm thinking.

Well, I will retract. This is good statistical proof that perhaps I have my head up my ass. I'd say his head is maybe a quarter or two, though. Good work, sir. As far as the farm OFers I listed - they COULD contribute, for much less. That is the point I'm trying to make. It is outside of reality, and just saying.

So, are you saying: a) If the Yankees showed interest in acquiring Carlos Zambrano outright, or even for 90% of his contract - you would be against the Cubs pulling the trigger on this? b) Fukudome, (who did lose his job to Tyler Colvin this year), should play in front of Colvin (I like the platoon)? IF a team expressed interest in Fukudome, and the Cubs could trade him for prospects - you wouldn't feel better about the Cubs chances using some other players already in the organization or on the market? c) Soriano, still a productive hitter, is somehow going to be worth 18 million a year for the next 4 seasons?

Well, I guess I was speculating a little, but Tyler Colvin for one. Here are some organizational guys who I would like to see how they fare.... Brandon Guyer - AA http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=446386 NICE looking prospect. Cubs Minor League Player of the Year for 2010. Good OB% and steals bases. Hits RH and LH pitching. Had a terrible May and June, but hit over .400 in July and August. Brad Snyder - AAA http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=430957 Snyder is almost 30 year old lefty who had a nice OB% and good power/average numbers. Stole 19 bases and looks pretty legit, though kinda ancient. Brian LaHair - AAA http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=445933 He is a little old, but another AAA guy who has a nice OB% and decent power numbers. Can't hit lefties, but might be a good bench option or platoon player. Tony Campana - AA http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=542999 ZERO power, but steals bases and.... gets on base. Hits RH and LH pitching.

When I point out the fact that the pitcher the Cubs are paying about 18 million a year ONLY WINS 9 GAMES A YEAR - you don't know what I'm saying? Basically, what I'm trying to say is that if the Cubs didn't have to pay him, it would be good. I agree that "wins and losses" aren't the most important statistic. You can't win games or do anything good when you are kicked off the team for being a jackass, though. Surely, you can understand and even agree with that. I don't suggest the get rid of Zambrano because he isn't "good enough." I suggest they get rid of Zambrano because he is ........ Carlos Zambrano. He can't control himself, he makes comments that prove his head is up his ass, ..... do I really need to go on? Zambrano can be one of the best pitchers in the game. What are the chances he does that for the Cubs? In his favor, he seems to want to be a Cub only - but it's got to be considered that IF the Cubs could deal Z - it's not really about what they get in return, it's about the money they will save and invest in other quality pitchers that can actually HELP the Cubs win, instead of hinder them. The third bad contract isn't so bad - but it is Fukudome. Fook is a good player, as is Soriano. Bad contracts, though. Especially considering that there are several in the system that can outplay them. I'm not sure who you are talking about "only being signed for 2 more years," but the Cubs will be shelling out $18m a year through 2014 to Soriano.

No matter how good Zambrano is, the fact IS that he has now won 18 games in two seasons. EIGHTEEN GAMES. Let that sink in a little. We have to look at the money. Zambrano will be making almost 18 million in 2011, 18 million in 2012, and 19 million in 2013. He says he is going to retire after that. He also is NOW claiming that he is the "ace." Sure, he is pitching lights-out of late - but I like Ryan Dempsters outlook on when he is going to retire, which is "when they take my uniform from me." Zambrano got his contract. He deserved it. He isn't pitching or contributing like he is WORTH it, in my opinion. If he stays with the team and functions like an ACE, then good - that is what he is paid for. He hasn't done that, though. EVER. Sure, he is a good pitcher. Great at times. He is a liability and obviously destructive to a team. Hell, none of us know the true effect he has on the Cubs team on the field or in the clubhouse, but we know enough to know that if the Yankees come calling and show intrest and something can be worked out - that would be a GOOD THING for the Chicago Cubs. That would be one of three incredibly BAD contracts they are rid of. That's what I think.

This is the BEST thing that could happen for the Cubs. Zambrano's recent success is only utilized IF they have the sense to SELL HIGH and dump this head case. Lose his immense contract and sign some real baseball players.

It's just a damn shame that the Cubs have two horrible contracts in the outfield. Carl Crawford would be a great addition.

I understand that and agree, I am just trying to stress that I really hope that the Cubs have bigger plans than Dunn at 1st base. I think that Colvin has always shown that he is going to be a low OB% hitter. I expect that at best he will be a .275/.315 ob type hitter, which unfortunately was an upgrade/nice combo with Fukudome. Obviously, the bullpen needs a little strength. Maybe bring Woody back. How much worse could he be, and he would help a lot in the clubhouse. JJ Putz wouldn't hurt. Starting pitching could use a boost. I would be happy if they could get Lilly back and perhaps Bronson Arroyo (unless the Reds exercise their $11 million club option - which is likely).

I thought Adrian Gonzalez was a free agent - but he has a club option for 2011 ($5.5 million).

I don't see the logic in signing Dunn for 12 million per year, or giving him over 3 years. I have a hard time seeing 1st basemen - especially not one that is clearly in the top 3 of the class - as choosers. Adam Dunn should be able to be had for less than 10 million per year. If not, I would rather throw a contract at Gonzalez and take your chances with Colvin at 1st and focus on strengthening the team elsewhere.

If Mark Grace were a 3rd baseman, he would have got much more love. I don't get the "trade Aram" bit. Yeah, he sucked in the first half. He was hurt. Now he's pretty back to normal and seemingly healed. You don't want to trade players like Aramis Ramirez. I think it was all just compounded by the fact that there was really no production from Ramirez, Lee, and pretty much all the guys making over $10 million. Why Lee and Ramirez remained in the heart of the order, I have no idea. I guess it was a respect thing. The whole team suffers because moving them down in the order would have been disrespectful. Look where that led them. What a birdsnest.

If the Cubs can sign Dunn to a reasonable contract that leaves plenty of financial room to further better the team, then I think everyone would be happy. As it stands, 1st base should be a high priority - and a key one. Waiting out and losing a bidding war for Gonzalez would not be good. I can see Prince Fielder going to an AL team, and I can also see some of the premier 1st basemen dragging it out. If Dunn wants to be a Cub and can be signed for a nice deal, I'm happy. If the Cubs sign him to a 4 year deal for 50+ million per year and Hendry says that he signed him for a fair value - I think it's another idiotic contract. I think we would all be much happier with Adrian Gonzalez because he is a better offensive and defensive baseball player. Defense does matter, and 1st base IS an important defensive position.

There are a bunch of good 1st basemen that are available this offseason. If the Cubs sign Adam Dunn, let alone give him a 4 year contract - consider the offseason an utter failure. Go hard after Adrian Gonzalez. Settle for Berkman.

...and calling him an "ex-Cub" tonight, after dropping that fly ball to break up Leister's perfect game? Wow.