cbbryan

What are you guys talking about? Jones is an incredible ball player! With him and Neifi............we're going all the way!!!!! :roll:

If the Cubs go after a Tampa outfielder, it shouldn't be Huff.

I agree with your assessment. The Cubs need more production for the offense and while Manny would certainly put up more numbers then Aramis, it wouldn't be so much that the Cubs would be a greater team. If the Cubs could get Manny without giving up Lee, or Aramis it would be the best case senario. Honestly, I think there would have to be a third team included in a trade w/ the Cubs and Sox.

What are the questions?

I'm working with a company called Hurricane Relief Corps. We're basically a second responder. You guys wouldn't believe the distruction down here. Once I'm back online regularly, I'll get some pictures up from some of the "dead zones." It's pretty amazing.

Ooohhh! contraction time, baby. Miguel Cabrera, come on down! I wonder if Victor will still be there at #3? :-k Man, I'm gone for a second and you're trying to get my best! :cry:

Sorry for the delay guys! I'm still down in Mississippi doing disaster relief and have limited access to the internet. Here's my keepers: M. Cabrera ( 573.8 ) EXEMPT 3rd V. Martinez ( 439.5 ) EXEMPT 3rd J. Cantu ( 447.2 ) EXEMPT 1st C. Delgado ( 527.8 ) E. Chavez (493.8 ) C. Figgins (489.8 ) C. Zambrano ( 481.7 ) TOTAL 2072.9

Wish I could've made the playoffs....................

Just in case anyone tries to get ahold of me, I'll be leaving sometime early next week to go down to Mississippi to rebuild. I don't know if I'll have any internet access down there, but I am taking a laptop just in case. In any case, I'll get back to you ASAP.

It feelssssssssssssssss GRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEAAAAAATTTTTTT!!!!!!!

I wouldn't mind that.........I'd like to see more points for relievers too. They really don't have much impact at all as of now.

Why is it a fantasy? The Cubs have a ton of money this offseason (2 of those players signed could be covered with Sosa's money that comes off the books this offseason) and the moves I've suggested could fit under the projected 100-105 M payroll. The only one you'd have to trade for is Dunn and the asking price for him is certain to go down in the offseason. And while I agree that the Mets need bats, they've reportedly tried to get rid of Floyd the last couple years because of his injuries. I would venture to say that had the Mets not got on a role and become big players in the wildcard, Floyd may not be there now. I understand the questions about why Dusty would play Cedeno over Walker and it's something that I didn't really think about quite honestly. I thought Cedeno at 2B because it doesn't seem as if Nomar would be willing to move to 2B. In reality, I'd prefer Cedeno at SS and Nomar at 2B. On Nomar at 5M per..............again I ask why? Even if Nomar's willing to move to another position, I think there are too many question marks about his injuries. I'd like the Cubs to sign him to a 1 year w/ an option for a second. Maybe even a vesting option on PA. The biggest thing in my mind is that Hendry must safeguard against injuries to any number of players. By keeping Walker, Cedeno, and Nomar the middle infield should be solid. By signing a guy like Conine, you have a guy that can play and put up good numbers for good stretches if needed. How long have you been a Cub fan?? Don't get your hopes up regardless of how much money they have available. Giles will probably end up w/ either Anaheim, LA or Boston. Either he'll go to a sure winner, in Boston, or stay in SoCal. The Reds were asking a king's ransom for Griffey. Doubtful the Hendry will ante up for Dunn. As for Ryan, he'll get some huge offer, and the Cubs will look elsewhere. I'm cool w/ Dempster as a closer anyway. Just develop someone in the system to close. I'm just stating what I believe the Cubs could do. Do you realize the Cubs have a 105 M payroll as we speak? And MacPhail has hinted that it will stay around that area (it better w/ ticket prices always going up year in/year out). The Cubs could have upwards of 50 M to spend depending on who they choose to keep, so I think it's alittle out there to say that the Cubs won't sign anyone significant when they have that much money available. Seondly, Boston's all of a sudden a SURE winner? Outside of last year, when was the last time they won anything. It had been just as long as the Cubs. What Giles will come down to is MONEY.........always does, for the most part. Giles at 10/yr is probably too much, but the Cubs need to commit it to show a sign of wanting to be successful.............not just to the fans, but the other MLB players. The Reds are asking a king's ransom for Griffey.......... Therefore, they'd do the same w/ Dunn? Dunn's a very talented player and they're not going to give him to the Cubs for peanuts, but there is a difference between offseason deals and deadline deals. The Reds have to move an OF, I think Dunn is the most marketable and the Cubs could put up a decent package to get him. I also stated earlier that Floyd would probably be a more likely move. He would obviously come cheaper then Dunn. As for Ryan, you pay to play. Again, the Cubs have the money and Ryan's available. There's really no excuse not to go after him. If they can't get him, resign Dempster.

Don't look now, but Budcrew's ticked that they didn't get the playoffs and now are trying to beat NSBB. I know it's a bye week for NSBB and wouldn't affect Tim's playoffs, but that would be my vindication for not making the playoffs.

You can if you have Dunn and Giles in the OF. I think Corey will be okay and while I don't know if he needs to go to winter ball for the whole season, he should go work on some things.

As much as I like them, with a cheap option on Walker, Nomar re-signed and having Cedeno.............where would they play? I believe the Cubs can upgrade both corner OF positions while still keeping a productive IF.

Really? He's at 11-6 so far. I understand he's got a sick ERA at 1.57, but it's not like Carpenter's 2.28 is a bust. Carpenter has pitched more innings (213 to 189), he has more K's (191 to 169), and he's walked fewer batters (44 to 51). Plus Carpenter has 20 wins vs Clemens 11. There's a possibility Carpenter could win 25, or 26 games. If he maintains that kind of stuff, he'll win it hands down. Clemens won't even come in second................Willis will with his 194.1 IP, 19-8 record, 134/43 K/W, and a 2.55 ERA to boot. I agree Clemens team has screwed him over a few too many times this year, but the wins will kill him.

Why is it a fantasy? The Cubs have a ton of money this offseason (2 of those players signed could be covered with Sosa's money that comes off the books this offseason) and the moves I've suggested could fit under the projected 100-105 M payroll. The only one you'd have to trade for is Dunn and the asking price for him is certain to go down in the offseason. And while I agree that the Mets need bats, they've reportedly tried to get rid of Floyd the last couple years because of his injuries. I would venture to say that had the Mets not got on a role and become big players in the wildcard, Floyd may not be there now. I understand the questions about why Dusty would play Cedeno over Walker and it's something that I didn't really think about quite honestly. I thought Cedeno at 2B because it doesn't seem as if Nomar would be willing to move to 2B. In reality, I'd prefer Cedeno at SS and Nomar at 2B. On Nomar at 5M per..............again I ask why? Even if Nomar's willing to move to another position, I think there are too many question marks about his injuries. I'd like the Cubs to sign him to a 1 year w/ an option for a second. Maybe even a vesting option on PA. The biggest thing in my mind is that Hendry must safeguard against injuries to any number of players. By keeping Walker, Cedeno, and Nomar the middle infield should be solid. By signing a guy like Conine, you have a guy that can play and put up good numbers for good stretches if needed.

95+ Losses might do the trick! MAYBE

I think the real question is what on earth happened to his walk rate in 2000? Looking at his career stats, taht year is definitely and abberation. His IsoD never came close to reaching the .099 mark before or after that. One stat to look at, is his pitches/PA which was a decent amount higher that year than any other. Could also be, he was trying to hit for more power after that year, or could be just first year in the league I guess. Either way, I wouldnt expect him to go back to 2000 form, and ESPECIALLY not under the cubs instruction. Furcal's just another guy w/ "perceived value" that doesn't match his actual production. Someone will overpay for him............I just hope it's not the Cubs.

I could live with your team. But I would like to see more of an upgrade in the OF (a la Johnny Damon), but that would push the payroll to a (for us) absurd level. And I have a gut feeling that Dusty would play Conine way too much - just a hunch. What about Glavine as a Cub? Just curious. Bottom line is that Neifi has got to go. It's got nothing to do with Neifi, but has everything to do with Dusty. I'm big on Cedeno, and no way does he get off the bench with any regularity if Perez is a Cub next year. 1. Neifi seems to have impressed alot of people this year. He shouldn't be starting at SS, but I think a team will give him the opportunity. 2. By retaining Walker as a back-up to Cedeno the Cubs would essentially have a back-up plan in place if Nomar went down. (Cendeno could go back to his natural position and Walker is capable of starting.) 3. Conine would probably be a favorite of Dusty's, but I wouldn't mind Conine being the first PH off the bench as opposed to Macias, or Hollandsworth. 4. Giles gives you the OBP guy in front of Lee/ARam that you need. 5. Dunn would be a PERFECT fit in LF, but he may cost too much whereas Cliff Floyd would be a little cheaper to come by. Both would add pop to the line-up, but I would much rather have Dunn. 6. Also, Conine can fill in nicely if the Cubs had any injuries on the corner OF spots, or 1B and can produce like a starter for limited stints. 7. I think Glavine's OK, but he has a mutual option at the end of the year (not sure how much). Another LH option would be Washburn, but he'd be switching leagues........never know how a guy will react to that.

You can blame the players AS WELL AS DUSTY. But Dusty should have told them to quit whining about announcers, pull their collective heads out of their collective $$$es and played the game with some heart. Sometimes a club needs a good chewing and Dusty just seems to make more excuses.

Looking @ it realistically, and going by past history. No chance w/ Furcal. Too long of deal.. Nomar goes west and signs for 2 to 3 years. Good riddance. Neifi's back. Cedeno either gets buried on the bench or dealt. Walker gets dealt, as the Cubs may be tired of his big mouth. Hairston doesn't seem to be a Dusty/Hendry fave, so probably gone. My guess is that the Cubs make a really strong run @ Soriano again. I don't get all the Furcal talk.............have you seen this guy Cedeno? (Not as much as you'd like, I know) I don't understand the opinion of Nomar signing a 2-3 year deal w/ ANYONE either. Who? What team can take that chance? I think he'll get a 2-3 year deal, but only after being healthy enough to play 130+ games for someone............and I believe it will be the Cubs. What I see happening is Walker's option being picked up. Neifi being offered a starting position with another team and leaving. Nomar signing another 1 year deal, heavily padded with incentives. Hendry pulling a trade for a corner OF and signing another via FA. My other opinion is that you have to have a GREAT bench w/ Dusty. If he's going to fall in love w/ the bench guys, they have to be SOLID players...............not Macias, so I think that alot of money may go into the bench. Here's a line-up that I'd like to see: 2B - Cedeno SS - Nomar RF - Giles 1B - DLee LF - Dunn/Floyd (I'd rather have Dunn or Manny, but Floyd would be more likely) 3B - ARam C - Barrett CF - Patterson Bench: 2B/PH - Walker (option) OF/1B - Conine (FA) OF/PR - Kerry Robinson (FA) OF/IF - Hairston C - Blanco 3B - McClain Rotation: Z (Opening Day Starter) Prior Wood Millwood/Kip Wells/Padilla (via FA) Maddox Pen: Wuertz Novoa Williamson Ohman JVB Closer: B.J. Ryan I know, I know.......I didn't include many young guys on the bench. Not even Murton. I did that because I think Murton could be involved in a deal along w/ Hill. Besides that, what's the use in putting them on the bench if they won't be used? I don't see the point. I also didn't include Dempster because I'm not completely sold on him. My fear is he'll want too much money to be a "closer" and for alittle more money we could get someone that wouldn't make me sick to my stomach when they trotted out to close a game. I don't want to have to take bets on how many guys my closer is going to walk and allow hits to. Anyway, I haven't figured the payroll for a team like this, but I would think it would be doable under the estimated 100-105 M payroll. Thoughts?

That was one of the funniest moments I've seen in baseball. Prior probably would've been killed by Barry if he charged the mound, but he stood his ground anyway. Prior needs to get that swagger back. Agreed. I gained so much respect for him that day. He wasn't trying to hurt Barry, he was trying to establish his zone, and keep Barry from crowding the plate. The fact that he had the guts to do it to possibly the greatest hitter of all time, and then stand his ground about it, was awesome. Even better was that he went up to Bonds at the all star game and explained why he did it, and said there were no hard feelings. Can you be considered that when you call your own ball and strikes?

AL Cy Young Santana - Colon NL Cy Young Carpenter - Willis I can't see Clemens being any closer then 3rd w/ such a low win total, especially if Carpenter wins 24-5 games.

I like his potential, but I think there's zero chance of him going to anyone, let alone the Cubs. Giles seems to be the best fit for the Cubs at this point.