cbbryan

KC is a perfect example of why MLB should have a minimum cap. You have to spend X amount every year in payroll. Don't like it, sell the team to someone that will put a better product on the field.

What's SLOB? Jon Kruk

7IP, 112-73

It's not like the Bronx bombers are on a budget. They may get both!

What I meant is that the fans that don't pay enough attention, whether they are Hendry backers or not, likely wouldn't change their position on the issue based on PT after they've been mathematically eliminated, since they, well, wouldn't pay attention to it. That sounds like a lot of "transmogrification" to me, but I'll have to take your word for it. transmogrify (tràns-mòg´re-fì´, trànz-) verb, transitive, To change into a different shape or form, especially one that is fantastic or bizarre. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition) transmogrification - NOUN: The process or result of changing from one appearance, state, or phase to another: change, changeover, conversion, metamorphosis, mutation, shift, transfiguration, transformation, translation, transmutation, transubstantiation. Hope that helps some folks! :wink:

I'll guess that he ends up in Los Angeles. Though, at this point, I'm not sure if Angels or Dodgers. I don't know if Boston will go hard after him, or not? I know the Yankees will probably be in the mix...........how can they not be? My brother-in-law is a huge Yankee fan and lives out in CT, there's alot of talk about the Yankees signing both Burnett and Damon. They lose some 50-60 million in payroll at the end of they year.............Bernie and Kevin Brown. They will resign Matsui, I don't think he's going anywhere. They have to have some arms to compete, though and who's going to trade with them? They don't have alot of talent outside of low ball in the minors. Not really anyone close to the ML.

Have you checked out Demp's BB/9? It's almost 6/9, last I checked. I'm not one to say that Kerry should be in that role, especially if you're not going to leave him there, but I think when you look at Dempster's statistics you can't say he's an elite closer. I think the time will come when this could be a big issue................I hope not, but I think it eventually will be an issue.

Kim up to 70 pitches now

THE SKY IS FALLING, THE SKY IS FALLING!!!!! http://www.itc.virginia.edu/virginia.edu/fall99/images/splash_art.jpeg

Walker, Lee, and A-Ram.................... LET'S GET SOME RUNS!!!!

49 Pitches through 2 for Prior. 30 for Kim through 2. Maybe quite a bit of work for the Cubs bullpen if Prior doesn't have a couple quick innings.

One thing I don't understand about this is that nearly every single broadcaster that has done a Cubs game has made mention of how great Neifi has been for the Cubs and has gone on to say that he made it easier to lose Nomar. Now broadcasters are fickle sure, but to have every one of them (including Len) state that Neifi was a savior to me means that he had to have done something right. I think it reflects that the broadcasters are not knowledgable or just say that to satisfy someone. I would think the same way if it wasn't for EVERY single one of them. While Perez isn't the best SS in the league, he certainly was useful. Sometimes there are times where we can not like one or two players, but that can cloud the actual reality. Yes there are different options at SS, but what if Cedeno flamed out? Then would we be anywhere as close as we are? I'm not saying that Perez is the reason that the team is still alive but how would it feel to be a certainty that there isn't a chance? I personally still like the fact that the Cubs are still competitive. What if he hit .900 w/ 200 HR? While I liked the limited time I was able to see Cedeno play, he should have played alot more. By saying "Then would we be anywhere as close as we are?" and "I personally still like the fact that the Cubs are still competitive." It's almost as if you believe that Perez may not have been THE factor, but a HUGE contributor to the Cubs record. Am I reading this correctly? Well, whose to say that Cedeno couldn't have helped this club not go through some of the losing stretches that they went through? Who's to say that he doesn't start tearing the cover off the ball w/ regular play? Who's to say that he wouldn't have made plays in the field that Neifi wouldn't have made because of his defensive range? By playing Cedeno, I don't believe for a second that the Cubs would be WORSE off. IMO, they only had something to gain by playing Cedeno.

How would you know what the kids on the farm can do? I think it's a legit point especially given the situation that the Cubs have been in throughout the year. Whether you're tired of hearing about Baker's shortcomings, or not. It's hard to defend the guy when he continued to trot out Neifi to SS and let Cedeno sit on the bench. When Corey went down and Murton was batting over .400, Macias (that's right MACIAS) started in CF. Not only is that frustrating, but it's especially frustrating going into the offseason. How do you fill needs when you don't know what your needs are? Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe the problem isn't that the Cubs haven't developed the talent.................just that they didn't give the young player the opportunity to showcase that talent? No one on this board or the Cubs front office can tell if Cedeno or Murton can fill a need for this team on a daily basis because they were not played when the opportunity to showcase them was available. How do you evaluate and size-up talent on the big league level if the players don't play? How do you not put the youth out there when the opportunity presents itself? Every team has injuries every year. Look at the Cards and Braves for examples. The Cardinals have had Rolen out most of the year, Walker's been out a great deal of the second half, Sanders has been out for a great deal of time as well. That's 2/3 of your starting OF and a gold-glove/power hitting 3B.................yet they're still 900 games over .500 and uncatchable in the Central Division. Think about it. Derrick Lee, while he's struggling now, for the majority of the first half and into the second half was leading in all triple crown categories. He's still in the top 5 in all of them even with his recent struggles (I believe). Quietly, A-Ram is right there with DLee in almost all of the triple crown categories, minus the batting average (he's still over .300 though). Had the Cubs played Cedeno and Murton and they had both been successful (we don't know if they would have been our not.) where would the Cubs be now? Who knows because it didn't happen. Maybe we don't lose 8 straight. So not only do you waste valuable time to see where these guys are at and what they can do at the ML level. How do you address your needs as a ballclub after the season? I don't know how Hendry can have fully grasp of what he needs and what he doesn't need. And that in itself is a shame. I didn't have a problem with Macias getting those starts in center. If Burnitz was the only other option, it would have been a mistake forcing the tired man into a more demanding position. Aside from that, I'm 100% with you. If Hendry doesn't make Baker go away, Hendry needs to go away. Actually, Burnitz did play some CF before CPatt came back up. At least Burnitz is an OF and has an OF arm (not Vlad's, but better then Macias). Macias was awful and it's just plain inexcusable to march him out there for a single start in CF, let alone 4-5 in a row when your teams is in the middle of a wild card chase and you're playing a team you were tied w/ at the time.............. The Mets took full advantage of Macias in CF and they produced runs because of it. Which is exactly why we got beat in that series........they scored more runs. Problem is, they scored some runs that they shouldn't have scored because Dusty refused to play players in proper places and chose to play a utility infielder in CF rather then an OF in an OF spot. I'm not saying that Burnitz is a great CF, but isn't it less of a stretch to play an OF out of position IN the OF as opposed to playing an infielder out of position IN the OF? Doesn't seem to me like it takes a whole lot of brain power to figure that out.........................could be wrong, though.

How would you know what the kids on the farm can do? I think it's a legit point especially given the situation that the Cubs have been in throughout the year. Whether you're tired of hearing about Baker's shortcomings, or not. It's hard to defend the guy when he continued to trot out Neifi to SS and let Cedeno sit on the bench. When Corey went down and Murton was batting over .400, Macias (that's right MACIAS) started in CF. Not only is that frustrating, but it's especially frustrating going into the offseason. How do you fill needs when you don't know what your needs are? Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe the problem isn't that the Cubs haven't developed the talent.................just that they didn't give the young player the opportunity to showcase that talent? No one on this board or the Cubs front office can tell if Cedeno or Murton can fill a need for this team on a daily basis because they were not played when the opportunity to showcase them was available. How do you evaluate and size-up talent on the big league level if the players don't play? How do you not put the youth out there when the opportunity presents itself? Every team has injuries every year. Look at the Cards and Braves for examples. The Cardinals have had Rolen out most of the year, Walker's been out a great deal of the second half, Sanders has been out for a great deal of time as well. That's 2/3 of your starting OF and a gold-glove/power hitting 3B.................yet they're still 900 games over .500 and uncatchable in the Central Division. Think about it. Derrick Lee, while he's struggling now, for the majority of the first half and into the second half was leading in all triple crown categories. He's still in the top 5 in all of them even with his recent struggles (I believe). Quietly, A-Ram is right there with DLee in almost all of the triple crown categories, minus the batting average (he's still over .300 though). Had the Cubs played Cedeno and Murton and they had both been successful (we don't know if they would have been our not.) where would the Cubs be now? Who knows because it didn't happen. Maybe we don't lose 8 straight. So not only do you waste valuable time to see where these guys are at and what they can do at the ML level. How do you address your needs as a ballclub after the season? I don't know how Hendry can have fully grasp of what he needs and what he doesn't need. And that in itself is a shame.

I don't understand why Kerry would be out for the spring next year, if it's just a scope. I know Matt Morris had a similar situation to Kerry after having TJ and Morris had to go back in for a clean-up scope. He's been pretty solid since, but I don't remember him missing a ton of time after the scope. While no one knows for sure what's really going on w/ the exception of Kerry and the Cubs.........if in fact it's just a cleaning scope as apposed to a structural issue where he would have to have something actually reattached, or rebuilt....................is it really that big of an issue. My point is, he may be able to pitch the remainder of the season, have the scope, and still be ready to go in ST. Or am I off base here?

Damon was on the list, but the writer thought he would resign with Boston. Also, his prediction had Damon getting more money and more years than the Cubs want to deal with. I think Damon will do the same thing Bernie Williams did in his free agency year...............He'll use the Yankees to get more money out of Boston. If you remember George thought Bernie wanted too much and was willing to let him leave (couldn't let him go to Boston), but when he was told Boston offered 10 Million per..........he offered 12. In my opinion, the Cubs would only be helping to pack Damon's pockets w/ extra Boston money.

I agree, they can't lose a series and they have to sweep the teams below them..................there's just no other way around it. It's possible, but they have to play great baseball consistantly. While I want to get excited about this team, they haven't shown they can play great consistantly yet. Who knows, they may get hot at the right time, though.

Do we have anyone ready in the minors? Is Hill the most qualified starter or is there a possibility that someone else could come up for a spot start and see if they can have some success? I mean Ryu, Pinto, Nolasco, Mitre, or even Brownlie? Anybody? Even if one of them could come up for a stint to see how they did. I don't know the status of any of these guys, honestly.

Where's that coming from? I know his option isn't likely to vest, but I figured at the price of the team option, he'd be a lock to return. The way I see it he cleared waivers, his option won't vest, he's getting older, and we also have Hairston. I may be in the minority here, but Hairston hasn't shown me anything great really, maybe with more constant playtime he will come around, could just be me in general hehe. Agreed. Hairston hasn't done much of anything to blow my skirt up. He has zero power, little patience (I know he's got a decent OBP, but isn't a lot of that due to a ridiculously high HBP rate?), and a much worse glove than I could have ever expected. I'd MUCH prefer Walker full-time at 2B next season. TripJ, I never knew! http://www.skirtman.org/domualr2.jpg

You mean we only have one series in August vs a team ahead of us in the Wild Card? Our remaining schedule is: Aug 19-21 @ Colorado Aug 22-24 vs Atlanta Aug 26-28 vs Florida Aug 29-31 vs Dodgers Sept 2-4 @ Pirates Sept 5-7 @ Cards Sept 8-11 @ SF Sept 12-14 vs Reds Sept 15-18 vs Cards Sept 20-22 @ Brewers Sept 23-25 vs Astros Sept 27-28 vs Pirates Sept 29 - Oct 2 @ Astros The Cubs have alot of games remaining against the Astros (7 games) and the Cards (6 games). The Brewers are tied w/ us and we play them head to head 1 more time in Milwaukee. The way I see it..........the Cubs can't lose to Colorado, Dodgers, Pirates, or the Reds and they may have to win every other series. Then they might have a chance. That would be a 32-9 (Cubs would be 91-71 overall) record to end the season. I don't know if this team can do that though. Cards could literally play .500 ball and still win the division. Cubs have to go on a tear. They may not have to be quite as good as 91 wins to win the WC, but I think it's going to take at least 88..........not much difference, really.

But better than losing a game or 3 in standings as well, too. at this point in the season, gaining one game every other week or so may as well be losing three. but i agree...they're playing better of late. I think they have to sweep Colorado next though. They can't just win series anymore.............they have to go on a roll.

Wouldn't Mench be nice!!!! If Mench is available for trading, then I think a deal could be made. As a Ranger fan, I see Mitre and his ground ball stats and I'd love to see him in Arlington. I think the Cubs will have to throw in (a lot) more, but the Rangers do need pitching. I don't think Mitre would be a problem..........it depends on how much "a lot" more is though.

What about Dopriak? How has his year been? Is he still considered a top prospect in the Cubs system? http://minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Brian%20Dopirak&pos=1B&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&did=milb&pid=460590

Wouldn't Mench be nice!!!!

Then why put him on waivers to begin with? That makes no sense. Isn't it a waste of time on the Mets part to put him on waivers to begin w/ if they have no interest in trading him...........................