cbbryan

While securing a new stadium is great news for the Marlins they still have to fill seats. It's still debatable that people will support this club on a daily basis and fill the stadium. Obviously, if the revenues from the stadium allows them to keep the young talent they have that will help, but I have my doubts about whether or not Miami will come out for the Marlins. Exactly. They've already won two championships and they still didn't sell out most of their games. Miami just isn't a baseball market. Perhaps a little up the road in Orlando? At this point, it's going to be Miami. They won't be moving when they have a new stadium. I have my doubts that they can fill the stadium, but I hope they can. It's only good for baseball to have all teams making money.

While securing a new stadium is great news for the Marlins they still have to fill seats. It's still debatable that people will support this club on a daily basis and fill the stadium. Obviously, if the revenues from the stadium allows them to keep the young talent they have that will help, but I have my doubts about whether or not Miami will come out for the Marlins. If it's gonna have a dome, I can see them getting a lot more people to come out based on that alone. The brutal sun/humdiy/heat with the threat of sudden rain seemingly all the time is pretty big part of keeping people away from a three hour baseball game. I can certainly see that as being a problem. One would think it would have a roof of some sort. Even if it's retractable. Does anyone know how long it will take before the plans for the park will be out?

While securing a new stadium is great news for the Marlins they still have to fill seats. It's still debatable that people will support this club on a daily basis and fill the stadium. Obviously, if the revenues from the stadium allows them to keep the young talent they have that will help, but I have my doubts about whether or not Miami will come out for the Marlins.

My brother lives in KC, so it would be nice to go visit and check out a Cubs series.

Why's it forced? The teams are clearly the best two in the division and the competition between them has been entertaining the last couple of years. It would have to continue for a few years to be a "bona fide" rivalry, but it's certainly gotten off to a decent start.

Record wise it would certainly help the Cubs, but I have to say I'm warming to the Cubs/Brewers rivalry. Ultimately, it would help the Cubs have more chances of reaching the playoffs so I suppose I would be in favor of it.

78??? I'm kinda scared, it looks like "six fingers" with his legs all twisted and that big ol' butt. :shock: Edward Campusano

If I remember correctly, Meph thought that Manny would have to hit 600 HR to make up for his defense. Regardless of his defense, Manny is a first ballot HOFer. I know he's not the greatest defender, but he plays well in Boston.

Again, I'm not saying Manny is definately the best, but he certainly should be in the discussion. My top 5 guys would be (in no certain order): ARod Manny Pujols Vlady Big Hurt

I don't know, maybe Meph can help us out here. He seems keen on EqA as the best way to measure a hitter, and Ramirez is at .317 for his career, Arod at .312 and Pujols at .338. Meph is there anyone out there that you know of that has more value than Pujols at the plate over the past 10 years or so? Meph doesn't even think Manny's a HOF so I doubt he'll think he's the best hitter of this generation. I don't know that he's the best of the generation either, but I think he's in the discussion.

Manny Ramirez?

I love the ST jerseys!

Because he decided to tell the truth. And the whole truth torches his best friend. So he ran. He was already torched by Pettite's testimony. Pettite should have been there.

What Dempster doesn't say is if he'll be on the team when they win the WS!

I think it's funny that Pettite, Knoblauch, and apparently Roger's wife where all HGH users, but Roger wasn't. Andy Pettite should have been there today and I don't really understand why he wasn't.

That was uneventful. I was hoping for a firing!

additional loss of scholarship and/or post season ineligiblity Depends on how they handle Sampson. My guess is that they fire Sampson at the end of the season. correct :beg: I'm hoping they do fire Sampson and are thus spared post season eligiblity Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Sampscum shouldn't be able to get another job after this! :yahoo: if creeps like Bobby Huggins can keep getting jobs.... True, there is hope though!

additional loss of scholarship and/or post season ineligiblity Depends on how they handle Sampson. My guess is that they fire Sampson at the end of the season. correct :beg: I'm hoping they do fire Sampson and are thus spared post season eligiblity Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! Sampscum shouldn't be able to get another job after this! :yahoo:

Just a note: A.J. Burnett can opt out after the 2008 Baseball season. If he does not his contract is for $12M in '09 and $12M in '10. I think in the current market he could demand more then $12M.

I think you'll see the Cubs break camp with the team they have. There may be an exception in the rotation. Here is a list (Provided by Cots) of 2009 FA at positions of need. Which may be available at the deadline or before depending on his teams position. Shortstops Orlando Cabrera CWS Alex Cintron CWS Alex Cora BOS Craig Counsell * MIL Adam Everett MIN Rafael Furcal LAD Cristian Guzman WAS Cesar Izturis STL Ramon Martinez LAD Edgar Renteria * DET Juan Uribe CWS Outfielders Bobby Abreu NYY Moises Alou NYM Garret Anderson * LAA Rocco Baldelli * TB Willie Bloomquist SEA Emil Brown OAK Pat Burrell PHI Endy Chavez NYM Carl Crawford * TB Adam Dunn CIN Jim Edmonds SD Juan Encarnacion STL Cliff Floyd TB Brian Giles * SD Shawn Green NYM Ken Griffey Jr. * CIN Vladimir Guerrero * LAA Raul Ibanez SEA Jacque Jones DET Mark Kotsay OAK Rob Mackowiak WAS Kevin Mench MIL Jason Michaels * CLE Craig Monroe MIN Jay Payton BAL Scott Podsednik CWS Manny Ramirez * BOS Juan Rivera LAA Rondell White MIN Starting Pitchers Kris Bensen BAL A.J. Burnett TOR (may opt out) Paul Byrd CLE Jon Garland LAA Tom Glavine ATL Mike Hampton * ATL Rich Harden * OAK Orlando Hernandez NYM Jason Jennings TEX Randy Johnson ARZ John Lackey * LAA Esteban Loaiza OAK Braden Looper STL Derek Lowe LAD Pedro Martinez NYM Matt Morris * PIT Mike Mussina NYY Jamie Moyer PHI Mark Mulder * STL Carl Pavano NYY Brad Penny * LAD Odalis Perez KC Oliver Perez NYM Andy Pettitte NYY Mark Prior SD Horatio Ramirez SEA C.C. Sabathia CLE Ben Sheets MIL John Smoltz * ATL Julian Tavarez BOS Steve Trachsel BAL Brett Tomko KC Claudio Vargas MIL Woody Williams HOU Randy Wolf SD * Indicates an option (team/player) http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2002/02/2008-09-free-agents.html

LET PIE PLAY!!!!!!!!!!

Nice read, thanks.

That's when Sammy was the man of Chicago though. If he where to come back to the Cubs it would be in a different role and I think you'd see a different Sammy. I don't think the Cubs would do it, but I think it could be worth while to look into.