cbbryan

I think it's a given at this point that Floyd will be on the team next year. He's from Chicago and Hendry has a mancrush on the guy. I'm still wondering what Hendry has up his sleeve because even with a Floyd addition I don't think this team is strong enough to compete for a World Series. I don't think winning the World Series is on Hendry's radar, if you caught him in a moment of honesty. He could save his job with a miracle Wild Card appearance, and I believe that's more along the lines of where his sights are set. Floyd's last year of playing regularly was 2005, where he put up 34 HRs, somewhere in the neighborhood of a .360 OBP in 150 games. I guess the plan would be to use Murton to keep Floyd fresh in LF then. Pie would be the CF, with Soriano in RF. Assuming Hendry didn't also go after some kind of CF option. Seriously, the offseason spending spree is up to 305.5 Million and he's hoping for a MIRACLE wild card appearance? The Cardinals won 83 games last year and won the WS. It's not just on Hendry's radar, it's the goal of the organization. I find that difficult to believe frankly. This team isn't close to a World Series team. I chose not to believe Hendry doesn't know this, but rather that he is finally able to spend like the Cubs were able to all along, and he's just trying to save his job to fight further in the coming years. What the Cardinals did last year was a gross aberration. Rarely if ever been done before, and there's no reason to think it's going to be happening regularly. I don't know of anyone out there who is seriously expecting to win World Series rings with .500 ballclubs as a matter of course. I'm not trying to say that it happens every year, but the fact of the matter is that he's not spending that much money believing the Cubs have no chance. 2006 WS - STL ( 83 ) Detroit ( 95 WC) 2005 WS - CHW ( 98 ) Hou ( 88 WC) 2004 WS - Boston ( 98 WC) STL ( 105 ) 2003 WS - FLA ( 91 WC ) NYY ( 101 ) 2002 WS - ANA ( 99 WC ) SFG ( 95 WC ) 2001 WS - ARI ( 92 ) NYY ( 95 ) 2000 WS - NYY ( 87 ) NYM ( 94 WC ) This is a playoff team in the NL Central. The division winners the last few years have won 83, 100, 105, 88, 97, 93, and 95. Also, remember that the Central has produced the WC in a majority of those years. I think it's very possible that the Cubs will make the playoffs and make a WS appearance. I don't know that it's likely, but this team is capable no doubt.

I heard some about this too, but also heard that the RedSox got busted for it and MLB was none too pleased. there's also been reports of tampering with JD Drew during the season last year, which is also a no-no; and if true, perhaps an insite into whether there was ever really a chance to sign him. I doubt MLB does anything about it, though. Reports are that Ichiro's team did the same thing, so the precedent is there that they did nothing at that time. The tampering thing smacks of sour grapes from Coletti to me. I believe Tampa Bay had a problem w/ Lugo as well. Not sure of the details though.

I heard some about this too, but also heard that the RedSox got busted for it and MLB was none too pleased. there's also been reports of tampering with JD Drew during the season last year, which is also a no-no; and if true, perhaps an insite into whether there was ever really a chance to sign him. I think MLB has been very clear on the posting process and has repeatedly said that the posting money can not be reduced or given back to the MLB team. It can also not be a parting gift, or bonus to the player.

I think it's a given at this point that Floyd will be on the team next year. He's from Chicago and Hendry has a mancrush on the guy. I'm still wondering what Hendry has up his sleeve because even with a Floyd addition I don't think this team is strong enough to compete for a World Series. I don't think winning the World Series is on Hendry's radar, if you caught him in a moment of honesty. He could save his job with a miracle Wild Card appearance, and I believe that's more along the lines of where his sights are set. Floyd's last year of playing regularly was 2005, where he put up 34 HRs, somewhere in the neighborhood of a .360 OBP in 150 games. I guess the plan would be to use Murton to keep Floyd fresh in LF then. Pie would be the CF, with Soriano in RF. Assuming Hendry didn't also go after some kind of CF option. Seriously, the offseason spending spree is up to 305.5 Million and he's hoping for a MIRACLE wild card appearance? The Cardinals won 83 games last year and won the WS. It's not just on Hendry's radar, it's the goal of the organization.

From what I've heard, Z's agent and Hendry where suppose to sit down sometime around spring training and try to work out an extension.

All I'll add to what I've already said is: THANK GOD IT WASN'T 5 YEARS AND 55 MILLION!!!!!!!!!

There's alot of love in this thread! Alot of love! /sarcasm

That would be MUCH better.

You can always move starting pitching. Lilly, Miller, and Marquis aren't going to be blocking anyone that really deserves a spot. We'll have to eat $$ to move these guys. I just can't believe the market for mediocre pitchers will stay this high. It doesn't have to go any higher, it just has to maintain. Even if the Cubs have to eat half the contract and then fill the rotation spot left with a prospect they don't lose. There's really no way to say what the market is going to be in year 3 or 4 of Lilly's contract. But if the thought is that a prospect needs a roster spot and you have to make a trade, there's really not a money issue. I also don't think Lilly will be that bad of a contract. I think this would only apply to Marquis deal.

You can always move starting pitching. Lilly, Miller, and Marquis aren't going to be blocking anyone that really deserves a spot. Exactly! Put it this way......... I've heard a few reports that teams are calling the Yanks about the availability of Pavano. PAVANO!!!! Teams that need to trade pitching will be able to do so.

In 2 years, the Cubs could still make a trade. I very much doubt that contracts are going to go down, so even if they stay the same and Lilly is seen as a value at $10/per he could be moved. It's not the end of the world, that's for sure. I don't agree with the Marquis signing, but it's not going to handcuff the Cubs in 2 years.

Barrett plays every other day? Seriously? If he's completely healthy, which I haven't heard that he's not............... he'll be in the line-up practically everyday. I also don't see how the Cubs have given you any indication that DeRosa won't be playing basically everyday. Theriot will be more of the supersub unless something happens to DeRosa. While I like EPatt, I don't see how he'll be on the 25 man to start the season. I would go as far to say that Pie would be on the roster before EPatt. I would also be suprised if the Cubs signed Floyd at this point. All indications point to Murton starting in LF and not participating in a platoon. Soriano in RF. And JJ in CF until he is traded. Lofton is a possibility there as well.

I would think the Phils would be more willing to trade Burrell. What if Hendry packaged a deal of Jones, Eyre, Marmol for Lieber, Burrell. Cubs take all of Burrell's money.

I believe they're still interested in him, but he didn't directly say it was on or off the table.

I just listened to an interview of Dayton Moore. He said that they felt that at 28 yrs. old and with Meche's "stuff." They, as an organization, felt he was just coming into his prime and that he would progress into a #1/#2 type pitcher. They said they had targeted him as well as Miguel Batista and Octovia Dotel.

and everyone knows that its impossible to repeat a good performance right... *sigh* I think you can say that it's a good signing because it's a minor role that's being filled. Ward, obviously, isn't a world beater, but he'll be alot better then Bynam, Neifi, or Mabry off the bench. So in that aspect, it's a decent find.

Really? I think the Cubs still need another pitcher, but I think the '06 was much better then a 66 win team. I'm not overly thrilled with DeRosa, or Lilly. I think they are both wild cards, but I don't know that I believe that the Cubs aren't a .500 team at this very point. I think they probably a 85-90 win team in the NL Central. I may be wrong, but just my opinion.

Yeah, Rotoworld says ESPN.com is reporting a snag. I'm just telling you what WFAN is reporting.

WFAN is reporting that the Houston owner said the deal is essentially done and they are waiting on an announcement. For what it's worth.

ESPN is reporting this is a 4 yr/45 million dollar contract w/ the Royals. $5 M more over the life of the contract then Lilly. Amazing!

If this trade falls through, Jim should be all over this. The White Sox are obviously drinking heavily in Orlando and the Cubs need to take advantage of it. Buy them drinks Jim, buy them drinks!!!!

did everyone forget how much the cubs have sucked over the past couple years? Dude! It was almost suppressed.............thanks!

How about Dempster and Eyre for some prospects? I'd take any one of Kemp, Either, and Loney.

I thought the trade last night was bad for the White Sox, but this one doesn't make much sense either. Tavares is extremely overrated. He's basically Pods at a younger age and while I like Buchholz, he's not worth Garland.

The Astros are reportedly set to acquire Jon Garland from the White Sox, reportedly for Willy Taveras and Taylor Buchholz.