RonnieWooWooSanto

That's exactly what I was thinking when it first went out. I don't think I've ever seen a ball hit out at that part of the stadium. I've never seen one hit out there like that either. But, I'm assuming it has been done.

That Jacque shot is deep.

Mateo

Ronny Cedeno with the dinger in the Crawford boxes.

Retribution for the HBP yesterday. And Jacque is not happy about it. Don't do it Jacque. Roger will destroy you. :shock:

That was fast 1-0 Cubs.

Pierre lead off triple....WooHoo!

Coincidentally, I just had an Italian Beef Sandwich for dinner also.

FWIW, Blanco caught Mateo's first start, too. I actually agree with Dusty assuming the Blanco/Mateo battery in his first two starts is not just a coincidence.

I think having Blanco catch for Mateo is good thing. He'll should stop pitches in the dirt and can call a good game. And tomorrow's a day game so either way Blanco would play today or tomorrow.

I'm glad the league cracked down on Pierre's blue camouflage t-shirt. I just hated looking at it for some reason. Especially considering Pierre never bottoms the top botton and his jersy flap back exposing the T-shirt.

It wouldn't be about obp with Cantu. He would be a player you look to for SLG%. He would hit down in the order and provide some power numbers. We already have Jacque Jones. Cantu doesn't hit for that much power that his terrible OBP is made up for. Add in the fact that this team needs OBP more than slugging, that he'd cost more than his worth to acquire, and it's not worth it to pursue him. If he hits 15-20 home runs then the power production does make up for the lower obp from a down in the order player, in my opinion. And his obp is an upgrade from Ronny Cedeno right now.

It wouldn't be about obp with Cantu. He would be a player you look to for SLG%. He would hit down in the order and provide some power numbers.

Can Theriot or Cedeno hit 28 HRs in 150 at bats? Not that Cantu will necesarily do that again, but he did do it last year. That being said he is probably a 15-20 homers a season type of guy. It would be a definite upgrade offensively. my point is why upgrade at a spot that we have a chance to be solid at? we need a whole school of upgrade...but why trade anything to bolster a strength...we only have so much to trade. not to mention that as soon as you trade for your 2nd basemen of the future..cedeno and theriot's value goes down the tubes because other teams know you don't want/need them. i rather see us jump on a replacement future cf or pitchers. Second base for the Cubs is a strength? I'm not sure that Cedeno/Theriot could be considered a strength. How much value do Cedeno/Theriot hold? Cedeno some and Theriot close to none. Theriot's the player to be named later type of player.

Thanks......I don't know how I made that mistake.

I think it's an interesting theory, but I'm not so sure it's true. Every year people lament that the Yankees will get everybody who is any good, and while they do get good players, they don't get all of them. Just a couple years ago nobody would have talked about the Mets as a team that veterans were really wanting to go to. The Cubs could get virtually anybody they wanted. Worrying about players who will always choose the White Sox over them isn't very reasonable. I agree with what you say about the Mets a couple of years ago. Players wanted money and winning. The Mets couldn't guarantee the winning. And I think the Cubs could get top free agents. I just question whether they can right now. The key being right now. Top players want long term deals and they also want to win (at least in most cases). The problem is that the Cubs can't guarantee the winning portion just as the Mets couldn't a couple of years back, but the Cubs can ante up the money. The money is not the problem in the Cubs case. Now if the Cubs can turn things around just as the Mets did than it makes the Cubs a much more attractive destination for the top free agents. I guess the question is whether the players of value take the Cubs seriously in regards to winning, enough so that they would be willing to sign with them?

for some guys the price is always right True. But, with any player of real value I would think they would receive offers similar to what the Cubs would offer. Simple, Chicago is a big market and players like to play in Wrigley. I can think of worse places to play then Chicago in front of 40,000 people everyday... Yes, but for the players of any value I would think teams such a the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, or White Sox would come calling. (I would think at least one of those teams would be interested). From a player stand point these are better options because of the opportunity to win, in my opinion. For example, take LF. Kenny Williams might be intested in a LF for next season. Are they going to stick with Podsednick/Ozuna in LF? Is Josh Fields being moved to LF and will he be ready for that position next season? If Kenny Williams looks to the free agent market for a left fielder as opposed to trade, then which option is more attractive? Most likely winning in US Cellular or losing in Wrigley (using the past 2 years as the gage)? If this were true, then no player of value would ever sign for a team other than the current best teams. When those teams are interested and winning they often times do nab the players. The key being are those winning big market teams interested in the player, if not then they could end up in another city. It also often requires those other teams to overspend to beat out the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Angels, and Red Sox.

The Dodgers really need last names on their road uniforms.

I agree the Cubs should back off if the price is ransom, but if it is reasonable then it might worth a shot for a guy that will hit 15-20 HRs. I think th 28 in 150 games was a fluke also, but he will still provide some power that the Cubs could probably use. Edit to fix an error in at bats to games.

for some guys the price is always right True. But, with any player of real value I would think they would receive offers similar to what the Cubs would offer. Simple, Chicago is a big market and players like to play in Wrigley. I can think of worse places to play then Chicago in front of 40,000 people everyday... Yes, but for the players of any value I would think teams such a the Mets, Yankees, Dodgers, Angels, or White Sox would come calling. (I would think at least one of those teams would be interested). From a player stand point these are better options because of the opportunity to win, in my opinion. For example, take LF. Kenny Williams might be intested in a LF for next season. Are they going to stick with Podsednick/Ozuna in LF? Is Josh Fields being moved to LF and will he be ready for that position next season? If Kenny Williams looks to the free agent market for a left fielder as opposed to trade, then which option is more attractive? Most likely winning in US Cellular or losing in Wrigley (using the past 2 years as the gage)?

Can Theriot or Cedeno hit 28 HRs in 150 at bats? Not that Cantu will necesarily do that again, but he did do it last year. That being said he is probably a 15-20 homers a season type of guy. It would be a definite upgrade offensively.

FWIW, Jim Callis of BaseballAmerica thinks Cantu might be "destined for trade". So it might not necesarily take much prying. They might be looking for bidders.

I have been reading about how well 1st round pick Evan Longoria has been doing in the D'Rays system. He is already in double A and moving up the ranks very quickly considering he was just in this year's draft. This leaves the D'Rays with a nice dilemma. A plethora of position players. It seems that the D"Rays will be moving Longoria to 2b since Upton is not the defensive wizard and is best suited for 3b. If Longoria is moved to 2b then that leaves Jorge' Cantu out in the cold. The D'Rays would most likely deal him in the offseason. Would Cantu be someone the Cubs might want to take a look at? Is Ronny Cedeno the answer at 2b or will he be part of trade in the offseason? Theriot will only get a chance if Baker is gone and even then is he the answer? Unfortunately, the Theriot question cannot be answered with Baker managing the remainder of this season. Cantu would provide some power numbers that the Cubs will need unless they are planning to sign some big bats in the off season. He is young and could make a mid infield with Izturis look a lot better from an offensive stand point. He would be cheap in terms of salary. However, I'm not sure what the D'Rays would want in trade. I'm assuming they would strictly be looking at pitching considering the amount of good young position players they have. Once again the Cubs would most likely have to send pitching to Florida, but this time the other Florida team(ie not the Marlins) which is a scary thought, but it might be worth it since he wouldn't command the value that Juan Pierre did. Any thoughts on this.

Do you have enough kids of your own to guarantee the birth of a grandchild each and everyday the Cubs play starting next season?

for some guys the price is always right True. But, with any player of real value I would think they would receive offers similar to what the Cubs would offer.