inari

Is it just me, or are those sentences just absurdly contradictory?

If we ever traded Rich Hill for Brian Roberts then... Jesus, I don't know.

My point is that his ability to "be a leadoff hitter" is irrelevant. I want good hitters. Roberts is one, but it has nothing to do with the fact he can lead off.

I don't want to see it, but... DeRosa at 2B, deal for SS Uribe I don't think they feel a need to change the shortstop situation.

Most rankings? As in... fantasy rankings? Because that would make Alfonso Soriano one of the game's absolute elite outfielders and make Juan Pierre something besides crap. And leadoff hitter is not a position. Who cares.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2008/01/looking-like-a.html Phil Rogers is reporting the trade could be done as soon as today.

LOL

No, no, football.

Actually, I believe that was in a game against Houston where Brad Lidge blew a save. I could be wrong.

"When did he become a free agent?!"

Big Ten pride, baby.

They are probably all laughing at us Edit: Belkast is saying: I actually believe it this time.

I remember some saying that Beltran had stud closer written all over him. Guess not.

Why not a Roberts-Fukudome 1-2 punch? Or if DeRosa can play short competently, a Roberts-DeRosa one?

No. No it has not been the one glaring need. Leadoff hitter is not a position, it's just a spot in the order that any of the 8 position players can fill. This team's most glaring need for a very long time has been walks, and players who are both willing and capable of taking them. A little more generally, they've lacked OBP. And to the extent that a new hitter can significantly improve the OBP by replacing somebody who is already here, that player would have considerable value to the Cubs. You're right, a big need for this ball club is OBP, and you're dead wrong if you think one of the other 8 guys on the team can fill this role. I think you need to take a step back to a few years ago, year 2003..... We took off once we got Kenny Lofton, and all he did for us was get on base, steal bases and play solid defense. I believe Roberts is the same type of player, considering his OBP was .377 last year. He is what will spark this team, it also allows us to move Soriano down, where he needs to be. He is clearly not a leadoff hitter. I know now you're going to come back at me with DeRosa's OBP, which is also very good at .371. I guess, for the less of another argument here, we can say thats even. The one thing, which I dont understand why even is saying does not matter is stolen bases. The guy had freaking 50 last year, good lord! We havent had that many stolen bases since Pierre, and he didnt even get on base. Stolen bases are huge, that will lead to more runs, more runners in scoring position. Roberts would be a huge asset to this team. I am also very confident that DeRosa can still play SS, just as good, if not better than Theriot. DeRosa came up as a SS, and he still has a spectacular glove, his range worries me a little, but I believe lots of work in the offseason will make him a solid SS. This trade makes the Cubs an even more potent offensive team. I hate to say this, but ask them White Sox how they won their World Series. They won it with OBP, stolen bases, and timely hitting, and great pitching. Our pitching is strong and will only get stronger, Roberts is a player that will make us stronger offensively. With him, well score more runs, hell score a butt load of runs, and our 3-5 hitters will drive in significantly more runs. They won because of solid pitching and a crap load of home runs. Their team OBP was .322. That's not all that great. But, they always had a man in scoring position, meaning they always had someone on base, and then stole a base. The stolen base seems to be forgotten in this sport now. The stolen base is a key category that not every team can posses. This team would be a lot more successful with a player like Roberts getting on base, stealing, and the scoring on a hit. No, their .322 OBP means they rarely had someone on base.

It was Lofton over Tom Goodwin, though.

Did DiFeliece even get an at bat as a Cub? I completely forgot about him.

Website. Please.

idk, my bff geovany soto

How much of an upgrade over Mark DeRosa is Brian Roberts, though? And Roberts doesn't make our very bad back end of the rotation any better. And he certainly doesn't make our glaring hole at short go away.

We have The Riot, dude.

Ugh. Just say no to Burnett. If we're going to get an arm, let's go after Blanton. Agreed 110%. Quite frankly, Burnett is as big of a guarantee to miss substantial time as there is. As good as he can be, I'd rather stay away.

I'm quite confident Soriano would have been an adequate defender in center. It's a shame we pulled the plug so quickly.

I just don't get what Mark DeRosa has to do to keep his job safe.

Let's not fool ourselves into thinking Marshall is more valuable than he is.