AllStarMe

I don't get the impression that Corey enjoyed his time in Chicago very much, and I'd attribute the modest success he had to the change of scenery. Fans were ruthless in their booing when he stunk, and I really feel that further perpetuated the stinking. C-Patt's got a boatload of talent and it's too bad things didn't work out. Before he got hurt in 03, I was sure we were witnessing the ascension of our next superstar. But that ship has decidedly sailed.

I too fail to see how any of the previous posts in this thread qualified as vitrol directed at prior, IMO. I was sure sad to see the mark prior era end but after suffering so many seasons of hearing a possible return date that just keeps on getting pushed back, it was really heartbreaking for a lot of us here. What's coming out now sounds like some of the same stuff we heard before, and I'm just glad to have made a clean break, though I may very well eat those words if Mark is effective again. He wanted out of Chicago, so what can you do? I wish him the best except when he plays us.

I am definitely jonesing for some baseball, specifically Cubs baseball. I am waiting on the edge of my seat not only for the start of spring training but for the release of MLB 2K8. I lost my copy of MVP 2005 so I haven't been able to play anything worthwhile on the Wii for some time, since Wii baseball is pretty lame and from all I've heard about The Bigs (though I haven't played it) is NBA Jam : basketball, as The Bigs : baseball, and I'd much rather play something more realistic. On another note, I work overnights for a cable sports network whose bread and butter is broadcasting Nat's and O's games. But right around now in the off-season, it gets slow and they really have to reach for programming, i.e. shows featuring fishing, golfing tips, hunting, college coaches' shows (gag) and other filler. We do a whole bunch of college basketball, but I hardly care about that. And we also will air ESPN news sometimes throughout the day, but that's become pretty [expletive] today (BREAKING NEWS: TOM BRADY JUST MADE A SANDWHICH!!!!!1) We'll also be carrying the Caribbean World Series over Super Bowl weekend (as if anyone's watching, but hey it's baseball) So anyhow, they air a lot of Classic Nats and O's games, so the other night during the dead time (infomercials from 3am-6am) I decided to get my Cubs fix by pulling up from the archives and screening the Nats/Cubs game from 7/3/05. Helluva game, but the Nat's completed a 3 game sweep at Wrigley on Scnieder's 12th inning HR, even after Rammy hit a two run bomb in the 9th to send it to extras. But just seeing some of those faces made me SOOOOO much more optimistic about the 08 season, considering that Dusty, Hollandsworth, Hairston, Macias, Neifi, Burnitz....... all gone, and replaced by upgrades (well CF and SS may be shaky, but not likely any worse). Let's get this season started already!

Who was it that led the league in mental RBIs last year? In my mind, I drove in 192. Take that, Hack Wilson. Since RBIs have been pretty much refuted as the measure of a good hitter, I suppose your mark was achieved largely due to the mental capacity of those around you.

While I'm on board for getting Roberts, I'm really not convinced he's a difference maker. He rings a little too close to A-gonz, what with the decent pop, low obp, high K traits. That deal divests us of a lot of young talent and I don't think the slight upgrade is worth it.

So ESPN news has been saying that if Tejada is found to have lied to investigators back in 05, he could lose his work visa and effectively banning him from MLB. How much would it suck for the Astros to give up five players for Miggy only to have him deported before a game played? I really liked Tejada and wanted the Cubs to get him for some time, but it really seems like he did indeed use. He's one of the only players with links to both the west and east coast ties in this thing. It's a shame because he is a terrific hitter naturally, most def not the 50 hr type, but still elite for a SS. The O's still have some house cleaning to do, and while I realize that the Mitchell Report is far from comprehensive, it just seems that they've had in inordinate number of players either named or strongly suspected of using PEDs ::cough::BRADYANDERSON::cough::

Thanks for the re-cap, CCP. I got home just in time to miss it on the web stream. Did he comment at all on the Lieber deal?

Well alright, now with this drink and his "Hits fo(u)r Kids" org, I'm starting to think Youk's got a knack for the double entendres. Hopefully his lady's got a sense of humor about it too. If not, he can use some of the profits to buy her something pretty. And energy drinks are the way to go, it's a huge market that already has some fairly suggestive brands like Rooster Booster and one just called Cocaine. Just think of the wonderful products that could be developed featuring Fukudome's name...

I was aware of these books growing up, and I think I read one of them. Even as a rabid lifelong baseball fan, I was less than enthralled. I've been able to spot lame clichés since kindergarten. And the cover illustrations have always really bothered me both the old and new versions. I was always much more a fan of Roald Dahl, R.L. Stine, the Choose-your-own-Adventure series, and anything non-fiction about baseball. When I was 10 I got the 1993 Baseball Almanac and wore it out promptly.

Well, by definition the defending division champion is the "team to beat". I think the Cubs stand a good chance at repeating that even if they stood pat right now. Advancing in the playoffs is still another story, however. It's been pointed out that Pie and SOTO are the biggest x factors, and if Felix can develop even a modicum of patience he can help the team a good deal more. Our defense looks admirable, and our SP should reap some benefits. I'm expecting big things from Rich Hill, and Z and Lilly should round out a nice 1-3. Our divisional rivals don't terrify me all that much, though we'll be worrying about the Brew Crew as long as Prince and Braun are at their corners, but I hoping like crap that with all the defense work he's doing in the offseason. he completely forgets how to hit. They spent a spitload of money on relievers, which as such a volatile commodity I hope blows up in their faces. St. Louis has two black holes on the left side of their infield, though Pujols is just so damn good he can carry a team for stretches at a time. Houston seems to be making a run for it, cashing in all their chips for a declining Tejada (though he may love that short LF porch) and a particularly inconsistent though talented closer. The Reds could be interesting, especially if they land Bedard, but I still have to think this is our division to lose. Come on Jim, get us a REAL SS and make us a bona-fide juggernaut!

Maybe he meant like with a ten foot pole?

Anybody know where I might find a video clip of that awesome catch against the wall he made late in the season? edit: NM I found it here

I'm not sure where to look for players stats by park, but Swisher has slugged 24 points better on the road than at home for his career, and ESPN's park factor lists Wrigley as 2nd best hitting park while Oakland is 28th, though there's probably a better measurement of that out there somewhere. I don't think it's unreasonable to believe he'd be a consistent 30-35 HR guy if he played in Chicago, with a sweet OBP.

It's probably the same m.o. behind Haren being shopped. If we offer something impressive, he'll deal him. So...what would a fair deal for Swisher be? It seems we're shopping Prior. So...how about like Prior/Gallagher/Colvin for Swisher? Beane loves OBP, not something Colvin exactly excells at. I bet he'd like a Murton type hitter. Could Prior/Gallagher/Murton net the Cubs Swisher? That would be a huge boost to the Cubs offense. It's been pointed out, but 36M over what should be his prime years - ages 27 thru 31 - would be a huge bargain if Swisher continues along his trajectory, and maybe boost his power numbers playing at Wrigley. Hudson is completely redundant and not an exciting enough player to warrant pursuing IMO. I don't know why Hendry can't just sit tight with Dero at 2nd.

Sure a hit is ideal for driving in runs, but you have to figure in those clutch situations a hitter like Dunn is a lot less likely to see good pitches to hit, if there's a base open the other team may issue the unitentional IBB. The ability to recognize this, work the count and keep the inning alive is something that Dunn has shown to be adept at. While the .218 BA could certainly be improved upon, I'd have no problem with a guy who'll only make an out in 60% of those situations.

I like to hear this about Pie getting extra attention in the offseason especially the part about improving his selectivity at the plate. He's a huge X factor this year. Any word on when F-Dome announces whether he's staying in Japan or coming to the states?

Getting Santana seems pretty far fetched, but if we could put together a package the twins like and could work out an extension I'd say go for it. Prior/Pie/Hill/one of the extra MIF we've got lying around, maybe that would get it done. Then ink Fukudome and call it an offseason. With Z and Johan in the same rotation, not only would it be the strongest in the NL, but we'd pretty much become the new Venezuelan national team. I don't know if that's a viable market for mlb gear... does Hugo Chavez allow teams to sell their products there?

F-Cord's got some great numbers, but 4/42 seems downright batty for any relief pitcher. Oh I'd sure like it the Brewers invested a fortune in a 32 year-old who starts declining sooner than thought...

Awesome rotation, no doubt, but what does your outfield look like in this scenario?

Pretty much sums up my feelings on the matter.

Augie Ojeda an electric blanket? O.....K.........

Aramis goes yard next inning... callin it now.

I'd swap #5 and #7, just because it's going to be leaps and bounds more difficult for a pitcher to win 300 games nowadays than for a hitter to swat 500 homeruns. Granted Sosa's reached 600 and A-Rod was the youngest/fastest to reach 500, so those are extra special. However in the future, hitting milestones will be more commonplace than pitching ones IMO.