AllStarMe

No offense intended, but I don't see any possible way that doing steps 1-3 (and nothing else) will lead to step 4. Did you not read the rest of the post? It was sarcastic. Hendry has had a tendency to switch plans following the results of the world series, going for the "good clubhouse" approach after Boston won, and then the "guys who can catch the ball" approach after the White Sox won. It was a tongue-in-cheek analysis of how Hendry would interpret what STL did, and model the Cubs after it. I did read the rest of the post. I guess I should have picked up on the sarcasm, but it's been an awfully long day and my tired brain just read it straightforward. My mistake for taking it so seriously, and I apologize to thedaymen for thinking for a second he was dabbling in Hendry-esque idiocy.

I didn't see this post before, but yes, exactly.

No offense intended, but I don't see any possible way that doing steps 1-3 (and nothing else) will lead to step 4. 1) Aramis has been the most productive offensive player we have had since Sammy Sosa. DLee would be close had he not been hurt this year. Even though he got off to a cold start in 06 that hurt the team, he's still one of the pillars of the Cubs lineup. He's missed an average of 20 games each of the last three seasons (and only 5 last year), so his aches and pains are not what's crippled this team. 2) The idea behind moving Woody to the pen is to KEEP HIM FROM getting hurt. Let him ease back in and build up arm strength and confidence. Although the track record favors your contention, I think a program of baby steps stands the best chance of getting KW healthy. 3) If you move Hill to the pen, where he has very limited experience, that opens up YET another hole in the rotation. There are other options for closer- Dempster may regain his form, or I would go with Weurtz, Ohman, or Woody before I'd consider trying Rich Hill in an unfamiliar role. If the Southsiders winning in 05 didn't put extra pressure on Hendry to win, I doubt the Cards victory would either. Whatever pressure is on him comes from internally due to this teams considerable failings.

Quite frankly, just perusing the forums here at NSBB keeps me up to date on all the team's happenings. With all the die-hards on this site, not very much (Cubs related) slips through the cracks that doesn't get brought up in a thread, down to the most insignificant blurbs. This is certainly the slowest time of the year, but once the meetings start there should be more action. I'm just as starved for info as anyone.

I had completely forgotten about HoJo's retched final season with the Cubs. The guy hit .195 that year, yet his OBP was equal to our 2006 leadoff hitter. At least he could still take a walk.

Wow, Liriano was the one bright spot on my fantasy team that finished last this year. It's a keeper league, so there goes my would-be ace for 07. And to think, I turned down trade offers for Utley, Delgado, Webb, and others.... sheesh.

I can see Florida perhaps being a good fit for Sammy. Outside of Willingham, their outfield was pretty brutal this year. The Marlins will be looking for a low-cost, power hitting outfielder to spell Amezaga, Hermida, Ross, and Abercrombie (the outfielders that played the most after Willingham). Those 4 player combined to put up .239/.302/.364/.666, so they could use all the help they can get. If Sammy can come back and prove he can still hit, he could be a huge help off the bench or spell the young guys when they struggle. Plus, Sammy chasing 600 would be a significant draw in south Florida where there's a substantial Dominican population. I would think that as much of a hero Sammy became in the DR, maybe he would be held in higher regard among his countrymen than your average baseball fans. Of course this is just speculation on my part. The likely guess would be that if Sammy comes back, it would be as a DH for a small market AL team. Best of luck to him!

Wasn't it announced recently that Brian Giles and his high OBP would lead off next season? I wonder how long that will last if Johnny B gets the Pads job...

Hypothetically, if Jock were seriously injured playing in Japan, would the Cubs be on the hook for his contract? Not saying I'd want it to happen, but I'd hope the Cubs could void the contract or recoup losses in such an event.

I mean, the in-game role of a 1B coach doesn't seem like that big of a deal, but somebody like Ryne Sandberg would seemingly have a great deal of wisdom to impart to young players in regard to hitting, fielding, work ethic, and just playing all around smart baseball. Ryno was a stellar player in every facet of the game, and I have to believe he'd be valuable to this team. Just how rigidly defined are the coaching duties? Can the 1B coach also be infield coach/assistant hitting coach, or something along those lines? I would totally like the Cubs make Ryno the Mr. Miyagi to Ryan Theriot's Daniel-san, regardless of his offical title.

I like Freel, but I think the Cubs need a little more pop from either CF or one of the middle IF spots, considering that both the corner OFs are average at best, power-wise. If you go with Pie and Theriot, I'd like Feel as insurance for those positions/supersub, then get the bigger bat at SS.

Any chance the Nats would trade Kearns? I think he'd make a great addition in RF, and I seem to recall Hendry taking an interest in him. He won't be too expensive as he only made 1.85 M this year, and though his power dipped at RFK, he'd be another year older and playing at Wrigley I could see a .280/.370/.500 type season totally within his grasp. I don't know what incentive Wahington would have to trade him, he didn't really blow anyone away after going there. We could take on Vidro's contract since I think they're looking to move him and make room in their mif for Guzman and Lopez. Their pitching is pretty shaky as well, so they'd be looking for help there. Think they'd bite at Jones + Marshall + Aardsma/Eyre + 2nd tier pitching prospect for Kearns and Vidro? The salaries would be close to a wash, Vidro is a great option to bat 2nd when healthy, and we have a competent backup in Theriot to spell Vidro for games or sub for an extended amount of time. Although it could be fine tuned, this trade could make us a great deal better while leaving ample payroll room for additional moves to shore up the rotation and get a big bat at SS or CF. Perhaps trade for Tejada and plug in Pie in center. An outfield of Murton, Pie, and Kearns could be very good for a number of years. I just looked at Kearns's 3 yr splits, and he's had a 978 OPS at Wrigley and 1.308 in StL. Whaddaysay?

Z is far more valuable to the Cubs than the Yankees for one simple reason- Pitchers don't hit in the AL.

A special ode to our numerous DL stints: Well it hurt to watch the 06 Cubs, It had to hurt to play Some new guy went disabled almost each and every day. Wood and Prior, third straight year their starts were sorely missed Our would-be shortstop ran into and shattered Derrek’s wrist. A deadline deal with Dodgers would Cesar Izturis bring Three weeks later, on the shelf, a strain in his hamstring Fat Glendon had a bloodclot, before that he’d hurt his back Poor Barret suffered most of all with bleeding in his sack O’Malley, Marshall, Marmol- all young guns who missed some games Good thing Jonny B. had all these injuries to blame!

That's a damn shame, Dwight Smith was one of my favorites when I was youngster growing up Chicago. I even named a pet fish after him. Dude could sing the national anthem with the best of em.

I got to go to the game tonight, and it was awesome. DLee got a huge ovation after his 2nd shot, even Braves fans cheered him. I don't think his wrist is hurting him all that badly.

Well I'll be at this game, as my g'friend's parents are in town and are huge Braves fans. I was at Friday's game and it was pretty pathetic. Lots of Cubs fans, but nowhere near the amount that were there for the 2003 NLDS. Kerry Wood's game 1 at Turner Field is I believe my best baseball memory. I wish Murton was starting every game in his hometown. The former Ga Tech student got a very warm reception Friday, but instead we get Pagan tonight... yuck. Well go get 'em Hill, here's to avoiding the sweep.

Pierre Izturis Ramirez Jones Pagan Mabry Blanco Cedeno Hill Wow.... That has to be one of the most impotent lineups I have ever seen. Think I'm gonna get back to playing MVP 2004, with the lineup of Sosa, Alou, DLee, Aramis, and a REALLY good CPat, Plus Woody and Prior are always lights out. Staying in my little fantasy world of 2 years ago sure beats the crap out of the ppresent reality.

I think it's totally awesome that we traded Neifi for this guy: http://images.jambase.com/bands/blackcrowes/cook/chris.jpg

As of right now, Abreu has gotten on base 12 times in 16 PAs so far in this current series against Boston, and the Yanks have scored in double digits all three games. It pains me that Hendry will never pursue this type of player.

On-Base Percentage, or OBP. We good-table setters high in the order so that the middle of the lineup has more RBI opportunities. This should be the UTMOST priority. Speed is also valuable as a fast runner can go 1st to 3rd on a single, steal a base or two, and potentially beat out balls that might be a GIDP. Ability to make contact is a a plus, as productive outs in which a runner is advanced beats a K at the plate.

After yesterday's 12K performance, I think it should be further emphasized:Liriano = 06 AL ROY. He'll face competition in Verlander, but the Lir-jet is a filthy stud. 12-2 1.96ERA 137K/32BB 0.96 WHIP in 115 IP I drafted FL on two fantasy teams, and at first i was a bit perturbed that he was not immediately in the rotation. But considering the innings he's racking up, those months in the bullpen may keep him from hitting a wall down the stretch run.

For those following on gameday, is it just me, or does cards pitcher josh hancock look really smug in that picture?

No more game for me, instead Fox thinks the Astros/Mets pregame show is more important than showing a game thats actually in progress. I don't have cable, so I never get to watch games on WGN, ESPN, or anything not on network TV. I was so happy to actually get to watch a cubs game, and one they were WINNING, oddly enough. God I hate FOX.

Well done sir, that was an extremely entertaining read. Painful, but entertaining. I bet Bruce Miles might have something to say about his supposed future hiring of Neifi as manager.