Have a seat, Neifi

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal Pena claimed, but #Cubs likely to pull him back. Need 1B for 2012, want to keep options open. Did not get good offers before 7/31. #MLB

Bill Ladson of MLB.com reporting that the Nats apparently will not pursue Prince Field this offseason.

Posted this on the Minor League thread, but Al Yellon on BCB wrote this morning that Casher reportedly hit 99 mph on the radar gun last night.

Bleed Cubbie Blue reporting that Cash apparently hit 99 on the radar gun last night.

A Soriano / Colvin platoon in LF might not be the worst thing in the world from an offensive standpoint.

Sounds like Hafner may be done for the year. http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/23/travis-hafner-may-need-season-ending-foot-surgery/ Cleveland really could be a decent landing spot for Pena.

There won't be flaws on this player in his prime in 2 years? It's unacceptable to have the highest payroll in the division (even writing off Soriano and Z's contracts, we're still right around the Cardinals) and punt 2 seasons. The Cubs have a gaping crater at 1st base at the major league level and in the farm system. There is not a more perfect scenario for Fielder and Pujols to enter the market, and people want to pass on them because we can't guarantee we'd win the division the next 2 years?? These are 2 of the best players in baseball right now, and people are so worried because a contract everyone hated at the time wound up being a contract everyone hated. What the hell is wrong with everyone? Couldn't have said it better myself. This division sucks, the Cubs have more money than any other franchise in said division, and signing either Pujols or Fielder not only improves the Cubs at a position of massive need, but simultaneously cripples one of the 2 best teams in said division (and thus, 1 of our 2 main competitors). There's really no reason not to make a run at one or both of them, as long as finances so allow. Also, as others have stated, elite players just don't make it to free agency that much anymore. The Longorias, Brauns, Weavers, etc. are choosing to sign big but not exorbitant contracts with their current teams before entering FA rather than waiting to hit the open market. The chances that an elite position player will be available in 2013 or 2014 when the Cubs are "ready to compete" or whatever is just pure blind hope.

Not sure where to post this (or if it's even worth posting), but in underscoring how far between Hendry was in utilizing advanced metrics or statistical analysis in building the current Cubs roster, Mark Simon just mentioned on the ESPN podcast that the Cubs are averaging 2.4 walks per game this season, the lowest rate for our franchise since 1921. Especially for a franchise that hasn't won a whole lot in those years in between, that's pretty effing bad.

Note to self: have umbrella on hand if we get Friedman. Same here, especially when you see tweets like this (even if facetious and hyperbolic)... @injuryexpert Will Carroll I'm pretty sure Andrew Friedman has more people in his stats dept than the Cubs do in their whole front office.

Bobby Valentine sure seems fired up about it.

Pretty thorough write-up on Vitters in a post on MinorLeagueBall. Not a whole lot of new information or analysis to any of us who follow our prospects closely, but not a bad summation of his career to this point. Link: http://www.minorleagueball.com/2011/8/21/2373631/josh-vitters-will-he-figure-things-out Brief excerpt:

Haha yea, sorry. Pretty sure that's just Buster being Buster (i.e., pulling sh*t out of his ass). I still think Toronto and Baltimore are our biggest competitors in the Fielder sweepstakes.

Woodrow, our 28th President.

Nice. That's just great. Who cares about what's best for the organization when you can let "inter-city rivalries" dictate actual baseball decisions. Same goes for first basemen who play for the Cardinals or Brewers; no way can we let that kind of riff raff 'round these parts.

Lol. I immediately thought of Crossing Delancey and Finding Nemo myself.

With Zambrano gone Cashner needs to be a solid contributor to the 2012 rotation. Dempster Garza Cashner Wilson Wells/Struck/FA/Trade I agree about Cashner, but I hadn't heard that Z got traded. Well, whether he's traded or released outright, he sure as sh*t won't be pitching for the Cubs.

Running a top 3 baseball market team with a top 5 payroll in a division full of small market teams? I can't imagine how there'd be interest in a position like that. Especially now. A year ago, there might not have been quite as much interest because of the Cubs contract situation. But now, there's an owner who is willing to spend on both the draft and major league talent and plenty of contract flexibility. Any new GM will be able to put his stamp on the franchise within 2 years. Right. The Cubs are basically a deep-pocket organization that is now starting to throw money around to make amateur signings, not just major league free agent ones. Not a bad setup.

Running a top 3 baseball market team with a top 5 payroll in a division full of small market teams? I can't imagine how there'd be interest in a position like that. Particularly after a press conference where the owner states flat-out that it's the GM's job to sign players and make baseball decisions and that the new GM will have carte blanche to hire whomever he wants.

@thekapman David Kaplan Current baseball exec upon hearing news "There will be a ton of interest in Cubs job. You'll be shocked by the level of interest."

I have way more confidence, trust, and hope in Ricketts after listening to that PC. Guy sounds completely in control and that he knows what he's doing. Love that he acknowledged that we were underspending in the draft, that we need a "more analytical" GM, and that every cent leftover after expenses and liabilities are paid goes into the club. Also like that he recognizes that Tim Wilken is a good one; sounds like he'll strongly recommend to the new GM that he retain Wilken. Overall, great day for Cubs fans.

Is this even a serious debate? Thome's in, easily.

Nevermind. In a shocking update that no one could have possibly foreseen, Law spent at least 5 minutes talking about how well the Blue Jays did and did not mention the Cubs at all. Completely flabbergasted.

Looking forward to hearing what KLaw has to say, assuming it's positive. I usually try and tune in to his podcast on Tuesdays; if he says anything about the Cubs' draft / signings, I'll be sure to post it here.

I think it would take the Cubs paying 46 out of the 50 million for someone to take Soriano from them. Agreed; I'm not optimistic at all.