Vinestal

I'll be crying if the Cubs are the ones that give him that much. LOL thats just the kind of thing I could see us doing to, I wouldnt put it past Hendry, I mean look at what he gave Rusch anything is possible.

If Aram decided to leave I dont see how we would be able to salvage a contending offense with what we have left. Also I think the chances of us landing A-rod are slim to none. Even if we did get A-rod when and if Aram leaves it's going to be an ugly looking offense. Seems like most of the offense's that Hendry has created have been pretty ugly though, I dont think he gets what it takes to build a competetive lineup.

why soriano in CF? has he ever played there before? Didn't he play CF when he was with the Yankees? I could be wrong, just thought I remembered him playing there some. As per baseball-reference Soriano has never played CF in his major league career. They wanted him to move there, he ended up in Texas before it could happen. Ah well I guess I remembered them talking about moving him there. THanks for looking it up, I couldnt seem to find the games played per possition anywhere I looked.

why soriano in CF? has he ever played there before? Didn't he play CF when he was with the Yankees? I could be wrong, just thought I remembered him playing there some.

This seems kinda odd to me. If he just lost some arm strength from the time off you would think he could get that back by simply pitching again for a while. If its a mechanicle issue maybe he's been working with the wrong people. I sure hope he can get it back, but Ive never heard of someone losing thier stuff simply from not pitching for a while. Even sitting out a year, Tommy John surgery patients do this all the time and usually regain thier velocity.

Be prepared for the Anti-Stone people. I also enjoy Stone but we are the minority on this board. I like him as an announcer, but hate him as a decision maker. I lost a lot of respect for him with the way he went out. Why because morons like Kent Mercker and Dusty Baker ran him out of town I would be bitter too if the Cubs choose a loogy over one of the best colorman in the buisness. I think he acted like a classless fool with complete unprofessionalism and immaturity. The Cubs should always prioritize players over an announcer. An announcer who thinks otherwise is an arrogant idiot. Hmm I think the players were the arrogant idiots. Id love to have Stone back in the booth I think he's the best broadcaster we have had in my time following the team, just my opinion.

You only leadoff a game once guarenteed. leadoff hitters get more PA's than the other players. i don't mind the idea of hitting a very good hitter in a spot where he's guaranteed to get a lot of plate appearances. I hadn't thought about the PA's your right about that. Im certainly not oppossed to getting Soriano but Im just not sure Id bat him leadoff.

It seems like a waste of his power to bat him leadoff though, who's he going to drive in? I dont see the Cubs having alot of guys that can get on near the bottom of the order. Its not so much the OBP that bothers me its the waste of his power. I think he's a better 2 or 3 hitter. Who batted behind him in Washington? How many of his HR were at home? I dont think I'd bat him leadoff.

Im not entirely sure a 115 million dollar payroll is going to fix this team, I realize that the division is weak but this team has a ton of holes. Im sure Hendry doesn't see as many of them as I do though.

Hey thanks for posting that link it was an interesting read. Matt sounds like a pretty kool guy, hopefully he can get his fastball back into the 90's again. I wonder where he projects to start the year, is he playing in the fall league or winterball at all? Im assuming he's right handed?

Goony's has some valid points, I had not heard those things about LR's pitching philosophies. Ive always been a big fan of LR I guess that why I try to defend him but I guess in the end the product on the field has not reflected well on him. I certainly would have understood if they didnt bring him back but Im not mad that they are.

Ugg great, I wouldnt think he will out live Hendry who will most likely be gone when his contract expires, which is after the 2008 season right?

I think he should suggest to them that maybe they could throw a strike once in a while? The # of base on balls our staff gave up this year is hard evidence of incompetence on someone's part. So I suggest to you that A) our pitchers all suck or B) our pitching coach/pitching philosophy sucks. Id have to lean more toward A since a lot of our pitchers came from AA and probably shouldnt have even been there or never should have been resigned (like Rusch). You can try to tell someone how to throw a strike, try to show them but in the end the ball is in the pitchers hand not the pitching coach's. Rich Hill sure did make a big turn around from when he first was brought up till the end of the season, how much of that was Larry's coaching and how much of it was Hill making the proper mental adjustments on his own? Hard to say, Larry had alot of young unproven pitchers and some real big pieces of crap to work with this year, I dont blame him. Injuries happen and alot of them because of Bakers stupid desicions. Larry has been the pitching coach for 5 years now. This year's batch of AA pitchers is only a small part of that issue. Control has been an issue every year. Do you think that a new pitching coach would change that? I think throwing strikes has more to do with talent and ability than with coaching. If you didnt throw strikes in the minors your not going to be brought up and then shown by the pitching coach how to throw strikes and suddenly have pinpoint control. Control is an issue for most teams. You can be agressive in the strike zone and get the poop hammered out of you if you dont have good movement or deception with your pitches. If your pitching philosophy as a coach and as an organization was that you won't be in the majors until you can throw strikes on a semi consistent basis than yes I would expect to see more strikes. If a pitching coach can't help his pitchers learn to throw strikes then what good is he? I just dont think that a pitching coach's job is to make his pitchers throw strikes. I think there are plenty of things you can try to teach a player that migh help him with his control but in the end it comes down to having the talent and ability to make it happen.

I think he should suggest to them that maybe they could throw a strike once in a while? The # of base on balls our staff gave up this year is hard evidence of incompetence on someone's part. So I suggest to you that A) our pitchers all suck or B) our pitching coach/pitching philosophy sucks. Id have to lean more toward A since a lot of our pitchers came from AA and probably shouldnt have even been there or never should have been resigned (like Rusch). You can try to tell someone how to throw a strike, try to show them but in the end the ball is in the pitchers hand not the pitching coach's. Rich Hill sure did make a big turn around from when he first was brought up till the end of the season, how much of that was Larry's coaching and how much of it was Hill making the proper mental adjustments on his own? Hard to say, Larry had alot of young unproven pitchers and some real big pieces of crap to work with this year, I dont blame him. Injuries happen and alot of them because of Bakers stupid desicions. Larry has been the pitching coach for 5 years now. This year's batch of AA pitchers is only a small part of that issue. Control has been an issue every year. Do you think that a new pitching coach would change that? I think throwing strikes has more to do with talent and ability than with coaching. If you didnt throw strikes in the minors your not going to be brought up and then shown by the pitching coach how to throw strikes and suddenly have pinpoint control. Control is an issue for most teams. You can be agressive in the strike zone and get the poop hammered out of you if you dont have good movement or deception with your pitches.

I think he should suggest to them that maybe they could throw a strike once in a while? The # of base on balls our staff gave up this year is hard evidence of incompetence on someone's part. So I suggest to you that A) our pitchers all suck or B) our pitching coach/pitching philosophy sucks. Id have to lean more toward A since a lot of our pitchers came from AA and probably shouldnt have even been there or never should have been resigned (like Rusch). You can try to tell someone how to throw a strike, try to show them but in the end the ball is in the pitchers hand not the pitching coach's. Rich Hill sure did make a big turn around from when he first was brought up till the end of the season, how much of that was Larry's coaching and how much of it was Hill making the proper mental adjustments on his own? Hard to say, Larry had alot of young unproven pitchers and some real big pieces of crap to work with this year, I dont blame him. Injuries happen and alot of them because of Bakers stupid desicions.

What is it that everyone hates about Larry Rothchild? What is it that you expect from a pitching coach? I dont have any problems with Larry, I hate that they signed Lou though he's way wrong for this team. A pitching coach can only do so much if he has a bunch of guys that arent listening and a bad manager thats going to make him look pretty bad. I have a feeling that most of the pitching problems with the Cubs were not due to Larry, at least I dont blame him.

I guess he'll be starting in Daytona next spring? I'll have to get over there to see a couple games. Hopefully when Pawlek is pitching.

LOL the Cubs have become a "meat grinder" for pitching prospects, we chew them up and spit them out. If Im a highschool or college pitcher drafted by the Cubs Im scared to death. *sigh*

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! This sucks if its true. It doesnt suprise me though. Another dumb move by Hendry. He can take Lou with him when he gets fired at the end of the season or next.

Memo to Jim Hendry: Jim, I believe Regis Philbin is availible to play 2nd base, he is exactly the type of player you love, scrappy and full of energy. Lou should also love him since he's older than Muthusela.

Im with Banedon "LALALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU LALALALA."

Two words: Scott Boras The Cubs never had a problem negotiating with Boras. Where is Justin Jackson project to be picked?

Well if Hendry signes Lou he's digging his own grave. In a couple of years they will wind up firing Lou and Hendry. 2 years of horrible baseball and the team will probably be worse off than it is now when its over. Lou is a white Dusty Baker. My following the Cubs will be reduced to these boards and occasionaly reading box scores if they give the job to Lou. yuck yuck yuck, Hendry has clearly learned nothing from the last few years.

The same article in the Sun times said this: That seems promising, Id rather have Bochy but Joe's a better choice than Lou.

Could someone post some background/info on Koerber, where is he from does he have potiential to be an impact prospect? Just currious never heard of the guy. List of pitches and velocity would be nice as well.