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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    He's just playing coy and is getting ready to sign Dave Duncan to manage.[/quote] Hopefully he would bring his kid with him.
  2. Backtobanks
    Free Agents: 1. Schmidt 2. Matsuzaka 3. Soriano 4. Craig Wilson 5. Zito Trade Prospects: 1. Cabrera 2. ARod 3. Andruw Jones 4. Crawford 5. Drew
  3. Backtobanks
    Hendry might need a little time to hire a manager, but assuming all of the speculation (Girardi, Brenly, Piniella) is correct he could at least start interviewing these three. If he's interested in others they can be interviewed later.
  4. Backtobanks
    It might win a championship if the five starters average 22 wins and .05 ERA because that lineup is pitiful.
  5. Backtobanks
    I understand the gist of your post, but you have to realize that Florida has no fan base and no big-city media to deal with. If they took 2 hours or 2 years to hire a manager, would anyone care? If they hired Gonzalez or Showalter, would anyone care? Either Girardi or Brenly would be a good choice. And Jim would not face critisism because "on the whole". Cubs fans like both those guys. I'm not sure where pressure of a fan base comes in on this arguement. I simply stated Florida knew who they want, and went out and got a GOOD GUY in 1 days time. There is no excuse not to go ahead and sign either Brenely or Girardi. There is no excuse to take a MONTH to get your manager signed when there is so much more to do. It just shows this orginazation's lack of desire. It is important to go out and get a manager and get ramirez re-signed before the world series is even over. My point boils down to. I like the way Florida does it, and I wish the Cubs could show the same drive to go out and just "get it done". I agree that either would be okay with me, but you know Chicago fans (and NSBB posters) and the media will analyze and criticize whichever move he makes for the next 2-3 years (unless the manager wins a WS).
  6. Backtobanks
    I understand the gist of your post, but you have to realize that Florida has no fan base and no big-city media to deal with. If they took 2 hours or 2 years to hire a manager, would anyone care? If they hired Gonzalez or Showalter, would anyone care?
  7. Backtobanks
    He did promise to do an extensive search for a new manager, but assuming the speculation is true about Girardi, Piniella, and Brenly, he could at least start interviewing them. If he has someone else in mind that he has to wait for, so be it, but go ahead and start the interviews with the available candidates.
  8. Backtobanks
    We all know that pitching is the name of the game, but the Cubs' offense wouldn't win many games unless the pitching staff throws 80 shutouts. I do think one FA starter (Zito or Schmidt) with Miller re-signed might get by. Zambrano, Zito/Schmidt, Hill, Prior, Marshall/Mateo/Guzman would be okay, but we need a Soriano/Andruw Jones along with Craig Wilson to platoon with JJones before we can say the offense is okay.
  9. Backtobanks
    The funny thing about all three is they are all a bit similar. If that's the case go for the one that's going to cost the less. If Girardi wants to get back at the Marlins, he can sign for next to nothing and the Marlins would have to pay the difference.
  10. Backtobanks
    I can see the headlines now: Baker signs with the Rangers Wood signs with the Rangers Prior traded to the Rangers First two spring training games, Wood taken out with a sore arm after throwing 240 pitches and Prior removed with stiffness in his elbow after throwing 197 pitches. Both players are day to day.
  11. Backtobanks
    McDonough in the Trib seemed to emphasize that the new manager ought to understand the uniqueness of the city, the fans, and the Cubs. To me that sounds like Girardi should have the inside track with Brenly 2nd and Piniella third. Of course, he also stated that the decision would be Hendry's.
  12. Backtobanks
    I think all of the speculation (Piniella, Girardi, and Brenly) is probably accurate, so I don't see any reason to wait until November.
  13. Backtobanks
    I do think certain players bring more to a team than just statistics. In Lee's case, it changes the dynamics of the lineup with your 3rd hitter out of the lineup. If you move someone up to bat third, you nake a hole somewhere else. Another perfect example is in a bullpen, where some pitchers can be set up men but not closers and vice versa. Also, there are some players who cannot be "the man" (ARAM?), but are outstanding players as the 2nd or 3rd best hitters on a team. I do believe in stats, but there are some "intangibles" that affect a team's play too.
  14. Backtobanks
    Signing Zambrano to a new contract is a priority, but not quite the #1 priority on Hendry's mind. He needs to pick a manager and to re-sign ARam first. Zambrano's not going anywhere for awhile.
  15. Backtobanks
    Unfortunately, I think the choice will be someone like Piniella. Hendry knows that he needs to get this team back to contention (83-85 wins) next year and going with a young manager who seems to have some "issues" isn't the answer. It would be nice to hire someone like Girardi and show some improvement next year with 2008 as the goal, but the new regime needs to make an impression next year.
  16. Backtobanks
    I like the way you think.
  17. Backtobanks
    I am amazed at how many people seem to think on this board that Dusty will be re-signed. There is zero chance of that happening especially now that MacPhail has resigned. The Cubs are trying to show fans that losing won't be tolerated and bringing back Dusty would certainly be a reversal of changing leadership at the top.
  18. Backtobanks
    a season is a marathon, not a sprint, like i said. although the games appear to matter more in august and september, they really don't. don't let the "music of the spheres" fool you. although a pennant race may appear to be more of a race in september, it's just as much of a race in april. I agree with you, but it is obvious his lack of production that past two months has hurt their chances. ARam & Pierre's April hurt our chances, too. BTW - I think the Reds' demise can be linked to the idiotic trade with Washington. I agree with A-ram and Pierre hurt the Cubs. But why is it so hard for everyone to admit that Dunn has been abysmal since August? To say his lack of production didn't effect the Reds chances is puzzling to me. Combine ARam & Pierre's April with Dunn's end of the year and you would really have a pitiful team (more pitiful).
  19. Backtobanks
    That sure is a scary list of predictions. You forgot #8 - Hendry fired for allowing #1-7.
  20. Backtobanks
    Ha this was rumored last year. I even started a post on it then. Clemens is a jucie head. With these allegations, it just shows what an outstanding pitcher Greg Maddux has been and still is.
  21. Backtobanks

    Murton

    Backtobanks replied to Jazz's topic in Chicago Cubs Talk

    The Cubs need power, but I'm not so sure on CLee anymore. I think there are ways of addressing the power issue (Andruw Jones, Soriano at 2B or CF, Craig Wilson in a platoon with Jones, Jones in CF with a power hitter in RF, etc.) without replacing Murton.
  22. Backtobanks
    Everything that I have seen says Pierre wants to test the FA market. Assuming that is true, I can't see Hendry paying Pierre what he wants for the number of years that he wants. I would assume Pierre wants something like $24 million over 3 years and Hendry doesn't have that kind of money to pay a singles-hitting CF when he has a ton of other problems to address. Lofton could produce about the same for $4 million for 1 year.
  23. Backtobanks
    I assume you meant Pie. An OF of Murton, Jones, and Sanders would really be horrible. A deal for Brown or Sanders has to be looked at as a minor deal for a platoon player and not as a starter.
  24. Backtobanks
    As many of you have stated, Theriot deserves a chance to compete for a starting job (2B or SS) during spring training. I'm a big fan of Cedeno, but package him with some of our young pitching and you might be able to get an impact bat. Better yet, package Izturis with the young pitching and keep Cedeno.
  25. Backtobanks
    Obviously, Dusty will be "let go" on Monday. In what order do you think these other events will happen (of course, some are based on hope)? 1. Cubs name a new manager. 2. Wood re-signed. 3. ARam's contract extended. 4. Cubs make a minor trade or sign a minor free agent (non-starter). 5. Cubs sign a major free agent. 6. Cubs make a major trade.
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