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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    If he is traded, it would have to be soon since a player has to be on your roster before 9/1 to be on your playoff roster. A Soriano trade would really be a short-term rental.
  2. Backtobanks
    Amen! Hendry was respected as an "up and coming star" as a GM by most of the baseball stories and opinions that I read in 03-04. I agree that he hasn't done much lately and his stock has dropped considerably in the eyes of most people. I can't believe that my optimistic post to start this thread turned into such vicious attacks on other posters. I find it hard to believe that people can't disagree without attacking each other. I still believe that Hendry can turn this team around this winter with 1 FA signing (Schmidt), 1 impact trade , and a fair share of luck and health (which are overdue for the Cubs).
  3. Backtobanks
    I do believe that Hendry can turn this team around this off season. People are tired of excuses, but you have to admit that the Cubs have had more than their share of devastating injuries the last few years. As for all of the people who claim that Hendry wasn't considered one of the "genius GMs", go back and look at all of the sports stories. Anybody who gets the CUBS to a playoff after all those years would have to be considered a miracle worker.
  4. Backtobanks
    Hendry has a better track record in making trades as opposed to signing free agents. Overpaying for Schmidt shouldn't be a problem with Maddux and Wood off the books. I'm disappointed in some moves Hendry has made, but I refuse to throw in the towel for the next 2 years because Hendry is the GM. Look at the Sox, Williams was considered to be a joke as a GM and now he's a genius. A little bit of luck (the Cubs are due), some health (again they're due), one big FA signing (money is available), and one impact trade (lots of young players as trade bait) and the Cubs are contenders. Don't forget that they will be in a very weak NL Central.
  5. Backtobanks
    I've been a Cub fan for over 50 years and a pessimist for most of them. Being a Cub fan usually includes a lot of "what ifs". In today's Tribune, Phil Rogers takes exception to the fans who are ready to give up on Mark Prior and writes about what his off season regime is going to be this year. What if Wade Miller shows the Cubs something during September and Prior returns to form for next year. If Hendry targets Schmidt during the off season, the rotation would be Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, Miller, Hill/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo. Using a few young pitchers and Pie/Murton/Cedeno as a trade package might bring an impact bat for the lineup. With Lee back in the lineup everyday, the new starting rotation, and the addition of one more proven impact bat, the Cubs would certainly be contenders next year. I know there are a lot of "what ifs" in my proposal, but there isn't anything mentioned that's out of the realm of possibility.
  6. Backtobanks
    I suspect that Pat was probably messing with Ron some...he definitely does that. I'm one of the few that really like Ron on the radio. I know he's not terribly informative, but Pat really balances that out very well, and Ron is more a reflection of the typical fan than he is anything else. I love his emotion behind every game, and I love that he's still getting upset about the losses even at this point in the year. Not to mention, I think Ron needs to be out doing something. I think for him personally, it probably really helps with the medical issues that he has, that he has something else to concentrate on other than those issues. First, it would be the biggest pr blunder ever for the Cubs to "fire" Santo. Ron is the heart and soul of the Cubs' history. Secondly, I think his radio job has probably kept him alive to this point. Being removed from the radio gig would probably lead to many more medical problems starting with the depression of not being with the team he loves.
  7. Backtobanks
    Joe is new, but has also done some nice things with the Marlins, that Jim might see him as less of a long shot now. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. This thread is a tease. I'll tell myself that too and yes, it is a tease. Sadly, not just for Joe but the thought Baker won't be in the Cub dugout in 2007. I honestly don't clearly understand the love for Joe, can someone help me out with this? I know Baker isn't liked, I'm one of those people, however I respect this boards views and usually agree. Just curious on what exactly Joe would bring to this team. I think Girardi would bring discipline, a better understanding of dealing with young players, and an intelligence gained from an engineering degree from Northwestern and his years as a cathcher in the majors.
  8. Backtobanks
    It wouldn't surprize me if Murton or Cedeno is used as part of a trade package. A package of Cedeno/Murton, Hill/Guzman/Marshall/Marmol, and Pie might be the beginning of discussions with the Marlins about Cabrera. As for Tejada, I'm not sure any deal is going to convince Angelos to trade Tejada (look at the rumored deals he turned down).
  9. Backtobanks
    I don't think either one of them will get that much money or that many years. Soriano might get a 4 year deal, but I think Lee will probably get 3 years.
  10. Backtobanks
    I think Wood would only be asked back to the Cubs at a serious discount, and probably with mucho incentives. If he wants to come back that badly, I'm all for it. He doesn't hurt this team as much if he's planned as a reliever IMO. I just want 5 healthy starters....I know I know...I ask a lot. I agree. Offer him 1 million with incentives to make more...If he turns it down then it's no loss to us... One million with incentives based on the number of appearances.
  11. Backtobanks
    Please notice that I didn't predict that he would end up like Ozzie or Omar, it's just that they wouldn't have ended up that successful if everyone gave up on them with their pitiful offensive numbers at 26 years of age. I don't see the Cubs as World Series champs in 2007, so I say give him the rest of this year and all of next and then reassess the situation.
  12. Backtobanks
    I think everyone needs to calm down about the Maddux-Izturis trade and give him a chance to show whether he is the long-time answer at SS. Comparing him to 2 other outstanding defensive/lousy offensive shortstops at 26 years old might offer some hope. Ozzie Smith @ 26 years old .222 BA and .294 OBP. @ 30 years old .276 BA and .355 OBP @ 31 " " .280 " and .376 " @ 32 " " .303 " and .392 " Omar Visquel @ 26 years old .255 BA and .319 OBP @ 29 " " .297 " and .362 " @ 30 " " .280 " and .347 " @ 31 " " .288 " and .358 " @ 32 " " .333 " and .397 " @ 33 " " .287 " and .377 " Let's give him a chance and see what happens.
  13. Backtobanks
    You beat me to the punch. I do think Schmidt has to be the #1 offseason target, but I think they need to trade for or sign another starting pitcher for #4 unless one of the kids really shows something in August and September. Let the kids battle it out for #5. As for an OF slugger, Sheffield might be the answer for 1 year, but a trade package of Murton/Pie plus Hill/Guzman/Marshall/Marmol plus lower prospects might pry loose a younger power-hitting OF. If Murton isn't traded, he should platoon with Jones. For the Cubs to compete in 2007, obviously DLee and Prior would have to return to form, ARam would have to stay, and Pierre and Barrett would have to hit like they've been hitting lately. Add some players to the bench and you might be pleasantly surprized at the results. Not exactly the 1927 Yankees, but a team that could compete in the NL Central. Andy MacPhail couldn't have said it better himself. "Could compete in the NL Central." Oh boy, for only $100 million? The last time I looked the NL Central is where the Cubs reside and winning the division (or Wild Card) has to be a first step. They certainly won't be the favorites in a weak division, but if you get into the playoffs anything can happen.
  14. Backtobanks
    You beat me to the punch. I do think Schmidt has to be the #1 offseason target, but I think they need to trade for or sign another starting pitcher for #4 unless one of the kids really shows something in August and September. Let the kids battle it out for #5. As for an OF slugger, Sheffield might be the answer for 1 year, but a trade package of Murton/Pie plus Hill/Guzman/Marshall/Marmol plus lower prospects might pry loose a younger power-hitting OF. If Murton isn't traded, he should platoon with Jones. For the Cubs to compete in 2007, obviously DLee and Prior would have to return to form, ARam would have to stay, and Pierre and Barrett would have to hit like they've been hitting lately. Add some players to the bench and you might be pleasantly surprized at the results. Not exactly the 1927 Yankees, but a team that could compete in the NL Central.
  15. Backtobanks
    The White Sox won with small ball and the Cubs will try to win with Little League ball.
  16. Backtobanks
    I don't remember where I saw it, but there were rumors of Hendry trying to broker a 3-way deal with Maddux going to the Dodgers for Izturis and Izituris plus prospects going to the Orioles for Tejada. Unfortunately, the Tejada part of the trade didn't happen.
  17. Backtobanks
    Let me get this straight, we trade Walker so Perez can play 2B and we trade Maddux so Izturis can play SS. We now have a great defensive middle IF, but the problem is that we gave up the pitcher who forces ground balls. We now have pitchers in the rotation who give up fly balls to our weak-armed outfielders. Thank God, Perez and Izturis will provide enough offense to overcome our pitching problems.
  18. Backtobanks
    Everyone knows that the 40 year old Maddux isn't the Cy Young Maddux, but he has shown that he can still pull one of those Maddux-like games out of the hat. His last start was against a good offensive team (Cardinals) and he had them mystified. You put Maddux in a pitcher's park with a decent bullpen and offense and it wouldn't surprize me to see him win 6 or 7 more games this year. I think he is as good or better than most #4 or #5 starters in the league. Unfortunately, the Cubs usually had to count on him to be the #2 starter.
  19. Backtobanks
    Of course they'll retire 42 -- it's already been done by MLB (Jackie Robinson). I have a question, How come Mariano Rivera wears #42? Was he "grandfathered in" because he already had the number?
  20. Backtobanks
    See my suggestion in the other topic "How About These 2 Trades?"
  21. Backtobanks
    Well, first I would have to become Cubs GM.
  22. Backtobanks
    Assuming that ARam is going to opt out of his contract at the end of the season: Trade 1- Dempster plus ??? (Novoa/prospect) to Texas for Blalock. (There have been rumors of Blalock for Lidge). Trade 2- ARam plus ???? to the Angels for Santana & Aybar. (The Orioles turned down Santana & Aybar for Tejada). I think both of these trades are possible and reasonable and would give the Cubs a young, left-handed, power-hitting 3B, a young starting pitcher with some experience, and a young middle IF for 2B. Howry & Eyre can close for the rest of this season and possibly Marmol can be groomed as closer for next year. Thoughts???????
  23. Backtobanks
    thats about what the Cubs offered Mr. Furcal. Free agents can ask for whatever they want, but I think Lugo and Carlos Lee are going to get less than what they want. Both of these guys might get some decent money, but I'm not sure they will get 4 or 5 year contracts.
  24. Backtobanks
    wow!! I agree with that. But I have a feeling Maddux will be gone within the next 48 hrs. and it may be to an AL team. That makes no sense. He has the chance to say no, and he seems to have a major dislike for the AL. Why would he allow himself to be traded to the AL? i never heard him say he dislikes the AL What 40 year old pitcher would want to start over in the AL. He has a complete "book" on most NL batters.
  25. Backtobanks
    I've been worried about the Cubs hanging on to all of these prize prospects too long and then they lose their trade value when they get a few opportunities and then fail at them. I'm starting to think that about Pie. I know he's still very young, but Hendry has refused to discuss Hill, Guzman, Pie, etc. in the past and so far none of them are coming close to the potential they have shown. Also, many posters want to trade everyone on the team for the top prospects of other teams, but the same may be true of their prospects. Prospects are simply prospects until they prove something in the majors.
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