Backtobanks

Great job all season. NSBB has become my addiction. Sometimes I think all of the media reads NSBB because all of the ideas we kick around are then "suggested" or "reported" by the media. If we only had some influence over the Cubs' GM, we could solve most of the problems with the team.

Patterson's value couldn't be lower unless he had one of his legs fall off. I don't see him as an attractive trading chip. And for $12m per, I'd rather sign Kevin Millwood via FA and hang onto whatever prospects we'd have to give up. I agree that Patterson alone (or as the front person in a trade) is not much of a trading chip, but I would bet that Hendry is going to hear Patterson's name quite often as the throw-in in trade talk. I think there are a lot of teams out there that think they could "heal" Patterson or are willing to take a shot at him as the throw-in in some deal. He could be one of those players that needs a change of address.

What is your take on the rumors surrounding Hendry/Baker extending their contracts. So far, I would say thru the media it appears that Hendry will get offered a two year deal next Spring and Baker as well. The only difference is that Baker might not accept unlike Hendry. Stating a good start is needed, runs perpendicular to recent hints that Baker would be offered before the season. If you were to put odds on the situation, what are the odds of Baker being offered 2 more years before the season? I think that there is no way Baker doesn't sign the 2-year extension. For all of the griping and complaining, I think Dusty knows a good thing when he sees it. Dusty knows that the Cubs have a chance to compete every year with a large payroll and if the Cubs win their division, let alone the WS, he will be more popular than Elvis. As for more than 2 years being offered, the Tribune article made a big deal that Dusty always had 2 year deals until he signed with the Cubs. Obviously, 2 more years after 2006 will say a lot about Baker, Hendry, & MacPhail.

All of this was put into place so that nothing upstages the World Series.

I totally agree and I have posted often that I think Baker's managing and stubborness cost this team about 10 wins. That's not competing with the Cards, but it puts us in the playoffs as the WC. Also, don't forget batting Neifi, Corey, and Macias at the top of the lineup for much of the season.

Annoyed that they are taking so long or annoyed because he would rather leave? Annoyed that there is discussion about it. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that he will get a 2-year extension by spring training.

When I mentioned Kearns or Pena, I didn't necessarily mean for RF. Giles is what we need for RF, but we need to be prepared for the possibility that he won't leave the West Coast. I wonder whether Murton, Kearns, or Pena can play CF. It couldn't be much worse defensively than Nomar in LF.

Tribune headline states "Baker annoyed by contract extension talks". If he is annoyed, just think how annoyed all of the Cub fans are.

Even better than Neifi & Corey?

yeah I was thinking the exact same thing about bout macias and also agree with your ws teams I think that would be the ideal situation. How fitting is it that our 1-2 hitters made the final 2 outs of the season, leaving DLee on deck with the tying runners in scoring position. Perfect cap to this season. Especially when you #1 & #2 hitters are Patterson and Macias for the last game of the season.

I just don't understand Dusty's move of letting Maddux hit for himself with Oswalt in trouble and runners on 2nd & 3rd in the 6th inning. It was obvious that Maddux didn't have his best stuff and he was in a position to get the win. Instead, Maddux makes the third out, Maddux loses the lead in the 6th inning, Oswalt gets his 20th win, and the Astros win the WC.

The Dayton Daily News is reporting that Pena and/or Kearns might be available this offseason now that Griffey has proven to be able to play for the whole season. Obviously, they want pitching. If the Cubs can resign Rusch and use any combination of Rusch, Williams, Mitre, Hill, Welly, plus position players like Patterson, Walker, and prospects, I think that might solve one OF position. For free agents, Giles is the choice if we can outbid all of the other teams. The advantage of getting Kearns or Pena is that they are both young enough to fit into plans for the next 5 years.

Eh, he'd be justified in moving Dempster to a setup role if he acquired a comparable or better closer in the offseason. I don't think anyone would be mad about that. The thing is, if you look at his numbers as a closer, there aren't too many better out there. You can't make much of a case for bumping him for a guy like B.J. Ryan. Billy Wagner maybe, but you're going to have to pay lot more for him. If you give Dempster's jobe to B.J. Ryan, I would bet the farm Dempster would be pissed. If you ask me, signing another closer would just be redundant, especially if that closer isn't markedly better. We have a very good closer at a good price, and we have other problems to throw money at. The Cubs just signed their closer. End of story. Do you think Hendry is giving Dempster $15.5 million so he can see if there's a better closer available? I agree with you that there are plenty more holes to fill with the money rather than overpaying for another closer.

Most of the "deals" revolve around other teams taking Lowell. I don't think Lowell is on anybody "must-have" list. Somebody is going to have to pick up a ton of his salary if he is going to get moved (let alone moved twice).

The best part of all of this Pie/Murton/Cedeno or Greenberg/Murton/Cedeno speculation is the fact that obviously it means the Cubs got rid of Dusty. There is no way that Dusty is going to start (and keep in the lineup) 3 rookies. I would think that if they think Pie is ready, Murton or Cedeno would be packaged in a trade. I certainly hope neither gets traded because I think they both will be good, solid major league players for a long time.

If the Cubs could get Bradley & Castillo for Walker, Hill, and a prospect, I would jump at those deals. The Cubs would improve the OF, 2B, leadoff, and defense with those moves.

Why is it that so many teams have their top prospects at AA ball? A lot of AAA teams seem to be stocked with long-time minor leaguers and over-the-hill major leaguers while the future stars seem to be at AA. It seems to me that there used to be a natural progression from A to AA to AAA to the majors, but now many AAA teams seem to be a holding spot for major league bench-warmers. Am I right in my observation or is it just me?

Hopefully, Hendry & Baker learned a few lessons from the Cards & White Sox. Those two teams understood that the games in April & May count just as much as the games in August & September. You can't allow teams to get 15 game leads at any point in the season. How can we combat that? First, Hendry has to make sure that all of the holes are filled. Next, Baker has to go into the season with a set lineup and role for each player. He can't be platooning players, trying to figure out each pitcher's role in the bullpen (including closer), and experimenting daily with the lineup. Murton, Cedeno, and some of the younger pitchers need to understand that they won't be benched if they have a bad game.

What about resigning Rusch and using him in a package to get Wilkerson from the Nationals and then we don't need Lofton.

Has Hendry had the money to get the top guy?? Will the Trib even allow him?? Iirc he wasn't playing w/ much budget prior to 2002. They were paying Hundley, Gonzo, Alou & Sosa to name a few. He made a real nice pick up in Remlinger, and the Hundley for Grudz & Karros trade was pretty nice. Prior to 2003, they had a little more money w/ Hundley gone and he went out and got Hawkins, Walker and Maddux. I recall most people being pretty fired up. Last year he put a good amount of money into Nomar. Again I recall a lot of people being pretty fired up. I don't think they'll go after any FA who wants more than 4 years. The Trib's scared for some reason. However, I can see him making 3 or 4 signings for guys like Furcal and Millwood. Hopefully, it doesn't turn out like the year we got George Bell, Danny Jackson and Mike Morgan. :cry: EDIT: Can't believe I forget the Great Walker. I think Hendry will be doing great if he signs Furcal and Millwood. I have suggested in many posts that the Cubs ought to resign Walker, Rusch, and maybe Nomar (depending on Furcal signing). Using Walker, Rusch/Williams, Patterson, Mitre, Hill, Welly, and some of our other prospects ought to fill an OF position and a veteran reliever. A player like Lofton will come cheaply and be a stopgap until Pie is ready. 1B....Lee 2B.... Cedeno SS....Furcal or Nomar (Low base with high incentive contract) 3B ...Aram LF....Murton CF.... Lofton RF.... ??? (player acquired in trade mentioned above) C.... Barrett with Blanco as sub SP.... Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Maddux, Millwood/Rusch/Williams Bullpen....Wuertz, Ohman, Novoa, ???? (veteran acquired in trade above), Hill/Welly/Mitre/VanBuren/other prospects. Closer..... Dempster Bench....???????

I don't know why everyone is looking for a way to save the Tribune some money. If one or both of Murton/Cedeno starts, the Cubs have a ton of money to buy free agents or pay players acquired in a trade. Add to that, a player like Lofton is not very expensive. Resign Walker and Rusch to add to the depth needed to make trades this winter. Using Patterson, Walker, Rusch/Williams, Hill, Mitre, Welly, and minor league players as trade bait, Hendry should be able to acquire an OF and a pitcher (#4 or #5 starter or veteran reliever). That still leaves a lot of money for a big name free agent (Furcal, Giles, etc.). Depending on the other deals, sign Nomar to a low-base, high incentive contract. If Nomar makes all of his incentives, the money might start getting tight, but that wouldn't be a problem because if Nomar reaches his incentives, the Cubs will be in the playoffs.

Can anyone think of a more fitting end to the Cubs home season than not scoring with the bases loaded, no outs, and a pitcher who couldn't find the plate with a soaked baseball? Today's ending sums up the Cubs' season.

B/c this year's numbers are so far out of line of his past numbers. This year he got off to an incredible start and has faded toward the end. Normally he starts off poor and then heats up. Be that as it may, he is 30 and at his peak but for him to have another season like this year would be remarkable. As I originally stated, he still is a top 5 1st baseman even at his career norms. There is no guarantee that any of the young players would be superstars, but I don't reacall anyone stating that they would. Maybe I need to re-read the thread. And as I stated above, I don't think the D-backs would make the deal. Nevertheless, it is fun to talk about it. Again, this does not take into account that Lee has changed his swing and plate coverage. With those improvements, he is not the same hitter he was when he set those career averages. I think he could very well hit .310/40 HR/105-110 RBI for the next few years. The Cubs have a ton of money to spend and lots of spare parts (resign Walker and Rusch) to trade without talking about trading one of the building blocks of the team. With players like Walker, Patterson, Rusch/Williams, Mitre, Hall, Welly, plus prospects, the Cubs ought to be able to fill one OF position plus a pitcher (starter or reliever). Spend the big money on big-time free agent (Furcal, Giles, etc.). Plan on starting Murton and Cedeno (at 2B or SS). Don't mess with Lee, Ramirez, Prior, Zambrano, and Barrett.

First, why does everyone think Lee is going to regress back to his career norms. He worked hard to make adjustments in his swing and plate coverage, so there isn't much of a reason to think he will revert back to a .270 hitter. Secondly, what guarantee that any young players we get in return for Lee will be the superstars that everyone is making them out to be. Finally, will a team like the Diamondbacks trade 3 very promising, young players for one excellent player when they are in a rebuilding situation.

Poor Managing/Strategy 25% - So many of the other categories are covered by Dusty's mistakes and stubborness. Key Injuries 20% - Unfortunately, too many of these injuries were predictable (Nomar, Wood, etc.) GM not filling holes/needs 10% - The bullpen, LF, and bench needed help from the beginning. I do believe that Hendry had some of the pieces needed but they were misused by Dusty. Poor OBP 15% - especially in Dusty's choices for the top of the lineup. Poor situational hitting 15% - I can't believe any other team comes up empty from bases loaded or second and third with no outs situations as often as the Cubs. Certainly no other team claiming to be a contender. Bullpen Issues (closer and others) 10% - The reason this issue is rated so low is because much of the problem was caused by Dusty's decisions. Poor Defense 5% - It could have been worse if Nomar was healthy all year.