jersey cubs fan

They are only hamstrung for this year, not going forward. It's really not a big deal, especially when they are getting high quality performance at that position.

That's pretty much my point. While QB is the single most important position, offensive line is arguably the more important position group, as it's 5 players plus multiple backups. And no QB can thrive with a bad line. I think it's foolish to focus all of their attention on QB when the line is as shaky as it is. You've got a left tackle of the future who showed nothing this year despite being drafted because he was closest to ready (but not the one with highest ceiling). You've got very questionable guards, an aging center who hasn't played up to his reputation in 3-4 years and an about to become obsolete right tackle. There is very little youth on this line, and thus, very little hope of internal improvement. Any upgrades are going to have to come from outside the organization, via the draft or signings. I'd much rather keep improving that line and seeing what Orton can do, while developing Hanie and another draft pick, than sign a veteran to play with this same line and get killed.

The other thing is, with all these young guys, eventually (and not too long from now) they are going to have to let guys go because they won't be able to resign everybody. I would actually be fine with them trading some of the young talent. They can still keep the core. But you're probably going to see Havlat walk, and big extensions for both Toews and Kane soon. Then there's a question about Sharp and some of the defenseman, and they already have a big contract for Campbell. The new agreement makes it harder to keep young guys around at really cheap rates like in baseball. On the other hand, I didn't even know Billy Guerin was still in the league. I feel like guys that were veterans when I played NHL96 in college should be retired.

lines are made by professional gamblers who really, really know what they're doing. they also probably noticed that carolina won half of their games by 10 or more points. And Arizona can't win east of the desert.

If I remember correctly, Warner wasn't all that great in his one yr stint with the Giants. So I agree, unless the Bears bring Fitz and Bolden with Warner and perhaps the Vikings or Eagles OL, then making Warner a priority is like giving Verne Troyer keys to a HumVee. I think he was okay, when he played, but he only played like half a season.

Haugh wants Warner at QB next year. I think he's nuts. Warner did well playing with amazing receivers in a controlled climate against the worst division in football. He fell apart when playing at some tougher opponents. He's going to be 38 next season, and as has been often said this year, older QBs don't last in cold weather. Turnover prone older QBs tend to disappoint (Favre). I think Warner would get killed with this offensive line and these receivers. Orton had no time, but he was a young, relatively smart QB who did a fairly decent job protecting the ball and moving around. Warner is a statue who would not have time to wait for guys to get open, let alone the pro bowl caliber receivers he's had at his disposal.

Thanks. Looking at that, Ogun and Tait would cost us a little over $2M in cap space to cut. If we keep them on, it will cost us over $9M in cap space. Definitely cut them and put the $7M in cap room towards a big name FA. Peppers or Gross? The other position look at with a draft pick. Yeah, I cut Ogun because I want an DE in the 1st round. You don't have to start the drafted DE, but he can come in and compete with Anderson, Idonije, and a cheaper DE picked up this offseason. To me, there's no reason to keep Tait. He can only play 1 position at this point (RT), and can't play that too well. He will only get worse with age. I'd like Peppers, but it isn't the Bears M.O. to spend big on other teams' free agents, especially on defense. I'd spend the money on Gross or maybe even Antonio Bryant, but that's about it. The Bears have spent pretty darn big on free agents like Mush and Tait. They also traded for Ogunleye when he was a holdout and they were willing to give him the money Miami would not. They don't generally go for best in breed, but they spend. I think the reason you keep Tait is he's better than St. Clair at right tackle. JSC stinks. I don't care if he can play multiple positions, he's not good at them. I'd be fine with cutting Tait if they had a solid replacement, but I don't see that happening. And it's not like JSC is some young pup, he's only 2 years younger than Tait and will be 31 next season. He's been cut multiple times and the only team that has held onto him for a long time is the team that doesn't know crap about offensive players. I would definitely cut Ogunleye though.

Not sure why I'd be offended, but no, I didn't expect that out of Theriot last year. But he was at his peak age so a career year wasn't at all crazy. And he still wasn't good. He had a singles inflated OBP but his overall production was mediocre and weighed down heavily by double plays and outs on the basepaths. It wasn't just about sending him too much. Theriot is a pretty dumb baserunner. Cedeno takes all sorts of heat for dumb mistakes, but Theriot does the same crap. He's just not good, and I'd rather there were better hitters atop the lineup. And eventually a better player taking over shortstop.

I'm fully expecting the "Theriot shouldn't have the most AB's on the team" comment, but what is wrong with a .387 OBP guy (85 runs) leading off? Could be worse. There's always something to complain about, I'd save it for something more worthwhile than Theriot. He's not a .387 OBP guy just because he did it one year. I don't expect him to loop enough singles to right to keep that OBP as high. He's 29 now, and no longer the base runner he was once rumored to be. His double plays and outs on the basepaths are enough of a drag to significantly offset the one thing he does okay, which was getting on base last year. I'd bet he's be closer to his 2007 or career averages than what he OBPd in 2008.

I doubt they'd load up all the lefties in the 5 (SH), 7, 8 spots. I also hope Theriot is nowhere near the top. Hopefully Fukudome improves enough to get bumped up there.

He was in his mid 20's and just made his first million. Now he's entering his early 30's and set for life financially. I'm sure he's mellowed...

He's averaged 89.5 games played the last 4 years and 99.7 since 2002. That's the biggest reason (other than the economy) that he's not making the really big bucks. If the baseball gods guaranteed you 300 regular season games of Milton Bradley (not counting postseason) over the course of this contract, would you take it?

If it's 3/30 but the third year requires a games played vesting option, that's a pretty nice signing by Hendry.

If that happens, this could turn into a trainwreck in a hurry... At least it'll be entertaining. Bradley is probably far more likely to have a Cubs career somewhere along the lines of Rondell White/Moises Alou than Jacque Jones. Jacque was a relatively weak hitter compared to those three. The key is that at least the Cubs have some other quality bats. They are maintaining their status as a team of good but not great hitters, which, when couple with minimal holes, can lead to a lot of runs.

Not too much to ask for, but probably too much to expect. He's averaged 89.5 games per season the past 4 years, and 99.7 games since 2002. I think we'd have to be happy if he ends up playing 300 games for the Cubs. When he plays, he's been a very solid contributor. Not amazing, but solid. His 2003, 2007 and 2008 rate stats were fantastic. There's a couple higher quality guys, but not a lot out there. And of course, from the Cubs standpoint, the key was he's a switch hitter.

Seems to me like he's really enjoying his life.

In an offseason where only the elite really got what they were looking for, and there's all kinds of supply on the market, I'm a little surprised Bradley got 3/30. I would have thought he'd be under $10m and get only 2 guaranteed, given how injury prone and volatile he is. Oh well, at least his talent is worth it. Hopefully he lasts more than half a season.

There's a reason everybody knows February is the worst sports month even though college basketball is approaching its climax. Basketball just isn't that interesting.

Was Mitch the guy asking why Sheets hasn't gotten an offer or the guy pointing out that he was injured? I'd say it's pretty obvious that in this dead market with tons of supply out and virtually no demand, oft-injured pitchers like Sheets who ended the season injured would have a hard time getting offers. Why would somebody be perplexed about Sheets not getting offers?

That sounds horrible.

With no teams out there aggressively pursuing free agents, it probably shouldn't be a surprise that quality players will be getting paid significantly less than what was expected in the past, but man, nice deal for Tampa.

Aurilia is a righty Good observation.... but too bad he never says Aurilia is a lefty. I agree with Dex. What's all this crap about getting lefties or versatility. Why not just get a good player?? I think Lou has a lot to do with it. All last year he would bad Hendry Blanco against lefties when we had guys like Edmonds, Hoffpauir or Fontenot on the bench. I would rather have one of those guys batting any day over Blanco no matter who's pitching. Lefty/Righty matchups are overrated and it pisses me off. Perhaps, but this isn't the first time Hendry has overemphasized versatility. We got guys like Macias and Neifi because they could play multiple positions and not hit from both sides, and it didn't matter to him that they sucked.

http://kissingsuzykolber.uproxx.com/2009/01/haters-guide-to-the-postseason-afc-2nd-seed-pittsburgh-steelers.html

I put this on for a few minutes this past weekend. They were showing some Red Sox documentary and I saw the intro. I turned the channel, then went back about 15 minutes later, they were showing a black screen with white writing showing the title of the show, duration and that type of info, then restarted the documentary. Either it was a 15 minute show they re-aired repeatedly, or it was a glitch. I don't really care for all that old-timey stuff though. I'm interested in watching once the game begin.

I don't know what the numbers were, but it felt to me that Philly was never in danger of losing the game. The 2 Philly fans at my house were fairly calm all game as it was just a matter of waiting for Tarvaris to be Tarvaris.