Little Slide Rooter

That's the thing. I'm all for going after the good, consistent relievers out there (of which there are some). However, I don't know of any currently available. That's why I'm promoting the idea of going with what we've got and assessing again in a month or two. I actually wonder If Starlin really impresses this spring, we could try to trade Theriot for a good reliever. That way, we have Starlin at SS with Blanco backing him up and Font and Baker platooning at 2nd. Not to start the season. There have been plenty of players that have had good springs but faltered when the regular season begins (see: Scott, Gary). Castro would need to show regular season success before Theriot becomes expendable. Maybe around the trade deadline. I dont know. Im not a Theriot hater, and while his bat is solid, we could make it without. Even if Castro did falter, our offense is well rounded enough to get by with Blanco at SS batting 8th. What about Mike Adams of the Padres? I wouldnt trade Theriot for the 32 year old releiver, but hes one of those guys who always puts up solid numbers and goes un noticed. Surely the Pads would be willing to part with him for a few mid level prospects.

That's the thing. I'm all for going after the good, consistent relievers out there (of which there are some). However, I don't know of any currently available. That's why I'm promoting the idea of going with what we've got and assessing again in a month or two. I actually wonder If Starlin really impresses this spring, we could try to trade Theriot for a good reliever. That way, we have Starlin at SS with Blanco backing him up and Font and Baker platooning at 2nd.

Its not about sure things. Its about having that dependable set up man to get you to the closer. For the past 3 years, at least for the most part Marmol has been that guy. Now hes the closer, and while I dont mind a lot of the guys we have as middle relievers or mop up men, theres not a one Id trust to consistantly take a 1-2 run lead from the 8th to the 9th. I dont mind Grabow despite his foolish contract, which is hardly his fault but hes not that guy. Marshall or Silva? I dont think so either. There more long men if your starter burns out early. Then theres the pool of Stevens, Gaub, Berg, Samardzjia, Parisi, Caridad and maybe even Cashner. Granted, I wouldnt be surprised if at least one of these guys gave us a pleasant surprise as Marmol did in '07, but Id feel more comfortable with another vet, and at something like 1.5 mil, Calero would have been a nice gamble. Waste of money. Why spend so much more gambling on a player when you can do it for much cheaper using someone already in the system? I'll never understand why some people are so quick to dump money on the most unreliable roles in baseball. While I do agree, that unless your talking about a closer or a top of the line set up man, I dont like throwing big money at relievers, such as John Grabow, or Mike Remlinger. or Latroy Hawkins. or Bob Howry. or Scott Eyre. but if your talking about a 1 year deal in the 1.5-2.5 mil range for a quality veteran, especially when that is something that you sorely lack, I say go for it.

Its not about sure things. Its about having that dependable set up man to get you to the closer. For the past 3 years, at least for the most part Marmol has been that guy. Now hes the closer, and while I dont mind a lot of the guys we have as middle relievers or mop up men, theres not a one Id trust to consistantly take a 1-2 run lead from the 8th to the 9th. I dont mind Grabow despite his foolish contract, which is hardly his fault but hes not that guy. Marshall or Silva? I dont think so either. There more long men if your starter burns out early. Then theres the pool of Stevens, Gaub, Berg, Samardzjia, Parisi, Caridad and maybe even Cashner. Granted, I wouldnt be surprised if at least one of these guys gave us a pleasant surprise as Marmol did in '07, but Id feel more comfortable with another vet, and at something like 1.5 mil, Calero would have been a nice gamble.

Man,I do not like the looks of the pen. We all know wild and unpredictable Marmol can be, and hes the best of the bunch. Other than that we have the decent but way over paid Grabow, some combination or Marshall, Silva, and Gorzolanny, and a bunch of unprovens. I just hope someone can step up.

Tyler Colvin is already starting to get me a bit excited despite the fact that its highly doubtful that he starts the season with the big league club with Fuld, Tracy and Hoffpauir lined up in front of him.

Even if there is a bad medical report, unless its Prior or Mulderesque, I cant understand not taking the gamble at that price, especially when our pen is not in great shape as it is. If Guzman cant make it back any time soon, I really dont like the looks of it.

As of now, we have Millar, Tracy, Colvin, Fuld, and Hoffpauir battling it out for 1 or 2 spots, depending what happens with Fontenot and Blanco. I really dont like Millars chances. Ill say about Kevin what Ive said about Chad Fox the past few Springs, if they like him so much, offer him a minor league coaching job.

Sorry if this is being discussed elsewhere, but come one now. I wouldnt be on board for giving Calero a multi year deal, but Id have been all for giving him a 1.5 mil guaranteed major league deal, especially with our cluster [expletive] bullpen.

We could always go for a 1 year deal for someone and then fo after Prince Fielder in '12. I know that they Brewers want to give him an extension, but I really dont see it happening on Scott Boras' watch, unless its one of those deals which cripple them financially for years to come.

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2010/02/cubs-update-day-3-in-mesa.html And he'll give you cash, which is just as good as money.

Without Lilly, our rotation may or may not be slightly better than that of the 2009 Brewers. Oh good.

I dont know what Damon will end up making, but its too bad Hendry couldnt have been a bit more patient after dealing Bradley. At this point, we could have probably gotten Damon for an affordable 2 year deal, maybe even a 1 year.

Seems to be a lot of trouble to go through for a long sinced washed up player, especially when his main purpose is to take another guy under his wing.

Did you really think you could get rid of The Creature that easily? Fools.

I remember there was contoversy over that card, just a year or 2 after the Billy Ripken [expletive] Face card and its many variations. It made the news. I also forgot about that short lived White Sox logo between the SOX and the current logo.

Closer: Marmol late innings: Grabow, Guz long inning guys: Marshall, Gorz, Silva, Shark(whoever doesnt end up starting) mop up/Other: Berg, Stevens, Gaub, Caridad, Parisi, Atkins, Patton, Gray I dont know, if we could get Calero for cheap, or at least reasonable that would be super. Im good with Marmol as closer, and Grabow and Guz in late inning duty, but Guz has along history of injury, and if we lose him for any length of time, were looking at an ugly pen, especially as far as righites go. Berg, Caridad, and Stevens all looked good at times, but have no histoery to prove that they can be successful. If be good with 1 or 2 of the last group, but Id prefer to have 1 more proven veteran in the mix.

Despite Jacque Jones having some unfavorable words about the Cubs a year or 2 ago, I have no ill will toward him and hope he can make a come back after his 2008 derailment.

That's one hell of a 3B platoon I wouldnt be too surprised if the re sign Joe Crede at a bargin basement price at the 11th hour.

When you build a lineup with guys like Hudson, Hardy, Cudyer, Kubel, and Young around Mauer and Morneau, thats going to be a nice offense in MInnessota. Between that and the White Sox pitching, its going to be a pretty competitive 2 team race.

Sometimes it OK to apply the if it aint broke, dont fix it rule. If only Jim Hendry had applied said rule last year.

Its official. Good luck Reed.

I have little doubt that Miles will cause us many a headache when we face Dusty and his Reds, but Id rather he give us those headaches 16 games out of the season than the full 162.

I really dont understand this signing at all. we didnt need an extra corner infielder to begin with, but I was OK with Chad Tracy. If healthy, he can be a great addition.Millar on the other hand is damn near 40, and his best years are well behind him.

Great Johnson? Seriously? Why not just name him Big Member? I forget what game it was, but years ago, there was one for PS1, PS2, or it might have even been Genesis when Barry Bonds was "Wes Mailman'