Bruno7481

Will had this to say from a post this morning. This was at the end of a post discussing Torre to LA. Obvioulsy STL is the new GM. I wonder what he is refrencing for Chicago? Something about the Cubs or Sox?

According to the story on ESPN.com, Girardi wants Mike Harkey on his staff, possibly as the pitching coach.

The Sky is Falling!!!!!!!!! The Cards hired a guy with no GM experience, the Cubs are doomed! In all seriousness, seems to be a good hire. I'm not going to start digging the Cubs' grave just yet though. Good for them.

Geovany Soto Obviously. I'm just listing the positions that need to improve. Geovany Soto Geovany Soto Geovany Soto Nerds... :wink:

Tuffy is one of the best power hitters over there year in year out, but I wouldn't let that deter you. Although, as its been stated, pitchers usually work out better than hitters. I could be off on this, but I see him producing his first year in the majors something like what Abreu put up this year. He might gain a little power in subsequent years, but I don't think he'll be equal to Hideki Matsui. Well, that was kind of my point. Rhodes got an invite to ST with the Reds a few years back and didnt make it. So, if Rhodes can't cut it at the ML level (or at least not what he has done Japan) why should the Cubs consider paying a lot of money, especially in an offseason where it will most likely be scarce, for an unproven Japanese prospect? Because Japan is essentially AAAA. Some guys are AAAA players and that is where their ceiling lies. Others are able to adapt to a higher level of competition and succeed. Not every player that does well in the minors or Japan is going to do well in the majors. However, that does not mean that everyone who does well is going to fail when they take the next step. What you are essentially saying is that since Jason Dubois did well in AAA but failed in the majors then we shouldn't expect Felix Pie to succeed. Its a fallacy in logic. No its not. It is a lot easier to take the risk with Pie because, relatively, he isn't making any money. Can't say the same for these high profile FA from Japan.

Tuffy is one of the best power hitters over there year in year out, but I wouldn't let that deter you. Although, as its been stated, pitchers usually work out better than hitters. I could be off on this, but I see him producing his first year in the majors something like what Abreu put up this year. He might gain a little power in subsequent years, but I don't think he'll be equal to Hideki Matsui. Well, that was kind of my point. Rhodes got an invite to ST with the Reds a few years back and didnt make it. So, if Rhodes can't cut it at the ML level (or at least not what he has done Japan) why should the Cubs consider paying a lot of money, especially in an offseason where it will most likely be scarce, for an unproven Japanese prospect?

Someone convince me why signing him would be a smart decision. Meph posted some stats a few days ago, the year he had was comparable to the year of Tuffy Rhodes. I know he was hurt, so that might explain part of it. I just get a little worried about committing huge sums of money to someone who when it comes down to it, is unproven at the Major League level. He might be a hell of a player, his numbers are good. But are they good enough to remove all doubt?

Byrd seems like a stand up guy. He has written a book about his life in baseball and the temptations of it. He is an extremely religious individual. There probably is a legit excuse for this. It wouldn't mesh with what I know about him. He is from my area and is know to be an extremely polite and approachable guy.

Kevin Hart did a great job for the Cubs the last 3 weeks of the year, but lets not get too carried away with that. It was 3 weeks....

Should it be any cause for concern that Rhodes had almost as good of year as those other guys?

Probably not, but Ryan isn't making anything close to what Izturis was.

Matsuzaka... Worth all that money?

We'll see, I don't know if it is really "good" or not. I'm all for upgrading, if he has been scouted enough to know that he would bring more to the table than what the Cubs currently have then go for it.

It wouldn't be a typical NSBB offseason without speculation about the latest Japanese import and the Cubs chances of signing him. Sullivan reporting the Cubs and Mariners are most interested in Kuroda. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-071014alcsbits,1,5793899.story?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

Michael Barrett to Cincinnati.

I think there is probably a pretty good chance you will see Barrett sign with the Reds this off-season.

Who's gonna be responsible for whether Bruce makes the team out of ST? Same with Votto. Tampa spent big money on Piniella a few years back, and that was it when it came to spending money. I don't expect Cincy to make a big splash money wise, and if they do, who's it gonna be on? Another OF? The free agent market(as usual) sucks this year. I don't think Bruce is a lock to make the team out of ST, regardless of who the manager is. He will be up next year, might not make it from the start. He is scary good. I know Dusty made stupid decisions with the Cubs when it came to rookies getting playing time. But, during his tenure with the Cubs they never had a position player like Bruce, or even Votto. I don't think he's that dumb... Your right, there isn't a lot out there through FA the Reds could spend on. I just think they would make more of an effort after getting Dusty. Dusty was probably 3x more expensive than Mackanin would have been.

Hmmm... Dusty in Cincy. Should be interesting. They have a decent core there, I don't think Dusty will be the ultimate death nail that most here believe. I don't think he be the reason for them making the playoffs either though. Dusty isn't dumb enough to not play guys like Votto, and Bruce if he makes the team out of ST. I wonder how much Cincy is paying him though. You'd think that if they went with the "big name" they would want to follow that up with spending some more money on their roster.

How did you know you were refunded? I don't think I have been yet, but I'm sure my online banking won't reflect that on a Sunday.

Except Harang is nowhere near as much of a girl as Prior, and has already had seasons of throwing tons of pitches on his arm. Besides that, it will be the same. So Prior is a girl cause he needed surgery? If Prior is a girl because of his injuries, Griffey must be a full-fledged woman with developed mammaries and full grown ovaries. I'm pretty sure he was joking. But give me a Prior with developed mammaries and full grown ovaries any day of the week if he can accomplish as much as Griffey has.

You know what really seems wrong? IU could be bowl eligible after today...

Say what you want about Stone, but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't pick up Trachsel's option. He'd do other things that would likely be much, much worse. You have no idea what he would do. I don't want him either, simply because he has zero experience in this area.

Who gave you that crazy idea?

Are you referring to hard tickets, not print at home? Why would you have to mail in NLCS Game 2 tickets and not Game 1? NLDS, not NLCS. Reading helps.... :wink:

Are you referring to hard tickets, not print at home? Why would you have to mail in NLCS Game 2 tickets and not Game 1?