Vanilla Ice

I don't think we can ultimately know whether the payroll is going to increase, decrease, or stay the same next year. Hendry and Ricketts obviously know this much better than we do. I think the deal (or non-deal) we make with Aramis has to be judged after we see the payroll next year. If we make a serious run at Pujols or Fielder (plus Wilson or whoever), it does not seem to make much sense to trade Aramis unless we got a great deal with some major-league ready talent. We can definitely compete next year with Pujols, Castro, Garza, Wilson, and Ramirez as our core. However, if Ricketts' plan is for the payroll to go down, I don't see us competing next year. We could, but it is not likely with the same team plus Jackson, McNutt, Flaherty, whatever other prospects. A solid deal for some talent that could be ready in 2013 or 2014 might make sense. All in all, I would love to see the payroll raised slightly and see us exercise the option on Aramis and sign Pujols+Wilson. If we can't (or won't) swing that financially, I would not mind a deal for Aramis.

What are the issues with Fleita? I legitimately don't know much about his responsibilities. See the quotes from Fuld above in this thread. Ah, yes. So Fleita is responsible for that organizational philosophy?

What are the issues with Fleita? I legitimately don't know much about his responsibilities.

Hope Solo is beautiful

Between Dimitrov , Tomic, Raonic, and Harrison, there is some really good young talent on the tour.

I'm not all that high on Singler's pro prospects, but him and Korver really aren't all that similar They are both long range shooters, although Singler actually shoots worse from the perimeter. Neither have any ball handling skills worth anything, they thrive off catching and shooting. Singler may be passable on defense and might rebound better. He's regressed as a rebounder however; and I've read that his defensive skills won't translate well, especially with his lack of lateral quickeness, length and athleticism. I don't know anything about his passing game but since he can't drive or post up I don't see that being very valuable. They're both gonna be role players that run off screens and take jumpshots. And Korver is better at it. I honestly don't know the two all that well and I'm sure there are better comparisons. I've heard the most agreed upon one is Kiki Vandeweghe, so obviously he's different from Korver in a # of ways. But to say they're not similar at all is not accurate. Korver is a much better shooter, obviously. Singler cannot even compare to Korver in that regard. However, Singler has just about everything else on Korver. He will be a better defender and will be a much better rebounder. Singler has about 20 pounds and an inch and a half on Korver, so he has the size to guard the opposing three. Singler can contribute without making his shots in a way that Korver cannot. If Singler could shoot like Korver, he would be a better asset. From Singler's DraftExpress profile I can't imagine reading a similar quote about Korver. I really don't think that Singler will be much of an NBA player, but I think the comparison is off-base. Probably having to do more-so with their looks than their play.

I'm not all that high on Singler's pro prospects, but him and Korver really aren't all that similar

http://static.images.memegenerator.net/Instances400/7/8129/8324989.jpg

Jones started flailing to the ground two steps after the challenge

thank god

Favorite part is the HDNet logo

He obviously wasn't much of a fan to begin with. My friend from junior/high school plays for the Rockies and yet I still manage to wear my Cubs Jersey. You don't see the difference?

YES

Any love for Zach Rosscup? He has put up great numbers at all his stops, so far.

Federer's backhand is soooo shaky

They don't deserve a creative game thread right now. Go Cubs.

Rodney Purvis decommits from Louisville

Not really sure if the Cubs are going with Coleman or Dempster, but cubs.com has Dempster listed. Looks like a battle of the redheads http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/mlb/players/full/29791.png&w=350&h=254 Barry Enright (0-2) 6.65 ERA and 4.77 xFIP vs. our very own http://farm1.static.flickr.com/71/175995088_335e48aa95_o.jpg Ryan Dempster (1-2) 7.61 ERA and 3.71 xFIP Glad Soto and Castro got the day off without actually having to miss a game

Although I don't have any national championship photos to add this year, the Cubs will start Casey Coleman http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/67/671606.jpg and the Rockies will try to counter with some dude named jhoulys http://www.tireball.com/photos/albums/userpics/10001/t1_chacin.jpg Game is on CSN at 1:20

What's the scouting report on Ebinger?

oh my god castro

Garza's swing isn't terrible

I take it he did almost nothing from Lasers? That album hurts. It was probably a good mix of the three albums, but he did the good songs off of Lasers. No State Run Radio or Break The Chain or anything

I was just at a Lupe concert on Thursday, he [expletive] rocks

Why didn't they bring in Olsen?