ragirag

This doesn't make much sense.... Anytime you trade a prospect, you are flirting with disaster. Anytime you sign a free agent, same deal.. Toronto would be making just as big a risk as the Cubs, if not bigger, because Rios is a proven stud. Say the trade happened, and Pie proved to live up to his expectations in 3 years, while Marshall/Veal/Cedeno/Soto turned out to be career minor leaguers. And say Rios came to Chicago, ended up hitting 40+ homers, drove in 100+, and hit .300 with an OBP of .350+ over the next few years. Does this trade still 'not make sense?' Just because Cedeno is a 'SS' doesn't mean much of anything. Izturis was a 'SS', but we all know what happened there.

Couple Reasons: 1. Will Cedeno get a 'fair' shot here in Chicago - Probably not. 2. Will Soto get a 'fair' shot here in Chicago - Probably not. Chicago won't use them, but Toronto could use them. (The Cubs 'could' use them, but won't). They wouldn't bring much in return on their own, so why not use them as extra's to the trade, to bring in possibly some cash in the deal. Rios is 26 and already a stud.. Pie isn't a guarantee, but is still a top notch prospect. Marshall will never be more then a #3 at best, and Veal could end up being a better version of Dontrelle, or a huge bust.. And no fan would blink an eye over 'throwing in' Cedeno or Soto to get a player such as Rios. Why put a number on the amount of players to get 1 stud, who is just entering their prime?

Well, it's obvious they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, with the Yanks and Red Sox in that division. They signed Burnett and Wells to monster deals over the past two offseasons. I know they have money to spend, but would they be willing to spend it on Rios? Rios is a 'Wilken' guy. Could Wilken convince the Cubs to trade away a bunch of prospects for Rios? Would Hendry listen? What does Rios contract look like? I for one, would love to have Rios in right, and batting 5th for the Cubs. The Jays do it because they get a stud prospect in return in Pie, a #3 pitcher in Marshall, a 'possible' #2 pitcher in Veal, an ok to decent SS prospect in Cedeno, and a catcher to replace Greg Zaun who can't hit worth a lick. I think the Cubs could possibly be overpaying on this deal, but it's an overpayment that would certainly be worth the risk...

Alex Rios: Could the Cubs get him? Would you package Pie, Veal, Marshall, Cedeno and Soto for him. Would that be to much, not enough? Would the Jays trade Rios for the right package? We could trot out an outfield of Soriano - Jones - Rios for the remainder of the year, and figure something out in center for next season - possibly shifting Soriano back to center and placing Murton back in left. Thoughts?

I see all these threads about who are we going to get for Zambrano. Right now, who in their right mind is going to give up anything of worth for the guy? Would you? He has an ERA over 5.5, has no control (both pitching and in his head), can't strike anyone out anymore, and rumors running wild over whether he in injured or not. Now what happened yesterday happened. Plus, he's in a contract year, and will STILL Demand BIG bucks next offseason. Honestly guys and gals, we ain't going to fetch much in return for Zambrano... Not gonna happen anymore... Once again, the Cubs are not only a day late, but about 6 months late of being able to trade their biggest named player, for some sort of haul. We'd be lucky to fetch one A Level Prospect at this point.

All of this is VERY hypothetical. I am going to lay the groundwork, and then at the very bottom, list the proposed trade: Rich Hill has been a BEAST in the early going's this season, looking like the ace of the staff. Lilly has looked extremely good, and like Hill, isn't walking a ton of batters. Marquis has looked better then expected, and Guzman, in his bullpen sessions has looked marvelous as well. Now, he was sent down to stretch out his arm, to possibly gain a starters roll later in the season, (like early May!). Say all 4 of the listed pitchers above, pitch at where they are now, or even slightly worse (Hill and Lilly). Also say Zambrano turns things around, and pitches like the Zambrano we all know and love. Would you consider the following trade? We all know the Yankees pitching staff is old, and very injury prone. Mussina, Wang, and Pavano are all on the disabled list right now. Zambrano is about to get a ton of money, and has a ton of mileage on his arm. The Yankees don't care though. They need pitching, as their offense is very good. Would you consider trading Zambrano and DeRosa for ARod + cash? Cubs projected lineup would look like: 1. Theriot (2B) 2. DLee (1B) 3. ARam (3B) 4. ARod (SS) 5. Soriano (RF) 6. Barrett © 7. Murton (LF) 8. Pie (CF) Rotation: 1. Hill 2. Lilly 3. Marquis 4. Guzman 5. Miller

I just wanted to post my thoughts on the Cubs lineup - and offer my opinion on who I think should bat where..... The Cubs offense has been mind-boggling bad in the early goings this year. 12 k's against Kyle Lohse? Wow.... Soriano has been downright awful batting out of his supposed 'best spot in the lineup'. Sure the weather has been cold, and offense is down in general this year, but wow, did anyone think the Cubs offense would be this bad, two weeks into the season? So, here is how I would like to see the lineup card filled out, once Aram comes back. 1. Theriot - To play 2nd. DeRosa hasn't looked particurally well. Theriot proved at the end of last season, he can hit, get on base, and runs the bases well. I don't believe he would be a butcher in the field either. 2. Matt Murton - Move him to Right. He doesn't have a great arm, but does the current RF have one. Um, nope... 3. Derek Lee 4. Aram 5. Soriano 6. Barrett 7. Cliff Floyd - Playing Left 8. Izturis - If he keeps playing the way he is, shift Cedeno in for him. His glove and bat hasn't been all that good thus far this season. Thoughts?

What extra money will be bring to SF next year? Extra Media Coverage Jersey Sales Anything extra that sells with a 'Giant name or logo' because Barry breaks/is going to break the record. Spike in ticket sales - (are all Giants games sellouts? I have no idea) Even though he this steroid scandel surrounding him, doesn't mean EVERYONE will be watching/waiting for him to break the record. They can't get any more media coverage than they already have. I doubt they'll sell many more jerseys than they have in the past. The only way he makes them a ton more money is if he gets to 1 HR away, then waits 10 home games before tieing the record, and another 10 before breaking it. More media coverage? Sure they can.. When he ties/breaks the record, every outlet in the WORLD will be covering this. Sales in Japan will Spike, sales in the US will spike. Sales everywhere will spike. And as for Bonds waiting 10 games to tie the record and 10 more to break the record, that is VERY possible. He's not cranking out 60 homers a year anymore, plus the nerves leading up to it, will be insane... Once he ties the record, there will be a very long drought before his next homer.

What extra money will be bring to SF next year? Extra Media Coverage Jersey Sales Anything extra that sells with a 'Giant name or logo' because Barry breaks/is going to break the record. Spike in ticket sales - (are all Giants games sellouts? I have no idea) Even though he this steroid scandel surrounding him, doesn't mean EVERYONE will be watching/waiting for him to break the record.

Except for the little fact that the owner essentially said he wouldn't be back. I would think that reduces the idea from CRAZY to crazy or maybe even crazy. I still think he'll be back. I don't think there is anyway they'll let him walk. He'll be a Giant. Mark it down. I think this is all smoke a mirrors from the owner. Much like Torre being replaced in NY was. Speculation/Smoke and Mirrors, even if it was directly from the owners mouth.

Are you kidding me? Bonds will be a Giant next season. You don't just let someone walk who is getting ready to break one of professional sports prestigious records. I think he signs a 2 year, incentive laden deal with the Giants. The amount of money he'll bring to San Francisco next year alone, will make up for any money spent on Bonds. To think he'll be with any other ballclub next season is CRAZY!!!!!

Um, can you say Gary Matthews all over again!?!?!?

Look, I am not trying to piss anyone off. :twisted: I know the Cubs have much more money than they have spent thus far. The only other option I could see, is the Cubs sending the farm to Tampa Bay for Lugo and Huff.... I wouldn't be opposed to that deal, but just don't see it happening. I would not be at all happy with the initial porposal I came up with, just see it as the most realistic... The Reds are not parting with Kearns or Dunn - The reason they dealt Casey. Wilkerson will be a Blue Jay or will stay a Ranger I don't think Baker came away from his meeting with Bradley at all impressed, or I feel he would be a Cub by now. It'll be Huff in RF or Jones. And I believe Hendry will not meet their demands for Huff/Lugo, and will go Cedeno at Short, and will sign Jones to RF.

Jacque Jones Your Realistic 2006 Lineup: 1. Pierre 2. Walker 3. Lee 4. Aram 5. Jones 6. Barrett 7. Murton 8. Cedeno Rotation: 1. Zambrano 2. Prior 3. Maddux 4. Wood 5. Hill That's my best guess as to what Hendry will do. I do not see any more 'big trades' for the Cubs coming. I see a fw more bench signings, and the last 'big' free agent signing, (if that's what it's called), will be Jacque Jones.

Move #1: Trade P Jerome Williams, P Rich Hill, PTBNL, and Cash to Tampa Bay for OF Aubrey Huff and SS Julio Lugo. Move #2: Trade P Sergio Mitre, CF Corey Patterson, 2B Todd Walker and Cash to Florida for OF Juan Pierre. Move #3: Cubs Trade P Roberto Novoa, P Renyel Pinto, OF Ryan Harvey, + Whomever else the A's want, (excluding Felix Pie) to Oakland for SP Barry Zito Cubs Lineup in 2006: 1. Pierre - CF 2. Murton - LF 3. Lee - 1B 4. Huff - RF 5. Aram - 3B 6. Barrett - C 7. Lugo - SS 8. Cedeno - 2B Starting Rotation: 1. Zambrano 2. Prior 3. Zito 4. Wood 5. Maddux Pen: Howry Eyre Dempster Ohman Wuertz Rusch Opinions!?!?!?!

If it meant getting Burnett? Now that Wood is having problems, and the Orioles seemed disinterested in picking up Lowell, possibly the Cubs could swoop up, and pick up Burnett!?!? Possibly - Burnett/Lowell for Rusch + Prospects Possibly - Burnett/Pierre for CPatt/Rusch/Prospects Would you all be willing to to either of these deals?