CubbieBum

All I know is in 10 full seasons Drew has played over 140 games 3 times (but never over 150). In eight full seasons Soriano has played under 140 in just the last two and in all but three played 156+. And both players make more than they are worth (Sori will make 5 mil more per year for remainder of contract than Drew).

Yeah Soriano for Drew is just a great idea. Lets trade for a guy with less power and much higher injury risk.

Well I take it personally and so does Jay-Z.

If he starts he will start in the majors if he isn't good enough he will be in the bullpen. We just aren't simply going to throw a very good relief pitcher to the minors just so he can be a starter. A good starting pitcher>>>>> A mediocre starting pitcher>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Middle relief=A bad starting pitcher. He has much more value as a starter. Whether he can start and maintain his "stuff" is an open question. If the Cubs think he can start they will put him in AAA. I don't know what Wood will ask for but I'm guessing the Cubs will pay it. I think it will be described as a "fair" deal. You got to think like Piniella. Do you throw one of your best bullpen guys in the minors for the simple reason you want him to start? Or do you give him a shot to start in the majors if he isn't there yet keep him as a RP because he is one of your best. I highly doubt the Cubs are going to be willing to go without one of their best RP because he is in the minors starting. We called him up from the minors last year when he was starting and doing well I see no reason to think we will let him sit in the minors again next year.

It's going to have to be at least 10 mil per year I would think. I would say a 3/30 contract with 2 mil in incentives each year is what it will be around. So he can make at most 12 mil if he's really good otherwise will make 10 mil which is what an above average closer makes.

If he starts he will start in the majors if he isn't good enough he will be in the bullpen. We just aren't simply going to throw a very good relief pitcher to the minors just so he can be a starter.

I would run for anything but wouldn't lie. Its been my experience the people who are good people and don't try to be like most politicians end up winning because he is actually truthful. We've come to a time when people are sick of how politics are and tend to vote (normally not in a presidential race or governor race) for the person they believe is most trustworthy. Then again I have almost always risen to a leadership role in whatever I do (radio station, sports etc.). I don't feel right unless I am leading (doesn't mean I have to be in control I tend to be a relaxed leader who just directs people and not order). My past if it still exists would be a bad one. I was a pretty bad kid despite being raised in middle class with parents who taught us all the good things. I smoked from ages 10-11 and got caught stealing twice when I was 11 (first time the manager just happened to be walking back in from a break when I ran out, second time I was just stupid). I never smoked again until I was 18 (smoked for about 6 months and then quit) and have never stolen since the second time I got caught.

So I was bored (and a bit drunk) and started thinking about if we could trade Lee for a good RF and then sign a 1B what would be the options. I was looking at Vlad who has a $15 mil club option for next year but supposedly the Angels aren't wanting to sign him long term. So maybe we could swing a Vlad for Lee, Pie (or maybe a lesser prospect) deal to get Vlad. That would mean we would need to sign a 1B because while I love him I wouldn't want to put all our faith in Hoff. So then I was thinking we could just outbid everyone and sign Teixiera. Like I said will never happen not only because we don't have the money but because the Angels will throw a lot of dough at one of them (if not both). Then again if Cuban becomes our owner I wouldn't rule out anything. (In my depressive state I like to daydream about what could be in an ideal world and this would put me on cloud 9)

I don't mind it but think if we can sign someone who is better (a good LH batter) then we should and keep Fontenot as the platoon guy.

Wow you are very misinformed. First of all, Abreu is OPS's .850-.900? You know it's 2008, right? Abreu 07- .814 Abreu 08- .843 Hmm. So you're assuming that at age 35 Abreu is suddenly going to become better instead of continuing his steady decline? Oh, and yeah he stole 20 bases the last 2 seasons, but they were Ryan Theriot totals. He was caught 11 times in 33 attempts last season. That is not helping the team, it's hurting the team, badly. I'm not sure why you're hyping his stolen bases when his success rates have gone down so dramatically and are likely to continue at age 35. Also, the Fontenot/Theriot comparison is just ridiculous. Other than the fact that they're both short, white, and have names ending in "ot" they are nothing alike. It's like comparing Juan Pierre to Dustin Pedroia. Theriot is a slap hitter who hits singles. Fontenot drives the ball to all field. He can hit bombs to all fields. Can you imagine Theriot going opposite field over the outfielders head? Saying that Fontenot is a singles hitter like Theriot makes me wonder if you hate Fontenot for some reason, because it's simply not true. Again- Abreu 07- .814 Abreu 08- .843 Fontenot career- .826 And where is this "he will wear down over 150 games" stuff coming from? Did you just make that up? It sound like it. Explain to me why you've come to that conclusion. It comes from his minor league stats (when he was a fulltime starter) he had worse career numbers than his major league numbers. He was a .800 OPS guy in the minors for the most part players do worse in the majors than they do in the minors when playing the same role. That would mean he is a .750-.800 OPS major league guy. Which like I said is good and more than satisfactory but when we can get an upgrade during the offseason then we should get it. I like Fontenot plenty. Not my favorite player on the team but have nothing against him.

It was 3 weeks ago. Link seriously cubbiebum, you can't see why i posted the pic? no I don't see how a pic of me has anything to do with an Abreu-Fontenot argument

im certain hes an 800 ops guy who can reach 850 in a good year. Yup. I see no point whatsoever in getting Abreu when Fontenot oculd likely match or surpass the production Abreu would give us next year. Had forgotten I put my pic in that thread 6 months ago still see absolutely no reason why it was posted in this thread. And saying Fontenot is likely to match Abreu's production is laughable. Fontenot is a good player but he isn't a Bobby Abreu (a guy who OPS's .850-900 and steals 20 bases). Fontenot is like Theriot to me (with a bit more power). He could hit .300 but isn't going to get much of anything else. He is the ultimate backup infielder. He's versatile and able to start 50 games a year very effectively but if he has to start 150 he will wear down and not be near as good. I support Theriot because he is the best we have but am well aware there are plenty better shortstops out there. I support Fontenot as well but I'm not blind enough to say he is equal to Bobby Abreu. If you can upgrade then upgrade.

have you not seen the Cubs ineptitude at hitting good right handed pitchers enough Team OPS versus right handed pitching: 1) St. Louis .796 2) Chicago Cubs: .793 There's a difference between right handed pitching overall and top right handed the pitchers (the type you face in the playoffs). Two straight years we have been swept because we couldn't hit very good right handed pitchers. And this just in Abreu is a much better hitter than Fontenot. WE JUST HAD THIS DAMN TOPIC AND PROVED THAT THE CUBS AREN'T ANY WORSE THAN ANYONE ELSE AT HITTING GOOD STARTING PITCHING!!! YOU KNOW WHAT TEAMS HIT GOOD STARTING PITCHING CONSISTENTLY??? NONE BECAUSE IT'S GOOD STARTING PITCHING!!!!!! It's like people think there are teams out there that OPS 1200 against the best of the best and somehow don't score 1400 runs a season. http://photos-022.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sf2p/v237/143/78/20718022/n20718022_36214643_3947.jpg why **** are you posting my personal pictures especially when they serve no purpose whatsoever mods I don't appreciate someone going onto facebook finding a pic of me and putting it on a thread for no reason

Well then it is either not very strong and probably against regulations or is sitting out exposed hence easy to hit and break (I know in Indiana exposed pipes like that you have to have a special permit aka reason to have it exposed).

have you not seen the Cubs ineptitude at hitting good right handed pitchers enough Team OPS versus right handed pitching: 1) St. Louis .796 2) Chicago Cubs: .793 There's a difference between right handed pitching overall and top right handed the pitchers (the type you face in the playoffs). Two straight years we have been swept because we couldn't hit very good right handed pitchers. And this just in Abreu is a much better hitter than Fontenot.

Well we can rule out Theriot. No way he can hit anything hard enough to break it.

I'm fine with Dunn but two problems. First where does he go in the lineup? He is a 3 or 4 hitter so do you move Lee to 2 and slide Dunn in at 3 or Ramirez at 3 and Dunn at 4? One of the things I liked most about Abreu is he is a perfect 2 hole hitter. He can steal when needed, has decent pop but not tons, and gets on base a lot meaning Lee and Ramirez bat with him in base. Second. he will likely sign for more than the 3 for 40 mil rate I suggested. He will definately sign longer and $13.3 mil a year is about 4 or 5 mil short of what he will want. To get Dunn we would have to probably offer 7 years for the least $120 mil. I just can't see the Cubs offering that when Sori, Ramirez, and Zambrano all have huge contracts that last for a long time. Although I did read one article that Dunn said he will value winning more than money in his decision.

have you not seen the Cubs ineptitude at hitting good right handed pitchers enough

JJ Hardy?? Sure he is a good player but nothing great. His OPS is pretty good but defensively he was the same as Theriot this year. Straight up I would do it in a heart beat but giving them a decent starter along with Theriot I don't like.

He bats left is a great two hole hitter and plays RF. I think he has to be on top of the wish list as long as he doesn't demand ridiculous money or length of contract which he very well may do. I would be willing to give him a 3 yr 40 mil to give us a great left handed hitter and make our lineup absolutely ridiculous. Also while he only has 33 at-bats he has produced in the playoffs.

Dusty Baker hugs or Lou holding the players accountable? I'll take Lou's approach any day. This team looks mezmerized, scared, or something. Lou's only hope is to light a fire under this teams butt. We can win 3 in a row against the Dodgers. If the only way to get that fire in a players eye is to call him out, I'm all for giving it a shot. We don't have much time. Hey Lou! Lee could use a swift kick to the butt while you're at it! Light a fire under their butts? Are you actually suggesting that they need motivation to win this series? Yell at the right times, and it can be extremely effective. Yell at the wrong times, and you risk losing your grip on the players. Well if Lou has proven anything its that he knows when to yell and when not. Everytime he has exploded with this team they have responded by winning. Its been Lou's signature all his managing career so I think I'll trust that he is yelling at the right time.

There is nothing wrong with pointing out how quite it was, because that is very unusual for a cubs game, and i thought it was weird as well, but to compare it to the white sox game yesterday is what I found dumb. 1. It's quiet, not quite. 2. There are a ton of stupid things that Dick Stockton said and this is what you came up with? Weak. Some might say pointing out a spelling mistake to start an argument is weak as well. OOOoo diss burn

Would I be more content than in other years, of course. Would I be content with being the best team and losing in the WS, no. I think the best way to put it is since we haven't been to a WS in so long I would be able to live with losing a WS but anything else I'm going to be pissed off all offseason. With a WS lose I'm just annoyed.

That was my thought. It's listed on most sites no need to do the math yourself.

4 year commitment is a bit shorter than the one you make when you adopt but I get your point. To whoever it was that said I was 19 a couple posts ago I'm not.