Tarver

You wouldn't be paying $12 million for Cordero, you would be paying the difference between Cordero and Bradley. If the "experts" are right, the Cubs will weaken their team (dump Bradley) and most likely add payroll (paying Bradley plus a replacement). The question is should we receive something useful in return. First let me explain that my original post was based on the absolute declarations by the "experts" (writers and broadcasters) that Bradley has to be removed from this team and that Hendry is going to have to eat a huge chunk (80% ?) of his remaining contract. Rather than paying $7 million next year and $10 million in 2011 for Bradley to play somewhere else while we receive nothing (low A-ball player) in return, I suggested taking Cordero. I totally agree that Bradley (at his salary) is more valuable than Cordero (at his salary), even considering Bradley's baggage. Yeah, but it's still paying $12 mil for a closer.

$12 mil for a closer? Hendry had better be the one to say no.

Pretty damn petty bitching. You all sound like a bunch of children.

And to think it was that easy.............. I hope he turns in a HOF career. I loved watching the guy in the minors and I think he really received a raw deal in the majors with the Cubs. The kid can flat out hit. That's taking it waaaaaaay too far. I'm sure the Orioles and their fans would be happy with "serviceable".

http://msti.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/juan-pierre-depressed.jpg

Because it's a mediocre team? Combine that with certain players obviously mailing it in and this is the result.

I'd love to hear his thoughts on guys like Pierre and Eckstein.

Id defintiely offer Grabow and Harden arb. Gregg, not so much. Why not offer to Gregg? He's more likely to get a multi-year deal and, thus, is also less likely to accept arbitration. He's also better than Grabow, so if he accepts arbitration the money would be better spent on Gregg than Grabow. I would offer to all three of them, for what it's worth. I would prefer to bring back only Harden, however. And Harden only if he came on a 1-2 year, incentive laden deal. If Gregg accepts arbitration, he's set to make a lot more than Grabow. Paying Gregg anything more than half a million to be a middle reliever/mop-up guy would be a complete waste. The likelihood of Gregg accepting, though, is quite low. He's a "proven closer" and, thus, is very likely to get a multi-year deal from someone seeking a proven closer. He's not considered a middle reliever/set-up guy like Cruz and others were who weren't signed because of their arbitration status. I could see Grabow accepting, I don't see Gregg accepting. Especially since he won't be a closer on the Cubs next year. But again, he might be overpaid, but getting a solid reliever for 1 year/$6-8 million isn't the worst thing in the world. Gregg sucks hot, smelly ass. Only an absolute moron of a GM would take the bait, and Jocketty, Sabean, Coletti, and Minaya already have "proven closers" on their respective rosters. Hendry needs to be very careful with this situation.

Said it before and I'll say it again: SI only continues to exist because of the T&A issue.

lol at Ned Coletti. A bottom 5 GM is an upgrade?

Anyone else remember how youthful and energetic he was when he took over? The years have not been kind.

That's quite a bit to expect from a man who described Samardzija's two best attributes as "stuff" and "heart".

GM: Bowden Manager: Baker Hitting Coach: CPatt Pitching Coach: Estes

:rotfl: Ladies and gentleman, The true identity of Chuck Cubs revealed.

Except that time in '06.

97 can get you a K if the batter's not looking for it. If he is looking for it - so will the outfielder be as he watches it fly over his head. The opposition doesn't get a lot of scratch hits off Gregg. He's a one trick pony that can fool some of the batters some of the time. Heilman has comparable k/ip numbers, perhaps you'd prefer he gets the ball to close? Glad you're comfortable with his contributions. 2) Gregg vs Heilman? Really? Let's see...the k/9ip is 9.24 vs 7.69 - a pretty significant difference in "stuff". Second, the k/bb rate is 2.43 for gregg vs 1.43 for Heilman. Do you want to try again? Significant in "your" opinion? Look dude - if you want to dance a jig because you have Kevin Gregg as your closer - have at it. He doesn't have the talent to get enough outs in the last inning. But you keep hoping ... and it will happen. Try again? To argue the value of Kevin Gregg? Thats time well spent. You're funny. Hope you make it to 52.

Sheffield

I was thinking a few days off or maybe a DL stint, but that would work too.

ok psycho What's so psycho about it? Do you think Baker is losing any sleep over all the arms he's destroyed? What the hell else is a guy like Volquez going to do? For most these guys, baseball is all they have.

I'm going to throw a [expletive] party the day Dusty Baker dies. Hopefully it's soon, and if he's religious, hopefully he's held accountable for all the young mens' lives he's ruined. The man is an absolute disgrace.

It's amusing to sit back and laugh at "Dusty being Dusty" but this is yet another good, young pitcher whose career he's put in jeopardy. It's one thing to be a Baylor or a Bowa, and just mismanage lineups and [expletive]. Dusty willfully ruins the lives of his charges. He can't get out of baseball fast enough, and were I Selig, I'd find a way to ban him for life. What a miserable human being.

Police calling it a suicide? http://sports.yahoo.com/box/news;_ylt=AvMDZgoaCTQOaK9c9_871LM5nYcB?slug=ap-gatti-death&prov=ap&type=lgns Suicide with his wife's purse strap? I guess he didn't have the heart to let it take him slowly. Absolutely bizarre.

Be interesting to see where he ends up. Even considering his absolutely abysmal AAA numbers this season, he could make sense for a contender as strictly a defensive replacement/pinch runner type. He should never again be allowed to swing a bat in the major leagues, however.

From Rotoworld, May 1:

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