Cubswin11

In what universe does Colvin have the same value as those two guys???

I would really like to get Kuroda, he's been very good since coming to MLB and underrated IMO. But he said a few weeks ago if he can't sign with one of the two LA teams he will just go back to Japan.

Well he bats left handed and is terrible against LHP (.690 OPS career against them) so I would guess part of it him not starting a lot against lefties that brings his ab's down. I am fine with this move, he's a placeholder and came pretty cheap. I wonder if this move means Theo/Hoyer think Jackson needs some more time in the minors or if a Soriano/Byrd trade is coming? Or if this is just a depth signing as we really didn't have a 3rd/4th outfielder and Jackson is still in the plans for this year and Dejesus will see time at all 3 OF spots due to injury/favorable splits.

Agreed, I wouldn't give up more than someone like Campana and minor league filler. As for Headley I don't think I'd be against giving up someone like Lake for him.

When do the winter meetings start? December 6-9th in Florida.

LOL, Gabbert just threw a ball backwards like 20 yards.

Something like the death row picture with those guys photoshopped in would be great. http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_o38vS97qDD0/TBh6se8LT_I/AAAAAAAAAbA/-1rc2KYHq6k/s1600/death+row+records+all+stars.jpg

Don't know if this has been posted yet but yikes.... :shock: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=ycn-10407023

Maybe it's just known in the inner circles within baseball that either the Rays simply will not grant permission (do they have to if it's for Martinez to be a head coach since it's a promotion?) or that Martinez simply doesn't want to be a head coach and is fine with where he is right now?

FWIW http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7213866/los-angeles-dodgers-lure-free-agents-sold-source-says

If he literally means his gut tells him, then this is worthless... but hopefully the Wilson part has some basis in reality. So much fail in that Q/A. Beyond the obvious...is Sanchez a top flight pitcher?[/quote] Dude, he threw a no-hitter.......

Castro is probably that high because of all the Red Sox fans searching for info on their soon to be SS as compensation for Theo. :wink:

Kenny Powers must be advising Cespedes on how to make a proper video to get noticed by MLB teams. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ubU2Oq_Eig

I thought Sveum was interviewing today. Could be wrong though. I think it's one of Sveum/Maddux

Who is this theoretical full time 3B? If you can get a real one, sure, but that's a lot easier said than done. You also have bench spots to fill, and you might as well fill them with people who do something useful, like mash lefties and play multiple spots. The fact that somebody might not be a part of this team in 3 years is no reason to get rid of them today. You put the best players you have in 2012 on the 2012 team. There are really only 4 spots for infielders on a team. Castro is 1. Barney is 2, although I'd prefer he be the backup MI than starting 2B. Then, there are 2 spots leftover for DeWitt, Baker, LeMahieu, and Flaherty, with Vitters and Lake hopefully a few years away. My choice would be to give LeMa and Flaherty to opportunity to see what they can do for now and save 3-4 mil between both Baker and DeWitt. Baker could potentially stay on as he can also play 1B and a bit of outfield as well, and he does mash lefties where as the majority of the bench options (DeWitt, Flaherty, Colvin, LaHair, Campana) are lefites, so I guess that if it were to come down to Baker or DeWitt, that would give Baker a leg up but I'd just as soon see what we can get for him. Basically, there are 4 bench spots available beside the backup C. There will be a lot of guys competing for those jobs, unless 1 or 2 end up as starters which I'd really rather not see unless it's at 2nd. How many more years does Vitters get to show something? This guy is just languishing in the Cubs system or so it appears. Never seen him in person, so I have no frame of reference. Looking at his numbers, I wonder what people see in him? He was supposed to be ready or even push A-Ram at some point. Ram is gone now. If Vitters can't play, I don't really see the reason for keeping him in conversations regarding the future. What am I missing? He's still only 21/22, has only played 5 seasons (4 full) and is in AA where he has had some success (.770 OPS this year). He also has been on the young side in every league he has played in and he should see some time in AAA this year. I think people forget sometimes that he was only 17 his first year in the minors and he was only 18 for his first full year. Sure he hasn't shot through the system, but he isn't languishing in it either.

The Colts have had some below average ones over the years. I was going to say this years Packers team reminds me a lot of the mid/late 2000's Colts teams. Superstar QB with receiving weapons all over the place that makes the game look easy, a running game that is adequate but not great, and below average defense that has some playmakers, but if they can hold opponents to 30 points or less have a great chance of winning.

How do you necessarily link that with the AL has superior pitching so that a move to the NL makes it easier for hitters? Couldn't it be that the AL simply has better hitters to explain the difference? Couldn't it be that the NL doesn't have teams structured for a DH and therefore is at a disadvantage when playing interleague? Also, I haven't done the math, but even if things were 50/50 and you plotted the curve of expected outcomes after 2000 games, I'm pretty sure 55% would be within two standard deviations. Which means it wouldn't be especially compelling evidence. This

That makes me a bit sad if they're seriously interested. It may (hopefully) just be an exploratory type discussion, though. Of course they are interested. That rotation was a problem last year with Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon having better years than they could be expected to have in 2012. I think they will pay whatever it takes and they only way they don't get him is if he decides he doesn't want to go to New York (for non-monetary reasons). Yeah, it goes without saying that if it comes down to just money the Yankees are going to get Wilson. I think they will obviously go hard after Wilson but also make a run at Oswalt (haven't they tried to trade for him in the past multiple times?).

McCourt is out. I don't see the Dodgers doing something like this while the bidding process is going on. The Cubs are in the praverbeal cat-bird seat here, except for LAA the other big market clubs have guys or are not able to go after a huge salary guy. It's tbd if the Cubs will choose to act. I honestly think Pujols is going to the AL for a long term contract and a DH job down the line. Prince is the guy I'd target. I'd give up years for a bigger AAV though. Agreed. I'd rather have Prince for 5 years at $27-30m per year than have him for 7-8 years at $20-24m per year.

I wonder if they'd have interest in Byrd? Byrd + spare parts for Davis could be a decent move. Or expand off of that and see if we could get Upton and Davis.

It's a good investment for the city though. Any money given to the Cubs/Wrigley would be paid back in full with interest on the initial investment, they'd make money, and the Cubs/Wrigley/TR and family are a pretty safe/financially sound group to be giving a loan to and not have to worry about them defaulting on it. Not only will the city see a return on their investment from the renovation (or whatever you want to call it) but with updating Wrigley you will likely see private investors update buildings/businesses in the area that will in turn increase revenues for the city (sales tax/property tax increases/etc.). Now I know the city is in financial/cash flow trouble but if they are able allocate the funds to a Wrigley renovation project they should, because they will make money on it. That's my take on it at least.

There is no way Toronto trades Lowrie. He's a [expletive] national hero up there already.

I'd really like to go after Gio and kick the tires on Daric Barton. I know Barton's played 1B all of his major league career but he did log 2 innings at 3B in 08' and I believe he came up as a 3B with the Cardinals, he could be someone we look to replace Ramirez if he can play there. I wouldn't have a problem including B. Jackson in a package that landed us those two.

He's been Maddon's bench coach in TB and obviously Maddon is highly regarded and they have had major success. By all accounts he shares Maddon's coaching philosophy and is assumed to be a stats/saber/analytic guy. Also he is in his late 40's so he's a younger guy who could grow with the current regime instead of bringing in a older guy who might not be here when we would be ready to go on a run. He's my number one choice, fwiw. He is also a former Cub, if that does anything for you, so he has that going on... Plus he has quite the look going.... http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width_scaled/hash/2d/0c/0007_8.jpg

I don't watch the Chargers often, so I don't know if it's different from past years, but watching Rivers throw it looks like he is hurt. There is absolutely no zip on his passes.