Bryants Disco Ball

I'm in the minority, but I really think some teams will still trade for Garza and give up a fine package if they like him. This is not a huge injury and I believe a team physical would show that, and with another year of control, his value isn't hurt that much.

I'm most fascinated by how many guys the past few years have not wanted to leave the Cubs to go to a contender for two months. Lee. Ramirez. Wood. Dempster, sort of. It's frustrating. We could have gotten certain pieces for all these guys, but we just can't seem to get them to want to go. I guess when you get older, the comfort of where you are perhaps really is more important than winning a possible championship. Either that, or living in Chicago and playing for the Cubs is simply too good to pass up. Yeah, it's probably that.

Oh my. This is one of the most frustrating things I've ever read. I hope it is not all true. I'm betting it's all true. And it's going to be even more frustrating for all of us when a story comes out in December and Dempster is quoted saying how he regrets not accepting the trade. And then signs with the Braves later that month. Then names his next child Turner.

Oh my. This is one of the most frustrating things I've ever read. I hope it is not all true. I'm betting it's all true. And it's going to be even more frustrating for all of us when a story comes out in December and Dempster is quoted saying how he regrets not accepting the trade.

at the point of that discussion, his career line was .260/.323/.455 and since then, he's produced a .435 babip-fueled .389/.442/.658 line, so it's safe to say that's a harder argument to make these days with the benefit of full hindsight, you're remarkably insightful it seems Just for the record, I'm not saying people are wrong. Just wondering if a half season of trout has changed minds for good or if people think trout won't end up being as good as the player he is showing now.

Wait. I just read your post again. Did you say it's not a stretch to say he will hit 30 home runs? I'm just.....am I missing something here? I'm actually getting more worried about me than you.

he is a 270-300 ba guy, a 350-260 obp, and high 700's to low 800's ops guy through out his career. faster than heck, good defender....what's the down side? He might have been that throughout his minor league career, but in parts of three seasons, he is sporting a .248 batting average and a .300 OBP. He has a way to go to get to the numbers you are saying he's already at. being sneaky with numbers...he played 8 games in 2010, had the mentioned stat line 2011, which again is better than all but 2 of our guys this year. at his stat line for last year, he would still be a good addition... if you knew anything about him other than reading his mlb stat line, it would be no stretch that he would hit 270, with 30 hrs, have a 320-330 obp and push 850 ops. he has never gone down in stats his 2nd season at a level. never is a pretty good baseline for a bet now did i think he would go 300, slug close to 700 and hit 40+ hrs...no way. but i guess even without this year, the idea of dropping marmol's salary and getting an actual player certainly would have made as much sense as trading z for volstad, and paying 15mil. to me it would have been well worth the gamble. Now if you want to argue, the angels would never have done it, then you may be right but the argument that trumbo would have been the problem in that deal is crazy. I'll admit, I'm getting confused. Are we talking about Peter Bourjos of the Angels? He played in 51 games in 2010, not eight. He did not have the mentioned stat line in 2011, as his OBP was .327 and not .350 to .360. In 273 games and 835 at-bats, he has a .249 average and a .301 OBP. I don't know him enough to say that he couldn't hit your projections, but I do know enough to say that there is at least some mounting evidence over three seasons that he won't.

he is a 270-300 ba guy, a 350-260 obp, and high 700's to low 800's ops guy through out his career. faster than heck, good defender....what's the down side? He might have been that throughout his minor league career, but in parts of three seasons, he is sporting a .248 batting average and a .300 OBP. He has a way to go to get to the numbers you are saying he's already at.

I know some people here were saying a month or so ago that they would rather have Castro than Trout. Do any still feel that way?

Not to go Dr. Phil here, but I believe it's OK to be pissed off at Dempster for not accepting right away. We are fans of the Cubs more than individual players, so of course we are going to be looking out for our best interests. Just like he's doing on his side.

So if greinke pitches well tonight, do we lose Delgado to the crew? Because that would be extra annoying to me.

Hmm, could this be an opening? As much as LaHair isn't fit to hold Joey Votto's jock strap, he could be the best option as a 2 week fill in for the Reds. 2 weeks is a long time to go without your top hitter. After Votto's back, LaHair can be a bat off the bench, and ultimately take over LF be it this season or next. Basically, a cheaper Ludwick. no one gives up anything of value for two weeks. Even if it was two weeks of Babe Ruth. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Actually, this makes a ton of sense. The Reds need a lefty pinch hitter off the bench. The only two left handed hitters on the entire roster are Votto and Bruce. To have LaHair off the bench when Votto comes back makes it more than a two-week trade for the Reds. It's why they have been trying to get Mark Kotsay.

Playoff game(s). Zack Greinke has significant anxiety issues. It's well documented. So far in his Major League career, he has only pitched in laid back, small markets. Until he is willing to go to a big market - Boston and New York are both part of the 15 teams he can block trades to - I will continue to believe he realizes he might not best be suited for those markets. If he goes to a big market and thrives, consider me wrong.

Did you happen to get a chance to watch him in the postseason last year? The dude had the old dear in the headlights look. Social anxiety doesn't just go away. There is nothing wrong with having it, and nothing wrong with trying to control it. Pitching in a major market for sure would not be good for that problem. I think he realizes that. Chicago and New York are for sure out for me. L.A. is a major market, but it seems pretty laid back.

$44 of $46 million? There better be a top prospect in that kind of deal, that's absurd to get next to nothing in return for giving Soriano away for $1 million per year for the rest of the contract. considering his production will be worth around 20 million this year and, perhaps we can convince a team his worth will be around 20 million next season considering health, defensive improvements, and as TT mentioned, a lighter bat, we should be able to get something of value for him and get around half of the rest of his salary paid. if a contender wanted to take soriano and 23 mil and give us at least a top 10 prospect and maybe a couple of low level lottery tickets, preferably all pitchers, i think that would come close to equalling his actual value. It's for sure somewhere in between. We ain't trading him for $2 million of salary relief, and no way we can or should get half his salary paid and a top 10 prospect from a team. if he's worth 20 mil next year and let's say 10 mil in 2014 and 7.5 the rest of the way this season, that's almost 40 mil in projectable value for the price of 23. I just don't think everyone views it that way, though. Alfonso Soriano is a nice offensive player when healthy. But he's 36, and probably would be better served as a DH. I just don't think teams are going to pay that much for him, no matter what the numbers say he is worth.

$44 of $46 million? There better be a top prospect in that kind of deal, that's absurd to get next to nothing in return for giving Soriano away for $1 million per year for the rest of the contract. considering his production will be worth around 20 million this year and, perhaps we can convince a team his worth will be around 20 million next season considering health, defensive improvements, and as TT mentioned, a lighter bat, we should be able to get something of value for him and get around half of the rest of his salary paid. if a contender wanted to take soriano and 23 mil and give us at least a top 10 prospect and maybe a couple of low level lottery tickets, preferably all pitchers, i think that would come close to equalling his actual value. It's for sure somewhere in between. We ain't trading him for $2 million of salary relief, and no way we can or should get half his salary paid and a top 10 prospect from a team.

I'm kind of annoyed at it too, but whatever. Agreed. Not big enough to really care, but it's not funny when it happens every single time. I even noticed they attempted to position Rizzo in a different spot so Garza couldn't do it, and he still found a way to screw up the interview. I now believe I'm breaking this down too much. So, I'll stop.

I've noticed Len and Bob have gotten annoyed with Garza's postgame stuff. They have stopped fake laughing when Garza does the shaving creme pie, and today Bob was obviously not happy. And I agree with him. Not that it's a big deal, but Garza ruins every interview after every win.

Remember when you said this? Castro followed with an RBI single and Rizzo hit a two-run homer. They ain't our future, son. They are the present. Small sample dad. Yeah, Castro hasn't done this before. Go outside and play football with the other kids.

Remember when you said this? Castro followed with an RBI single and Rizzo hit a two-run homer. They ain't our future, son. They are the present.

Agreed, that was disappointing. The dude should have been on first base, but just wasn't willing to do it. That has to change.

We don't have to be worried that Soler is going to demand more money since he isn't signed yet and still has until July 2, right?

They are introducing Anthony Rizzo tomorrow at the game. Not sure they need to wait to introduce Soler and Almora to get Cubs fans "excited" about the future.

Wow. Really surprised people are willing to go to $20. I'll have to rethink this a little, but I guess I'm going to still be in the minority that says $20 is way too much, even if prices are starting to go up. I'd rather have Hamels at that, although you all have scared me that it's going to take way more to get him now.

And just for those that don't know, Cain's contract will pay him an annual salary of $20.83 million. Can't believe anybody would want Garza back at that price. Surprised to hear some would.