soapy

Having your two worst hitters at the top of the lineup is a very sound strategy.

It depends on if the Cubs get back into the race before the trading deadline. If they do, it might not be a terrible gamble depending on who they have to give up. If they aren't that close to the race, no way. I'm sadly becoming resigned to the fact that the Cubs are simply not going to start valueing OBP so they might as well go after SLG, which Soriano brings (plus Hendry will love his speed). The problem is, he's going to likely be overpaid in free agency so it's not worth giving up a lot of young talent to get him.

I gave him an 8 purely because he has exceeded my expectations by so much. Though I doubt this will continue, I hope it does.

But do you have enough after raises to Zambrano and Lee? I'm not necessarily disagreeing with your idea, I'm just not sure the money is there. What the Cubs decide to do re: Pierre will also impact this I guess.

July of 06 or 07? In my scenario, he wouldn't be traded until the off-season (between 06 and 07). I definitely would not trade him before them (and maybe not after). He's still under their control for a few more years at this point. Sorry, July of 2007. I'm confused now, isn't 2007 the last season he's under our control? I was thinking 2008, but certainly could be wrong.

July of 06 or 07? In my scenario, he wouldn't be traded until the off-season (between 06 and 07). I definitely would not trade him before then (and maybe not after). He's still under their control for a few more years at this point.

I think I'm pretty opposed to both. This might be lame, but one of the things I like about Wrigley is that the focus is on the game, not the scoreboard. I hate the "kiss cam", "flex cam", and whatever "races" they want to throw up there between innings. Not to mention having stupid question and answer sessions with fans on the big screen between innings. It's annoying. I like taking the oppurtunity between innings to gather my thoughts and discuss what just happen in the previous inning and who is coming up next inning. If the screen was simply going to be for showing replays and stuff like that, I'd be much less opposed.

I concede that I'm jumping the gun in a HUGE way here, but I'm bored (I hate off-days, even when the Cubs suck). Keeping in mind that Marmol has started exactly one game (and thrown 10 MLB innings total), if you were Hendry, would you start restling with the idea of going into 2007 with the following "rotation"? Zambrano Marshall Marmol Guzman Miller Hill There are (obviously) six names there. Let's say that all are kept around in case of injury. Pros: When healthy, Z, Miller, Marshall, Guzman, Marmol could be very good and CHEAP rotation. Taking Wood, Prior and Maddux off the books frees up a large amount of money to target some offensive production via free agency (or trade). In addition, it has the potential to be a rotation that can stay together for some time. Trading Prior opens up the door to making a trade for an impact bat. Cons: The FA market next year appears to be thin (offensively), again. Refusing to trade Guzman, Hill, Marmol, Marshall etc. limits the Cubs' ability to make a trade for an impact player on the offensive side. Also, Guzman and Miller are both injury risks at this point and you run the risk of suffering through another long season of Glendon Rusch-esqe starts. Additionally, I'm sure there's some (warranted) concern that Hill might not be able to ever put it together at the MLB level. It's a rotation full of risk because of not only injuries, but youth. There are likely to be growing pains. So, tell me, at what point do you start considering taking this risk on a young (injury risk?) rotation and trying to use the saved money to load up your offense? Can it even be done without trading some of this young talent? On a personal level, It would be hard for me to trade Prior. I'd have to evaluate his health at the end of the season, which also gives me a chance to see what Marmol, Guzman and Hill can do for the rest of this season. Discuss.

1. Dunn would definitely fill a need for the Cubs, OBP and power (two needs, I guess). 2. With the emergence of Marmol and Marshall (along with a healthy Guzman and the "potential" on Hill) the Cubs likely have the kind of talent that the Reds could be looking for. 3. Despite 1 and 2 above, I absolutely do not believe that Hendry would ever "target" Dunn. My guess is he frowns on the strikeouts and low BA (which is stupid, IMO).

I think it's clear Womack's "hot start" has ceased. Please move him out of the lineup.

I can't wait to see Dusty tip his cap after the game.

So what, 7-8 pitches to get through four hitters? Nice.

DP, please

hahaha...funny because it's true. Marmol's looked great, but it's only been four innings.

People boo Jones when he airmailes a cut-off man or throws a ball into the dirt (which happens quite often). I don't necessarily agree with it, but that doesn't mean they aren't rooting for him. They are expressing their displeasure with his poor play. That particular problem has plagued him all season, and fans have noticed. Whatever. I guess the only true fans out there are the ones who just close their eyes to terrible management decisions. Jesus, get over youselves. Not every "fan" expresses their "fandom" (is that a word?) in the same way. Some feel compelled to point out what they think are mistakes, others don't. It doesn't mean that you are a better fan then them.

Jacque Jones is the greatest Cub RFer of all time.

Hill is getting love? Where? I don't understand why this is so hard to figure out. People are/where pissed about the Jones signing because it was a bad one, not because they "hate" Jones. Why is this so hard to figure out? IT DOESN'T MEAN PEOPLE ARE ROOTING AGAINST HIM!

wow. really unneccesary. Jones is doing great and I love it. I still expect he'll end up somewhere near where he's been for the last two year though. He's been a streaky hitter in the past. I still strongly believe that it was a poor signing, but since he's here, of course I'm rooting for him. For you to insinuate otherwise is pretty idiotic. Also, I'm certain there have been some other threads praising Jones' recent hot hitting.

You need a CFer. I think I'd go: Murton Walker Lee Ramirez Jones/Nevin Barrett Cedeno Womack/Pierre

I'm skeptical as well. In my mind, the Cubs should try to shoot for gaining about one game per week. If they were somehow able to do that, they'd be there with the Cardinals by about the end of August or early September. I'm not sure that's possible, but that's the way I'd try to look at it.

Join. This is exactly the lineup I'd like to see when Lee returns. I might switch Cedeno and Womack, but that doesn't really matter.

I wouldn't be surprised if Pierre and/or Womack drag a bunt up the first base line to start the game and test Edmonds.

Flip back a page or two :wink:

It will be interesting to see if/when the Cards are able to maintain their lead with out Pujols and people start pointing that out to Dusty/Hendry. They'll have to come up with some more excuses, which is what they do best.

I was thinking that too. I mean, they better be pretty sure he's up for it. This is not a big game for the Cardinals. So what if the Cubs get within 10.5 games. They need to be looking at the big picture (unlike the Cubs). It's a big gamble, IMO. Yeah, it really shouldn't mean that much to them. Houston is 2 games under .500. If I were them, I'd DL Edmonds and let that heal up 100%. His injury is definitely something that could get aggrevated by playing first base. I'd be just as worried (if not more) about him swinging the bat. I guess we'll see.