soapy

If the Cubs sign Furcal, they could use Cedeno and/or Walker to go after Castillo. With Furcal locked up for five years as is being reported and Castillo for two more, I wouldn't have a problem trading Cedeno. If Furcal isn't signed, I'd rather offer Pinto plus others for Castillo than for Pierre. If we acquired Castillo and then traded for Bradley we'd be better off than going after Pierre. I agree with you and I'm not sure why Hendry isn't pursuing that (if he isn't). I assume Cedeno or Walker is traded for Castillo and the other is part of a trade to get Bradley.

Not nearly enough production? Well, the OBP is definitely there. The speed is there. The power is there. How do they not have nearly enough production? Cruz is a 20 HR guy Bradley is turning into a 25 HR guy Kent is a 30+ HR guy Drew is a 30+ HR guy Furcal will give them another 10 They can look for someone to fill 3b and behind the plate if one of the kids isn't quite ready. That's plenty of production. Don't know if they'd have the money left, but they could pursue Nomar to play 3B.

I think you'd have to upgrade significantly at SS and RF (like maybe Furcal and Abreu). If that happened, I could definitely live with Patterson in CF. Also, hold on to Walker. Example: Furcal Walker Lee Abreu Ramirez Barrett Murton Patterson I could live with that. I would prefer that they hold on to Hairston if they go that route as insurance if Corey continues to struggle.

I see what you're saying. However, I'd like to see someone who is more of a power threat brought in to come off the bench. Is that possible? I don't know. But with Mabry and Neifi you already have two backup 3B. Mabry and Hairston can both play outfield. Mabry can play 1B. Hairston and Neifi can play 2B. I looks to me like they have the positions pretty well covered. What I'm interested in now is a solid PH threat more than anything.

In a Dusty-less world I would agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, your scenario will lead to Neifi batting lead-off. How sad is it that I feel like our GM can't make the "right" move because we have a manager that is touched in the head (and a GM that won't fire him)?

I think Nomar would lose a lot of his value if he were to play a corner OF spot. I think the reason he's so valuable (or was) is because he plays a position that typically doesn't generate a great deal of offense. Not that he wouldn't be an upgrade offensively to what the Cubs trotted out there last year.

Maybe a little redundant. Other than being RH, I guess I agree with Electron that Inge doesn't really bring anything more than Mabry. It might be a good idea for Hendry to pursue a RH bat with some more pop for the bench. Right now, the Cubs bench is pretty "light" hitting. Neifi/Cedeno Hairston Mabry Bako

I think the Cubs could beat that offer if we wanted to, but I'd prefer to pursue Bradley. Honestly, I hope that does happen so that maybe Hendry will focus on Bradley intead. Plus, Pierre wouldn't be a terrible pickup for the Yankees. Jeter won't have to lead-off anymore and everyone can slide down a spot. Pierre Jeter Arod Godzilla Sheff Giambi etc. The downside of this of course being that if Pierre goes to the Yanks (or some other team) Furcal will virtually become a must.

Word around here is that he will play, which I think is huge. As long as the IU big men can avoid foul trouble, I think they have a real chance here. Davis has always been a good defensive coach. With the way they are scoring, they can be a real good team. The only thing that worries me is them relying on hitting 50%+ from 3. Hopefully Killingsworth will be a man again tonight. I've finally gotten around to posting my feelings on this game. I'm not much for moral victories so I'm not really all about the rah-rah IU is back junk I'm reading in the papers. I hope that's true, but let's not get ahead of ourselves here. I will say that I'm more optimistic about their potential this season then I was before the game though. They played well outside of the first five minutes and the last five minutes. They need to work on that if they're going to be able to play in "big games". Not much big game experience on this team, so hopefully there is room for improvement in that area. I was disapointed in Strickland offensively. He played respectable defense (being matched up with Reddick often) but didn't do a darn thing offensively until the last few minutes. I'd like to see Vaden more involved in the offense. He seems to know what to do with the ball in key situations moreso than Strickland (and maybe even Monroe). I'd really like to see Ratliff out there much more once he's back into shape. I think Monroe/Ratliff/Vaden/White/Killingsworth is going to be their best lineup. Also, I'm not sure why Allen didn't get more minutes (especially in the 2nd half). Having Kline as the only big man on the floor at any time is pretty much unacceptable IMO.

Not that I believe this for one second, but I guess that would make Neifi our full time 2B (I'm assuming Walker will be dealt, maybe for Bradley). Maybe the Cubs then decide to hold on to Hairston. Furcal Bradley Lee Ramirez Wilkerson Barrett Murton Neifi/Hairston The defense up the middle would be solid, which it sounds like Hendry is after. I think it's a risky lineup though. You're banking that Wilkerson's 2005 won't repeat it's self and that Murton if the real deal. That's the only way you can possibly afford to have Neifi in the lineup. Also, I can still see Baker slotting Neifi/Hairston in the #2 spot in the order and sliding Bradley somewhere else. That would anger me like none other. Ideally, it would be great if the Cubs could acquire Bradley and Wilkerson without trading Walker, but I just don't see it happening.

And my plan gets closer and closer to being a reality. BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Interesting. I was getting the impression that Bradley could be had for less because the Dodgers were deperate to get rid of him. As others have noted, I assume Hendry is confident he is landing Furcal or some other MI if he trades Walker now. As much as he may be in love with Neifi, I can't imagine he would head into '06 with a MI of Cedeno (SS) and Neifi (2B).

I've said for a while now that I could live with Wilkerson in RF if someone like Bradley is in CF. It also offers you some insurance in case Bradley would happen to have some sort of meltdown, get injured, etc.

I think you've got a pretty respectable back-up plan there, goony. I wouldn't be against a Mench/Dellucci platoon in RF if Dusty manages it right. IF Wilkerson really is available, I'd like to see Hendry explore that option first. He wouldn't put up great numbers for a RF, but it would be acceptable with Bradley putting up above average numbers in CF and it's a big upgrade from last year. As others have noted, I'd prefer Walker to Soriano, but if Hendry is really hell-bent on trading Walker, I can think of much worse options than Soriano (Neifi). Just as long as he's not near the top of the order. Couple of different options: 6-Furcal 4-Walker 3-Lee 5-Ramirez 8-Bradley 2-Barrett 9-Wilkerson 7-Murton OR 6-Furcal 8-Bradley 3-Lee 5-Ramirez 9-Wilkerson 4-Soriano 2-Barrett 7-Murton The second option is basically taking goony's suggestion and replacing Mench/Dellucci with Wilkerson.

double post

Getting Bradley for very little or nothing (player wise) would be great. That would leave Hendry with more bargaining chips if he really intends to pursue someone like Abreu, Wilkerson to play RF.

I've been watching Cedeno fairly closely in Venezuela and I believe he has played SS exclusively. Well in that case, I can't wait to see Neifi as the everyday 2B next year. :puker:

I'd also prefer Bradley as the back up plan to getting Giles in RF. To me, that makes Bradley a necessity rather than a "back up plan". If the Cubs ended up with Pierre, Giles AND Bradley, then they have some really nice depth in the outfield. Bradley can platoon with Pierre and/or Murton. If one of Giles or Pierre doesn't come here, then Bradley can play either position. I wouldn't be real excited about an OF of Murton/Pierre/Bradley though it would be a nice upgrade from last season. I wouldn't mind a OF of Murton/Bradley/Wilkerson but I don't know if the Cubs have the trade bait to acquire both Wilkerson and Bradley. If that did happen, they would need to get Furcal to lead-off or acquire a different lead-off hitter. I'd be fine with Walker or Wilkerson leading off, but I don't see Dusty doing it. I could live with this: Furcal Murton/Wilkerson Lee Ramirez Bradley Barrett Wilkerson/Murton Cedeno (2B) Has Cedeno even played any 2B in winter ball? Last I heard, he had not. I'm assuming that Walker would be traded to get either Bradley or Wilkerson.

If Williams goes anywhere I'll be ticked. I really liked the trade that brought him here, and I think he showed a load of potential. I'm not saying he'll ever be a Z or Prior caliber starter, but I could see him being a very solid #3 guy. He's not someone you want to get rid of easily. That's one thing that really irked me about the Rusch signing. I can appreciate Hendry's desire to have a lefty in the rotation, but it just seems that Williams has far more potential (for far less cost) then Rusch. On the flip side, that could potentially make Williams more valuable to another team. I would think that teams like Cinci or Philly could have a lot of interest in a guy like Williams who could be an effective SP for few dollars. if maddux doesnt return and/or wood gets injured again, both rusch & williams might be in the rotation. i really like what i saw of williams last year too. i also think rusch would make a very good #5 starter and could win 12-15 games next year if he starts the whole year. That's a possibility. I just wasn't at all impressed with what I saw from Glendon in 2005. I'm concerned that 2004 may have been a fluke. Maybe the yo-yoing back and forth from RP to SP had a negative effect on him. But I prefer not to take that chance at $3 mil (or whatever he's getting this year) when you could get equal or greater performance from Williams for far less cost. That's what makes me believe that Williams will be traded for an OF bat. Hopefully of the impact variety.

It's just strange. Hendry apparently thought enough of him last year to call him up from West Tenn (albeit only because of Pie's injury) but now may potentially be letting him go for nothing? It just doesn't add up. I think he could be a very servicable 5th OF.

As far as I am concerend he is just as much a victim as his wife. Good for you. Preganant woman vs. muscular professional athlete. I'd say we are in for a Super Bowl XX-like match up. Nice logic. I guess no muscular professional athlete can ever be victimized by someone who is smaller/weaker then them. quote] No, but they are highly unlikely to be physically victimized by a pregnant woman. I will say that those of us who have lived with them understand that anyone - no matter their physical size - can be mentally victimized by a pregnant woman. Yeah, I have a daughter. I hear you.

If Williams goes anywhere I'll be ticked. I really liked the trade that brought him here, and I think he showed a load of potential. I'm not saying he'll ever be a Z or Prior caliber starter, but I could see him being a very solid #3 guy. He's not someone you want to get rid of easily. That's one thing that really irked me about the Rusch signing. I can appreciate Hendry's desire to have a lefty in the rotation, but it just seems that Williams has far more potential (for far less cost) then Rusch. On the flip side, that could potentially make Williams more valuable to another team. I would think that teams like Cinci or Philly could have a lot of interest in a guy like Williams who could be an effective SP for few dollars.

Preston Wilson = bad. Please no. I'd take Wilson if Hendry get Arebu or Giles for right. What's more likely is what some had hypothesized all along: That a Wilson signing would be coupled with a Peirre trade and they'd call it an offseason. :puker:

As far as I am concerend he is just as much a victim as his wife. Good for you. Preganant woman vs. muscular professional athlete. I'd say we are in for a Super Bowl XX-like match up. Nice logic. I guess no muscular professional athlete can ever be victimized by someone who is smaller/weaker then them. Please don't take this the wrong way, I'm not saying I'm cool with what Bradley (allegedly) did here. But let's not act like he can't be a victim just because the person (again, allegedly) assaulting him his weaker.

I'd say the rumor about Wilson is even more disturbing than the one about Giles. That is one player that I have dreaded having on this team for a long time (the other being J. Jones).