soapy

Last time I checked, New York, Boston and St. Louis are not on the West Coast either. All I hear are excuses at why the Cubs have no chance to sign Giles. Jesus, the season hasn't even started yet and I'm already sick of excuses (which I will get to hear from Dusty all year). None of which seem legitimate to me. They have the money, they have the need, they can be a contender. There is no excuse why they shouldn't pursue him unless for some bizarre reason, Giles specifically said he's not interested in the Cubs. Shouldn't have to repeat myself, but seems you missed the point... Last time you checked, does the Trib spend as much as the Yankees or Boston? Last time you checked, have the Cubs won as much as St. Louis the past 2 years. The Cub organization may spend like a top tier franchise, but it isn't in the top tier. The organization is still view as a losing franchise. The Cubs don't spend as much as the Yanks BoSox, but they have enough available right now to sign Giles. The Cubs could easily go with Cedeno at SS and Murton in LF and be able to sign Giles and still upgrade in CF. The Cubs obviously haven't won as much as the Cards the last two years, but they are still "contenders" if they make the right moves (which signing Giles would be). I'm not saying they are a lock for the playoffs (they clearly aren't) but if you sign Giles and trade for Bradley, you're pretty damn close. I'm not going to blame the Trib if the Cubs don't get Giles. Hendry has the money. He just may not choose to spend it in a way that I would consider wise.

Last time I checked, New York, Boston and St. Louis are not on the West Coast either. All I hear are excuses at why the Cubs have no chance to sign Giles. Jesus, the season hasn't even started yet and I'm already sick of excuses (which I will get to hear from Dusty all year). None of which seem legitimate to me. They have the money, they have the need, they can be a contender. There is no excuse why they shouldn't pursue him unless for some bizarre reason, Giles specifically said he's not interested in the Cubs.

The Yankees can offer him more money and years than the Cubs. The Yankees, Cardinals, Braves and Angels can offer him a better probability of post-season appearances than the Cubs. The Cubs' only shot is that Giles makes a decision not to play in NY, and heavily prioritizes money over winning tradition. The Yankees can offer more money, but they may be asking him to play CF. As far as winning, I think you point out to Giles that the Cubs have been "contenders" 3 of the last 5 years (01, 03, 04) and have a young nucleus (pitchers and everyday players) to build around and give them a chance at some long term success. As frustrated as I am with the Cubs, they are probably only a few (albeit big) additions away from being a serious contender. I would say if you add Giles and Bradley (going with Cedeno at SS) and shore up your bullpen, you have a contender. Walker Murton Lee Giles Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno That is a productive lineup that is not very old overall. I believe that offense hangs with the Cardinals offense any day of the week (and they aren't bad defensively). Not too mention, (if Giles was interested in playing with the Cubs) that team would not be hard to assemble.

I don't buy that for a second. You think there's any chance an agent will tell a big market team with a top payroll that they won't entertain any offers from them until everybody else drops out? That's about the worst possible strategy, and most unrealistic scenario that could play out in this mess. There is no excuse not to get in on the Giles talks, and there is no reason to try and search for excuses. I don't buy what you are saying either. If Giles specifically told his agent that he wants to play for the Yankees, Cards, Angels or Dodgers, I guarantee you Bick wouldn't bother talking to the Cubs, Mets, Tigers or Mariners in the initial rounds. Several teams could have afforded Hideki Matsui too. According to Bruce Levine, Arn Tellem didn't talk to anybody except the Yankees. Excellent points Hoops. The Cubs aren't even needed by the Giles people to drive his price up. Sadly, the Cubs have as much chance to get Giles as they did last year to get Beltran, i.e, NONE. That's why they are focusing on obtainable targets like Furcal, Pierre, Eyre and hopefully others. I don't understand why people are assuming that the Cubs have no chance to sign Giles. Please explain. Something other than, "He wants to play on the west coast."

Because the Cubs have made the mistake of narrowing their focus too specifically on the need to improve leadoff instead of just improving the team overall. They've lamented that lack of traditional leadoff hitters in the league, which drives up the cost of the few remaining. And they've fallen right into the trap of overpaying for overhyped value. If the overall team production is good enough, it really doesn't matter who is hitting where. You get yourself into trouble when you make acquisitions for specific spots in the order, instead of just filling all 8 positions adaquately. I agree. It was more of a rhetorical question. I have this sinking feeling that Hendry has fallen victim to the myth of Scotty Po.

Has Furcal seen the Cubs playoff history? I suggest he sign that $50m (or more) contract in Atlanta. There is just absolutely no way I would play that game with Furcal's agent. Man, Hendry is going to blow his load going after Furcal and have nothing left for RF/CF. Not to mention millions wasted on Neifi and Rusch. I hope I'm wrong.

I dislike how people claim a "hatred" for the Cubs after reading the opinion--and that's exactly what the quoted text is, opinion--of one baseball writer. And it's funny, too, because the consensus of this board is that Paul Sullivan doesn't know what he's talking about. Yet today he knows all when it comes to the pursuit of Brian Giles. Is there any way we can wait on the signing of Giles, wherever it may be, before we begin thumping the Cubs for their ineptitude? You are right that I am overreacting (I obviously don't hate the Cubs). Also, Sullivan is less than reliable. But I'm very frustrated that the Cubs seem to have no apparent interest in Giles (unless he's dirt cheap). In addition, Sullivan hasn't been the first to mention the Ineifiable (wasn't that word invented last week?) Alex Gonzalez II as a possible target for the Cubs. What are the Cubs supposed to say? If Hendry goes out and says "I am willing to pay whatever Brian Giles wants" everyone will be ticked that he's just driving his price up. Hendry's not a complete idiot, I bet what we hear from the newspapers, etc. is about 5% of what really happens. Yeah, that's what I said. Come on. Of course I don't expect that. You can be interested and not act desperate. It's quite obvious that Giles has exactly what the Cubs are lacking. It appears that the Cubs have shown little to no interest in signing him because they "don't want to get into a bidding war". You can make an offer and pursue a player without going crazy about it. Hendry (allegedly) is avoiding getting into a bidding war for Giles, but is (again allegedly) considering an absolutely outrageous 5/$50 for Furcal? That is absolutely absurd IMO. I'm not saying they shouldn't sign Fucal, but why go so crazy about him and not even get involved with Giles?

I'd love to see Hendry target Wilkerson. That would tell me he's actually looking at OBP and not just speed, BA and "tools". Floyd could be a desent acquisition as well. However, since the Mets traded Cameron, Floyd may not be on the market. But, I don't think acquiring one of those guys and not upgrading CF would be enough. Especially if they're going to weaken their IF offense.

I dislike how people claim a "hatred" for the Cubs after reading the opinion--and that's exactly what the quoted text is, opinion--of one baseball writer. And it's funny, too, because the consensus of this board is that Paul Sullivan doesn't know what he's talking about. Yet today he knows all when it comes to the pursuit of Brian Giles. Is there any way we can wait on the signing of Giles, wherever it may be, before we begin thumping the Cubs for their ineptitude? You are right that I am overreacting (I obviously don't hate the Cubs). Also, Sullivan is less than reliable. But I'm very frustrated that the Cubs seem to have no apparent interest in Giles (unless he's dirt cheap). In addition, Sullivan hasn't been the first to mention the Ineifiable (wasn't that word invented last week?) Alex Gonzalez II as a possible target for the Cubs.

The more I think about this, the more pissed off I get. I hope Sullivan is wrong. And what's with this Alex Gonzalez crap?! AHHHHHH!!!! I can already hear the excuses (for not signing Giles). "How do you know he would even want to play here?" HOW DO YOU KNOW HE WOULDN'T? I can't wait to see this lineup: Neifi 2B AGon II SS Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Mench/Encarnacion/some other mediocre RF Macias LF (you gotta break Murton in slowly, dude) Patterson/Hairston CF Barrett (catchers have to bat 8th, dude) Sorry for the rant.

That's true, but names like Kevin Mench don't exactly scream "impact". I don't think Hendry should extremely overpay for Giles, but the impression I get is that he's not even going to try. I haven't heard of anyone offering Giles more than three years. It's frustrating because Giles provide EXACTLY what the Cubs are lacking, and they don't even seem interested.

What a great start to the day. God, I hate the Cubs.

If the Cubs acquire Pierre, it only "solves" the leadoff position for one year. I assume (perhaps incorrectly) that Pierre is a rental until Pie is ready. Pie is NOT a leadoff hitter. Therefore, I think Hendry will still go after Furcal. I hope the Pierre thing doesn't go through and Furcal is the leadoff hitter instead. Then hopefully Hendry targets someone like Wilkerson or Bradley instead of Pierre. I'm also not completely opposed to moving Cedeno if he is part of a package that nets a big bat (assuming that means Walker would stay). Furcal Walker Lee RF acquired in trade (Floyd?) Ramirez Bradley Murton Barrett

Unfortunately, with the team you've assembled, Neifi will be playing (not Cedeno) and batting 2nd. Probably more like: Pierre Neifi Lee Giles, etc. Ramirez Walker Murton Barrett

I agree and it smacks of Pie being a player in this deal. :puke:

thanks for the info! Pierre is the top priority over Furcal? That's new. Very interesting. and very stupid Join. I'm not totally against Pierre (for the right deal). But him being a "top priority" is absurd IMO.

In best Frank Barone voice: "Holy Crap!" Note: I hate Everybody Loves Raymond. I have no idea what possessed me to say that.

I'd love to have Branyan but I have no idea what it would take to get him. Someone who can back up 1b and 3b would be ideal, IMO.

Hello understatement.

Hm. I like that. I'd prefer Bradley over Pierre in CF (especially if Fucal signs). I don't think Hendry feels the same way though.

Walker to the Dodgers for Bradley (Kent moves to 1B). Or Walker to the Mets for Floyd.

WGN and Ryno.

I don't hate everything just things that Hendry does! :D IMO, in the beginning of the season when it means something Baker will go to his trusted vets. I see this: Furcal SS Perez 2B Lee 1B ARam 3B Wilson CF Mench RF Barrett C Murton LF And this is the best case scenerio. If that's the opening day lineup, I'm not going to waste my time watching this team.

As I have stated in other threads, I would take Wilson in CF just as long as a guy like Giles, Matsui, Sheffield, Abreu, Burrell or Dunn is playing corner OF. I don't want Wilson in CF if a guy like Encarnacion, Mench or Burnitz is playing corner OF. I still wouldn't want him. If you have Giles, Matsui, Abreu or someone like that in RF, I'd say let Patterson try to work it out in CF. I just don't want any part of Wilson at all. I shudder to think of what kind of striped bass analogies Dusty would make as justification for not only playing him no matter what, but putting him at a terrible spot in the lineup.

Agreed. That would really get me interested in doing a deal for Bradley (which would involve Walker). Furcal Murton Giles Lee Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno word... so do the dodgers move kent to first then? that might make sense, then. That would be my guess in that scenario. I really have no idea if they are really considering that though. If Kent stays at 2B (which I'd say is more likely) then they obviously wouldn't have an interest in Walker. However, they may have an interest in Cedeno? (as a SS or utility player)