soapy

What are all the flu shots for then? so the government can keep track of you, duh.

gotta win. do it.

I posted this in the Soto thread in baseball discussions, but since you mentioned it here... It almost sounds like Hendry didn't know Soto existed until after the Kendall trade. that is so absurd, Hendry. people were clamoring for soto when you called up hill. hahahaha....

tough couple of games here for the Cubs. they need to win one of the next two and hopefully take 2 of 3.

He's not Neifi. The End. But he is basically Cesar Izturis. .269 .313 .301 .614 .268 .330 .355 .685 Those numbers are alot alike. Except Theriot's numbers are (slightly) better and he makes much, much less $$ than Cesar. Theriot is mediocre. Nothing more, nothing less. As has been said here many times; he's fine at SS if you have a solid offense already. He's not someone you want to count on though. If the Cubs upgrade CF, RF or C this off-season, they'd be fine with Theriot at SS. If there is someone available as an upgrade (Arod, Tejada, Renteria), then do it.

I love the idea of Arod or Tejada obviously, but they seem unlikely to me. I'm be really curious to know what it would take to get Renteria. I'm guessing the Braves wouldn't mind moving and him and his salary to make room for Escobar. I just don't really know what they would be seeking in return.

what a joke, Lou. of course you have a choice. this is dusty logic. "what do you want to do? win or play kids?"

He was telling the truth. There's a big difference in the divorce rates - people who live together pre-marriage are almost 50% more likely to get divorced than people who don't. There are a couple of caveats though - one, if the person who you marry is the only romantic partner you've lived with, then the chance of divorce is significantly lower. And, if the marriage lasts more than 7 years, then the difference between couples co-habitating before marriage and those who didn't is just about zero. Now this begs the question as to whether cohabitation is the reason for the higher divorce rate, or whether there are other factors involved - for example, cohabitating couples are less likely to be religious, and non-religious people have a higher divorce rate. They're also, on average, people of lower income, and divorce is higher among people with less wealth. There's also the social upbringing issue. Some would argue that these things have more to do with the higher divorce rate than the cohabitation itself. Right. Like I said, I never had seen the stat, but tended to believe the guy. However, my wife and I (girlfriend at the time) came to the same conclusion that there were many other factors likely contributing to said divorce aside from living together before marriage. Financial, upbringing, religious beliefs, etc.

I voted "yes, while dating." There is a coveat though; only if I didn't have kids. If I had kids, I don't think I would do that for fear of confusing them. I've seen that get ugly a few times with some friends. Personally, I lived with my wife before we were married, but we were engaged. There was no way we were going to pay for two different places to live. It just didn't make any sense. Supposedly divorce rates are higher for people who live together before they are married, but I don't know if I believe that. A priest told me that. Not calling him a liar, I just have never seen that stat myself.

who is defending it?

Is there a way to freeze the players on that team? make them unavailable to everyone? The only other fair alternative I can see is finding someone to take over his team.

I don't have a problem with the Cubs handling it this way. However, saying Eric has an attitude problem because of it (not to mention, Corey) is a ridiculously huge leap.

Yes, this. Non-story, IMO. What would you expect from Zambrano? It's not a big deal. He said something stupid in the heat of the moment (even if it was two hours later) and he apologized. I suspect most that have played competive sports have done the same. I know I have.

I found it concerning that Len mentioned that Larry and Lou don't know how they want to form the rotation from here on out. He (Len) specifically questioned whether or not Marshall would return to the rotation. That's absurd. I'm all for giving Marshall some extra rest, but replacing him outright with Trachsel is a stupid move.

Interesting numbers, Fred. Regardless, speed (or lack there of) is not their problem, IMO. I'd probably just do something similar to this for the rest of the season: v. RHP Theriot Kendall Lee Ramirez Soriano Jones (RF) DeRosa Pie (CF) v. LHP Theriot Kendall Lee Ramirez Soriano Murton (RF) DeRosa Monroe (CF)

In Bruce's recap of last night's game, he mentions that Lou may be considering a "speed" lineup. As Bruce goes on to mention, there really aren't many choices other than putting Pie in CF. He also mentions Murton in RF, but I don't see Lou benching Jones right now (though he's cooled off a little). Aside from that, is that what this offense is missing? I sure don't think so. They simply aren't hitting and/or getting on base at a suffecient rate. On top of that, they aren't coming through when they have oppurtunities lately. There really isn't much they can do about that, unless Lou is thinking he'll start some runners in motion more often. Anyway, I just thought it was interesting that Lou's harping on speed for some reason when I really just don't think that's a problem at all.

Booing players from the home team is pretty pointless and stupid, IMO. I mean, it's not like they don't know when they are playing bad. Having said that, fans are fickle and someone like Zambrano should expect that. He's been terrible for a month and had a very bad start to the season. People are going to boo. You have to get over it.

Midnight?!?! Whoa......you college guys are so crazy!!!

I love Ueker. I don't think the booing was a big deal. I think it seemed like pretty light-hearted booing (if there is such a thing). He didn't seemed bothered by it after ward and mentioned that it was likely because of the division race going on.

Wasn't there a thread just like this about a week or two ago? Anyway, WTG, Jacque. I hope you can keep it up.

I really think you are way off here. I don't think even the biggest stats advocate would ever say that scouting is largely obsolete. I don't think I've ever seen anyone say that. Ever.

like I said, for starters: There's more beyond that including going younger/cheaper on the bench and in the pen to get the funds to upgrade in RF, or at SS (Arod). Namely ridding the roster of the Eyre, Jones, Blanco, Floyd types who use up money that can be better spent elsewhere.

Just because his fingerprints are on the team, doesn't mean he deserves to stay. Saying all a new GM would need to do is fill the bench also doesn't factor in. Besides, I think it's untrue. The Cubs should not be satisfied heading into next season with the OF as it's currently constructed. If Murton and Pie are going to ride the pine for the remainder of 2007, they probably shouldn't both be relied upon as starters in 2008. Additionally, Lou has showed this year he's not happy waiting on a youngster to adjust at the MLB level if he has other mediocre options at his disposal (Floyd, Jones, etc.). Considering Pie's ceiling and ability, I think he's the more likely to stay. Trading Murton in a package for a productive RF is probably the best option at this point, aside from signing Arod if he opts out. I hate to see that as a big Murton fan, but I think it's true. I tend to think bringing Monroe on board spelled the end for Murton as a Cub.

Bruce mentioned in his article that he thought Prior would be tendered a contract next season.

that's what i was saying but took half a page to do so.