soapy

I'm not a fan of Lugo in CF by any means, but the more I think about it, the more I can see Lugo moving to SS if/when Izturis is injured or ineffective and Pie comes up to play CF: Soriano RF Lugo SS Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Barrett C Murton LF DeRosa 2B Pie CF Is that good enough? Depends on the pitching, I guess.

Yes. This is really the perfect time to put Benson into the role of main ball carrier. You've locked up the division, you're looking to spark your offense, and you're going against a sub-par defense. Do it.

Good Rex, please. Also: More Benson, please.

Bench him in week 14 though? See, this is the problem with the whole bench Grossman scenarios. I don't necessarily disagree, but at this point in the season I don't care if you're Johnny Unitas, you need more than 3 games against tomato cans to get ready for tough playoff games. I think three games would be enough for Greise to get ready. He's not some rookie who hasn't had any playing time. I agree with giving Grossman one more game to snap out of this, then I go to Greise. It's probably not the best long-term decision, but the Bears are in a position to make a run and can't afford to have this sort of QB play in the playoffs.

Rotoworld had a interesting tidbit re: Jennings in their winter meetings preview (mentioned in the winter meetings thread):

Interesting re Jason Jennings:

It's worth noting this from 2006: Murton v. RHP: .295/.356/.426/.782 Floyd v. RHP: .266/.342/.423/.765 (though his 3-year splits are far superior to this line) EDIT: Don't get me wrong, bringing in Floyd as a fourth OF is okay with me (at the right price), but I'm not assuming he'll vastly out produce Murton v. RHP.

I think it sounds like he wants to platoon Murton. I hope not.

He's already been getting about 10 carries a game, and it's not enough.

2005 really was his only bad season. He's been mediocre other than that. He's not worth $10 a year though (but who knows the way this off-season is going).

That's why it's (generally) a bad idea to sign second-tier guys this early. I hope those numbers aren't accurate.

Probably not the best way to get more carries. I read that earlier and didn't think much of it. Well, it's probably not a big deal, but based on the way he's been "held back" so far this year he probably shouldn't be giving the coaching staff any more reasons to leave him on the sideline. He has a legitimate complaint that he's not getting as many carries as he should, but this isn't the best way to address it.

I haven't seen this posted yet: Benson unhappy Probably not the best way to get more carries.

I that happened, I'd start looking into a Chicago trip in October. And no, I wouldn't trade him at that point.

Forgetting for a moment that I dont think there's any way he'd sign up for a backup role: I'd do it for $4-$5 million. He could get a little time at 1B, spell Barrett, and get plenty of PH oppurtunities. If he can learn how to play some sort of passable corner OF in a pinch, even better. Again, it won't happen because Piazza won't be interested. But if he was, I'd be open to it. The problem them become that you have already signed Blanco to be your backup catcher, so he has to be moved somehow (good luck with that salary).

I'd take Hudson if I could get M. Giles too (DeRosa platoons with Jones in RF, Soriano to CF).

I didn't expect IU to win (especially with Stemler out), but I wasn't impressed with their play all that much. They still have absolutely no offensive plan, from what I can tell. They can't get DJ posted up underneath, and when they do, they can't get him the ball properly. He's also got to get better at passing out of the double-team. The poor shooting at the free throw line is inexcusable. Calloway, Ratliff and Wilmont did not show up, at all. Allen was terrible (again). The amount of Suhr love going around is too much. He makes some good plays, and he makes some terrible plays. I don't know why everyone is so in love with him except that he's a little white guy that dives around a lot. If he's logging 25 minutes a game, they are in trouble IMO. Basset and Shaw played well, as did Mike White (aside from terrible free throw shooting). They had plenty of oppurtunities to win that game and couldn't take advantage. Duke didn't play that well.

Jesus. I've spent most of my day so far argueing with fellow Bears fans in the office that want to bench Grossman and bring in Griese. It is getting tiresome.

There is also the possibility that Izturis + Eyre (or something) is traded for someone like Westbrook. That would also change things slightly.

Couldn't you say that about most SP though? It's risky, sure, but I'd do it. most starting pitchers don't rank really high on pitcher abuse points, though. yes, that's true. i'm curious to see how Lou will handle him (and the other SP). it's a risk, but one i'd take. they could also try to negotiate a deal mid-season after seeing how he responds in the first half or something. however, hendry has been hesitant to negotiate mid-season, iirc.

I'm bored and wanted to throw this out there. Let's assume Hendry misses out on Schmidt and Zito. Instead, he signs Lilly and Wolf. He signs Lugo (to play SS). He signs Floyd as a 4th OF and signs Nevin (backup OF, 3B, 1B). C Barrett 1B Lee 2B DeRosa 3B Ramirez SS Lugo LF Murton CF Jones RF Soriano Bench Floyd Nevin Pagan Theriot Blanco Izturis/Bynum? SP Zambrano Wolf Hill Lilly Miller/Prior/Cotts?/etc. BP Wood Dempster Howry Eyre Ohman Wuertz Cotts? This roster includes 26 or 27 men, but I'm not sure who is going to be the odd man out in the bullpen or rotation. How would you feel about going into 2007 with that team? It's clearly not ideal. The rotation and the starting lineup have some question marks. The bench is better, and the bullpen is basically the same, + Wood. An even bigger problem is I don't have a platoon partner for Jones. Is it good enough? I don't mean good enough to get lucky (i.e. 2006 Cardinals). I mean would you expect this team to win the division (or at least think they have a good chance) and do you think they could make a run in the playoffs? I ask because I could see the off-season playing out like this. It's going to be tough to get Schmidt and/or a significant bat. I do expect another trade involving some of the bullpen arms, but I'm not sure what it's going to be. Honestly, I wouldn't feel terrible about this team, but I wouldn't be planning an October trip to Chicago either. It's a team that could go either way, IMO. Share your thoughts.

Couldn't you say that about most SP though? It's risky, sure, but I'd do it.

I'm not sure that will be the case next year.

I'd just like to point out how much I love this place. I mean, we are debating the productivity levels of Freddie Bynum and Craig Counsell, and I am totally into it. Who else cares about this stuff? I need to get a life (or actually get back to work).