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soapy

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Everything posted by soapy

  1. Yeah, I heard Len mention this last night. It's sad that even when the Cubs win they piss me off. If they were going to call up someone to sit in the bullpen, they should have just called up Jerome Williams or something. Guzman needs to be getting starts.
  2. I would think that Wuertz is a viable option at closer. Either way, I'm all in favor of trading Dempster (plus something) if somebody is willing to overpay for an "established" closer. That's nothing against Dempster, it's just an overrated position IMO and some GMs seem to be willing to pay up for closers.
  3. you're right about 2004, I was going to look that up to make sure but didn't. of course I hope I'm wrong, but Pierre's declining numbers since then lead me to believe he's not going to regain that form.
  4. I wouldn't say I necessarily disagree completely with your theory that some adjustment time is needed for some players (day games, maybe they switch leagues, etc.). However, the problem with that in regards to Pierre and Jones is that they are not really playing below career norms. Pierre was terrible last year and his only really good season was 2003. I'm not sure how you can expect improvement from him. His struggles date back before he joined the Cubs, same as Jones.
  5. Wow. That really is sad. By the way, the answer to both of those is, "it doesn't matter".
  6. I guess I don't really see the point of sending him to Iowa. If he's not injured, he should continue to make his scheduled starts for the time being. The Cubs need to be able to evaluate what they have with Prior going into next year. I don't consider shutting him down as an option (again, assuming he's not injured). He needs to pitch through it IMO. The Cubs aren't playing for anything at this point so there is no harm in letting him take some lumps at the big league level rather then sending him to Iowa. I would say that I am officially worried about his future at this point.
  7. Anyone have FA list handy? I doubt the Cubs have enough money to bring take on A. Jones' salary in a trade and add Soriano at 2B while also adding a pitcher, but that would be an idea. I haven't really noticed what FA pitchers will be out there other then Schmidt and Zito though. Probably a pretty uninspiring list. Soriano 2B (yeah, not ideal, but it would work) Murton LF (or switch him with Soriano) Lee 1B A. Jones CF Ramirez 3B Barrett C J. Jones/Restovich RF Izturis SS Like I said, even if Hendry could pull that off, it likely leaves the Cubs lacking in the pitching department (not to mention some young pitching has likely been traded to get A. Jones).
  8. I've read interviews in which Jones says he still sees himself as a centerfielder. He was only moved to RF to allow Torii Hunter to play CF. But I agree, Hendry is not that creative. I've not seen that. It would certainly be a welcome move.
  9. I think there is enough, although that would change if Pierre got a 3/30. They also can't handle any more Rusch/Neifi signings. That means no signing a possible 5th starter or other worthless garbage. I hope so. I still think Hendry needs to make a trade to upgrade the offense though, beit at CF, 2B, SS or whatever. Having Pierre, Cedeno and Izturis in the same lineup will severly limit the offensive potential.
  10. A few things: 1. Why anyone would rather replace Cedeno then Izturis is beyond me. 2. There is no way that Pierre should be brought back at the price he will demand. As much as I'd hate to rush Pie, I'd prefer him in CF next year instead of more Pierre. 3. I really don't see Hendry/Baker (if he's back) being creative enough to move Jones to CF (if Jones would even agree to play there). 4. I'm starting to doubt there is enough money to pick up both as stud corner OFer and a front-line starting pitcher with all the money being wasted on Rusch, Neifi, Izturis, etc. I hope I'm wrong about that. My guess is Hendry is going to have to get creative with some trades to fill the corner OF spot (likely by trading some young pitching). I won't hold my breath on that one.
  11. While I want no part of Neifi, Jones hasn't been horrible. Stats: AVG .288 | HR 18 | RBI 55 | OBP .321 | SLG .499 Right, he hasn't been horrible over the season (though not good either), but I was referring to his recent past (as I believe Dusty was).
  12. Meh-I can certainly see the emotional attachment to Girardi and he's done a very respectable job with Florida this year. I'm not certain I'd agree with his coaching philosophy though. For two reasons; 1) I'm not positive what his philosophy is; and 2) Based on the limited info from this season, he appears to be in love with "small ball". However, that could just be because he doesn't have a whole lot to work with.
  13. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.......Dusty, you fool. Jacque Jones and Neifi Perez have been even worse then their abysmal career numbers.
  14. It's interesting to see teams like the Angels, Tigers, Twins, etc. rest their young pitchers (while in the middle of a pennant race, mind you) while the Cubs skip fifth starters in August when they have absolutely no chance at getting to the playoffs and some rookie pitchers who have or will blow by their previous innings pitched numbers.
  15. The thing is, Hendry is just going to spend that "saved" couple million on another Rusch or Neifi. Probably, but that doesn't mean I will endorse it. But, like I said, for a few million I'd probably do it.
  16. I guess I'm not really sure how I feel about this. I certainly have an emotional attachment to Wood and want to see him stay with the Cubs and succeed. That part of me says bring him back as a reliever and see what happens. Having said that, there's also a part of me that doesn't want to do it. He's obviously an injury risk at this point and I'd hate to see the Cubs shell out $3-$5 million and have Wood spend most of the season on the DL again. With money already being wasted (IMO) on overpayments to Rusch, Neifi and Izturis, raises for guys like Zambrano, Lee and possibly Pierre (yuck) and Ramirez, and the already high amount being spent on the pen, the Cubs are running out of money to spend on free agents in 2007 and it doesn't really sound like a smart gamble to me. For $1 or $2 million I guess I'd probably do it. In addition, Wood doesn't owe the Cubs anything. It's dissapointing to me to hear people say that.
  17. I think he's pointing out that it's pretty easy to buy a glove. Obviously, they don't even have to buy them. I guess I don't see the big deal with Cedeno sitting a couple of games while he gets some work in at second base. I hate to see Neifi out there as much as the next guy. Give him a few days to get some work in, then play him there the majority of the rest of the year. I'm sure Dusty will get Neifi in there as well though. If that's truly what is happening, fine. I won't have a problem with that. Trouble is, I don't believe it. I'm guessing Neifi will get the majority of the starts for the rest of the year.
  18. The quote about Guzman is absurd, but not surprising. I fully expect Rusch to take that spot in the rotation. The only way Guzman will be in is when they send down Hill (after his next poor start, which will happen eventually). I heard the comment about Ronny at 2B during last nights game and it's a freaking joke. I'll bet any amount of money that Neifi gets more starts at 2B then Ronny between now and the end of the year. Anyone want a piece of that action? He owes to the game of baseball to bet his guys who "know how to play" out there for the playoff race, dude. I can already hear all the various, "Ronny's never played 2B", or "Ronny needs to rest between starts while learning a new position", or "Neifi knows this park", or "Ronny's throws tail in a funny direction when he's playing 2B" or whatever bs excuses Dusty will come up with to "justify" playing Neifi on a regular basis.
  19. 95% of the people here are rooting for the Cubs. People just have different views of how to reach the success we'd all like to see. I think the reason crapiness in ensued in this thread is people pointed out some of (what they perceived to be) flaws in the original post. Then people got all defensive and said YOU CAN'T PROVE HE WILL SUCK!! STOP MAKING ARGUEMENTS ABOUT MONEY!!! PECOTA IS STUPID!!! WHY DON'T YOU JUST ROOT, ROOT, ROOT FOR THE CUBBIES!?!?!?! At least, that's the way I saw it.
  20. Unfortunately, we already have numerous people who can fill the 8 hole (see: Cedeno, Ronny and Pere, Neifi). Not to mention the fact that he'll probably hit in the 2 hole, not 8.
  21. I like that idea, too. .. .. I just haven't figured out who wuld be our lead off hitter. Our fearless leaders would be tempted to put Izturis there. Or sign Soriano and use him there.... Soriano will be looking to move back to 2B though which does nothing to help our OF. I'd rather keep Izturis/Cedeno up the middle and try for a big bat in the OF. If we decide that Murton isn't the answer in LF, I wouldn't mind seeing Hendry go after Mench if he's rather cheap and then go all-out for a RF. Why not go for Soriano at 2b AND a big bat in the OF? I assume the Cubs are going to want to sign a SP. They probably don't have enough money for all three (unless they are all mediocre, which is very possible).
  22. Come on, people!!!!!! Jimi needs you!!!
  23. The bottom line is, if some other GM was stupid enough to offer Neifi a contract anywhere close to the one he got, Hendry should have let him go. It's not complicated.
  24. The last time I looked the NL Central is where the Cubs reside and winning the division (or Wild Card) has to be a first step. They certainly won't be the favorites in a weak division, but if you get into the playoffs anything can happen. Sure, winning the division is the first step. I interpret your statement as hoping a $100 million payroll team "could compete in the NL Central." With $100 mil at his disposal, Hendry should be able to do better then that. He should be able to build a team that expects (is favored) to win the division and go from there. MacPhail has spouted of numerous times about hoping to "compete" in the division. That's why I made that connection.
  25. But as I stated earlier in this thread (in response to you) was that it goes beyond those two. He's now overpaid for Howry + Eyre + Neifi + Rusch + Izturis to the tune of over $10 million (and that doesn't even include J. Jones). It adds up and it will likely prohibit him from going out and signing both a stud LFer and a front line SP (both of which will be needed).
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