CubfaninCA

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2. As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have. I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too. His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys. 18 of Soriano's 24 Home Runs are at home. He's been horrible away from home this year, and he wasn't very good away from home last year. I really doubt he'd hit 35 HR as a Cub, not that any particular benchmark like 35 HR is especially important. Walker has 7 homers all year. What's he been?? I'll put more faith in the more durable guy. Got bitten too many times this year already.

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2. As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have. I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too. His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys. I'm not saying he's a bad player; he's not. He's just overpriced given the difference between he and Walker, and the difference between his road and home numbers I agree that Walker's a bargain. I just want this team to get better and Sori's due about $4 mil. or so for the remaining games. With all the salary going off playoff next season, they'll have money to pay him and to add other pieces. Jmo but I don't think TX is going to ask for a whole lot for Sori, seems they'd like to cut some payroll, and may be happy w/ a few pitchers. Maybe Mitre?? Check that he's making $7.5 million this yr. according to ESPN, so is probably due $3-3.25 million for the remaining 60some games.

I would love Giles on this club for a couple of years. 2 year deal would be ideal, but I can't imagine he would go for it since I suspect a few other teams (Braves) might be happy to give him 4 years. I still don't understand why SD has not signed him to an extension unless Giles has secretly made it clear to Towers that he doesn't want to play for the Padres in 2006, or there is something about SDs' 2006 payroll that I'm not understanding. Personally, I think there is money to do it. Maybe they're seeing if there is any cash relief in the Ponson for Nevin deal, if Phil accepts it. Maybe they are still making their minds up on whether or not to bring back Trevor Hoffman, Ramon Hernandez and Woody Williams in 2006. Well it seems they're trying to find room for Nady and the Nevin trade could really help them restructure. Perhaps they've been thinking of letting Giles walk w/out a fight and just replace him w/ Nady in rf.?? I just don't see the Pads offering Giles a big deal. 3 years w/ an optionfor a 4th could get him in Chicago. Would love to see him stacked w/ Lee and ARam. He doesn't have near the support in SD.

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz. Wrigley plays as a pitcher's park about half the time, IIRC, since the wind blows in about half the time. I think Soriano would be a good option if he were willing to play CF, but he's not. So in my humble opinion, it's not worth the price to get him. Isn't Wrigley a pitcher's park in April and May when the wind blows in more and a hitter's park in the summer when it's warmer and the winds more likely to blow out. I'd like to have Soriano for August & September. Houston could be real tough to catch. Not too worried about Washington.

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2. As CPatt pointed out, Soriano's road OPS is bad. Factor that with the fact that he's not a severe upgrade over Walker, and he becomes much less attractive a player to have. I'd much rather have Delucci on his own. The prospect cost would be more reasonable, too. His slugging % is 50 points better than Walker's and he's alot faster. Some of you guys overvalue the walk and undervalue the home run. Not many walks are going to push Lee, Burnitz and ARam across the plate. Most likely it just gives Neifi and Barrett the chance to strand them. Also home runs are a sure run. The Cubs would be pretty dangerous w/ three 35+ homer guys.

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Agreed. Dellucci would be solid, but I don't want any part of Soriano and his .652 Road OPS When did Wrigley become a pitcher's park?? Same thing was said about Burnitz.

I like Delucci, but Soriano won't play anything other than 2B. Why does that matter. He has a great slugging percentage, 17th overall. They can just go w/ Hairston and Delucci 1-2 or Delucci and Nomar 1-2.

Not much new information, unfortunately. The Mike MacDougal trail went pretty cold as KC was asking for a boatload of prospects, and the Kearns talk was pretty much, just talk - nothing was close as of Saturday. I still think Hendry will address the bullpen if the Cubs have a good week between today through Sunday. Me definition of good week: 5-2 at minimum (2 of 3 from SF, and 3 of 4 from AZ). Like you and almost everybody here, I feel Hendry must address the OF situation for 2006. If Jeromy Burnitz is brought back, I want him to be the 3rd best OF in the line-up (OPS wise). If he's #1 again, then we should consider the offseason a failure. I have faith that it will be addressed. If they pickup Giles in the offseason, I'll be happy. He's not a budget buster and gives the team what they need, obp. Baker will probably bat him 6th though and waste him though. :cry:

Hoops, considering what's out there, I"m liking your Delucci and Soriano trade more and more. The Cubs need alot more pop from the #6 spot. Hollandworth is a 9 hitter.

Since I'm greedy I want another arm & bat. I think they'll need both in order to keep pace w/ Houston.

Not even the Yankees will take him?? I find that hard to believe.

With Washington falling apart, the Cubs are essentially 1 1/2 games out of the wildcard. Also, they don't really have anyone to sell who will bring back anything of significance.. No one will give them much for Wood. Maddux isn't the pitcher he used to be so they won't get much for him. Patterson's struggled this year. And trading Lee, ARam, Z or Prior would be insane.

With AZ only 2 1/2 out in the West, I can't see them dealing off Gonzo. It doesn't look good for Dunn either. Now TX could be in the trade market, but Soriano looks to be the guy they'd like to move. They've fallen under .500 and need some pitching. The Cubs could give them some young arms, Patterson and Walker and get Delucci and Soriano. Some of the obp fanatics may not like Soriano batting 6th cause he won't be getting on base for Barrett, Neifi and the pitcher, but he should help put Lee, Burnitz and ARam across home plate more often w/ his .540 slugging %.

They're 11 over now and iirc 3 ahead in the wildcard. Does Houston, Philly, NY or the Cubs catch them first?? I'm putting my money on Houston. It was a nice run for Washington while it lasted. Good to see them generate some interest in D.C. It's good to see celebs like Carville and Russert showing up at home games.

You make a good point. I'd prefer ARam batting 4th too. The manager may figure that out by next month. It took him half the season to figure out the 1-2 hitters. At least he doesn't have his beloved Neifi batting 4th.

Not getting my hopes up.

The acquisitions of Lee and Ramirez should keep Hendry fully employed for several more years. Now if he could only figure out how to hire a manager. :D

If you're playing to win a World Series, then you're #3 better have an ERA better than 4.55. As for Williams, his ERA in his last 4 starts is nearly 5.00. Jason Schmidt could be a nice stop gap. SF can't ask for too much given he's a free agent. Schmidt's ERA is high compared to previous seasons, but his last few outings have been pretty good. Yes, I know Schmidt was injured this year, but he doesn't have near Wood's history. Perhaps he's getting back to full strength.

Maddux just doesn't have it like he used to. Williams is barely hanging on as a #5, but I like his long-term potential. And I don't want to even get into why Kerry Wood isn't a #3. Any chance the Cubs can get in on Burnett?? Is there anyone else out there who could help the Cubs??

Just curious... Were you ever a pitcher?? I'd like to see opinion from those who've actually pitched. For the record, I pitched about 3 innings in my life. I had no control. :D I played all the way through high school and pitched during that time, too. I wasn't great but good enough to keep starting. I never developed a slider - it never really slid and was a fastball that I threw 10 mph slower than my regular fastball, meaning it ended up over the fence more often that not. I had to rely on fastball/curve/changeup as my arsenal. Take it for what it's worth. So did speedy baserunners bother you at all? Just my guess, but if you poll major league pitchers they'll probably say they make adjustments when guys like Pierre are on base. Am guessing it throws them off their rhythm some.

Just curious... Were you ever a pitcher?? I'd like to see opinion from those who've actually pitched. For the record, I pitched about 3 innings in my life. I had no control. :D

Ah. Out come the apologists. You fellas should apply for jobs w/ WGN. :wink:

Ah bet they meant 2008 then. Thanks for the post.

Here's what they have there. Gotta scroll pretty far right. "Mutual option w/ buyout for 2006"

Ok I know the last thing the Cubs need is another injury prone "star." :o However, Griffey's been healthy this year and is starting to put up really good numbers. Perhaps he finally decided to get serious about conditioning?? Can anyone say Moises Alou. :) Anyway, I read on dugout dollar that his contract can be bought out after 2006. I'm uncertain of the terms though. So if Cincy were to pick up the deferred money, would you take a shot on Griffey. Lee, Griffey, ARam would put lots of runs on the board. I'm not going to hold my breath on Dunn cause Cincy seems to be real stingy. Am guessing they'd be alot more willing to deal off Griffey. The Yankees would probably like to have him, but they have little to offer.