CubfaninCA

so if the move is unimportant, why did you make this comment? the move was getting overhyped by some... Thomas turns 38 in May and has missed a considerable amount of time the past 2 years. The guy could be going the way of other great power hitters/steroid users like Sosa & Bonds. His body's probably shot, but if he gets on Giambi's HGH who knows maybe he'll play half a year.... It's not that I think Thomas is going to put up a 300/400/600 line. It's more that he got a guy for only 500,000 (practically the league minimum) who could potentially give you that line. More likely than not, Thomas won't reach those numbers, but Beane made a signing where he has everything to gain, and practically nothing to lose. It COULD be a huge signing that pays off tremendously. And of course Thomas could break his foot trying to buy a hot dog, but if he does, Beane's only out 500K. So basically a lightning in a bottle move. Fair enough. I see Sosa 2005 written all over Thomas. It's great when Thomas puts the ball in play, but a batting average of .219 or so is a little alarming.

apparently, he's in talks w/ the dodgers. sounds like anaheim's content w/ jeff mathis.

so if the move is unimportant, why did you make this comment? the move was getting overhyped by some... Thomas turns 38 in May and has missed a considerable amount of time the past 2 years. The guy could be going the way of other great power hitters/steroid users like Sosa & Bonds. His body's probably shot, but if he gets on Giambi's HGH who knows maybe he'll play half a year....

There is no possible way for this to be a bad signing. The A's are not in anyway banking any sort of their future on Frank Thomas being a part of this team. He gets hurt and doesn't play, the A's are out 500K, which is nothing even for the A's and they still have Johnson and Swischer to play 1B/DH. If he contributes anything at all it's nothing but a positive. If you think that is too much Jose Macias and Timo Perez got 1 mill each last season. Frank Thomas gets 1 home run as an A and falls apart, he gets 500K and the a's go to their prospects, big whoop. Frank Thomas is healthy he's going to hit and make 3.1million = steal of the offseason. Not too impressive doesn't mean bad. Imo it's an insignificant move.

well, you do have sample size on your side. seriously, all you guys that like to make snide, smart ass remarks about moneyball, beane and OBP are just making yourself look stupid. NOBODY includes that stuff in their posts more than you. either you're imagining everybody mentioning beane, moneyball and james in their posts or you're just reading your own posts, which are littered with references to those things. enough playing the 'woe is me, i'm the poor guy in the minority on every issue that everyone hates...i'm such a martyr' card. no one's buying it. lol. glad you didn't get personal, and hendry's done several things wrong... ah, the final piece of your typical posting plan. 1. determine what the majority opinion on an issue is. 2. take the opposite of that opinion in snide, quick, baseless, inflammatory remarks. usually add a rolling eyes smiley. 3. wait for someone to call you out on your post that you have to know is ridiculous and has no support. 4. claim that your post is just being attacked because your a rogue, independent minded, outside the box, free thinker who doesn't fall into everybody else's follow the leader mentality. 5. wait for someone to call you out on that. 6. whine about being personally attacked (even though you technically personally attacked everyone who you claim to be part of the group think) and usually throw it out there that the mods are allowing the personal attack because the poster 'attacking' you is part of the in crowd. 7. shrug it all off because, well, that's just what you do. someday we'll see the err of our ways and realize you were right. so is the life of a martyr. whoa either obsessed or drunk. $500k on Thomas meh. Dude's on his last leg.

well, you do have sample size on your side. seriously, all you guys that like to make snide, smart ass remarks about moneyball, beane and OBP are just making yourself look stupid. NOBODY includes that stuff in their posts more than you. either you're imagining everybody mentioning beane, moneyball and james in their posts or you're just reading your own posts, which are littered with references to those things. enough playing the 'woe is me, i'm the poor guy in the minority on every issue that everyone hates...i'm such a martyr' card. no one's buying it. lol. glad you didn't get personal, and hendry's done several things wrong...

The "writer" says the Cubs did nothing to improve the offence. Pierre's quite an upgrade over Patterson, but this is the same guy who thinks comparing the Cubs to the D Rays is fresh. :roll:

I think he's a good GM too... Just not a god, which apparently makes me anti-Beane & on a crusade. *shrug*

Shut up. Beane was criticized on this board for the Loaiza signing. Thomas at 500K is a great signing, and you're boring us with your anti-Beane crusade. What crusade? :shock:

34 games and a .315 obp aren't too impressive, but Beane can do no wrong.

Well, if the guy from Maxim says so..... :roll:

I'm giving up on any big name acquisitions by the Cubs until the trade deadline when Abreu & Tejada could be available, if their teams falter. Can see either joining the Cubs before Dunn or Helton.

Jmo but I can see Dunn becoming available around the trade deadline. I just can't see Cincy shaking things up too much now. Also, I think they'll want to trade him outside the NL Central. :(

Can someone actually come up with a reason why Michaels would not continue his success in a full time role? Splits, quotes, anything? Most players who play part time have a reason for doing so besides 'they've never played full time'. Michaels is a better defender(unless that will get worse with more playing time despite 2 full seasons of duty) than Pierre, and he consistently has been better than Pierre's best seasons, nevermind when Pierre has BABIP hiccups and doesn't hit .300 and is terrible offensively. The Pierre move wasn't decent at all. We overpaid for a marginal talent who is the very definition of one-dimensional, without any room for improvement upon previous success. Also, our offense was worse after we acquired Lofton and Ramirez. Mind-blowing pitching performance carried us to the playoffs. fatigue. Hey I'd be productive, if I had every other day off. ;) Okay, let's see how well Michaels performs with 0 v. 1+ days off. It's a worthy reason if there's something behind it. Has Michaels had trouble w/ injuries in the past?? I've heard announcers talk about the "dog days on summer" when players get real tired and decline. Who knows how much effect this has on performance. Guess it depends on the player.

Can someone actually come up with a reason why Michaels would not continue his success in a full time role? Splits, quotes, anything? Most players who play part time have a reason for doing so besides 'they've never played full time'. Michaels is a better defender(unless that will get worse with more playing time despite 2 full seasons of duty) than Pierre, and he consistently has been better than Pierre's best seasons, nevermind when Pierre has BABIP hiccups and doesn't hit .300 and is terrible offensively. The Pierre move wasn't decent at all. We overpaid for a marginal talent who is the very definition of one-dimensional, without any room for improvement upon previous success. Also, our offense was worse after we acquired Lofton and Ramirez. Mind-blowing pitching performance carried us to the playoffs. fatigue. Hey I'd be productive, if I had every other day off. ;)

Hendry has learned his lesson from 2004 and 2005.

Where you want to play him? In a platoon in RF?? You're not worried about him playing over Murton?

Exhibits A, B and C: Kerry Wood, Greg Maddux, and the $16MM bullpen. Combined, that's more than Tampa and Pittsburgh's entire payroll. Note though that if Wood and Maddux don't return, Jones drops to $5MM last year, if you expunge Rusch and Neifi, and you don't renew Williamson let's say--all of which are possible, and Jones might even get thrown overboard--that's a whopping $30MM return of payroll, $35MM if you get rid of Jones. So when should the Cubs have gotten rid of Wood?

The Cubs have spent a ton of money on pitching. I'm guessing only the Yankees have spent more. This pitching staff has the potential to be the best in baseball.

Nice job again Jim. The Cubs could have the best pitching in baseball come July..

I like Hairston as a utility player.... I have a hunch that Cedeno's the 2 hitter. Cedeno's speed is a major asset considering Baker's the manager...

I think those three could be adequate this year in the 2 hole. The problem is none of them are locks, or near locks to put up those numbers, or even get a shot to put up those numbers in the 2 hole. It would be a gamble, but I'd prefer to go w/ youth @ the 2 and get a slugger behind the top 2 on base guys, Lee & ARam. I'd be a little nervous about Neifi batting 2 tho...

I'm not sure if they have "plenty of adequate 2 hitters", but I agree about the lack of 5 hitters. The problem with Soriano is his price tag in terms of dollars, the amount of talent you'd have to trade to get him, and that he'd be replacing a guy that isn't any worse than him (Walker). And the fact that the Cubs might foolishly extend him to an inflated contract if they do trade for him is another worry. It's just too bad they locked themselves into such poor OF production, because your 5 hitter should come from eithe LF or RF, assuming 1B and 3B are your best guys. Murton, Hairston & Cedeno = adequate in my book and it's a lot easier to acquire a 2 hitter than a 5, but I agree he's too expensive for the amount of money & players.... I guess there's still a chance for a 5 from LF, as Huff and Floyd could become available. Of course, Murton will have to sit....

The Cubs have plenty of adequate 2 hitters, but no adequate 5 hitter. I'd like to get Soriano, but his price tag appears to be way too expensive.

& who was that impact player that you knew for ceratin was avaliable? The options are quite thin, no doubt, but Zito & Tejada have been rumored to be on the block, and Soriano was traded. I can't fault Hendry for Furcal or Giles, but I think he should be bold and put Pie on the market and try to get a big time player. There's still a possibility that this can turn into a A- offseason... A grade of D is too critical considering the options.