CubfaninCA

Yeah, but Pierre suc*s. So you know what you're getting, big deal. An expected kick in the nuts is still a kick in the nuts. How is a .355 career OBP, 199H/yr avg a terrible thing for a leadoff hitter? And so what if it's all speed dependant - I don't anticipate Pierre slowing down significantly in the next few years anymore than I expect A-Ram to get weaker or Prior's arm to fall off. If Pierre's a kick in the nuts, then the Cubs could use a few more kicks like that. Last year's all that counts. I guess.

good point, the cubs better trade pie, harvey and hill for aubrey huff since we cant get anything better You missed the point. When did I say that the Cubs have depth in the outfield? the cubs have so much depth the glendon rusch is in the starting rotation. also, when you account for the fact that something like 80% of these guys are going to get hurt, i dont know why you go out of your way to make sure you don't have too many good young pitchers. When's Wood supposed to be back? And Rusch isn't that bad and he was brought back to be a swingman. Also, they could still sign a pitcher. If you're counting on 80% getting hurt, then the Cubs should draft 90% pitchers.

good point, the cubs better trade pie, harvey and hill for aubrey huff since we cant get anything better You missed the point. When did I say that the Cubs have depth in the outfield?

Agree w/ 10 out of 10 and overvaluing. The Cubs have plenty of young arms, (Z, Prior, Williams, Hill, Guzman & I think a few other's are ranked ahead of Nolasco and Pinto). The Cubs aren't going to an 8 man rotation and if they could have got Dunn or Abreu for Nolasco, Pinto and whoever, the deal would have already been done. It was a solid deal.

I don't think they need Lugo over Cedeno to be a playoff team and don't understand alot of the fascination with Lugo. Lugo's a nice player, but not leaps and bounds better than Cedeno. he had one nice OBP year at age 29. other than that, he screams average shortstop. I tell you this right now, if the Cubs had Lugo and his usual .335 OBP in the two hole all year, and alot of the people chiming for him now would be screaming. Cedeno has an outstanding chance to match what Lugo usually does this year, if allowed to play. I know, a big if. even if not, with Cedeno gone, the Cubs have a choice for 2007. resign a 31 year old average shortstop to a three year deal, go with Neifi, or try to find a shortstop somewhere else when none will be available except Jack Wilson or Izturis. I'd just as soon pass on all three and stick with Cedeno. Keep Cedeno around and there's a real good chance the "proven vet," Neifi, plays.

talent

Would be nice to get Huff & Lugo for Hill, Cedeno and whoever else. The Cubs have enough to take it all in 2006.

Yep, he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of value around the league. He's alright @ getting on base and has some power, but provides little speed and fielding. His age, durability and attitude may be a problem too.

I'd like to see him back as a utility guy.

Saw this signing coming. $6 million's way too much for Nomar. LA better keep Choi around cause they'll need him by mid-April when Nomar gets hurt.

Put all these guys on the Cardinals and it would happen.

Correct me if I'm wrong.... So far the Cards have Pu @ 1b, ?? @ 2b, Eckstein @ SS, Rolen @ 3b, ?? in LF, Edmonds in CF, ?? in RF, and Molina @ C. Considering Eckstein played WAY over his head last year, that lineup doesn't look too ferocious. Of course, they'll find some scrapheap players for 2b, LF and RF who will all hit .300 next year. :x What's their rotation? Carpenter, Mulder, Suppan, Marquis and ????

A title w/ as awful as our offseason... Tells me yes. It's a mess if you have little faith in Prior. I can't see a 3rd down year for him though. Where did you see anything about Prior in Goony's post? Also, what does it matter if Prior has a good year? If we don't score runs more consistently, he can put up a sub 2 ERA and still lose games. That goes for all of our good pitchers. The "One Big Problem" that the Cubs have had for the past 3 seasons is offensive consistency. With offensive consistency, they run away with the Central in 2003 and don't have to completely nuke Wood and Prior down the stretch. With offensive consistency, they make the playoffs in 2004 despite injuries, and with offensive consistency they could have competed for at least the WC in 2005. Erye, Howry and Pierre are really nice moves IF we get a legit run producer in RF. If we don't do that, and settle for the best available like Jones or Wilson, we will have to count on luck, regression from the Cards and Astros and health to win in 2006. I'd rather not leave all of that to chance. What does it matter if Prior has a good year?? You have to be kidding. He was one of the top players in a game a couple years ago. Guys like Prior make a huge difference.

Apparently, Nomar was in LA on Thrs. and Friday meeting w/ the McCourt's and Coletti. Mia was w/ him yesterday. I bet he signs w/ LA, as they already have a home in Manhattan Beach.

He's on Christmas vacation w/ Neifi.

A title w/ as awful as our offseason... Tells me yes. It's a mess if you have little faith in Prior. I can't see a 3rd down year for him though.

Jones had some personal issues in 04 and 05 (his father passed in 04), so perhaps he'll bounce back to his 02 and 03 numbers (.852 ops & .797 ops), with some more time behind him. Jones would be alright as a 6 hitter, but the Cubs really need Tejada still, and I can see Pie being dealt w/ Pierre in CF and Jones in RF.

Howry, Eyre and Pierre are awful?? The list of players who could be on the move or are free agents is: Manny, Abreu, Tejada, Green, Burrell, Wilkerson, Milwood, Damon, Floyd, Washburn and Weaver for starters.... A lot could still happen.

Good deal. Shouldn't Green's numbers improve a little moving to Wrigley & the NL Central?? Am guessing Patterson & a young arm could be dealt to get him. That would be a nice move by AZ, as they cut some payroll and Patterson could finally turn things around.

A-Rod's a closer comparison than Sosa, but A~Rod was making twice as much. I can't think of a close comparison at the moment.

Doesn't remind me of Sosa whatsoever. Tejada can still play ball.

I'd tip a cop car in Orange County. :o

The Cubs don't pay players $20 million/year.

No. These are separate deals that have been in the works for some time before the Tejada thing came up. So Finley for Patterson or Walker for Mench? Alright, Ichiro was a long shot. Here's another one. What if one of the offers on the table was Todd Walker and Todd Wellemeyer for Cliff Floyd, Kaz Matsui and $2M cash? Mets still need a 2B, and desperately want to rid themselves of Matsui (change of scenery might do him some good anyway). Cubs agree to pick up a significant part of Matsui's contract, if the Mets throw Floyd into the mix. Floyd would play LF and bat 4th between Lee and Aramis (with Murton getting starts against lefties). Matsui competes with Neifi for 2B job. The money the Cubs have left gets invested into a 1-year deal for a RF. Perhaps, what's holding something like this up is the resolution of the Manny Ramirez situation. We know Cliff Floyd has a NTC for Boston, so he won't be part of that deal, but the Mets don't want to trade Floyd until they acquire another big bat. Hey, just throwing ideas out. Yep, agree that Manny's holding up some secondary deals.

You think it's drivel, I think it drives home a point. It was a sarcastic response to some pretty insincere words coming out of Hendry's mouth. Why do you pretend like there isn't a problem with the Cubs right now? Do you really think everything is fine? Many teams have spots to fill. I'm a laid back guy w/ patience. A laid back guy whom with every opportunity you get defend Hendry and the organization and keep waiting for the big trade or signing to happen. Time is ticking as far as I'm concerned. How is giving Hendry a B- a defence @ every opportunity?? Also, I've said he's done enough to get canned by the end of this upcoming season, if they don't contend. Sounds good to me. Although considering the holes we still have a B- is generous. :P I take the last 3 1/2 years into consideration. The team far exceded expectations in 2003. They underachieved a little in 2004, but had major injuries to Prior & Wood and still won 88 games. Last year was a major disappointment and Baker's infatuation w/ Perez reached epic proportions. Hitching his wagon to Baker for a 4th season makes me questions whether Hendry's fit for the job, as he's a pretty stubborn man. I'll give him one more year. Do you think Hendry salvaged Baker's final year because he stands to make 4m in that final year? Do you think that the Tribune would be happy with Hendry if he fired a guy Hendry hired, who still had 4m to go on his contract? Then also knowing that someone would have to be hired to replace Dusty, would Hendry's own job become more unstable? I'm wondering if that had anything to do with Baker still being here. The rumors of extensions kind of shoots that theory out of the water. But, Baker has been absolutely horrible (in my mind) with filling out a line up card, from preventing clubhouse chaos, etc... He hasn't been a man worthy of a 4m paycheck, IMO. Will it be easier for Hendry to fire him this year knowing he's now in the last year of his contract, meanwhile an interim manager wouldn't cost anymore? Or at this point, will Hendry just be sent packing too (assuming that he doesn't improve the team)? Oh, I'm sure the Trib doesn't want to pay 2 managers, but if Hendry pushed hard enough they may be able to get Baker out. My assumption w/ Hendry is that he's a really stubborn guy, and that may be his downfall. My guess is that if Hendry & Baker pull off 83 wins or more, they'll be back. That's enough for the Trib. It keeps hope alive w/ the masses, who don't follow baseball too closely.