CubfaninCA

At least Baker brings a fun clubhouse. That has to count for something. Writing out a lineup card shouldn't be everything. Although, it's a big part of the job, which Baker failed at miserably last year.

Don makes some good points in regard to the inability of Cub starters to go deep into games, and how teams like Anaheim and Houston have deep bullpens which really benefit them. Can't fault Hendry if he's going w/ the Anaheim model. They've made the playoffs the past 3 out of 4 years. If Colon holds up, the White Sox might not be the champs this year.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Baker never saw Walker as a leadoff hitter last year, and I don't think that will change. Furthermore, I don't think you can pencil in Cedeno in any lineup at shortstop. Dusty didn't play him when we were out of the race last year, so why should we expect him to play Cedeno when we have something to play for? Unfortunately, the best we can hope for would be a 60/40 split between Cedeno and Neifi, but I'm not sure even that is possible. Co-sign^^ You guys are right to some extent and that's the problem. I'm so freakin' sick of people making excuses and saying that we need to taylor our roster to Dusty's (mis)management. THAT IS ABSURD. If we have to worry about Dusty putting our worst hitter at the top of the order, guess what, that hitter isn't your biggest problem. Your manager is. Having said that, the question was "what would you do?" That is what I would do. Cedeno is my SS, Walker is my 2B and leadoff hitter. Dusty gets with the program, or he finds a new job. It's not excusues. It's just reality. Baker could be in Chicago for a while. We aren't going to see him ever start some Moneyballer dream lineup. He wants guy's @ the top of the order w/ speed. Hopefully, Hendry can get guys who can get on base and have speed. Hence why I'm hoping for Furcal or Pierre. I wouldn't even consider that a "moneyballer" lineup though. Walker is not slow. Murton is fast. Those guys aren't going to steal a bunch of bases, but they're going to take extra bases on singles and balls in the gap. Like I've said many times before; I'm not against signing Furcal. But I'm against giving him a 5 year $50 mil contract when we have a guy who can likely fill the position in-house (for $350,000) and a hole the size the Grand Canyon in RF (which has zero chance of being filled in-house). Tayloring to Dusty's fetishes doesn't make this team any stronger. It only uses up money that can be allocated better elsewhere IMO. How many bases you think those 2 would steal in total?? Maybe 10? That top of the order seems pretty Moneyballish to me where the stolen base or threat of is pretty much insignificant.

They thought a big trade was coming at the deadline too... Hey now, he got Matt Lawton... Worthless trade.. Gmab. Lawton's obp was around .370 when they got him. Don't hurt your back stretching, so you can give Hendry zero credit.

That could work. I wouldn't mind seeing Wood, Walker and Patterson sent to LA for Drew, Lowe and Bradley.

That's exactly what I was going to say. Baker never saw Walker as a leadoff hitter last year, and I don't think that will change. Furthermore, I don't think you can pencil in Cedeno in any lineup at shortstop. Dusty didn't play him when we were out of the race last year, so why should we expect him to play Cedeno when we have something to play for? Unfortunately, the best we can hope for would be a 60/40 split between Cedeno and Neifi, but I'm not sure even that is possible. Co-sign^^ You guys are right to some extent and that's the problem. I'm so freakin' sick of people making excuses and saying that we need to taylor our roster to Dusty's (mis)management. THAT IS ABSURD. If we have to worry about Dusty putting our worst hitter at the top of the order, guess what, that hitter isn't your biggest problem. Your manager is. Having said that, the question was "what would you do?" That is what I would do. Cedeno is my SS, Walker is my 2B and leadoff hitter. Dusty gets with the program, or he finds a new job. It's not excusues. It's just reality. Baker could be in Chicago for a while. We aren't going to see him ever start some Moneyballer dream lineup. He wants guy's @ the top of the order w/ speed. Hopefully, Hendry can get guys who can get on base and have speed. Hence why I'm hoping for Furcal or Pierre.

I forgot they changed the name. They've had a weird run, going from among the top, back toward the middle, toward the top and back to the middle. Either way, it's a better hitter's park than Wrigley, and Mench has been brutal away from it. Well, he does play a lot of games @ pitcher parks (Oakland, Anaheim & Seattle). He's pretty far down the list of who I want tho. Give me Giles or Abreu or Dunn or Floyd or Burrell or Ichiro or Drew instead. I'm asking this question because I have no idea. You just mentioned trading for Drew. I know the Dodgers are talking of drastically cutting payroll this year. Do you guys think theres any chance that they're shopping Drew this offseason? I would love to have him for right. Especially now that we're 1 year into his contract. Well, he's far from a fan favorite in LA. People are pretty upset that he only played 70some games last year. Since LA is trying to appease fans, I can see them moving Drew, but they'll need to get a name player or two for him. Can't see it being just some salary dump.

I forgot they changed the name. They've had a weird run, going from among the top, back toward the middle, toward the top and back to the middle. Either way, it's a better hitter's park than Wrigley, and Mench has been brutal away from it. Well, he does play a lot of games @ pitcher parks (Oakland, Anaheim & Seattle). He's pretty far down the list of who I want tho. Give me Giles or Abreu or Dunn or Floyd or Burrell or Ichiro or Drew instead.

With the restructured contract of Chipper Jones, I'd see if Atlanta would rather just resign Furcal and trade Chipper to the Cubs. Cedeno plays SS since he is one. Overall I'd prefer Julio Lugo. I'd make Cedeno my SS and use all my resources to try to sign Giles and trade for Bradley or Wilkerson. If I can't sign Giles, I do everything I can to facilitate a trade for and impact RF. I try to sign or trade for another SP (not named Burnett) and possibly another reliable RP. I keep Walker. Walker Murton Lee Giles/Abreu/etc. Ramirez Bradley Barrett Cedeno Give Baker that roster and Neifi's leading off.

Just curious... Is Texas a far superior hitter's park when compared to Wrigley?

Of course, that team could win 80 games too, as they have to rely on Wood, Prior and Dempster's health and Bradley's temperment.

I have a feeling Nomar will end up in L.A. Last I had read though, Milwaukee is thinking of holding onto Overbay. Yep, LA needs to add some name players to try and keep up w/ Anaheim. My money's on LA getting Nomar. Pretty good fit for both sides.

If Prior, Wood and Z remain healthy, that lineup can win 100 games.

Heard on LA radio last night that LA's looking @ Nomar for 3b and Overbaby for 1b.

A) I don't think I've seen anyone use "dumpster" in a derogatory way since 2004, which is well before the ban on such names. B) there should be a double standard in a community this small between long time posters and newbies. The mods here know the people with thousands of posts. They know their general intentions and know if they can be trusted to reign it in if they're instructed to do so. There is a VERY GOOD REASON THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE LAW. We have the sort of legal system ENTIRELY because we live in a society where most people do not know most other people they may run into. It's simply not a good idea to apply to this sort of community because the judges actually know everyone involved in the incidents they moderate. shouldn't the long time posters set the example?? if someone w/ 10000 posts is constantly flaming, someone w/ 100 posts probably thinks it's ok to act up as well. someone with 10k posts constantly flaming? If one of those 8 posters (6 of whom are mods/admin) is a constant flamer in a way that detracts from the board, you should say something. No one is going to get to 10k posts (or become a mod) if they spend their time sniping at people. They'll be told off at some point. omg you looked it up. wow! that's hardcore. :) i'll just phrase it as "regulars." Actually, if they want to gripe and snipe, that's cool. However, things should be called down the middle. Allowing double standards just ticks off people.

A) I don't think I've seen anyone use "dumpster" in a derogatory way since 2004, which is well before the ban on such names. B) there should be a double standard in a community this small between long time posters and newbies. The mods here know the people with thousands of posts. They know their general intentions and know if they can be trusted to reign it in if they're instructed to do so. There is a VERY GOOD REASON THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE LAW. We have the sort of legal system ENTIRELY because we live in a society where most people do not know most other people they may run into. It's simply not a good idea to apply to this sort of community because the judges actually know everyone involved in the incidents they moderate. shouldn't the long time posters set the example?? if someone w/ 10000 posts is constantly flaming, someone w/ 100 posts probably thinks it's ok to act up as well. Maybe I missed something-was something said that was uncalled for, or are people just bickering over how optimistic/pessimistic to be? Just a debate over board double standards. The optimism/pessimism debate was earlier today. :)

The problem with Rusch being long relief is there is no room for him in the pen unless we trade somebody from that group. Eyre Ohman Dempster Novoa Williamson Wuertz RH setup guy that Hendry has said he wants to get Thats 7 men in the pen right there. Once again I will ask where in the hell does Rusch fit in on this team. Well, one of the young guys could be dealt. Nothing wrong w/ collecting assets when there's a weak free agent market.

A) I don't think I've seen anyone use "dumpster" in a derogatory way since 2004, which is well before the ban on such names. B) there should be a double standard in a community this small between long time posters and newbies. The mods here know the people with thousands of posts. They know their general intentions and know if they can be trusted to reign it in if they're instructed to do so. There is a VERY GOOD REASON THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE LAW. We have the sort of legal system ENTIRELY because we live in a society where most people do not know most other people they may run into. It's simply not a good idea to apply to this sort of community because the judges actually know everyone involved in the incidents they moderate. shouldn't the long time posters set the example?? if someone w/ 10000 posts is constantly flaming, someone w/ 100 posts probably thinks it's ok to act up as well.

Bravo Jim. *applause*

2 years w/ an option for a 3rd @ $11 mil sounds good, and my initial guess will be on the money. :o If true, people can drop the pitchforks. As for Rusch being the 5th starter, what happened to Jerome Williams. I'm not buying it. If Hendry's focus is strengthening the pitching, then Rusch will be in long relief.

Well, the Cubs are spending like the Yankees now. Of course, they'll stop overpaying when they hit $105 or $110 million and not keep going to $200 mil. Erye better perform early or the pitchforks will be out for him too. :o

Will bet it's a 2 year deal, w/ an option for a 3rd. Why the F would BJ Ryan want to setup? Cmon now.

It makes him look Bush like. ;)

Why would Dusty care how much money Hendry is paying a particular player? I think we've all agreed that Hendry has little input on who Dusty plays, so why does Dusty care? If I understand this correctly, Dusty's thinking is "I think that Murton would be a better player than Alou, but because Jim is paying Alou $7 million I guess I better start him instead." I can't imagine why Dusty would care about what anyone is being paid. The only time Murton would play in front of a vet like Alou is when Alou's on the DL, so perhaps Murton would get 500 AB's this year. ;)

And yet on the other hand, 3 of the best pitching teams in the NL didn't even make the playoffs. The Cubs did not have enough offense to win, and they can't just add "whomever they want". Ignoring the offense would be a terrible decision. Don't worry the offense won't be ignored. It wasn't last year. Nomar, Walker, ARam and Patterson just issed 360 games. (Patterson's game's played shouldn't count). :)