Hollandsworths mug

Could anyone ever see Walter Payton leaving the Bears to play for the Packers? How would that have felt? Magic to the Celtics? Bird to the Lakers? Jordan to the Pistons?

The backlash would've been local only. If it was a difference of $30-40M, why would he care about any backlash? There's other reasons compelling him to stay, but I don't think a bunch of crazy St. Louis fans being mad at him is among them. He obviously feels a sense of loyalty to the Cardinals fans and it really would be a slap in the face to them to come here. I just never felt Albert would leave the Cardinals to come to the Cubs.

Despite the "reports" we were going to make a run at him, I never actually thought it would happen. The backlash Albert would get for coming here probably was not worth the extra money to him. Theo and Jed have a plan and I'm confident it's a good one.

Well, there is little doubt that the Cubs are waiting on Maddux to decide if he wants to move his family. If he wants the job, I'd have to think it's his.

Include your boy Kapman on that list. Him, too.

I would ask Brenly, the trolls Sullivan and Rosenblab and anyone else who has a problem with A-Ram to answer this: Do the Cubs win three division titles without him? A simple yes or no.

because they are friends? Levine is a moron, I don't think Francona is in the running. I'm sure Theo has a lot of friends, but he doesn't talk about them in relation to his managerial search. I think it's obvious Theo and Francona have talked about it. Do I think it will happen? Probably not. But I don't think it's fair to call Levine a moron because he has made some very reasonable deductions. How about he looks like a moron?

Kinzer now has to do damage control. Like it or not, Brenly has a pretty respected voice in baseball and the comments he made could easily hinder Aramis from getting a bigger deal than he wants. I applaud Kinzer.

http://a.espncdn.com/espnradiostations/i/chicago/blog/airstaff_levine143.jpg "For all the latest breaking Cubs news that I get from other beat writers, keep it tuned here". But honestly, Levine is USUALLY pretty solid. However, I can't see Francona getting this gig. Although I hope he does.

While this will probably never get back to Aramis unless he reads NSB, I want to thank him for a lot of great memories. The grand slam off Willis in game 4 of the 2003 NLCS, the walk-off homer against the White Sox at Wrigley, the grand slam off Chad Durbin to send Wrigley into a frenzy in 2008 and most of all, for being our best 3B of my lifetime as a Cubs fan. Best of luck to you, Aramis (except against us). You'll be missed. Oh, A-Rams agent rips Brenly. http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/ct-spt-1115-rogers-on-baseball--20111115,0,3419223.column

While exciting for sure, we all know what Boras is doing. He is going to play every team in the Prince derby against each other. "Prince loves to hit at Wrigley, wants to be a Cub".

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/mlb/story/_/id/7233500/sources-matt-kemp-los-angeles-dodgers-160-million-deal And guess who's smiling. http://www.blogcdn.com/mlb.fanhouse.com/media/2010/08/albert-pujols-200aj082610-1282868009.jpg

Thank God! What a terrifying ordeal for the young man. I hope they find the scums that took him. Must make sure I give him a standing O at Wrigley next year. Thanks for posting the good news.

And then they'll add Juan Pierre and he'll get on base at a .390 clip and steal 60 bases.

Brandon Inge, Tigers (Age: 33, Career: .237, 136 HR, 564 RBI, 2010 salary: $6.6 million): Re-signed with Tigers (2 years, $11.5 million, with option) Andy LaRoche (Age: 27, Career: .224, 24 HR, 108 RBI, 2010 salary: $451,000): Signed minor-league contract with A's Felipe Lopez, Red Sox (Age: 30, Career: .266, 88 HR, 428 RBI, 123 SB, 2010 salary: $1 million): Signed minor-league contract with Rays No compensation Garrett Atkins, no team (Age: 31, Career: .285, 99 HR, 488 RBI, 2010 salary: $5 million): Signed minor-league deal with Pirates Geoff Blum, Astros (Age: 37, Career: .251, 97 HR, 468 RBI, 2010 salary: $1.5 million): Signed with Diamondbacks (2 years, $2.7 million) Miguel Cairo, Reds (Age: 36, Career: .267, 32 HR, 348 RBI, 2010 salary: $500,000): Re-signed with Reds (2 years, $2 million) Jorge Cantu, Rangers (Age: 28, Career: .274, 101 HR, 460 RBI, 2010 salary: $6 million): Signed with Padres (1 year, $850,000) Eric Chavez, A's (Age: 33, Career: .267, 230 HR, 787 RBI, 2010 salary: $12.5 million): Signed minor-league contract with Yankees Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays (Age: 28, Career: .258, 100 HR, 337 RBI, 2010 salary: $5.1 million): Re-signed with Blue Jays (1 year, $2.5 million, with option) Pedro Feliz, Cardinals (Age: 35, Career: .250, 140 HR, 598 RBI, 2010 salary: $4.5 million): Signed minor-league contract with Royals Josh Fields, Royals (Age: 28, Career: .234, 34 HR, 107 RBI, 2010 salary: $422,000): Signed minor-league contract with Pirates Melvin Mora, Rockies (Age: 39, Career: .278, 171 HR, 738 RBI, 2010 salary: $1.28 million): Signed with Diamondbacks (1 year, $2 million) Nick Punto, Twins (Age: 33, Career: .247, 13 HR, 198 RBI, 2010 salary: $4 million): Signed with Cardinals (1 year, $750,000) Chad Tracy, Marlins (Age: 30, Career: .278, 79 HR, 333 RBI, 2010 salary: $900,000): Signed with Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese League Omar Vizquel, White Sox (Age: 43, Career: .273, 80 HR, 936 RBI, 400 SB, 2010 salary: $1.38 million): Re-signed with White Sox ($1.75 million) Third basemen with 2011 contract options Aramis Ramirez, Cubs (Age: 32, Career: .282, 289 HR, 1029 RBI, 2010 salary: $16.75 million): Agreed to player option (1 year, $14.6 million)

Yes, the process can always change. If you know everything there is to know about Lexus but have yet to drive BMW, Audi or Mercedes, you could change your mind on the test drive.

In reading between the lines, it sounds as if Theo and Jed have made up their minds regarding A-Ram. Unless he takes a deal in the 8 million a year for 2 years range, I think they will let him walk. They obviously feel he is a liability on defense and are ready for an upgrade defensively. Time to look at the FA 3B list and see who might be on their radar.

And Paterno lawyers up. http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/fired-joe-paterno-hires-high-powered-washington-defense-lawyer-sedgwick-sollers-article-1.975973?localLinksEnabled=false

http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/report-federal-investigation-targets-penn-state-929117/

Penn State mafia?

Just wait until they start calling the Lavar Arringtons of world to testify on Sandusky's behalf. Seriously, this is just the start of this snowball. Little did Lavar know that Sandusky was most likely using the stars of the program to gain favor with the kids. And let it be known that these are allegations only at this point. However, I think we all have our own opinions.

Yea, I thought I was way off base. I want him to feel as if he has never won anything if we get him.

Not at all. I've respected Pujols for pretty much ever. Dude is not only one of the 10 best baseball players ever, but also does tremendous community work. I felt much worse cheering for Edmonds. Like I said, it's just seems odd. No doubt he is one of premier players of all time. I also have a concern (and probably way off base here) that he will lose the fire now that he won his second title. He really does not have much left he needs to accomplish from a personal standpoint.

Does anyone have even feel the slightest bit dirty by wanting a guy we loved to hate for so long jump ship? I mean, he WAS a Cardinal. It just seems so wrong. As I said, Favre to the Bears or Jeter to the Red Sox would be similar.

Superstar treatment mulligan.