UMFan83

So you wish to base the decision on 4 starts rather than 7 years of data suggesting he's the worst option to be moved to the pen. I know you went on to talk about how the move is temporary, but honestly any decision to move your most talented starter to the pen is a bad discussion.

Batting Lenny Harris leadoff is not far worse. As has been proven many times, batting order means little statistically. If you are arguing playing Lenny Harris at all was worse than this, we can certainly have that discussion.

I doubt he's gonna hit .327 or put up a .977 OPS seeing as how he's never done that before in his career, but he might be up some good numbers this year. I think the common fan gave up on him too quickly this year. There was a legit excuse for his struggles last year (knee injury) and we should have owed it to him to at least give him a couple months before deciding he was finished. That said, Soriano definitely did not make it easy on himself by playing historically bad defense all season so far. Bottom line, I would be quite happy if Soriano could put up an .850 OPS for the season.

Thanks for breaking it down for us TT. NSBB needs a lot more of these types of posts on the board.

Hmmm maybe he wasn't finished just yet.

If it makes you feel better (or worse), Jason Marquis in 2007 and Carlos Silva in 2010 are eerily similar. Both had ERA's over 6 the previous season, both acquisitions were greatly panned by most, both times there were reports that Rothschild found some reason why that pitcher was so ineffective, and now both of them starting the season red hot and fans were unsure how to react. Of course, we all know how Marquis' season ended.

Sure, but the Bulls only need to get 1. It's not like the Knicks have a higher max amount they can offer. Let's say Bosh is deciding between the Knicks and the Bulls: both teams can pay him the same. Sure, the Knicks may have also signed someone like a Joe Johnson, but the Bulls already have Rose and Noah. The Knicks aren't really going to blow away anyone in terms of being a destination unless that first max FA is LeBron. Well most likely if Bosh says that he's signing with Toronto unless another team works out a sign and trade for him so he can get his max money, the Bulls are obviously better of there too with actual pieces to offer. And yes the pieces probably matter on paper, but who knows if thats rock solid when FA actually occurs. It's always possible a FA would take the allure of NY over a better situation in Chicago. Not as likely but possible.

Not without a sign in trade in which Deng or Hinrich and some combination went out in exchange. I don't want Wade though to be perfectly honest. Him and Rose's skills will not compliment each other at all and each will be less effective. If the Bulls want the best bang for their buck this offseason (outside of Lebron of course) they should target Bosh as their main FA. Him and Ros playing pick and roll would be awesome. Just add some additional shooters and defenders. After signing Wade or Bosh by the way, we'd have roughly $4.3M to spend on another FA piece. Totally agree on hoping they end up with Bosh as opposed to Wade. Is that $4.3 million with the raised cap? Yes, it is based on a 56.1M cap figure. It also assumes that Chris Richard's salary next year is completely unguranteed, which I assume it is. At worst, you'd have to add an additional cap liability of $380,785, which is the difference of having Richard's salary as a cap hold, and having the minimum salary as a cap hold. Chris Bosh_________$16,568,908 Luol Deng__________$11,345,000 Kirk Hinrich_________$9,000,000 Derrick Rose________$5,546,160 Free Agent_________$4,483,100 Joakim Noah________$3,128,536 James Johnson______$1,713,600 #17 Pick____________$1,302,600 Taj Gibson__________$1,117,680 Min Cap Hold_________$473,604 Min Cap Hold_________$473,604 Min Cap Hold_________$473,604 Min Cap Hold_________$473,604 Total Salary_______$56,100,000 Thanks for that breakdown! Then all we have to do is convince Atlanta that they desperately need Luol Deng and pull off a sign and trade for Joe Johnson, or get a 3rd team involved. The thing that worries me about someone like Johnson is that with NYK out there and able to afford 2 max FAs, they will pretty much make every big name out there (including Johnson, Stoudemire, and maybe even Boozer) a max FA. Because if Miami resigns Wade, Cleveland keeps LeBron, NYK is pretty much going to throw money at people until they get 2 FAs

Every time I think it the organization has hit rock bottom, they manage to find another hole to fall into. Easily the worst decision I've ever seen - 14 games into the season. Arguably every day is a new rock bottom for the Cubs until they win a championship since every day that passes they lengthen the longest championship drought in the history of professional sports. It's just some days they manage to hit a lower rock bottom than other days.

I think if Z was in the bullpen all year and the Cubs made the playoffs, it would be even more insane if they just randomly moved him back into the rotation. The way Z and I guess Lou and Co. is framing this is "Z is a great pitcher, but we have a surplus of starting pitching and our pen is awful so moving him to the pen is the best move", which as we all know is completely horrible. They are framing this not as a demotion but as a shifting of resources. When as we all know, a top of the line starter is probably like (just throwing a random number out there) 5 times as valuable as a good reliever.

Good move. Carlos Silva has obviously proven enough in his 2 starts this year that his entire career to this point was a fluke. Also, it's pretty obviously that Gorzelanny getting drilled in the arm with a line drive will give him super powers. There was just no room for Z in this super rotation.

Anyone intersted in tickets for tomorrow? I bought 2 tickets in the 300 level for the game last week but I had an unexpected expense and now I can't afford them. The face with fees is $50 each, but at this point I'd consider going down to $40 to get rid of them ASAP.

The Reds are going to quickly learn to despise the Cubs if they don't already.

That brings some interesting questions. One of course is which team is supposedly considering, the second is which QB, if any, are the Steelers hoping to nab. I am assuming they aren't considering Leftwich for their long term answer and are interesting in a QB out there.

This is bad news let us die in peace. Our starting pitching is actually ok and doesn't need moves, so it has to be a pen arm and unless you are trading for Jonathan Broxton this is a horrible idea. It can't be for offense, unless its a 2B or SS because the rest of the spots are locked up. So what the hell are you going to trade for and how quickly should vitters pack his bags? If the trade is Heath Bell for Vitters, I will kill myself.

It's the best possible fit for Cromartie, I think he'll have a solid year. He's going to be lined up against all #2's/3's and with the pressure they get it's about as good of a spot as you can have. True, although teams will most certainly try to throw his way more. Looking at the schedule I'm not seeing the Bears having a much more successful year than 09, although it's too early for me to throw out a w/l prediction. To me, it really doesn't matter about the schedule. What matters is how well Cutler does in his 2nd year with the team, and first with Martz, and to a slightly lesser extent, how much of an impact Peppers and Urlacher will have on improving the defense. If Cutler is better, a lot of good things can happen. If not, very little good can happen. Yeah I'm not worried about the schedule....I mean if the Bears are legit good, they can get into the playoffs with a tough schedule. There are tons of winnable games there. Yes it sucks that they have to play both East divisions, which are amongst the toughest in football, but what can you do.

This. If you can't sell out a playoff game, you should have your team taken away. Last few playoff losses for Chicago teams: (Hawks) Detroit - Legit (Bulls) Boston - Legit (Cubs) Los Angeles - Legit (White Sox) Tampa Bay - Threw them in here just because it's Tampa (Cubs) Arizona - WTF (Bears) Indianapolis - Eh, couldnt sell out smallest stadium in NFL before Manning came (Bears) Carolina - Sorry Andy, wtf (Bulls) Legit - Legit (Bulls) Miami - Miami team, enough said (Bulls) Washington (Cubs) Florida

I already expect the contract to be ridiculous, but please God don't throw in a no trade clause.

Random, but has anyone seen this video of MJ in the Windy City Classic game in 1994 at Wrigley? I saw this when it happened but haven't seen highlights since this. Pretty awesome video even if Jordan is playing for the Sox.

STHU Jordan Bulls fan. Who also follows teams that have the longest NHL and MLB championship drought and a football team that has won 1 championship (25 years ago) in the last 47 years. I follow all those teams too, except I don't care about basketball. I have *never* seen a championship. I was 14 when I saw my last one (12 years ago) and those ones I definitely took for granted. I would think a championship would be more enjoyable if you weren't convinced it's your given birthright to win the title every year. Yes it counts, and I guess I'm luckier than other fans. But you can't discount owning 2 of the 4 major sports longest title droughts. The Blackhawks in general have a pathetic history. Only 3 stanley cups in our history despite playing in a 6 team league for decades. We were essentially a farm club for Detroit.

Yup, we ran into a super hot goalie. Yay.

STHU Jordan Bulls fan. Who also follows teams that have the longest NHL and MLB championship drought and a football team that has won 1 championship (25 years ago) in the last 47 years.

I don't think they are not "serious". This is the playoffs and something they fought their asses off to get to all season. They've just sucked and the Predators game plan has embarrassed us. We need to make better adjustments but so far Q is stumped I guess. So much for a 0 goal differential. Their differential for the series is +4

Rinne's save percentage in the series is .952 (80-84)

Good, maybe we'll get lucky in the playoff crapshoot next year.