CarolinaCubFan

I agree with the bolded part. I like this move. Lets hope he's back to the Mark Prior we all love very soon, but if not, I'd prefer to just move on.

That pretty much sums whats going through the opposing team's pitcher, catcher, and pitching coach... Its just small part of the unwritable equation. Exactly, but it's part of why I love the game. So many different variables.

That's what makes baseball the great "game" it is. Soriano just being a threat on 1st, does that allow Murton to see better pitches? Does the pitcher pay more attention to Soriano than he should be? With Murton having skills going to the opposite field, is it a good idea to throw a fastball on the outside of the plate, even though it would give the catcher a better chance if Soriano attempts a steal? So many variables. I really like how stats are being used, but I'll never buy into stats telling the whole story.

The Yankees will be covered the same this year as they always are. Arod will be the main topic. I don't think he's a Yankee at seasons end. So if Zambrano had controversy surrounding him and decided he wasn't coming back next season, you'd let him pitch this season and say see ya? I'd hope we'd be smarter than that and get something in return. The Yankees do what he wants, or they get nothing.

Seems like somewhere, in some thread, I've read he said it isn't happening. If it were being talked about openly, I'm sure he'd know. At the same time, colusion - or whatever that word is, has to come in to play at some point. Lou and Arod still talk, that's been admitted by both party's. Lou and Jim talk. You never know what is being said behind closed doors. Bruce usually states fact, I'd like to hear his opinion though.

I like Pete. Steroids disgust me more than the gambling.

I'm gald you were able to listen to it I wanted to confirm what I heard but the clip was silent. Dan Patrick made the same type of comment about two weeks ago.

All the pieces are coming together. He's put it out on the table to Yankee fans. Do you want me? Or not? Such a large part of the Yankee fan base is so far up Jeters butt, they will demand he gets traded ASAP. Hey, it's the Yanks, I could see it happening. The Cubs are looking for middle infield help? I believe I read Arod bulked up a little when he changed to 3B a couple years ago. Arguments can be made, but I think he'd feel right at home playing SS for the next couple of seasons. We have several trade options. People seem to forget, if Arod wants to come to Chicago, the Yanks don't have much say in it. If they want anything in return, they have to trade him this season. If he's being a "cancer", they'll look to move him soon. I still don't think it will cost Z or Aram.

Uncle Lou also loves him some Arod as well, and Arod loves him some Uncle Lou. Seriously though, I don't know that we have the budget to even afford Arod, but I'm trying to believe if he wants to come here, he'll work a way out for the Cubs to make it happen. I'd love to have Ichiro, but we have OF talent in the minors and plenty of OF's on the big league roster. SS is to me what 3rd base used to be until we got Aram.

Without him opting out? I guess the only way I could see that happening is if those three teams do pull off a 3-way trade, and the Cubs and Yankees kick in some cash to entice Texas. The Rangers best case scenario is ARod opting out. The Yankees want to keep ARod without opting out, or trade him for value. Theoretically, the Cubs would have to decide whether they want to trade for him, or wait and hope to just sign him next year. I really don't see any realistic way in which the Rangers get out from what they owe without ARod opting out. I'm not a genious on contract stuff is why I'm asking. I know we don't have unlimited funds, but what if we absorb a little of the money owed by Texas. I know these scenario's are unlikely, but I'm not on board with there is no chance either. Yanks get Blaylock Cubs get Arod Rangers get cash and prospects Not that this would work, but something similar. The Yanks come out getting a bit of the shaft, but at least they would get something for him. Of course, it all comes down to Arod wanting to play in Chicago.

How are you so certain? If, after 2007 he and his agent believe he could sign a new deal that guarantees him more than what he is guaranteed on the last three years on his contract, he'd be stupid not to opt-out. And he could very well surpass what remains. What does it mean to "show real interest in opting out"? It doesn't do the player much good to talk about it long before it happens. Ramirez didn't really show much interest, Drew didn't talk about it all the time. Given that Texas owes ARod many millions, they will want him to opt out. What they should think about is negotiating a settlement with ARod that guarantees him a portion of the money they still owe him, offsetting what ARod would be giving up. BacktoBanks mentioned a 3-way, Blaylock going to NY. Do you see a feasible scenario that Texas could get out of some of that money owed to Arod?

That would be pretty sweet. But, it's not likely. I know it's against the rules, but... If Arod and Lou are as close as they say, it's had to have been discussed casually. Lou and Hendry talk. If there is anyway of this happening, the Cubs are in a great position. If Arod forces the issue, the Yanks don't have much leverage to work with. I don't know if that 3 way could work, but I could see something similar. I guess it all really depends on how well the Yanks play.

He does indeed have NY by the balls. This situation is rather similar to Nomar in that the guy is persona non grata for the team he's on and he has a NTC, plus he has the option to opt out at the end of the season, making his position about as strong as it can possibly be. His team is left with the unpleasant choice of keeping a disgruntled but productive player around or finding some team that he'll agree to be traded to and get the best deal they can. Remember how little the Cubs ended up giving up for Nomar. Though the trade was complicated with 3 teams involved, the Cubs basically ended up giving up Brendan Harris, Justin Jones, and AGonz for Nomar and Matt Murton. That was a good deal. Only time will tell. A lot will depend on what happens during this season. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that ARod could be traded here midseason, but I think it would require a complicated 3 way similar to the ARod deal where the Yankees ended up with a 3b in the deal. I don't think the Cubs would, or should, or ultimately would have to trade Ramirez to get ARod. With the comparative ages of the two players, it just doesn't make much sense to me. I think the most likely scenario still is that ARod keeps his contract and demands a trade. This Jeter and Arod thing has been a disaster from the start. Arod was the best SS in the game, but graciously moved to 3B in hopes of winning a championship. You'd think that a world class Captain like Jeter, who is a team guy, would have at least "offered" to change positions. Arod puts up monster numbers each season, but it's been nothing but drama since his arrival. Jeter makes politically correct statements, but has never once sincerelly stuck up for him. Jeter can do no wrong in NY and he's not letting Arod be a part of his click. Didn't Giambi even come down kind of hard on him last season? The "friends" thing that came out a couple weeks ago, I think was Arod saying politely that he and Jeter can't stand each other. I think he's getting fed up with the crap he's had to deal with since becoming one of Jeter's Yankees. He's already made a ton of money, and still will for as long as he plays. I think at this point in his career, happiness is worth more than the $$ he's going to loose.

Arod, although not a Cub, is my favorite player. I've read everything I can find on him for the past couple of years. I think he's a Cub by mid season. I read earlier this year, he's content with his bank account, he's made a ton of money and wants 2 things. To win a Championship and to have fun playing the game he loves. He's in total control of his destiny. Jeter makes his life miserable and if the Yanks implode, which I feel there is a good chance of this, I don't see him sticking it out in NY. If Arod opts out at the end of the season, the Yanks get nothing for one of the best players in the game, and if they do find a trade they like, he can veto it. He's got them by the balls. Sweet Lou is the Ace in the hole and we've got a team that can compete. The two things Arod wants, to be happy and the chance to win a Championship. I don't think it'll cost us Zambrano or $20M a season. Then again, I'm in the same boat as Goony, I've been looking for this for a long time.

http://www.hardballtimes.com/images/uploads/HBP_Since_1901v2.png The Hardball Times looks at why hitters are getting increasingly hit by pitches in the Major Leagues. Very interesting stuff. Biggio was a rookie in 87 or 88 wasn't he? It's his fault.

aping = mimicking acromegaly is more commonly referred to as gigantism. I guess that biology degree is paying off for me, eh. :roll: I "think" I heard D. Patrick say Andre the Giant had this disorder.

I hear people compare him to Grace, one of my all time favorite Cubs, but he's got the build to have some power. I'm of the school of thought that you develop your stroke first. Learn to hit line drives... and the power will come. Worked for me. I think his stats this season will exceed most predictions I've seen, both in HR and OBP.

When you get no money from consessions and parking, have to pay rent in your own ballpark, and only get about 8k fans per game every dollar is important. The Marlins need to move more than any other organization in baseball. Loria is an idiot but he has good people running the team. I hear you, that's another player's salary for the year with their payroll. Small payroll or not, they'd look pretty foolish to loose that kind of talent over such a small amount. If it were Pierre, the Marlins would be justified. For his production and considering the current market 7 million is a deal!!! He isn't a free agent, he should not make free agent money. I don't think 7 million is free agency money, do you? For him, certainly not. But your point seemed to be something like "7.4 or 6.8, who cares, either way it is a steal" And that's what Cabrera is saying as well.

When you get no money from consessions and parking, have to pay rent in your own ballpark, and only get about 8k fans per game every dollar is important. The Marlins need to move more than any other organization in baseball. Loria is an idiot but he has good people running the team. I hear you, that's another player's salary for the year with their payroll. Small payroll or not, they'd look pretty foolish to loose that kind of talent over such a small amount. If it were Pierre, the Marlins would be justified.

If you read the article, I believe it says they are only like $400K apart, but Cabrera is a little ticked it's an issue for the Marlins.

I'm having a hard time letting go of this Ichiro thing. If I had to bet my own money, I'd probably believe Bruce that the Cubs have nothing to do with this. BUT... Iconic as Ichiro is in Seattle, I've read he wants to win. Seattle might have the cash to lock him up, but I'm sure I've read a couple places he's not happy with the direction of the team. Lou did manage Ichiro his first two seasons in Seattle if I'm not mistaken. Saying that, I really hope this thing has some wheels that Bruce isn't aware of yet. Wishful thinking I know. J. Jones and a prospect? That's what throws me off.

Is there a way to see the offensive side of this? Like what type of run support do pitchers recieve on average?

So, by that logic, all players who retire because they feel they can't perform at the level they once did are cowards for "not taking that chance." http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&id=2333277 It's really easy to take shots at him now that he's washed up. Note how very few if any people were writing these articles when Sammy was among baseballs' elite. It really takes a big man to kick someone when they're down, and that's exactly what everyone in the media is doing right now. Having a bad day? Write an article about how Sammy's a jerk. Get into a fight with the wife? Tell people for the 3000th time that Sammy had a corked bat! Boss yell at you? Boy, is that Sosa ever a jerk! Give it a rest, boys. Don't say anything about him that you wouldn't say directly to his face. I'm bigger than Sammy now, So I'm not too worried. If I could say something to Sammy face to face, I'd just laugh at him. For me, Sammy Sosa's legacy is nothing more than a liar and a cheat. Good Riddings Sammy Sosa.

Good post Pedro.

So nothing new can ever be done in baseball again. Ignoring the changing parks and nature of the ball, if something's done that's never been done before it must be due to cheating. Everyone loves to just put the old time stats on a pedestal as if for some reason those things could never be matched. Hank Aaron must've been on something, nobody before had a career that long and durable with that much power. Yeah, what Sosa and McGuire did was "new". A real acheivment. Sammy Sosa could never even hold Hank Aaron's jock IMHO.