CarolinaCubFan

=D> Tremendous work, Derwood. I agree, very clever. =D> =D>

My sentiments exactly. You've got a vailid point, but for me, it's not just this year. We're how many years into the Hendry administration? I wonder how much money we've spent on FA in that time and who do we have to show for it? Neifi? We've passed on Vlad, Tejeda, Beltran, and Giles. Vlad sure would look sweet in RF right now for 5/75. Lee, Aram, and Barrett are to Hendry's credit. I'm still crossing my fingers that I get on NSBB and see we got Abreu. Trades are where Hendry excels, so I'm staying optomistic.

I like Zito, but I'd spin him. Our pitching isn't weak, it just needs to stay healthy. If the pitching staff can't stay healthy, Zito would be nice, but I don't feel our current offense can compete if the current pitchers can't stay healthy. Zito for Abreu or Zito for Manny. I'd go with one more move, don't know how, but Soriano is growing on me. Shooting the moon a little here Pierre .350 OBP / 10 HR / +speed Cedeno .350 OBP / 15 HR / +speed Abreu .400 OBP / 25 HR / +speed Lee .380 OBP / 40 HR / +speed Aram .380 OBP / 40 HR / Soriano .320 OBP / 40 HR / +speed Barrett .350 OBP / 20 HR / Jones .320 OBP / 25 HR / +speed

I'm excited to see Murton in 06. We've got a young LF who as progressed rather well so far, but he is an unknown who may get his break. We could have a young, cheap LF putting up a line of 25-30 HR's and a .360ish OBP, or we could have 10 HR's and a .330 OBP. If he claims LF in Spring Training and could finish 06 with a line near 30/.360, I'd be thrilled. A perfect fit for this team with the big guns in the infield. Either way, I'm just excited we are getting to see a kid get a shot.

AVG G AB R H HR RBI BB K OBP SLG OPS Totals .307 1592 6195 1245 1901 429 1226 730 1265 .385 .577 .962 Alex Rodriguez is 30 years old. Look at his career line and think about it for a minute, this guy is only 30 years old. Considered by many as the best player in the game. His work ethic and conditioning in his first 10 years has been rock solid. I see very little reason not to think Arod is still capable of finishing the remainder of his contract, 5 years I believe, playing GG caliber defense at SS. Being an expansion team, revenue will be key to the success of the team. Arguments can be made for Pujols, Cabrera, and Wright, but I feel Arod brings more to the table. Wright may be the best bargain, but what would sell better, a David Wright Las Vegas Gamblers jersey or an Alex Rodriquez Gambers jersey? Haha, Arod would be money in the bank. Seriously though, Arod would generate dollars for an expansion team, he'd be all over ESPN and every other sports media outlet. Look at the revenue Bonds creates for the Giants. Arod's career numbers have had my eye for a few seasons now. By the end of his current contract, which is very reasonable, you may have a 35 year old GG SS - soon to be 3B, chasing the HR record. A very huge upside is Arod has escaped the steriod talk and is still putting up huge numbers. His next contract will be expensive, but if he's still generating the numbers to justify the money, Arod will be be in striking distance of the HR, RBI, and Hit's isn't out of the question, career leaders. Alex Rodriguez makes an immidiate impact in production and revenue, but also fills the bill long term.

Freaking Cardinal fans! You gotta be loving this doo doo. We've got the money, we've got the talent, and our holes could be filled through Trade or FA this offseason. The Red Sox and White Sox have won a World Series, Houston has been to a World Series, the Cardinals are strong, and I've got 30 years experience telling me a Gonzalez/Perez middle infield wreaks of a classic Cub move. Even with the best possible DP combo - Walker/Furcal or Cedeno/Furcal, the Cubs hopes are still tied to pitching. Give me a healthy Wood and Prior each making 27+ starts and I'll have a contender even with a DP combo of Perez/Gonzalez. If the injury bug that has hit the Cubs' staff the last two years were to strike the Cards next season how much difference would their great lineup make? IMO, that is putting a lot of pressure on our young pitchers when the Cubs have the resources to take some of that pressure off them.

Freaking Cardinal fans! You gotta be loving this doo doo. We've got the money, we've got the talent, and our holes could be filled through Trade or FA this offseason. The Red Sox and White Sox have won a World Series, Houston has been to a World Series, the Cardinals are strong, and I've got 30 years experience telling me a Gonzalez/Perez middle infield wreaks of a classic Cub move.

I like what the Cubs get in this deal. The Phillies compensation looks a bit light though. The Cubs would have to part with more than CPatt and Hill. Philly is looking for a #1 or #2 starter in return for Abreu. Something that the Cubs won't be able to give Philly. Besides, I don't think CF is a dire need for PHL. They can go with a platoon of Jason Michaels and Lofton (should they choose to resign him). If something along the lines of Cano/Wang for Abreu has been aired by the Phillies, and turned down by the Yankees, and a Vernon Wells for Abreu flip been discussed too, and rejected by the BlueJays, I don't think Pierre/Hill is that lousy an offer. And I have no doubt the Phillies wish for an ace starter, but that doesn't fit with them reportedly targetting the likes of Wang. Or maybe the Newsday report was just made up. I don't know. I agree with you Diffusion, and what's up with that? I either over value Abreu, or you gotta question the Yanks and Blue Jays for turning that down. It's a lot of money, but both teams have it.

Mine is: Furcal - L/R - SS - .348 OBP - 12 HR - 46 SB Castillo - L/R - 2B - .391 OBP - 4 HR - 10 SB Lee - R - 1B - .418 OBP - 46 HR - 15 SB Abreu - L - RF - .405 OBP - 24 HR - 31 SB Dunn - L - LF - .387 OBP - 40 HR - 4 SB Aram - R - 3B - .358 OBP - 31 HR - 0 SB Bradley - L/R - CF - .350 OBP - 13 HR - 6 SB - In 75 games Barrett - R - C - .345 OBP - 16 HR - 0 SB and all players either in or just entering their primes, with Lee and Abreu being the vets at 31, if I recall correctly. I'd go to war with this lineup.

No way is he near enough an impact bat for RF. Career line: .269/.350/.426/.776 Sorry, but these numbers are worse than Burnitz career, and equal to Burnitz last year with a dozen more walks. I've followed Bradley since he came up with the Indians. The guy can hit and just entering his prime. I think he's capable of a 30HR / 30SB season with a solid OBP if HAPPY and HEALTHY. He brings a LOT of baggage, but I'd gamble. My dreamsheet for this offseason has Bradley in CF and Furcal at SS. Pierre doesn't excite me, replace him with Castillo and I'd be extatic.

Great post outshined. I agree with everything you posted, but there is one person I haven't heard mentioned yet. Scott Boras. Zambrano is a total stud and will command top dollar. I'm a little worried that the Cubs won't get a deal done with Boras, being that Zambrano would be a huge payday. Zambrano may be talked into testing the FA waters.

I agree - I've always thought he was one of the most overrated minds in baseball. My impression is that he's very good at dissecting in game situations, but terrible when it comes to evaluating players and teams as a whole. I completely agree. I honestly think that Stoney would make a much better skipper than GM. He knows how to use the talent given to him on the field. That being said, I doubt he'd want to be a manager and I doubt I'd want him as a manager. He'd be every bit as outgoing and brash as Ozzie though. The media would love him. I'll take Stoney over Dusty in a second. I'll take a piece of stone over Dusty any day. I love Stone, grew up watching him and Harry. That being said, Stone's attitude and approach has been off since the whole debacle last season. I think he's dealing with some sour grapes, and to me, it seems he'll make a stupid comment to take a jab when he can. Just my thoughts.

Hey BBB, you hit on something not many are talking about. Marcus Giles is an above average 2B and 2 hitter. Good OBP with some pop and just getting to his prime. I've heard there is tension between Giles and the Braves front office, - Todd Walker to ATL? If we were able to land Marcus cheaply, would Brian Giles offer us a good deal? It makes sense to me, what are your thoughts on this?

I would love to see Arod at SS, but I'm feeling greedy and kind of cringe at the thought of trading any of our studs. If we had Arod at SS, there wouldn't be much need for any infield prospects for the next five years, excluding Epatt who will hopefully blossom for us at 2nd. What are everyones thoughts, do we have the talent in the minors to land Arod? I may be wrong, but don't the Diamond Backs have a possible log jam at 3rd?

I'm not even sure how to respond to your posts, so I'll just keep my mouth shut on this one.

Thank you. You think a guy making a couple million bucks a year might be able to take a little responsiblity. I'm all for a lifetime ban right off the bat. The reprocutions of steriods haven't been fully realized yet in my opinion. All the stories of kids taking steriods....... Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and all the other stars that played with talent alone, yet being passed by cheaters in the record books........ My stack of Sammy, Barry, Raffy, and McGuire rookies which are now worthless......... Yeah, lets blame congress for being to hard on our heroes :roll: I don't see what you people have against a list making players aware of what they can take and what they can't. Trust me, this isn't just "Don't take anabolic steroids." There are plenty of things in suppliments and stuff that they could get busted for if they're not careful. I think baseball would be wise to at least inform all thier players in thier native tounge on paper of what banned substances are found in what. That way there is no excuse whatsoever. It reduces the amount of "Oh, well I didn't know that a banned substance was in this over-the-counter suppliment I took!" stories that we hear. And as to your second point..... If you have a hornets nest outside of your home, do you spray it with hornet killer or call an exterminator, or do you blow up your house? Both get rid of your hornet problem, but only one makes sense. I don't have a problem with making a list, but that isn't the solution. Zero Tolerance, period. Let's say a buddy of yours feeds you some "magic" brownies because he thought it'd be funny. If your employer drug tests you and you fail, will they say "Oh!! You didn't know you were taking it?, so don't worry about it". Professional athletes should be held to the same standard as the fans that pay their salaries. I understand your point and agree that players need to know what they can or can't take. If they feel the need to take a performance enhancing drug, it is the PLAYERS responsibility to make sure it is legal. And you wouldn't get a lifetime ban. Not even close. You'll likely take a salary knock if you're white collar, maybe hurt your promotion chances, etc, but you won't be unemployed forever. Your argument gets an F I think you should look in your 8 ball again. What career field is it exactly that will over look a drug test? McDonalds? Burger King? I'm sure there are companies out there that would over look it, but from my experience, Zero Tolerance means Zero Tolerance.

Thank you. You think a guy making a couple million bucks a year might be able to take a little responsiblity. I'm all for a lifetime ban right off the bat. The reprocutions of steriods haven't been fully realized yet in my opinion. All the stories of kids taking steriods....... Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and all the other stars that played with talent alone, yet being passed by cheaters in the record books........ My stack of Sammy, Barry, Raffy, and McGuire rookies which are now worthless......... Yeah, lets blame congress for being to hard on our heroes :roll: I don't see what you people have against a list making players aware of what they can take and what they can't. Trust me, this isn't just "Don't take anabolic steroids." There are plenty of things in suppliments and stuff that they could get busted for if they're not careful. I think baseball would be wise to at least inform all thier players in thier native tounge on paper of what banned substances are found in what. That way there is no excuse whatsoever. It reduces the amount of "Oh, well I didn't know that a banned substance was in this over-the-counter suppliment I took!" stories that we hear. And as to your second point..... If you have a hornets nest outside of your home, do you spray it with hornet killer or call an exterminator, or do you blow up your house? Both get rid of your hornet problem, but only one makes sense. I don't have a problem with making a list, but that isn't the solution. Zero Tolerance, period. Let's say a buddy of yours feeds you some "magic" brownies because he thought it'd be funny. If your employer drug tests you and you fail, will they say "Oh!! You didn't know you were taking it?, so don't worry about it". Professional athletes should be held to the same standard as the fans that pay their salaries. I understand your point and agree that players need to know what they can or can't take. If they feel the need to take a performance enhancing drug, it is the PLAYERS responsibility to make sure it is legal.

Thank you. You think a guy making a couple million bucks a year might be able to take a little responsiblity. I'm all for a lifetime ban right off the bat. The reprocutions of steriods haven't been fully realized yet in my opinion. All the stories of kids taking steriods....... Hank Aaron, Babe Ruth, and all the other stars that played with talent alone, yet being passed by cheaters in the record books........ My stack of Sammy, Barry, Raffy, and McGuire rookies which are now worthless......... Yeah, lets blame congress for being to hard on our heroes :roll:

B/c this year's numbers are so far out of line of his past numbers. This year he got off to an incredible start and has faded toward the end. Normally he starts off poor and then heats up. Be that as it may, he is 30 and at his peak but for him to have another season like this year would be remarkable. As I originally stated, he still is a top 5 1st baseman even at his career norms. There is no guarantee that any of the young players would be superstars, but I don't reacall anyone stating that they would. Maybe I need to re-read the thread. And as I stated above, I don't think the D-backs would make the deal. Nevertheless, it is fun to talk about it. Again, this does not take into account that Lee has changed his swing and plate coverage. With those improvements, he is not the same hitter he was when he set those career averages. I think he could very well hit .310/40 HR/105-110 RBI for the next few years. The Cubs have a ton of money to spend and lots of spare parts (resign Walker and Rusch) to trade without talking about trading one of the building blocks of the team. With players like Walker, Patterson, Rusch/Williams, Mitre, Hall, Welly, plus prospects, the Cubs ought to be able to fill one OF position plus a pitcher (starter or reliever). Spend the big money on big-time free agent (Furcal, Giles, etc.). Plan on starting Murton and Cedeno (at 2B or SS). Don't mess with Lee, Ramirez, Prior, Zambrano, and Barrett. If a trade is on the table that would improve the Cubs, then no one is untouchable. How can a team that hasn't won a World Series in 97 years have any "untouchables"? But then again, I don't trust the people making the personnel decisions anyway. I have to agree with Backtobanks on this to an extent. If the right offer is made, any trade that makes the team better has to be made. I'm not as confident in Hendry as I once was, but he has put together a good core. Aram, Lee, and Barrett are what most everyone is screaming about. For their positions, they are well above the league average offensivly and are OBP guys with some pop. This team is close, but Hendry has failed to land the final pieces of the puzzle. The brothers Giles would be huge to our offense and Marcus falls into line with our core of under 30 with OBP. If Epatt continues his tear, I'm sure we could get a nice return for either and be set at 2nd base. Brian could have a couple great seasons left in him at Wrigley, anchoring our outfield until we develop Harvey or other. I'm partially excited about next year, but then I remember Baker.

1 1/3 lifetimes. The medians from 2 generations have lived and died since the cubs won Thanks for the encouragement Careless! Pretty sad when you stop and think about it. Anyway, this team regressed. I'm a baseball fan, I've loved the game from the first time I threw a ball. My favorite MLB team is the Cubs. That is how I view this team. I have loyalty to the Cubs, but we are so outclassed by St. Louis right now it isn't funny. As a baseball fan, this really sucks and it's old. Wasted years for Prior and Zambrano. If Baker is back, I've got better things to do next year.

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Good post Vance. I like A. Jones, but he comes across to me as a laid back person, it almost seems lazy to me. With his contract coming due, it bothers me that he is really figuring it out ......He's a consistantly much better player than Beltre, but comparisons cross my mind.

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Good post Vance. I like A. Jones, but he comes across to me as laid back person, it almost seems lazy to me. With his contract coming due, it bothers me that he is really figuring it out ......He's a consistantly much better player than Beltre, but comparisons cross my mind.

I have to agree with you. There is a point where you stop talking about potential and start talking about BUST. In my eyes we are at that point. Not only has Corey been worthless to us this year he has also been a hindrance. Here is a fun idea, let's trade him to the Cardinals and see if he really is a bust or if it's our organization.