CarolinaCubFan

Sorry :oops: , I'm a little frustrated right now haha.

Thank you. I can understand people being down on Cpatt and rightfully so. There are several questions that come to mind though. 1. Does Corrie have the talent? I think so, he showed us before his injury that he is capable. 2. What is Dusty's stance on young players? No reply needed. 3. Has Dusty helped Corrie progress as a MLB player? Nope, he's regressed. 4. If Eric Patterson continues to impress, how will Corrie's experience with the Cubs factor into the equation? Epatt is still trying to earn his spot, once he gets it, he may not have much loyalty to the Cubs. This is all just my personal opinion here. I don't have links and all, but I've read here and there that Dusty and Corrie have a bit of a stressed relationship. Like I said, Dusty is not 100% responsible for Corrie's performance, but I think it is unfair to Corrie to not look at the other side of the coin at what may be happening behind the scenes. It's hard to justify keeping Cpatt, but I'm of the opinion that we'll come out on the loosing end of any deal made. Personally, I'd rather get rid of Baker and give Corrie one more shot.

It's not that Corrie should bat in the three spot, it's that Corrie needs some consistency. The only consistancy Baker has gave him has been he'll be in CF.

I'm not big on Hendry right now, but I am willing to give him a get out of jail free card, this one and final time. He had this team heading in the right direction until Baker's arrival. Baker is the root of many issues, if Hendry is unable to deal with Baker this offseason, well, I'm sorry Jim Hendry.

So what do you think UK, what is the biggest problem to deal with this offseason? Players or management? We've got holes on the roster, but I'm not confident in our management no matter who they bring in to play.

I'll refer back to the PTI interview with Smoltz again. He mentioned that Cox used the kids. He went on about the fire and excitement they brought to the veterans. Do you think Cox will plug in Holly to replace one of those kids?

I'm no expert, but I feel Baker has been the root of many of our struggles. Hendry can't go blameless, he's continued to let Baker have free reign. The players can't be overlooked, but I feel most of the player struggles are a direct result of Baker's management. Tim made a great post about Corrie in 03. Sosa was out and Corrie was put in the three whole. He was left alone, learned his role, and began to hit like we had always hoped. Since coming back from his injury, Baker has failed in developing Corrie. Baker is a stubborn ass. He's standing firm on his stance of playing kids and it's got to the point he will sacrifice this club's success to save face. This is where Hendry becomes accountable. John Smoltz was interviewed on PTI last night. It was a great interview for any of you who didn't see it. He was talking about ATL's 16 year run and how they set the team up for this season. He admitted the moves they made didn't pan out due to injuries, but gave Bobby Cox much love for the way he has used the kids to compliment the veterans on the club. Smoltz talked about the "fire" the kids brought to the club, something the veterans have fed off of. I don't see that "fire" on the Cubs, and I don't feel Baker has any interest in it.

I'm a daily browser with AOL Tim, I haven't had any troubles except for high traffic days.

I agree. My impression of Lee before this season was always that he'd be a consistant .300 hitter, 30-40 hr, 100-120 rbi, 20-30 SB, and a gold glove. If he found the whole in his swing, I think we'll see this as the norm out of Lee, SB's decreasing of course. I was a HUGE Choi fan and upset to see him go, but the fact that we got DLee in return eased the pain. I don't put him in the class of Pujols, but we have a good thing in Lee. A good point was made about having cheaper alternatives in the minors. When they are ready, we have trade bait. If Lee stays consistent, he'll fetch a good return in trade. A stud minor leaguer wouldn't be bad trade bait as well. 4-40M sounds like a good ballpark guess in my book. We may have competition for his services though at that rate.

Baker had very little to do with the success of the Cubs his first season. Every year since, this club has slipped bit by bit.

I don't expect Lee to put up the same type of numbers next year, but he will still be one of the top 1B in the game. I'm interested to know what five 1B you feel will "probably" be better than Lee.

The biggest move that can be made to improve this team in the off season? Fire Baker. If that move isn't made, let the likes of Perez, Hollandsworth, and Marcias take Dusty to the promised land. If Baker is still in Chicago next season, Hendry needs to go as well. With that off my chest, I'll play now. Manny, Giles, and Burnett are all great options, but we won't be the only team in Baseball trying to improve. I could see us getting one of them, but that just won't fix this team. Here's a scenario: Boston wins the AL East and the Yanks don't even make the playoffs. I could see George going crazy. They have coffers of cash, but with the weak FA market, it won't do much good. They are limited by a weak farm system and huge contracts on the big club. Just a hunch on my part, but I think Arod is attainable. No reason to go into details on a trade, but we have the talent and the cash. One move and it completly changes the dynamics of this team. I'd love to keep Nomar, but he's got two hard luck years under his belt now. He has to realize his options aren't what they used to be. If he would agree to move to 2nd, sign him, if not, I'd be happy having Walker back. I understand Nomar might not take well to an Arod move after the whole deal in Boston, but the infield would be one of the most dangerous in the Major Leagues. Looking at the FA market and our Farm System, what could you do with: 1. 2. 2B Nomar/Walker 3. 1B Lee 4. SS Arod 5. 3B Aram 6. 7. 8. C Barrett With this infield, we don't need Manny or Giles in the OF. High OBP guys and top of the order hitters will be much easier to find in the OF this offseason. We could afford to take a shot with guys like Pie and Murton. Pie may not be ready, but he'd be playing CF right now if in Tampa or KC. Anyway, just my two cents. What could you guys do with this scenario?

You make a good point about Hill's Stamina. I hope he gets to chew away at some innings and build up his strength. It's okay if he get's shelled a few times if it means we could be getting him up in the low 90's. His game would be much improved.

I agree, Giles will be one of the premier FA's this offseason, somebody will overpay. Dunn would be nice, but I can't see Cincy doing it. If we are going to trade good talent, lets make it worth it. Arod makes sense for us, long shot? The Cubs winning a World Series is a long shot, the Tribune owes the fans.

Yankees will not trade Arod unless getting back more than he is worth. He's in Jeter's generation, so they will want to keep Arod to solidify their future playoff runs. I also have concerns whether Arod can resume playing shortstop. He seems to have put on some wieght playing third and his mobility seems to have tailed off a little. He used to be among the best at defensive shortstop, but 2 years at third may have diminished his skills. 1. The Yanks may not may the playoffs, never underestimate George. They have the same FA market to choose from as we do, and they don't have many tradeable contracts. 2. I don't buy Jeter and Arod being best of buds. 3. It's the Yankees. I understand your concerns about Arod going back to SS, but he's 30 years old. He fits right in the same age group as Lee and Aram. Prior and Zambrano aren't going to get any younger or cheaper, I think Hendry needs to focus on the next 5 years and we'll go from there.

If the Yanks don't make the playoffs, I go hard after Arod. Maybe a 3-way with Texas? Could you build a contender around an infield of Lee, Arod, and Aram with the 06 FA market?

I agree, all are traits of a good manager. I'd love to see someone like Tim get a shot. This is a "job" for him and he tends to incourage posters, rather than just spout out opinions. He has a great knowledge of our entire system and knows the game. Some of the names floating around are okay, but do they know this team like Tim? There are actually a couple of posters here at NSBB I'd highly consider. more dap for da tree plz Tree if you get to be manager, can I be the thirdbase coach? Only if you change that Avitar Vance. It reminds me of Kim.

I dont see how making a speech makes him managerial material. In fact, I think that picture shows a problem that he might have. He played with a lot of these guys (not just a few like Ozzie) fairly recently. He's only been out of the league a few years. Its one thing to be "a strong clubhouse guy"...its another when you have to confront a grown man and tell him something he doesnt want to hear. Especially guys who were your peers, friends, and co-workers a few years ago. Now you are gonna tell em what to do? Awkward.....and not good. I'm not saying he cant manage someday. Maybe he can. But let him fill out a few lineup cards before you hand him the keys to Wrigley Field....please. It wouldn't be an easy job, I personally feel he could do it. Players respect him, and he always seems to step up in a leadership type role. I don't think Girardi is a "I'm your boss, like it" kind of guy. I'd pick him over Baker right now.

I think ARod could be had. I do think in order for him to be made available though, they would probably have to have other parts in place, i.e. a CF or Soriano trade. They could replace ARod's bat with the CF and 2B bat, and could go with a #2 hitter, like Bill Mueller at 3B. Pitching would get Soriano. Soriano and pitching would get Arod. If you were Hendry and had to make that call, what pitchers would you offer?

I agree, all are traits of a good manager. I'd love to see someone like Tim get a shot. This is a "job" for him and he tends to incourage posters, rather than just spout out opinions. He has a great knowledge of our entire system and knows the game. Some of the names floating around are okay, but do they know this team like Tim? There are actually a couple of posters here at NSBB I'd highly consider.

You make a great point Raw, but Manny is a pure hitter. His numbers may decline a little, but I personally feel if the money is there to do it, you gotta try. Manny, Lee, Aram? You could definatly build around that for 06 with trades. We have young cheap talent, other clubs will have to absorb some cash to get the good ones. I'm with you on Arod. Call me stupid, but I have a gut feeling Arod could be had this offseason if the Yanks tank. If I'm correct, the Rangers are paying a big chunk of Arod's contract. If we "threw" young talent at the Yanks, they might even pick up a little more. Lee, Arod, and Aram would be a stud infield. It would allow us to play Pie, Cpatt, Murton etc...

Bam! Great pic to make your point CpattFan. Girardi has great leadership skills from what I've heard. A manager has to know the game, but he also has to lead the team. I can deal with rookie mistakes, but flat out stupidity is driving me insane. I think Girardi has to be one of the top future managers, who else would you give a shot? Grace? Sandberg? I wish Tony Gwynn where an option.

Amen Brother. I feel much the same way, this team has been been flat out mismanaged. Hendry had this team headed in the right direction back when NSBB was getting it's start. Prior, Wood, and Zambrano with Guzman, Brownlie, and Sisco all on the verge. Cpatt was showing us he was for real, we had a stud at the black hole known as 3B, and we had money freeing up. I love the Cubs, but for the first time, I was truly fired up about this club. I was excited when Hendry went out and got Baker. A lot of Giants fans came over to Cubs.com to say congrats - and "good luck". I see what they were talking about now. Dusty Baker is said to be a good manager, but he just isn't a good fit for this club. We've had money and young talent, yet still haven't made a good run since 03. I know several of you like to laugh at team chemistry, we'll have to agree to disagree. The current state of this team is unhealthy for young talent, and our farm system is too good to be used the way it has. Baker has used guys like Marcais and Perez over our young guys, which blows my mind that he feels that is logic reasoning. Mike Remlinger DFA'd! When used right, there was an 80% chance he'd get the out for you, unbelievable. Cpatt was the only young positional player locked in, but he's no longer around.... I'm not saying, I'm just saying, you know. With saying that, if Baker is Managing this team in 06, Hendry can catch a ride out of town with Baker. If I'm not getting my job done at work, my boss is going to let me know it. I like Hendry, but if he doesn't address this situation sternly, then he's failing at his job as far as I'm concerned. When Hendry stood still this past offseason, I didn't have much confidence about this team. We have a chance in 06, but Hendry is going to have to make a command decision about which way this team is going to go. We are going to have to make trades, and that will cost us talent. I want to see Pie, everyone else is free game in my book. If we can land the pieces we need through trade, lets do it. No reason in waiting for a 8th pitcher to develop in three more years, I want to win now dang it. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox - this team is mismanaged.

"We play a game," Griffey said. "What he was going through doesn't compare. It was important that the little guy not be by himself." Great statement Griffey made. Props to the players and fans in Cincy.

ESPN reported that Lawton and Farnsworth where the two biggest names on the move, in a way, we had an intrest in both. The market was tight and I think Hendry did right in keeping our prospects this season. Even if Lawton slows a little in the second half, he's still going to have a pretty good season with us. For that I applaud you Jim Hendry. Derrek Lee has had an awesome season and picking up Lawton may not take us to the World Series, but it does help Lee's case. Not the move I hoped for, but it was a classy move on the Cubs part.