Outshined_One

No one really knows, in all truth. My guess is they did, but I'm guessing there are all sorts of shenanigans (tampering, negotiating in bad faith) going on.

1) Sign Zambrano to an extension. I don't want to have to go through this whole thing again next offseason. :( 2) Sign one of Matsuzaka, Zito, or Schmidt. This team needs another ace pitcher in a bad way; that much is obvious. 3) Go out and get a big bat. Alfonso Soriano is definitely attractive, but how about exploring potential trade options as well? We've all heard rumors about a number of hitters being available this offseason (Adam Dunn, Miguel Cabrera, A-Rod). The Cubs might not have the amunition to make some of these trades, but getting one of those guys would definitely help put this team over the top. 4) Sign one of Padilla, Lilly, or another comparable pitcher. This team also needs a somewhat reliable innings eater at the 3/4 slot. Having two open rotation spots at the 4 and 5 just won't cut it coming into next season. We do not know who can be relied on from the Prior/Marmol/Guzman/Marshall/Mateo/Ryu/etc group of pitchers. The odds of one of them becoming effective next season are very good. The odds of two or more...not as much so. 5) Go out and get a decent bat. Getting two big bats would be terrific, but that's rather unrealistic given the prior options. Guys such as Dave Roberts and Mark Loretta would be terrific options for guys who can supplement this offense and boost the team's OBP. More to come later. :D

What's your wish list for the rest of the offseason? I'll post mine in a bit...

So it's 5 years with a mutual option for a 6th? Nice.

Okay, so now we're just a decidedly mediocre team. Get crackin' Jim, you've got a long road ahead.

I'm glad you were right. But, we reserve the right to disagree with you on all future free agent dealings, trades, signings, promotions, firings, etc.... And he reserves the right to disagree with us, in turn. ;) So, how many people went and got drunk for naught last night?

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. :D ;) :P Thank Len you were right.

...time for me to make my exit from this thread! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v414/Outshined_One/HomerPopRocks.gif ;)

I have no idea what you're talking about. 8-[ :-$

*Sees a ray of light at the end of the tunnel*

That hopefully player development wont screw up. ...*snicker*...*snerk*... BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

Aw come on, don't rain on my dreams like that. :P

Actually, I blocked his 2003 season out of my mind. We all remember Game 1 of the NLCS.

Really? How many years has that been an issue for him? I know, I'm just giving you a hard time. :P He's had some injury issues in the past, but nothing quite a serious as A-Ram's. Also, Lowell had no major injury issues whatsoever, as memory serves me.

How often does that happen? Once, maybe twice a year?

Really?

Here's my counter-argument to a portion of that. Let's say that the Cubs awarded Ramirez a 6/$90m deal. He'll be 28/29 next season. Let's say he takes a Lowell-like career path and he goes into a massive slump when after turning 31. That gives the team between 2 1/2-3 years of production before he goes into the crapper, so he'd have something like 3/$45m on his contract. As we've seen with countless players, from Lowell to Griffey to plenty of other hitters, teams will always be willing to trade for these guys. Teams talk themselves into thinking a player will eventually turn it around all the time. If Ramirez goes into a slump like that, I'm sure some other team would be fine with trading for him (be it by himself or as a part of a package). The Cubs would have to pick up a portion of his salary, but so what? This team wastes money all the time and is a big market team. Part of the advantage of being a big market team is that you can absorb these kinds of contracts be it through toughing them out or paying a portion of them to drop the guy on some one else.

Or we could trade him for some prospects who will go on to become multi-time All Stars. Problem is, I trust Jim Hendry about as far as I can throw him.

*Twitch*

Hendry's gotta spend his money somehow in order to 'appease' the fans. How about spending some of that money on higher quality food and beer without raising prices?

YAY!

Iwamura for 3b. Too late, bidding ended already I thought it was going to end on Wednesday?

I feel like suing the Cubs for negligent infliction of emotional distress. The evidence in my favor will be overwhelming.

The Cindy Sandberg Special?

Things were once good? October 13th, 2003 If on that day, you told me everything that has happened to the Cubs since then, I likely would have died from laughter. That or accept it, knowing how the Cubs were involved.