Outshined_One

Chat excerpts:

They're a dark horse in the Nomar sweepstakes, imo. A big name signing like Nomar would be right up Bowden's alley, even if Nomar might not be able to play a full season at SS. However, considering they have a hole to fill in LF, that might be a possibility. They're also going to have to figure out what to do with Castilla and Zimmerman (who hit close to .400 in 20 games this season). Castilla's numbers were not all that great this season and he turns 39 next season. Moving him to LF would be ludicrous at his offensive production, but trading him could be out of the question due to his contract. Should be fun times, imo.

That would be my primary problem with the Cubs trying to acquire Crawford. He'll just be Corey Patterson redux in Chicago, imo. Also, TB is under new ownership now. I have a feeling that they will increase salaries somewhat, but what direction this team will look to take is anyone's guess. It wouldn't surprise me if they relocated to somewhere like Vegas or the Carolinas when all is said and done. I have a feeling that Huff will still command a decent price in terms of a trade. If he's attainable for a decent price, I wouldn't be opposed to the Cubs bringing him in. However, I've been on this Jonny Gomes bender lately and would absolutely love to have him patroling LF next season.

Technically, most players already have agents (who are "advisers" and somehow bypass the NCAA rules) since they hired them in HS. If you want a recent example, the Cubs drafted Taylor Teagarden out of HS, who declined the Cubs' offer and went to college. His advisor then was Scott Boras. When he was drafted last year, he still had Boras on board. Speaking of which, anyone know who Boras is representing this year?

It was a stupid fluff piece designed to annoy White Sox fans. I'm sure Jay Mariotti will be writing one just like this next week about Chicago vs. Anaheim.

Poor Joe Blanton. :cry:

Abreu is a big-name money guy for Philly. Believe me, the idea of having him in RF would be a dream come true at this point in his career. He's one of the most productive guys you can find in baseball today and is a hard worker. But, considering that is the case, Philly will want a lot to get him. From what I can surmise, Philly will be looking for a CF next season. My gut tells me Lofton won't be hanging around there for much longer. They have a few guys who could compete for the spot (Michaels, Victorino, and Bourn who will likely be in AAA next season), but none of them will either be ready or as productive as they would like them to be. If we're talking about them trading Abreu, they will need to fill a hole in RF. So, theoretically in this trade, they could be looking for a CF (either full-time or a fill-in until one of the young guys steps up) and a RF (unless they move Burrell to right, in which case a LF would be welcome). The other positions they might look to fill are 3B and C, depending on the health and contract status of David Bell and Mike Lieberthal. They might need some one who can step in and spot start next season and potentially take over down the line. They play in one of the most prolific HR parks in the majors. That makes groundball pitchers a complete and total priority. They don't exactly have a pitching staff that is consistent and stable, either. Injuries are problematic for their staff (Wolf won't be back until July at the earliest after the dreaded Tommy John disease struck) and their top pitching prospects have not produced the way the Phillies have hoped. They need starting pitching with experience, success, and youth in a bad way. Plus, if Wagner's leaving, their bullpen will be shot to hell. In that respect, we might be of some assistance. So, the Cubs have options here. A deal involving some of the following players might garner some interest: Jerome Williams (1.31 career GB/FB ratio, young, still getting back in shape) Sergio Mitre (Doesn't seem to have a future with the Cubs, but that sinker is awfully tempting for many teams) Scott Moore (not much pressure on him to move fast and take over for Bell, good ceiling) Todd Wellemeyer (very nice ceiling as a reliever or a starter) John Leicester (ditto) Geovanny Soto (Cheap backup that can be groomed as Lieberthal's heir) Renyel Pinto (doesn't give up many HRs to lefties...much less anyone) Felix Pie (1st guy any team asks for in a trade with prospects) Roberto Novoa (a bit of a spazz on the mound, but a nice upside) Matt Murton (2nd guy any team asks for in a trade with young players) That's not an all-inclusive list, but it's a decent start.

Thanks for the reports and interaction Bo! We'll miss you. Good luck wherever you may go! :D

Quick reports on both: Rich Hill -Pretty much the same report as listed in the SL report. -Reportedly working on a cutter and a changeup, though. Ronny Cedeno -Offensive slump from the past two years can be attributed to the Cubs pushing him hard. -Good bat speed and pop. -Improving his strike zone judgment. -Is something of a stolen base threat. -Excellent defensively. -One PCL manager was appalled that Neifi was starting over Cedeno in Chicago.

No surprise as to who's ranked #1. Linky Cubs on the list: #14 - Rich Hill #16 - Ronny Cedeno

So, if Dusty goes and manages the Dodgers, what's Hee Seop Choi's reaction going to be?

Notes on each, although most of this is old news: Felix Pie -Power was finally developing. -Noteworthy tools. -Hits for average even against lefties. -Still raw on the bases, in the OF, and with the strike zone, although he does manage to get the bat on the ball even with bad swings. Matt Murton -Few holes in his swing with great strike zone judgment. -Uses all fields. -Should develop into a 15-20 homer kind of guy. -Solid defender, although his arm is a bit suspect. -Could become a middle of the lineup kind of guy. Rich Hill -Finally harnessed his electric stuff and put his control problems aside. -Performed well enough in AA and AAA to give hope for his future. -At best? #3 starter. -At worst? An effective LOOGY. Ricky Nolasco -Made a run at the SL pitching triple crown. -Aggressive, willing to challenge hitters. -Three good pitches (91-93 fb, good curve, and change). -Able to reach back for something extra when needed. -Command and control freak who won't give up baserunners easily. Renyel Pinto -Struggled at AAA, but made a comeback at AA. -Still has plenty of trouble locating and commanding the strike zone. -Three plus pitches (91-94 fb, slider, and excellent change). -Has a future, but like Hill in previous years, will need to be able to harness his stuff effectively.

I'm looking forward to Ron's take on this one. Link DJAXX in the Top 20: 8 ) Felix Pie 12) Matt Murton 15) Rich Hill 17) Ricky Nolasco 18 ) Renyel Pinto

We better nail that 1st pick, because with the cash the Cubs have to spend this offseason, they may not be picking for a while after that 1st choice. Eh, once the FAs are given their designations, we should have a clearer idea of what the Cubs will give and receive.

Now that we got ourselves the #12/#13 pick, this thread should become more interesting this offseason.

Some other notable pitching prospects & their GB/FB: Juan Mateo: .76 Randy Wells: .97 Darin Downs: 1.38 Raul Valdes: 1.41 Jesus Yepez: 2.71 (!) Mitch Atkins: 1.25 Matt Avery: 1.14 Jose Pina: 1.37 Brett Jackson: 1.75 Jesse Estrada: 1.45 Justin Berg: 3.00 (w00t) Todd Blackford: 2.33 Chris Shaver: 1.09 Angelo Burrows: 1.05

:shock: You take that back!!!!

Here's my theory: Because the Cubs have been essentially out of it since they split that July series against the Reds (which preceded one of the most ungodly offensive slumps we saw this season), most of the Cub fans out there basically lost all interest in the team and aren't even bothering investing in this team emotionally. Even though the Cubs weren't out of it officially out of it until not too long ago, everyone had just given up. Because of that, no one is really angry like they were earlier in the season. You notice that? Threads dedicated to bashing Dusty, Corey, Neifi, and basically everyone else have declined greatly around here. Even the less hardcore Cub fans I know don't even care any more. Due to this, there won't be much anger coming into the offseason. If the Cubs had basically repeated last season, where they were either leading the WC or in contention until the last week of the season, I think things would be vastly different right now. People would be actively calling for the heads of Dusty, Hendry, and various other people much more vociferously. If that had happened, there would have been a much more likely possibility of Dusty getting the axe. Instead, we'll be stuck with him to start next season. Yay. Unless Hendry pulls a huge rabbit out of his hat and acquires difference-makers that even Dusty can't screw up, I'm not going to invest much emotionally or financially in this team next year. I've had it.

Dude, he's hitting .318! Oh, wait, no...that's his OBP that and huston street absoultely has to win this award. Jonny Gomes says hi: .282/.373/.535/.908, 61 R, 21 HR, and 54 RBI in 344 ABs.

His ERA with the Cubs has been pretty nice, too. Everyone knows that he was out of shape coming into the season and still isn't at his best in terms of being healthy, but he's done quite well with the Cubs and could make a nice addition to any rotation. If he could be better down the road, teams might have plenty of interest in his services. With the Cubs' perceived glut of potential starters, Williams might be expendable if he can help land the Cubs some one to either really bolster the offense or the starting rotation.

I'm curious as to what Jerome Williams' trade value will look like in the offseason. Considering his age, stuff, and experience, I'd have to think that he might be quite helpful for the Cubs in acquiring a big name in a trade.

Eh, he'd be justified in moving Dempster to a setup role if he acquired a comparable or better closer in the offseason. I don't think anyone would be mad about that.

Can't be sending out the forfeit lineups, dude. Philly wouldn't like us for that and I think that Jim Thome cat is alright.

Bama is up 14-0 already. Sheesh. Also, in a fun moment, CBS showed a, "Florida QB Pass Attempts Without an INT" graphic, with Chris Leak in third place. Of course, the moment they show that graphic, Leak is picked off.

What, no posts on the insanity that has been Michigan/MSU? :shock: