Neuby

Brian Cashman isn't stupid. He's not going to take our garbage for a top 5 player making a reasonable amount of money. Even Pie/Hill/Eyre wouldn't get it done, and that's the best combo possible using those players. And even if they accept a deal like that, and you lose Ramirez, the upgrade you get isn't so signifigant as to justify the loss you your 3 best trading chips. You've made a marginal upgrade at a steep player cost, and you still have holes to fill, only now you have fewer assets with which to improve. Ramirez will return for a huge paycheck , I think that if Arod gets dealt that it will be to the Cubs. I was just pointing out that word in New York is there is no way that arod returns there and everything your hearing now is a smokescreen similar to when his trade to Boston fell through and it looked like he was going to remain a Texan. Cashman won't be able to get top dollar for Arod because of his NTC and bridges have been burned in the clubhouse.

Reports have had the Yankee's splitting time with Giambi and Matsui at 1B/DH when Sheffield is dealt.

Do we know that for a fact? Ramirez had no trade protection according to today's papers - maybe he vetoed a trade. I like Aramis. But, you can put me in the group that believes the Cubs will be fine even if he signs with somebody else. Based on what? He's the best FA bat out there. He walks, you need 2 bats to make up for it and improve. I've heard Gary Sheffield's name bandied about. You'd rather have a broken down Sheffield than Ramirez? Carlos Lee? He's wildly overrated, and can only play LF, which is a position that id ably filled by a cheap, good young player. Soriano? I'd like him in CF or 2B, but he's going to cost more than Ramirez, is older, and not as good. Trade for ARod? We don't have the parts to compete with Anaheim and the White Sox, if it comes to that. Ramirez is the best offensive player on the team. You just don't find guys to replace him laying around. He leaves, and we will not compete in 2007. Players that could interest the Yankees White Sox- Uribe/Garcia/Buerhle/Crede Angels- Prospects/bullpen help/ Cubs- Jones/Izzy/Dempster/Howry/Eyre/Pie/Hill/ I left Vazquez's name off the list as he was not well thought of in New York his first stint there. The Cubs and White Sox could match up well with New Yorkin terms of players to create a package to net ARod .Too bad A-Rod to the White Sox has no chance of happening. ARod and Ozzie hate each other. Scott Boras does not work well with Reinsdorf and Williams. Why wouldn't AROD waive his no trade clause to play for Uncle Lou? He gets to play in a major market and a chance to remake his image.

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition/ny-spyanks314954810oct31,0,5248755.story?coll=ny-sports-print Not sure what I would give up for Sheffield but if we found a way to not give up much and find a way to peddle Jones for something of vaule it would be nice to take a gamble that Sheff can return to 30-35 homer glory. Does Sheffield still throw the ball well? I know he's not worse than Jones.

The White Sox aren't going to be picking up his option , do u think Hendry should offer him a 1 Million dollar deal with incentives like the gamble he took with Williamson?

I was hoping the Cubs can snag a guy like Craig Wilson this offseason for a platoon partner with Jacque/RH Power Bench/Backup1B/Catcher/DH. Having a big bat like Wilson's to play around the diamond can go a long way towards building a deep bench. Nevin could also fill this role and play a little third to boot but his outfield skills are terrrible and I'm not all that sure Nevin could even catch a game a week if he prepared this offseason.

If the Cubs could pull a deal for Burrell, why not deal Jones and a prospect like Mateo or Marmol for Bonderman? I'm not sure the Tigers would take that deal. You might be looking at something like Marshall and Jones.

This sundays Trib Phil Rogers mentions that Ron Jackson is a strong canadidate for Hitting coach and that Gary Gaetti is another possibility. Gaetti? Why?

I see a 4 yr deal as well with either a buyout or vesting options for 2 additional years making it potentially worth 6 years. ARam and his agent are squeezing Hendry in a vice grip. But it's Hendry's fault for handing them the vice grip. I thought it's been reported that MacPhail was the one that gave him the out clause that caused all this trouble.

If his offseason work with Jacques Jones is any indication of his teaching skills I would pass. J/K I would be more than happy to get Gwyn as a hitting coach.

I don't thing signing a guy like Miller will Hinder Hendry making a run at two major starters. I think Miller and Prior are both looked as anything you get from there next year is a plus.

I thought Garcia's velocity was way down toward the end of this year and 05 playoff push was showing up this season.

My ipod died today and the Cards are going to win it. I am looking for reasons to live and right now I can't find any.

I don't see the logic in the Jays bidding all that money and then not signing the guy just to keep him away from there rivals. Wouldn't it make sense just to drop that money into there own team and improve it?

I would rather spend that kind of cash on Craig Wilson. He's a younger, better health, Strong arm,can play first and be your third string catcher. Alou will get a DH job somewhere.

Who made the comment after the 2005 season that he liked players who can catch the ball? I rest my case. Hendry wanted to get some guys that can catch the ball is there something wrong with that? Maybe you guys are reading way too much into that comment. Hendry has stated this offseason he wants to get more starting pitching. Does that mean he doesn't also want to add some impact bats.

right now the only strength the Cubs having head to this offseason is there bullpen and you guys want to weaken it? If are rotation was worth anything last year the bullpen would have been a lot better. Eyre Howry Dempster Wood Ohman Wuertz looks pretty filthy to me. Sure its an exspensive pen but with a payroll of 115 million and so many other weakness I'd rather stand pat in the bullpen unless you can something useful for Dempster and not just another bad contract.

I'd take a shot on Sheffield if we could move Jones somehow. I don't want if it means he's one of two impact bats brought in this season. Sheffield has always been known for having one of the fastest bats in the majors how this wrist injury plays out will be a big factor if he is ever to be productive again.

If Boras is going to be asking steep dollar amounts for Jones next deal I could see the Braves moving Jones. With all the talk of brining back Glavine and Maddux I would think they would need to clear some payroll.

I wish there was a spot on this staff for a guy like Kirk Gibson another guy that lights a fire under his players.

30 mill is a lot. I'm not certain I'd be willing to do that. Given the likely cost of the other two top FA starters and the usual discount a japanese player takes in his first contract, I might do 20 mill. Does 1908 or anyone have a clue on what would happen if there where Identical bids? I would be willing to go as high 25 million if it didn't hamper the Cubs efforts in other areas. I'd prefer Schimdt but I know he's going to get 4 years from someone and I'd prefer not to go that long.

I would not mind Burrell because I don't think it would take much in terms of talent to get him. Jones and Nova for Burrell and Cash. It upgrades right field without dipping into the money has to improve other area's.

Funny all these hack Journalists must have followed Aramis from Pittsburgh.

Please Peolpe everyone bashes Hendry for counting on Wood then they want to ship guys like Dempster and Eyre out of town so we can count on having Wood healthy. Having Wood healthy must be a luxury.

Be prepared for the Anti-Stone people. I also enjoy Stone but we are the minority on this board. I like him as an announcer, but hate him as a decision maker. I lost a lot of respect for him with the way he went out. Why because morons like Kent Mercker and Dusty Baker ran him out of town I would be bitter too if the Cubs choose a loogy over one of the best colorman in the buisness.