Neuby

What postion player have the Cubs had that didn't get a good enough shot that ended up producing for another club?

I'm so wary of all of Hendry's potential moves at this point that I'd be happy if he just stood pat. CF-Pierre LF-Murton 1B-Lee 3B-Ramirez RF-Jones C-Barrett 2B-Walker SS-Cedeno P-Z P-Prior P-Williams P-Maddux P-Rusch/Wood RP-Howry RP-Eyre RP-Ohman RP-Novoa RP-Wuertz CL-Dempster B-Hairston B-Perez B-Blanco B-Mabry B-Patterson At this point, fine by me, even though we don't have a 5th hitter. Better that than deal Prior, or absolutely gut the farm system, though. If somehow Baltimore wants to deal Tejada for prospects, fine. Ditto with Dunn or Abreu, although I doubt it happens. Really, though, I just don't see any deal where we get another everyday player coming down the line, so I'd just as soon Hendry lose his cell phone for a couple months. Although, I do see Walker, Patterson and Wellemeyer being dealt. Probably just for prospects or a bench guy or two, though. are u betting against Williamson reboudning and making the club out of spring training? I had him pegged as one of top set up man behind Howry and Eyre. I think Nova or Wuertz gets dealt along Welly,Corey,and sadly Walker.

Ronnie's bat did come out of nowhere last year everyone was bashing Hendry for putting him on the 40 man roster because slick fielding shortstops are a dime dozen while not protecting some of the arms.

I think Lee could put up just as good a season next year with guys in front of him getting on-base and even more likely if Ramirez stays healthy behind him and the cubs are able to swing a deal for Floyd or Miggy.

When you have injuries and control problems your stuff doesn't all come together he's a project just like Corey. Sometimes a pitchers "stuff" doesn't show up in numbers thats why teams use Scouts and not just use computers and charts.

It might just be me, but "great clubhouse guys" don't demand a trade and publically knock the team they play for. Rolen wanted out of Philly I would call him a good clubhouse guy Schilling wanted out of Philly good clubhouse guy a few off the top of my head.

Many scouts feel Meche has some of the best stuff in the American League, and all that he lacked was confidence. He seems to have regained his edge late in 2004 after returning from the minors. Some feel Meche has a chance to win 15-20 games and become the dominant arm on the Mariners' staff. He'll get that chance in 2005.

With Manny you have to have the most updated news . Manny claims he never said he was staying in Boston to any ESPN reporters and his agent Manny would still like to be moved.

I like Meche he has a load of talent but injuries and not being able to put anything together has made a bust so far, remind me of Patterson. Pitching deprived teams might like Meche more than Patterson.

If we land Miggy and Manny gets dealt to the Mets do we still land Floyd? Pierre Barrett Lee Miggy Floyd Ramirez Jones Cedeno I really like the look of that lineup. Jones and Barrett could flip places maybe even Cedeno in the two hole.

Why? If Ronnyc isn't headed to Baltimore he's going to your starting second baseman most likely if Walker gets dealt or not. It would suck for RonnyC to watch Perez getting starts over him not one of the best shortstops in the majors if not the best in Miggy.

Actually, you (presumably) couldn't care less. Since you were an ass to Voice, I decided to be one to you. Because that's how baseball works, Bigbad. This is reality, not a fantasy land. I'm sure a good percentage of the posters here come to talk about things that could legitimately happen. Voice simply stated that you were being relatively unreasonable, and then you lashed out on him. Dream all you want, but when someone calls you out on it, don't act so you surprised -- you put yourself into a position in which you should have been expecting it. Also: "I could care less about the Orioles and they can fall off the face of the Earth for all I care." Who's the one trying to sound cool, here? I probably should have stayed out of it, but when I read this thread your response honestly made me irate. Now... on-topic... I really don't think the Cubs should trade away Prior... not for Tejada, at least. I think I've made it well-known in the posts I've talked in that I find Tejada to be overrated, and that I don't think it's an equal trade. If they could swing a deal for Abreu, I think the Cubbies would be much better off. Pierre and Abreu at the top of an order would be mighty impressive, and would give the team an added dose of that speed Hendry coveted. Now, granted, Abreu's contract is a monster... I can see why they would be hesitant to take Bobby. But it really makes me scratch my head... when Hendry says "no way" to Abreu, but is so willing to give Prior away in a Tejada deal? Part of the speculation around the Miggy deals has been that the Cubs want a pitcher in return like Bedard. The Cubs scouts might not have the Phillies pitchers rated as high. Abreus contract is terrible. Miggy is also a great clubhouse guy that wants to win. Abreau hustle has been questioned at times

I still don't think the payroll is set at 105 million this season. What are we at now? I am assuming Patterson and Walker are gone. I'm assuming they will be gone as well. But, even with them gone, I'm not sure how they afford to take on Tejada AND Weaver. That's almost 20m in added salary. Tejada gets 12m in 2006 and Weaver will likely get close to 8m. The problem is that Patterson and Walker are NOT gone yet. It may require that to trade either one of them could possibly require the Cubs to take a bad contract back. I'm actually shocked that the budget is as high as 105m, personally. After the last 2 years of poor performance, I wouldn't have been surprised if the Trib reduced the budget rather than expand it. I'm happy they did, but I'd really be floored if they were allowed to spend even more than 105m when they had so much money available to spend this offseason as it is. I just going with a payroll bump with all the new seats, ticket price bumps again, and the small bump the Cubs have always been giving the payroll the last few years.

What a waste

I still don't think the payroll is set at 105 million this season. What are we at now? I am assuming Patterson and Walker are gone.

This is reminding a lot of the Nomar deal , the papers kept saying we where shipping Clement to the Red Sox even though we where in the thick of a playoff hunt. I don't see Hendry trading Prior with Wood still question mark , If the O's want any combo of prospects at this point do it. If we have to include Williams and Hill hopefully Hendry can still throw his hat in the Weaver hunt .

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't the Cubs SIGN JOHN MABRY for the role you describe? Eli Marrero? Not a bad NRI. Yes but Mabry hits left handed both Marrero and Colburn from the right side. The cubs don't have a power hitting RH off the bench. With Cedeno, Perez, Hairston,Mabry the cubs already have a lot of flexability but still lack a powe threat from the right side the fact that both of these guys can play all over only helps

We should just go after Reed then.

Greg Colburn-Righty power bat off the bench can play third, some outifled, first base, catcher in emergency. Eli Marrero- Another guy than can run a little , hit with some pop , can play all over the diamond including Catcher.

Well this should put us in a better postion to get Miggy if Boston isn't involved in the bidding any longer. I wouldn't mind having Clement back at all I think he could rebound and finally have the big year everyone has predicted since he was drafted.

why does it seem seattle is shopping Reed? Clement is an interesting idea if we expanded the deal to include Twalk think they would bite? Patterson and Walker for Clement? I no Walker burned some bridges there before he left but the Red Sox still have some holes left to fill even with Manny staying

I don't think molina is an upgrade but this late in the offseason and hendrys sucess and at upgrading the roster in doubt thus far giving him the ability to trade Barrett with other for an impact bat seems like a great idea. I think Barrett brings a lot to the Cubs. Aaron Rowans brought a lot to the White Sox but Williams traded him and the Sox are looking like favorites to repeat.

The catching market seems to have dried up a little bit hurting his asking price. He's a top notch defender, hits for average and a little pop. We would take a little hit in the OBP department but I think what he brings behind the plate outweighs that. We can then trade Barrett for more another starter or use him as bait for Abreau or Miggy in a larger 3 team deal. With Patterson, Barett,Williams,Hill ect Hendry should be able to find an impact bat.

I like the idea of bringing in Grissom the more I look at it, a guy that kills lefties, can steal a base, plays great defense, lay down a bunt, hit for a little power. For the League min. He's a bench player not a starter.

Wow, you make a good point. Any 3 game series against any of those 3? Teams would worry about where the runs come from. But as you pointed out. Its that blasted HEALTH issue. And I believe that rotation and line-up is as strong if not stronger then the Sox last year. I think if they where all healthy that rotation could make the bullpen that much better Williamson , Wuertz,Nova, Rusch fighting for spots to go with that already strong core group you have listed.