RockTheIvy

Whoa. The line for Corey bashing usually forms right behind me, but this is a bit much. The fact that he is going at all should tell you something about his "mindset." He's a professional athlete for goodness sakes. I'm sure he doesn't enjoy being awful at the plate. Let him go work on it, show up early for spring training- again, and let the winter play out. At least there is an effort to improve. Playing a 1/2 season of winter ball doesn't tell me anything positive about his mindset. It says he will do just enough to get his critics and Hendry off his back, but not as much as a player who really wants to reach his potential would. And I'd hope he doesn't enjoy being awful at the plate, but if I were in his shoes when asked by reporters if I'd consider winter ball, I'd enthusiastically respond with a: "YES! I'm having a very poor year and I have disappointed Cubs fans and the team, but I know I can do better. I plan on getting better by playing the game when most MLB players aren't: in winter ball." "But my game isn't the only thing I need to improve on. I'm also going to adjust my attitude, because there were times when I just didn't care about the game. Remember my 'It's just a game' comment? I'm going to work on my intelligence too." To clarify, though certain beat writers reported that Corey uttered the "it's just a game" comment, it was later confirmed that Corey actually said "it's just the game." Big difference. Carry on. I'm aware of that, but believe that his quote was "corrected" as a cover up. I think the first interpretation is correct because it's certainly consistent with his attitude. Oh, dear Lord. Corey's got enough issues on his own without people making things up. Did I make up the fact that Corey said baseball was just a game? Did I make up the fact that Corey only wants to play 1/2 of Winter ball? I think those two decisions allow the fan some insight to the mindset/desire/attitude of CP. Who is this Corey Patterson you speak of? Is he even a real player?

Lets sign Damon, Trade for Abreu, Keep Walker and Nomar Damon Murton Lee Abreu Ramirez Nomar Walker Barrett Hello WS. That won't happen, but it would be a good lineup. Oh and I don't want Damon, just playing with the idea.

No kiding. Dusty for Bradley, let's get the ball rolling. I heard from a LA Dodger cleaning lady's nephew's sister's next door neighbor who heard from a waitress at a Fish Taco resteraunt that Tommy Lasorda eats at, that they are interested in bringing John B. back home to LA. Little known fact: Dusty played with Hank Aaron.

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/737/metsvalentinelr8gv.jpg INCOGNITO.

I've seen that written several times. Does anyone know if this is true? Or is it urban legen? No, no one knows if that's true. At best it's speculation, at worst it's ridiculous slander. I would say at best it's true. But I guess knowing that one of the Cubs pitchers was pitching in a hungover state, that could be "at worst?" :-s

two words for you: Scott Kazmir Any GM that can get absolutely fleeced like that doesn't deserve the job. Hendry is a moran, but I'd still rather have him than Phillips (i'm sure you were just kidding about that :D ). I may be wrong but i dont think that Phillips was the one who traded Kazmir, wasnt it his replacement? true. it was Phillips' assitant that did that after Phillips was canned. maybe i should have said "phillip's regime." he's still a moran though. Jim Duquette was the GM at the time, but it was widely rumored that the owners son - Jeff Wilpon, made that deal in a last ditch effort to try and make the playoffs two years ago. Duquette was a figurehead in NY his last year as GM before Minaya got there. hahaha. trade the previously untouchable pitching prospect for a mediocre starter so you can make the playoffs. :oops: why was phillips axed? was it the affair with his secretary or performance related (he deserved it on that alone)? Pulled a Doug Collins, eh?

Anybody remember his moustache trick in the dugout one year with the Mets? I never really liked him, but that was pretty funny.

Unfortunately, with the team you've assembled, Neifi will be playing (not Cedeno) and batting 2nd. Probably more like: Pierre Neifi Lee Giles, etc. Ramirez Walker Murton Barrett You're right, and I bet Jose Macias would see some time in left, because Murton needs to be worked in slowly :(

And ignore the fact that Furcal is 5 years younger, can play a good SS and is a very good base stealer. Walker meanwhile will be 33 on opening day, and is at best an average second baseman. Also the last two seasons where Walker has had over 500 plate appearances his OPS has been .784 and .761. In 2003 Furcal put up a .795 OPS while stealing 25 bases (in 27 attempts) while Walker put up a .761 OPS in Boston. I don't like the fact that they're booting an inexpensive Walker either, but it's ridiculous to compare their salaries based solely on last year's OPS. Very true. Plus there are more 2B that are productive than SS. It is a more demanding position defensively. It's just that these reports about Furcal's cost are ridiculous, and causing some people to freak out.

Mike Cameron is still suffering severe vertigo. I have huge doubts about his ability to be ready in time for 2006. Well if that's the case than forget him. I was wondering how he would recover from his injury. His defense and plate discipline (swinging at good pitches and taking walks, not his Ks) are where his value lies. If we can't have him, I'd take Lofton on a 1 year deal.

Nah Furcal is much better, that is true. But man, didn't Shawon have a cannon? and a group a fans that monitored his Shawon-o-meter?!

Mike Cameron.

Bring back the Shawn-O-meter!

Duuude man, the alcohol I drank said the same thing!

Hello 4th place, hooah!

Alright just checking. Though Neifi! absolutely scares the bejesus out of me, seeing as he's one of the 15 wrost hitters all time. HENDRY DO SOMETHING!

and having a farm system devoid of position players leads you to...free agency where bad contracts are plentiful. and if you do have good position players, you rush them to the bigs so you don't seem incompetent (Patterson). I agree, the Chubbs suck at developing positional prospects.

Who plays SS in your world next year? I would hope for Nomar, but who do you have?

Nah Jimmy I hear you. But what would you do: Furcal for 12 a year/5year or Nomar 12 mil over 2 years?

I agree that it has happened in the past, but what if he stayed healthy? Is it worth not making a 60 million dollar gamble on Furcal when a SS is playing 2B for 300k? Are you sure you aren't JIMH?

So much for signing Furcal by Monday. Yeah, Tuesdday it is!

I wouldn;t mind that either but having Cedeno and Neifi as SS scares me with Baker. Cedeno would never play because Neifi! has cooler punctuation associated with his name, dude.

He'd probably bunt 3234 times. In all seriousness, it's just too bad the Cubs will never pay for excellence, instead overpaying for mediocrity, or being happy with garbage.

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs. Once you accept that Neifi is going to start somewhere somehow and there's not a damn thing to done about it, suddenly a low-incentive contract for Nomar doesn't seem so awful. Just make it so that Neifi! doesn't start or bats 8th and I can still breathe.

I think if we don't sign Furcal, Nomar coming back would be a good thing. I'm personally more concerned about the OF over everything else though. This is going to be a complicated offseason for the Cubs. I agree. Offensively, Nomar's upside is gigantic. He could very easily put up a .300/.350/.500 season, whcih at short, would be tremendous.