RockTheIvy

The Scott Moore era begins.

If we pay Juan Pierre 12 million next year, I, I...I dont know what I'll do. But it'd be especially cool if we sign Juan Pierre for 12 million, then lose Aram, to be replaced with Rich Aurillia. Juan Izturis Lee Aurillia Jones Barrett Murton Cedeno 300 runs scored in '07. Catch the excitement. If we lose ARam we are done for, no matter what. So, we might as well overpay for ARam right? At least we'll be getting good production from a player in his prime? Man, I love the offseason, but next year looks so damn bleak. Hendry better have some trades in between the fat. Hendry has def laid an egg on this one, but we all knew this was expected with that fool. I think it's to the point where we might not have no choice but to slightly overpay. WHo knows what ARam and his agent are thinking. One way or another I don't see how we would make the playoffs next year. I disagree, we certainly shouldn't be favorites, but I think we could put together a contending ballclub. As I've mentioned earlier in this thread, add Andruw and Durham, play Murton in LF, and get a platoon guy in RF for Jacque, and our offense is much improved. Durham Murton Lee Andruw Aramis Jones Barrett Izturis Add Fredi Gonzalez or Joe Girardi at manager, and maybe a semi cheap veteran starter and we're a pretty solid team. Not favorites for the playoffs and certainly not where we should be, but we can build a contender by next season. That's a great lineup. But it is dependent on so many things happening in the right way. I pray it goes that way. But what if a) Ramirez walks b) Cedeno is our 2B c) Jones was signed to play everyday d) Sweet Lou is on our bench Stranger things have happened. It is all a matter of which Jim shows up. Independent Jim or ManagerBish Jim. Independent Jim, the Jim that dumped Hundley, got us Lofton, Ramirez, Lee and Nomar. Or if we get Neifi! Macias, Enr!que, DJackson, THubbs, Jim.

If we pay Juan Pierre 12 million next year, I, I...I dont know what I'll do. But it'd be especially cool if we sign Juan Pierre for 12 million, then lose Aram, to be replaced with Rich Aurillia. Juan Izturis Lee Aurillia Jones Barrett Murton Cedeno 300 runs scored in '07. Catch the excitement. If we lose ARam we are done for, no matter what. So, we might as well overpay for ARam right? At least we'll be getting good production from a player in his prime? Man, I love the offseason, but next year looks so damn bleak. Hendry better have some trades in between the fat. Hendry has def laid an egg on this one, but we all knew this was expected with that fool. I think it's to the point where we might not have no choice but to slightly overpay. WHo knows what ARam and his agent are thinking. One way or another I don't see how we would make the playoffs next year. But, honestly, the Cubs are atrocious this season, a complete joke. EVERYONE can see this. There's no way that Hendry can be blind to this right? He knows how much the players are making, he can't really be satisfied with this, and think that a few more relievers are gonna do the job? Right?

I guess he is planning on getting a head start on his 2007 season ending injury. Haha. But really, I HATE that he has to be injured like this. I remember when he was amazing. Too bad he has to be a reliever now. :( Could he at least change his name to Les Lancaster?

If we pay Juan Pierre 12 million next year, I, I...I dont know what I'll do. But it'd be especially cool if we sign Juan Pierre for 12 million, then lose Aram, to be replaced with Rich Aurillia. Juan Izturis Lee Aurillia Jones Barrett Murton Cedeno 300 runs scored in '07. Catch the excitement. If we lose ARam we are done for, no matter what. So, we might as well overpay for ARam right? At least we'll be getting good production from a player in his prime? Man, I love the offseason, but next year looks so damn bleak. Hendry better have some trades in between the fat.

If we pay Juan Pierre 12 million next year, I, I...I dont know what I'll do. But it'd be especially cool if we sign Juan Pierre for 12 million, then lose Aram, to be replaced with Rich Aurillia. Juan Izturis Lee Aurillia Jones Barrett Murton Cedeno 300 runs scored in '07. Catch the excitement.

Eh, go easy. Jeff Suppan will be available.

Question for our Cubs minor league Brain Trust: Is Scott Moore really good enough to replace Ramirez? I'm scared to death of the fact that Ramirez is probably gonna walk. Without him, uh, well, the offense is even worse. Could Moore really replace him in the next few years?

Yes, his is twice as strong as the average human's and the size of a Buick. You didn't even factor in how good fist-pumping is for your heart, either.

We just need a manager that will be creative, and if he can't handle the job, like LaTroy, we don't need to see him every ninth inning for the rest of the year.

I would like Andruw Jones, but since he's probably a pipe dream, I'd take Cameron. Otherwise, give Pierre arby or just go with Pie. My only real problem with Pie next year is that I'm not sure he'll be ready and it'd be difficult to fill the roster appropriately around him, unless we platooned Murton and Jones. EDIT: Of course if we hire Fredi Gonzalez, we may have some inside track on getting Andruw should he become available. Any idea what Pierre might get in arbitration? I don't know all of the methods by which they judge a player's worth, but his last two seasons have been pretty subpar.

I could dig that. Just curious TT, let's say Pie is slotted to play CF for us next year. How would you fill in the rest of the lineup and where would you bat him? Under the assumption that Izturis isn't going anywhere, and that it's unlikely we'll be able to trade/Hendry will want to trade Jones, I'd hit Pie 7th. Have 2B and LF occupy the top 2 spots in the order, and get a platoon partner for Jones. Maybe Durham, Murton, and Restovich; maybe Loretta, Catalanotto, and Murton, there are obviously a bunch of ways you could go about it. It's not going to be a great offense, but given the above assumptions building a great offense would be nigh impossible. That would be an improvement. I suppose it really depends on the manager. If we have someone who will stick to the platoon, like, say Dierker, then that lineup could probably compete. Of course without Ramirez, we'd be SOL.

I'm sure Jason Isringhausen still wants to be a starter.

I could dig that. Just curious TT, let's say Pie is slotted to play CF for us next year. How would you fill in the rest of the lineup and where would you bat him?

Are these heart problems contagious or something? I hope he's alright. Also, do you think it's even possible for Derrek Jeter to have heart issues?

I'd give him 4/$60 with an option year at $14m. Agreed, assuming its a team option. I get the feeling (a gut feeling, admittedly) that Aramis' relative lack of conditioning will eventually catch up with him. We're so screwed. Hello Rich Aurillia. I too think Aramis will be playing somewhere else next year. However, I still think a competent guy like Mike Lowell will be manning 3B in 2007. While the offseason prospects may seem bleak right now, I still expect Hendry to be aggressive and field a good team able to make the post-season. I still feel there will be a lot of trades this winter and expect Hendry to use the Tribune money as an advantage in this endeavor. I am not expecting much out of Hendry in free agency - except for him to take a serious look at Jason Schmidt. I'd be fine with Schmidt and I could live with Lowell. Does that mean ARam will be in Boston? He can't go to NY. Maybe Anaheim? I guess if Dusty's gone, it lowers the chances that I will have anything to Dick Aurillia.

I'm all about the Twins making the playoffs, mainly because it means the ChiSox aren't in it and that there is only one AL East team in the playoffs. But once they get there, I am kinda pulling for the Tigers.

I'm actually in the Cameron camp, but I'm not sure he'll take a one year deal. Who would you like to see?

Take it outside, boys.

I hope they win the WC. Howard and Utley are simply awesome, and it'd be cool to see them make the playoffs after trading two HOF caliber players.

I'd give him 4/$60 with an option year at $14m. Agreed, assuming its a team option. I get the feeling (a gut feeling, admittedly) that Aramis' relative lack of conditioning will eventually catch up with him. We're so screwed. Hello Rich Aurillia.

If your heart and soul is hitting .243/.331/.411 and you are the Red Sox...well, I think your heart and soul is ripping you off.

Let's compare Pierre and Matthews then. Matthews 2003- 144games .248 BA .339 OBP 43 BB 2004- 87games .275 BA .350 OBP 33BB 2005-131games .255 BA .320 OBP 47BB Pierre 2003-162games .305 .361 55BB 2004-162games .326 .374 45BB 2005-162games .276 .326 41BB Pierre has had a better BA, OBP, and number of walks each of the last three seasons, excluding this one (and last year in terms of walks). I see no reason to think that Matthews is a more complete player. Juan's better, but I'm not completely behind bringing him back next year. My main point against GM Jr. is that there are much better options that will be available and we would be settling far too low with him, especially considering he's worse than who we currently have and may cost more after this fluke year. Alright lemme say this. I don't think either of them are very good and I hope neither are on the Cubs next year.

Well, if we are comparing Sarge Jr. to an impact CF, say, Andrew Jones, then, well, there is no comparison. However, I think that, compared with Pierre, Matthews might be a more complete player. I suppose it depends on whether Pierre plays like he has these past two seasons, or like he did in 2003 and 2004.

Isn't it great that we're all better people?