CubsInNC

That's a real good rotation...when healthy. You really can't count on Beckett being healthy for a full year and Schilling has had some pretty serious injuries the last couple of years as well. But when that rotation is 100% and if they were to make the playoffs with all of those guys healthy, that would be an extremely dangerous rotation to face in a best of 5 and a best of 7. Their offense would take a huge hit if they trade Manny, though. Ortiz, Drew, and who else?I can't remember what's going on with their lineup, but I think they'd need a great staff. They have the OBP monster, Youkilis, they also have Varitek, Pena, Crisp, and Lowe. If they had that pitching staff, I think they're offense would be good enough. A lineup (as it would be now) something like: Crisp-CF Youkilis-1B Ortiz-DH Drew-RF Lowe-3B Pena-LF Varitek-C Cora-SS Pedroia-2B Not what they've had in the past, but not too bad. Do you mean Lowell? No, leave me alone Rob Lowe and Derek Lowe are platooning there. Theo believes that they both are due for breakout seasons His plan is to trade Manny to LA to re-acquire Derek, and sign Rob Lowe for 3 years and $215mil.

Excellent observations. This one needs an addition though. After we had success in the running game in the first half, I really think we didn't go to it enough in the second half. We had some 3 and outs were we didn't even run the ball. And for at least one series, we had Benson on 1st and 2nd down, and then Jones for 3rd's...this confuses me, because I have much more confidence in Benson on 3rd down than Jones. Jones gets stopped too easily, while Benson can run people over. Benson is greatly undervalued by the coaching staff, and I just can't let this go...it's really bothersome to me. i think, again, this goes to the perception that jones is a better pass blocker As well as the perception (as repeated numerous times by Joe Buck and Troy Aikman) that Benson can't catch or run routes.

But yet, it says that it's still not likely to be the worst deal handed out this winter. How condemning of this FA pool and the mad money being thrown around can you get? Ironic for someone from NY to say.... =)

Yes it is, vick never gets sacked LOL!! I love sarcasm. And just in case anyone does think that, through yesterdays game: Player - Sacked/Yards Lost Vick - 32/215

Get used to it. Ron Turner is a terrible coach. He absorbed alot of the Wanny stink during the 90's, then ran the U of I football program into the ground. He is not the answer as our offensive coordinator. His gameplan was fine today IMO. It was lack of execution. We can't block blitzes (a problem all year), and Rex was incredibly inaccurate. Being an NFL coordinator has little to do with head coaching a Big 10 school, so I'm not sure why you keep bringing up Ron Turner's U of I record. Turner actually did what few other U of I coaches have ever done---win a Big 10 title, so even if it was a valid comparison which it isn't, it still wouldn't make sense. We can't block blitzes? So find a workaround....shotgun, no-huddle, roll the pocket. Turner is a hack. You could just block the blitz better, too. Grossman also hasn't been able to throw well under pressure, which we all know. I'd like to see more shotgun too, however. Didn't they say in the game w/ the Giants, that Rex had been against it? something about him saying he didn't feel comfortable with it? The O-Line (led by Kreutz) if I'm recalling correctly led the pleas for it though. As for DCF... is there an ignore poster function associated with Premium? :P Most people choose to debate disagreements vs. hiding behind the "I'm ingoring you crutch"...but to each their own. If you had bothered to read the *first* part of the post you would see that I did present some information that contributes to the debate. In fact, I don't disagree that the Bears don't need to do something to combat the blitz. However, much like the in your face evangelicals in today's society, whose tactics turn away many more people than they win over, you don't do much for your cause when you refer to people, like Turner, with such abomination.

Get used to it. Ron Turner is a terrible coach. He absorbed alot of the Wanny stink during the 90's, then ran the U of I football program into the ground. He is not the answer as our offensive coordinator. His gameplan was fine today IMO. It was lack of execution. We can't block blitzes (a problem all year), and Rex was incredibly inaccurate. Being an NFL coordinator has little to do with head coaching a Big 10 school, so I'm not sure why you keep bringing up Ron Turner's U of I record. Turner actually did what few other U of I coaches have ever done---win a Big 10 title, so even if it was a valid comparison which it isn't, it still wouldn't make sense. We can't block blitzes? So find a workaround....shotgun, no-huddle, roll the pocket. Turner is a hack. You could just block the blitz better, too. Grossman also hasn't been able to throw well under pressure, which we all know. I'd like to see more shotgun too, however. Didn't they say in the game w/ the Giants, that Rex had been against it? something about him saying he didn't feel comfortable with it? The O-Line (led by Kreutz) if I'm recalling correctly led the pleas for it though. As for DCF... is there an ignore poster function associated with Premium? :P

I'm not anti-Grossman, but I'm not sure that some coaching staff talk about benching him being considered wouldn't help some. He doesn't seem uncoachable, just frequently makes rookie mistakes. We were spoiled in those first few games that we forgot he is very inexperienced. And I think if the reality were there for him that Griese was closer to playing, he'd not try to force balls in where the situation (off the back foot, across the field, double coverage) indicates that another read (or throwaway) needs to be made. I guess I'd rather see him throw the ball out-of-bounds than attempt to thread the needle or launch one 40+ yards downfield on a 3rd down "punt". That being said, if Griese gets a chance,outside of mopup, I don't see Rex getting back in a game this year.

Didn't see it in my quick skim over the thread, but per rotoworld Aramis contract breaks down as such: signing bonus - $5mil 2007 - $8mil 2008 - $14mil 2009 - $15.65mil 2010 - $15.75mil 2011 - $14.6mil (player option) 2012 - $16mil ($2mil buyout) team option Aramis was given a full NTC for the 4 guaranteed years. He was given the right to void the team option in 2012, but then voids the buyout as well. The team option becomes guaranteed under certain conditions being met. And he gets $1mil payment of he's traded at any point.

Huh? sarcasm I'd say the results compared to those from a majority of $24mil payroll teams, but those blasted Marlins and their 99-cent payroll even out did us.....

What would it take to get Jennings? I know Hill has been mentioned. But would a package built around Barrett do it, with us getting Ianetta in return? Is that something we should even consider? Don't know much about either of those 2 Rockies.

For #2, the Honorable Bruce Miles said with some certainty that he would be playing RF. Are they committed to J. Jones in CF or is that just smoke and mirrors? Sorry if this has been discussed. Heh, considering the thread size I'm sure it has. Speculation is that he'll be traded (as per his rumored request/desire) and someone else will be still sought for CF. In fact, Sweet Lou said on the radio that they're still looking for someone for CF. Is it possible that Lou realizes what Jones' splits are, and would consider a platoon with Murton? Not that Matt's that deficient againstr righties... Anything is possible. Heck, the Cubs just spent $138M on Soriano. Anything could happen. Since Zito/Schmidt are no goes... I'm assuming that there's a deal in the works for a starter, and Lilly and Marquis will be signed. What would a team want with Jones? Would he be a target for ATL for Hudson? Or Colorado for Jennings? Say Jones+Barrett for Ianetta+Jennings as a starting point?

For #2, the Honorable Bruce Miles said with some certainty that he would be playing RF. Are they committed to J. Jones in CF or is that just smoke and mirrors? Sorry if this has been discussed. Heh, considering the thread size I'm sure it has. Speculation is that he'll be traded (as per his rumored request/desire) and someone else will be still sought for CF. In fact, Sweet Lou said on the radio that they're still looking for someone for CF. Is it possible that Lou realizes what Jones' splits are, and would consider a platoon with Murton? Not that Matt's that deficient againstr righties...

Dude just can't catch a break. Was he the guy that was caught stealing from his teammates? That was Christopher Hobdy. Also, 118 of the 130 bags were found in his underwear. Boy, 118 bags in his tighty-whiteys, and no one's taken any potshots or made any wisecracks about him having a lot of room in there.... All I can say, is it definately didn't take cajones to commit this crime.

Add to that a 750K salary in 07, and 2.25mil in 08. He's not moving those years, unless they're blown away with cheap talent in return

Can't blame them for not going higher than that. And you've got to wonder what the prospect of TribCo being sold (or raising cash by selling pieces) did to the amont of capital available for the bid.

I thought Baldelli would be a good acquisition as well, until I looked at his contract. He's getting $0.75mil next year, and 2.25 the year after. There's no way we pry someone that inexpensive from Tampa, without sending them the Angels farm system.

Blanco in the starting lineup. Ick. Remember we already have a Blanco at SS (Izturis/Cedeno). That's 2 pretty unproductive swingers in a lineup, 3 when you count the majority of the pitchers. I'm not sure that unless our 1-6 was Soriano-Barrett-Aramis-Bonds-D. Lee-Jones/Platoon we could survive that. And even then, it would be a huge detriment to have both those holes in the lineup. If you would have read the entire post, I say it only makes sense to do this if are pretty solid up and down the rest of the lineup. If you get above market value for Barrett you would probably fill one of the other gaping holes we have. Hendry is going to have a lot of money to spend too to fill other holes. I did read the entire post. If you read my entire post you'd see that I said that even a top notch 1-6 it would be a problem.

Blanco in the starting lineup. Ick. Remember we already have a Blanco at SS (Izturis/Cedeno). That's 2 pretty unproductive swingers in a lineup, 3 when you count the majority of the pitchers. I'm not sure that unless our 1-6 was Soriano-Barrett-Aramis-Bonds-D. Lee-Jones/Platoon we could survive that. And even then, it would be a huge detriment to have both those holes in the lineup.

Vance, on an overall ranking, where does Scott look to rank among 3B prospects and/or 1B prospects? What are his projections (highend/likely/low end)? If he projects well, and can significantly boost his trade value with FT play at Iowa, I'm not opposed to leaving him there and using him as a good piece in a trade for a mid-season hole in the lineup. Could we get a piece like a Maybin/Wood/other prospect for him? Or maybe fill a hole we find during the season (Jones? for expiring contract w/ extension) with him as a centerpiece?

I wouldn't be opposed to giving him 4/$56 ish type contract, with an opt-out after 2 years. It's potential that in 2 years we won't be on the hook for his deal (which he may or may not live up to).

...and the Cubs' staff would still be incapable of diagnosing the problem. Also, sign Drew. But he'd win the Lifetime Movie of the Month award for saddest story....

I've probably missed it somewhere vance... but I'm assuming in that lineup you have Soriano at 2B, and leading off? Thinking of a: Soriano - 2B Barrett - C Lee - 1B Bonds - LF Ramirez - 3B Jones - RF Pie - CF Izturis/Cedeno - SS Pitcher Then on the off days for Bonds: Soriano - 2B Murton - LF Lee - 1B Ramirez - 3B Barrett - C Jones - RF Pie - CF Izzy/Cedeno - SS

Here's the source on that one: http://pages.map.com/pinto/2003_03_09_BMarchive.html And then there is this one: The source on that: http://www.glenndickey.com/_gd.php?view_one=yes&which=385 That's about all I can find for now. That's a very interesting pair of quotes-I think it's a very positive thing that he wants hitters to be agressive only in small area, but to try not to hit a pitcher's strike, and to never swing at something outside the zone. From what Chris Walker said in the interview in Events, that's kinda my impression of the organizational (read: minor league) philosophy. I'm hopeful that he can make an impact, but I fear the same ol' thing.

He's played SS both games and has no errors. Interesting.... from an organizational perspective, does this indicate the only hope they see for him is at SS? And/or he/Izturis is trade bait? Or, is this the case of the VWL putting people where they want, not where the teams who send them there want them to get experience?

I think that this will be 100% correct. Cubs won't sign any new big-named free agents. Of course, this doesn't take into account the big trade to get Miguel Cabrera (RF) and Dontrelle Willis (SP) from the Marlins. Or the trade to get ARod (SS) from the Yankees for Jones and others. Or the trade to get the resurgent (see 2004 versions of) Marcus Giles (2B) and Tim Hudson (SP) from Atlanta. You forgot the Tejada trade, silly. That's because we sent Tejada + all but $500K of his salary, with the entire Daytona Roster to Florida for Miggy and Dontrelle. The Yankees got the entire High-A roster, and 4 major leaguers of their pick. The Braves, well they took anyone left with at least 1 arm, which left us with only Freddy Bynum and Ronny Cedeno. So, Freddy and Ronny started pitching in winter ball, and when they're not playing 1B and 3 outfield spots in the same game, they're pitching about as effectively.