Soul

I think you're right, because on Comcast this morning they played part of an interview from the Score last night, and apparently he said something to the effect of "Best case scenario? That the Bears give me a long term deal at market value." That doesn't sound like a guy that's played his last snap with the Bears. Sounds like a guy who is giving calculated interviews based on conversations with his agent, but isn't able to avoid letting his true feelings slip every once in awhile... Ahhhh, Rosenhaus. Keep burnin' those bridges buddy.

Ha! I just sent this about an hour ago: "Who do I have to sleep with to get Plesac to take a short break from all the yapping?" You guys are just brutal. 8-)

LOL.

Favorable schedule coming up: 3/13 - vs. Boston 3/14 - @ Phi 3/17 - @ Mem 3/20 - vs. LAC ...then it gets tougher: Den,Ind,Por,Det,Cle Need to win these 4 upcoming games to roll into that tough stretch with some momentum. April looks so-so in terms of difficulty.

:evil: at least it's in the dictionary: http://www.bartleby.com/61/84/I0238400.html Irregardless, it's still improper usage. :D

Everything's wonderful in March :wink:

Maybe on some teams (ehem, Dusty) you never really know how patient a hitter could have been because of the hitting philosophy. So then a guy gets a bad rap for being impatient, but really he's just doing what the coaches told him to do -- swing early & often.

Not complaining about Marquis. Just holding my breath, that's all. Yes, he's shown the ability to last an entire season. He's also shown the ability to royally suck. I think that sums up Jason Marquis. So far, he has shown indications of the former, and the fact that it appears that it was a mechanical change that caused this change is also hopeful. At the same time, it is acknowledged that he when he starts to struggle, it is hard for him to bounce back from that. The Cubs do have a few advantages for Marquis as long as he keeps up his ground ball ratio. The high grass, the good range of most of the Cubs infield, and what seems to be a quick DP combo so far should be able to get him out of many jams. The big question is if he can keep up that ground ball ratio-some years he's been near the top in the league in that, and some years he hasn't been. Which one he turns out to be this year will be a key indicator in his success, along with continuing to throw strikes and keeping his walk rate at least as low as it was his 3 years with the Cardinals. Probably true. The Cubs also have another advantage: assuming Guzman earns the 5th spot, they will have Prior, Miller, and Cotts waiting to bump Marquis out of the rotation if he starts getting plastered.

Not complaining about Marquis. Just holding my breath, that's all. Yes, he's shown the ability to last an entire season. He's also shown the ability to royally suck. As for Mark, I'm not sure what there is to complain about. Nothing is set in stone with him, and $4 million for a pitcher is peanuts in this market.

I'll believe that when he gets to the mound at Wrigley. You speak as if there's a ton of time before opening day to sort things out with Prior. There isn't. He who has his stuff together now is likely the guy who will have his stuff together 3 weeks from now. There's time to work out some issues, that's what spring training is for, but rebuild a pitcher from scratch? Nay. I don't think they have to rebuild him from scratch. He sucked for a few innings in ST. That doesn't mean they have to rebuild him from scratch. He clearly has issues to work on, and there is no guarantee that he will be effective early in the season, but if he shows a comparable amount of progress to what he showed last time in the next two or three starts, he'll be able to pitch in the rotation. I really don't understand why people think that a few innings mean he is done. IIRC, he got rocked in pretty much all of his minor league rehab assignments, but he didn't need to be rebuilt from scratch. That's talking like he needs to go down to the minors for 2-3 years and start all over. I just don't see that. I definitely don't agree with those who say 'he's done.' But he's talking about not even having his throwing motion in order. That's way further back than 3 weeks away from being able to face major league hitters, IMO.

Why do we care if they are unhappy? The more talented players should play. Which means for the moment Pie should sit. Do you mean he should play? He has shown more talent this spring than Jacque and obviously Floyd. He needs more work at the plate before I'll agree with that statement. Yes, he's hitting well in ST but with a young guy he needs many more reps. I'm on board with him starting the season @ Iowa. All things to those who wait: it won't be long before we see Pie @ Wrigley.

Let me say that I think the Illini are going to lose in the first round. :cry: co-sign. Given all that has happened on that team this year, I consider just making the tourney to be an accomplishment.

I'll believe that when he gets to the mound at Wrigley. You speak as if there's a ton of time before opening day to sort things out with Prior. There isn't. He who has his stuff together now is likely the guy who will have his stuff together 3 weeks from now. There's time to work out some issues, that's what spring training is for, but rebuild a pitcher from scratch? Nay.

One thing Mark has mastered is the ability to repeat the "everything is fine" mantra to the media even though clearly behind the scenes he's struggling. Lou's doing what he needs to. Mark's so far away from being capable of starting a MLB game there's no point continuing the charade. It's Guzman's job, for now.

There's a guy from the selection committee on right now, talking about the # of teams with 20+ wins and how it made it tougher to choose. Clearly the selection committee still looks at that magic 20 number. This is why I thought Illinois would be in: 23 wins, 2 wins over Indiana. Sounds very much like that is exactly what got them one of those last bids.

I'd be shocked if Illinois doesn't get in. Is Indiana getting in? Illini beat them twice. They also have a better overall record than Purdue, better overall than Michigan State, better overall than Indiana. A case can be made that Illinois is the 3rd best team in the Big 10, despite the popular opinion against them. They're in.

If these first couple weeks are any indication, then I'm for Theriot getting the 2B job, DeRosa to the bench. Murton hits 2nd, Izzy 8th. If Theriot struggles DeRosa is always there.

Expendable perhaps, but not irrelevant. If he were pitching well, he'd be a great trade commodity at midseason. I personally hope both Guzman and Prior put Marquis in the pen, and then off the team via a midseason trade. This would be the scenario I envision as well, assuming Prior continues to make progress and Marquis does what he usually does... I would certainly hate to see Guzman get traded just because Marquis is making the money.

Vance, I vehemently disagree. I don't think he's expendable. Marquis is likely going to blow up this season. Those 5 starters: Z,Lilly,Marquis,Hill,Guzman -- will not put in an entire season of great pitching. I just don't see any way Prior will be as good a pitcher as Guzman is right now in 3 more weeks. That flies in the face of logic & reason. Guzman's stuff is looking very good right now, and he's still getting ready, improving even more. Prior is basically doing pitching calisthenics on the mound.

Yes, he's working on his arm strength and stamina. Right now he's throwing a fastball and a curve, just trying to locate and be consistent. There's just no way he'll be a better option than Guzman in 3 weeks. I still think it's to early to say Guzman is the better option in 3 weeks. If it gets to be March 20th and the difference in Guzman and Prior are the same then I say AG is the man. I just think we need to wait two weeks before that decision is made. I'm not saying Lou should announce a decision. I'm just voicing doubts that Prior will be able to make up that much of a gap. Guzman looks to be seriously gearing up. All that remains with this kid is his mind. The stuff's there.

It would be a stretch to think Prior will be a better option in only 3 week's time over Guzman, who is presently throwing 95 MPH heat, a wicked curve, and hasn't even bothered to break out his best pitch (change) yet. Guzman needs to be that final starter. Mark can figure things out and provide relief if and when Marquis collapses.

Yes, he's working on his arm strength and stamina. Right now he's throwing a fastball and a curve, just trying to locate and be consistent. There's just no way he'll be a better option than Guzman in 3 weeks.

Though I'm not panicing over Prior, I don't see any way he would be better by opening day than Guzman. Guzman should be the #5 out of ST, IMO.

My reasons for not switching to DirecTV don't really have anything to do with DirecTV. And it was MLB's decision to go exclusive with DirecTV. I'm sure DirecTV is a good product for those people who receive it. I just don't want it. How good or bad of HD service on cable provider or another offers doesn't concern me because I haven't bothered to go out and by an HD tv yet. That time is coming soon though. Because I have internet, phone and tv all through the same company, I need something more than MLB EI to make me go through the hassles of switching to DirecTV. Especially since it would likely cost me more to have DirecTV. At this juncture, DirecTV has ponied up the cash, but their exclusivity only comes into play if Dish and In Demand elect to play MLB's game. Well, I hope they do then and you get the package through cable. Just as long as it doesn't stop DirecTV from offering all the extras (which, IMO, are the *real* innovation behind Sunday Ticket). Bringing a scoring-threat channel, quick highlights, more HD, and selection channels to MLB would just be the bomb.

Have the Bulls had a close game in Florida this year? The TNT announcers were saying something about that on the broadcast. First Heat game, blowout Bulls win. 2nd Heat: blowout Heat win. Orlando last night: blowout Bulls win.