Soul

Ramirez is obviously a great hitter. That just makes it all the more disappointing when you see him go down year after year. I hope he's ready to turn it around this year (health-wise---I always thought the talent was there). Woody has to be a constant source of frustration for every Cub fan. The guy basically threw away one of the most promising careers in the history of major league baseball because he didn't commit himself in the offseason to keeping his body in top shape, and his mechanics seamless. Now he has chronic back problems (which he tried to alleviate last year by losing some weight----hopefully it isn't too late), and might not ever correct his mechanics. CPatt: what might have been. When every person in the City knows what needs to be corrected, and you STILL won't take action, then there really is no choice but to say goodbye. On a positive note, Derek Lee is always in top shape from day 1. Maybe some of these other guys should take a page from his daily workout routines. Hopefully they are. It's a 12 month job, not 6.

Why did I think his numbers were better than this?

I don't even see much risk for 76-79 wins. I think 80-86 is the highly probable range, with 87-92 quite possible, with an outside shot at 93+. I think Philly is at a big risk for decline if they don't find some starting pitching. The Mets are going to be better than last year's 83 win team. I think all those other teams, plus Milwaukee will compete with the Cubs. And SF might be there as well if Bonds plays a full healthy season. I'm a little more optimistic than that but not much. I would say 83-88 highly probable. I do think St. Louis is closer to 90 than 100 this year though and Houston finally drops back to .500. Still some time yet and I want to see who rolls into Spring Training with injuries (i.e. not ready to play baseball physically). I'm not seeing much of a plan with this ballclub. Are we building through free agency? The draft/minors? Both? Neither? The ship seems a bit adrift from my point of view. Certain players are not impressive in their offseason dedication, too. That's troubling. Right now I'm looking at .500.........3rd or 4th place depending on whether the Brewers continue their build and what happens with the Stros. Who are you referring to? Barrett, Jones and Pierre seem to be working very hard and word was that the starting pitchers looked to be in excellent shape for that time of year at the convention. Not saying you are wrong, just wondering what you are basing this on since I have not seen any such reports. I thought everyone knew who I was referring to, sorry. Ramirez seems to come into camp fatter each year. He's still good, don't get me wrong. But he's young----as he gets older that will begin to catch up with him. Wood never works on his mechanics, comes in the same injury-prone player despite the fact that everyone and their brother knows his motion is poor. Before the trade, CPatt was a total dud, doing nothing to improve and completely unwilling to change/work. These are fairly well documented. I thought it was accepted knowledge.

But for all the Braves success, they can't close the deal. Meanwhile, the Marlins win no division titles but two World Series :lol: I'd rather be the Marlins.

Yes, there's a need for drastic change in Tampa. And a name change isn't it. But by all means: worry about what the team is named instead of who plays and manages the games. The Yankees and BoSox absolutely adore this franchise. :wink:

I'm glad you think so (and you're not alone). Honestly I don't see it. I hope you're right. Looks pretty shaky to me right now, kind of like last year.

I don't even see much risk for 76-79 wins. I think 80-86 is the highly probable range, with 87-92 quite possible, with an outside shot at 93+. I think Philly is at a big risk for decline if they don't find some starting pitching. The Mets are going to be better than last year's 83 win team. I think all those other teams, plus Milwaukee will compete with the Cubs. And SF might be there as well if Bonds plays a full healthy season. I'm a little more optimistic than that but not much. I would say 83-88 highly probable. I do think St. Louis is closer to 90 than 100 this year though and Houston finally drops back to .500. Still some time yet and I want to see who rolls into Spring Training with injuries (i.e. not ready to play baseball physically). I'm not seeing much of a plan with this ballclub. Are we building through free agency? The draft/minors? Both? Neither? The ship seems a bit adrift from my point of view. Certain players are not impressive in their offseason dedication, too. That's troubling. Right now I'm looking at .500.........3rd or 4th place depending on whether the Brewers continue their build and what happens with the Stros.

I'd rather keep Prior & Zambrano b/c one of them is what the Reds would have asked for. The Cubs would had to overpay for Kearns, since the Cubs & Reds are in the same division. A combination of Williams & other prospects wouldn't have done it for the Reds. IIRC, there were reports during the GM meetings that JH had talks with the Reds about Kearns & that the cost was too much. They didn't ask for Prior or Z. :wink: It might have cost us as much as Rich Hill. Did Jim tell you this? :roll: be nice. all media reports i read mentioned hill or someone of his caliber. none of them mentioned Z or Prior for Kearns. Just a question: what good is a player who can't get off the DL? Kearns is worth about as much as a bag of crusty donuts.

You mean maybe Baker will recognize he's completely outclassed in this division and give up? I wish. But sadly, he's too thick skulled to see it, and Hendry's average cranial bone mass is increasing every day. In short, we're going to have to live with Dusty for much, much longer than we should have to.

Don't you know? They wait until the marketing department confirms there are enough suckers who've bought the B.S. they're selling. Magic number is 2 million. Survey says: TIME TO OPEN THE TICKET OFFICE, BOYS!! :wink:

That's fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, if you can define what cheating is, and you can prove that it occurred according to the definition, then I'm all for going back and throwing folks out. No problems with it whatsoever. I don't care if it brings HOF membership down to 0 either (because I know that's what many will say).

I still like Gracie, even though he's obviously annoyed with Chicago and it shows. Oh well. It's not going to be a love-fest with every former player. Just the way it is. Especially when your team is the Cubs so you know there's no actual *winning* to smooth out the rough edges.

LMAO. Gotta love the "writes for Maxim" credential. Somehow I don't think I'd want that under my name if I wanted to be taken seriously. Can U say pseudonym?? 8)

I could care less what Barry does. He's a cheat as far as I'm concerned. When he "breaks the record" it will mean nothing to me. And whether he drops out of the WBC carries about as much weight as whether I kick a door shut or grab the doorknob.

I find myself once again in agreement with Rob Neyer: As long as it's someone else's best player, I completely agree with Mr. Neyer...

I'll go with a C too. Mostly because I don't know what to think at this point. I can't even tell you what direction this ballclub is heading anymore. The "plan"----if there ever was one----seems completely obscured. Hendry is just so hit & miss now. He's soooooo grasping at straws.

Gotta hand it to Smith. He's just a great player. I understand we fell down on a couple plays, but people need to understand part of that is intimidation from Smith's speed and his ability to get up on a CB quick and explode right past. Plus very little pressure on Delhomme. Their blocking scheme was on the money today.

Nah. Just start Neifi, right Dusty? :roll:

Find a hobby that doesn't involve sports... as for me, I get to look forward to the Flyers getting my hopes up and then inevitably crushing them. Welcome to the long, cold, winter of Chicago sports......which will likely extend through the Summer :( Cubs. Bears. Bulls. Mavericks. Mizzou. All either suck or can't win the big one. I need a hobby. I need a vacation 8)

The Cubs aren't that lucky. There is a decided lack of magic baseball pixie dust on the North side lately, true.

Find a hobby that doesn't involve sports... as for me, I get to look forward to the Flyers getting my hopes up and then inevitably crushing them. Welcome to the long, cold, winter of Chicago sports......which will likely extend through the Summer :(

As long as it includes Ron Turner's baffling playcalling and Ron Riviera's nonexistent scheme, and does not include second guessing Kyle/Rex, let it commence. I honestly don't see how one can second guess Rex given his recovery from the first 25 minutes of the game. Yes, he made some really stupid passes, but does anyone expect Orton to have done better? No. I don't blame Rex. Of the inexperienced QBs that were in the playoffs, can't a case be made that Rex played the best? How many TD drives did Eli Manning mastermind against this Carolina D? And with all those weapons at his disposal? No. After he settled down, Rex gained some decent experience and kept us in the game long after the D had blown it. I blame mostly the non-existent defense in this game. Tillman: can you say suckage? Any chance Tillman gets waived? Is Azuman a better shut-down corner? The secondary should definatley be a off-season area to improve. Build it around Vasher & Harris & the Bears will be fine. Zoom is faster than Tillman, but I don't think they'll keep him because that hip injury appears to be chronic, and he didn't seem to have the same ability after the injury. Truly unfortunate. Zoom has been with us for years & years, he's gone from a running back to a decent corner/pro bowl special teamer, and I've met the guy at practices----he's always a pleasure, spends loads of time signing autographs for children & adults. Always a smile on his face, never looks down his nose at ANYONE. I think they'll stick with Tillman, look for a nickel corner in free agency or draft/scrap heap.

As long as it includes Ron Turner's baffling playcalling and Ron Riviera's nonexistent scheme, and does not include second guessing Kyle/Rex, let it commence. I honestly don't see how one can second guess Rex given his recovery from the first 25 minutes of the game. Yes, he made some really stupid passes, but does anyone expect Orton to have done better? No. I don't blame Rex. Of the inexperienced QBs that were in the playoffs, can't a case be made that Rex played the best? How many TD drives did Eli Manning mastermind against this Carolina D? And with all those weapons at his disposal? No. After he settled down, Rex gained some decent experience and kept us in the game long after the D had blown it. I blame mostly the non-existent defense in this game. Tillman: can you say suckage?

Oh yes. I expect Chico to get lambasted something fierce for interviewing all week last week instead of preparing a gameplan.

Well that's it. Still a nice season. Didn't end well, but oh well. I think we'll be back next year, unlike 2002.