XZero771679666304

You didn't have to do that. :evil:

Everybody? No. But a majority, that I believe. At least enough that I really don't care.

Why are you putting Fuku in CF in all your scenarios and putting Pie in either LF or RF? I'm not opposed to the idea of shifting Fukudome to CF when Murton starts in RF, but that doens't seem to fit Lou's style (e.g., his handling of Soriano). Fukudome as the every day center fielder is less disruptive. I understand that Pie in a corner OF spot doesn't fully leverage his defense. However, I think Pie will struggle for awhile as he adjusts and I'd prefer something like a 50/50 or 40/60 platoon with Murton. If/when Pie establishes himself, switch him to CF for good. What I don't want to see is Fukudome and Soriano planted in the corner OF spots, Murton languishing on the bench or in AAA, while Pie struggles in CF and Hendry starts shopping for a stopgap CF. I think that's a plausible scenario if Lou names Fukudome the everyday RFer. Even if the Cubs think Murton is a 4th OF, a platoon in LF or RF at least enhances his trade value. While 150-200 ABs in 2008 would probably only result in him being dealt at his lowest potential value. Apparently one of the reasons Kosuke chose the Cubs is to play his natural position of RF. He said as much. I wouldn't expect to see him in CF very much at all. What that means for Murton, IDK. But I think it's a very good possibility Matt is traded before the season, and that DeRo is Fukudome's counterpart in RF (to get him AB's if Hendry brings Roberts in as expected), so it may not be an issue.

All right, here's my two cents. I am saddened and disappointed that Prior's time with the Cubs ended at all, much less this way. I believe he was unfairly maligned by the fans, and treated poorly by the team, and it makes me angry. However, it is water under the bridge from a business standpoint. As the offseason progressed, it became clear Prior no longer wanted to be a Cub. He wouldn't accept a two year deal, and there was little chance at all that he would contribute more than half a season in 2008. And after that, you could be sure he was going to leave. I thought perhaps Mark would sign a 2-year deal, and enjoy a renaissance in the second half of 2008 and 2009, and maybe repair the relationship, but it wasn't going to happen. You can be angry and bitter at the organization for letting this become what it did (lord knows I am), but you cannot fault Hendry for this move in and of itself. You couldn't pay Mark three million dollars to rehab rehab for half a season and then work his kinks out the other half just to watch him leave, which he certainly would have. Non-tendering him was the smart move, though it was precipitated by years of poor ones.

I'd be all for it as well, but it's hard to see how it could happen without Rich included.

Excellent.

He did in that clip.

It's really not that difficult, either.

Jeez, people. Here. As in the Kid who only hit homers.

woah, lets not get ahead of ourselves. That's not too far fetched. If the Cubs managed to get Roberts and trade for a decent SS (Khalil Greene, maybe?), I think they would be the best team in the NL. Of course, those things would have to happen, but only one of them would make the Cubs the best team in the Central. Of course, that's not saying much. Right now I think you are fooling yourself saying that the Cubs are the best team in the NL central. The Brewers and Cubs are still neck and neck. This is still a weak division so I think it takes more than an average SS to move from tied for best team in the central to best team in the NL. Well, I didn't say the Cubs were the best, I said they could be the best. And there are different degrees of the best. And I wasn't advocating just any SS. The Cubs just rectified one of their biggest weaknesses, and replacing Theriot would rectify two. Despite their bullpen moves, I don't think the Brewers have really improved themselves at all this offseason (as of yet).

woah, lets not get ahead of ourselves. That's not too far fetched. If the Cubs managed to get Roberts and trade for a decent SS (Khalil Greene, maybe?), I think they would be the best team in the NL. Of course, those things would have to happen, but only one of them would make the Cubs the best team in the Central. Of course, that's not saying much. Brandon Roberts is meaningless. The Cubs would improve of course, but not enough to justify trading anyone, even felix pie. Yes, I just advocated NOT trading Pie. Who is this Brandon Roberts of whom you speak? But seriously, while Roberts is only a marginal upgrade from DeRosa, he does bring a little bit more to the table , IMO. It wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least if Hendry forgets about Brain Roberts, but I foresee Jimbo going out and getting him, so I am trying to accept it. Clearly the biggest problem is SS. If I were Hendry, I would offer Prior arbitration, then package him with Murton and others for Khalil Greene. I think Greene would be a fantastic upgrade.

woah, lets not get ahead of ourselves. That's not too far fetched. If the Cubs managed to get Roberts and trade for a decent SS (Khalil Greene, maybe?), I think they would be the best team in the NL. Of course, those things would have to happen, but only one of them would make the Cubs the best team in the Central. Of course, that's not saying much.

Few are Ichiro good. Much more accurate than Sosa's. Whew, good to know we won't have to worry about more throws from RF to the backstop. I still wake up in cold sweats from nightmares produced by Alou and Sosa in the OF... The Cubs will have plus arms at all three OF positions. That will make a huge difference. Instead of fearing Soriano's arm, teams will have to fear them all.

This is excellent news. Excellent for 2008, but also excellent because it will create more revenue, as well as potentially draw more prime Japanese talent to the Cubs in the future.

Did the Cubs go up from yesterday to 5 years a $10 million or is it a 4 year $12.5 offer? I really hope this isn't Furcal all over again. http://cbs.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10522930/2 Not sure if posted or not (don't want to go through pages upon pages) but Steve Stone was quoted on the radio saying that the Cubs' offer would be for 4 years/52 to 60MM - yikes... I don't see why anyone should be surprised by this. The eggs are all in one basket.

Four years, 50 million plus is right in the neighborhood of what I was expecting.

Next year.

He hasn't pitched worse than Hill? I don't understand where you are saying that Hill is better than him? Sorry not trying to be rude I just don't understand your argument wheres the proof? It's in the pudding.

Please explain this Second what King said. I mean, I'm sure you have plenty of statistics to back this up and everything, because I've never really seen you say something you couldn't support (outside of maybe the anti-Pie stuff), but all the statistics I'm looking at show Bedard putting up Rich Hill like numbers last year in the AL East, which is much better than the NL Central. I can support PIEce of crap thing, but I choose not to. I can do this as well. It's not complicated. Career years do NOT i repeat NOT establish a new line of production. Bedard next year won't be all that different than say, aaron harang. good? of course. worth as much as some teams are offering? not even close. That was a career for Bedard, but hes been very good for a very crappy Baltimore team for the last 4 years. Don't tell me you think that him and Hill are even you also have to factor in one is pitching in the American League East thats gonna hurt alot of your numbers not to mention having no offense to back you up. His offensive support is irrelevant unless you use W-L record to gauge a pitcher's effectiveness, which is foolish.

I have a bad feeling he will sign with the Padres. What upsets me more is that so much is invested in Fukudome this late in the offseason.

You know Meph, you pissed me off for like five minutes, but now you amuse the crap out of me. Thanks for the entertainment. as long as you dont take the ego/condescending act seriously im easy to get along with. i dont care if someone uses the same thing on me. take my avatar for example... the last few months ive stopped with the directly trying to be rude or negative to the other posters in threads. To keep my amusement level high, i just played the ego card even more. It's hilarious to me, it really is. Of course Im really not that type of person. Oh, I don't take your act seriously at all, it's like comedy with statistical analysis. Like a 2 for 1 deal.

You know Meph, you pissed me off for like five minutes, but now you amuse the crap out of me. Thanks for the entertainment.

Do those happen often? Does anyone know? About as often as Missouri beats Oklahoma. Come on, 3 team deals are much more common than that.

I'm just hoping a trans-dimensional vortex opens up and swallows the entire Eastern seaboard.

http://www.mercurynews.com/giantsheadlines/ci_7669450?nclick_check&nclick_check=1 A little surprised SF is really considering this. I mean they obviously need hitting, but I still wouldn't trade a potential ace who's worst case scenario is an above average number 2. Lincecum's worst case scenario is career ending injury, and it's not that far fetched. So is every other ace pitchers, but you generally don't think it's going to happen to a guy who has no injury history whatsoever. Just because he throws a little wierd doesn't mean he's magically going to be hurt. The guy pitches like a jackknife. He has a maximum effort delivery. He is an injury risk. And the fact that he has never been injured means next to nothing, as Mark Prior (who we were told was the closest thing to invincible due to his flawless mechanics) can attest. I'm not saying Lincecum will get hurt, just that I'm not so sure Alex Rios isn't a safer bet for long-term production.