WrigleyField 22

Is there any chance the now Montanez has been able to hit better that he may start to work on some SS and 2B so he cold be groomed for a utility role? It would seem that if he has some confidence at the plate, putting some emphasis on fielding won't hurt him.

I wouldn't have even noticed anything if it weren't for reading th article. I was expecting something drastic.

What could possibly be in a forum called Game Threads? Wel I figure you talk about the games, but for as much as its talked up i figured it was just amazing for the way in which the discussion goes on or something. I'm sorry, I'll do my best to not ask any more stupid questions... :)

You should see this.

Huh, I never really check out Game Threads... What am I missing?

You cant trade draft picks :D I always go to the FAQ first I was so tempted to say the same, but I just didn't know if it was to add to the hilariousness of the trade idea, or just not knowing what he was talkng about.

During this time of the year transactions. During the season, Baseball Disscussions, or ccassionally Minor Leagues.

Lewis sounds intruiging. He'll turn 21 later this year and put up some nice numbers at Mesa .322 .381 .460 841 17BB and 23K What kind of defense does he offer? Also any insight to any other guys mentioned defensively, wuld be great. I know Fox doesn't have great D. Thats about it.

How about Johnny Defendis? He was old for his league at 21, but was just drafted last year-29th round. Bats lefty. Hit .327 .388 .409 with 17BB and 21K - looks like good plate discipline. At 6'1'' 195lbs it would seem like he woud have a solid build. College Stats .303 .361 .448 809 .290 .342 .456 798 .370 .414 .507 921 At 22 he would be old for Peoria, but perhaps if he can skip to Daytona and add some power, he could be an interesting prospect at least. I also like Veal, but he got a lot of hype from BA if I remember right, so isn't exactly an under the radar guy.

Well after looking through minor league stats trying to find a guy who showed good power, or whose BA suffered because of a low BAIBP, or an amazing WHIP despite bad ERA, and findin nothing convincing, I am making my one 'gut feeling' pick. Jonathan Mota- SS .236 .296 .278(ouch) in 212 at bats 4SB 5 CS 7 2B 1 3B 0 HR 16BB 49K So why did I chose him? At only age 18, he was the youngest player on the Boise Hawks. To be there at only 18 there must be something special. I'll also take one of Blasko/Hagerty. One of them is bound to put their injurie behind them right? Also this isn't flying under the radar really, but I think despite some people saying he doesn't have the stuff, that Gallagher will continue to impress. Just another gut feeling. That 1.11 WHIP is nice.

With the season a couple of months away, I thought maybe a thread where guys who follow the minor leagues a lot, even just statistically, could give their picks for Cubs prospects who are under the radar now and could have big years. Or you could just base it off a gut feeling. What guys will surprise us with big years?

.406 .573 .801 1.374 80HR 157RBI There, I said it. EDIT- Thats of course his April-July numbers before being traded to the Cubs, at which point he will suffer a year-ending injury.

If there is a chat setup during your draft, I always like a little bit of bluffing. Occasionaly throw some names out there to see wha the interest is. Make guys believe you really want someone to see if they will pick him up, leaving a superior player for you. Don't use this too much though, obviously. Also, if like in Yahoo, you can pre-rank your players, and you have the time, do it. So many guys are at the bottom of the rankings, nd if you make not of them, you an get 'em cheap.

I don't like continual changes with guys who have proved themselves. I think a little bit of continuity is good, unless you decide to continue with the Perez's of the world.

Nice Pickup. The last 2 spots should have some good competition between rehabbing Miller and Wood, Rusch, Williams, Guzman, and Hill.

Like Luis Montanez.

There are much worse ways to use a first post. "BIG TRADE COMING! I've got connections!" And then post some ridiculous rumor. Welcome. Oh and I don't have anything signed. My sister however does have a hat with most of the Cubs team from 1997 signature, but not Sosa and some others. She was a "honorary bat girl" and got to have a short conversation with Mark Grace. Edit- My family also has an autographed hat of Mike Spidale, minor league CF for the White Sox. I know White Sox... but he is an alum of my high school.

I'm just gonna kinda list some random offseason thoughts I've had -I would like more depth at DE and OLB... a good solution? Find a guy who can effectively back up both. Maybe Leon Joe could fill this role, he has great physical assets. He may not be big enough though, and if he filled this role you would need another LB. -I hate Muhsin, and would cut him if I could, but I know thats not realistic. It would be tough to go draft another WR becaue that would create a logjam of guys ith potential ut who are unknowns. Bradley, Gage ,Berrian ,Draft Pick However if around the 4th round you see a WR who could be a return threat, you could bring along slowly, and he is the BPA, definately go for it, your depth would be Muhsin-Bradley-Gage/Berrian-Rookie. -A good target at TE could go a long ways. Improvements from the QB and WR could make an average guy a lot more servicable, but if you have a chance to get a difference maker (or at least a true starter) in the first go for it. If however you see a huge discrepancy between need at TE and BPA, just go for BPA. -We will need a new 3rd corner/nickel back. I would like to see a guy drafted 2nd or 3rd. The best way to ensure that Tillman and Vasher do good is to make sure they know they have to earn their job-create competition. If I had a choice over the type of guy we drafted, it would be a type that you can mold into and eventual cover-corner, not a bigger 'physical' guy like Tillman. -OL Depth. I love our O-Line, but it is the oldest area on the team. In fact its the only one thats not ultra-young. An OT in rounds 2-4, along with some later pick ups at OG/C in rounds 6-7 would be good for creating depth. -Either in the 7th round or through UDFA, pick up a kicker to go to camp, just to give Gould some competition. -I wouldn't get a QB later in the draft, unless it was a clear BPA who slipped through. Unless you have plans to ditch Orton/Grossman, a rookie at QB would just leave to little experience. Another Jeff Blake type would be fine for 3rd string. As far as UDFA QBs go, absolutely invite a couple to camp. It doesn't really hurt you. -The only positions I didn't mentin were P, S, RB. Maynards good. No need there. RB is set, we are three deep. The FBs we have now or many cheap options you could find in FA would do just fine for how much this position is used. At saftey I like Harris and Brown. Johnson is okay, and I don't like Green. Bring in a late round pick or project guy and let them compete at camp.

I thought Spears could play SS.

At one time Piazza and Nomar probably would have been shoe-ins if there was a WBC. By the way what team is Piazza playing for?

Matt Stairs career line .267 .361 .489 Don't be hatin on Matt Stairs.

Must have been one of those baseball cards without the player on it..... Or maybe the picture was of Barry in long sleeves with batting gloves and one of those ski mask-type thingson his head because it was a cold day...... Or maybe people are just stupid

Juan Pierre. . "I'm really happy to be a Cub". . "When I found out I called him and said, YES SIR! We're back together again" (to Derrick Lee) "I have to admit I have a Ryne Samburg Throwback jersey, and when I found out I tried it on, to see how I looked as a Cub. I looked pretty good, so. ." "If you walk in my house, there is a big picture of the Ivy, blowed up, with me there. ." I beleive alot of the players enjoy playing here and have said they do. Ryan Dempster said he loves playing here. Lee says there's nothing like the energy in Wrigely Feild. And some of them do and just never say it to the media. Okay, well you proved me wrong, but I'd still spcifically like to hear Prior say it.

Don't be dissing the sandwich. If search function wasn't disabledI'd go find that Ruben-loving thread from a while back. Mmmm, now I want one.

Gives some hope that if Hendry is set on getting Lugo he won't have to give up as much. I hadn't realized Jackson had been so bad. Tampa better hope they have something they can fix. Also anyone know about the other guy? Top 10 prospect in their system? Top 15?