NorthsideAvenger

I know he went in as a Cardinal (WE CUBS FAN know who he REALLY belongs to), and I know he has the Cubs mention on his plaque....but to me, and the Cubs fans in Alabama, that know, Bruce Sutter will ALWAYS be Cub. We recognize what he did for the Cardinals, but he will ALWAYS be a Cub first or foremost. Thank you for the memories, Bruce.

First: Santana isn't a prospect, and he WOULD definately slide behind Zambrano and perhaps Prior (if healthy) in the rotation. The kid will be a stud. Aybar (I rather have Kendrick or Wood), I don't know. The cUBS would have to get back a player like McPherson (who they COULD flip to another team for a 3rd baseman, say....Cabrera? Second: Only way I would be not be pissed about trading ARam, is that in the offseason...Hendry makes a strong bid (if not flat out get him) for Miguel Cabrera. Outside of that, I am not in favor of trading ARam.

Belliard is PISSED OFF about going to a contender from a team 23 games out? Just wow :shock: . I take it, Belliard really loved Cleveland, or is it he hates St. Louis?

The Cubs actually have a winning record against the NL central. It's games against the other NL divisions(and interleague) that are a problem. ](*,) ](*,) ](*,) Maybe Baker forgot to tell his players that there were other teams besides the NL Centra. D'uh.

They were swept in 4 games, so it was just like their World Series, too. :P True....but atleast the Cards got to the World Series. :(

lack of Leo Mazzone. I don't think he was never any good before last year. That and the Braves FORCED him to be a starter. If some team would leave Sosa in a middle relief role, he would be fine.

------------------- Decent move for St. Lou.

Not to Dusty is not. He trying to "win, dude."

I rather keep Cedeno and keep believin' he will improve over Lugo at that price. Even if Cedeno continues to stink, the Cubs still find a nice replacement. So, no thank you to Lugo.

No it doesn't. The are better, only because the Yankees current OF of Cabrera/Damon/Williams blows chunks. Abreu IS AN OBVIOUS upgrade. Now would he be an upgrade if the Yankees had Matsui/Sheffield instead of Cabrera/Williams.? (Obviously if they had their stars back, they wouldn't consider Abreu, nonetheless) no he wouldn't. In essence, the Yankees made a lateral move. And to pay about $30+ mill for a doubles hitter with a great OBP, still does NOT improve the Yankees. Getting Schimdt/Zito, or any solid pitcher would improve the Yankees moreso then Abreu. I am not taking away from Abreu, but considering the talent level on the Yankees, already...they didn't get better. They ALREADY had the offense, they needed they pitcher. This was a move to make a move type deal, kinda like a more expensive Raul Mondesi type deal. And Lidle---while an improvement over Ponson (my left arm is better then Ponson) is still a not-so-great move. All I can say is this...WHAT THEY HECK ARE THE YANKEES THINKING ABOUT? Cause it ain't about winning.

And yet...the only thing this trade does for NY, is add on more payroll, without the "obviously getting better" part of the deal. The Yanks are no better with this deal, then before the deal.

Agred. Indications don't mean crap. To me this is a business bluff. He knows that Philly now has an opening at 3rd base, and so does SD, and perhaps a few other teams. IMO, all he is doing is trying to bluff his way into a more secure deal. Nothing more/nothing less. And yes, ARAM will be a CUB in 2007.

i remember that too. for the saints I think. dante stallworth? It was James Thrash, and to make it worse, he tried to play if off as a "Rookie Hazing".

Why do you say that? Pay Rasie (Perez) Pagan ritual (Pagan) Sherriff of Mabry (Mabry Are in the the lineup.

Don't worry about missing it. This is the Cubs and the Cards ON FOX TV on Saturday afternoon. Chances are the announcers will be Buck and McCarver. So, I guess you should be lucky that you won't have to listen to those two losers get a large TENT every time a Cardinals player makes a play, and take their subtle and not so subtle jab at the Cubs. And maybe, just maybe we can see the "All Star" in action behind the plate. Maybe Molina will do something that makes McCarver say something stupid like "Molina is HOFer, or a legend" or something as stupid. So consider yourself lucky, soccer10k.

The reason is quite simple - we are the worst organization in professional sports. COUGHSNEWYORKKNICKSCOUGHS....

We're out of the race. Time to throw at Pujols. Aw F it. Just throw it right at Larrusa's FACE! Agreed. That SOB needs to learn that NOT every time his player gets hit, he has to hit the other teams batter. I wish somebody would go Barrett on LaRussa, and hipefully that would knocked some sense into TLA, the 2nd biggest moron in baseball.

http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/n/naturaldisasters/04.jpg http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/pictures/n/naturaldisasters/01.jpg http://www.hoffco-inc.com/wwe/thist/wwe/tt-disasters01st-1.jpg First: RIP to the guy was Earthquake....he died earlier this yr. Second: I think Z and CC could take 'em.

I see your point, but his OBP is over .400. Even if he hits only 20 HRs a year, what's the big deal? ARam and Lee will both hit 30 every year. That sounds like enough power. The point is......why trade for a great OBP with declining power for $15 mill, when you can prolly get Brian Giles for less then HALF of what Abreu is making. Giles still has a .382 OBP, and is mkaing slightly less the $8 mill this yr. And Giles plays in a tough HR hitters park. Trading for a $15 million dollar doubles hittters, is hardly consider a good move.

Now why would the Blue Jays wants Marmol? Just like the Red Sox, they are still in the hunt for the playoffs, and may not gamble on a rookie starter/reliever. So, I doubt the Cubs are going to land Wily Mo Pena.

[-X [-X [-X :wink: I ain't ashamed about what I said.... :D

Sure..................... If the other player you are talking about is either Grady Sizemore, or for the heck of it...Carlos Zambrano AL Twin, CC Sabathia. Now talk about your TAG-TEAM of Zambrano and CC Sabathia :shock: .

I like it when Derwood doesn't post in my game threads. :evil: maybe if your avatar was that new UCLA recruit getting his skin pulled off.... btw, 4 pages in the Game Thread before the game has started? When did people start caring again? It's going to be RICH to see Cardinals hitters trying to climb the HILL to get to Rich Hill's curveball. Nonetheless....IT'S both Rich Hill and the Cubs offense, and Dusty Baker (you see how I said BOTH, but uncluded THREE different sources of crapitude...that's thew Dusty's Math Club) for why the reason why Rich Hill has been considered a AAAA player. No one person gets the blames....coughsbakercoughs.

Is Abreu even a better hitter than Barrett anymore? He's older, his OPS is way lower, and he's got 8 HR. and he plays a position where it's easier to find an impact bat. Personally, I don't see the benefit of pursuing a declining Abreu at the expense of one of our best players. Given their positions, Abreu is likely to sustain his production longer than Barrett. Catchers are always the first to decline. And going into this year, Abreu was a consistent 120 or higher OPS+ hitter, and usually much higher. Barret was 105 and 113 going into this season. I'd bet Abreu outproduces Barret the next two years. Plus, Bobby plays everyday, Barrett doesn't, and MB may or may not have a negative defensive contribution. MB has 30% fewer plate appearances a year. Even if his rate stats are a little better, the overall contribution from Abreu would be significantly higher. I don't think there could be a straight up deal. I think Philly would want an arm, but the Cubs could get more than Abreu for Barrett and an arm. I wouldn't have a prob w/ trading Barrett...for the right price. I guess I'm not as high on Abreu anymore as a lot of people. His power has dropped considerably this year, and he might end up with his 3rd year out of four w/ a sub 900 ops. While I expect Barrett's OPS to drop next year, I think he'll match Bobby for the next year or two. So if we're going to deal him for a player at a traditional hitting position (OF), then I'd like to see us net an outfielder who outproduces him significantly. What's more disturbing about Abreu's declining power, is that he PLAYS at a homerun haven in Philly, and still only has put like 14 homeruns in over 590 at bats since ASB 2005. That is roughly a homerun ever 42 at-bats....For $15 million next yr, and Michael Barrett, that simply won't due. I like Abreu, but as of 2006, he is awfully expensive #2 hitter.

He also said something about Betemit to NY yesterday, but acted as if they could get him for nothing. I would be upset if the Yanks get Abreu for fringe prospects. The Cubs should be all over that type of deal. Speed, Power, Defense and a great OBP.......... I can't think of a player who better suits the Cubs needs. His big contract and option pick up should only be a speed bump to Hendry going after him. Take the power out of the equation. Since last homerun derby, Abreu has been more of a doubles hitter, as evident since last ASB Abreu has MORE doubles, 45, then HRs, 14. And if Abreu can't hit the homeruns, he certainly ain't worth the contracthe got. His contract was built around the fact that he would be a ALL-AROUND player, yet his over-the-fence or lackthereof, is quite disturbing. I mean, he get's on, at an outstanding pace, he hits fair amount of doubles, but without the homeruns, he is quite abit overrated. With that said...with his contract, and decline of his over-the fence- power, I wouldn't trade for Abreu. I would rather go after the guy in REDs, whose name won't be mention.