NorthsideAvenger

You don't have to be a "Gold Glove" defensive player to be the cleanup hitter on the Cubs.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=rotowire-lfonsoorianoargetofr&prov=rotowire&type=lgns You think Bowden is kicking himself in the butt about that trade now. He isn't going to get a frontline starter, or even blue-chip prospect, but something tells me, Hendry is going to make a play at Soriano AGAIN. ](*,)

As long as Dusty understands the bolded part, I agree. How sad is it when you really believe that your manager will play a 39 year old has-been who hit .212 last year over a promising young outfielder who has had success on the big league level? It's the life we lead. The one thing we have going for us is that CPatt is probably a goner. If that's so, then we need a bona-fide backup CFer, and no one else on the roster fits that role. Hairston played a little center for us last year, but I think he displayed that he's not a great CFer. Back-up CF's: J.Jones JHJR Mabry Pie (if or when called up) A back-up CF is not an issue. Jacques Jones...agree. Jerry Hairston, Jr is a FISH OUT OF WATER in the OF. Mabry's STRICTLY a corner player (1st/3rd, LF/RF) he should never see CF. Pie: Of course, but he isn't ready. So essentially the Cubs (before Grissom) only had ONE legit backup CF, but I think the Cubs want to leave Jones STRICTLY a corner OFer, hence the signing of Grissom.

Yeah, well so did Juan Cruz.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-kiley31.html So unless Bedard or to a lesser extent Daniel Cabrera is on the table....I doubt a Prior for Tejada deal is even on the table.

i love the hawk, and he was a great defensive player, but he doesn't belong in the hall. he's short on the conventional statistics; hits and home runs, and he's short on OPS and OBP. he didn't strike out a ton, but he didn't walk very much at all. he only came close to .900 twice, and even then he was below. he was a very good player, and people will remember him for 87, but he's not a hall of famer, God Bless Him. There are plenty of guys in there with less than 2774 hits, Andre's career total. Sabrematitians would cringe at his career .323 OBP, but it was a different game then and OBP wasn't valued as much then as it is now. Also, 438 career home runs is/was a much more significant number then than it is now, especially seeing as he played most of his prime years in the 80's and early 90's, when 35 home runs would often be in the top 3 in the league. Man, Andre gave me some of my earliest baseball memories. I remember him with something like 4 IBB's in one game. I remember the grand slam he hit to tie the game at 4 against the Pirates, only for the Cubs to lose it in 10. I remember a game he had against the Braves where he hit the game tying and go-ahead homers. I remember many a mistake pitch up around his eyes that ended up on Waveland Avenue. I remember runners stopping dead in their tracks at third base not wanting to force a throw. I remember his meltdown where he got ejected then threw stuff on the field. I remember the game face. Oh, the game face. Top 3 I've ever seen are Dave Stewart, him, and Glenallen Hill. One of the best players in the game when he was in his prime, and he let his play, not his mouth, do all his talking for him. You'd get my vote anyday, Andre. Let's not forget the 314 STOLEN BASES "The Hawk" had as a player. Before the "crap turf" in Montreal shorten his career, Dawson was clearly an impact player. But, alas Montreal killed Dawson's chances at the HOF. I mean, if he had played in Chicago (or anywhere else, instead of Montreal) this WOULDN'T be a debate. I love "The Hawk", he is a symbol of my childhood, opening packs of baseball cards in front of the tube, hoping to pull a Dawson card out, and then watch as "The Hawk" eyed his pitch, were some of the greatest moments in my childhood. But, (sighs) Dawson is not a HOF player. And that makes me :( .

oh man...i just never get tired of these fake phone conversations. Who say's this is fake? 8) :wink:

Could've been worse.....the Cubs could have brought back Jeff Fassero, Antonio Alfonseca, and Shawn Estes

I wonder if Jim Hendry is an ALIAS for Brian Sabean? Or is that Brian Sabean an alias of Jim Hendry? Either way....they are sharing that ONE brain cell that apparently seems to be working.

That's the problem. If I was Baltimore, I would jumped on this deal the SECOND it was truly offered. Manny has a CAREER OPS of 1.008 while Tejada has a CAREER .815 OPS., if Baltimore doesn't take this deal, they'd BE CRAZY. Then to throw-in Clement, who--by default---would be the Orioles best pitcher, would make this deal a STEAL for Baltimore. Now would Manny accept a trade to Baltimore? To me...I doubt it.

Interesting enough...Joe had his BEST yr as a hitter that yr with Pittsburgh? Maybe he is thinking about lightning striking twice?

Hendry: Dusty, I got you another OFer? Baker: Who? Hendry: Jones..... Baker: Andru? Hendry: Uh...no. Baker: Chipper? (with an eyebrow raising) Hendry: Spin again. Baker: Grace Jones? Hendry: sorry, I got you Jacque Jones? Baker: The French Underwater explorer, dude? Hendry: No, that's Jacques Costeau (sp?). Jacques Jones. Baker: Hmm.....Oh....the Sprinter. Hendry: No that's MARION Jones. Baker: Man, that dude can run. Hendry: Uh...Marion's a woman, Dusty. Baker: Then who's the backup RB for Dallas? Hendry: That's Marion Barber, III. I got you Jacques Jones from the Minnesota Twins.. Baker: Sorry, never heard of the dude. Is he fast? Hendry: Somewhat, but most importantly he can catch the ball. Baker: Dude, we just found our cleanup hitter.

My favorite Zambrano moment was: (drum rolls) It happen on July 20, 2003: When Z went a strong 6.1 IPs, but more importantly, he went 3-4 with 2 RBI's against Dontrelle Willis.

Over the past three years Z has almost completely shut down the Cards, but only has a 4-3 record to show for it. In 11 starts, his BAA vs Stl is .205, WHIP = 1.02, 69 K's in 85 IP ... but only 4-3, that's just criminal. I was at wrigley in mid 04 when Z got tossed for plucking Edmonds twice. It was the single most exciting game I've ever been to. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gid=240719116 I love this rivalry. It's quite better then the "crap" ESPN hypes up every yr between Boston, and New York. Heck, I would even say LA/SF is a better rivarlry then Boston and NY.

It's said to see that the Cubs definition of "going for it all" includes signing Jones, (kicking Murton to the curb, come on he ain't going play), and possibly signing (Dennis the menace) HEY, MR. WILSON. 4th place.......here we come.... (William Tell Overture is now playing in my head)

I'd say...the Cubs sign Preston Wilson, for shoots and grins.

Sorry, Penquin, you're stretching. If the Cubs wanted Burnitz, WOULDN'T it been easy to re-sign him at the same price the Orioles did, WITHOUT giving up Murton? Burnitz did not sign with the Orioles, so that he could be dealt back to the Cubs.

Logically, it all makes sense but this is the Cubs we are talking about. Hendry did NOT trade Clement for Nomar, and I fully believe he will land Tejada WITHOUT giving up Prior. Granted it will prolly take Hill/Pie third prospect, but I am willing to give up prospects for Tejada, then Prior.

Before or after the AARP meeting?

For the love of god, why won't this thread end.....

Guess what guys....you can put down any sharp instruments, cause I'm not reporting anything, I'm just saying....this won't be concluded over the CHRISTMAS holiday. So, enjoy the weekend, drink whatever "beverage" you like, and hope to heck you have a hangover from heck by Tuesday....JUST IN CASE. Nothing's going to happen between now and Monday.

I am pretty sure Hinske is gone (I think they are hoping he just dosen't show up for ST) with Hildenbrand/Koskie/Glaus manning 1B/3B/DH...oops forgot about Overbay..my guess is that H'band would be next to go. Holy cow that's quite a log jam. 1Bs: Overbay, Hinske and Hillenbrand 3Bs: Koskie, Glaus They just signed Koskie last year. Somebody is getting spun off for more pitching. Riccardi is going for it this year. I guess he smells blood with the Red Sox being weakend and the Yanks aging. My guess will be Glaus at third (I believe for him to waive his NTC, he was guarantee a starting spot at 3rd base), with Overbay at 1st, with Koskie at DH. So, Hinske to Baltimore for plat of speghetto O's, and a case root beer, might do the trick. Then trade Hillenbrand, to the Yankees, cause they need another "stud" hitter.......

You give Prior 1 or 2 seasons with him, and you can have him fitted for his bust in the Hall of Fame. I couldn't live with seeing another Cubs pitcher go on to have a hall of fame career with another team. Hell, it's hard enough to watch Dontrelle turn into one of the best in the league. I'm praying this was just all talk and there is no real merit to it. But Hendry doesn't seem too eager to shoot down any rumors. Hence the reason, I am becoming less of a fan of the propose Tejada/Prior deal. I want Tejada, but after remember who is the PC in Baltimore, I say forget now.

Quick question guys: Who's the pitching coach in Baltimore? You see were I am going......? I'm starting to pull back on a Prior for Tejada deal.

Difference being that the Cubs paid roughly $22 million for their players, while the Cardinals gave out just over $14 million. On the other hand, Neifi-esque Aaron Miles is no comparison to Juan Pierre. Agreed, but it goes to show HOW EEIRLY similar the Cubs and the Cards have gone about their offseason.