NorthsideAvenger

Probably a minor leaguer or marginal ML player. Considering the lack of interest in Walker this offseason, I think Hendry will gladly take any offer he can get. Futhermore, I think Hendry wants to make room for Lugo at 2B. How about we get Lugo first before we trade away our best alternate option? IMO Walker> Lugo. Hendry would be downgrading. Again. Just about everybody knows that erik, but you know Hendry isnn't looking for or to keep hitters, he's looking for guys who can catch the ball.

Team names in Japan generally make reference to the corporation that owns them. In this case, the Fighters are owned by Nippon Ham. Good thing that DOESN'T apply to MLB cause there would be some off-the-wall names. Names like the New York Fighting Steinbrenners, or the Atlanta AOL Time Warner Braves,etc, etc.

Michaels career: .291/.380/.442/.822, 113 OPS+ Pierre's best season ever: .326/.374/.407/.781, 107 OPS+ Michaels has been the superior offensive player. The only argument you could make is that Michaels for some reason wouldn't duplicate those numbers over the course of a full season. His numbers v. RHP are pretty much the high end of what to expect from Pierre, so his splits aren't any help in that aspect either. Has Michaels ever played a full season? Big difference between playing part time or in a platoon and being the everyday guy. PA's by year: 121, 125, 346, 343. Like I said before, he hits LHP better than RHP, but his numbers against RHP(.278/.361/.411/.772 the last 3 years) are still plenty good for a CF. Jason Michaels will be 30 YEARS OLD in 2006. IMO, he's an OLDER Matt Murton. I mean why do people like Michaels but give Pierre CRAP? Michaels doesn't have the speed to play CF, nor does he have the POWER to play a CORNER OF spot. In other words, Michaels is a GREAT 4th OFer. Michaels Rates as an above average defensive CF, Pierre below average. Michaels is the superior offensive player, and is cheaper in money and players. That's why people prefer him to Pierre. Then it MAKES you think why haven't Michaels been giving a chance to play everyday. The fact is...he is pushing 30 yrs old, and while he does have that Brady Clark fill to him, he is still classified more of a 4th OF/pinch hitter, then a starter. Michaels would have been a nice STOP-GAP, but he didn't really fill a specific need, other then having a NICE OBP in limited time. Remember Hairston, Jr had a nice OBP in limited time ,too. That doesn't mean he is something special. Bottomline: Philly has had NEED for CF for the last couple of yrs, rather it was Ledee, Lofton, Bryd, Chavez....they needed a CF, and Michaels never step up regardless of what his numbers say. Michaels is a tweener OF, who is better suited to playing ALL three spots in a pinch, then starting. Pierre (Regardless of 2005) fits a need, and he will succeed.

And I WAN'T exactly thrilled with him, either. I don't really like TWEENER players. Wilkerson WOULD HAVE BEEN FINE if the Cubs had gotten a POWER bat for RF, or LF depending on the player. And obviously Wilkerson is a better option then Jones, but still when you put the cards on the table, I prefer players in EXACT roles....Pierre in CF/LEADOFF, etc, etc...Michaels and Wilkerson. Besides it don't matter, Murton will be similar to either player before the yr is out....the conversation will be moot.

"That's a good idea" "I agree. It's better than Morgan/??????" Molinero=Miller.

I would investigate trying to get the Brewers back in the AL. The Brewers in the NL is just SO WRONG...

Cubs autographs I have: Kerry Wood (two sping training photos and a card) Ryne Sandberg Andre Dawson Former Cubs autographs I have: Jon Lieber Pat Cline Brooks Kieshchnick Dontrelle Willis non-Cubs autographs I have: Ivan Rodriguez Jim Abbott Jim Presley Ken Griffey, Jr (1989 UD card was friggin stole from me :cry: ) Jose Canseco* Terrance Long (only player from my high school in the majors) non-baseball autographs I have: Steve Kerr Fred Hoiberg Kory Stringer (Vikings player who passed a few yrs back) Jay Barker George Teague Eric Curry Antonio Langdon David Palmer (double deuce, not the singer) --------- *I know my father was crazy on paying Canseco $50 for his autograph, but hey....his autograph baseball is paying off dividends, I am getting some nice swings on the ball.

Michaels career: .291/.380/.442/.822, 113 OPS+ Pierre's best season ever: .326/.374/.407/.781, 107 OPS+ Michaels has been the superior offensive player. The only argument you could make is that Michaels for some reason wouldn't duplicate those numbers over the course of a full season. His numbers v. RHP are pretty much the high end of what to expect from Pierre, so his splits aren't any help in that aspect either. Has Michaels ever played a full season? Big difference between playing part time or in a platoon and being the everyday guy. PA's by year: 121, 125, 346, 343. Like I said before, he hits LHP better than RHP, but his numbers against RHP(.278/.361/.411/.772 the last 3 years) are still plenty good for a CF. Jason Michaels will be 30 YEARS OLD in 2006. IMO, he's an OLDER Matt Murton. I mean why do people like Michaels but give Pierre CRAP? Michaels doesn't have the speed to play CF, nor does he have the POWER to play a CORNER OF spot. In other words, Michaels is a GREAT 4th OFer.

The White Sox won't have the MONEY to land Zambrano when he possibly becomes a FA. Besides even if they did, I doubt Zambrano goes to the Sox, anyway.

Yeah, cause the Mets will need an OVERRATED lefty to replace Glavine when Tom leaves.

8 pages for Nefti Perez? Is NP a hall of famer, or an AS, or what....how does he get 8 pages, just about anytime he is talked about? ----- Aramis Fan; I see you have Pierre/Grissom/Jones as your "French Connection", so my question is....are you going to put ARAMIS in that connection?

Charlotte Web? I know, I know, it was cheezy.... ------------- I say move to Portland and FORCE baseball to realigned baseball. I just can't imagine the Marlins (if Portland ends up being the distanation) being allow to stay in the NL East when they are in Portland.

¡Que ser uno muy bueno idea! Concuerdo. Algo tiene que ser mejor el Morgan/Molinero

This could lead to Heilman being dealt. Or more likely, Heilman is heading to the rotation.

Like Luis Montanez. coughsCoreyPattersoncoughs there's busts, and then there's busts. both were picked 3rd overall in the draft. corey's got a career warp3 of 11.1, while luis was a 23 year old at low-A most of last year until he got 153 at bats at AA so he could hit .268/.325/.379. The ONLY difference between the two is that Corey was hyped up as the next great player. So, any way you cut, "a bust is a bust is a bust."

Now IMAGINE what Prior and Zambrano are going to ask for...(shudders at the thought) Daily Herald That really wasn't what I was talking about. I was talking about how much they could command of the market for a mulityear deal.

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes... Well if Hidalgo played like he did in the past, 2003 or 2000, then heck, play him over Murton and platoon Jones and Murton in LF. And if Nomar could have played like he did early in his career with Boston, the way he was expected in Chicago, then the Cubs wouldn't need to look at a big bat for the OF. Besides, I am fairly confident that Murton will be better in 2006 then Hildalgo.

Hildalgo > Murton in Baker's eyes...

Now IMAGINE what Prior and Zambrano are going to ask for...(shudders at the thought)

Like Luis Montanez. coughsCoreyPattersoncoughs

Agreed. If there is ONE team Boras works relatively well with it is the Cubs, believe it or not. So my guess is...Zambrano wanting to stay in Chicago would not be an issue, and it now confirms he does in fact wants to stay, not because it is a "PR" statement, but because he actually likes the city and the organization. So the firing of Boras is not a stunning decision in regards to what the Cubs can or can't do with Z. As someone mention earlier, I believe the principle reason of the firing is that Z wants "long-term stability", and Boras wouldn't advice him on that, and he prefer Z to wait till his FA, which is still a few yrs away. I bet the Cubs sign Z long-term before 2006 is out.

The Cubs WENT to Seattle in 2002. When the NL Central and the AL West play again, it's likely Seattle will come to the Cubs. So, my guess is....you have awhile to wait before you see the Cubs back in Seattle. Which brings me to: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/boxscore?gameId=220607112 I remember that game being on WGN, and I thought, Prior should never be allow to leave Chicago. I remember him outpitching Joel Piniero that game---who at that time was consider another very good young arm---and it brought shivers down my spine, just thinking about the possibilities.

Pixy dust? Hawkins "forgetting" how to pitch, was the biggest crime. Yeah, I was looking forward to the Cubs kicking the Cards butt. But hey....I believe the Cubs COULD beat the Arizona Cardinals......Maybe..

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2294346 Looper and Nelson to replace Tavarez and King....bleech....( I know the Cards signed Rincon, but Ricardo is better then Nelson,King and Looper, and stand below Taverez). You'd better hope there is still some pixy dust left in Duncan's arsenal. I don't know why the Cards just make Marquis the set-up guy. He better then Looper and Nelson.

Who knows, maybe the other GMs in baseball will save Hendry from himself. I just don't understand why the Cubs can't pull a Red Sox, and have Walker play the first 7/8 innings, and if the Cubs have the lead late in the game bring in a defensive replacement for Walker. Why can't they do that? They can keep Walker's bat, and have "defense" in the late part of the game.