NorthsideAvenger

Get it right. Its a bandWGN Fixed..... Like a White Sox game.

First: As a couple of people mention earlier, this is simply a negotiating ploy. The employer (the Cubs) will offer the lowest possible deal, whereas the employee will offer the higest offer possible. The two rumors deals are 4 yrs/$36 mill from the Cubs "alledgely", and 5 yrs/$50 mill from Furcal and his agent, "alledgely." Split the difference, and that is roughly what Furcal will sign for. I say Furcal signs for 4 yrs around $43 mill (give or take) with certain incentives, especially in the last 2 or so yrs. That's my guess. Second: I love Nomar, but he simply isn't a SS anymore, and anybody who endorse him as a SS is living in the lat 1990s. I hate to say it, but Nomar is more of a 2B/3B, and seeing, and in my eyes, the Cubs can't afford to throw money at Nomar, and watch him spend half the season ont eh DL, and watch Nefti start at SS(shudders) again in Nomar's absense. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2005&seasonType=2&split=82&sortOrder=true&sortColumn=fieldingPct Furcal isn't as bad defensively as people are trying to make it sounds. Like W/L for pitchers, errors are not a true indication of a defensive players. Now is he going to be worth the contract in 2 yrs....maybe, maybe not. People tend to overrate leadoff guys, but I don't. In the absense of getting a great leadoff hitter, you get a very good leadoff hitter, which Furcal is. He would add a aspect of baseball the Cubs aren't used to. Lugo doens't provide it. Walker doesn't provide. Speed changes the game, moreso then power. Bold prediction: Furcal signs 4 yrs $43 mill, perhaps on the same day the Cubs acquire Juan Pierre.

Everybody knows I am not on the "Adam Dunn" bandwagon, cause I don't believe in the all-or-nothing skill Dunn has. I prefer a litte bit more versatility offensively. With that said, if the Cubs could get for say Williams/Nolasco and say Ryan Harvey, then go for it, but something tells me....Cincy won't move Dunn to a division rival. And personally I can't continue to talk about a player who I know WON'T be a Cub for another 2 week. Focus on players who realistically can get, not fantasies, and DUNN is clearly a fantasy baseball player. And no, Pie won't be move for Pierre or Dunn.

That's right. Not to hijack, but what's the reason for that rule? soodmonger, and JeffH, there is a specific reason why draft picks are not allow to be traded till the until after the next yr's draft and that is.......this guy Pete Incaviglia . Back in 1985 Incaviglia was considered the best college prospect in the draft, and the Expos took him 8th overall. But five months later he was dealt to the highest bidder---Texas--- for Jim Anderson and Bob Sebra. This deal was the straw that broke the camel's back. Thus is wasn't long after that the "Pete Incaviglia Rule" was introduce and disallow teams from trading draft picks till they have spent one yr in the organization.

First: For those who forgot, I will remind you that Ichiro was a CF in the pro league in Japan. He only moved to RF with Seattle because Mike Cameron refused to move. So I believe Ichiro wanted to move back to CF, I believe he could handle it. Second: I seriously doubt the Mariners trade Ichiro for a couple reasons: 1. They lose alot of fans. Ichiro is SO OVER in Seattle that he is an attraction. They move him, half to 75% of their fans will leave. 2. They would want a king's ranson for him. The ONLY team I see with the talent to acquire Ichiro is Anaheim, abnd oculd we beat a Kendrick/Santana plus two more very good prospects? Nope.

Update on Furcal: With the Braves joining the Mets in "alledgedly" pulling out of the bidding war for Furcal, it is still possible that the Cubs COULD get Furcal with a four yr deal (with a mutual option for a 5th). I believe the Braves interests in Lugo is legit, cause they have NOBODY to hit leadoff, if Furcal leaves.

I knew they weren't real the second I saw them. On topic, the fact that Gammons and Bruce Levine said this is definately going to happens means he will sign with the Mets right? I think that tells me, that most teams are resign to the fact that Furcal has pretty much made up his mind (to sign with the Cubs). I think Furcal is going to is give other teams a last chance to blow his mind with an offer and/or give the Braves a "last chance" (loyalty reasons) to re-sign him. Betemit has hit something .368/.438/.702 in 57 at-bats and leads the DWL with five homers, I think the Braves are ready to move on. But ultimately, I believe Furcal will be a Cubs very shortly(pun intended, of course), and I believe the Cubs will hold off on the "possible" announcement, until the come to terms on getting Pierre. I get the feeling that Hendry want's to do a combo press conference, introducing Furcal and Pierre.

My lineup for next yr: 1B Randall Simon (just for personality) 2B Delino DeShields 3B Lenny Harris SS Jeff Blauser LF Todd Hundley CF Corey Patterson RF Jose Macias C Damon Berryhill But hey.....

I don't think Giles has a preference in the league he plays in. I still believe Giles stays in Cali, and heads to Anaheim(or longshot Oakland because of Jason Kendall). There was a reason why like the Cubs, the Cards were on his list of teams he won't accept a trade to. Now this is FA situation, but I just don't see him leaving home. Bold prediction: Giles signs with Anaheim to play CF/DH, and then Finley gets move to Oakland. Bold prediction 2: I think the Cards are going to re-sign Sanders and trade for Kearns.

Hendry will not trade Pie. This is a kid he push this yr, and felt he could make the job from AA to the majors. So unless Willis or Cabrera is in the deal, then Pie is not going to be traded.

Stone also said one more thing, which was obvious, but encouraging: Jim Hendry wants to have a good offseason. He is motivated and positioned well for 4 reasons: (1) has more than $30M to spend (2) has decent young talent in the minors, which he can trade (3) he was 4 games below .500 (4) he finished behind the Brewers They better get used to finishing behind the Brewers. They don't have to get used to anything. I suspect the Cubs won't finish below the Brewers for a long time.

I know, I know it is Ken Rosenthal's, but it should be worth a chuckle: Does anybody ACTUALLY expect Furcal to move to CF? 2B maybe, CF, I don't think so. Not to mention does anybody REALLY expect the Yanks to pursue Furcal as a CF, when they could REALISTICALLY get somebody like Juan Pierre, Dave Roberts, even Torii Hunter who has ACTUALLY play the position? And why does the Yankees also have to throw their names into EVERY friggin' free agent? Furcal to NYY doesn't even make sense, but something tells me, this reeks of Steinbrenner wanting another "name" on the Yanks. Or BTW: I think there is a real possibility the Cubs could have a Pierre/Furcal 1-2 punch in 2006. Not saying it will happen, just sayin.....

Why did Guzman throw around 120 through the five innings?

Marlins get: Marcus Giles Braves get Todd Walker, prospect. Cubs get: Luis Castillo (nec spare parts)

You know what...Pierre/Furcal or Furcal/Pierre I don't care, either would be VERY FINE with me. That is what you would call Dusty-proofing the lineup. Getting Pierre/Furcal, could you imagine the eyes of Lee and Ramirez at the possibilites?

I wonder if Jeff Blauser is available?

If Hendry "like the guys who catch the ball", then this player would be an all-time favorite of Hendry's, then? :lol: http://www.muchosucko.com/modules/My_eGallery/gallery/Men/crotchrub.jpg

(Disclaimer: I should have said, "Furcal would have a bigger impact on the Cubs, then Giles would have on the Cards, Angels, Dodgers, etc) I understand the man-love certain Cubs fan have for Giles, cause I would love Giles, but for a team that doesn't have a LEGIT leadoff hitter, Furcal will impact the Cubs lineup, if Chicago signs him. I mean people will say that well they believe Murton and/or Cedeno can handle the leadoff spot, to which I reply, "no you don't." Neither was asked to leadoff on a consistant basis in the minors, and neither leadoff in the majors. So you don't have a clue how Cedeno and/or Murton, besides Baker wouldn't put either in the spot, anyways. I'm not quite sure how a player with a sub-.350 OBP can be considered a legit leadoff hitter. I do believe that Murton could handle the leadoff spot. That doesn't mean I know he can, just that I believe he can. He's shown the ability to get on base, and he has OK speed. The Cubs have Todd Walker under contract. Walker's career OBP is the same as Furcal's. Walker's OBP has been HIGHER than Furcal's in each of the past two seasons. The only difference is that Walker isn't going to steal 20+ bases, which to me isn't a big deal. I'm not saying Walker is the ideal leadoff hitter. However, he can get on base as often as, if not more often than, Furcal. And he costs much less. I'm not saying signing Furcal won't be a risk, but people are forgetting that he would bring a dimension of baseball, the Cubs haven't really had in yrs.....a threat on the base paths. I personally believe that with ARam and Lee and maybe a third bopper, he could be coming into his own as a player. I'm tired of watching "wannabe" leadoff hitters, I want a legit leadoff hitter, something neither Murton (he is suited for the #2 or 6 spot, anyways) or Cedeno, IMO, will be. Furcal isn't going to be worth what he is paid, but he does fill a couple of needs, and IMO, needs are more important then wants.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi. How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's? It's just crazy enough to work. That brought an audible chuckle for me. If you can make me laugh on the day my house got burgularized, that's something. Good work. Well the Cubs ALSO got burgularized from perez, so atleast you're not alone in that feeling.

blame kazmir on steve phillips. Sorry Meat&Potatoes, Steve Phillips is an idiot and I'm sure he would had traded Kazmir for somebody of lesser talent (Kent Bottenfield, perhaps?) then Zambrano (besides Phillips was fired a FULL yr or so before Kazmir was dealt). But the "winner" of the idiot who traded Kazmir for Zambrano is Jim Duquette, the COUSIN of Dan "Boston Idiot" Duquette.

I'm not sure this is a right way to use Neifi. How about sending him undercover as "Abraham Nunez" and have him cork Albert Pujols bat's?

My avatar is what I wish would happen to Neifi. Pikachu needs to lay the smackdown on him, imo. As for my sig, its hilarity will cheer me up somewhat in this dark time. :( I was thinking your avatar is what Hendry should be doing to himself, cause he's clearly "Asleep at the wheel." Or is that Baker?

That sounds like a pretty big weakness. Also a pretty big strength, seeing as Batman is the only superhero, that can get his hands on kryptonite at anytime he wants.

Which one....the one in your avatar, or the one in your sig?

Maybe, but there is nothing in his minor league record to suggest he is really capable of being truly a patient hitter. If I were to hazard a guess, his best case projection is Raul Mondesi. Not a bad player, but no future superstar. Guys it call "hitting", not "walking." Get it straight, DUDES. :lol: