NorthsideAvenger

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.

I don't think it had to do with health as it had to do with the fact that Hudson was going to make $10 + mill per yr. Oakland can't handle too many expensive players, seeing Chavez is their current "expensive player". And Oakland definately miss the boat, Cruz (maybe a decent reliever in time), Charles Thomas (a backup OF) and Dan Meyer (solid back of rotation pitcher). They should had gotten Davies and the catcher with a last name hard to spell/pronounce Simonaccthica (or however you spell it) instead of Cruz/Thomas.

And then he went to Heaven. :D With his fellow boys; Stewart and Sting. Who could ever forget Sting, Stewart and Adams. You know were I am going....

World Series title: I would bring back both Hendry and Baker on 2 yr deals, each. That's it. World Series appearance with a WS loss: Baker and Hendry back for 1 yr, with options. No playoffs: Baker is gone, and Hendry is back for 1 yr in a FULL HOT SEAT. Under .500 Baker should be fired......from a cannon back to California, and Hendry should be loaded up next. Cubs finish behind the Brewers AND Pirates, and maybe the Reds: Hendry should be forced to run the Devil Rays organization.

Much ado about nothing, or potentially real trouble? I don't like the timing with contract negotiations coming on. If Prior is "TRULY" unhappy about his name being mention in trade rumors, then boys...we truly have a "FRAGILE' pitcher on our hands, and I don't mean that physically. Besides, I HONESTLY BELIEVE USA Today don't have that KIND of knowledge to know what Prior is actually thinking. That kid of "breaking news" would be first reported in Chicago, before it would make it USA Today. My guess is....USA Today sports writer got bored, and is trying to start some....problems...

Do you really believe that Jones is going to digress that badly? No I believe Patterson isn't nearly as bad as some believe. Corey will be the "NEXT JEROME WALTON." Corey won't even outproduce Matt Murton next yr, much less Jones. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me that CPatt is riding the pine before June is out.

I dont understand why you think I am "insane in the membrane." Your first point is untrue and if it was ture, it would just show the stupidity of our manager. Your second point doesnt make sense. 2b isn't any more occupied with Walker on the team then it would be with Lugo, in fact, its probably more open for Patterson with Walker on the team as opposed to Lugo. I dont know much about the McClung you are talking about but if youre talking about Casey Fossum then ew. I'd rather have Walker over Lugo and I'd MUCH rather have Williams over Fossum. First: I am drunk when i WROTE that thread, so excus me. Second: Lugo and Walker brings differnet thign to the table. Lugo brings a better glove, and more speed to the table, with Walker bringing a better bat. But, Lugo may be consider a better fit with the Cubs, becauce it could Hairston/Lugo, Lugo/Cedeno the Cubs would get decent prosuction. Third: EVERYBODY and their mama's know the Cubs were going to trade Walker (and no turning back now) so i doubt the Cubs are going to make a Walker trade that suits your feelings. Getting a decent arm like Fossum, yes, I said DECENT, with Lugo for Walker/Wiliams is a DECENT trade, you're just short-sided at the deal. All this is dependent on Hill/Guzman/Brownlie being able to produce, or Wood coming back strong from surgery, or the Cubs actually getting Zito or Weaver. And no didn't call YOU "insane in the membrane", I'm calling people who doesn't think this deal is solid for the Cubs, "insane." Besides trading for Lugo is BEFITTING off the offseason the Cubs have had, don't you think? Stop overreacting. BOy I don't think I should be drunk while ON The computer, cause I can hardley see streight. .

Look anybody who doesn't think this is a solid deal for the Cubs, is "insane in the membrane." 1: Walker is THIRD in the depth chart @ 2B, and with his personality, I think he has no shot at starting at 2B. 2: Even Lugo is moved to 2B and his defense takes a hit at 2B, it is still a pretty even trade. Not to mention it would open up 2B for Eric Patterson in 2007. 3: The rumor is Williams/Walker for Lugo, unnamed pitcher. My gut feeling is the unname pitcher is either McClung or Fossum. To which it would still be a solid move. Besides anything that keeps Perez from starting is fine by me.

Why? They are virtually the SAME player. So what makes Tavarez better then Pierre? (and don't say the age) ------------------------ And the O's trading for Lidge in the proposed Tejada deal, would have made NO SENSE at all. The O's would be battling the DRays for last place in the East, thus Lidge would hve been pretty much useless for a team that would have very save opportunities. So that deal with Houston made no sense at all.

With that kind of package, the Cubs better be getting somebody like McClung or Banskton back in return. NO WAY is Lugo is worth more then one solid prospect, regardless of what ATL/Bos were alledgely offering. When it comes down to it, TB has to realize which has more value to their organization, 1 (more a 2nd, depending the season Lugo has) draft in the 13-20 range, or say at worst 2 solid prospects. Because if they don't trade Lugo, then they will lost a "bidding partner" in the Cubs, cause I feel Cedeno is going to be VERY GOOD this yr. http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/scomp.cgi?I=perezne01:Neifi+Perez&st=int&compage=25&age=25 We could get Cintron---who is slightly better player thru age 25 then Lugo was---prolly for Welly and Perez (the kid we got for Patterson). Lugo is worth what Tampa can get for him. I'm not sold on getting him, but it will definitely take such a package to get the Rays attention. Yeah, but unlike alot teams who are interested in Lugo, the Cubs do have a LEGITIMATE SS (Cedeno) and a LEGITIMATE 2B (Walker, and to a certain degree Hairston), so the Cubs don't have offer more then say Moore and Welly. I don't think we can say just yet that Cedeno is completely legit. I think he could be very good, and I want him to start, but he's only had 80 big league at bats. Legit may be a stretch, RIGHT NOW, but I have the atmost confidence in the young man to become as good, if not better then Lugo in 2006.

With that kind of package, the Cubs better be getting somebody like McClung or Banskton back in return. NO WAY is Lugo is worth more then one solid prospect, regardless of what ATL/Bos were alledgely offering. When it comes down to it, TB has to realize which has more value to their organization, 1 (more a 2nd, depending the season Lugo has) draft in the 13-20 range, or say at worst 2 solid prospects. Because if they don't trade Lugo, then they will lost a "bidding partner" in the Cubs, cause I feel Cedeno is going to be VERY GOOD this yr. http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/scomp.cgi?I=perezne01:Neifi+Perez&st=int&compage=25&age=25 We could get Cintron---who is slightly better player thru age 25 then Lugo was---prolly for Welly and Perez (the kid we got for Patterson). Lugo is worth what Tampa can get for him. I'm not sold on getting him, but it will definitely take such a package to get the Rays attention. Yeah, but unlike alot teams who are interested in Lugo, the Cubs do have a LEGITIMATE SS (Cedeno) and a LEGITIMATE 2B (Walker, and to a certain degree Hairston), so the Cubs don't have offer more then say Moore and Welly.

With that kind of package, the Cubs better be getting somebody like McClung or Banskton back in return. NO WAY is Lugo is worth more then one solid prospect, regardless of what ATL/Bos were alledgely offering. When it comes down to it, TB has to realize which has more value to their organization, 1 (maybe a 2nd, depending the season Lugo has) draft pick in the 13-20 range, or say at worst 2 solid prospects. Because if they don't trade Lugo, then they will lost a "bidding partner" in the Cubs, cause I feel Cedeno is going to be VERY GOOD this yr. http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/scomp.cgi?I=perezne01:Neifi+Perez&st=int&compage=25&age=25 We could get Cintron---who is slightly better player thru age 25 then Lugo was---prolly for Welly and Perez (the kid we got for Patterson). Who could visible have a better SEASON then Lugo.

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the World Series a "TEAM GOAL", and the HOF a "Individual Goal" much like the Cy Young? I know people remember Sutter hugging Porter after winning the World Series, and I can understand that, but...if winning a World Series was a requirement to reach the HOF, then there would be NO CUBS in the HOF, then. To use the World Series as justification for wearing the Cards hat is simply wrong. If Sutter wanted to use his stats, that's one thing, but using the World Series is a slap in the face of the Cubs organization (rather they deserve or not is another story), for what they did for his career. In fact, I would prefer him using his stats as justification. With that said, when Lee Smith makes the HOF, atleast we won't be having this conversation.

Corey joins this list, unfortunately: Every player on this list was a FORMER top prospect who was an OF, just like CPatt. It shows that the Cubs don't have a patent on being "stupid" with their developments. The difference THO, is that most of these teams were able to acquire BIG LEAGUE talent (ie Burrell/Abreu for the Phils, Floyd/Beltran for the Mets, Matsui/Sheffield, Ichiro/Ibanez, Jenkins/Lee) to cover up for the organization mistake with a former top prospect. What big league talent did the Cubs acquire to omake up for the mistake that is Corey Patterson?

From the baseball HOF webpage. And since Sutter is pretty much set the standard for the modern closer, Sutter most "indelible" mark came as a member of the Cubs. No disrespect to the Cards, after reading...Sutter has to go in as Cubs. Hate to disagree, but saving a 7th game of a World Series game is by far his most "indelible" moment. When ever a Bruce Sutter highlight is shown, that is usually the one chosen. And I am sure he himself would rank that over winning a Cy Young award as well. I'm very happy to finally see him get in, no matter what team he goes in as. You can't go wrong with either team....sure it gives more to have fun with your fellow cubs/cards friends. But it really doesn't matter which team he goes in as...he played a major role in both clubs when he was with them. There isn't really a wrong choice here....as long as its not the Braves. Someone mentioned that he has said he wanted to go in as a Cardinal. From what I understand, he said on radio today that he hadn't decided on a preference and that the HOF had asked him about his preference and that he would get back to them about it (from the accounts I have read). It sounds like the Hall thought that it was pretty even between the 2 teams and that they would honor his preference. No, that was a product of him as a GREAT closer. Sutter's "indelible" mark on Cardinals HISTORY is the World Series, but seeing as Sutter's name is MENTIONED as one of the few GREAT ORIGINAL CLOSERS, who developed the "split-finger pitch" with the Cubs, I would say his "indelible" mark on baseball happen when he was with the Cubs. He became a GREAT closer with the Cubs, won a Cy Young with the Cubs, developed a "NEW" pitch in the split-finger with the Cubs, the Cards simply rode Sutter to a World Series. Sutter left his "indelible" mark on baseball with the Cubs, plain and simple. Thus, imo, should go in as a Cub, not a Card. But if he went in as a Cards, there wouldn't be a debate. Again, I believe Sutter will go in as a Cub. With that said....now that Sutter is in....how long till the ex-Cubs Lee Smith have to wait before he gets in? (and no there won't be a debate, he'll get in as a Cub). I think Smith "COULD" take McGwire's spot in the trinity next yr. I think people are going to hold off on McGwire, until they can separate drugs numbers to clean numbers of McGwire.

You're welcome.... :lol: just kidding.