NorthsideAvenger

Come one....you can't be that ignorant. Do you REALIZE who was playing first base at Iowa? Scott McClain, that's who. Now admitting, I like McClain, but he isn't what I would consider a strong defender. And I am willing to bet there were a few plays he could had come up to prevent some errors. Cedeno didn't have a Derrek Lee at AAA, while Nefti did. Now while, I do consider Nefti a very good defender, Cedeno is as good, IF NOT BETTER then Perez defensively. So don't even use the X numbers of errors in X number of games theory to justify sayin Nefti is a better defensive SS, cause you would be wrong.

What do the Cubs fans have to do to get some HONEST people up in the front office. This cloak and dagger crap when it comes to injuries, is simply mindboggling frustrating.

I can't describe how great of a time I had, especially with my nephew. But it was an unbelieveable experience, I would recommend to any BIG-TIME Baseball fan.

I got back earlier TONIGHT, and I didn't have access to a computer for a couple of days, so be patient, and just humor me... I just got back from Orlando, tonight, and all I can say is (no computer for a couple of days)…..”The World Baseball Classic” is going to be an OUTSTANDING tournament for yrs to come. Stars or no stars, the game I went to between the Dominican Republic and Venezuelan was simply outstanding. Don’t let the FINAL score dictate how intense the game was. I got to the game at the start of the 4th innings (the game was PACKED, PACKED, PACKED and I got a couple of pictures to PROVE it, just have to download it in a couple of days) in which Carlos was pitching. I don’t know how it looks on the tube, but Carlos look pretty solid. I know he gave up a homerun to Adrian Beltre---I believe---but his stuff was at midseason form, unfortunately his command was at Spring Training form. His fastball was clocked between 94-96 (not the 93-97 as reported in other thread) and TOUCHING 99 MPH a few times. The most anticipated match up was Z .v. Pujols which ended up in a 5 pitch walk. Miguel Cabrera MIGHT be a better hitter then Pujols when it is all said and done. At least he is a BETTER athlete. I know this is a borderline crazy statement, but Miguel Cabrera looks ready to SERIOUSLY enter the MVP race, this year. David Ortiz, was CHEERED AS LOUD, as any player has even been cheered for. The crowd at the Dominican/Venezuelan game was pro Dominican, but there were some VOCAL(sp?) Venezuelan supporters in the stand---especially after Miguel Cabrera hit a 2 run shot. David Ortiz is UNBELIEVABLY popular. This was a fairly big hassle over the Miguel Cabrera homerun. No one was hurt, but a few security guards, as I could tell came over to break it up. The BIGGEST thing I notice about the game…..both the Dominican and the Venezuelan fans lived and died on EVERY pitch(postseason INTENSITY at it's finest). Those fans were into the game from the opening pitch, to the final pitch. They LOVE their beisbol (as Sammy would say). Anybody who can make it to a World Baseball Classic game, please do, because there is a certain electricity in the air that only happens in the postseason. I love the experience, and I would do it again, IN A HEARTBEAT. I got a FEW pictures of the game, so if I can…I might try to download them into my signature box (if I can get them to fit, ASAP). On the Carlos Zambrano note: Carlos is looking UNBELIEVABLE. Those pictures, someone put up awhile back, is accurate…Z is looking sharp physically, and I believe he is ready for a Cy Young Caliber season. I will try to get the pictures up, ASAP. World Baseball Classic (outside of the roster controversy) is going to be a great tourney. Again, I know the DR/Ven game is OLD news, but I actually went to a WBC game (Still have the tickets) and is still pretty darn excited about it. :lol: :lol:

I'm not claiming it is a ringing endorsement. I just feel it's an indication that Grissom pretty much has the job unless a leg falls off. Grissom's got the job because there's nobody else to give it to. The young guys need to play in DM or AA because there's no way in the world they'll play for Dusty in Chicago. But then again, in the Cubs organization, young players have more value to the WT, IOWA, Daytona affiliates then they COULD possibly have with the Cubs. Sooner or later, the Cubs are going to have to put their faith into young players (like they are doing with Murton and Cedeno). If Bobby Bonilla doesn't get hurt, or the Marlins going to cheap way in 2003, the world may not have heard about Albert Pujols or Miguel Cabrera for awhile longer.

And wants to go back to the AL after this season. Bowden may give Soriano away for pennies on the dollar tallent wise, but he will still cost @10mill for the privilege of him agreeing to play 2nd base poorly. From what Cedeno has shown so far during ST, Soriano would commit less errors at 2B than Ronny would at SS. Our MIF defense isn't that strong, whatever Baker and Hendry may claim. The difference being that Cedeno enter 2006 as the starting SS in his career with the Cubs, and HAS A CHANCE to improve, whereas Soriano is entering his what....5th FULL yr (7th overall) and has NO ambition of ever improving his defense. Cedeno's defense thus far...is defensable, whereas Soriano defense is NOT. So, no I don't want the Sammy Sosa of the infield (all offense, and NO defense) on the Cubs. Simply because the Cubs pitchers are ALREADY paranoid at the defense (hence Hendry's mantra of getting guys who can CATCH the ball, this offseason), and the Cubs don't need to add to that paranoia. The Cubs DON'T need to buy into the fact that Soriano has a "recognizable name."

To be blount: Love the light blue, or "cartoonish" as some would say, unis. The dark blue, are more spring training-ish to me. So I am indifferent there. I like the pinstripes, but WOULD love to go back to the straight up white unis.

That's correct. Sooned to be out of the inning, without another run scoring.

Good ol' Jason Giambi. Caption contest. Arod: Hey Jason, i have heard roids can have horrible effects on your testicles. Jason: Really? Let me check. One. Two. Three? Giambi: 1ball-2balls-3balls-4balls. ALRIGHT, I get a base on balls...

I may be crazy, but I think Clemens pitches the WBC, and then calls it a career. But I admit, depending where the Astros are by May/June, I could see Clemens returning, but I still think retirement is the definite choice.

I'm not ready to say Felix Hernandez "will be remember as one of the greats", but that doesn't mean I am not impressed with Felix, cause I am. I mean, the hype around guys like Doc Gooden (THE most electrifying rookie pitcher, I EVER saw...), Rick Ankiel, Brien Taylor, Todd Van Poppell had the same kind of hype as Felix currently as. As a baseball fan, I hope Felix does become one of the greats, but NOT until he passes the 100 WIN mark in his career, would I even start including him in a debate.

Did I hear.......OVERPAY? Lugo is "arugably" a slight better version of Cedeno. But not enough to justify trading three players for him Lugo would be worth more like two solid pitchers (Novoa and Berg) instead of Wililamson, Cedeno, and a prospect. And no, I'm not ALL that interested in Huff....who is SO MUCH A DH at this stage in his career, that it isn't funny. Stick with Cedeno, and he WILL have a better season then Lugo.

They need to get something in the 7th inning. Whether it is audio of harry doing it, or ex-players... but the celebrities don't work. Granted, it is part of the experience of going to a game there, and it should always continue. I like Santo doing more of it. Jeff Gordon and Ozzie have no place in that ballpark. I would like them to stay with ex-cubs, prominent chicago figures, or celebrity cubs fans (for the love of god, jim beluschi is not a cubs fan... however billy corgan is a good example of a celebrity who should be allowed to sing once a year). Irishoshea21, I don't know where you get your info, but everywhere I read/heard, Jim Belushi is VERY much a BIG Cubs fans. So again, I don't know where you get your info, but you are clearly wrong.

Agreed. All we have to go is heresay. I've said some things, that I WOULD love to able to take back, and I am sure this is something Ryan might regret having said, alledgely.

If Hill ever hits 94, shouldn't the Cubs consider him the next BJ Ryan, and groom him to take over the closer's role when Dempster's contract ends?

First: Aybar isn't WORTH Pawelek, IMO. Aybar is younger version of Cesar Itzuris anyways. They DO have a kid name Brandon Wood, who is their future at SS. Besides, I don't trust sending EVEN JK Ryu to Anaheim, because you know Bud Black would turn him into the next Scot Shields. I'm not saying they would give Aybar away, but I wouldn't EVEN consider Aybar for Pawelek, even if the Angels offer it. SS of Aybar's ability are EASIER to find, then young lefties of Pawelek's (or to a lesser degree Veal) ability. And EVEN if the Cubs offer Pawelek/JK Ryu for Aybar, (I would rather it be offer for Brandon Wood, anyways), the Cubs would grossly overpay for Aybar. Aybar is NOT the next great SS, IMB, and I don't know why you are trying to hype him up.

I haven't, but he was a decent sized kid last year. I saw him pretty close in Cincy and his got some big legs. What were you doing looking at another man's legs? :? :-k Just messing.....

Sarcasm duly noted, people. But is Boehringer really worth any sarcasm? Nah...

I wouldn't. There are players like Cesar and Macier Izturis, Erick Aybar (very solid SS prospect of the Angels), Omar Quintilla, etc. Cedeno has a better glove, or a better bat, but these are similar type players, that could be had for LESS then Pawelek. If in your hyperthetical situation, would I trade Pawelek for Cedeno? Of course not....I would offer something like....JK Ryu, or somebody of that caliber for Cedeno. Cedeno will be a fine player, but like the Yankees, we tend to grossly overrated certain young players (ie Hill/Patterson/Choi).

MLB: Anaheim, Arizona, Boston, and Chicago WS won either the first WSeries title in franchise history, or for the first time in a LONG time. NBA: Spurs won their first championship in franchise in 1999. NHL: Lightning won their first NHL Championship in 2004 NFL: Bucs, and Patriots won their first Super Bowl championships in the last five yrs. NCAA Football: Texas, LSU, and Ohio State won their first NCAA title in a LONG (decades long) time. So...it isn't JUST the White Sox and the Red Sox (they are the direct conection to the Cubs) who broke their droughts. There have been a recent rash of first time winners and/or 1st ftime winners after a drought t win their sports "championship." But unfortunately, the Cubs are not the ONLY MLB team with a drought. The Astros/Nats/Rangers/Mariners/INDIANS, are some of the teams that have droughts.

Because Soriano used to play next to Derek Jeter, who we all know is the most clutch player of all time.. People who clamored for Soriano, are those who continue to buy in the hype that Soriano is actually good.

Look I am going to make it simple.....I don't need to know a players ISOP, or any of those other "topic starting" stats. All I care about...is (Drum roll)....WINS AND LOSSES. Just like at the Combine, football is not play in a t-shirt and shorts....baseball isn't played throught stats. Yes....stats can be impressive, but let's not OVERRATED stats, people. There is NO direct link froma player's stats into a team's win and losses, regardless of what formula you used in your argument. Baseball, like football is a TEAM sport. While ONE player can carry the load for awhile, the fact is...you still need 25 guys working together as a unit to be successful (thanks alot Scott Bakula for putting THAT thought in my head). IMO, it doesn't matter if a player has an impressive line, it the team doesn't win....those stats become meaningless. Which brings me to Matt Murton. I HONESTLY do believe that Murton will hit the 30 hrs in a season a couple of times in his career. Now do I think he will do in 2006...Based on what I've seen so far of Murton....I can't say HE WON'T do it, but I think ultimately his line will.... .287/.361/.454/.815.

In 02/03 he came close to back-to-back 40/40 seasons. Before the 2004 season, Soriano was dealt for ARod. After 2005 seaspm. Soriano was dealt for Wilkerson/Sledge and a minor leaguer. NOW, Soriano is being discussed for Murton? Man, take about being devalue. In the begining Texas was looking foolished for trading, the GAME'S BEST PLAYER, for Soriano/prospect. Then the Washington Nats let Texas off the hook, by sending them Wilkerson among others. So why should the Cubs let the Nats off the hook? Soriano is a PURE DH/OF now. Yet he doesn't want to move off 2b, the arrogant jerk. Soriano has MORE value toa 2nd division club, then a Playoff contender. No way...does Hendry trades Murton for Soriano, and the radio host who made up this rumor, should be shackled in front of the TV, and force to watch Kangeroo Jack, over and over.

Ozzie claim what he said is the "truth", but the fact is...he stuck his nose in somebody business that he had NO RIGHT to be in. Regardless of which team ARod chosed, Ozzie had no right to meddle in Arod affairs (same with Pedro Martinez). Ozzie (and Pedro) both came off as being VERY, VERY bitter with their "keystone cop" type statements. Ozzie just showed why he is an "donkey's behind."