NorthsideAvenger

Is it because he is the only legit CF who is actually AVAILABLE and young enough to continue to contribute? I like Pierre, and I believe in a contract yr, he will bounce back and have an outstanding yr. And it won't take Pie, Hill or Marshall to land him. I say Pinto and a decent low A reliever, should do the trick. ----------- To the OTHER debate in this thread: No Pie is not ready, NOR should he be placed in a platoon when he is ready. Let him play everyday in 2007, regardless. Platoon situation does nothing for the player or the organization, but waste a yr.

I feel that way myself, to be honest. How about both? Cedeno is clearly equal if NOT better then Nefti with the Glove, either at SS or 2B, and his bat--still questionable---is better then Nefti. I believe Furcal/Cedeno would have a higher value then Walker/Cedeno.

Where o' where is the "New Sherriff in town" Kevin Malone?

That would be good Funny, because to a normal fan that would mean not corey not not pie. When is a Cubs fan considered "normal?" I've been accused of a lot of things in my time..... being "normal" was never one of them. :wink: I've been consider "abnormal", does that count?

That would be good Funny, because to a normal fan that would mean not corey not not pie. When is a Cubs fan considered "normal?"

two words for you: Scott Kazmir Any GM that can get absolutely fleeced like that doesn't deserve the job. Hendry is a moran, but I'd still rather have him than Phillips (i'm sure you were just kidding about that :D ). I may be wrong but i dont think that Phillips was the one who traded Kazmir, wasnt it his replacement? true. it was Phillips' assitant that did that after Phillips was canned. maybe i should have said "phillip's regime." he's still a moran though. Jim Duquette was the GM at the time, but it was widely rumored that the owners son - Jeff Wilpon, made that deal in a last ditch effort to try and make the playoffs two years ago. Duquette was a figurehead in NY his last year as GM before Minaya got there. hahaha. trade the previously untouchable pitching prospect for a mediocre starter so you can make the playoffs. :oops: why was phillips axed? was it the affair with his secretary or performance related (he deserved it on that alone)? No, he was fired because he thought Bobby Valentine would look good in those clowns glasses, when he can back to the field after being ejected.

WHere in the heck would you play Thome? He can only play 1st or are you planning on dumping the younger and better Lee after the spectacular year he just had? Paul Rogers had an interesting take in Sunday's Trib, where he mentioned the possibility of Thome leaving Philadelphia. Rogers said the Cubs have no use for him now with DLee, but if the Cubs had signed him 3 years ago when Hendry had the chance, 2003 could have been the year we won it all. Made me think for a moment. Rogers is a douche, with nothing interesting to say......the Cubs were rightfully cautious about signing a player with a history of back problems to a huge deal.

Personally, I like to see KC keep him on the roster, watch him get BOMBED and gloat in front of people who thought Sisco would be anything special. But hey.....that's just me.

I could see the Sox including Garland in a trade for Helton or Delgado, but never to their crosstown rivals. Neither Hendry or Williams have a hatred of the other team, like the fans do. If it would improve their teams, I could see Hendry and Williams working a trade (btw: now correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Hendry draft Garland back i 1997?) But I highly doubt Garland is the kind of "pitcher" Hendry wants.

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?