NorthsideAvenger

Knowing Dusty it would be Matt Williams. Nah, dude, it had to be Charlie Hayes. I mean he did SAVE the Yankees with that catch to end the 1996 World Series. He could bring that magic to the Cubs.

If that's the case, then we need to trade him to the ChiSox pronto for their minor league version of Carlos Lee. First: I meant that Greenberg could provide the spark that Pods did for the Sox. Second: the Cubs already have their "Carlos Lee" in Matt Murton.

My question is: Where the heck is Bud Selig, or at worst his second hand man? Unless someone can prove either were at the game, this is a bullpoppy call. But then, this is the SAME president who allow a tie in the AS Game. If I was Arturo (owner) and Stoneman, I would demand to see Selig immediately to discuss a "mulligan" on the decision. I mean, the UMP clearly call him out, and the BALL didn't hit the ground. The loser was out, plain and simple. I don't want excuses, I want a game played fair. It's bad enough they didn't overturn the Hrabek "wrestling manuever" on Ron Gant in the 91 series. It's even worse not overturning the "Meier" incident. But this DECISION needs to be overturned for the sake of baseball purity.

While stranger things have happen, I do agree there would have to be more to the deal. But a couple of things to consider: 1. Arod has maybe a good 4 yrs left of playing SS, before he'd have to PERMANATELY move to 3rd or 1st. 2. If the Yankees pick up some of ARod's contract, then I would consider adding Dope, Marshall, Gallagher, or Pinto into the deal. If the Yankees don't pick up some of the contract (say $5 mill) then I would offer up Jeriome Williams and/or another decent prospect.

How about this: Cubs acquire Alex Rodriguez and JC Romero. Yankees acquire Torii Hunter, Brad Radke, and a couple of prospects. Twins acquire: Ronny Cedeno, Eric Duncan, and Rich Hill. (the Cubs could throw in Patterson, if they need a stopgap CF) You know why the Cubs would do this. The Yankees would add valuable defense to their team in Hunter. And we know Torii believe he will be traded. The Yankees would also covet another solid, yet PROVEN pitcher in Brad Radke (unlike Pavano and Wright), who they could slip behind Mussina and Johnson. The biggest reason why the Twins would do is for salary relief. But they would get a solid young SS (Barlett is a backup), and nice, but not great, 1st base prospect in Eric Duncan, and a solid young reliever, whom would instantly replace Romero in the bullpen. If they need a CF for the short-term, I have no problem with moving CPatt to the Twins.

Let me say I am about the furthest from understanding the statisical parts of the game, ie vorp, etc, etc. So no, I am not a statisical geek (I apologize to those who be offended). So, I usually trust my eyes, instead of numbers, and what I see from Damon is the following: Poor arm (maybe poorer then Bernie Williams) Declining speed. a holier then thou arrogance. He still gets on base at a good pace, but if he doesn't still bases, he's more of a #2 hitter/#6 type hitter then a leadoff hitter. The Cubs need someone who scares the daylights out of the pitcher, with his speed. Someone who takes the pressure off the middle of the order. And the older Damon gets more and more station to station player he becomes. And by the end of his "new five yr deal" (you know the Yanks are going to pay it), Damon is going to be a station to station player. So, imo, I'd just stay away from CAPTAIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNN CAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEMAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN. I'd still think Adam Greenberg could be the Cubs version of Scott Podsenick. It's time to trust your farm system.

Now we know what Superman does in his spare time, he plays (played) SS for the Red Sox and the Cubs. And apparently takes the name of Nomar Garciaparra. And you know Peter Gammons must be loving this story. WTG, Mr. Hamm, sorry Nomar.

We know Hendry doesn't tip his hands to the media, so my guess is....there are players on his wishlist, that the media/fans haven't discussed. Millwood/Dunn/Burnett/Furcal/Giles', etc, etc...have been branded about, but my feeling is...Hendry is going to acquired somebody we haven't talked about, had no clue was available. So who is your guess, as the non-talked about possible new Cub? My guess is: RHP Kelvim Escobar With Colon/Santana/Lackey/Washburn---I presumed will be re-signed as will Paul Byrd, in the rotation not to mention Donnelly and Shields as set-up, and Frankie as closer, it leaves one to wonder what role does that leaves Escobar? My guess is Escobar will be moved this offseason. Escobar for Fontenot/Welly or Leicester, perhaps?

](*,) #-o :roll: [-X :x :evil: :cry: Well, kiddies, Set back and enjoy another season of 120 pitches through 5 IPs for the Cubs staff, as they "RACK UP THE STRIKEOUTS." And watch the Cards win the division EVEN quicker then this yr.

White Sox or the Cards in the World Series....let me think about that? Go Bears, Go Bulls, and Go Blackhawks, cause my attention would be away from baseball, if that happen.

Rafael Furcal has purportedly let it be known he would be willing to play second base for the Mets. Furcal will be a free agent after the postseason. The Mets want to upgrade the position , even if that means buying off Kaz Matsui's remaining contract. Source: New York Daily News It may been talked about already, but nonetheless...I becoming less and less optimistic about the Cubs chances at landing Furcal.

My guess is this: Guarantee to be in Cubs uniform (don't forget Iowa, fellas) in 2006: Wood Prior Z Maddux Demspter Barrett ARam Lee Blanco Everybody else, their future will be decided before December.

Seattle worries me the least. These are three top SS prospects in the Mariners system in order of "projectability" :Yuniesky Betancourt, SS, B Matt Tuiasosopo, SS, Asdrubal Cabrera, SS. Don't forget they also have Nomar's brother, Michael, already in the system. If the Mariners are going after a SS, my quess is they would sign Nomar, because of his "offering" price will be lower then Furcal. Failing that, I don't see Seattle going after Furcal all that hard. To be honest, for Furcal's services, I think it will between the Cubs and the Braves. And while the Braves are a "contender", they also have Betemit, Johnson (although he is playing the OF, right now) Pena, Jr all waiting for an opportunity to play SS. So Furcal may not see the $$$ from the Braves, (remember the Hampton contract will be killer on them begining next yr) not to mention he will always be pushed at SS. With the Cubs, there is only one viable option in the system and that is Cedeno--whom the Cubs have talked about moving to 2B, anyways (perhaps and early subtle invitation made by the Cubs, that they are serious), thus Furcal would get the money, and have nobody near ready to play SS for atleast 4 yrs. All-in-all I like the Cubs chances at landing Furcal, but......

Speaking of McClendon, the Detroit Sports Report says he might be hired as a bullpen coach. Also, according to Danny Knobler, who writes for the Grand Rapids Press/Mlive.com: That was posted by Knobler on the MLive.com Tigers forum. All I can say is.....PUL-EASE Detroit take Rothschild.

I agree. They hired Trammell to resurrect the Tigers ORG, but gave him a team so bad---in his first yr---that team usa softball team could had wiped them clean. I can't believe Detroit would scapegoat Trammell, even tho it WAS THEIR MISTAKE to begin with.

I would offer up Sergio Mitre (I think he's a goner, with Williams in the org, now) and a couple of decent arms (say Welly or Leicester) for Vasquez and Tracy.

Wasn't that the same theory we used when Maddux signed with the Cubs? So I doubt, Paul Bryd would help in that catergory---we just need a new PC, period. I don't think the Cubs are going to land a pitcher in FA, in fact it wouldn't surprise me if the Cubs acquired a pitcher via trade/change of scenery. Say....Dewon Brazleton, Gil Meche esque. I know Hendry confirmed that he would looking for a starter in the off-season, I just not convince he will looking at the "BIG" names in FA.

First: Ohman is following Ryan's development. Now I am not saying Ohman will be a closer like Ryan, I'm just saying tht Ohman can do the same things (minus not the k/ip) that Ryan can, minus ALOT of money. Second: I personally think Dempster will improve on his numbers as closer in 2006. I really think, he will become comfortable and allow his stuff to take over. It wouldn't surprise me if Dempster is the better pitcher in 2006 then BJ Ryan.

ERA 1.85 2.43 BAA .218 .207 WHIP 1.25 1.14 S/SO 33/35 35/40 BB:K 27:53 24/100 (I'm comparing the two as RELIEVERS, and did not include Demspter's stint as a starter, seeing as Ryan will never be used as a stater) Would somebody please tell me where in those stats lies a rationality in spending prolly another 6-8 mill on somebody who throws left-handed? BJ Ryan is talented, no question, but enough to justify him as an upgrade over Dempster, I'm not so sure. At best he would ba A LATERAL MOVE. Take out Dempster's starter's #'s and make him a full-time closer to begin 2005, and I am willing to bet, his numbers are closer if not better then BJ Ryan's. But to continue to prove my point: (Ohman numbers are represented by a * .v. Ryan in 2005) .v. lefties *.177/.278/.329/.607 .211/.275/352/.627 righties .209/282/267/549 *.227/.363/.333/.696 So you saying, Ryan was significantly better .v. righties then Ohman in 2005, so let's take it back a yr to 2004 (a yr before Ryan became a "stud" closer): .v. lefties .177/.278/.329/.607 Ohman in 2005 (at 28 yrs old) .v. righties.227/.363/.333/.696 .v. lefties .94/.164/.160/.324 Ryan in 2004 as set-up (then 28 ) .v. righties .252/.331/.327.658 Anyway you cut it, you CAN'T justfy paying BJ Ryan $6-8 mill per (or more) for say 4 yrs, when the Cubs already have an in-house candidate very similar to Ryan in Will Ohman, in terms of being a lefty, stuff, and stats. And the Cubs already have an in-house candidate might be as good as Ryan as a closer. And to justify going after BJ Ryan because he throws the ball lefty, isn't a real reason. If the Cubs didn't have Ohman, then yeah, but as a closer and/or set-up he would be a expensive redundacy. And he is an luxury we can afford not to persue. I like BJ Ryan, but he is NOT a need. This teams should go after NEEDS, and if/when they accomplish that goal, then look for wants. Sidenote: Will Ohman was taken by the Cubs in the 8th rd of the 1998 (one pick after the A's took Eric Byrnes who was later dealt to the Rockies for Joe Kennedy who went 2nd to the last pick of the 8th rd) draft while,BJ Ryan was taken in the 17th rd of the 1998 draft (3 picks after Cubs taking Eric Hinske and 2 picks before the Padres too Brian Lawrence).

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4133 How is BJ Ryan a "stud closer" and Ryan Dempster is merely a "set-up" guy? The numbers suggest BJ Ryan is no more the 'stud closer', then Ryan Dempster.

At 28 yrs old, I am. It's one thing to offer a 36/37 yr old, like Remmy, a 3 yr deal, it's another to offer a 28 yr old, a 3 yr deal. I am pretty sure (there is no guarantee in baseball, mind you) the Cubs won't regret giving Demp the deal.

Eh, he'd be justified in moving Dempster to a setup role if he acquired a comparable or better closer in the offseason. I don't think anyone would be mad about that. The Cubs ARE NOT, I repeat, ARE NOT going to sign a Billy Wagner or a BJ Ryan, now that they just re-upped Dempster. For those who think Hendry will still focus on closer, needs to come back to reality. Any bullpen help with be acquired through trade.

I don't know if it has been mentioned or not but what I am going to say pretty much sums the seasons: (If I added it up correctly, mind you) The Cubs are 22-21 against the Reds/Pirates/Brewers ](*,) . That ain't bad to most teams, but considering the Cubs are---as of October 1---19-11 :shock: #-o against the Cards and the Astros this season, that makes the 22-21 more shockingly bad. I hate to add fuel to the fire, but that is mindboggling.

What have learn in September? How about Dusty Baker trying to "stuff" his resume with 3 consecutive non-losing season with the Cubs. Wouldn't that look good to a team that is considering Baker, afer he is done with the Cubs?

Pie would be better off playing a full year of baseball (everyday) in AA/AAA. He only played 2/3 of a season this year. I love pie (insert your favorite Homer Simpson joke here), but considering he IS coming off injury, I rather him spend atleast half the season in AAA, if NOT all at AAA. He is ONLY 20 yrs old, and one full season at AAA wouldn't hurt him. I wouldn't mind if Adam Greenberg is given another shot at CF/leadoff provided his head is on straight. I think at least short-term, Greenberg's grit could help the Cubs.