NorthsideAvenger

He was benched because he showed up at the game ONLY 30 minutes before "First pitch." Outside of that, I haven't heard anything about Miguel Cabrera being a "malcontent" or a "pri madonna", or a "pri maBONDS."

As long as his salary is no more than $3M, and the duration of contract is 1 year, this should be a no brainer move for the Cubs - Hendry and Baker like Lofton, and he likes them. And then at recess, Lofton, Baker, and Hendry can invite some other people over, maybe get a good game of kickball going, since they like each other. Kenny Lofton is better for the Cubs at $1.75 mill then at $3 mill. If KLoft wants more then $1.75, then I don't want the Cubs settling on a player at the end of his career.

I'm guessing 2 years/$10M with a vesting 3rd year option for $7M can get it done. I think Ryan wants to stay here. And loyal too. Ryan is going to give the Cubs the first crack to signing him. BUT, I think he is going to wait and see what Wagner and Ryan are going to get, before he decides to re-signs with the Cubs. And seeing as Hendry is a loyal man (coughsBakercoughs), I believe Hendry won't go after Ryan or Wagner, and wait for the market to settle down before he re-sign Demspter. IMO, Dempster doesn't leave northside of Chicago.

As much as I like Walker, I think I'd do that deal if the Braves were willing to make that switch. Giles's 294/367/457 line would look nice with the Cubs. He's 27 yrs old and would fit well within the nucleus we've established. I'm all for keeping Walker, but if Walker + Patterson nets Giles, then let's make a deal. CPatt and Walker for Giles? Where do I sign? Heck, I would even throw in a decent pitching prospect like Nolasco to make it happen. I mean, if that happen, I wonder how much would that play in Brian Giles mind? The FIRST REAL chance to play with you brother at the major league level, would have to be tempting?

My choices would be in this order: Rick Peterson of the Mets (founder of the Oakland's big three of Mulder/Zito/Hudson. Bud Black of the Angels. Mike Maddux of the Brewers. (not b/c of his brother, but he is a damn fine pitching coach)

If Todd was outspoken and didn't back it with the performance on the field, that is one thing, but Todd does produce, thus that entitles to be "outspoken." I have not heard one complain from his teammates, thus there isn't a problem. Stop insisting there is a problem, when in reality, there isn't a problem outside the manager and his "matchbox" collection of incredibly non-talented players.

So the Cubs are going to finish behind the Brewers, or as I call them "The Anti-Baker team", and yet Baker will be REWARDED with a two yr extension. Sounds fair. So when should the Cubs present the Cards the 2006 NL Central Division trophy? And how many games in front of Pittsburgh will Hendry allow Baker to mismanage the team to, before Hendry realizes "Baker ain't the answer?"

Let me see......I'd take Wilkerson. Dunn power is unbelieveable, no doubt, but when I see Wilkerson, I see a player who can help a team win in many different areas. Power, speed, hitting, defensively, or flat hussling, he helps a team in so many areas. Whereas Dunn, well, if he can't hit the homerun, then he is pretty useless ballplayer. I like Wilkerson versatility over Dunn's power.

The problem that I see is that, is not the Cubs don't HAVE people who wants to win, it's a matter of how it's done that the problem. Both Hendry and Baker--regardless of personal outcry---wants to win. Hendry wants it done with a mixture of veteran and young players, whereas Baker wants it done with veterans. When two of your "key management personnel" are NOT on the same page, then it tends to divide the organization in half. If Baker wants to stay, and Hendry and the Cubs are willing to give him the 2 yr extension (as rumored), then both guys need to have a sit-down, beating out discussion about how the Cubs in 2006 and beyond should be run. If Baker can't agree with the philiosophy then both parties needs to spearate. The Cubs NEED stability, rather it is with Baker, Girardi, or whoever they want to manage. And Baker needs to stop blaming everybody and everything else for the team's mistake ain't helping.

He had a compression fracture in his pitching elbow. Maybe that had an impact on his pitching. He's certainly not pitching as well as he has in the past (2003). He's also still usually able to make adjustments within a game, but the first inning of games has just killed him recently. I'm willing to consider causes. Whether he gets a pass from you for any reason is obviously up to you. Yeah, now you're just making excuses. If he's not healthy enough to pitch, then he shouldn't pitch. It's been plenty of time since that injury. If he's not over it by now, he never will be. I consider causes too. Want to know what 'causes' Mark to give up runs? Lack of pitch variety. All the rationalization in the world can't manufacture a third pitch out of thin air. so what was his third pitch in 2003??? Ha ha, IG You're welcome to your take, Soul. I'm welcome not to agree with it ... which I don't. Prior's not sharp right now. Still not ready to call him washed up just yet. No I don't think he is done, I just don't think he has gotten any better in almost 4 years with us. In fact I would argue he has regressed. As has Kerry Wood. Thus I think it is obvious that the blmae should fall more on the organization than the player. But, we all know from the last year it was probably the announcers fault. Prior washed up at 24 yrs old? What people don't realize (especially the non-Cubs fans) is that Cubs have one of the most crappiest Pitching Coaches in America. What this Cubs staff needs is a FRESH voice, and I would love the Cubs if they could land either Bud Black, Mike Maddux (not b/c of his brother, but because he is a HECKUVA pc) or Rick Peterson. The pitching staff has gone staled, and thus they need a new voice. And if they get a NEW voice, it wouldn't surprise me to the staff take off.

I've never used this emoticon becuase frankly I hate it but this surely calls for it :roll: All this tells me is that Baker has master the art of "self-preservation." He knows there is HEAT surrounding him, and that the Chicago Cubs fans, and perhaps some of the media wants him fired, so he is saying that he has liked Murton, to try and win some brownie points, with the Cubs organization. This self-preservation act of his has driven my nutty.

I'm not too critical on Baker's quotes, but these were pretty bad, despite the fact he's quoting someone else in the 1st bolded one. That means Sammy Sosa is coming into his "prime" with Baltimore.

I mean we won't go after high "OBP guys" because those guys would simply clogged the bases and we can't have that, can we? or Murton doesn't play, cause we don't want other teams to have a book on him, right? or Baker is the best manager in the majors.

Or Royce Clayton.

Personally, I think you can rule out Jackson, Quentin and Tracy as trade potentials (seeing as all three would command atleast Felix Pie and maybe Sean Marhsall or a Sean Gallagher and are still reasonably cheap). So that lead me to believe that it will be Glaus (remember Tracy came up a third baseman, and played him at 1st the OF, to keep his bat in the lineup) or Luis Gonzalez. Seeing as the Cubs already have 1st and 3rd locked up, I guess the Cubs COULD be looking at bring the former Cub Luis Gonzalez back to Chicago.

Maybe in the short term, but in the long-term, both Felix Pie and Ryan Harvey---IMO---will be better then Quentin. Conor Jackson on the other hand.....

What about Todd Walker, doesn't this former Tiger get any love?

Cubs motto: "We strive to be the best mediocre team in baseball."

And how does Baker expect the Cubs fans to have excitment about the ballclub, when EVERY time they have an opportunity to surge forward, they fold like little sissies, they are?

Cards. :twisted: If Neifi goes to the Cards and does well, I may lose hope and interest in the game of baseball. :-k Are we talking about the same Nefti Perez who couldn't hit in COORS FIELD?

I wonder how Baker would do as a General Manager (of the Cards)?:-k just kidding

.338 .378 .574 .952 (in 60+ AB in August) .318 .360 .682 1.042 (so far in September) Methinks, Nomar is trying to convince Hendry that he is healthy, and is worth another 1 yr gamble? We know when healthy, Nomar is CAPABLE of these numbers, so this is not a fluke. But will Hendry take the risk on bringing back Nomar, or is he deadset on acquiring Furcal? These kids, Murton and Cedeno, they are pretty darn good for being "rookies."

.338 .378 .574 .952 (in August) .318 .360 .682 1.042 (in September) Anybody realize this? It looks to me that Nomar is playing for another contract (possibly)with the Cubs. We know offensively what he can do, so these numbers are not a fluke, but they are making me rethink what the Cubs should do for SS. Now, don't get me wrong, I really, really like Cedeno, BUT, if the Cubs could bring back Todd Walker for one yr, sign Nomar to a decent 1 yr deal (cause in my eyes, Nomar is looking like he is close to 100% healthy, if he isn't there already) and use 2006 as a bridge for Cedeno, I would love to do that. Then the Cubs could go after Giles and/or Damon with my vengence.

Steve Nebraska was no Johnny Utah. Or Ron Mexico. Or Michael Davis. Or Brooks Kieshnick.