NorthsideAvenger

A little pessamistic aren't we? I think he is stating the facts. Lilly + Marquis = 17+ Million. Why not just overpay for Zito with that $$$? Zambrano + Zito is a pretty good 1-2 punch. You don't have to turn your head far to find pessimism on this board. That's fine you say that, all I gotta do is twitch my head to see someone else say Zito will suck at Wrigely since he's such a flyball pitcher. BTW, you are not arguing his case. He said an ace and 4, #5's. Which is absolutely ridiculous. Hill has the potential to be a bonified #2, probably an ace in a couple of years. Miller is already a solid #4 by the way he was already pitching TWO MONTHS ago, while still rehabbing. Lilly is atleast a #4, and Marquis could also be a #4, #3. I'm no stat guru, but I THINK the average for "number 5 pitchers" ERA was probably just above 5.0. Last time I checked Marquis and Lily have carreer ERA's close to 4.5. I know alot of us love to be pessamistic about EVERYTHING cubs. But statements like that are absolutely silly. A #1 and 4 #5's. Please. :roll: The Cards seem to get the breaks when it comes to turning around pitchers, but they've missed, also. I believe Marquis will be a pitcher that simply was not a fit in St. Lou. I hope Marquis comes into ST and with "chip on his shoulder" and wants to prove to St. Lou that he is the pitcher they thought he was when they trade JD Drew for. I expect a great season out of Marquis in 2007. I know some people will laugh at me, go head (wait for the laughing to subside), but I honestly believe Marquis will be a surprise hit for the Cubs.

wolf stansson; As Jericho mention, would you believe Chicago papers on rumors dealing with the Cardinals? For example if the DailyHerald is reporting...the Cards are planning to extend Braden Looperi ( hypothetically speaking) 5 yrs at nearly $11 mill per, would you believe Chicago papers, or St. Louis papers who have them extended 2 yrs at $8 mill? You see where we are getting at? Not saying St. Lou papers aren't legit, but they aren't totally reliable when it comes to rumors about the Cubs. Besides Bruce Miles over at DailyHerald is saying there is a offer on the table that is for 1 yr with an vesting option, which totally blows St. Lou "rumors" out of the water.

I don't buy the STLTODAY.com report that the Cubs are EVEN considering a 3 yr $28 mill deal. That "report" seems so Phil Rogers, is not even funny. Bruce Miles in the Dailyherald is saying the Cubs are considering a 1 yr deal with "vesting options." So, I don't know stltoday.com is getting 3 yrs $28 mill, but I doubt that's true.

I like it, if it is one yr with a vesting option. I know Mazzone and Duncan are two of the better pitching coaches in baseball, but BOTH are known to have some misses with their hits. So, I think the talent is there for Marquis, but can Rothschild fix what Mazzone (who is OVERRATED, btw) and Duncan couldn't? Who knows.

Ouch....BURN Kelso, is that you?

That has to be the most positive sounding post I have ever seen from you about the Cubs! :lol: Ok, people, we need to start an investigation leading into gooney's whereabouts. (CSI themes plays)

Cubs are stacked in the bullpen. They don't need more bullpen arms. I would be very cautious dealing Marshall. Not too many 6'7 left-handers can throw with control. I love how he keeps himself cool and calm under pressure. First: Just because the Cubs are "stacked in the bullpen" doesn't mean the Cubs bullpen is any good. Outside of Howry/Erye/Ohman, the Cubs bullpen is full of ??? and crappy pitchers. So I think the upside of Wagner is greater then that of guys like Novoa/Wuertz, etc. And I like Marshall, but if the Cubs can fill two needs with one stone, then you do it. Marshall may never be anything more then a 4/5 starter in the majors, and those are expendable.

About Church's "attitude", that's nothing a change of scenery can't fixed. I mean if Carl Everett can keep landing a job, or Milton Bradley, keeps landed on his feet, then Church is a walk in the part. I still like to see a Mateo/Marshall for Church/Wagner deal, tho.

Heck, if the Cubs could've kept Josh Hamilton, included him in a deal for Kearns/Church would have been a no-brainer.

I fully expect Wainwright to be a starter for you next year. Not that it is a bad thing. Personally, they need to keep him as a closer. He was nasty as closer. I think Wainwright loses value as a starter.

Don't know if this is been posted already, if it has, I apologize, and delte it: http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/ny-spbbnotes075006003dec07,0,2085755.story?coll=ny-sports-headlines Extra bases

Jones for Newhan? Baltimore better be offering either Hayden Penn, Nick Markakis, or Adam Loewen along with Newhan (not that I want Newhan, anyways). But Jones for Newhan, Hendry should have just busted out laughing.

I wonder if the Cubs could possibly get Zach Grienke? :-k

That's a pretty old report. It is because Meche's "heart" has him leaning towards the Cubs. Wasn't there a report that said that Meche would decided by tonight?

Wait...didn't the White Sox trade him to Philadelphia for Jim Thome?

Maybe I am still living off the hype of Gavin Floyd, but I like this deal for the Sox. I think the Phillies are going to regret trading Floyd.

Awww....memories.

(Doing the jerk dance) IN YOUR FACE, sucka............. 8-)

So, some people enjoy Randall Simon watching him and swing at everything, yet somebody like Darlye Ward becomes available for the bench, and people are going....yuck? I don't get it. Ward is a fine signing, and I believe he will make people forget the Cubs had John Mabry (if people have already forgotten). Again this is a fine signing, if true.

Carl Spackler would agree.

LaRouche for Gonzalez? Good move for both teams. Braves get their closer (with a nice set up man in Soriano) and the Pirates get a young first baseman to help protect Jason Bay. But don't look know but...the Pirates have Bay/Castillo/Sanchez/Paulino, and if the Gonzalez for LaRouche deal happens, the Pirates are building a very nice young stable of hitters. Why would Atlanta trade for another pitcher when they have fat man and now Soriano? Why don't you ask the Braves that?

So the Cubs have an offer out to Lilly, Meche, and Suppan? Mark Prior, and Wade Miller YA'LL both better be healthy and READY to go in 2007. I know, I know, I am asking ALOT, but hey, I like to dream.

I'd take Suppan in a heartbeat over Lilly/Meche. But since it looks like the Cubs are close to Meche, if you believe Seattle, then the Cubs had better hope that one of Guzman/Prior/Miller steps their game up BIG time, or the Cubs, once again will have an mediocre, yet expensive, rotation.

Exactly. If the Cubs lose at on both Lilly and Meche, the Cubs should focus on trying to get Jason Jennings, Jake Westbrook, and perhaps even Joe Blanton. So how again was signing Soriano going to make the Cubs an attractive spot for FA? I mean Lilly prefers to pitch in NY or the West Coast (so the Cubs would be "last choice" for Lilly), Jason Schmidt stays in Cali and will sign with LA (he won't sign with the Cards) and Gil Meche is close to signing a deal in Toronto. I know I should be happy that these mediocre pitchers are signing elsewhere (excluding Schmidt), but wasn't signing Soriano suppose to make the Cubs an attractive place to sign?

LaRouche for Gonzalez? Good move for both teams. Braves get their closer (with a nice set up man in Soriano) and the Pirates get a young first baseman to help protect Jason Bay. But don't look know but...the Pirates have Bay/Castillo/Sanchez/Paulino, and if the Gonzalez for LaRouche deal happens, the Pirates are building a very nice young stable of hitters.