NorthsideAvenger

I dont think he's the greatest, but would probably be better than whats available. I'm not sure about that. I think Torre has benefit from having an owner with deep pockets, and a very good stuff. Torre hardly does any "in game" stratgey. I think if the chance the Cubs ever got Joe Torre, the Cubs would see the "Pre-Yankee" Torre who went 888-1003 with the Mets/Braves/Cards and the "Yankee" Torre. IMO, Torre, dare I say, isn't as great of manager as the NY Media (and ESPN for that matter) hyped him to be. In fact, I believe Girardi would be just a good of a manager in 2007 as Joe Torre, wherever Girardi ended up.

Dusty Baker. (ducks behind a 10 ft brick wall)

Agreed. I COULD live with Scott Moore at 3rd base, if it meant getting ARod. But I don't see how the Cubs can get ARod without parting with ARam. It's not feesible otherwise, IMO.

Talent aside. Myers is scum. I certainly don't want him in a Cubs uni. I would jump on Jennings in a heartbeat. I don't understand why Colorado would dump him, he is only making 4.5 mil I would say the same about Julio Lugo---whom some on this board wanted to play SS and/or 2b for the Cubs.

Seconded. Retaining Aramis is far more important than who our manager winds up being. That kind of treatment is reserve to players who are either the Face of the franchise (Derrek Lee) or the Franchise (Carlos Zambrano) players, and quite frankly, as much as I like ARam, he hasn't earn the right to have a say in the Cubs managerial search. Had he help carried the Cubs when Lee went down, he would have a say, but since he didn't show up to pretty much the 2nd half, he doesn't get that right. And if that means ARam leaves, then fine, I'm used to disappointment.

That would not get it done. Not even close. Schuerholz would not trade his franchise player in his prime for a possible #3 starter and a player with no long-term future for the Braves. We'd need to give up more, especially when we'd be competing against other teams for him. The problem KCF, is that Schuerholz has his hands "tied" into four players; Smoltz/Hudson/ and the Jones, who have large contracts. Smoltz is possibly a "trade deadline" chip he has...Chipper Jones no longers has a "definite position" and that he is "the Franchise" of Atlanta (and not AJ), and Hudson ain't worth the contract he got. Now Atl would prolly want somebody like Gallagher or Marmol along with Jones and Marshall to make their side of the deal worthwhile. Nonetheless AJ is so avalable, and don't be surprise at how much/how little it will take (in terms of players/prospects) to fetch him.

"Nefti, that dude, is going to save the Tigers. I mean, my gosh he can swing the bat from both sides of plates. He's like valuable, dude."

Andruw Jones, I say go after, but Vernon Wells, no thank you. Vernon has some pop, but his OBP is batting average driven. And while he is signifcantly better defensive, he really isn't much of an upgrade offensivel to Pierre (if you exclude his power). And the fact that Vernon is heading into his walk yr, and the rumors that he is considering asking for "Carlos Beltran type money" makes Wells a "stay away from" caliber player. I would focus on Andruw Jones.

I'd prefer "Uncle Lou" managing a Dairy Queen, or a McDonalds, and not the Cubs. I would love Girard, but I am slowly jumping on the Dierker bandwagon, even tho that is highly unlikely, as much as Vance wants it to be otherwise.

I've met him several times, and he was nice to me. So, of course, I will have nothing but nice things to say about him. Doesn't mean, I don't know his flaws, but I refused to focus on those flaws.

There are four reason why I became a Cub fan: 1: Andre Dawson 2: Ryne Sandberg 3: Shawon Dunston 4. Mark Grace With that said, just because I am a fan of the "1980'S Cubs Fantastic Four" doesn't mean I want any of them working for the Cubs in a personnel department. They will always be my favorites, but in no way shape or form, I want them making "personnel decisions."

Nonetheless, the DRays are going to hold what the Cubs eventually paid for Pierre against them. And the difference between ARam and Carl Crawford, is that Carl wasn't living on one yr of good production, like ARam was at the time of the trade. In fact, you can say Crawford has been more productive at the 5 yr mark of his major league career, then ARam at 5 yrs.<----In fact, I know Crawford has been more productive in his first 5 yrs then ARam. So the trade value for ARam was quite abit lower than what Crawford's is expected to be. So you can't compare Crawford's situation to ARam's "Pittsburgh days" situation. It's apples and oranges. And btw, Chuck Lemar ain't the DRays GM anymore, it's Andrew Friedman. So, we don't know the trading habits of Friedman. And while the DRays do have some valuable young OFers, coming up, that doesn't mean they have to take less value for Crawford. His power/speed combo is outstanding, and once he learns to be more patience, his OBP will increase and he will become an even bigger threat. The DRays are not going to trade Crawford just because he is "getting expensive." They are going to wait it out, and get their kind of deal, if not, he makes for an ATTRACTIVE deadline target in 07.

Wow. I wonder if Juan Pierre can even hit a homer on a little league field? I would like to him try.

So the jist here is that people want to "hear/see" what would happen if you get Morgan/Baker/Phillips/Kruk in the same room? The first thought I had was, "Are they remaking "The Stooges."

If you were running the DRays would you accept that deal? I sure as hell wouldn't. Then again, you don't get too many "Kazmir for V. Zambrano" type offers everyday. The Cubs screwed themselves, because if they were willing to give up three young, solid pitchers (nothing special, but solid arms) for Pierre, now imagine what the DRays could/should ask for, for the immensely more talented/better player in Carl Crawford. They should ask for both Gallagher and one of Pawelek/Veal/Hill/Marhsall.

Yeah, but Murton a better all-around hitter then Dunn. Eveyrbody loves the fact that he can nearly hit the moon with his power, and like his ability to take a pitch, but that's ALL he can do. Whereas Murton can produce a SIMILAR---and maybe in time---a BETTER OBP and is a better defender in LF then Dunn (Murton's average, but Dunn flat out makes him look like a GGer). The only thing Murton won't ever do .v. Dunn is outslug him. That doesn't break my heart. I don't think trading more young valuable pitching to get Dunn (and his soon to be VERY EXPENSIVE contract) is fisible plan, considering the Cubs already have Murton and have him CHEAP for next couple of yrs. So, IN MY OPINION, talking about Dunn is like beating a horse a to death, and it is highly unlikely to end up in Chicago. Now, I COULD see Dunn going to Detroit or Anaheim.

You don't know that, either. His OBP has steadily gone up since he's been on the D'Rays: .290 in 2002; .309 in 2003; .331 in '04 and '05; and .346 this year. It hasn't gone up dramatically, I guess, but with the exception of '04 and '05, it has gone up. IMO, that's a good trend.

Why does everyone think Crawford would make a difference on the Cubs? This year he is having a career year, and he wouldn't even be an improvement over the Cubs current OF's. Crawford .303 BA/.345 OBP /835 OPS Jones .287 BA/ .335 OBP/ .839 OPS Murton .298 BA/ .365 OBP/ .811 OPS It seems like the Cubs already have 2 similar players in the OF. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=5035 Look at his career...He has IMPROVE his game tremendously since his debut. And while his OBP isn't great even this yr, I suspect he will continue to make improve in that area, especially if he play 81 of his games at Wrigley. And what is impressive is his career stolen base percentage of 82% (225 SB to 47 caught stealing and compare that to the Cubs CURRENT CF Pierre who is at 74% or 324 SB to 115 caught stealing). So, defensively both are about average at best, but Crawford is SIGNIFICANTLY better then Pierre (Looking back at it, I rather have traded Nalscon/Pinto/Mitre for Crawford and not Pierre) that this is not fair. Average/OBP are generally the same, but Crawford hits for more power---then again my grandmother hits for more power then Pierre-, and Crawford is 4 yrs younger, and will be significantly cheaper then Pierre. Look, if Crawford becomes available---and not just a reporter gut feeling---I would hope Hendry does his best to get Crawford---especially with Pierre making it sound like he is targeting the White Sox as his next destination. In fact, outside of looking up ARam, I think Crawford should the #2 on Hendry's list of priorities.

I rather be in a fiddle contest with the devil, then try my hand at the hoedown. Unless someone is willing tosend Eva Longoria over to my house?

The fact that he's seemingly available via trade, only has 1 year left on his contract, plays good D and has an OPS over 800 interested me. Of course, I'd much rather have ARod, Miguel Cabrera or Troy Glaus, but I don't think they're available. And Morgan Ensberg intrigues me, but I'm not sure if Houston would trade him and what his injury situation is. If Aramis walks, what would be your plan for 3B? He's got as many red flags as Blalock, without the upside. He's older, was brutal in 2005, and has been terrible in the 2nd half of 2006. I'm not saying I want Hank, but if nothing about him interests you, nothing about Lowell should interest you either. Understood, but if Aramis walks, what would be your plan to backfill 3B? Hoops, I kknow the question is for gooney, but I am going to hijack it and give my two $.02. If ARam walks, I think the Cubs should stick Moore at third base (would be better then trading MORE young/cheap players for a guy like Blalock or Lowell), unless the Cubs get a bargain, which I don't' see happening.

So the question is: If Hendry recieved a phone call from the Devil Rays and is told that they are interested in moving Carl Crawford and are interested in three pitchers; Veal, Gallagher, and Hill. The DRays say they would trade Crawford for one of them (if they want two of them, they would have to include somebody like Brignac or even Joel Guzman) and a 2nbd tier solid prospect like Carlos Marmol or Juan Mateo? Anybody interested, or think Hendry might be interested?

Now there have been some swirling rumors that Miguel Tejada is NOW OUT OF POSITION at SS. Alot of baseball people think Tejada is a 3rd baseman playing SS (the reverse ARod, if you will). So, I'm thinking if ARam splits, why not Tejada for 3rd? That still leaves a whole at SS, I realize that, but that would make they POSSIBLY make a run at Julio Lugo for SS, and perhaps either Soriano or Lee for LF. (And no Hoops, I'm not a fan of Mike Lowell, and if Hendry allows Ramirez to walk and replace him with Lowell, he should be humilated)

Wake me up, when Snider reaches #1 prospect in ALL of minor league baseball. Until then, being the "best of a league" while impressive in itself, is still not the end all be all of a player's value/talent. Do I think Snider would have been a great pick for the Cubs sure....but, I am still a believer that Colvin is going to be a heck of a player.

Well...........d'uh. But hey on the season, the Cubs are at rock bottom, so they can't go any further.

I think the reason why MLB loves to put the Cubs playing the Reds on OPENING Day, is because both of these teams are two of the oldest teams in the majors. And I don't know maybe this trend of the Cubs playing the Reds in Cinci on the first day of the yr will continue. IMO, if that is the case, if the Cubs have to play the Reds on Opening Day in Cinci, then the Reds need to come to Chicago, on the Cubs home opener. It's only fair.