soccer10k

What do you think the chances are that Wood goes to the Yankees as a FA, they give him a two-year deal, and it turns into gold for both parties? I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if he went anywhere else next year and was healthy.

Could not agree with you more. I'm not shocked nor am I bummed. I'm glad we will be without Wood starting next year. Time to move on already! So let's see next years staff so far. Z Prior (we'll see) Marshall MARMOL!!! Everything else looks up in the air. Fixed. Hey, I can hope can't I?

It depends on your definition of "possibly". With the right deal, we are possibly trading for ARod and Tejada and Abreu and Cabrera. That said, I seriously doubt that happens. Carlos Lee is more likely. He is overrated, we will overpay, and he will suck when he gets here. We could possibly win the World Series this year as well.

I know - but you don't often get German teams starting like this - or even scoring goals like this. The defence has been a joke - Mertrsacke in particular. In 2002, Germany beat Saudi Arabia 8-0 in their first game. I know it's Saudi Arabia, but 8-0 is 8-0 in a World Cup game.

Their defense needs to pick it up though. They'll make it to the knockout phase, but with a suspect defense, they won't make it far. Costa Rica isn't exactly a world class team.

I don't need stats. I can tell with my eyes alone that this team is horrible.

Germany's offsides trap isn't doing so well today. The last goal was questionable, but with the way Costa Rica has been attacking, Germany is playing with fire. Hopefully there will be an entertaining final 15 minutes.

Only Cubs players throw towels.

I'm not surprised in the least.

GOAL!!!

IT BEGINS!!!

Yep, basically. If Brazil wins their group and the US finishes second in theirs, they will play. Of course, if the US wins their group and Brazil finishes second in theirs, they'll still play each other. So most realistic hope for the US is to get to a game vs Brazil and not get embarrassed? The US could win their group. I wouldn't favor them to win the group, but with the way the games are, I wouldn't be surprised if we did. On the other hand, I could see the US finishing last as well.

Yankees of the World Cup: Brazil Cubs of the World Cup: USA White Sox of the World Cup: Mexico Two things: 1. I would say that if anybody on the US team is like Steve Nash, it would be Claudio Reyna not Donovan 2. It should read: Cardinals of the World Cup = Mexico (same division, same qualifying region)

Bingo.

25 MINUTES!!!!

Shortest thread of the year so far.

Ramirez is a righty, so the Cubs have a chance.

they still have about $140 million of payroll playing tho right? a better comparison to the cubs is st. louis w/out pujols. And you know the Boss is already searching for a replacement.

Which is crazy, especially for the White Sox. Agreed. The Cards I could see not wanting to trade with because they are in our divison. But we play the White Sox 6 times a year and don't have to compete with them for a playoff spot. I think the Boss would MUCH rather trade with the Mets than the Red Sox.

I was going to say the exact same thing. Bell for Sosa trumps almost any trade in the history of baseball. Not every trade...cough Babe Ruth cough...but almost any.

Going down the list of players that could be traded. I'm not including the young guys like Marshall and Cedeno that are cheap (and will be for a couple years) because I'm assuming Hendry won't get rid of them. This is also assuming the Cubs are completely out of it by the middle of July. If they have a chance at the division and/or wild card (i.e. Cincinnati stumbles, the Cards suffer w/out Pujols, and Houston doesn't recover), Hendry will be a buyer not a seller Dempster, Eyre, and Howry: aren't going anywhere Maddux: could be traded if he wants to be but the Cubs probably won't get much in return unless Maddux picks up his performance. Novoa: unlikely anybody wants him Ohman, Rusch: could just because they are lefties and could be part of a package. this also depends on injuries that team suffer. Williamson: could be traded depending on injuries and assuming he gets healthy Wood: I don't think he'll be traded. If he pitches well, Hendry will keep him. If he doesn't pitch well or gets injured, nobody will want him Barrett: not going anywhere Lee: see above Nevin: most likely to be traded because we have Lee. Perez: I don't see anybody wanting him, we're stuck with him but could go as part of a package Ramirez: not going anywhere unless he's part of a REALLY good deal Walker: we shopped him in the offseason so he'll get traded and he's a FA after the year Womack: if somebody wants him. also depends on if Neifi or Walker get traded Jones: he'll get traded if something good in return is offered, otherwise he'll stay Mabry: could be traded if there's an offer Pierre: FA after the year so if somebody wants him, he'll get traded

It's close though. Definately doesn't sound good for Yankee fans, but sounds great for the rest of us.

On the eve (well, morning of) the World Cup, this poll seems appropriate. I only included the top contenders. If you pick another team, please specify. I'll probably start another poll after the group stage is over.

I give it a month before a name gets leaked. Maybe two months. Something will come out, it's all a matter of time - just like Jason Giambi's grand jury testimony.

flip saunders Phil Jackson + Michael Jordan >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Flip Saunders + Detroit Pistons I know the Bulls had other players, but Jordan's competativeness could be unparalled. I know professional athletes are competative, but Jordan was beyond that IMO.