SoonerCubFan

1908 - thanks for the reply. I knew I had scanned that thread before. Next quick question - just how does one of these guys get "posted", what is the process?? Fukudome and Iwamura (despite the Ks) sound like just the kind of players I'd like to see us target. And again, has anyone heard conclusively that Ichiro is off the potential market for certain?

indifferent wrote: Fair enough. Let me revise it to say, good for regular season, mediocre for post-season.

Quick question - is there an authority on what players are out there from Japan that could possibly fill our RF opening and possibly be in the middle infield mix? They tend to be more consistently solid fundamentally and may provide a better alternative than some of the options we've been hearing about. Also, did I miss where Ichiro is definitively no longer a possible trade option?

HoopsCubs wrote: I'm not sure what you're thinking is here, and/or if I agree with it. Are you suggesting that Hendry is wrong not to want to trade Prior or Zambrano? To me, yes, if they were willking to part with these guys they could land almost any position player. We could add a Tejada and/or Cabrera type to the mix with Lee, Ramirez, Barrett and Pierre to make a formidable lineup. That would be a team that could win the NL Central with a mediocre staff - but then we'd be very vulnerable in postseason. Much like the recent Cardinal teams. As is, we've got a staff that is primed for winning in the postseason, but needs a more consistent scoring team behind them to win enough regular season games. I think solidifying the leadoff position will go a long way toward providing that more consistent scoring attack. Our bullpen should be much more dependable, not resulting in p.ssing way so many games. I think we're a lot closer to fielding a consistent winning team than we all think - and that it won't require major stars in RF or SS/2B to have it or trading away our aces to get it. To me, we just need to get a solid mid-level all around player in RF and maybe one or two more solid bench players and we'll be good to go, and will have the cash in place to be able to fine tune during the season.

StMarksCubs wrote: "Better bat, attitude, and no injuries!" Sulleymon wrote: "can we stop beating the chemistry horse now? i'm just wondering because it seems like we had a bunch of happy losers on this team last year, and they weren't likeable anyway. why do you care if players are smiling?" Personally, I think StMarks is correct in that Cairo is more fundamentally sound than many, including Hairston, we had on the team last year. He (or Vizcaino as another poster mentioned) would be a solid bench addition from that standpoint. It just depends on the moves made from here on. If we trade off Walker, it would open a slot for which either one of these guys would be an excellent fit. Let's just say that if we are in a tight game late next season, I'd rather see either of these guys up trying to advance the runner or get one in from 3rd with 1 out than many other options. But, Sulleymon is right in that our perceived attitude should not be a major factor - if the team wins EVERYONE has a good attitude. You gotta be winning first.

StMarksCubs wrote: "Better bat, attitude, and no injuries!" Sulleymon wrote: "can we stop beating the chemistry horse now? i'm just wondering because it seems like we had a bunch of happy losers on this team last year, and they weren't likeable anyway. why do you care if players are smiling?" Personally, I think StMarks is correct in that Cairo is more fundamentally sound than many, including Hairston, we had on the team last year. He (or Vizcaino as another poster mentioned) would be a solid bench addition from that standpoint. It just depends on the moves made from here on. If we trade off Walker, it would open a slot for which either one of these guys would be an excellent fit. Let's just say that if we are in a tight game late next season, I'd rather see iether of these guys up trying to advance the runner or get one in from 3rd with 1 out than many other options. But, Sulleymon is right in that our perceived attitude should not be a major factor - if the team wins EVERYONE has a good attitude. You gotta be winning first.

Personally, I wouldn't mind taking a chance with Player I: Player I- 2005: 286/412/520 Bats: Left Career: 287/393/514 Age: 30 Player I has immense skills that could explode into a montser year, could be a perfect #2 hitter behind Pierre or even #3 with the right mix, has excellent speed, good D to excellent D and is a superb baserunner. Not sure of his availablility, but I'd love to see it (right after Player H).