jtownie

Thanks for updates Bruce. it'd be interesting to know what they were discussing when Hendry was gesturing to Z.

Considering the rumors of being sold and Hendry only having two years left, anyone on the outside might see the job as a bit unstable.

In the last line of Rosenthal's article he mentions how Alex Rios could be expendable for pitching. Rios is a Wilken guy and so I wouldn't put it past the Cubs to go after him. He'd be a good addition to the team while still being in his peak years.

I'm trying to find the article but with the Wells extension in Toronto there is speculation that Alex Rios could become available. Although it's speculated that his cost would START with a team's top pitching prospect.

Could this mean Texas plans to non-tender Wilkerson? He'd cost nothing in prospects and could potentially return to form and be very productive in CF.

That's a good point. He'd probably end up with the Giants as rotoworld was speculating that he might be too expensive for the Padres. Still, if he was an option is he worth pursuing?

Not sure if this guy has been brought up but David Wells is considering making a comeback. I think I could live with Wells on a 1-year contract.

I was going to say shoulder. But hand sounds just as correct. Maybe both!

Theres no one really " just south" of us besides St Louis.. But who? There's this one team about 8 miles directly south...umm, what's the name. OH YEAH, the White Sox.

Starting to look like somewhere in the bowels of a backroom in Orlando, Hendry got the final word that Schmidt either wasn't interested in Chicago, or only would be if the money was incredibly high, or wanted 5 years, or whatever. I agree, *sigh* I'm starting to believe this as well. If Seattle is willing to go 4/56 or something like that, it may mean Hendry would have to do better than 4/60 to get him to come to Chicago. My feeling is Hendry doesn't believe he can land Schmidt, so he decided not to try. Or Hendry is doing his best to keep his interest in Schmidt hidden and will come out and get him under the radar. I hope it is the latter, but greatly fear it is the former. Let's assume Schmidt is not do-able for whatever reason. My question is, why haven't we heard more stories or rumors linking the Cubs and Vicente Padilla in the last 72 hours? He's certainly better than Lilly, correct? And what's the difference between paying 4 years and $38M for Lilly and 4 years and $44M for Padilla? Hendry must be infatuated with this lefty thing - only explanation I can think of unless Padilla is asking for more than $11M per year or is asking for 5 or 6 year contract duration. Barring those, I see no good reason to sign Lilly without taking a shot at signing Padilla. JMO. Hoops I think it's because Padilla's agent is currently trying to get an extension done with the Rangers. If that doesn't happen over the next day or two my guess is that those rumors are going to pick up.

Am I losing my mind or has that section on the Lofton/Cubs whispers has been deleted from the article?

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones? They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility. Is it a real possibility to think the Cubs will look to deal Murton and Jones and also try to get a bigger bat in LF and just put the LH-bat of Pie in CF? although, as a few others have said, if the Cubs truly want an impact LH bat they could just sign Bonds. It's highly doubtful they'd trade BOTH Murton and Jones. They're not assuming Pie will be ready on Opening Day. They won't sign Bonds. Whoops I meant Murton OR Jones. So then we can just assume one of the two will be the starting LF or is an impact bat like Manny more reality than dream scenario? Not that it will happen but not out of the realm of possibility. Which bats are even available for CF that hit LH and won't block Pie? I think Vance mentioned Lofton. He's the only one I see that might only sign a 1-year deal. Interesting off-season! Thanks Bruce!

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones? They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility. Is it a real possibility to think the Cubs will look to deal Murton and Jones and also try to get a bigger bat in LF and just put the LH-bat of Pie in CF? although, as a few others have said, if the Cubs truly want an impact LH bat they could just sign Bonds.

Two lesser free agents in the rotation unless something happens with Schmidt that changes everybody's minds and allows him to come here. For now, they'll pencil Jones in center. If they can find a left-handed bat who can play CF, they'll try to trade Jones. The wild card is Pie. If he tells the Cubs he's ready (by his play, of course), he could be in CF sometime in 2007. The center-field situation is very fluid right now. I expect a lot of activity in Orlando next week. I can think of two LH bats that are/might be available...Roberts and Ichiro. I believe Roberts is expected to sign with the Giants correct? I also take that Murton is not being moved unless I am reading too much into this from B Miles.

Chris Ray for Adam Dunn wouldn't be that far-fetched would it?