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?

This trade is not happening. There is not Cubs source who would ever, ever e-mail or utter such a thing. Believe what you will. Curses! I would have liked that deal, especially if Clement were thrown in. Isn't Clement out for most of, if not all, 2007?

Just saw that myself. What does this do the FA pitching market? Looks like it might begin at around 8MM a season.

I hate to be THAT guy but could define r correlation? the numbers you posted appear to be very useful but I just am not sure I understand what they mean.

No one's saying his 2004 production was bad, just expecting it to ever occur again or get close isn't a good idea. We shouldn't be concerned on what he has done, just what he will do. He didn't have a terrible BABIP last season. It was slightly worse than average. His 2004 and 2005 were bigger anamolies and helped him. He had it coming. 2004: 14.1 LD%, .272 BABIP against 2005: 18.0 LD%, .287 BABIP against 2006: 17.3 LD%, .322 BABIP against I'd say that his 2006 is much more flukish, and I think you could make the argument that 2004 and 2005 aren't too out of whack either. Not trying to nitpick here but I think his 2005 breaks down as: 20.1 LD%; .295 BABIP either way this guy is going to be cheaper than FA that may or may not give similar numbers. He'll be cheaper in salary. As Tim has stated it comes down to cost. Now we can either sign a FA pitcher for 8-10+ million for 3-4 years or get this guy for a year for some marginal talent and then let him walk and get the picks for him. He was a Type A this year if I am reading Elias correctly. So that's a potential 1st-round pick. edit: I, in no way, endorse going after this guy for anything but low cost. In fact, if we can get rid of an Eyre or Izturis in the deal all the better as that frees up additional cash for FA. it'd be nice to get Peralta in the deal somehow but that's distracting from the debate on hand.

Wuertz is a potential closer and provides superb value out of the pen. I've got no issues trading Eyre or Izturis for Westbrook and would welcome him with open arms if that's the price we pay. We can add in a Marshall without causing me too much heartburn. But I don't want to trade anyone that I actually want on the team in 2007 for him when we can sign an equivalent guy without losing talent. that's a valid point concerning Wuertz. However, for what Westbrook costs compared to what the FA market is commanding I'd rather just stick with a guy like Westbrook and invest that money into the offense.

This guy basically needs really good defense behind him on the infield. From everything I am seeing statwise his BB and K rates have been consistent for 3 straight years. As a few others have said his ERA and WHIP are going to be tied to his BABIP. If he can get his LD% down just a few points he can be even more successful. Being the NL should help raise his K-rate a smidge maybe. He's an average pitcher that appears to rely on luck. Not a guy you give up a lot for but cheaper than a lot of the FA the Cubs are rumored to be interested in and seemingly just as effective. He may not have the "ceiling" of a Meche or Padilla but you know what you're going to get. I'd have no problem giving up an Eyre or Wuertz and marshall as I believe the original rumor has stated. Marshall probably could do just as well but his health seems to be a question mark and Westbrook is definitely an innings eater that is going to give the Cubs an ERA around league average.

I think it was Ken Rosenthal, who said last night after the DeRosa signing that the Cubs looked like they were trying to package a young pitcher, either Cedeno or Theriot and Jacque Jones to get a corner OF with power. Something does seem up. If his name is Miguel Cabrera I'll be a happy camper. I was thinking Burrell, but they don't really need a middle infielder. Boston for Manny? Cabrera could always go back to LF. But I wouldn't be unhappy in the least the Manny.

I think it was Ken Rosenthal, who said last night after the DeRosa signing that the Cubs looked like they were trying to package a young pitcher, either Cedeno or Theriot and Jacque Jones to get a corner OF with power. Something does seem up. If his name is Miguel Cabrera I'll be a happy camper.

I believe his OBP numbers took a big hit due to some hand/finger injuries. My guess is he rebounds with a very solid year. If he is truly a buy-low candidate it's worth the risk. he has a strong probability of coming back and giving an above-average production year.

That might be the best part about him. I don't really want Roberts. He's old, and he has serious leg issues. But he's been better than Juan Pierre during their careers. Roberts' peak years were a bit better than Pierre's, and his worst year wasn't as bad. Plus, the past two seasons, he's been significantly better. If Roberts costs $2.5m, he's a nice option to have. Aside from the lack of productivity, Pierre's biggest knock against him was the cost to acquire, as well as the cost to keep. This is how I feel about Ray Durham. He's more productive but hasn't been near 162 games played since he was with the White Sox. If the Cubs decide they have to go after a "prototypical" leadoff hitter than I'd rather go with Roberts. He'll more than likely be the cheapest in terms of money and years.