TXCubsFan

If this trade goes down, then it gives both the Cubs and the Os a chance later to complete the following rumored trade: Tejada for Hill, Pie, Dopirak, and Marmol/Wuertz/Novoa/other prospect. The Cubs will have cleared an IF spot on the roster for Tejada and the Os will have cleared an OF spot for Pie. The Cubs will have a backup CF (Matos) and the Os will have a backup 2B / 1B / DH (Walker).

As spring training was beginning, I wrote that the key for the Cubs was to keep Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano and Greg Maddux healthy. If those three guys are all right—and Prior has already fallen behind—then this team can be a pleasant surprise. Anything it gets from Wood—25 or 26 starts should still be possible after Monday's surgery—will be a bonus. And then, more likely than not, the Cubs will begin life after Kerry Wood, just as they began life after Sammy Sosa in 2004. Unless Wood returns as a world-beater, this will probably be his last season in Chicago. http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/columnists/cs-060304rogerswood,1,914438.column?coll=cs-cubs-utility[/url]

A Graf / Hairston platoon seems likely. Would this trade indicate that the Cubs think that EPatt might be starting in Wrigley in 2007 (or part of a platoon)?

Bruce, Thanks! A very nice gesture to cover the game for us.

What happened to the picture of the girl and the bong that you just posted? Wasn't sure it was within the Mods' guidelines.

That is a very silly rumor.

Which raises a good question, "When does Wood transition from a starter to a power closer?"

Frankly, Dunn would have more value to an AL team where he could play 1B/DH, which would limit his defensive liabilities. I DON'T see a trade for him within the NL Central.

I've been saying all along that I thought Dusty would play Walker at 2b if he were still on the team. Let's hope that happens. Typical superficial Cub-bashing by BP. They really don't understand the situation either in LF or 2B. I'm wondering what about that analysis is causing problems for you. Everyone in the Cubs organizatin recognizes that Murton is going to be the everyday LF for the Cubs, INCLUDING DUSTY. BP assumes that because Murton and Cedeno are young that Dusty can't wait to replace them with Neifi! and Hairston. Dusty can be faulted for being extra cautious, if somewhat outright biased, against rookies, but he's not stupid. Saying Hairston may get "some time" in LF is hardly replacing him. I would be and am very worried about Neifi taking time away from Cedeno, especially with Neifi's lefthandedness. TT, I understand your concerns, but I'm optimistic. Dusty might play Neifi! at SS 20-25 games, but his numbers against LHP, especially SLG, would be acceptable if he bats 7th or 8th. Cedeno, I believe, will play against most RHP. Dusty has a rudimentary understanding of splits (and I say rudimentary, given his use of Remlinger), and Dusty mentioned that he might start Grissom in RF against tough LHP. http://cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060207&content_id=1307836&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc Dusty has his frustrating quirks, but again, he's not stupid, and Hendry has tried to compensate for Dusty's weaknesses. Many on this board were wondering why Dubois or Choi weren't playing more. I find it interesting that other organizations don't seem all that high on those two either. The only prospect that the Cubs gave away was Willis, but given the Choi for Lee trade, I consider trading with the Marlins over the past five years a wash.

I met my wife, who is from Melbourne, on a two-week bus trip in Spain in 2001. The internet and a couple of visits to the US on her part turned a very nice friendship into romance ... and we're now living in suburban Austin.

I've been saying all along that I thought Dusty would play Walker at 2b if he were still on the team. Let's hope that happens. Typical superficial Cub-bashing by BP. They really don't understand the situation either in LF or 2B. I'm wondering what about that analysis is causing problems for you. Everyone in the Cubs organizatin recognizes that Murton is going to be the everyday LF for the Cubs, INCLUDING DUSTY. BP assumes that because Murton and Cedeno are young that Dusty can't wait to replace them with Neifi! and Hairston. Dusty can be faulted for being extra cautious, if somewhat outright biased, against rookies, but he's not stupid.

I've been saying all along that I thought Dusty would play Walker at 2b if he were still on the team. Let's hope that happens. Typical superficial Cub-bashing by BP. They really don't understand the situation either in LF or 2B.

From where in Australia?

I want to thank UK, Craig, Scotti, Tim and others who provided the rest of us with an insightful and thought-provoking thread. Discussions like these are the reason why this website is one of the best in baseball. =D>

How much did Brownlie hurt his arm through his contract holdout?

Would it be appropriate to list #11-30 (without details) on this thread to facilitate discussion?

I found one interesting stereo-type buster in working with the Cubs. I asked once about a pitcher's batting-average-against stat. I was told the Cubs look more at the pitcher's OBP-against stat because it lets them know if he walks a lot of guys. They're coming around to it. I think that's encouraging. I think the trades that netted Murton, Ciaramella, and Spears show that the Cubs are starting to be more balanced in their player acquisitions. In the late 1990s, didn't they draft some super-tooled players that couldn't actually hit? (No Corey jokes, please)

BP has a strong anti-Cub bias - they would criticize almost any move the Cubs make. IF JJ is platooned, he can be a very useful player, and the Cubs needed another LH bat in the lineup after Corey cratered. I also think that Murton or Cedeno will eventually be the #2 hitter on the Cubs. Doesn't anyone here think that JJ will be traded during the middle of his contract?

Against RHP, bat Jones second. Against LHP, bat Hairston or Cedeno second.

Bruce, From all of us long-suffering Cub fans .... =D> =D> =D> =D>

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie!

Perhaps the Cubs will use a Neifi!/Hairston platoon at 2B for the next year or two until EPatt is ready?

That's a good question, I'd feel more confident in ATL making that decision. Pie would've had better instructors during his ascent to the majors as well as having more confidence in their decision makers as far as him being ready compared to the Cubs making that same decision. Once he got to the majors, you have Bobby Cox compared to Baker, Cox dwarfs Baker as a manager and ATL has better instructors at the Major League level as well. Comparing the track record of the Cubs and Braves as far as position players, is a model of success vs. a model of futility as far as drafting and developing quality position players. Is it that you don't think much of Zisk + Joshua or do you just think that much of the Braves instructors? I always though UK loved Zisk. The cubs players seem to start to fade high in the minors - this is very troubling. I don't think it's solelyCubs coaching. Cedeno is doing very well at a young age. Choi has been with two other teams and hasn't improved much. Bobby Hill hasn't done much either.

Just my gut feelings here: As long as Jim Hendry still wants to be the Cubs' GM in 2007, I'd say there is a 99% probability of him having that role in 2007. I'd say only a 90-loss type season in 2006 will cost him his job. Mind you, I don't personally think Hendry has earned another contract, but it's very unlikely that MacPhail and Fitzsimons would let him go. On the flipside, if Dusty Baker still wants to be the Cubs' field manager in 2007, I'd say he needs to guide them into the playoffs in 2006. Mr. Hoops' post is pretty much right on. Neither DePodesta nor Epstein will be the Cubs' general manager any time soon. Jim Hendry is likely safe through 2008. We're all entitled to our opinions, and certainly Hendry has had some successes and failures. The one charge I found unfair in this thread was that he somehow wrecked the farm system. Huh? Take a gander at a Cubs media guide from, say, 1995, 1996 or 1997. When you get through heaving, take a look at it now. In the interim, the Cubs have stepped up _ no, more like created _ a presence in Latin America. Having a good farm system means two things: moving players up to your own big-league team and giving the organizaton good, low-cost alternatives to expensive free agents, and using the farm system to make trades. Obviously, the Cubs have done better in the latter category _ see Bobby Hill, Hee Seop Choi and others. A few years earlier, the Cubs would not have had the minor-league talent to fetch an Aramis Ramirez or a Derrek Lee, two star players nowadays. Hendry also drafted Jon Garland, who was foolishly traded away by Ed Lynch. They all haven't worked out: Ben Christensen, Todd Noel and, at least so far, Luis Montanez. But overall, the Cubs' farm system is light years ahead of where it was a decade ago. Ah yes, the days when the Cubs brought up Andrew Lorraine and Micah Bowie from the minors to replace injured starters.

Now that a deal for Tejada is unlikely, how does Hendry go about getting the team ready for 2006?