CUBZ99

Leverage, what leverage? As Bruce Miles stated on this forum just a few days ago Corey was not a hot name at all throughout the baseball world. Well, you've made the point for me. He had no leverage. At all. Thus, it makes more sense to gamble into creating some leverage through 1) better play at the ML level; 2) better play at AAA; or 3) need created though injury in ST or the first part of the season. Negotiating is all about leverage. Trading players without any is just stupid when you know a player has talent (e.g. Corey). If it were some clown like Macias, when you are unlikely to get anything more than you've seen over his stay with the Cubs, then the likelihood of gaining leverage is low if not non-existent. But, that isn't the case with Corey. It is bad negotiating, pure and simple. It is always easier to make comments like this after the fact. Sure if Hendry would have had any idea that Corey would have turned out as bad as he did, I'm sure he would have traded him when he had "leverage." Instead, he took a gamble that Corey would improve and Patterson floundered. Last year, Hendry sent him to AAA to get his stuff together, he called him up late in the year and the Cubs even let him get significant playing time, possible to increase his trade value. Sooner or later you have to cut bait and get what you can get. The fact that the Cubs were able to get anything for him is remarkable and with Corey going to ST as a 5th OF or AAA bound, it is hard to see how he would have increased his trade value.

no he wouldn't Didn't say he would. Said he could. oh ok. then no he couldn't. Why not? why not? Because if anyone actually thought he could put up Soriano numbers anywhere, why would the cubs trade him? Texas isn't that much of a difference than Wrigley. yes, it is, and yes he could. Neifi could put up Soriano numbers if he played in Texas. But in all likelihood it just isn't going to happen.

Not true, Don Baylor went on record and had some pretty revealing comments about CPatt's attitude problem and the probability that CPatt would never reach his potential. So to put the blame squarely on Baker is wrong. Can you provide a link or something? I believe Baylor mentioned something about Patterson not being able to reach his potential, but I have never once even remotely heard anyone say anything bad about Patterson's attitude or work ethic. Corey was praised for coming back from his knee injury so fast. Stone, Caray, Kasper, Brenly, Baker and Hendry have all said that Corey works hard to get the extra time with coaches, but it doesn't translate on the field. The only people who have said he has an attitude problem are people who say he looks emotionless when striking out. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A62715-2004Feb22.html "The Chicago Cubs center fielder was knocked as too impatient during his rookie season two years ago. He didn't listen. He didn't know the strike zone. Even former manager Don Baylor criticized him, saying last spring he might wind up as another Oddibe McDowell - a speedster who never quite lived up to lofty expectations." The sad thing is they have comparable numbers. Thank you for taking the time to find the quote. It was particularly telling to hear those comments (and more) from Don Baylor, who was more than willing to give Corey every chance possible to be successful. I'm not saying that Baker is a good manager, but he had little to do with Corey's failures.

Not true, Don Baylor went on record and had some pretty revealing comments about CPatt's attitude problem and the probability that CPatt would never reach his potential. So to put the blame squarely on Baker is wrong.

I'm pretty sure that Kaplan broke the Sosa trade last year.

If the Cubs trade Walker who else is left to play 2b? IMO when Neifi signed his $5M the Cubs were planning on starting him. On a positive note, the IF defense should look alot better.

it wouldnt matter because the cubs are pretty much skipping junes draft this year. not the 1st round. Hopefully there will be a quality unpolished pitcher that throws 95+ avail when the Cubs get ready to pick.

I am hoping that Brownlie is finally going to come to spring training healthy and reverts back to the guy the Cubs thought they were getting when they drafted him.

Can Rusch be traded?

Augie should not be on a major league roster. He's Rey Ordonez without the bat. He's not on the major league roster. Last year the Cubs did the same thing by signing Cody Ransom (a guy who was actually coached by Baker in SF, I think) and he never saw the major league roster once.

I'm not sure what this means. I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic. Is there such a thing as being over dramatic with this team? :lol: Point taken.

I'm not sure what this means. I think he means that some people are being a little over dramatic.

1 year / $4M Wow, nice job by the Stros.

These guys are spring training invitees, not major free agent signings. It seems like every year the Cubs give a handful of people spring training invites and most of them don't have any shot at making the team.

Doesn't seem like much of a loss, its not like he was going to turn around the Cubs offense or play much beside PH. How much did he sign with the Indians for?

The fact that Hendry was shopping JVB and this was the best offer he could get is a pretty good indication about his "value". Sorry to say, but obviously there weren't many teams tripping over themselves to have JVB on their 40 man roster. BTW, to say that the Cubs would have lost Hagerty if he would have stayed healthy is missing the point. The main reason he was left exposed was health concerns. Leicester was out of options and I don't see any way he was making the opening day 25 man roster so he was gone after ST anyway. I think that is the whole point, why trade a decent prospect while his value is low, when it is unecessary? The Cubs have plenty of guys on the 40 man that have no business being there and JVB does have some potential to be a decent/above average middle reliever. Instead, Hendry chose to sell him off for almost nothing.

The problem is the Cubs don't have anybody more promising than Kelton ready to take 460 ABs in a corner OF spot in Iowa. Who do they have slated for the OF? Greenberg, Sing, Bacon, Creighton & Montanez ended last year at AA. So probably some mix of them, though not sure if Montanez will be in AAA. I would like to see Creighton and Montanez spend a little more time at AA, but I don't know if that will be the case since there seems to be a shortage right now. Greenberg, Pie, Bacon, and Sing are all likely candidates, but I could see Sing possibly taking over 1B for Hoffpauir after starting in AA. I think he would benefit from a little more time there. Then again, we need to find a spot for Matt Ciaramella (PTBNL for JVB), possibly at AA. When was he named PTBNL?

nothing wrong with ST invite imo.

So is the Grissom signing coming soon?

Last week during Jim Hendry's radio interview he was asked about whether he was concerned about the depth of pitching in the Cubs minor league system. It seemed like he mentioned that this year there are some exciting players from outside of the US that will be making their debuts in the Cubs system thanks to the scouting of Oneri Flieta (sp?) and then talked about how the Cubs had been sucessful in the past with those types of signings (Zambrano, Guzman, Cruz, etc. ) Does anyone have an idea of who these new pitchers will be? and are there scouting reports available on South American amateur pitchers?

Kaplan said that he heard that Hendry was pushing hard to acquire Zito, and P. Sullivan said that he had heard that from his sources also.

WGN radio is reporting that Hendry is making a serious push to acquire Zito. Don't know if that means anything, due to his inability to make most deals this winter, but it was interesting to hear.

Not necessarily. Depends heavily on a bounceback from Pierre, who is playing 2B, how often Neifi plays, whether Murton can get the job done and/or what veteran Dusty replaces him with. There's a good chance they'll get solid OBP from 1B and 3B. They should have above average OBP from CF. Barrett's game is more about his AVG and SLG than OBP, but he could be above average for C (though you have to remember Blanco will get lots of time and significantly bring down the overall OBP from that position). You can't just say the OBP is good from 6 of 8 so let's ignore it. The Cubs have a clear OBP problem, and it's directly tied to lack of walks. That problem hasn't gone away. The goal should not be about being average, or even above average in this department anyway, it should be about being great. But the Cubs were awful and are probably still below average. The Cubs had a higher OBP than the White Sox and Astros last year. It is not the only number that matters. .324 vs. .322 for both of them. Cubs OBP is not the biggest problem, as you point out it was higher although very close to the two World Series teams. However, the Sox and Astros both had top 4 pitching staffs in terms of ERA. Without better pitching, the Cubs are going to finish around .500 again. That is why I can't believe they are even considering trading Prior.

Hyperbole. That trade would've been far worse than this move. As a side note, making Jones a platoon player wouldn't be that bad a move, as Jones is actually a major league hitter against righties. Of course, Murton's AB's would then be quite limited. Murton's splits are much better vs. LHP anyway.

Jones is actually a very good hitter vs. RHP. Only problem is that you would be paying him $6M a year to platoon. Also, didn't realize that Murton's numbers vs. RHP weren't so great.