CUBZ99

He most certianly does not fill any need. Walker can lead off just fine Cedeno can cover SS just fine The Cubs current needs: 1. OBP 2. OBP 3. RF 4. OBP 5. Left handed bat 6. Someone to tell Hendry to release Macias 7. CF There is no way anyone can convicne me that Furcal is a 10 million dollars worth of upgrade over Cedeno (who BTW, is having a fantastic season in Winter ball) or a 7.5 million dollar upgrade over Neifi. Help me to understand, how is Furcal that good? 1. Walker is never going to hit leadoff with Dusty Baker managing the Cubs, so why keep complaining about it over and over? 2. Furcal has been one of the top leadoff hitters in the NL for the last two years and is in the prime of his career. 3. Name 1 available FA SS with a better OBP than Furcal? It is true that we could argue about the importance of having a bonifide leadoff hitter all night on the board, but Hendry seems to think, and imo rightly so, that a leadoff hitter is a current need on the team. The Cubs need to do something to upgrade the offense and like it or not Furcal is one of the few offensive FA upgrades available who may want to come to Chicago.

It is certainly not much of a drop, I don't have the stats in front of me but i'm pretty certain Walker gets on base at a better clip than Soriano and their defense is probably equal.

Well, it's not really that. It's that people talk about trading Wood like it's easy. First off, he's coming fof a shoulder surgery. He doesn't have all that much value right now. Why would you trade low like that? Also, ignoring the NTC is stupid and lazy journalism. His wife is from Waukegan, they're expecting their first child, so why would he waive it and move his family to Texas? That's what it is. I just look at it as a trade rumor . No need to take shots at Phil Rogers or the Score, they are simply doing the same thing many of us do on the board everyday, which is to speculate or discuss trade ideas. The idea of trading Wood to the Rangers is one that has been floating around for awhile, presumably because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching. First, if you're going to speculate, do at least the bare minimum of research if you're hosting a radio show. That's what they are paid to do, and that's what should be expected of them. Next, just because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching doesn't mean beans. Everyone needs pitching, and no one on our roster is from Chicago except for Hairston. Are there ill informed rumors about them? People have had it out for Wood for a few years in this town. I'm not shocked that people would pick up on such an obviously stupid rumor and run with it, but professionals should know better than to spout ignorant and poorly educated opinions. Sorry, but I don't see this rumor as being any worse than some of the other garbage reported this off season. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that the Cubs are shopping Wood. If Wood has a NTC, they would have to at least send him to a team they thought he would accept a trade to (which Texas is probably one of them). BTW is Wood's trade clause a full no trade or a partial no trade? I think the main thing is the surgery. Why trade for someone if you don't even know if he can throw yet? Texas may be desperate for pitching, so much that they would take a chance with Wood at $6M. Don't forget according to the rumor they would actually get an upgrade at 2B.

Well, it's not really that. It's that people talk about trading Wood like it's easy. First off, he's coming fof a shoulder surgery. He doesn't have all that much value right now. Why would you trade low like that? Also, ignoring the NTC is stupid and lazy journalism. His wife is from Waukegan, they're expecting their first child, so why would he waive it and move his family to Texas? That's what it is. I just look at it as a trade rumor . No need to take shots at Phil Rogers or the Score, they are simply doing the same thing many of us do on the board everyday, which is to speculate or discuss trade ideas. The idea of trading Wood to the Rangers is one that has been floating around for awhile, presumably because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching. First, if you're going to speculate, do at least the bare minimum of research if you're hosting a radio show. That's what they are paid to do, and that's what should be expected of them. Next, just because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching doesn't mean beans. Everyone needs pitching, and no one on our roster is from Chicago except for Hairston. Are there ill informed rumors about them? People have had it out for Wood for a few years in this town. I'm not shocked that people would pick up on such an obviously stupid rumor and run with it, but professionals should know better than to spout ignorant and poorly educated opinions. Sorry, but I don't see this rumor as being any worse than some of the other garbage reported this off season. It is not beyond the realm of possibility that the Cubs are shopping Wood. If Wood has a NTC, they would have to at least send him to a team they thought he would accept a trade to (which Texas is probably one of them). BTW is Wood's trade clause a full no trade or a partial no trade?

Well, it's not really that. It's that people talk about trading Wood like it's easy. First off, he's coming fof a shoulder surgery. He doesn't have all that much value right now. Why would you trade low like that? Also, ignoring the NTC is stupid and lazy journalism. His wife is from Waukegan, they're expecting their first child, so why would he waive it and move his family to Texas? That's what it is. I just look at it as a trade rumor . No need to take shots at Phil Rogers or the Score, they are simply doing the same thing many of us do on the board everyday, which is to speculate or discuss trade ideas. The idea of trading Wood to the Rangers is one that has been floating around for awhile, presumably because Wood is from Texas and Texas needs pitching.

Looks like the talk of trading Wood, hit a nerve in many posters.

Is anybody else listening to the Score? They just said the Cubs may have finally found a taker for Kerry Wood. Does this mean they have been actively shopping him in the offseason? They make it sound like more than just Phil Roger's fantasy. Wonder if Bruce has the inside scoop?

The Rangers do get a big name pitcher though and doesn't Young play 2b?

Yeah, I've seen Soriano's name mentioned in many rumors this offseason. Can anyone explain why he has such high trade value?

Is mlbtraderumors.com saying this is a done deal?!?!?

Texas is in need of pitching, and getting the home state kid would be probably well received.

I think the Cubs only end up with Zito and Mench according to the report and the A's get Soriano. Don't understand why the Cubs would make that trade unless they got Furcal and Pierre in the bag.

Hendry can't afford to let Furcal slip through his hands. The way this offseason is going, it is going to be difficult to find a leadoff hitter or SS better than Neifi if the Cubs lose out to the Dodgers. I'm hoping Hendry will give Furcal some type of increase to the 5/50 that has been reported.

Stupidty would be ignoring your BP problem there are other ways to address the pen. free agency isn't the only way to acquire arms, if we don't trust our minor leaguers to contribute. You make it sound so easy. Problem is that teams aren't just willing to give Hendry a break just so he can save on payroll or help the Cubs field a good team. Especially, if they have a cheap arm in the bullpen, what motivation would they have to trade them?

I think you may be on to something.

Is Murton still a rookie?

The Cubs are targeting the wrong Marlin.

I am in complete agreement with you.

passion and fire? among other brutally violent episodes, the guy tried to choke his pregnant wife. i think you are confusing psychosis with passion. if he were not a pro baseball player they would have locked him up and thrown away the key long ago. Good point. Amazing what a guy that can play a sport well can get away with.

ITI is cubs.com part deux More like the news section of cubs.com or the message board?

Still, the story has some major problems. 1) How does trading for Soriano help the team's defense? I thought Hendry's main reason for shopping Walker was to get somebody at 2B who could "catch the ball." 2) Why would the Cubs pay Furcal $16M, turn around and trade for Soriano and pay him $16M all the time knowing that D.Lee is looking for a contract extension. Can you imagine the figures D.Lee is going to ask for if those two guys get $16M?!?!? I believe that ARAM also has an out in his contract at the end of the year. At this rate the Cubs could have a $75M infield.

So Hendry is going to offer Furcal double the amount everyone else is offering? There is no way Furcal is worth a 6/100 deal.

because he's exactly what this team needs. not many teams can do it without men on base. and this team, last year, didn't have anyone on base, despite hitting very well. people are upset because he virtually bid against himself, signed them for much more than they're worth, and also signed rusch to a ridiculous deal, not even knowing how he'll be used. You forgot to add that Hendry vastly overpaid for Perez and like with the Rusch signing he doesn't have a clue where he is going to play.

Your right with Rusch and Williams in the rotation "it is a joke to claim that Maddux is any worse than a 4th starter", but the Maddux of old is not the current day Maddux. I've heard reports that Maddux was going to train hard this off season, especially on strength conditioning. Would be nice to see him actually try to earn the money he is going to be paid this year, by being in shape.

I like Macias as little as the next guy, but rumored Mabry acquistion does little to upgrade the bench. Mabry's numbers last year were very Macias like and Mabry is looking for more money than Macias made last year. Is it too much to ask that the Cubs actually try to get a player that will be an improvement, instead of just swapping him for a guy that we will all be complaining about next offseason.