vance_the_cubs_fan

Here's an interview with Neyer (from 2003) in which he discusses a stadium and team in Portland (among other things.)

Len, One of the things that has puzzled many of us is the Cubs attempts to trade Todd Walker this offseason. Do you have any insight into why the Cubs aren't enamored with the Bayou Basher?

I think this is a way for the Orioles to save some face and Tejada as well. By saying he never meant for his words to be construed as a desire to be traded, it helps rehabilitate his image to the Baltimore fans. My guess is that the GM went to Tejada and told him that no one was offering what they wanted for him and then Tejada came up with this.

I've figured out who they all are except player E. :x

Were you trying for autographs? Yes.

Well, they're inheriting the players from a DJaxx team that steamrolled through the regular season. Minus a few big pieces (Murton, Nolasco, Pinto, and I'm sure a couple others). I hope the Iowa team is exciting and good -- it's a fabulous place to watch a game, and I take advantage of it every chance I get. Can't wait to finally see Pie. True, but they'll have some holdovers, too. They could field a team with interesting guys at every position, though with few standouts other than Pie. The staff could still be very interesting with Hill / Guzman / Marshall / Ryu / Valdez / Marmol as rotation candidates C - Soto 1B - Sing 2B - Lewis (I think he'll rebound a lot this year. He isn't as good as his 2004, but he's not as bad as his 2005) 3B - McGehee / Craig SS - Theriot / Coats LF - Bacon CF - Pie RF - Greenberg C - Reyes IF / OF - Hoffpauir SP - Hill SP - Guzman SP - Marshall SP - Ryu SP - Valdez RP - Brownlie RP - Pignatiello RP - Rohlicek RP - Wellemeyer RP - Shipman Naturally, the team won't actually look like this. Some guys will get hurt and others will get left at AA to make room for the roster fillers. Isn't Wellemeyer out of options? Yes. Wellemeyer burned his first option in 2003. So, one in 2004 and his last in 2005. Welly can't be sent down without being exposed to waivers.

It appears that there won't be a Tejada for Abreu deal. Link If Tejada will walk if the Phillies make him a thirdbaseman, then it doesn't make sense for the Phillies to trade for him unless they believe they can win it all in 2006. Without additional pitching help, that seems unlikely. Also, the article indicates that trading Rollins isn't an option for the Phillies.

The Marlins are set to meet with officials in Portland, Oregon next week. Link The Portland Marlins doesn't have a ring to it. I think if they move, they'll need new colors and mascot, because that teal and black doesn't seem to work there either. Suggestions?

I think all the comments about Perez being the starting secondbaseman are based on the assumption that Walker is traded. If we open the season with Walker on the roster (I know the liklihood of that is slim), I still think Walker is the secondbaseman.

In ST 2004, I encounterd both Fielder and Weeks. Of the two, Fielder was the more accomodating. Take it for what it's worth.

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. Hairston could also play second.

Right now I drive a Mazda Tribute. Absolutely love it. I've had a Chevy Cavalier, which was a total piece of crap, but I abused the SOB so that's probably my fault. My first car was a Pontiac LeMans. I ended up putting 130K miles on it before getting rid of it. (My only real complaint was that every 35K miles, it needed a new timing belt and would break down without any warning.) The second car I bought was a used 1987 Chevy S-10 Blazer. I drove the crap out of it and didn't get rid of it until 2000. It had over 100K miles, but it got the worst gas mileage I had ever seen. I only got rid of it because some idiot rear ended me while I was stopped at a red light and knocked me into the car in front of me. I scrunched the car in front and the girl who hit me car's front end made a inverse "v" while my blazer only had bent front and back bumpers and knocked the transmission plate out from underneath...and also when the bumpers bent they caused minor damage to the back tailgate and front grill. After the transmission plate was re-installed, the blazer was still driveable, but the insurance company totaled it anyway. I took their $2000, paid them $200 to keep the car, drove it for three months, bought the Cavalier then sold the damaged Blazer for $1800. (Side note, when I bought the Blazer new in 1995, I only paid $1500 for it.) Ok...enough of chasing rabbits...on to your usual discussions.

I'll go with A, D, F.

I'm not sure Hall catches the ball well enough for Hendry to have much interest.

Actually, it has been suspected he demanded the trade because he wants to play in Boston with his friend Ortiz. His demands occured very shortly after the Red Sox traded Renteria.

IABF says, "No Cuba, no Classic.

Not to start a huge debate on comparisons between Neifi and Fontenot, but Fontenot is a much better all around hitter than Neifi, IMO. Neifi is better defensively. Based on organizational philosophies, Neifi is a tools guy and Fontenot isn't. Neifi is good with the leather and can switch hit and doesn't strike out much. Fontenot is not as good with the leather, draws too many walks and strikes out more often than Neifi. Fontenot makes more happen when he does put a bat on the ball, however. Fontenot isn't quite the second coming of Mark Bellhorn, but he's not that far off. Dusty had no use for a guy like Bellhorn. This organization just doesn't put any value on the ability to work the count and draw the occasional walk to get guys 90 feet closer to home. Bellhorn has power which little Mike doesn't. Without the power, Bellhorn has no value either. How much power can one expect from a utility infielder? Given the current roster the Cubs have, would you rather have a sub .300 OBP/slick fielding utility infielder, or would you rather have a .340+ OBP/decent fielding utility infielder? Who's this .340 obp utility infielder you speak of? That would be Fontenot. Who I think should put up those numbers in a utility role. He posted a 377 OBP in Iowa this year. He was 346 at AAA Ottawa in 2004, and 399 at AA Bowie in 2003. In 2001 at LSU he had a 450 OBP and a 452 OBP in 2000. Hell, he had a 600 OBP with the Cubs this year. :D As long as he was used properly and not over-exposed, I think he could easily post 340 OBP as a utility infielder off the bench.

Which is probably as it should be. Next year is a different story. In this article by Rob Neyer (who supports Blyleven), it appears as if Blyleven still doesn't have the support of the BBWAA.

Rob Neyer doesn't believe Rice belongs and here compares him to two first time eligibles, Will Clark and Albert Belle.

Neyer seems to favor Gossage over Sutter. Link.

Neyer on Sutter: Not a ringing endorsement for Sutter by Neyer.

Unless he's traded to Baltimore.

Does Sing have enough to possibly be the right-handed power bat off the bench we've been looking for?

I for two. Me for three. Four. Fif! Fif!

I'm going to agree with BBB here. Considering Philly was looking for a top starter fpr Abreu, they could be the best option if we were inclined to trade Prior. My guess is you could get a top pitching prospect in return as well. Can Gavin Floyd be as good as Bedard? I know he's had his struggles, but I think we could probably get him in a deal. If my choices are Prior + Hill + Pie for Tejada and Bedard or Prior + Wellemeyer (or similar player) for Abreu and Floyd, I'd probably take the deal with the Phillies.