vance_the_cubs_fan

The ballot for Blyleven is now up.

From the National Baseball HOF website: To me Blyleven should have been in a long time ago. Check out his comparable pitchers: Don Sutton (914) * Gaylord Perry (909) * Fergie Jenkins (890) * Tommy John (889) Robin Roberts (876) * Tom Seaver (864) * Jim Kaat (854) Early Wynn (844) * Phil Niekro (844) * Steve Carlton (840) * Everyone with the exception of Kaat is in the HOF. To me, that speaks volumes about Blyleven.

Dawson is definitely a bubble candidate. His vote in recent elections has hovered around 50% which indicates he has support, but he hasn't gained any votes either. He's a tough call for me because he was one of my all-time favorite players. It's easier for me to support him now that I've come around on Rice belonging in the Hall. In his favor, he won an MVP (and ranked 2nd twice) and a ROY award. He has 8 gold gloves, 4 Silver Slugger awards, has 438 HRs, 1591 RBI and 314 SB. Players that are most similar to Dawson are: Billy Williams (892) * Tony Perez (886) * Dave Parker (865) Al Kaline (859) * Harold Baines (851) Dwight Evans (834) Ernie Banks (829) * Dave Winfield (827) * Vada Pinson (810) Fred McGriff (797) 5 of that list are in the HOF. Of the ones that are not, Dawson was a better defender. Andre was a classy person and consumate team mate. Dawson's stats aren't as impressive as one would like them to be, but he was one of the most feared hitters of his generation. In his prime, had you polled most sportswriters or fans, there was little doubt Dawson would be a HOF. He fell short of 500 HR's which would have made him a lock, but he is a classy guy. He definitely isn't a no doubter, but he's waited his time and I think it's time to let him in. There certainly are worse players in the hall. I'm voting "yes", but I'll admit that my standards may be a little lower than some. I don't buy into the argument that we'd water down the HOF by letting in players like Dawson and Rice. The HOF already has been watered down with the admissions of Mazeroski, Tony Perez, and others.

Is there anyone on this year's ballot you'd vote in?

Thank goodness we all know Phil just pulls trade proposals out of his butt.

I wouldn't be surprise to see Hinske traded to the Pirates.

I'll say this again...Tejada has NEVER had an OPS over 900. I don't care that he's a SS, if you can't post an OPS of 900, you aren't a difference maker in a line-up. He's a great, great player...but he's not a player I would trade Prior for...especially considering the disparity of their salaries.

I like Dawson...but what I can't understand is why he's getting more support than Jim Rice. I do think some are showing some bias. If Dawson belongs, then Rice does as well.

Andre Dawson's ballot is now up.

Next up, former Cub- Andre Dawson. From http://www.baseballhalloffame.org,

Goose Gossage ballot is now up. And on another note, discussion is slow in those threads. I'd really like some fun debate on who belongs and who doesn't. So, when you vote, try to persuade others to your side.

Next up: Goose Gossage. From the Baseball HOF website So, now it's time to debate Gossage. See the HOF thread in baseball discussions for explanation of the rules.

Then move on and look elsewhere for help. Current Cubs + Tejada - Prior does not = champion. So there's no point in making the deal. Exactly. No deal is better than a terrible deal. Boston IMO is a better match for the Cubs, at least the Cubs have some parts that would interest Boston. Are you referring to a Manny trade? Would Pie + Murton + Hill for Manny interest the Sox?

Can't we get Matt Karchner instead of Garland?

Without thinking twice about it.

Did I miss something? Have they been good the last couple of years? And Prior has been injured or very mediocre during this time period. What is is that we are so desperatly holding onto? a .500 team? There is a whole lot of mediocrity by your standards. Prior had the ERA+ of a number one starter last year, in his supposed down year. He led the world in K/9. He wasn't historically good like in 2003, but when he pitches he's very good, not "very mediocre". Certainly not the dominating superstar he's being held up to be around here. There were more than a few outings when he was walking people and getting hit hard. He's not always "very good" when he pitches. Again....it might NOT be the thing to do. But it warrants a hard look. And Tejada will have some 0-4 games, does that also not make him a dominating superstar?

Of course, on the other side of the coin...the good posters at The Orioles Hangout wouldn't do the deal either. They think Tejada should be worth Prior and Hill without giving up Bedard.

If I'm going to use Prior as a trading chip, I'd try to assemble this three-way deal. Cubs get Arod + Wang + Yankees pick up 1/2 of the defered payments on Arod's contract. Yankees get Prior + Glaus Diamondbacks get: Patterson + Cubs prospect

He was listed as a"B" prospect in John Sickel's 2004 handbook. That info is nearly 2 years old now, however. Bedard was less than impressive in the majors. 2005: 141.7 IP, 4.00 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and a .260 BAA. His minor league numbers do look outstanding, but if I'm trading Prior along with Hill, I want more than Tejada and Bedard. In the very least, I want a prospect like Markaris thrown back into the deal.

It doesn't look like he'll be starting anywhere. The Cubs need to pounce now. Eric Byrnes - OF - Orioles Pirates officials have spoken the past two days with agent Mike Sasson about Eric Byrnes. If he's a better choice than Juan Encarnacion, it's only because he'd cost less than Encarnacion. Not only should Byrnes not start over Craig Wilson, but he'd be a weaker choice than Jody Gerut against right-handers. If Byrnes is signed, Wilson would likely be traded. The Red Sox could view him as a platoon partner for Trot Nixon and the Indians could consider pairing him with Ben Broussard. Dec. 23 - 1:21 am et Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Gerut is somebody the Cubs ought to trade for....oh yeah they already did. I wanted us to hold on to Gerut. So much for that. I wanted us to hold on to Dubois...so much for that. :shrug: (Wouldn't Dubois look good as Jones's platoon partner)

You can't be serious that you'd take Jeter but not Arod? :shock: Jeter is a nice player, but Arod is better by a large margin.

I guess you can vote anyway you want...see the thread in baseball discussions for a broader explanation. Personally, there really is no standard other than don't vote for more than 10 total, but you don't have to vote that many.

Are there any career closers that you'd consider HOFers?

I think the Rangers would give Teixeira +, but what would the Cubs do with Teixeira? How many great bat, great fielding first basemen does a team need? And who else do the Rangers have that the Cubs would want? Teixeira could play left. He's played it before and is athletic enough to handle it. He'd also be nice insurance if Lee leaves after next season as a FA.

no thanks. Arod would be a difference make at SS. Arod in 2005: 321/421/610 Tejada in 2005: 304/349/515 Not even close! And to think, Arod is younger than Tejada. If you could get Arod (and he's willing to play SS) for Prior and another player...I'd jump at that deal.