vance_the_cubs_fan

I'll admit that I wanted him, but I wasn't pissed because I thought the Braves offered a better deal than the Cubs should have.

As it appears now, I'd say so. It's also telling that in his interview on XM, Hendry did not mention shortstop as a position they were looking to move on. My guess is that decision occurred after he saw what the Devil Rays were asking for Lugo.

With the Casey trade, I'm pretty sure Kearns is likely off the block as well.

It leaves the Astros with an extra 15 million to spend. I imagine they'll look for a bat and a second tier starter. They do have the dough now to take on Abreu's contract. But is Qualls and Backe enough to get it done? And if they do get Abreu for Qualls and Backe, what does their rotation look like? They'd probably try to sign one of the FA pitchers and then rely on some of the guys from their farm system. If I'm Philly and the Astros wanted Abreu, I'd ask for Ensberg and Backe and try to make the Astros take back David Bell. I'd also try to get Patton of I could.

Watch Mike Maddux turn him back into a decent closer so the Brewers can trade him again for a pretty decent return.

Personally, I can't believe the Rays would turn down Lugo for Marte. Marte was ranked as one of the best prospects in all of baseball at this point last season. The only player comparable to Marte the Cubs have is Pie, and Pie isn't rated nearly as high as Marte. So if the Rays rejected Marte, think Pie + others. If they rejected Marte, my guess is the price is too high.

Ahhh. Makes a little more sense now.....Thanks Vance! Hows Addy? From the pictures you have shown, she looks beautiful. Addison is doing great. Ask her the best team and she answers, "Cubbies!"

Apparently, a lot.

I read somewhere today, will try to find the link, that the Rays met with Upton and told him that they have no plans to move him off of short.

It leaves the Astros with an extra 15 million to spend. I imagine they'll look for a bat and a second tier starter. They do have the dough now to take on Abreu's contract. But is Qualls and Backe enough to get it done?

Old rumor. Tampa says they want more for Lugo than just Marte.

Jones has already pitched once for the Tigers, hasn't he?

It leaves the Astros with an extra 15 million to spend. I imagine they'll look for a bat and a second tier starter.

I recorded the interview in my MyFi. I'm not sure how to transfer it to a computer though. I'll re-listen to it tonight and relay any highlights that I've forgotten. From memory, he spent a lot of time praising Pierre. 1. Said two weeks ago they thought they could get Pierre for two of those guys. It became evident that the third guy was necessary to get the deal done. 2. Marlins had done an excellent job scouting the Cubs system. Had the Cubs players rated about the same as the Cubs own personell had them rated. 3. Felt the Marlins were going to do something with Pierre by the end of the night. Didn't know if adding the third guy would do the trick, but felt like he had to do it. (My guess is this is why there was some discrepancy about the players in the deal.) 4. When asked if the Cubs were done, he said they were going to try to add a rightfielder and some players to the bench. Did not mention a starting pitcher. 5. Seemed really uncomfortable when asked about Patterson. He said that Patterson was a tough one for him because he liked him and that Patterson had so much ability and had always did what the organization had asked him to do. He said that he felt the Cubs could not pass on Pierre but it didn't mean that Patterson was gone. He said that "as of right now he's part of the ballclub and we expect him to help us." I'm sure there was more there, I'll re-listen to it and post some highlights. If someone knows how to transfer it off a MyFi, I could let somebody host it.

Why wouldn't they with Nomar, just in case? Even if they have no intentions of re-signing him right now, wouldn't it be nice to not close that door for a couple of weeks? He made 8 million last season. If he accepts arbitration, you can only cut his salary by 20%. He'd be guaranteed 6.4 million as the floor. No one hardly ever gets a pay cut through the system. So, Nomar could accept arbitration and force the Cubs to pay him between 7-9 million dollars next season. That risk is one the Cubs can't afford to take. In fact, if the Cubs offer arbitration, I would bet with almost certainty that Nomar would, in fact, accept. I guess I'm just looking at this with blinders on. I have always liked Nomar, and I have a really bad feeling that letting him walk will come back to bite us somehow. Isn't it almost worth paying him 7-9 mil just to keep him out of St. Louis? Ah, never mind. Goodbye, Nomah, it was wicked fun while it lasted... :cry: Uhmmm....no.

Why wouldn't they with Nomar, just in case? Even if they have no intentions of re-signing him right now, wouldn't it be nice to not close that door for a couple of weeks? He made 8 million last season. If he accepts arbitration, you can only cut his salary by 20%. He'd be guaranteed 6.4 million as the floor. No one hardly ever gets a pay cut through the system. So, Nomar could accept arbitration and force the Cubs to pay him between 7-9 million dollars next season. That risk is one the Cubs can't afford to take. In fact, if the Cubs offer arbitration, I would bet with almost certainty that Nomar would, in fact, accept.

I'd rather have these Wilsons over Jack Wilson. http://www.historyplace.com/specials/calendar/docs-pix/wilson.jpg Woodrow Wilson http://ak1.aka.eonline.com/7/1480/1218/0001/www.eonline.com/Celebs/Outabout/Archive2001/Images/wilson.luke.101501.jpg Luke Wilson http://www.bejata.com/images/August%20Wilson-thumb.jpeg August Wilson http://www.forgetmagazine.com/mookie.jpg Mookie Wilson http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00020SHHG.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg Wilson Phillips and even http://i.tbs.com/v5cache/TBS/Images/Dynamic/i10/homeimprov_wilson_240x260_053020041834.jpg just plain Wilson. "Hi-dee-ho Neighbor!" But say to these Wilsons http://images.art.com/images/products/large/10138000/10138591.jpg Jack Wilson http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/sports/wilson_preston050714.jpg Preston Wilson and http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_124388.jpg Enrique Wilson

Today is say so long to Nomar and Burntiz day. We won't offer either arbitration I'm pretty sure.

Vance, why Weaver? He's coming off a down year and I think his salary is something like $3M more than Washburn's. Washburn looked good last year. Also, Washburn's a lefty. I think after the offers come in, Weaver will be the better bargain. I also think Weaver has better stuff than Washburn. That's more personal observation than anything definitive. While Weaver made more in 2005, I don't think he will in 2006. Finally, I'm not of the persuasion that we have to have a lefty in the rotation.

OHMY GAWD, how could they trade Dewon Brazelton?? He was Tampa's #1 prospect, you can't trade a guy like that!! He was at the top of BA's prospect list, that is the bible, they're never wrong. Tampa is stupid and overpaid. :roll: if youre going to be insane, at least be insane in one thread, instead of letting this garbage spill over into other places it doesnt belong. I agree. thirded

Can you shrink that avatar? It's freaking huge!

Which is still preferable to giving up talent for Jack Wilson.

It's not a bad move for the Braves. Estrada was about to get expensive through arbitration and he doesn't provide much that McCann won't be able to give them.

Once the lists are submitted, the 40-man rosters are frozen until after the draft and you aren't allowed to trade players who are eligible for selection but aren't protected until after the draft.

I think I heard him in the background at Len's house... Did you hear the sounds that AIM makes when you get a new buddy message?