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vance_the_cubs_fan

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Everything posted by vance_the_cubs_fan

  1. vance_the_cubs_fan
    In an article posted only one hour ago, the A's on web page mentions a deal has been offered, but not accepted.
  2. vance_the_cubs_fan
    This article implies that Bradley is still available. It mentions A's, Cubs and Pirates as those pursuing Bradley.
  3. vance_the_cubs_fan
    They're in the same class offensively. Defensively, though, Mench is a LF who would be masquerading as a RF. Kearns is a top RF defender. Right. Also Kearns still has the greater upside. Those numbers are similar, but Kearns has done that while being injured at times and stuck in an overly crowded outfield where consistent playing time was hard to find. Last year when given more regular time post All-Star break he put up an .850 OPS. Mench has a little more power, Kearns will get on base at a higher rate. Kearns is the more complete player. Mench has battled injuries as well. Kearns is a little more athletic, but so is Corey Patterson. That doesn't always translate into success. Mench has been more consistent. Kearns is living off a reputation from his one good season.
  4. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I guess we'll see how much Mrs. Burnett has to say in this issue.
  5. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Rubby Perez Imed me and said he is not in favor of a foreign language ban.
  6. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Can someone explain to me why Kearns is a better option than Mench who has been called a 4th OF? Kearns: Age 25 Career: 266/360/461 2005: 240/333/452 Mench Age 27 Career: 272/334/484 2005: 264/328/469 Kearns had one really good year and nothing spectacular after that. Mench has been much more consistent. Anyone who would be in favor of Kearns should surely view Mench in the same light.
  7. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Just because I can propose one idea doesn't mean I can't propose another one that would improve the team. If we could get Bradley and Wilkerson, or Dunn and Pierre, or Abreu and Lugo...great! On the other hand, if those deals are too costly or don't materialize, I'd rather punt than see Juan Encarnacion signed to a 3/26 deal that we'll have to live with for two seasons beyond 2006. But if punting in 2006 would set up a team that could dominate 2007-2009, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
  8. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Bret Boone at second with Devi Cruz as the back-up. I'm loving it!
  9. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I don't think that's an option for teams. After hearing Bob Watson on MLB XM 175, it seems that teams may have some say involving their players' participation, but not the final say.
  10. vance_the_cubs_fan
    From ESPN.com, It just seems as if Burnett is weighing his options. I think he's wanting the Blue Jays to either go to 5/60 or the Cardinals to go to 5/50.
  11. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Cardinals need a second baseman. Cubs are going to trade Walker. How about Walker for Marquis? Then package Marquis, Williams, and a prospect for Abreu. Ideas?
  12. vance_the_cubs_fan
    As I said, I think the Astros have decided to cut ties or believe Clemens won't be back. The fact that they are involved in negotiations with Abreu when they already have 64 million tied into 5 players means that they think they can spend the "Clemens" money. There's no way they could fit Clemens and Abreu in that payroll.
  13. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I've spent most of the day mulling this idea over in my head. The 2006 FA class stunk. Other than at closer, it had three players worth spending big money on. The Cubs have a ton of money available, but there's really no one worth spending it on. The teams with players to trade are asking way too much for the guys they will trade. I know this won't be a popular suggestion, but what if the Cubs decided to use 2006 to set the stage for 2007. The additional payroll could be used to front-load some contracts to Lee, Prior, and Zambrano. Giving those three more money in 2006 might make them a little cheaper in 2007-2009. Secondly, the Cubs could move players that don't fit into the long range plan. But instead of moving them for one or two year rentals like Pierre or Abreu, they could look to acquire players more likely to help them in the future. Trades involving Wood and Maddux (if they would waive the NTC) could be explored to put the Cubs on sound footing for the next three to four years. I'm just weary the Cubs will make stupid moves that won't help the team in 2006 and will hamper efforts to improve down the road.
  14. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I just hope Cruz becomes the starter at secondbase.
  15. vance_the_cubs_fan
    That's a valid point. If I were G.M. I woulda liked to see what he'd say to 3 years and 35 million. I don't know if the other published offers were really that high or if he didn't want to go there. But, I would have tried, nonetheless. The Dodgers did offer Giles 3/34.5, so I don't think 3/35 would have caused him to come to the Cubs. 3/40 maybe.
  16. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Blalock is in no way better than Ramirez. To even suggest so is pretty ludicrous.
  17. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Exactly. While that's a fair deal for Kearns, Kearns shouldn't be our top priority. Wilkerson, Bradley, Dunn, and Abreu should be targets ahead of Kearns. When the Cubs become certain they can't get any of those guys, moving on Kearns should become an option.
  18. vance_the_cubs_fan
    It's no longer fun to make fun of him if he can't read it.
  19. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I wouldn't trade Zambrano for Abreu straight up unless, Philly eats considerable salary and/or throws a prospect back, such as Floyd or Hamels. I would trade Zambrano and Wellemeyer for Abreu, Floyd, and Padilla.
  20. vance_the_cubs_fan
    If the Astros are pursuing Abreu this strongly, I'm starting to think Clemens isn't coming back next season. The Astros have 64 million tied up in five players: Pettitte (17.5 million), Bagwell (17 million), Oswalt (11 million), Berkman (14.5 million) and Biggio (4 million). The Astros played with a payroll around 87 million last season. Adding Abreu's 13 million would have the Astros at 77 million and that wouldn't include Lidge, Ensberg, and Everett. I don't see them fitting Clemens in there as well unless McClain plans to spend a good deal more this season. If the Astros trade for Abreu without getting any salary relief, I believe it signals Clemens's retirement.
  21. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Another comparison might be how Cubs fans feel toward Wood. If healthy, we know he has the talent and ability to be awesome, yet he's always fallen short of the goals we have for him, while at times living up to them as well.
  22. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Bret Boone to the Cardinals...oh please..... [-o
  23. vance_the_cubs_fan
    The reason we appreciate Bruce Miles's presence here and the information he provides is not only is he knowledgeable, but he has connections that most of us do not. He's able to pick up the phone and talk to Jim Hendry and through his work as a beat writer is closer to the organization than we are. While I appreciate you commenting on my knowledge, I don't have those ties. I have to rely on speculation and information that I glean from other places. It's for those reasons that we appreciate someone who could get us closer to the sources than we are able to get. In addition, unlike many journalists, Bruce Miles seems to report things with a great deal of integrity and doesn't seem to get as caught up in the rumor mongering that occurs with a lot of journalists who want to get "the scoop."
  24. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Davemason had a whole bunch of posts at the ESPN boards and that did nothing for his credibility.
  25. vance_the_cubs_fan
    The fact is, I don't know if the Dodgers are inclined to move Drew. They have their reasons for shopping Bradley, but I've heard nothing about them shopping Drew. He could be available, and I'd definitely be interested if he were.
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