vance_the_cubs_fan

This is bad news for FA catchers Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez as one big spending bidder is now no longer an option.

Signing Burnett isn't the worst option in the world. The Cubs have money to spend, over 20 million by most accounts. Unless the Cubs think they can take on Abreu at 13 million or plan to spend 10 of that on Soriano, they could sign Burnett to 10-11 million and still have the money to acquire Bradley, Wilkerson, Pierre, etc. If the Cubs signed Burnett, it takes some of the pressure off Wood. If Wood is healthy, the Cubs end up with a rotation of Prior, Zambrano, Wood, Burnett, and Maddux. All of those with the exception of Maddux are capable of being a staff ace. Teams would not want to come in and face the Cubs. Even if one of the top four succumbed(sp?) injury, the Cubs would have a fearsome top three. Signing Burnett would also still give the Cubs a big three if Wood is let go next season. Of the big three of Giles, Furcal, and Burnett, Burnett was the last on my list. But I'd rather the Cubs give 11 million to Burnett than throw 6 million at Jaque Jones or Juan Encarnacion.

The firesale continues. Only Pierre is left to go.

Tim, with the holiday season approaching, could you put the link to wrigleyvillesports that you get a percentage from on the front page so that I can direct relatives to it as they do their holiday shopping instead of directing them to wrigleyville sports directly.

I'm expecting a trade for Abreu.

It was the money and Furcal's confidence in his own abilities. While it looks like he's leaving 11 million on the table from the Cubs offer, he's making much more per year and will a FA at 31. He likely believes that after putting up three good years, he'll still command a 3-5 year deal when he hits the market again.

If with a cancer, you get Manny's production....I hope the Cubs catch cancer.

Was someone looking for a strawman? http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/wickerman/DCP05534a.jpg

According to the guys on MLB XM 175, it's all waiting on the physical to be taken either today or tomorrow.

The Marlins will trade Pierre. He's of no use to them. They won't contend this season and he's a FA after that. He's as good as gone. The only question is where.

I might make an offer for Burnett considering he's the one premiere FA left and we have money to burn. I wouldn't go any higher than 5/50.

I think that if the Cubs pitchers revert to 2003 form we could be ok even with a weak offense, but it's foolish to count on that happening. We need one impact bat or two above average bats for the remaining outfield positions. As it stand right now, we shouldn't even think about trading Walker unless we bring in another impact SS or 2b. Since I don't see any of those available, I think it's imperative that Walker is no longer shopped. It's one of the reasons I wish the Cubs had gotten into the bidding for Castillo. I think getting both Wilkerson and Bradley would be a good move. If the Cubs could get Dunn, that would be the impact bat. I would see how cheap he comes if the Cubs will take Eric Milton.

I'm sure it's possible, but it really doesn't fit with Hendry wanting guys who can catch the ball.

Sounds like a plan, and I'd put Manny if RF. If I recall correctly, he was strictly a RFer with Cleveland and he actually preferred the position to left. Trade for Manny and sign Lofton. CF Lofton 2b Walker 1b Lee RF M. Ramirez 3b A. Ramirez LF Murton C Barrett SS Cedeno/Perez I think we could score with that line-up.

Are you sure they're not gonna come to our crappy little game in S'port to play Oklahoma? I'm positive. Both the Cotton and Peach payout much more than the Independence Bowl. LSU will not fall so far that they have to play in the Independence Bowl. My guess is the Peach.

I'm not bitter at all. The Cubs have 20 million to solve a problem in RF and CF. I'd go after Bradley and Wilkerson to fill those spots. Wilkerson can play right and lead-off and Bradley can hit 2nd or 5th and play CF.

Ok...as we look ahead without Furcal, this is what we have: Position Players C- Michael Barrett- 4 million C- Henry Blanco- 1.5 million IF/OF Jerry Hairston - 2.2 (arb estimate) 1b Derrek Lee- 8.67 OF Corey Patterson- 3 million (arb estimate) IF- Neifi Perez 2.5 million 3b- Aramis Ramirez 10.5 million 2b Todd Walker 2.5 million if/of John Mabry 1 million Starting Pitchers SP Greg Maddux 9 million SP Mark Prior 3.55 million SP Kerry Wood 12 million SP Carlos Zambrano 5.5 million (arb estimate) SP Glendon Rusch 2.5 million Bullpen Ryan Dempster 5 million Scott Eyre 3 million Bob Howry 4 million Scott Williamson 2 million That puts my payroll estimate at 82.42 million. If I pencil in Murton at leftfield at 400 K and Cedeno either at SS or bench at 300 K, then I'm at 83.12 million. Assuming a 105 million payroll, we have 22 million left to play with. If we add Novoa (500 K) and Ohman (500 K) to the bullpen I'm left with 21 million to play and need two bench players. Assume 1 million each for the bench spots, and I'm at 19 million with needing to add a CF and a RF. If I non-tender Corey or trade him I can add another 3 million to that estimate. Either way, there's not many free agents worth spending that much change on. So, given that we have 19-20 million to spend or use in absorbing a contract from another team, what does everyone suggest?

According to my source, Len and Jim are barhopping. Maybe when he wakes up tomorrow he'll get around to posting. Oh come on, the Hooters girl hasn't seen either of them for a few hours. I want the latest scoop. :P Sorry. It's all I got! ;)

I'd move on to Wilkerson. He has experience in the lead-off spot.

According to my source, Len and Jim are barhopping. Maybe when he wakes up tomorrow he'll get around to posting.

If LSU misses out on a BCS bowl which is likely, they'll go to the Cotton or Peach. Alabama will go to the one that LSU doesn't go to. Speculation is Alabama to the Cotton and LSU to the Peach.

I'm hoping someone hits A.J. with a chair....really hits AJ with a chair.

FWIW, the LA Times is owned by the Tribune Co. True, But I still find it odd that its been close to an hour and NO other media source has reported it except the LA times has reported this. I agree. This has been out for a long time in a major newspaper and yet no other media source has picked up on it. It's likely those outlets are trying to verify it using their own sources. Since those outlets probably don't have contact with the "source" used by the LA Times, they are reluctant to use it. I'm certain this is a done deal. It was over an hour after the SD media reported Giles that it was picked up by the national media. Considering it's late on a Saturday night, I'm not surprised at the delays.

That's just Daisy. She's a really good friend of mine. I don't usually take my camera in there, but happened to have it with me one day and we took a bunch of pics.

Done! http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/daisyandlane.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/dasiybeingstupid.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/daisyandheather.jpg