vance_the_cubs_fan

I personally have him down the list of priorities for the Cubs with Giles being at the top. But maybe someone out there can show me the light on why he should be higher. I know Tim had originally pushed for Burnett and B.J. Ryan, if I'm not mistaken. Do you still feel that way, Tim? Anyone? I'm still very high on Burnett if he comes at the right price, which he may or may not. I'm a little less high on him than I used to be, thanks to Goony pointing out his limited road success in recent history. But he has simply overwhelming stuff when he's on. I guess my feeling about it is that between he and Wood, one is likely to stay healthy and be the dominant start we want in addition to Z/Prior. I think my offseason priorities right now look like this: 1 - Giles -- big gap -- 2 - SS (I'm actually starting to lean towards Furcal over Nomar after looking more deeply into the defensive difference between the two) 3 - SP (I like Burnett best, but wouldn't overpay to get him at this point. So I probably wouldn't) 4 - RP -- one of the available setup men for the eighth. I think the rest of the pen is pretty well set. I pretty much agree with you here, Tim. On the other hand, I think CF neeeds to be pretty high on the list. I know we have some internal candidates, but it is something that should be addressed.

Link

Another reliever is likely to be heading toward free agency. The Mariners aren't likely to pick up Guardardo's 6.25 million team option for 2006. Link. If Guardardo files, it will bring the list of FA closers to four: Farnsworth, Guardardo, Wagner, and Ryan. You can also add potential closers such as Gordon and Dotel to that list.

If I were a mod or admin, there would be no new activations without a reccomendation for at least a week.

I'm not opposed to signing Burnett as he is a talented pitcher. On the other hand, we have other needs, mainly the outfield. I'd like to improve in those areas before we add a starter that we don't really need.

So, he's not going to be paid more than Schuerholz as of now. We'll have to see if he ends up getting that much.

I've got Jabroni on ignore, so I should be good for awhile. Go Cowboys!

So, who would want Epstein if he became available? Not me. Other than bring in Schilling, what has Epstein done for the Sox? Not much, IMO, other than allow his world championship team to become significantly worse. Of course, it was Epstein that put the World Championship team together. :-s Did he? I am probably wrong, but wasn't the core of that team already there when he took over? Many of the players were there, but he did add Shilling, Bellhorn, Foulke, and Millar, all of who helped put the team over the top.

Any guess what really horrible FA Bowden will sign this offseason to a really bad deal very early like he did with Guzman last year?

So, who would want Epstein if he became available? Not me. Other than bring in Schilling, what has Epstein done for the Sox? Not much, IMO, other than allow his world championship team to become significantly worse. Of course, it was Epstein that put the World Championship team together. :-s

Apparently, Washingto is about to offer Bowden an extension. Link. Of course, the article goes on to say that even if he's signed to an extension, it may not extend into next season because of the issue of who will be the owner. That's strange....but hey! This team is run by MLB. What more do you expect?

Apparently, Theo Epstein believes he's worth more than 1.2 million a year. The Boston GM has rejected the latest offer of 1.2 million a year for three years by the Red Sox. On November 1, Epstein will be a FA, so to speak, and could sign to GM any team. So, who would want Epstein if he became available?

Agreed. There is no way Prior is a #3 starter. Zito is not better than Prior. It is ridiculous to even suggest that he is.

I think Rich Hill's ceiling is Barry Zito. He may not reach that, but it is within his ability to do so.

I'd trade Hill before others figure out he has only one ML quality pitch, even as good as it is. With his major problem being HR allowed, perhaps he would be better suited to Dodger Stadium. He has a low 90's fastball to go with that curve. I'm not opposed to trading Hill, but he wouldn't be the first chip I'd offer up. A very straight and hittable low 90's fastball. And I wouldn't throw him away, but I wouldn't hesitate for a nanosecond to trade him for any significant offensive help. The key word there being "significant." I would definitely include Hill in a deal for the right player. By right player, I mean Wilkerson, Dunn, Manny, Marcus Giles, or players of that caliber. I'm not sure I'd be eager to include Hill in a deal for Jose Guillen, Raul Ibanez, Cliff Floyd, or players in that tier. A lot depends on what I'm getting. I'd trade him for Milton Bradley. If the Dodgers are looking to move Bradley, I don't think it's necessary to trade Hill to get him. If it was Hill for Bradley straight-up, I might look to do that. I seriously doubt I'd offer Hill + something to get Bradley, unless that "something" was stuff I didn't want.

and the offense would be left with what exactly? Isn't durable and innings eater the same thing? Trade for Floyd. If you haven't noticed, pitching wins titles. So, I trade a young starter and a cheap productive outfielder to get Zito. And then I have to trade even more young, cheap talent for Floyd, even though I'm still not certain he can stay healthy. I'm not sure I make those moves. I would still have to find a CF, RF, and SS. With Murton in LF, I can still look to trade for a fifth starter or use Williams and I only need to find a CF, RF, and SS and still have the players to trade for one. I'm not sure those series of moves you suggest would improve this team. It just moves the problems around.

I'd trade Hill before others figure out he has only one ML quality pitch, even as good as it is. With his major problem being HR allowed, perhaps he would be better suited to Dodger Stadium. He has a low 90's fastball to go with that curve. I'm not opposed to trading Hill, but he wouldn't be the first chip I'd offer up. A very straight and hittable low 90's fastball. And I wouldn't throw him away, but I wouldn't hesitate for a nanosecond to trade him for any significant offensive help. The key word there being "significant." I would definitely include Hill in a deal for the right player. By right player, I mean Wilkerson, Dunn, Manny, Marcus Giles, or players of that caliber. I'm not sure I'd be eager to include Hill in a deal for Jose Guillen, Raul Ibanez, Cliff Floyd, or players in that tier. A lot depends on what I'm getting.

I know it may seem crazy, but I don't trade Williams and Murton for Zito.

Personally I thought it was rather interesting to see how white the stands were in Houston. After years of seeing Yankees crowds, and two days of Comiskey crowds, that Houston crowd looked odd. Has there ever been a larger collection of 43 year old white people, outside a Republican convention that is? I doubt there's racism against players in that organization. But I wouldn't doubt if they weighed heavily the value of marketing a white star to the fan base. I disagree with him as well, but he does have close ties within the organization. Drayton does value the "hometown" boy and lately those have been white guys. On another note, I see every day the lack of interest in baseball by the African American athlete. I teach in an all African-American school. My students have little, if any, interest in playing or watching baseball. They know I like it, but it isn't an area of common ground. Now, if I talk the NBA or NFL, they will have very much to say. Of all the students I teach, I think only one played baseball this summer.

I'm sure he's pissed that I put him back on ignore so I don't have to read his rants. O_O, tell him it's nothing personal, but I have to read and respond to the writings of 13 year olds all day at work, so I need a break from them when I'm at home.

My source closest to the Astros actually believes there is some truth to the notion that racism may exist in the Astros' front office.

There's no doubt he earned the right to play next season. I just hope the decision makers have realized that too.

That is a good deal. I wonder who will be wearing #5 next season when Nomar is gone. :-k

I'd trade Hill before others figure out he has only one ML quality pitch, even as good as it is. With his major problem being HR allowed, perhaps he would be better suited to Dodger Stadium. He has a low 90's fastball to go with that curve. I'm not opposed to trading Hill, but he wouldn't be the first chip I'd offer up.

BTW, Fred, You don't happen to have an estimate on what effect Giles in RF druing 2005 would have had on the total runs scored, do you?