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vance_the_cubs_fan

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Everything posted by vance_the_cubs_fan

  1. vance_the_cubs_fan
    You know if you were there you'd have followed him into the men's room.
  2. vance_the_cubs_fan
    And he hasn't even TRIED to get better. And he won't LISTEN to any instruction, either. And he wouldn't sign an autograph for a little kid even though he said he would. He's horrible!
  3. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I've met a number of players as I've asked for autographs outside the ballpark or at card shows, etc. For the most part, I don't call that meeting them though. I've ridden in a car with Jim Hendry at Spring Training. That was really cool. He was very down to earth and extremely friendly. I also stood in the presence of the divine as I met Kent Mercker in a bar in Houston. He's one of the nicest I've ever met. Barrett is really friendly too. I teach school with two guys that played for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1970's. Oh, and Chuck Finley owns a house down the street from my brother. I've never talked to him, but I saw him working in his yard one day.
  4. vance_the_cubs_fan
    You really think there's going to be a sweepstakes for Sosa's services? I wouldn't be shocked to see him go unsigned.... My guess is that he plays in Japan next year. With McGwire, like a circus act. :D Throw in Raffy, and just think about the gate reciepts... Was Raffy ever a big draw at the gate? I doubt anyone ever said, let's go to the ballpark to see Palmeiro play. They did that for Sosa and McGwire. When Raffy was in Texas, Pudge and Juan were bigger draws than Raffy. Hell, Ranger fans liked Rusty Greer better than Raffy.
  5. vance_the_cubs_fan
    The biggest reason I'd choose Arod over Pujols is that while Pujols is a slightly better hitter, he plays first. There are a number of premier hitters at first. Place Arod at SS, and you will be hard pressed to find anyone give you comparable production at that position.
  6. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Once again, Bruce sets things straight! Thanks, Bruce!
  7. vance_the_cubs_fan
    The staff is virtually the same as it was in 2003 and 2004, and that was the number 3 team ERA both seasons. There's no reason they can't return to that level, and there's no reason why a top 3 ERA in your league can't win the series. Florida's was worse in '03, and Boston's was worse in '04. I think there are significant differences. Wood was a #2 caliber pitcher in 2003, and Prior was an ace. It's questionable whether either thing will be true next year. Clement was a solid #3 in 2003 and put up a decent e.r.a. in 2004. Maddux probably won't even match the 4.02 era from 2004. While your assessment of Wood and Prior could be on the money, who in the FA market is as good a bet as they are. Millwood, while pitching very well last season, has had his years of inconsistiency and Burnett is as much an injury risk as Wood. If Prior were a FA, he'd be the hottest commodity among all pitchers; I'll guarantee that. While Maddux may not match his 2004 numbers, we're married to him at 9 million. We have holes we can plug in the offense, but with the exception of one starter, we're married to the rotation we have.
  8. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Yeah, he's kind of like the Braves. Until the witch is dead you can't bet against him. I just can't let my self think good thoughts about Bonds. I've never said I liked Bonds, but he's been the best hitter I've ever watched play. Until he retires or is healthy and unproductive, I'm still saying he's the biggest offensive force in the game. And regardless of our feelings about him, my guess is you'd take him on the Cards for one year just as I would take him on the Cubs.
  9. vance_the_cubs_fan
    My wish list (in order of importance) 1. Giles. I would not rest until he is a Cub, but I doubt he'd turn down my proposal. 2. Dotel. I'd offer a one year 1.5 million base with incentives based on appearances that could push it to 3 million. It tack on a 2007 option at 3.5 million with a five million buy-out and a 2008 option at 3.5 million that vests on appearances. 3. CF- Kenny Lofton. I'd offer a one year 2 million dollar deal. 4. Re-sign Nomar After that, I'd just monitor the market to see what's out there. I'm comfortable with Williams as the fifth starter if nothing develops, but I'd look at other options as well.
  10. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Barry Bonds is washed up. (No more magic cream) Lee had a better season, but Pujols is miles ahead the last 5 years. ARod may be the best player of this generation. That's why I qualified that as this season. I still think Bonds when healthy is the best hitter. He did quite well in his few games back this year. I don't think he has much left, but until I see the drop off, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt.
  11. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Octavio Dotel is a FA. He had TJS, in June, but reports are that he should be ready by spring training. If healthy, he's one hell of a set-up guy. His career numbers are 1.20 WHIP, .185 BAA, and 3.52 ERA. From 2002-2004, he posted a 3.12 ERA and a 194 BAA. If he's willing to set-up, he would be the ideal candidate to pitch the eighth innings in front of Dempster. There's no telling what kind of salary he'll demand. He made 4.7million in 2005, but coming of of TJS he's an unsure commodity. Also, this article says that he's mending quickly, but also indicates he'd like to stay with the A's. What's interesting, is that I've read barely anything about teams having interest in him. Hoops, Bruce.....is there any interest in him on the Cubs part? I think he'd be someone to look heavily into if the price isn't too terribly steep. In fact, I might even make him my number two target after Brian Giles.
  12. vance_the_cubs_fan
    This Nomar hate seems to be clouding your math skills. Nomar didn't have a zero OBP while he was sitting on the DL, he had an undefined OBP on the DL. (Zero devided by zero isn't zero, nor is it infinity... it's undefined.) C'mon... that's basic Calc stuff right there. ;) I, for one, still say Nomar should be option #1 for our 2006 SS. I don't see the need to grossly overpay for a mediocre bat just because he's slightly less likely to spend significant time on the DL. I agree with you BK but...a leadoff hitter has to be found. That's why I'd target Giles, re-sign Nomar, and then bring in Lofton on a one-year deal. My line-up: CF Lofton LF Murton 1b Lee RF Giles 3b Ramirez SS Garciaparra 2b Walker C Barrett I also have Cedeno to back-up all the infield positions. I'd keep Hairston to split time in CF with Lofton.
  13. vance_the_cubs_fan
    What opportunity? Nobody had the opportunity to get Mazzone out of Atlanta except his lifelong friend. Quit blaming Hendry for options that aren't available. Exactly. Mazzone wasn't leaving Atlanta except to work with his friend in Baltimore. His statements now and in the past make that perfectly clear. There are plenty of things to criticize Hendry on; this isn't one of them. It's ridiculous to even make the assertions here.
  14. vance_the_cubs_fan
    The best hitter when healthy is still Barry Bonds. The best hitter this season was Derrek Lee. The best player over the last five years is Rodriguez.
  15. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I think you might be right, but for that ticket price I hope the Cards are smart enough to take a pass. As a Cubs fan I would hope that you folks don't want Hendry to make a preasure signing like that. Furcal is a perfect fit. Just the opposite. I might have agreed that I wanted the Cubs to take a pass on that after 2003, but the window is closing. Screw the future, we still have the core of Wood, Zambrano, Prior, Lee, and Ramirez to build around. Giles could be the missing piece. I can easily see the Cardinals passing on Giles. First their payroll is projected about 15 million or so less, so that's a big chunk for them. But as I've proposed already, if I'm Hendry, I make Giles an offer he can't refuse. I put 4/50 on the table with a fifth year at 10 million with a 2 million buy-out. He'd end up being guaranteed 52 million, which if he's still productive in the final year ends up a 5/60 deal. He won't get better than that from anyone else in my opinion. I know Hendry won't be that agressive, and I lament that fact.
  16. vance_the_cubs_fan
    3/39 will not get it done with Giles. Considering he's 35 years old, I think it will easily get it done. I could be wrong. Heck, the best player in baseball (Pujols) only makes 14.2 mil per year. You think Giles is worth that kind of money? It's not whether he's worth it. It's a weak FA market. Giles, Furcal, Millwood, and Burnett are about the best out there. Pujols didn't sign his contract in an open market situation, so I don't think that's comparable at all. My guess is Giles will get a 4 year deal that averages around 12 million a year. He might would sign with S.D. for less than that (maybe 3/37-3/38), but I think that with the number of teams that will show interest, the bidding will easily go 4/48 or maybe higher. For a lot of teams, the drop off from Giles to the rest of the pack is steep. Those teams needing an impact bat will all look to Giles first.
  17. vance_the_cubs_fan
    3/39 will not get it done with Giles.
  18. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I think Grudzielanek will be back. I'm not sure about King and Tavarez.
  19. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Is it possible that the light has come on for Hendry regarding OBP? If we're throwing around the #'s, surely someone, somewhere, has called them to his attention. Please God, let this be the case. It's weird, I read the exact same column and came away with the exact opposite impression. I take that to mean it was injuries and bad luck. In context, Hendry is responding to a comparison of the seasons between the Cubs and the Sox. I think that informs a bit as to what he's talking about. He's also saying that the Sox success won't make him do anything different that what he's already doing. In other words, the cubs would be making the same sort of moves or changes regardless of the success of the White Sox. Maybe so Vance, but he goes on to say... To me that means no philosophical changes b/c it was bad fortune. Damn that fortune. That quote sounds a little despondent to me, and he should be. I think he's saying that 2005 didn't happen because of lack of desire or because they didn't try. They thought they had done the right things, but it unravled. I also think he is saying that you need good plans and good luck. The Cubs had neither in 2005. Hopefully, Hendry will fix the part he can (the plan), and let the fortune take care of itself.
  20. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Is it possible that the light has come on for Hendry regarding OBP? If we're throwing around the #'s, surely someone, somewhere, has called them to his attention. Please God, let this be the case. It's weird, I read the exact same column and came away with the exact opposite impression. I take that to mean it was injuries and bad luck. In context, Hendry is responding to a comparison of the seasons between the Cubs and the Sox. I think that informs a bit as to what he's talking about. He's also saying that the Sox success won't make him do anything different that what he's already doing. In other words, the cubs would be making the same sort of moves or changes regardless of the success of the White Sox.
  21. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Astros in six, but I'm hoping they sweep.
  22. vance_the_cubs_fan
    2004. I had expectations for that team going into the last week. I knew the 2005 team was done the first week of July.
  23. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I would like to see the Astros sweep. First it would be humiliating to the Sox. Secondly, it would get the damn thing over as quickly as possible.
  24. vance_the_cubs_fan
    I hope Clemens throws a bat at AJ Alphabet like he did at Mike Piazza.
  25. vance_the_cubs_fan
    Alright. Here it goes. Which superhero is the baddest badass around? Look here for a previous discussion. This poll will decide it. The results here will answer the ages long debate. (Everyone knows you can't argue with poll results) So state your case, but most importantly, vote! Batman http://www.cameron-stewart.com/blog/batman.jpg or Spiderman http://www.vgmuseum.com/scans/md/spiderman.jpg[/url]
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