vance_the_cubs_fan

2 out, full count.

Kranitz was the Cubs bullpen coach in 2002, I think.

Nice play by the riot. It's up to Dempster to get Palmeiro here.

It's getting interesting...

It's all in Dempster's hands now.

Would be nice to get a run here.

I think LF is a no brainer. Murton will provide an inexpensive and effective bat.

That and then made some derogatory comments regarding our record and then some ignorant insults aimed at Santo and Sandberg. Basically it resembled what would occur if a monkey threw feces at the keyboard.

I'm still thinking my three-way with the Pirates might have legs.

Modzilla is rumbling....someone is about to get Yanr'ed. And my next thought...Jabroni is that you?

Only if the Cubs offer him arbitration, which they won't. The only way the Cubs get compensation for Nomar is if he signs early before the deadline to offer arbitration. I can't see the Cubs offering arbitration. If they do, Nomar will no doubt accept it and he would be able to get a guaranteed 7-8 million in arbitration.

With the riot playing, I might have to check in.

That's true, if you draft well, which the Cubs don't do. Who's the last good position player they've developed?? Mark Grace?? Some may argue the problem is in development and not scouting and drafting. And while we may not have developed a position player in awhile, the fact that we've drafted players like Prior, Wood, Willis, and others indicates drafting may not be the problem.

I wonder first how this name got approved. :scratch: But great first and last post. Now, where's that troll pic?

Patterson at age 20 for AA West Tenn played in 118 games and logged 444 AB's. He had 116 hits, 45 BB, and 115 K's for a 261/334/491 line. Pie at age 20, also of AA West Tenn played in 59 games and logged 240 AB. He had 73 hits, 16 BB, and 53 K's for a 304/352/554 line. It's a little better than Patterson's overall line, but shows less patience at the plate. Also, his K rate is nearly identical to Corey's K-rate at the same age. I'm not saying Pie couldn't perform adequately at the major league level, but he is a rare talent that should be allowed to develop fully. With his current plate discipline, my guess is that Pie would strike out as much as we've seen Patterson and put up a line of 250/310/430 right now. While that may not be horrible, I'm sure there are a number of stop gap players that could do better and allow Pie to work on his plate discipline so that when he arrives in Chicago he'll put up a line closer to his minor league numbers than to Patterson's major league numbers. Thanks :D You make some good points. Pie's work ethic and attitude may allow him to make a jump to the majors and he would be able to make the proper adjustments needed. Considering that the Cubs are going to wait and see how he does in Winter Ball and in Spring Training, IMO there is nothing wrong with giving Pie an opportunity to earn the job. If he excels in Spring Training and gets off to a good start next year, I would much rather see him in the lineup getting experience than a sub par stopgap. Given Dusty and Hendry's views toward playing young players it is more likely that Pie starts the season in AAA. What I see wrong with letting Pie earn the job is what do you do if he doesn't perform? We could be left at that point scrambling to find someone who can handle the position. My guess is that Patterson will be gone, which would leave Hairston and Greenberg as the likely CFers in the system that could step in if Pie struggles. Those two might make a decent platoon, but I'd prefer Hairston in a utility role and Greenberg as a 4th or 5th OF. I've been openly advocating Kenny Lofton. If he could be had for 2 million on a one year deal he provides the opportunity for Pie to be sent to AAA to start the season. If Pie develops quickly there, you only have a 2 million dollar player to send to the bench.

I think it's time for any who answered yes to photoshop pics of his wife/girlfriend with Angelina and post here.

If you have seen some of the web shots floating around of their bikini shoot, it be hard to turn either down. :wink: You should post such pics...immediately.

That was an excellently written article. Once again, Bruce, hit the nail right on the head.

How would this deal work out? (Salary numbers in parenthesis) Cubs get: 1. 2b Luis Castillo ( 06: 5 million; 07: 5.75 million) 2. LHP Mark Redmond (06: 4.95 million; 07: 4.5 million) 3. Util Rob Mackowiak (arb eligible. Earned 1.8 in 05) Pirates get: 1. 3b Mike Lowell (06: 9 million; 07: 9 million) 2. RHP Jerome Williams (renewable contract) 3. 3 million from Cubs (1.5 mi in 06; 1.5 mi in 07) Marlins get: 1. 2b Todd Walker (06: 2.5 million) 2. RHP Todd Wellemeyer (renewable contract) 3. RHP Jon Leicester (renewable contract) Cubs get the lead-off hitter and secondbasemen along with a fifth starter and a versatile utility player. They take on Castillo's 5 million along with Redmond's 5 million and whatever Mackowiak will earn. They also pass along a million and a half per year in savings to the Pirates. The Pirates end up with Lowell at 2.5 million more than they were paying Redmond. They end up with a young right hander to replace Redmond in the rotation and shed a player they might would have to non-tender. If I remember correctly, Pittsburgh was interested in getting Lowell when Burnett was rumored to go to Baltimore. The Marlins are able to shed Lowell's contract, pick up a cheap option to replace Castillo, and get two young relievers. While Florida's take is a little on the weak side, the advantage for them is they clear a lot of payroll.

Why would LA want Walker when they have Jeff Kent?

I'd be very interested in getting Castillo. As much as I like Walker, Castillo would solve the lead-off problem while improving the infield defense. The tricky question revolves around where to flip Lowell. Would the Pirates have any interest? The Cubs could flip Lowell and cash to the Pirates for Mark Redmond. Redmond would then give the Cubs their fifth starter.

Patterson at age 20 for AA West Tenn played in 118 games and logged 444 AB's. He had 116 hits, 45 BB, and 115 K's for a 261/334/491 line. Pie at age 20, also of AA West Tenn played in 59 games and logged 240 AB. He had 73 hits, 16 BB, and 53 K's for a 304/352/554 line. It's a little better than Patterson's overall line, but shows less patience at the plate. Also, his K rate is nearly identical to Corey's K-rate at the same age. I'm not saying Pie couldn't perform adequately at the major league level, but he is a rare talent that should be allowed to develop fully. With his current plate discipline, my guess is that Pie would strike out as much as we've seen Patterson and put up a line of 250/310/430 right now. While that may not be horrible, I'm sure there are a number of stop gap players that could do better and allow Pie to work on his plate discipline so that when he arrives in Chicago he'll put up a line closer to his minor league numbers than to Patterson's major league numbers.

Robert Frost it's not, but I like it none the less.

What about one text google ad all the way at the bottom of the page so it doesn't get in the way and never even has to be seen unless someone goes looking for it? It wouldn't bother me at all, and I'd probably try to click it once a day.

yay! no bans! Aww....there were a few I was hoping to see fall in the carnage. :D