vance_the_cubs_fan

And he makes plenty of plays. http://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml I lost all confidence in gold gloves as a true reflection of fielding ability the year Palmeiro won his.

On ESPNInsider, Jerry Crasnik writes about how Bobby Cox goes about making out a line-up. Reading it is rather refreshing. If always felt that Cox and Shurholz (sp?) were the best manager-GM tandem in the league. They've done an excellent job winning at the ML level and they've done so while producing a farm system that has produced grade A major league players. A few refreshing comments from Cox in the article. But my favorite:

If the Cubs were to have a fire sale, I'd definitely say Hollandsworth would go. He would be an ideal bat off the bench for a contender. As long as the Cubs have hopes of a play-off spot, we need Hollandsworth. (I hold out no such hopes, so I'd trade him today...but I get the feeling the Cubs do have such hopes.) I firmly believe that a GM cannot get rid of good players just because he doesn't like the way a manager uses them. If that becomes the case, the manager needs to go.

In his article today, Bruce Miles suggests Fredi Gonzalez could be a logical choice.

This could be a good choice: With the exception of only one WS win, the Braves have been the top organization in baseball over the last fifteen years. They've also done an excellent job of working in youth while still winning at the major league level. They would be an excellent model to follow. Once again, thanks for the excellent analysis, Bruce.

If I give you my cell, will you give me a call about what's available?

I'd start Willis and Halladay. I'm not sure if that's what the managers will do, but that's who deserves it in my mind.

I see you too have made it back from Atlanta, Fred.

I don't think they're playing any games tomorrow, which is good because it means the Cubs won't lose.

It's pretty nice, isn't it? I'm not getting my hopes up yet.

Doesn't Micah's wife frequent the boards?

I've got time to ride this one considering I just parked the Dubois BandWGN in Des Moines. And yes, that is one nice jersey!

Wow...so this is what winning feels like. I had forgotten.

Bruce, It was great to say hi to you again in Atlanta. Try to stay dry and safe in Miami. Thanks for the great work.

And there's a Progressive Insurance run. :D

If Neifi will just strike out, we have a good chance of seeing another Murton AB.

Did you wear it today or is it in a frame already? I haven't framed it yet. I tried it on and it completely swallowed me. I was thinking about wearing it to the games in St. Louis, but it's too big. I'm hoping to at least see Matt and tell him how much I appreciate it. Plus, I need to add his sig to my team ball. Geez. Where's my jersey DJAXX??? :wink: Vance, remember there's another auction later this month! Willis, forward me the cash and I'll hook you up as well! Yeah....but they keep promoting all my favorites!

I'd rather have an anal probe.

Did you wear it today or is it in a frame already? I haven't framed it yet. I tried it on and it completely swallowed me. I was thinking about wearing it to the games in St. Louis, but it's too big. I'm hoping to at least see Matt and tell him how much I appreciate it. Plus, I need to add his sig to my team ball.

Ramirez is really slow.

I just got the baby to sleep...and I'm not reading through the entire game thread... But.... I just have one thing to say. This better have earned Murton another start. And thanks DJAXX for helping me get that Murton jersey.

I'll take the counter argument. In the past Hendry has unloaded prospects he received from other orgs. to get an MLB player. If he thinks this season can be saved, Murton may be traded for an impact bat. I can't believe that anybody thinks this season can be saved with Baker at the helm. Save this season? I don't think Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, the Reverand Moon, Hare Christna, Vishnu, Zeus, Captain Underpants, The Teen Titans, Joseph Smith, Ra, or ET could save this season.

Why do I feel it is best to wait until 2007? Mainly because there is little out there as far as FA to really improve the team for 2006. What will compound the problem, is if we sign members of the weak 2006 FA crop, we will tie up positions and dollars that could be used to create a dominant team in 2007. Let's look ahead to 2006 and see what we might do. Our pitching should still be solid. Prior, Zambrano, Wood, and Maddux form a formidable front four. Williams or Mitre should be able to fill out the rotation. We should be able to piecemeal a bullpen from the farm hands and add a veteran here or there. We would have our choice of closers in FA from Wagner, Dempster, or BJ Ryan. Our line-up will be anchored by Lee and Ramirez. Barrett would still be under contract. We'd have decisions to make at SS, 2B, and all three outfield positions. We won't have enough money to go after every position. Assume we keep Walker. So we need to get three outfielders and a SS. If we're trying for 2006, the best FA OF we can get is Giles. He'll cost at least 8 million and want it for three years. Now, if we could trade some farm hands and get an impact hitter in a trade rather than free agency, then I can be sold on the idea. But what I fear is that we'll go for the best available FA in this group, getting some, and then block what we could do in future years. I'd hate to have to pass up Adam Dunn in 2007 because we became married to Giles in 2006. Remember when we passed on Vlad because we were married to Alou and Sosa. The same situation can occur. Now, if we approach 2006 with an eye toward 2007 we'll make different moves. It doesn't mean we won't compete in 2006...and maybe we'll get lucky and run with what we have. It does mean that we won't make any moves (ala signing Giles to a three-year deal) that will negatively impact 2007. So, we'll hang on to the core components and allow some kids to fill spots rather than signing guys who don't fit into the long term picture. If a trade comes along that makes us better in 2006 and 2007, take if for sure...but all moves would be evaluated with the 2007 plan. This team, and I hate to say it, is flawed to the core. It has some wonderful assets, but it needs an overhaul and I don't see the quick fixes in this year's FA crop.

HHH said he wasn't going to do it because we suck so bad. I also think Fred has given up his "Worthless Stats of the day" for now. until the Cubs decide to not suck. Fred's in Atlanta. He'll be back sometime today.

Which is why trading Wood or Zambrano for an elite OF bat, and then signing AJ Burnett is not too far off the beaten path strategy-wise. Execution-wise is a whole other ballgame. Do you think wood would actually waive his no trade clause? I don't...or at least not without concessions from the team that is trading for him. And if the team has to give up money and years to Wood to make the deal happen, it lessens his value in a trade.