vance_the_cubs_fan

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. I'm more of the persuasion that we should take a two year plan to regroup and rebuild. There is a much better crop of players that would be available in 2007.

Until Nomar is healthy, he can't bring any kind of return. Since he won't be healthy until after the deadline, it's unlikely we would be able to trade him.

Interesting. I know its pretty much unfoudned, But i have a real strange feeling bakers days here are officially over. Dusty Busters have been saying that since last fall.... I'm sure it's right around the corner. :roll: Oh grow up. First of all, If dusty busters is a term used to describe people who are sick of the worst lineups immaginable and horrid in game moves, then sure, I'm a dusty buster. Secondly, how can you disagree that him being canned is right aroudn the corner, Even if it doesnt come today or tomorrow like i feel, Its gonna come soon. I know you're a Dusty Buster. A typical feeling of Dusty Buster would be a crazy notion that his being fired is just around the corner. He is not. I'll bet you cold hard cash if you want: If you bet me $20 that he'll get fired in the next week I'll give you 20 to 1 odds that he doesn't - if he does that's $400 for you. But if you don't pay me when you lose, Tim gets to ban you. He won't draw the heat for losing - that's going to CP, Doobs, the injuries and thus far underperforming pitching. Weren't you asked by the mods to stop using that term?

Fred and I were having a conversation during Tuesday's lenghty rain delay, and I'm going to summarize the thoughts I shared with him. This isn't popular either. I'm not sure it's a wise idea to try to make a run in 2006 either. I think it's time for management to take a step back and plan for a run in 2007. That doesn't mean we'll suck in 2006, but it does mean we don't mortgage anything to try to win in 2006 or have any expectations of doing so. The Rangers made a similar decision two years ago and so far have stuck to it. Even with getting close last year and this year to some extent, they have held on to key components and have not been willing to trade away anything they felt critical to their abiltiy to compete in 2006. We could do the same two year plan. In 2007, we'd still have a core of Prior, Zambrano, and Ramirez. Hopefully, we'll have retained Lee as well. We could fill out the rotation with Williams, Hill, Piggy, Pinto or other farm hands or sign a FA if needed. We'd have all of 2006 to let the ones that we feel most ready to face major league hitting and separate the wheat from the chaff. If we aim for 2007, we have a full season to let guys like Cedeno, Murton, Pie, and Fontenot prove or disprove that they could handle everyday jobs and then fill in the holes that we see the offseason prior. If I'm not mistaken, there will be a number of premier hitters becoming FA in 2007 or becoming very expensive arbitration guys by that time. We would have the money to sign two or more of those guys to play along the kids we determine to be legitimate. If I'm Cubs management, I look at the current state of this team and realize it needs to be rebuilt. This time I'd stick to the plan. 2003 fooled management and everyone else into thinking we were close. We mortgaged some of the future for a failed run in 2004. This year's team isn't fixable. There isn't one move that puts us over the top. The sooner we realize that and move along, the better.

I have one question that I just need to have answered. How in the world does a team that has Wood, Prior, Zambrano, and Maddux in the rotation lose eight, yes count them, eight (insert your favorite profane adjective) games in a row? How?

It's a weak FA crop next year. Furcal at short and Giles and Damon in the OF are some of the best.

If San Deigo is truly growing impatient with Burroughs, I wonder if we could get him for Maddux. :-k He could play some secondbase for us or we could move him again this offseason to a team in need of a thirdbasemen.

The season is done. It's time to prepare for 2006. Why didn't we finish the overhaul....get rid of Macias and Perez too. Bring up Theriot and Fontenot. Ok...I know that's not going to happen. Ok, can I hope for this line-up? CF Hairston RF Greeberg 1B Lee 3B Ramirez 2B Walker LF Murton SS Cedeno C Barrett

Apparently, we aren't the only ones who notice Dusty has favorites.

NO TRADE CLAUSE Thank-you. I don't know why it takes so much for that little phrase to sink in.

Thank you everyone!

Is it possible that Hendry noticed how well the Braves are playing with 10 rookies on their roster and decided to inject some life into this team?

A few points I'd like to make, and then I'll comment on our specific players. 1. Any player that is an impending FA or is overpaid for 2006 I'd move for next to nothing. Get what you can and hope for the best. 2. We have a lot of prospects that become Rule V eligible next year. We can't protect them all and getting more back only compounds the problem. I'd probably try to package some of those mid-range guys with a vet in order to get a top notch player. Guys I Look to Move: 1. Jeromy Burnitz- He could be a decent pick-up for a team needing an outfielder. I want no part of his 2006 option, so I'd take whatever I could get for him. Also, moving Burnitz would force Dusty to give a longer look at Dubois. 2. Neifi Perez- Perez is bad as a fulltime player, but he could interest someone as a utility infielder. Trading him clears the way for Cedeno and allows Fontenot to get some time with the big club. 3. Todd Hollandsworth- Hollandsworth could be the ideal candidate for a team that needs a left handed bat for the bench. 4. Glendon Rusch- There are a number of teams that would have an interest in the versatile lefty. 5. Mike Remlinger- I'll take the best offer. If I'm selling, he's a goner. 6. Greg Maddux- He has a no trade clause, so you have to tread lightly here. If I'm Hendry, I approach Maddux about moving and even ask him to provide a list of where he'd like to go. If he's willing to go, I'll take what I could get. I'd likely try to send him to SD for Buroughs.

Will we really be able to sneak him through waivers? Maybe someone with a better understanding of the process can explain how we can send him to the minors. If it is possible, it is definitely a great idea. He's not helping the major league club and anything that could help him turn it around would be a good idea.

As bad as it is, I must be a glutton for punishment as I will still be attending the three Cub games vs St. Louis in July.

At this point, I'm praying for a white flag trade of epic proportions. It's time to restock the minor league cupboard; hopefully this time with some guys that are patient at the plate, get on base, and play good, fundamental baseball. Oh yeah, and maybe get a closer prospect or two. Let's just hope that MacPhail and Hendry aren't under the delusion that this team will threaten anyone in the second half. Well with the number of Rule V casualties that we could have, I'd like us to package vets with mid range prospects to get better prospects. Don't know if that makes a lot of sense, but that's what I'd do.

I think we're about to be sellers at the deadline. What can we get for Burnitz, Hollandsworth, Perez, Rusch, Remlinger, Dempster, Maddux, Patterson, and Hairston?

Try channel 746.

Try channel 746.

The trick is putting in the time and knowing where to be. I usually wait where the players enter the stadium...but that can be up to five hours before game time. Maddux arrived at Turner Field at 12:30 on Monday and there were only four of us there. Also, be nice, say please, thank-you. And yes, children help.

I was supposed to be sitting behind the Cubs dugout for this game. :cry:

Ok...back. The Bad news first. First of all the Cubs suck (insert your own metaphor here). Secondly, for Wednesday I had row one seats on the dugout. We sat there all of one hour before becoming drenched and the game called. They'll play it today, but my wife has to be at work tonight so those tix will go to waste. Ok...sounds like a horrible trip... well... The good- I've gotten a complete baseball signed by all the Cubs currently on the team with two exceptions: No Perez and no Novoa. Secondly, my wife and I both got Greg Maddux's autograph yesterday. Third, Derrek Lee signed a Cubs mini helmet for me on Monday. Fourth, Michael Barrett signed the picture I took with him in Houston. (Actually, I saw Barrett tons so I also got a Cubs mini helmet signed too.) I got Patterson to sign a mini helmet too...but I think I just defaced the helmet. Also, pics taken with Dubois, Ohman, and Williams. (They were taken with a disposable camera, so I'll have to finish the roll before I can post. Also, I'm not certain how good they'll be. My wife took them and the last time I trusted her to take pics I got my eyes with the player's head.)

I'd bat that line-up from now until the break and see if Hairston can handle CF on a full-time basis.

I don't see why we would want to send one of the best hitters in Walker to the bench. I'm all for improving the offense, but if we trade for Soriano, we still have a hole in left, center, and short. Soriano does nothing to solve that. If he were willing to play left or short, or if he could play CF then it would be a decent move. Putting Walker on the bench is ridiculous. Why you would make a trade to bench a hitter who is hitting .312, with a 365 OBP and 472 slugging is beyond me. Walker is second in average and OBP on the whole team. This would be a horrible idea.

Just not have a shortstop ;)? I assume Neifi at the end, right? I was hoping we could just skip his spot. But, yeah Neifi at the end.