vance_the_cubs_fan

I think I started mine first, but there was more traffic in the other one.

Bruce may be something one day, dude. But you gotta go with the guys who've proven they can do this.

As long as they're buying low, I'm down. Some of the rumors I'm hearing (reading) have it being a late round pick (5th or 6th rounder) and Jones agreeing to turn a large portion of his contract into incentives. My guess is this happens some time in the next week or so. Fantastic. If he's stayed in shape, it will be worth it to the return game if nothing else. I think if he's stayed in shape, he and Newman would make a nice pair of CB for coverage. Henry could either shift to safety or work in the nickel packages. I could still see the Cowboys taking a first round corner (Talib, McKelvim, DRC).

As long as they're buying low, I'm down. Some of the rumors I'm hearing (reading) have it being a late round pick (5th or 6th rounder) and Jones agreeing to turn a large portion of his contract into incentives. My guess is this happens some time in the next week or so.

According to the DMN, the Cowboys are in discussions about acquiring Adam Jones from the Titans. Link.

From rotoworld. Ha ha. Corey Patterson as lead-off. Gotta love it.

189. Bronson Arroyo 190. Kevin Slowey

Marshall, I'd assume? no, they have a long guy that they will move to a starter. Think relievers. Cotts? Wuertz? Hart?

Marshall, I'd assume? Marquis, plz.

I think we should probably trade Marquis for the best deal we can get. If we can get someone to take on that contract, it would be a miracle. In all liklihood, we're going to be paying some it no matter where he goes. It would be nice if we could deal him and get back a player that helps the team, which in Jim's mind would be a right-handed hitting CF. To find the proper match, the Cubs need to find a team that is need of a starter who can eat innings. The first team to come to mind is the Astros. Their rotation after Oswalt is sketchy at best. Woody Williams and Sampson have been horredous this spring. Backe is hit and miss, but coming off of surgery, he 's no lock to pitch the entire season healthy. Wandy Rodriguez also has had a bad spring. They don't have much depth in the minors, so they would be a team that might have interest in Marquis. On the other hand, the Cubs-Astros might be unwilling to deal within the division and the only expendable component on the Astros that fits the Cubs' needs would be Reggie Abercrombie and he sucks. The Astros are said to be looking to deal Loretta, but probably won't now that Matsui is out with a second crack in his ass. The Marlins are another possibility if they'd be willing to move Cody Ross for Marquis. If he goes to the Fish, the Cubs will likely have to eat a sizeable portion of the contract. It would be ideal if the Cubs could send him to Texas for Byrd. But the Rangers appear to be delusional that Byrd should demand a young pitching prospect from the Cubs. As long as that continues, the Rangers are going to be difficult trading partners. The biggest issue is I don't see a lot of teams with holes in the rotation that have a player that meets the Cubs' needs and is expendable to that team. Things could change in the next week, but as things stand the Cubs may need to wait a little longer before dealing him.

Thanks! If anyone happens to have had a pharm school/med school interview in the past couple years, I'd love to hear some tips or ideas of what types of questions to expect. My wife is a pharmacist and her dad is the dean of pharmacy at SIUE, so I'll ask her if she has any suggestions. My brother is also a professor of clinical pharmacy at UL-Monroe, so he may have some ideas as well.

But I'm pretty sure the networks might want a refund if the games aren't played.

Link. This could get interesting...

Unless he has a clause in his contract that asks for his release if he's not on the major league roster by a certain date.

Comparing DeRosa's situation to the "average person at XYZ company" isn't really fair. The average person at XYZ isn't a public persona with interview requests and reporters following him daily. You are correct that voicing publicly the things DeRosa has said wouldn't go over well in the public world. I could get into a lot of trouble if I talked about every frustration I had with the media and then those frustrations were made public. On the other hand, I can't recall the last time anyone in the media, print or radio, ever gave a rat's ass about my complaints about my job, so for that reason I can bitch and moan to a few co-workers or my wife and leave it at that. On the other hand, if I were constantly on the radio or being asked about it by a journalist, from time to time, especially if I'm an open person that frequently shoots in a straight-forward manner, I'd probably say things that discretion says would better be left unsaid.

Injuries are hurting Cintron's chances at making the roster, which is good news for Cedeno and Fontenot and likely Patterson as well. Link.

Jeff Zrebiec is saying he thinks the trade goes down sometime within the next ten days. Link.

If the Reds are looking for catching help, why not expand this to a three team deal with the current rumored players going to Baltimore for Roberts and Hernandez and then flipping Hernandez to the Reds for Freel?

Laird would be a good move for both sides. The Reds are looking for catching help, and the Rangers would like to move him to pave the way for Salty. But, I'm not sure the Rangers move him for Freel alone. The Rangers don't really have a place to give Freel everyday playing time. My guess, just like they did with Byrd, they would want more than just Freel in an exchange for Laird. In fact, a quick perusal of http://www.newbergreport.com reveals that the Rangers aren't interested in moving Laird just yet. Link. Furthermore it goes on to say... Somehow I don't think Ryan Freel qualifies as overwhelming them. So, then the question becomes how much would a team have to give up in order to get Laird? Would the Reds part with Votto? Certainly not Cuetto. I'm sure the Rangers would be interested in Votto + Freel for Laird and a prospect. I don't think the Reds would go there, but that might be what it takes to get him. The Rangers also have no immediate need for Marlon Byrd any longer, but refused to trade him for Murton and went as far as asking for Ceda or Marshall or Gallagher to go with Murton. So, while Laird makes the obvious target, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to happen.

Based on spring numbers, I wouldn't be surprised if Hatteberg becomes the first baseman and Votto could be in AAA.

I have no interest in Spillborghs.

Another article in the Trib deals with this as well. Link.

Link.

But if the HR guy flew out in his other AB's, some could result in sac flies or advance a runner.

Did you stop to look at how the guy the Reds got back is doing? Volquez has 19 Ks and 3 BBs to go with his 3.46 ERA (bad stat?) in 13 innings this spring. He is just filthy, and is going to be the Reds 3rd or 4th starter behind Harang, Arroyo, and maybe Cueto. I'll take pitching over hitting 100 times out of 100. So far it looks like a win for both teams. You better hope he continues to display that control. In his try-out with the Rangers last season, he walked 15 in 34 innings. For 2007, he walked 75 in 178.2 IP. For 2006, he walked 17 in only 33.1 IP for the Rangers. Control has been his undoing. Granted he's young and still has a lot of time to learn to harnass his stuff. But, I would worry that the control he's shown in 13 IP could be quite fleeting once he's back on the mound come April. He's 24 years old. And the Rangers better hope Hamilton stays away from drugs, stays healthy, and hits left handed pitching. Not to mention his personal baby sitter Johnny Narron didn't go over too well in the clubhouse last year. It was a trade for two talented, young players each who have their flaws. It could (and I hope) it ends up being a win-win for both teams. I wish Hamilton the best the rest of his career and more importantly life. Hamilton has the benefit of working with the best hitting coach in the majors; Volquez will have Dick Pole and a manager notorious for over working young pitchers. I think it's more likely Hamilton does better here.