vance_the_cubs_fan

1-1) Albert Pujols 1-2) Jose Reyes 1-3) Johan Santana 1-4) Alfonso Soriano 1-5) Alex Rodriguez 1-6) Carlos Beltran 1-7) Ryan Howard 1-8) Miguel Cabrera 1-9) Carl Crawford 1-10) Chase Utley 1-11) Derrek Lee 1-12) Chris Carpenter 2-1) David Wright 2-2) Lance Berkman 2-3) Grady Sizemore 2-4) David Ortiz 2-5) Vladimir Guerrero 2-6) Manny Ramirez 2-7) Mark Teixeira 2-8) Travis Hafner 2-9) Derek Jeter 2-10) Carlos Lee 2-11) Matt Holliday 2-12) Carlos Zambrano 3-1) Jake Peavy

It appears that the Cowboys coaching search is focusing on two candidates: Wade Phillips and Norv Turner. The decision hinges greatly on an interview with potential OC and current Dolphins QB coach, Jason Garrett. Link. According to ESPN,

Hendry said at the Convention that if Soriano were in CF, Pie could play RF. He said Pie had the arm for RF and will have enough power to play there as well.

Soriano in a corner changed when he said he wanted to play CF. Since the Cubs already have Murton and Jones, Soriano in CF made a lot of sense to Lou and it does me as well. If he can handle CF defensively (and he has the tools to do so), then if the Cubs need to upgrade with a bat at midseason, it's easier to find a RF or LF than it is a CF.

Based on comments I heard at the convention, it appears Murton will get his AB. Both Piniella and Hendry spoke highly of him.

If they could just trade for Eckstein, the grit and intesity on that team would be legendary.

Link. I found this rather interesting...

I read at the top that Dayn Perry wrote it, so I knew it would have little validity. While Hendry hasn't done a great job over the last two years, I still would rank him over Coletti, Bowden, and a few others ranked ahead of him. The top of the list is fairly spot on, but I'm not completely sold on the totality of his rankings.

I'd deal (in order of preference): Eyre, Dempster, Ohman or Cotts to make room for Wood. But I think Hendry would option Wuertz to Iowa. Of course either scenario assumes Miller is not also DL'd. Guzman impressing in ST and Wood, Miller & Prior all being healthy would defintely make things interesting. A good interesting and something I hope happens. I see you sent down Cedeno. Does Izturis play SS for 162 games or do you think Theriot can fill in? This position really worries me. Theriot at SS = Bad. 162 games of Izturis = Really bad. No matter what, we're screwed at SS this year. I thought Theriot was pretty good defensively at SS.

Going to Cubs Convention has me ready for some baseball. I hate that I can't go to spring training.

Someone called the Show with Dibble and Kennedy yesterday to complain about this. According to Dibble and Kennedy, the exclusive deal wouldn't begin until 2009. Of course, I'm not sure I'd trust those two...but that is what they said.

You took the time to ask him to do an interview on NSBB, right? ;) If I see him in Atlanta, I will. I almost asked McDonough if he would, but chickened out first.

I think it was more of a speculation that they'd be interested in Lovie than a report that they are interested. I think the Bears will extend Angelo and Smith this week. But if they end up trading Lovie for picks I wouldn't cry (or did the NFL stop that following the Gruden situation?). The talent on the field is more important than the head coach. And Angelo is responsible for the talent. I would think Angelo would have a VERY tough sell PR-wise if the Bears win the Super Bowl and he doesn't want to give Lovie his payday. I would love to see the Cowboys go after Cowher and have to give the Steelers a big compensation package. I was hoping Miami would try that as well. I don't think Jones will pursue Cowher. Had Parcells stayed another year until Cowher was no longer under contract, it might have been a possibility.

Hendry is my homeboy.

Hahaha. Thats a constructive use of time. And bonus points for the student who nabs some Cubs-Sox tickets where I can utilize the profits to finance my trip. An education on capitalism, very good Vance. Well, I keep having to go to seminars on incoporating technology into the classroom and just last November one on applying the classroom to the real world.... I think this applies! :)

:lol:

Hahaha. Thats a constructive use of time. And bonus points for the student who nabs some Cubs-Sox tickets where I can utilize the profits to finance my trip.

A few pictures: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0360.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0362.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0359.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0358.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0357.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0356.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0354.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0353.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0352.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/vance_the_cubs_fan/100_0361.jpg

I'm thinking Norv Turner may end up the next coach. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Turner called the plays for the Cowboys Super Bowl teams, but how hard is it to call plays with that unit?

That's Oneri. And I don't know if it was just me, but I thought Wilken looked a lot like Steve Buechelle.

I plan to enlist my students and a full computer lab to acquire the tix I desire.

Ok, for those who wanted more minutae from my notes... Patterson will play some OF as well as continue to work out at 2b. Eric believes he still has a lot to learn. Someone asked a question about why we signed Derosa when Patterson was able to do the job right now, and Patterson said he still had "lots" to work on. Wilken liked Colvin because he is a good player with lots of projection. He can "run and throw." He also knows what it means to play in "meaningful games." He hit 6 HR in five days. He's also added some weight and projects to add power. Mentioned his excitement over the 3rd and 31st pick. We lost our second round pick but still have picks in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Veal said he throws fastball, change, and curve. He's trying to learn what he does well and go out there and do it. His curve needs the most work. Eric was asked about his relationship with Corey. He said he talks to Corey in some fashion every day and works out with him in the offseason. They are very close. When asked who was better, he or Corey, he said Corey's played in the majors and I'm still trying to get there. I can't say I'm better. Mark Paweleck is slated to go to Peoria. Brownlie's velocity has never come back. They hope it does. When deciding to spend a high round pick and a lot of money on a pitcher, Wilken looks for a "clean delivery." In later picks, he might take more gambles. There was some discussion about the number of injuries. Flieta cited numbers that surgeries in the system have been decreasing. Flieta called Pie a "Wow" player. Said one day you'll see him make a great catch and hit a homer to win a game and you say, "wow." The next time he'll make a gaffe on the bases or make a bad throw trying to do to much and you say, "wow." (differing inflections in the voice on the wow's.) Veal said he's working on fine tuning his strategy. He says that when he's ready, he feels he'll know he's ready. He's trying to work on his control so he can have confidence in throwing any pitch in any count. Players are shown stats on a bi-weekly basis. These stats show pitches per AB. Patterson says that is one area he is working to improve. These stats also include strike percentage which is shown to the pitchers. Dopirak had to have another surgery on his ankle. (This is the second surgery we knew about at the end of the season, not a third surgery.) He wasn't following instructions about taking care of it and wouldn't stay out of the weight room. According to Fleita, he broke the pin that was inserted in the first surgery and required a new pin. He's healthy now and will be in ST and they will see how he does and how he responds. There was some more, but I can't remember and didn't take as much notes as I should have.

Why do people like Harvey? According to Flieta, Harvey has a tool you can't teach.

I'll look over my notes when I get home for some of the trivial stuff. Flieta really didn't mention any other Latin guys, but he did mention the hiring of Steve Wilson as Pacific Rim scout. He did sound as if they are heavily mining Latin America as they attempt to find talent there. I'd agree that Wilken is more soft spoken than Flieta. But I think it may have to do that he doesn't want to give away too much. Even in his answers, there seemed to be lots he left unsaid. Flieta gushes on everyone. So it's hard to take some of what he says seriously. I know it's his job, but he seems to love every kid in the organization. Wilken did seem quite excited about having the 3rd and 31st picks in this year's draft. I'm eager to see what comes from those. I wanted to stay late and try to ask Wilken some more questions as he walked away, but I had to rush off to get in an auto line to get my Veal jersey signed as they rushed him away and wouldn't let him sign before he left. I'm sure I have a few other things that I forgot that maybe I can decipher from my notes at home. I do remember them saying than Fleita is excited about the pitcher received in the Walker trade. Also, Campusano was left unprotected because the Cubs have questions about whether he can stay healthy.

I didn't get one. I saw you during the Meet the Management session and wanted to say hello, but I was hurrying off to the Sports Medicine session where I was unable to coax an answer about Wood or Prior from the team doctor.