vance_the_cubs_fan

Count me in! I want Opening Day!

That implies there was a time when he wasn't gambling. True. Let me rephrase. Looks like Mark is still gambling.

I think Mark has been gambling again.

It's over now.

I think USC has this one in the bag.

I can see the Chiefs beating the Colts. If Ron Dayne ran for 150+ yards, I can only imagine what Larry Johnson will do.

Michigan knots the game at three.

Until I see what happens in ST, I can't answer that. He's not rehabbing from surgery, so right now I don't see why he couldn't be there. I'm not a doctor and I haven't seen his medical reports, so I don't know. Considering there is still four months to Opening Day, I don't know why he shouldn't be ready to go.

Trojans strike first. 3-0, USC.

Shouldn't we be talking about the Rose Bowl in the BCS thread?

As we turn the calendar from 2006 to 2007, most of the premier FA have been signed. As I see it, the Cubs still could use a CF and a bat for the bench. The bat for the bench could be LH or RH, though the bench as constructed lacks much RH power, the offense is heavily RH so either one might do. It would be nice if the bat could play some 3b as we seem to have enough corner OF and middle IF types on the bench. Here are a few interesting candidates still available. At top of the list is Cliff Floyd. Floyd will be 34 next season and has had problems staying healthy. If healthy he mashes RH and would give the line-up some balance. Signing Floyd likely insures that Jones will be moved but also opens the question of who will be in CF. Another interesting candidate is David Bell. Bell would be a RH bat on the bench and gives the Cubs some insurance if Ramirez gets injured. Bell hit 270/337/399 last year. He's also had his struggles with injuries and has a career 257/320/396 mark. He'd definitely be worth a look for the bench if is price isn't too high. If the CF vacancy isn't filled soon, I fear that we may start hearing the name of Steve Finely. Finely is LH and hit 246/320/394 last season as a member of the Giants. He'll be 42 years old and likely has little left in the tank. Hopefully, Jim stays clear of Finely. Two other interesting options for RHed power might be Phil Nevin and Craig Wilson. While both can handle the bat, they play positions the Cubs have adequately filled. Other than pinch-hitting duties, I don't see where they would fit into the 2007 Cubs plans. Preston Wilson is an interesting option, but only if he still has the ability to play CF. I have my doubts about that and so, I'd steer clear of Wilson. Of the remaining options, David Bell likely makes the most sense for the Cubs.

Any interest in a return of Phil Nevin for a bench role?

I'd still like to see Craig Wilson signed for the bench.

It now appears the Reds are pursuing Chris Reitsma. Link. The Reds already have Coffey,Weathers, Bray, Majewski, Cormier, and Stanton for the pen. Do they really need Reitsma too?

Could the Cubs help the Nats fill the closer vacancy created from dealing Cordero by sending Dempster to the Nationals for Church?

Although he could fill a bench role probably better than a veteran retread could, and for less money to boot. True. It could be better for him if he's getting regular PT at Iowa than getting one start every 10-12 games as he likely would if he were up with the big club. I can't see him getting more than 6-10 AB's per week with the Cubs. With Ward on the bench, Moore wouldn't be the first LH option.

If Moore is going to be the back-up to Ramirez, he could still start the season at Iowa and only be brought up if Ramirez is going to be out a significant amount of times.

With Cotts, Wood, Eyre, Howry, Wuertz, and Ohman, there is no reason for Dempster to be on the roster. There seems to be a lot of teams wanting to add a bullpen arm. I wonder if the possible health of Miller and Prior is keeping the Cubs from pulling the trigger on a trade. I read where Cotts is going to be stretched out in ST in case Prior or Miller is unable to grab the fifth starter's job.

After adding Wood, there is definitely a glut in the bullpen, especially if Miller and Prior are both ready to go. If everyone arrives at camp healthy, I expect a trade to alleviate some of the bullpen crowding.

Oops...I knew I was forgetting someone. I guess that's a bullpen spot right there. I'm going to edit the top post to reflect Kerry.

I'm bored, so I thought I'd line-up what the team looks like and what we might need to add or subtract. Here's the roster as I see it. C: Michael Barrett 1b Derrek Lee 2b: Mark Derosa SS: Cesar Izturis 3b: Aramis Ramirez OF: Matt Murton, Jacque Jones, Alphonso Soriano SP: Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, Rich Hill, Jason Marquis, Mark Prior Bullpen: Ryan Dempster, Bob Howry, Scott Eyre, Michael Wuertz, Neal Cotts, Will Ohman and Kerry Wood. Bench: Daryle Ward, Angel Pagan, Henry Blanco, Ryan Theriot That's 24 players. There's one spot still available. It 's likely a bench spot, but could be another bullpen arm. Cedeno or Moore could be a bench option. If Miller is healhty, the Cubs are going to have a roster crunch. Novoa could also be a possibility in the bullpen as well. I think the Cubs will make one more signing for a bench player. I also suspect Floyd will be signed and Jacque will be dealt. If that happens, a CF will need to be added. It could be Pie or it could be someone from outside the organization.

My guess is that if something happened to Ramirez, they would move DeRosa there or give Moore a shot.

It also appears the Yankees could be pushing hard for Clemens, but there desire is for a full season of Clemens.

According to the NY Daily News, trade discussions are being held up over discussions for an extension. Link.

In his "compare stats" it lists Trinidad "the kid" Hubbard. Quite telling, isn't it?