vance_the_cubs_fan

It is a regional slang usage. I've been around family lately and I'm not paying nearly as much attention to my usage as I should.

Payton hands down should be coach of the year. The team had three wins last season and now has secured the second spot in the NFC. While Fisher has done a decent job turning around Tennesee and Mangini has been good for the Jets, no one anticipated what Payton has done with the Saints.

When dealing with Tampa earlier, the Braves offered Davies and other players ( believed to be Saltamalaccia)to the Rays for Baldelli. The Rays wanted Chuck James. The Braves wanted to hang on to James, as they should. If the Cubs get involved, the Rays are going to ask for Hill in exchange for Baldelli. The Cubs aren't going there. Now the best hope is that the Cubs can offer some prospects and players that would facilitate a deal with the Braves. The Cubs might could offer enough players to get the Rays to accept the package built around Davies or send some pitching to the Braves so that they would feel comfortable dealing James. The Braves also are in the market for bullpen help. That's where they've been focusing on LaRoche. The Cubs could help there and have no need of LaRoche. After all of that, if the Braves are dangling Andruw Jones, the Cubs should be involved. A middle of the order of Lee, Jones, Ramirez would be very formidable.

We could just lower the value to one point per 10 yds rushing and recieving like some leagues. Adding a point per reception might be a nice change as well.

If not before... I agree. However, with Boras as his agent (if he is still z's agent) I'm thinking talks won't start until after Zito is signed. Just my 2 cents. Either way, I expect Hendry to get him signed. Hendry seems to be playing with monopoly money this year. Hendry will sign him or be prepared to lose him. Hendry takes pride in that he has never actually had to exchange figures with a player. Instead, he signs them first. The trick is will it be a 1-year deal or a long term deal? That I can't answer with as much certainty. My guess is that Zambrano's contract will follow the same path that Wood, Lee, and Ramirez went before him. A one-year deal will be signed right before the arbitration deadline followed by an extension worked out in spring training.

While some of the minor pieces might be changed somewhat, I could see this deal as a possibility. Cubs get: A. Jones. Braves get: Prior, Ohman and Baldelli. Rays get: Davies or James plus prospects from the Cubs, possibly Dopirak or Harvey. The Cubs would either platoon Murton and Jacque or deal Jacque and sign Floyd. The Cubs line-up would be heavily right-handed, so I could see Jones or Floyd playing lots over Murton. While Prior could be the difference in our rotation being medicore or good, it's evident Hendry isn't counting on him. The Braves may be more willing to take a gamble knowing they are losing Jones at season's end. This would give the Cubs excellent production in CF and at the same time still leave the position open for Pie in the future. The Braves also would believe they are replacing Jones with Baldelli. The Rays would get the pitcher they desire for Baldelli. I could also see Theriot or Cedeno involved as the Braves really have no one to play second base next year. If the Cubs are certain they can sign Floyd to provide a LH bat, Jacque could be moved. Another variation could have Prior moving to the Rays as the centerpiece of the Baldelli deal and the Braves hanging on to their young pitchers. While I really doubt the Cubs are one of the teams in these discussions, it is fun speculating. I have wondered if this three-way could also involve the Angels and Baltimore. The Braves with Tejada and Andruw Jones moving in the deal along with prospects from the Angels.

It seems two of the names I guessed at were correct. I'd like to see the Cubs get in on this if it can land Andruw Jones for CF. Furthermore, it appears the Braves are trying to build a bullpen, and the Cubs have an excess of bullpen arms. The Cubs might could move players to the Braves for Jones and the Braves turn a handful of those players with some of their own prospects to a team like the Devil Rays for Baldelli.

Could the three big names be Andruw Jones, Prior, and Baldelli?

How about we make this a money league? We have ten teams. What if everyone contributed $10. We'd generate $100. The prize awards could be broken down like this: 4th place: $10. 3rd place: $15. 2nd place: $20 Champion: $55. We could do more, but I think it would make things interesting. Getting into the playoffs gets your money back. Then there's a little more incentive for each round. We could knock out the third place bump and give both 3rd and 4th $10 and bump the champion to $60. I think it would be a cool idea and $10 isn't too much for everyone to contribute, I wouldn't think. So, what do all of you think?

Here's a better picture of Johnson. http://pinker.wjh.harvard.edu/photos/santa_barbara_california/images/ostrich.jpg

GEAUX TIGERS! http://www.blackathlete.com/Images/blackbox/jrussell1.jpg http://media3.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/photo/2005/11/12/PH2005111201057.jpg http://media.scout.com/Media/Image/26/261540.jpg [/b]

A very exciting end to the SD/Seattle game.

You're losing.

Griffey would easily be a HOFer. Considering he put up the numbers he did while playing CF, there is no doubt.

Bored now that skool is out for awhile? :P :wink: School doesn't get out for me until 11:30 this morning. I've been grading tests most of the morning.

Well he does sign most of his autographs, DWi. http://www.tristarproductions.com/Sales/Images/Baseball/WillisD-BB.jpg

I was able to watch the entire Cubs 2006 season without killing anyone.

I added my thoughts to the thread at GWR.

Robinson also would be better than Dawson, Palmeiro, or Brock. Also, I can't believe those would be included over Clemente as well.

Personally, I think Fergie Jenkins belongs over Sutton on that list, but I realistically their careers are very similar. Henderson being left off while the likes of Dawson, Brock, and Palmiero are considered is a travesty. I'd look at Tim Raines over Brock, Dawson, and Palmeiro. I've always believed Raines was very underated. Ivan Rodriguez is probably more deserving than the three above as well. Taking position into account, Johnny Bench likely deserves a mention as well.

Rickey Henderson should be on there over a player like Dawson.

I like Sickels but I don't think he has as much information on the players as he has had in years past. I used to be an avid reader of his book, and I might still decide to buy next year's, but I may look at other sources.

If the Cubs had wanted Marcus, they could have made a trade with the Braves before he was non-tendered and taking his choice out of the matter, at least for one year.

In honor of this event, a couple of Jon's fine works must be displayed. http://www.jonmdavis.net/maciasarmy.jpg http://www.jonmdavis.net/maciasgremlin.jpg

Christmas Day is coming...hopefully the Cowboys will give me the dual present of watching them wrap up the division while beating the Eagles! Go Cowboys!