vance_the_cubs_fan

I'd definitely prefer Marshall to Batista. I'd rather let Marmol or Guzman take a stab over Batista. With the number of young ones we have, I don't see the need to spend 4-8 millon on Batista.

For what it's worth, a Houston radio station is saying the Astros are in discussion for Willis and the deal centers around Willy Tevaras and Patton.

Old news. That was posted in this thread yesterday.

GO COWBOYS! http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5986080_7_1.jpg http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5985344_7_1.jpg http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5985342_7_1.jpg http://msn.foxsports.com/id/5985338_7_2.jpg http://msn.foxsports.com/id/6149142_7_1.jpg[/b]

Schilling confirms that Manny wants to be traded. Link.

Ham has been involved in centuries-long fued with balogna. Turkey and pastrami also seem to have enmity toward ham. Roast beef and corned beef have recently joined ham in an alliance while chicken pulled pork have tried to remain neutral.

Link. Rob Neyer had this to say about the Cubs' GM:

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones? They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility. Is it a real possibility to think the Cubs will look to deal Murton and Jones and also try to get a bigger bat in LF and just put the LH-bat of Pie in CF? although, as a few others have said, if the Cubs truly want an impact LH bat they could just sign Bonds. It's highly doubtful they'd trade BOTH Murton and Jones. They're not assuming Pie will be ready on Opening Day. They won't sign Bonds. This makes me cry. I'd love to see a Lee-Bonds-Ramirez middle of the order. That's just too bad. Why? The offensive production would be epic. It's because he prefers scrappy gamers and pitchers who suck in the regular season but might have a chance to win postseason games. I do? Seems so to me.

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones? They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility. Is it a real possibility to think the Cubs will look to deal Murton and Jones and also try to get a bigger bat in LF and just put the LH-bat of Pie in CF? although, as a few others have said, if the Cubs truly want an impact LH bat they could just sign Bonds. It's highly doubtful they'd trade BOTH Murton and Jones. They're not assuming Pie will be ready on Opening Day. They won't sign Bonds. This makes me cry. I'd love to see a Lee-Bonds-Ramirez middle of the order. That's just too bad. Why? The offensive production would be epic. It's because he prefers scrappy gamers and pitchers who suck in the regular season but might have a chance to win postseason games.

Do you think they will look for a lefty shortstop, or a lefty CF and deal Jones? They like Izturis a lot so I don't see them trading him. The latter is more of a real possibility. Is it a real possibility to think the Cubs will look to deal Murton and Jones and also try to get a bigger bat in LF and just put the LH-bat of Pie in CF? although, as a few others have said, if the Cubs truly want an impact LH bat they could just sign Bonds. It's highly doubtful they'd trade BOTH Murton and Jones. They're not assuming Pie will be ready on Opening Day. They won't sign Bonds. This makes me cry. I'd love to see a Lee-Bonds-Ramirez middle of the order.

Bruce, what lefty hitting CFers are out there to pursue? Are we talking Lofton?

Here's what Insider had to say:

I'm guess if Albert puts up similar numbers next season yet misses the playoffs, he'd be happy to concede the award to someone whose team makes the playoffs.

Well, if we're using gold gloves as the standard, Andruw beats Wells there also. Jones has won the gold glove every year since 1998.

No, not really. I think his arm will be fine since he hardly throws any breaking balls, and he kept the ball down last year. He strikes me as a good pitcher - not the kind of guy who falls apart when he loses a tick or two off his fastball. Well it should. A decrease in velocity and the decreasing length of a pitchers stride are two of the biggest keys to a shoulder injury. How many Schmidt starts did you see last season? The ones he made against the Cubs. Not to mention the video anyalsis I have on him from a pitching program. So you're basing your assessment on Schmidt on two starts, one in May and one at the beginning of September. The first of which, he pitched 9 IP, allowing 1 run on five hits while walking none; and the second of which he pitched 7 IP, allowing 3 runs on 8 hits while walking two. Yep. Sounds like trouble to me. [/sarcasm]

I'm probably not going to pick the Thursday game. I'm too busy right now.

Yes, but it needs to be done. 4/60 for Schmidt is insane. No, 5/55 for Darren Dreifort is insane. 4/60 for Schmidt is overpaying to get a good pitcher. Not when he is 34yrs old and breaking down. huh, I must have missed that breaking down during his 32 start, 213 inning, 125 ERA+, All-Star season. I need to pay more attention. Yeah, you should. The loss in velocity and the decreasing length of his stride don't bother you? Or the decrease in K's? Schmidt is still a better fit than Zito or any of the other FA pitchers. I understand that. Im just worried about his health. He has been taking a beating under Felipe. I would have a problem giving him anything longer than 2 years. While 2 years would be nice, he's not going to sign for that. In this market, you have to overpay. I'd rather give Schmidt 4/60 than pay Jeff Suppan 4/36. The Cubs need a pitcher. I'd prefer to add one ace through FA than give up the few trading chips we have for a Westbrook type and then have to overspend on Suppan, Meche, or Padilla. Would I like Schmidt plus one of those...of course. Is it overpaying? Yes. Is it a risk? Yes. But the Cubs apparently have the money and adding Schmidt to a rotation of Zambrano, Hill, Prior, and Miller/Marshall/Mateo likely makes us the favorite in the NL Central. Go get him.

The thing is, whether those 6-8 other teams will be as willing to part with the players to make it happen. Rangers? Yes Angels? Maybe Orioles? Maybe Dodgers? Maybe Mets? Yes Astros? Maybe If the Yankees are offering Sanchez and Melky, I think the Mets could offer Milledge and a pitching prospect to top that offer. The Rangers likely could put together a package around one of DVD boys, and maybe throw in John Mayberry and others. The Dodgers easily have the young players to get it done if they wanted to try. The Astros could likely offer Pence and Hirsch to get it done.

Oh I agree, but outside of Hughes I can't see the Yankees putting together a package that couldn't me topped by at least 6-8 other teams.

Yes, but it needs to be done. 4/60 for Schmidt is insane. No, 5/55 for Darren Dreifort is insane. 4/60 for Schmidt is overpaying to get a good pitcher. Not when he is 34yrs old and breaking down. huh, I must have missed that breaking down during his 32 start, 213 inning, 125 ERA+, All-Star season. I need to pay more attention. Yeah, you should. The loss in velocity and the decreasing length of his stride don't bother you? Or the decrease in K's? Schmidt is still a better fit than Zito or any of the other FA pitchers.

If the Marlins deal Willis to the Yankees, it will cost Philip Hughes.

With Soriano and Murton for the corners, I don't have any interest in Burrell any longer. If the Phillies want to talk about dealing Jimmy Rollins, I'd listen.

Yes, but it needs to be done. 4/60 for Schmidt is insane. No more so than the 6/100 deal Zito will get.

I can't wait to see the Cowboys-Gnats game.

So, if CT makes a bad decision, who does he blame it on?