vance_the_cubs_fan

Yes, but Hawk thinks Ozzie is the other one.

I want no part of Hudson unless Andruw is coming with him...or the cost is much, much less than Marshall and Veal.

i used to have it but i guess it ran out you'd think they'd send an email or something I had Z way back when. The Mercker page is now sponsored with a tribute fitting of such a player.

This angers me, greatly. Either you trust Hendry with the decision or you don't. If you don't, then fire him. Bruce Miles debunked this in one of the other threads. Yes, thankfully. I posted this before he debunked it.

That's just not true. He played in 130 games last year. So, vance, you expect him to continue to play at least 130 games in the field as he getting older? Cause I don't. I suspect he could play at least 115-120 games in the field and still be used as a pinch hitter or a DH in games at AL parks in another 10 games or so for next season and that's the only one you'd be concerned with. Bonds is only going to sign a one-year deal. So, what happens beyond next year doesn't matter. Also, I'm only in favor of him if the price is 10 million or less. Assume that it is. For ten million, you will get a player that I bet will hit 260/415/500 or better in 100-130 games. I think having that production would be good at that price, even if he only started a 100 games. With Murton at 400K for next year, you have an inexpensive player for the other 60. Also, it allows Murton to play for Jones against most lefties. Assume no other changes, and the return of Pierre...and Bonds as the only offensive addition, the Cubs still could trot out this line-up: CF Pierre 2b Theriot 1b Lee LF Bonds 3b Ramirez RF Jones C Barrett SS Izturis Even if in 60 games, Murton replaces Bonds, the line-up isn't horrid and for 100 games the line-up is very good. That heart of the order is fearsome with good complementary players in front and behind it. If we assume 65 million is already committed to the roster, adding Bonds pushes it to 75. With a 115 million payroll, the Cubs still have the cash to sign pitching to make this a very formidable group. I know Bonds won't happen. I also know he's not a likeable player nor is he a likeable person. I don't think an NL team can afford to sign him to 15 million, but at 10 million or less, he would be an awesome risk to take, bad knees and all.

The price for Dunn may not be as high as some think. This post from RedsZone outlines Dunn's contract situation. Teams trading for Dunn will be trading for one year of him before they will need to extend him or let him walk. The Reds will realize that they either need to make Dunn part of the franchise or trade him now. Dunn's value likely will be less than other players like Andruw Jones. I'd love to get Dunn. I wonder if an offer of Dempster, Jones, and Marmol would get it done?

Vandy takes the lead, 14-13.

I'm still reading that it's not a done deal and that Piniella's salary demands could keep it from happening. While it appears Piniella is the top choice, I don't think it's certain he's gotten the job, at least not from all the sources.

It appears the San Diego media is also picking up that Hendry's superiors have nixed pursuing Bochy. Link This angers me, greatly. Either you trust Hendry with the decision or you don't. If you don't, then fire him.

With Piniella, you can almost take it to the bank that Rothschild will be back.

Sounds like the marketing people would rather have a "name" than the best manager. That's more of the Same Ole S..... in regards to the Cubs. It's dissapointing.

Alright it's picking time. I won't list my record, because frankly it sucks at this point. Remember picks are for recreational purposes only, and lines are from sportsbook.com. Seattle (-3) at St. Louis. I like the Seahawks. I don't think they will have a problem with the Rams, with or without Alexander. Give me Seahawks (-3) Tennesee (+10.5) at Washington. Tennesee gave Indianapolis quite a scare last week. Could they do the same to the Redskins? Washington hasn't impressed me much this season despite being one of early picks to make the playoffs. I think Washington wins, but the Titans cover the spread. Titans (+10.5) Buffalo (-1.5) at Detroit. Detroit seems to be falling apart. Roy Williams is AWOL. I think Buffalo is getting better each week. They should beat the Lions and cover the point and a half. Bills (-1.5) Cincinnati (-5) at Tampa. The Buccaneers are bad. Really bad. They might win one day. Tomorrow won't be that day. Bengals (-5). Carolina (+3) at Baltimore. The Raven defense is good. Carolina will struggle to move the ball. Delhomme will be in trouble all game. Baltimore is at home and that makes the difference for me. Ravens (-3) Philadelphia (-3) at New Orleans. The Saints have surprised everyone this year, but they narrowly defeated a bad Tampa team last week. The Eagles are likely one of the top three teams in the NFL right now. It will be rocking in the Dome, but the Saints leave a loser. Eagles (-3) Houston (+13) at Dallas. The Cowboys' defense has scored a TD in each of the last two games. Bledsoe looked bad against the Eagles, but the Texans are a far cry from the Eagles. Look for the Cowboys to win by three scores. Cowboys (-13) NY Giants (+3) at Atlanta. This one will depend on which QB is better, Vick or Eli? Since I can't decide, I'll push in the direction of the home team. Falcons (-3) Miami (+2) at NY Jets. I'm not sure the Dolphins would beat the Mets in a football game. They won't beat the Jets. Jets (-2). San Diego (-9.5) at San Francisco. Chargers will win this one. Chargers (-9.5). Kansas City (+6.5) at Pittsburgh. The Steelers are struggling, but the Chiefs are no great shakes either. I'll go with the points. Chiefs (+6.5) Oakland (+14.5) at Denver. Denver will win the game. I have no doubt. The Raiders will cover the spread. Raiders (+14.5) Chicago (-11) at Arizona. A rookie QB against the Bears' defense? Not a pretty picture. Bears (-11).

I've been surfing RedsZone lately. Those guys expect a lot if they trade Dunn. They unanimously would not do Dunn for Prior. They want Ervin Santana and prospects or Bonderman or deals like that for Dunn.

That's just not true. He played in 130 games last year.

The Cubs already have a Zito like pitcher in the rotation....his name is Rich Hill. Adding Zito would be redundant to say the least. The Daske or wahtever his name from Japan is, or Jason Schmdit should be Hendry's #1's target, and not Zito. I agree. And for me, one of the reasons I want another power pitcher is that those are the types that can carry a team in the playoffs. Zito is not that type of pitcher.

Before everyone gets his/her panties in a wad, don't worry about Bonds. Bruce already said the Cubs won't have any interest in him. But even if he has a slight decline from this year, he should put up a 260/415/500 line. If we signed Bonds for 10 million, we'd be adding better production than we could get for Soriano without having to guarantee the years. If I signed Bonds, I'd keep Murton and platoon him with Jones. Between the AL games that Bonds would DH, the games Bonds would need to take off, and the games Jones sits against lefties, Murton should still get starts in around 100 games. A middle of the order of Lee, Bonds, and Ramirez would be lethal.

Serious? He is Sosa all over again. Really? In Sosa's last year, the decline was huge. Bonds has declined but even with his decline he still has an OBP over 400 and an OPS over 900.

That would be a dumb gamble. Dont the Cubs have enough injury prone players already? Bonds may hit the HR when he is healthy, but he is a liability in the field. I rather have Murton than Bonds at this point. Actually, it would be a nice gamble. With Murton cheap and in the fold, the Cubs would have the perfect player to use when Bonds needed to miss time. Bonds while only playing 130 games, still managed to post a 270/454/545 line. Do you wanna guess how many Cubs had an OBP over 400? Let me help you. It's not a long list. Would you like to know how long it's been since Bonds had an OBP below 400? You have to go all the way back to 1999 before you find that. Bonds may not be likeable, but he's still a great hitter. He's not the hitter he was two or three or even four years ago, but he's still productive. There's not too many players available that can provide a 900-1000 OPS. Bonds is one of those. His defense isn't great, but neither was Moises Alou's and we lived with him for a few seasons. I wouldn't break the bank for Bonds, but if I could get him for under 10 mil, he'd be a great gamble. Probably the best on the market.

If I could get Bonds for 10 million or less, I take that gamble.

Terry Francona

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If Moore could handle SS, he would be a very huge asset.

All managers use stats, but obviously people think there are some special stat type managers, just curious, who are those managers? Larry Dierker

Go Mets!

Giving up outs is usually not a good idea. It's best to let the pitcher have to get out of the jam rather than helping him by giving away an out.