vance_the_cubs_fan

The Daily Southtown hints that Barrett may not be able to start. Link Do we have any word on this from other sources?

I wouldn't mind seeing Pie up, but I'd hope it's because the Cubs just decided that they'd rather have Jacque's 5 million dollar bat on the bench rather than because they want to move Murton to first.

Do you really feel the need to surf the web and find any thread that disparages your beloved team and defend them vigorously? Are you really surprised that you would find threads on a Cubs message board that make fun and sometimes without logic or reason the players on a rival team? Does it make you a better person to come here and defend him ad nauseum? You complain about "our originality" but your schtick has grown old. Do you do this at other Cub forums as well? I'm sure there are other threads all over the net that disparage your beloved. It's quite clear that much of what is discussed in some of these threads is "tongue and cheek" making fun of players from a rival team, yet you try to get up on a high horse and act like some pontificating moral policeman. If our place profanes you so much, why keep coming around?

Thank God! Sorry Vance...in today's tribune, Froemming refutes that: "Now in his 36th season of umpiring, Froemming said rumors of his retiring are false. He plans to continue in 2007, breaking umpire Bill Klem's all-time record for longevity." Oh, goody! Can we just let him call a game involving Delmon Young, please!

A thread like this is like drawing a maggot to dung.

Wow...Edmonds defender comes to the rescue. How chivalrous!

I think there has been some great discussions on this. While I find Young's act heinous, I think a year-long suspension to a bit excessive and a lifetime ban to be ludicrous. If criminal charges can be filed, let those people take care of that. An appropriate penalty would be 35-50 games with the provision Young attend anger management therapy for a full six months and undergoes a full pschiatric evaluation. If he misses one appointment, one meeting, or does not follow through with everything instructed by his therapist, the suspension is extended to one year's worth of games. This would be an appropriate suspension and should also help Delmon get the help he needs. This isn't his first run-in and that should also be taken into account.

The key difference is that a minor league player doesn't have the PA to protect him.

I noticed this line in the Trib article. Thank God!

I've watched it maybe twenty times now...I can't see anything less than a 30 game suspension.

No...it was skipping, but I finally got it to work. Wow...there's no way that isn't intentional. He should be done for the year.

For some reason, the video is choppy and skipping spots and I haven't seen the throw yet.

Link I found this exchange very funny. Then there were some exchanges about Jacque... And so someone pointed out that Jones has a three-year deal and not a two year deal... And then to Hendry's defense comes Drew.

You have to make a judgement call here. Does the team getting Pierre need stolen bases? If someone is just being stupid, you have to let it go. I don't believe the commish should block stupidity.It's tough the rest of the league didn't take advantage of his stupidity sooner. On the other hand, if you suspect cheating or something else, then block it.

That's a very nice list. Thanks. There's some forums that could probably be added to it, but nice job!

I've gotten Wood before, but without much interaction.

Everyonr have fun!

If he's expected back with the cubs around the 12th I'd say a May 1st and May 6th Rehab Start.... I'm hoping to see him on the 7th...but if not, oh well. :shrug: Do you think he'd really be going anywhere where he'd have to travel alot? Well, Sheets made his first rehab start in Mississippi...so it could happen. I'm planning on being at that game on the 7th, so it would be cool if he's there.

I know that is considered by the HOF voters, but it is so completely irrelevant. see Palmiero's GG when he was a DH, and Jeter's two GGs. and like I pointed out, Abreu every bit the defender, probably better, and racked up a bunch of stolen bases in his career. career OPS+ Abreu 138 Edmonds 138 so if you say yes to Edmonds, you have to say yes to Abreu, right? now is Bobby Abreu a sure fire HOFer? neither is Edmonds. Kirby Puckett got in with a career OPS+ of 124. Dave Winfield got in with a career OPS+ of 129. Carl Yastrzemski was 130. Reggie Jackson was 139, and never won a Gold Glove. Eddie Murray was 129. That doesn't mean that Edmonds is a lock, by any stretch. But you have to consider it. Reggie had 500 HRs and Murray 500 HR + 3,000 hits. Winfield also joined the 3000 hit club. Like it or not, those guys get enshrined on those numbers alone. I've always contended that Puckett didn't belong, and I don't think Edmonds has the "aura" that Puckett had. Belle's numbers looked as good as Puckett and he didn't get a sniff. Yaz had a triple crown on his resume which helped him get enshrined. If Edmonds can get 3000 hits or 500 HRS like Murray, Winfield, or Jackson he's in. If he can win a triple crown like Yaz or make everyone love him like Puckett, then he's in. Short of that, I don't think the voters will see Jimmy Maybeline as a HOFer.

If he's expected back with the cubs around the 12th I'd say a May 1st and May 6th Rehab Start.... I'm hoping to see him on the 7th...but if not, oh well. :shrug:

I'd like to hold onto Marshall as well, but if Wood and Prior come back healthy, we have the following pitchers: Zambrano, Maddux, Wood, Prior, Rusch, Marshall,Guzman, and Williams. If Miller returns healthy, that makes nine possible starters. It's from that depth the Cubs could add a bat. It's doubtful a contender is moving an impact bat. That means those teams are going to want a player for beyond this season. Guzman and Marshall make the most sense. I understand the idea to look toward next season's rotation. Zambrano and Prior will certainly be in the mix. The Cubs could pick up Wood's option, but if they let him walk they will also have 10-13 million to spend on a FA. The same is true with Maddux. If he walks, nine million is freed up for an acquisition. Having twenty million to spend on FA pitchers should be adequate to add two nice arms to the rotation if the Cubs had to or desired to go in that direction. Rusch will also be under team control if needed for depth. Williams, Hill, Marshall, and Guzman could also be options. Ryu should be ready to start at the major league level as well. So even with Maddux, Wood, and Miller not part of the 2007 picture, the Cubs have the depth to trade Marshall if the player they acquire is an impact player. At this point, it's hard to know who that will be.

Is there any chance of Wood rehabbing with the Jaxx when they visit the Missisippi Braves May 7-10?

I agree that Edmonds and Abreu are similar players with similar skills. I wouldn't put either in the HOF right now. But if one goes it does make a great argument for the other.

I'm picking up what you're throwing down, but I think Z would be the most ideal trading chip. He doesn't make the dollars that Wood does, and is more proven than the Marshalls and Guzmans. Once again, that depends on where we're dealing Zambrano. He's going to get really expensive next year in arbitration and then could leave that team via free agency. Marshall or to some extend Guzman would give a team an arm that is relatively cheap for a longer period. To a contending team with enough payroll, Zambrano is the most attractive. On the other hand, I could see more interest in Marshall as far as some teams are concerned.

Honestly, I don't think Raffy has anything left. Without the steroids, I believe age will take its toil. He's also a cancer in the clubhouse that we could do without.