Bull

You have to consider the payroll. Locking up Zambrano before the '07 season should be a priority - you don't want to run the risk of him having another great season and then bolting in free agency because the Cubs finish in last place again. Locking him up reduces your ability to sign other free agents. I don't see Cedeno as anything more than a utility player, so I don't see the point in sending him down to AAA next year. Same with Fontenot (what else does he need to prove in AAA?). And same with Pagan. If these guys had a future as a starter, then yeah, I'd agree. But none of them do. I'd love to sign Kenny Lofton, but someone will give him a starting job. And he's not going to turn down an everyday job to be a bench player on a team that finished with the worst record in the league. But with that said, this year's team wasn't as bad as it's record indicates. I don't think that a major overhaul is needed. And I certainly don't see the point in spending millions on every bench player when you have guys in the minors who will likely give you the same, if not better, production for the league minimum. I'd love to sign a FA starter, but the funds aren't there if you want to add an impact bat (which I feel is more important) and lock Zambrano up long-term. You're both right ... uh ... and wrong. The 25 men in the initial post aren't going to win many games. And Steinbrenner himself doesn't have enough money to fix this team properly. TIme to blow it up. Trade Z, Lee, Barrett, Howry, Dempster, Eyre and Jones for what you can get. Offer ramiraz arby and hope he turns it down. Rotation: Hill Marshall Pitcher recieved in trade Pitcher received in trade Prior/Miller Line-up Theriot Cedeno Pie 1b received in trade Murton 3b received in trade Rf received in trade Soto Bench and Pen rooks and retreads Weurtz for closer Pack it in pack it up and pack it out

can we get a ban mods?

Cubbette = a former slump buster?

that was dead on, we look pathetic, and I mean all the central How bad do you have to be to be in last place in the worst division in baseball? bad enough to be the only sixth place team in baseball.

Does Zambrano not have 100 abs?

that a runner can steal on a foul tip. I'm positive as a catcher in high school that runners were not allowed to advance on foul tips.

Ichiro = Left coast or New York. Don't expect him to come to the midwest.

I just watched the replay of Saturday's 5th inning. It was a foul tip right in the cajones. You could see him swearing afterword. Not pretty.

Sad thing is...their probably right.

No pain anymore. The heightened expectations from 2003 have officially been lowered in my eyes. In 2001 I said the window was '03, '04. The window is closed.

in

I really think this is a sign of Hendry taking more control of the team. I don't think most of these pitchers are injured (O'malley the obvious exception). I think Hendry doesn't want them overused. Marshall isn't used to pitching 200 innings, so they set him down for awhile and give someone else a shot. Nothing to lose.

He's no Kornheiser

the curse is officially lifted!!

is that 10-12% situation based? In other words, does the frequency increase with a runner on first? I would think it would.

Funny, in January we were supposed to have six veterans for five spots. Z Prior Wood Maddux Williams/Rusch

He has not had a plate appearance in the last five games. And Theriot has had several. Is Iz the end of Neifi?

One thing that struck me: Even though the Tigers are 9 games ahead of the Mets for the best record in the league, the Mets had a higher probability of making the playoffs. One thing that struck me... Because of the number of teams ahead of them in the Wild Card, the Cubs are more likely to win the division than the wild card. Not gonna happen, boys.

Hadn't seen this posted so... Worth watching at least.

I'd actually take two big bats over a top-notch starter and a big bat. Someone mentioned Soriano and CLee. That's not a bad start.

Curbs ?? As in "kicked to the".

Go Curbs

Sammy Sosa

I may be misinterpreting your stats but 211/897 is .235 not .190. Try 211/1108

I can't believe I'm going to defend Dusty and the rest of Cubs management but the people on this board and others would have had a heart attack and probably would have burned Wrigley to the ground if the Cubs had shut Prior down in September with the division title within sight. Everyone would have been screaming for their heads. We can't have it both ways. 2003 is in the past and now we're paying the piper. Such is life. I didn't say shut him down, did I? Limit his pitches and innings. This may be beating a dead horse, but how many times have we seen 7,8,9 run leads and starters left in to pitch 125+ pitches. Craziness.