Bull

Everytime I see someone make this allusion, I can't help but think about Brant Brown 1988.

Get it right. Its a bandWGN

That's what I was trying to say with point a. THanks for clearing it up.

How old is Pierre? I thought they have done many studies on "speedster single hitters" and how their production falls after a certain age. Pierre turned 28 in August, and is a free agent after this season. This should make him pretty cheap for the Cubs player wise...right? Cuse, they've been speculating all morning on the Score (take with a grain of salt) that they're talking up a straight swap of Patterson for Pierre. I'm not high on Pierre, but I would do that deal in half a second and walk away from the bargaining table laughing my head off. I think you underestimate Patterson's future. I'd do the deal, but I'd consider it a good deal for both sides.

I was thinking "let them eat cake", but yeah.

according to BBC news. Not enough evidence. I would assume this means a) that it is theoretically possible that he started taking steroids after the hearing, or b) that the MLB test will ot stand up in court.

Mench's numbers make him look like a right handed Burnitz. Why would the Cubs need to give up a prospect along with Walker to get a worse player? That's my thinking as well. Mench over Burnitz because: He's younger, he's cheaper and he has more upside. I like the trade if the cubs get a prospect.

Kind of how Cubs fans felt about Ankiel: Felt sorry for him, hoped he got it together somewhere, just not in St Louis!

It seems the Cubs don't want Nomar back. Its a decision I think they'll regret.

I found the article respectful and well written. It is true that management will consider this factor, but its not really neccessary for readers to hear it.

He did, and everything we know about Hendry leads us to believe that he will honor that request, but Walker is the last of the pot-stirrers left on this team, hendry might want him gone.

No, it'll be for 13.5 million. They will either pay him 13.5, or 3 million to buy out the contract. 3 million is sunk. it's 10.5 or 0. That depends on what year you think the buyout is put towards. It doesn't matter to what year the $3 million buyout is allocated. The decision that will have to be made is whether it's worth spending an additional 10.5 million for an additional year of Kerry Wood's services. If you think the buyout is allocated towards '06, then Wood either counts 13.5 million, or nothing towards the '07 payroll. I'm pretty sure that's the decision Warpticon was referring to. The decision is worth 10.5 million dollars because the 3 million is a sunk cost; i.e it cannot be avoided. Re-allocating things to different accounting periods doesn't change anything. The decision is worth $10.5 million. Everyone is right! In actual cost it doesn't change anything, but in determining the budget, its a significant difference. I'm such a mediator...somebody shoot me.

So why isn't this guy banned yet?

Don't you know? Defence is only important up the middle. :roll:

Just 'cause I'm like that/

I think there's usually a potential FA thread that includes all the info you're looking for.

No kidding. I'd blame Rocket for that. And I agree with SSR and Tree. oooh oooh!! I want to agree with someone!

I'm in favor of taking a (another) chance on Nomar. But the argument for Furcal is that Nomar is injury prone, and Cedeno could be a AAAA player. So overpriced production is better than Neifi's anti-production. so could murton but there is nothing to indicate that either of them are. if cedeno can play great d and hit .280 with 15 hr's and a good obp (he also has very good speed and might steal a few bases), i would be very satisfied with him playing ss. I didn't say I agree with it, I simply stated that was the argument. You'll find that I seldom offer strong opinions. This tendancy makes me a very boring read. But since you mentioned it.... No there's nothing to indicate that Cedeno is a AAAA player. Given the sample size there's little to suggest that he's not. He had limited playing time, and as much as I hate that he used it as an excuse not to play them, it is true that given a larger sample size, and more exposure to the league, Cedeno's numbers could plummet. Its been called the sophomore slump (see Williams, Jerome). The truth is that starting the season with Cedeno as a starter would be a risk. A worthwhile risk? Perhaps. If Neifi is the other option, Cedeno is absolutely a worthwhile risk (Baker's Neifi love notwithstanding). If Furcal is the other option, perhaps Cedeno is not my guy.

I'm in favor of taking a (another) chance on Nomar. But the argument for Furcal is that Nomar is injury prone, and Cedeno could be a AAAA player. So overpriced production is better than Neifi's anti-production.

Unsettled Closer Situation first 6 weeks --10% Poor Bullpen (other than closer, i.e., setup men and specialists) -- 10% Low OBP -- 20% Bad Defense -- 10% Lack of Situational Hitting -- 5% Poor Managing/Strategy -- 20% no doubt about it. Too Many Key Injuries 20% -- Starting pitching was a problem because of injuries. Add to that Nomar, Walker, Ramirez...yeah. GM not properly filling obvious holes/needs -- 15% This ties into the low OBP though. I know that's 110%. These guys went above and beyond the expected 100% in suckiness.

I don't see that he has much of a choice but to take a $15MM pay cut.

Speaking of lawyers, what does the fine print in your sig say, JC?

And this is why Dusty will return. Again, despite everyone's misgivings, Dusty has provided somewhat of a winner here. [/hijack] If by "provided" you mean "abused and damaged the winner he was given when he arrived", I agree with you. This is my favorite kind of message board message. "If by x you mean the exact opposite of x, then I agree with you." I love it. Message board wit at its best. Sorry I'm in an annoyingly cheerful and reflective mood today.

3-0

echo, echo, echo, echo.