Keener98

Supposedly Soriano has a sore left knee and thats why hes out of the lineup. Im thinking thats just an excuse

Too little too late. He starts hitting once we're past the point where it could have helped. That's still disappointing. Hes been hitting since July, thats far from being past the point where it could help.

Because Wagner could potentially help next year. Exactly. Would have been a good gamble. Id take Wagner at 8mil for 1 year, over Valverde or Soriano. Depending on Soriano's cost I'd take him over Wagner. The two have put up similar numbers in their careers, but Soriano is only 29 and Wagner is 39. The advantage Wagner would have is that he'd only be on a one-year deal, while Soriano would likely command 2-3 years. Soriano career: 2.83 ERA/1.01 WHIP/337:96 K:BB/312 IP Wagner career: 2.40 ERA/1.00 WHIP/1068:270 K:BB/819 IP Yea all things being equal, Id take Soriano as well. But we both know Soriano is going to get a 2-4 year deal, and I really dont want to hand out any multi year deals to the bullpen. Im hoping for Wagner for a year closing, with Marmol and Guzman setting up, with Stevens, in there as well. Then when next year is over hopefully Marmol, Guz, or Stevens would be willing to step in and replace Wagner, and bring in some more kids to the pen. I hate spending money and years on the bullpen. This would allow us to go pretty cheap in the pen, with some good quality for the next few years.

Because Wagner could potentially help next year. Exactly. Would have been a good gamble. Id take Wagner at 8mil for 1 year, over Valverde or Soriano.

Has he tried reading from the Frederick's of Hollywood catalog? :D =D> Can someone explain this joke to me? Major League!

For the love of God let this be Jay Jacksons last start in Daytona. He has nothing else to prove there, and hes sat in the corner for long enough now.

I'd be all for trading Lilly if it meant the Cubs could keep Harden. I love Lilly but Harden is younger and better. As for the other two, they both are having good seasons but nobody on this team is untouchable. I'd love for Hendry to find a way to get Soriano off the team, even if it means eating some of that albatross. lilly is the best pitcher on this team...the problem with harden is that whatever is wrong with his shoulder hasn't healed...he needs surgery...which should have been done during the offseason Where in the world are you getting this Harden shoulder crap? Since the All Star Break hes 3-1,has a 1.64ERA, striking out over a batter an inning,and has a BAA of .136. He had a no hitter going into the 6th inning of a start vs Philly, and a 1 hitter in his last start. Hes allowed 2 runs or less in 10 of his last 12 starts. There is noway in hell hes doing that while being hurt. Rich Harden is the best pitcher on this team.

I think we will be too, but I was just trying to break the schedule down in increments. By that point in the season, Id hope our freshman are starting to come into their own. Man I hate that Mich St and Purdue back to back.

U of I schedule was released today, and Id have to guess by the end of the year its top 10-15 in difficulty. Good to see. Should be able to start out 4-0 in Big Ten play, and could definitely see them at 9-1 in their 1st 10 games. Could easily be 15-0 in Non Con heading into the game vs Gonzaga.

No, but he's not an ideal defensive CF, has basically been a platoon partner, and more importantly, potentially the only tradable position player. 2/26.5 for his age 33 and 34 seasons, I think the Cubs might be able to find a better way to spend that money. Well that would be fine if they could find a way to spend the money, but I'm not comfortable with Bradley as a full-time CF(not cause of his defense, but because of the prospects of Reed Johnsons starting 70 times a year.) I'm also not comfortable giving Jason Bay whatever insane contract he's likely to get. Finding a CF platoon(or player) that hits like the ones we've had the last 2 seasons, is costly in dollars or talent. I'd rather eat 3M/Y on Dempster and trade him than open a gaping hole in CF. Start the Colvin watch to work in with Bradley. Jason Bay is better than the free agents the Cubs have gone after in recent years. Although I don't think that's the approach I'd take. I also want no part of a soon to be 31 years old Jason Bay and the ridiculous contract hes going to get.

You talking about the play at home on Baker? Yes, on the Hill single, for some reason thought it was Harden trying to score. From the replays they showed on CSN, it wasnt clear that he was tagged. I though Buckner actually got that call right, as much as i hate the guy.

I know, and I cant believe all the Cubs fans here at this Cubs board, arent bowing down and kissing the ass of every last Redbird. How dare Cubs fans not give the BFIB, and the BTIB their respect. We all may be burned in hell if we dont give them their respect. Im thinking of changing my username to "Brendon Ryan Great White Hope" as the ultimate show of respect to their team and fans. I mean my computer must be confused as hell today because its showing www.northsidebaseball.com as my url but maybe it is really www.gatewayredbirds.com. My computer wants me to join in the greatness of the BFIB and BTIB. Wait I cant post at www.gatewayredbirds.com so I dont know what the hell is going on with my computer today

what an intelligent thoughtful response. Thank you

Let me point you Cardinal fans to a place you can suck off the Cardinals as much as you want amongst your own kind. www.gatewayredbirds.com

You talking about the play at home on Baker?

Yup no kidding. I love how these Cards fans all of a sudden start showing up over here, but most of them havent been heard from for quite awile. Stl fans actually expect to see respect given to the Cardinals on a Cubs board? Are you really that [expletive] ignorant..wait dont answer that. The same [expletive] that is being said here has been said about the Cubs the last 2 years on GRB. If you dont like it, then dont come here and read it. The Cardinals and most of their fans can go eff themselves as far as Im concerned.

really? an 80 year old closer who just came off TJS? Who cares how old he is if his stuff is still there and he can still get outs? It's not like we're signing him long term. Exactly. Coming off TJS is becoming less and less relevant. That was the case a few years ago, but I think the "non-issue" factor of TJS has plateaued. Being effective, 11 months later, at 39, is probably at the furthest edge of optimism. I guess it would worry me alot more if this was a 39 year old starter coming off TJS, but as a reliever it worries me less. Hes still got the velocity, and his arm hasnt racked up alot of innings of abuse in his career, and he showed no signs of slowing down at age 37. Will he be as dominant as hes been in the past? Probably not, but he could still be a good closer for a team who isnt going to have alot of money to spend.

really? an 80 year old closer who just came off TJS? Who cares how old he is if his stuff is still there and he can still get outs? It's not like we're signing him long term. Exactly. Coming off TJS is becoming less and less relevant. Control is the last thing that usually comes back, and so far Wagner has shown excellent control in his rehab with 0 walks. His velocity is already there, and if getting him means a backend of the bullpen next year of Guz, Marmol, and Wagner sign me up. Valverde and Soriano are the only 2 relievers Id be interested in during the offseason, and I really dont want to give the money or years they are going to get. If Wagner comes cheap, it would be a good pickup.

really? an 80 year old closer who just came off TJS? Hes 38, and hes been hitting 93-94 in his rehab. He hasnt walked a batter either, and says his slider is better than its been in recent years. Hes 11 months removed from TJS, so its not like hes rushing back. If it would cost us very little, Id be all for it. He has a 1million buyout option for next year, or 8million if hes not bought out. Its not like Wagner has alot of innings on his arm. Hes averaged under 70 innings a year in his career. If hes hitting 93-94 right now, Id bet by start of next year hes around 95-96, and Id rather have hiim for 1 year at 8mil, or buy him out and see if he will take around 5mil, then any of the big name closers out there who are going to ask for 4+ years. Plus, despite his age, he's been really good every year. Right, I figured everybody already knew that, and didnt need stated :D His numbers are so remarkably consistent, its pretty crazy.

It's ridiculous to think so based off that quote from Lou. You're the one always talking about how Lou doesn't stick to what he says and plans with his quotes, and this isn't nearly as concrete as the many things he's reneged on. I dont see why its so far fetched to think Lou, an old school manager who we know likes to run even though we dont have speed, would think part of the problem with this years team is lack of speed and athleticism. Every year its some new thing, and this seems exactly the way Lou and Hendry would be willing to go.

You really dont see the writing on the wall? Last year he rambled on about needing to get more left handed, and now with the team 6 games out of 1st hes rambling on about needing more speed and athleticism. The GM and manager of this team have a history of having ridiculous "offseason philosophies" and hes already setting the stage for it. Speed and athleticism have very little to do with why the Cubs have struggled this year. No, he's saying when you don't hit in big ballparks then you suck unless you do other things like run well or play really good defense. He explicitly said they needed to hit. Please don't take a throwaway line in one of his postgame ramblings in August as an indicator of what the whole offseason theme is going to be, it's ridiculous. Why is it ridiculous? It's really the same kind of stuff that led to "more lefthanded" last year, and this team absolutely does have a history of locking onto one thing and trying to get more like it. It could be a throwaway line. But if you assume they are going to try something new this offseason, is it that hard to believe it might be the speed thing again? Exactly. This organization has a history of this by now. It was also a postgame rambling last year that led us to getting more left handed. Also it doesnt matter if its a big ballpark or a small ballpark, if you dont hit then you suck, regardless if you run well or play really good defense.

You really dont see the writing on the wall? Last year he rambled on about needing to get more left handed, and now with the team 6 games out of 1st hes rambling on about needing more speed and athleticism. The GM and manager of this team have a history of having ridiculous "offseason philosophies" and hes already setting the stage for it. Speed and athleticism have very little to do with why the Cubs have struggled this year.

really? an 80 year old closer who just came off TJS? Hes 38, and hes been hitting 93-94 in his rehab. He hasnt walked a batter either, and says his slider is better than its been in recent years. Hes 11 months removed from TJS, so its not like hes rushing back. If it would cost us very little, Id be all for it. He has a 1million buyout option for next year, or 8million if hes not bought out. Its not like Wagner has alot of innings on his arm. Hes averaged under 70 innings a year in his career. If hes hitting 93-94 right now, Id bet by start of next year hes around 95-96, and Id rather have hiim for 1 year at 8mil, or buy him out and see if he will take around 5mil, then any of the big name closers out there who are going to ask for 4+ years.

going to be to get more speed. Lou made a few comments yesterday in the paper, and he seems to be setting it up like that. Every offseason Hendry has a new"philosophy" from "guys who catch the ball", to "being more left handed". Looks like this year is going to be "get more athletic and speedy". I really hope Lou and Hendry are gone after this year, but I know its not going to happen. http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090819&content_id=6508784&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I think I just read it was in the mid-nineties...so...not bad i suppose... If hes back in the mid 90s and hasnt walked anyone in his rehab, bring him in. Id even be interested in having him back for 1 season next year at a 4-5 mil pricetag. Well, if the contract details posted above are correct, he's owed about $3 million more this season, with a team option of $8 million for next season. If you want to bring him back next year for $4-5 million, you first have to buy him out for $1 million. Even then, he might get a better offer elsewhere. He said hes unsure about pitching next year, but if he shows hes healthy, I really wouldnt be worried about he 8 million. Hes hitting 93-94 right now, and says his slider is looking better than ever. Id rather pay him the 8 mil for 1 season, then see us sign Valverde, for 4 years or whatever.