CuseCubFan69

That's fantastic. Does she have a sister for Tiger?

I agree but it will also depend on if those teams want to part with their prospects plus what the Marlins want. Speaking of teams not wanting to part with their prospects, everything Hendry has said in the last year makes it sound like Pie and Hill are pretty much "untouchables" so I can't see him giving both of them up plus 2 or 3 more top prospects for either Santana or Cabrera. True. But I also makes them seem more attractive too when he says that....hopefully. Plus, I'm sure all GM's say that about their top prospects.

Possible but it could be a heck of a 1-2 punch.

Jeeze...try to get over yourself will you! It could be. Has anyone sent out the Bruce signal yet?

Watch out for what you ask for! I sure you meant good transactions like this so bow down and pray to the baseball Gods and beg forgiveness!

I agree but it will also depend on if those teams want to part with their prospects plus what the Marlins want.

I'd hate to say it, but only the people who actually watch and track every game should be qualified to vote. And that, largely, is the "statgeek" crowd. Ideally, it shouldn't come down to a vote, unless they are voting for which teams should be the 11th through 16th invited for the playoff. Those are key votes though as is the top 8 too. IMO, any team 1-16 could have won this year. Now for the "stat-geeks". I don't have a problem with anyone like this as long as they spend the time and watch the games as well.

The problem is that the Coaches determine the teams in the playoff unless you go to Conference winners only including a MAC and the like as the other 2. I know I'm a homer but to see my conference have 2 teams in the Top 25 makes me peeved and as you said, having these clowns even determine who is in bugs me. But, who is qualified to vote?

Unless he's pitching 9 innings! Nobody could close like Shooter. He'd close the game and then the bar.

Teams do not have to win their conference to play for the national championship. See Oklahoma several years ago. It was OK? I thought it was Nebraska but you're probably right. If Georgia played LSU I'd have less of an issue with it but they didn't. It was both. And it was almost Michigan last year. Yeah that really annoyed me last year.

I'm curious if this move is for him to be a starter or a closer? I'm sure something was said along those lines during the negotiations.

I haven't had a favorite Cub in a while. Jenkins, Madlock and then Ryne....since that, nothing.

I think there are 2 major stumbling blocks. The NBC TV package and some joint academic stuff that may be against Notre Dame's beliefs. I think the Big Ten would take them in a heartbeat, but they want to TV money shared. I am sure the academic stuff could be worked out if the NBC thing got worked out. there is zero financial incentive for ND to join a conference. PSU only joined because they needed a conference to prop up the 26 non-football sports programs There will be when their football program continues to suck for the next ten years. i don't foresee NBC pulling out of that deal anytime soon The deal expires after the 2010 season, and I wouldn't be shocked to see NBC pull out of it after that. They don't seem to care that much about ND as it is - even the last two years when they were good, their coverage left a lot to be desired. Anyway, ND is not joining the Big Ten. There's a lot on both sides that will prevent that from happening. Probably the same type of garbage that Penn State and the BE went through. These guys in charge can get into quite the pee-pee contests.

It must be a North Carolina/S vs Nova thing. I remember a gift that the Heels got in an NCAA playoff game too. I remember it well cause we wound up losing to the bastards in the title game they didn't belong in. I had also picked Villanova to win that game in my pool. Bastards. That's right, I forgot how that game effected Illinois too. I always tell my players, don't let the ump or ref be the one that decides the game because you never know which way it'll go if they do.

I would think no. I get the impression Lou wasn't keen on having 3 lefties in the rotation, always worrying about going with a lefty back to back. I think he wants a righty, and Dempster fits that bill in the short-term. I believe Marshall is likely on the block, and they will wait and see if Dempster can build up his value by pitching well in the first half, and if they can get something out of Gallagher, Prior or others by then. No one from the minors to take that role and trade both to get an impact RF or SS? I would think that Marshall, Dempster, Theriot/Cedeno and Murton plus maybe a prospect could get Tejada and sign Fukedome. You could have Pie in CF in this case and just get a journeyman righty CF. It's not impossible, but I just don't see it happening. I think they look forward to having that veteran right arm in the rotation, and I also doubt Dempster has much trade value. He's never been any good as a starter, and he was just okay as a reliever. $5m is relativley inexpensive for a mediocre veteran starter, but I'd bet most teams would rather not trade anything of value for such a player, considering there's nothing to support hopes that he'll be any good. In other words, I think he's more valuable in the Cubs minds than he is to any potential trading partner. I see your point but in a package he could be quite attractive depending on the needs of the other team. I do think that Wood was a focus point for Hendry and the building block for what he was going to do once he signed or didn't sign.

I would think no. I get the impression Lou wasn't keen on having 3 lefties in the rotation, always worrying about going with a lefty back to back. I think he wants a righty, and Dempster fits that bill in the short-term. I believe Marshall is likely on the block, and they will wait and see if Dempster can build up his value by pitching well in the first half, and if they can get something out of Gallagher, Prior or others by then. No one from the minors to take that role and trade both to get an impact RF or SS? I would think that Marshall, Dempster, Theriot/Cedeno and Murton plus maybe a prospect could get Tejada and sign Fukedome. You could have Pie in CF in this case and just get a journeyman righty CF.

So now does Hendry trade Dempster?

For RF or CF? If it's CF the Cubs still need (according to Jim) a left bat for RF.

Duke v. Wisconsin tomorrow night. Should be an interesting matchup. Its at Duke, so I fully expect Duke to win. However, I think the Badgers will make it a good fight. Badgers have great size and I've been impressed with their guard play. Is Duke bringing their own refs for the game too? Watch out if they do. they have them in house since they never play non-con outside of Cameron For some strange reason I never hear Vital complain about this like he does Syracuse's home schedule...hmm, I wonder why?

Duke v. Wisconsin tomorrow night. Should be an interesting matchup. Its at Duke, so I fully expect Duke to win. However, I think the Badgers will make it a good fight. Badgers have great size and I've been impressed with their guard play. Is Duke bringing their own refs for the game too? Watch out if they do.

You are also correct, Cuse. It's happened twice in recent years...Nebraska in '02 and OK the following year I believe. http://www.chron.org/tools/viewart.php?artid=1080 Ah, thanks Fiver. I see that Nebraska did it the possible Georgia way in as CCP said. I don't see an outstanding team this year either and what a perfect time to have had a playoff.

And Penn State shouldn't be in the Big 10. because they should be in the Big East instead? If you're using the same logic that ND belongs in the Big 10...yes.

Teams do not have to win their conference to play for the national championship. See Oklahoma several years ago. It was OK? I thought it was Nebraska but you're probably right. If Georgia played LSU I'd have less of an issue with it but they didn't.

It looks as if another writer nailed that one right. Nice to have you back Woody.

And Penn State shouldn't be in the Big 10.