CuseCubFan69

I'm not saying this because he had 1 good exhibition game but I was thinking that he might make it tough for the Cubs to send him down. If he makes all the plays in CF and hits well is it possible the Cubs would move Jones and slide Soriano over to right and keep Pie up? I'd like for him to get some time in Iowa until May or June at least but if Soriano and Jones struggle in CF and Pie is hitting well I wonder if the Cubs would make this move? Could the Cubs afford this if they still have Izturis in the lineup too? If Pie is up with the big club I'd like him in the 8 slot and that is where Izzy hits...or should hit and Pie doesn't or won't have the numbers Jones will have IMO so he can't hit 5th against righties. I know we've talked about this before and I hope Pie gives the Cubs a nice problem to have.

I thought Marshall was hurt? Would he be ready if Guzman and Prior can't go on Opening Day?

To an extent, yes. If they waste the draft pick then it's a wasted trade. But the fact is Jones had no future with the Bears. They weren't going to give him a $12m signing bonus with a 5 year deal, and then risk him being a cap hindrance in 2-3 years. Jones wasn't going to play out his contract without being a huge problem. So the Bears essentially had to trade him, and they got a decent value for him. People tend to lump draft picks together as just some sort of crapshoot. But they aren't. NFL draft picks have real value. This was a fair deal on both ends. It was a win in the Bears favor if they were not going to get anything for him and just release him. I remember you and I had this discussion a ways back about what the Bears could get for Jones and you were wrong as the Bears didn't get 12 #1 picks like you said they would if they dealt him. :D And good luck with the NY press on this one.

Poop. I was hoping he could play the middle infield. The Cubs already have a guy that can do about the same things at Iowa so I don't see his value and as you said opening up a spot on the 40 man wouldn't be worth it. Oh well and thanks everybody.

I think this deal will depend on who or what the Bears do with the pick the Jets gave them. Jones is a decent back and is better than anything the Jets have and should be productive for a couple of years for them. I agree with you that the Bears got the most productive years out of him.

So he plays the same positions? I was under the assumption that he was a middle infielder too. Am I wrong about that?

Because it's fun to say Fernando. What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF. IMO, they are largely overblown. I think he had a bad week and a half stretch where he had multiple error games, but was fine before and after. I do think I've read he needs to work on his feet, but I think most of his errors were throwing, but I could be wrong. We've all gone through stretches like that and he seems like a kid that would be able to fix a problem like that. Thanks.

Angel? Whoops....Freudian slip! Angel Guzman. Yes....Angel, that's the man. Ahh, too early in the morning for me. I should've realized that. Here I was Googling Juan Guzman to see if there were any stories of him recovering lost velocity or something. For me too I guess! Googling Juan Guzman should have scared the heck out of you as he's the guy the Cubs signed when they let Maddux go as you probably already know. If there is a delay in Prior's return it opens the door for Mr. Guzman. Wrong Guzman again. You're thinking of Jose Guzman: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guzmajo01.shtml This is Juan Guzman: http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/guzmaju01.shtml Oh Lord that's funny....thanks!

He's had pretty good minor stats along with a really good OBP though. Plus, can he play SS or 2B? He looks as if he can play the corner OF's and 1st which is great.

I like Quinn and think he's the most sure thing of the QBs, but that blanket statement is a little too much in my opinion. I fully expect Quinn to have the better career. But he can't touch Russell talent wise. I see this as a situation similar to last year's with Leinart and Vince. Leinart was more of a sure thing, Vince had far more upside (but was less likely to be good). Except Young's upside came from unbelievable athleticism that Russel doesn't have at all. Russell is definitely very athletic, he just doesn't use it in the same way Vince does. Russell can be a very good thrower when he's on, Vince is frankly bad most of the time throwing the ball. Thus, Russell doesn't have the need to show his athleticism as often as Vince does. The #1 problem with Russell is his inconsistency and oftentimes poor decision-making. Vince, on the other hand, while a bad passer (though I've seen signs of him getting better slowly) makes the plays late in a game when he needs to. The run against the Texans in OT, the run against the Bills late in the fourth, multiple third down completions to keep drives alive. Russell is the better pure QB right now, but he's less consistent and falls apart when he struggles early. From the little of what I've seen of Russell he looks more like a big guy running the ball than he is athletic. Russell has some very nice stats but when you play for a big time school like LSU you often have a good line and good receivers and sometimes that skews the numbers. I like his arm but once you get to the NFL you have to be able to make those short passes with touch and be able to read the defense and I'd like to how he does in those catergories.

What is the order regarding the young pitchers to be called up to Chicago to be one of the starting pitchers? Guzman...then who?

Angel? Whoops....Freudian slip! Angel Guzman. Yes....Angel, that's the man. Ahh, too early in the morning for me. I should've realized that. Here I was Googling Juan Guzman to see if there were any stories of him recovering lost velocity or something. For me too I guess! Googling Juan Guzman should have scared the heck out of you as he's the guy the Cubs signed when they let Maddux go as you probably already know. If there is a delay in Prior's return it opens the door for Mr. Guzman.

And with a little more interest on the game at 2 I'll bet!

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070228&content_id=184104&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp By the way, that link is to a recent breakdown of some players in our system, so it's a good read. I think a team would be more likely to invest the money in a player like the Shark if they have a good work ethic and it's nice to read that he has one. Keep pushing the bar upwards pitchers and good things are going to happen for this team.

Because it's fun to say Fernando. What were the problems that Patterson had at second fielding wise? I'm just wondering since he would be a nice player to have at second and I've read about this possible switch to the OF.

Yep, the only team they've played in two months is Gonzaga, who they barely beat. And Gonzaga was just discussed as a team not worthy of an at large. I wonder where they get seeded. I agree on Memphis. But they will be at least a 2-seed simply because they will breeze thru their conference tourney, while teams like Wisconsin, UNC, Texas A &M, Texas, and others all have to get thru other top 15 teams in order to win their conference tourney. 1's- Ohio St, UCLA, Florida, Kansas 2's- Memphis, Texas A &M, Wisconsin, Georgetown (because I think they win the conf tourney) 3's- Washington St., Louisville, UNC, Maryland (because I think they win the conf tourney) 4's- Texas, So. Illinois, Nevada, Marquette (because they go further than Pitt or ND in the tourney) I doubt UNC drops to a three, unless they bow out in thier first game of the ACC tourney. I'd probably swap them w/ Gtown in your seedings. Also, if Texas goes to the Big XII championship game (which would require they beat A&M), I think they'll be a 3 seed. If Texas could win it I could see them moving up to a #2 seed. I think any top 2 team in a major conference can pop into a 1 or 2 if they win their conference tournament.

Crosby is more like a Lebron as he gets his teammates more involved than Jordan did.

I think just going up and taking pitches puts you in a hole. I think pitch recognition is the key and knowing the pitches you can drive make you a better and more productive hitter. Look at Murton. He knows his zone pretty well for a young guy. He's a guy that looks at a lot of pitches but, he saw his pitch which happened to be the first pitch and sent it into the bleachers in a exhibition game. You can not just go up to the plate and say "hey, I'm going to take some pitches"....you'll get killed by the pitchers.

This guy is an interesting player. Can he play SS or 2B?

I agree...it's still way to early to speculate these things. I'm sure Prior has a plan and he's sticking to it. Hopefully the plan works! I agree! From what I've heard is that Mark has a regiment that he goes by and he has recently seen Tom House so I assume he's got a day by day that he's doing to gradually work himself back by Opening Day. I'm still sticking to my thoughts on him not being ready until June but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Again these are my feelings but I think that Prior needs more mental toughness when he is struggling pitching wise. June? I can't see that at all. If he's not ready by June, he's not going to pitch in 2007... Not necessarily. This is of course just my thinking but if Prior isn't 100% he'll go the on 60 day. This gives the Cubs more options on the kids and a longer chance to look at them. By the time Prior comes back the Cubs can fully evaluate the young pitcher(s) by then and make a solid decision on what to do by the trade deadline. Plus as you said, it's possible if he isn't ready by June he may not be ready at all so the Cubs can make a move according to that information.

Who cares about who some goof votes for as the polls mean nothing in college basetball until the last one. I'm not thrilled with playing UConn in the first game because I have no idea what UConn team is going to show up. I'd love to get another shot at ND.

I agree...it's still way to early to speculate these things. I'm sure Prior has a plan and he's sticking to it. Hopefully the plan works! I agree! From what I've heard is that Mark has a regiment that he goes by and he has recently seen Tom House so I assume he's got a day by day that he's doing to gradually work himself back by Opening Day. I'm still sticking to my thoughts on him not being ready until June but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Again these are my feelings but I think that Prior needs more mental toughness when he is struggling pitching wise.

I agree...it's still way to early to speculate these things. I'm sure Prior has a plan and he's sticking to it.

Angel? Whoops....Freudian slip! Angel Guzman. Yes....Angel, that's the man.

:?: I don't get it. If Prior is struggling to make it back I like having a guy like Juan Guzman being ready to take his place.