CuseCubFan69

How else does an organization demonstrate to a player they want to win? The organization hires a manager with a WS ring and publicly states they want to win and they will go after players that can help them win. I don't see how this 'wasn't the smartest thing'. By action not words. They can talk all they want but I want action and blabbing that they'll spend mega bucks this off season isn't the route I would have gone when I'm nogotiating with a guy that will be a free agent soon. Yeah, it's fine to hire good people and state they are out there to win but weren't they suppose to be doing that all along? I just think it cost them an extra 1 to 3 million a year with Ramirez but that's my opinion. Exactly how can the team provide 'action' at this stage of the offseason (or earlier), when it would be tampering or outside accepted practice? Aramis likely made up his mind to opt out a long time ago. I don't see how any action taken by the Cubs management the last 3 months can be viewed as impacting his decision, although I think it was their intent to make an impression on him. Aramis is like any other talented athlete in the modern era, he want to get paid his market value. Yes you're right Ramirez wants the money and I don't blame him at all. I just don't think it was a good negotiating move by the Cubs to say they are upping payroll so early. I'd of kept it close to the vest and offered him a 5/70 before his free period and hoped that surprised or overwhelmed him into signing and that's how I'd have made an impression on him. Now, that number is expected and probably going to go up.

I see a 5/70 minimum for Ramirez and I agree, I hope it's with the Cubs. A sixth year may be the deciding factor in this.

Agreed. But "love of Chicago" or not, Aramis was gonna opt out of this contract. The time to be upset was the beginning of 2005, not today. MacPhail was probably worried about his perfect record of not going to arbitration.

Heck yeah. That's why I said in July he was going to get 14 and not with the Cubs.

How else does an organization demonstrate to a player they want to win? The organization hires a manager with a WS ring and publicly states they want to win and they will go after players that can help them win. I don't see how this 'wasn't the smartest thing'. By action not words. They can talk all they want but I want action and blabbing that they'll spend mega bucks this off season isn't the route I would have gone when I'm nogotiating with a guy that will be a free agent soon. Yeah, it's fine to hire good people and state they are out there to win but weren't they suppose to be doing that all along? I just think it cost them an extra 1 to 3 million a year with Ramirez but that's my opinion.

He probably heard that the Cubs were interested and wants to stay in Japan.

It was a great bargining tool for the Cubs to proclaim that they are going to spend a lot during the off season to win. I'm sure Ramirez never heard that rumor. I think shouting this out for the world to hear wasn't the smartest thing they could have done and by going the free agent route is a smart move by Tessio, he was always smarter.....I mean Ramirez.

I'd love to see it happen.

The fans love Mattingly.

Is Jose V going to replace Ramirez in this grand scheme? That would make it just about perfect.

Oh I wouldn't forget him...that's Daryl Dragon!

Well techniquely Captain Crunch is Cap'n Crunch so I did make a slight breach of etiquette.

I think Murton minimizes the risk. When Bonds is out, Murton starts. The risk is minimized somewhat. Furthemore, if everyone is low-balling Bonds, I give him this deal to think about. 6 million base. 1 million bonus if he plays 85 games. 1 million bonus if he plays 100 games. 1 million bonus if he plays 125 games. 1 million bonus if he plays 140 games. 2 million if he plays 155 games. Bonds is only guaranteed 6 million, but he plays a full season (he won't) he can make 12 million. I would have shifted Murton over to right and Jones to center unless you have another CF in mind, like Soriano or Drew perhaps?

I had Hook down in my head and forgot. Yes, there are many and I screwed up, please forgive me! I tried to add them in but I could only add so many.

That's why your bench is important. It's tough to get a good one if you're putting too much cash into a broken down Bonds though. If he took a heavy incentive type contract I could see it working. Another thing I worry about is what if baseball actually has a HGH test in place for 2007? I realize it'll only catch the Enrique Wilson types but it might scare Bonds and he needs that stuff.

What if Bonds is hurt for most of the year and Hendry makes a mistake and depends on him too much? I would like a healthy impact hitter if I'm depending on him for my job on it like Hendry is.

I heard that it was a route grounder to 3rd and once the 3rd baseman got the ball Pie had already circled 2nd and thinking that he already threw the ball he was tagged out.

I don't think hitting coaches matter very much. What matters is getting hitters that perform in the playoffs. Their theory does though, especially when you have young guys coming up and looking up to you to be thee hitting coach. Damn, I gotta strengthen the sarcasm a bit. No, I have to improve my reading comprehension!

where would you prefer the much needed offense to come from? i don't love soriano or anything, but he's the best hope for making this offense respectable. i would much rather see drew in cf for the cubs than soriano. As would I but Drew may cost the Cubs plenty in prospects as Soriano will just cost money, especially if the Cubs lose Ramirez they'll need all the assets to get a 3rd baseman. Hendry has some very good options and if he screws this one up he deserves the boot.

I don't think hitting coaches matter very much. What matters is getting hitters that perform in the playoffs. Their theory does though, especially when you have young guys coming up and looking up to you to be thee hitting coach.

That's right! I added him in.

Based on Hendry's last offseason I'll be suprised if we get even 1 of those 3. Funny things happen when you are going to be canned and thus have nothing to lose. I think JH is in that spot right now. Or he sells his and the teams soul to win now and the Cubs don't recover for another 5-8 years. Let's hope Mr. Henry makes the right moves indeed.

Who is the greatest captain ever? O_O's Kirk has got me thinking and I just can't take it any longer. I have to know.

I take it you haven't looked at Wisconsins schedule?

If I remember correctly Gaetti was a guess hitter and I don't want that type of theory to be taught on the Cubs unless he has changed his technique.