CuseCubFan69

The problem is that Hendry wanted a leadoff guy in the worst way. #2 Patterson was the target of the boo birds and IMO wouldn't have had the year he has had in Baltimore and the poor coaching in Chicago would have kept him as a struggling hitter.

And Dempster had and has pinpoint control?

It's nice to read he is willing to do the work to get ready and I hope it works out for him and the team. I just hope the best possible people are looking at him and not Dr. Nick.

I know a lot of posters didn't want Baker fired because it wouldn't make a difference but is it possible that a new manager would have tried to put Murton in the 2 slot? I can't imagine for the life of me that an another manager would make the same exact horrible moves Baker makes day in and day out.

Could Wood even be ready to throw by next year? I'd hate to depend on him in any way and you have to shake Baker off the roster if you're going to get Weurtz to close.

Or to try to get him like many of us suggested when his value was low last off season. But instead....the Cubs got that much needed leadoff guy.

You can't really judge them on their limited major league totals. However, you can look at minor leaue totals. Theriot, while always being old for his league has career numbers of .265 .355 .331 While the OBP is solid, the slugging leaves much to be desired. Those are his 5 previous seasons, not including this year. Cedeno, while being young for his leagues has career numbersof .265 319 .376 Obviously the OBP leaves MUCH to be desired. With his slightly higher SLG, his OPS edges Theriot .692 to .686. As 2B I don't see either of these guys being anything other than career backups. Cedeno has had one great season(between AAA and MLB) one decent season (AA) and everything else has been bad. Theriot, while showing great plate discipline for the past 4 years has never really had acceptable SLG numbers other than last year at AA. With the right coach and a switch back to SS, Cedeno could become a starter. Unless Theriot develops power next year at the age of 27, hes just a backup. Fotenot's minor league numbers make him look capable of being a .800 OPS player. He has been a AAA player for three years now and will like Theriot be 27 next season. Maybe he's the best 2B prospect of the three, but he needs to be given a chance soon. Maybe they will all just brige the gap for Patterson, but he has not lived up to the hype of last year. I would take Theriot's obp over Ronny's SLP personally - if he can play SS. There is absolutely no reason not to play Fontenot now and see what happens. This organization is ridiculous in its failure to evaluate young players. They may all be backups, but they are no worse than neifi or izturis. Fontenot is lost in some 1973 to 2006 time warp and can't be found. I've sent Sam from Quantum Leap to find him.

I'd be fine with Wuertz as a closer. I just think that Marmol could be a dominate type closer. I see your point about keeping him as a starter and I would like to see this if Dempster is traded or hurt.

The only problem with that is his control. I know his control is poor right now but so was Dempsters. I think that the closer mindset would work on Marmol.

I think this kid would do a great job as a closer unless the Cubs have another guy that they are "grooming" for the postion. I like Dempster but if he can bring something in a Dempster, Cedeno/Izturis and another young pitcher for an impact bat I'd be thrilled with that. These players would be a horrible match for Toronto but somebody has to need a SS and a good closer. I wonder if the Cubs can shake Cantu out of Tampa Bay?

If MLB had real testing I wouldn't have wrote that. Wait, some guy in Brazil just tested positive and will be suspended for 50 games. The raid involving Grimsley opened everybody's eyes to the fact that pitchers likely take roids/HGH just as much as position players do. So it's not out of the realm of possibility that Prior did take steriods, growth hormone, or something along those lines. Fact is, we just don't know. I also wrote that it's possible. He's from an area that the usage was rapid so it was there for him to try. I love it when MLB nails those retired pitchers.

I think that they might make one with Toronto since they have that new guy on board. Maybe not an impact one but one nonetheless. I also think that Murton would be a guy Riccardi would like to have.

I think the Cubs have some nice young pitching to offer Toronto. The thing that worries me is that if Pierre isn't re-upped that leaves the Cubbies without the proto leadoff guy Hendry so desires. I think Wells brings value as a CF unless the Cubs move Pierre to left and use Murton as part of the trade to get Wells.

If MLB had real testing I wouldn't have wrote that. Wait, some guy in Brazil just tested positive and will be suspended for 50 games.

Different sporting events, different atmospheres. I'm going to go nuts at the Bruin Den at Pauley or the Rose Bowl, but that's to be expected (and I'll still watch the game). But this sort of going nuts has nothing to do with the wave, which is stupid. Leave the wave to Dodger fans. People show emotion at the Rose Bowl? It seems like they are always sitting on their hands to me. The students show emotion! Now that I believe! I think you need more of you guys though because that's one big stadium.

It's all together possible that Prior was a steroid user and now he can't get back on track.

It's all matchups Derwood just like in the Big Dance.

Different sporting events, different atmospheres. I'm going to go nuts at the Bruin Den at Pauley or the Rose Bowl, but that's to be expected (and I'll still watch the game). But this sort of going nuts has nothing to do with the wave, which is stupid. Leave the wave to Dodger fans. People show emotion at the Rose Bowl? It seems like they are always sitting on their hands to me.

How am I going to hear my cell phone when people are making noise?

No problem. You'd think the geniuses in charge of the Cubs would figure out that umps have shrunk the strike zone too and there is a reason to be patient. Add to that the pitcher can't throw inside anymore so why the heck hack at everything thrown? Oh yeah that's right....it's still 1973.

I wonder if arbitration will be worth more than what another team offers? The way Pierre has been hitting lately, I think some team (watch, it'd be the Cubs) will give him a ridiculous deal that will be worth more than arbitration. That would stink. I'm hoping some team jumps the gun early and signs him right away. What type of free agent would he be anyway? How many teams say they need the "proto type" leadoff guy? If Hurdle manages the way it looked he may want one. I'm looking forward to Hendry extending him to a big contract, and then Aramis opting out immediately after to try and get more money, and then we'll lose in a bidding war (like we always do) because we wasted a big chunk of our budget on a .320 OBP leadoff hitter. I look forward to the good times ahead.

I'm thinking he's a descendant of that Irish guy in Braveheart.

I wonder if arbitration will be worth more than what another team offers? The way Pierre has been hitting lately, I think some team (watch, it'd be the Cubs) will give him a ridiculous deal that will be worth more than arbitration. I'd be willing to bet we'll pay him 3/$27m.... ..and then NSBB will crash for a week. Wouldn't you love it if Hendry uses the special funds for Pierre instead of Ramirez because of his work habit?

I wonder if arbitration will be worth more than what another team offers? The way Pierre has been hitting lately, I think some team (watch, it'd be the Cubs) will give him a ridiculous deal that will be worth more than arbitration. That would stink. I'm hoping some team jumps the gun early and signs him right away. What type of free agent would he be anyway? How many teams say they need the "proto type" leadoff guy? If Hurdle manages the way it looked he may want one.

I'm hoping that this off season Hendry will be able to move one of the middle infielders among others to aquire an impact bat. The Cubs might be able to move a couple of young pitchers along with a Cedeno/Perez or Izturis and get something decent in return.