CuseCubFan69

Where does haste come into play? It's a simple decision. Macias is a worthless baseball player. His presence on the team hurts the teams chances to win. Get rid of him. Burnitz's option is ridiculously overpriced, there's no good reason to bring him back next year. Decline the option. Walker at $2.5m is extremely valuable, pick up the option. Nomar is a nice option if he's cheap in terms of a guarantee, let it be known that you'd be interested in having him back. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Macias, Perez and Burnitz are all wasting extremely valuable 40 man roster space. Get rid of them now before you overlook them later and forget to protect someone of actual value. Do you really think Hendry would overlook players on his roster? You guys must think he's an idiot. Two words. Andy Sisco Fact: Andy Sisco was not protected last year and Jose Macias was. I'm just sayin'. Macias was on the 25 man roster and for some reason Hendry felt the way he did about Sisco. I am not defending that as the right move but I do see some logic in it.

Where does haste come into play? It's a simple decision. Macias is a worthless baseball player. His presence on the team hurts the teams chances to win. Get rid of him. Burnitz's option is ridiculously overpriced, there's no good reason to bring him back next year. Decline the option. Walker at $2.5m is extremely valuable, pick up the option. Nomar is a nice option if he's cheap in terms of a guarantee, let it be known that you'd be interested in having him back. Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner. Macias, Perez and Burnitz are all wasting extremely valuable 40 man roster space. Get rid of them now before you overlook them later and forget to protect someone of actual value. Do you really think Hendry would overlook players on his roster? You guys must think he's an idiot.

Where does haste come into play? It's a simple decision. Macias is a worthless baseball player. His presence on the team hurts the teams chances to win. Get rid of him. Burnitz's option is ridiculously overpriced, there's no good reason to bring him back next year. Decline the option. Walker at $2.5m is extremely valuable, pick up the option. Nomar is a nice option if he's cheap in terms of a guarantee, let it be known that you'd be interested in having him back. Goony I agree with your evaluations on those players. We don't not know what is going on and until an actual move is made I'm not going to get into a big huff over it. What difference does it make if Macias is let go today or 20 days from now?

Do you really think Macias is gone? I think they love his "versatility". And everyday that Burnitz is still taking up roster space I get more and more concered he will be back. This front office seems to be more concerned with insulting the people responsible for 83 loss than interested in acquiring people who can help this team to 95 wins. I hope so Goony and if Hendry keeps him then the Cubs will have a problem. Can he be traded?

Hurry? The season is over. Teams let go of dead weight when the season is over. A lot of teams have already made moves, declining options, picking up options, outrighting guys, firing coaches, hiring coaches, claiming players. A lot of dead weight is gone by this time of year. The problem is the Cubs think Macias has value, and they will keep him. They think Neifi Perez is fine for SS. They think Burnitz is a fine RF. They think the problem was health, luck, chemistry and attitude. They have failed to recognize the single biggest problem on this team for years, and not one major front office person has been replaced, nothing makes me think they finally understand the problem and are willing to fix it. Exactly. What's the hurry to send Neifi and Macias packing? They are wasting two spots on the 40 man roster. Theriot and Fontenot are as good or better of a combo of back up utility men and neither of those guys likely needs to be protected in the Rule 5 draft. They are much cheaper, shouldn't play that much to begin with and lessens Dusty's chances of replacing Cedeno or Murton (Burnitz in the OF) with a crap veteran. I also don't know how anyone can be comfortable with Cedeno as one of the starters when we have no real idea what kind of player he will be. He did pretty good last year, but what happens when the other NL teams get the "scouting book" on Cedeno? Expose his weakness. Will he still be a .300 guy, or will he be a .240 guy? You know what you have in Nomar and Walker, and Cedeno looks like a nice back up to a guy who might have another injury. Furcal is no guarantee, and he will be very pricey. But why hurry the moves? What is the gain of putting those guys on the 40 before the rule 5 draft? I understand that Perez, Macias and Burnitz should be gone but let me know why the Cubs should rush that? I think it's good business to wait until you can aquire players to make a move and not just make one. You're saying they are dead weight and I agree 100% that Macias is but Perez and Burnitz are not IMO..... if Baker could use them right.

Hurry? The season is over. Teams let go of dead weight when the season is over. A lot of teams have already made moves, declining options, picking up options, outrighting guys, firing coaches, hiring coaches, claiming players. A lot of dead weight is gone by this time of year. The problem is the Cubs think Macias has value, and they will keep him. They think Neifi Perez is fine for SS. They think Burnitz is a fine RF. They think the problem was health, luck, chemistry and attitude. They have failed to recognize the single biggest problem on this team for years, and not one major front office person has been replaced, nothing makes me think they finally understand the problem and are willing to fix it. To expand up what Goony's point is, it's not as if this team was 15 over .500 and missed the playoffs by a couple games. There was a serious regression here, and nothing and no one has been held accountable. Macias being let go would signal a change, or at least an admission that the roster was flawed going into 2005. That's the least we could expect as vested fans: an admission of failure, and a signal that the club intends to correct the flaws in this team. I still don't understand....why the haste? Yeah, mistakes were made and the season was a failure but nothing can be done to add a player to your team until after the World Series is over so I agree with Hendry's patience in the matter.

Hurry? The season is over. Teams let go of dead weight when the season is over. A lot of teams have already made moves, declining options, picking up options, outrighting guys, firing coaches, hiring coaches, claiming players. A lot of dead weight is gone by this time of year. The problem is the Cubs think Macias has value, and they will keep him. They think Neifi Perez is fine for SS. They think Burnitz is a fine RF. They think the problem was health, luck, chemistry and attitude. They have failed to recognize the single biggest problem on this team for years, and not one major front office person has been replaced, nothing makes me think they finally understand the problem and are willing to fix it. Goony I will agree with you 100% if they end up keeping any of these guys. I still believe that Hendry is just taking his time and waiting until after the World Series.

I'd rather lose a game to USC in that fashion than beat a creampuff team. It says more about the ND team to me than had they walloped New Mexico State by 50 points. The Navy game isn't that far away.

In all other sports...not just some. I understand that football is another animal but they are a member of a conference and let's remember they get a Big East slot for a bowl game too.

I think Burnitz is something else in the hand, but it does rhyme with bird. I would like him as a 4th OF. If Baker has 3 solid OF's I wouldn't mind him being the 4th guy and the Cubs could afford it. If the Cubs can find a cheaper 4th OF that is as productive, which I think Burnitz would be in the 4th role, I am for it. I just think Hendry is covering his OF. Now...if he is waiting to see and make Burnitz a starter, I'm with you 100%. Also, can Burnitz play first at all? He didn't play there last year I know but that was because he was a "fixture" in right. You give me Hairston (also extra inf), Patterson and Burnitz as the extra OF's and I'll be happy with that. Let me also ask what the Cubs have coming up for the OF in the next couple of years? Pie in 2007 and is there anyone else? I think Burnitz as 4th OF is destined to fail. Baker doesn't demote veterans. He liked what Burnitz brought to the table last year, and JB would get at least 400 AB next year. Unless the Cubs have Giles, Bradley and Murton. But, I do agree with you and BbB that Baker logic would dictate otherwise. Oh well.

I have heard the rumors of Hendry wanting to improve the 1-2 spots for Lee and Ramirez. While Furcal isn't great, he is an improvement. And then there's the Hoops' rumors of Castillo and Bradley that I like. There are some positive signs so far. The Cubs had Todd Walker for most of the year. He had zero lead off at bats. Matt Murton had 10 at bats in the top two spots in the order this year and had a wonderful OBP. Meanwhile, the Cubs finished the season with Macias and Perez 1/2. Furcal would be okay, though I'd rather have Giles. Cedeno could someday be better than Furcal offensively. But, the Cubs weren't interested in finding out just how good or bad he might be. He is a complete question mark. But, when I see Furcal as a possible free agent target, I can't help but wonder if the Cubs see his "speed" rather than OBP as the main reason for targeting him. If they don't get him, would they go after the speedy Royce Clayton instead of a better OBP option? With this managements mentality, I'm not sure. Maybe they'll feel Neifi's defense is better than Nomar's offense if they can't sign Furcal. The warning signs scare me. I still say watch out for a trade for Pierre if the Cubs don't get Furcal.

Has anyone done something yet? Is Macias a free agent or a possible non-tender? Yes. Anyone has done something yet. Several managers have been cut loose, coaches have been fired, GM's have been let go...... Nomar has suggested he'd love to be back in Chicago and would be open to playing whereever they want him. However, management doesn't seem interested in retaining his services. The offseason for the Cubs basically started September 1st, and Jose Macias and Neifi Perez batted 1/2 while Cedeno sat. We have so little info on Cedeno, we won't know if he could be an everyday starter or a AAAA player. I could go on and on. It is my opinion, but I don't like the vibe coming out of Chicago. Getting back to another post you recently made in this tread.... Would you like Burnitz as a 4th outfielder if you know Murton is one of the starters? Isn't that Hollandsworth/Dubois all over again? Unless Baker definetly feels that Murton showed enough in his 150 AB's to warrant less skepticism, I'd steer clear of any veteran corner OF, especially one who bats lefty. I don't want Nomar back unless he's playing SS, or as a supersub, but not as an everyday OF. I'm irritated that Macias hasn't been non tendered yet. I'm not shocked that Perez hasn't been, since I doubt Hendry saw what every objective observer saw last season. He'll wait til the SS situation is settled, or at least clearer, to move on Macias. No excuse for Burnitz's option being declined. It's a bad option, so it shouldn't be picked up even if Hendry wants him back. Baker is so old school in thought that I would be surprised if he put Murton in either of the top 2 batting slots. Only middle infielders and CF's can do that unless they have proved it before with some other team. So Macias is a non-tender guy? That should be a no brainer but I still do not see what the hurry is.

Has anyone done something yet? Is Macias a free agent or a possible non-tender? Yes. Anyone has done something yet. Several managers have been cut loose, coaches have been fired, GM's have been let go...... Nomar has suggested he'd love to be back in Chicago and would be open to playing whereever they want him. However, management doesn't seem interested in retaining his services. The offseason for the Cubs basically started September 1st, and Jose Macias and Neifi Perez batted 1/2 while Cedeno sat. We have so little info on Cedeno, we won't know if he could be an everyday starter or a AAAA player. I could go on and on. It is my opinion, but I don't like the vibe coming out of Chicago. Getting back to another post you recently made in this tread.... Would you like Burnitz as a 4th outfielder if you know Murton is one of the starters? Isn't that Hollandsworth/Dubois all over again? I don't know if it would be a Holla/Dubois thing BbB you're right as I was using common sense and not Baker logic. Still, Hendry gives Baker the players and Baker makes the lineup. Yeah, he could take away the boytoys and if it came down to that I would assume that Baker is out after this year. I can not imagine getting players like that and having any manager do what Baker did. But...and a big but...if Hendry and Baker saw eye to eye that putting Perez, Macias and Patterson at the top then there is a serious problem...you are absolutely right. I had no problem with Patterson at the top early but after he started to look lost he shoud have never seen the top again. I'm curious on why you are getting vibes like this since it's been, IMO anyway, that Hendry usually keeps things out of the press pretty well when it comes to aquiring players.

You're hilarious. ND doesn't join a conference because their financial situation is such that they don't need to and also because they have far too many rivals to expect to play them all in addition to a conference schedule. You are making fun of them for SOS? ND consistently has a top-10 toughest slate, which is more than I can say for anyone in the crappy Big Eleven. If ND has gotten favors from the refs I haven't seen it. Everyone agrees that they got jobbed by the refs in the USC game, and I don't see any past evidence of ND getting favorable calls except for one game against Navy in 1999 when they got a terrible spot that, if spotted correctly would have ended their win streak over Navy. That's the only example I have known of, of bad officiating in favor of ND. Michigan could never play USC close especially this year. They couldn't even hold Minnesota to OT at home when it was tied and the Gophers had it inside their own 30, so I doubt they could ever stop USC. Your arguments are baseless, wrong, and absurd. You mean a football conference....right?

The Cubs should sign Sanders...the guy just wins.

Hendry's name was mentioned in pursuit Preston last offseason and at the trade deadline. I admit it does sound eerily like when Hendry coveted Burnitz. I'm still going to give Hendry slack and believe in him a lot more than the Rogers and Gammons types.

Has anyone done something yet? Is Macias a free agent or a possible non-tender?

I think Burnitz is something else in the hand, but it does rhyme with bird. I would like him as a 4th OF. If Baker has 3 solid OF's I wouldn't mind him being the 4th guy and the Cubs could afford it. If the Cubs can find a cheaper 4th OF that is as productive, which I think Burnitz would be in the 4th role, I am for it. I just think Hendry is covering his OF. Now...if he is waiting to see and make Burnitz a starter, I'm with you 100%. Also, can Burnitz play first at all? He didn't play there last year I know but that was because he was a "fixture" in right. You give me Hairston (also extra inf), Patterson and Burnitz as the extra OF's and I'll be happy with that. Let me also ask what the Cubs have coming up for the OF in the next couple of years? Pie in 2007 and is there anyone else?

You can also click and drag the smilies in firefox.

Those are a lot of rumors BbB. I think Burnitz is a bird in the hand and he is seeing what happens first and I think (hope) Walker is just a formality. Burnitz may be re-signed to be a 4th OF for a lower rate for all we know.

Amen. Yeah, good point. I'd love 180 Ks and a .320 OBP out of the leadoff spot. With about 25 solo HRs. Really? I would have thought you would hate that? That's my sarcastic side. Mine too.

Amen. Yeah, good point. I'd love 180 Ks and a .320 OBP out of the leadoff spot. With about 25 solo HRs. Really? I would have thought you would hate that?

Is that the not firing Baker part?

The problem is is that we have an ex-scout as a GM. Hendry is more interested in tools that numbers. I'm worried that as long as Hendry is here we're going to have to deal with mediocrity when it comes to OBP. I don't mind having an ex-scout as GM. What I do mind is having an ex-scout as his closest advisor, and nothing but scout/tools talking determining the direction of this team. This organization's utter disdain for anything related to the sabr side of things is frightening. I understand why you and many feel this way but let's see where Hendry takes us this off season and then crucify him if he signs the Wilsons and Jones. He's lost all benefit of the doubt with me (and I was a big Hendry supporter when he was hired, as opposed to Dusty, who I never wanted). He has to do good before I'll stop complaining about how stupid this franchise has been. I give you that and as I said I do understand why you feel that way and many others do too. Hendry is teetering right now for me and this off season is his make or break with me. I give him credit for making some nice trades but hiring Baker andd some other moves like Alf, Estes and Enrique just make me shake my head. I should have wrote that I'LL see where Hendry takes us in the off season.

The problem is is that we have an ex-scout as a GM. Hendry is more interested in tools that numbers. I'm worried that as long as Hendry is here we're going to have to deal with mediocrity when it comes to OBP. I don't mind having an ex-scout as GM. What I do mind is having an ex-scout as his closest advisor, and nothing but scout/tools talking determining the direction of this team. This organization's utter disdain for anything related to the sabr side of things is frightening. I understand why you and many feel this way but let's see where Hendry takes us this off season and then crucify him if he signs the Wilsons and Jones.