CuseCubFan69

Try to enjoy these games CFICT...this is the best time of year and a chance to enjoy the reward for a season well done.

If you slide into first you always slow yourself down...or is that just for the hitter? :D

Walker would remain a Cub if that were the theme.

The Mascara massacre hits one out.

I think we are going to see what direction the Cubs are going to go this year and I'm hoping they go for balance and and not going overboard like they did with the chemistry thing last year. I think the first move Hendry makes will give us a clue on that direction...other than resigning Walker which has to be done. I'm thinking defense will be the 2006 theme.

What the heck is going on? Where are the Red Sox or Yanks? I didn't realize that MLB even had a team in San Diego or is this the AAA playoffs?

But he showed in September. He'll struggle in the spring because the pitchers will have a book on him. It's just the way it is....except it and we'll bask in the greatness that is Dusty as he calls another one right.

He made it when he had no more Holla/Lawton options. I can't wait for Baker to leave and it can't be soon enough. Exactly, the alternative was Hairston everyday, and those two platooned for a little bit before Murton's performance/Dusty's distaste for Hairston won out. I forgot about Hairston! Just call me Dusty. I will be thrilled if the Cubs sign 3 OF's better than Murton but I know that if Hendry picks up 3 vets and no matter what their skill level is that they will get the first shot to play.

He made it when he had no more Holla/Lawton options. I can't wait for Baker to leave and it can't be soon enough.

What is your take on the rumors surrounding Hendry/Baker extending their contracts. I'm just crazy enough to still be holding out hope that Andy is getting this story out there in order to put the ball in Baker's court and force him to make a move. Baker's time in SF was filled with this sort of political maneuvering. Dusty likes to play the innocent victim. The "woe is me, I've never had a longterm deal" routine has always been his way of claiming management is screwing him over, and he's just doing the best he can with what they give him. If Dusty was visibly annoyed at questions about his contract extension talks, perhaps he's feeling a little squeezed knowing he'll be the one who has to quit if he wants out, leaving money on the table. Here's to hoping that Andy is trying to save his boy Hendry from having to take the fall with his first major blunder, Baker, being let go. I've always thought Hendry's future was tied to Dusty's, but if Dusty quits, as opposed to being fired, there might be less pressure to fire Jim as well. Then again, if the only way to rectify Jim's biggest error is by having Andy step in and CHA, perhaps we'd be better off with Hendry gone as well. If he can't learn from, and fix his own mistakes with the manager decision, how can we possibly expect him to wake up to the lack of walks, lack of OBP, lack of OF offense, incompetent overpaid veterans on the bench, and a pitching staff that hates throwing strikes. Great, I just went from mildly optimistic about Baker potentially leaving to once again depressed at the lack of ability for the front office to affectively carry-out a winning philosophy. You had me at "I'm just crazy".

Talk about a double-edged sword. That must be where HBO got the idea for Oz. Its like a threesome with Elle McPherson and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Elle McPherson? Wow...that's a blast from the past. Can Hendry call the agents for the available players now or does he have to wait until the X amount of days after the World Series? I know he can't talk to the players themselves until then.

Talk about a double-edged sword. That must be where HBO got the idea for Oz.

I really enjoyed what you wrote Bruce. Is it possible the Cubs might trade for an impact OF bat instead of signing one since they are so few this off season?

You both are right and I think the only way the Cubs lose Baker is if Hendry sees the light and I highly doubt he will.

My wish is that Hendry realizes that Baker is the wrong manager for this team and fires him. Even if the Cubs get Giles, Dotel, Furcal and Burnett/Millwood Baker will still trot out the worst possible lineups, pinch hit his boytoys and misuse the pen. I just want a manager that will give the Cubs the best chance to win.

Party away Penn State people.....you have a wonderful tailgate party at State College. It's the best I've been to even though I would like to go to LSU's or Nebraska's as I've read they too are incredible.

How long have you been a Cubs fan? Ten Minutes? You have to hope BWKB...if you don't, you go insane.

It would have to bring back a serious upgrade elsewhere, extremely large in fact, to justify such a series of moves. True. What if it brings Drew and Kent? ok, that made me drool a bit-I really don't think we would have the pieces to pry Drew away-but a 3 way may work-say with Florida-Dodgers have some money to spend as well as teh Cubs, plus we both have very strong farms-LA is definitely stronger but....hmmm... Dodgers get: Lowell+Walker+Delgado Cubs get: Pierre+Kent+Bradley Marlins get: Combo of hig end prospects/position players..?( CPatt+Brazoban+.... yes i realize i just qouted myself...but anyway. A lineup of : CF-Pierre SS-Nomar 1B-Lee 2b-Kent 3b-Ramirez RF-Bradley LF-Murton C-Barrett We would definitely need to sign another starter(Millwood) Do you really think that the Cubs would take both Kent AND Bradley? Did they kiss and make up?

:shock: You take that back!!!! Well Perez did save the Cubs 2005....imagine what Aurilia could do in 2006.

It would have to bring back a serious upgrade elsewhere, extremely large in fact, to justify such a series of moves. True. What if it brings Drew and Kent?

Kent isn't even a guaranteed 100 point OPS improvement. He's old, and just getting older. Walker isn't much less of a player. They absolutely positively have to get impact bats in the OF. There's no debate. It's not about waiting around for big names to come their way, and hoping they succeed. They have to get enormous improvements in the OF, or they will not contend. 2B is not a position that needs an upgrade, and minimal upgrade for maximum cost is about as foolish a strategy as a GM could employ. I agree with what you are saying unless the Cubs are trading Walker and this is a multi player trade that brings the Cubs an OF that can hit too.

Oh, I think we'd have to give up something good, whether it's 1 or 2 or 3 players/prospects. My questions for the group here are (1) is getting Vazquez plus a young bat a good idea in the first place and (2) what would be a fair trade for both teams? So trading a Harvey/Hill type of thing? I think it really depends on who the Cubs give up. Money wise I don't see it as a problem since the OF's are very cheap salary wise. If you have a Vazquez as a 4 or 5 pitcher I don't see that as a bad thing either. Z, Prior, Wood, Vazquez and Maddux isn't a bad rotation at all plus it give the Cubs some "veteran" security starter wise.

Doesn't Baker realize he is part of the problem? Baker is the one letting fair players get a job and he is the one stifling competition. Fair and below fair. You are very right indeed.

What do the Cubs lose player wise in a trade like this? I'd do it because the Cubs would be getting a quality young bat too.

Beat Boston on Sunday and it's not a problem. Maybe somebody is scared to go to California?