CuseCubFan69

I am so sick of stop gap OF's. Hendry has to trade or sign an impact corner OF or 2006 will be just like 2005. Absolutely. To clarify, I was referring to CF, and think Giles is a must in RF, and would like a trade for an impact bat in LF, otherwise Murton gets the job. I'd like the Cubs to target Wells (Tor) and Burrell (Phil) or sign Giles but I really don't see Giles as being realistic since he wants to play on the west coast. Burrell LF- Wells CF- Lefthanded OF/1st baseman and Murton/Greenburg

Yeah, it's like having a different substitute teacher each day all year long.

I am so sick of stop gap OF's. Hendry has to trade or sign an impact corner OF or 2006 will be just like 2005.

What? I don't get the joke. I assume it was a joke because you said Macias should start in center, where's he's awful defensively and quite capable of underperforming Corey's 2005 numbers at the plate. Rookies learn from watching veterans goony....ask Dusty if you don't believe me.

As a longtime Corey supporter who would like to see him given one last chance, I have to admit that I completely understand where you're coming from. It's very difficult to justify bringing him back. The only good reasons I can think of is there aren't any good available CF to replace him, and Felix Pie should not break camp with this team next year. He missed half of this season and prior to this season he wasn't exactly lighting up the stat sheets. I'd rather have him in AA or even AAA next April, showing that the first half of 2005 was for real. I'd like to see an improvement in plate discipline, most notably in the k/bb ratio, and he still needs work on the baserunning. Remember, the majors isn't a place to learn, at least that's what the manager thinks, and if he hasn't shown the willingness or ability to develop any other kids, there's no reason to think he'll do so with Pie. There's still an outside shot that Corey could have a decent season next year, if only they'd stop trying to turn him into Otis Nixon. No, I don't have much confidence in that happening, but I don't see much of a realistic alternative either. The best way for Pie to learn is to watch Hairston/Macias play CF in 2006. IMO, Pie will turn into another Patterson if he is on the opening roster. I hope Hendry has learned this lesson. What about Greenburg for CF?

Bo Porter? I do not remember this player.

Yep, going half way gets the Cubs 75-83 wins. What kind of player could the Cubs get if they group Pie, Hill, Cedeno and Murton up for?

I just read that the Cubs have asked Nancy Reagan to help them with signs next year.

He doesn't call out veterans Biittner. He has no problem embarassing a young player in the press.

I agree. I don't see how they can extend Baker at this stage of the game. It represents a PR nigthmare and the columnists will tear the trib to shreads. They'd be better off waiting until the season is over and fewer people are paying attention. Also, does Baker even want an extension? It doesn't seem like he's enjoyed his stay on the North Side. This is what I'm hoping for. The Cubs say some nice things about Baker and then Baker goes and signs with another team. Speier is named manager.

If the Towers in NY haven't been done in what...4 years? How quick can they possibly redo New Orleans? There will be too many people with their fingers in the pie for this to get done for a long time, if it ever does.

I'm going to take a sit and wait stance involving Baker. I think he is going to come back in 2006 unless Baker decides he can go elsewhere and save face. I think we'll read a lot of different things about the return of Baker but until I see an actual fact such as Baker signing an extention I'll give MacPhail and Hendry the benefit of doubt. If Baker is signed for an extention....it's pitchfork and torch time.

You can never take anything thing Baker says out of context, it's hard enough to understand what point he's trying to make as it is.

Questec is the system. I don't know if MLB still uses it. I know a few years ago Curt Schilling smashed one of those cameras w/ a bat and got fined 10 Grand. Thanks. It's just another MLB idea that they don't follow through with.

Even with Nomars injuries, I still think he will get some decent offers in the off season because of the lack of SS's coming out so I don't think the Cubs will be able to get him dirt cheap unless he truely loves being in Chicago, which of course could mean that he might sign with the Sox. IMO....It'll be Perez, Walker and Cedeno in 2006, especially if Baker is back which I expect him to be. The Cubs are going to go after OF's and relief pitchers this off season. Also for a kicker, expect Perez to get a nice raise which should make this board more interesting to say the least.

As much as I like Mazzone I still wonder what the deal is with the umps always giving the Brave pitchers the outside part of the plate. What happened to that computer that was suppose to track pitches?

Who's a good "young" guy that could be the Cubs manager after Baker is fired mid-season next year?

Hmmm...Ponson and Furcel, now that would make the Cubs an interesting team.

There's an old GM saying and that is sometimes the best trade you make is the one you didn't make. Hendry has his fingers on all the controls when it comes to transactions and I'm happy he didn't deal Walker. If I were to judge Hendry on OBP and tools I have to lean towards tools. I have to assume he's no idiot when it comes to 2 players that have the same average and tools but one has a 50 or more better OBP, I'm sure he'd like the 50 point better guy. Now weather he targets OBP guys look at a guy he really liked for some time. Barrett. Not great on D. Very good hitting catcher. Decent OBP. Just a good player but not an outstanding one.

Are there enough cigarettes in Chicago to hire this guy?

Perez will be the starting SS for the Cubs in 2006.

I understand what you're saying Rocket but this team is as thin skinned as Baker. He has set the bar and they are following it. "it's us against the world, dudes." Yeah, that motto has worked really well for them too.

I understand what you're saying Rocket but this team is as thin skinned as Baker. He has set the bar and they are following it.

Thin skinned losers. I'm starting to dispise this team.

I'm hoping Baker can send Murton up a bunch of times to pinch hit because young players usually excel at doing that and it raises their confidence.