CuseCubFan69

A friend of Davids.

I agree. He's really not who I'd like playing there but if he's struggling I'm sure the Cubs will make a move before the deadline and upgrade the position. I'm rooting for the Riot to have a career year.

Thanks for the rundown! Was Marshall close but just off or way off on the balls he threw?

people do this all the time. in the nba, do you ever see a white guy's game compared to a black guy? don't think so. if he's white, plays small forward but has pretty good height, not terribly athletic, but can shoot well, he's automatically compared to larry bird. I'd never compare you to Al Roker.

I wonder how long it'll be before Clemens claims to be a diabetic.

Me too but I'd love it to be a good SS instead! That's not happening. They don't see SS as a position of need at all, as absurd as that is. Yeah I know but maybe the Cubs are being coy with the Riot and are going to make the right move. A fan can wish.

I'm fairly certain that the quality of the players involved is more important than the number involved. I understand that, but if two of the players are Gallagher and Ceda (two who have good value) then that makes the deal overpayment, even if you only include prospects like Veal and Cedeno, or Marshall. 4 players, including 2 prospects with good value, is OVERPAYMENT for Robert. Don't even kid that the Cubs will include Marshall AND Gallagher unless they have another pitcher lined up in a trade somewhere else!

Me too but I'd love it to be a good SS instead!

i don't want a sullen Crisp on this team I don't think he'd be a good influence on Pie as he'd want to play 150 games or so but I'm sure his injuries would reduce that to 110 or less. Since when do people care about clubhouse presence on this board? I thought that was a clear railing point. No, that's not what I'm referring to. Crisp has said he wants to play and he isn't interested in platooning.

I think this is kinda ridiculous. You wrote it yourself-this is Spring Training. The whole point, especially with players a manager has never seen before, is to try various things out and see if they work. Piniella said himself: "I might drop him back down to the two-spot and see what happens." It sounds like he's tinkering with things to see what works best. The last time I checked, that's the point of practice games. Why not? I'd much rather have a manager who tries things (ESPECIALLY in Spring Training) to see what might work best over a manager who is so wedded to his stupid philosophies that he refuses to try anything new. I think his quote here is telling: "Maybe the three-hole might be asking a little much too soon. We might drop him to the two-hole, and he might be more comfortable there." I don't think this has anything to do with "protection," or anything else we flippantly label "old school." I think it has more to do with the fact that Piniella probably believes that Fukudome is trying to drive the ball too much, thus expanding his strike zone, instead of remaining patient and trying to simply get on base. Putting him in the #2 hole might be a way to allow Fukudome to re-establish those facets that make him a good hitter. Most importantly, however, I think an Allen Iverson quote is probably the most important to remember for some perspective here. Practice? You're talking about Practice... Not the games. Practice... That's all well and good, except for the fact that he apparantly tried the 3 spot for all of 7 AB and was able to determine that Fukudome in the 3 spot didn't work. Spring training should not be about trying things. Spring training should be about getting in game shape. If you want to throw guys into different defensive positions, just to get them some experience, fine, but spring training is a horrible place to "see if things work". Nothing that happens in spring training should determine who plays, and where people hit, in the regular season - with the exception of injuries or trades. Maybe with a familiar vet but Fukudome is like a rookie and Lou has to get a read on him. Lou makes me a little nervous regarding Fukudome. I've seen Lou quoted on two different occasions as saying Fuku is like a cross between Ichiro and Hideki Matsui. Can he only fathom Fuku's skillset by comparing him to other players in his ethnic group? I would hate to think that Lou can't figure out what to do with Fuku because he can't find any other yellow-skinned player to equate him with. I hear he's a Joe Morgan with an arm! I have no idea how Lou is thinking regarding this race thing. Maybe his son will give him some comparisons to all the players for Lou to use when he's asked that question again.

Thanks David!

This is a very stupid post displaying an extreme lack of knowledge regarding NFL. this is a very stupid post. i know teams in the nfl can flop places quickly. but most of the meaningful free agents are already signed, and it was a thin free agent crop to begin with. given what the bears have done, or more accurately haven't done, how can you say that the bears are going to make up the gap on the packers in the next six months? please, enlighten us with another stupid post. Let's please just make your posts without each of you calling the others stupid. Thank you.

i don't want a sullen Crisp on this team I don't think he'd be a good influence on Pie as he'd want to play 150 games or so but I'm sure his injuries would reduce that to 110 or less.

That's funny. he wasn't the best, but i liked him As did I. I think Bob has grown on me as well and I'm pretty happy he's the color guy in the booth.

If the Cubs are after Crisp, that would kill any chance of Payton coming to the Cubs.

I think this is kinda ridiculous. You wrote it yourself-this is Spring Training. The whole point, especially with players a manager has never seen before, is to try various things out and see if they work. Piniella said himself: "I might drop him back down to the two-spot and see what happens." It sounds like he's tinkering with things to see what works best. The last time I checked, that's the point of practice games. Why not? I'd much rather have a manager who tries things (ESPECIALLY in Spring Training) to see what might work best over a manager who is so wedded to his stupid philosophies that he refuses to try anything new. I think his quote here is telling: "Maybe the three-hole might be asking a little much too soon. We might drop him to the two-hole, and he might be more comfortable there." I don't think this has anything to do with "protection," or anything else we flippantly label "old school." I think it has more to do with the fact that Piniella probably believes that Fukudome is trying to drive the ball too much, thus expanding his strike zone, instead of remaining patient and trying to simply get on base. Putting him in the #2 hole might be a way to allow Fukudome to re-establish those facets that make him a good hitter. Most importantly, however, I think an Allen Iverson quote is probably the most important to remember for some perspective here. Practice? You're talking about Practice... Not the games. Practice... That's all well and good, except for the fact that he apparantly tried the 3 spot for all of 7 AB and was able to determine that Fukudome in the 3 spot didn't work. Spring training should not be about trying things. Spring training should be about getting in game shape. If you want to throw guys into different defensive positions, just to get them some experience, fine, but spring training is a horrible place to "see if things work". Nothing that happens in spring training should determine who plays, and where people hit, in the regular season - with the exception of injuries or trades. Maybe with a familiar vet but Fukudome is like a rookie and Lou has to get a read on him.

I don't why he moaned about the horses and then he goes and gets the same ones 2 years later. God, it's so much better being on this side of the fence regarding Dusty. I can not wait to see how he handles Dunn when he watches the 3 strike go by time and time again.

I thought Maroney was deported to Sweden?

A slider away...yep, a slider away should do it.

Last night on Sports Central Kaplan asked that exact question and the Baltimore writer said he thought the O's would be happy to have Pie (not Murton) play LF for them. If Hendry gives up Pie and Gally this deal ain't so good. Add to that if Payton comes over and it smells real bad....really really bad.

Wishful thinking. No Gallagher = No trade. Yup, Fuld means nothing to them, they are satisfied with their OF of Luke Scott, Adam Jones and Nick Markakis (which is actually pretty good). Murton MIGHT interest them over Scott but including him even wouldn't be overwhelming. Pie would get them talking (but of course we won't do that.) The rest of the deal looks up to par, but you're going to have to switch Fuld with Gallagher unfortunately. Ideally, I'd love Gallagher, Patterson, Veal, Marquis for Roberts and Payton, but I don't think the Orioles would do that. I added Fuld for depth for them. He's not a starter but he would help them cover the 3 positions as a fifth of/pinch runner.

Wishful thinking. No Gallagher = No trade. Crud...I forgot Gallagher!

And then the cream of the crop.....LENNY!

Whoops, that's what I get when I get a call! If this is true, I see it as posturing for a WR in the draft or in a trade. There is nothing available free agent wise.

No Chris Mortenson just confirmed it thru Bretts agent that Brett told Mike McCarthy last night he is done. Because they didn't go after Moss?