weather2

I suspect you're right. It is difficult to move a position player for top dollar at the trading deadline. However, the non-trade of Roberts may make it more likely the Orioles get value for pitchers such as Sherrill or Cabrera.

I'm not sure the Orioles erred by not trading Roberts. Come July, the Cubs and the rest of the leagues' contenders will realize they have to pay top dollar to get Roberts or whomever else they want. The Orioles did quite well in the Bedard and Tejada trades. Tim Kirchen (sp) still thinks the O's will trade Roberts to the Cubs (May 8th interview on the 105.7, a Baltimore radio station) this summer. I don't see it happening. Cubs likely to have other more pressing needs. We'll see.

I think Micah has a remote chance of becoming a ML regular and this spring could be important. After having a great spring, Micah could be sold to a Japanese team for a few $100 K. He would then need to have a monster year in Japan. Following that, I could envision some team signing him as a 2nd on the depth chart 1B/OF. And if No. 1 were to get injured ...

A solitary cloud on an otherwise sunny day. Perhaps his ISOD is low but a K/W of 0.000 isn't bad.

From an article in tomorrow's (time difference) on-line Korean Times, I infer that Kook Hae-Sung is a recent HS graduate who did not get drafted by a Korean major league organization and was thus available to be signed by any team from Japan, MLB, etc. Earlier this year, the Cubs signed Lee Dae-eun for $810 K. It looks like he was also overlooked in the draft. In early October, scouts from the Cubs and three other major league organizations, are hosting a tryout camp for other Korean players who've fallen between the cracks.

I also believe that in 1998 the Cubs added Chris Haney to their postseason roster despite signing him in September. They were granted a waiver, but I'm not sure why.

Are you certain you can do this? Yes players on the 25 or 60 man disabled list as of August 31st can be added to the postseason roster; however, I'm not sure you can begin with disabled players on your post season roster and then replace them with anyone you want. My assumption has always been that unless an exemption is granted by MLB (it occasionally is), a player must be on the 25 man roster or the disabled list on August 31. So if Murton is on Iowa's active roster on August 31st, he could not be on the Cubs post season roster, unless an exemption is granted. Does anyone know for sure? I've always thought these shenanigans could be avoided. Why not allow teams to select any player from their August 31 40-man roster plus 60-day DL to be on their post season roster. Post season rosters could be adjusted after each series.

-------------------------------------1 3B: Josh Vitters (2007-01) {198908} “Pure” swing. Looked better at showcases than in HS. Not signed. LF: Tyler Colvin (2006-01){198509} CHC#NA/03 5 tools. Recklessly promoted to AA despite lousy K/W at Daytona. RHSP: Sean Gallagher (2004-12) {198512} CHC#12/05 Ceiling increased from 05to06. Solid 2007 LHSP: Donald Veal (2005-02){198409} CHC#11/02 Effectively wild in 2006. Too wild in 2007. 2B: Eric Patterson (2004-08){198304} CHC#09/06 Solid AAA season. Good speed and some power. Defensive questions. RHRP:Billy Petrick (2002-03){198404} CHC#18/18 Dominated AA after move to pen. Healthy again. C: Geovany Sota (2001-11){198301} CHC#16/17 Unexpected power display. Is he a future starter? C: Josh Donaldson (2007-1s) {198512} Auburn C whose hitting is ahead of his catching LHSP: Mark Pawelek (2005-01){198608} CHC#02/10 After control problems, fractured elbow bone in non-throwing arm in June RHSP: Jeff Samardzija (2006-05){198501} CHC/#NA/04 Unbelievably poor K/IP cools enthusiasm about this hard thrower --------------------------------------------11-------- RHSP: Mitch Atkins (2004-07){198510} CHC/??/29 Impressive K/W for 2nd straight year (Peoria 2006; Daytona 2007) RHSP: Chris Huseby (2006-11){198801} CHC#NA/09 Showing flashes of brilliance this year at Boise. RHSP: Kevin Hart {198211} SL player of the month in June; Promoted to Iowa; K/IP good H/IP so-so RHSP: Mark Holliman (2005-03){198309} CHC#26/23 AA starter with so-so K/IP but good HR/IP and solid control RHRP: Jose Ceda {198701} [#14 AZLprospect] Career BA against < 0.200. K/IP impressive. RHRP: Rocky Roquet (2006-FA) {198211} CHC#??/26 5th senior sign rising rapidly through the minors. BA against ~0.200 RHRP: Rocky Cherry (2002-14){197908} CHC#??/16 Continues to strike out a lot of hitters at IA but has stratospheric ERA 3B: Scott Moore (2002-01){198311}[sL allstar] CHC#13/07 Recovered from slow AAA start. SA near 0.500. OF: Josh Kroeger {198208} Signed as MiFA in Feb. Has crushed AA/AAA pitching this year 2B: Tony Thomas (2007-03){19????} Led Division I collegians in hits/doubles in 2007 as Seminole. ----------------------21------ CF: Sam Fuld (2004-10){198111} CHC#??/27 Matching last year’s solid numbers. OPS ~0.780. Hard to K. OF: Jacob Fox (2003-03){198207} CHC#??/24 Continues to show power but now an outfielder. LHRP: Clay Rapada (2002-FA){198103} 36/14 K/W during 1st half of Iowa’s season. OF: Kyler Burke (2006-01s) {198804} Toolsy youngster who is doing much after demotion to Boise. RHSP: Jacob Renshaw (2006-10){198604} 2007 Midwest league midseason all start has solid K/W RF: Buck Coats (2000-18){198206} CHC#25/H Super-utility man showing a bit of power this year. RHSP: Larry Suarez (2006-VZ){198912} CHC#NA/25 Tantalizing 5 K outing during 7/18/07 appearance. SS: Jonathan Mota (2003-VZ){198706} CHC#??/H Solid fielder. Bats shows life after demotion to Peoria RF: Ryan Harvey (2003-01){198408}[FSL allstar] CHC#07/08 Flashes of brilliance overshadowed by injuries and strikeouts. LHRP: Carmen Pignatiello (2000-20){198209} Lefties hitting 0.130 off him (mostly AAA) -------------------------31------------------------------ RHSP: Randy Wells (2002-38){198208} 2nd chance at Iowa is going much better. K/IP ~1. 3B: Josh Lansford (2006-06) {198407} CHC#NA/20 Excellent fielder but needs to show more power. CF: Andrew Rundle (2006-14){198711} CHC#NA/15 Struggling at Boise this year. Good tools. LHRP: Jeremy Papelbon (2006-19){198306}[NWL allstar] MWL righties 0.200 off him. K/IP > 1. K/W good. Getting look as starter? RHRP: Miguel Cuevas (2006-36) {198308} 6’9” hard thrower K’s and W’s a lot of hitters. C: Steve Clevenger (2006-07){198604} CHC#NA/H Good eye; Converted to C in 2007 3B: Kyle Reynolds (2005-06) {198309} Bat comes alive in 2007. ISO ~0.200 at mid-season. RHSP: Robert Hernandez (????-VZ){198810} Poor K/IP but teenage starters in full season ball warrant watching. RHSP: Alberto Cabrera (????-DR){198810} DSL star in 2006 is off to good start at Boise (K/IP ~1; K/W~3). C: Wellington Castillo (2006-DR) {198704} Peoria’s C is holding his own with the bat as a 20-yr old --------------------------------41--------------------- RHSP:Joel Santo (????-DR){198406} SDP#16 Daytona SP. K/W and K/IP a concern 3B: Casey McGehee (2003-10){198210} CHC#NA/H Struggling this year as UT after AAA success in 2006. 1B: Russ Canzler (2004-30){198604}[NWL allstar] CHC#??/H Peoria’s 1B is having ok season. Needs to show more power. RHSP:Grant Johnson (2004-02){198305} CHC#17 Pitched much better out of the pen. SS: Darwin Barney (2007-04) {198511} Fleetfooted star of NCAA champion OSU. 1B: Brian Dopirak(2002-02){198206} CHC#08/12 Power returns after demotion to Daytona but K/W still poor. Is it too late? 3B: Matt Craig (2002-03){198104} Back-to-back solid seasons hints that organizational soldier may have a chance 1B: Micah Hoffpauier (2002-13){198003} Latent power? 22 HR in 2006 LHSP: Chris Shaver (2004-04) {198108} 2006 AA workhorse had bone chips removed 10/06 and shoulder scoped 6/22/07 OF: Brandon Guyer (2007-05) {198601} Cavalier with quick bat, line-drive swing, and fringe-average arm. Injured -----------------51---------------------- LHRP: Casey Lambert (200706) {198512} Senior sign with solid curveball SS: Dylan Johnston (2005-04){198703} CHC#27/19 Youth and position are his biggest assets. RHRP: Rafael Dolis (????-DR){198801} Began 2007 impressively; then injured OF Ty Wright (2007-07) {198502} Oky State lead off hitter had 35 game hitting streak. Crushing NWL pitching RHSP: Oswaldo Martinez (2006?-MX) {198809} 22/2 K/W at Mesa this year. CF: Leon Johnson (200710) BYU CF with good speed. A Mormon; Spent 2005-2006 on mission RHSP: Adam Harben (2002-15){198308} Twins#12 TJ surgery March 2007 C: Chris Robinson (2005-03){198405} DET#25/CHC22 Solid backstop with questionable bat. RHRP: Alessandro Maestri (2006-IT){198506} Italian sign. Midwest league mid-season all star in 2007 RHSP:Justin Berg (2003-43){198406} CHC#21 Throws hard with so-so results. Lousy K/W and K/IP at Tenn, -------------------61---------------- RHSP: Al Alburquerque (198606) Finally healthy although Cubs are monitoring his pitch counts C: Carlos Perez (????-VZ) {198710} Impressive hitting in Mesa debut. OPS near 0.900. RHRP:Scott Taylor (2005-05){198612} CHC#/??/28 Jump to Daytona causes derailment: 0.327 BA against; K/IP terrible RHSP: Julio Castillo (BA Honorable Mention) {198707} Mid 90’s gas with no command. At Boise. 2B: Ryne Malone (2006-49){198501} Contact hitter with a touch of power RHRP: Jim Henderson (MiLRule5: 2006) {198210} 6’5” 190 lb Canadian with a sinker. Fine K/W in AA. Struggled in AAA RHRP: Matt Avery (2005-09){198309} Still adjusting to AA after success at Peoria and Daytona. RHRP: Adalberto Mendez (????-DR){198202} Hard thrower who is fighting his control and working on his arm angle. LHRP: Darin Downs (2003-05) {198412} Finally playing in a full season league. Impressive K/IP and K/W at Daytona. RHSP: Marco Carrillo (????-MX) {198702} Smallish Peoria starter with ok numbers. 0.239 BA against. --------------71--------------- RHRP: Jordan Latham (2006-29) {198609} D/F signing with solid FB and power slider 3B: Jovan Rosa (2006-39) {198710} D/F having tremendous debut at Mesa. LHRP: Geoffrey Jones {2006-MiFA) {197908} Dominant in AA. Shelled in AAA. SS: Nathan Samson (2006-34) {198708} Single-hitting SS is already at Peoria. RHRP: Andy Santana (????-DR) {198611} Spent 2006 in DSL. K/IP > 1 with ok control this year. RHRP: Marcus Hatley (2006-39) {198803} Convert JC OF has been untouchable at Mesa this year. 3B: Marquez Smith (2007-08) {198503} Led Clemson in H as Sr. “More athletic than body indicates” Solid Boise #s. SS: Carlos Rojas (2001-VZ) {198401} Very weak bat (ISO ~0.025 between Ia and Tenn); solid glove SS: Gian Guzman (2006?-DR) {198905} Bat not there yet but still very young. At Mesa. RF: Alfred Joseph (2004-15){198607} CHC#NA/H Still young but powerless; Joseph is facing sink-or-swim promotion to Daytona ------------------81--------------- 2B: Robinson Chirinos (2000-VZ) {198406} Is it possible to walk off the island? Mid-season promotion to AA CF: Clark Hardman (2007-09) {198508} Cal St Fullerton OF with plus arm, BA+ limited patience, and no power CF: Jonathan Wyatt (2007-13) UGA- 2007 Division I Gold glove Winner. Boise sparkplug. RHSP: Billy Muldowney (2006-08) {198408} Rehabbing strained elbow injury RHRP: Hung-Wen Chen (2007-TW) {??????) Shut down due to arm fatigue before pitching an inning. 2B: Junior Lake (????-DR) {199003} Leading DSL team in OPS this summer C: Anthony Richie (2003-04) {198202} 2007 SA may exceed 2006 OPS (What is going on at Iowa?) RHSP: Ryan Searle (2006-AU) {19????} Raw Australian youngster could make majors by 2015 LHRP: Chris Siegfried (2007-11) {198512} 6’5” and at Boise. Solid K/IP so far. 2B: Elvis Lara (????-DR) {198611} Best hitter on Cubs 2006 Dominican Summer League Team -------------91-------------------- LHRP: Jayson Ruhlman (2005-23){198408} K/IP and K/W are both so-so. Righties hitting 0.238 off him. RHRP: Michael Phelps (2005-11){198305} CHC#20 Struggling this year at Daytona. Lefties hitting 0.333 off him. C: Jake Muyco (2005-08) {198409} CHC#??/H Weak bat; Solid glove CF: Chris Walker (2002-06) {198007} [sL allstar in 2006] 0.455 OPS at Iowa this year may signal end of his quixotic pursuit of majors RF: Yusuf Carter (2005-12) {198502} Good power. Terrible K/W. Sink-or-swim promotion to Daytona not going well LHSP: Dustin Sasser (2007-21) {198509} Short-season A batters hitting 0.197 again him so far. RHRP: Blake Parker (2006-16){198506}[2006 AZL allstar as C/1B] Converted C off to good start at Mesa 2B: Nate Spears (2003-05) {198505} BAL#17 Good eye but little power. Sink or swim promotion to Tenn this month. CF: Jeffrey Rea (2007-18) {198407} 5’8” 160 lb Senior sign sent to Daytona to see if his Boise numbers are a fluke C: Roberto Sabates (2007-39) {198410} Cuban defector who apparently ended up on US soil: At Mesa

Jason Hart was Oakland's No. 2 prospect back in 2001. Hit 0.326 with 30 HR's in AA (alas in hitter friendly Midland). Was traded to the Rangers and fell rapidly from sight. "He has the bat to be an everyday first baseman in the majors". Baseball America's Prospect Handbook (2001).

Position projections sure to be wrong. FirstBase: Second Base AAA: Casey McGehee Eric Patterson AA: Brian Dopirak Issmael Salas A+: Ryan Norwood Steve Clevenger A-: Russ Canzler Matthew Camp R+ Blake Parker Elvis Lara Shortstop: Third Base AAA: Ronny Cedeno Scott Moore AA: Carlos Rojas Jemel Spearman A+: Jonathan Mota Josh Lansford A-: Dylan Johnston Ryan Malone R+ Matt Matulia Valerio Heredia Catcher Left Field AAA: Geovany Sota/ K Hill Jorge Cortes AA: Jacob Fox / Ritchie Jeff Culpepper A+: Chris Robinson/Muyco Jesus Valdez A-: Mark Reed Deryck Lewis R+ Mario Mercedes Cody Gilbert Centerfield: Right Field AAA: Felix Pie Buck Coats AA: Sam Fuld Ryan Harvey A+: Tyler Colvin Alberto Garcia A-: Andrew Rundle Alfred Joseph R+ Clifford Anderson Wilson Inoa Utility: AAA: Jesse Hoorelbeke / Mike Fontenot/Chris Walker/MHoffpauier AA: Nate Spears/Simokaitis/Matt Craig/Gary Cates/A Machado A+: Robinson Chirinos/Kyle Reynolds/Alan Rick/M. Ciaramella A-: Elvin Puello/Sammy Baez / Ryan Lilly/ Davy Gregg R+ Lisandro Rosario

"Wrigley Rat" I found your rankings of Renshaw (11), Anderson (14), Canzler (16), Norwood (23), Camp (31), Craig (40), and Maestri (53) to be the most interesting. Anderson's ranking is the most exciting as he's young. If he begins 2007 with a full season team; he could be the real deal. Canzler put up numbers consistent with a 16 ranking; however he only played 80 games or so (SS-A) in 2006. Are his great numbers a small sample size fluke? He's definitely one to watch this year. Norwood also put up numbers but will continue to be discounted as a prospect unless he changes his birth date or skips a level. I don't know what to make of Camp. Pedestrian numbers in SS-A (not sure how much that matters given the adjustment to wood etc). Changing positions. Will know soon. He's not young. Others seem to like. Craig could regain prospect status if he begins 2006 as Iowa's first baseman. Can that happen? Renshaw was just drafted in 2006. Throws hard enough to make it as reliever if he stays healthy. Maestri had a good stateside debut.

(Issmael Francisco Milo) Salas remains a mystery to outsiders such as myself. He has never had more than 300 AB in any minor league season. When he's played he's hit fairly well. His lack of at bats have been caused by both injuries and perceived ability (or lack thereof). Unless the Cubs go outside of the organization, he has a shot to begin 2007 as the starting second baseman for Tennessee (Fontenot, Spears, Cates, and Chirinos are other possibilities) Winning that starting spot, would suggest he has a (small) chance. The Mexican League isn't particularly strong. Salas was born in Mexico and signed as a NDFA in 2001.

Tim's correct. Campusano's stat line should read: 15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar] Combined MWL/SL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft]

Yes I did overlook Salas when compiling this list. He was injured much of last year but is a strong candidate to be Tennessee's starter at second next year. Oops.

My "players to watch" list is taking more and more hits ... 15. LHRP: Edward Campusano (2001 DR){24yrs}[MWL allstar] Combined MWL/FSL 81/17 K/W in 54 IP. 1.82 ERA [Rule 5 draft] 22. LHRP: Carlos Vasquez (2002-VZ){24yrs} 91/42 K/W in 85 IP between FSL and SL [Traded to White Sox] 28. RHRP: Lincoln Holdzkom (2001-07){24yrs} [Rule 5 draft] Acquired for Wellemeyer. 33/12 K/W in 37 IP most in AA. in AFL. 42. RF: Miguel Negron (2000-01){24yrs} [Released 11/06] Hit well after being picked up on waivers. Not much power. 43. C: Jose Reyes (1999-DR){22yrs} Weak Bat. Solid backstop. [Non-tendered] 84. LHSP: Isaac Pavlik (2002-10) (2006-FA){26yrs} [Released 12/06] Indy league sign. Short but has some stuff. 91. RHRP: Roger Evenson (2005-16){23yrs} [Released 12/06] 31/8 K/W in 44 IP at Peoria this year. 95. RHRP: Stephen Bronder (2005-FA){22yrs} [Released 12/06] Gave up 58H in 61 IP at Daytona. 96. RHRP: Andy Shipman (2003-FA) Dominated in AA. Struggled at Iowa. [Minor L Rule 5] 99. RHSP:Ryan Bicondoa (2006-FA) {27yrs} [Released 12/06] Dominated Can-Am/FSL 45/12 K/W in 44 IP at Day Replacing these players with others is challenging; however I'll go with... Oscar Bernard Jorge Cortes Kevin Hart James Henderson Elvin Puello Bobby Brownlie Kitt Kopach Jesse Estrado Lisandro Rosario Tony Ritchie