anemic offense

It'll be nice to have one of his 3-4K games benefit us for a change.

This is the one I wanted. :D

Oops, I quoted the wrong post.

soriano hasn't been able to unlearn any of his problems thus far in his career, and it's unlikely that the cubs coaching staff would even see these things as negatives anyway. if soriano wants to get better, chicago is probably the worst place for him. What's Livan's status? He's been a good pitcher and a reliable workhorse the last several years, but I believe he suffered an arm/elbow problem last year. IIRC, he was bitching and moaning PROFUSELY towards the end of the season about having to pitch while he was injured and how the (Natioanls) putting him out there was risking his career. What became of this I don't know, but if it was even HALF as serious as Livan made it out to be the days of him being the same workhorse may be over.

It is still TBD. Wow, you're one myopic dude. Let's see if we can help you out here. A pop-gun Judy hitter, with a sub-200 BA at low A ball. Versus the minor league saves leader at AA and AAA, last year's top reliever in the minors overall. The only TBD part is whether Hendry is a raging lunatic, or just mentally unfit for the job. My money is on the latter. I'm not QUITE as passionate as you are on the deal, but I don't like it either. I can't for the life of me understand why the Cubs let JVB toil in AAA when we had an ENTIRE BP who couldn't consistently throw strikes. And its not like we're talking about well estatblished vets here, rather Welly, Wuertz, etc. This move was puzzling, at best. Then again we're talking about a GM who found it fit to keep JOHN KORONKA, who is completey worthless, on the 40 man while he left Sisco unprotected in the rule V draft. Unbelievable. For every good/great move Hendry makes (Aram, Lee), he makes one to two more which ultimately set the team back. Although this year will be his ultimate test, Hendry's made more than enough mistakes to where he could have been fired this year without question. Hopefully for his sake (and ours), at least 75% of deals better work out masterfully in 06. The other 25% have to at least be satisfactory.

I don't. I get the feeling he's one of the those pitchers who once he get figured out, isn't that hard to hit. I don't think its fair to say that. He's been fairly consistent the last 5 years, starting 34+ games 5 years in a row with pretty solid numbers, including a Cy Young. Factor in that he has been pitching against some formidable lienups in the AL West his whole career, I think he'd be fine. Actually, I think he would be more dominant than usual when he first comes into the NL because of the unfamiliarity. I agree with this, at least initially. But I'm just not sold he will be good enough over the long haul to warrant the years, dollars, and talent (via trade) his name will command. Admittingly, I can't say I've seen him enough to delve into a long diatribe on why the Cubs shouldn't acquire him. Nor will I throw a bunch of stats around as I'm not a huge stathound (though I do belive his K/9 has dropped in each of the last several years). A lot of what I say is based on a hunch, an on some of his games I've seen the last few seasons. While every pithcer has there off days (Z got hammered 3 or so times last year), Zito's bad days are scary bad (kinda like Maddux is now). If his curveball is working, he seems to be very tough to beat. When it's not he has little else to throw at you. Pithcer's like this scare me, especially when they command the $$$ and years of a superstar. Then again what do I know? I could just as easily (and pry would be) wrong. 5 straight years of 210+ innings of above average pitching. he's had an era over 4 once in his career and even then it was above league average. his g/f ratio leaves something to be desired but he gets outs, that's undeniable. he's an excellent pitcher with an excellent track record. He may be a good pitcher, but those fly balls in the Coliseum (or whatever they call it) will turn into homeruns at Wrigley (though I do like that he's an innings eater). Again, I'm not basing what I'm saying on stats, rather from observations which make me feel uneasy. We're already paying 9 mil dollars apiece for two mistakes, and I'd hate to see the Cubs do so on another. But that's just my opionion.

The BP is my biggest concern as well. It is the easiest thing to fix in that you can go from demonstrably terrible to very good with just a few acquisitions. Then again its also the hardest to fix becasue relievers (except for a HANDFUL) tend to be the most inconsistent from one year to the next. I have a feeling this pen will be very good, or it will be very bad. This, I think, will hinge on the health of our acquisitions and the control of the pen as a whole. If the Cubs walk nearly as many hitters this year as they did last, you can kiss our chances (how slim they may be ) at the postseason goodbye.

I'd say only half. When you think about it, a lot of things went wrong (alost everything that could did excpet for Lee and Z) last year and the team STILL almost finished at .500. I know, its hardly a ringing endorsement but can't possibly encounter (though if it can it will happen to the Cubs) the kind of luck (or lack thereof) it did last season. IMO, if most those things you listed come to fruition then this team will finish with around 90 wins (give or take). I think a lot of people underestimate (though there were many to blame) how much a HANDFUL of people really brought this team down (and the injuries). Namely Nefi, Cpatt, the bullpen, and LF.

A little off the thread topic here, but it would sure be nice to see Z get some pinch hit opportunities next year. Injury is always a concern (I'm more scared of him getting plunked in the elbow or hurting himself on his uncoordinated slides than I am of him on the mound), but Z is a very good hitter, especially if he'd learn some plate discipline. Certainly beats anything we have coming off the bench.

Actually, Z is usually pretty dominant vs. them most every game. Last year he wasn't as great, but the previous two he handled them as well as anyone. There was even a game in the 03 campaign (at Wrigley) in which the Cards got a couple bogus base runners in the first and loaded the bases. Then Pujols came up, got lucky and barely hit it out of the park (I know Pujols is great, but this one WAS lucky). Although the four runs was enough to beat the Cubs that day (as usual they blew a TON of chances), Z (i believ) yielded 1 hit/baserunner over the next 6-7 innings. Its one where you couldn't tell it by the box score, but the Cardinals were fortunate to even be within TWO runs (let alone win) on that particular day. Z had it cranked up.

I don't. I get the feeling he's one of the those pitchers who once he get figured out, isn't that hard to hit. I don't think its fair to say that. He's been fairly consistent the last 5 years, starting 34+ games 5 years in a row with pretty solid numbers, including a Cy Young. Factor in that he has been pitching against some formidable lienups in the AL West his whole career, I think he'd be fine. Actually, I think he would be more dominant than usual when he first comes into the NL because of the unfamiliarity. I agree with this, at least initially. But I'm just not sold he will be good enough over the long haul to warrant the years, dollars, and talent (via trade) his name will command. Admittingly, I can't say I've seen him enough to delve into a long diatribe on why the Cubs shouldn't acquire him. Nor will I throw a bunch of stats around as I'm not a huge stathound (though I do belive his K/9 has dropped in each of the last several years). A lot of what I say is based on a hunch, an on some of his games I've seen the last few seasons. While every pithcer has there off days (Z got hammered 3 or so times last year), Zito's bad days are scary bad (kinda like Maddux is now). If his curveball is working, he seems to be very tough to beat. When it's not he has little else to throw at you. Pithcer's like this scare me, especially when they command the $$$ and years of a superstar. Then again what do I know? I could just as easily (and pry would be) wrong.

It obviously would help if the Cubs acquired a big bat, but unlike many here I didn't think it was a necessity. If there was one thing this team COULD not afford to do it was to go into the season without upgrading several key positions. So far, albeit not enthustically promising, the Cubs should be a lot better. CF, SS, and LF should be significant upgrades over what we had last year (not that they will necessarily be great indivdiually, rather we were just THAT BAD in here in the 05 season). RF should be a wash, while 2B is a big ??? with the looming insertion of Neifi/the trading of Todd. But what may be the biggest key (outside SP health) to the offseason is the BP. If there has been one common factor amongst the last several WS champs it is that they have a solid bullpen (there are other things but I think this stands out). In contrast, this team has fielded one of the worst pens over the last few year which was inept in every facet of the game (closing, inherited runners, pitching well in close games, BB/9, etc.) . IMO, the succeess of this team will be closely correlated with that of the pen. If Dempster, Howry, Eyre, and co. can prove their mettel, this could be a pretty good team. If they don't, the Cubs will be attrocious. As silly as it may sound (to some) I think it may be really that simple (or that hard because BPs are so tough to fix via FA...LT anyone??).

I don't. I get the feeling he's one of the those pitchers who once he get figured out, isn't that hard to hit. Then factor in his probable price tag (with his service time and Cy Young) and what we'd give up to get him and I don't think it'd be worth it. My opionion may change however, if the Cubs are getting him to spin to another team. Abreu is one of the obvious choices, but that all hinges on what we'd have to give up to get both players and the lenght of time he'd be on this team. Currently, I'm unaware of his contract status in both years and dollars he's owed. That may make things more difficult.

That deal is terrible. It's bad enough to give an ace contract to a mediocre pitcher once, but twice is downright mad. How can they give this guy that much money for FIVE years??? Millwood is a thief (Texas is equally stupid) and the Rangers are about to find that out.

The power shouldn't be expected, especially not right away, but I don't think its unrealistic to think it should develop. Ronny's extremely athletic, has improved exponentially with the bat, and has a frame that's conducive to adding some bulk. Personally, I think he'll have average to above average power for a MLB SS, though it remains to be seen.

My thinking on the OBP goes as follows: - ARam - Expect similar numbers, though I think he may slightly improve. - Pierre - He will rebound this year and post closer to career avgs. A HUGE upgrade over Cpat. - Murton - I'm figuring him to be in the .340 - .360 range. His stint last year coupled with his patience in the minors should bode well for this. - 2B - The wild card. If Walker starts most of the time the overall numbers (for the position) should improve. But that a big ???? - SS - This is my big hunch. Although Ronny's CAREER numbers are well below this he's shown TREMENDOUS improvement as he's moved up. He does all the right things at the plate, and looks fundamentally sound. I think he'll be at least a .330 OBP guy, which is a significant increase over Neifi. Barrett - A wash. Lee - I'd suspect a slight decline in OBP. But when he's consistently had a high 300s OBP I wouldn't expect it to be much. Jones - The recent numbers don't look good but I think he'll rebound a little on this team. I'm figuring him to be in the 320 range. By no means good, but its about the same as Bernie. If anything it will be a slight decline. So overall, that's THREE significant upgrades (four with Walk) over what we had last year, 2 washes, 1 slight decline and one ??? In my eyes, that's a large improvement over what we had last year. Even if one provides for some pecismism I see NO WAY (assuming health) it can rival the futility of the 05 team. And this isn't even my Cub bias speeking, its soley out of objectivity.

You're putting words in my mouth, I never said sluggin percentage was a bad thing. I also never said the offensive futility was Todd's fault. He is what he is and the Cubs/the fans always knew this. The problem was this team had an overall lack of OBP, speed, and defense and while Todd DID provide the latter of those three, his speed was so poor it GREATLY diminshed the value of his OBP(easy DP target, couldn't steal, not a good first to third candidate, etc.). What also compounds the situaton is 2B is generally (though not all the time, such as Kent) one of those positions where you don't have below average speed. With the team constructed as it was I think the Cubs would have been better off to find a 2b (if they could have) that filled those needs. IMO, a specific skill set of speed, OBP, and defense would have been much more desirable at that position. Was that realistic? Probably not, but it would have been better in an ideal world. And, as we all know, this was Hendry's fault and his fault alone. Had he done a better job (and if Corey hadn't fallen on his face) we wouldn't even be having this discussion. In contrast, I feel this year's team has a much greater need for Todd's skill set. As it currently stands, we have average to above average speed at EVERY position save 3rd and 2nd (assuming Walker plays). It also figures to have a noticeable decrease in power, an asset that Todd has. It also has a lack of quality left handed bats, a quality which he can provide. In short, I feel Todd is a much better fit on THIS year's team than he was on last year's team. Obviously its nothing Todd has done, rather its the way the team has been constructed around him. Although I'd definately be open to looking at other options (2B) I wouldn't be upset if Todd was in the lineup either. He'd make a great 6th to 7th hitter if Baker constructed this lineup right. But I won't be holding my breath..

If we are going to give up that much talent (while at the same time taking on Miggy's payroll) I'd rather keep Cedeno and trade for a RF or a good young second baseman. Although there are ZERO facts to back this up I still don't think Miggy will be that much of an upgrade over Cedeno to constitute the extra 11.7 million dollars we'd be investing in the position. At some point we are going to HAVE to play some of our young players and Cedeno is the BEST of the bunch. There's a reason EVERYBODY brings his name up in trades and its NOT because they think the Cubs want to get rid of him.

Of course, if you take into account Walker's OBP PLUS his SLG (the main reason I like to keep him around), the list of 2nd basemen above Walker shrinks considerably. The following NL 2B had a higher OPS than Walker last season: Chase Utley Jeff Kent That is all. Walker also costs us only 2.5 million. I understand your argument. But was Walker's slugging REALLY that IMPORTANT in LAST year's lineup? Think about it. We had a bevy of guys who could hit the long ball, and the team as a whole was at or near the top of the NL in slugging (I think, you can correct me if I'm wrong). Yet at the same time this team had constant trouble scoring consistent runs. There were elements this team desparately needed that Todd didn't really provide (which is NOT Todd's fault, rather Hendry's). At some point, the extra sluggling Todd brought the table was redundant. Now ask yourslef this, would you have taken another 2B that had more OBP, better defense, and better speed over Todd for LAST year's team? I would have. This year may be a different story. Todd's power and LH bat are more of a necessity than it was last year. You see, the players you need all depends on the construct of your team. This year the D, team speed, is greatly increased while the overall slugging should dip (OBP should be increased, but that remains to be seen). This makes Todd's offensive skill set more valuable while his subpar defense shoud be somewhat "hid" on a team of (seemingly) pretty good defenders. At least that's my view on the subject.

Zambrano Perez Patterson Ohman Hill/Guzman for... Tejada Penn/Maine/Loewen Borchard Majewski/Florentino/Markakis Rogowski Munoz I like the idea of getting rid of Perez. :) Cheese and rice. I leave for Christmas, get back and I get to see this. Just when you think Phil Rogers CAN'T propose a more idiotic trade than the ones he already has he concocts this gem. I tell ya, ole Nil keeps getting dumber by the minute and by this time tommorrow he'll have the Cubs trading Lee, Aram, Z, Prior, Barrett, Cedeno, Dempster, Murton, and Pierre for Brett Tomko. His filth is a waste of space. The Trib would be much better off if they took him off the payroll and replaced his spance with ads. He'd that terrible.

Well hes essentially replacing Brett Tomko, so yeah I'd say thats an upgrade. OT - This is a direct quote from a Phoenix sports talk host when the D-Backs signed Estes last spring: "Well Estes won 15 games in Colorado of all places last year, so I don't see why he couldn't win a Cy Youn here in Arizona." Never mind that his era that year was 5.84. Holy hell that was dumb sports town. Your sig avi is funnier than hell wolf. :lol: Who says crude can't be funny?

I sure hope this is accurate.

Yes, that and the fact Hendry's not even being consistent in his own bad decision making. If he declined to sign Furcal based on money fine (not that I necessarily agree with that but as least he has a stance). If he declined to sign Furcal based on years, fine. But to turn around and defy his OWN logic (or lack thereof) by trading one of his best players for the same caliber of player at the same position (as Furcal) then WTF is his stance? It isn't years. It isn't dollars. It's not age. It's not an overall talent upgrade. It's not ANYTHING!

...if Hendry WASN'T willing to give the years and dollars for the younger player he wanted (not to mention who played in our league), why is he so keen in making a trade for an older player, who makes the same dollars, allthewhile including a superstar pitcher?? Then you think about what it does to the rotation. Unless Hendry is complacent enough to rely on three unproven (with Wood and Bedards healthe - if he comes -) starters and a quickly declining hall of pitcher, then he'll probably consider signing one of the FA pitchers. The sad thing is NONE of these pitchers is even half as good as Prior, while most (if not all) will cost more even after Prior is offered arb./signed to a one year deal. So where's the net gain? Furcal and Miggy are almost a wash (both offer slightly different, though equally valuable skill sets). Prior is BETTER than any pitcher we would receive in the trade/FA. We'd pry have more $ invested in contracts. This team would be older. It just doesn't add up. Either you should be willing to make all the deals (Furcal, and Tejeda) or you're willing to make none. Hendry's not even imploring his lack of logic consistently as he makes/considers his deals. He apparently has no idea what he's doing.

no thanks. Arod would be a difference make at SS. Arod in 2005: 321/421/610 Tejada in 2005: 304/349/515 Not even close! And to think, Arod is younger than Tejada. If you could get Arod (and he's willing to play SS) for Prior and another player...I'd jump at that deal. No way. I don't care how much he helps the team there are some players who I could NEVER root for in a Cub uniform. A guy (though it takes two to tangle) who makes $25 million per season yet somehow thinks he and his grimy agent aren't part of the problem is one of them. ARod is a POS.