SeldomSeen

Who's Howry?

I am not at all high on Huff. If we thought Sosa was bad defensively in RF, Huff makes Sosa look like Andruw Jones. I don't see the Cubs getting a big bat for RF, at least not this yr, even tho it is a weakness. I know this is going to anger some people but, if the Cubs can land Furcal (or Lugo) and/or Pierre, I could definately see the Cubs bring back Burnitz for another yr. I don't think I like you anymore.:P

You don't become a professional athlete without a competitive ego. No, I wouldn't be happy about "job security" and a "huge raise" that came along with a demotion. I also wouldn't want to spend 8 months with a guy who was told to do just that. You play to compete and win, the money is a secondary issue. Right, money is secondary. If Dempster would turn into a problem child if the Cubs acquired a far better reliever and gave that guy the closer's role, then Dempster is a bigger clubhouse cancer than any of the victim's of the great chemistry experiment of 2004. We just differ on how we'd deal with the people involved, not necessarily on how we'd build the team. I'm all for signing the best guy available for any given position, but if Dempster was signed as the closer, and that was part of the negotiations, once he's signed I'm no longer looking for a closer. It looks like Hendry is following this "checklist" type of offseason, and looking to fill other perceived holes. Whether or not Dempster was the best option is another debate for an earlier time. Also, I'm not saying some guys don't eventually get to the point of playing for paychecks, but that's not what got them to the major leagues. The best guys want to win, be it in golf, ping pong, or celebrity bowling tournaments.:wink:

You don't become a professional athlete without a competitive ego. No, I wouldn't be happy about "job security" and a "huge raise" that came along with a demotion. I also wouldn't want to spend 8 months with a guy who was told to do just that. You play to compete and win, the money is a secondary issue.

Not really. The pitching was near the top of the league. Certainly good enough to make for a 90+ win season. The offense was mediocre. That's the reason they failed to win 90 wins. You can't really snicker at a top 3 pitching staff, or expect much more. You can expect more than a 9th ranked scoring offense, especially when you have a top payroll. Let me preface this by pointing out that I am and have been in favor of signing Giles or another big bat for RF. The pitching as a whole was near the top of the league in 2003. The starting pitching skewed those stats, though, in spite of a pretty poor pen. The Cubs ranked 9th in the NL that year in holds, and 12th in saves (say what you will about the importance of this stat) with only 36 conversions in 51 opportunities. Clearly, there was room for improvement (hindsight being 20/20). This is not to say that they should forgo pursuing a bat to improve the offense, but there have been consistent holes with this team for several years: with leadoff, SS, and the pen the major ones. I see Hendry's approach this year as methodical rather than haphazard or random. He's shoring up the pen now, while those guys are still available, and he'll move on the rest later, as they are more likely to take their time deciding where to sign. Another quick point- this rotation is built around guys who can be dominant for 8 innings, or effectively wild for 5 2/3. The more effective options the better, I say.

LOL, now Damon is better than Rickey Henderson. Scott Boras is a twit.

Wilmont came back strong from suspension. It will be interesting to see how Davis gets minutes for Wilmont, Strickland, Suhr (who's been playing well), Ratliff, Vaden, Monroe and Calloway for 3 spots. The key so far for the Hoosiers offense is making the extra pass. Way too many turnovers tonight, but on 75 baskets this year, they have 55 assists. They are making the extra pass this year and not relying on bringing the ball up and getting it to Bracey for an off balance, fading, 17- footer over two guys. Fixed that for ya.

Not great competition, but another good win for the Hoosiers. Looks like Marshall Strickland is taking full advantge of being moved off the ball. If he is going to continue to shoot well, this could be a top 10 team before all is said and done. I like seeing these guys finally open it up a little and run. My one complaint about the Davis era has been the lack of offensive continuity. Now that he has the athletes, it looks like they're far more up-tempo. If DJ and Ratliff come back healthy, they're plenty deep, too.

I "half-heard" the ESPN report, and asked the same question in the "Torre wanted Eyre" thread. I don't think it was reported that he already signed, though.

I was thinking Dotel when I read Howry in a post above as I was typing that. IF Hendry goes after another reliever, Dotel's who I'd like to see him target. Honestly, I think we have enough to form a good bullpen without giving up another draft pick. Did anyone hear Gammons' report on the Sox/Marlins tonight on ESPN radio? He mentioned the market for relievers, and that Eyre was getting $11M from the Cubs, and then I thought I heard him say that Howry was getting $12M from the Cubs. I'm not absolutely positive since there were people in my office, but that's what it sounded like. Anyone???

The latest ESPN radio update quoted Gammons as saying that the Red Sox have moved ahead of the Rangers in the Beckett sweeps. They have allegedly included Hanley Ramirez and a top pitching prospect. Take it for what it's worth.

I'm starting to think it will be Cedeno/Neifi and Soriano in the middle IF, with Pierre in CF and Encarnacion/Jones/etc. in RF. It works $$wise, and these are guys Hendry has always liked. Pierre Murton (yeah, right- Neifi) Lee Ramirez Soriano RF Barrett Neifi (Murton) Not much of an improvement, if any.

After the Eyre signing, there seems to be confusion about how much is left in the bank for next year. The following is a quick list of guys already under contract with some guesswork at arby figures. Feel free to correct or add anything I may have missed. If these #s are correct, it looks as though there is about $20-$25M to round out the roster (assuming $100-105M payroll). You're the GM- how do you spend it? Bench: Blanco $1.50 Hairston $2.00 Perez $2.50 ??? ??? Infield: Cedeno $0.30 Ramirez $10.50 Lee $8.70 Barrett $4.00 Walker $2.50 Outfield: Murton $0.30 Patterson $3.00 ??? Pen: Dempster $5.00 Willamson $2.00 Wuertz $0.33 Ohman $0.33 Novoa $0.33 Eyre $3.60 Starters Prior $3.50 Zambrano $5.00 Wood $12.50 Maddux $9.00 Rusch $2.50 Williams $1.00 Total $81.39 Edit: Williamson $2M

Kap and Waddle just mentioned this rumor, and said that while the Cubs are definitely interested in Pierre, nothing is imminent. Probably go down in the next 10 minutes.:wink:

My first game. Sat in the left/centerfield bleachers and watched Dave Martinez make a diving catch right in front of us. What a blast.

cough**jasonduboisbandwgn**cough, cough :P

that's pretty funny considering your moniker. :lol: Well played. =D>

Many of us see acquiring one or both as a forgone conclusion, so... who's first? If you vote neither, who do you think will be the newest Cub?

CF Pierre SS Furcal 1B Lee 3B Ramirez 2B Soriano RF Jones LF Murton C Barrett

I can't believe I have to keep doing this: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/afrantz/ortiz.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v621/afrantz/images.jpg End of discussion.

Throw in Cabrera and it's a deal. :D

I'm sure I'll catch nine kinds of hell for this one, but I really dislike J.D. Drew. Most of my others have been covered: Oswalt, Morris, Edmonds...

Cheap yes, valuable no. Number four and five pitchers are a dime a dozen, unless they are left handed. Besides, if the are cheap and valuable why not keep the money and trade the guys anyway? Pitching is not this team's problem? I can think up a number of reasons why this is a bad. It just doesn't make any sense to me. 9th best ERA in the NL isn't a problem? Good joke. It wasn't a joke, asshat. Pitching isn't this team's problem and even if it is Burnett isn't that good and is often injured. Let's not get carried away here. Probably should have said "relatively valuable," but valuable nonetheless. Also, unless I'm mistaken, both Hill and Rusch are lefthanded and cheap. I think Hill might have some value but the Cubs cannot trade Rusch until June or something b/c he just signed with them (without his permission). Sign and trade deals are verboten in MLB> Understood, but if Patterson is given the first half to improve his worth, there is another option at the deadline with Rusch, Hill, and/or Williams. Dealing from depth is never a bad thing.

Cheap yes, valuable no. Number four and five pitchers are a dime a dozen, unless they are left handed. Besides, if the are cheap and valuable why not keep the money and trade the guys anyway? Pitching is not this team's problem? I can think up a number of reasons why this is a bad. It just doesn't make any sense to me. 9th best ERA in the NL isn't a problem? Good joke. It wasn't a joke, asshat. Pitching isn't this team's problem and even if it is Burnett isn't that good and is often injured. Let's not get carried away here. Hmmm.

Cheap yes, valuable no. Number four and five pitchers are a dime a dozen, unless they are left handed. Besides, if the are cheap and valuable why not keep the money and trade the guys anyway? Pitching is not this team's problem? I can think up a number of reasons why this is a bad. It just doesn't make any sense to me. 9th best ERA in the NL isn't a problem? Good joke. It wasn't a joke, asshat. Pitching isn't this team's problem and even if it is Burnett isn't that good and is often injured. Let's not get carried away here. Probably should have said "relatively valuable," but valuable nonetheless. Also, unless I'm mistaken, both Hill and Rusch are lefthanded and cheap.