YearofDaCubs

Isn't Cantu their 2B? They could be getting ready for a trade. Brazelton has talent but he had to go. I think he was suspended or did something when he was sent back to the minors. He didn't show up or something like that. Brazelton does have talent though so this might work out pretty good for the Padres.

Thanks. He also doesn't think the weak arm will be as much of a factor as some people think given the short power alleys in Wrigley - i.e., Pierre will be responsible for covering a lot less ground than he currently does at Pro Player and his average throws will be of a lesser distance. Good point.

So that always brings up the ? why did we even resign Rusch? I was against having him back.

My prayers are with you.

I think because it will be difficult to create a powerful offensive lineup and not rely on our pitching. If we want to go far and make the playoffs we still have to ride our pitching. We have 2 stud pitchers in Prior and Z and then we have Wood who if healthy is a stud pitcher. The problem is I as well as most of you have no faith that Wood will stay healthy which means we only have two stud pitchers. Maddux might not get you 15 wins anymore and neither will the other options in the minors.

Good point and I hope it isn't true.

Say no to Jack Wilson.

#4 only has value if you get another good hitting corner OF to take Huff's place on those days. An OF of Murton, Pierre and Huff is a very large risk for bad production. There is a risk, but I'm of the thought that he'll break out once he's away from TB. However, I think it also says something about a guys character if he can't play as well as he is capable while he's on a bad team though... I know his character has been questioned before.

Me too.

he said "30 home run power", which is absolutely true. let's dispell the myth that OBP is only important at the top of the lineup. OBP is important EVERYWHERE in the lineup. we don't need simply OBP at the top, we need it everywhere. Totally agree. We should look to improve OBP everywhere.

I see no reason for the As to have interest in Mench. A's are shopping for a RH power bat. Very odd considering how stacked they are in the OF. Rumor is they want to DH Dan Johnson and move Swisher to 1b. Johnson, Swisher, Chavez and Kotsay are all lefty hitters. Well, Swisher is a switch hitter. I'm just passing along the rumor. Don't shoot the messenger. No worries. They also have Payton as well. I suppose an upgrade with more power would be nice for them in the OF.

I see no reason for the As to have interest in Mench. A's are shopping for a RH power bat. Very odd considering how stacked they are in the OF.

I see no reason for the As to have interest in Mench.

I think Patterson is faster than either of them but doesn't use his speed as well. I am kinda of lukewarm on this trade - I don't mind who we gave up but I wish we had traded for Bradley, Wilkerson, or Rios instead. Pierre is a significant upgrade over what we had last year and hopefully he will rebound in a contract year and his trend of playing well in day games will continue. My hope he is our pest ala Eckstein for the Cards. Totally agree with you. I would have preferred Wilkerson or Bradley in CF but now that the deed is done and we overpaid I'm still ok having Pierre here but we do have to improve other positions to offset some of his deficiencies.

I'll try to explain the value in Wilkerson for the umpteenth time. First of all, his batting average is irrelevant to me. He has an uncanny knack for taking a walk and getting on base. His OBP is consistently 100 points higher than his average, so even when his average dips, he still can help you by not making outs. Secondly, when not injured and playing in caverous ballpark, Wilkerson has 30 HR power. Citing his RBI's is foolish. First he's spend many AB's in the lead-off spot. I guess it's his fault the number eight hitter and the pitcher weren't on base ahead of him. Secondly, RBI is probably the most asinine way to value you a hitter in the first place. Finally, I'm sure playing on some weak Montreal teams had a lot to do with his RBI chances. Wilkerson would be a nice option. Is he the best? I don't know. A lot depends on how healthy that shoulder is. Can you imagine acquiring Wilkerson and Bradley for the corner OF spots? That would be nice.

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF? If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue. Murton platooning with Mench wouldn't make sense since they both bat righty. Oops for some reason I was thinking he was a lefty. So then if we did acquire him Mench would start and Murton would be on the bench.

I hate to say it but Nomar at SS and Cedeno at 2B would like nice right about now.

I would have liked Bradley and Wilkerson over Pierre at CF, but since we do have Pierre it's time to work on RF and I would still like Bradley for RF.

I woudl say you woudl have to add a lot more but whatever the prospects it would cost us I might do it.

You know that would be a pretty good lineup as long as Neifi doesn't start. I suppose at the same time we would have lost power but just having Bradley in RF, Walker at 2B and Cedeno at SS I would say that's not a bad lineup either. From all the talks though Walker is a goner. Baker and Hendry are intent on trading him.

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF? If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue. So you're basically looking at: Pierre CF Bradley RF Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Soriano 2B Murton/Mench LF Barrett C Perez/Cedeno SS I've heard Hendry isn't interested in Soriano at 2nd. He's interested in him to play OF, which Soriano has stated he won't do, so Hendry's not interested anymore. That would move Ronny to 2B, which would increase Neifi's time at SS (bad), but would give RonnyC more time as well (good). Yes, but on the latest update Levine said that trade discussions for Soriano have opened again so who knows. Considering we want to get rid of Walker so badly(who knows why) it's not a stretch to imagine Soriano here at 2B. I personally would not like Soriano here. We need to stack up on guys which have a high OBP. Chances are, going into the season we will lose power so we have to improve our OBP.

If he went to the Dodgers, I'd assume it would be for Bradley. So does Hendry then turn around and make another trade for Soriano and Mench? Interesting. I assume that Mench or Murton would then be a fourth OF? If Walker goes to LA it will probably be for Bradley. Then I can see Hendry go after Soriano and Mench which probably means Murton will be on the bench or at the very most platoon with Mench. The scary thing about all that is going down and the fact that Neifi signed a 2 year deal is that in my opinion Baker and Hendry have made up their minds that at the very least Perez will be platooning with Cedeno but most likely starting at 2B over Hairston. If Perez starts this organization has no clue.

If Walker is going to be traded, I take Soriano in a heartbeat if it means Neifi gets more time on the pine. Agreed. Anything to ensure Neifi is on the bench.

I totally agree. I don't think I can handle seeing Perez in the lineup every day. I might just lose it.

Levine is on ESPN1000 and said Walker is almost as good as gone. The Dodgers have interest in him especially now that Grady Little is their manager. Cubs again are looking at Soriano and Mench.