5 years and 80 million.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3123200

I'm guessing Rowand's the next cf to sign and am thinking the Dodgers are the frontrunner.  Will be interesting to see where Andruw Jones goes.  Am wondering if the White Sox will grossly overpay Jones after missing out on Hunter.

Nice addition for Anaheim.  They play in a huge market so it's not a big deal for them to overpay some.  They need to improve their offense.  I have a feeling they'll go after Miguel Cabrera now..

Per ESPN1000 and a poster on northsidebaseball.

http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=45214

Tampa needs pitching, but I'm guessing that Hendry won't part with either Hill or Marmol.  The Cubs would have to eat a ton of Marquis' salary to get him there..   Marshall's expendable though and maybe they'd take Gallagher and/or Veal???  

What prospects do you expect to make the team in 2008 & 2009, and who will be the biggest contributors???

Soto ~ It appears he has the catching job for 08.

Pie ~ Lots of expectations, but I won't be shocked if they go out and sign Aaron Rowand and try to trade Pie for pitching.  

Tyler Colvin ~ Seems they're very high on him.  Could he be starting in 2009??  

Gallagher and Hart ~ They seem like the two most likely to fight it out with Marshall for the #5 spot.

Eric Patterson ~ Doesn't seem like the Cubs are high on him.

Cedeno ~ I have a feeling that he'll edge out Fontenot in spring training..  Theriot probably starts over him.

Any other notable prospects??

With the playoff's starting, the bullpen roles probably change with more days off... Marmol and Howry are probably the primary set-up men for the majority of games instead of every other game..

Could Lou used Wood as the long reliever?  Perhaps bring him in in the 4th or 5th inning, if a starter is really struggling and pitch him for 2 or 3 innings?  I know Wood hasn't pitched more than 2 innings yet.  But he's been good in his last 2 inning outings and perhaps we see Lou extend him for 3 innings in the next day or two??  

I have a feeling that Lou will have a much quicker hook in the playoffs, since the pen's been very strong of late.

Marmol's been great all year and Howry and Eyre have been quite good of late.  Howry's ERA is under 2 his last 25 outings and Eyre's allowed 2 runs his last 21 innings..  

Dempster's been shaky, but he's still only blown 3 or 4 saves, and Wood is showing signs here and there..

With more rest days in the playoffs, Cubs pitching could really shutdown some teams, since they'll be able to use Marmol & Howry in more games..

Any opinions?

Didn't see this posted anywhere.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/latest-from-bas.html

Conine would give the Cubs a right-handed bat off the bench.  His ops versus lefties is decent, .784.  I assume they'd bring up Pie again and stick him in center or perhaps Hendry will make a deal for a CF???

Apparently the Cubs were watching his last outing? Per Buster Onley....

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/07/all-eyes-on-con.html

Maybe he'd fair better in the NL?  I dunno, but the White Sox may take Jock Jones in return and perhaps Eyre???????  Also, this would make Marshall available for a trade to Cincy for Griffey...  Jmo, and perhaps I'm very wrong, but I'm higher on Mateo than Marshall.  Just like his attitude.  Gotta like a guy who drills Roger Clemens. lol

I've already given up on getting Griffey.  Just going to be too costly and the Cubs don't have enough prospect depth to make a strong offer..  Hopefully, I'm wrong tho.

Lofton's obp is .378, and he'd be an ideal 60-70 game rental.  Murton or Cedeno should be of interest to TX, and the Cubs could throw in a pitching prospect..

The Cubs are getting very little out of CF and catcher currently, and Fontenot could cool off any day..  Lofton gives the Cubs 6 reliable hitters (Sori, Lofton, Lee, ARam, Floyd & DeRosa).  Sure the Cubs could use more power, with Lee becoming a singles and doubles hitter, but I doubt they address the lack of power at the deadline.

I don't recall so many kids stepping up for the Cubs since Jerome Walton and Dwight Smith in 1989...

Quick question for the prospect experts..  Can Fontenot play SS??  Imo Theriot will be around .250 by July, so hopefully Fontenot's ready to step-in.  

Although Theriot and Murton aka Mark Grace aren't as great as some thought, Pie, Marshall, Hill and Marmol have really picked up the team.  It appears Guzman, Pagan and Fontenot could really contribute too.

I believe!

The Yankees and Cubs both need to shake things up..    Yeah the Yankees' hitting hasn't been great, but gotta figure Jetah, Damon, Matsui, ARod, Posada, etc. can get it going.  They need pitching help, whereas the Cubs need help in general... lol

Soooo Perhaps Howry and Dempster and fillers for Abreu??  Abreu hasn't done much this year and he's a free agent after 2007 (has a $2 million option buyout), so his trade price tag shouldn't be huge.  Perhaps Howry can get it going in NY, and Dempster's been good this year and NY could possibly start him.  Yes the Cubs' pen has sucked, but the hitting's not great either.  Just roll the dice with Guzman, Wuertz, Marmol and Cotts in the pen..  Gotta try something different at this point, and maybe try to trade Barrett & Murton for relief.

The Cubs have 6 starters in Z, Hill, Lilly, Marquis, Prior and Miller.  Plus add guys with several starts in 2006, Marmol, Marshall, Mateo and Guzman, and that's 10.

What happens to Mamrol, Marshall, Mateo and Guzman now?  Since Prior and Miller are question marks, one of the young guys could step in there.  A few could go to the pen, but the pen's quite deep already.  Will they start off in Iowa?? Is a big trade coming??

I hope this is diary worthy.  lol

Looks like Pittsburgh wants more than Crisp.  Apparently, this Gonzalez guy's quite good.   Am wondering if Boston would like Eyre instead????  The Cubs could bat Crisp second and possibly look to package Murton for some pitching??

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/post/Yanks-and-Sox-fight-for-reliever-Gonzalez;_ylt=AjeL9Jh2_0nal LV_P8hEjeiFCLcF?urn=mlb,17700

This doesn't make much sense.  Apparently, Ethier goes to RF.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2688711

I thought Loney and Kemp were ready to play?? Perhaps Loney's will serve as Nomar's backup, when Nomar gets hurt.  Maybe Kemp's getting dealt along w/ Penny in a blockbuster??  Better keep an eye on LA.  Maybe they make a move for Tejada??

I'd MUCH rather have Schmidt, but this is far better than nothing.  Looks like we'll know about Meche tomorrow...

Free-agent right-hander Gil Meche narrowed his choices Tuesday night to the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals, with a decision expected by Wednesday at the latest.

The Blue Jays and Cubs also went into the night bidding on left-hander Ted Lilly, and it's not impossible both end up in the same city with similar four-year, $40-million contracts.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AmkSVXR.a3CXfKghor5asl4RvLYF?slug=ys-mlbwmblog&prov=yhoo&a mp;type=lgns#mechelilly

I think this is where Hendry will go find a left-handed hitter with some power.  If they sign Floyd, I just can't see him as a starter in LF filling the 5 spot in the order.  Ya never know though.   Also, Bonds is a pipedream in LF.

Trot Nixon's available, but he's always hurt.  Aubrey Huff's available, but can he even play RF anymore?

Someone I haven't seen mentioned is Geoff Jenkins.  He's in the last year of his contract and perhaps Milwaukee would like to trim some payroll, and they have some OF depth too.  Jenkins ops versus righties from 04-06 is .877.  That would be pretty nice protection behind Ramirez.  They can bat Barrett 5th versus lefties.

If they decide to go w/ Soriano in CF, perhaps we see something like this??

Sori, Murton, Lee, ARam, Jenkins, Barrett, DeRosa, Izturis.   I mean, Pinella's managing, so maybe Murton has a shot @ batting 2nd??

The Cubs need a left-handed bat, and Bond's ops was .999 last year.  His fielding isn't good, but his ZR was ahead of Manny, Dunn, Burrell and Lee and he wouldn't be as expensive as any of those guys.  Manny, Dunn & Burrell would all cost significant players.  Lee's getting paid for 6 years...  Obviosly, Bonds isn't an everyday player, but the Cubs would have MUrton as a backup.  

I'm not advocating this.. Just throwing out a hypothetical..  Probably a .0001% chance of happening.  But who knows!!! lol

Hendry seems quite infatuated with the guy, and he may be a more practical option than Wells.  There will probably be more suitors for Wells due to his youth.  

Of course, Angelos is a pain to deal with, but considering Hendry's moves the past few days, Barrett, Izturis and Eyre are all viable trade options and the Cubs have several young starters who could go.  (I know they have Hernandez at catcher, but Barrett's a solid DH option).  It seems Baltimore would have to be willing to give up more than just Tejada, if the Cubs gave Barrett, Izturis, Eyre and a starter like Mateo or Marmol or Marshall or Guzman goes....

It's great to bitch & moan, but what should have been done prior to this year??  About $30 million of the $95 million budget was on the DL most the year, so the Cubs were essentially at a $65 million or so small market budget, with few cheap and talented kids to save them..  And please don't tell me they could have dumped Wood and used his money elsewhere, or moved Maddux in a salary dump.. Wasn't happening due to lack of market......

You can't rattle off Furcal, Burnett or Millwood as solutions, cause the Trib wouldn't pay them.. And after seeing the kids, no GM with half a brain was going to give up much to get the Cubs kids.  Maybe they could have pulled off Murton & prospects for Soriano or Prior and prospects for Tejada, but I really doubt it...

What we're left with is something like,,, not signing Nef, Rusch & Miller and getting someone like Paul Byrd for $7 million.  They could have passed on Dumpster and used the money for SS.  Of course, the only SS available worth a damn was Furcal..  Too bad they signed Nomar instead of Eckstein a few years ago...

Altogether, The Trib, Prior, Wood, and Lee's injury handicapped this team...  I don't think there is a solution considering the parameters set by ownership and injuries.  Thankfully, they don't have to pay Wood $12 million any longer, and Lee should be healthy.  Better days are ahead.  $30 million shouldn't go to waste next year.

His most recent article was posted in Al's game preview.

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/beatwriters.asp?column=miles&id=224854

Mr. Miles has been a frequent poster on nsbb & I recall his articles prior to this season, with his "solutions."  It's funny how he can rip away when his primary solution (Brian Giles) was twice as expensive, and just as productive as Jacques Jones. Yes, those 12 home runs would be epic for around $12 million a year for 3 years. (The Cubs would have really had to ante up to take him away from SD).  I'm about definite he would have went with the kids, Cedeno & Murton, as well.  Perhaps, he would have picked up Milton Bradley, but Bradley's been hurt most of the season, and would have cost an arm & leg... The other option was Patterson, whose season is a wash when compared to Pierre, and he probably would still be having mental problems, if in Chicago.

Yes, he's dead on about Neifi, but that's not saying much.  Perhaps he should have jumped on the Soriano bandwagon last year when he was a lot cheaper.

This team was f'd when Lee got hurt, and as I recall few were saying get more pitching prior to the season.  I mean, give the kids a chance!  Many wanted to see Williams,,, and Hill,,, and Marshall,,, and Guzman!

Gotta love hindsight.  

This latest craptastic run just means the Cubs have very little to trade.  It's doubtful Marshall, Hill, Marmol, Guzman and Mateo have much value.  Cedeno's proven to be one of the worse players in Cubs history.  Theriot's nothing special.  Same goes for Pagan..  

Thus, about all that's left to deal is Lee, Ramirez, Zambrano, Barrett, Murton, Jones, Pie and some relievers.  Most likely, Hendry will hold onto these guys..  Lee, ARam, Barrett & Murton are his prized finds.  Pie has to be kept to make up for Patterson, and Hendry overvalues relievers, so forget that route.  Altogether, the chances for a blockbuster are pretty low.. :(

I'm going to have to go w/ LA & the White Sox.

The NL is a 2 horse race.  St. Louis doesn't have the pitching anymore and is living off their hot start to keep in the lead of the Central.  

LA's been hot, and has the best starting pitching.  Maddux has a 2.37 ERA w/ LA.  Lowe's 3.75, Penny's 3.88 and Billingsly is 3.02.  The Mets have the better hitting and pen, but I think LA's rotation prevails.

As for the AL, it's either NY or the Sox.  I just like Contreras, Buerhle, Garland & Garcia better in a series.....  Also, I'll bet Farnsworth blows a game or 2 for NY, and I'll lmfao....

I'm going to be happy that there's no Red Sox this year.  Nice job Theo.  Way to let Pedro and Lowe walk.  LOL. Boy Genius!

5 innings, 5 runs, 11 hits.  Not good at all.  The good news is Eric Patterson.  He went 3 for 5 tonight, and is now 11 for 20 with Iowa.  Pie had a double a walk.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2006_08_23_nozaaa_iowaaa _1&did=t451&sid=t451

Question for those of you who really follow the minors:  Is there any chance Patterson could be ready for opening day next year??

So far through 6 inning & 90 pithces, he's allowed 3 ER's, struck out 7, and walked 1.  He's facing Round Rock, who's 72-52.  

Pie has a home run and a double and is 2-4. Augie Ojeda's 3-3.
Here's a link to the box score.

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2006_08_16_iowaaa_rreaaa _1&did=t451&sid=t451

So how soon you guys think Miller will be up with the big club??

The Cubs could have 5-6 youngsters who are major league ready by 07 (Marshall, Marmol, Hill, Guzman, Ryu and Williams)... Should a few of these guys be traded for hitting (like Nolasco & Pinto were) or converted to the pen??  Or should Guzman & Ryu remain @ Iowa next year and be ready to move up when Prior gets hurt again??

My opinion is that they get one of these mid-level free agent pitchers.  Someone like Meche or Lilly to give the team a reliable #3 pitcher, and go w/ 2 of the kids as starters.   Then package a couple of the kid pitchers along with either Cedeno or Murton for a power hitting 2b or LF. Someone like Bill Hall works for me.

Didn't see anyone post this here.  Got this from another site.  Per Paul Sullivan.

"Though sluggers Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano will be free agents this winter and the New York Yankees are unlikely to pick up Gary Sheffield's $13 million option, the Cubs appear satisfied with the status quo in left field."

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060803cubsbits,1,5461632.story?coll= cs-cubs-headlines

Awesome looks like slap hitters in LF, CF and @ 2b and SS.  Thank u Andy.

Somebody correct me if there are errors.  I'm going by mlb4u.com  http://www.mlb4u.com/list.php  It appears there will be about $70 million already invested in 13 guys. IF the budget's $95 million, (big if considering the Trib's financial situation), it doesn't look like they'll have much to spend on CF, a starting pitcher or upgrading LF or 2b.  Forget Carlos Lee and get ready for something like Mulder, Floyd, Pierre or Ray Durham...

Here's the 13 guys who account for around $70mil.

Lee - $13m
Ramirez - 11m
Dempster - 5m
Izturis - 4.15
Jones - 4m
Howry - 4m
Barrett - 4m
Eyre - 3.5m
Rusch - 3.25m
Neifi - 2.5  

Kerry Wood has a $3 million buyout. If they keep him he'll make at least $3 million.   Prior made $3.6 million this year.  He should take a severe pay drop, but I doubt that happens. Zambrano makes $6.5 million this year, so he's probably due around $10 million.  

They can go cheap with Cedeno, Murton, Wuertz, Ohman, Novoa, Marshall and Marmol... I'll just round those 7 up to $3 million.  Then they'll probably put $1 mil each into a backup catcher and Mabry type. So $20 million for the 4-5 remaining spots.

Thus, they can go Mulder - $8m, Floyd - $6m, and either Juan Pierre or Ray Durham for $4-7m.  There may be good chance of Pie starting in CF.  

Altogether, this is McFail 101.  Load up on quantity ($2.5 - 8 million dollar contracts, which gives you little ability to sign the Carlos Lee's or Schmidt's of the world).  About $50 million is sucked into Neifi-Mulder.  Awesome!

Vizquel didn't really establish himself at the plate until age 28, but had a great glove and good speed.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=2149

I guess this could be an argument to support Cedeno, but 3 problems.  Cedeno's glove isn't good, he's not a switch-hitter, and he came through the Cubs farm system.

Also, I'm wondering if Izturis could be a backup plan @ leadoff, as Pierre will probably cost $7 million or so and want a 3 year, at minimum, deal.  Hendry can just opt for Pie in CF, and save money to put elsewhere.  Carlos Lee, of course. ;)

Hendry's struck me as a guy big on power and toolsy players, so I can't believe he's going to go with a bunch of slap hitters next year...  Of course, Izturis and Pie batting 1-2 could be a huge disaster.

My guess

CF. Pierre
SS. Izturis woo hooooo
C. Barrett
3b. ARAm
RF. Jacques Jooooooones
1b. Mabry/Nevin
LF. Murton/Pagan
SS. Cedeno

Just brutal, but even worse.

#1. Z
#2. Prior soon to be Guzman
#3. Marmol
#4. Crash Hill
#5. JWilliams.

All you kid lovers.. Enjoy!

Obviously, the Cubs are trying for the #1 pick.

Sorry for the back-to-back diaries, but thought some would find this interesting, as there's been lots of discussion regarding what the Angels would offer for Ramirez and others.  Apparently, the Angels are willing to deal Brandon Wood.  Here's a little tidbit from this website regarding the offers for Miguel Tejada..

http://www.mlb4u.com/rumor.php?order=date&spec=DESC

The Angels thought to be offering the least--just two prospects, neither neccessarily major league-ready--are actually offering Erick Aybar and Ervin Santana, according to Ken Rosenthal. Meanwhile, Will Carroll and the OC Register report that the Angels have rejected the O's repeat proposal of Scot Shields, Ervin Santana and Howie Kendrick for Tejada. They have also shown a willingless to deal Brandon Wood.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2533245

For Baez & Aybar.  

Good job Jimbo. God forbid you give up one of your darling relievers for a guy you can plug in @ 2b or SS.  Adam Kennedy your tables is set.

I guess the Cubs don't have anyone of Aybar's caliber, but still depressing.