I read this in Barry Rozner's column ( the main headline is a fairly far-fetched hypothesis regarding Joe Girardi managing the Cubs after his Yankee contract expires), and got a kick out of this tidbit:

Milton Bradley to the Mariners reminds me of the time a player was traded and I asked Cubs manager Don Zimmer what he thought of the deal from the other team's perspective.

Said Zimmer, "Our loss is their loss."

So here is a Cub history guessing game, what trade is he talking about?  I googled around a bit and couldn't come up with anything.

Posted on the SI website is an an old article discussing Ryne Sanberg's record breaking 1992 contract extension.  I read the article and thought folks might like a break from the hand-wringing, waiting, and anticipation that comes with the November to February months.

There are many interesting aspects of the article.

• How right were the owners and GM's who decried the signing as the end of baseball?
• What does that signing and how it was made say about Trib ownership?  Interesting that some of the most scathing remarks came from the man who would take over the Cubs just a few years later.
• How good was Ryno?  It is interesting that the article really clearly puts him into the elite 2B of all time, yet it took so long for him to get into the HoF.  Did this huge (and widely panned) contract slow his HoF election?

In case you don't listen to NPR in the mornings, there was a great interview with Ernie Banks this morning.  While we all sit around enduring the Cubless postseason, this interview is a treat and a reminder of why we are fans.

Listening to Ernie really helps put baseball, winning, losing, and life into perspective.  I am always amazed by the simple yet profound wisdom of Ernie Banks.  This interview (and Sandberg's HOF acceptance speech) should be required listening for all fans and athletes at every level of play.  

Also, congratulations to Mr. Cub on his "Living Legend" award at the Library of Congress.

Over at MLBtradrumors.com, there is a rumor of a Griffey to the Cubs deal.  I am sure that others will see it, and I actually came by BCB to read what others would think.  I for one, wouldn't do it.  If there was someone who seemed ready to step in for Marshall, I'd be fine, but at this point, I just don't see that many more rotation answers.  Just for the Hell of it, I'll add a poll:

Poll

Griffey Jr. for Marshall and Jones

44%

Yeah

92 votes

55%

Nay

114 votes

206 votes | Poll has closed

I have seen that the Cubs are slated to pick 3rd in this years draft, with TB and KC 1 & 2.  I seem to recall in the past that the order of selection alternated between NL and AL teams, with the #1 selection going to the worst team in the NL in alternating years.

Am I remembering incorrectly?  Has something changed recently?

Any thoughts/rumors floating out there about the upcoming draft?

I came across an interesting story on the Sports Illustrated site written by Mike Schmidt.  He is a guy who, when first elected to the HOF, took a very elitist view of who should be there, and likely voted against Santo.  Based on this article, his views have clearly changed.  

It seems as if the travesty of Buck O'Neill just missing the Hall before his death may have made some folks realize that perhaps things should be a bit different.  

I know Santo's candidacy has been discussed before, but I found Schmidt's comments to be very interesting.  Clearly Schmidt is among the elite in the HOF, especially among 3B, and I think that his support of Santo might spur a few others to support Ronnie as well.  Here's to you Ronnie!

Here is a link to the article

Poll

Should Ron Santo be in the Hall of Fame?

93%

Yes

127 votes

6%

No

9 votes

136 votes | Poll has closed

I know that this opinion is not a particularly popular one, but I am pretty happy with the signing of Jason Marquis.  My pleasure with this signing stems from two lines of logic:

1. I feel there is a good chance that he will rebound from an atrocious year, giving the Cubs an average (possibly, though not probably, good) pitcher for a good price.
   
2. More importantly, given the changing philosophy, I am confident he will be used appropriately by Piniella.

Folks have debated my first point to no end, and frankly, there is no way for any of us to know, so I don't have anything to add there.

It is my second contention that doesn't seem to have been considered.  To me, Marquis is just one more guy competing for a slot in the starting rotation.  He will have competition from a host of teammates (Miller, Prior, Cotts, Marshall, Mateo, etc.).  How can this be bad?

Let me put it this way, if there is a 33% chance that he will be deserving of a slot in the 5-man rotation, then he has increased the likelihood that the Cubs will be able to fill their rotation with a capable pitcher accordingly.

Things will be different under Lou Piniella.  He has made numerous comments about wanting more than 5 starting pitchers and more than 8 position player "starters."  This is the operating philosophy of teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, and one I am fine with emulating.  The idea is you add numbers, open up competition, and the cream will rise to the top.  Will Marquis be among those contributing every 5 days?  Who knows, but there is no question that his presence can only improve the productivity of the 5-man rotation, it CANNOT hurt it.  The days of Dusty Baker's loyalty to "his guys" and the frustrations that brought us are over.

The same logic applies elsewhere on the diamond, for example, if Theriot outplays DeRosa/Izturis, you can bet he will get his playing time.  Piniella wants to win.  He isn't afraid of stepping on players toes and challenging them, and more importantly, letting the players challenge each other.  

So, I look at Marquis as a gamble.  He is a low enough cost guy that if he isn't able to crack the rotation, the Cubs can replace him with one of their youngsters.  If he cracks the rotation but is outperformed by one of the youngsters he becomes a very attractive trade candidate. If he rebounds to something close to his #s from a few years ago, fantastic.

I am curious what folks think of this somewhat hypothetical question, Would your rather the Cubs...

...sign 1 frontline starter, (Schmidt or Zito) then cross your fingers on the rest of the rotation w/o another significant addition.

Or

... sign 2 mid-level SPs that would cost ~ the same as Schmidt or Zito.

Poll

1 SP or 2 SP?

41%

Give me Zito/Schmidt!

36 votes

58%

I'll take the two-for one deal please.

50 votes

86 votes | Poll has closed

I am wondering what folks would think about the possibility of bringing back Moises Alou?  Yes he is getting a bit old, but he still hits well, and, along with Murton and Jones, could make a decent corner outfield.

To me, it seems like the other options would be to spend big money on either C. Lee or A. Soriano, then  be forced to deal Murton.