I've been thinking of how the Cubs can maximize draft picks under the new labor agreement. It seems like if there was going to be a very strong draft class, like in 2011, followed by a weaker class the following year (not a sure thing to foresee), that it would be worth spending over the limit and losing some picks the following year.

I would think that the opportunity to sign an extra 3-5 top tier guys, like the Cubs did in 2011, would be worth losing some picks the following year so long as it was looking like a weaker class. The money spent in taxes and larger bonuses one year could be made up the following year by the probable poor draft. This last year was a good example of how this strategy could play out. So far (though very early), the 2012 class doesn't even compare to the 2011 class. Perhaps this is how the Cubs can maximize the draft like Epstein did in Boston. Thoughts?

Supposing Sabathia opts out of his contract (which I think would be a no-brainer for him), would Fielder or Sabathia be a better sign?  There's good and bad to both, and neither will make this team a contender next year, although perhaps in the second or third year of a deal the team will start to come together.  Putting in place either an ace or a high producing 1B now could be a good step in the right direction for 2013/2014.  

Between the two, I would lean towards Sabathia as Cy Young material pitchers aren't too common to come onto the market.  That said, I am really hoping that we can sign Fielder.  So I guess between the two I would want Sabathia, although I would happily take either. 

So with the Cubs being bad and catcher's blocking the plate being in the limelight since the golden boy of the National League, Buster Posey, has been injured due to blocking the plate, I though perhaps we could forget the Cubs for a minute and discuss catcher's blocking the plate.  

In all other positions and bases, it is illegal to impede a runner heading to a base, but for some reason it's acceptable at home.  I'm not against a catcher blocking the plate (flashback to Lilly plowing through Molina), however I think it should be entirely up to their willingness to take the risk.  I haven't actually seen the replay of the Posey/Cousins collision, however from what I understand Posey willingly attempted to impede the runners ability to reach home plate.  Does Posey have room to complain about being injured for doing something that is theoretically illegal?  

I would never wish an injury on anyone, but it seems that catchers who stand in front of a runner going 15-18 mph are doing so on their own risk.  What do y'alls think?  

Here's an idea that I don't think I even agree with but thought it could be an interesting discussion.  The Marlins have a problem on their hands with Hanley Ramirez.  He is undoubtedly one of the best Shortstops in the league.  The Marlins have a history of getting rid of veteran players for young talent.  Would sending Starlin to them be worth considering?  I think that Castro has too much upside to do it, especially since he's going to be cheap for the next five years compared to Ramirez who signed a 70 million contract back in 08.  I would personally rather keep Castro, but the thought of a perennial proven shortstop is intriguing.  Another thing to consider is Ramirez's tendency to create problems.  I don't think this is the first time he's had a beef with the management of the Marlins.  So this probably isn't worth doing, but maybe worth pondering while we wait another 7 hours for our next game.  

Peavy appears to be on radar still.  Is this simply an MLB reporter trying to report something or is this actually news.  Towers appears to suddenly not seem concerned to unload Peavy.  The article was on cubs.com 

here's the link.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090126&content_id=3773980&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I hope that that worked correctly.  First time posting a fanpost here.  sorry if I screwed it up.  Thanks.