Cliff, have you yet to agree to anything JH has done or are you just a hater? I don't think everything the guy has done is spectacular, but I don't outright hate the guy for not signing who we were "rumored" to be pursuing, or to signing guys that everybody else thinks is a washout. He's definitely the best GM in baseball, but then the team with best GM dosen't win the WS every year do they?

Let me break down the logic of your last post. If I'm wrong then please correct me, because I think your reacting with raw emotion based on strictly Marquis numbers from last year.

First Marquis. He was 3-10 after the break. Which means he was 11-4 before it. Not disputing his shitty second half, just showing the guy isn't a total chump. Plus, again, I don't think the Cubs by signing him ar "throwing money away" that would have gone to other players. I could be wrong but I don't think so. You can't just say that we should have used this money to go and get Lugo, Floyd, Zito, or whoever. Nobody on here knows how much JH has to play with for his payroll. By my estimate, based on the payroll numbers on ESPN's website his payroll so far is around 100 million. If the rumored 130 million $ payroll is true, signing Marquis to 8 million a year still leaves 22 million a year to go and get another pitcher and a CF. That probably means he's not done, since the current payroll is only 5 million more than last years, and we spent 17 million a year on Soriano.

Second, in regards to Furcal. How much money was the JH offer to him? I don't know and neither do you. You can probably look up what was "rumored" to be offered, and compare it to what the Dodgers actually signed him for, but it would not be a definite answer. Also, the signing of FA's is not an auction. Furcal's agent didn't put him on a podium with an auctioneer taking open public bids from all the GM's in baseball. I'm sure his agent told JH what the Dodgers were "supposedly" bidding in order to drive the Cubs offer up. However, i don't think the Gm from the Dodgers called up JH and told him what the actuall offer was. Bottom line, you can't say that JH failed to "overspend" to get Furcal because the guy had no real idea of what the other offers were. Also, guys don't always take the highest offer. Maybe Furcal WANTED to play in LA for personal reasons and left money on the table. Shocking, I know, but he wouldn't be the first guy to do that just to play where he wanted to.

Third. JH repeatedly said during last season he tried to initiate talks with Pierre's agent about a contract exstention. His agent publically stated they wanted to wait until after the season for FA. I'd say his agent is smart. Pierre openly admitted that Wrigley was not the type of park that played to his strengths and that the reason that he was most excited about coming to play in Chicago was Dusty Baker. Probably after canning Baker, which at the time I didn't agree with but now do since I see the BIG picture, jno amount of money would have brought Pierre back.

Last, you cannot sit there and tell me that any smart GM in baseball does deals just to "force the hand" of any other team in baseball. Whether they are the right or wrong moves in the long run, they are made to improve their specific ballclub, not to mess with other teams. Although this could be argued with Red Sox-Yankees.

Main Point. Lets wait for the BIG picture. GM's don't sign guys in order of importance to the team. It's only early December. Plus you can't have an All-Star lineup. That works SOME of the time, (see Red Sox '04), I'm not saying it wouldn't work in Chicago, only that there are other ways to get a WS. Buying up all the high priced FA's hasn't worked for the Yankees in 6 years, while teams like the Angels, Marlins have done it because the had the right manager and the right combination of players, not the highest payed or most talented.

Cliff, I'm not against signing Gagne at all, he was one of the most dominant closers ever. But I would bet everything I have that if we did sign him, you'd still have a ton of fans complaining bc we signed another injured pitcher, another what if.

I guess the main thing I don't get this offseason is: last year (especially right before spring traning) I seemed to be one of the few Cub fans on this site who tried explaining what a horrible team we had. We had nothing but if's and buts. There was so much optimism when I felt there shouldn't be any. We are making changes now. At least now we have a team. Are there still some if's...sure there are, but you have that with every team.

Despite some posters, I really believe we have a formidable lineup..it's much better than last year with the addition of Soriano and Derrek Lee (being back for a full season). And our staff, while not spectacular, will be solid with Zambrano, Hill, Lily, and Miller.

I've been accused of being negative when it comes to the Cubs bc I've been through too many nightmare seasons, but I remain positive this offseason, if only for one reason. It's the first time in my lifetime where we've made a ton of changes, spent a lot of money on trying to put together a winner. I fully understand that not every one of these changes might not end up as being the right ones, but at least we didn't stand pat doing nothing like every other year.

While I can understand the people upset about this signing but I think it's these kinds of moves that can completely change our season. First off, I'm not saying that Marquis is the answer, but IF (big if) Rothschild can figure him out and he returns to his 2004 form and wins 15 games, this signing may be a steal.

Think about when the Cards signed Suppan, Carpenter and Weaver, all the analysts said this moves were terrible. Well look at them now, good solid moves that helped their ball clubs once they put it together.

Lets give JH the benefit of the doubt, who knows Marquis has the ability to be a #2/#3 in our staff???

If you are going to spend more money, why don't we get creative and spend it on someone like Gagne who is only looking for a 1 year deal at 5-6 Million. Sure we have a strong bullpen but why not get a shut down bullpen? But who am I kidding, that is the Yankees and Red Sox mentality. The Cubs on the other hand choose to cross their fingers on signing a BUM like Marquis for 3 years for the same amount of money and HOPE that Rothschild can fix his problems. I can barely hit the post button because I am laughing so hard thinking of what I just wrote. "Rothschild can fix his Problems."

LMFAO!!!

This is sheer lunacy...I don't understand Jim Hendry at all. I will grant you the Soriano deal, even though it was a lot of money, I beleive it will prove to be fruitful in a lineup that needed a spark. What I don't understand is the insistence to sign crappy pitchers to help bolster our rotation. Understand this Jim...I would rather you take the 10 million you are going to pay to Marquis, scrap the Floyd idea (keep Murton, who is a rising star out of a platoon) and scrap Lofton (move Jaque to center, if he don't want to play then so be it, he will only hurt himself and his possible chances for a decent contract). Take the 10 mil from Marquis, the 4 mil from Floyd and the 4 mil from Lofton and go get yourself Barry Zito...that makes ALOT more sense to me, he would actually make this ballclub contenders, otherwise, we will be no different than last year (a bunch of crap pitchers behind a stud 'Zambrano'). In fact I would rather have saved all the money and given our youth another shot at it instead of blowing money on this garbage.

"the best part is, JH is not done making moves"... I keep hearing this.

i would rather him call it a day after Lilly than sign this BUM in Marquis and trade for Jerry Hairston, I mean David Newhan, and trade for Ryan Church.

I forget who posted it but they made a great point in saying how if we spent the money to get LUGO then we may have forced the Red Sox hand into trading for IZTURIZ. Excellent point. It is this strategy that the cubs need in the front office. Instead we have a guy that in the '05 offseason when we need a leadoff hitter we chose to not overspend on Furcal which look at what ramifications this had on our team for years to come. Instead we gave up 3 future bargaining chips in a player named Jaun Pierre who we DON'T sign to an extension. Granted hindsight is 20/20 but if you look at it we lost 3 good YOUNG arms who most teams covet for 1 year of Jaun Pierre. That is TERRIBLE management.

I don't know what else to say. We are one of the best baseball cities in the world here in Chicago. We deserve to EXPECT a championship run on a yearly basis. Not this hope, luck, and wishfull thinking that has brainwashed us all. Do you think the Yankees and Red Sox fans are wondering if their team will compete in the offseason? NO... they are expecting to compete, expecting to make the playoffs, and expecting to compete for the World Series.

Anthony I hope that is right. That would make me feel a whole lot better if its for only one year at 6 mill. If thats the case that makes a lot more sence. Hopefully he is the guy who will replace glooroo. I still don't want him in the rotation.

I just saw that the Tribune has now reported the signing but it is NOT for $9 million per season. It is for 3 years approximately $20 million. I also read somewhere else that only 1 year would be guaranteed.

This is the comment from the Trib: "The Cubs believe pitching coach Larry Rothchild can fine-tune Marquis and make him a more consistent pitcher. His best season came in 2004, when Marquis went 15-7 with a 3.71 ERA. His career record with Atlanta and St. Louis is 56-52 with a 4.55 ERA."

I guess after his dismal second half, Marquis went to Florida to work with 2 specialist who found the flaws and fixed them, giving hope to Hendry that he might return to his 2004 form.

Obviously I meant FA signing earlier and not trade, sorry for the mistype. In regards to Marquis, I agree with Ryan. IF the Cubs did sign him, I would hope that it's an additional signing and NOT "THE SIGNING" that we've been waiting. And to be honest, I am more bummed about the dollars on the supposed contract rather the actual signing in itself.

I think I would have rather traded for Allen Iverson than to sign this head case.

Maybe Rothchild thinks the towel can fix Marquis delievery problems? I have seen in a couple of reports that this is a done deal but your right, I will wait to get pissed off until Neil posts "From the Wire Cubs make awful decision." No one was interested in this guy so why would we offer him a $5 mill a year raise from his disgraceful season last year?

Also, 80 more runs than us is only .5 runs more a game. While I would gladley have taken that last year, given our injuries to our major run producer, LEE, and some others, that is not earth-shattering run production.

I'm not saying that it WILL work out. I AM saying that if we're going to have a gigantic payroll, then whats 10 mil on a #5 guy in the grand scheme of things? It would be a bigger deal if we had the Royals payroll. yes he did lose 16 games. But he also won 14. That in fact is GOOD for a #5 guy. I mean should we go and dig up Shawn Estes and pay him 1 mil a year so we can say we're not paying our #5 guy? 6.0whatever ERA. Take out the 2 REALLY bad games he had and the number drops to 5.03. Does that make it any less painfull? Point is, even if you think that JH is 1 step smarter than a rock, does anybody think that he would swing this deal if it was going to prevent him from signing Z or anybody else? I don't think so. Is this the best deal. No. Is this the LAST deal for SP. I seriously doubt it. You can NEVER have enough startig pitching. IF this is true, and if Marquis dosen't work out we have fallback options. How many options did we have last year? 9 rookies thats how many. Marquis is insurance, not the answer.

I'm not saying the Cubs didn't sign Marquis, but other than the St. Louis Post (which is a reputable publication) there are NO other sites confirming this trade, especially at those dollars. It doesn't make sense getting so upset about something that hasn't been confirmed yet. I checked on the Cubs website and nothing.

I wouldn't be happy with this signing, especially for THAT money, bc I feel that Rothschild is one of the worst pitching coaches in baseball. He doesn't take guys who have lost their mechanics and fix them, he take guys who are injured and has them throw towels.

Can we void this contract because JH was under the influence of pain meds? Something? Please!!!!!!

OH Ryan, the cards scored 80 more runs than us last season. If this guy couldn't "figure it out" under the 2 1/2 pitching coaches I mentioned above what makes you think he will do better if not worse under Rothchild. Marquis has had 1 good season and that was in 04. For $10 mill a year we could have done so much better.

If what I am reading is true I am furious. $10 mill a year for this guy. HE LOST 16 GAMES last year. Has been defiant with the two best pitching coaches in the game. Dave Duncan fixed Carpernder and Weaver and....there are many more but Marquis would not listen. I hate this signing. Out of all the SP from the dirty birds we have to get this one?????????????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an awful deal. The guy couldn't figure it out in Atlanta with Maddux and mizzoni(sp). And Larussa left him off the World Seriers roster and he wouldn't listen to Dave Duncan. He has been quoted, in the shiity papers down here, that he doesn't need there help. I don;t like this at all. The only thing that this guy can do well is bunt.

I'm sure if the Marquis deal is true is will get bashed about 150 times on here. However, lets not jump the gun. If they want a 5 guy, he did win 14 games and pitched close to 200 innings last year. Winning 14 with the little runs the Cards put up last year, especially down the stretch ,ain't bad for a 5th starter. I'm not sure how much more you want from the 5 hole. Again, lets see how it works out, if true. A change of scenery, and a little Lou motivation can do alot for a guy.

While I had some concerns about Lofton's age, he'll be 40 this summer, I believe he would be a great addition to the Cubs. Here are just a few reasons why:

* Had 32 stolen bases last year

* Batted .300 (right around his career average)

* Has a career OBP of .372

* Only KO'd 42 times last year in 469 at bats. Conversely he walked 45 times

* He's a Chicago guy and I think he would love to play here

* He would be cheap

* He would be the perfect stopgap for PIE (given that PIE will be ready in a year)

In looking at it, I really can't see any negatives in bringing this guy back to Chicago to roam centerfield.

The NY times are seriously condemming the Cubs for spending money to try and get a Chanmpionship? This when both of their teams are in the top 5 in Payroll? That kind of BS is why I hate going to NY.

Jon, You are right. Thank you for catching the typo, I will be more careful.

Quick correction: It's Jose Uribe, not Juan Uribe. I wondered if they were the same person when I first saw the headline a few days ago, but it doesn't seem like it. (Unless of course "Juan" is a nickname for "Jose" and I don't know it--then I'd just make myself look stupid!)

Back on topic... Marquis. I laughed so hard last year when the Cardinals needed pitching and the best they could muster was Marquis. I knew he was going to be a huge bust, and he was. We're talking about a guy with a career ERA that in my opinion almost eliminates him from being even a back-of-the-rotation guy. I don't want him on the Cubs at all, but DEFINITELY not for $10 million a year. What the heck is he thinking? A pitcher who has never been anything more than "blah" wants $10 million a year? I thought it was a bit too much for Lilly. It's insanely too much for a guy like Marquis.

Pretty much all of the other rumored pitchers would be okay. Suppan is okay, I'd like Jennings, Hendrickson looks like he'd be okay.

Bring back Lofton, for sure. Great player, great attitude. Should be fairly cheap and fairly short term (1-2 years).