Brad,

I bought both autographed jerseys of both Prior and Wood in 2002 and now I wish I could send both of them back!!!

I'm still pissed that I bought a Prior jersey in 2002. I should have gone with Wood.

People constantly complained when Grace was a 10-15 HR guy at 1st. Nobody complained after he established defense and 300 average. I'll agree Murton's defense is horrible but he is a big league hitter no matter what you say. 2006 he hit .295 in 300 ABs against righties. He's a career .280 hitter against them. He needs consistent playing time not a hit or miss. He can improve on his D and base running. Why not platoon Ward/Murton. You say that you don't want to wait on Murton anymore but that is my feeling on Pie. His defense is awesome and as a pinch runner I love him. But he has a HUGE swing (like C. Patterson) and can't catch up to big league fastballs (if he ever would see one).

I hated the Jones pickup from Day 1. He's an AL guy so I'll be glad when he's gone. There is nobody in the minor's that excites me. Fuld is a bench player at best and I'm sure Fox will start playing RF regularly at Iowa.

As for pitching, I'm happy with Marshall, Hill and Marquis. Granted they both tired out at the end of the end of the year but I think Lou needs to spot start a little more to give those guys some rest. The 2007 rotation had the most starts of any big league ball club. If we can get Fukedome on a 3 year contract at a reasonable price, I'm all for it. But don't give up on the farm. It saved us this year for reason. They are good, no matter what Bill James or SI says.

BTW: Obviously a first time poster but I just found this site. I live in Denver and it is great to be able to talk Cubs baseball again since nobody watches the Rockies here.

I'd love to see Bedard in a Cubs uniform, but I fear the price would be too high ... likely Pie plus two other solid prospects (that I'm not even sure we have). I'm sure Hendry will talk to them about Bedard though.

I would love to have both of the Japenese players.

Another topic, what do guys think about a package deal for Bedard from the Orioles. Remember he was in the rumors a few years back with Proir and Tejada. McPhail said he might be looking to move him. Imagine a pitching rotation of

Zambrano

Bedard

Lilly

Kuroda

Hill

I don't know what it would take, but I think it would be well worth it. What do you guys think.

Adam...

couldn't agree more buddy----good call

I think more or less the reason we haven't gotten anyone from there is the fact that Japanese players prefer either West Coast teams like the Dodgers and Mariners, or East Coast teams-----New York or Boston----and that seems like the only preferred destinations.

I mean, outside of the lower level Japanese players, you really don't see any of them heading toward the interior....You have guys like Kuwada or whatever his name is for the Pirates----ditto So Taguchi----just don't get the PR, because they aren't that good in Japan.

As you said, I for one, would love to come out on top for once in that regard....I mean, what do we have to show from the Far East.....only amateurs that we signed when they were young----some catcher---can't remember his name, and Ryu, and Choi----all three were busts---well, jury is still out on Ryu, whom we traded to the Rays.

Brad,

Murton has been given ample opportunities to take one of the everyday outfield spots, but he has never stepped up and taken the job. How many more opportunities does he need before people stop screaming for him to play more? He kind of reminds me of the baseball version of Rex Grossman. Year after year, people expect him to finally become the player he can "potentially" be, and year after year he disappoints us. And like Rex, Murton has a limited set of skills (i.e. not enough power, can't hit righties, weak throwing arm, not enough speed), he makes bonehead plays (i.e. baserunning), and he plays horrible defense.

I understood when people were screaming for Murton 3 years ago, but I think it's obvious by now that he's not going to become the .300, 30 HR, 95 RBI guy that we wanted him to become. Just like it's obvious Rex is never going to become the 35 touchdown, 10 interception quarterback we all wanted him to become. It's not a matter of giving this guy a "chance" to play any more, it's time for the organization to cut ties because his chance has come and gone. Just like the Bears are doing with Rex.

Now, regarding the Japanese players, I'll have to admit that every time another Japanese guy comes over with a lot of hype, I have my doubts. I doubted Ichiro at first, I doubted Hideki Matsui at first, Kaz Matsui and Dice K. But Ichiro and Hideki Matsui have been All-star type players every year. Kaz Matsui was a major sparkplug for the Rockies this season in their playoff run. And Dice K was nails in every big game he pitched this postseason. I would LOVE to have any of those players on the Cubs.

I am truly beginning to believe in the scouting that MLB teams have in that region, and every year I am doubting less and less. It excites me that we may have a chance to get a guy, Fukudome, who scouts have compared favorably to Ichiro and Matsui. And a pitcher, Kuroda, that has been compared favorably to Dice K. And I'll be pissed if we - once again - miss out on one of these guys, and watch them become an All-star for another team...

...while we're waiting for Murton to reach his "potential".

Brad,

Im all for Theriot playing SS. I just want Fukudome to play RF and bat second, Theriot can bat 8th. Leave DeRosa at 2nd, not way you play Fontenot over him. I want to trade Jones because he cant hit for power, and Fukudome has a cannon in RF. The reason I dont like Murton is because he cant hit righties consistenly. He can only hit lefties well. And, he doesnt hit for as much power as I would like for a RF, he plays terrible defense and sucks on the basepaths. Thats why. Keep him on the bench to play agaisnt lefties, but there is no way he bats 6 in this lineup. Kuroda should be better than Marquis, thats why I say pitch him behind Z and Lilly, and infront of Marquis and Marshall. Give Pie the job in CF, the cubs do well when he plays, and he has great defense. Sigining Fukudome and Kuroda makes Jones/Marshall/Marquis/Ohman expendable to get that bullpen arm you want. I mean, who out there is a decent starter we can get for those guys? No one. And the FA market in the States is so weak, it's worth it to go after Kuroda. And for the money, Fukudome is probably worth it...

And I hate Dusty Baker

I'll post it again.

What's with all of the Dusty Baker wanna be's on this board? What's wrong with Theriot at short (and lead off) and Murton in right in the six hole? Then we have money left over for a decent starter or even better a closer. We finally saw the talent this year that is in the minor leagues. How many good minor league players are we going to let slip away or get old because we keep looking for the next best thing through free agency? We signed DeRosa last year for 2nd base. Make him a super sub and let Fontenot get some ABs to see if he can handle it. Or keep it the reverse. Forget these Japanese imports. If you want Kuroda, make sure he is at a price lower than Marquis. Anything above is a waste of money for a soon to be 33 year old pitcher.

Adam in Iowa,

I completely agree with you. Im sold. Im actually sold on both of them. Getting one will make it easier to get the other, having a teammate you can talk to. I think both of the Japanese players fill our two biggest needs: A solid #3-4 pitcher, and everyday RF and someone who can bat 2nd in the lineup. With Kuroda's polished stuff and Fukudome's power/defense, I would love them both on the team.

Baron,

That article refers to YOUNG talent. And it pisses me off. I hate Bill James, too. I'll take Derrek Lee and his bat (and gold glove defense) anyday, not to mention Ramirez and Soriano (pretty telented guys). Forget that article, it's dumb. I think Lilly may have been the best #2 pitcher in the NL, and hes not listed, why? Because he's 30?

Bottom line, Jim: Go get the two players across the ocean, then we can tweak the bullpen with some trades (frees up Marshall/Jones/Ohmen, and possible a few extra million from non-tendering Prior) and we are set! NO A-ROD!!!

Sports Illustrated Ranks the Cubs young talent 29th out of 30 teams in baseball.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007

/baseball/mlb/11/02/billjames.rankings/index.html

Neil & Dorasaga:

Nice info guys. I'm sold.

This guy sounds like a much better version of Marquis. An inning-eater, but potential to be much more dominant than Marquis. You can never underestimate the value of an inning-eater in your rotation. If you want to have a good bullpen, your starters have got to keep them fresh.

And it sounds like there won't be a whole lot of competition for Kuroda, with only Seattle interested. Could keep the price down on him, making this a great bargain buy. I'm excited!

Neil:

First of all, a "shuuto" means shoot-ball, which is basically a fastball held very similar to a four-seam fastball but creates a splitter movement, per se, less vertical break than a two-seamer, but more horizontal movement than a splitter.

Dice-K Matsuzaka throws a shootball in 2006 as well, which was mistaken by ESPN sportscaster Jon Miller as a splitter. I believe Yu Darvish has one of NPB's best shootball pitches (NPB is Japan's MLB).

For the past two seasons, Kuroda rarely pitched more than 148 km/h (92 mph). His shootball might reach 90-92.

I read Japanese analysts claiming that most MLB ball-designs have better airflow push than its NPB counterpart (unlike here in America, in Japan it's a universal uni-design), so Kuroda might possibly gain velocity if he maintains his power pitching caliber when he crossed the Ocean.

With 300,000,000* yen (*yen/110 = US$ 2.7 M), Kuroda is, I remember, the most expensive pitcher that Hiroshima Carps ever paid. The Cubs could easily outpay and offer 9/10 M for two years with a 12-14 M option.

Kuroda pitched outdoor in a rainy and wet seashore ballpark of Hiroshima city, not to mention that it's NPB's smallest ballpark. Unlike Matsuzaka who was accustomed to the indoor Seibu Dome, Kuroda would find Wrigley like home VERY QUICKLY.

All in all, this pitcher is a much better buy than Fukudome.