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Neil,

Thanks a lot for your great news updates. It's the first place I look each morning.

Same here Chad. Tks Neil.

You guys are welcome...

I'm not getting too excited about the rumor Phil Rogers created about a Roberts/Bedard deal. He was just throwing that one out there.

But if there's one GM that might be able to pull that off, it's Hendry. Not because he's the greatest GM in the world, but because of his relationship with McPhail.

I read an article a couple of weeks ago about the Kevin Garnett trade to Boston in the NBA offseason. The article stated that Minnesota's GM Kevin McHale was never going to trade Garnett to anybody, except to his good buddy Danny Ainge in Boston. Kind of "hooking his buddy up".

I hope we get the same type of dynamic between JH and McPhail. He sent his over-priced, over-rated guy (Tejada) to Houston, and fleeced them in the process. Maybe he's saving his real good players for his buddy Hendry, and going to "hook him up". And of course he'll know exactly which prospects he wants in return for Roberts/Bedard, because he knows the Cubs system very well. And we'll have to give up some significant talent in return, but I think he'd treat us fair, unlike he just did to the Astros.

I'm just hoping the relationship those two have will help a deal get done, so we can finish putting together a championship caliber team.

What a sweet deal it would be if the Cubs could add Bedard to their staff. If we get Bedard and Roberts, I would have to then pencil in DeRosa as my opening day RF starter, with Kosuke in CF, and Soriano in LF.

ESPN is dropping some names from the Mitchell report that is due to be released in a few hours. Brian Roberts is one name I saw that might have a big impact on the Cubs off-season. If this is true I am not sure how that would affect JH's pursuit of him.

On another note... If the Angel's acquire Scott Rolen I believe there will be a good chance the Angels could make Chone Figgins available. Figgins, I believe, would be as good or better of an acquisition than Roberts especially if Roberts is found to be a known cheater. I just hope there aren't any names of any current Cubs in the Mitchell Report (Z,Lee,Aram,Soriano,Wood). This should be an interesting day.

FYI... Figgins is a switch hitter that can play all over the field and had a .393 OBP last year and a career OBP of over .350.

Correction: Brian Roberts name was in Jason Grimsley's leaked report, not in todays report from ESPN focused on Clemens.

I hope I'm wrong, but MacPhail isn't going to do us any "big time" favors. It's more likely that Bedard would get him LaRoche from the Dodgers (their number one prospect) to play 3rd and bat cleanup and a top tier lefty prospect like Elbert. There are a several average or OK shortstop and second base trade options, including ours. A little lesser deal than what the Yankees and Red Sox proposed for Santana coule also be available and might also exceed what we should do. Andy would likely expect Hill and Ceda (plus) for Bedard.

JH has a better chance to get one of the "surplus", established right handed starters from the Jays (A.J. Burnett, Shawn Marcum or Dustin McGowan). While Burnett still may be have some "Z" type ego (not all bad), he is in his opt out year and is capable of shutting down post season teams. The Jays expect to lose him--which makes our trade candidates more valuable. And, we need a stud right hander more than we need Bedard.

For possible reference, here are our 1 thru 10 top rated prospects according to Baseball America: Vitters, Soto, Calvin, Ceda, Gallagher, Veal, Donaldson (c), Sarmadzija, Thomas (2b) and Hart. I'm thinking the first four ought to be keepers. JimK

Here is irony for ya....

If McPhail sent Roberts and Bedard to the Cubs, it would be more of a contribution to a championship for the Cubs then he ever made while he was with the Cubs!

Jeff, that is a great point!

You all have heard the New York Times has outted Clemens and Pettit but my friend who's a huge Cards fan told me that CNBC is reporting that Pujols is on that list as well!

Here I just thought he was 36 years old ;)

My friend e-mailed a list of the names, I think he said he got it off of WNBC. I don't know how true the list is, but I saw Prior, Wood, Sosa, and Pujols names. But like I said I don't know how true it is.

I just read the article my friend e-mailed form wnbc and apparently MLB officials are disputing the list, so the way it sounds it is not a true list.

Cory/nick: Those names are not the real list, they have been refuted by executives close to the situation according to rotoworld, which also ran that list earlier, but took it down.

We better get Bedard before the Reds do! They say they have a 50/50 chance. No way I want to face Harang and Bedard in a three game series!

If someone gets the link to the Mitchell Report, can you post it? I will check espn.com and all those, but they may be a little slow. I'll do the same.

Prior has been accused of steroids in the past. It would not surprise me to see his name on the list.

Yea I saw the list was fake, sorry guys for posting that.
Austin how did that Busch Light taste last night?

Yea I saw the list was fake, sorry guys for posting that.
Austin how did that Busch Light taste last night?

The BIG NAME on the Mitchell report is gonna be

ROGER CLEMENS...

mmmmm.... i wonder why he got a pass all these years.... even though his arse looks a lot bigger than it did in the 80s too..

hmmmmmm......

Austin - I am not a fan of watching the Cubs face Arroyo either. I know we touched him up a bit in '07 but he had a 1.01 ERA in '06 and a 3.13 lifetime ERA versus the northsiders.

They are also rumored to be going after Haren from Oakland. He would tear up the NL Central.

Gee, The "Rocket" did steriods...noooo way...Like it wasn't obvious or anything. That just makes what Maddux has done even sweeter.

If it's true that the Reds offered Bailey and Votto for Bedard and the O's turned that offer down because they want Bruce, then Bedard won't be a Cub because unless we want to part with Hill and Pie, we don't have the players to even compete with the Bailey/Votto package.

This may not be big news to a lot people but the Cubs have continued their arrangement with Des Moines to have the I-Cubs there for another 4 years. It's nice to have the AAA team in my backyard. :)

nick: the beer was as refreshing as ever. Im sure you enjoyed yours as well.

I really think we have he pieces to pull of the trade of Bedard and Roberts, it's just a matter of Hendry doing it. I don't doubt he's thinking about it, I just hope we get one of them, regardless of the Mitchell Report, and because, as I've said before, I dont want to see Bedard (or Haren, hat tip to cliff) in our divison.

The Mitchell Report: http://files.mlb.com/mitchrpt.pdf

Yes it was very refreshing

Here's an excerpt from the Mitchell Report about Brian Roberts:

Brian Roberts is an infielder who has played for the Baltimore Orioles since 2001.
He has been selected to two All-Star teams.
Roberts and Larry Bigbie were both rookies in 2001. According to Bigbie, both
he and Roberts lived in Segui?s house in the Baltimore area during the latter part of that season.
When Bigbie and Segui used steroids in the house, Roberts did not participate.
According to Bigbie, however, in 2004 Roberts admitted to him that he had
injected himself once or twice with steroids in 2003. Until this admission, Bigbie had never
suspected Roberts of using steroids.
In order to provide Roberts with information about these allegations and to give
him an opportunity to respond, I asked him to meet with me; he declined.

My only question is, what evidence other than here say is there against theese guys? Are there shipping receipts and phone records or are we just going on somebody's "testimony"?

IMO, if all this report is based on is somebody's word on somebody else, then we as taxpayers and baseball fans have been screwed again.

Ryan, you saw the personal checks and the personal notes attached with the names, right? (LoDuca really made me look, as there was Dodger Stadium stationary note saying "Thanks, call if you need anything -- Paul.)

I mean, Im not saying that its irrefutable. But yes alot of it is heresay..This doesnt really mean anything to me..

Who do you suppose Matt Karchner was talking about? Hmmmmm....although I don't see Sosa being a roomate with that toolbox.

That report links Roberts to nothing other than the fact that Larry Bigbie is an idiot.

I agree that this report is a complete joke. The lack of evidence is a joke. The slandering of some of the players (Roberts) based upon hearsay is a joke. And the whole report is a waste of time. Ryan R, did they really use taxpayer money for this? If so, I'm even more pissed.

The best question asked of Mitchell at the press conference was something to the effect of, "Everything in the report is just a confirmation of rumors that the media has been reporting for a long time now. Do you feel like you have actually uncovered anything NEW here?"

I also find it amusing that Mitchell, a former member of the Boston Red Sox organization, uncovered so much dirt on so many New York Yankees.

I could be wrong but I don't believe taxpayer money was used for this. Mitchell is an Ex-Senator and Selig payed him to lead this investigation and write the report.

Mitchell himself said don't get caught up in the names because it was pretty much widespread and that everyone knew about it and is to blame.

Also, the lack of evidence is mainly due to almost nobody agreeing to speak with Mitchell, which is the only real reason why a real investigation from Congress would have more teeth...(they have subpoena power unlike Mitchell's private investigation.)

Not saying I advocate a Congressional inquiry, in fact I don't, just saying if you want "names", that will be more effective.

Bottom line is that the report paints a pretty broad stroke on everyone from managers to owners to players.

Looking into it, I guess taxpayer money wasn't used. I just got confused with all the BS thats come out of the steroid situation in baseball. First there was Balco, and then the Congressional thing and now the Mitchell report that started what, 2 years ago?

I just have a problem with a glorified bat-boy being the only evidence against theese guys, and then only because they threatened him with jail time. Plus, just using the Roberts statement because its available here, he never actually saw Roberts doing anything, and in fact had declined steroids at one time. But one time he said he gave himself a shot or two. IF its true, does that mean that he was a chronic roid rager? I say no. We all make mistake at one time in our life.

Sorry for the rant, just think this is a smoke and mirror campaign by MLB and Bud Selig to try and put the steroid issue behind them.

little ironic that the guy we trade Sosa for was named in a steriod report.

also all the players that were on the list that had time with the cubs all sucked when they were here. And quite a few players from the cards. Gues LaRusa doesn't seem to mind. (had to take a shot)

so....
#1: just wanted to say that the Fukodome signing was huge for a team in search of OBP. That being said, it'll be interesting to see how he adjusts to the MLB style of play. in the WBC, he hit really well, so that's encouraging, because that was against many major leaguers.

#2: I wouldn't trade much at all for Roberts after he's been implicated in the Mitchell report. It's really dangerous going after those guys like Roberts, Guillen, Gibbons, Glaus, Tejada, etc. Most of these guys did the 'roids and HGH during contract years, and stood to gain a lot. I think guys like Guillen, Hidalgo, Boone, Brady Anderson---guys that were maybe 15 hr/yr guys, all of a sudden pushing mid 30's to 50's in home runs is certainly a red flag if I've ever seen one. Look at Roberts' stats, and you'll see he's got above average stats for a 2B....then consider the time he supposedly did the 'roids, and you'll see that his stats increased significantly from what they should've been at.

Given the report, I believe that will have a tremendous bearing on the worth of players now. I think you have to approach a trade like that like you would buying a house....
What I mean by that is, when you first see the house, and fall in love with it, and you see all the nice features, it's worth a lot to you, but after you get the inspection, and the home inspector tells you all the things that will need to be fixed, and it all adds up to over $20,000, suddenly that home is worth a lot less to you than before you knew the underlying issues.

Look, Sosa's trade value was low, not only because he was a poor teammate and known cheater (corked bat), but also a suspected cheat ('roids)....Given the fact that we also dealt with the O's on that trade, I think we should deal in a similar fashion with Roberts, only we'll be on the other end in that trade (accepting damaged goods). Teams no longer will be willing to dish out huge cash and/or prospects for players with a cloud of suspicion over them, for fear that they could possibly incur a suspension from the league. There is specific language in most contracts that states conduct detrimental to the team and image will be subject to termination without recourse. You wonder if the contracts/trades made for guys like Guillen, Gagne, and Tejada, might be altered to reflect the new findings. Could Gagne's contract be reduced/restructured now? I actually think the Brewers would be well within their rights to do so. And if that happens to any of those players, then I almost 100% guarantee you that it will affect the value of Roberts and others implicated in terms of trade value.

#3: If it were me, I'd just promote Eric Patterson as he has the same basic potential of Roberts, and save the prospects for a bigger trade---say for a power hitting OF or a power arm for the rotation...

One guy I'd target would be Matt Holliday, and shift Fukodome to CF, Holliday in RF, and leave Soriano in LF...I'd trade Murton, Pie, Colvin, and a pitching prospect for him. The ROX are said to not being able to keep both him and Atkins. They feel Atkins would be much more easy to retain than Holliday.

#4: keep DeRosa as a super sub, and promote Patterson as the everday 2B or back-up OF.

#5: do whatever necessary to rid the roster of poor performing guys like: Blanco, Marquis, and Dempster, and replace with guys like Ritchie, Gallagher, and Hart. Having a rotation like: Z, Lilly, Hill, Hart, and Marshall would be a significant upgrade over one including Marquis and Dempster. Obtaining middle infield/low level pitching prospects with upside would be a prudent move to free up roster space for our own very deserving prospects like Ceda, Hart, Marshall, Gallagher, Hoffpauir, Patterson, Kroeger, etc.

What do you guys think?

-Oh, and one last comment about Prior....I know everyone likes to rip on him for his injuries, but seriously, cut the dude SOME slack (just some...not asking too much), because they were truly freak injuris (tripping over Giles and separating his shoulder, then line drive fracturing his elbow)---not many athletes can come back from that stuff, much less pitchers, who depend heavily on the health of their arms...This was just another case of Hendry trying to get a "hometown" discount---a significant one at that. With ARAM, Wood, and I guess you could say Z too, that worked, but Prior had already been asked to take a discount last year. Lee got hurt too with his wrist the year before---what if his contract year was this year and his numbers this year were'nt indicative of his past, and we asked him to take a discount?

I'm NOT a huge Prior fan anyway, so that's the funny thing...All I'm saying is don't look to throw him under the bus. I think him and his agent are greedy little bastards, as he's barely pitched the last 3 years...but again, those injuries were freakish, and his talent potential is also freakish.....If I were Hendry, I would've handled his demotion a lot differently, and this whole thing would've turned out a lot differently IMO. I would've reasoned with him that he didn't want to get lit up, and to either undergo surgery once and for all, or be put on the 60-day in extended spring training doing the exact same work-outs Woody did. I'd explain to him that if he really wanted to be a Cub, then he'd do something about it, otherwise we'd find him a new home and accomodate him. But as it stands, we paid him for nothing, and received nothing.

I sincerely hope no other team tenders him an offer greater than what we gave, and Wood and others convince him to return with an incentive-laden deal with an option. I really think he'd be worth it. Also, by the way, reports state him and his agent haven't ruled out returning either....so keep that in mind.

sorry this was a long post...guess I hadn't said anything in awhile, so I thought I'd say something

Clemens is referred to 82 times by name in the report.

anyone think his 350 wins and 7 cy youngs should have an Asterisk?

Aaron, Neither of us will be charged with saying a few words, and a reply is deserved. The Rockies have three young outfielders who played in the post season who are better than any of those you want to trade: Ryan Spillborghs, Jeff Baker and Seth Smith and a Pie clone in the high minors too. Maybe someday Holliday gets too expensive for the Rockies to keep, but I don't think they will move a MVP player very soon.

Before Fukudome, I thought we might be able to get Smith, a lefty hitting, young power guy and excellent right fielder because the Rox also have Hawpe who hit 29 HRs and drove in 118 runs last season. I hoped they might even trade Hawpe in a deal that included Marshall and/or Gallagher. There seems to be some doubt whether Patterson can be a plus second baseman--which may be why he spent some time in center field last season. JimK

Aaron, to response to your post, I have to respectfully disagree on your views towards Brian Roberts. Not just because we are interested in him, but also for the fact that he got the shaft in this BS report. I don't think the fact that his stats jumped up and he had above avg stats for a 2b are much evidence because you could say that about Ryne Sandberg, and Roberto Alomar at 2b too, and also about A-Rod at short before the Yanks. I know you disagree, so I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

This was in Buster Onleys article this morning. I think it just goes to show how much complete crap the Mitchell report actually is.

"Thus, the players had to take the heat, even when the evidence was flimsy. Exhibit A: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts, whose principal sin was telling former teammate Larry Bigbie that he injected himself once or twice with steroids in 2003 — that is, according to Bigbie. Now, maybe Roberts was a user, maybe he wasn't. But what was the purpose of smearing him? Such a portrayal only demeaned the report."

Yeah, well I smoked a certain illegal plant once or twice in college, and everybody I know, knows about it. Does that mean I should go to jail right now? No. Does that mean I am a pothead? No. Does that mean I can't fly a plane anymore, or am now unable to raise my kids? Ah, no.

I don't think this lowers the value of anybody, especially Roberts. Again, its all hearsay by a guy under threat of jail time, and circumstancial evidence at best, and that is stretching it. My personal opinion is that MLB swept this issue under the rug for a very long time and didn't really want to do anything about it. Then Congress got itself involved and they were forced to do something about it. MLB then launched a smoke and mirrors magic show "investigation", launched by an executive of one of its teams, that uncovered nothing that we didn't already know. That being steroids were a problem in baseball.

I would guess that this will blow over and nobody even gets suspended. Simply for the fact that there is no concrete evidence in the form of receipts or phone records or shipping bills or anything to any of these guys. IMO this is all for Bud Selig, who didn't want to be known as the comish that presided over the "steroid era", of baseball.