David F....Thanks for your info on Cordero. The case for Demp. Except for 2006 when he converted only 24 of 33 saves, he's been effective since 2004. In 2006, he was tipping his pitches. From 2005 thru 2008, he's given up only 31 HR's in 439 IP. 17 game winners at age 31 get attention. Brett Myers (Phils) signed a deal coming off a 13-8 record in 2005 that pays him $12 mil in 2009. He and Demp are comparable.

Demp is a two-time all star and a plus in the clubhouse. There will be a lot of interest in Demp. He's healthy. He'll get a few 4 and $50 offers. Marquis makes $10 mil in 2009.

David, I think your numbers are on the money. I highly doubt he gets a 5 year deal. Not even sure he get's 4. At least not guaranteed. I'm thinking 3 and then either a team ir player option for 4. He's gonna get 10-12 million per year.

I find it interesting that last year almost everyone wanted to dump Dempster and now many of those same folks want to pay him $50+ million. Would someone who falls in that camp like to defend that position?

At his age and statistical history, it's unlikely (albeit possible) that he will repeat his 2008 season. I like Dempster, but you're much more likely to see a 12-10, 4.25-4.50 ERA season from his next year then anything like his 2008 numbers. Now if you pay him based on those numbers with some upside potential and give him a 4 year/$32 million deal, I can see it (and then don't complain when he performs as statistically expected) ... see Jason Marquis) .... but a 5 year/$50-$60 million deal seems excesive.

This new look rocks Neil! Oh yes, and I hope Woody stays, but lets not mortgage the house.

It's way to early to think that Fukudome and Johnson will platoon CF.

I don't for one minute even believe that Lou said any of that. He wasn't directly quoted on it. It's crazy for SO many reasons. Why would Lou make a decision before spring camp even arrives? Not to mention there are numerous tangibles:

1) Felix Pie..... he has NO MORE options. He either gets traded....or he is our every day CF and possible leadoff man.

2) Reed Johnson is NOT under contract and I'm not certain, but I believe he is arbitration eligible....

3) Jim Edmonds has NOT made an official decision.

4) How can you decide to move Kosuke without knowing who we acquire via free agency or trade? Plus, if Kosuke gets his swing back, that cannon of an arm is perfect for right field.

After watching the Phillies win the Series, I say go after Frankie Rodriguez to close....we need someone who is LIGHTS OUT at the end of the game....not someone teams know can be had. I want to be a team that when you watch the game teams start to press in the 6th and 7th when trailing...fearing that we have Marmol and Rodriguez coming in to shut them down.

Check out my Adam Dunn picture!!!!!

I would give Woody a 2 year guarantee with a third year added if he managed to stay off the DL. Basically, an incentive type of deal.

Hi Neil...

Is anyone else experiencing

their browser freezing up

on this site now? It

locks up consistently over

the last 2 days. Also,

we continue to see the

ad overlays on the right

over the posted comments,

but I believe you guys

are on that one. Sorry

for being a pain on the

technology. Also, CCO

is the only site in which

I'm experiencing the

"freeze" issue. Thanks.

I believe we're running

IE6.

I use Firefox and have no problems at all.

Bryan, I am working on the problems on IE 6....I do apologize.

IE 6 is the only one we are having trouble with...other than Safari on the iPhone.

Firefox, IE 7 and Safari all seem to be fine but the big problem is that the issue is not consistent from cpu to cpu. I have looked at IE 6 on two different systems and both are just a little different.

Hopefully just a little longer....

Bryan...we are working on the IE 6 problems. You would be shocked if I told you how long we worked on it yesterday.

I have not seen the browser problems but will look into that....and you are not being a "pain".

Thank you for your patience, and everyone else. We know about 12% of the readers of the site use IE 6.

Neil...I couldn't read

your reply post on the

technology based on the

ad overlays, but I sense

you're still exploring

the IE6 issue.

Good move to put Fukudome and Reed platoon in center. They need to be more athletic better baseball players with higher ceilings in the outfield...Edmonds does not meet the need unless in pinch hitter role to replace Ward at low money. A lefty right fielder would be nice (Hermedia?) but what they have to get is a difference maker in the middle of the order like a Delgado or Holliday and better pressure on the opposing defense at the beginning of the order if possible. This is where I think Hendry will get derailed and this and other key components will again go unaddressed.

The Phillie formula (some of which was the undoing the Cubs 08); adequate defense especially middle infield, top of the order agressive competent speed and pressure, dangerous disciplined "tough out" middle of the order hitters, some power, a very good pen, an ace and not too many station to station runners all or nothing hitters.

Soriano is out of place at the top of the order and can be dominated in clutch situations. Lee is not a 3 hitter and 1st base is too important where you need to put a slugger versus just good defense and high BA, Zambrano is no better than many of the free agents available and while passionate is too volatile to trust too inconistent and not a team player, Theriot is a second baseman. Thus, I believe Soriano, Lee, and Zambrano are all expendable given that the replacements create better balance and a better "formula" for playoff success. This would free up around $50mm per year for FA pitching and perhaps add some decent prospects or high cost players that could better fill the aforemention needs.

It will be interesting what happens with Pie but athletic young players are not easy to find and at his current trade value I hope is not traded.

I just saw on MLBTradeRumors that Fuku will be moved to center to platoon with Reed, suggesting that Edmonds will be gone. It goes on to say that they will be looking for a lefty right fielder.

dude, I saw that too...That's crazy...but did you read the full article? They went onto say that he's said some crazy things before, and not followed through, like saying he's done coaching, etc.

It's kind of weird with Piniella. There doesn't really seem to be a happy medium with a lot of managers these days. Either they're too pro-position player and anti-pitcher, or too pro-pitcher and anti-position player. What I mean by that is in Piniella's case, he's quick to pull the hook on a pitcher, but slow to pull the hook on position players. Wuertz, Eyre, Howry, Cotts, Marquis, etc. were all victims of that (right or wrong, it's still a fact) But Fukudome, Lee, DeRosa (when he was in a deep funk), Soriano, etc., he was all too eager to let them work out of their slumps when they were killing the team.

My point is, a lot of managers struggle with this. It'll be interesting to see how his patience holds up with the position players next year. Will he fall into the same pattern, or will he actually follow through with what he says?

Wood is just too much of a risk for anything more than a one year contract

I would rather they scour other teams' rosters/ minors/Japan and their own minor league system to find discover create a set-up man or closer who throws strikes for ground balls and makes hitters earn getting on base. Of course, you can always go after KRod or Fuentes if the money is there. Getting a solid bullpen sure worked for Gillick and the Phils

I would also hate to Woody go too and would like to see him back as our closer next year. Good closers aren't exactly a dime a dozen. Although not dominant, Woody was good. There aren't that many dominant closers out there and if we can't get one then why should we let Woody go. For those of you who are completely sold as Marmol in the closer roll, I have two reasons to hold off for now. First, it would leave a whole in our bullpen that's mostly unproven. Second, do you remember Marmol's performance from May 15th - All-Star Break?

I would hate to see Woody go, but I have to agree that he wasn't the most dominant of closers. If that first batter he faced got on, it was going to be a long inning. I'd like him more for a setup roll maybe, or back in the rotation once his arm is strong enough.

I don't liken Woody to Jordan at all. Sandberg to Jordan, yes. Not Wood. If Kid K can go back to the rotation, I'm all for it. Otherwise, let him go. He's not the dominating closer that we need. He was GOOD....but certainly not GREAT. Championship teams have GREAT closers....look at the Phillies and Brad Lidge who was PERFECT all year. Wood had a great rookie season....after that....downhill and injury filled.

If he wants to stay in Chicago, it's at a VERY reasonable price.....otherwise....here's the door....thanks for the memories!