It'd be nice if the organization had more confidence in Tyler Colvin competing for a job in spring training. I'd like to see them at least give him a chance instead of signing aging veterans who block our prospects. I feel like the position players especially aren't given a chance (Soto was a nice change of pace, however)

Seriously, Jim?

A 245lb Centerfielder?

Byrd for some reason gives me images of Carlos Lee trying to play CF

a few more pounds and it would be.

If Jim tries to sign this guy for more than 1 year, he should be fired.

You have no idea how to evaluate Outfield talent and their worth, Hendry. Your track record is atrocious.

I understand that everyone here has there own "view" on the Milton trade. But is has been months now that everyone here has been calling for a "trade or release". I am upset with the Nation because Jim finally does something that will amount to good. Silva will win 13 games this year. He will lose 9. ERA 3.95. He will top 100 strikeouts this year for the first time. He will be with fellow Venezualan Zambrano. I see nothing but great strides being made. Also, with the freed up cash, we will get a CF. Although I am not in agreeance with Byrd, I too would prefer a leadoff type CF. But that guy is not out there. SO, we will sign Byrd who will hit 20 hrs, drive in 80 rbi and play a good defense. This is not what we had in Milton. Oh yeah, he will also be a clubhouse guy......BTW....SAMMY SOSA should be the #1 CUB of the DECADE!!!!!!

Well if you say so, sltj33, I'm looking forward to seeing Silva drop his ERA to below 4.

For the record, me and quite a few others here have been calling for the Cubs to hold onto Bradley.

Not that it really matters now.

What a terrible trade. I told some friends, I would rather have disgruntled head-case that can at least hit and get on base than an overpaid, used-up pitcher that will really only lose games.

Whoever said in the other string that the league switch will turn Silva into 12W and 3.50 ERA should lay down the pipe and pour the kool aid down the drain. First, Seattle is in the AL West, not really one of the tougher divisions is baseball. Second, Safeco is a pretty roomy park so you'd think the sinkerball Silva would have faired a little better. He is gonna get rocked in Wrigley.

How long before Hendry just has to DFA his 20M$ ass because he is completely useless? hmmm...

Bad.

One more prediction: Milton is gonna fair well in Seattle. He'll hit again, and contribute to a winning a team, then confirm again with his big mouth that all he needed was support, and that the Cubs organization is a shambles and the fans are idiots. (don't know that I could fully disagree with him).

Griffey in that clubhouse makes a difference. Lee taking the hill every 5 days. A smart GM at the helm. Good for the M's. I'm looking forward to listening them this year.

The Cubs are very disappointing.

orlando hudson only won a gold glove last year and is better than what we have now not to mention he hits for average, how many doubles and strikeouts compared to our platoon last year ?? shore up the middle !!! And you want tejada at short then what move theriot to 2nd wow isnt that the same waste of money you were complaining about spending at 2nd ??

why spend money on a 2b...go with theriot & give the ss job to castro. why wait til mid-season....wasting time & money. I'd rather see Jermaine Dye in RF & Fukodome in CF if some coach would tell him to move back in the outfield a few steps. Byrd is an option but Dye can hit with power. Jamarillo can help him out if he is good as his advanced billing. Carrasco is another good pickup to be a starter or reliever where needed.

It takes Hendry awhile to figure it out.

Sandberg discussed Castro's future recently and he thinks Castro will begin the year in Triple-A. Sandberg feels he has a chance to be a good Major League shortstop but needs a little more time in the minors.

Castro will receive a non-roster invite to Spring Training but will likely start the season in Iowa.

I think Byrd is worth a look considering the options we have. I still would like to see Johnson back with the Cubs as well. If nothing else, as a bench player. As far as Bradley for Silva...It seems to pretty much be a wash as far as I'm concerned. We got some cash back, which is good, but we got rid of a big whinning headache. No one on the Cubs wanted Bradley back, so we can at least give Silva a chance to earn a spot in the rotation. If it doesn't work out, we let one of the young guys take his spot. We were screwed with the money for somebody's contract regardless. At least we now have a "chance" to let someone earn some of that money.

ESPN says Carlos Silva is finished, ie, he won't be anything more than a 8.60 ERA 200.95 WHIP "innings eater." lol

Read their opinion here:

http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/1839/ms-and-cubs-swap-headaches

It's amazing how many posters on here believe Carlos Silva will be a 5th starter despite all the evidence of the past two years. The man is virtually finished as a starter, this trade is embarrassing for the Cubs and I see Silva being hid in the BP for the duration of his stay here. I think we would have saved faced by just releasing him (making a statement).

why has no one mentioned orlando hudson ?

Again I will state that Orlando Hudson will not help this team. He slows down the stretch, got beaten out at the end of the year for his defensive replacement/utility player. He is a first half player at this point in his career. We have part time players already in Baker and Fontenot, why add another?

I would love to see Damon, but I dont see the Cubs having the money for him.

Here is the new question of the night? Who would you rather see in center field for the Cubs in 2010? You have to account for what it would take to sign someone (years, money), these factors could potentially block prospects from moving and/or restrict some spending on other needs.

Options include:

Marlon Byrd

Coco Crisp

Rick Ankiel

Johnny Damon

Scott Posednik

other?

Scotty Pods is an AWFUL fielder. Jake Fox would be better in CF.

Crisp cannot hit a lick. Do you want another Bradley on your team?

Ankiel is strictly a head case.

Damon is the best option, but for how much? He's asking for $13.5 million from the Yanks.

Isn't Felipe Lopez a free agent still? He's nothing exciting but he would be cheap and upgrade at 2B. He hit over .300 last year, and had a great second half with the Cards the year before that. He also can play a ton of positions.

What everyone is failing to realize about Silva, is

1. He was injured the past two seasons.

2. The AL inflates an ERA by close to a full point, with the addition of the DH. Move a pitcher to the NL and generally the ERA drops from 3/4 to a Full ERA point (unless your name is Barry Zito).

Let's take Ted Lilly for example. Since he has been a full time starter - in the AL he averaged a 4.56 ERA. Since coming to the NL he has averaged a 3.67 ERA. Thats a drop of basically .90 - close to a full point. And take into account he has been on the other side of 30 years old since coming to the Cubs.

Regarding Byrd, I think the Cubs would be better off with the more athletic Ankiel in center - however, the Cubs do have Rudy Jaramillo now that should help his transfer to the new club should he sign here.

On another note, Tejada is considering switching to third base just to find a contract. Doesn't that sound like a desperate player who would settle for a one year contract, maybe incentive laden deal to play short for us until Castro is ready????

Yeah, I'm a firm believer that the Cubs may benefit from having Silva. I fully expect him to be a 12-6 5th starter type of pitcher, but at the same time this is a guy who, like you mentioned, was injured for two seasons after coming off a season to earn that inflated contract the Mariners were anxious to be rid of. I don't expect a transfer like Sabathia or Lee, but I don't think 3.6 is an unreasonable ERA guestimate.

Neil:

I don't know enough about A.L. players, is Byrd a guy capable of being a lead-off man or is he strictly a middle-of-the order bat?

Byrd would be a middle-of-the-order guy ... not a lead-off hitter.

I would think 5th before Soriano or 7th if Soto is able to bounce back (there's those two words again).

Has anyone heard anything on Bobby Scales? Do they have any plans to resign him to a minor league deal or invite him to spring training?

So they "covet" Marlon Byrd and Matt Capps??

I guess they never read the 10th Commandment.

If Soriano and Soto bounce back to have good years and Silva is healthy and can average a 4.50 ERA then that team could be pretty good. that is if Z is really getting into shape, bryd doesnt completley fail like bradley did, lilly coming back on time and playing well and no major injuries. I know that is a lot of ifs but it could happen according to reports that soto soriano and z are working out and with Jarmaillo here maybe he can help a bit too so they dont go into such long slumps

So let's take a look at what the opening day roster might realistically look like...

Rotation:

Zambrano

Dempster

Wells

Gorzelanny

Silva

Then we he's ready...

Zambrano

Lilly

Dempster

Wells

Silva

Lineup:

Theriot - SS

Fukudome - RF

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Byrd - CF

Soriano - LF

Soto - C

Baker - 2B

Zambrano - P

Bullpen:

Marmol

Gray

Grabow

Marshall

Guzman

Caridad

Samardzija

Bench:

Hill

Hoffpauir

Fontenot

Fuld

WOW, now there is a line-up that will have the opposition shaking in their cleats. Especially the rotation. The Cubs will struggle to win 80 games next year.

Wow we are doing something. This might work out seems like a Cardinal move maybe we will get lucky like them once.