Oops...make that NO sense to me at all!!!

Another report in says the Cubs have interest in Chan Ho Park...I really don't understand this one...Park is not a good BACK of the pen reliever...nor is he really viable as a starter...IMHO.

Anyone out there want to point out the benefit of Park for me...because I don't see it.

I linked to his page on Baseball Reference if you would like to look at his numbers.

Thanks Neil...Ichecked them last week.

I hope Hendry is not panicking...because Park just make sense at all.

You got me there ... I wrote off the rumor on Friday. As I mentioned above, Park would give them a valuable swingman but the Cubs already have two options to fit that role.

By the way...at this point, given a choice between Dye, Gomes and Nady I think I'd just assume take a pass. Knowing Hendry (Byrd is just the most recent example), we'll end up massively overpaying no matter who it is.

We have got to slow our collective roll when it comes to prospects like Castro and Vitters.

Vitters is 20 years old and has yet to see a single pitch at the AA level. Castro is freakin' 19 and has 111 AB's at AA.

It's nice to have some good prospects, but let's not go overboard. Whether we're objective enough to admit to it or not, neither one of these guys is ready to hit big league pitching. On a normal trajectory, neither one of them would see the majors this year. Castro might - and I think that would be a mistake - but Vitters won't, and he shouldn't.

Whatupbr, I completely understand your reasoning re Vitters and Castro.

However, I believe we will see both of them at Wrigley this year...even if it is just for September call-ups for a look-see....if they continue to progress.

They should both probably start at AA

to begin with.

what if vitters makes team can he play anywhere else besides 3rd?

Matt, there are rumors that Vitters may move to first base. He is still at least a year away. I would not look for him to make the team out of spring training.

not even if he makes an impression i know lee is first and aram at 3rd so even if he did make team no where for him to play maybe this is lees last year im assuming then vitters can take over first

Matt, I do not think so. I would look for Vitters to start the year in Double-A.

If he is not playing everyday, all it will do is hurt his development. Vitters needs to be getting four at bats a day and playing in the field as much as possible right now ... not riding the bench next to Lou Piniella.

Aaron...

I dunno about all that. While I do understand the frustration and your need to vent I think you have undersold our offense.

Like I have said all offseason, it is always easy to kick a guy (our offense) when its down... Now im not saying we will average 9 runs a game like it seemed like we did in 2008 but this team, and this offense is much better than it was in 2009.

You dont do what Soto did in his AAA MVP year and his ROY year by fluke.

You dont make like 7 straight allstar games by mistake like Soriano did.

Just as much as guys have career years (DeRosa in 08, Lee in 04,...) guys ALSO have career worst years (Soriano in 09)

Just as much as you most likely dont expect DLee to repeat his 2008 numbers, you cannot expect Soto and Soriano to repeat their 08 numbers. Especially given their injuries.

With that said like I continue to say, career worst years, clubhouse turmoil, ridiculous injuries and we were still in first place in August.

You have had all offseason to vent so enough with that...you gotta start thinking positively for next season because while there are clearly question marks, there are clearly positives as well.

Joel,

I can accept the fact that my comments have been a broken record. What I can't accept is that Hendry subtracted 11 hr, 44 RBI from Fox and 12 hr, 40 RBI from Bradley. While those aren't earth-shattering numbers, he replaced it with Byrd, who was coming off a career year of 20 hr, 89 RBI. SO, you point to that, and you're like, "well, aside from the home runs, it looks like we got better." However, when you factor in that Fox was a bench player, and we're losing a very good bat off the bench, then you realize we haven't done anything to improve offensively.

Yes, I know it's been over-stated by me, but when a lot of rumors keep coming out about the Cubs being interested in pitching, or lesser bats like a Badelli, or re-signing a Reed Johnson, or going after Adam Kennedy. I mean, when you think of all the other options out there, it gets uglier for us, because you realize Hendry won't do the right thing, just as he did NOT last year when he could've had Abreu and Dunn, or even Hudson late in the offseason.

Lopez, Gomes, and Blalock give us out best chance to win, and I'd argue that having Ankiel instead of Byrd, whom Jaramillo personally said he could raise his batting average exponentially if he had a shot with him...it would've been a heckuva lot better than what we have, and we wouldn't have to worry about "being too right-handed"

Which lineup looks better to you?

Fukudome-RF

Theriot-SS

Lee-1B

ARAM-3B

Byrd-CF

Soriano-LF

Fontenot-2B

Soto-C

or...

Lopez-2B

Theriot-SS

Lee-1B

ARAM-3B

Ankiel-CF

Soriano-LF

Fukudome-RF

Soto-C

I don't know about you, but I like the 2nd a whole lot better. I just don't see any way possible Byrd comes close to his 20 hr, 89 RBI next year. Yes, most people thought DeRosa wouldn't replicate his Rangers numbers (although first year, he had 10 hr, 72 RBI vs his 13 hr, 74 RBI with the Rangers), and he wound up getting even better, even without Jaramillo's guidance (more evidence that simply having Jaramillo around doesn't mean you'll do better, as Hendry is hoping for with Soriano, Fontenot, etc.).

I agree that Lee might not be as bad as I make it seem he'll be. BUT.....if you expect 35 hr, 111 RBI, I believe you need to lay off the crack pipe, because it ain't happening. It might be around 25 hr, 85-90 RBI, which means you need to find 10 hr, and about 20 RBI to make up for it (which is possible IF ARAM stays healthy...which is HIGHLY unlikely), and so that'd mean you still need to replace what we lost from 2008, which was DeRosa and Edmonds...and I say that, because that's the numbers we need to ensure playoffs

I will bet you my right arm that Byrd puts up better numbers than Ankiel..or Ankiel will get hurt. just watch.

I still can't figure out what you see in Ankiel. He's a 30 year old washed up pitcher that has accomplished ZERO so far. The guy had 1 good half and than was suspected of taking HGH. Please.

The guy is a dog.

Are you a lefty?lol

Jim Bowden tweeted and is reporting on XM Radio (right now) that negotiations are heating up for Ben Sheets.

His sources are telling him the teams bidding are the Rangers, Mets, Mariners, A's and Cubs.

Stay Tuned ...

Neil, I don't know how you feel about this, but if the Cubs enter a bidding war for Sheets (likely $6 million or more range), it would be the dumbest move Hendry could make. If it's in the $3 million+incentives range, then I'm all for it, but not in the 6+range.

Offense is the key, as we saw last year. Teams that have the ability to hit, can overcome bad pitching. Just ask the Rockies and Phillies. The Cardinals didn't have to worry about it with Carpenter and Wainwright, and Piniero, but they added Lugo, DeRosa, and Holliday, proving that they felt offense is more important than pitching in terms of reaching the playoffs.

Am I wrong? Our offense was the most pitiful group of overpaid idiots I've ever seen step foot on the field last year. Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, and even Lee at times weren't even close to being clutch. It wasn't until Jake Fox came up that our offense even resembled something competitive. All Hendry has done is swapped Bradley for Byrd, and while we saved a good amount when we got Silva in return, essentially the 2 combined are the same as Bradley with Byrd's $3 million, and Byrd, prior to last year was averaging around 9 hr, 50 RBI, which is actually around Bradley's average, even in one of his bad seasons like last year. Sure, Bradley hasn't come close to the 89 RBI Byrd put up, but you simply cannot expect Byrd to produce that. I guess what my point is...we straight up swapped Byrd for Bradley, and got equal return on stats. But if offense was our problem, and we have injury concerns with Lee, ARAM, and Soriano, where in the hell does all the additional offense needed come from?!?

I know you're a Titans fan, so this won't resonate with you as much as the Bears fans on here...but what I believe Hendry thinks is Jaramillo will be a miracle worker with Soriano, Fontenot, Soto, and Fukudome, and that he'll have continued success with Byrd, which is a LOT to expect out of someone. It's very similar to what the Bears expected Marinelli would get out of the likes of Brown, Ogunleye, and Anderson, among others. But if it walks like a duck, flies like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck, right? Fact is, NONE of those guys compared to a Warren Sapp, or a Simeon Rice....Even in their best seasons. So how could they expect more?

Fukudome will be better than.....what exactly?!? he's averaged about 11 hr, 50 RBI in his only 2 MLB seasons.

Soto will be better than....what exactly?!? He had 23 hr, 86 RB in his ROY season and 11 hr, 47 RBI last year with a pitiful .218 avg

Soriano will be better than...what exactly?!?The most he's hit with us was 33 hr, and most RBI was 75...and that's in 3 seasons. And he refuses to use a lighter bat. Think Jaramillo's a psychiatrist too?!? What the hell are they expecting him to do?

Fontenot is nothing more than a 9 hr, 40 RBI part-time player....which is good...provided he sits on the bench.

I don't know...I'm just pissed off with all this talk about getting a reliever, or getting a starter, when our biggest concern should be the offense...BY...FAR!!!!!!!!

Aaron, I do not have a problem with the Cubs adding a quality starter. The rotation concerns me but Sheets at an $8 million base (Bowden reported that number earlier tonight) is a little much.

If Sheets, which is a big if, is healthy he would give them a number one and if Zambrano can pitch to his talent, that is a very good 1-2 punch at the top of the rotation.

Best landing place for Sheets could be the A's. If he is healthy, if the Cubs are in the race in July and if the A's are out of the race (all three huge ifs), Beane and Hendry have a long-history of trading and Sheets could be added then.

I agree that offense is a key but so is defense ... and you know how I am about the defense a player can add.

The Cubs front office painted them into this corner. All of the no-trade clauses and over priced vets have left little (to no) room to make improvements for 2010.

Jaramillo was hired to work miracles in some cases. I cannot argue with you about Soriano. He is what he is ... and getting older. Same with Fukudome, the Cubs (and every team that was bidding for him) missed on how he could produce in the big leagues (or his projections). I agree, he is what he is at this point.

Fukudome should hit at the top of the lineup to max his ability ... which is getting on base.

As for Lee and Ramirez, both are getting older but both are basically on a contract year. That could benefit the Cubs this season.

I still think the Cubs will try to extend Lee's contract for a year or two.

As for Soto and Fontenot, I like the fact Soto dropped all of the weight. That is a positive sign. Last year he looked like the player I saw in Triple-A and in Spring Training, not the ROY. Soto has the ability, he's shown it. But I agree with you about him being part of the "Bounce Back Crew". He has not proven he can produce at the big league level on a consistent basis.

Fontenot lost me last year. I thought he was ready to be an everyday player, but he was not. I know he dealt with playing third (that is a conversation for another day ... poor, poor planning by Hendry) but he did not hit once he moved back to second. He is a 25th man right now that the Cubs have penciled in as their starting second baseman.

Other than Heath Bell, I do not see a difference maker in the list of relievers that continue to make the rounds. Bell is going to cost a lot (Lou's words, not mine) and could mess with Marmol again.

I would rather see the Cubs go with the young arms and see what they have. I like what I have seen from Berg and Gaub's numbers look good. Could they be as effective as Jason Frasor, Luke Gregerson or Kiko Calero?

The fourth outfielder is a must. Soriano will miss time and they need a platoon partner for Fukudome. I like Nady more than Gomes but both would be just fine with me ...

If they sign Jermaine Dye, keeping Sam Fuld on the active roster is a must in my eyes.

While the offense needs to be addressed, there are several holes that need to be filled in order for the Cubs to win the division.

Aaron, Lilly's a question mark coming back from surgery/Harden's gone/

Which Z will show up...and Dempster's a solid 3 at best.

That leaves question marks all over the rotation. How are you going to counter Wainright/Carpenter/Pineiro?

BUT, I agree either low base...insentive laden or forget it....and only with Sheets...because he CAN BE a difference maker. If we Sheets then Gomes at the least price is a no brainer.

Interesting. I see the Mets as the most likely to land Sheets (and the Cubs least likely) of the group. My guess for the second most likely destination is the M's ... King Felix, Cliff Lee and Sheets would make them the favorites to win the AL West.

DYE... END OF STORY

According to Foxsports, Nady is the Cubs Top choice for the 4th outfielder unless Dye comes down on his contract demands...

(not quite sure what that is?).

Quietly, I'm rooting for Nady...IF...and it's a big IF...he's healthy enough to really play.

He's the most complete player of the bunch...when healthy.

However, I think Neil is right re Damon.

Nady, Dye , Damon probably won't sign with anyone else until the Yankee's make their decision on left field.

So we wait, and we wait, and we wait.

That's OK with me...we don't need our players to perform until April.

Not saying I don't want it yesterday...

just saying do it right.

I agree with David F. don't tie us into anything long term.

Something to ponder:

Cauliflower is nothing but Cabbage...

with a college education.- Mark Twain

Suzy, thank you for posting the info. Time was very limited today.

SuzyS,

I just don't get where all this infatuation for Nady comes from. I agree that he's a better option than Baldelli, Dye, and a guy like Randy Winn, but he is NOT better than Gomes. Sure, his defense might be slightly better...slightly (how much can you expect from a guy that just had his 2nd TJ surgery anyway?), but that's beside the point.

The common complaint I hear about Gomes is that he does nothing but strikeout. I wonder why they neglect to look at Nady's awful BB/K ratios. His last healthy season in 2008, in 555 AB's, he had 39 walks vs 103 K's. The season before, he had 431 AB's with 23 walks vs 101 K's.

Does Gomes strikeout a ton too? You bet he does...In 2005, he had 348 AB's with 39 walks vs 113 K's, and the next, he had 385 AB's with 61 walks vs 116 K's, and the next, he had 348 AB's with 35 walks vs 126 K's. But in those 3 years, he had 21 hr, 54 RBI, 20 hr, 59 RBI, and 17 hr, 49 RBI, and last year, in a ridiculously low 281 AB's, he had 20 hr, 51 RBI

Nady and Gomes have similar swing and miss propensities, but Gomes gets more bang for the buck with his hr and RBI production AND is 2 years younger, AND doesn't have the injury history that Nady has.

That's why I prefer Gomes. It's why I preferred Dunn and Abreu over Bradley too, and look where that got us. Sure, Bradley was relatively healthy, but his production was awful. I just think when given the choice, you go with the younger, more powerful player, especially when you need power after subtracting Jake Fox.

If all things remain the same, I think we'll see Fukudome move to CF once they find out Byrd was a fraud. Then, they'll need someone to move to RF as Byrd will be moved to the bench. This is precisely why I believe we need Snyder (who can play all 3 spots) and a guy like Gomes (who can play LF and RF, and hit at least 20 hr in limited playing time).

So healthy (Gomes) vs injured (Nady)

Cheaper (Gomes) vs more expensive (Nady)

More power (Gomes) vs wildly inconsistent power numbers (Nady)

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...which would you choose?

And for the record...regarding the other players, I would just say go with what we have in the pen, as there will be more cuts come spring. And sign Lopez already for 2B. This is getting utterly ridiculous. Look, Theriot isn't going to be at SS much longer, and Fontenot and Baker aren't going to cut it at 2B. If we're already lacking offense, you don't want a Blanco on your roster, instead you want a Lopez, who can play multiple positions, and offer you a decent avg, OBP, and some power, PLUS is a switch hitter. You do NOT want a guy like Hudson that lost his job at the end of last season on a good team, AND would cost more....

I also wouldn't worry about a starter, and instead use that money to sign Blalock, and here's why that won't happen. Some on here might state the obvious---that Blalock wants to start, will cost more, etc....but if you think like that, then you're no better than Hendry. Here's why:

-good GM's show the benefit of signing with their team to prospective free agents. For instance, if I were Hendry, here's the 3 things I'd say to Blalock:

1)Outside of Yankees Stadium, there's no better place to play (and that's only because of their championship history) than at Wrigley Field with the fans, the aura, etc. And even if the Yankees came calling, you're blocked at 3B by AROD and 1B by Teixeira, and neither of them have spent much time on the DL in their careers...which brings me to my next point...

2)Lee (neck) and ARAM (shoulder...and previously, his legs) are a likely injury waiting to happen, which would offer you a significant amount of playing time to build up your value in free agency...which brings me to my next point....

3)There's no better place to sign than with a team that has a hitting coach that knows your swing inside and out

Likely costs are:

Gomes-$1-2 million ($1.275 last year)

Lopez-$2-3 million ($3.5 last year)

Blalock-$2-4 million ($6.2 last year)

*so, even if all 3 get what they made last year or more, which is HIGHLY unlikely, it'd still be just around $11 million, which would be about $2 million over projected budget. If you're Ricketts, how could you possibly turn down an average of 20 hr, 50 RBI, 9 hr, 55 RBI, and 25 hr, 70 RBI? That's 54 hr, 175 RBI combined average...and for a HIGH of $11 million, but a projected amount (by me) of $8.5 million (arbitrarily selecting middle figures).

According to my math, right now, with all that's due the likes of the projected 25 man roster as currently stands, we have $135.775 million committed, and that includes estimated ($3 million to Theriot, $2.5 to Marmol, and $950k to Marshall).

I heard figures at the start of the offseason that said we'd be in the $140-145 million range. If we could get rid of the likes of Fontenot, Hoffpauir, Fuld, etc., we'd shave off a few million, which would put us in the $132 million range. At that point, my proposals become more doable, as you wouldn't need the likes of Blanco, Fontenot, Fuld, or Hoffpauir on the roster with Lopez, Gomes, and Blalock in the fold.

But if $140 million is the absolute ceiling, then it makes the Grabow deal even more damning than it already was. Just think for a minute....Don't you think someone between Marshall, Gaub, Maine, Russell, and Papelbon would've been able to equal...and/or best Grabow's career average of 4+ERA?!? Plus...he has bone chips...LOL...gotta love Hendry. If he hand't signed Grabow, we'd have even more to work with, and we'd still be able to get a Joe Beimel for cheap later on in the offseason if necessary. ...cheaper than Grabow at least.

Anyway, like I said, if we get Gomes, Lopez, and Blalock, or at least 2 of those guys, we become an INSTANT success. I like my chances with the likes of Gorzelanny, Samardzija, Jay Jackson, Cashner, Coleman, Atkins, and Diamond battling for the 4th and 5th spots until Lilly is healthy. Diamond, as has been mentioned frequently on here, appears poised to take over a spot. Additionally, I don't think Jay Jackson has much left to prove in the minors, and Samardzija flat out just needs to put up, or he's done. But it's our offense, just like last season, that will become our undoing, unless we get significant production somewhere.

Some on here might not realize just how much we'll miss Jake Fox, and his 11 hr, 44 RBI in just 216 AB's. Where are we going to find that type of production from next year off the bench? That, my friends, is precisely why we need to go after Lopez, Blalock, and Gomes. We have SERIOUS injury concerns with Soriano, Lee, and ARAM. If Blalock and Gomes play everyday, they might just be able to equal or best the production that Lee and Soriano would've brought.

That's why we need a proactive GM in there that sees things like this. I honestly think Hendry hopes Vitters turns into an all world type of player this spring, so he can justify starting him at AAA or even on our bench. I also think he hopes LaHair, Spencer, and others show up in the spring as well. The problem with all of them, is that they're no sure bet, and we have a very small window to win it all with this group. Either you blow up the team and start over, or you plug holes with proven guys like Lopez, Gomes, and Blalock. I'm tired of the half-assed stuff that Hendry's pulled over the years like the Burnitz signing, the Jones signing, the Floyd signing, the Miles signing, the Gathright signing, etc.

It's about time we get some hitting talent like Blalock and Gomes that are in their prime (late 20's)

Aaron, no infatuations here with ANY of the current FA were talking about.

My qualifier re Nady...IF HEALTHY....and it's really a toss-up in my mind re Gomes

and NADY...but Nady definitely offers better defense IF HEALTHY.

GOMES is an older Jake Fox and I agree we need to replace that pop off the bench. Nady also brings the intangible

of having played in the Bronx...which

means large crowds are not going to bother him.

I've been consistant in my support of the Lopez signing for exactly the reasons

you've outlined...so no questions there.

With the exception that I don't think JH

will do it...or Blalock either.

(We've beat the JH topic to death and I'm well aware of your feelings there...I'm with you.)

I think Byrd will be fine...AS THE FOURTH

outfielder...at least he looks like he'll bust his butt...(big as it is).

IF, IF...Hendry does not move on 2nd base...

I'm not moving Blanco anywhere until I'm convinced Castro/Barney are ready to bring up...He's the best defender we have up the middle...and with the groundball pitchers we have on the staff

(Wells, Dempster, possibly Silva etc)...

that defense will be really important to keep the ERA's down.

I also expect him to be much better with the bat this season...although I do not expect much power from Blanco...he's been consistant all winter and in AAA at around the .300 mark...I think he found his swing...and Rudy can only help.

If we get Gomes/Nady and actually use Snyder...We should be able to add enough pop to replace Fox's power #s.

I expect Snyder to have a breakout season...He'll have to to knock either Fuld/Adduci/Colvin off the 40 man roster.

I believe Fuld is the best lead-off man on the team...with great defense...But he and Adduci are basically the same player.

Unless Guzman is done...skip the RHP

thing...we're fine...especially with all the young arms that are almost ready...

It would have to be a real difference maker for me to make a trade or pick-up there....And I havn't seen one available yet...other than possibly Bell...and his cost would be high in talent returned.

I totally agree about Shark...show up...

or leave....but keep him a starter the entire season...either at AAA or Wrigley....No more pen.

Muskat said one of the reasons Vitters was coming to camp is to see how close he is...so I guess there is an outside chance we'll see him this year.

It's going to be interesting.

On a side note...all of the candidates KO a lot...and so does Snyder...it will be a concern...no matter what...especially if batting next to Soriano in the order....Hopefully Rudy can work some magic here.

I wouldn't be surprised if Sheets played savior. He will wait until July and go to the highest, desperate bidder.

The Cubs need to stop wasting money and taking players off the scrap heap. Either get an impact player like Winn, Dye and Sheets or nothing at all.

Yes I have supported bringing in Gomes and Nady and Calero to name a few but also that would be assuming the money would be there but the money does not appear to be there and these players are fine but not what the Cubs need.

At this point I would prefer for the Cubs to save the money and give some of the younger kids a chance if they cannot afford to get impact players. The money would then be available later on to help tweek the team if the youngsters struggle or someone gets injured.

We should not make a move for the sake of just making a move when it remains to be seen if that move will pay any dividends or not.

Maybe truth or rumor...but would love seeing Crawford in our outfield.

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/149030-why-rays-may-deal-crawford-pena?eref=sihp

I think Crawford has spent the last few years in rumor mills being on the trading block. The Cubs have been also rumored in the past to be interested but with Soriano's log jam in LF and Crawford already costing more than the Cubs can handle at 10 mil it will not happen. I have not been able to verify if he is signed thru 2011 and if that is the case that he is not then he will also costs the Cubs even more money which they do not have and there still remains the Soriano issue.

From what I've read on Crawford the past couple seasons (and trying to read a bit through the lines), here is what I think is going on. Crawford is a free agent after the 2010 season and will be seeking a Holliday type deal (7'ish years at $15 million or so per season). The Rays don't want to give him that type of contract and are hoping he'll give them a hometown discount both in terms of years and dollars per season. If by July, the Rays are out of it and Crawford has not signed an extension satisfactory to the Rays, they will look to move him. Of course, they'd be looking for talent in excess of the 2 high draft picks they'd get if Crawford leaves as a free agent. The Yankees would seem like a great fit for him in a deadline deal.

While many of us disagree on how to the Cubs should handle 2010, I think we all agree that the future is in our youth and not tying ourselves up with long term, big money deals. I don't want the Cubs to deal top prospects for a 1/2 season rental of Crawford nor do I want to see them hand out any more 7 year, $100+ million contracts (unless it's a Pujols or Hanley Ramirez type player).

Hendry needs to add some bench pop. Whether it is Dye or Gomes, it needs to get done quickly. The rest can wait!!!

Wait out Sheets, til his price comes down. Nobody is going to give him the money he is looking for. When he drops his price to the level that multiple teams will be players on him, it will then become his choice as to which situation he is looking for. You have to believe it falls down to that, then the Cubs could actually be in the hunt for his services. He would more than likely want to stay in the NL Central, for familiarity reasons.

Since his own price tag seems high, that means he believes he has the ability to raise the level of a rotation to be serious contenders. He would at that point be looking for a team that he could help lead into contention. The Cubs and Cards make the most sense by that logic. Players like that want to compete against their former teams to prove they made a mistake letting them go. (A recent example Crede signing with the Twins last year.)

The only relief pitcher I would like to see on the Cubs is Bell. As long as it doesn't come at some outrageous expense.

Marshall/Gorzelanny, Fontenot, and some mid level prospect would be ok. Otherwise, give the kids a shot to prove themselves. If Prior, Strasburg, among others can breeze through the system in less than a year - I am sure there are some arms that are less than two years old in the system that could make an impact at the major league level.

Woody 34, I suspect there won't be a lot of "waiting out Sheets." There's too much interest....Although I agree he's asking too much.

I don't think he has animosity towards the Brewers...If he were to resign with

them...it would make them serious contenders.

- With the Cardinals and Dave Duncan...

it would be an awesome rotation.

But the Mets are most likely to overpay.

...and if his price drops like we anticipate...Texas might have the inside

track...with new owners and the only one

that stood with him last year.

AS the Cubs have consistantly downplayed the starting Rotation as a priority...

I no longer expect us to make that signing.

These proceedings have dragged on & on.

Why do we need a reliever when we might need a solid starter. It will be a Ramy injury debacle like last year over again.

Hendry is playing with Marmol's mind again as a closer. He chose Gregg last year because Carlos went to the WBC & it cost us a NL Central title. The baseball mentality to let Gregg go 5 months as a closer was absolutely ridiculous. Can anyone tell me the last positive decision Hendry has made & please don't say trading Bradley. That was a 20 million dollar mistake.

Johnny Gomes is the poor mans Right Handed version of Adam Dunn!! Just say NOOOOOOO!!!!

As for the list of relievers....Heath Bell is BY FAR the best on that list. He was a good set up man for Trevor here in San Diego until finally getting a chance to close last year when Trevor left. Not sure that Heath would want to go back to a set up role though.

As for this arbitration...I've seen this discussion several places and do not understand it.....Ryan Theriot and the Cubs are ONLY $800,000 apart and yet everyone seems to think the Cubs are headed to a hearing with him. I would be shocked if they don't settle at the halfway mark for 3.8 million. Not to mention nobody feels like Carlos Marmol and the Cubs are that far apart...he and the Cubs are only $50,000 less apart than the difference between the Cubs and Theriot.

Joe, great to hear from you.

Thanks Neil....been hectic with the holidays and then Abby's birthday last week....though I havent been posting Ive been popping in to check articles out here or there....

Spring Training is almost here!!!!

Joe, I hope Abby had a great birthday.

Are you going to Spring Training this year?

Considering it..when do you have your trip planned for?

I just want Dye and Sheets. Forget the rest.

id take dye by a longshot and calero as bp