Was that Aaron or Lee Elia?

Milton's Mentor.

Jim, you may be onto something.

The talent was there. It just took a year.

John...That was absolutely great!!!

After that, I guess I can't complain about today...but what were ticket prices back then?

The Cubs were truly a moribund franchise back then.

One more time - before Spring Training starts we should all listen to this. For no other reason than to remind us that things used to be a lot worse.

http://www.speakeasy.org/~bucky/lee_elia_br.mp3

And for a good laugh as well. Some things are classic and never get too old. I'd rather than listen to this than watch game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.

Lee Elia ... and for the record, I am one of the 85%.

Classic!

Thanks for posting!

One of the great rants of all time.

And also for the record - you protest too much.

Protest?

i am an eternal optimist as one would have to be in order to be a life long cubs fan down in tennessee. i have been quietly excited about the upcoming season and i understand that we are needing some of our key guys to have bounce back years, as well as a few different players to perform above their years. i was excited to see so many guys reporting early. with colvin coming in 25lbs of muscle to the good i was pumped. the cherry on top was big z. or fit z, we should call him. i really thought that he has turned the corner. that is before the broken bat. he is an idiot. he may be in shape but he is still on about a 13 year old level. i am done with z. u never know what he is going to do and we are depending on him to be the anchor of our staff. he is such a headcase. i dread every start he makes.....

I'm glad to see LaHair getting a little publicity for his home run prowess. He's 27 this season, and if he has a good spring, it's quite possible he might break camp with us in favor of Hoffpauir. The only problem is, Hoffpauir didn't figure to break camp with the team anyhow. I cannot see the Cubs opening without Hill, Nady, Tracy, and Fontenot on the roster. I'm okay with the first 3, but Fontenot...I simply do not see his value to the team. He's a great bench player, but I always come back to his height, and lack of speed. Blanco is more valuable to me than Fontenot. I also believe there's absolutely no chance we don't bring Tracy with us. If Tracy gets cut, Hendry would only have Byrd and a gimpy Nady to show for his offseason, and He's proven that he'd rather lose early on, trying to prove his moves were good than go with the hot hand out of spring training (a fault that could be shared with Piniella as well).

The thing I like about LaHair is his power, OBP, and versatility (having played LF, RF, and 1B), and his experience at the MLB level with 3 hr, 10 RBI in 136 AB's.

hopefully he makes the team.

I think that many now are starting to agree that Blanco is more valuable that Fotenot. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

As for LaHair if he does not make the team hopefully he can go to Iowa and tear it up down there. Maybe then it might make the Cubs think twice about a big contract extension to DLee.

I think for now Tracy has the inside track but if he struggles and LaHair does well then maybe LaHair sneaks in there. Hoff just seems out of the picture.

I guess we will just have to wait and see.

In a perfect world. Kerry Wood would be the RHP veteran pitcher for the pen...He would have an ERA under 1.00...we'll give him 10 walks...60KO's...15 HBP (The Fear Factor)...and trade Fukodome for him.

Because of the added Karma Kerry brings...

T^he baseball gods smile AND...

Cubs meet Yankee's in the World Series...

and Sweep them 4 games to none.

Fantasy is never allowed in September.

But always allowed in Spring Training.

Roy Hobbs...Where are you?

Amen....JH should have been flogged for letting Kerry go, after all he was the franchise and who cannot love I guy like him you gave you everything. Mark Prior should have been taking notes. To me that was almost as bad as letting Maddux go.

By the way if the Cubs meet the Yankees in the WS they had better win because I have a co-worker that is a Yankees fan and I constantly give him a rash of BS and if the Yankees won I would never hear the end of it.

GO!! CUBS!! GO!!

Speaking of Mark Prior, dreaded Game 6 of the 2003 Marlins series is on ESPN Classic for anyone interested. Top of 2nd right now, Cubs up 1-0. wonder how it will end up? This is a painful game to watch.

I would rather die a 1000 deaths than endure that agony of watching that series again. It was like reliving the 1984 series against the Padres.

I still hate Steve Garvey to this day and now add Ivan Rodriguez to that list.

Walk away from the TV man, just walk away.

I should have know... Aaron's posts are so long (but good), that I sometimes miss some things.

Can't wait for spring training!

Maybe this has already been mentioned in an another thread, but I wonder if Theriot sees this as his last shot at big money. You know, he just won't have as much $ value as a second basemen, as he does as a short stop (meaning, his offense numbers are more valuable at SS then 2B). Thus, I bet he sees his value dropping substantially after this season - and is trying to cash in.

Cookachoo...Aaron mentioned that a few days ago...But you're right though.

But there's a caveat....he can still play short. At age 30, if he maintains his bat...I don't see his value going up

OR down appreciably from the 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 mil range.

Good point Suzy. If Theriot were a FA, what would he get. Felipe Lopez can't seem to get a multi-year, $3-5 million/year contract.



SS contracts this year

Orlando Cabrera 1 year $3.02

Bobby Crosby 1 year $1.00

Adam Everett 1 year $1.55

Alex Gonzalez 1 year $2.75

Khalil Greene 1 year $0.75

John McDonald 2 years$1.50/avg

Omar Vizquel 1 year $1.375

Second Base

Jamey Carroll 2 years $1.925/avg

Craig Counsell 1 year $2.10

Orlando Hudson 1 year $5.00

Kelly Johnson 1 year $2.35

Adam Kennedy 1 year $1.25

Placido Planco 3 years $6.00/avg

Marcus Scutaro 2 years $6.25/avg

Of all of these guys the only ones above $3 million are Planco, Scutaro, Hudson, O Cabrera. Theriot may make out better in arbitration than he would on the FA market, as only 4 guys on this list received even more than 1 year. One other note was that the bigger dollars and more years came from second baseman not the shortstops.

One note, Scutaro is listed under 2B on the ESPN's FA tracker and I left him there instead of moving him to SS.

Just two thoughts on this love-bird day:

1. I've read a number of time now that Castro will let the team know when he's ready and I just keep thinking: WHA? Hendry et al is gonna let the 19-20 year old decide when he's ready to play for the MLB team? Come on! Why even say that?

2. Great hear the reports to back up all the talk about the "new improved, focused, ready to win 20 games" Zambrano breaking bats over his knee already...sigh...I will always root for him, but never put hope or stock in him. He's a child and will always be.

JC, they are not saying Castro will have a meeting with the Cubs' brass and tell them, "Okay, I am ready for the big leagues now ... send me up."

They are saying his play on the field will let them know when he is ready.

That is a relief (not my reading comprehension), I clearly need to take my critcal skeptism down a notch.

Thanks for clarifying, Neil!

The only way that Girardi would leave NY is if the Yankees failed to make the playoffs this year and that just won't happen.

As much as it isn't his fault as it is Hendry's, Lou will be gone after this year.

Put me third on the list that thinks this should absolutely be Lou's managerial swan song.

I think it would be a huge blunder if Sandberg is not the manager next year...providing he continues to progress. Managing at AAA has it's own peculiar headaches with a constantly changing roster for call ups and demotions.

As far as Girardi goes...it's a longshot.

The Yankees won't let him go easily.

In some ways...Lou is just out of touch...evidenced by his statement that the Cubs fans would forgive the Cardinals hitting coach and go easy on him. (I won't name the PED disgraced man.) He stole millions from us and perpetuated a major fraud on the American people along wirh his cohort Slamming Sammy in '98.

It was a great show...but should have been held in the WWF.

Sorry for the digression...but as Lou would say: "What can I do? I really don't know."...I really don't." :)

i'm not sure if uncle lou is out of touch......i do know he has won 2 divisions and 3 yrs of above .500 ball........1st time in 40 yrs.

i do know that "out of touch"......a great song from hall & oates......ur comment is on WWF..........it would now be the WWE.

gotcha!

Strange...that Lou won with the highest payrolls in club history...EVER....and still could not manage to win a single

playoff game. (Even Dusty did that)

A manager's job is to guide the team to success...even when the chips are down.

In my lifetime, I've never heard a skipper publicly declare he did not know what to do...never....ever.

With the exception of "Sweet Lou" last summer.

That being said...I really DO like Lou Pinella...and want him to be hugely

successful this season.

I just fear his time is past.

Yep,you got me...since I never cared for,

or paid any attention to Pro Wrestling.

These youngsters have no chance of playing while Lou is managing.

The message to guys like Castro, LaHair, Snyder, Fuld and Colvin (among others) should be "come compete for realistic jobs on the roster". I really hate when Lou makes premature comments in the press regarding the fate of guys like Castro without even giving him (them) a real opportunity to compete in ST.

I still believe this team needs to get younger, more athletic, and possess a lot more speed. If we have all this aging veteran presence (which I'm not keen on), then what an opportunity to give Castro the SS job, move Theriot over to 2B, and make some decisions on guys like Fontenot.

Candidly, while we watch the 2010 campaign unfold, I think one of the key organizational things to watch will be the handling of Pinella. If an extension takes place (with guys like Girardi and Sandberg as potential huge upgrades), then we're sunk with the future direction taken. I'm sorry, but I can't take another year of an absentee, senile manager at the helm, regardless of how Hendry continues to tout him.

Let the fun and "competition" begin this week.

I agree with you Bryan. I am actually hoping the Cubs will not give Lou an extension because I just do not feel the Cubs organization can go forward with him.

The Cubs have too many young players ready to make the move next year and I think keeping Lou at the helm will impede them. That will create a log jam and Lou is not patient enough to deal with their mistakes though I like the fact he brings a lot of fire and desire to win.

I do not think the management should start now reference to looking to next year but I would probably be disappointed if Sandberg is not the Cubs manager next year.

I agree with watching another year of the absentee, senile manager, can't take it again. This is Lou's last year. JH brough Sandberg in to work his way up through the system, managing. If he didn't work out, they would of left him, in Peoria. By moving him up, it shows that the plan is for Ryno to take over for Lou. They can't come out and say - Lou this is it, and Sandberg is replacing you next year. They want Sandberg to keep working with the young guys in AAA. Ricketts did say they wanted to build a system, what better way than to have your big league manager, the guy who went through all the levels.

I also think, Lou knows this, even if they haven't told him. He will be playing to win this year. If a player can't be helpful this season (at any point), they should stay with Sandberg in AAA.

As far as the bench goes -

Hill, Blanco, Nady, Tracy

With the 2B platoon Fontenot/Baker is what I think it will end up being, but I would like to see Fontenot replaced with a middle infielder/OF player with speed, preferably a LH or Switch hitter.

If Theriot losed Arb and they cut Fontenot, they might be able to sign Felipe Lopez for the $1.8 million for 1 year now that he has a new agent, and not many options.

I agree that the roster of position players has been decided. Pitching is much less decided.

Here's what I'm seeing:

Soto

Lee

Theriot

Blanco

Ramirez

Soriano

Byrd

Fukudome

Hill

Baker

Nady

Tracy

Fuld

(Fontenot, Millar, or "other" is a long shot)

*I believe that only an injury will alter this outcome. Do't be surprised if Theriot begins the season at 2B - even if Castro does not make the team out of ST. That last spot could be a surprise, but not likely. My money is on Fuld for the last spot, because Nady won't be able to play the field immediately, but his bat will be desired for Pinch hit duty to start the season.

I think if things go ideally then YES I would agree with you that Blanco starts. The starting 8 you show would be better defensively, especially up the middle but a lot still depends on what the Cubs want to do at both 2B and SS. I outlined a whole array of options a few days ago and one of them was what you just put that included Blanco starting and Fotenot getting traded.

The question still remains as to what the Cubs will decide on Fotenot?

Can Blanco hit?

Do the Cubs feel that a platoon of Baker/Fotenot is better than moving Theriot to 2B and starting Blanco at SS?

Is Castro going to start at AAA or at SS at Wrigley?

I agree that ST will tell us a lot!!!

Steven P I pretty much agree...Fuld was our best lead off hitter last year....in a very small sample...and Lou does like the speed and defense he brings.

Another option people havn't talked too much about is letting Nady start out on the 15 day DL to strengthen his arm

more out of the cold weather...that would open up an initial spot foroneofthe youngsters to show case themselves....It all depends on where Nady is.

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!!

Barring any sudden changes or herculian player performances I think Lou and JH have made up their minds on the team minus a spot or two in the pen and on the bench and who will be the number five starter.

1. All indications point to Castro starting at Iowa with both Blanco and Fotenot making the team barring a melt down. I agree with Susy S that Castro should start at Iowa and get at least a few at bats before being brought up. I also do not see the Cubs releasing Fotenot though he could still be trade bait for the bullpen.

2. If Castro is sent down then Tracy more than likely makes the team with Baker and Fotenot platooning at 2B. I like him as a backup up at 3B over Baker. The Cubs had a short circuit of power when ARAM got hurt last year and Tracy has more power potential than Baker and plus can back up DLee at 1B.

3. Interesting that everyone is now talking about LaHair and Hoff is being forgotten. Not a good omen for Hoff. I agree that either Hoff or LaHair will be the starting 1B at Iowa this year. I do not see either being on the team come opening day.

4. Agree Colvin is now starting to sweat it a little after watching what happened to Pie and Patterson and seeing his stock fall. Snyder, Jackson and Adduci and now passing him up in the OF and so he is out to prove something. I see him as a starting OF at Iowa and could be in position to compete for RF next year when the Cubs get rid of Fukudome.

5. We need to keep Guzman and quit pursuing another RH reliever unless Guzman gets hurt. The Cubs may make a trade though if Castro WOWs!! people during ST so that the log jam in the infield is opened up and both Blanco and Tracy can make the team.

6. Fuld is a question mark but obviously still in the picture. If I remember from earlier postings Fuld still has options so that could be the best for him.

7. One thing that I would look at is the Cubs using Nady as a trading chip later on in the season. If Nady proves healthy and is hitting well the Cubs might use him to get some more pitching. This would assume that Soriano, Fukudome and Byrd are productive in the OF.

8. The bench still looks like this. Hill, Blanco, Fotenot, Nady and Tracy. This gives the Cubs balance and flexibility and some pop off the bench. Still no speed but Fuld maybe added if the Cubs decide to go with less pitchers during the first few weeks of the season.

9. Fukudome does not get traded just Soriano will not. There are no teams in my opinion that could afford to take on either salary even at the mid point of the season.

10. Millar only makes the team if Nady proves he cannot play and the Cubs decide that Fuld will be in Iowa. Tracy will definitely make it before Millar. Millar is a remote shot and will likely get released.

11. The battle for the few spots during ST should be a tough one and it will be interesting as to what the Cubs will look like come opening day.

Happy VD Day all!!!

Just what we need, Z breaking a bat over his knee. ST hasn't even started...I've seen nothing...and already Z is scaring me.

Woody,

Fukodome is owed 26 million over

2 years. There's an outside chance they might be able to move him by the trade deadline...but not now when teams are all

scraping for a million here and there.

Silva's outcome will also affect Fukodome's outcome...the Cubs can

only "eat" so much salary.....

Prepare yourself for the "whirlybird".

I agree about Colvin...it's an important year for his career. He HAS to impress

or fall by the wayside.

I'd feel better about seeing Castro in Des Moines this summer than at Wrigley.

With only 111 ab's at AA under his belt...it's just not enough to prepare him for facing the likes of Carpenter and

Wainright.

All winter...I thought Fontenot would be traded...but hearing JH talk about him

the other day...I'm just not sure what they'll do.

ST is going to be fascinating.

It would figure that Jim Hendry is a Colts fan. So he was probably rooting for the Colts when our hometown team, the Bears, played them in the Super Bowl.

I read last year before the season that Bryan LaHair was going to be the Mariners opening day first baseman before they decided to give the guy who had paid his dues in Seattle (Russell Branyan)the starting nod. I think with management going to be trying out Baker in the outfield this spring, along with Blanco's versatility our bench could be Hill, Blanco, LaHair, Tracy, and Nady. I know they say Fontenot will get one of the bench spots, but maybe Blanco will prove this spring he deserves that spot.

The two best moves Hendry could make the remainder of the spring is

1. Trade Fontenot!! This gives Blanco almost a guaranteed roster spot, unless Castro makes the team out of ST. Castro would then take over SS, shifting Theriot to 2B. Theriot plays everyday! You only need one utility middle infielder at that point, going to Baker, who can fill in at 3B, 2B, 1B, and possibly the OF. LaHair, Tracy, and Hoffpauir then compete for 2 bench spots. Tracy the more versatile will probably take one of them.

2. Trade Fukudome! This would be huge (not as huge as unloading Soriano would be) but this gives Brad Snyder a decent chance to make the roster. Snyder could back up at any of the three positions. With LaHair, possibly Baker, Hoffpauir, Blanco, and Tracys' abilities to play OF as the "5th OF", we would have a real shot of some of the kids to actually make the roster. I betcha the Yankees might give us a 3B prospect like Bradley Suttle in exchange for Fukudome and 1 1/2 years of his money. It would free up half of next years salary.

Tyler Colvin might have something to prove this year. That is why he is getting in great shape and added some bulk to help his power. His name keeps getting passed over by other prospects and feels like he is being slighted. Those guys are great for one year. After they tasted the success the first year, they get lazy now that they have done it. Like Soto last year. The ones who don't get lazy and just crave success are your Albert Pujols type players.

Players, coaches, management, etc, come from all over and their favorite teams don't change just because of who they work for at the time and there is nothing wrong with that.

Roster spots

Lou has already stated Blanco will be on the team, if he can handle OF duties, his versatility will be huge. I still would love to see if him get 4-5 starts at SS.

Fontenot is the obvious trade piece since he can only play 2B. I would cut him even if they can't trade him, unless he starts hitting bombs like LaHair. If he was RH, he would already be cut.

I believe LaHair would replace Tracy as Baker can play 3B. If Lahair has any potential to be a starter, I would see him starting at AAA, to see if he can replace Lee, if they decide to let him go after this year.

Fukudome will be offered in trades all the way until his contract runs out. I don't see any takers until maybe mid-season or the off-season, if the Cubs eat a large portion of the contract. My view on this has always been, if you can replace the production for a young player (cheap) and you can save any $$'s than do it. If Snyder, Colvin, etc can replace Fukudome, and they can save even a few million each year do it. The money is already spent and no one will take the whole contract. But can those guys really replace Fukudome's OBP, that fits nicely in the 1-2 hole and can they play D as good.