All-Purpose Winter Meetings Post, Day 1
by Al Yellon on Dec 7, 2009 7:00 AM CST
in News
797 comments
Major league general managers, player agents, media and assorted hangers-on have all arrived in Indianapolis to spend the next four days in climate-controlled comfort and hash out trades and free-agent signings. We'll also see the Rule 5 draft on Thursday, before everyone heads home.
Use this post for discussion of Winter Meetings topics all day today -- please don't post a large number of FanPosts or FanShots on this topic, unless there's a link from some other source that is truly important and should stand out from the rest.
If the Cubs make a trade or signing, I'll put a new front-page post up as soon as possible.
Let the dealing begin!
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Marc Topkin on potential of The Trade with Rays
Sir Linkalot
…If the finances are workable — and thus far they are not, with some reports that the Cubs are willing to put in only $5 million or so — then the Rays have to decide if they are willing to take on the 31-year-old switch-hitter who has caused controversy on and off the field at times but produced impressively when happy and healthy: a career .277 average, .371 on-base percentage and .821 OPS…
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Upps - I oversaw the no fanshot request - sorry
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
I thought you meant no "fanshot" like comments here.
I should not think so much… ;-)
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
A Modest Proposal for Bradley's trade (a tranquil reduction of tirades)
Just calculate the cost of home season tickets for right field seats, and buy these as part of the deal (at cost of course).
Then guarantee not to sell these – leaving these seats empty for a "Friendly Confines" environment suited to "ease his pain!"
Road games might require some platooning, mental health days off, and electronic "white noise" ear phones to block heathen fans from their unruly taunts and remarks aimed at upsetting Milton’s pursuit of happiness.
A second option might be needed to add permanently smiling, cheering cardboard fans in those home seats and supply umbrellas (when necessary) if the trade goes to KC.
All bets are off for this deal if the Mets are involved – even cardboard Mets fans have permanent scowls, with an infinite flow of sewer-mouthed obscenities to hurl.
Somehow I don’t envision a "GameBoy-O-Meter" surfacing in the Big Apple – unless the measurement is altercations with fans!
"If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do " -anonymous Cub fan
by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on Dec 8, 2009 3:03 AM CST up reply actions
Edit for Modest Proposal
Sorry – forgot the first sentence:
Not sure that this would work anywhere except Tampa and KC, but the Cubs should guarantee this trade by "sweetening the pot".
"If they won a world championship, sure, we'd be proud. But we couldn't love them any more than we already do " -anonymous Cub fan
by hellfreezesoverwaittillnextyear on Dec 8, 2009 3:10 AM CST up reply actions
Wittenmyer says it’s likely going to be Tampa Bay, and because Joe Maddon thinks Bradley is a “fit”:
At least one manager who has never worked with Milton Bradley feels the me-first outfielder is a ’’fit’’ for his ballclub.
And Joe Maddon’s first impressions of Bradley when the two had lunch together last offseason are a big part of what makes his Tampa Bay Rays the front-runner to acquire Bradley this offseason — maybe during the winter meetings that begin this week.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wow
Then Joe Maddon isn’t as smart as he thinks he is.
"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008
He thinks too much...
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Or he's a very smart baseball man...
Tampa/St. Pete is a very chill environment. I’m told the clubhouse is fairly laid back, and if Maddon thinks that he’s on the same wavelength with Milton, who am I to argue? Tampa is a really good spot for Milton, and always has been. It’s just the notion of taking back the Mayor of Center City that makes me a little ill.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 8:33 AM CST up reply actions
We don't really have much of a choice here, do we?
Obviously, in a perfect world you wouldn’t take ANY of the proposed deals for MB. But this isn’t a situation where the Cubs have a lot of pull.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Perhaps...
Although while the Rays may be the most willing trade partner, Burrell is probably the least useful mentioned part. I’m crossing fingers that either Minaya wises up, and gets in on this deal as rumored, or the Rangers are rebuffed enough at the meetings by FAs to suck it up, and take Milton back.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 8:47 AM CST up reply actions
About Burrell...
… he may appear useless. But maybe he could play the Daryle Ward (from 2007, not 2008) bench role, or maybe he has a good spring training and someone trades for him then.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Useless,
No. Just pointless. I’m sure that the Cubs could carry him as a decent 4th outfielder, and he’ll give you something off the bench. You know, assuming that he isn’t still showing up at the park drunk.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 8:56 AM CST up reply actions
In a vacuum, pointless, right.
If the Cubs didn’t have Milton Bradley, obviously we wouldn’t be discussing Burrell.
Got any evidence to back up your claim that he shows up at the park drunk?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Personality
I have seen varying reports on Burrell’s character. He was a fan and clubhouse favorite in Philadelphia. But I have seen other reports that his personality is a reason that the Mets aren’t interested in him.
There was a reported conflict with Billy Wagner – but based on the fact that he had the support of most of his teammates, it seems that might be more an indictment of Wagner.
Eamus Ursuli!
You can ask just about any member of the Philly press...
and maybe one or two in Tampa, and they’ll tell you off the record. Or you can ask any serious Philly fan. Or hell, just go look up some of the comments that Mike Schmidt has made about his partying. It’s nice that it’s been curtailed since he got married, but Chicago may be the wrong place for Pat’s…lifestyle.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions
Tough Balance
This is a very uninformed opinion – but – it seems like Burrell might be more in the Mark Grace mode of “party-animal” than say the Kyle Farnsworth mode.
Plenty of players have had active night lives and had excellent Cub careers.
Eamus Ursuli!
Hard to say...
I haven’t followed Tampa that closely since he signed with them. I was getting some good rumors and scouting from a big group of fans down there during the WS run, but that excitement has sort of died out. But I’ve heard enough. Nice guy, bad fielder, hits good, not-so-good teammate. That’s been the Burrell report for years.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 9:27 AM CST up reply actions
Some Links
The bad news stories:
Rollins Comments – perhaps more hype and positive comments on Rollins new teammate, particularly considering the Man/Machine t-shirt below.
Crawford tiff – who knows
The Billy Wagner relationship – This seems to be a Wagner vs. the Phillies thing with Burrell as a leader. Perhaps not dissimilar to the Sosa v. Wood/Grace crew.
On the Flip Side:
Welcome to Tampa – good general feel good story from a year ago.
Man or Machine – kinda creepy, but reminds me of something Lilly would do.
Ryan Howards good-bye post – Elvis is Burrell’s dog.
All in all, it seems like Burrell would be a good teammate and clubhouse presence. Would he have an edge? absolutely, but it seems more like the Lilly type persona than the Bradley-type
Eamus Ursuli!
Burrell is just a year removed from a very good season.
In fact, from 2005-2008 he posted OPS’s in the high .800s or above every year. Don’t let the low batting average fool you, he has patience and power. Even last year in a horrible down year Burrell walked in 11.9% of plate appearances. I like his chances to bounce back, though I’m not crazy about his defense. At worst he ought to be a useful part.
He can also platoon with Fukudome.
He’s not a great fielder, but he’s not Adam Dunn, either.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah -
I’ve been surprised that the general assumption here is that Bradley will be toxic wherever he goes, despite the fact he hasn’t been toxic in every other clubhouse – at least not to the extreme extent that he has here.
Is he traded yet?
by DGU on Dec 7, 2009 8:57 AM CST up reply actions
he's been toxic in MOST of the clubhouses ...
San Diego, Cleveland, LA. I don’t remember if he had problems in Oakland …
well Gee, if he's only been "kindof" toxic....
Still not sure why you would be surprised that people expect Milton to continue being Milton
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Because he never brought down a clubhouse.
What do you expect all talented ball-players making millions of dollars to be saints?
Is he traded yet?
I think the point is more that...
he’s an extremely talented ballplayer. In the right environment, he’ll be a great person to have on your team. In the wrong environment (Wrigley/Chicago) he’s a horrible choice.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
apparently he's been in the wrong environment ALOT
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
I'd say that even though he's had problems elsewhere...
he’s been a net benefit to his teams most of his time in the league.
2009 was his worst year in almost every way. Our perceptions of the guy are slanted by that.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions
he has had PLENTY of seasons very close to those numbers
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
that's not even close to the point.
You say you’re surprised people expect Bradley to be toxic in his next clubhouse. He’s been toxic almost everywhere he’s been. To this extent, no, but he’s been toxic almost every damn place he’s played.
Being “surprised” that Bradley is going to be toxic at his next stop is the kind of ‘thinking’ by Hendry is what got us in this mess in the first place
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Milton has been toxic to the press
to fans and to management but I don’t think he is toxic in the clubhouse the way most people think of that. He is a difficult & angry guy who it appears mostly keeps to himself. We have plenty of quotes from Cub players after he was suspended showing their annoyance/frustration with him but nearly all of that was directed as him comments about playing in Chicago, the fans etc. I have certainly never heard anything from a player on any of his previous teams attacking him and players have been known to do this when someone leaves. Milton has a whole lot of issues but I don’t think being the alleged “clubhouse cancer” is one of them.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:18 PM CST up reply actions
Jessica...
… with all due respect, you’re wrong.
I have never, EVER heard players say in public about a teammate, the things Cubs players said about Bradley. They were trying to be nice, but to a man, all of them said he isolated himself despite their offers of friendship, and felt he didn’t take advantage of the great things Chicago and the Cubs can offer.
Frankly, he’s the very definition of “clubhouse cancer”. Get him out of here.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think you're both right.
Milton hasn’t been a clubhouse cancer in the past, but things got worse in Chicago this year and Milton failed to deal with his relationship with the press and coaches – it spilled out into the rest of the clubhouse.
Is he traded yet?
nah
I’m not trying to start a debate. I was kind of blown away by Jake’s comments.
So did
Lee, Riot, Soriano, Zambrano, etc.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 12:44 PM CST up reply actions
Not after he was suspended, they didn't.
Your continued defense of Bradley, to me, I simply do not understand.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
perhaps that's only because
he was asked recently.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
I doubt Jake Fox
is tops on people’s lists to interview. Perhaps they only got around to him just now.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:51 PM CST up reply actions
What on earth would make them change their minds since September?
Holiday spirit? Stimulus package? El nino?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
hey
people are asking why Jake Fox is saying nice things now. I think he’s saying nice things now because he’s being asked now.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
But you're also implying that others may have changed their minds
When you say that he’s the only one that was asked recently.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
I don't mean to.
We already know that Bobby Scales says Bradley’s the best teammate he ever had.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:04 PM CST up reply actions
And you do realize he got interviewed because he was traded, right?
Right?
Or, do you think that there’s some kind of queue, and Bobby Scales will be holding a presser next week?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:59 PM CST up reply actions
come on now, Shanghai
we all know that Scales was interviewed before Fox all the time last September. And before Fuld and Colvin as well.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Not only that, but there was that game in April where the whole bench was interviewed in the first 9 innings.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
We're kidding, Jessica!
Right, Em? ;-)
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
agreed - all in good fun
But I gotta tell Shanghai, as soon as I saw your 9 inning post I was thinking “oh man, we are in so much trouble – she’s gonna kick the crap out of us…” ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Only you Ballhawk
cause I know where you “live”. Not going THAT far after Emelie.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 4:50 PM CST up reply actions
I get to pet the dog right ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I could be in trouble at "Meet Cubs Management"
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 11:32 PM CST up reply actions
obviously Jake Fox and the interviewer cared, or it wouldn’t have been brought up.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
how pleasant of you.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:04 PM CST up reply actions
There's no need to get personal
I think Drew’s way off base on this, but he’s entitled to his opinion.
Sorry for being moderator wanna be, but he’s getting it from all sides (including me) and it’s not right to attack the person instead of the opinion.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:04 PM CST up reply actions
I can't wait for 4 pm.
I’m going straight to the McRIBB line.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Order mine without pickles
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions
I simply think it’s ridiculous to give him away for a bad contract when he could be productive.
And I still think it’s possible he’s a Cub in 2010. The Royals would be crazy to trade Meche for Bradley straight up, and there’s no way in heck I’d give up any prospects as part of the deal.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Hypothetical, how would you feel type question...
Say you work with someone who some people find funny, but a majority of people do not like because of their sour attitude, how they alienate others and their families, etc. They also consistently do not perform to their expectations, even though every now and then they have some flashes of brilliance.
Keeping this person means that the majority of your co-workers feel uncomfortable, confused, frustrated, upset, etc. The rest are indifferent to the person in question and couldn’t care less. Getting rid of them and replacing them with someone who, at the very least, could bring a positive presence to the work place, would make the majority of your workers happier and produce more, while those who don’t care still wouldn’t care.
Given all of that, and the overall feel of your workplace, would you rather keep that person around, or keep holding out hope that they’ll be visited by 3 ghosts and change for the better? I know I’d much rather work with more positive people, than negative people.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
Agree completely...
…as long as you (or the boss/owner) feels that it’s worth a hefty severance package to get rid of him.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
To the majority of people already getting paid
They wouldn’t care as long as they continue to get paid, which they would there, or anywhere else.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:02 PM CST up reply actions
Except
that Bradley spent the entire season improving from a bad start, and his history shows him to be a better ball player than what 2009 displayed. Odds are, he’ll play better in 2010.
So your analogy doesn’t work anyway.
It doesn’t matter. I recognize that nearly everyone wants him traded. Hell, I want him traded for his own sake. But I think that it hurts the Cubs.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
irrelevant.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions
his performance off the field
is irrelevant to the fact that his performance on the field consistently improved from what we all know was a bad start.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
In his last 15 games Bradley finished 10-55 (.182) with one HR and 4 RBI in that span.
This was before the suspension finished his season. So he was not helping the team anyways. He also struck out 15 times. For a guy who supposedly has a great batting eye, thats pretty bad.
Is this part of his continued improvement, Drew?
obviously, something went wrong at the very end.
I’m done with this. You’re perfectly willing to ignore facts and logic to waste $20mill of Ricketts’ money.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
No offense
but there hasn’t been any point in continuing on with whatever it is you’ve been doing for the last three hours. I think you can probably stop…
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:33 PM CST up reply actions
Just enjoying knocking him off his high horse.
He gets very high and mighty when he has more supporters. He’s taken enough of a beating for today, I guess.
That isn't exactly, um...
nice? I understand what you’re saying, but, uh, yeah, I guess it isn’t something I would do.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:45 PM CST up reply actions
Pretty pompus there, dude.
Might want to chill on that. This is the internet, where pissing contests have the tendency to turn your pissing parts sore.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
lol
you’re really on a roll, but it’s all downhill.
However, I’ll give you this opportunity to retire from the field and declare victory, if you wish.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions
However, I’ll give you this opportunity to retire from the field and declare victory, if you wish.
That’s pretty funny.
The point is you enjoy doing your own attacks when you have support.
But you sure can’t take it.
I didn't ask for any of that
I wanted your thoughts on the matter if you were in that type of situation. Since you declined, I won’t press the matter. That said, what does it matter when, chances are, the team as a whole will come out even, or ahead, when/if MB is dealt? I highly doubt MB is going to be traded for a corpse, or a bag of balls, so his production, participation, and presence are all easily replaced. Given that likely outcome, I can’t understand, mainly because you never give a specific reason why, dealing MB hurts the Cubs.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:14 PM CST up reply actions
I'm not asking him to.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:17 PM CST up reply actions
funny
coming from a guy who thinks that Jake Fox is the next Mickey Mantle.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
for absolutely
no good reason.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
and no long-term track record.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Bradley's long term record is really good
Full of fights, injuries, suspensions, blowups.
Just the kind of guy you want in the clubhouse.
no
A 10 season career with a 115 OPS+, .450 SLG, and an All-Star berth.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions
how many times was Bradley on the DL
in 2009?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
he's dug in
No real point in arguing with him.
How many times did he miss a week with "soreness"
Things Lee would play with……
He is a big lazy baby.
Stick with him, though!
lol
it would be amusing for you to say these things to his face.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
"Mr. Drewid, there's a Mr. Marquis on line one"
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
yes, and?
I used to really not like him. I admit it. In fact, I admitted that I was too hard on him the last time you brought this up.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
Well, I think you take some of this too personally.
Unless you actually know the players.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
I doubt that.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
That's actually well played.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions
uh-huh.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:18 PM CST up reply actions
Milton Bradley seasons with 100 games played: 4 – with OPS+ of 100 or better: 6 – with 100 games AND 100 OPS+: 3
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:09 PM CST up reply actions
but hey
blow the $20mil.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions
SEASONS ALIENATED FANS/TEAMMATES
EVERY
SINGLE
ONE
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
by dtpollitt on Dec 7, 2009 2:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
teh best stat evar
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 2:12 PM CST up reply actions
That last one doesn't really help your case
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:57 PM CST up reply actions
And, I'm sure it's not even blind devotion
Only he can say though. Whatever, my last thoughts on him, until he’s dealt, are this:
As supporters of this team, we can’t focus on so many other things that we want to be changed, and completely ignore this one player, or not ignore him and want to keep him, when he has nearly alienated and frustrated the majority of a fanbase. Dealing MB for anyone who puts up the same numbers he did last year, but at least does it with a smile instead of a sneer, is an improvement. For everyone. Fans, players, and coaches. It is an Imitrex for the nearly year long migraine we’ve experienced. Even though at times the pain subsides, the ailment is still there, and needs to be improved to function well. It’s mind boggling to see the support for MB, when the obvious outcome is beneficial. Citing money concerns is what is irrelevant. If you have a problem, you do what you can to take care of it. It’s the same issue with the Bears and Lovie Smith. You can’t let money hold you back from doing what is going to help the team. Even the smallest thing you ccan do to help improve things is better than hoping a persistant problem just goes away. That’s all I have.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
the whole point of getting rid of Bradley is that it WOULD boost the whole team. Some people continue to miss that point.
It does not matter what he hits.
you've got
no proof this would be the case.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
no
I don’t. But I’m also not trying to blow $20mill by kicking a guy off the team.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
Getting rid of Bradley would boost the whole team? The whole team performed bad because of Bradley?
Hyperbole much?
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
if I were in that type of situation
I want the employees — all of them — to do their job.
dealing MB hurts the cubs because it can’t appear to be done without either paying a bunch of his salary anyway, or taking on an albatross of a contract.
Besides, the KC rumor is officially squashed anyway. I still say there’s a 50% chance he’s a Cub in Spring Training.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe it's difficult...
… for others to do their jobs under those circumstances.
There is a ZERO percent chance Bradley goes to ST with the Cubs.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
you keep saying that
and yet, the trade rumors keep getting shot down.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions
So?
Just because rumors get shot down, doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
doesn't mean it will, either.
you’re the one who is assured of something happening.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
The only way that could be true (ZERO chance) is if...
… the Cubs have already decided to release Bradley if a trade doesn’t happen.
Is that what you’re saying? And are you comfortable with that? (for the record, I am).
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Wow, really?
I draw the line before that. I think that would be a disaster. I think if that happens, someone that we really don’t like — the Sox or the Cards, say — picks him up and uses him to rub our noses in it.
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra
well, unfortunately, that's the reality of it.
Even if MB had a personal epiphany; Even if Jim had an extensive heart-to-heart session with MB; Even if there was a similar feel-good session with Lou; Even if there was big pow-pow with the rest of the team before spring training and everyone was cool with MB coming back – and it was genuine regret from MB and genuine forgiveness from the team.
Even then, it wouldn’t work because the Cubs can’t control the media and they can’t control the fans. And while it’s human nature to forgive, it’s also human nature to be a lot of other things, many of which are mean-spirited, detrimental, and just not good.
There’s just no way that all the media and all the fans let this go, turn the page and start fresh. I think we all know enough about the Chicago media to know there are more than a few that wouldn’t be able to do that. As for the fans, I mean, c’mon – just look at what it’s like here on BCB…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
by ballhawk on Dec 7, 2009 4:08 PM CST up reply actions 4 recs
Actually Craig more like this
You have an employee who is more or less an angry loner. He is tolerated by his co-workers and even friends with some of them. Basically they leave him alone and he leaves them alone. His work is erratic, sometimes great, often below par but he had success at his previous company and some before that. The real problem is he does not get along with his boss and the customers. His direct dealing with customers only effects the sales in terms of his actual performance so while it may not be great for the company image his real issues are his performance and his relationship with his boss. You would like to let him go but he has a long term contract and it is going to cost a great deal of money to fire him and the cost of replacing him will cost more still. Another company has offered to exchange their own problem worker who gets along great with his co-workers but is frankly in serious decline , costs more money and does not fill the job that would be left by the first guy. There are some other companies who would gladly take a risk on the angry loner but they want you to pay for nearly all of his contract. Also of note loner has had health issues and wants to leave as much as management wants him gone but wants all the money due him as well.
Now you get to figure how much it is worth to keep or let go of Mr. Loner.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 5:06 PM CST up reply actions
How bout Media Relations ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 6:11 PM CST up reply actions
Suppose
that the unnamed person was retained and performed to the 08 level. Sure he was distant but he didn’t attack anyone’s children and he didn’t cause any divorces among his fellow workers.
Bradley was not the reason we were terrible last year although his performance was not what we expected. But there were any number of good guys who underperformed. It’s easy to dislike Bradley. He’s an easy target. I get that. But he has talent. The real question we have to ask is:
1. Will the Cubs be a better team next year without him and a player like Burrell in his place?
Just how many games did Bradley cost us compared to Sori and Soto and Fontenot and Gregg and Heilman, etc? How many games were their positive clubhouse demeanors worth?
Al, please.
Cancer is, literally, the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body.
To call somebody a clubhouse cancer is to imply that their abnormal behavior grows uncontrollably within the clubhouse. To say that is to say that they have a wild negative impact on the team to the point that is is overtaken.
Claiming all of that for a guy who was “isolated” and “didn’t take advantage of great things” seems like a stretch.
I’m not claiming he was a great teammate or anything obviously, but it isn’t like he was running around punching guys. Most of the comments centered on him not being a great buddy, but it isn’t as if DLee came out and said he kicked his kitten.
As far as i can tell, while his team isn’t necessarily fond of him, they feel less strongly about him than you, the press, and the fans do.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 7, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions
I beg to differ.
“Clubhouse cancer” can mean any number of things. You’re trying to put a literal interpretation of the word onto something that’s subjective. No, he didn’t run around punching guys. But that doesn’t mean he didn’t contribute to a poisonous environment.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I just didn't see much evidence of a poisonous relationship with the team.
The poor relationship seemed to be with the fans and media more than the guys in the clubhouse…
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Al...
…with all due respect, once again you’re projecting based on what was actually said.
Ok, fine, so you’ve never ever heard players say in public what they said about Milton. I haven’t either. But I don’t know of any metric that can be applied to what was actually said and come up with what was really meant. Do you?
He isolated himself. He didn’t take advantage of great things offered. That’s a “clubhouse cancer”?
Hang the guy if you want, but just be clear it’s based on what you feel, not on what players said.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Those are only things we heard about.
You aren’t really serious about a metric for measuring clubhouse camaraderie, are you?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
no, but you seem to think there is one
how else do you take what was actually said, and then try to arrive at what was really said and/or meant, and then use that as some sort of quantifier to justify getting rid of MB?
IMO, there are plenty of other reasons for getting rid of Bradley. It just irks me that you keep using conjecture and extrapolation on things that can’t really be measured.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
So ONLY statistical measures should be used to decide whether someone should be on a team or not?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
No...
… but continuing to state things like “those are the only things we heard about” isn’t going to be of much use for making that decision either.
This is like the “we only knew 20% of what he did” meme you were trumpeting right after the season. It just isn’t of any substance. Is it safe to assume DLee is 80% nicer than we know? Is Lilly 80% more intense than we are aware?
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
ok - forget the metric tangent; clearly not having the desired effect
Do you really think it’s fair to convict a guy based not on what was actually said but what you believe to be the “rest of story”? Is that not conjecture?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Proving the point.
If what we sad was bad enough, why must Al constantly bring up what we didn’t see?
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Thanks for succinctly summing up my point as well.
There’s plenty of factual evidence to justify getting rid of Bradley – conjecture only serves to cloud and confuse the issue.
The debate now should be more on how to get the best return possible out of it. And yes, “best” in this instance is most definitely a relative term.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
So then you'll stop it?
Seriously. I know we don’t agree on Bradley. I’ve come around to agreeing that he should be traded, but at some point you have to let it go.
If what we know of what went on is enough, can we stop using the “but there’s MORE” argument as justification for getting rid of him? It’s lazy, unfair, and factually suspect.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
But why do you assume everything we haven’t heard is going to support your argument?
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
Al you obsess on dumping Milton at ALL costs
as much as I do on Lou’s bad managing. I believe Milton is gone for pissing off management & fans etc but stop trying to make him into some vile guy running around the clubhouse destroying some winning atmosphere.
Here again is one of the more insightful articles on Milton. Sure sounds like his fellow players hated him.http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/sports/baseball/13spotlight.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=milton%20bradley%20josh%20hamilton&st=cse
Look Bradley underperformed and he is a very difficult & angry guy . I am sure the Cubs will dump I mean trade him for pennies on the dollar but I think you are obessed with making him into the fall guy/ boogeyman for a bad season.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:54 PM CST up reply actions
Regardless of that 2008 article...
… I heard that by the end of 2008, a lot of the Rangers had had enough of his act.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
So if the Cubs were to just release Milton
You don’t think they would be at the top of the heap to grab him ? Didn’t they offer him arbitration ? Kind of risky for a clubhouse cancer isn’t it ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
Actually, they did NOT offer him arbitration.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
My bad
Google seach to fast but they and many other teams would grab him if the price were right. If he is that bad a player & person release him and see how many offers he has.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
Teams will grab him
which is why we should keep trying to trade him.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Dec 7, 2009 2:31 PM CST up reply actions
actually the rangers did offer him arbitration
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 7, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions
Lou should go to, along with Hendry, Its not all Bradley, but he has to go
I blame Hendry most for not seeing what most everyone else saw before the signing.
the fit here was horrible
a fan base that has really turned on players in recent years, a self-important media, and the unrealistic expectations that came with his $10M avg. salary all made his struggles last season seem much, much worse. Plus, he had one of the worst months in his career in April, and most fans and the media never gave him a chance after that.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
And
Lou wasn’t able to reign the fire that he wanted while also controlling the damage of the fire.
Is he traded yet?
Maybe Lou DOES want to reign over fire.
That’d be fun to watch.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Is this like the
Don’t $**t Your Pants flash game?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
what
and talk pompously about food while other people cook it? How would you score that? :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions
Hey, don't mess with Alton!
His “Good Eats” show is the nerds paradise of cooking shows. He explains all of the science behind cooking by using sock puppets and other fun props. Pompous? I beg to differ.
"In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is." -- Yogi Berra
in Iron Chef America, he
is the king of Pompous. :D
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
well
alright
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Where does
one find a sausage scarf
"All I want is food and creative love" - Rusted Root
by TheRiot Police on Dec 7, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
the same place one finds...
bacon mints?
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions
Hmmm, bacon mints
There’s bacon salt (which is a delicious seasoning) and baconaise (which sounds disgusting), so I wouldn’t be surprised to see bacon mints somewhere.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 12:10 PM CST up reply actions
Mother of God...
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
I bought some once.
They’re awful.
Then, on a dare, one of my friends ate the entire tinful (minus the three or four that had been already eaten.)
Yeah…he threw up.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
He's a financial fit
cause the Cubs will have to pay most of his salary.
We're not scaremongering (nightmare of a season continues), this is really happening (Bears are more than done) - Radiohead
Is there a "Ray's song"?
Maybe we can start a rumor that Bradley was enjoying singing the Tampa Bay Ray’s victory song.
Actually the sentence would probably omit the word enjoying.
Why Indianapolis, of all places?
At least there won’t be any distractions…
Cubs Supreme in Baseball World.
Reviving the Rust Belt...
Toledo next year?
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Hey! That's my home town!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 9:10 AM CST up reply actions
You wouldn't believe how awesome
Tony Packo hot dogs are.
I miss them!
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
actually, I would.
Grew up in Port Clinton, so was close enough to visit the Glass City every now and then. Made it to Tony Packo’s a few times. Good stuff…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Mmmmmmm......
Have you ever had Netty’s? They make the best milk shakes.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 11:43 AM CST up reply actions
Woah.
Just did a double take. I read “best milk shakes” with an extra R and briefly started wondering what the hell you people were up to.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Dec 7, 2009 12:05 PM CST up reply actions
Only if they are 100% Cambodian
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
I'm told the Indians owner
As in the Pirates affiliate — convinced them to go there. Although, I think the when this was scheduled, the owners didn’t want to appear to ostentatious with the affair, especially in the middle of a recession.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 8:43 AM CST up reply actions
I don't believe picking Indianapolis
had anything to do with the recession because I believe it was selected several years ago.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions
Indy was awarded the Meetings in 2006.
We weren’t in a recession then. It was more to get the Indians’ owner to stop bidding.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Keith Law has a column on the selection process.
You need an Insider account to read the whole artile (which I don’t have).
The jist I get from the snippet is the minor leagues run the show for the winter meetings, including the selection process.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 1:05 PM CST up reply actions
The Minor Leagues are technically in charge of most everything that goes on.
And from the tone of Law’s article, he (and other baseball folks) are ready to put an end to that.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Deals that happen in Indiana this week
may be the result of some yuk-yuk that went on in Florida, Cali, Vegas, the Bahamahs, etc. between the owners over the past month or so. Nice of them to visit a middle American city with no major league team. At least it’s not Fargo.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Winter Meetings
This may be immaterial, but a large component of the winter meetings is the inclusion of the minor league operations as well as the minor league baseball job fair. While I am sure that cost is of little influence to most, if not all of the major league teams, for all others in attendance, it could be and perhaps MLB was smart enough to factor the economic situation when scheduling the Winter Meetings. Having just booked a hotel room for a professional conference I go to every February, I wished that my association had considered this factor.
Why Indy?
Mt. Pleasant was already booked for the week…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
I think an order of kringle
is all it takes to make a Bradley deal go down.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
why'd you have to do that to me
now no matter what I eat for lunch I won’t be satisfied without some O&H. Only 400 miles away.
i'll put some in the freezer for you.
O&H is about 10 blocks from my house. i can see the baseball owners leaving with a smile, like they just turned their team into a serious contender. ahh the power of pastry.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Really?
We live about 10 minutes from each other.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
I need to find a Cubbie friendly watering hole
just moved near washington ave and illinois st. i always thought racine was a cubs town, but brewer fan was born again after they built miller park and put that county tax on residents.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Come down to the suburbs
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
after a few pops
waukegan is as far i like to drive, taking sherridan there and back. otherwise i park in kenosha and take the redline right to wrigleyville.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Waukegan is like 20 min
Drive the 40, come to Deerfield/Highland Park/Northbrook/Buffalo Grove and come watch with me
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Sorry - I was at lunch
There are Cub-friendly bars. Buckets on Lathrop is one – we should grab a beer there next season.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
Of course, if it's a Cub-Brewer game, the dynamic changes
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:35 PM CST up reply actions
So come down my way when that happens
I’ll head your way when it isn’t
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Oh, I'd be up for that - especially if WiscoCubs drives . . .
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:59 PM CST up reply actions
Sweeeeeet
I also make great company for the Cubs convention if you have an extra ticket….
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
that sounds like a plan
but a fair warning: friends and fam say i drive like a cough FIB.
i will take your advice on Buckets, never been in there, but i’ll check it out. might stop in there for the coveted Champs Sports Bowl later this month.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
It's a bit smoky in there sometimes, but the food is decent, too
Speaking of the bowl game – I’d have liked a Jan. 1 game, but happy that they drew a ranked opponent. Winning would cap a solid season.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions
DeRango's on Douglas Ave and Six Mile also Cub friendly
The owners are Cubs fans – and Packers fans (most of them).
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
As Damen mentioned above, Indianapolis basically beat MLB to death with submissions until they caved. Indy had been rejected 5-6 times before landing the Meetings (I think MLB agreed to it just to stop us from continually bidding).
So, as a way to say “Welcome,” we dropped a 1/2 inch of snow on the ground and let chaos ensue this morning.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Joel Sherman tweeting
#Rays growing less hopeful of swapping Burrell to #Cubs
also
If Burrell goes to #Cubs for MBradley, #Mets consider Castillo-for-Burrell, but r hesitant because of defense/makeup issues with Burrell
Is he traded yet?
So which is it?
Either they are less hopeful or he’s dealt. Nice way to CYA, Joel Sherman.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It can be both.
These are tweets, one from two hours ago and one from 20 minutes ago.
Is he traded yet?
by DGU on Dec 7, 2009 9:07 AM CST up reply actions
The key to the sucess of these winter meetings...
is if Jim Hendry can find someway to end up in a hospital. If so, I feel a really great signing coming on…
Dare I give the Cubs my heart again?
My favorite week of the year
I lived in NYC back in the late 70s/mid 80s and would call a local service called “sports phone” every 15 minutes for winter meetings updates. The internet is much easier. . .
Numbers may not lie, but they don’t tell the whole truth (and nothing but the truth), either. -- Doug Glanville
We had SportsPhone in Chicago, too.
I remember those days, calling there for updates on Mets scores during the Cubs playoff race in 1984.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Kramer
Somehow, I am reminded of the Seinfeld episode when Kramer took over movie-phone.
Eamus Ursuli!
Why don't you just tell me the movie you want to see?
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
Classic
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Minority view
I know that I’m in the minority here but I wonder if the Bradley situation is redeemable….especially now that money is such an obstacle to trading him. Getting Burrell and eating most of MB’s salary doesn’t really help us. Is it too late for MB to apologize to the fans and to the players? At some price MB is worth keeping as a bench player. Just a thought…
I don't think Jim would have suspended Bradley
if he thought reconciliation was possible.
Is he traded yet?
by DGU on Dec 7, 2009 9:35 AM CST up reply actions
Can you imagine how miserable he would be on the bench? Even if he apologizes there's
no guarantee with him that he won’t have another blow up during the season. Plus I don’t see the right field bleacher fans taking it easy on him which will only make it worse for his apparently fragile mental state.
You ask, is it too late for MB to apologize to the fans and to the players?
I would think so. Yes, it is too late and to much chinaware has been broken.
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Yes, it's too late.
The media circus would begin the first day of spring training. It would continue on Opening Day in Atlanta, then at his first game at Wrigley Field, and that’s not even thinking about the booing he’d get from a capacity crowd every time he set foot on the field (not to mention potential danger to him setting foot in right field).
Jim Hendry needs to impress on Tom Ricketts that he doesn’t need that sort of publicity in his first year as owner. It may cost more money than Ricketts had originally wanted to spend — but to avoid those problems, it’s worth it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Now if only someone would impress upon Ricketts that the man telling him that
is the same idiot who brought Bradley here in the first place……….
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Hendry
should look at himself in mirror for this mess. He is the only GM dumb enough to give MB a multi-year contract.
Except that we know TB was going to do it last year
and at least three teams are interested in trading for two years of MB…
Is he traded yet?
by DGU on Dec 7, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions
There was at least one other team interested in Bradley last year...
…. the Nationals were apparently ready to give him a multi-year deal, too.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Nats fired their GM right after the season started right?
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
No, he was fired for being even stupider than that
the point is, Not a particularly bright GM that one.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Actually, I believe it was even worse than that.
There were allegations of illegal behavior going on in the organization.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions
Well, they're interested in 2 free years of Bradley...
note that no one is jumping up and offering much value for those two years. Teams are essentially willing to dump bad contracts and/or have the Cubs pick up the tab for him.
TB and perhaps others were interested in Bradley. However, it is unclear how much money they were willing to pay for those years.
In other words, they aren't interested in taking on the risk associated with a multi-year deal...
It sounds like Tampa Bay would love to have Bradley if they can not pay much at all for the second year. Effectively, they are willing to take the chance that Bradley rebounds (and perhaps they can then flip him at higher value later) without adding much of any risk if they need to dump him in the offseason.
I dunno about two "free" years.
Really, this shouldn’t be that hard. Bradley and Burrell are both to be paid $9 million for 2010 — that means the Bradley money should be a sunk cost for the Cubs, a planned expenditure.
The $12m for Bradley in 2011 is the issue. Why the teams couldn’t just split this is beyond me. That would make the net cost to the Cubs $6 million. Not a great deal, but worth it IMO to get Bradley gone.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's free from TB's perspective...
they already have a sunk cost in Burrell. Bradley provides a potential upgrade in 2010 at no additional cost for 2010. If he does well, then they can trade him for a higher value at the deadline or in the offseason.
It sounds like they’re balking at paying the bill for 2011. The less they pay in 2011, the less risk they’re incurring of the deal going bad for them. In other words, the closer it is to free for them.
That was my point. I don’t think they are all that excited about the idea of having Bradley for multiple years. I think they’re interested in gambling (at as low risk as possible to them) on Bradley getting better in 2010 and then trading him for a profit.
Right, I understand TB doesn't want to pay the whole bill for 2011....
… but if he does rebound as they hope he will, paying only $6m for him for 2011 would probably allow them to deal him fairly easily.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
so would you be willing to make that $6M conditional on MB not screwing up?
this is probably not kosher with the CBA and/or MLB but if MB does decent enough in 2010 (on and off the field), then the 2011 salary is split, 50/50. If MB goes ballistic again and taints another clubhouse, then Cubs on the hook for all his salary in 2011.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
That's a good question.
I don’t think the Cubs would agree to that. They’d have to define “go ballistic”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not to mention it would be illlegal
You can’t make anything “conditional” in a trade. About all you can do is add PTNL. It wouldn’t matter if you wanted to make as part of trade that player X plays 10 games etc. Trades are different from contracts.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
But why would another GM agree to split anything? If it’s 100% certain Bradley won’t be back, uinless i’m a GM that has my own huge problem I wouldn’t give the Cubs jack for him. What’s the incentive?
One baseball game, he came to the plate and heard a woman in the crowd shout to the pitcher, "I'll make you a chocolate cake if you strike out that 'so-and-so'!" Says Strong: "I hit that ball out of the park. Then I looked at her like, 'Do I get a cake now?' "
Simple...
I’m GM for BFE NoOnes. I offer the Cubs $10 for him. Guess what $10 from me beats your nothing.
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
For crying out loud - trade him already
so that I finally leave the office and go to our club station… ;-)
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Well, keep in mind....
… it’s not quite 11 am in Indy. Give ’em another hour, at least!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's past 5 PM here...
I was only kidding…
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
I knew that.
But I’d like them to deal him now. You leaving the office is as good a reason as any… :-)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
its quarter after 7 pm here
patience is a virtue
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 10:15 AM CST up reply actions
Sometimes
the best trades are the ones you don’t make. Hendry has backed himself into a corner with MB. No team will give us anywhere close to MB’s value. Don’t get me wrong, I expect him to be GONE. All I am saying is that, at some price, he is worth keeping.
I respectfully disagree.
The price — not in dollars, but in other costs to the franchise — is too high.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's a business
and all businesses put a value on their assets. Just what value do you place on Bradley?
That's way too much...
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Tim Brown at Yahoo tweets about Kevin Gregg.
Four teams interested in Gregg: Nats, Rays, Tigers, Rockies.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The Tigers?
Ugh. No thanks. Wasn’t Dombroski paying attention when the Cubs visited Comerica last June? I still vividly remember the walk off HR Gregg gave up in game 1.
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
There's one more team on Gregg's list.
Baltimore.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Good for them
I’ll buy his plane ticket out of here
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Is it true that Milton Bradley
is working the lobby of the meetings? Hosting a cocktail reception?
Or was that just a hangover induced dream I had?
Working the Lobby - That deserves a really serious TWSS
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
like Cuba Gooding Jr.?
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 10:16 AM CST up reply actions
Show Me The Money!
Bradley to Joe Maddon “You complete me.”
by RiskyBusiness on Dec 7, 2009 10:20 AM CST up reply actions
Help me help you!
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Milton Bradlet to his Agent Seth Levinson
“You are my Ambassador of Quan!”
by RiskyBusiness on Dec 7, 2009 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
Anyone up for some Twitter fun?
Let’s get creative with #StartARumor
Dare I give the Cubs my heart again?
by digitalbenjamin on Dec 7, 2009 10:10 AM CST reply actions
How about Bradley...
to the Royals for Gil Meche?
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 10:12 AM CST up reply actions
Bradley trade talks underway in Indy
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Key paragraph in that link
The Cubs are so eager to find a team for the disgruntled outfielder that they’re letting his agents talk to other teams to let them know he’s not the ogre that has been portrayed in the media.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Thats why I posted it...
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
I like how...
some MLB manager said the Cubs should keep him and that he would probably have a better year. That could (though I am extremely doubtful) actually happen but its not all about how good HE does its how good the TEAM does. Bradley = Bad Team
2009 Cubs Record: 12-6 (11-6 home, 1-0 road)
Let the dealing begin!
“Do you have any THREES?
Ghahhhh!
It look’s like Lenny’s goin’ fishin’…"
(BCB Bonus Points for knowing the movie… – no Googling…)
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
I'm sitting here non-patiently
Awaiting a deal, a bid deal! C’mon Hendry feed my Trade Loving appetitite!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
Twitter rumours
@CarrieMuskat: Word in the lobby at Indy Marriott is 3rd team talking with #cubs re: Milton Bradley is #mets. They’d like to move 2B …
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
Can we package Carrie AND Milt?
Nah. That’d be a dealbreaker…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
That would be a must
Outside of the USA Today, nobody else can get an interview with Milt.
Eamus Ursuli!
I read the yesterday or other day
A possible move to Texas for Kevin Millwood, anyone here hearing anything like that?
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
I'd love to see that,
but I think that the dollars the Cubs would have to assume is far beyond what they are willing to do.
by jerry morales rules on Dec 7, 2009 10:33 AM CST up reply actions
Just saw this on Baseball Think Factory
>http://www.baseballthinkfactory.org/files/newsstand/discussion/philly_burbs_burrell_traded_to_mets/
Former Phillies outfielder Pat Burrell has reportedly been swapped twice this morning, eventually landing with Phils division rival the New York Mets.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded the slugging left fielder to the Chicago Cubs then the Cubs dealt Burrell to the Mets. Names of other players involved in the deals were not immediately available.
Will check this out.
If true, the Cubs probably got Luis Castillo.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If that comes to fruition, a big mea culpa from me
Because I can’t imagine why the Mets would want Burrell and commented on that last week.
Of course, I may have forgotten that Omar Minaya is still the GM.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
Ike Davis may be ready by 2011
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:31 AM CST up reply actions
Did you see Murphy out there...
last year? My grannie is an upgrade. Besides, they really should be spending their time fixing the pitching.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
Sure, but that's a lot of scratch for another inept 1Bman
They could probably re-sign Delgado for less.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
Thinkfactory got that off of Phillyblurbs.com
and apparently, no one else is reporting it, and Mets people are denying it.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Just saw this on Twitter
RT @RaysIndex: Somebody thinks Burrell to #Cubs to #Mets is now official. Not sure if source is legit. #Rays http://tinyurl.com/yeerw28
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 10:46 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
That's probably from the phillyburbs.com link from BTF.
I haven’t seen it anywhere else.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Odd for a Philly Newspaper to get the scoop
Eamus Ursuli!
The McRIBB is back. Just sayin.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Why are there pickles on a rib sandwich?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
DO NOT QUESTION THE McRIBB, SHANGHAI
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
They sell a really good 1/4 pounder in China
A little tangy, with cucumbers. I wish they’d sell that here. And the hot pineapple pie.
The green pea pie, not so much.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
But in France they don't have Quarter Pounder with cheese...
they have the metric system there.
So what do they call it then?
A Royal with Cheese.
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
What do they call a Big Mac?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
I hate Burger King
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
I hate all fast food
Except for Taco Bell, and I only like that when I’m drunk.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 12:02 PM CST up reply actions
Qdoba and Chipotle...
are way better than both.
And just about any local place with Jaritos by the bottle is better than all of them.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
Agreed on Chipotle...
…but they’re not open @ 3 AM. Never heard of Qdoba — not sure if they’re in So. Cal
"I always tell the truth -- Even when I lie"
wait a second...
you live in SoCal and you’re eating Mexican food at a chain fast food joint?
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:54 PM CST up reply actions
Seconded
WTF?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 11:02 PM CST up reply actions
I live in San Diego
and I’ve eaten at plenty of Mexican places that are a lot worse than Chipotle. And I don’t even like Chipotle.
Yeah but i'll bet you've also...
eaten at plenty that are a lot better.
Also, I was primarily criticizing Del Taco here, not Chipotle. (Although I can see how it reads that way.)
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 PM CST up reply actions
MMMM.
Jarritos. :D
Aqui viene el Toro Venezolano, Carlos Zambrano, a batear...el lanzamiento...A LO PROFUNDOOO...NOO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NOO...DIGALE QUE NO A ESA PELOTA!! GANAN LOS CACHORROS DE CHICAGO!!
by Azul Cachorro on Dec 7, 2009 10:15 PM CST up reply actions
Mac Grande!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions
Ok see if you know the reference. It's not that hard
You know, I went to the McDonald’s in Shelbyville on Friday night —
The McWhat?
Uh, the McDonald’s. I, I never heard of it either, but they have over 2,000 locations in this state alone.
Must’ve sprung up overnight.
You know, the funniest thing though; it’s the little differences.
Example?
Well, at McDonald’s you can buy a Krusty Burger with cheese, right? But they don’t call it a Krusty Burger with cheese.
Get out! Well, what do they call it?
A Quarter Pounder with cheese.
Quarter Pounder with cheese? Well, I can picture the cheese, but, uh, do they have Krusty partially gelatinated non-dairy gum-based beverages?
Mm-hm. They call ‘em, “shakes.”
Huh, “shakes”. You don’t know what you’re gettin’.
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Um . . ."The Critic" with Jon Lovitz, right?
I keed
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Very funny
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
It stinks!
At least, that’s what Jay would say.
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:00 PM CST up reply actions
....?
Not sure I get this
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Jay Sherman - The Critic
That was his catch phrase
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:19 PM CST up reply actions
I'll be honest
I haven’t seen that movie in a LONG time and don’t remember much about it
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
TV show
So I’m not even sure what you watched… :)
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
Hachie Machie!
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:25 PM CST up reply actions
There you go
I’m out of it
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I've always wondered that myself
Then I realized it’s a McDonalds product and the pickles are probably what make it FDA approved. They have to have some kind of real food on there
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I think I'd rather have Bradley over Burrell.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'd definitely rather have Bradley over Castillo.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
that's ridiculous
It’s not like getting Castillo makes it impossible for the Cubs to get another SS.
might not make it impossible,
but I’ll bet you $100 bucks that if we get Castillo, and keep him, Theriot is the starting shortstop next year
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
The McRIBB is significantly better than Castillo.
And it has a better first step/bite outta the box.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I would prefer Charlie Brown over Bradley
His personality is so unbalanced that at best, for the Cubs, he is PR disaster and at worst…
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 10:40 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
It gives me something to complain about.
A go-to complaint, one could say.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
He's a pitcher, though
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
we should sign Snoopy and move Theriot to 2b...
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Snoopy definitely spits the ball faster than Theriot throws it
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Yabut spitballs ain't legal
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 11:20 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
See above
Charlie Brown is the pitcher
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:36 PM CST up reply actions
Henceforth, if MB remains, he shall be known as "Fussbudget"
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:58 PM CST up reply actions
hoping that we don't have either
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 10:36 AM CST up reply actions
wouldn't Castillo be an upgrade at 2nd
I don’t think we could do much worse this year. Though I am always pulling for Fontenot.
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 10:39 AM CST up reply actions
Probably not.
James projects him to post a wOBA of .318.
Fontenot and Baker are probably both better than him. A platoon of the two is almost certainly better. And it’s cheap!
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions
Me too.
and it’s not close. Burrell is a much better fit for this team’s needs.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:47 AM CST up reply actions
lol, i read your post backwards.
then it makes sence. I’d take Burrell over Castillo.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:49 AM CST up reply actions
The best argument for Burrell ...
is as insurance for Soriano’s injuries and/or ineffectiveness.
Otherwise, I’d rather get a switch-hitting second baseman with good OBP who can lead off than a fourth outfielder.
... and no power...
and you already have talent at 2nd. Burrell could platoon with Fukudome, be “Soriano insurance” and back up Lee at 1st.
He’s an expensive Jake Fox.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
Fontenot
Any assessment on Castillo’s value to the Cubs depends on what you think of Fontenot. If the Cubs sign Cameron or Byrd, Lou will be desperate for a lefty bat in the lineup. Without Castillo, Fontenot gets most of the playing time over Baker.
That’s what I hope the Cubs avoid.
Agree with Shawn
Ignore the salary for a moment.
Burrell is a power RH bat, on the bench and filling in (with ugly defense granted) for Soriano in Left and platooning with KF in RF.
Eamus Ursuli!
He is, essentially...
Jake Fox’s ceiling. (Not to bring up an old argument, but it’s the truth.)
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
I'd bet Fox
puts up better numbers than Burrell. I’m not in love with Fox, but I do think in a limited role he could be a .300 hitter. Burrell is a .250 guy.
by jerry morales rules on Dec 7, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
If Fox is in Oakland and Burrell in Chicago
I’d take that bet. I think Burrell’s more of an NL player.
Is he traded yet?
you'd have to figure out equivalents...
…cause I gotta feeling Fox is gonna get a lot more ABs in Oakland than Burrell would in Chicago.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Well
we could still platoon Fontenot and Castillo and ask Baker to concentrate on RF.
Is he traded yet?
Baker in RF
as a middle infielder, Baker has an attractive bat.
As a corner outfielder – not so much.
It is one thing to have a flexible guy like that on the team, it is another to plan on Baker as a semi regular RF
Eamus Ursuli!
Given Burrell's defense
I’m not sure he really is better than Baker in a strict RF platoon.
Is he traded yet?
I fear
Baker in 2010 is Fontenot in 2009
Dare I give the Cubs my heart again?
by digitalbenjamin on Dec 7, 2009 11:16 AM CST up reply actions
Because Lou won't use Burrell, Baker, or Fontenot to leadoff?
Think of it this way – Castillo is a .025 to .040 OBP upgrade for us leading off- and if Fonty bounces back and wins more playing time…
Is he traded yet?
That's a plus,
but i don’t think lineup order matters nearly as much as who is in the lineup.
I’d much rather prefer Burrell.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Thing is...
Castillo replaces Fontenot or Baker at 2B. He’s better than either of those two, so it’s a pretty large gain.
Burrell may be a better player overall than Castillo, but he’s a smaller upgrade over the player he would play in place of – Bradley – than is Castillo to Fontenot or Baker.
He's almost certainly not better
than a Fontenot/Baker platoon.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
Misleading
But he would NOT be playing in place of Bradley, who will not be a Cub come Spring Training.
So, the comparison needs to be to who ever we can get as a RH RF to share time with Kosuke.
Eamus Ursuli!
Cutting Bradley
At the start of the whole saga, I was hoping the Cubs would simply cut Bradley. This is rarely done in MLB, but it has happened a few times.
Financially, the Cubs might actually be better off eating the 20million and keeping Fontenot/Baker/Theriot than bringing in Castillo.
Eamus Ursuli!
I was surprised at Castillo's numbers
He did hit over .300 last year with 20 SB’s. The year before that was injury riddled but ‘07 was 19 SB’s with a .301 average. While that is very superficial analysis, I’m not quite sure why Castillo wouldn’t be a good addition. He’s 34, but could still be effective for one or two more years.
by jerry morales rules on Dec 7, 2009 10:45 AM CST up reply actions
Castillo numbers
.302 ba 20 SB. Wasn’t this one of the big issues last year. No real lead off man and with him you have one now.
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
Yeah
I’m not sold on him leading off, but maybe #2. He gets on-base. Has his fielding slipped a lot? I’ve heard that it has, but he was quite decent a few years ago. I’m not sure how this isn’t an upgrade.
by jerry morales rules on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
100% agree
I don’t understand the Castillo fascination at all. I would much rather have Burrell.
The big question would be $$.
Eamus Ursuli!
More on Bradley from Bruce Miles.
The Mets might be the elusive third team interested in Milton Bradley. We’ve all heard the rumors of the Cubs trading Bradley to the Rays for Pat Burrell and then flipping Burrell to the Mets for Luis Castillo. I’ve heard the Cubs have talked about Castillo, but word around the lobby is that the Mets might be interested in having Bradley themselves and putting him in their outfield. Stay tuned.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ugh...
I really hope it’s not Castillo we get in return.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
wow ...
What a terrible idea. If MB didn’t like getting booed in Chicago, I doubt he’ll enjoy NYC.
I don't see any way Milton playing in NYC could end well.
And I think the Mets will stink next year which will make it even uglier.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 10:56 AM CST up reply actions
WOW! So Minaya sees what a mess Bradley is in a major media market
and says to himself. “Let’s get him in THIS pressure cooker!”
I think we’ve finally found a GM dumber than Jim Hendry
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
GREAT!
Not great, but anytime the Mets can take out our trash the better.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
they're going to be giving us theirs, is the problem.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Someone in NYC is saying the same thing about the Cubs right now.
You realize that, right?
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions
Castillo for Fontenot
If we do get Castillo, do folks think there is a chance they would take Fontenot as a cheap player, thus cutting into how much $ we send away?
Eamus Ursuli!
It's possible.
That would make sense for both teams, as the presence of Castillo makes Fontenot pretty useless.
It could also be Baker.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
Fontenot might have some trade value elsewhere.
If I was a team like the Pirates, I’d want to give him a chance.
Is he traded yet?
then the Cubs should find a way to get him there
if Seattle wants to employ an incredibly mediocre middle infielder, I certainly don’t want to stop them
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
there's some rumors that
Figgins was signed for 2nd there. I doubt it, but even then, at least for 2010, there’s still Lopez, who sucks, but unless he’s moved, I’m hard pressed to see Fontenot over Lopez. There’s also Tuiaiasosopo as a factor, as they could ponder starting him at 3rd and moving Figgins around.
The most likely scenario still is Figgins at 3rd, Lopez at 2nd for a year, and they go after a big bat in the OF.
I read yesterday somewhere that they're thinking about moving Lopez to 1B
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Fontent could still...
be a utility infielder. Or he could play 2nd and Figgins could be a utility player.
I think Fontenot is underrated right now. He’s coming off a disaster of a year, and people tend to weigh the recent past too heavily.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:07 AM CST up reply actions
he had one good year, sandwiched in between two poor ones.
so, I don’t agree
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
How?
Not sure how you classify his 2007 rookie numbers as being bad.
Certainly not great or as good as his 2008 #s, but not bad.
Eamus Ursuli!
He had a fantastic June
and a horrendous rest of the year. .397 in June, .211 in July, .208 in August, and .233 in September
His June numbers make his season totals look better, but overrall, it was a pretty mediocre to bad season
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
OT, I love his name
Lopez
What, you thought I was talking about Tuiaiasosoppo? Cmon, that’s boring
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
they just dealt for aki iwamura
and it’s not as they can slide him to 3rd, as laroche is there, and they are intent upon keeping alvarez at 3rd.
Beat me to the chase
And Iwamura is the most expensive contract on the team right now IIRC. I doubt they’re going to want to shift him around much
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Castillo isn't a f-ing headcase.
Our trash is smellier.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I'm speachless if Met's do want Bradley.
It’s like Phillips is still there and using Sullivan’s +/- system for trade evaluation.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
Phil Rogers, but point taken
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:31 PM CST up reply actions
I know MLBTradeRumors isn't alway reliable
But I’m not sure why this would be fake
Joe Maddon has arrived in Indianapolis, but executive VP Andrew Friedman won’t arrive until tomorrow, so don’t look for any moves just yet.
Just something to keep in mind. We might not see a deal until tomorrow
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
MLBTR is probably the best sports rumor site in the world.
I’m serious.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 10:58 AM CST up reply actions
Doesn't really matter if Friedman is there yet, does it?
A deal could be made over the phone.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
This is true
I’m just a messenger. Wonder why he isn’t there now. Holiday shopping?
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Yup, especially if it's been discussed...
since the Hadean.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:00 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Shawn
You are going to confuse people!
Eamus Ursuli!
Can't help it.
It’s the geologist in me coming out.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 AM CST up reply actions
It is good for the masses
They all need a little geo-educatin!
Eamus Ursuli!
I bet Sue and Em would like to get Geo-educated... ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
anyone keeping track of teh 2010 Geo?
Has he lost weight?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions
We;ll get a look at the convention.
Hopefully, he’ll travel a day earlier as he arrived late at the convention last year.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 11:48 AM CST up reply actions
add me to that list...
….I (heart) Geo
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
by cooliogirl47 on Dec 7, 2009 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
You ♥ Geo?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 1:38 PM CST up reply actions
I wish I had one of those :(
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
ALT+3
♥
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
cool, and thanks ♥
"When I was younger, I could remember anything, whether it had happened or not." --Mark Twain
☺
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:37 PM CST up reply actions
That is going way back
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 11:32 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
Or something
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 12:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
I agree
That site didn’t get much respect when it first made the scene.
Eamus Ursuli!
i think
part of the reason is that, at first, Dierkes was putting in a lot more of his stuff, with his “sources”. Now, mlbtr is more an organized place to find the latest information, tweets, and so forth, and he has a bigger crew helping hm out now, allowing them to have more extensive “coverage”. It’s slowly inching towards the status that pft holds for football sites (whereas people publicly know that Florio has sources and is connected, I think people are a bit uncertain on Dierkes).
... and with the publicity...
comes better sources.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:15 AM CST up reply actions
I think Tim does a great job
posting links and analysis from reputable sources.
The site has definitely come a long way from when it began and Tim has acknowledged he’s learned a great deal since he began. It’s important to remember Tim is a pioneer in rumor sites as nothing like his site existed when he started it.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 11:51 AM CST up reply actions
I agree!
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I've seen few erroneous reports on MLBTR
I can’t recall the last one, actually.
That's why I had the disclaimer
:)
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
There will be lots!
But Dierkes does a good job pulling stuff down once it’s thoroughly debunked.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:02 AM CST up reply actions
Or at least saying "Source X says this is not valid"
The site has “RUMORS” in the title. I think you have to take everything with a grain of salt but they are very good at being the first to report things
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
exactly.
If you don’t like it when rumors are wrong, it’s pretty simple. Don’t read them!
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:05 AM CST up reply actions
rumored trades can end up not happening ...
but that doesn’t always make the rumors erroneous.
Ok
I dont have a problem with Castillo being a bench player. I know he is expensive but at least we are getting rid of Bradley. Isnt Castillo pretty good with the glove?
Would be be ok on the bench?
That is my concern. Burrell is coming off a rough year with FA on the horizon, so I think he would be fine being a 4th OF and platoon in RF.
I have seen nothing to suggest that Castillo would accept a lesser role.
Eamus Ursuli!
his glovework
has tremendously declined in recent years.
I don’t love Castillo, but as an out to the MB situation, I’m fine with it, and he does add another top of the order option to the squad. If he was a FA, I wouldn’t go after him (essentially a Theriot/Fuld offensive player). As an out to MB, I’m fine with it.
That wasn't a reply to you specifically.
By the way, this “catch” lost a Mets-Yankees game. Lost it. In the 9th. Shoudla won it. Yikes…
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:01 AM CST up reply actions
yeah, because what we have at the middle infield now are gold glovers.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Um, Riot is good for at least three of those plays a season
and Fontenot might have a decent glove, but limited range, and arm.
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
There's no way Castillo is playing SS.
Theriot is a much, much, much better fielder than Castillo. And Fontenot and Baker are also much better at 2nd. Blanco is Ozzie Smith compared to him.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:20 AM CST up reply actions
I know most would consdier this nuts...
…but I wouldnt have an issue with Blanco at SS everyday and move Theriot to 2nd.
Or maybe this link will help:
http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=2b&stats=fld&lg=all&qual=y&type=0&season=2009&month=0
It’s not so much that the Cubs have gold glovers. It’s that Castillo plays like his glove were actually made of gold.
He was the worst-fielding regular 2nd baseman in the league last year according to UZR/150. Yikes.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:23 AM CST up reply actions
He's no Mangino
if you’re into the dangerously obese and unemployed type that is.
That almost reads like a craigslist personals category.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
3rd from the bottom
hard not to notice our old favorite’s name down so low on the list.
Eamus Ursuli!
At least he packs a bat with his glove.
Ditto Uggla. That’s not the case with Castillo.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:39 AM CST up reply actions
Especially at 2B
Theriot’s defense can be debated, but Castillo certainly wouldn’t help there.
Eamus Ursuli!
http://www.fangraphs.com/winss.aspx?team=Cubs&pos=2b&stats=fld&qual=0&type=0&season=2009&month=0
Take Miles and Scales off that list.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:19 AM CST up reply actions
Just something for everyone to keep in mind
We all seem to be split on who is worse/better between Burrell and Castillo. My hope is still for Burrell on the simple case that he is only signed for one more year. So after this we are done. With Castillo, you have him for two, so if he stinks, you’re stuck with him.
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Precisely
Much has been made of the Karroz/Grudz for Hundley trade. The key in that deal was, in part, swapping 2 years of bad contract for 1.
Take Burrell, as overpaid and ugly defensively as he would be, and be done with it after 1 year.
Eamus Ursuli!
The Phillyburbs report is being debunked
Eamus Ursuli!
Drat
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
it's gonna be a long week of sitting on the edge of our chairs
especially since nothing else gets done by Jim until Bradley is moved. IMO
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
And a longer winter/spring/summer if nothing gets done.
I can’t get excited about a quickfire deal, but i’m more nervous about what happens if nothing happens.
"Anyone on our team that thinks we are cursed will be moved to a lesser-cursed team"
-Tom Ricketts
Bruce Levine saying that the Royals might be in the MB mix now
Officially Aaron Free since 12/3/2009. Good work Hendry.
hmm
It says it would be based on salary matches. That can mean only one thing.
The return of Cruz and the Farnz.
Eamus Ursuli!
Seriously...
Why on Earth would the Royals bring in MB?
I can see a potentially competitive team like TB, but KC just makes no sense.
Eamus Ursuli!
maybe Bradley can only excel in a smaller market
i.e. Texas, San Diego, not L.A. or Chicago
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 11:34 AM CST up reply actions
I don't disagree
But, even if he put up a season like he did in TX, where he was a awesome, it isn’t going to make KC competitive, so what is the point of putting up with his the inevitable headache.
Eamus Ursuli!
The Royals almost certainly wouldn't increase their payroll making the move
So why not? If they trade away one of their bad contracts for Milton and even out the money there’s a reasonable chance it improves their team for nothing.
Very little of what Dayton Moore
has done since he became GM of the Royals had made much sense so I wouldn’t shock me that he’s gong after Milton.
Meche might be a useful pitcher, I haven’t seen him pitch since he’s spent most of his career with the Mariners and Royals.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 11:55 AM CST up reply actions
To me that says two things
Jose “I am MB” Guillen or Gil Meche
Officially Aaron Free since 12/3/2009. Good work Hendry.
Levine's link says Meche.
That would kill the proverbial two birds with one stone: getting rid of Bradley, AND acquiring a solid middle of the rotation starter.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
If Hendry gets that trade made.
Wow. Say what you will about some of his moves, but the guy can make a trade with his back to the wall.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
That could work out as well as the Hundley deal.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Theoretically.
I like the depth it would bring to the rotation, for sure.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
Yeah Meche would be huge
We really need another starter, and he will actually be decent
Officially Aaron Free since 12/3/2009. Good work Hendry.
MB for Meche
Would rank up there with Jim’s best moves. Especially if you factor in the all of Bradley’s baggage and the fact that Jim is in a must trade situation. Has to be too good to be true. Doesn’t it?
by Tangled Up In Blue on Dec 7, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
awesome
Greinke for Bradley straight up. :)
Careful Son, They will break your heart. And then stomp on it. But I will be a Cubs fans until I die. Its your fault Harry!!!
by deployedcubfan on Dec 7, 2009 11:32 AM CST up reply actions
As a recently-identified Royals fan:
I say HELL NO. This makes no sense; we already have Guillen, who hates the world/world hates him.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
maybe they'll cancel each other out?
you know… two wrongs make a right?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Or
clubhouse baddies… ;-)
(beat you to it, DMCub)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Man, if the trade happens,
I sincerely feel sorry for the Royals beat writers.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
Why feel sorry for them ?
They would actually have something to write about.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
Isn't there a Lefebvre problem with this?
Didn’t Bradley try to attack one of the Royals broadcasters at one point?
by jerry morales rules on Dec 7, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions
Al, do you get (or can you create) some sort of site traffic reports for BCB?
I think it’d be kind of interesting to see a user activity chart for this week compared to say, a few weeks ago. And if MB doesn’t get traded this week, then it’d probably be even more interesting to see what that week will look like if/when he does get traded.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Yes, I do get reports.
I expect traffic to be very heavy this week, heaviest on whatever day Bradley is traded.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
WOOO TO BRADLEY BEING TRADED!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
ESPN.com
Nick Pietruszkiewicz: Also, Levine says the Cubs and Royals have had discussions about finding possible salary matches for Milton Bradley.
"Some guys make lemonade out of lemons. Hendry makes hash out of prime meat."
Taking a quick look at Cot's...
Gil Meche seems to be the most likely option. That, or a package of players that includes Farnsworth.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions
IIRC
Meche was on the Cubs’ radar in the ’06-07 offseason …
Yes, he was.
This deal makes great sense from a Cubs standpoint — if only the Royals will do it!
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
they'd need more than just Bradley, IMO.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
I would hope not much more
Since they didn’t get much out of Meche this season and he is actually owed more $ than MB.
Not saying I wouldn’t do it… but if KC is going to want us to eat all the $ and kick in prospects, I think I’d just turn back to TB and give them $7M in ’11.
Yabbut...
…. Meche is worth more to the Cubs than either Burrell or Castillo.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
That's the problem
The question has to be whether a Royals fan would make the same swap, and I hazard to guess that is unlikely.
Eamus Ursuli!
I can't imagine ...
a situation where the Farns returns to Chicago.
Why not?
Normally I wouldn’t think it likely, but i think the Cubs would do a Farns+DeJesus for Bradley+$$$ deal.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 11:54 AM CST up reply actions
Farnsworth was one of the ...
headache players the Cubs had to get rid of after 2004. I would be amazed if they brought him back.
Farnsworth WAS a "clubhouse" cancer
He was drunken moron who twice injured himself with idiotic moves. Also I have never seen a player more isolated on the field. Pitchers tend to stick in little groups, talk on the bench etc. Farnsworth was always on his own.Oh and he sucks as a pitcher too. He would literally drive Lou CRAZY.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:28 PM CST up reply actions
Yabbut that takedown of Paul Wilson was absolutely worth all the grief.
That was a thing of beauty. I think even Ted Lilly (wherever he was back then) took notes and put it to good use a few years later against Molina…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Oh it was
I LOVED that. Farnsworth is an idiot but Wilson was a bigger idiot for going out to challenge him.
Did you know that when they had a little ceremony for Farnsworth back in his hometown in Georgia they gave
him a T shirt with an image of a bloody Wilson on it and the words " Kyle Farnsworth welcomes you to Chicago"?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:59 PM CST up reply actions
Mech had a realyl rough year last year
and ended the year on the DL, that deal is by no means a steal for the Cubs. Plus is Meche is guranteed more $ over the next two years then Milton. Having said all that, I’d still do it.
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
2011 salaries are the same.
Meche will make $3M more in 2010.
It’ll likely have to be Bradley + prospects for Meche.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
Bradley v. Royals announcers round 2 would be interesting
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
is the guy Bradley got mad at ...
still with the Royals?
He is the primary play by play guy of the Royals for Fox Sports
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
yeah it'll take more than Bradley to get this done.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe we can get DeJesus, too?
Meche and DeJesus for Bradley, Marshall, Jay Jackson, and Colvin?
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
wouldn't be surprised ...
if something like that is being discussed.
And...
…. remember, Meche pitched for Lou in 1999 and 2000.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
if we get Meche and Cameron
We’ll be on our way to becoming the 2000 Mariners!
maybe that is Lou's dream
recreate his 116 win team
Officially Aaron Free since 12/3/2009. Good work Hendry.
I'll take more playoff wins than that team had, please.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Can we get Ichiro too?
Plzkthnx
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
It was OK to give up Fox to dump miles
but I am not OK giving up Marshall, Jackson & Colvin to dump Bradley. Meche did not have a good year . He is Ok but
not very good ( Millwood is better)
I really wish the Cubs would stop trying to trade Milton for another bad contract. Just let the Rangers, Rays etc bid for the most salary they will eat ( say 5 of 21 million) and be done with it.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions
can he
go back in time or something?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions
What the hell is a Gigawatt?!
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
1000000000W = 1GW = 1000MW = 1000000kW
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 1:59 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Cultural reference fail
:)
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
Maybe this is more clear...
What the hell is a Jigawatt?
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions
Will Smith dancing?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions
don't feel bad, I almost missed it too
Eamus Ursuli!
I'd be glad to get pictching
for Bradley, I don’t want Castillo.
by Cubsfan Waveland on Dec 7, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
Wasn't Castillo the guy...
…who hit the ill-fated foul pop-up in Game 6 of the ‘03 NLCS? For that alone, I wouldn’t want him. I know, I know, it doesn’t matter now…
we have the guy who had the big hit that inning
His name is Derrek Lee.
just get bradley out today
then we can all wash our hands and see what Trader Jim plans on doing
Meche would be ideal
and we should make it happen. That allows us another starter (one of Lou’s goals) and gets rid of Bradley. This seems better than a not very useful Burrell. With pitching, you can always find a trade partner. I hope this one happens.
This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).
DeJesus ...
would platoon with Kosuke, I take it?
Or...
… they could sign Reed Johnson to a lower-dollar contract and platoon DeJesus and Johnson.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Seems OK to me.
Let me knowif this continues.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
It's fine now.
It was extremely slow for a two minute period — a guess all the traffic. But now it’s running like a typical 400+ comment page would run.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
I think we need...
an overflow thread.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
When I just logged in
It was hanging on the “tweetcount” function while loading the page.
Yes, it’s IE. So sue me.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
I'd have to take some time in the code to be sure...
… but twitter has been up and down this morning. I would guess that the twitter widget on this page is making API calls that aren’t answered, and thus, the whole page is loading slowly.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Dear Mr.Hendry
Please trade Milton..Today! oh and don’t trade for Castillo. Make it happen, so that we all move on..please.
We Got This!
A winter meetings trade that was just a few years ago..
Dodgers trade Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez to the A’s for prospect Andre Ethier
I would love a redux of that situation.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
Also not sure if it was mentioned.
But the Tigers want to trade Jackson and Granderson by today or the end of the meetings.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
and I would trade
Castro for those two in a package. And I would drive him to the airport.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
Where'd you see that?
Just curious.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 7, 2009 1:11 PM CST up reply actions
http://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/6438679050
Writer for USA Today.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
Interesting
Don’t know much about Mr. Bob Nightengale, but interesting nonetheless.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 7, 2009 1:19 PM CST up reply actions
Nightengale
Is old school and usually reliable
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
Cool
Thanks.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Dec 7, 2009 1:44 PM CST up reply actions
argghhh!
Why the hell would you shoot that down? Hendry knows that the more teams it looks like he’s talking to, the better chance of getting rid of him doesn’t he? Why would you say “no we aren’t talking to them”? That’s different than shooting down rumors of an actual trade
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
for what purpose?
Why attempt to convince someone you AREN’T talking to another team? I get it if you don’t want the player knowing you’re trying to get rid of him, but when its this obvious you’re attempting to dump him, there’s no point in that type of misdirection
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
The Cubs remain confident that they’ll be able to trade Milton Bradley by the end of the winter meetings, with four teams now interested in the troublesome outfielder.
Major-league sources said that two new teams have approached the Cubs about Bradley. The Rays and Rangers remain interested, although the Cubs have issues in dealing with either of those teams.
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
Heath Bell anyone?
The source is questionable though
Officially Aaron Free since 12/3/2009. Good work Hendry.
I would love him but
probably worth using our chips for Granderson but hey we could trade for Bell & sign Cameron. Let’s make Burke part of the trade since that is where he came from.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
You ♥ Soto?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 2:52 PM CST up reply actions
He swings a big ♣ on the baseball ♦
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
Overflow thread AL???
This one is getting too long!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
It's only half as long as the one from last week about the Fox trade.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Glad I'm not the only one..
That’s like kid wanting candy! Trade!! Gimme a trade!!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
I don't want a trade just so there's news.
“Gimme a trade”, but give me one that makes sense for the Cubs player-wise and money-wise.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Me either
But I wanna trade badly! I want real baseball news. I want something to get excited about!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
I can't believe after a year of watching him in the flesh people think otherwise of Milton Bradley.
There’s a reason he’s been on seven teams in ten seasons, only playing more than 100 games four times: He’s a jerk, turns fans and players alike off, his defense nor his offense is worth his woe-is-me mentality, is constantly “injured”, and needs to get the hell off the Cubs 2010 roster.
If you think otherwise, you’re wrong, I’m right. Move on.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I can't believe people disagree with me about a lot of things...
… health care, gay marriage, abortion, global warming, Afghanistan, copyright law, football overtime systems, and, of course, Milton Bradley. Without actually mentioning my positions on these issues, I assure you that I’m right beyond question. Yet occasionally people persist in disagreeing with me! I just don’t get it!
Yeah but what's your stance on toilet paper?
Does the paper come out from the bottom? Or over the top?
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
I fear stating my position would be improper on a Cubs blog...
… the last thing I want to do is start a political argument… but I can say with some confidence that, as a cat owner, I have studied the issue carefully and am indeed right.
I sense your sarcasm and it has been dully noted, good sir!
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
My cats could not care less
They think tiny bits and pieces on the floor, through out the entire apartment is best!
Also they could not care less about Milton Bradley. Maybe I need new cats.
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
by eths on Dec 7, 2009 2:11 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
My cats are very opinionated on the subject of Milton Bradley
The big, fat, sweet old part-Maine Coon thinks he’s a menace, and that the Cubs should dump him on the first team that takes him. The long, orange, mischievous tabby admires Bradley’s firey attitude and penchant for getting in trouble; he wants to keep Milton around just for the headlines. His sister, a somewhat smaller tabby, wishes everyone would just shut up and admire her already!
I read somewhere once that some fancy etiquette expert said it shoud come over the top
when asked why, she said something to the effect that it made it harder for the rats to get at it.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
F' all that
Just let the roll sit on top of the tank.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 2:02 PM CST up reply actions
"Everyone" knows you put the TP
so the roll comes from the top. At least this is the consensus in my family.
Many heated TP debates have taken play in families all across America.
Maybe just as heated as the Jake Fox debate. Maybe not.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 7, 2009 2:03 PM CST up reply actions
At thanksgiving this year...
… we seriously had a very intense debate between grandmothers on my dad’s side over how to hard boil an egg. My dad got remarried, and this new wife’s mother (how DARE she), firmly believes you must allow the water to boil, then drop the egg in and time it based on size.
Grandma was livid. OBVIOUSLY, the best way to do it is put the egg and cold water on heat, allow it to just come to a boil, then turn the heat off, and when the water cools to the point that you can reach in for the egg, it is ready!
And my family wonders why i get drunk at holidays?
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
pffft.
the egg is done when you can reach in, smash it on your sisters head, and there’s no goop inside, it’s all solid.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:04 PM CST up reply actions
By that logic...
… the only way to determine if the TP goes loose end on top vs loose end on bottom is to lock my grandmothers in a bathroom until one emerges victorious, cage match style.
I like it.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
be sure to set up the
webcam.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:22 PM CST up reply actions
2 grandmas, 1 bathroom
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on Dec 7, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions
Now we're pants free
Didn’t even need the Mangino photoshop work.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:34 PM CST up reply actions
I don't want to go all OT yet
but I did find those hawt Mangino pics I was looking for the other day.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 1:55 PM CST up reply actions
When I get home
This thread will officially become a pants free thread when those pics hit.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 2:00 PM CST up reply actions
I take off my pants whenever i start trolling around BCB...
… just to be safe.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
How do your coworkers feel about that?
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:01 PM CST up reply actions
I take off my pants before all meetings of three or more people as well...
… so it doesn’t seem that absurd.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Yeah... isn't there another Kennedy out there...
I remember people on this site scoffing at the thought of Juan Uribe with the Cubs, then he went off to have an almost career year. Kennedy was acquired for peanuts. Are there any potential free agents out there who would sign for a modest amount and a minor league contract? Do we even have room on the 40 man?
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
I don't want Castillo...
… but Kennedy would be worse.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Worse?
He was almost a 2 WAR player for the last two years, he’s younger, cheaper and more versatile.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
101 OPS+, and that was his highest since 2002.
That bat doesn’t impress me.
Also, Kennedy is approximately five months younger than Castillo — virtually no difference.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Jerry Crasnick says Mike Fontenot will be tendered a contract.
Mike Fontenot can probably be scratched from the list of non-tender candidates. It looks as if the Cubs will be offering him a contract.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
wonder what the terms are.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
We don't know yet...
… the tweet just says the Cubs “will be” offering a contract, not that they have done so yet.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Mike Fontenot is a very useful bench player.
Just not a very good everyday starter.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
History would disagree with you.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:38 PM CST up reply actions
no, it wouldn't
Unless that “history” is only 2008
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Thanks.
Easier than I thought.
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
He can field multiple positions and can hit RHP fairly well.
That’s a useful bench player.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:42 PM CST up reply actions
but if he's asked to play third ...
he’ll freak out and won’t hit!
I was actually being somewhat sarcastic
I hated when BCBers were justifying Fontenot’s bad season by saying he didn’t hit because he was learning a new position. Other guys have made similar transitions — Theriot in ‘07 — and didn’t lose their ability to hit.
Didn't Riot
start off at short tho?
I don’t think anyone would object to saying that we all hoped Fontenot would have done better.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
there were too many excuses made for Fontenot
I got into it with quite a few BCBers (maybe even you, Drew) during the season because I felt Fontenot was getting too much breathing room because he moved to a new position. But LOTS of guys — Michael Barrett, Soriano, Pujols — have moved to new positions and did just fine at the plate.
I don’t think I spent a lot of time defending Fonty; I do think he struggled too much.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 4:21 PM CST up reply actions
like I said, maybe you, Drew
No disrespect intended. I just couldn’t remember.
...
Michael Barrett, Soriano, Pujols
Never thought i’d ever see those names together.
Dum spiro spero…
Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
well, I've caught home-runs from each of them
and believe it or not, I think Barrett’s was the farthest hit.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
.272/.348/.435
Those are his career splits vs. RHP.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
meh...
I think that’s reading too much into the situation. The guy had a bad year. We don’t know why.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:43 PM CST up reply actions
well ...
that’s what many BCBers were saying to justify his bad season. I don’t buy it — but that logic would seem to question your multiple-position argument.
I really hate that line of thought.
Baseball is a random game with lots of streaks and variables. But people always want the reason a player or team fell apart. So when Fontenot didn’t hit well in a season he played at third a lot, a lot of people immediately pointed at that.
IMO, that’s a really lazy way to think about the situation.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
I agree it goes against my argument
I just don’t buy that correlation=causation “proof” that Fontenot can’t play third AND hit.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
I think it proves that Fontenot can't hit, period.
And that 2008 was an anomaly.
can't hit well enough -- isn't worth the money -- isn't worth a roster spot
He can obviously hit more than Aaron Miles.
what, exactly
would you have done with Fontenot?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
BoVandy...
undervalues Fontenot. Given the degree to which he thinks Fontenot is useless he shouldn’t be offered a contract. He should be non-tendered.
I disagree on the valuation of Fontenot, but BoVandy’s line of thought is at least consistent.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:58 PM CST up reply actions
I don't think Fontenot should be offered a contract, either
Especially considering he will get a raise after a terrible season.
Matt Murton released
per MLBTR
interesting and sad.
I can see him tearing it up in Japan
Eamus Ursuli!
Looks like we found our new right fielder!
Dare I give the Cubs my heart again?
by digitalbenjamin on Dec 7, 2009 2:40 PM CST up reply actions
and somewhere
BlueMike smiles…
:P
Poor Ginger.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 2:43 PM CST up reply actions
He should be able to put up some big numbers in Japan
I never understood how he couldn’t find a gig in the MLB, even as a bench player.
Are you familiar with the old robot saying, "Does not compute"?
by dr stabbingworth on Dec 7, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
Well, someone had to do this.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Dec 7, 2009 2:51 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Pure awesome.
The Cubs WAR will forever be 3 higher because someone made that.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:17 PM CST up reply actions
Does anyone remember who made that?
Eamus Ursuli!
I like to think of it as "an SWL."
Y’know, like a da Vinci, or a Rembrandt.
Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.
From Wittenmyer
via Twitter:
bq. Tigers said to be shopping Granderson after all. Cubs told Det if serious Cubs all in.
Not if "all in" means Castro
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
I'd do Castro...
if we were getting Granderson AND Jackson.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
but then again...
i don’t see how that fits in the budget, so…
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
TWSS
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 7, 2009 3:23 PM CST up reply actions
Does Detroit care about the
2/10 offsuit that we’re holding?
www.facebook.com/craighudak
by Craig in South Bend on Dec 7, 2009 3:21 PM CST up reply actions
Yes, finally
The obvious precursor move to a Milton Bradley trade.
We can all see the six degrees of separation from this trade to a Milton Bradley trade.
from gammons
From Peter Gammons: To get Curtis Granderson, the Tigers asked the Cubs for Starlin Castro and two prospects. The Cubs considered that to be too high a price.
One word: NO!
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
those fools!
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 7, 2009 3:56 PM CST up reply actions
thats way too high of a price for a platton player
i say no to vitters cashner and castro
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
He's more than a platoon player...
but he’s also not worth that much.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 4:00 PM CST up reply actions
Although I do admit...
a career OPS+ of 50 (50!) against LHP is pretty awful.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 4:01 PM CST up reply actions
bECUASE i can understand
the argument that since a player is so excellent defensively it can make up for the terrible half of their LH/RH splits but he isnt that amazing defensively from what i remember
4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
He's probably best-suited for a platoon.
I knew he was bad… but wow that’s a lot worse than I thought. I still think he’d only be in a “partial” platoon. One where the Cubs would get a RHB to play RF and Fukudome and Granderson would split time against LHP.
Plus, all platoon players aren’t equal. The lefty side it 75% of the value. And he’s 75% of one outstanding ballplayer.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
agreed
even though I was mocked for saying so last time.
I just isn’t worth it – trading away top prospects for a big contract, on a GOOD player, not a GREAT player.
Sorry, I don’t like it.
"This next song... it's about the White Sox. It's called: F*** Em'." - Eddie Vedder
I wouldn't hold Vitters and Cashner out personally
Castro’s the only one I’d hold out.
Is it bad of me to say I'd think about it?
Given the Cubs player development woes, I can’t help but believe that Castro’s value will not be higher than it is right now. I’d let them pick another 5-10 prospect, and a throw-in, or at least I’d sleep on it.
by Damen Jackson on Dec 7, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions
not bad at all
It’s a win-now attitude, and Granderson is the best fit for several of the Cubs’ needs. If Castro ends up being the next Patterson or Hill — and we hang onto him …
I’m not saying I would trade Castro. But it’s not bad at all to think about it.
by elgato on Dec 7, 2009 4:24 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Castro's value
For Castro’s value to go down in the next year, he’d really have to completely bomb. Even if he simply does alright, his value, due to age and level (the Cubs would likely bump him to AAA if he’s decent in AA), along with perceived potential, plus the positional value, would likely keep his value relatively high. If he shows signs of power next year, his value will jump.
Just added a fanpost, but figured since most folks are here
the DM Register is reporting that Ryne Sandberg will manage in Iowa this year.
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
And apparently in Lous press conference this morning he wants to stay on for a year or two longer
Think Ricketts or somebody came up to him and said “Ryno’s gonna need another year or two, wanna stay on?”
ESPN radio of course ripped him by saying “Well yea, he took last year off, so he should be refreshed for another year or two after this one”
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I wonder
exactly how long Ryno would theorhetically stay within the orginization in order to get a shot with the big league club.
In other words, I’d hate for Lou to stay a couple more years while Ryno gets stagnant in Iowa and another team comes calling for his services.
by AGC on Dec 7, 2009 4:19 PM CST up reply actions
At least a few more years, he's not ready to be a MLB manager
The guys done great work but he really needs another 1-3 years IMO to be an effective manager. I think he should get a shot at bench coach or 1B/3B coach just so he can get a little experience from Lou/Trammell, but I don’t know who you’d replace on Lou’s staff
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
I'd just hate for Lou to stay a few more years
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Why god why?! Why would anyone in their right mind want two more years of Lou?
"Oh Crap"
-Famous Last Words by General George Custer
Maybe...
the most optimistic speculation on a Granderson deal were centered around Theriot and Marmol for Granderson.
by shawndgoldman on Dec 7, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
Interesting that the Rays may be in on Halladay...
at the cost of maybe Wade Davis and BJ Upton.
Just read that
Seems like a pretty hefty price tag for a rent a player. Are the Rays good enough to win it all with Halladay? I don’t think so at the moment.
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
not sure
Halladay would accept a trade to the Rays though
by AGC on Dec 7, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions
He lives in that area in the offseason, FWIW.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
They must have faith in Beckham
there certainly not short on prospects
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
saw this over on espn.com
From their winter meetings blog.
crasnick: Phils special asst. Charlie Kerfeld just came up to me in the lobby. "I have a question for you,‘’ he said. "What the heck is a Twitter?’’
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Kerfeld was known as being a bit eccentric in his playing days, I believe
"Enough foreplay- let's get crackin'"- Fred Garvin
Bobby Cox and Lou Piniella
On mlb network after the commercial break!!!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
MLB network hot stove report
Is about to interview Lou
"There are no curses here...Games are won and lost on the baseball field" - Lou Piniella
by El Borto on Dec 7, 2009 5:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions
He looks good!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
he always looks good in the off season
he grows an extra belly once spring training begins
Cubs Supreme in Baseball World.
I'm guessing Lou is a stress eater.
Hey, it's a new century!
by cowsarecool220 on Dec 8, 2009 9:13 AM CST up reply actions
As long as he's not a Death Eater . . .
I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Dec 8, 2009 9:16 AM CST up reply actions
he say anything interesting?
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
Nah
Pretty Bland other than saying “it’s not a secret were trying to trade MB.”
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
"Look, it’s not a secret were trying to trade MB."
there – fixed that for you… ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I didn't ask you to fix anything!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
whoa... back up a sec...
All I did was add a “Look” in front of your Lou quote, seeing as how it’s a running joke here on BCB that Lou begins every sentence with “Look”.
I was not trying to play Mister Moderator at all. Just going for the funny bone. Looks like I missed…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Lou: “Look, Milton Bradley wasn’t our biggest problem last year, it was the injuries.”
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 7:15 PM CST up reply actions
I agree
Even though MB was a huge problem!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
Braden Looper
Wants to pitch for the Cubs! I took his nephew deep a couple times in HS FWIW!! He was throwing near 90mpph before blowing out his elbow!
I would sleep with Blou if it meant the Cubs would win a WS. by Doggie Stalker on Aug 22, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
oh crap
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 7, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions
My thoughts exactly!
"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko
I hate to bring this up but
a former fan fav Matt Murton had his contract sold from Colorado to a team in Japan. In other news, the other NY team is interested in Jason Marquis. Also, the Cards signed Brad Penny. Linky
Actually MLB players can not be traded to Japan
So I assume Murton decided it was his best oppurtunity. Good excuse to watch one the great all time baseball pranks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2qTSbgHmb0
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 7:54 PM CST up reply actions
I didn't say traded
The story says contract was sold. Now I don’t know if that means he has to play there or nowhere until the contract is up. I guess we will find out more soon.
by LT on Dec 7, 2009 8:01 PM CST up reply actions
Selling a contract would be a trade
but in this case a trade that requires the approval of the player. This would be similar to how Dice-K got to Boston.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 8:53 PM CST up reply actions
This write-up from FoxSports.com explains why Murton's rights were sold:
Rockies release Murton to pursue career in Japan — 3:21 p.m.
Outfielder Matt Murton was released by the Rockies in a move designed to allow Murton to sign with a Japanese team. Murton figured in the Rockies’ plans as a backup right-handed-hitting outfielder in case they dealt Ryan Spilborghs.
When the opportunity arose in Japan, however, the Rockies agreed to allow Murton to go because of the salary he can command in that country. Murton was sold to the Hanshin Tigers.
The Rockies are reconsidering keeping Spilborghs, who is a first-time arbitration eligible player, but also have made inquiries on Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart as an option of they do trade Spilborghs.
“After talking to Spilly I feel he is going to be a better player (in 2010),‘’ said O’Dowd. "That would have put Matt in a difficult situation with us.’’ — Tracy Ringolsby
You can't win in the postseason unless you can manufacture runs. - Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan
Sounds like a good deal for himi
More money, more playing time, living abroad.
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Great, Brad Penny signs with the Cardinals.
Another reclamation project for Dave Duncan. F*$%!
Dan
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
expect the cardinals to sign gregg
and turn him into a nerdy looking mariano rivera
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 7, 2009 9:33 PM CST up reply actions
Penny wins Cy Young in 2010
book it.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim
by Doggie Stalker on Dec 7, 2009 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
as i suspected, the Tigers want to deal with NY for Granderson:
The D’Backs pushed for a blockbuster three-way deal with the Yankees and Tigers today, only to see one of those two teams veto it, according to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, the teams are discussing the following scenario.
The deal would send Curtis Granderson to the Yanks, along with a prospect or two from the D’Backs. Arizona would obtain Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and Ian Kennedy from the Yankees. The Tigers would obtain Max Scherzer from the D’Backs and Austin Jackson, Phil Coke and Michael Dunn from the Yanks.
To add to that
10:31pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Yankees spent “much of the day” trying to acquire Granderson. They still haven’t offered Johnny Damon a contract.
This Chicago Cubs team is currently Aaron free. Keep it that way, please.
by jesus christos on Dec 7, 2009 10:33 PM CST up reply actions
is this guy
Willie Mays? Holy cow.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Dec 7, 2009 10:40 PM CST up reply actions
Your "proof" does not support your statement
We don’t know where the Tigers prefer to trade Granderson. We know that the D’backs want Granderson sent to NY.
Is he traded yet?
by DGU on Dec 8, 2009 6:50 AM CST up reply actions
what i suspected what that they want an MLB-ready, young player as the centerpiece. Austin Jackson is that piece:
Rosenthal and Morosi note that the Yankees and Tigers are open to making a Granderson deal and leaving the D’Backs out of the discussion. Still, the three-team talks are ongoing and fluid, with the Tigers requiring a “high-ceiling, close-to-the-majors center fielder” as part of the Granderson package. Austin Jackson could be that player.
Tuesday, 7:15 AM in Munich - Just woke up - Anything important happen?
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
One last Cubs rumors for Monday...
… and it aint’ purty:
Free agent reliever J.J. Putz is drawing interest from a number of teams, including the Cubs, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Nationals and Tigers, major league sources said late Monday night.
Clubs eyeing Putz
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
I don't like the sound of this
Ryan Dempster said in October that he and his teammates would welcome Milton Bradley back “with open arms” if the Cubs weren’t able to trade the outfielder this offseason.
Does Lou Piniella feel the same way?
“Look, that’s not my department,” he replied. “But I will tell you this — Milton played in quite a few games for us, and, you know, it was his first year. But that’s Jim (Hendry’s) department. That’s not mine.”
While Piniella dodged that question, he did address several others during a 25-minute interview session on today at the winter meetings.
chicagobreakingsports.com
Well, I never heard it before, but it sounds uncommon nonsense.
- The Mock Turtle, Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll -
What about the talks about Melky Cabrera?
This says if NY Gets CG then we could make a run at The Milk Man. The thing is now, that this block-buster deal with the Yanks, D-Backs, and Tigers, it says the tigers may finally be caving in on the price of CG. Could this be our lucky day?
http://chicagocubsonline.com/archives/2009/12/cubswinter2009_2.php#more
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/12/yanks-tigers-dbacks-discussed-blockbuster.html
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