$1 Mil is cheap for a guy who has definite potential. I always kind of wonder what kind of effect Rotshchild has on our pitchers though. Either way I give this move a thumbs up.

I've heard talk about them thinking of just swapping out Woody and Wade when ones healthy and the other's not. That's based on the assumption that they will be hurt at different times. If we're going to make that assumption we might as well assume they'll both be healthy all year.

Miller went 31-12 in '01-'02. It would be nice to see something like that this year.

[This message has been edited by bluestainedivy (edited 1/24/2006 3:27p).]

From MLBtraderumors:

quote:

---

Miller has already begun throwing at 60 feet, and he plans to join the Cubs' rotation by mid-May. I'm paraphrasing here, but Garber and Miller seemed entirely confident that Miller is considered a lock for a rotation spot upon his Cubs debut. Obviously the Cubs will have too many starters on their hands, but it sure beats throwing John Koronka and Sergio Mitre to the wolves.

---

I guess Guzman, Hill and Brownlie will also be vying for spots.

As of now here's are opening day starting rotation:

Zambrano
Prior
Maddux
Williams
Rusch

Am I missing anyone?

What's the word on A Ramirez. The last two season he had some issues with injuries. I would really like the prospect of having him for an entire season.

No word, but I guess that is good news. Actually, I think that someone from the organization recently visited him at his home and he was 100%. Now we need to keep him that way for 162+ games.

I stole this from BleedCubbieBlue.com

Good times

http://youtube.com/w/Kerry-Wood-20K?v=deHoI7398-A&search=kerry%20wood

[This message has been edited by Lance Uppercut (edited 1/26/2006 11:25p).]

http://youtube.com/w/Kerry-Wood-20K?v=deHoI7398-A&search=kerry%20wood

He was a lot thinner then and younger then. Looks like a kid.

If only...


[This message has been edited by bluestainedivy (edited 1/26/2006 12:55p).]

In other news the Cubs the contract on Angel Pagan from the Mets. I don't see him getting much time in the bigs though. And Macias signed with Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.

Ham Fighters?

Yeah, they have a lot of bad hams over there.

Here are the Pagan's stats:
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/P/angel-pagan.shtml

It looks like his speed is a little above average but so are his strikeouts. This guy was drafted back in '99, My freshman year in colleges. I don't see this doing much for us although I admit I don't keep up too much with our AAA roster.

So, I've been thinking a little more about this Angel Pagan acquisition. At first it might seem insignificant or that it will probably have no consequence on our season, but this is an aqcuisition that could have an a negative effect of apocalyptic proportions.

The first thing I noticed was that he struck out every 5+ at bats which is not very comforting. But then as I got to thinking I looked at his name and reversed it's order which resulted in Pagan Angel. I'll stop there and let you draw your own conclusions.

I hope this pick up doesn't come back to haunt us.

Will Opening Day ever get here?

Unfortunately it doesn't seem like it.

Prior signed a 1-year $3.65 million deal yesterday to avoid arbitration.

I guess we have a new scouting director. Although this wouldn't normally mean much to me I saw that 11 of his first-round picks made it to the bigs. I'll have to go back and take a look at the drafts and see who the players actually were. Either way, I hope he does well for us.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060127&content_id=1301883&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

How the eff does Jerry Hairston get a 1-year $2.3 million deal? He'd better do SOMETHING this year.

I'll cut Jerry more slack than old Style will but 2.3 mil is definitely too much. He hasn't proven anything yet.

...

quote:

---

The 29-year-old Hairston made $1.8 million last season, his first with the Cubs, and batted .261 with four home runs, 25 doubles and 30 RBIs. He had asked for $2.6 million in 2006, while the Cubs offered $1.95 million.

---

I'm really shocked that he can have that kind of production and still be able to ask for 2.6 million and come away with 2.3.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060130&content_id=1303806&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc



[This message has been edited by bluestainedivy (edited 2/1/2006 12:26p).]

It looks like Hendry and Will Ohman's agent aren't going to reach an agreement. I guess Ohman's looking for $750,000 and Hendry's not willing to fork over more than $575,000, which I believe is a wise decision. The guy has had three surgeries and has missed two seasons. I'm not too impressed with him although he did have a 2.91 ERA. Looking at his numbers I suppose they weren't too bad. For some reason I get this ill feeling in my stomach whenever he comes in for relief.

Ohman -

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=349193

I'd rather have Ohman than Hairston. How does Hairston touch that kind of money? He better earn it this year.

Honestly, I think the Ohman situation is just plain stupid. You just gave $2.3 million to Jerry F***ing Hairston and $1 million to the damaged Wade Miller, but you're going to arbitration with Ohman over $150K?

What on earth is Jerry Hairston's role? We are deep at the middle infield position and he is certianly not a ML OFer. He wasn't even good as a PHer (3-for-15 .200 BA).

For God's sake, Mike Piazza just signed for $2M.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Check out "Texas A&M & Baseball In No Particular Order"
at tamu-and-baseball.com

[This message has been edited by AgRyan04 (edited 2/1/2006 3:46p).]

Hairston's role is to waste $2.3 million of the Tribune Co's money. He's perfect for that role.

Cubs signed Pierre and Ohman to 1-year deals today to avoid arbitration. Haven't seen dollar amounts yet. Zambrano is the only one left. I would bet the farm that he will never get to arbitration.

How big is your farm?

But seriously...Ohman ends up with $610,000 and Pierre with $5.75 mil.

Ohman had been making $320,000 and was asking for $750,000 so the Cubs went a little past the half-way point with him.

Pierre and the Cubs met half-way.

Now let's get Z taken care of.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060202&content_id=1305463&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

The Cubs signed Jason Simontacchi to a minor league deal. I believe he was in the minors last year but I can't find any stats to back me up. I actually can't find any of his 2005 stats. I don't think this will be anything special.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=5113

[update]Simontacchi was injured last year and back from shoulder surgery. I think the Cubs will have the most players on roster coming back from arm surgeries.

Also, Hendry and Derrek Lee's agent are said to be trying to hammer out a contract extension.

[This message has been edited by bluestainedivy (edited 2/3/2006 12:37p).]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-060203cubssimontacchi,1,6501066.story?coll=cs-home-headlines

quote:

---

Cubs sign right-hander Simontacchi
ChicagoSports.com

February 3, 2006, 3:48 PM CST

The Cubs signed pitcher Jason Simontacchi to a minor-league contract and invited the right-hander to spring training.

The 32-year-old missed all of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery following the 2004 season.

Simontacchi compiled a record 20-10 record with a 4.77 ERA in 83 games for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Simontacchi signed with St. Louis in January 2002 as a minor-league free agent - and went 11-5 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 starts.

Prior to signing with the Cardinals, Simontacchi spent time in Kansas City's, Pittsburgh's and Minnesota's minor-league systems.
Copyright © 2006, ChicagoSports.com

---

FYI guys, the Cubs signed Jason Simontacchi.

Just posted that because it had some stats, smartass. I saw your post.

Anyone see Pierre in the ESPN Mobile commercial? Looked pretty good in his Cub uniform.

I couldn't figure out who that was.

Can someone verify something I heard yesterday on the A&M / tu telecast? I think Fran Fraschella said that Acie Law's great uncle is Ernie Banks. Did anyone else hear that?

Ivy- Yes, that is true. I remember them making a big deal of that when Acie signed. Too bad Great Uncle Ernie doesn't come to some games.

Mac- Are we sure that was Pierre? Either way, it bugged me that they had him running the wrong damn way. He was running from right to left. Where do you do that on a baseball field?

I noticed he was running the wrong way to. I guess they had to do it to get it to flow with the commercial.

Here's a link to the article on the ad.

http://www.adweek.com/aw/national/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001955735

On the Cubs website they have a weekly Q&A with their writer Carrie Muskat. Someone asked her who would be batting number two now that we have a leadoff man. She said Walker would be batting second...So my question is how is he going to bat second in the lineup if he's sitting on the bench. After all, isn't he third on the depth chart.

I never really care for her articles. It really just seems like she's a pawn of the organization to pump things up and not be negative at all. Kind of reminds me of the Soviet party and all of their propoganda. I've felt this way mainly since Stoney had that run in with Dusty and upper management. Muskat's articles lack substance.

QUESTION: Suppose we end up trading Walker, who do we trade him to and what do we get in return? I haven't heard many rumors out there but I still here talk about him being traded. I'm not crazy about that idea since I think he should be number one on the depth chart (unless we can get a real good deal).

[This message has been edited by bluestainedivy (edited 2/6/2006 12:31p).]

...I'm also still hearing Tony Graffanino rumors which don't make sense since he's also an infielder.

Looks like Kerry Wood is pretty much set on starting when he returns. Dusty had spoken about him beginning the season in the bullpen but this is what Mark O'Neill (Cubs' trainer) had to say about it:

quote:

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"Let's put it this way," O'Neal said with a chuckle, "Kerry doesn't see himself in the bullpen. He is getting ready to be a starter."

---

...This will be interesting.