Dear Jim Hendry

Submitted by Rob G. on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 10:00pm
I wanted to introduce myself to you since it seems that you’ve never heard of me, which is a bit surprising since I’ve played against the Cubs a total of seventy games over the last six years. Of course you probably haven’t watched much baseball over the last few years if the Cubs record is any indication….(Hmmm, I think that came out wrong, let me start over). My name is Craig Wilson and I wanted to offer my services to the 2007 Chicago Cubs (and hopefully beyond). I assume you’re unfamiliar with my credentials, you’ve probably been too busy driving a $100 million dollar team into the ground while keeping the fanbase excited about the season trying to build the World Championship team that the good fans of Chicago deserve. Sorry to hear about the bad ticker by the way, Ryan Dempster will do that to a fella..haha! Anyway, I think I’m a perfect fit for your team and let me tell you why. Here are my numbers since I’ve joined the league, including my lefty/righty splits. Career Overall: 265/354/480 vs Lefties:296/395/543 vs Righties: 253/338/455 Three Year Splits Overall: 260/348/468 vs Lefties: 272/378/497 vs Righties: 255/337/458 I guess I should explain that second number to you, my agent says you might not have heard about it. It's called OBP or On-Base Percentage and it is a measure of a player’s ability to reach base, the higher the number the better you are at NOT MAKING OUTS. The less outs a player makes, the more valuable they are to a team. There are different standards out there but usually .350 or better is the mark of a player who controls the strike zone, makes pitchers work, saves puppies, loves children and deserves a guaranteed three year/eighteen million dollar deal. Alright, enough of SABR 101, because I got more skills. Remember Glenallen Hill? Are late-inning homers that win games something that might interest you? Then I’m your man. As you noticed, I crush the lefties and right now your bench options against lefties are Ryan Theriot, Henry Blanco, Ronny Cedeno (if you don’t have him killed first) and Matt Murton on the days Cliff Floyd is playing (assuming you do indeed sign him, what's the delay?). Now unless you intend to win with a lot of well-placed groundballs (Murton and Theriot) or dropped third strikes (Cedeno and Blanco) late in the game, it seems like you could use a righty stick with a bit of punch. Word is that Wrigley is pretty friendly to the right-handed hitters and a lot friendlier than the two parks I called home most of my career, PNC and Yankee Stadium. Now defensively I’m no John Mabry, but I’ll hold my own. I can play each of the corner outfield spots, first base and even throw on the catching gear if need be. They moved me out of that position for a reason, but in case of emergency I’m more than happy to help out. Hell, you’ve been living with Michael Barrett back there for the last three years, I don’t think anyone will notice if I don’t throw out anybody or let a ball or two reach the backstop. Now you might be worried about my numbers in New York after I got traded last offseason, thinking I can’t handle the spotlight of the big city. I’m telling you it’s no big deal. It was a new league, I didn’t get a lot of at-bats to adjust, A-rod kept badgering me about his Q rating in Pittsburgh, Jeter was trying to get me involved in a bunch of three-ways with his groupies and Giambi wouldn’t stop trying to prove his nutsack didn’t shrink. It was just a weird dynamic that threw my game off, I’m ready to roll in 2007. Now you might also be worried about my numbers at Wrigley, a meek 186/292/340 in 113 PA's. I'm worried too, but numbers don't seem to get in the way of what you do anyway. Plus the bars are good around Wrigley and we were visiting. I'm sure I'd get bored of them quick enough. I was hoping to cash in on a regular DH or first base gig this offseason, but teams seem scared off by players with power and patience. It’s cool, I’ll chill on the bench ready for my shot in the late innings, give me a start once in awhile, maybe platoon me with Jacque Jones (do I need to explain the term platoon to you?) or just be ready when the next season-crushing injury happens to one of your best players. It’s cool man, I’m good for whatever. So give my agent a call when you get a chance, I think we’d be good for each other. Sincerely, Craig Wilson

Comments

Submitted by Ryan  on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 10:41pm  
Wilson would be a welcome addition to the Cubs, but I highly doubt it's going to happen. Even though he lacks power, if we don't sign a right-handed masher like Wilson, I'd be able to accept McGehee. From what AZ Phil has said and from his career minor league numbers, he sounds like/seems to be a good hitter with acceptable OBP skills who can play at many positions and is FUNDAMENTALLY SOUND. This team needs more OBP, but fundamentally-sound players are sorely lacking on this team as well.

Submitted by Carlos  on Mon, 01/08/2007 - 11:25pm  
I've seen McGeeHee play and I wasn't that impressed. He has some power, but he looks like another Kevin Orie to me.

Submitted by MikeC  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 1:18am  
Killebrew’s first 5 seasons totaled 113 games as part of the “bonus baby�? rule he had to be on the big league club…he actually played 17 full seasons…also, Killebrew played in the 1960’s and early 70’s, which were a bit more pitcher friendly than the mid-1980s to 2002. That is true I was lazy and just using Baseball Reference and looking at total seasons. So lets try this route. Two guys that a lot of people think should be Hall of Famers but are not. Jim Rice - 16 seasons, .298 BA, .352 OBP, 382 HR, 1451 RBI Andre Dawson - 21 seasons, .279 BA, .323 OBP, 438 HR, 1591 RBI, 314 SB's. Mark McGwire - 16 Seasons, .263 BA, .394 OBP, 583 HR, 1414 RBI Also note that McGwire had a 3 year stretch in the middle of his career where he had roughly 550 AB's total due to injuries. His HR and RBI totals would be much higher if not for that. Maybe AB's we should look at? McGwire 6187 Killebrew 8147 Rice 8255 Dawson 9927 The walks for each are... McGwire - 1317 Killebrew 1559 Rice 670 Dawson 589 McGwire did more in less AB's, so I don't really think he was a poor RBI man for the amount of Hr's he had. He was actually pretty damn good. In 2000 less AB's he is right up there with Killebrew , and atleast in my opinion, far more deserving than Dawson or Rice. However I will knock Dawson up a notch because of his SB's, but he really lacks in other areas when compared to McGwire. And that is really what the Hall of Fame is about, it is why we pour over stats and why stats are the back bone of baseball. It is your achievements over your career compared against your peers. But hey let me take you way back in time with Mark McGwire... 1971 - First little league AB he hits a HR. 3 years later he set the Little League record in California with 13 HR's that stood for two decades. 1981 - McGwire was actually drafted as a pitcher by the Montreal Expos. Turns it down to go to college. 1984 - Hits 32 HR's in 67 games as a Junior at USC. That single season mark matches the school's career record. It wasn't like McGwire suddenly popped steroids and was a HR hitting machine. The kid was launching them in little league, and college. So what he was on roids as a little leaguer? And his supposed "thin" days in college he was also on roids? Come on now. McGwire was always a pretty big guy. He was just born to hit HR's.

Submitted by vorare  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 7:02am  
I don't think anyone is denying that McGwire was a great home run hitter; it's just that he didn't have a whole lot to offer beyond his power and his ability to take a walk. He was average defensively at a relatively easy position, he had no speed, and he never won the MVP. Compare that with Dawson who, while lacking the spectacular home run total, was an elite defensive right fielder for years, had great speed, and won the MVP once and came in second for the MVP twice. One dimensional slugger + playing in the power surge era + refusing to answer questions about steroid use = a pretty solid recipe for not getting sportswriter's votes. I personally wouldn't mind seeing him get in, I can understand why he may not.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 7:49am  
Pending what happens with Cliff Floyd (and that supposedly is somehow connnected to the Cubs moving Jacque Jones?), and barring injuries to position players coming out of Spring Training, I would say the Cubs Opening Day bench right now will probably be: Henry Blanco, #2 C Mike Kinkade, 3B-1B-LF-RF-RHPH-#3 C Angel Pagan, 4th OF Ryan Theriot, IF-OF Daryle Ward, 1B-LF-LHPH And Casey McGehee could very well beat out Kinkade for the multi-position slot, but since Kinkade has 222 games MLB experience, it's probably his job to lose. At least at this point, as things stand right now.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 7:53am  
Jim Hendry interview on Mike North this am on WSCR- For those who don't know North is a die hard Sox fan whose Chicago accent makes Mayor Daley sound like Queen Elizabeth. Also his views are bit a conservative and he believes Strom Thurmond was a little too liberal. So I was not expecting too much from this interview. North asked about Derosa's possible "supplement" accusations(first I heard of) and his signing. Hendry replied he didn't want to be caught empty handed if Theriot started slow out of the gates. North asked if Wood be the closer, and what would happen to Dempster who has a no trade clause(I didn't know that). Hendry said it will sort itself out in spring training. North asked why he didn't go after Zito. Hendry replied he "was then" not fond of giving a pitcher 7-8 year contract. Which followed up with a question regarding Z, and Hendry said that he will be meeting with Z's agent in next couple of weeks to finalize a deal like he has done with all of his potential free agents. Also said the outfield might not be finished being tinkered with and don't be suprised if players are added for outfield by or during ST.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:03am  
Mike Kinkade hasn't been on a major league roster in 3 years and couldn't hit a homer off a tee to save his life. We should be shooting (much) higher.... Like Craig Wilson or bring back Phil Nevin. Of course I wouldn't be surprised if they panic about middle infielders and just go with Cedeno or other useless utility guy. I keep forgetting about Angel Pagan...

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:07am  
Wasn't Reggie Jackson one dimensional?

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:08am  
assuming they keep Pagan which I don't know why they would I think the bench will actually be Theriot Blanco Murton or Floyd depending on who's starting that day Pagan Ward and a 12-man staff. I'd love to get rid of Pagan for someone like Wilson or Nevin, but I doubt it will happen.

Submitted by Ryno  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:13am  
Could be worse, we could be Marlins fans:
The latest plan to build the cash-strapped Florida Marlins a new stadium in downtown Miami involves using millions of dollars of money meant to improve blighted neighborhoods. It also calls for the city of Miami to deed property to Miami-Dade County so the Marlins -- which would lease the stadium -- could receive a tax break. And it requires money, once again, from the state Legislature. ''They're looking at the Park West/Overtown CRA boundary that stops a block from where the site is,'' said Miami-Dade tax collector Ian Yorty, the county's point man for stadium negotiations. ``The city has plans to expand the boundary.'' Money from a Community Redevelopment Agency, by law, must be used to spur economic development in ''blighted'' neighborhoods. Tax money created from a CRA stays inside the district.
What a mess. Click here for the full story.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:14am  
Rob G- Hendry sounded very confident about adding another outfielder for 2007, so your wish(and mine) may come true. I think he's hell bent on getting rid of JJ due to the fans booing him and not handling it very well.(See Hundley, Todd)

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:27am  
as I mentioned, Floyd/Murton, Church, Soriano sounds fantastic Floyd/Murton, Jones, Soriano not too bad Floyd/Murton, vet journeyman while we wait for Pie, Soriano pretty sucky Floyd/Murton, Pie, Soriano interesting but dangerous to rely on

Submitted by TJ  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:39am  
Jacos, Reggie Jackson was not a one dimensional player. He had a rifle arm, drew walks and was a fast runner. Of course, he was also Mr. October, meaning the ultimate clutch performer.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:39am  
by the way, they're moving to a dedicated server and in the meantime the caching business is turned on for everything so updates take like an hour to show up. I believe the only thing unaffected is the comments in the pop-up window which seem to be updating fine. according to the admin guy, the caching along with being spread out over multiple servers is what caused the problems connecting among other stuff. as for just turning caching completely off, I'm told it would crash the whole site. I've been fixing up the blogroll as well, click the "Friends" link under the Authors

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 8:41am  
I think Dawson was an elite CF for years, his RF days were kind of average, slightly above from what I know.

Submitted by Arizona Phil  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 9:05am  
ROB G: I doubt very much that Angel Pagan will fail to make the Opening Day roster. Hendry likes him, and Pagan fits the profile of an MLB 4th OF. He's a switch-hitter with speed and occasional (and recently-developed) power who can play all three OF positions (although his shoulder is still not 100% back to where it was before he hurt it a few years ago). It seems like Hendry is waiting to trade Jacque Jones before he signs Floyd, and if all he can get back for Jones is a minor league prospect or two, then Floyd would replace Jones on the 25-man roster and "share time" with Matt Murton in LF, with Pagan and Theriot probably "sharing time" in CF (and hitting 8th) until whenever Felix Pie is ready, and Kinkade or McGehee gets the last bench slot. . But I think Hendry would probably ideally prefer to trade Jones for a "stop-gap" lefty-hitting or switch-hitting CF (like Ryan Church) who can slide into the 4th OF slot (replacing Pagan) whenever Pie is ready. If that happens, then Floyd/Murton would get the last slot on the bench, and Kinkade/McGehee would likely be SOL. I'm not saying it's a good plan, I'm just saying I think it's probably what Hendry will do. As for what my preference would be, I would go hard after a more-expansive deal (maybe a six-fer-three) with the Nationals and make a run at Austin Kearns (to play RF, with Soriano moving to LF), Felipe Lopez (to play SS and hit 2nd), and Ryan Church (as the "stop-gap" CF until whenever Pie is ready). I would offer a package of Jacque Jones, Matt Murton, either Ohman, Cotts, or Rapada (Nats choice), either Wuertz, Marmol, Novoa, or Cherry (Nats choice), either Marshall, Guzman, Mateo, or Ryu (Nats choice), and either Izturis, Cedeno, Patterson or Theriot (Nats choice). And if Bowden doesn't bite, then he doesn't bite. But Bowden would be getting back what he gave up to get Kearns and Lopez last season (two quality young relievers and a middle-infielder), PLUS two MLB outfielders (to replace Kearns and Church), PLUS a young starting pitcher, too.

Submitted by The Real Neal  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 9:34am  
Jones, Murton, Rapada, Wuertz, Guzman and Patterson for those three? No thanks. I like concept, but not the players. All three of those guys have serious flaws, and and having Barrett and Lopez as our most important defenders would either drive the pitchers to suicide attempts or startingly new career high walk totals.

Submitted by dbt  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 10:14am  
Jones should make peace with the fans and the asshole fans should get shouted down by the rest of 'em. He was, unlike Todd Hundley, not a walking piece of garbage last year.

Submitted by cubswinthepennant  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 10:54am  
Carrie Muskat's article about Michael Barrett is pretty interesting. For instance, I learned that the Cubs won THE PENNANT in 1984. Who knew? Davis wasn't all glove, no hit. He hit at least 17 home runs in five consecutive years, and drove in 94 runs in 1984 when the Cubs won the pennant. Also, if Jody Davis was at all serious, the next time you're at Wrigley, look for a brick in the backstop wall with his name on it.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:02am  
It's Gwynn and Ripken only.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:13am  
where'd you get that from jacos? I thought I was watching the live broadcast,,,

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:17am  
interesting McGwire fact, highest HR/AB total of all time...10 point something to 1

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:22am  
I got it from Joe Carter who just got off the phone with Pete Rozell with the info.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:28am  
I'm confused, isn't Pete Rozelle the former NFL Commisioner and isn't he dead?

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:31am  
Let me check.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:33am  
elect Dawson McRice to the HOF...3 birds, 1 stone...better than randy johnson in spring training. jeff kent approves.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:35am  
watching the mlb.com feed for the HOF and they're showing highlights of some of the top candidates. Great old footage of Goose, Hawk and Lee Smith in Cubs uniforms. They make all those Smith games look like they were pieces of cake. I never could forgive him for Game 4.

Submitted by cubsbaseball  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:36am  
I’d love to get rid of Pagan for someone like Wilson or Nevin, but I doubt it will happen. Are you serious Rob G. Lets try to stay with OBP somewhere on the team. Nevin-Never mind, Wilson-Water vs. beer plays like he is drunk. Here is a list of some notable free agents, because Trader Jim isn't trading Jim. Tony Armas-SP (could be a good #5) David Bell-IF (bench depth) Ronnie Belliard-IF (some teams need) Jason Bulger-RP (Where?) Jeremy Burnitz-OF (AL DH) Vinny Castilla-IF (good clubhouse guy) Bruce Chen-SP (?) Darin Erstad-OF (can he stay healthy) Steve Finley-OF (another good bench/clubhouse guy) Cliff Floyd-OF (Cubs?) Eddie Guardado-RP (somewhere Eddie) Dan Kolb-RP (none?) Mark Mulder-SP (St.L or ?) Brian Moehler-SP (decent) Phil Nevin-IF (AL DH) David Newhan-OF (Cubs/NY?) Trot Nixon-OF (will some team please grab him) Chan Ho Park-SP (minor league contract) Mark Redman-SP (could be a good #5) Aaron Sele-SP (hmmmm?) Steve Trachsel-SP (15-8, 4.57 last year, who wouldn’t take a chance) Fernando Tatis-IF (minor league contract) Jose Vizcaino-IF (utility) Jeff Weaver-SP (he has upside) David Wells-SP (San Diego?) Craig Wilson-IF/OF (back to Pitt) Bernie Williams-OF (may retire) Mike DeJean-SP (could be a good #5) Scott Schoeneweis-RP (best relief pitcher avail) Roger Clemens-SP (don’t know why he is on the list) Toma Ohka-SP (NY?) Brian Lawrence-P (I like this guy) Javy Lopez-C (Washington?) Ryan Franklin-P (ex-Red, new Oriole) Ramon Ortiz-P (he is still a FA?) Shannon Stewart-OF (injuries have plague this talented Twin) John Thomson-P (Braves had enough) Preston Wilson-OF (AL DH) Matt Herges-P (a good pick-up for some team) Vinnie Chulk-P (who?)

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:37am  
"I think he’s hell bent on getting rid of JJ due to the fans booing him and not handling it very well.(See Hundley, Todd)" there's truth to jones wanting him out, but hundley is a bit extreme. hundley bitched to the press and got his dad in on it for a pity party. jones is handling it with a bit of class...for now. i really really really would like to see jones stay and play CF. hell, if his replacement isnt up to some kinda starter-type tallent i wouldnt object to soriano CF and jones back in RF...doesn't look like that's in the cards, though.

Submitted by MikeC  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:40am  
I don’t think anyone is denying that McGwire was a great home run hitter; it’s just that he didn’t have a whole lot to offer beyond his power and his ability to take a walk. He was average defensively at a relatively easy position, he had no speed, and he never won the MVP. Compare that with Dawson who, while lacking the spectacular home run total, was an elite defensive right fielder for years, had great speed, and won the MVP once and came in second for the MVP twice. I will let Jayson Stark speak about McGwire... There are a million reasons not to vote for McGwire. But of all the reasons people have dredged up lately, the one I find most amazing is the revisionist history that he wasn't that good -- except for those four years (1996-99) when he morphed into Babe Ruth. Well, hold on. Ask any scout who saw him at USC, and they'll all tell you the same thing: This guy was a big-time masher from the day he was drafted until the day he quit. If it took Jose Canseco's magic potion to make him any good, how come he had a .618 slugging percentage in his rookie season? Andruw Jones, Adam Dunn and Jeff Kent have never slugged .618 in any season, if that tells you anything. And if McGwire wasn't any good until 1996, how did he manage to put up six seasons with at least 32 homers and 90 RBI in his seven healthy seasons before that? That's as many seasons of 32-90 as Chipper Jones and Moises Alou have, combined. If he wasn't any good, how did this man make 12 All-Star teams -- as many as Mike Schmidt? If he wasn't any good, why did he collect MVP votes in every healthy season of his career except one? The other shaky argument here is that McGwire just had one song on his jukebox, that all he could do was hit home runs, kind of like Dave Kingman. But if he was so one-dimensional, how did he win a Gold Glove? How did he compile that .394 career on-base percentage? And even if he had just one superior dimension, he had the best home run ratio of any player who ever lived (one every 10.6 at-bats). So if people want to vote against him to make a steroid statement, I understand that. But arguing that he didn't have a Hall of Fame career? That one doesn't compute. People get this perception that he wasn't all that great on defense but he was actually gold glove caliber. And that isn't because he won a gold glove once in his career either. I am not a huge fan of range factor but McGwire finished with a .993 fielding % and a career 8.79 range factor. Derrek Lee currently sits at a .994 fielding %, and a career 8.59 range factor. Just like Stark says, the argument that he was one dimensional is silly. If you think McGwire is that, then Tony Gwynn is also. He could hit for average, and steal bases early in his career. Later in his career he was a one trick pony. There is no difference at all between comparing Tony Gwynn's one trick and McGwire's. What they both did was excel and become the best at what they knew how to do. Tony Gwynn never won an MVP award, I guess that keeps him out of the Hall of Fame as well huh? But just like McGwire he recieved votes in nearly every season he played.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:45am  
well anyway, the mlb.com feed says the announcement is in about 15 minutes. And I'm sure it'll end up being just Ripken/Gwynn,

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:45am  
WWBD? what would blyleven do?

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:47am  
On JJ- I would like to keep him around with a rh platoon. I agreed he should not put up with the racial slurs but he also was going after the fans booing for a horrendous hitting start and getting doubled off second base THREE times in a 10 day period.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:54am  
I see that the server is taking another dump on our site again... Meh...

Submitted by The E-Man  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 11:54am  
cubsbaseball: tony armas, jr. is TERRIBLE!!! I'd MUCH rather try any of the rookies from last year. Look him up! why do you think only the bottom feeders are even remotely interested in him? ROB G: O.K. - so far, I believe that when "thecubreporter" is entered into the browser toolbar, this is what is hanging up the loading of the site. This would be a problem, b/c it happens to be the name of the web site (or was). SO - when the code is re-directing to the NEW MVN address, something is f'd on the coding side to not allow the new pages to load quickly/or at all...

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:00pm  
if a team plans on a platoon with j.jones you're looking at hiring a guy for 150-ish ab's. wilson is a pretty clumbsy guy to have fill the role at his price...i dunno if he'd want another year of 250-300 odd ab's. he's also a below-average RF type. someone besides pagan needs to fill a role off the bench, but i see hendry fillling that with a trade or a low-pay guy...just speculation. there's a lot of pitching out there for teams to have on many levels (except mlb-starter ready-now 1-3 type starters) from the cubs and the only role the cubs have to fill currently is that 4th/5th OF'r slot (or something radical like a kearns trade/etc.).

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:01pm  
AP says one HOF voter left his ballot blank...so if anyone thought Ripken or Gwynn had a shot at a unanimous vote...unlikely.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:02pm  
Ripken 98.5 Gwynn 96.7 (I think)

Submitted by Carlos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:03pm  
Cal Ripken, Jr -- 98.5 Tony Gwynn -- 97.6 Blyleven? :(

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:03pm  
Dawson got 56.5 Goose in the low 70's I missed the rest....

Submitted by Carlos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:04pm  
Goose Gossage -- 70ish% :( Dawson in the high fifties.

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:04pm  
Bogey- It was a d-bag from Daily Southtown in suburban Chicago. I think Mike C posted it earlier. Hopefully after his fifteen minutes of fame this writer will be hit by a bus.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:05pm  
thnx Carlos, my day to be dyslexic

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:05pm  
Also elected- REM Van Halen ooops wrong HOF.

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:05pm  
Ripken - 98.5% Gwynn - 97.6 % Gossage missed by 21 or so votes McJuicer received 23.5% or 128 votes.

Submitted by crunch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:06pm  
mcG's expected to finish around 50% of the vote...looks like he needs to actually address some issues people been trying to get him to address for the past few years if he wants a shot any time soon. those congressional hearing non-answers and work-around answers really dammed him. going into hiding afterward didnt help. when's the last time anyone saw mcG at a ballpark or any MLB function. hell, no one knows if he's hiding, bitter, or just sick of roid-gate. doesnt help the people voting for you are the people who's jobs are to find the answers to those questions.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:06pm  
I think Lee Smith was high 40's I missed Trammell

Submitted by Dusty Baylor  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:06pm  
Good point MikeC...McGuire was a hoe run hitter, to be sure....i can't argue that. I never said that he wasn't. I said that it was kinda strange that he generally hit 30-39 HR's a year, then suddenly wstarted hitting 50+ every year. That's a huge jump. Just Ripken and Gwynn.....damn. Where's the love for "The Hawk," or for anyone....lol...

Submitted by Bleeding Blue  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:07pm  
McGwire only got 23%

Submitted by Carlos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:08pm  
McGwire makes the cut -- 25%

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:08pm  
good news for Gossage that no player who ever reached the 70% threshold didn't ultimately make it...

Submitted by Carlos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:08pm  
23.5% sorry.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:10pm  
Ripken 3rd highest of all-time, Gwynn 7th in terms of percentage of vote. Tom Seaver #1? Crazy...

Submitted by Carlos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:11pm  
Poor, poor Gossage. I feel for him, especially after his tirade last year.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:12pm  
http://preview.tinyurl.com/ylozmu MLB.com story...

Submitted by jacos  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:13pm  
Gossage should be in next year(Raines only name guy up for 2008). Disappointed about Dawson. Macguire will problaby by 2009 with Rickey.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:19pm  
I can't understand people who vote that voted for Gossage this time but didn't previously. What did he do in the past year that deserved your vote? Either he is a HOFer or not!!! Stupid HOF voters...UGH!!!

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:28pm  
Canseco received 6 votes

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:30pm  
Joyner, B.Witt, Brosius, D.White received zero votes.

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:32pm  
Full tally Votes % Cal Ripken Jr. 537 98.5 Tony Gwynn 532 97.6 Rich Gossage 388 71.2 Jim Rice 346 63.5 Andre Dawson 309 56.7 Bert Blyleven 260 47.7 Lee Smith 217 39.8 Jack Morris 202 37.1 Mark McGwire 128 23.5 Tommy John 125 22.9 Steve Garvey 115 21.1 Dave Concepcion 74 13.6 Alan Trammell 73 13.4 Dave Parker 62 11.4 Don Mattingly 54 9.9 Dale Murphy 50 9.2 Harold Baines 29 5.3 Orel Hershiser 24 4.4 Albert Belle 19 3.5 Paul O'Neill 12 2.2 Bret Saberhagen 7 1.3 Jose Canseco 6 1.1 Tony Fernandez 4 0.7 Dante Bichette 3 0.6 Eric Davis 3 0.6 Bobby Bonilla 2 0.4 Ken Caminiti 2 0.4 Jay Buhner 1 0.2 Scott Brosius 0 0 Wally Joyner 0 0 Devon White 0 0 Bobby Witt 0 0

Submitted by big john stud  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:37pm  
I can’t understand people who vote that voted for Gossage this time but didn’t previously. What did he do in the past year that deserved your vote? Either he is a HOFer or not!!! Stupid HOF voters…UGH!!! --------------------------------------------------------- Is this a joke? It might have something to do with the fact that Sutter's not on the ballot and the votes that Sutter was getting are now going to Gossage.

Submitted by Ranch  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:40pm  
Caminiti got 2 votes?! For perspective's sake, remember that it took Joe DiMaggio 3 tries to get elected. The voters have been dumb for a long time.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:41pm  
I think Manny's point is that Goose didn't play any games between last year and this year. What's changed? Each voter gets 10 slots so it's unlikely they didn't have room on their ballots for both Sutter and Gossage. It's just the stupid-ass writers trying to wield their undeserved power over these guys.

Submitted by Rob G.  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:45pm  
no love for Alan Trammell at all, even behind Concepcion who's just tailgating off the Big Red Machine success. Man this system blows as much as the posting system.

Submitted by mannytrillo  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:46pm  
Thanks Rob, that is exactly what I was getting at. And that 1 person who voted for Jay Buhner to be in the HOF should be shot.

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 12:49pm  
The gap between Dawson and Dale Murphy shouldn't be that exaggerated either. Murphy's career was cut short due to injury as well. Back problems tend to curb power numbers even moreso than bad knees. Then if you add in position scarcity, Murphy went from C to CF to RF as he aged...not to mention 2 MVPs. Dave Parker shouldn't be ahead of The Murph. I'm just glad the idiot voters gave more love to one of my fave non Cub players ever in Paul O'Neill than Cansuco.

Submitted by Bogey  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 1:09pm  
Dawson - .279/.323/.482, 438 HRs, 1591 RBIs, 1373 Runs, 314 SBs, 1 MVP, 8 Gold Gloves The Murph - .265/.346/.469, 398 HRs, 1266 RBIs, 1197 Runs, 161 SBs, 2 MVPs, 5 Gold Gloves in nearly 2000 fewer ABs than Dawson...both should be in.

Submitted by steve  on Tue, 01/09/2007 - 5:58pm  
"Caminiti got 2 votes?!" Didn't help that he confessed of using roids during his '96 MVP year.

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  • Arizona Phil 3 hours 13 min ago (view)

    Beginning in 2019, a club must wait a minimum of seven days before it can place a player who was claimed off Outtright Assignment Waivers during the off-season back onto waivers, so because he was claimed off waivers on Wednesday 11/27, yesterday (Wednesday 12/4) was the first day the Cubs could place LHRP C. D. Pelham back onto Outright Assignment Waivers, and so tomorrow (Friday 12/6) is the first day the Cubs can send Pelham outright to the minors (if he was placed back onto waivers yesterday).

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 28 sec ago (view)

    A Competitive Balance draft slot can be traded only during a period of time starting on December 2nd and extending up until two hours prior to the MLB First-Year Player Draft (MLB Rule 4 Draft), so don't be surpised if these draft picks are traded during the off-season.

    Keep in mind that the slot cannot be traded for cash unless it is a financial adjustment made to offset the salary of one or more of the players involved in the trade.

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 2 min ago (view)

    The active list roster limit changes scheduled to go in effect in 2020 have not yet been officially approved. Same goes for the three-batter minimum (or else record the third out in the inning) for relief pitchers. 

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 5 min ago (view)

    And then the active list roster limit will expand from 26 to 28 on September 1st (max 14 pitchers in September). 

     
  • Arizona Phil 1 day 8 min ago (view)

    The "26th man" who was added for doubleheaders will now be the "27th man" and he can be a pitcher. 

     
  • crunch 1 day 5 hours ago (view)

    ATL signs cole hamels 1/18m...a'ite then.

    also, z.wheeler 5/100+ to the phillies.

     
  • Charlie 1 day 21 hours ago (view)

    I think without the off-field issues, a front-office might at least be tempted to gamble on Russell's youth and dreams of his upside. But with what we all know about him now, the challenges of improving both on and off the field are too great to gamble on.

     
  • George Altman 2 days 12 hours ago (view)

    This was the easiest non-tender decision, maybe ever. As if there weren't enough off-field reasons alone, there were even more baseball reasons. He became a sub .700 OPS hitter with bottom of the order OBA results. His defense, formerly his strength, became inconsistent due to attention deficit issues. He turned himself into bench infielder with suspect skills which is someone you don't pay more than $1--1.5M/yr.

     
  • crunch 3 days 57 min ago (view)

    he was due for a 3.5-4m payday (3.4m last year) at a minimum, anyway.

    it's as good of a time as any to cut him loose.  nico hoener's spring just became a lot more important.

     
  • Craig A. 3 days 1 hour ago (view)

    Addison Russell, to no one's surprise, was  non-tendered. I still think he has the talent to excel in the major leagues, but it'll take a new attitude for him to realize his potential. It can't be easy to deal with his baggage in front of millions of fans. I won't forget his contributions in 2016, or that beautiful play that used to be the banner of TCR.

     
  • crunch 4 days 20 hours ago (view)

    keuchel doesn't have draft pick compensation attached to him and he's a decent enough ground ball pitcher...that will be attractive to a lot of clubs.  that would put 3 lefties in the cubs rotation (pending a trade) again, though.  not sure they want to go for that look again.

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  • Dolorous Jon Lester 5 days 2 hours ago (view)

    Looking for impact starting pitchers, but won't be shopping at the top of the market? So I guess they won't be in the market for impact starting pitching.

    Still hoping they find a taker for Q.

     
  • crunch 5 days 4 hours ago (view)

    "Patrick Mooney of The Athletic writes the Cubs are in the market for impact starting pitchers but won't be shopping at the top of the market."

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  • Arizona Phil 5 days 4 hours ago (view)

    HAGSAG: I suspect going into his age 30 season and coming off a great year as a pinch-hitter, LaStella wanted a chance to be an everyday player, and since that obviously wasn't going to happen if he stayed with the Cubs, TLS (or his agent) may have asked the Cubs to trade him somewhere he could get that opportunity.

     
  • crunch 5 days 5 hours ago (view)

    dunno any official reasoning, but his D is miserable and they decided to "upgrade" there with descalso for similar loot as well as getting a trade piece back.  the whole a.russell thing was lingering over the team.

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  • Sonicwind75 5 days 9 hours ago (view)

    Was just thinking about this, maybe that isn't a good thing for TLS?  I wonder if Maddon will use TLS differently after seeing his success last year.  That's my gripe with people complaining about Theo trading away a player that turns into an All Star.  If TLS had stayed with the Cubs, Maddon would most likely kept using him in the same manner and with the same results. 

     
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