Again, what team would be DUMB enough to sign Soriano to an 8 year deal? That’s right, YOUR Chicago Cubs. NO team will take on that contract, UNLESS economic circumstances directly affect baseball…and existing contracts, with approval of player & agent are amended to reflect economic times/uncertainties…which again, is unrealistic and won’t happen.

I don’t see a Japanese “trainer” helping Fukudome. We need to accept that there are Japanese players that flame-out, or don’t last long in MLB, or don’t play as well as they did in Japan. Look at Kaz Matsui (formerly Mets). Seattle’s Ichiro is the exception…and he doesn’t hit for power at all, although he could, as they say he crushes the ball in BP.

Patrick, what are you smoking with regard to Maddux? He is at the tail end of his career, as he himself will admit. At best he is a #5 pitcher. He is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer, and a class act, but what the hell are you smoking to think a guy who’s ERA is UP and record DOWN the last 3 seasons (is under .500) can contribute to the Cubs?

Edmonds will in all likelihood retire. He is 39 after all…with regard to “teaching” the young players…who would that be on this team? Cubs are mostly veteran players, and its apparent they don’t listen or seek advice.

I see no indication Fontenot can be a lead-off hitter. Try it in Spring Training I guess…

As for Ramirez being tired…I also think he is LAZY. There is every indication of his laziness in his lack of effort at running out balls to 1st.

IF the Cubs can open their wallet, I make a run for Sabathia…absolutely. Manny would be big bat in lineup they don’t have. But where would you play him?

The sad fact is, the team will look essentially the same next season as it looked this season, which means expect more of the same in the disapointment department.

If you go for Manny, you have to get rid of Soriano. I thought at the time, and still think that one of the worst Hendry deals ever. His attitude after the game 3 loss was one of absolute cluelessness. Too much time off, and didn’t think the Dodgers would play that well? WTF?

The elephant in the room though is Soriano. Is there anyway to deal him? He has star power, maybe some small market team would be willing to give up some prospects?

1. Take the option on Blanco and Harden.
2. Here are the arbitration-eligibles:
C. Gaudin
R. Cedeno
M. Wuertz
R. Johnson
N. Cotts
Resign Johnson. Lost the rest.
3. Here’s the free agent list:
R. Dempster
K. Wood
J. Edmonds
B. Howry
D. Ward
J. Lieber
Resign Dempster and Wood. Ward if he comes cheaply.

2. No team would be as dumb as the Cubs. You forget, the Yankees are still in the league.

3. Yeah, Maddux is done. He sure made the Cubs look like Daytona the other day.

5. My point was, he can field and he might be able to teach the young’un a thing or two.

6. We disagree on what it takes to be a leadoff hitter. A .395 OBP is pretty high up there for me.

7. Ramirez looks tired at times, and needs regular rest. Who else ya got?

9. I think you can do better off the bench, and he’s brutal in the field when you spot start him. So off with his head.

Obviously, I skipped the two things you correctly agreed with me on.

2. Take a money bath on Soriano? NOT going to happen. That is a TON of money, and a STUPID 8 year contract I bitched about at the time it was announced (who the hell gives an 8 year deal to ANYONE?!). NO TEAM will be as dumb as the Cubs, and take him.

3. Trade D Lee, Jason Marquis and Howry for one new stud starter and a backup first baseman….(to what team(s)???) Let’s be realistic here, who the hell would want Marquis…or Howry…perhaps someone would take Lee. Maddux (I loved him) but come on! He is DONE.

4. I think Hoffpauir is ready to be your first baseman, if you can teach him to dig out low throws. Agree, give the guy who can hit a shot.

5. Wave bye-bye to Edmonds. He did well, but come on, don’t pull another Gary Gaetti signing.

6. Fontenot has shown that he can hit, but he is no lead-off hitter.

7. Uh…I don’t get that one (DeRosa at 3rd???). And DeRosa was not atrocious in RF…Hell, Soriano is WORSE and he is your starting LF.

8. Have Reed Johnson be your supersub in the outfield. Agreed.

9. Give up on Ronny Cedeno already. WHY? He is a decent, albeit not great bench guy.

Want to make a splash? Make a run for CC Sabathia…Manny Ramirez…a big bopper who bats lefty…

I think we will see essentially the same roster in 2009 as we saw this season, with some minor tweaks… in all likelihood they will get to postseason and falter again.