What to look forward to next season?
Free agents?
New owner?
We need something to change the luck soon!
rocketsauce
10-05-08, 03:58 PM
:confused:
What to look forward to next season?
Free agents?
New owner?
We need something to change the luck soon!
Please ban wm lopez from this thread. I'm being serious. Every fucking time he posts his bullshit I'm reporting it as trolling. How the mods haven't done something in the other thread is amazing.
Shut the fuck up, no one cares about your thinly veiled trolling. Listening to the Score doesn't mean you shit about Chicago sports.
Al Padrino
10-05-08, 05:29 PM
Actually, the mods don't view it as trolling. I recall one mod saying he actually had more reason to suspend/ban those responding to Lopez on grounds of flaming. It's silly, because anyone who's followed any of the baseball threads over the last several years knows Lopez and his broken English only say things about the Cubs to raise the ire of others.
Deftones
10-05-08, 05:31 PM
to be fair, he doesn't do anything other than post his opinions. while they are completely ridiculous, he doesn't insult anyone. just put him on ignore.
dx23
10-05-08, 06:11 PM
to be fair, he doesn't do anything other than post his opinions. while they are completely ridiculous, he doesn't insult anyone. just put him on ignore.
Isn't that the definition of trolling?
Deftones
10-05-08, 06:20 PM
I don't see him as a troll because he rarely responds when people respond to his ridiculousness. I think he truly believes what he's posting. :lol:
psxfan2
10-05-08, 08:59 PM
A Cub fan I'm not but if they don't get out of Wrigley where those day games take there toll through the course of the season the end results will be the same.
davidh777
10-06-08, 12:41 AM
to be fair, he doesn't do anything other than post his opinions. while they are completely ridiculous, he doesn't insult anyone. just put him on ignore.
He was definitely baiting this year, but ignoring is probably best
davidh777
10-06-08, 12:46 AM
Well, the team doesn't need to be blown up but it needs something. I'm not going to pin the blame on Fukudome--this was just his first year so there's still hope, and I imagine he'd be hard to trade--but his struggles seemed like a microcosm of the season. Early in the year he and the team were seeing tons of pitches. Late in the year they seemed to fall into bad habits (but take that for what it's worth--I didn't watch a ton of games).
It's not terrible to have a bad hitter in your 8th spot (especially the way the lineup produced top through bottom), but it's bad to have one in RF.
Just have to figure out whiy a good team laid a big egg in the playoffs. And I won't give all the credit to the Dodgers. Those G1 walks and G2 errors were bad. Perhaps it was nerves, and the team--despite all they said--letting the 100-year pressure affect them. I had hoped that since the core of the team had been in the playoffs last year, they'd be better this time around.
A Cub fan I'm not but if they don't get out of Wrigley where those day games take there toll through the course of the season the end results will be the same.
Actually there is something to this. They're not leaving Wrigley any time soon, but if they can work out an agreement to play some night games on the weekend, it might help.
BravesMG
10-06-08, 01:18 AM
The Cubs had the best home record in the NL and the 2nd best in MLB. I'm not following why they would want to change their scheduling.
davidh777
10-06-08, 02:54 AM
The thought is that there are certain situations in which day games are harder on the players (like Fridays after road trips), and that can have an effect by the end of the season.
wm lopez
10-06-08, 06:39 PM
I don't know how posting links of what is written in the chicago sun-times newspapers and comments of sprots broadcasters and fans of Chicago call-in radio shows labels me as posting only my opinions. But any way COMCAST had a poll on which PLAYOFFS were the most dissapointing to Cub fans. And this one won by 50%.
Also go here http://www.670thescore.com/ to listen what Steve Stone says about the Cubs loss in the playoffs.
Spicollidriver1
10-06-08, 07:12 PM
Plus that is part of there fan appeal is the day games. A bunch of night games would be weird at Wrigley
wm lopez
10-07-08, 05:37 AM
Plus that is part of there fan appeal is the day games. A bunch of night games would be weird at Wrigley
Not in September or August.
The night life is big in that area in Chicago.
Your walking distance from many clubs and bars for singles.
The Cow
10-07-08, 08:16 AM
The thought is that there are certain situations in which day games are harder on the players (like Fridays after road trips), and that can have an effect by the end of the season.
You are grasping now. Borderline ridiculous.
acubfaninmd
10-07-08, 09:13 AM
What the Cubs need to do to win a WS
1.) Sign Manny Ramirez
2.) Move Lee to #2 in Line Up and Soriano down to #5
3.) Sign LH Power Bat
4.) Sign CC and let dempster go.
5.) Sell team to Cuban.
Goat3001
10-07-08, 09:19 AM
^CC, Manny and LH power bat? Do the Cubs have that much coin to spend? Even if Cuban buys them?
cardsfan111
10-07-08, 10:01 AM
What the Cubs need to do to win a WS
1.) Sign Manny Ramirez
2.) Move Lee to #2 in Line Up and Soriano down to #5
3.) Sign LH Power Bat
4.) Sign CC and let dempster go.
5.) Sell team to Cuban.
^CC, Manny and LH power bat? Do the Cubs have that much coin to spend? Even if Cuban buys them?
I think their biggest need is probably the left handed bat. They thought Fukudome was that guy. They signed Edmonds to be that guy. They weren't the answers and the Dodgers right handers ate the Cubs up.
The question then, acubsfaninmd, is if you sign Manny, where are you playing this LH power bat? You'd have (Manny) Ramirez, Soriano and Fukudome in the OF (with Pie still waiting his turn), and you've got your corner positions and catcher locked up with RH hitters. Finding LH middle infielder power is pretty rare since I don't see the Cubs acquiring Utley from the Phils.
I'm not mocking your suggestions, but I think I'd cross #1 off of your list as far as being a priority.
bauermj
10-07-08, 11:00 AM
I think their biggest need is probably the left handed bat. They thought Fukudome was that guy. They signed Edmonds to be that guy. They weren't the answers and the Dodgers right handers ate the Cubs up.
The question then, acubsfaninmd, is if you sign Manny, where are you playing this LH power bat? You'd have (Manny) Ramirez, Soriano and Fukudome in the OF (with Pie still waiting his turn), and you've got your corner positions and catcher locked up with RH hitters. Finding LH middle infielder power is pretty rare since I don't see the Cubs acquiring Utley from the Phils.
I'm not mocking your suggestions, but I think I'd cross #1 off of your list as far as being a priority.
I agree. LH bat is top on my wish list. And I honestly want no part of the Sabathia sweepstakes. Dempster was such a great surprise this season i don't understand why you wouldn't want him back.
nevermind
10-07-08, 12:13 PM
And I honestly want no part of the Sabathia sweepstakes. Dempster was such a great surprise this season i don't understand why you wouldn't want him back.
I agree.
I also agree with Goat - Manny, CC, and a LH bat? That's WAY too much to spend.
nevermind
10-07-08, 12:19 PM
and oh yeah - fire Hendry just so someone stops dumbing up these threads every season.
Goat3001
10-07-08, 12:27 PM
Isn't Pat Burrell in a contract year? That may make more sense for the Cubs than Manny. Burrell will be cheaper and younger. Won't produce as much but he can sure hit the ball.
That may leave $$$ available if they are seriously looking at CC.... then again CC might be the last thing Cubs and Cubs fans need. A potential 20 game winner that will get lit up in the postseason? I'd pass. Maybe you can sign CC for the regular season and sign El Duque to pitch exclusively in the playoffs.
Not sure what kind of LH power bat you can get. 1st base is usually the position those guys play and Derek Lee is there. You're not getting rid of Fukudome or Soriano.
You guys will never win anything with Lou as your manager. He'll be really good at getting you 3-4 extra games per year, though.
rocketsauce
10-07-08, 01:20 PM
and oh yeah - fire Hendry just so someone stops dumbing up these threads every season.
rotfl rotfl rotfl
B.A.
10-07-08, 01:23 PM
What the Cubs need to do to win a WS
1.) Sign Manny Ramirez
2.) Move Lee to #2 in Line Up and Soriano down to #5
3.) Sign LH Power Bat
4.) Sign CC and let dempster go.
5.) Sell team to Cuban.You can have Ankiel for Dempster.
Kicker_of_Elves
10-07-08, 03:37 PM
What the Cubs need to do to win a WS
1.) Trade Soriano, Sign Manny Ramirez
2.) Give Fukudome another year to adjust to the bigs
3.) Give Pie a chance
4.) Keep Dempster, Watch the Yankees overpay for C.C.
5.) Sell team to Cuban.
Fixed.
acubfaninmd
10-07-08, 03:56 PM
I'd also wouldnt mind if they were able to sign Texira to play first if they traded Lee for a bunch of prospects. I know that wont happen but i wouldnt be upset if they did trade Lee if they were able to get another top caliber 1st basemen.
acubfaninmd
10-07-08, 04:00 PM
^CC, Manny and LH power bat? Do the Cubs have that much coin to spend? Even if Cuban buys them?
Its not that do the cubs have enough to spend on these players its if Cuban has that much to spend on players.
wm lopez
10-07-08, 10:01 PM
I agree. LH bat is top on my wish list. And I honestly want no part of the Sabathia sweepstakes. Dempster was such a great surprise this season i don't understand why you wouldn't want him back.
Here's why you pass on Dempster.
If you look at his whole career this past year was his best super year, but it was on his free-agent year. You have to go with the odds when your going to sign free-agents to mega-bucks. If they have only one super year and it's their free-agent year you shouldn't sign them. The Cubs in the last 10 years have been burned by this. Bobby Howry is one example that comes to mind. 2nd basemen which their names I foget but it's something like E.Y. and that white guy who hit over .300 once and then sucked.
C.C., Manny are good investments. I never was happy with the Derrick Lee signing and today on Chicago's sports radio the hosts are talking about that they should trade him. Well, D. Lee only has had one superstar year and the rest have been like this year just good years. But he's not worth the money.
davidh777
10-08-08, 01:51 AM
You are grasping now. Borderline ridiculous.
We're all entitled to our opinions, but I'm not making this up myself.
I got upset when I heard this on the radio.
So now in 2009 we are going to have to baby him and not pitch him past 5 innings. And shut him down sometimes just like we did when the Cubs had Wood & Pryor as starters. They should have saved the money and used it for C.C.
Spicollidriver1
10-08-08, 08:46 PM
I sort of feel the same but 7 million isn't shit for a decent starter you can spend much more then that and get less. Case in point 2 former Twins that are way over paid Carlos Silva, and Kyle Lohse. The only nice thing about Silva is that he can throw 80 pitches and it will be the 9th, but you could be losing :)
cardsfan111
10-08-08, 11:13 PM
I sort of feel the same but 7 million isn't shit for a decent starter you can spend much more then that and get less. Case in point 2 former Twins that are way over paid Carlos Silva, and Kyle Lohse. The only nice thing about Silva is that he can throw 80 pitches and it will be the 9th, but you could be losing :)
What's with the crack on Lohse? You can't put him in the same category as Silva. 15-6 and an ERA under 4 versus 4-15 and an ERA of nearly 6 and a half. Now Lohse may be overpaid before the end of his new 4-year deal is up, but we'll have to wait and see. :)
On the Cubs signing of Harden, this seemed like a no-brainer to me. 7 million is 4th starter money for a big market team.
Spicollidriver1
10-09-08, 12:05 AM
What's with the crack on Lohse? You can't put him in the same category as Silva. 15-6 and an ERA under 4 versus 4-15 and an ERA of nearly 6 and a half. Now Lohse may be overpaid before the end of his new 4-year deal is up, but we'll have to wait and see. :)
On the Cubs signing of Harden, this seemed like a no-brainer to me. 7 million is 4th starter money for a big market team.
Dude he had two good seasons once with the Twins, and once with you guys.The end of the deal you might not get that next year if he does great for you guys it took forever for him to get to that point. Trust me most minnesotans that I know hate Lohse, but maybe he finally turned it around
davidh777
10-09-08, 12:52 AM
I sort of feel the same but 7 million isn't shit for a decent starter you can spend much more then that and get less. Case in point 2 former Twins that are way over paid Carlos Silva, and Kyle Lohse. The only nice thing about Silva is that he can throw 80 pitches and it will be the 9th, but you could be losing :)
This year Silva would throw 80 pitches and it was still the 4th
Spicollidriver1
10-09-08, 01:06 AM
We got a lot of that too he has a way when you start to hate him he does something good, like when your dog craps on the floor
RayChuang
10-09-08, 06:27 AM
You guys will never win anything with Lou as your manager. He'll be really good at getting you 3-4 extra games per year, though.
I agree 100%. I've suggested that they need a manager with a calm demeanor or one that is totally oblivious to the whole idea of a "curse" on the team.
wildcatlh
10-09-08, 06:42 AM
What the Cubs need to do to win a WS
1.) Sign Manny Ramirez
2.) Move Lee to #2 in Line Up and Soriano down to #5
3.) Sign LH Power Bat
4.) Sign CC and let dempster go.
5.) Sell team to Cuban.
Cripes, bit of an adventurous wishlist, no? Why not suggest they trade for A-Rod, Prince Fielder, Brad Lidge, Johan Santana, and every other all-star while you're at it?
wm lopez
10-09-08, 06:16 PM
Some reports out of Chicago have the new owner being a family from California and not Cuban.
acubfaninmd
10-10-08, 09:12 AM
Cripes, bit of an adventurous wishlist, no? Why not suggest they trade for A-Rod, Prince Fielder, Brad Lidge, Johan Santana, and every other all-star while you're at it?
Thats only adding 3 players to the team not that outlandish if you ask me. I am just saying what I think they need to do to win the WS next year, not what I want the team to do. Just an idea of what they need. If you want something realistic here you go.
Main concern should be getting a LH Power Bat. They should trade D. Lee for a bunch of prospects and sign Texiara or however you spell his last name to play first base. Give Shark and Marshall to earn a spot in the rotation. Send Fukudome back to Japan and put the power LH Bat in Fukudomes spot. Like someone else said in here I think put Pie in CF and let him play dont give up on him. If by trading deadline he hasnt showed what he should be package him with other players for a CFer.
acubfaninmd
10-10-08, 09:13 AM
(edited for correct statement)Some reports out of DVDtalk have WM Lopez being on everyones ignore list.
rocketsauce
10-10-08, 01:56 PM
Some reports out of Chicago have the new owner being a family from California and not Cuban.
Read: "I heard Doug Buffone/Mike North on my car's talky box thingy and since I can't formulate my own opinion without them, I'm passing this off as fact"
WCChiCubsFan
10-10-08, 02:40 PM
It's funny that "some reports" have surfaced that have stated a new owner has been picked while Reuters is reporting today that Zell has not even narrowed down the list from 5 to 2 yet.
Also, none of the people Reuters lists are from California.
acubfaninmd
10-11-08, 08:37 AM
Interesting story on Cuban, the sale of the Cubs and the effect the failing economy will have on the sale. F U Bush if you screw this up and Cuban doesnt buy the team.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/73391
wm lopez
10-11-08, 05:26 PM
Interesting story on Cuban, the sale of the Cubs and the effect the failing economy will have on the sale. F U Bush if you screw this up and Cuban doesnt buy the team.
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/73391
That's good news for Cardinals and White Sox fans.:banana:
The Cow
10-17-08, 10:36 AM
Yes, because that helped them so much this year. :rolleyes:
wm lopez
10-17-08, 05:48 PM
Yes, because that helped them so much this year. :rolleyes:
The future, man the future. Why give a man an more years on his cintract when he hasn't won a championship? Like it was a big mistake when they gave Pinnella a extention when he hasn' won a playoff game with the Cubs.
Brewers are in the same boat as the Cubs with no World Series appearance in over 20 years, but they don't have the payroll like the Cubs.
MARLINS, ROCKIES and soon RAYS will have made World Series appearances in short time of their birth. It's how the team is run not curses that have doomed the Cubs.
nevermind
10-17-08, 05:56 PM
I guess you can follow the White Sox and Cards full time then.
wm lopez
10-17-08, 06:25 PM
I guess you can follow the White Sox and Cards full time then.
No I like Cubs and Sox. But the Sox & Cards seem to be a torn to Cub fans.
The Sox & Cards have won championships this decade.
And the Cards are a well run team the last 20 years.
It's a shame the Cubs are run the way they are.
I saw on WGN news last night that the sale of the Cubs may be delayed.
I went to bed before that segment came on and have been trying to find the story online today.
dsa_shea
10-17-08, 06:41 PM
Some reports out of Chicago have the new owner being a family from California and not Cuban.
The California Cubs. I can see it now. Imagine what would happen to Chi-Town if this were to take place.
rabbit77
10-20-08, 08:39 PM
Surprised no one posted about Hendry being signed through 2012.
nevermind
10-20-08, 09:15 PM
I was waiting for the unintelligible sports radio update.
dsa_shea
10-20-08, 10:50 PM
I was waiting for the unintelligible sports radio update.
The "We need Jesus to come back" update? The "If we sign everyone available we might win" update?
rabbit77
10-20-08, 11:13 PM
The Yankees pulled a similar stunt in '03 (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/27656)IIRC.
wm lopez
10-21-08, 07:18 PM
Surprised no one posted about Hendry being signed through 2012.
I didn't want to be the 1st to report the bad news.
Man this sucks.:down:
mostaccioli
10-25-08, 07:49 PM
what's the latest on the new ownership? did the economic state of the banks going to affect the sale?
davidh777
10-28-08, 10:58 PM
Sorry to hear the news about Kevin Foster. Not the greatest pitcher in the world but I liked him.
wm lopez
10-29-08, 07:24 PM
what's the latest on the new ownership? did the economic state of the banks going to affect the sale?
I saw this on ESPN and was looking for a thread.
But the Miami Dolphins owner wants to sell the team if Obama wins because of the tax issue. So maybe the Cub owners may now have a tough time selling the team. And when you factor in all those contracts for long term and recently Hendry's. How can you make money?
Spicollidriver1
11-07-08, 11:16 AM
Take it with a grain of salt but ESPN.com is reporting there is 0 chance Cuban gets the team, and there will not be a new owner by opening day. How is it that Cuban is perceived as that bad for the game.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3687712
davidh777
11-07-08, 11:49 AM
Another ESPN grain of salt, but Cubs are mentioned with Braves and Dodgers as the likeliest destinations for Peavy.
GuessWho
11-07-08, 12:12 PM
Wall Street Journal reports today that the Tribune may keep 50% of the team.
On Chicago sports radio nobody has called in being upset about it.
The sports radio hosts noted that they are glad the reaction has been like that. Because in the past Cub fans would have been upset when a popular player is gone. But as I have noted before there is a breed of Cub fans here in Chicago. We want to win a World Series and don't care how. Even if it means having players let go that the fans have jerseys of.:beer2:
With Marmol coming into his own this season (with some hiccups) i don't see any reason to keep Wood around. Hopefully he goes to the Rangers or someone else in the American League and doesn't stay in the N.L.
Also loved this comment from that link:
"He will be missed - what a dedicated ball player. I hope his wife stays though." :lol:
davidh777
11-14-08, 08:34 PM
Cubs pick up Marlins RP Kevin Gregg for Jose Ceda, who I thought was a hot property a year ago.
Interesting that the Braves have apparently pulled out of the Peavy sweepstakes and mlb.com says the Cubs are the only other viable suitor. I wouldn't think they'd have the young talent to put together a package.
acubfaninmd
11-15-08, 11:54 AM
Cubs pick up Marlins RP Kevin Gregg for Jose Ceda, who I thought was a hot property a year ago.
Interesting that the Braves have apparently pulled out of the Peavy sweepstakes and mlb.com says the Cubs are the only other viable suitor. I wouldn't think they'd have the young talent to put together a package.
They are trying to get a third team involved so they can get Peavy. Adam Dunn's name has been mentioned as someone who may sign with the CUbs. If they can trade Lee for some Prospects or a top pitcher they can put Dunn at 1B.
davidh777
11-16-08, 02:59 PM
They are trying to get a third team involved so they can get Peavy. Adam Dunn's name has been mentioned as someone who may sign with the CUbs. If they can trade Lee for some Prospects or a top pitcher they can put Dunn at 1B.
I like DLee's defense and character, but I'd exchange him for a LH bat that might be a little more consistently productive, especially if we can upgrade somewhere else at the same time.
cardsfan111
11-16-08, 04:33 PM
Cubs pick up Marlins RP Kevin Gregg for Jose Ceda, who I thought was a hot property a year ago.
Keith Law of ESPN (who I will say is at the bottom of my list of ESPN "experts") commented that the Marlins made out like bandits in this deal. Perhaps the Cubs are giving Gregg too much value since he closed for the Marlins...I think he's an adequate reliever, but nothing special.
davidh777
11-16-08, 04:35 PM
Keith Law of ESPN (who I will say is at the bottom of my list of ESPN "experts") commented that the Marlins made out like bandits in this deal. Perhaps the Cubs are giving Gregg too much value since he closed for the Marlins...I think he's an adequate reliever, but nothing special.
Matt Karchner had been a closer too
wm lopez
11-16-08, 06:37 PM
You have to also watch what the Cardinals and Brewers do also.
As long as they don't improve the Cubs should win the division again and that's it.
The Cow
11-16-08, 06:54 PM
You have to also watch what the Cardinals and Brewers do also.
As long as they don't improve the Cubs should win the division again and that's it.
So let me get this straight...
If nothing changes, then everything stays the same. Brilliant!
Kicker_of_Elves
11-17-08, 01:13 PM
ESPN.COM: Feds accuse Mavs owner Cuban of insider trading
WASHINGTON -- Federal regulators have charged billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban with insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale to avoid more than $750,000 in losses.
The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Cuban on Monday in federal court in Dallas. The agency said that in June 2004, Cuban was invited to get in on the coming stock offering by Mamma.com Inc. after he agreed to keep the information private.
The SEC says Cuban knew the shares would be sold below the current market price, and a few hours after receiving the information, told his broker to sell all shares in the search engine company.
"As we allege in the complaint, Mamma.com entrusted Mr. Cuban with nonpublic information after he promised to keep the information confidential. Less than four hours later, Mr. Cuban betrayed that trust by placing an order to sell all of his shares," Scott W. Friestad, deputy director of the SEC's Division of Enforcement, said in a statement. "It is fundamentally unfair for someone to use access to nonpublic information to improperly gain an edge on the market."
According to the SEC, the complaint seeks to permanently enjoin Cuban from future violations of the federal securities laws, disgorgement (with prejudgment interest), and a financial penalty.
Mamma.com, a Canadian company, merged with Copernic Technologies in December 2005. Copernic also offers search software and online advertising services. Mamma.com now trades under Copernic's ticker, CNIC.
I wonder if that's gonna hurt his chances of buying the Cubbies.
wm lopez
11-17-08, 07:24 PM
The Cubs have Jim Hendry and many other players locked up for about 5 years now.
So new ownership won't make a differance for the next 6 years.
So it doesn't matter now who buys the team.
Expect no World Series appearance for about 10 years.
nevermind
11-18-08, 04:50 PM
UPDATE: The Cubs and pitcher Ryan Dempster have agreed to a four-year, $52-million extension.
The deal makes Dempster the second-high paid pitcher on the team.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry will be available for comment Tuesday afternoon.
Dempster also was being courted by Atlanta and Toronto, but returning to the Cubs was his stated priority all along, and teams knew he'd probably stay in Chicago if the price was right. It was.
The veteran right-hander was Hendry's priority this off-season. Now the Cubs GM can turn to the next order of business -- finding a right-fielder who hits left-handed and can fit into the No. 4 or 5 spot in the lineup. He'll also continue to pursue San Diego's Jake Peavy, perhaps giving the Cubs a dream rotation, though there is no imminent closure to that soap opera.
Dempster is on his way back and Cubs fans should be happy.
The relationship between Hendry and Dempster helped smooth the path during negotiations. Hendry took a risk in signing Dempster for $300,000 after 2003, knowing he'd miss most or all of the '04 season after undergoing reconstructive elbow surgery with Cincinnati in August of '03. When Dempster returned to the mound in August of '04, working in middle relief, he said he wanted to play for the Cubs all along.
"There were different offers -- big league jobs, non-big league jobs -- and it worked out great," he said that day. "After the end of the ('03) season with the friction in Cincinnati going on, we were sure Cincy would non-tender me, so we asked if they'd release me so I can start talking to teams. I told my agent right away, 'I love Chicago and want to play for the Cubs.'
"I remember telling Hendry 3-4 years ago I wanted to play for the Cubs. It was one of those things -- they were interested and I'd made up my mind this is where I wanted to come."
Dempster went 1-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 23 appearances in the final two months of '04. Hendry had seen enough and didn't hesitate to pick up the $2 million option for 2005. After starting out the 2005 season in the Cubs rotation, he replaced LaTroy Hawkins as closer and converted 33 of 35 saves, leading the National League with a .943 saves percentage. On the final weekend of the season, Dempster agreed to a three-year, $15.5 million extension, and returned as the closer in '06.
Dempster fell out of favor with a segment of Cubs fans after blowing nine of 33 save opportunities in '06 and going 1-9 with a 4.80 ERA. While he converted 28 of 31 chances in 2007 in his first year under Lou Piniella, Dempster's 2-7 record and 4.73 ERA didn't instill confidence amongst Cubs fans, many of whom wanted him dealt.
Instead, Dempster asked for a return to the rotation in 2008, a request that was granted by Hendry and Piniella. Though he was supposedly vying with Jason Marquis and Jon Lieber in spring training for one of two spots in the rotation, Piniella acknowledged later on in the season that Dempster was slotted in the rotation all along. It turned out to be the right move, as Dempster had a career-best season, going 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA, earning a spot on the NL roster in the All-Star game and being named the Cubs Game 1 starter in the postseason.
That didn't work out so well, as seven walks and James Loney's grand slam led to a Game 1 loss.
But Dempster will get a chance to redeem himself in 2009, perhaps as part of a dream rotation if Peavy is acquired.
Good.
wm lopez
11-18-08, 07:15 PM
So what are the odds Dempster returns to his old form now that he got his money?
nevermind
11-18-08, 07:57 PM
I don't know, parrot. What does Chicago sports radio say?
Kicker_of_Elves
11-19-08, 02:34 AM
:lol:
wm lopez
11-19-08, 07:26 PM
I don't know, parrot. What does Chicago sports radio say?
Go hear and listen so you too can be a parrot instead of a Kool-aid drinker.:beer2:
http://www.670thescore.com/
nevermind
11-19-08, 07:45 PM
The last thing this place needs is another you.
wm lopez
11-20-08, 07:35 PM
The last thing this place needs is another you.
You may not enjoy yourself when you sit in the WrigleyField bleachers then.
Because there are a lot like me. 99% think like me. And on the radio in Chicago I would say 75% including the hosts.
So Chicago may not be your kind of town.-wink-
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