People think the Cubs have money to spend. Lester is available and obviously there is a decent relationship with the GM

Not crazy to think he might come here


Oh and there have always been guys that like the idea of playing at Wrigley field. That hasnt changed.


So while Boston is most likely, the Cub speculation is warranted.

RPB, that has been my thought process, mostly. Unlike little sisters of the poor, the Cubs will be able to keep their presumably strong home grown talent when free agency hits. They'll still need to plug holes with free agents, most notably in the starting rotation. But by and large, I am looking at a long term run from a pipeline of top talent.

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Dont get me wrong when I disagree with your Braves thing. That would be wonderful. I just think its so rare.

In the Girardi case at least he'd once been a Cub, went to Northwestern and probably knows/loved the fans' lifestyle around the ballpark. In his case it was also fair to accept that he wanted less to do with Yankee mgmt and had a belief that things would be much more settled and peaceful here. (True or not)

If I'm Lester, unless the deal is for $3-4MM per yr. and/or 2yrs more than the BoSox are offering I just don't see taking the risk.

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

And which top line free agent pitcher new to the Cubs has that factored in with successfully?

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

That's an awfully narrow question. Why would it have to be a top line free agent pitcher?

Certain players like Chicago and the idea playing in Wrigley. That is a fact. All Im saying is Lester could be one of them.


Plus, remember, not everyone has a hatred for the Cubs like you do. It seems like your letting your notions about the Cubs (evil) creep in when trying to analyze what other NON haters might think.


Also, you left out the more important parts of my post.

The Cubs supposedly have money
They need pitching
They have the GM that drafted the guy and won a world series with him


Those reasons alone are enough to speculate

Your Giants and Phillies examples are fine with me. They have had decent runs but over shorter time periods. Some would argue the Giants have had a better run than the Braves. Only championships matter, right?

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Hawaii (fuck) You

Phillies had three MVP's and the Giants have two Cy young winners and an MVP type. Still a long shot, even with a lot of top prospects

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There are only two examples of infinity: The universe and human stupidity and I'm not sure about the universe.

The park is not even a hitters park. It pretty much evens out over the year.

Fenway is a much worse pitchers park, especially for a left hander.




Havent seen any of that. The odds on favorite has been Boston since the beginning. (Ill allow for the fact that a couple people may have said he's going to the Cubs but its not most. And if you're talking CSFMB very few people have predicted they get him)


The second part of your post, Im not sure what you're saying. You dont think they should sign him?

It would be really smart to make a strong play on Navarro from the Blue Jays. That's not going to cost you one of your marquee prospects and he brings a lot of the things you wanted in Martin.

good defender, a bat that seems to have matured, every day catcher, not old and I believe, only 5 million per

on the negative side, he is more well traveled than Jackson, which makes you wonder why everyone would let him go

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioner_Navarro#New_York_Yankees

Interesting career path

Jesus H. Christ on a Sheffield Rooftop ...

https://twitter.com/MLBBruceLevine/status/534829659478061056

Cubs one of the teams that have inquired about Swisher .

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

I don't want that asswipe anywhere near the Cubs. Keep Jackson if Swisher is the only option in a trade. My God.

Nick Swisher as a Cub would be very convenient for me.

_________________
O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

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Power is always in the hands of the masses of men. What oppresses the masses is their own ignorance, their own short-sighted selfishness.
- Henry George

Is #30 available? Dirty 30 has to have his number.

Really, if he weren't a baseball player he would be a Wrigleyville broheim. Big ten school. Frat guy. Moving to the big city. chew. hat backward. rope necklace....BRO!

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Exactly.

What an asswipe.

It was reported today that the Cubs are looking at the possibility of signing A.J. to form a catching platoon with Wellington Castillo. I HATE the idea. I hope this is not true. The guy can be run on at will and his catching skills (especially blocking pitches in the dirt) have eroded considerably. He can still swing the bat some. But that just means he should be in the A.L. where he might be able to DH.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Yes on Swisher
Hell Yes on Pierzynski


I know people hate both guys for various reasons, but both bring a lot to the table, imo

Looks like Cubs with settle lower tier guys like McCarthy, Masterson and guy hated by the market like Rasmus.

The 18 months mantra has been repeated too often. Appears like they're too scared to make the effort to get Lester.

Swisher makes a lot of money. I like him. Not sure if I like him at 16m though


McCarthy and/or Masterson would be nice. Im not sure they get any of the "top guys". I could see them signing a 4th starter type.

I guess taking a chance on Rasmus is ok but I wouldnt be too crazy about that.

He's a huge asshole. Has a lunatic "my daddy". If he comes cheap I'd take the risk. Better than dickbag AJ.

Edit: He's going to be a Brave. Decent replacement for Heyward and he can be in the South.

He's not that bad. Teammates like him and up until last year he was 3.8 WAR guy three years in a row. High obp, left handed power. Just ignore him when he talks

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2014/08/05/toronto-blue-jays-colby-rasmus-has-never-been-the-same-since-st-louis-cardinals-put-him-in-a-cookie-cutter-his-father-says/
Kinda interesting. He could do well under Maddon I guess.

His dad thinks Tony fucking LaRussa (has any manager ever had more players have career years or career renaissances than him?) ruined him by taking out the fire and passion?

His dad has a lot of balls and is obviously a pyscho sports dad.

LOL @ He used to be like Brett Lawrie


I say no thanks. If they get him, Ill just hope for the best. Left handed power is always good I guess.

“There’s no doubt that Tony La Russa is a spectacular baseball guy. Some of the rules and stuff they had for rookies I thought were just ridiculous. Everybody could ride the team bus to the ballpark, but the rookies had to get a cab.


I like that /\

Carrie Muskat ‏@CarrieMuskat 37m37 minutes ago
Sources say #Cubs have not inquired about Nick Swisher

Patrick Mooney ‏@CSNMooney
#Cubs do have interest in OF Jonny Gomes for veteran presence, as @bradfo reported. Gomes and Maddon have good relationship from time in TB.

Why not check what Torii Hunter's salary demands are, over Jonny Gomes?

He is a respected veteran, would not expect to play 140 games, and could maybe even play CF for 10 or 20 games in a pinch.

C Castillo
1B Rizzo
2B Baez
SS Castro
3B Bryant
LF Coghlan
CF Alcantara
RF Soler

Bench: La Stella, Hunter, Ruggiano, Sweeney, Olt, backup catcher

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Rick Hahn is the best GM in baseball.