text:
Dempster Signs Extension
I agree...all in all pretty
I agree...all in all pretty good. I was hoping for a little less than $15.5 million. I was hoping for something like:
2006- $4 million
2007- $4.5 million
2008- $5 million
Total $13.5 million
But the $2 million is protecting the fact that we didn't get in a bidding war like Rob G. said.
This takes Ryan or Wagner
This takes Ryan or Wagner off our radar. I think it puts Burnett on it big time. Him and Dempster are great friends. While his 1st choice maybe the DC area it seems the Nats and O's do not want him. I expect at the least Burnett and Furcal will be added for 2006.
I don't know if Burnett and
I don't know if Burnett and Furcal will be added (see Boston and New York for reasons why), but if they are, it will certainly get me excited about 2006. I think me need a tough eighth inning guy, at least one big-time power guy in the OF to go with those two.
Of course, Burnett is also an injury guy -- so who knows? I'm just hoping the Cubs decide to put a team with a chance on the field.
Can we also please have an
Can we also please have an outfielder who can drive in runs and hit 30 home runs? This talk of Damon makes me sick to my stomach. I see him as a guy who fits in well in Boston but I just have this fear that we would be pretty average here. And Pie is not ready yet. And Burntiz is a year older. So what the heck are we gonna do to solve our outfield problems?
What middle relief guys are
What middle relief guys are going to be available in the offseason? Anybody know?
So now that Dempster is
So now that Dempster is locked up...
Scott Williamson was brought on board as a similar "project" signing. Although his performance has been mixed to bad this year there is a club option (I believe this is true) for $2 million next year. Clearly his inconsistency has been control more than velocity. That is typical of the early performance of most pitchers coming back from TJ surgery. The signing was based on his operation being done by the same surgeon who did Dempster's elbow.
Is he in or out for 2006?
Dempster was used similarly last year and was about as inconsistent as Williamson was this year (I think Dempster was a bit better). Same operation, same surgeon (although this was Williamson's 2nd Tommy John procedure).
If Williamson reverts to the pitcher he was in Cincy, he can solve the 8th inning and has closer experience as well. His track record when healthy is terrific. THAT's A BIG IF, but I doubt anyone expected his 2005 performance to reflect much beyond getting his feet wet again.
Given the cash horde the Cubs have I think it's worth continuing this experiment. They can't count on him but I think he's more likely to do well and stay healthy than Chad Fox was. Williamson was a better pitcher than Fox was when both were healthy.
We already have Kerry Wood on that list albeit a different procedure (shoulder-labrum repair) but the same surgeon (Tim Kremchek, the Cincy Reds Orthopod)
Cubster- Good point about
Good point about Williamson.
The Cubs signed him FOR that 2006 option, thinking anythuing they got from him in 2005 was a bonus and helped get his arm back to strength.
IF he comes back like Dempster did, then we and Novoa would be ok as set up with Ohman as the LH reliever. That still shouldn't stop hendry to try and get a quality relief guy, but if Williamson can come back and Novoa with a year of expereince, things could be at least going in teh right direction.
Let me take that back there
Let me take that back there is no option on Williamson. I thought there was one, but it appears there isn't. Hmm???
I'd say the Cubs can be
I'd say the Cubs can be nothing other than pleased with Williamson's performance. The man has struck out 23 guys in just over 14 innings, and has walked 6. Yeah, he's given up three long balls, but those numbers coming off surgery are exciting. With the signing of Dempster, I think the foursome of Weurtz, Ohman, Williamson and Dempster is quite good. Novoa has shown enough to get a slot in the pen. What would be useful would be an effective innings muncher and, as someone else said, to let Dempster/Williamson go two innings on occasion. Otherwise, the bullpen appears to be in much better shape than going into this year.
Jose Macias leads off again. Neifi follows. It's amazing, but the combined OBP of Macias/Perez is well below what Bonds put up last year. The fact that in game 161 Macias starts and hits lead-off while even a marginal prospect like Theriot sits, and a guy like Murton bats deep in the order, is reason #2421 Baker is utterly worthless.
Wow, I think we need a hell
Wow, I think we need a hell of a lot more than one quality addition to our bullpen. I think we need 1 new "A" arm, and 2 "b" arms. This year we counted on folks turning it around, no way we can trust that will happen next year.
I think we need a LOT of moves in all facets to make us a top playoff contender next year.
Adam- "I think we need a
"I think we need a hell of a lot more than one quality addition to our bullpen. "
I agree that is why i said "things could be at least going in teh right direction."
It was a good first move, of course there needs to be a few others.
This doesn't preclude the
This doesn't preclude the signing of Ryan, since he's already said he's more interested in winning than closing.
Why would a team with 2 injury prone starters want to aquire a 3rd in AJ Burnett?
I'm a little confused about Justin's remark of Furcal going to NY or Boston... who's getting released, Jeter, Renteria or Reyes?
so is it safe to assume that
so is it safe to assume that Dempster is not getting paid 5 mill a year to be a set up guy?
I'm not saying Furcal to
I'm not saying Furcal to Boston or New York, I'm saying Burnett. Poorly worded post on my part. But if they want it, the Yanks and BoSox have the market cornered on top pitching forever.
As far as why you'd want Burnett, everybody has an injury history these days. Why would you sign anybody? You do it because Wood's likely gone after next year, and because a top 5 of Z, Prior, Wood, Burnett and Maddux is amazing.
But I'm honestly bigger on Millwood. He's a solid vet, and I think he'd come a bit cheaper.
But he'll probably go to to NY or Boston too.
The only facet of this which
The only facet of this which pleases me is that we're much less likely to dump even more money into the slot. I don't see $5 million of value here. I think that by the time the end of this deal rolls around, the reputations of Dempster and Hendry will be half of what they are today.
With Williamson, I think
With Williamson, I think it's likely he'll re-sign. There's a loyalty factor there; the Cubs took a chance and paid him essentially to rehab, so he'll want to help the club that gave him a shot.
I agree, we need another "A" arm, but I think we have the "B" arms covered. Let's get one more nasty reliever to go with Demp and Williamson, and we'll have a solid pen.
Ron-- I hear what you're
I hear what you're saying, but I see Dempster as similar as an Isringhausen type--he had some success early as a starter, hurt his arm and made the leap to solid closer. Isringhausen is by no means dominant, but I think we can all agree, if Dempster matches his numbers, we've done pretty well.
Well, the Cubs have done
Well, the Cubs have done extremely well with long-term contracts for relief pitchers in the past, so I can see why they jumped at this opportunity.
Actually, I wouldn't be too surprised to see Dempster maintain his very high G/F ratio. What worries me is that I also expect him to maintain his BB ratio.
followup on Williamson.
followup on Williamson. There may be a club option. Clearly he made $500K this year.
I'm not sure about the option although I though I heard that back when he was signed. I did find one reference to this from the Trib archives, 5-31-05, pg.8 by Paul Sullivan:
"No one wants to think about next year on May 31, but 2006 will be in the back of general manager Jim Hendry's mind soon if the Cubs don't prove they're more than a .500 team before the trading deadline."
then he goes position by position, under the section-Relievers:
The bullpen has been a sore point over the last three seasons, but Hendry can start from scratch in '06 if he likes. Mike Remlinger's contract ends, and Dempster (right) will become a free agent. Dempster likely will re-sign, though whether he'll be the closer in '06 remains to be seen. Joe Borowski, Michael Wuertz, Will Ohman and Todd Wellemeyer figure to get opportunities to return in middle relief if they fare well the next four months. The Cubs also hold a $2 million option on the injured Scott Williamson."
Here's some more detail on his injury and such:
Red Sox | Williamson Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Wed, 13 Oct 2004 01:40:37 -0700
Updating an ongoing story, The Boston Herald's Jeff Horrigan is reporting Boston Red Sox RP Scott Williamson (elbow) underwent Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery Tuesday, Oct. 12, placing his entire 2005 season and possibly some of 2006 in jeopardy. "I couldn't believe what I saw," Cincinnati Reds team doctor Tim Kremchek said. "It looked like a grenade had gone off in there. The damage was far worse that the MRIs or any examination alluded to." Williamson pitched the last month of the regular season with a completely torn ulnar collateral ligament, mangled cartilage ripped from the bone on the outer part of the elbow and several bone chips and loose bodies within the cavity of the joint.
The Chicago Tribune reports Chicago Cubs RP Scott Williamson signed a minor-league deal for the minimum salary of $316,000, or $500,000 if he's called up to the majors.
Hendry also took a "solid gamble" on reliever Scott Williamson, signing the 28-year-old right-hander to a minor-league deal for the minimum salary of $316,000, or $500,000 if he's called up.
It's a $3 mil option on
It's a $3 mil option on Williamson for 2006.
His 2005 deal was a minor league deal.
"Williamson's contract will
"Williamson's contract will pay him the minimum in 2005, and if he is activated, it will increase to $500,000. There is a $2 million club option for 2006." It came from a cubs.com article: http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/chc/ne...
On Burnett you sign him because he might have the best pure stuff in all of MLB and Wood is not going to be a SP for the Cubs next year. For all the talk of his injury problems he has not missed a start due to injury since his TJ surgery. He as much as a health risk as Prior who has had an injury free season. I'm not counting that elbow thing because that is a freak thing.
Thanks CHIFAN for the
Thanks CHIFAN for the link....Rob do you have a link for your $3 million option??
Chifan: "and Wood is not
"and Wood is not going to be a SP for the Cubs next year."
Did you hear something nobody else did, or is this just an opinion. Thanks!
Ah, Neifi grounds into his
Ah, Neifi grounds into his 22nd double play of the year. third in the league; and who said slappy contact-hitting out-machines can't help the offense? Especially at the top of the order!
Manny, Its more like an
Its more like an opinion. However I think one can logically assume that unless he has a 2001, 2003 or even a 1st half of 2004 like season he will be gone. He needs 344 IP to make that option a player option. So that is not going to happen. Even if he has a great season and they sign Burnett and Nolasco, Pinto, Guzman, or Hill looks like they could a solid starter for 07 they might let him walk then too.
Chifan- Oh i am sorry, when
Oh i am sorry, when you said next year I thought you meant 2006, not 2007. Sorry, I misunderstood.
Prior has been hurt every
Prior has been hurt every year of his career.
This is the first time Burnett has made 30 starts since 1999- if he wasn't hurt, what was he doing, napping?
Burnett is going to get a 5 year deal for 50 to 58 million, and it is going to be by a GM with money to throw around (boston or NY) or one of the mildly retarded GM's running around who look at one year, and neglect the previous 5 when signing a free agent- not to mention Burnett's home road splits: 2.95 at home, 3.80 on the road. For his career: Wrigley 4.35 Cinergy 7.89 Busch 2.08 Miller 4.15 Minute Maid 6.00 PNC 2.37.
If we're going after a FA starter, I'd prefer someone like Weaver who can be had cheaper and shorter.
Well, if Burnett is getting
Well, if Burnett is getting offers for 5 years, then he won't be coming to Chicago. Hendry will not sign a player to a 5 year deal. So it would have to be for 4 years and more money per for Burnett to realistically sign. Not likely and with his injury problems, I am glad.
"Burnett is going to get a 5
"Burnett is going to get a 5 year deal for 50 to 58 million, and it is going to be by a GM with money to throw around (boston or NY)"
No way Burnett gets 5/58! Plus Theo is not the kind of GM who would not want to lose a 1st round pick signing a guy like Burnett. As for NYY do you think they want to gamble on a 2nd Carl Pavano. I think Burnett's suitors will be us, Texas, and Toronto. The SP bidding war bewteen the yanks and sox will be for Millwood.
Burnett's going to get 10M a
Burnett's going to get 10M a year from someone.
IENPW, Agreed. But it
Agreed. But it either will be a 4/40-48 or a 5/50.
He's going to be a Yankee or
He's going to be a Yankee or a Red Sox.
Hmm, here's some thoughts on
Hmm, here's some thoughts on Theo 'Thefreaking Genius.
'ESPN.com's Peter Gammons reported Friday that Schilling will earn $12 million in 2004, and his extension will pay him $12.5 million in 2005 and $13 million in 2006. The deal also includes a $13 million option for '07, according to Gammons, that could become guaranteed if Schilling meets specified performance levels.'
He traded 4 players for Schilling, but he wouldn't give up a late first or 2nd pick for Burnett?
He signed Clement last year, after the Cubs had to pull him from the rotation for not being effective.
'Clement learned what he'd suspected all along: The Red Sox were ideal, and that's where he wound up, signing a three-year contract worth approximately $25 million.' 4.57 ERA good call mr. sabermatician.
Folk signed for 3 years 21 mil, or 4 years 28.5 million here's a quote:
"We're just thrilled to have added an elite pitcher," said Sox GM Theo Epstein. "He's one of the best relievers in the game and he'll (perform) very well at the back end of our bullpen. We couldn't be happier to have pitchers the caliber of Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke in the same offseason."
Oh, he also signed at 33 year old catcher to a 4 year $40 million deal while dismissing the oportunity to trade Manny to the Mets. His team payroll was 22 million higher than the 3rd highest payroll going into the season- and it's not like the team is full of Cpat, D-Lee's and Aram's- they're old. And unless they can beat the Yankees tomorrow, there's a good chance he'll be watching the playoffs from his living room, just like Hendry.
Real Neal, First off those
Real Neal,
First off those 4 players he traded for Schilling were no good. Fossum is a 5th starter/LOOGY for TB, Lyon is the best of the group and he is nice arm to have in the pen but tradeable for Schilling. Delarosa is still in the Minors and will be nothing more than a LOOGY, and the other guy is a minor league roster filler. So he didn't break the bank for him. They do not win the WS last year W/O Foluke. Manram for Cameron, Huff, and Millige is not equal value and would have been a stupid trade to make. Clement has been the ace of that staff so that has been money well spent. 3 yrs from now Varitek will be a top 10 catcher in MLB due to the fact that the position is terrable. All of those moves made the Red Sox better. I just remembered they had alot of picks from losing Pedro, Lowe, and ocab. So they will be able to afford to risk a pick on Burnett because of that. I dont see Theo getting into a bidding war for him, and NYY will stay away from him because they do not want a 2nd Pavano or Wright.
Chifan: "Clement has been
"Clement has been the ace of that staff so that has been money well spent."
What?? So you are the ace of a shitty staff, so it is money well spent?? The $6.5 million this year might not be horrible (just bad), but the $9.5 million the next two years are a joke for a career .500 pitcher who will have a 4.50+ ERA in the AL.
Clement has a 1.37 WHIP and a 4.57 ERA this year. Some ace....
Good thing the Red Sox can score 10 runs a game.
We won't get Burnett or
We won't get Burnett or Furcal. When was the last time the Cubs signed an elite free agent in their prime?
Here's your 2006 Cubs: Barrett, Lee, Walker, Cedeno, Ramirez, Murton, Hairston, Burnitz.
Manny, Look at the numbers
Look at the numbers for the other BOS SP. Clement is their best by numbers. A 4.57 ERA is not bad for a no. 3 AL starter which he was signed to be behind Curt and Wells. My guess is that they will trade Hanley Rameriez and/or either Sanchez or Lester for a top of the rotation guy in the off-season if they can.
doubtful the club will get
doubtful the club will get burnett...once again...lots of team shopping and there's 2 guy worth a damn in millwood/burnett...there's morris...there's not much beyond that.
and all their agents know it...its a VERY thin package there.
the club is expecting wood to start and any "emergency" 5th starter will probally be a rusch-like guy who can throw 100 if needed but wont bitch too much about pen work.
of course anything is possible, but a high-end starter FA pickup is highly unlikely for any club given there's 2 out there to have...much less one for a club already flush with starters compared to the competition like the cubs.
That mentions the option, hardball dollars had him at $3 mil for next year. I'd trust the Cubs.com article though.
So good, $2 mil even better.
$1M signing bonus 06:$4M,
We won't get Burnett or
We won't get Burnett or Furcal. When was the last time the Cubs signed an elite free agent in their prime?
When was the last time the Cubs had this much cash available? I am not saying we will, but that was a loaded comment.
Call me crazy, but if we
Call me crazy, but if we ended up with this lineup next season I'd be a happy camper.
1. Damon CF
2. Walker 2B
3. Lee 1B
4. Garciaparra LF
5. Ramirez 3B
6. Murton RF
7. Cedeno SS
8. Barrett C
9. Zambrano
If we could somehow get Wags to Set up and Demp to finish then that would be awesome. Dream a little dream with me.
This is what I am seeing the
This is what I am seeing the Cubs payroll for '06 looking like - No Rusch and a buyout on Burnitz included:
Player 2006
Maddux $9.00
Wood $12.00
Ramirez $10.50
Lee $8.67
Burnitz $0.50
Zambrano $5.50
Barrett $4.30
Walker $2.75
Prior $2.00
Dempster $4.00
Hairston $2.10
Blanco $1.50
Williams $0.65
Wuertz $0.50
Novoa $0.35
Murton $0.45
Ohman $1.20
Cedeno $0.40
Total $69.12
That's with guestimates on the players not under contract. Presumable they'll have to start talking long term with Zambrano- so that could jump up a million or two. Somewhere around 31 million for a right fielder, maybe a center fielder, a 6th starter, 2 more BP guys and backup infielders/outfielders.
This makes me think that (as
This makes me think that (as I said about a month ago) the pitching staff the Cubs plan on leaving camp next year will look familiar.
That's 10 spots of a 12 man staff. Whether it's true or not, I think the Cubs mgmt thinks the bullpen will be better next year just by experience and getting comfortable in set roles. I would guess that Hendry might make what he believes to be reasonable offers to Millwood and BJ Ryan to see if they'll bite, but not even think about getting into any bidding wars.
It also means there's a ton of guys in the mix for spots 11 and 12 (Wellemeyer, Mitre, Hill, Guzman (?), Leicester, etc, etc). I assume that group will be thinned by next spring via trade. I also think Rusch will move on.
If (when?) Wood has his next bout of arm troubles and moves to the pen, he will go to closer and the Cubs will promote for the 5th starter slot.
"We won't get Burnett or
"We won't get Burnett or Furcal. When was the last time the Cubs signed an elite free agent in their prime?"
When was the last time the cubs had this much money to spend and this much talent already in place?
I do think the Cubs have a
I do think the Cubs have a chance to get better just by subtracting certain elements--particularly when you consider that Neifi got 569 AB and posted a .672 OPS, Corey got 447 AB and posted a .599 OPS, and Hollandsworth, Dubois and Macias combined for almost 600 AB and combined for an OPS below .700. Blanco gets a free pass because he's a backup catcher, but his totals slag us down a little too. Break that down, and you've essentially got three full-time players' worth of at-bats that offered not just below average, but crippling offensive value. What good team out there can win with one lineup spot posting an OPS below .600 and two others below .700 every day?
Factor in a few more patient, professional hitters on the bench, and replace Neifi's AB with an average offensive shortstop and Corey's AB with an average offensive centerfielder, and this team would at least be competeting for the Wild Card.
So there is where you begin to put next year's team together. No more Neifi plus no more Corey equals immediately better offense. A more patient and professional bench bolsters that even more. If you can add an impact bat, preferably in place of Burnitz, who wasn't crippling but WAS mediocre, then you have a chance to go from simply better offensively to actually pretty good.
The money is there. Whether the players are out there to fill SS and CF, I'm not so sure. But there are always solid bench guys looking for work, and we've got to be more shrewd about picking them. If you can't hit at least a little something, then you have no business on a ML roster, no matter how many positions you can play.
Patterson and Macias in the
Patterson and Macias in the 1 and 2 spots? Thank god this is the last game. Mercy, I cry. I can't take any more.
Meanwhile, everyone in Philly curses a man named Dusty.
A form of insanity is doing
A form of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Cubs have gone two years in a row counting on Wood and Prior being healthy and good for 35 starts each. Doing it a third year in a row would be a form of insanity. But, at least from their newspaper comments, neither Dusty or Hendry sound insane. They want another starter.
I think a trade for a starter may be as likely as a FA. For instance, if the Giants decide to move Barry and begin the great rebuilding project, Jason Schmidt may be available. He had health problems this year, but came back and pitched effectively. He would at least be a good third starter and perhaps better.
Who else will be in the market for Furcal? The big hitters, the Yankees and the Red Sox won't be as they have big contracts committed for shortstops now (the Yankees have their best shortstop playing 3B). I guess Arizona, Seattle, and perhaps the Giants and St. Louis (if they think Eckstein will turn back into a mouse at midnight) could be in the hunt. The Cubs should be able to outbid this group if they want Furcal. But Dusty and Hendry sound worry about effect of the seductive presence of Rush Street on Furcal.
I went back and looked at the games since last Saturday when Macias replaced Walker and he and Neifi started leading off: 3-8, 3-2, 3-5, 2-3, 4-3 (extra innings), 3-2, and 1-3. An offensive juggernaut it is not. Given the limitations of Macias and Neifi, and their prospensity for making contact, I do wonder why Dusty has not tried hit and running and bunting more since he insists on having these two icons of small ball lead-off.
Unfortunately, I do expect Macias to be back. However, I have hopes that some greater fool out there will think that Neifi is just super and will offer him a Christian Guzman style contract. Neifi has a point that if Guzman can start and get a contract like that, he certainly should be able to as well.
Let me predict it now so
Let me predict it now so it's on the record.
Neifi will be your opening day starting SS.
He will suck, but bat .275 so Dusty and the writers will take that as respectable (despite a .290 OBP). People will clamor for Cedeno.
Cubs finish third.
When you start assuming Neifi will be gone next year just repeat this to yourself over and over again..."Dusty and Hendry think Neifi is good."
Sad but true.
If we could somehow get Wags
If we could somehow get Wags to Set up and Demp to finish then that would be awesome. Dream a little dream with me.
Why the heck would Wagner sign somewhere as a setup man? He is one of the best closers in the game, and significantly better than Dempster. There is no way Wagner sets up for Ryan Dempster.
why would anyone predict
why would anyone predict neifi back with the club anyway? especially given his want to start...
the cubs got a lot of loot and a few places to spend it...SS/RF being the top 2...CF/bullpen the lower tier given the recent dumpster addition.
garciappara...furcal...that seems a highly more logical focus right now especially since a lotta teams with money already have their SS sorted and its very doubtful atl will have furcal back.
while garc. is likely to attract attention for his ability to play SS/3rd for a club, as well as his marketing return value, furcal's pretty much a pure SS.
of course neifi could return, but i doubt hendy is sitting around thinking about how he can lock neifi up as a first option to start.
Since the wild card was
Since the wild card was added, can anyone think of a season in which a team watched BOTH of its division rivals celebrate clinching?
79-83 4th Place in NL
4th Place in NL Central
21 Games out of 1st
10th Place in the NL
10 Games out of Wild Card spot
18th place in baseball.
That sucked.
Good riddance.
Macias gets the last at
Macias gets the last at bat.
How fitting.
Sheehan: Three years and
Three years and $15 million for Ryan Dempster? Good to see that the lessons of last winter--not overspending on guys with thin track records--have taken hold. I mean, what did we know about Jaret Wright or Carl Pavano or Eric Milton?
I dont' get the lack of
I dont' get the lack of appreciation or desire to keep
Rusch in this NG. Let the poor guy START consistantly
and he is VERY good and a lefty. He made statements recently that he wants to stay but I think the Cubs might have to sweeten his 2.5 million dollar players option for 2006. Given the lack of starting pitchers in the FA market I suspect he can get more. Re- signing Rusch gives you a "spare" starter with Williams but this is almost essential for the Cubs anyway.
I would stay the HELL away from Burnett. He fall apart in the last month and has a BIG attitute problem. The Cubs have FAR more pressing needs to spend their
money on in the off season. There is no doubt Furcal
will be the # 1 target and they can afford him. None of the other high payroll teams need a SS enough to pay
what he will want and as usual Atlanta will be in a cost cutting mode.
Why can't we get Furcal?
Why can't we get Furcal? He's good friends with Aramis and they both have the same agent so Hendry can get a direct line of communication going. I wouldn't mind Furcal, but I don't want him as our leadoff hitter with his .350 obp. I'd rather see Hairston at 2B and in the leadoff slot than Furcal. I'm also fine with Cedeno at SS as long as Hendry can get a proven hitter with power in the OF.
The Cubs don't need Burnett and I agree, the Red Sox will go heavy after him along with the O's, Tigers and Texas. Both the Jays and Tigers claim that their payrolls will be raised significantly but whether or not they can get anyone to sign there is another matter. David Wells claimed that he'd retire if they win the World Series so that would leave 2 openings in their rotation if Wade Miller isn't in the mix.
I don't know where that one guy is getting his info on Burnitz getting $.5 for next year, but my info states that there is an option for him at $7 mil which no one would pick up...nor should they even if he's available at a discount.
As for the gent who states "can we please get some outfielders?" here's the top OF free agents
Pr. Wilson
Jacque Jones
L.Walker(if he doesn't retire)
Broken down Bernie Williams
Murton should and will get a corner spot, so that leaves 2 openings if you're not counting Patterson and I don't think you can have 2 unproven OFs in Patterson and Murton starting...so if you don't make a run at Damon
who plays CF? Preston Wilson or Milton Bradley? I can see Jacque Jones in RF..I know both MacPhail and Hendry like him and tried to trade for him last season. Unfortunately, I can see a 2006 OF of Murton, Patterson, J.Jones. B.Giles is from SD so if he doesn't resign there, I could see him going to ATL to play with his brother...and they need a LF.
SS crop
A.Gonzalez(the other one) Marlins
SP (a weak crop)
Jeff Weaver
Tony Armas Jr
I don't have much info on the free agent Relief crop aside from the closers
Bj Ryan
so it looks to me like Hendry is going to have to make another D.Lee or Sosa type trade to get something done in the pen along with an OF spot. I don't think he'll pay for Bj Ryan, and I'd have to imagine the RedSox will make a run at him or Wagner if Foulke isn't going to be healthy...add the Mets to that mix as well.
The. 5 is his buyout that is
The. 5 is his buyout that is why it was factored in
Not that I am suggesting signing them but
I think Moyer, Traschel & Glavine are free agents
and teams like Boston that could use solid innings eating pitchers could do a lot worse till better ones
come up
Okay some random thoughts as
Okay some random thoughts as this season concludes from Cubfan.
1. Once again this club has peformed to my expectations. (My prediction this year was for a season with 79 wins on the short side....to 82 wins on the long side).
2. Derreck Lee came through to how I envisioned he would perform when we got him from Florida.
3. The Cubs once feared starting rotation is simply medicore at best. Most think what wins championships is outstanding pitching--it isn't anywhere near championship (as evident by the season record) and isn't anywhere close to outstanding.
4. The Cubs offense is still too inconsistent--which you get when sit on the homer at the expense of getting on base.
5. Jim Hendry is one of the most over rated GM's in baseball. Houston dumps Kent and Beltran (two players in their prime and still producing) and yet they find a way to make the playoffs. Hendry dumps Sosa (way beyond his prime with no real production value at all) which should have been a good thing--and they can't find a way to win.
6. Holes--more holes on this club than all the whiffle balls in America. The Cubs publically won't say it--but 2006 will be a rebuilding year. Again they won't be anywhere near championship ready. They have a 3rd baseman who appears to have caught the "Ken Griffy" injury bug since coming to Chitown...that's a long commitment for a guy who runs slow and blows out his hamstring whenever he runs hard--then needs rest for 3 weeks or DL for even longer. The outfield is a complete mess. Baker won't go with Murton and younger guys who actually produce--and they still won't be able to overcome the "runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and we can't get a damn run in" syndrome...
The Cubs and Hendry have a top notch payroll--yet still run the club like a second-third tier organization. They have no idea how to teach fundamentals and how to execute in game strategy (that is if there is any strategy).
So "if" the Cubs are to compete in 2006 they will need to address the starting rotation. I think Rusch is a fine #5 starter. I think Zambrano is part of a championship team. I'm not sure Williams, Prior or Maddux (at this point in his declining career) are part of a championship team. I think the Cubs farm system is all hype. They "superstar prospects" they've called up have been an embarassment to the organization and they have no one ready to step into a number 4 starter spot. So I think the Cubs need to get Zambrano a good quality number 2 and 3 guy...because Prior is no more than a number 4 at best and Maddux has lost his Midas touch. Wood shouldn't even be considered in the starting rotation but again he will be there...which is why I don't think he will be there for long. He hasn't figured out his mechanics and why he can't throw 3 innings without the "something doesn't feel right" syndrome kicking in all over again. He got cleaned out...he didn't get a Steve Austin arm.
Bullpen--actually the bullpen isn't as bad as some think. Dempster is good...Williamson is good...yet this bullpen and any bullpen will fail more often than not without a kick ass offense to generate leads--good leads so the bullpen doesn't have to be so damn perfect....
Offense--Too many holes and not enough available on the market.
I see moves being made that really don't improve things a great deal. Again this is a top notch money spending organization who has no idea what championship baseball is about. They need winning people running the team--from President to General Manager--from Minor league managers and coaches--to scouts....to field manager and coaches. Unless they make the BIG changes (MacFail/Hendry/Baker and changes in the minors) they will once again run out a 100 million (or probably closer to 96 million) dollar embarrasment
I wouldn't mind swinging a
I wouldn't mind swinging a deal for Livan Hernandez. The guy is an innings-eating machine. What's the status of that injury he had earlier this year? Anybody know?
zambrano/maddux/prior/wood/williamson...team doesnt really need another starter.
unless something really steps-back for wood in his rehab or a trade happens i dont see a reason to think a legit name-brand starter is coming the cubs besides someone who can spot-start out of the pen. given how thin the market is, i doubt it'll happen, honestly.
seems like the next stop is SS/RF...maybe CF...rounding out the bullpen...bench...figuring out the 2nd base situation which should be an in-house decision between walker/cedeno. not a lot of guys are gonna line up to be a non-guarenteed starter and there's a lot more pressing issues.
honestly, if hendry actually wastes the money of this team on an outside starter paid more than 3m, i'd be more upset as a fan than the recent dumpster contract.
Cubfan--I'm with you on most
Cubfan--I'm with you on most everything, but I think you're hard on Prior. A number 4 starter? What team has a number 4 starter with a line like this: 1.21 WHIP, 10.15 K/9, .227 BAA and, if you want to go with the "he just doesn't win" argument, a .611 winning percentage? His ERA was up this year because his HR rate was up, and yes, he needs to become more economical with his pitchers. But he's no number 4. Not even close.
To further illustrate my point as to how everyone is overreacting about him, consider the numbers above with his numbers in 2003, when he was probably the best pitcher on the planet:
1.10 WHIP, 10.43 K/9, .231 BAA, and of course, the hardy .750 winning percentage.
Not that much different. And I assume you wouldn't try to argue that he was only a number 4 in 2003, yes?
Normally I agree with Cubfan
Normally I agree with Cubfan but I also disagree with the Prior assessment. I believe he is a solid #2 starter. Remember he is still young and a full healthy season will do numbers for his confidence. You have Z as #1 Prior #2 ? as #3 and Wood, Williams, Maddux as 4 & 5. (Williams going to the pen if Wood is healthy). Who wouldn't want a # 5 starter (Maddux) who pitches 200+ innings and finishes with 13 wins? So the hole is in the starting rotation #3 starter. The question is could burnett, etc be a solid #3? I say yes go after a starting pitcher.
The infield I believe is going to be fine. I would be happy with Lee, Cedeno, Nomar, Aram in the infield. Spend money and get a CF. I don't see anything wrong with overpaying for Damon in CF. Buy out Burny's contract start Murton in LF and bring out a 2006 lineup such as:
This lineup has speed obp power Count workers and free swingers.
Starting 5
Free agent
And a pen that I think is going to be much improved. This will still leave us with around 10 million to play with at the trade deadline.
Oh and key to our success will be to
1. Get rid of CPat
2. Get rid of Neifi
3. Get rid of Macias
So I think the Cubs need to
So I think the Cubs need to get Zambrano a good quality number 2 and 3 guy...because Prior is no more than a number 4 at best
What?!?! Are you serious? Prior is a number 4? Is this the same Mark Prior that is on the Cubs?
You have to be kidding me...Prior is a number 1 pitcher who was pitching very well before a fluke injury.
I will make a prediction...Prior has a better year than Zambrano next year.
prior's only downfall this
prior's only downfall this season has been the longball...a weird problem he's not had this badly until this season. hopefully he can tame that this offseason/spring/whatever.
There it is -- I was
There it is -- I was beginning to worry that no one else was seeing what I was seeing. Prior keeps it in the yard next year and he's as good as anybody in the game. I won't predict an '06 win total because that's team-oriented. But in terms of stats that DO measure effectiveness, I'll bet he's top five or six in nearly all of them in '06.
His offseason should consist of a ton of mental work. He needs to implement a strategy that helps him reduce pitch counts. But if he were to come out and throw 215 innings next year at the same level he pitched this year, he'd still be damn good.
2. Derreck Lee came through
2. Derreck Lee came through to how I envisioned he would perform when we got him from Florida.
Chifan, if you thought a player with a lifetime average under .270 was going to lead the National League in hitting, then you sir, are a genius. Get your resume out there. Every team in baseball needs you.
Justin, No way were getting
No way were getting Livan Hernandez. According to Skip Bayless him and Baker would have screaming matches when there were in SF.
Prior is only a number 4? Yeah, when 1-3 are Santana, Clemens, and Halladay.
Do your scout friends have any inside info on guys that Hendry has an eye on?
Tbone, That was cubfan that
That was cubfan that said that. I think he was refering to the power numbers though and not the average.
chi...nope...most of my
chi...nope...most of my scouts i chat with arent close friends, just people i b/s with when i see them at games or around town when they're around. i keep no contacts with them, we've just grown to know each other casually over the years and can throw some b/s at each other when we run into each other.
most of them dont really have privy to any juicey information because most of the ones i run into are working for the organization they're in...scouting their own guys for the upper organization being a non-conflicted set of eyes. its not their only job and its not what they solely "do" but its the role i see them in, mostly.
Crunch my comment about
Crunch my comment about Neifi was what I think the cubs will do - not what I think a smart person would do.
I realize it's completely illogical, and a sure way to guarantee we don't contend. This is the Cubs after all.
Re Mark Prior. ERA can be
Re Mark Prior.
ERA can be an overly sensitive stat. If Prior gets Lamb out on that 0-2 count with the bases loaded and two out, his end-of-season ERA is only 3.29.
That puts him 11th in the NL, just behind Z.
(As it is, he was 19th. Given that there are 16 teams in the league, I think that makes him a #2 starter at worst.)
I hope this helps put to
I hope this helps put to rest some of teh conspiracy theories running around TCR...
"He and I never talk about contracts, just like I don't talk about my own situation with Andy [MacPhail]. It's just something I don't put a lot of stock in. When you sign a deal, that's what the deal is. There was never any intent of Dusty to leave, there was never any intent on my part of wanting him to leave, there was never any thought of him not coming back next year. It's really something that the two people involved in it -- him and myself -- we never talk about it. It's not even an issue.
We're coming off a year we didn't expect. It doesn't feel good, and the two of us together have to make us better for '06."
- from Jim Hendry at Cubs.com on 10/2/05
Sorry, Chifan. I should
Sorry, Chifan. I should know better than to operate one of these fancy computing machines after a few beers. Not on top of tequila anyway.
When you sign a deal, that's
When you sign a deal, that's what the deal is???
Geez, seems to me Hendry signed a deal for JoeBo to be the Cubs closer in 2004 and 2005, but he didn't have a problem cutting him when things didn't work out.
Considering the Cubs have now had back to back seasons where the team didn't perform up to its capabilities, its either sad or frightening that Jim Hendry hasn't even considered changing managers. I guess both of these guys are working for the right organisation.
CUBS: Continually Underperforming, But Satisfied.
I think it is frightening
I think it is frightening that the emphasis is almost entirely on the manager and the GM gets a free ride.
if you want to talk about a
if you want to talk about a team living up to its potential, you have to rethink your expectations with EVERY injury that lasts more than a few days.
the one constant the last 2 years...04 more than 05...has been guys counted on being injured and a lack of a proper replacement. the insult/injury to this is 04 when there was a proper 2nd base replacement at all time but they kept taking turns being injured.
the 05 bench was one of the WORST benches to ever put on a uniform for any team...it didnt help anytime anyone needed rest or got injured nor did it help when the bench lost hairston to walker's injuries or patterson's poor play. the bullpen, especially in the 1st 1/2 of 05, didnt help much either.
the problem hasnt been the sexy big name players, its been the guys who back up these players when they need rest or get injured. you cant coach your way to health, and you're not gonna have superstars waiting around to play benchwork, but at least having a couple servicable guys around who can do more than flash some glove would be a nice perk for the 06 club.
Ladies and gentlemen, your
Ladies and gentlemen, your 2005 San Diego Padres: an 82-80 record, tied for 7th in the NL, would have been good for last place in the NL East.
A few stats: San Diego finished a lowly 13th in runs scored in the NL, and a mediocre 8th in ERA. They were outscored by 42 runs total for the year. No one on their team hit more than 18 homeruns. No one drove in more than 83 runs. No one with the exception of Brian Giles scored more than 65 runs. Giles was also the only regular to play more than 140 games.
Their starting pitchers combined to go 51-60 with a 4.52 ERA (and I don't even want to know the numbers without Jake Peavy). They managed to get just two pitchers into double figures in wins (Peavy with 13 and Lawrence who snuck in with 10 on the nose).
They are going to the playoffs.
Question is, if this were the Cubs, would we be calling the season a success or not?
Just curious.
Oh, and if Livan Hernandez
Oh, and if Livan Hernandez came over and got into fights with Dusty Baker, I think that would be kind of sweet. We could use some drama.
I think it is a crap deal
I think it is a crap deal for Dempster. Nothing like throwing 15 million at a guy who had a whole 4 good months in his career. It is just typical Cubs, throw money at the guy after his career year, then watch said player burst into flames. I have visions of Hawkins, Rojas, and Borowski dancing in my head.
To 'Cubfan', Okay some
To 'Cubfan',
Okay some random thoughts as this season concludes from Cubfan.
'1. Once again this club has peformed to my expectations. (My prediction this year was for a season with 79 wins on the short side....to 82 wins on the long side).'...You throw enough crap at the wall, some of it sticks.
2. Derreck Lee came through to how I envisioned he would perform when we got him from Florida....Cubsfan now the greatest scout of all time, since no one thought Lee would hit as well as he did this year.
3. The Cubs once feared starting rotation is simply medicore at best. Most think what wins championships is outstanding pitching--it isn't anywhere near championship (as evident by the season record) and isn't anywhere close to outstanding.....Please see The Boston Red Sox circa 2005.
4. The Cubs offense is still too inconsistent--which you get when sit on the homer at the expense of getting on base....There's a lot of things wrong with the Cubs 'offense'. There's also a extremely ignorant manager running it.
5. Jim Hendry is one of the most over rated GM's in baseball. Houston dumps Kent and Beltran (two players in their prime and still producing) and yet they find a way to make the playoffs. Hendry dumps Sosa (way beyond his prime with no real production value at all) which should have been a good thing--and they can't find a way to win...Houston had 1 significant injury this year and 5 or 6 players play significantly above expectations. The Cubs had 4 significant injuries (albiet with players with injury histories) and 2 players play above expectations.
6. Holes--more holes on this club than all the whiffle balls in America. The Cubs publically won't say it--but 2006 will be a rebuilding year. Again they won't be anywhere near championship ready. They have a 3rd baseman who appears to have caught the "Ken Griffy" injury bug since coming to Chitown...that's a long commitment for a guy who runs slow and blows out his hamstring whenever he runs hard--then needs rest for 3 weeks or DL for even longer. The outfield is a complete mess. Baker won't go with Murton and younger guys who actually produce--and they still won't be able to overcome the "runners on 2nd and 3rd with no outs and we can't get a damn run in" syndrome...Do you have any stats to back up this 'Syndrome?' living here in Houston, I can tell you Garner thinks the 'Stros suffer from the exact same thing.
The Cubs and Hendry have a top notch payroll--yet still run the club like a second-third tier organization. They have no idea how to teach fundamentals and how to execute in game strategy (that is if there is any strategy)....I didn't realize Hendry's job was to teach fundamentals or execute in-game strategy. Dusty Baker is really crippling as a in-game strategist (does anyone know, for instance why he didn't PH for Maddux in the top of the 6th today or why he brought in Wuertz to face one RH batter, than brought in Ohman to face Ensberg? That man is basically retarded, I think he may be catching naps or having small strokes on the bench)
So "if" the Cubs are to compete in 2006 they will need to address the starting rotation. I think Rusch is a fine #5 starter. I think Zambrano is part of a championship team. I'm not sure Williams, Prior or Maddux (at this point in his declining career) are part of a championship team...... There are about 7 starters in the playoffs who had better years that Prior. I agree on Maddux- he needs to get his fat ass off the sofa this winter, and come to camp like someone interested in earning 9 million of the Cubs fans' dollars.
I think the Cubs farm system is all hype. The "superstar prospects" they've called up have been an embarassment to the organization and they have no one ready to step into a number 4 starter spot. So I think the Cubs need to get Zambrano a good quality number 2 and 3 guy...because Prior is no more than a number 4 at best and Maddux has lost his Midas touch. Wood shouldn't even be considered in the starting rotation but again he will be there...which is why I don't think he will be there for long. He hasn't figured out his mechanics and why he can't throw 3 innings without the "something doesn't feel right" syndrome kicking in all over again. He got cleaned out...he didn't get a Steve Austin arm...Obviously you have no idea what you're talking about with Wood- since he was able to go pretty well for what, 18 years, with that shoulder and the mechanics, odds are he should be good for another 2 after the cleanup.
Bullpen--actually the bullpen isn't as bad as some think. Dempster is good...Williamson is good...yet this bullpen and any bullpen will fail more often than not without a kick ass offense to generate leads--good leads so the bullpen doesn't have to be so damn perfect....
Offense--Too many holes and not enough available on the market.
I see moves being made that really don't improve things a great deal. Again this is a top notch money spending organization who has no idea what championship baseball is about. They need winning people running the team--from President to General Manager--from Minor league managers and coaches--to scouts (the president has 2 WS titles, the GM took teams to the college WS the manager (retarded as he may be) has been to the playoffs plenty....to field manager and coaches. Unless they make the BIG changes (MacFail/Hendry/Baker and changes in the minors) they will once again run out a 100 million (or probably closer to 96 million) dollar embarrasment
So what you're saying is they should fire everyone- and that's a key to success for 2006. Real sharp.
"because Prior is no more
"because Prior is no more than a number 4 at best "
wow. please send me some of what you're smoking. i'm sure a lot of teams out there would love a guy who went 11-7 with a 3.67 ERA as a 4th starter (despite shattering his elbow on a freak line drive). i sympathize and agree with a lot of the frustration in your post but this statement is beyond moronic. i mean, it wasn't his best year but he was 9th in the NL in K's and 19th in ERA. No better than a 4th starter? let's get a little perspective, eh?
I think it is frightening
I think it is frightening that the emphasis is almost entirely on the manager and the GM gets a free ride.
Um, Manny, if you'll notice, my comments there were not directed at Dusty Baker.
And for the record, I'm not exactly pleased with Hendry for the Dempster signing either. Too much money, Too long term, for a guy who has been very good for too short of a time period. While I hope it doesn't happen, I bet Dempster comes out as being yet another example of why spending big money on the bullpen almost never works.
But as I've said before, I can tell you lots of things Hendry has done to help this team, so I'll give him some leeway. I'm still waiting for anyone to tell me what Dusty has done to help the Cubs.
"This doesn't preclude the
"This doesn't preclude the signing of Ryan, since he's already said he's more interested in winning than closing."
Let me ask the obvious, bitter, sarcastic, sniping comment...
If he is more interested in winning, why would he sign with us? Our history can be characterized in many ways, but "Winning" is not the first word I would use. We have enough turmoil on our team that nobody will be predicting us to be the favorite to win the Central or the Wild Card next year.
Get Brian Giles to play LF.
Get Brian Giles to play LF. I'd love to have Matsui here, but he's probably never leaving NY.
Let Nomar play 2B. He's showing that he can do a lot of things with the bat that we need in this line-up. Plus, it doesn't hurt if he's our back-up 3B and Neifi is the utility guy again...but if the Braves lose Furcal, do they go after Neifi?
Trade Walker. At that salary, someone might give us back way too much for him. Hopefully some help with the rotation or the pen.
The strain on the bullpen comes from both the line-up's inability to manufacture runs and get a lead, and the shakiness of the rotation, where at least two to three times a week you hope to get 7+ innings from your starter. Shore up the rotation, you shore up the pen. Look at the White Sox. Their starting pitching improved and, all of a sudden, everyone else's reject bullpen guys are wonderful.
Wagner is the guy I'd go for in the pen. Nice compliment to Dempster or vice versa. Let him know up front that either one could close games, though.
If you spend big on SP, the pen and LF, plus resign Nomar, you have very little left for SS. This means Cedeno, or some trade package for an existing SS that would involve Corey, Mitre, Hill or some other "great" pitching prospect. Is there no package we could send to Texas and get Soriano here? Furcal, yes, if you have $$$ AFTER dealing with the Starting Pitching, Nomar vs. Walker, getting another Corner OF, another closer, trading for bullpen help, and getting a quality defensive OF for late innings and a good IF pinch hitter/backup 1B (plus DLee needs a game off here and there. 154 max for that guy).
With ARAM, Nomar, DLee, Murton, Giles or whomever in LF/RF--that's a decent middle of the order. Two guys need to get on ahead of them, or IMO, Murton could lead off or bat second.
I think Blanco should play more, especially if our pitchers are not going to hold runners. If we got a couple more bats in the line-up, we could afford to lose some of Barrett's offense, not all of it, but some. When Barrett plays, he should bat second.
Spending some money and trading some of our assets, this team could be OK. Can't panic though, folks. For the newer, more frustrated Cubs fans, at least we're not trying to compete with an Ivan DeJesus-Joe Strain IF like we did in 1980. Or a Steve Henderson/Larry Biittner platoon.
Things have been much worse.
justin, 82-80 would be
justin, 82-80 would be successful season about two weeks ago. I would take an above .500 record and third place than what we have now.
I really have to submit
I really have to submit Guinnessman for the dumbest post of the year award.
Successful season if we just finished barely above .500? Ohhhh glad Cubs fans are setting their sites so high. Who cares about the playoffs, if we just barely finish above .500 we had a GREAT YEAR!!!
2006 slogan if we finished over .500 this year...
Chicago Cubs - 2005 World Champions of being satisfied with mediocrity!
Thank you THE REAL NEAL for
Thank you THE REAL NEAL for finally telling some of the buffoons what the deal is....news flash people...hendry is a darn good GM. the cubs DO have a talented minor league system. Prior is NOT a fourth starter. sometimes the problems are not as cut and dried as we would like. i know where we could start...axe baker? any people in agreement...i know, dumb question.
"but if the Braves lose
"but if the Braves lose Furcal, do they go after Neifi? "
No - not as a starter at least. They would have no interest in him as anything other than 25th man.
What's with the delusional
What's with the delusional BS that the Cubs will sign another closer??? Dempster has been extended and that's it. Does anyone really think that Wagner or Ryan are still coming?
Enough money has been spent on a closer, why the continued hand wringing about "dual-closers"? The money is needed to fill spots elsewhere.
We need as much help as we
We need as much help as we can get in that bullpen, and remember that you're dealing with a closer coming off his first full season from elbow surgery. Relying too much on broken pitchers (see Wood, Kerry) alone can be problematic.
Even if you did get more bullpen help, you still have a lot of money to throw around, plus you still have chits you can trade away (Walker, young pitching, Patterson, for example).
The question after the bullpen and the rotation, IMO, is about Furcal for leadoff, or is there someone else proven that you could bring here to lead off? Otherwise, Murton is the only other guy with the speed and knowledge of the strike zone in the org who has ML experience to lead off, IMO.
Nomar can handle 2B, get another corner OF, either a CF or SS who can lead off, a young player (Pie or Cedeno) for CF or SS in the alternate and Murton in RFor LF.
Use Walker, Patterson, Mitre, Guzman to get some SP help, b/c who knows what we'll get from Kerry/Maddux/Rusch/Williams next year? You might need TWO reliable starters.
If Prior is the number 4
If Prior is the number 4 starter then that means the starting rotation is once again a feared group. But if he is number 2 and number 3 is Williams, Wood or Maddux...then this starting rotation is not dominating by any means. Yes Prior is part of a dominating rotation but there better be 3 other dominating pitchers with him...or else it's a repeat of this season. And YES I think Prior is a solid number 2 on most teams...however most teams don't make the playoffs.
The tribune is reporting
The tribune is reporting that Dusty is going to be offered a 2 year extension, keeping him a Cub through the 2008 season!
i know about 25+ teams who
i know about 25+ teams who would love to have a zambrano/maddux/prior 1/2/3...wood/williams is hell of a 4/5 to sweeten it.
if prior can avoid 5'10" second basemen and line drives to his pitching arm he could be in great shape.
"if prior can avoid 5'10"
"if prior can avoid 5'10" second basemen and line drives to his pitching arm he could be in great shape."
And problems to his achillies, to his groin, etc.
Recent comments
Friday's games will be in Washington, Chicago, Arlington, and Cleveland or Boston. Someone's game is starting laaaaaaaate - 50-50 chance it's the CDT Cubs.
Meh, I messed that up. Mets are in.
Cards and Giants can still tie though.
Kershaw gets hurt by his defense and gave up 2 more runs. Blach has 8 shutout innings.
Mets already won as did Cards.
tomorrow is gonna be helluva fun if Giants hold on. We're all rooting for a 3-way tie I presume.
good news is now 5 K's for Lester through 4 (in a quest for 200 for season). Bad news is he's already at 86 pitches.
be curious how long Maddon sticks with Lester to try and let offense get back into it and get him the win (4-2 as I type, was 4-0)
Fwiw, he needed 2.1 IP to cross 200 for season so he got that at least. He also needs 9 K's for 200K's on season and he has 4 through 3.
cubs score 2 runs thanks to predictable reds pitching and horrible CIN defense...cubs only down by 1 now. heyward even got a gift 2rbi double out of an easy popout. neat.
something named Ty Blach has outpitched Clayton Kershaw through 6 innings (1-0 Giants).
not that finishing 2nd place will matter much nor did this game, but have to think if Hendricks pitches well tomorrow, he could leapfrog Lester in Cy Young voting. Don't see anyway Scherzer doesn't win it regardless and it doesnt' look like Lester has any incentive clauses that matter. Also might give Cueto some votes.
Rather remarkable how many teams have really good 1-2 options this year.
Nats: Scherzer and Roark (and Strasburg was great before injuries)
Cubs: Lester and Hendricks (and Arrietta is still damn good just not as consistently lately)
pretty much what I'm gathering from this thread is that it doesn't matter who you play in 5-game series, but no one wants to have to deal with Cardinal fans if we end up losing.
I can respect that.
first game for lester giving up more than 2 runs since july 24th. hell of a run.
doh, yes...dunno what happened there. jake arrieta is all "bro wut?"
lester going for #20...cubs haven't had a LH (thanks jpep for the correction) 20 game winner since d.ellsworth in 1963.
fwiw, all the games are free on mlb.tv
Short rest for MadBum would be 2 days. WC game is Wed., Games 1 & 2 are Friday/Saturday.
A left-handed one...
J-Hey not finishing with an offensive onslaught.
If Geoff Blum could be a Playoff hero, there is hope still...


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Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Sol Driven Train and The Windjammer are proud to present Sol Slam on July 19-20 at the Windjammer on Isle of Palms.
The third annual event will feature nine bands performing on two stages including an outdoor stage overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The 2013 musical lineup includes a cast of Charleston-based talent with performances by hosts Sol Driven Train, Dangermuffin, YARN, Fowler's Mustache, Royal Tinfoil and more.
On Saturday, July 20 Sol Slam appeals to all ages with a special day rate and a Sol Driven Train kids' show.
A full lineup is provided below. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at the venue box office and online at www.soldriventrain.com/solslam or www.the-windjammer.com.
Two-day passes to the event are $35 and include a 10 percent weekend discount at The Windjammer bar on the Isle of Palms, plus a mixtape album download featuring a track from each Sol Slam artist.
Friday full day passes are $15; Full day Saturday passes are $25; Saturday day passes (1 - 6 p.m.) are $5 (Ages 16 and under are free); Saturday night passes are $20 (7 p.m. - close).
A portion of all proceeds from Sol Slam will be donated to the Rainforest Action Network in memory of Becky Tarbotton, the organization's former executive director and a close personal friend of Sol Driven Train.
For more information on Sol Slam including a daily schedule of bands, or to purchase tickets, visit their website at www.soldriventrain.com/solslam
Ticket may be purchased by visiting www.soldriventrain.com/solslam / or www.the-windjammer.com
Confirmed lineup
Sol Driven Train
Fowler's Mustache
Royal Tinfoil
Dead 27s
The Reckoning: A Tribute to Grateful Dead
The Shack Band
Graham Whorley
Sol Driven Train Kids' Show
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Disneyland Park
Critter Country
Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
Loud, Dark, Water Rides, Thrill Rides
Accessibility and Other Information - Opens Dialog
Rider Switch, FASTPASS
Gently drift past rocky caves, vine-strewn streams and sun-drenched meadows as you accompany happy-go-lucky Br'er Rabbit from his home in the Briar Patch on a search for his Laughing Place. But be warned: Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox are in hot pursuit of the roaming rabbit and they'll do anything they can to catch him!
Much to See and Do During your approximate 9-minute log-flume adventure, visit such whimsical watering holes amid Chick-A-Pin Hill as:
Songs to Make You Sing Splash Mountain invites you to clap and sing to several classic Disney songs, including:
A Colorful Cast of Southern Characters Over 100 talking, singing, storytelling Audio-Animatronics critters call Splash Mountain home. In addition to Br'er Fox, Br'er Bear and Br'er Rabbit, a cast of backwoods critters, including geese, frogs, raccoons, possums, bees and alligators offer up their own slice of southern hospitality during your adventure.
Show Less
The Secret of Briar Patch When captured, Brer Rabbit pretends to be frightened of the Briar Patch, but he has a secret: the Briar Patch is actually his favorite hideaway, his Laughing Place.
Take the plunge down Splash Mountain and discover Br'er Rabbit's laughing place for yourself!
When America Sings successfully completed its run, the beloved performers were recruited to make the trip over to Critter Country for the opening of Splash Mountain in 1989.
Be the first to hear about the latest news and special offers at the Disneyland Resort.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013
I went to the doctor last week to get my prescriptions refilled.
While there I was on the receiving end of a lecture from my doctor. "You need to get out more," she said. "Exercise, do something, don't lie around the house all day and night."
I took this in with the usual aplomb until she followed with the kicker. She looked me dead straight in the eye and said, "Dan, you need to find yourself a girlfriend."
For a guy who makes his living with words I was momentarily speechless. I had no comeback, no witticism in retort.
I just shook my head and chuckled.
"Women and me . . ." I began, and I just left it hanging.
"You need to find a woman to do things," she said. "People shouldn't have to be alone like you are."
I asked the doctor if she could write me a prescription for that: "To Dan, find a girlfriend."
Interesting premise, I thought. I may just take this and run with it.
My misadventures with women have been well documented here over the years. My string of blind dates has been classified as a five-alarm disaster to the point I'm eligible for FEMA benefits.
I went out with a woman who claimed to be witch and saw dead people.
"You're sitting on Norman," she said as I took a seat on her sofa.
"Who's Norman?"
"He's the ghost who lives with me – Oh hush Norman, I know you don't like to be called a ghost, but you are . . . you're a ghost."
She then smiled at me and said, "Norman prefers to be called 'living challenged.'"
When I abruptly made an excuse to leave five minutes later she put a hex on me that I would grow a tail, and while I don't buy into the whole witchcraft thing I still on occasion check the mirror as I'm drying off after a shower just in case.
I wrote a song about one ill-fated dating situation, singing, "That woman is too much man for me."
When you have asked her five times to open the ketchup bottle for you at the restaurant because she's stronger than you are, it's time to go home, lock the door and hide on the couch for a few days in quiet shame.
One woman gave me an "It's Nice to Meet You," present on our blind dinner date.
"I think it's ever thoughtful to exchange gifts in a situation like this," she said. I did not have a gift to exchange in return.
I opened the gift bag and found a small travel toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste. My brain went crazy at the possible scenarios implied here, until she spoke.
"It's important to brush one's teeth at least five times a day," she said. She liked to speak in third person, and nodded in the direction of the restroom.
"You mean now?"
She said, yes. So I went and brushed my teeth.
Upon my return she explained how proper brushing techniques helped kill germs and how the toothbrush also came with a built-in tongue brusher as apparently tongues carry lots of germs too.
"Did you?" she asked.
"Did I what?" I replied.
"Brush your tongue."
I had not.
She sent me back to the restroom to finish brushing properly, tongue included.
So, find a girlfriend? Doctor's orders ladies, I don't know if that's a good thing or not.
Maybe I should get a dog instead.
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"American Idiot" begins with a bold declaration. Johnny, our punk rock hero, is fed up with dull suburban life: "Let's start a war, shall we?" he sneers with juvenile glee.
It's never quite clear who's fighting whom and what stakes are involved, but the restless energy, the desire to fight something -- anything -- quickly takes the audience for a ride.
The touring production of the 2009 Tony Award-winning musical opened at the Keller Auditorium on Tuesday night, bringing music from Green Day's 2004 Grammy-winning album, "American Idiot", to the stage. Angry, emotional, and at times a tad awkward, the show attempts to tackle some of life's biggest questions through the lens of the mixed-up youth of today.
The story kicks off immediately when Johnny, played with enormously infectious energy by Jared Nepute, grabs his best friends, Will and Tunny, and sets sights on life in the big city. The trio is split before their dream gets off the ground when Will's girlfriend reveals a handful of positive pregnancy tests.
Will, played by Casey O'Farrell, remains onstage the rest of the show, imprisoned on a couch with the increasingly-pregnant Heather, played by the criminally underutilized Mariah MacFarlane. O'Farrell plays great contrast to the energetic Nepute, and manages a surprising depth of emotion out of rolling joints and staring blankly into the distance.
More at Oregon Live: HERE
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, Nov. 12-16; 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16; 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17
Where: Keller Auditorium, S.W. Third Avenue and Clay St
Tickets: Starting at $29, BroadwayAcrossAmerica.com/Portland, TicketsWest locations; Portland Opera Box Office, 503-241-1802 or 866-739-6737; Portland'5 Box Office, 800-273-1530
Website: portland.broadway.com


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Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Minor in Entrepreneurship
Interested in pursuing a Minor in Entrepreneurship?
Apply today!
California Program for Entrepreneurship
Our six-month educational program for entrepreneurs starting a California-based business
Alumni & Friends
Alumni Entrepreneur Spotlight articles and opportunities for alumni involvement
Current Students
Curriculum, undergraduate and graduate club information, activities and more
Startup Internships
Apply your entrepreneurial skills in emerging Silicon Valley startups
Our Entrepreneur Forum Speaker Series, Business Plan Pitch Competition, Office Hours for Entrepreneurs, Startup Expo, and more
Congratulations 2016 Minor in Entrepreneurship Students!
Congratulations to the 47 students receiving a Minor in Entrepreneurship in 2016--our largest number awarded to date!
Congratulations 2016 CIE $5,000 Business Plan Pitch Competition Winners!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2016 CIE $5,000 Business Plan Pitch Competition held Thursday, May 12, in the Forbes Family Conference Center, Lucas Hall 126! Read More About It!
CAPE 2016-17 Now Accepting Applications!
The CIE is now accepting applications for the next CAPE Cohort. Learn more about the program for California-based businesses and the application process.
Marco Ciccone Named 2016 Outstanding Student Entrepreneur
Congratulations to 2016 Outstanding Student Entrepreneur Marco Ciccone! This honor is awarded annually by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Leavey School of Business Senior Awards Ceremony in June.
2016 CIE $5,000 Business Plan Pitch Competition
Who will take home the $5,000 Grand Prize? Six teams have been selected to compete. Join us Thursday, May 12, 6-9 pm in Lucas 126, to cheer on your fellow Broncos and see who will claim the grand prize!
How to Apply for the Minor in Entrepreneurship
Undergraduates: Interested in pursuing a Minor in Entrepreneurship? Continue reading for information on the application process and required courses. The CIE accepts applications on a rolling basis year-round.
Go #AllinforSCU on April 6!
April 6 is the annual Day of Giving! Join the excitement, participate in a challenge and even direct your gift to your favorite area like the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship!


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National Alliance on Mental Illness
page printed from http://www2.nami.org/
(800) 950-NAMI; email@example.com
Solitary Reform: An Unexpected Leader
By Taylor Poor, NAMI Education Program Coordinator
In the summer of 2007, Deputy Commissioner Emmitt Sparkman of the Mississippi Department of Corrections did what no one had done before. He tried emptying solitary cells, rather than filling them up, as a strategy to reduce prison violence. His experiment worked, catapulting Mississippi into the unexpected role of U.S. leader in state prison reform, serving as inspiration for states like Colorado, New York, Illinois and Maine, who have begun to follow Mississippi's example in seeking alternatives to solitary confinement in state penitentiaries.
Solitary confinement, sometimes termed "restricted housing" or "segregation," refers to a state of total confinement for 22-24 hours a day, with limited or no human contact, as well as reduced natural light, visitation, and access to reading material, television or radios.
Across the United States, 80,000 prisoners languish in solitary on any given day. This number includes not only "the worst of the worst"—the country's supposedly most violent or dangerous prisoners—but also prisoners held in "disciplinary segregation" for minor infractions or for filing grievances or lawsuits, as well as those held in "protective custody" for their own safety (i.e., children or other vulnerable populations).
But the majority of prisoners held in solitary confinement have a severe mental illness or cognitive disability, meaning that they have likely been confined for behavior inextricably associated with their illness—"acting out"—not for deliberately breaking prison rules. For these prisoners, disciplinary confinement is not corrective; it's traumatizing. Prisoners in solitary confinement attempt suicide at much higher rates than prisoners in the general population. Courts have repeatedly found that forcing prisoners with mental illness to undergo solitary confinement constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
In 2002, the National Prison Project of the ACLU, the ACLU of Mississippi, and the law firm Holland & Knight sued on behalf of death row prisoners at Unit 32, the 1,000-cell supermax facility at Mississippi State Penitentiary (Parchman). The Fifth Circuit demanded relief for the death row prisoners, but conditions in the rest of the unit worsened until a new suit in 2005. This time, Fifth Circuit demands for relief extended throughout the entire unit, including new provisions for the reform of institutional procedures and the classification system for prisoner distribution.
Standardizations of MDOC prisoner classification criteria, developed throughout 2006, demonstrated 80 percent of the population in solitary at Parchman did not need to be there. Despite continued increases in prison violence at the penitentiary during the spring of 2007, Deputy Commissioner Sparkman released hundreds of men from the segregation units back into the general population, and came to live at Parchman himself, speaking with and interacting with these men on a daily basis.Within three months, "serious incidents" of violence at the prison decreased by 70 percent, and Unit 32 was eventually shut down, saving the state $8 million annually.
Since Sparkman's successful experiment in decreasing solitary confinement in Mississippi, many states have begun to follow this lead.
In April 2011, Deputy Commissioner Sparkman, accompanied by offender classifications expert Dr. James Austin, conducted an external review of the Colorado Department of Corrections Administrative Segregation operations. In March of this year, the Colorado Department of Corrections announced plans to close a wing of its Centennial Correctional Facility that contains 316 solitary confinement beds, effective in February 2013.
In the fall of 2011, Maine State Prison began responding to a "nationwide trend," as well as to the recommendations of Deputy Commissioner Sparkman, by sending fewer inmates into solitary confinement. By mid-June of this year, the segregation unit population had decreased from 139 cells to between 35 and 45 inmates on any given day.Prison officials have noticed substantial reductions in violence (and, accordingly, disciplinary responses) as well as in prisoner self-mutilation.
In February 2012, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recommended that the state shut down its notorious Tamms Correctional Center,a supermax facility where 54 prisoners had been held in solitary confinement for more than 10 years as of 2009. While the state budget released at the end of May did allocate funds toward the Tamms supermax prison, allowing it to stay open, the budget will also convert Tamms from a supermax facility to a medium-security prison.
Lawsuits filed this year in Arizona and last year in California may lead to further much-needed reform.


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The only yogurt(s) worth drinking
The only yogurt(s) worth drinking
Lucky Layla Farms expands and reaps benefits of new state of the art dairy farm
Lucky Layla Farms expands and reaps benefits of new state of the art dairy farm
Dallas-based Lucky Layla Farms is thrilled to announce the completion of their new state of the art dairy farm, Springville Farms. With the new facility boosting productivity levels, the Lucky Layla brand is poised for expansion throughout the southwest region at the end of this year, enabling yogurt lovers across the states to experience the goodness that is Lucky Layla drinkable yogurts—the only yogurts worth drinking.
Lucky Layla Farms was established in January 2004, when a third generation dairyman from a local Plano, Texas dairy farm decided it was time to turn his high quality milk from his award winning Guernsey and Jersey cows into a niche, marketable handcrafted dairy product. The result: an award-winning artisan dairy line under the Lucky Layla Farms brand helmed by seasoned dairyman, Todd Moore.
The recently completed Springville Farms is not a typical big cattle Texas dairy farm. Instead the focus is to make Todd's Guernsey and Jersey cows happy and comfortable, while maximizing productivity and quality. Rather than putting his cattle on concrete like a typical dairy operation, Todd lets his 600 head of cattle roam free on 1180 acres of lush green grass. Todd also built two, three acre cooling lakes, where his Guernsey and Jersey cows can swim (or float) and cool off from the unbearable heat. By naturally cooling the cows, they will in turn eat more grass and therefore produce more milk. As a vertically integrated company, Todd then takes the premium milk from Springville Farms, to the Lucky Layla creamery located just a few miles outside of Dallas.
Each Lucky Layla product is all-natural and handcrafted using milk from the rBGH-free estate Guernsey and Jersey cows. With the ultimate goal of simply providing customers the healthiest, farm-fresh dairy products on the market, Lucky Layla outshines competitors with its drinkable yogurts, golden butter, caramel and yogurt cheese.
Contributing to a healthy lifestyle, Lucky Layla's core product is their superior tasting, creamy drinkable yogurts. The yogurts are handcrafted by in-house yogurt artisans and feature real fruit pulp, active probiotics (LD. Bulgaricus and S.S. Thermophilus) with no additives or preservatives and are low in sugar, sodium and cholesterol—lower than any product in the area. At 200 calories or less per serving, these yogurts are the perfect meal replacement or snack for the entire family, and come in twelve fresh flavors: banana, blackberry, blueberry, custard apple, guava, mango, passion fruit, piña colada, strawberry, peach, plain and pure (no sugar). The yogurts can be found in select Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas Whole Foods stores, Central Markets, Sprout Markets and other regional retail outlets.
Lucky Layla Farms was created by third generation dairyman Todd Moore, as a way to further utilize the milk of his champion Guernsey and Jersey cows. Now with a line of premium, handcrafted dairy products, Lucky Layla features drinkable yogurts, caramel, yogurt cheese and golden butter that are designed to taste clean, healthy and delicious. Lucky Layla products can be found in select Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas Whole Foods, Central Markets, Sprouts and other regional outlets. Lucky Layla products may also be purchased at the Lucky Layla Farms Store located at 3721 North Jupiter Road, Plano, TX 75074 on the original Moore family farm, Lavon Farms. Springville Farms is located at 2296 W. FM 2795, Emory, TX 75440. For further information please visit the www.luckylayla.com


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Main Content
This Shake Down Time bag from Billabong is perfect for use from day to night. The simple faux leather material withstands typical wear and tear, while the metal studs spice things up for a look you can flaunt while you're running errands or out with friends.
- Interior pocket with zip closure
- Interior printed brand tag
- Main compartment with zip closure
- Measures approximately 6.5'' x 9''
- Metal stud detailing
- 100% Faux leather
- Exterior metal brand tag
- Imported
- Imported
- Brand: Billabong
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Customized items can be personalized with options such as your name, your favorite number, and/or designs. Some options may be limited by league rules.


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micoach is all you need to get the results you want.
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We love Adidas and our son loves there slides! We have been buying him Adidas slides for a few years now and they are the only ones he wants. The fit it perfect and he says they are super comfy! Will be purchasing again next year. ... read more
they're very nice I get compliments everywhere I go, they've even been confused for yeezy's so that's just a hint at how nice they really are. I have adidas and I'm a 4 1/2 they fit perfectly but these are too small in that size, I reccomend you get a size bigger. They're very comfortable to every step (feels like stepping on marshmallows) except like I said mine are too small so they hurt my toes. I'm exchanging for a size bigger so please don't go through what I did and just get the size bigger because shipping back and waiting for your shoes again sucks! ... read more
I bought these to wear in the shower while healing a broken ankle. They are adjustable to fit both my injured foot and my good foot. They are totally non-slip, which is a huge thing in these circumstances. All the other shower shoes I found were pastel colors and very Old Lady. The Size 4 fit my Women's size 5.5 feet perfectly. A great investment, considering I would be afraid to take a shower without them! ... read more
These are very comfortable and stylish slides. The fit is very nice and snug, perfect size. The foam is very squishy and comfortable. I got a color that is not available on the website. It is an all white (very bright, I love bright shoes) with the stripes being black. I would recommend these to anyone looking for a comfortable yet stylish pair of slides. ... read more
I bought these for my 7 year old son to wear to/from karate so he doesn't have to hassle with his shoes but he can still wear socks while it is cold. He loves them and wants to wear them all the time. ... read more
Bought these for my daughter to wear before and after her soccer games. She loves them, says they are very comfortable and likes the look. They arrived 2 days after placing the order. Very happy with this purchase! ... read more
My 11 year old sporty daughter begged for these for christmas to wear to basketball practice/games in the middle of winter. Loves the funky color. Wears a size 4-4.5, got the 5 that is touch a touch big to make it through the summer. Great service too. ... read more
Love, love, love these!! This is my first pair of the Adilight Superclouds. I purchased these to replace an old pair of Adidas Cushioned Slides that have seen their better days a long time ago. I am extremely happy with my purchase! Thanks Adidas!! ... read more
my 11 year old grandson was wanting some Adidas slides. he wasn't able to get the white ones in his size. then he saw the pink ones....he was so happy to receive these. he said these are great!!!! feel really good!!! ... read more
I had my last pair of adidas flip flops for 8 years. finally they broke and smelled. I had searched for the same kind but I do not think they make them anymore. the ones with the massage bumps bruised my feet for 2 days after wearing for one hour. so, i finally found these, and they are super comfortable and fit well. I wear a size 5.5, mine are size 4 and fit perfectly. you do need to try them on and make sure they fit before buying, as with most things. they do tend to smell funky though. but then again i wear mine all the time. ... read more
These slides are very comfortable and my daughter LOVES the bright blue color on the bottom. The adjustable strap is a wonderful feature and allows my daughter to customize the fit. Great quality at an affordable price! ... read more
Perfect shoe for my boys who would never wear any other type of flip flops or sandals. The sizing seems off as I had to reorder for both of my boys two sizes bigger than what they wear in a gym shoe. Overall, great looking shoe! ... read more
I purchased two pairs of the adilight Supercloud Slides for my boys this summer and they love it. They're very nice on the feet. Very confortable. One thing to keep in mind is the sizes. Before I purchased them I read the review on quality of product and sizes and they were mixed reviews on the sizes. So, I ordered one size up. But that didn't work. These sandals are very small. For example my boys are currently size 3 on shoes. However, I had to order 3 sizes more (size 6) in order to have them fit. They're just slightly big but that's OK. I had to return 2 pairs because I ordered 4 and then 5 and it was just too small. So when you order this kind of sandals, do yourself a favor. Order two sizes up your normal size and you should be OK. That's my experience. Everything else is great. Sandals, customer service. Price could be a little bit cheaper. ... read more
I got these for my almost 9yo son, these are our 2nd pair - he grew out of the previous ones. They're durable, light & very comfortable. I love that you can adjust them with the velcro. My son is very picky about his shoes & these make him happy! ... read more
I LOVED THEM AS SOON AS I OPENED THE BOX. SOFT AS A COTTON, VERY COMFORTABLE, LIGHT AS A FEATHER,PLUS ADJUSTABLE VELCRO TOP!!!!! ALL YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE FOR COMFORT OF YOUR KID'S FEET. THANK YOU, ADIDAS!!! ... read more
These fit my son just right just wish there was some room to grow. He is 11 and wears a size 5.5 sneaker. I ordered these in a size 5 but should have gone up a size. Nonetheless he loves them and looks forward to sliding them on after a busy day or after sports practice. I know I will be buying these again. ... read more
adidas products are very beautiful but my problem is the stuff that i ordered online looked different from what i got when it came in the mail. I purchased two items online and when they came in the mail, they looked different as well as the size was different. i had to go into the store to get exactly what i wanted. ... read more
.... not and as comfy as the slides they use to make with the gel soles....my kids loved those! Also the sizing was way off- had to go two sizes bigger for my daughter... she's usually a size 1 and we had to go up to a size 3. Overall she's happy. ... read more
These shoes are great! My daughter is on the swim team and in need of a sturdy yet light weight and comfy pair of flip-flops. These DEF are the trick! Wish they had pink in her size but I can't wait til she opens them for Christmas. She has issues with shoes and her feet and these def solve all problems, and they arrived in 2 days!!! ... read more
finally bought my dream slippers! so cute, super comfy, i don't want to take them off! feels like a foam floater, super light! i got the bright pink kids size 6, and i'm a woman's 7.5 and they fit me perfectly, and there's still room for socks in the winter! I LOVE THESE SLIPPERS I HOPE THEY NEVER BREAK!!!!!! BEST SLIPPERS EVER!!! SO HAAAAPPPYY!!! ... read more
The sizes are a mess. Ordered a youth size 6, they were huge, equivalent to an adult womans size 9. And extremely wide. Had to reorder a size 5, they are way too small, equivalent to a youth size 3, width was much better. So I have 2 pairs of shoes and none that fit. ... read more
These slides are great and I love the color but they run small. I ordered a youth size 3 thinking my daughter who just started wearing a size 2 in other shoes would be able to wear them for 2 summers. The slides are perfect for her now but are not likely to fit her next summer. I suggest ordering at least one size bigger than you normally wear. ... read more
These shoes are incredible! My daughter had bought a pair & raved so much about them, that my 6yr old had to have a pair. 2days later my oldest boy bought a pair too!! And all 3 of them wear them every day! :) ... read more
I bought these for my 7 yr old niece in blue. Pink was out of stock in her size. She was speechless when she opened the box! But the smile on her face, and her enthusiasm to put them on immediately, said it all! Her younger brother started crying as quickly as she smiled. He was so broken-hearted that there wasn't a pair for him. Guess what's on the list for his next gift.... This one is definitely a winner! ... read more


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Imagine-Nation | KCET
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Inspired by the Mayan traditions of his youth, Jorge Dugal re-interprets his grandmother's recipe for chirmol, a fire-roasted tomato and chili based salsa, that finds a modern home at one of Los Angeles's most revered restaurants, Providence.
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