Cubs - Life after Sammy?

[steroid]

Im starting my Cubs Dynasty over, because it was stated to me that I might just want to play from the Big Leagues, and skip the whole Minors all together. I personally would have liked to have finished it, but I found out more info on certain aspects of Dynasty viewing, anyway. I hope not to dissappoint ANY of you again, and you will stay interested. This may look funny to some of you, but due to the fact I have to fast forward three years, your gonna see some names that are not major leaguers, yet. LUAL, Im using some of ideas, because to me, your one of the better vets of Dynasty mode. I will continue to add depth in this one. If any of you see anything in this Dynasty that looks remotely like yours, I do apologise, its only a compliment Im paying in tribute to your good works. Now without further adeaux....................I present to you the CHICAGO CUBS - Life without Sammy

THIS TIME, Lets keep the posting out, unless its something good to say. I dont want to hear how bad, or how boring my dynasty is. Id appreciate that very much, thank you. Unless you have a positive remark, than dont say anything.

[steroid]

Chicago Cubs Roster Report - Presented by

Depth Chart:

Pitching Staff

SP - C.C. Sabathia

SP - Cliff Lee

SP - Esteban Loaiza

SP - Ricardo Rodriguez

SP - Rafael Soriano

LR - Matt Murphy

MR - Frankie Fulton

MR - Luis Vizcaino

MR - Carl Sadler

SU - DeMaso Marte

SU - Jesus Colome

CL - Frank Marotta

Infield

C - Marty Barrett

C - Henry Blanco

1B - Chris Takacs

2B - J.J. Bies

2B - Ramon Santiago

3B - Andy Marte

SS - C.J. Johnson

SS - Neifi Perez

UT - Ronny Cedeno

Outfield

RF - Lastings Milledge

CF - Lavelle Perry

CF - Franklin Gutierrez

LF - Robert Gunn

[steroid]

Cubs Have Position of Strength by Peter Gammons -

Hall of Fame baseball reporter Peter Gammons has worked for ESPN since 1988. He primarily serves as a studio analyst for Baseball Tonight, but he also does regular spots for SportsCenter, ESPNEWS and ESPN Radio and contributes to ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine.

In every beginning of every baseball season, there are new identities, be it faces or names, its still the same old game....Baseball! ! !

This year is a little bit different, as we break down Cubs Camp. Looking at it from a position of knowledge and experience that I have gained over the course of my years as an anylyst for ESPN, I come to judge teams and aquisitions with a more kindler/ gentler approach.

At first glance, the Cubs are loaded with young talent. As questionable as it may seem, they are loaded. With the likes of Andy Marte and Lastings Milledge, along with J.J. Bies and the rest of the young talented roster, they should compete for the division in a couple of years.

Doing what most of the small market clubs have done, aquiring young talent and signing them to long term contracts is always a smart move. With these players as young as they are, The Cubs will have to be careful with rushing them to develope. This was expected to be an invite to spring training, but looks like some of these players will be sticking around for the start of the season.

The Cubs are dealing from a position of strength. A position that they never had until now. In a couple of years and with any luck, These Cubs wont be your grandfathers Cubs anymore.

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

The skies the limit if Cubs reach potential This week and every week we give a look back and a look ahead to the coming weeks. We will give you up to date information about coming games and roster reports if any.

This week we talk to Cubs catcher and team captain, Micheal Barrett, to kind of give you a face and a persona to go with the name.

Q: Marty, right now your involved with the WBC, but is your mind on the Cubs at all?

A: Of course! ! Anytime your team makes changes in the off season, wether it be good or bad, you have to think about it and how its going to affect your team.

Q: Do you think the moves are going to help or hinder the Cubs?

A: I definitely think it will help the club in the coming years. I dont know what I can say about the now.

Q: Did you contemplate a trade in the off season?

A: No, there was no need to think about it. I love Chicago, and besides, they made me team captain. I dont want to go anywhere, but here. So no, there was no thought about it.

Q: How do you feel about getting to catch C.C.?

A: Im excited about it. They guy is an all star, as well as Cliff is. Both are great pitchers in their own right. Should really be fun this year.

Q: Do you miss K-Wood and Prior?

A: You have to realize that baseball is a buisness. I am going to miss all three of the pitchers we traded, but life goes on. You make friends everyday. Its a bonding experience with old faces and new.

Q: Marty, one more quick question...How do you think you will fair as well as the Cubbies this year, and be honest?

A: LOL.....I dont know, honestly. If I had to ponder a guess, Id say Id do well. Im getting better every year and hopefully I will progress on that a little more. On the Cubs..........hhmmm Id say we should be ok. .500 maybe pushing it, but on the brightside, the young guys will get some valuable experience this year.

Q: Marty, thank you for stopping by with us, today....

A: Thank you, J.P. but its Micheal, how do you not know??

Q: Sorry about that, these notes all got wet before we started...)

J.P. is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune

Tomorrows Probables:

Cubs v/s D-Backs

C.C. Sabathia (0-0) v/s Brandon Webb (0-0)

[steroid]

North Siders Hopes Rely On These 5 Arms

C.C. SabathiaCliff LeeEsteban Loaiza

Ricky RodriguezRafael Soriano

C.C.- will have to carry over what he was able to do after the all star break last year, for him to be successful. The only question for him is, which C.C. will you get on any given day?

Cliff - Relies on his fastball to set up that curve and inside cutter. If he is as effective as last year, he will be even nastier.

Esteban - Needs to get back to his near Cy Young form of a couple years ago. He is becoming a journeyman of sorts, but still has the goods to bring to the table.

Ricardo - Has a herky jerky release like Pedro, but the stuff is as good. Location is the problem, which leads to, to many walks. One word Ricky....CONTROL! ! !

Rafael - Is the dark horse in the rotation. Seattle gave up on him and his attitude changed during his tenure in the Emerald city. He has electrifing stuff, when he focuses on his pitching. Given the opportunity to start again, should help his confidence.

Overall, I give the Cubs a B- for effort. Nice job with what they were given on the free agent market, and the trade for headcases K-Wood and Zambrano. Only time will tell if the sun will shine on GM Tom Atkian and Dusty Baker.

Tom Arnold - USA Today

[Dom2662]

I like it so far, good work. And im sorry but the other dynasty wasn't as good.

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

THE CUBS GO DOWN IN THE DESERT 2-1

Sabathia 0-1(L)

Webb 1-0(W)

Valverde SV(1)

Opening day in Arizona, pit two aces together. C.C. Sabathia and Brandon Webb, and it was a matchup that was as brilliant as any you would remember. As dominant as C.C. ( 0-1 1.29 ) was, Brandon ( 1-0 1.08 ) was just as good. C.C. stuck out 9 and walked 2, giving up two runs in 7 innings, while Brandon had the sinker working to perfection. He had no strikeouts and walked 5, giving up just one in 8 1/3. It was his location that was the difference. Both scattered a handful of hits.

A homer from Glause (1) in the 4th, and an RBI single from Clayton in the 8th sealed it for the D-Backs.

Glaus gets ahold of one in the 4th off of Sabathia

The only bright spot was a loley RBI from Perry to break the scoreless drought off of Webb in the top of the 9th. The defences for both sides shined with 3 double plays each.

Bies avoids a collision with Johnson to steal a hit away from Counsell in the 3rd

Notable Linescores:

Chicago:

Bies - 1-3 BB(2) SB(1)

Perry - 1-5 RBI(1)

Arizona:

Gonzales - 2-3

Glaus - 1-4 HR(1) RBI(1)

Clayton - 2-4 RBI(1)

Interviews:

Sabathia - "I felt really good today. I had really good command of all my pitches. It was just a lack of production, due to the fact that Brandon was so good today. You just have to tip your cap and hope you can get them tomorrow."

Webb - "There gonna be a good team. I felt like they had me in the first two innings, but I was able to wiggle out of the jams they had me in. Its experience for them, right now. The more they gain, will be better for them in situations that come."

Glause - "Man, I tattooed that one, didnt I?? J/K. You have to tip your hat to both pitchers today. Brandon pitched his a$$ off. He is really showing signs of being that #1 guy."

Tomorrows Probables:

Cubs 0-1 v/s D-Backs 1-0

Cliff Lee (0-0) v/s Shawn Estes (0-0)

[TheNateGBent]

Very good so far. If you can keep this up, you will have one of the best dynasties I've read.

[Dom2662]

I love this Dynasty, now thats what im talkin about. damn what a Dynasty.

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

MARTE HOMER LIFTS CUBS 5-2

Lee 1-0(W)

Estes 0-1(L)

Marotta SV(1)

On a day that was suppose to be celebrated as the day the D-Backs signed FA, Aramis Ramirez, it was anything but a good day. The Cubs scored 5 in the first two innings, highlighted by a 3 run shot to left, by Marte, put the D-Backs in a hole they couldnt get out of.

Lee (1-0 2.57)was as good as he has been, striking out 5, walking 2 and scattering 4 hits in 7 innings. Estes (0-1 7.11)was greeted with a 409 ft. blast by Marte (1) after Perry and Gunn reached base safely. Bies would add a ground out RBI in the second along with Gutierrez getting one, scoring Barrett.

Marte hits a bomb to give the Cubs an early 3-0 lead in the 1st

Arizona scored in the 6th on a base hit into the LF gap that scored Clayton and McCracken. Thats all they would get as Cubs relievers would combine for 3 innings of scoreless relief.

Marotta delivers a pitch in the 9th of the 5-2 Cubs win

Notable Linescores:

Chicago:

Johnson 2-4 2B(1)

Guteirrez 2-4 RBI(1)

Marte 1-3 HR(1) RBI(3)

Arizona:

Ramirez 1-4 RBI(2)

Interviews:

Lee - "I was really focused today. I wanted to come out strong and show I wasnt scared to pitch to that lineup. Aramis is a big bat in that clubhouse."

Ramirez - "I would have liked to have gotten a win today, but Im happy we got the deal done. I have to come out tomorrow and show these guys I am the man!"

Gonzales - "I dont know what is wrong. I'm pressing I think, but I do have 3 hits in the first two games. Whats killing our team is the RISP that we leave on. We have to do a better job of that, or we will lose alot of games."

Tomorrows Probables:

Cubs 1-1 v/s D-Backs 1-1

Esteban Loaiza (0-0) v/s Russ Ortiz (0-0)

[dweaver99027]

Good one!

Keep it up, mate, you gotta try and end the last curse remaining in baseball.

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

ORTIZ BAFFLES CUBS IN 4-3 LOSS

Loaiza 0-1(L)

Ortiz 1-0(W)

Worrell SV(1)

If you watched this one, you might be scratching your head till next week. The Cubs had Ortiz (1-0 3.86) on the ropes all game long, but found ways that even I cant think of, to blow chances to knock him out of the box early. He got into jam after jam, walking 6 in 7 innings work, and seemingly pulled off the Houdini trick time after time. He was touched for 3 runs and gave up HR to Barrett (1) and Takacs (1) in the 4th and 5th innings. Both were solo shots.

Takacs goes yard for his first of the year

Loaiza (0-1 7.20) had control going into the windup, but when runners got on, and he had to pitch from the stretch, he found trouble pretty easy. He gave up HR to McCracken (1) and Green (1) in the 3rd, before he was relieved by the BP in the bottom half of the 6th.

McCracken hits a HR in the 3rd inning of the game

Notable Linescores:

Chicago:

Takacs 2-4 HR(1) RBI(1)

Johnson 2-4 SB(2)

Barrett 1-3 HR(1) RBI(1)

Arizona:

McCracken 2-4 HR(1) RBI(1)

Clayton 2-3

Glaus 2-4 RBI(2)

Hairston 2-4

Green 1-3 HR(1) RBI(2)

Interviews:

Glaus - "Man, we needed that one to set our confidence in the right direction. We are having problems scoring runs, but every win counts."

Loaiza - "I really dont feel like commenting right now. This isnt the best time for an interview. All you keep asking me is how does it feel, well it feels like sh**!!!"

Dusty - "Your kidding, right? Thats what he said? Well hes a man, and hes entitled to tell you what he wants. I dont know what to tell you, we are a young team, and we will make mistakes. Its only the 3rd game."

Tomorrows Probables:

Brewers 1-1 v/s Cubs 1-2

Victor Santos (0-0) v/s Ricardo Rodriguez (0-0)

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

THE CUBS MAKE A DEAL

Today the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnatti Reds made a deal, swapping backup catchers Henry Blanco for Javier Valentine. The trade however, does not make ripples and was not a blockbuster type move. It did give the Cubs a little more stability in the clubhouse and adding veteren leadership as well. The disgruntled Blanco was just to much to try and appease.

Blanco - "I only wish the best for those guys. I never wanted to cause trouble, but I needed a change of scenery. I wasnt going to be a backup on a team that is not going to compete for a worlds championship."

Valentine - "I was open to the trade. I like Chicago, its one of my favorite cities to play. Wrigley field is the best park to play in. How would you ever want to leave for any reason. I know this is a very bad situation to go to, but you have to look at it like this, Its going to get better and I want to help these young guys to get where they want to be, and end this curse. A good friend of mine, said he hopes we end the last curse in baseball, and I want to be part of it, when we finally kill that goat.....lol."

I dont know how gross that might be guys, but the curse is a curse, but the way the Southsiders did it last year, and Beantown the year before last, maybe there might be an inkling of hope here on the Northside.

J.P. is a columnist for the Chicago Tribune

[steroid]

I love this Dynasty, now thats what im talkin about. damn what a Dynasty.

Thanks Dom, see I told you it would be better. I just needed some time. I owe it to aaron and you also, for changing my mind on the whole minors fiasco.

Very good so far. If you can keep this up, you will have one of the best dynasties I've read.

I hope so GBent, Im shooting for it, if Im not great, I want to be at least, good.....lol Thanks for looking out, Its why I want to do it right.

Good one!

Keep it up, mate, you gotta try and end the last curse remaining in baseball.

Dweaver, see that little quote from Valentine? It was your idea.....lol ending the last curse part............lol I didnt know you and Valentine were boys? ...................lol Thanks for following, bro! ! !

[steroid]

THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE

RODRIGUEZ OUTSTANDING IN 8-3 WIN

Santos 0-1(L)

Rodriguez 1-0(W)

Dusty Baker was quite pleased, you might say. Ricardo Rodriguez (1-0 2.25) was too. To say that was an understatement. Rodriguez was lights out, going 8 stong innings, striking out 6 and walking 1. He gave up a 2 RBI single to Overbay in the top half of the 4th, and that was it. Sadler picked up an inning of garbage time, giving up a solo bomb to Lee in the 9th. Takacs was the man on offence again today, going 1-3 with a solo HR(2),SF and and RBI ground out. Robert Gunn also had a 2 run bomb(1), to lead the way to an 8 run output.

Robert Gunn destroys the Santos offering in the 6th

Santos (0-1 10.39) lasted only 4 1/3 innings. He got pounded for 5 runs on 7 hits, while his teammate Santana fared no better going 3 2/3 innings, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 1.

Marte barehands a throw to first and assisted on two DP's

Notable Linescores:

Chicago:

Gunn 2-4 HR(1) RBI(3)

Takacs 1-3 HR(2) RBI(4)

Marte 2-4 2B(1)

Milwaukee:

Overbay 2-4 RBI(2)

Lee 1-4 HR(1) RBI(3)

Hall 2-3

Interviews:

Gunn - "That was definitely a highlight for me. I got my first HR of the year and now the monkey is off my back. I want 30 before the year is over, man."

Takacs - "Im seeing the ball as well as I can, right now. Its a groove Im in. I guess you could say, Im locked in."

Rodriguez - "It has to be one of my best performances of my career. I hope it translates into more victories this year. I didnt come here to lose."

Tomorrows Probables:

Brewers 1-2 v/s Cubs 2-2

Chris Capuano 0-0 v/s Rafael Soriano 0-0

[Dom2662]

Steriod, know what you should do. You should C.C. Sabithia for another Ace. I hate C.C. in the game.

[steroid]

Steriod, know what you should do. You should C.C. Sabithia for another Ace. I hate C.C. in the game.

Hey, whose dynasty is this, Doms Cubs?.................lol I dont know, we will see how it goes through the course of the season..... :D

[Dom2662]

ok, thats fine.

[WBC3]

Wow, I will be following this dynasty very closely. Great job so far!

[steroid]

Guys , I might have a problem....its not looking good. My dynasty plays fine, but when I get into the games, it crashes. Sometimes it works fine, sometimes its crazy. Has this happen to anyone else?? I hope my models.big file isnt screwed. I have uninstalled and installed till Im blue in the face. You guys can count on me to get a dynasty off the ground, I hate disappointing you guys. I will get this cleared up some how, and if not..we will just unload some things, make the big file a little lighter and do it again.....) Im gonna get this to work, if it kills me..............! ! ! J

[Dom2662]

uninstall anything that u downloaded recently, ok. It helps, trust me steriod.

[steroid]

Dom, I have good news and bad news........Good news is that I will be doing my Dynasty..........LOL Bad news is, but it is really good news to you official dynasty guys, with the right rosters. I found that I can make Schmoozees total update with U'ees uni's and total audio cooperate. I did a fresh install with everything put in. I didnt patch it. Man, I wish I would have done that earlier. Ok, now for the difficult aspect, adjusting a roster of a team of my choosing. This is my third (fourth) real attempt at getting this right. Dont worry, we will get there guys. I have this under control. Give me one day. Look here tomorrow, under steroid, you will be pleasantly surprised. I was tinkering with some new ideas, along with the old.....but I need all of your support to get this off the ground. If you guys are the ones reading it, I need to make sure I give it my all. Im going to do a American League team, I hate pitchers batting. They ruin any RBI chances I get........... Maybe a tribute to Pirate and Tribetime, as an Indians Dynasty. Who knows..........?

[Dom2662]

ok, man.