- David Haugh wonders what the Cubs are doing this off season saying that the moves make no sense.
- Haugh wonders if he will stay healthy.
- Kap says he wishes they wouldn't have traded DeRosa.
- They talked about how Bradley is a good hitter IF he stays healthy, noting that the if is a big IF.
- Hough also mentions the Cubs chemistry. Kaplan replied by saying that all of Bradley's former teammates call him a good teammate.
- Kap is the latest to report that Fukudome and Johnson will platoon in CF.
- He says that we are looking at a pay roll of about 140.
- Kaplan also says that if the new ownership approves the Cubs will go after Peavy again.
- The Cubs have trimmed off enough money in the DeRosa and Marquis trades to pay for DeRosa.
- Dave Haugh says he doesn't think that the Cubs have made progress this off season.
- Kap says Joey Gathright fits in only as a 5th outfielder.
By the way, the Marquis deal may be finalized tomorrow according to Cubs.com.
We move from Kaplan's TV show to his radio show.
- The first caller on Sports Central said that Milton Bradley is not a team player. Dave argued that the caller has no idea and says that Bradley's former teammates love him. David Kaplan said that he would call him a "hothead" but not call him "not a team player.
- Kap says the big question with him is will he stay healthy.
- The next caller asked Kap to give him a grade on Jim Hendry for his tenor as GM. The caller would give him a C.
- Dave says he could have had 4 playoffs in 6 years if the Cubs would have made it in 2004.
- The caller doesn't like the contract Jim gave Alfonso Soriano. The caller says he would love to have Manny Ramirez's bat.
- Kap says he would give Hendry a B+ saying he lowered the grade because of the playoff failure and the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
- The 3rd caller likes the Bradley signing to add flare in the clubhouse.
- The 4th caller lives in Dallas and says he never heard any complaints from any players in Texas and says he's exited about the move.
- Kap pleads for everyone to just give Milton a chance.
- They replayed the Mark DeRosa interview from Friday night. It is an awesome interview. You can read my recap of it here, or listen to the full interview here.
Next, Aaron Miles was live on the show with Kaplan. Here's what he had to say:
- Kap asked what was going through Miles's mind when he found out he was going to the Cardinals' arch rivals. Miles says he's looking forward to playing at Wrigley Field for a team that has a chance to do great things.
- Miles was told he would be considered for the second base job and says he can play lots of positions and switch hit. Aaron says at different times during year, he could be in different roles.
- Miles says that Tony LaRusa was a great manager and knew that when Aaron got non-tendered again there was a good chance he would be leaving.
- Kap asked what position he would play and where he would bat in the order if Lou left it up to him. Miles says he would play second base and like to hit in the top of the order but says he can bat anywhere and will be happy in any role.
- Dave brought up that Miles has pitched a little bit. Aaron says it's a bittersweet feeling to pitch as a position player.
- In spring of 2000 Miles came home from dinner and 2 masked gun men came in to his room and wanted his money. His teammates called the police and they arrived just in time. Miles said he was held hostage for about 30 minutes. Then he got into a struggle for the gun and got punched and bit by this masked man. The cops came in and shot him 6 times. True story, click here for the full story.
- Kap asked who in the Cardinal locker room hates the Cubs the most. Aaron said the it's probably Tony LaRusa.
- He says all the players on both sides love the rivalry but says it lives and dies with the managers.
- Miles will be at the Cubs Convention.
Ken Rosenthal from Fox Sports was the next guest on the show to talk baseball:
- Ken says he loves Milton Bradley but just wonders if he can stay healthy playing right field. He says fans are going to like his fire and his OPS.
- Rosenthal says it may be a challenge for Sweet Lou to leave Bradley alone and let him do his job.
- Bradley's primary goal is to win. He says you can say the same things about Lou that you can say about Milton Bradley, that's why some people consider it a dangerous situation.
- Kap asked how Rosenthal would handicap where the Cubs are today compared to the end of the season. Ken says he likes where they are but he understands the criticism.
- He says the main reason that the Cubs traded DeRosa is to get more left handed and be more of a balanced offense.
- Kap asked about Peavy. Rosenthal says the odds of a Peavy deal to the Cubs are about 10%.
- He thinks that the Cubs may test the market for another starting pitcher but doesn't think they will pay big money for a starter like Derrek Lowe, but if the ownership change happens, a lot of things could change.
- Rosenthal says that the AL Central is a difficult division to pick and says that the Indians with Kerry Wood and Mark DeRosa will have a chance.
- Kap notes that the other teams in the NL Central haven't been to active.
- Ken says that we should keep an eye on the Brewers. He expects them to be active in the coming weeks.
- He also thinks that the Cardinals could add a few more pitchers.
Kap took a few more calls:
- The first caller doesn't see how the Cubs are going with Miles and Fontenot as the every day second basemen. He thinks that the Cubs might have something else up their sleeve. Kap says that Fontenot will get a chance to win a job.
- The next caller asked if the door is totally closed on Jake Peavy. Kap says that the door is closing but not totally closed. The Cubs are not going to do a 6 for 1 deal.
Well, that is it for today! I'll have more updates tomorrow!
Just Keep on rooting for the Cubs!
