This writer is voting for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’s Mike Trout for the AL MVP…PERIOD. Why? Let the debate continue!
Follow paulmbanksThe Chicago Cubs week that was and more Cubs stuff
February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment
After a crazy Cubs week, full of news and groundbreaking signings like those of Trever Miller and Matt Tolbert combined with another eye-opening list of prospects from BA that no one has ever thought of before, it is hard just to catch one’s breath.
Can you sense the sarcasm? Good, because I am laying it on pretty thick.
And as I am typing this, word breaks across the wire that the Cubs landed themselves and 18-year-old Cuban prodigy. I am pretty sure that I had something to with that by typing the opening paragraph at the precise time I did. You are welcome.
And I digress, it has been rather quiet so new prospect lists are a good way to create conversation and discussion and debate. Who is the Cubs best prospect? I have no idea. That is as honest as I can be.
So, let’s shake it up with some ramblings on a Friday. And I sure hope this can create some good banter to get the Super weekend started.
Follow paulmbanksWhy Brewers Fans Should Be Happy for the Detroit Tigers Prince Fielder
January 25, 2012 By Leave a Comment
On Tuesday, the Detroit Tigers shocked the world by signing free agent and former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder to a lucrative nine year deal worth $214 million.
As rapper/producer, Kanye West, so eloquently put it, “And if they hate let ’em hate. And watch the money pile up, the good life.”
It’s not uncommon-place to hear people say the Tigers made a ridiculous move, but here’s why Brewers fans should be happy for the guy who established himself as a franchise great in Milwaukee over the past seven years. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksDetroit Tigers Give Prince Fielder 9 Years, $214 Million
January 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment
The Detroit Tigers have agreed t0 terms with 3-time All-Star 1B Prince Fielder on a 9-year, $214 million deal (multiple reports via SportsCenter tweet)
Follow paulmbanksBrewers GM on Prince Fielder: “We’ve Had to Move On”
January 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in a little more than a month and Prince Fielder still has not signed a free agent deal with any MLB team. Some Milwaukee Brewers‘ fans are hoping that as long as teams drop out of the Fielder sweepstakes and he remains on the open market, there is a glimmer of hope that he might return to Milwaukee even if it is just for a one-year deal. However, Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said Monday night that Fielder will not be a Brewer next season and that the team is still awaiting word on Ryan Braun‘s suspension.
Follow paulmbanksCubs Cause Stir With Big Announcements at Convention
January 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
After a day dominated by headlines about Kerry Wood returning to the North Side, day two of the Cubs Convention in Chicago was marked by headlines in other areas. New changes to Wrigley Field were discussed, some free agency matters were addressed by the Cubs’ head honchos, and there was plenty of reaction both positive and negative to all of it.
Follow paulmbanksCubs Trade Tyler Colvin to Colorado Rockies for Ian Stewart
December 9, 2011 By 1 Comment
Before leaving Dallas and the Winter Meetings on Thursday, Chicago Cubs President of Baseball Operations Theo Epstein and General Manager Jed Hoyer did manage to make one move. No, it wasn’t signing Albert Pujols or CJ Wilson (both of whom signed with the Angels), but instead it was a trade, acquiring third baseman Ian Stewart from the Colorado Rockies. They also acquired minor league pitcher Casey Weathers in the deal.
In exchange, the Cubs sent outfielder Tyler Colvin and infielder DJ LeMahieu to Denver.
Follow paulmbanksWhile Stl. Cardinals Fans Mourn, Did Albert Pujols Do Right Thing?
December 8, 2011 By 1 Comment
‘Whenever older sports fans are goaded into talking about the good old days, certain things will inevitably come up in the conversation. Whether it be something along the lines of “players used to play for the competition and the love of the game, not the money,” or “Dick Butkus killed a guy, and that’s real football”, these old school fans of the games we love have a certain moral ethic that they adhere to when it comes to their teams, and they expect their favorite players to follow suit.
Follow paulmbanksTheo Epstein Talks at Winter Meetings, Reveals Plans for Cubs
December 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment
In what historically is a fun event for fans of trades and free agent signings, the Winter Meetings are taking place next week in Dallas, Texas, and GM’s of various teams are already starting to talk to the media. Theo Epstein, the Cubs’ new President of Baseball Operations, took some time to talk to ESPN.com’s Bruce Levine on Thursday, and he had some interesting comments for the noted baseball scribe.
Follow paulmbanksWhat’s My Motivation: Cubs Interested in Fielder, Pujols?
November 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Just when you thought the Cubs had already made some serious waves during this off-season, they could be preparing to make an even bigger splash. According to a report by FoxSports.com, the Cubs are pursuing free agent first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, who are the two crown jewels of this year’s free agent class. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com also weighed in this morning, reporting that the Cubs have reached out to Pujols’ agent Dan Lozano, and are apparently serious about joining in the race for the slugger’s services.
If the report is accurate, the Cubs would join the St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins in the Pujols sweepstakes, and they could also be joining the Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals in pursuit of Fielder. Both players are going to get large paydays, but the fact that the Cubs are in a rebuilding mode may not be deterring them from spending money.
Follow paulmbanksBrewers Ryan Braun Edging out Matt Kemp for NL MVP was the Right Choice
November 22, 2011 By Leave a Comment
On Tuesday, Ryan Braun became the 3rd Milwaukee Brewers player and first since 1989 to win an MVP Award. Braun received 20 of 32 first-place votes to edge out the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp and teammate Prince Fielder for one of baseball’s most prestigious awards.
I’m not always on par with what the MLB or corresponding baseball media does (e.g. All-Star Selections, Silver Slugger Winners and Gold Glove Awards), but this time around the Baseball Writers’ Association of America got it right. [Read more…]
Follow paulmbanksNew Era in Cubdom: Five Ideas for Theo Epstein
October 29, 2011 By Leave a Comment
After weeks of speculation and several years of futility, a new era finally began in Chicago baseball on Tuesday as the Chicago Cubs named Theo Epstein their new President of Baseball Operations. He brings with him the obvious pedigree of winning two championships as GM of the Boston Red Sox, but perhaps more importantly, he has shown an ability to make moves that may not seem genius at face value but sell them to a rabid fanbase and end up making them work out in the end. This is a trait that he will need to bring with him to Chicago as he takes on the challenge of what will probably go down in history as the longest championship drought in American sports, but from what we’ve seen early on in his tenure, he seems to be up to the task. [Read more…]
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