BYE BYE Jacque

[CFRay]

Jacque has signed with the Cubs, 3 years, $16 mil.. I think it was time for him to move on. He'll have at least one good year with the Cubs that will make us wish he was still here. He would swing at some terrible pitches though. I know he is a good friend of Tori, hope this dosen't hurt Tori's performance.

[genegodawa]

For $16 Million he better have 3 good years.

[CFRay]

Genegodawa.

When the Twins were in the playoffs against Oakland, Jones was at bat. Barry Zito lost his balance and threw a pitch that hit the ground halfway to home plate. The network announcers said they were surprised that Jacque did not swing at it.

He can put out flashes of greatness, just wasn't able to put a whole season together while he was here.

[IFallsRon]

The Twins have a good record, excluding David Ortiz, of letting players go at the right time. Jones will never be any more than an average player. He'll really enjoy the respect that he'll get from the bleachers.

[schweady]

Does this put Cuddyer in right?? I was hoping that Cuddy could maybe be used as part of a deal for the Big Hurt...

[genegodawa]

I'm sure he knew that it is legal to hit a bounced-in pitch-ha, ha.

Really though, adding mediocrity (I think he is a lifetime .280 hitter?) is no way to improve the Cub outfield. Shoot, the Murton kid will be able to do that at alot less than $16Mill.

The Cubs' best chance is if Prior and Wood put together great seasons no matter who is in the outfield. Otherwise, they still won't catch Houston or Tim's Cards.

[Big Pine Walleye]

I still think...or hope... that the Twins can find a place for Cuddy...like...another team! I hope that they are not done making moves, because I do not think that the moves that they have made are going to make them that much better.

I hope that a DH is in the near future!!!

[Cicada]

Kind of think it would be a waste for the Twins to put big bucks into a DH. I've said this before, they use the dh spot for rehab at-bats. The dh doesn't get enough at-bats to stay at the top of his game. I also don't like the choices availabe. No one since Darrell Strawberry has hit more meaningless home runs than Piazza. Doesn't seem like any that he hits affects the outcome of a game. I also think one of the reasons Chicago won the World Series was that Frank Thomas was hurt. Always seemed like he was complaining about something when he was with the team. He wanted it to be all about him. Needed HIS at-bats, needed HIS playing time. Boiled down to the TEAM needing him out of the picture.

[CNY Tim]

Gene - I don't think we have done much at all, other than general bull pen tweaking. That doesn't mean that something big is not going to happen but Romero and Looper? and Sidney, Pour me a double and let me do the driving Ponson??? We lost Nunez, Grudz, Morris, Walker, Mabry, and King. Sanders and Taveras will be gone soon too.... We need one big bat in one of the outfield corners we still have good bench guys with Taguchi and J-Rod. I think Molina will have a break out season with the bat this year and Pujols will be Pujols, a healthy Scott Rolen and are spark plug little Davey Eckstein. Just don't know how much is left out there..

[IFallsRon]

From the Chicago Tribune:

Although Jones may not be the answer in right, he may have been the best available option on the market. Was three years too long? Maybe. But Kansas City's final offer was $18 million over three years, while Detroit reportedly offered $17 million, so the Cubs actually were outbid before reeling him in at $16 million, including a $4 million bonus.

[AF-1984]

Jacque is more productive than that high priced center fielder we have... not to mention any names Torii. He has just as good of offensive numbers and plays defense almost as well. Should have kept him around and fished Hunter on the market. Just my opinion though. I guess I might have to start watching the Cubs. LOL!!!

[Mitty]

AF I agree with you I think we got rid of the wrong guy!

[Cicada]

And you thought Chicago was already the windy city? Just wait until April when Jones whirls himself into the ground. The leaves will fall off the ivy, umbrellas will be blown inside out, and Woods and Prior will wish they could be throwing to him. Actually, I wish him well. He just drove me up the wall with the lack of control at the plate.