ESPN Cubs Rumblings...

[MustangMike]

Felix is 7 feet tall and blows lightning bolts out of his arse.

 

FRREEEEEEDDDOOOOOMMMM

[shnsajax]

Felix is 7 feet tall and blows lightning bolts out of his arse.

His poop is used as currency in Argentina!

 

That sounds about right for Argentina and anything that involves Maradona ;-)

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Felix is 7 feet tall and blows lightning bolts out of his arse.

 

Felix Pie?

 

Oh he's a big fella, runs about 6-7, 385

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

About veterans grumbling, I definitely think Jones is in this group, the reports of him asking for a trade last year and hating being a Cub have been too prevalent. Floyd has spoken up in the media a little, but I don't think he's a real big complainer. But with the structure of his contract, it wouldn't surprise me.

 

I find it hard to believe that Izturis is in this group though. He's young and hasn't been an established everyday player in 3 years.

 

I don't think Barrett is complaining about playing time, although I do think he's clashing with Lou.

 

Some of the relievers are probably a little annoyed. Dempster because of the whole rotation/closer debacle (and the fact that his one bad game caused such a stir), Howry and Eyre because of anger at their own performance and probably a bit about their usage. And I think Ohman is always in a foul mood. But it's not out of the ordinary for pitchers, especially relievers, to have a testy relationship with their manager, especially one that was a position player.

 

I would not be surprised if DeRosa is complaining some. He's probably sat more than he would like and supposedly Hendry told him he'd be the starter.

[jersey cubs fan]

I would not be surprised if DeRosa is complaining some. He's probably sat more than he would like and supposedly Hendry told him he'd be the starter.

 

I thought about him, but he's still played enough to be qualified for the batting title. His time off was largely affected by his health, and he's started in something like 13 of the last 14 games. DeRosa is also on pace to play in more games and get more PA than his average season.

[CubColtPacer]

About veterans grumbling, I definitely think Jones is in this group, the reports of him asking for a trade last year and hating being a Cub have been too prevalent. Floyd has spoken up in the media a little, but I don't think he's a real big complainer. But with the structure of his contract, it wouldn't surprise me.

 

I find it hard to believe that Izturis is in this group though. He's young and hasn't been an established everyday player in 3 years.

 

I don't think Barrett is complaining about playing time, although I do think he's clashing with Lou.

 

Some of the relievers are probably a little annoyed. Dempster because of the whole rotation/closer debacle (and the fact that his one bad game caused such a stir), Howry and Eyre because of anger at their own performance and probably a bit about their usage. And I think Ohman is always in a foul mood. But it's not out of the ordinary for pitchers, especially relievers, to have a testy relationship with their manager, especially one that was a position player.

 

I would not be surprised if DeRosa is complaining some. He's probably sat more than he would like and supposedly Hendry told him he'd be the starter.

 

I'd be a little shocked by that. DeRosa has been in and out of the lineup most of his career, and he's also been hurt 6 or 7 games this year-he really hasn't sat all that much. I'd be especially shocked if any complaints were registered lately, as he's been playing just about everyday (as he should right now).

[jersey cubs fan]

Speaking of DeRosa, some people (I'm thinking Santo) have complained about him being too patient. Well, he hasn't drawn a walk in 10 games now. His IsoD has fallen from over .100 to .087, and his OBP has gone from a significant strength to pretty ho-hum. He has been a success overall though.

[slieb85]

And of course, you know that Felix has played in the league championship for every team at every level he's ever played for, right? World Series, here we come!!

That's true except for Iowa. Also, I don't think he actually played in the championship for West Tenn; I think that was the year he missed most of the second half due to injury. [/nitpick]

 

I thought it was actually the RIOT who played on a championship team every year in the minors? Maybe i'm completely wrong but that's what I thought had been said.

[Chocolate Milk]

Speaking of DeRosa, some people (I'm thinking Santo) have complained about him being too patient. Well, he hasn't drawn a walk in 10 games now. His IsoD has fallen from over .100 to .087, and his OBP has gone from a significant strength to pretty ho-hum. He has been a success overall though.

 

He really is a super sub. I have been impressed at his ability to play multiple positions competently.

[jersey cubs fan]

And of course, you know that Felix has played in the league championship for every team at every level he's ever played for, right? World Series, here we come!!

That's true except for Iowa. Also, I don't think he actually played in the championship for West Tenn; I think that was the year he missed most of the second half due to injury. [/nitpick]

 

I thought it was actually the RIOT who played on a championship team every year in the minors? Maybe i'm completely wrong but that's what I thought had been said.

 

Didn't Patterson and/or Choi?

 

I don't really put much stock into such oddities.

[Have a seat, Neifi]

More from Jayson Stark on the Cubs in today's chat session, including this gem:

 

"The Cubs have done everything but take out an OF-AVAILABLE classified ad in the Tribune to find a taker for Jacque Jones. And they've had absolutely no bites."

 

Thanks again Jim.

[gflore34]

More from Jayson Stark on the Cubs in today's chat session, including this gem:

 

"The Cubs have done everything but take out an OF-AVAILABLE classified ad in the Tribune to find a taker for Jacque Jones. And they've had absolutely no bites."

 

Thanks again Jim.

 

I'm ignorant of the details so, this may be a dumb question but, does Jones have any options left? If so, send him down, if not, unless necessitated by injury, etc., why does he have play at all? With Pie taking over in CF, why not go with a straight platoon of Floyd and Murton in RF?

[jersey cubs fan]

More from Jayson Stark on the Cubs in today's chat session, including this gem:

 

"The Cubs have done everything but take out an OF-AVAILABLE classified ad in the Tribune to find a taker for Jacque Jones. And they've had absolutely no bites."

 

Thanks again Jim.

 

I'm ignorant of the details so, this may be a dumb question but, does Jones have any options left? If so, send him down, if not, unless necessitated by injury, etc., why does he have play at all? With Pie taking over in CF, why not go with a straight platoon of Floyd and Murton in RF?

 

I don't know if they used up his 3 options but I'm certain he's accrued the service time necessary for veterans to have the right to refuse the demotion.

[RynoRules]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

[shnsajax]

Can't we trade him to Japan for a Wii. Then use it as a clubhouse tool to teach the bullpen how to throw strikes.

[CubColtPacer]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

I think it's still a bit premature for that. There's nobody who is going to replace him now who is going to be significantly better, whether that ends up being Pagan (I know, he's up right now, but Ward will probably replace him when he comes back), Cedeno, or Fontenot. Jones isn't necessarily completely washed up yet-trade him for absolutely anything you can get, but just releasing him doesn't really help the Cubs right now without a great option to replace him on the roster. Right now, he can be a pinch hitter and backup CF.

[Sarcastic]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

Just curious; who do we have to replace him? It is one thing to trade Jones for peanuts, but to take on his full salary and get nothing in return? We don't even have a decent player to take his spot.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

Just curious; who do we have to replace him? It is one thing to trade Jones for peanuts, but to take on his full salary and get nothing in return? We don't even have a decent player to take his spot.

 

Are you still talking about Jones? We don't even have a decent player in him.

[RynoRules]

Pagan's OPS is well over .800. I know the sample size is not enormous, but he has greater value to this team if for no other reason than he can actually reach the cutoff man from the OF.

[Sarcastic]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

Just curious; who do we have to replace him? It is one thing to trade Jones for peanuts, but to take on his full salary and get nothing in return? We don't even have a decent player to take his spot.

 

Are you still talking about Jones? We don't even have a decent player in him.

 

True, but paying for his salary just so we can replace him with someone of equal or lesser value makes no sense.

[jersey cubs fan]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

I think it's still a bit premature for that. There's nobody who is going to replace him now who is going to be significantly better, whether that ends up being Pagan (I know, he's up right now, but Ward will probably replace him when he comes back), Cedeno, or Fontenot. Jones isn't necessarily completely washed up yet-trade him for absolutely anything you can get, but just releasing him doesn't really help the Cubs right now without a great option to replace him on the roster. Right now, he can be a pinch hitter and backup CF.

 

A month ago I may have agreed. But time's a wasting, and this roster needs fixing. They need backup IF help ASAP. An OF of Soriano, Pie, Floyd/Murton, with Ward and Pagan on the bench is as good or better than one that has Jones in the mix. At the very least you cut down substantially on veteran whining, by getting Jones out of here and Floyd more playing time.

 

And Jones has shown no signs of hitting his way out of this funk. Last year's slow start didn't last in May, let alone June. Jacque and the Cubs are like poison to each other at this point. There is no value in having him on the team, and it's quite possibly there is actually negative value.

[gflore34]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

I think it's still a bit premature for that. There's nobody who is going to replace him now who is going to be significantly better, whether that ends up being Pagan (I know, he's up right now, but Ward will probably replace him when he comes back), Cedeno, or Fontenot. Jones isn't necessarily completely washed up yet-trade him for absolutely anything you can get, but just releasing him doesn't really help the Cubs right now without a great option to replace him on the roster. Right now, he can be a pinch hitter and backup CF.

 

A month ago I may have agreed. But time's a wasting, and this roster needs fixing. They need backup IF help ASAP. An OF of Soriano, Pie, Floyd/Murton, with Ward and Pagan on the bench is as good or better than one that has Jones in the mix. At the very least you cut down substantially on veteran whining, by getting Jones out of here and Floyd more playing time.

 

And Jones has shown no signs of hitting his way out of this funk. Last year's slow start didn't last in May, let alone June. Jacque and the Cubs are like poison to each other at this point. There is no value in having him on the team, and it's quite possibly there is actually negative value.

 

Indeed, removing Jones = addition by subtraction

[tkenm356]

I hate the "They'll have to eat a sizable portion of his contract" argument on Jones.

 

It's not like he's making Todd Helton money, he's making $9 million for this year AND next year. If the Cubs have to eat $5 million of that, is it going to be that huge of a loss? It's not like we're trying to trade away a bad contract, we're trying to trade away a bad player who still could have some upside. Is it really that much a of a big deal? $5 mil, Jones, and a mid tier prospect with no future in this organization due to blockage (Scott Moore, anyone?) for a high tier prospect or slightly below high tier?

[jersey cubs fan]

I hate the "They'll have to eat a sizable portion of his contract" argument on Jones.

 

It's not like he's making Todd Helton money, he's making $9 million for this year AND next year. If the Cubs have to eat $5 million of that, is it going to be that huge of a loss? It's not like we're trying to trade away a bad contract, we're trying to trade away a bad player who still could have some upside. Is it really that much a of a big deal? $5 mil, Jones, and a mid tier prospect with no future in this organization due to blockage (Scott Moore, anyone?) for a high tier prospect or slightly below high tier?

 

Why would anybody give up a high tier or near high tier prospect for Jones and Moore?

[Soul]

Just freakin DFA the guy if no one wants him. Then you might force a contender to start talking for fear that one of the worse teams will claim him first. If not, then we open a roster sport for someone who can actually help this team.

 

I think it's still a bit premature for that. There's nobody who is going to replace him now who is going to be significantly better, whether that ends up being Pagan (I know, he's up right now, but Ward will probably replace him when he comes back), Cedeno, or Fontenot. Jones isn't necessarily completely washed up yet-trade him for absolutely anything you can get, but just releasing him doesn't really help the Cubs right now without a great option to replace him on the roster. Right now, he can be a pinch hitter and backup CF.

 

A month ago I may have agreed. But time's a wasting, and this roster needs fixing. They need backup IF help ASAP. An OF of Soriano, Pie, Floyd/Murton, with Ward and Pagan on the bench is as good or better than one that has Jones in the mix. At the very least you cut down substantially on veteran whining, by getting Jones out of here and Floyd more playing time.

 

And Jones has shown no signs of hitting his way out of this funk. Last year's slow start didn't last in May, let alone June. Jacque and the Cubs are like poison to each other at this point. There is no value in having him on the team, and it's quite possibly there is actually negative value.

 

Indeed, removing Jones = addition by subtraction

 

I'm in an agreeable mood today, and I certainly agree with this. Too bad, I had hoped Jones would hit his stride with us in his 2nd season as a Cub. Instead he's just laid a big fat egg, and needs to go.