7/27 Cubs... you're breakin' my heart. 1:20 / CSN

[Guest]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Yu Darvish

 

I honestly don't think he'll get posted this offseason. Would be an absolute stunner.

[Little Slide Rooter]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Ben Sheets

John Lackey

John Garland

Paul Byrd

Derrek Lowe

AJ Burnett

Brad Penny

[ChiCubsfan0502]

Wow! Piniella really is in love with Samardzija.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Does anyone know if Rich Hardens 2009 option is a player or team option, and how likely it is to be picked up?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Ben Sheets.

[Andy]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Ben Sheets.

I'm good with one injury risk in our rotation, thanks.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Ben Sheets.

I'm good with one injury risk in our rotation, thanks.

 

I'll admit, this is a biased choice. I've wanted to root for Sheets since he left Northeast Louisiana. When the Brewers weren't that good, I could root for him in every start he didn't face the Cubs. The last two seasons, not so much. If he were on the Cubs, he'd rank right up there with my Theriot/Fontenot love.

[BCVM22]

Does anyone know if Rich Hardens 2009 option is a player or team option, and how likely it is to be picked up?

 

Club option.

[Little Slide Rooter]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Ben Sheets.

I'm good with one injury risk in our rotation, thanks.

 

I'll admit, this is a biased choice. I've wanted to root for Sheets since he left Northeast Louisiana. When the Brewers weren't that good, I could root for him in every start he didn't face the Cubs. The last two seasons, not so much. If he were on the Cubs, he'd rank right up there with my Theriot/Fontenot love.

 

And then again, it could be Prior and Wood all over again.

 

Id be willing to bet that Sheets ends up with one of the NY teams anyway.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I still think Samarddzija is best suited as a bullpen arm.

 

I disagree.

 

While I didn't see any of his AAA starts, the one I saw in Mississippi left me unimpressed with him as a starter. He had a decent line that night before the rain delay forced him out, but the fastball wasn't nearly as electric as it was in these two games out of the pen. I know we heard reports that his breaking ball got better in AAA, but to me it's the difference in his fastball that I've seen.

 

I think that he may be best suited for the pen. If we were short on options for the rotation, sure, give him a shot. But I'd just as soon keep him in the pen.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

 

I'll admit, this is a biased choice. I've wanted to root for Sheets since he left Northeast Louisiana. When the Brewers weren't that good, I could root for him in every start he didn't face the Cubs. The last two seasons, not so much. If he were on the Cubs, he'd rank right up there with my Theriot/Fontenot love.

 

And then again, it could be Prior and Wood all over again.

 

Id be willing to bet that Sheets ends up with one of the NY teams anyway.

 

I've been telling my dad that Sheets will be a Yankee. But I'd take him. When healthy, he's good.

 

I've asked some people that know him or his wife where he wants to go and have gotten nothing. Some insist he wants to get closer to home (Astros, Rangers, or Braves) and others say he'll follow the money. So, really I don't know.

[Derwood]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Yu Darvish

 

I honestly don't think he'll get posted this offseason. Would be an absolute stunner.

 

yeah, i figured

[BCVM22]

Some great calls from Pat in this one. I may have to highlight this.

[Guest]

I still think Samarddzija is best suited as a bullpen arm.

 

I disagree.

 

While I didn't see any of his AAA starts, the one I saw in Mississippi left me unimpressed with him as a starter. He had a decent line that night before the rain delay forced him out, but the fastball wasn't nearly as electric as it was in these two games out of the pen. I know we heard reports that his breaking ball got better in AAA, but to me it's the difference in his fastball that I've seen.

 

I think that he may be best suited for the pen. If we were short on options for the rotation, sure, give him a shot. But I'd just as soon keep him in the pen.

 

You saw him for 1 start.

 

His FB w/ sink would be at 92-96 as a starter. He needs to improve the change but with the split and slider, he's be a great starter.

[Andy]

Some great calls from Pat in this one. I may have to highlight this.

Beat me to it. :D

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I still think Samarddzija is best suited as a bullpen arm.

 

I disagree.

 

While I didn't see any of his AAA starts, the one I saw in Mississippi left me unimpressed with him as a starter. He had a decent line that night before the rain delay forced him out, but the fastball wasn't nearly as electric as it was in these two games out of the pen. I know we heard reports that his breaking ball got better in AAA, but to me it's the difference in his fastball that I've seen.

 

I think that he may be best suited for the pen. If we were short on options for the rotation, sure, give him a shot. But I'd just as soon keep him in the pen.

 

You saw him for 1 start.

 

His FB w/ sink would be at 92-96 as a starter. He needs to improve the change but with the split and slider, he's be a great starter.

 

I'll admit that I only saw one start. And Mississippi is known for a slow gun, but he wasn't that impressive. His fastest pitch that night was 92 on the gun and most sat around 89-90. It didn't seem to blow by the Braves hitters who aren't that good anyway. It wasn't that I wasn't impressed with his secondary pitches, it just seems his fastball is a lot better in relief than as a starter.

[BCVM22]

Some great calls from Pat in this one. I may have to highlight this.

Beat me to it. :D

 

I'll jump on it once they archive the audio feed.

[Guest]

Does anyone know if Rich Hardens 2009 option is a player or team option, and how likely it is to be picked up?

 

Club option.

 

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/07/09/easy-be-harden

[Mizzou]

What a great game today. Nice to see the Cubs fight back after getting down early. Soriano looks like he's starting one of those hot streaks. Lee had a nice game. Fontenot with a HUGE hit, what a great year he's having. And of course Edmonds with the sick catch to end it.

[Derwood]

Shark sure does sweat a lot. JoBo part 2?

[BCVM22]

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/07/09/easy-be-harden

 

Oh. My bad, I was going by what Cot's had.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

For next year I'm hoping we cut Marquis (hopefully this year), trade Lilly, sign someone like Sabathia (our new owner, Mark Cuban, will have the money), and go with a rotation of Zambrano, Sabathia, Harden, Hill, Samardzija. The amazing part is that it doesn't seem that unrealistic.

 

Sabathia has stated his first 2 choices are The Dodgers and Angels, both teams that would love to have him, and both teams that could easily afford him.

 

What other FA pitchers are there for Cuban to snatch up?

 

Yu Darvish

 

I honestly don't think he'll get posted this offseason. Would be an absolute stunner.

the real stunner would be his posting fee if he does

[Keener98]

I wouldnt mind taking a flier on Derrek Lowe as a 4 or 5 as long as hes not outragous price wise.

[shnsajax]

I think CC is going to want to stay in the NL.

 

I've mentioned it before, I think Sheets goes to Rangers.

 

For Cuban potential, could always make a play for Halladay.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Does anyone know if Rich Hardens 2009 option is a player or team option, and how likely it is to be picked up?

 

Club option.

 

http://thecubreporter.com/2008/07/09/easy-be-harden

 

Thanks. I cant see him demanding a trade, so we get to enjoy him for at least another year.