Cubs "not motivated" to move Pena

[jersey cubs fan]

There was nothing to gain from acquiring more filler prospects for an organization filled with filler.

[SouthSideRyan]

Gooney's defintion of filler = anyone who's not a top 150 prospect.

[jersey cubs fan]

Gooney's defintion of filler = anyone who's not a top 150 prospect.

 

Ryan's definition of a prospect, anybody who has ever received any form of compensation for playing baseball.

[SouthSideRyan]

Gooney's defintion of filler = anyone who's not a top 150 prospect.

 

Ryan's definition of a prospect, anybody who has ever received any form of compensation for playing baseball.

 

What is the advantage to having Carlos Pena for the next 2 months over a live A ball arm?

[UMFan83]

DEADLINE LOSERS:

 

Chicago Cubs

 

We heard from enough Cubs fans this month to know exactly what they were hoping this deadline would bring -- an Everything Must Go closeout sale. On Alfonso Soriano and his $18 million-a-year fizzle. On Carlos Zambrano and his $17.9 million shenanigans. On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

Heck, these people even dreamed of watching the Cubs sell off guys they actually LIKE -- a Ryan Dempster or a Carlos Pena or even a Marlon Byrd -- just to change the mix and restart the engines.

 

Unfortunately, that was impossible. Between no-trade clauses, contracts that acted like no-trade clauses and low-energy under-performance from so many guys on this roster, the Cubs headed for the auction stand with almost nothing they could sell, other than Kosuke Fukudome. And once Fukudome was gone, that's exactly what they did get moved:

 

Nothing.

 

"Now that," said one scout, "is a deadline loser if I ever saw one."

[SouthSideRyan]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

[Guest]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

Seriously, wtf?

[UMFan83]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

 

They forgot to mention how lazy he is.

[TruffleShuffle]

[expletive] off jayson stark.

[Cubswin11]

That comment on Ramirez makes absolutely zero sense

[Sammy Sofa]

POWER RANKINGS

[jersey cubs fan]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

 

Who said this?

[SouthSideRyan]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

 

Who said this?

 

Jayson Stark

[jersey cubs fan]

On Aramis Ramirez and his $14.6 million home run-or-bust act.

 

I [expletive] hate everyone.

 

Who said this?

 

Jayson Stark

 

I was thinking this had something to do with csn chicago or other local outlet. Not surprising from a 30,000 foot national perspective to describe Ramirez that way. Pretty dumb statement nonetheless.

[Guest]

It's just an extremely baffling statement. He doesn't strike out, he's hitting above his career AVG, and he's on pace to put up one of the highest 2B totals of his career too. Big time ignorance from Stark trying to sound edgy.

[jersey cubs fan]

It's just an extremely baffling statement. He doesn't strike out, he's hitting above his career AVG, and he's on pace to put up one of the highest 2B totals of his career too. Big time ignorance from Stark trying to sound edgy.

 

Yeah, I'm not even sure what the heck he's trying to claim here. That would be more appropriate for Soriano, or maybe Pena, but Ramirez has never been a HR or bust player and he's nothing like that this year.

[SouthSideRyan]

Maybe he should try stealing some bases some time.

[Bruno7481]

Yeah, that was a pretty ignorant statement.

 

Well, what do you guys want to see these final two months? The wins and losses will be mostly meaningless (besides potential draft position impact). Are you looking for improvement in certain players? Or, just ready for the offseason?

[SouthSideRyan]

Yeah, that was a pretty ignorant statement.

 

Well, what do you guys want to see these final two months? The wins and losses will be mostly meaningless (besides potential draft position impact). Are you looking for improvement in certain players? Or, just ready for the offseason?

 

I want to win games.

I want somebody to try and block Carlos Pena or John Grabow on waivers and for us to let him go.

I want Castro to draw some walks.

I want Randy Wells to either pitch like he's capable or hit the DL.

I want Aramis to either get hot or get cold so we have a good read on what to do with his option.

I want time given to DJL and Flaherty at both 2B and 3B

I want time given to Castillo at C

I want Tyler Colvin playing damn near every day, or until his numbers are too thoroughly embarrassing to continue

I want Brett Jackson playing a lot in September.

I want Jay Jackson doing something in September

I want Chris Carpenter getting regular use in September.

I want Dempster to keep his on the surface numbers mediocre so he'll pick up his option.

I want no stupid risks with starting pitchers.

[Guest]

Yeah, that was a pretty ignorant statement.

 

Well, what do you guys want to see these final two months? The wins and losses will be mostly meaningless (besides potential draft position impact). Are you looking for improvement in certain players? Or, just ready for the offseason?

 

I want to win games.

I want somebody to try and block Carlos Pena or John Grabow on waivers and for us to let him go.

I want Castro to draw some walks.

I want Randy Wells to either pitch like he's capable or hit the DL.

I want Aramis to either get hot or get cold so we have a good read on what to do with his option.

I want time given to DJL and Flaherty at both 2B and 3B

I want time given to Castillo at C

I want Tyler Colvin playing damn near every day, or until his numbers are too thoroughly embarrassing to continue

I want Brett Jackson playing a lot in September.

I want Jay Jackson doing something in September

I want Chris Carpenter getting regular use in September.

I want Dempster to keep his on the surface numbers mediocre so he'll pick up his option.

I want no stupid risks with starting pitchers.

I want all the above (minus just giving Pena away unless we are going to reinvest that money) plus...

 

• every draft pick of note signed by 8/15
  
• McNutt to start pitching like he wants to be in the rotation next year
  
• Cashner to come back healthy
  
• Vitters to go nuts with power and patience in August
  
• all the other minor leaguers of note to finish strong
  
• a few more big international signings

[shnsajax]

I really don't want us to win more games and cost us in our draft slot for next season as a result.

[Guest]

I really don't want us to win more games and cost us in our draft slot for next season as a result.

ah, sorry, forgot that one.

 

Lose as many games as possible. This will improve the draft pick and maximize chances of a regime change.

[CyHawk_Cub]

I just don't want "injuries" become the scapegoat for a horrid season & a fundamentally flawed team.

[SouthSideRyan]

I really don't want us to win more games and cost us in our draft slot for next season as a result.

ah, sorry, forgot that one.

 

Lose as many games as possible. This will improve the draft pick and maximize chances of a regime change.

 

I feel it's pretty damn unlikely we win enough games to make this season respectable so that's not a concern. Regarding draft position, meh it's a terrible draft next year, and we're talking what a max of 5 spots? I'd rather not go to Albert Pujols to convince him to leave his 80 win team to come to a 60 win team.

[jersey cubs fan]

I really don't want us to win more games and cost us in our draft slot for next season as a result.

ah, sorry, forgot that one.

 

Lose as many games as possible. This will improve the draft pick and maximize chances of a regime change.

 

I feel it's pretty damn unlikely we win enough games to make this season respectable so that's not a concern. Regarding draft position, meh it's a terrible draft next year, and we're talking what a max of 5 spots? I'd rather not go to Albert Pujols to convince him to leave his 80 win team to come to a 60 win team.

 

You have no concern about the potential for lack of regime change?