40-40 = 81-81?

[Southpaw191679666239]

Anyone else not looking for this team to do any better than .500 this year? There isn't really a magic deal that I can see Jim the Magician pull off, even though last year I didn't expect the Nomar deal at all.

 

Every time this team gets on a small streak, they go into a tail-spin soon thereafter. This next 7-game road trip isn't going to help matters either. They cannot get the pitching and the offense on the same page for more than part of a series.

 

We just got swept by the [expletive] "EXPOS" for cryin' out loud. :!:

I am still trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but it keeps getting further and further away.

[Brian]

We just got swept by the [expletive] "EXPOS" for cryin' out loud. :!:

I am still trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but it keeps getting further and further away.

 

They do have the best record in the NL...

[UMFan83]

Despite what I put in my prediction entry for NSBB, I had a feeling this team would be a .500 club with no bullpen, one of the weakest OF's in baseball, and an overall injury prone team. They just don't have it this year, and I think being buyers is a bad idea. I'd almost rather be a seller, so we can find out our keepers and people who should leave. Fire Baker, trade away Burnitz, Corey, Remlinger, etc. to contenders, find a way to play some youngsters full time and get ready to suprise a lot of people next year. It sorta worked in 2002 when we got to give Corey, Zambrano, Prior, Jobo, etc a lot of playing time which led to more confidence in the team we had going into 2003.

 

Even if we make a trade and play better, I just don't see the 2005 Cubbies winning the World Series. I don't think this is the year. Wait until next year has more meaning every additional year, but I think next year can be our year if we play it right

[Brian34Cook]

They do have the best record in the NL...

 

If you wanna say that..

[erik316wttn]

Anyone else not looking for this team to do any better than .500 this year? There isn't really a magic deal that I can see Jim the Magician pull off, even though last year I didn't expect the Nomar deal at all.

 

Every time this team gets on a small streak, they go into a tail-spin soon thereafter. This next 7-game road trip isn't going to help matters either. They cannot get the pitching and the offense on the same page for more than part of a series.

 

We just got swept by the [expletive] "EXPOS" for cryin' out loud. :!:

I am still trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but it keeps getting further and further away.

 

I never really expected much more than .500 from this team anyway, especially after the offense was ignored this offseason.

[Brian]

They do have the best record in the NL...

 

If you wanna say that..

 

Er... i swear I heard that somewhere today. SORRY, The have the 2nd best record in the NL by 1 game. Still its not being swept by the Rockies/Royals/Devil Rays of the world that he made it sound like.

[Rusch33]

You guys give up way too easily...

[TB_11]

You guys give up way too easily...

 

Agreed - we're .500 when 2 of our 3 best starters have been out for the majority of the first half, when our shortstop has been injured for the entire season, when our 2nd basemen spent a large part of the first half on the DL, when we've had two horrific OBP guys batting in front of the MVLee, and when our bullpen was still being formed. We still have the potential to make a run in the second half.

[don_kessinger_was_good]

Despite what I put in my prediction entry for NSBB, I had a feeling this team would be a .500 club with no bullpen, one of the weakest OF's in baseball, and an overall injury prone team. They just don't have it this year, and I think being buyers is a bad idea. I'd almost rather be a seller, so we can find out our keepers and people who should leave. Fire Baker, trade away Burnitz, Corey, Remlinger, etc. to contenders, find a way to play some youngsters full time and get ready to suprise a lot of people next year. It sorta worked in 2002 when we got to give Corey, Zambrano, Prior, Jobo, etc a lot of playing time which led to more confidence in the team we had going into 2003.

 

Even if we make a trade and play better, I just don't see the 2005 Cubbies winning the World Series. I don't think this is the year. Wait until next year has more meaning every additional year, but I think next year can be our year if we play it right

 

I'm with you, I was calling for the Cubs to be sellers and see what the young kids can offer a month and a half ago. It's not being overly pessimistic as I see it, it's being realistic. This is not a World Series competitive ballclub. Why not set the team up so they CAN be a legitimate World Series contender next year? Shoot, we've waited four generations, I think we can wait one more year.

 

What I DON'T want to see happen are desperation buyer moves by Hendry that only marginally improve the team in a weak attempt at limping into a wild card spot. I'd take 500 this year and 100 wins next year over 85-88 wins this year and next, all day long.

 

Move any or all of Patterson, Remlinger, Rusch, Mitre, Wellemeyer, Dubois, Perez, Walker, Hairston; all should have some value to contenders. See what Cedeno can do if allowed to play full-time. Get Fontenot up here and see if he can be the 2006 2B. And down on the farm, I don't see why Murton isn't at Iowa, we need to know if he can be a piece to the 2006 puzzle, let's get him moving forward in the organization.

 

And of course it goes without saying, fire Baker.

[Rusch33]

Give a little faith, we're not that shabby of a team.

 

Just need another offensive player to jumpstart the offense a little bit and we'll be fine.

 

Come on, we got everyone back, give some faith.

[CubinNY]

Give a little faith, we're not that shabby of a team.

 

As Chevy Chase would say, "Don't sell 'em short that are a very shabby team."

 

I kid.

 

I know it's been said before and will be again, but what this team needs is a change at the top. Not the top of the batting order but at the top of the dugout steps, that Mr. Baker and Mr. Rothschild. Dick Pole has to go too. They should fire everyone. Send a message. This team has the players to be a playoff calibur team and they haven't played like it for a year and a half.

 

It is time for a change.

[GaryWoods]

I know it's been said before and will be again, but what this team needs is a change at the top. Not the top of the batting order but at the top of the dugout steps,

 

Actually, a change at the top of the batting order wouldn't hurt things either.

[erik316wttn]

Despite what I put in my prediction entry for NSBB, I had a feeling this team would be a .500 club with no bullpen, one of the weakest OF's in baseball, and an overall injury prone team. They just don't have it this year, and I think being buyers is a bad idea. I'd almost rather be a seller, so we can find out our keepers and people who should leave. Fire Baker, trade away Burnitz, Corey, Remlinger, etc. to contenders, find a way to play some youngsters full time and get ready to suprise a lot of people next year. It sorta worked in 2002 when we got to give Corey, Zambrano, Prior, Jobo, etc a lot of playing time which led to more confidence in the team we had going into 2003.

 

Even if we make a trade and play better, I just don't see the 2005 Cubbies winning the World Series. I don't think this is the year. Wait until next year has more meaning every additional year, but I think next year can be our year if we play it right

 

I'm with you, I was calling for the Cubs to be sellers and see what the young kids can offer a month and a half ago. It's not being overly pessimistic as I see it, it's being realistic. This is not a World Series competitive ballclub. Why not set the team up so they CAN be a legitimate World Series contender next year? Shoot, we've waited four generations, I think we can wait one more year.

 

What I DON'T want to see happen are desperation buyer moves by Hendry that only marginally improve the team in a weak attempt at limping into a wild card spot. I'd take 500 this year and 100 wins next year over 85-88 wins this year and next, all day long.

 

Move any or all of Patterson, Remlinger, Rusch, Mitre, Wellemeyer, Dubois, Perez, Walker, Hairston; all should have some value to contenders. See what Cedeno can do if allowed to play full-time. Get Fontenot up here and see if he can be the 2006 2B. And down on the farm, I don't see why Murton isn't at Iowa, we need to know if he can be a piece to the 2006 puzzle, let's get him moving forward in the organization.

 

And of course it goes without saying, fire Baker.

 

I agree. Cedeno was called up... let him play every day. Neifi is back to his old crappy "one of the worst hitters in the last 50 years" self. Corey needs something. He either needs to be moved or sent down, because this slump is just going to continue. We need to set it up for next year, move some players for some young talent (although I disagree with your calling to trade for Walker). Hairston should start in center, Doobie in left.

 

Williams should finish the season as the 5th starter. He's our best option right now. Keep Rusch in the pen as the long man/spot starter, and move Mitre. Start seeing who has what, and start moving some of our talent. I think Mitre could be used in a package deal, Remmy could be dealt (there's always someone looking for a lefty reliever) and who knows what. But I'm 100% in favor of Walker being in a Cubs uniform next year. Keep him. And Hairston has proven he can lead off. Cedeno has proven he can handle short. We need a manager who realizes that.

 

And fire Dusty. Of course.

[Havoc 23]

I am still trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel, but it keeps getting further and further away.

 

Didn't you hear? Due to budget restrictions the light at the end of the tunnel has been shut off. My boss has that on his door.

[Soul]

You guys give up way too easily...

 

Agreed - we're .500 when 2 of our 3 best starters have been out for the majority of the first half, when our shortstop has been injured for the entire season, when our 2nd basemen spent a large part of the first half on the DL, when we've had two horrific OBP guys batting in front of the MVLee, and when our bullpen was still being formed. We still have the potential to make a run in the second half.

 

Other clubs *are* making their run. We have the "potential" to. That usually means October golf plans.

[10man]

Things to look forward to in the 2nd half:

[NCCubFan]

Things to look forward to in the 2nd half:

Looks like you accidentally submitted your post before it was completed. :D

[sethuel1]

I'm pretty sure Corey is out of options and can't be sent down.

[10man]

I'm pretty sure Corey is out of options and can't be sent down.

He CAN be sent down.

 

All he has to do is clear Major League (revocable) waivers which is pretty much a formality. No GM in his right mind would claim a player off of those since he would expose himself to retaliation from other GM's, plus it's a common practice done by every team. At some point in the season pretty much every player goes on major league waivers.

[JC]

I'm pretty sure Corey is out of options and can't be sent down.

He CAN be sent down.

 

All he has to do is clear Major League (revocable) waivers which is pretty much a formality. No GM in his right mind would claim a player off of those since he would expose himself to retaliation from other GM's, plus it's a common practice done by every team. At some point in the season pretty much every player goes on major league waivers.

 

I don't think many GM's would hesitate to claim Corey off the waiver wire. In addition, I disagree that it is a practice that is commonly done (to send out of option players to the minors, that is).

 

Large numbers of players are sent through waivers following the trade deadline so that GMs will know whether they are available later. Those players often are expensive, have long term contracts and/or are underperforming. With Corey's salary and talent (though untapped), I highly doubt he'd make it through waivers.

 

When Kevin Millar was involved in that waiver flap, my understanding was that it was a special situation. The Marlins had a deal to ship him to Japan and, generally speaking, other ML teams don't screw players under those circumstances. But, Epstein being an unconventional GM made the claim.

[CubinNY]

I know it won't happen but earlier today I was thinking. The ASB would be the perfect time to fire Baker and his staff if this poor play continues. Right after the last game. Then the team could start over like it is the begining of the year.

[NCCubFan]

He CAN be sent down.

 

All he has to do is clear Major League (revocable) waivers which is pretty much a formality. No GM in his right mind would claim a player off of those since he would expose himself to retaliation from other GM's, plus it's a common practice done by every team. At some point in the season pretty much every player goes on major league waivers.

You're confusing two types of waivers. Many players go on revocable waivers as a formality so they could be traded after the deadline. Sending a player down after he is out of options, however, requires a different type of waivers. These waivers are irrevocable, making it much more risky. I think Corey's chances of clearing irrevocable waivers are slim and none. Somebody would claim him, thinking he'd improve with a fresh start, since if they were wrong they'd only be stuck with him for the rest of the season.

[Jimy is a misspell]

I'm pretty sure Corey is out of options and can't be sent down.

He CAN be sent down.

 

All he has to do is clear Major League (revocable) waivers which is pretty much a formality. No GM in his right mind would claim a player off of those since he would expose himself to retaliation from other GM's, plus it's a common practice done by every team. At some point in the season pretty much every player goes on major league waivers.

 

:shock: :?

[10man]

In addition, I disagree that it is a practice that is commonly done (to send out of option players to the minors, that is).

No disagreement here since what I stated to be common practice is the act of putting large numbers of players on the waiver wire and NOT the act of optioning players to the minors.

 

This is a quote from Scott Nelson who works for the Cubs re: Corey Patterson's options:

Corey at this point has only used one option of three - his MLS is currently

at 4.007. He could be optioned to the minor leagues as long as we would

secure Major League waivers on him in order to option him down. (Major

League waivers are required to option a player once he has attained three

years from the time he initially reported to the major leagues.)

 

Once Corey’s MLS reaches 5.000 he would need to consent to being optioned to

the minor leagues.

SOURCE

 

Getting Corey to clear major league waivers before the July 31st trade deadline would pretty much be a formality since:

1) clearing it is not essential to trading him and teams do not bother to make claims BEFORE July 31.

2) the Cubs do not have to state WHY they are putting him on waivers (teams will not know that he is being sent down to minors)

3) the move is revocable, so the Cubs would NOT lose Corey to another team in any case