TruffleShuffle

The phrase "Maddux knows how to win" is pointless. Maddux *knew* how to pitch like one of the best pitchers in baseball. From 1992-2002, an 11 year stretch, he was among the top 8 in the NL in ERA; in all but one of those years he was among the top 4 in the NL in ERA. Combine that with his durability and a good Braves offense and bullpen, and he was pretty much a lock to win 15 games every year. Since 2002 however, his ERA (and ERA+) have been markedly worse. He's continued to win games, but his winning the last couple of years owes a lot more to good fortune from run support than it does the quality of his pitching. His durability, of course, helps him get wins simply because he makes 33 starts a year. His stats this year continue to suggest he's regressing and is little more than an average pitcher with a great career behind him. You can probably count on him to be on the mound every 5 days next season and to pitch like an average major league starter, but if that's all you want for $9M per year then you're throwing your money away.

The Braves let Maddux go by not offering arbitration. At that point they couldn't sign him until May. Essentially, it was the Braves that cut ties with Maddux. Or, at the very least, it was mutual since he wanted to play for someone with a chance to win and they wanted to get younger. In any event, it would be classless for the Cubs to sabatoge a deal when they knew exactly what they were getting. If they wanted the deal contingent on ERA, etc. then they should have made that deal. Instead they signed a deal based on innings... Oh well. OK, well as I said before, his being on the team next year gives the Cubs a noticeably worse chance of winning than if they were to allocate their resources more efficiently, and not be paying $9M for an average pitcher. But hey, we're Cub fans... what's another year of suffering through mediocrity?

Tony LaRussa is an idiot, he put Roger Clemens on the All-Star team instead of Maddux... Clemens only has 7 wins and Maddux has 8!

Well that's good, then they will have avoided the situation similar to Fox earlier in the year, when they used him in a pointless situation after getting a big lead.

Let me guess... they didn't have the foresight to warm someone else up, so Dempster will be coming in with a 6 run lead?

I'll take the counter argument. In the past Hendry has unloaded prospects he received from other orgs. to get an MLB player. If he thinks this season can be saved, Murton may be traded for an impact bat. I can't believe that anybody thinks this season can be saved with Baker at the helm. Save this season? I don't think Jesus, Mohammed, Moses, the Reverand Moon, Hare Christna, Vishnu, Zeus, Captain Underpants, The Teen Titans, Joseph Smith, Ra, or ET could save this season. You haven't seen their OBPs... Jesus is pushing .600 this year.

At least have Ramirez go out to the on-deck circle. Even if he's vomiting on the field or unable to walk, he's still more intimidating than Macias. You want Lee to get something to hit, right?

I would rather Josie Moran was running the team. At least she would be a reason to watch. Hear hear!

I am pretty sure Murton could have choked and not moved the runner over too.

Shouldn't the Capulets have killed him by now?

OH YES my day has come!

I think it would be Patterson. (plus at least 2 arms) For some reason, Patterson doesn't strike me as a Billy Beane type of player.

My point is that I don't think there would be a whole lot of interest in these guys from contenders. I admit I've only seen Williams pitch once in the big leagues, but I can't get past his numbers from '03/'04. His ERA+ was better in both of those years than Dontrelle Willis, and they're the same age. Obviously he's slid back a bit this year, but either the first two years were a complete fluke, or he's on track to be an above-average major league pitcher. Problem is, how do you find an upgrade? Catchers with any sort of offensive ability are not easy to come by. I'd like a guy with a better approach at the plate, but how many catchers will be on the market who are good hitters? Not too many. I don't see the point of selling off Cedeno, simply because no team that will be a buyer at the deadline wants an unproven 20 year old SS with hardly any major league experience. I meant a firesale as in "give up on this year." I see what you're saying, but I think Walker is a steal for $2.5M this year. If he were willing to take a similar deal next year, I think he'd be a great value at the position. If he wants more or doesn't want to come back, then I agree, you could get a pretty good amount for him at the trade deadline. I don't see Fontenot or Richard Lewis as anything more than utility men in the majors, at best, which is why I wouldn't mind having Walker here next year as well.

I might possibly cut off my arm to get Abreu on the Cubs. OK, I'd cut off Jose Macias' arm, but still...

Yeah, but the Braves sure as hell would. Truffle, Pardon my ignorance, but does this "hottest woman" have a name? Yes, she does - my girlfriend (I wish). Actually she's Josie Maran, champion of the NSBB Offseason Hottest Chick Poll. I'm proud to say that I was the driving force in her inclusion in the poll. I guess you could say I've been behind her all the way. (again... I wish)

I agree, but most of the names on that list - Mitre, Novoa, Wuertz, etc. - have almost no value to a contending team. They aren't guys who are developed or consistent enough to be used in big spots down the stretch or in the playoffs. They have more value to the Cubs, who can hope that they'll develop, than they do to a team that needs guys who will produce over the last two months of the season. As for Dempster, I agree that the Cubs should definitely try to resign him. Given the Cubs luck, he won't be loyal to them like Chris Carpenter was to the Cards - he'll probably ask for $10M per year or something.

Yeah, but the Braves sure as hell would.

OK, maybe I'm just dreaming and thinking that the Cubs' management realizes how badly the team sucks, but I'd like to see a lot of parts sold off for the future. Here's who goes and stays: Staying Zambrano Prior Mitre (most likely) Williams Novoa Ohman Wuertz Lee Cedeno Barrett Ramirez We'll Talk Dempster Wood Dubois Walker Hairston Patterson Sell Remlinger Rusch Hollandsworth Neifi Burnitz Sell if you can get anything for them Maddux Macias Blanco The first group is self-explanatory so I'll move on to the second... We'll Talk I really like what Dempster's done and it'd be nice to keep him next year - if the price is reasonable. If it's not, and he's asking too much, sell. Teams are always looking for bullpen help, and he could bring something in return. I don't know what to do about Wood. When he's on, he's great. But he's so inconsistent, which combined with his injury history makes him not worth what the Cubs are paying him. If he's healthy at the trade deadline and pitching well, does it make sense to trade him? He could probably bring a lot in return. I really like Walker and his approach at the plate. I'd be happy to see him back here next year, again at the right price. Two questions - does he even want to come back, and if so, how much money does he want? If he wants to leave or wants a ransom next year, sell. Otherwise, see if you can't work something out for next year. Hairston has been OK this year, albeit not as good as expected. I really like him as a utility guy, but if a team is willing to give up some prospects of value for him, I'd be interested. I have no idea what to do with Patterson. He has been so atrocious at the plate this year that I can't imagine the Cubs would fetch much of a return for him. Does it even make sense to sell so low? Might be better to hang onto him and just hope he figures something out somehow. I'm worried that Dubois has a major weakness at the plate and the league may be figuring it out. Can the Cubs get much for him? If not, it's probably best to just hang onto him and hope he patches up whatever holes he has that make him so vulnerable at the plate. Sell Remlinger is struggling and might not bring much, but he does have decent peripherals and could be fairly effective if used properly. If the Cubs eat the rest of his contract this year (i.e., giving him to someone for free) he might bring a live armed prospect. Rusch has been very solid with the Cubs and as a lefty starter, could bring a return. I like him, but would prefer to see guys like Williams in the rotation next year. Hollandsworth could bring something as a solid lefty bat off the bench and fourth outfielder. Don't see him on the Cubs next year, so why keep him? Can Burnitz be traded (contractually I mean - I really have no idea)? He'd be a good pickup for a team that wants a fourth OF or perhaps a starter if one of their guys gets hurt. He's been good enough this year to have some trade value for a 2-month rental. Neifi might bring a marginal prospect as a solid defensive backup middle infielder. As poor as he is as a regular, he's better than your average backup middle infielder. Sell if possible You'd have to talk him into it, and even then, the option next year is a huge financial problem. Maybe a team like SD would be interested... but I tend to doubt it. Probably stuck with him. Macias is worthless and I can't imagine a team giving up even a bag of used baseballs for him. Blanco is overpaid and unless a team is in dire straits at catcher, I can't imagine any interest for him.

OK enough is enough. I know you wanted him to get the last out and then pinch hit for him next inning, but he's fallen apart like a cheap suit. Get him out. At least this team won't try to kill Ron Santo by getting his hopes up and then crushing them. Even a die-hard like him has to know when it's not in the cards.

LMAO, the Braves get a 90 year old guy and he turns into Ted Williams, the Cards get a mediocre injury-prone starter named Chris Carpenter and he turns into a Cy Young candidate, and the Cubs sign Greg Maddux who proceeds to turn into Mike Maddux. I love the Cobs.

The only suspense in this doubleheader is whether the Cubs will score a run or not.

Better start rooting for another team then... this team is not built on patience.

Walker and Lee seem to be the only guys on this team with an approach at the plate that I like. Even ARam is too aggressive for my liking, although he's a good enough hitter that he gets away with it. Cedeno has actually seen a lot of pitches in his ABs since he's been up - hopefully that will continue. His walk rate is a litle low, though.

It's Prior's fault the Cubs will lose this game. Everybody knows that with this band of scrubs in the lineup, the Cubs wouldn't score any runs. 1 run allowed is 1 run too many.

Wow, this Kelly Johnson guy has 23 walks in just 112 ABs... must be nice...