AlwaysaCub

DUMB Idea. He's a max effort guy with a funky delivery that is definitely bad for his elbow. If he started next year in the rotation he would end it on the operating table of Dr. James Andrews.

They wouldn't go on sale until after the final game next Sunday.

If tonight doesn't persuade Cuban to put up the cash it takes to buy this franchise, no game ever will.

Lol bad ohman a winner

that is EXACTLY what this team and I needed tonite

That was super dumb by the CF, you have to cut that off and leave 2nd and 3rd then load the bags. You know the cubs would have GIDP back to the pitcher then.

Won't argue.

agreed. Did you all see what Brett Myers, a superior pitcher in every way, did yesterday? Would you rather have Cordero like the Crew does?

DLee is no match for this stupid, dinky slider Seanez has...and it's pathetic.

If you don't want this team to make the playoffs then you are not a fan. Why, exactly, is that? I happen to agree with Derwood's point of view, and I still consider myself a fan. Derwood's point is that he, like me, is sick and tired of this 1 decent year ever 4 or 5 with a load of utter crap marketed as a baseball team in the years between. Sure, 98 and 03 were boatloads of fun, but because of those years this franchise has never entered into rebuilding mode. Because the Cubs have never methodically rebuilt, the franchise hasn't fielded a great team in a long time. They have occasionally put decent teams on the field, but great teams win championships a lot more often than pretty decent ones do. In the last 20 years, the following NL teams have not managed a season of 95 wins: Rockies Marlins Brewers Cubs In fact, we've only won as many as 95 games once (1984) in the last 60 years. If you don't have a good foundation, the playoff years are going to be few and far between. Let me as you, are you a fan of the 2007 Cubs or the Cubs organization? It seems lately the theme for WS Champions has been get in the playoffs and anyone has a chance. This isn't like the NFL were inferior teams are usually eliminated in the first round. IF the Cubs make the playoffs they have a legit chance at a World Series. Assuming all teams are equal, the Cubs have a 1 in 8 chance of winning the World Series if they are in the playoffs. Therefore there is a 7 in 8 chance that they don't win the world series. Therefore they need to make the playoffs more often than 4 times so far in the 38 years that there have been playoffs. More chances equals higher likelihood, and I am saying that making the playoffs this year would lead to FEWER chances in the future.

If you don't want this team to make the playoffs then you are not a fan. Why, exactly, is that? I happen to agree with Derwood's point of view, and I still consider myself a fan. Derwood's point is that he, like me, is sick and tired of this 1 decent year ever 4 or 5 with a load of utter crap marketed as a baseball team in the years between. Sure, 98 and 03 were boatloads of fun, but because of those years this franchise has never entered into rebuilding mode. Because the Cubs have never methodically rebuilt, the franchise hasn't fielded a great team in a long time. They have occasionally put decent teams on the field, but great teams win championships a lot more often than pretty decent ones do. In the last 20 years, the following NL teams have not managed a season of 95 wins: Rockies Marlins Brewers Cubs In fact, we've only won as many as 95 games once (1984) in the last 60 years. If you don't have a good foundation, the playoff years are going to be few and far between. Let me as you, are you a fan of the 2007 Cubs or the Cubs organization?

At least after the balk we can't have a GIDP here

PEOPLE RELAX. can we talk about the game instead?

Soriano was swinging for Irving Park there.

YEAH, DAMN YOU, MATT MURTON! Oh here we go again. Just because his bad play wasn't the worst thing of the day doesn't mean you can't comment on it when it happens. Did you see the route he took? It was atrocious. Then he air-mailed the throw when we had a runner on the ground between 2nd and 3rd. Can he ever just be called out for a bad play without people thinking that he's being blamed for everything or that people are saying he sucks? He's either treated like a bum or baby Jesus. Why can't there just be some honest middle ground? The voice of reason. Well said. The same applies to Rich Hill.

Knock on wood

How many more years are we gonna keep saying that? five that's scary. We got crazy, wild, unpredictable Z and Mr. swing at everything Soriano. Ought to be a fun next few years. At least it's exciting...or a heart attack recipe

How many more years are we gonna keep saying that? Isn't he still our youngest starter? Marshall?

again, I think your framing the argument to suit your bitch. the only evidence anyone has seen is that Trachsel will get a spot start. there is a vast difference in a spot start v. going with a six man rotation. if it becomes official that they are going to a six man rotation, then bitch away. until then, reserve judgment. Its straight from Lous mouth. fine. how about reserving judgment until you see what is meant by "modified?" Here's my concept of what a "modified" six-man rotation COULD mean (I'm not saying I think it's necessarily what he DOES mean). Start Zambrano, Lilly, and Marquis every time through the rotation since they're veterans, then start Trachsel for Hill one time through and for Marshall another time through to give the younger pitchers a bit of rest. I agree with you that we should see what he does mean before crucifying him. This is not only a good plan in the short term, as it'll leave them rested and therefore better, but in the long term as well. We need Hill and Marshall for the next several seasons in our rotation. There is ample evidence that pitchers who significantly exceed their career highs in innings pitched are at far greater risk of breaking down in the next season (see Prior, Mark). Trachsel will make no more than 5 starts this year for us, meaning he'll take away 2 starts from each of our young lefties. The worst case scenario is that this decision costs us a game this year. Odds are we come out even .

Yeah, I was leaning more towards that besides him only having two pitches. He's got a lot of "violence" going on like the other Carlos, but that Carlos is a freak of nature health-wise. Z is 6-5, 255 and is as strong as an ox. Z also throws with a (relatively) conventional wind-up, especially when compared to Marmol. Marmol is comparatively a twig, and twigs snap easily. There is absolutely, positively no way that Marmol's elbow would hold up for 100 pitches every 5th day and 220 innings for a season.

I'd say this was due mostly to his age (21-22) and sporadic usage patterns as a Rule V pick. As he's matured, his walk rate has come down steadily. Of course, one could argue that Marmol, as a converted catcher, is still learning to be more consistent with his release point, and could develop the control that Santana has. The idea is intriguing, and if I were the Cubs, I might revisit it during spring training next year. Yeah, people gotta remember that Marmol hasn't been pitching that long. He's still pretty raw and I think is still in the injury nexus, so it's probably best in the long run to keep his innings down.

The moment we trade for Trachsel our games slow to a crawl.

This also ups our ex-Cubs count

moore AND cherry? For the Rain Delay? Hendry must have been boozing this afternoon.

Hendry was around perhaps, so was McDonnogh or however you spell it, and so was KW. That's it. Besides, wasn't that 7 years ago? If this organization puts its feelings ahead of sound baseball decisions, they don't deserve to make the playoffs. Ever.