CubinNY

Since the Cubs got him for $10,000 I'd have to say you are correct. In fact, he sucks and always has sucked. If Hendry wasn't a "tools" guy he wouldn't even be on a major league roster. If the Cubs could get anything for him I'd be ecstatic.

I don't really hate anyone I've never met. However, Sullivan comes as close as it gets. I wish that the tribune would cut him loose already. He's made me stop reading the Cubs reports from the Trib. I long for the days when Teddy Greenstein covered the Cubs.

I don't understand the purpose of this trade. Why would a young team that is not that far out of contention want to make themselves worse. Why would the Sox want to give up Danks?

I think the reasons the Cubs are winning has a lot to do with playing inferior competition and luck. The bullpen has performed very well too.

This thread is real, real bad. Because it's already hoplessly out of control, I'll submit this for board criticism, maybe the Cubs are winning becuase Dempster isn't closing? Note: I don't really believe this, but it makes as much sense as Barrett and the pitcher's mental states.

RedIvyCub is a reliable poster. This guy/girl could be Gary Hughes or he/she could be some unemployed carpenter. I couldn't care less and I'm not inclined to believe some random poster on a fan message board. The behavior of MLB officals is very clear, as they've repeatedly stated that they want a baseball team in South Florida and they've done nothing to disuade Loria from making a mockery of the Marlins the same way he made a mockery of the Expos. I don't care what the person's "sources" say. It's sad because if they didn't get dismantled every time they won they'd probably win that division every year. Probably. Wouldn't you take the 2 trophies though? I would. A lot of their problems would be solved if "in the best interest of baseball" Selig would force Loria to sell. The city of Miami has twice offered to give Loria land by the Orange Bowl to build a new park, but Loria wants Dade County to pay for the park. It would *seem* that if Loria was that much of an embarassment to MLB they'd step in and do something. Instead they let him and his son in law do their damndest to destroy the fan base. Fortunately, they have some great baseball people in the GM and his staff.

Yeah, I mentioned a few times his BABIP was only like 243. He does have an 18.7 LD%, but his FB% has increased significantly this year. And since FBs fall for hits at a much lower rate that explains SOME of the BABIP losses. However, hes still getting quite unlucky. BUT, his walk rate is at an all time low of 3.9% (which is bad). In summation, some of Kendall's regression has been his fault, some has been luck. Just eyballing it, I would say its been 50% each. He for sure hasn't performed to the ability that hes showin the past. There is a possibility he could bounce back to his form of the last few seasons, and hitting in Wrigley vs the bottom feeders of the NL will definitely help, but I'd predict his second half performance to fall in the middle of his first half of this year and what hes done the last few years. I expect Kendall's numbers to get better. I hope they bat him in front of Lee though.

RedIvyCub is a reliable poster. This guy/girl could be Gary Hughes or he/she could be some unemployed carpenter. I couldn't care less and I'm not inclined to believe some random poster on a fan message board. The behavior of MLB officals is very clear, as they've repeatedly stated that they want a baseball team in South Florida and they've done nothing to disuade Loria from making a mockery of the Marlins the same way he made a mockery of the Expos. I don't care what the person's "sources" say.

Knock yourself out.

Where are you getting this information from? They let him buy the Expos to fold them and then gave him and John Henry a sweatheart deal to exchange the Red Sox for the Marlins, with MLB (the other 29 clubs) holding the bag for folding the Expos. Jeff Loria is like the Bud Selig's Grimm Reaper. I've said it before and I'll say it again, baseball survives because it is a great game. It survives in spite of the owners. The idiot in Tampa built is stadium in St. Petersburg and then aleinated his entire fan base. Selig got the City to foot the bill for the Brewers and then mismanaged them into serious trouble. I could go on and on. Loria fits in well with the crowd. Because as I told you...I have sources and very good ones and no I cannot provide you with that information because I like being employed. Having a paycheck is kind of a nice luxury to have. My sources tell me your sources are full of BS. I like being employed too.

I understand you are frustrated that they added Kendall - I did want him either and would have preferred to give Soto a shot. I agree that we need another bat, hopefully in RF or at SS. However, I think that your statement implies that they have been lucky rather than good. I think this is unfair and untrue. You don't win as many games as they have since June 1 without playing good baseball. Everyone knows there is a bit of chance involved in all sports, but usually you have to do something well in addition to getting breaks. The Cubs have done plenty of that, IMO. Also, this notion that giving up a minor league middle reliever for a guy one year removed from a solid major league season (at least in terms of OBP) and who will cost only $900k is just disengenious. I have seen many folks - you included, IIRC - rail against Hendry for overvaluing middle relievers and not treating them like the fungible commodities they are. Assuming that is true - and I think it is - its a bit hypocritical for you to now blast him for giving up a AA reliever with one-half of a good season to his credit for Kendall. Now, if you look at it in the larger context - trading Barrett for Kendall - I agree it appears to be a loss. That said, Barrett may have worn out his welcome with the Cubs and the players - we will never know. What we do know is that we have not had many problems without him. I'd also note that Kendall is a rental, and Soto may therefore get his shot next season, or could be used to get something we really need - someone who can play RF or SS and hit. Where is the hell did you get what you posted from my post? I'm not at all frustrated that the Cubs got Kendall for a minor league middle reliever and Bowen. I don't know where you would get that idea from my post. I don't think this trade was bad by any stretch. Since the middle of June the Cubs have gotten good to great pitching from their bullpen, almost no offense outside of Aramis and Soriano, have caught lightning in a bottle from Fontenot and Theriot, and have been fortunate to play teams that stink more than they do. I don't think that is somthing to get overly excited about. In my opinon, they are a slightly better team today than they were yesterday at this time. I hope this is the first move and not the last.

Where are you getting this information from? They let him buy the Expos to fold them and then gave him and John Henry a sweatheart deal to exchange the Red Sox for the Marlins, with MLB (the other 29 clubs) holding the bag for folding the Expos. Jeff Loria is like the Bud Selig's Grimm Reaper. I've said it before and I'll say it again, baseball survives because it is a great game. It survives in spite of the owners. The idiot in Tampa built is stadium in St. Petersburg and then aleinated his entire fan base. Selig got the City to foot the bill for the Brewers and then mismanaged them into serious trouble. I could go on and on. Loria fits in well with the crowd.

I was thinking the same thng.

I agree, It does seem like Kendall called a good game, and I hope that Haren and Gaudin don't start to pitch poorly. There was obviously a couple "Glad he's gone, he sucked" ones too, but surprisingly mostly everyone didn't like it. And people kept saying they disagreed with a guy who put down Kendall's D. Who gives a crap about what people say on a message board. This was a trade brought about by an unnecessary trade of Barrett. Kendall might have been the answer when the Pirates were trying to get rid of him, but he isn't now. To me this trade makes the Cubs slightly better but nothing that "puts them over the top". I'd like to see the Cubs add a legitimate power hitter. Then this trade will look a lot better. Kendall can get on base (this season nothwithstanding). Until then the Cubs better keep hoping for more good luck and more good pitching. Finally, Blevins was having a pretty good year.

I wonder what the application looked like? Name DOB: SS# Income: Assets: Credit Cards: Bank Account: Signature: We will get back to you in 6 to 8 weeks

And that is the big gamble. A terrible gamble. A gamble the Cubs shouldn't take. If they upgrade elsewhere they won't have to worry so much about CF. And once again, Pie wasn't exactly given much time to "prove" himself. I've seen this movie before. It always ends the same way.

I think the chances are pretty good. Especially if he resigns with the Yankees. They are already getting 33 million from the Rangers for ARod.

This one should not be close.

Why would they regret that? He's done everything they've wanted from him, the stadium extortion attempt, the torching of the Expos franchise, the refusal to spend any money anywhere. He's the biggest prick in baseball, of course they love him. Exactly, He ruined the Expos and they rewarded him by letting him ruin the Marlins. I wish Bk still posted. He has some great rants about Loria. Just one little tidbit: in 2003 they didn't even have programs ready until about a month into the season.

IMO A-Rod is doing the right thing by waiting. He has NY right where he wants them, for once. I think he stays in NY. He is a guy who never wants to say the wrong thing and always tries to do the right thing for his image. Ironically enough, that's why many NYY fans hate him. Even more ironic, it's why they love Jeter. What a bunch of idiots.

excellent typo It wasn't a typo for once :D

Adam Dunn ------------- Ken Griffey, Jr Move Soriano to RF (where he should be anyway) and give them Murton and some pitching for Dunn. I would pee my pants.

That's not a bad line at all. Hopefully he's coming around. I will be more than ecstatic if I'm wrong and he makes it to big club as a starter.

You might be correct if life was exactly like an economics text book but it's not. However, at least sone economists contend that rising ticket prices are the cause of rising salaries.