Illini Iceman

Why do people get so defensive when others rightfully point out that he is not awful? But to answer your question, it is probably because it is tiring to constantly see every trade here analyzed by certain people from a perspective that vastly overvalues the Cubs assets and undervalues anything received in return. C'mon, Cherry, Moore, Rapada, Blevins? This is all just minor league roster filler. These aren't bona fide prospects.

WHIP over 1.50 and absolutely ridiculously terrible K/BB, what else needs to be checked? He's awful. He was awful last year with an ERA of nearly 5, he was over 5 this year until he started getting lucky in August. He still can't strike anybody out, he's walking more than he strikes out and giving up too many baserunners. He's awful. Again, he's a number 3 or 4 starter if you compare him to his peers. That's not awful. This is pretty simple, I don't understand what's so hard to understand about it. No, he's not. You can't say he's a "3 or 4 starter" by counting up his rank without noting there's not nearly that many qualified starters. He's 79th of 86 qualified in WHIP, 86th of 86 in K/BB, 103 of 103 in K/9, 87 of 103 in OBP against, 72 of 103 in OPS against. Awful. For crying out loud, they added some pitching depth for the stretch run when arms start getting tired for NOTHING. Moore and Cherry had probably just about zero market value. They are old to still be in AAA and not even putting up good numbers there. Hendry was going to have to release some of these type of redundant players anyway to clear 40 man space in the offseason so now he at least did it and got a pitcher that will eat some innings out of the bullpen and then be gone after the season. Anyone that thinks that Moore and Cherry were going to be key trading chips in the offseason for young, talented major leaguers is delusional.

Soto had a great season, but I seriously doubt he would be putting up numbers at the big league level that would match what Kendall has done since joining the Cubs.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070828&content_id=2175744&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc My guess on the six to be called up: Soto Fox Cedeno Gallagher Ohman Pignatiello (is he eligible after being just sent down?) They have a few other bullpen options (Petrick, Rapada, Cherry, Cotts) so it could be interesting to see who winds up getting the call.

I actually emailed the reporter and told him I thought Myers was a childish idiot, but that he should have known better than to take the bait. The guy wrote back to me and said that it was hard in light what Myers said to him, but that I was correct insomuch as he should have known better and kept his composure. If Kenny Rogers shoving a camera man is worth a 20 game suspension then this should be worth at least a game or two. MLB should send a message that this type of thing is not acceptable. However, it will probably never happen. They are too busy suspending guys for arguing and making incidental contact with umpires.

So you are saying he will either be great, average, or suck? That's pretty insightful.

It cannot be Fontenot. He's the only backup middle IF. The Cubs definitely won't want to have Soriano as the emergency IF with him just coming back from injury, and nobody else is capable. So as bad as Fontenot may be, he's staying. So it's Pie or Murton. My guess is that it will be Pie, but that's only a guess. The perfect move would be to send down Pignatiello. He doesn't need to be eligible for the playoff roster, and he can be brought up again in less than a week. If the Cubs desperately need a bullpen arm before September 1st during the Milwaukee series due to overuse, they can always call up one of the other relievers instead. However, I don't see that happening. It will be Pie or Murton, with probably a slight lean towards Pie going down. It has to be Pie. Assuming Pagan comes back in September he would be eligible for the playoff roster (if there is one) and provides pretty much the same skills at this point as Pie.

Man, BJ Upton and JD Drew are going to be tough outs here. This lineup is stacked. Stephen. and Justin - I get it

Man, BJ Upton and JD Drew are going to be tough outs here. This lineup is stacked.

You realize the tying run is on deck? You realize the 7th and 8th hitters are due up?

Does everyone realize there are 2 outs in the ninth with a 4 run lead?

Is Ramirez in a scary slump?

In all fairness it should be 16-2 since AZ blew a good scoring chance in the 5th. Just saying.

Yikes!

The joy of the 6-1 lead has quickly evaporated around here.

Any excuse for a slump buster.

Not now that he has the Cubbie swagger

10-6 Bondses now on another solo dingdong! Nipperts and dingdong mentioned in back to back posts. Good stuff.

Thanks for sharing.

If Pie walks maybe we can get Ward up there to pinch hit. I have a good feeling he could do some damage with the bases loaded and no outs. Oh wait....

Pedro Feliz is being eaten by seagulls? No, but Barry Bonds is the snack of choice. He's high in HGH levels. Its like Viagra for birds. Watch yourself. Barry can always add you to that lawsuit he is filing against Schilling.

How about a Young walk then a Hudson HR?

going for the big inning. by INVITING the doubleplay?????? ugh. I dont get it. I just dont. 76 pitches, let him hit, just point out the obvious (nothing low, nothing resembling a slider) Well, you can't invite the rest of the class and not the double play. It wouldn't be fair.

what?

5 times I believe based on Fred's stats