JonnyRed

I agree with most of your thinking, but I don't like the Jones move. We need a third big hitter to go with D-Lee and A-Ram and JJ doesn't qualify. I'll give Hendry credit for firming up the bullpen and getting us a true leadoff hitter, plus not spending $13M per on Furcal, but we still need to make 1-2 big moves to have this offseason qualify as a true success. Tejada and Weaver/Millwood will do nicely.

I'd consider trading A-Ram, Patterson, Hill or Williams, etc. for Manny and Lowell. Manny is an upgrade over A-Ram, is less of an injury risk and Lowell could fill in at 3B for a season or two.

We all know that Hendry has some good money to spend. So hopefully we'll be able to land a big fish for RF. If not, Huff seems to be our best option. He's young and will be able to put up .280/20-25 HR/90 RBIs. Get Lugo in a packaged deal and we're all set. I don't understand why we are waiting at this point???

Are you staying that's too much? Heck, I'd make that trade in a minute.

I agree that the Cubs need a #3-4 starter, just in case Kerry isn't healthy at the start of next season (plus I'm not convinced that Rusch should be starting either). So, who do we get? Ideally, it would be a lefty who chews up innings. Washburn could certainly be that guy. I also want to see the Cubs pursue Weaver, Vasquez and Morris (in that order).

In 2004 Pierre hit .380 in (non-sacrifice) bunt attempts. In 2005 he hit .431 when bunting for a hit. This is interesting stat: We know Dusty likes guys who can excute a bunt. The tall grass in the Wrigley field IF will only help Pierre. If by "help" you mean "hurt", I agree. Pierre hits ground balls. On the ground. In the grass. they will go slowly. Fielders will get them. they will not go through holes to the OF. He will be thrown out That's how I see it too. Despite his speed, in 2005 Pierre had only 19 doubles in 719 plate appearances. He hits the ball softly and tall grass won't help him unless he wants to bunt half the time. Boy, I've heard a lot of wacky analysis before, but now we are determining the success of a trade based on our tall infield grass??? You know, they can always cut it short to help Pierre. I wouldn't worry about it.

I'm waking up a happy Cub fan this morning....We finally made a deal! And I like it. Pierre will bring an element to our offense that hasn't been seen around Wrigley in quite a while. Sure, Lofton had some speed, but not Pierre-type speed. To those who are worried about giving up 3 pitching prospects, don't be, because they are just that...unproven. I've waited 3 years for guys like Guzman to make it to Wrigley, but most never reach the bigs. Give me a proven MLBer instead. And let's werry about whether he is a rental player until after this year. Everyone thought Nomar was as good as gone too.....Now, let's go get a slugger for RF (Arbeu, Manny, Huff).

I love reading through all the hot stove talk, but it's getting tiresome to hear all of the Hendry bashing going on. Hendry is like all GMs, they win some deals and lose others. I personally think his wins of stealing D-Lee and A-Ram for essentially nothing far outweigh his bad moves (trading Willis, signing Rem and Hawkins, etc.). He's been at the helm of our best 3 year period in the last 25 years, and if we stay healthy and make the expected moves this offseason, I'm confident that we'll be in the playoff race next year as well. Let's have a little faith guys....we have some $$$ and there are still plenty of players available in FA and trades.

He also stated the Cubs would probably want to give up less for Bradley. Wow, what a slap in the face... Hey Pedro, I've been meaning to ask you for awhile, who is the girl in your sig? Quite nice to look at while we contemplate hot stove moves!

How many 35 HR guys do you need in the lineup? The Sox had two, and it seemed to work for them.

Boy, what a way for Prior to end his season. It only makes it through 5 against the helpless Pirates and his replacement grounds into a DP. Now, that about sums up this season for the Cubs...PATHETIC!

Could Corey Patterson be any worse? Even he has to try to see only 5 pitches in 3 at bats today. I've seen guys go in slumps before, but it is completely clear to everyone but Dusty that Patterson will swing at anything just to get off the field. Sad to think he was a possible all-star just two years ago. Now I'd like the Cubs to Hutchinson him off the roster. Heck, he can't even field anymore. Worthless!

I agree that Dusty and the staff could certainly be coaching Corey more effectively, but there are basic fundamentals in baseball that Corey should already know when he gets to the majors. That's not Dusty's fault.

I have officially jumped off the Corey bandwagon. I have tried as hard as I could to give the guy time to develop, but the fact of the matter is that he has regressed considerably the last two years and now even basic fundamentals elude him. I'm not sure what's worse... A) Not being able to execute a squeeze play, leaving Dusty to wonder if he's ever had to do one. Come on, his main asset is his speed, so if he can't run effectively, what good is he. B) Getting picked up on a simple fly ball to LF. How does he not touch 2B on his way back? C) Swinging at the first pitch with the bases loaded over the weekend. It's just common sense to work a good count when it's the pitcher's responsibility to deliver in a pressure situation or walk in a run. Why let them off the hook? What it comes down to with Corey is that he has a world of talent but no head for the game of baseball. It's time to cut our losses and move on. Frankly, I don't even want to see him in the lineup now that JHJ is back because he doesn't deserve it.

Nice game Cubbies....A-Ram with the power and Mad Dog with the pitching....Anyone else starting to think Woody could make a heck of a closer?

Does anyone else feel completely defeated and lethargic about the Cubs after their miserable showing the last week, yet there is something deep down that will pull you back in and cause you to turn on the games--even when you know you'll likely get disappointed again? I guess that's what it's like to be a Cubs fan.

Now that it appears the the Cubs season is in fact over, who will you guys follow, if anyone, the rest of the way? I'll be rooting for my second favorite team, our brother in misery to the east, the Red Sox. As much as I respect the way the White Sox are playing right now, there's no way I can root for them. (This isn't to say that I won't be pulling for the Cubs, I just won't give the team nearly as much time/energy since they clearly don't deserve it.)

Happy? This is the kind of this a guy gets shipped out of town for... You win and lose as a team. Bush league Now Dusty's making excuses for Zambrano (now I know he left on his own). "His back is hurting him." BS!!! Actually, Dusty's apologizing for his players has come back to bite him in the arse. Sometimes players have to be accountable. Well, I'm sure he'll address it after the game. Do you really expect the manager to bust the guy out on TV after he's left the game? I wouldn't... I can see a manager pulling someone out of agame to make a not so silent point but saying Zambrano quit on the team infront of a national audience doesn't make much sense. What should Dusty have done? I think under the circumstances he handled it well. To be honest, ESPN tried to bait Baker by asking that question... Did you notice the ackward silence after Dusty's answer? They were sure if they should challenge him. Thankfully, they left it alone. I don't think that anyone should be called out on TV, but he doesn't need to be so apologetic and make excuses. Sometimes the guys should have to answer for their actions. Let's bring a little reality to this, can't we. In the workplace, how often do you get managers/bosses/whoever coming out and giving you the honest to God truth, especially in a public arena? Not too often. If Z did in fact quit tonight, I'm sure it was a real blow to Dusty, and I'm sure he didn't feel like sharing it with the rest of the world.

Boy, I picked a bad week to take vacation. And to think it started off on a good note with the ninth inning rally against the D-Backs last Friday. Since then, it's been all down hill with no end in sight. Heck, we used to at least be able to count on Prior, Z, D-Lee and A-Ram, but it seems like even they have succombed to this wasteland that is the Cub. I'm sure glad the Bears start tomorrow night...

I wouldnt go so far as to say Lawton's defensive lapse is due to Dusty. Lawton has never been a good defensive player. The Cubs knew what they were getting into when they picked him up. Unfortunately, the Lawton trade is looking more and more like a mistake. Lawton is unlikely to be a Cub in 2006, while Gerut would have been a nice player to have next year, especially as a fourth outfielder and a left-handed bat off of the bench (even with his arbitration increased salary). The only bright side to all of this is the possibility that Lawton nets us a compensatory draft pick as a free agent. Have to disagree with you on this one. Lawton came to the Cubs with the 2nd best OBP in the NL, while Gerut did nothing to disprove he is as worthless as Macias in his short stint in Chicago. I like the trade a lot and hopefully Lawton will perform well enough to warrant a signing in the off season.

Anyone else feel that this team has almost become unwatchable since D-Lee has cooled off? At least we could enjoy one player giving it his all and actually performing on the field. Now, I can't wait for the Bears game tomorrow night.

That would mean that: a) Someone on the bench had enough insight to recognize mini-Zambrano's wildness, and b) Actually coach the friggin players for once this season On a sidenote: One of my real problems with Dusty and his entire coaching staff is that I haven't seen one positive thing they have done this season. No player progression, timely coaching, nothing.

I'm not sure how you can give the GM more blame than the actual players on the field? Except for D-Lee, A-Ram, Burnitz and possibly Dempster, no other player has lived up to expectations this year. As much as I love Prior, is it Hendry or Dusty's fault that Prior gives up a GS before he even breaks a sweat yesterday? Or how bout the 3 pitchers who couldn't cover first base? There's plenty of blame to go around, but Hendry is the least of our worries.

That's one way to think about it but I think he's a gamer. He decided to forgo his ego and pitch out of the 'pen when he could have asked to be shut down. 'gamer' my... go get 'em Murton... Wood is injury prone but how can you argue that he wants to be hurt or doesnt want to pitch? The guy's heart can't be measured by physical limitations. I'm sure he'd love to make 30+ starts a year. if Wood was a true 'gamer', he'd pitch through real pain. this "twinge in my shoulder/ elbow/ back/" is laughable. it's one thing for a young pitcher to think about his future when the big payday is far off. quite another for K-Woody, when he's being paid far more than he's worth, and will EVER make again. my point is that there is no reason for Wood to keep shutting himself down because of a "twinge". you're being paid to pitch. take the ball, and suck it up son... He's had a cortisone shot this year. You don't get that unless you are in extreme pain... That's the problem, I think Kerry has been pitching (quietly) through pain for years. The same can be said this year; When you look back to his last start in Cincy, Rothschild and the trainer were tipped off by his change in velocity (they knew something was wrong) but when they visited him at the mound he didnt want to admit to the problem... He would have at the least, completed the inning but they correctly took him out instead of risking further damage. Even Steve Stone, one of his most ardent critics, says that Kerry is a tough guy who wants to pitch Cortisone is is an anti-inflamatory drug. nothing more, nothing less. the use of Cortisone has less than nothing to do with Wood being a 'Gamer' or 'playing thru pain'... what speaks volumes to this sito is the fact that multiple MRI's have turned up NOTHING wrong with Wood's shoulder. hence the move to the pen, and Hendry's obvious warning by said move... IMHO, of course... Hey NYF...No offense, but unless you've been a serious pitcher having to fight through arm pain, while throwing 96 MPH, let's not go calling Woody a wimp for not pitching in pain. I guess it's much too easy to sit at your computer and call out people when you haven't been there yourself.

I sure hope the heart of our lineup will hit today because the rest of it stinks!