rawaction

Lee's down year still projects at 22 HR, 37 2B, 90 Runs, 89 RBI, and .833 OPS. That level of production (assuming all others remain constant) puts Lee at 12th in the MLB for 1B in OPS. You say that like it's a good thing. It is a good thing, but not a great thing. Anytime you get above average league production from a position player having an off-year, it's a good thing. No realistic expectations of Lee would have included 2005-like production. An .870 OPS was probably a good expected baseline for Lee for 2008. And there are still at least 15 other starters at first base with worse production so far this year. Lee's production this year is basically a microcosm of the entire team. There isn't an everyday player in the field on this team that anyone would say is a top 10 overall player, MLB-wide. Maybe not top 20. One illustration: do a sort on OPS for all MLB players and the first Cub you hit is Aramis Ramirez at 39th (Soriano has too few ABs to qualify officially). But the team is 2nd in MLB for team OPS, which is .802. 2nd in Runs. 1st in OBP. That's with Ramirez and Lee having down years. Hendry built a strong team without a genuine star in the field. Obviously if you can make the team better, trade Lee and sign Texiera. But the trade would not be a dump or forced move, and it would only happen on Hendry's terms, which are probably going to be too high, even if half the league could use Lee as an upgrade. I want much better than average for any highly paid player. And I'm not so sure this is an off year as much as it's a reasonably expected year from a soon-to-be 33 year old who has only had one great season in his career. Agreed. But that doesn't mean you trade him for a younger, more expensive player who is marginally better.

This series scares me. I wouldn't be surprised to see Houston hit Dempster pretty hard. I'm pretty much writing it off as a given they will pound Marquis, as they have typically done in his Cubs career. But the Cubs get the mediocre Backe that day. I don't think anyone can hit Rich Harden, but Wandy scares me vs. the Cubs offense who can never seem to do anything against him. Winner tonight takes 2 of 3 in the series.

2003's rotation was Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Clement, Estes. Maddux was not on the team in 03. The 04 rotation was the best, though, save for the injuries. Zambrano had his best year. Clement had his 2nd best year. Maddux was still an above average pitcher. Wood and Prior were coming off their best years in 03.

Selvin Young

Sorry, didn't come right home as planned. Give me Donovan McNabb.

forgot my draft board at home....ok if I pick after work?

Yes, it's a good idea. I get so giddy now to see Fontenot's name in the lineup. Never thought I'd see the day.

Very discouraging. He hasn't put together anything more than a 3 or 4 game hot streak, then goes like 1 for 18. I am still willing to give him some more time, but expecting anything from him as far as ML success goes is probably not a good idea.

That's everyday! 8-)

Pirates before: McLouth Sanchez Doumit Bay Nady Adam Laroche Bautista Wilson P Pirates after: McLouth Rivas Doumit Michaels Andy Laroche Moss/ Pearce Mientkiewicz P Wilson Replacing pretty good 4-6 hitters and replacing them guys that were either released or in AAA last week isn't good.

And the Cubs are up 5 games. August sees the Cubs in Wrigley for 19 of 28 games (then 3 more to start September). Of these 31 games the Cubs play, 21 are against losing teams, and 18 of those against the bottom teams 5 in the NL. The Cubs have 3 starters in the top 10 in all of baseball in ERA. And at least one of Zambrano, Dempster, and Harden will go in every series if healthy. All 3 are scheduled in what is likely to be their toughest series, on paper, in Florida. And as of right now, the Cubs are scheduled to miss Oswalt vs. Houston, Lohse vs. St Louis, Volquez vs. Cincy, Lannan vs. Washington, and Jurrjens in Atlanta, the best pitcher currently for each team. The toughest matchup, if all stays the same, looks to be vs. Cole Hamels to start the Philly series. However, no rotation changes for either team means a Hamels/Harden matchup. This stretch of games is MUCH more important than the final 2 weeks of the season. If the Cubs play like they should through the next 31 games, the last 2 weeks of the season shouldn't matter nearly as much as it does on paper right now.

I like the deal too. People here at work don't.

No, he's not. He'll be decent though,.

Is Neimann any good anymore? Pirates should be able to get Hellickson or Davis.

Dangerous. We don't need Ibanez with that lineup. Why the hell is soto 8th though. He hasnt been slumping THAT bad, jesus. Cubs have sent out lineups in the past with 4 hitters best used in the 8th spot. This year, they don't have anyone who is so far worse than anybody else at getting on base that whoever has hit 8th most of the time is the top 8th hitter in the league on that given day.

Wow. What are the Marlins thinking?

DH? Thome's the DH. I don't think he's played 1B this year.

DeJesus would be interesting. He's a decent player. He's not horrible against LHPs, so wouldn't necessarily have to be platooned. He would fit right in with the OBPs on the team, but would not provide nearly the power that Edmonds has shown. However, would give the Cubs another spot in the order without much power. Between DeJesus, Fukudome, Theriot and DeRosa, that's 1/2 the team with minimal power production. Not that it's the worst thing in the world since all 4 get on base over a .360 clip. Probably also would spell the end for Felix Pie.

So are the Pirates if any of the prospects they're supposed to get are any good. Exactly. Bay to Hermida is probably a lateral move, with Hermida being cheaper and having more upside. If they get a decent arm or 2 on top of that, they've made out. Florida is really getting screwed in this deal. Hermida and Tucker for 2 months of Manny?

Marlins seem to be getting screwed in that trade, and they would be getting the best player.

?? Mike Piazza. They may have done that with Mike Hampton too.

On one hand, you could go for the knockout blow. On the other hand, you may be able to go for the knockout blow without your best. Bush is very hittable and Harden has been great as a Cub. I think the regulars will be all in there tomorrow. I think there will be the incentive to get Harden his 1st win in a Cubs uniform.

Since there's no "other games" thread. Alex Gordon has a fun line today. 0 for 0 with 5 walks. The last 2 walks were intentionally, but he technically had 22 pitches thrown to him and only 2 for strikes. The last 14 pitches he saw were balls. He took 1 swing in the game and missed on a 2-0 count.

wrong month.

That didn't work last year, but maybe one more year off that contract would help. I think taking that year off his deal will help a lot. Teams still use stopgaps, and he could be a decent 1-year guy to bridge the gap to a prospect that's not quite ready.