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Fans around here like Jack Wilson. He wasn't hitting when they were trying to trade him, but he's raked since. I think they may keep Jack, but they could be very interested in Theriot.

Yep. I would too, all the way down to Soriano in RF.

Yeah, I think he's still a 25-30 HR guy. If Soriano and Ramirez get back up in the 40 range that should be a good amount of power. Still would be nice to add another 20-30 HRs in the lineup from the left side. Hopefully, Jock remembers how to hit for power if he's a Cub next year. Or better yet, the Cubs trade for Brad Hawpe or Griffey Jr.

San Diego just keeps on giving to the Cubs.

I like Bay as much as the next guy, but that package seems like too much. Take out Marmol and it works. Not for the Pirates it doesn't. Well, then they get to keep Bay.

It would either be Sheets or Gallardo.

That's absurd. Trachsel was awful and anybody could see it. It was a predictable disaster. Agreed 100%. There's threads dedicated to Trachsel before the trade went down that outlined how bad of an idea this was.

LOL. like he has a conditioning regimen.

I like Bay as much as the next guy, but that package seems like too much. Take out Marmol and it works.

Marquis is a guy that I think could do well in the playoffs, if he sees a team just once. If his sinker is on, he can be good. Only the Phillies seem to be a tough lineup for him on the surface due to their best hitter all being able to swing from the leftside, thus low ball hitters. Plus, Marquis may have something to prove after being left off the Cards playoff roster last year. Honestly, I don't have much faith in Hill at this point. He hasn't been very good in September. He hasn't been that great in the 2nd half either.

I'm all for keeping Kerry at the expense of Dempster. And I actually like Dempster as a closer. He's not as bad as people make him out to be. But anyway, my biggest issue with re-signing Wood has to do with the fact that he would be making 2-3 million and in a minimal bullpen role. The 7-8-9 innings are all taken. I don't want to pay that much for long-relief or a garbage time reliever. If you take one of the 3 late pitchers (Dempster gone, Marmol to the rotation :D ) out of the equation, I'd gladly re-sign Kerry.

Well, that would be Lou's fault for using Hart incorrectly then. He's clearly shown he can be thrown into a close game. Ohman has shown the opposite. I too would love another LH pitcher, but you gotta take the best 25, and Ohman's not among them.

really no other options, IMO. Marshall hasn't pitched often enough to be fresh. Trachsel has never been "fresh". Monroe has no point on the roster, but it's possible he makes it over Cedeno.

Marquis will get a regular turn in the playoff rotation. In fact, I'm willing to be he'll start game 3, if the Cubs get in the NLDS. I don't think Lou wants to have Lilly and Hill back-to-back. And thanks to recent decisions, I don't think there's much reason to believe Lou thinks Hill is a better option than Marquis.

Do you think that Dempster, Howry, Marmol and Eyre are better relief pitchers than Wood right now, or do they keep the spots that they have just because Lou doesn't want to get guys out of the "comfort zones" that relievers get into? I admit that I may not be able to be unbiased when it comes to Kerry, but I think he's pitched better lately than all of those pitchers with the possible exception of Marmol...although Marmol has had his moments lately too. If Kerry is feeling good enough to be stretched out into a starter again, what's the problem with putting him as a 4th or 5th starter behind Z, Lilly and Hill? (And probably Marquis since we're likely stuck with him.) I don't think he could be worse than the 5th pitcher options we tried this year. I think Howry and Marmol are clearly better. Eyre isn't better, but is LH and pitching better. If he continues to pitch that way into next year, he'll be ahead of Wood, simply because of the arm he throws with. I'd like to trade Dempster, and bring back Wood, because he is a better pitcher. But if the Cubs re-sign Kerry, he's gonna get a raise. If he does, the bullpen is gonna be making a lot of money. Granted the 2-2.5 million in savings from Wood to a guy like Gallagher isn't much, but that could be a solid RH bat off the bench, assuming Murton is gone or starting.

I think loyalty to Kerry is clouding a lot of people's decisions. As things stand right now, he's a middle reliever. He's behind Dempster, Howry, and Marmol on the reliever totem pole. Can argue that Eyre has passed him too, because he's left handed. Do you guys really want to pay 2-3 million for one of the least important roles in the bullpen?

??? Why not show the Cubs game?? only 1 team fighting for playoffs instead of 2.

Matchups for Cubs pitchers (starters and relievers) look a lot better without Griffey, Dunn, and Hamilton. If only Hopper, Keppinger and Phillips would get hurt too.

Hmm. Just thought about it. Gonna be tough to get the D'Backs and Rockies in the playoffs together. Really, the only way for it to happen would be for Col. to take at least 2 from the D'Backs this weekend AND have Milwaukee win out vs. the Padres. Don't mind this scenario if the Cubs win the next 2, but I'd rather them get it done tonight.

I'm really rooting for the NL playoffs to feature: Arizona, Philly, Colorado and the Cubs. That's all new blood in the playoffs. Very little playoff "experience" from the teams involved. 2 teams that haven't won in modern history. One that hasn't won or been in the playoffs in a long while. And Arizona who has a recent championship, but hasn't had any of those players on the team for a couple years. Plus, Colorado and Philly would be a hell of a series.

Why would they need a catcher? Ronny Paulino doesn't work? Also, why wouldn't Sanchez move back to 3B and have them take E-Patt? Ever seen Paulino hit when the Cubs aren't the opponent? Well, neither has the Pirates organization. Also, Freddy Sanchez doesn't hit like a 3B. It only makes sense to keep him there if you have Chase Utley or the like at 2B. I do think the Pirates could have interest in Eric Patterson. They have been looking for a leadoff type hitter for a while. EP can play 2B (moving Sanchez to SS) or CF. I'd offer Patterson, Gallagher and Marshall for Bay and a P prospect.

That's excellent.

Swing a three-way. Murton to someone, our pitching to pittsburgh and a C or 3B from the other team to the pirates. I think they hope Neil Walker can take over at 3B, possibly as soon as next year. Interesting rumor I'm hearing around here is that the Pirates are gonna go after Troy Glaus. They actually tried to get him at the deadline this year. I think Bay is actually probably gonna get traded. Strangely, the radio commercials completely don't mention him. "Adam Laroche, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and the Pirates take on......" No substance to this, just a hunch.

Bay can play RF. Not a great OF, but shouldn't be a problem. Pirates have pretty glaring needs. I think they will look for 3B, C, and obviously pitching. Cubs can't really help out at 3B and C, but I could see the Pirates being interested in all the close to the majors pitching that the Cubs have.

The Lakers beat the supersonics.