rawaction

Congratulations Tim! Didn't think you'd beat out the Raw Dawgs this year. Congratulations to all the playoff teams too and thanks to everyone else on another good year. I wouldn't have beat out Raw if I hadn't sold off a bunch of my prime minor league assets to acquire Webb, Ordonez & Halladay prior to the deadline. I was well behind before I made those trades. And I dealt with a couple injuries and ineffective players. Sheffield went down. Hamels is still out. Gallardo had an ugly stretch. Morneau and Uggla had bad slumps. A lot of day-to-day stuff too. I finished about 200 points behind you, but nobody else finished within 200 points of me.

What are you talking about? Trachsel's last start only looks good because Lou kept him in for the 6th. He had given up 3 runs in 5 innings, and the 1,2,3 6th inning is the only reason that 4.50 ERA/1.33 WHIP outing looks any good at all. Yeah, I think there's some confusion going on in that post. And a modified 6 man rotation would only work if Trachsel was good. Otherwise, you are starting a bad pitcher every 6th day, along with a group of starters who have been inconsistent all year. Matchups are one thing, but starting an inferior pitcher is never a good idea.

I don't really care. You have 2 starts from Smoltz next week. HBC has 2 from Harang, against the Cubs and Giants. Either way, I'm gonna have to get good pitching performances.

I'm starting to look at the offseason too. Really would be a lot easier if Sizemore and Wright didn't lose exempt status. Still, should have a couple of decent exempt players in Salty, Uggla, Hamels, and Gallardo.

Yep, McGowan 32.75. Raw Dawgs starting pitching in 6 starts 31.5.

Yeah, Zambrano was done. He should have struck out Paulino on 2 different occassions (ump blew 2 called strikes) and I think he gave all he had knowing that was likely his last batter. Bringing Marmol in in the 7th was the absolute perfect call. Bringing him out in the 8th wasn't that bad, considering he threw just 9 pitches. But I probably would have gone with Howry to start the 8th, to keep the normal formula that has worked in tact. I also like bringing in Dempster. Was a 3-run lead when he was warming up, and a nice easy save was a perfect way to throw him out there and get his rhythm back. Can't play for a scenario that may never come tomorrow.

13-8 would most likely win it. If that included 3 of 5 vs. the Cards, then they would have to go 14-4 in their other games to keep pace (if they lose tonight), which isn't gonna happen. The Brewers would have to maintain that pace while playing a tougher schedule. If the west stays close, the Padres will have as much to play for as the Brewers that final series. That could make the difference.

I think Quentin qualifies under this scenario. The problem with it though, I don't see the Cubs going with a clear unproven, along with Pie and Soto. I'd probably try to hold on to Hill, but if Colorado would take Marshall and a prospect for Hawpe (I'd give up probably anyone in the system), I'd probably take that deal and hope one of the Cubs high minors arms can do what Marshall did this season as the 5th starter. I'd probably add Pie to the deal if the Cubs got a legit pitching prospect back. Then I'd let Jones play out his contract in CF, and hope Colvin or Eric Patterson can handle CF in 09.

Realistically, Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are locks. DeRosa and Theriot are extremely likely to be back in the middle IF. That leaves CF, RF, and C. I think Soto and either Kendall/Blanco will be your two at C. So, the only places the Cubs can add the needed offense are CF and RF. Jones, Pie, and Murton are there for those 2 spots, but a team that needs offense in the OF shouldn't come back with those 3 players. But with the payroll already tied up, probably no room for FAs. Here are some possible available OF options: Good options: Brad Hawpe- Colorado has Holliday, Spilborghs, and Tavares in the OF along with Hawpe now. And soon, will have to find a place to play Jeff Baker, Koshansky, and Ian Stewart....assuming Helton isn't going anywhere. Andre Ethier- LA has money tied up and untradeable OFs, Gonzalez and Pierre, to go along with Kemp and Ethier. Plus, if they can add a big-time bat at 1B or 3B, either Loney or Laroche will have to be moved to the OF. Decent options: Pat Burrell- Philly has Victorino, Bourn, Rowand (who is a FA, but I think they will re-sign), and Werth in the OF. Works because Philly has a ton of offense, and can use the offense. Size of contract is an issue as Philly won't want to eat much and the Cubs can't afford much of it. Raul Ibanez/Jose Guillen- Seattle has Ichiro, and youngsters Adam Jones and Wlademir Ballentien possibly in the starting OF next year. I think they will keep 1 for DH/insurance purposes. Neither are great, but should come cheap, prospects wise. Risky options: Carlos Quentin- Byrnes, Upton, Young is the OF next year. Quentin's the odd man out. He's risky because he's mostly unproven at the ML level, and no guarantee to be an upgrade in 2008 for the Cubs, who undoubtedly will be looking to compete. Rocco Baldelli- Another team with an Upton and Young in the OF, along with Crawford. Baldelli is obviously a huge injury risk, and would likely be an upgrade, but hasn't proven he can stay on the field. Probably gonna cost more in prospects than he should because of his potential. Ryan Church- Pena, Logan, Kearns in the OF next year, Church has pretty much already been benched. He doesn't necessarily guarantee an upgrade in the Cubs OF either. And you gotta think because the Cubs have shown interest the last 2 years, that he would be expensive to obtain. The Cubs are probably at the point where they are gonna have to trade either Hill/Marshall, or Pie, or most of their minor league SP depth (Gallagher, Holliman, Veal, Mateo, Hart) in order to seriously upgrade the offense.

I picked nobody (or as the poll says noboy). Not because the Cubs are fine, because they can't really afford it. Zambrano, Ramirez, Lee, Soriano, Marquis, and Lilly are all tied up in huge contracts. Jones, DeRosa, Blanco, Horwy, Eyre, and Dempster are all players with manageable contracts, but probably can't be traded without eating some or taking a contract back in return. I don't see anyway the Cubs can afford any of those guys, who are all likely to get double digit millions for 2008. The best case scenarios for the Cubs will probably be trading Marshall, Hill, Pie, or prospects to a team with excess OF options for a legit RF (Hawpe, Rios, Ethier, even Griffey if the money works out).

Lived with my wife for over 3 years now. Been married for 2 months. Been engaged about a year. We lived apart in the same city for the 1st year. Lived long distance for the 2nd year. 3rd year, I moved here and we lived together because I didnt' have a job and it didn't make sense to get an apartment for a year, just to move back in with her when we inevitably got engaged. I come from a religious background, but I think the "old-fashioned" way is played out. Nowadays, you almost have to live with someone in order to make sure it's gonna work out. I believe the best way to do it would be to ease into it. When your dating, live apart, but as things get more serious, slowly head in that direction (keys to each other's house/apt, come and go as you please, provided you don't have a roomate). Then move in together as you get engaged and try it out for a year or so before seriously getting into the wedding planning.

This is probably the toughest non-conf game for the Hoosiers. On the road, but we beat them last year 39-20 in Bloomington with a lesser QB. The defense really impressed last week (5 sacks vs. 14 all last year), hopefully that will continue.

And I haven't had any pitching starts yet. However, I'm going to wind up short on starts this week, thanks to Marshall being skipped in favor of Trachsel and Reyes being demoted to the Cardinals' bullpen. That may be to your benefit, if your guys pitch anything like mine. Hudson gives up 5 early, and has to struggle to get to -5.5.

That's a heck of a lot of things that need to be happening, and isn't, for a team trying to win a division. Yep, the Cubs suck at pitching, and they suck at hitting. Which direction would you say they are likely to take in the standings? $110 million doesn't buy what it used to.

NC Cubs and Raw Dawgs are dead even at 72.25.

If there was ever a must-win game this season......this is it. Jason Marquis going tomorrow, can't be counted on. Theodore needs to pitch a lot better than he has in recent starts. Oh yeah, and the Cubs should try scoring some runs.

should not be a problem.

I've noticed him arm slot dropping, but there doesn't seem to be much variation in his velocity or location. I really don't know what that means, though as far as a possible tired arm or injury is concerned.

Olerud was a seriously above-average fielder too, if I remember correctly. That's a good one. How about Darren Daulton? 113 OPS+, and three AS appearances to show for it. Olerud was one of the best defensive 1B that I have personally seen.

What about John Olerud? Career: .295/.398/.465, but in his age 23-33 seasons, he was a .305/.410/.483 hitter. His age 24 season in 1993 = .363/.473/.599 (BA, OBP and OPS 30 points higher than anyone else in the AL), led the lead in RC, OPS+, times on base, and int. walks. Career 1275 BB to 1016 Ks

That's a good one. How long did Greer play?

I don't think people realize how great Frank Thomas is/was. .303/.421/.560/.981 OPS. In comparison, Mickey Mantle's career numbers .298/.421/.557 Basically the exact same player.

I've seen this argument a few times on this board and I don't get it. What's considered a great season from beginning to end? Is he supposed to have no disaster starts? Heck, everybody has those. IF it's not that extreme....what was wrong with his 2003 (sub 3 ERA before tiring down the stretch as a 22 year old in his first full season as a ML starter) or 2004 (highest ERA in a month was 3.60) or 2005 (6 times w/ 5 or more ERs)? Also, wins? He had a 2.75 ERA in 2003 and only won 16 games, Colon won 18 that year with a 5 ERA. Heck, Zambrano was leading the NL in wins with a 4 ERA a few weeks ago.

I agree. Players need to shut up and get over it. Play poorly = get booed. Play well = get cheered. No need to get upset when it happens. As for the fans, I'm not a boo-er. Never have been. But can anyone honestly blame them? Carlos has been ejected from huge games for throwing at hitters (Edmonds). He's punched his battery mate. He's shown up his teammates on the field. But most importantly, he's pitched like crap. He's pitched like crap in a pennant race. He's pitched like crap after signing a huge contract (which fans do hold against him). He's pitched like crap after vowing to lead this team to the playoffs and win a Cy Young.

Zambrano's early struggles were do to poor mechanics. Today, I didn't see anything physically wrong with him. If somebody is seeing something I don't please let me know. His velocity is not down. He doesn't have a tired arm. Everybody wants to look at his abuse pattern and say he's hurt, but there's absolutely no reason to assume that. Do people honestly think the Cubs, who have seen 2 similarly talented pitchers get destroyed by pitching injured/tired, would let the same thing happen to Carlos? Zambrano was cruising and on the verge of domination til he made that boneheaded baserunning play. He was visably upset with himself, and his team obviously wasn't too happy with him either. Zambrano took that to the mound with him and could not concentrate. His pitches still had great movement. He was still able to put the ball where he wanted to....when he decided he wanted to. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt that his poor August was him just not having it or being distracted by the contract talks and subsequent pressure to live up to that contract. But today was a flat out loss of concentration by a mental midget who completely let his team down. I believe you will see Carlos dominate next time out vs. Pittsburgh.