JWCUB

Time to begin our Wednesday thread for Jake Peavy rumors. According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres consider the Braves, Cubs, and Dodgers as potential matches for a Peavy trade. GM Kevin Towers is "down the road" with two of those clubs (probably the Braves and Cubs), but nothing is imminent. Things could slow down as free agency opens up, giving potential trade partners more options for their rotations. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ Come on Hendry!!

Padres To Explore Peavy Deals With Cubs, Dodgers By Tim Dierkes [October 31 at 8:52am CST] According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Padres intend to explore a possible Jake Peavy trade with the Cubs and Dodgers at next week's GM meetings. Apparently Padres GM Kevin Towers would like to exhaust his possibilities with Peavy's five preferred NL clubs before engaging others. Rosenthal notes that the Cubs do not have the quality young pitching the Padres crave. They still have interest in Peavy, especially if they fail to re-sign Ryan Dempster. The Dodgers aren't keen on giving up Clayton Kershaw or James McDonald. Rosenthal believes the Dodgers have enough in-house pitching depth to buy out Brad Penny's 2009 option. If Towers moves on to negotiate with the Yankees, Peavy will complicate matters by demanding his contract be supplemented. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/ I wonder if something could get done. :-k

Cubs eye Abreu and Teixeira Left-handed hitters and switch-hitters who could be available include free agents Bobby Abreu and Mark Teixeira along with Brian Roberts and Coco Crisp, who may be on the trading block again. Abreu and Teixeira will command lucrative long-term deals. The Cubs would have to trade Derrek Lee if they wanted to sign Teixeira, and Lee has a no-trade clause. -- Chicago Tribune http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/mlb

Cubs Searching For Lefthanded Bat By Tim Dierkes [October 22, 2008 at 9:54am CST] Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, while Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times chatted with manager Lou Piniella. Both said the Cubs are looking to add lefthanded hitting. De Luca believes Brian Roberts and Raul Ibanez remain on Hendry's radar. I mentioned most of the feasible names in the Cubs Offseason Outlook. Since right field is difficult to play at Wrigley field, players such as Milton Bradley and Ibanez are a questionable fit. I believe the ideal acquisition would be Brian Giles, but he'd have to be willing to waive his no-trade clause. Sullivan mentions an idea that is popular with Cubs fans: trading first baseman Derek Lee. Freeing up first base would expand the Cubs' options greatly. Lee is owed $26MM over the next two seasons and has a full no-trade clause. He hit .291/.361/.462 in 698 plate appearances, down significantly from '07. Lee's '08 performance was right around league average for his position. His defense was a bit above-average this year. I think Lee has positive trade value, especially in a weak first baseman market. The Yankees and Giants could be fits, though I wouldn't expect them to give up anything spectacular (especially since a concession would have to be made for Lee to waive his no-trade). Randy Winn could be a match for the Cubs. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/10/cubs-searching.html Really nothing new. A lot more talk of trading Lee though. :-k I wonder if this is all media and fan talk, or if internaly the Cubs are discussing this.

But really, do you think the Cubs are serious players for Peavy? It would be nice, but I highly doubt it.

Cuban says economy slows Cubs sale According to Mark Cuban, the shaky economic situation will change the math in Tribune Co.'s sale of the Cubs, including his offer for the team. He held court with reporters Thursday night before the team he owns, the Mavericks, defeated the Bulls at the United Center. The team he wants to own might be worth less today than it was three weeks ago, before the current financial crisis exploded. "Yeah, it's going to affect the deal structure," Cuban said. "Because of the way the deal was originally meant to be structured, it's going to create a challenge. So it'll certainly have an impact. Anytime the cost of capital goes up, the cost of assets goes down. Which is what you're seeing in the stock market." When Cuban says "deal structure," what he's really saying is price. Before the recent economic trouble, the price of the Cubs, Wrigley Field and broadcast properties was expected to rise above $1 billion. Now? Just as in most other segments of the business world, no one has a clue. -- Chicago http://msn.foxsports.com/rumors/mlb I hope he dosen't under bid.

This is my take. Being a Cubs fan is like being so in love with a woman that you tend to overlook her flaws. I'm not talking physical flaws. Like during the regular season you get so caught up with the team and how good they are, you see the weaknesses but they are still winning. Then one day you come home from work and catch that same woman cheating on you. The Post season. You know the obvious answer is to leave her, but your so in love with her that you are willing to give her another chance. It hurts so much that you can't stand it, but you love her so much you can't dump her. In the back of your mind, you know she will cheat on you again, and break your heart, but you are willing to be heart broken for the one chance that maybe, someday, she will feel the same way about you and remain faithful. I.E. World Series Title.

All hail bhogg!! :thumbsup:

Nice inning for Gooz. :good:

On a good note.....Gooz looks good tonight.

Did anyone catch what Lou said there? "Alright, I can't watch this ###t anymore." I look for him to get ejected soon.

Not terrible, not great. If Mike Adams pitches as bad as he looks, then the Brewers should score about 35 runs this inning. :-"

I'm not a pitching coach, but it seems like Z has dropped his arm slot down a bit.

Music to my Cubbie ears. :wink: I never wish for anyone to get hurt, but.......

Its gotta be Crazy Train By Ozzy.

Crazy Train Ozzy All Aboard!!!!!!

Party like its 1999 Prince

"Bad to the Bone"

+1 :yahoo:

MLB took away his HGH! :-$

5-2 Houston in the 6th. 1-0 Bucs in the 7th.

4-0 and CC has thrown 39 pitches thru 4. :roll:

Wind blowing out today?

Manny Ramirez-OF-Red Sox Jul. 31 - 4:38 pm et SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers have acquired Manny Ramirez and the Red Sox have gotten Jason Bay in a three-team deal. The Pirates will be getting four minor leaguers. Heyman doesn't say whether they're all coming from the Dodgers or if Boston is giving up one or two. If it's all prospects to Pittsburgh, then players like Scott Elbert, James McDonald, Andrew Lambo, Ivan DeJesus Jr. and Austin Gallagher could be involved. The Dodgers might have to Juan Pierre back in center field now, with Ramirez in left and Matt Kemp in right. They've typically used Kemp in center when Andruw Jones has been unavailable, but neither Ramirez nor Pierre makes much sense in right. Roto

Manny Ramirez-OF-Red Sox Jul. 31 - 4:27 pm et The Dodgers have acquired Manny Ramirez from the Red Sox, SI.com's Jon Heyman and NESN reports. NESN believes the Red Sox are getting Jason Bay in a three-team deal. Related: Jason Bay, Dodgers, Pirates Manny Ramirez-OF-Red Sox Jul. 31 - 4:24 pm et The Boston Globe's Gordon Edes reports that a Manny Ramirez deal has gotten done. Roto