Sammy Sofa

Nice.

Wait, what? The guy is have a crappy start and has been hit too high in the lineup most of the games this season, but we don't need to start making things up. He's nothing special, but he's been a decent player for a few seasons now. Actually, there's a very, very good reason.

I think that Quade wants to bring Baker's average back down to earth. That is the only reason I can think as to why he keeps hitting against righties. It really is baffling. If Pena's going to start becoming useful it's going to be likely against mediocre righties like Galarraga first. Quade sucks, I don't care what he did in 40 games last year when the Cubs were out of contention, and how enthusiastic he is Yeah, and his pitcher "issues" were on full display then, too. But at least it's not Sandberg. They'd be locked with that albatross for God knows how long whereas at least with Quade if they keep sucking he's likely gone in the short run after next year.

I’m banned. Wow. I didn’t know. Someone forgot to send me the memo. Who’s slacking? :) I haven’t posted about Dumpster because it isn’t necessary. Who needs to dump on Dumpster when he handles the task so well on his own? Dumpster: You know him. You love him. (Blaster he ain’t though!). Corollary: You wanted him. You have him. Ouch. Go Starlin! Work on that fielding! Wake me when Hendry and Dempster have been DFA. You may now return to your 2011 Chicago Cubs… davearm2 loves this guy.

You saw these decisions coming before the season? That leading the league in quality starts factoid is pointless. They still sucked. They were still one of the worst pitching staffs in the league. I don't understand why you keep saying this. Are you saying it in terms of the staff on paper not being the ideal construction that one would want? Are you basing this on the bullpen? Because that's the only way I can figure out how you're ranting about the Cubs' starting rotation's performance from 2010 as being "one of the worst in the league."

I think that Quade wants to bring Baker's average back down to earth. That is the only reason I can think as to why he keeps hitting against righties. It really is baffling. If Pena's going to start becoming useful it's going to be likely against mediocre righties like Galarraga first.

They can't really afford to DL him with Cashner and Wells still out. As bad as Demp has been, who are they going to plug in there that's really going to give the team that much of a shot to compete when he's scheduled to start? Doug Davis might suck less, but he's still likely to really suck. Is there any chance they'd bring up Jackson?

He's not. He made 3 million last year. He makes 6.5 million next year. If the Cubs want both Pujols and Ramirez, they'll probably have to trade Byrd and go with both Jackson and Colvin in the OF. That depends on how they would backload the contract for Pujols though. Aw, crap, I read that wrong. Should have known it was too good to be true.

Wow, I had no idea Byrd was only making $3 million next year.

Who's going to play RF in that scenario? The ghost of a really good RFer.

Byrd being traded isn't hinged on Colvin panning out. They could (and I hope they do) opt to trade him if Jackson has a great 2011.

Where are you seeing that it's a mutual option? BR has these details: Yes, they'll have enough money.

You are probably correct, but I really don't see a scenario where this team scores a ton of runs consistently. I do believe that their pitching will improve, and I sure hope they can correct the defencive lapses. That offence though, is going to have its struggles unless they add a big bat in the middle of the lineup. Eh, Pena's not likely to stay this cold. Even as bad/unlucky as he was last year he still hit for plenty of power. Sure, there's a chance that he has some lingering issue from last year given that his last month was by far his worst, but hopefully he'll likely rebound. If he does then the Cubs have a decent heart of the order to work with between him, Aramis and Soto what guys like Baker, Barney, Castro and Fukudome have shown they can do to get on base. But then you have the issue of Quade, who seems to be convinced that none of those 3 can or should hit #3. While Id prefer that the Cubs get it together and get in this thing, if we do fall out of it by June/July, we could really cash in with Ramirez, Fukudome, and Wood, as well as Pena if he can remember how to hit. We could maybe even get a fringe prospect or 2 for Grabow. Especially Ramirez, as there is a decent amount of contender who could use a 3rd baseman, and a potential shut down reliever like Woody is always in demand. I agree. My point is I think that the Cubs will rebound enough and the division is crappy enough that the front office won't sell. That's been their M.O., and I think with numbers down as much as they are in baseball they'll be afraid to project the image that they've thrown in the towel unless they're just hopelessly out of it really, really early. While I think guys like Fukudome and Pena would be moved if that was the case, I'd be surprised if a front office as historically timid as the Cubs moves a fan favorite like Wood even during a season that bad (especially with this latest signing seemingly being hinged on the idea of him retiring as a Cub, so you might as well stop fantasizing now), and I doubt (and actually kinda hope) they don't move Ramirez and and I think they'll exercise his option next year to back up whoever they go for as their big #3 signing.

You are probably correct, but I really don't see a scenario where this team scores a ton of runs consistently. I do believe that their pitching will improve, and I sure hope they can correct the defencive lapses. That offence though, is going to have its struggles unless they add a big bat in the middle of the lineup. Eh, Pena's not likely to stay this cold. Even as bad/unlucky as he was last year he still hit for plenty of power. Sure, there's a chance that he has some lingering issue from last year given that his last month was by far his worst, but hopefully he'll likely rebound. If he does then the Cubs have a decent heart of the order to work with between him, Aramis and Soto what guys like Baker, Barney, Castro and Fukudome have shown they can do to get on base. But then you have the issue of Quade, who seems to be convinced that none of those 3 can or should hit #3.

Why is it that when a pitcher stinks.....he's hurt? How about he just blows at the moment? Because pitchers get hurt a lot, and it's a logical conclusion to draw when a typically reliable pitcher falls off of a cliff.

I never understand why people bring the idea of the Cubs selling early. They're not going to trade anyone major until near the deadline unless a great deal is dumped in their laps, and that's if they sell at all. This division is, for better or for worse, crappy enough that Cashner and Wells coming back and being decent that they could technically be competitive long enough that the front office refuses to "quit" by selling.

I wonder what it is. His velocity seems to be there. The main problem is his slider seems to have failed him completely.

Blinded by rage.

He probably say something like "that monkey needs to knock off all of that jiggabooing," pelt him with banana chips, and then just stare at everyone with a really blank, dumb smile. And then davearm2 would bust in and go "oh, that crazy Luke Scott!" And then you'd hear the record scratch.

Oh, hey, way to suck, Quade.

It's like the five stages of trolling grief.

Well, whatever; he lost a [expletive]-ton of money because of Madoff. Actually, if the stories are true the Wilpons made money with Madoff and may have helpd perpatrate the scam so he could get cash from banks. But he ultimately lost around $700 million, right?

That's a really weird masochism thing you've got going there, champ.

Well, whatever; he lost a [expletive]-ton of money because of Madoff.

I just hope to God that Ricketts crying poor to the state is just posturing to get them to help with the stadium enhancements and not a sign that the Cubs could be on this list eventually. Aren't the Mets' trouble primarily due to Wilpon getting fleeced by Madoff? And the Dodgers' from Mcourt's divorce and general scumbaggery? For now it doesn't seem like we need to worry about such things from the Ricketts.