Sammy Sofa

Why do they hurt us so? Why?

Seeya next April.

I know, right? Or trade away to become superstars on another team for players the Cubs misuse or burn out after a season or two.

Cubs lose, 9-2. Hill manages to lose total control and breaks Lee's other wrist. Dusty ignores this and instead praises him for having found some "serious heat" with his pitching and gives him a hearty man-kiss in front of the press.

I'm rooting for dead last so they can at least end up with a decent draft pick.

At this point, the only thing I see the Tribune doing is realizing they can get the same results with a payroll of about $50 million instead, and will just cut what they're shelling out now over the next few years.

While I agree with what you guys are pointing out, nobody is saying Tejada is going to get us into the playoffs singlehandedly. Everyone needs to stop looking for that mythical player. Outside of Pujols, they do not exist for THIS Cubs team. Even Cabrera probably wouldn't be enough to ensure a playoff shot. Getting Tejada, Cabrera, whoever, needs to be looked at only as a step in a larger plan. A big step, yes, but just A step. And that's just a general rant, not launched at anyone in particular.

He actually had a Bluetooth snuck under his helmet and was calling his mom.

I really don't want to see our Wood getting slapped around by the other team's wood. OK, I'll stop now. GO CUBS!

Our Wood thrusts deep... ...into the game today and makes it into the 7th.

But...but...but...but... Awwwww, horse hockey!

I am loving these shutout wins, but if these Cubs manage to take more than 1 and score more than 5 runs total against the Sox, I'll be shocked.

Basically sub Bynum for somebody with a little pop and the bench is fine.

I wish to ride his giant shoulders, holding up a "CUBS WIN" banner for all the world to see.

Touche, good sir.

Maybe there's something there with them having Mazzone. Maybe Maddux wants to play 2 more years, period. If that's true, playing with Mazzone again might be very appealing for the O's and getting him sooner rather than later might end up being a lot cheaper. And there's been talk of Williamson being a big trading chip this season...now all of a sudden that's not true? He was always going to be a FA at the end of this year, that's nothing new. The O's are desperate for a bullpen to get them to their closer. Williamson and Wuertz, Hill, Cedeno (maybe also Restovich) and Maddux?

We need a Patton and got a McClellan.

Yes and yes. http://www.northsidebaseball.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?t=31763&start=30 It's sent me screaming into the wilds of insanity!

Knowing Manny and knowing the Cubs' luck, I think him in Chicago would result in the first "death by brick and ivy" ever witnessed at Wrigley.

Tejadas age.........Cabreras age. The Cubs need to use their Farm System for a great trade, not alot of moderate to ok trades. IF, and thats a big if, Cabrera is on the block, I don't see how you can not make a serious run at him. In a year or 2 Tejada will be in decline, while Cabrera has not even reached his prime yet. It's a no brainer for me. I'd love to see Cabrera on this team. I dream about such things. But if he IS available at some point, there are plenty of other teams with MUCH better farm systems that'll dive for him...the Cubs already weak farm system would be razed and decimated in such a trade and be left crippled for far too long. Tejada could, in theory, be had for much less, and IMO has at least 2-3 great years left in him before he slips to just being "good." Hey, maybe a miracle could happen and they'd get both. Maddux/Hill/Williamson/Wuertz or Williams/Cedeno for Tejada (or sub in Pierre for one of those guys and pull up Pie for the Cubs)...Patterson/Murton/Guzman/Marshall/Sing/Ryu/Theriot for Cabrera? IT'S A MAAAAAAAAADHOUSE!!! Yeah, alright, I've gone nuts. This team has driven me to the brink.

That's why I'm liking the idea of using Maddux and Williamson with Hill/Guzman (one or the other) and Cedeno to try and get Tejada as opposed to tossing in Marshall (Throw in Sing or Theriot or someone with a little bat to push it along, too). Marshall's future is insanely bright right now...Cedeno seems like he's about 50/50 either way and could fall really hard...his selling power being any higher than it is at this point is a pretty big gamble. I don't think he'll be a terrible player, but I highly doubt he'll be the kind of spark that this team needs, like a Tejada...and this team needs a few sparks. People seem to be thinking this is a Pierretype trade, and it is so not! I don't see why people seem to think this move is just a stopgap or quick fix or whatever along those lines. I see it as a first big step to rebuilding for the next 3-4 years. Tejada is older, but he's not Maddux old. He's a proven superstar. If we can get him for guys like the ones listed above, it seems like a no-brainer...go with the proven superstar almost anytime. A trade like that obviously hinges on Wood, Prior and Miller being able to pitch, which is why it would probably have to wait at least a month, but I'd rather gamble on Wood or Prior and Miller than Hill or Guzman. Plus, I'd like to think they'd wise up and use those big Tribune bucks to score another quality, reliable starter in the off season this time around, if necessary...learn those lessons, Hendry! Marshall is the exception...if the Cubs can make some real moves and keep him, dear God, they need to. I think this move can be done without crippling the team further or the farm system, and actually making strides to improve this team for the long haul.

"Nitwit!"

True, but they were getting shut out by teams as bad as the Nats, so when you hit rock bottom the only way you can go is up.

This bench is nowhere near being the worst possible. Bench players are bench players...when you're forced to see them an unusual amount of times due to devastating injuries, yeah, it highlights why they're bench players and not everyday starters. If the Cubs had Lee and another big bat, nobody would have any problem with these guys because they'd be getting a fraction of the playing they're getting now, like bench players are supposed to. Though Bynum I could do without. That laziness in the field is unacceptable.

Gotta be a guess, it's way too early for the line up...I wouldn't be surprised if Aramis is out, but given the off day this week and how badly this team needs the sweep, I'll be stunned if Barrett isn't playing today. His bat has been pretty strong this series.