Sammy Sofa

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.

For those saying Tejada is a quick fix, then who ISN'T a quick fix player? Those seem like some impossibly high standards... The more I think about this and read and listen to the Orioles media down here, the more this seems do-able. Start building for 2007 as early as possible and with a huge boost by picking up a guy like Tejada. I think you can get him for much less than trying to get Cabrera...based on the Pierre deal, and their team re-building trend, they'd leave our farm system with essentially nothing. Granted, Cabrera looks like he could be Pujols jr., but that's still a big risk essentially having next to no back ups for the next 2-3 years. Given the Orioles management and haven gotten Mazzone, it seems like you could snag Tejada for maybe Maddux/Hill/Cedeno/Williamson, or the combinations I've already listed. Options! Plus, getting a guy like that will enable both Lee and Ramirez to see a ton of better pitches, and with Lee recovering from his injury and Aramis still pooping the bed, that cannot be underestimated. That kind of impact is needed ASAP, and if within a month, Wood, Prior and Miller are even shadows of their former pitching selves, the 'pen can survive such a trade, and then some.

Let me guess...either brother-in-law or sister-in-law..? "I am your father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate." What does that make us? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

The Orioles need starters, but the REALLY need bullpen help to get to their closer. Maybe Cedeno/Hill/Guzman/Williamson? Or maybe sub Ryu for Hill or Guzman? At this point, I'd really like to see Marshall stick around... Like it's been said, this is the exact opposite of a "quick fix." Tejada is a guy you invest in for the next 3-4 years to hit big with Lee and Aramis.

Cubs sweep. Kerry shocks the world and pitches 7 full innings and allows 2 runs or less. Aramis Ramirez is fat.

We're "Nomasexuals" and proud of it!

Jacque Jones is clearly a werewolf and will eat your children.

Actually, I'm talking about a trade during the season OR after it...I just want to see the Cubs get the 3rd big bat they desperately need...a proven slugger that will get guys in and be able to help hold things down if Aramis or Lee get injured. This isn't about appeasing the fans...this is about getting a contending team, period. The Cubs have tried to be the team that wins with pitching for years now and outside of 2003 it's failed miserably. Keep the core starting pitchers, seek out another quality and reliable starter in the off season and use whatever pitching prospects ecessary with a team that's desperate for pitching to get that effective power bat this team needs.

OK, throwing stuff at the guy is inexcusable. I don't care how bad he is, that's just pathetic behavior. That said, this thread was obviously started out of frustration. Yes, plenty of other people on this team are bad right now. But the majority of them are slumping/pressing bad...how many of them have done something as blatantly stupid as getting doubled off of base 3 times in 2 weeks? Something that dumb is going to get you more attention on a board like this.

Fantastic article, Bruce...this is what the Cicago sports press needs to be saying over and over again. It really is like Hendry and baker think baseball is decided by magic and good intentions.

Personally, if he's still tooling around like this come June, I'm seriously worried.

Please point out anyone else who has been doubled off 3 times during this season like Jones has. On ANY team. That alone right there makes him desvering of threads like this You can't have baseball 101 much more basic than that. It's embarassingly bad. Stupidity like that WILL cost you games, bank on it.

Damn right. Sell him and guys like Guzman and Hill before they damage their "maybe" reps any further.

Cubsylvania.

How good are the laundromats? Mark hates poorly softened towels.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/mlb/photo/photogallery/2003_2nd_half_moments/chc/03.jpg http://home.comcast.net/~ivychat/cubs_win.jpg