BeerHere

Announcements should come out any day now right? Isn't the deadline 8/15?

I'm not sure how the heck anybody can possibly think of a scenario in which we can go into 2012 knowing that Colvin is the guy. But at least if he hits well in the next 300AB's you'll have a better feel. He had fewer than 100AB's this season before he was sent down. I don't think he's the guy but Cubs management seems to think so. I want him to sink or swim and make the decision perfectly clear heading into 2012. How will these AB's make the decision "perfectly clear?" ok, poor choice of words. Do you get my point or are you just arguing for the sake of arguing?

I'm not sure how the heck anybody can possibly think of a scenario in which we can go into 2012 knowing that Colvin is the guy. But at least if he hits well in the next 300AB's you'll have a better feel. He had fewer than 100AB's this season before he was sent down. I don't think he's the guy but Cubs management seems to think so. I want him to sink or swim and make the decision perfectly clear heading into 2012.

Why would Colvin have had to irritate Quade? Maybe Quade just knows he doesn't belong in a starting lineup. I think Len said last night that Colvin hasn't gotten a chance at regular playing time in order to prove himself. This is wrong. I don't think that Quade knows anything. I think he knows that Colvin will likely struggle and he wants to win as many games as he can to save his job. I'm guessing but I would imagine that Quade is looking at the record, the media questioning his moves and thinking that he was to go on a decent winning streak to win his job for 2012. Putting Reed Johnson over Colvin in the lineup might win more ballgames this year and I think Quade can't see past that. I can't see past the Sunday game. With a righty on the hill I see no reason why Johnson started over Colvin if the goal is to better the team long-term. I'm not saying that Colvin is the answer, but the Cubs seem convinced that he can be a productive everyday regular. I don't know myself and I certainly have my doubts. I think that needs to be figured out sooner rather than later - I don't want to go into 2012 wondering if Colvin is the guy or not. I want him to get all the RF AB's the rest of the way (against LF and RH starters) and sink or swim, you know at season's end whether you need another RF or whether he has a good chance to be productive in 2012. If he can't hit LHP then you need a productive RH bat to platoon.

I did it as part of a bachelor party a few years ago. I don't recall it being $25 but a lot of that day is still foggy. I remember the clubhouse, dugout, the radio booth where they had the "Comcast fax line" or whatever they called it....it was a fax machine held together with duct tape. The scoreboard was cool but a cold reminder of how old that thing is/was. I did get to meet Pat and Ron, still have the picture. Well worth it.

I have a feeling that Colvin has irritated Quade or something. I wouldn't be surprised if he sat today but I doubt that Quade would be that stupid as the media would be all over him.

Castro SS Barney 2B Ramirez 3B Pena 1B Byrd CF Soto C Soriano LF Colvin RF Wells P

What are you talking about? He's 1-2 on the year and we don't need pitchers that can't win ballgames. Yes that was sarcasm

Lot of walks from this group of starters.

Have there been any reports on his velocity?

Is it me or does the grass in center field look like....a.....snatch? Shutup BeerHere! ok

It still seems unlikely that Darvish will come over this year and even if he does, his posting fee will be so high, I imagine it will take the Cubs at least out of the CJ Wilson bidding. That said, there are some intriguing options coming out of Japan who could slot into the middle or back of the rotation nicely. Have any of the Japanese imports done well for more than a couple starts to justify the cost? DiceK has been terrible for the RSox.

Sorry, but counting on Cashner next year is risky. I'm completely pulling for the guy but he missed basically an entire season with shoulder problems. The lack of depth in 2011 killed this team and while no one expects to lose 40% of the rotation on the same day, there needs to be some ready arms in case Cashner or someone else gets hurt. You need at least one of Beeler, Searle, Rusin to be ready. McNutt, Whitenack, Struck are options too I suppose later in the year. Jackson is a bullpen arm to me until he gets better control. All of these options are iffy at best. I'd like to see another starter signed (Edwin Jackson?) depending on how Cashner does the rest of this year and in winter ball. Likewise, Dempster and Zambrano have to both be better than their 2011 seasons.

They said he'd be pitching from the pen when he comes back, so unless Quade pulls a Mateo/Stevens with him, it'll be fine. What are people's thoughts on him pitching in the winter leagues? Call him up in September when the rosters expand. Bring up another reliever or two. Let Cashner start and keep him on a strict count. Regarding the winter leagues, I think it would be a good idea provided there are limits on his pitches and appearances.

Trade Fukudome so you call call up Colvin to sit on the bench - brilliant. I understand sitting him against the lefty, but he needs AB's to see what you have going into 2012 and he should have started yesterday.

If we take Fielder from the Brewers, we'll be better than the Brewers. If the Cards lose Pujols, we'll be much better than them. Even if they retain him, they likely wont be any better than they are this year. If we can manage to sign Fielder and Wilson, wed be the division favs. Id love to add Ramirez to that mix if possible. As for making us good enough to win it all, there are always moves to be made in the summer. The 2012 Cardinals minus Pujols is a better team than the 2012 Cubs, other moves not withstanding. Likewise for the Brewers minus Fielder. I must be alone here. The Cubs are absolutely brutal and I honestly don't see an end in sight until there are a LOT of changes.

What makes me feel better is a winning team. Do you honestly feel like Fielder and Wilson make this team a world series contender in 2012? That team has offensive holes at LF, RF, 2B and 3B, a 5th starter that barely pitched in 2011 due to shoulder problems, a catcher that gets on base but does little else, a manager that is in over his head and ZERO depth to cover themselves in the event of an injury to the starting staff (just like 2011). You're kidding yourself if you think two players turn this load of crap into a contender. I would like to see steps taken in the right direction. I would like to see a GM that is willing to admit mistakes and cut some dead weight. You want specifics: 1. Trade Geo. Let Castillo play and use the $ savings on another starter 2. Waive Soriano 3. Sign Pujols or Fielder 4. Wilson is better than I thought, pick him up 5. If Aram picks up his option, then resign him for 2 years. If not then promote 6. Find a real goddam coach that can handle a pitching staff, the media and the locker room 7. Invest heavily in the 2012 draft since the picks will be early

The 2011 Cubs are a lot more than one impact bat and starter from competing in 2012. Fielder + CJ + 2011 team - Aram, Pena, Wells is a .500 team at best even if Cashner comes back and pitches well. Maybe that sneaks into the playoffs but that team gets bounced in the first round (again). I've said this before - if you build a team to win the division maybe you do it. If you build a team to win the WS you have a much better chance. the Cubs aren't competing with the Cardinal and Brewers. The Cubs are competing with the Cardinals, Brewers, Red Sox, Yankees, Jays, Tigers etc. Winning the division shouldn't be the goal. I am frustrated as hell at this team and want to see changes across the board.

RHP. Cuban defector with Cabezas. All I got. Put this in IFA thread as well. He's 27. His first name is Yoannis. Neither one of those things makes me like him very much. As I was researching him, I did come across a Cuban player with quite possibly the coolest name ever... Orelvis Chill Not bad. Perhaps his name was in fact a request.

Watch him turn into a Cub Killer

Wells is pitching like crap, catching entirely too much plate.

Use that money on an overslot guy from the draft.

Assuming he's ok, does he go to the AFL this year?

I don't really see the point of this trade. Is it solely to free up a spot for Colvin? No money savings, poor prospects in return. What exactly is the upside? Why not just keep Kosuke or maybe shop him elsewhere?

No more Fuku-copter 8-( Colvin isn't exactly tearing up AAA but it's probably time to give the guy a position for the rest of the year to see what he can do going into 2012.