BeerHere

At this point....I want it to be perfectly clear that Hendry needs to be a seller. Wins only cloud the issue.

I think that is his 7th blown save in 21 opportunities.

Jezuz Marmol. Throw strikes already.

Relevant - from the Callis chat at BA: Dave (D.C.): Who says no to this trade? ATL sends Beachy, Hoover and Lipka to the Cardinals for Colby Rasmus Jim Callis: I'd say no if I were the Cardinals. I like those Braves youngsters, but I think Rasmus is going to be a star.

From the Callis chat at BA: @Jaypers413 (IL): Your thoughts on Brett Jackson and Ryan Flaherty getting promoted to Iowa? Jim Callis: Deserved and not a surprise. Jackson got off to a hot start this year and slowed down after he injured a finger, but I expect him to be a regular in the Cubs outfield at sometime next year. Flaherty is having his best year ever and he could be in Chicago at some point in 2012 also. Don't rule him out being Aramis Ramirez' successor at third base. Tegan (Chicago): What's happened to Trey McNutt? He seems to really be struggling this year. Is he still salvageable or is he nothing more than organizational filler again? Jim Callis: He's had repeated blister problems. Still has a quality arm, but it's been a lost season. Long-term potential hasn't changed, though. Wasn't McNutt pulled from the last start due to the rain delay? I was thinking that he was over the blister issues already and it's too early to say this has been a "lost season" imo.

What happened to Brenley?

How do 2 runs score on an infield single?

This week's BA Hot Sheet lists three Cubs: The Good: No. 3 BRETT JACKSON, CF CUBS Team: Double-A Tennessee (Southern) Age: 22 Why He's Here: .440/.548/.840 (11-for-25), 4 R, 1 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBIs, 6 BB, 8 SO, 1-for-1 SB The Scoop: There isn't a 70 grade anywhere on Jackson's scouting report, but he does so many things well and does it at a premium position that he has become one of the best prospects in the game. Even when Jackson is at his best, he'll do his share of swinging and missing, but he works deep counts and get on base at a high clip. He doesn't have plus power, but he should hit 15-20 home runs a year, which combined with his on-base potential and solid defensive abilities should have him banging down the door in Chicago by next season. The Not-Too-Shabby Cubs LHP Austin Kirk began his Independence Day by walking the first batter he faced. Then he set down 14 consecutive batters before another walk in the sixth, the only other baserunner he allowed in low Class A Peoria's 2-0 win over Clinton. Kirk, 21, completed his no-hitter with 10 strikeouts, breaking a three-game losing streak and evening his record at 5-5, 2.60. Kirk was a third-round pick out of high school in Oklahoma in 2009 . The God-Awful Hayden Simpson, lhp, Cubs: The Cubs' bucked conventional wisdom when they picked Simpson in the first round of the 2010 draft, after seeing him pitch well late in the season during the Division II playoffs. Up to now, you have to score one for conventional wisdom. Simpson has not come close to showing the 94-97 mph velocity he showed the Cubs last year, and his fastball has failed to bump 90 in some starts. He scuffled in the low Class A Midwest League in the first half of the season, going 1-6, 5.72, so the Cubs sent him back to the Rookie-level Arizona League. Facing significantly younger and less experienced players hasn't gotten him going either. He allowed five runs, five hits and walked two while striking out no one in 2 1/3 innings in his first start.

I'm going to word this carefully. If you don't stop using pictures in 95% of your posts, I'm going to ban you. While I don't expect Pujols to be a Cub, I love the fact that the guy is wearing a Cubs Pujols jersey in St Lou. I don't see a problem with the post. Is the issue that most of his posts contain this or other pictures? I don't see the ban-able offense.

BA Mid-Season Top 50 http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/prospects/prospect-pulse/2011/2612044.html 32. Brett Jackson, of, Cubs Jackson doesn't have superstar potential, but his speed and hitting ability mean he's low risk 48. Matt Szczur, of, Cubs Still catching up because of time lost, but toolsy outfielder also shows a feel for hitting

Lots of Cubs in today's BA chat with Callis: Norman (San Jose): at midseason, have any players moved up significantly in your top 100 prospects? Jim Callis: I took a wait-and-see attitude on Cardinals righthander Carlos Martinez on my personal Top 100 coming into the season, but I'm not waiting any longer. He, Brad Peacock (Nationals) and Taijuan Walker (Mariners) are the pitchers who have jumped the most in my estimation. I also was trying to be conservative on Cubs outfielder Matt Szczur, and I've got him No. 44 on my personal Top 50 right now. Also buying into Padres third baseman Jedd Gyorko. Navin (Pasadena, CA): With Brett Jackson scuffling at AA, would you rate Szczur or Baez (when he signs) as the Cubs top prospect? Thank you! Jim Callis: Jackson was off to a very good start before he got hurt. I'd still give him the nod over Szczur, but it's close. I'd go Jackson, Szczur, Baez for now. Nils (Stamford): Hi Jim, Austin Kirk's no hitter this week seemed to put his already good season on the radar. Is he this good or are we looking at more a case of smoke and mirrors? Jim Callis: Nice accomplishment, but I still see him more as a reliever in the majors. He's 21, which isn't young for low A, he's not very projectable at 6-foot-1 and 200 pounds, and his stuff is fringy to average. He's lefthanded and throws strikes, which helps. Tom (Chicago): The Cubs have yet to sign any of their top 15 draft picks. What are your thoughts? Are they signing them to overslot bonuses which is holding up the announcements? Jim Callis: I don't think it means anything--they'll sign their share of their top picks. Rumors are that Zeke DeVoss (third round) is on the verge of signing. None of the early first-rounder has signed yet, so don't worry about Javier Baez, and second-rounder Dan Vogelbach was seeking $1.65 million. Fourth-rounder Tony Zych fell further than expected, so he'll probably be over-slot too. So based on the fact that he said he had Szczur at #44 and Jackson slightly ahead of him that implies that he's around#40 or so.

I put this in the wrong thread. Two more international players signed with the Cubs - Venezuelan catcher Mark Malave and Venezuelan third baseman Ricardo Marcano according to BA http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/cubs-agree-to-terms-with-mark-malave-ricardo-marcano/

Long thread, too lazy to read through it but here is a BA link on the singing of Mark Malave and Venezuelan third baseman Ricardo Marcano. http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/2011/07/cubs-agree-to-terms-with-mark-malave-ricardo-marcano/

He'll turn 22 in October. Opponents hit .302 off him in TN and .280 in DY. He is almost certainly being rushed, at least it seems that way to me.

I guess if it increases his trade value than yes I'm upset he was snubbed. Otherwise, him making the all-star team does absolutely nothing for the 2011/2012 Cubs so I couldn't care less.

If it isn't already, the DL will be the too-convenient excuse for Hendry, Ricketts and Quade to explain the disaster that is the 2011 Cubs. While the DL certainly had an impact, this team was not constructed to win. Not enough pitching, not enough hitting, piss poor defense yet all we will hear from the organization is that the players health was the sole reason for not winning.

DL doesn't do his trade value any good.

seconded

BOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

Agreed

Grabow

Only Carpenter is left in the pen, right?

No he hasn't. He started the first game of the doubleheader. Day game after night game and a game of a doubleheader is far from egregious. I forgot this was a 4 game series.

Hill has started two of the last three games.