BeerHere

.262/.354/.458 career for a catcher (even including his "bad" 2009 and 2011 so far). In other words, not lousy. Given that the position is a weak around baseball, I would think that he would fetch a decent return. He's 100% expendable in my book provided we get decent return. Jesus [expletive] Christ. "100% expendable?" Congratulations, you've just created a whole at catcher to go with the one in the starting rotation, RF, 1B, 2B and 3B. Anything else we want to add on there? If the Royals offered you Moustakas, Hosmer and Montgomery for Soto, you wouldn't do it? I'm NOT saying that they would offer that but I am saying that unless your answer to that question is "No" then Soto should be considered available. Unless you put him out there and negotiate you'll never know. This team is going NOWHERE and any assets should at least be considered.

.262/.354/.458 career for a catcher (even including his "bad" 2009 and 2011 so far). In other words, not lousy. Given that the position is a weak around baseball, I would think that he would fetch a decent return. He's 100% expendable in my book provided we get decent return.

While I don't disagree, what could one expect to receive for Marmol? I'm trying to think of historical precedent for a trade of this sort and all I can come up with are Billy Wagner and Matt Capps. The Phils sent Brandon Duckworth, Taylor Buchholz and Ezequiel Astacio for Wagner. Matt Capps netted the Nats Wilson Ramos. What is Marmol worth? He's very effective, young and comparatively cheap. While his mechanics leave a lot to be desired he doesn't have a lot of mileage on his arm and he has no injury history. Off the top of my head I can't think of a playoff bound team that needs a closer, but anything less than two top 5 prospects for Marmol and I don't do it.

No, but they have a ton of money coming off the books next year and can fill holes via FA. If you can get something for Rammy right now, go for it. Or if someone is dumb enough to eat most of Soriano's contract, do it in a heartbeat. Re-stock the farm and sign who you need. Trading players with expiring contracts isn't the same as "blowing a team up." "Blwoing a team up" means you're moving guys like Marmol and Zambrano and Soto as well. And nobody is taking Soriano unless the Cubs pick up most of the tab. Then I was not clear as to what I wanted. I'm open to trading anyone on the team, save for Castro, and if you trade Soto, Garza, or Marmol you'd better get a haul in return. Anyone else on the team can be had for a fair price, so shop just about anyone because we're not doing jack this year. I agree, anyone is fair game save Castro and Garza. I would add that Marshall could be good trade material as well since there are always teams looking to overpay for relievers. Or is that just the Cubs?

I think Marmol has very good value right now. I would trade him in a heartbeat if someone offered a couple stud prospects. Same goes for Kosuke. Zambrano, Soriano and Ramirez would be more difficult but if the Cubs are serious about retooling for the future then I think they'll be more willing to eat a little salary to get good prospects in return. Someone mentioned it earlier in this thread, we don't need any more mid-level prospects, the system is full of them. The Cubs need stud, blue-chip prospects to consider moving the likes of Marmol.

I stand (or sit) corrected. I hadn't accounted for the international or Cuban signings.

I feel like the Cubs went cheap in the 2010 draft. A big market team should not be spending in the middle of the pack. I'm not condoning wasting money and if someone told me that the 2010 pool of players was below average I guess that would make a difference. Simpson was not/is not a first round talent, at least at this point. Sure he had the illness, but he is doing very little right now in A ball to warrant that selection. I realize that the draft is a gamble in some respects but an aging team with an average farm system should be spending BIG on the draft IMO. I didn't see that last year and until I see more signings from the 2011 class I'll stick by my gut feeling that Ricketts is saying what the fans want to hear while not following up on those statements. It makes no sense that the Cubs would go with the draft philosophy they did in 2011 if they were planning to go cheap. I have no idea how many of the guys they will actually sign, but you don't draft a bunch of players out of high school along with a few guys that will require major overslots without some indication that you will have a pretty good budget at your disposal. How desperate will the Cubs get if some of these players ask for more money than expected? I don't know. But they had a pathway to draft decent talent without spending tons of money and they chose to go with the high upside high risk guys instead. I HATE the fact that I have become so cynical. Having said that...... ...if the Cubs didn't want to spend and they don't sign these kids, they could easily blame it on unrealistic bonus demands. I know it sounds hard to believe but it sincerely bothers me that I have become so cynical. Like I said above, I'll believe it when I see it with Ricketts. If they sign all these draftees I'll eat my words. edit: formatting

I feel like the Cubs went cheap in the 2010 draft. A big market team should not be spending in the middle of the pack. I'm not condoning wasting money and if someone told me that the 2010 pool of players was below average I guess that would make a difference. Simpson was not/is not a first round talent, at least at this point. Sure he had the illness, but he is doing very little right now in A ball to warrant that selection. I realize that the draft is a gamble in some respects but an aging team with an average farm system should be spending BIG on the draft IMO. I didn't see that last year and until I see more signings from the 2011 class I'll stick by my gut feeling that Ricketts is saying what the fans want to hear while not following up on those statements.

July isn't too far away and with this team going nowhere it's time to start thinking seriously about who should be moved at the deadline. One of the guys I would like to see shopped is Soto. Since catching is at a premium I think the former rookie of the year might fetch a pretty good prospect or two in return. Thoughts?

My guess is he has an injury. The organization seems to love Hill. It wouldn't be difficult to convince me to that shopping Soto is the right thing to do considering the disaster this team has become. If he could return a good pitching prospect or two to clear a spot for "Cassie" I'd be all for it. Of course this is the Cubs we're talking about. I wouldn't be surprised if he were demoted to Tennessee on Sunday.

Anyone here the pre-game interview on WGN radio? Kaplan interviewed Starlin Castro and it was brutal. Castro has poor english and most of his answers were one word. Kaplan was more interested in the yankee mystique and crap than getting any interesting information out of Castro. (paraphrasing) Kaplan: With the yankees in town do you find yourself in awe of their existence? Castro: No Kaplan: Have you ever seen the yankees play? Castro: Yes I watched them in the WS when I was in the dominican Just brutal to listen to and I am dumber(er) for having sat through it.

Break that person. Break him bad.

I just don't see the Cubs competing next year for a couple reasons: 1. The players coming off the books - yeah we gain some salary room but those players need to be replaced. 1B, RF, potentially 3B 2. The rotation is a mess beyond Garza and Z. Demp has been ok lately but....Wells and ??? Cashner is no guaranty next year and McNutt et al are more than a year away. 3. The offense is more than 1 excellent player away from being good - Pujols or Fielder would be great but beyond that....?? 4. Soto.....I still don't know what to make of the guy. 5. There is no guaranty that the money coming off the books will automatically go back into payroll. Gate revenue is down which means that concession revenue is also down. IMO....it is foolish to assume that this team will compete next year. I sincerely hope I'm wrong though.

I can't hear the name Farnsworth and not think of the HR that he gave up to Dunn several years ago at Wrigley. The ball flew directly over my head (I was standing against the fence in right) landed on the sidewalk across Sheffield and hit a building on one bounce. Huge homer and has to come close to the rooftop shot from cromagnon man a few years prior.

I was thinking the same thing last night. His slider had some bite to it, I think it was Lucroy that looked overmatched. FB was at 93-95 with some sink. Hopefully he's turned a corner or sorts. Definitely need to keep the walks down but I like the trend for him.

Per BA several players have signed. http://www.baseballamerica.com/draftdb/2011xteam.php?team=1004 18th James Pugilese 19th Paul Hoilman 20th Benjamin Klafczynski 32nd Peter Levitt 33rd Sheldon McDonald 36th Travis Garcia 38th Casey Lucchese 40th Patrick Francescom 42nd Brad Zapenas 44th Kenny Socorro

I like the stats and I'm a sucker for those cheesy games they play between innings. I tend to take the kids a lot though and my 3 year old daughter loves that stuff. It's sad but I've been to more games at the Cell and Miller Park this year and last, despite being a season ticket holder.

The sox screwed themselves by building a plain, boring park at a time right before the newer-styled parks were introduced Like Camden Yard and Turner Field. I actually like the Cell just for the stuff they have for kids. The restaurant in RF is nice too.

Agreed but I would also take down the crappy, buzzing, rusty old scoreboard and replace it with something tasteful. Same general look&feel plsu a video board for replays and stats.

For the record, I agree that Wrigley is a dump. I'll get slammed for this but it's terrible compared to other parks. Recent change have been good and certainly steps in the right direction but it's still garbage.

I remember at least a few people being pretty excited that we signed Raley last year. What has happened? Has he failed to live up to expectations or is that about what we should expect from him?

Isn't the signing deadline much earlier this year?

Not according to CBS Gametracker

There's like 70 OPS points seperating them, and it's a day game after a night game. The only reason that there is "70" points separating them is that Soto is struggling at the plate. He needs AB's. The only real justification is the day/night games but he has missed a ton of playing time this year. He should be in there.

Day game after night game replacing a catcher who has sucked this year. What's the big deal? I'd prefer it be Castillo, but it's not all that big a deal. Soto has played in 38 of 60 games this year. He needs AB's to sort out his swing and contribute the offense.