JC

Ha. Murton looked like Mark McGuire next to Pierre.

Maybe he's making up for bunting the first pitch of the game when everyone was expecting him to do so.

Does Williams have any options left? Get better? Stop walking the pitcher? Lose more weight? All seem like options he might want to consider...

That is definately the worst feeling and my biggest pet peeve about pitching. I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets aggravated by that.

I particularly despise losing when the Cubs give up more runs than a team has hits.

Maybeline Edmonds isn't happy.

Great. Albert got a stern talking to by the ump. That'll show him. While I know Pujols was just playing, I don't care if they are from the same country, ARam should have jacked him up. The ball was still in play. Frank Robinson wouldn't stand for that.

LOL!

Well, Rodriguez screwed up this AB, but the night isn't over...

Lets take guesses at what the count will be when Pujols goes granny.

Compilations of injuries on other teams may not be as magnified due to stronger benches and/or farm systems that allow for them to withstand injuries to multiple key players.

Valid concerns, and ones that I agree are important. But, with Lee going down, it would be nice to replace that production. Of course, its a pipe dream, but one that might pay dividends if addressed now by bringing Cedeno's ability to the Orioles' attention. I don't like losing inexpensive talent either. But, if I can get Miggy w/o losing Prior, I have to look into it.

Prior has started 48 games over the last two years. He's missed a lot of starts. Maybe around 16 or so? Miguel Cabrera has missed a grand total of 6 games over the last two years. Prospect-wise, Hanley and Pie are right around the same (top 20-30 prospect in the game), but Cabrera is Pujols II... while Prior certainly has that type of potential (to be one of the best players of this era), he is way too big of a question mark. I really don't think the Cubs have what it takes to get Cabrera. You're looking at a team like the Diamondbacks or the Angels with absolutely loaded systems if you wanna see a team make a run at Miguel. What about Prior and Guzman or Hill for Teixeira? Would Texas go for it? That makes about zero sense after the next two months. While I don't necessaryily advocate for it, Teixeira could be moved to a corner OF spot.

I like Ronny. It hasn't been a smooth road, as I was somewhat shocked when he was first added to the 40-man roster, but I have grown to be really impressed with his approach. Additionally, he has proven he can hit at level after level. Is he a masher? No. Will he be? Not unless fences are brought in about 120 feet I think. But, that doesn't matter. You need guys getting on base, and Ronny does that. That being said, perhaps its now time to reopen Tejada talks w/Baltimore. Maybe Ronny/Marshall and other prospects gets the thing done. Probably not. But, I would still reopen talks just to start churning the coals come trade deadline. Ronny and Marshall are showing some talent, and with the anticipated addition of Prior and Wood (knock on wood, so to speak) perhaps it would be advantagious to press the topic at this point. Just a thought.

That's fine. Then they should have done the exact same thing to the other 5,000 players who have played in the last decade. It was a hearing, not a court case. McGwire wasn't being accused of breaking any laws, for crying out loud. It's BASEBALL. Keep it in perspective. I'm no expert, but I'm not sure that Congress could have "forced" him to plead the 5th, under those circumstances. Furthermore, you'll have to explain to me what the "spirit" of the hearings was, and how that was accomplished by what Schilling said....... what Palmeiro said.......... what Sosa said........ what Canseco said........ etc. Congress didn't need McGwire's "spirit" (or anyone else's, for that matter) in order to force MLB to implement a tougher steroid policy. It was a propoganda stunt....... plain & simple. Anyone who sees it for anything other than that was watching it with blinders. Keep it in perspective? The hearings were about freaking steroids. Therefore, allowing a panel member under subpoena, to dodge questions is counterproductive. It may have had components of a publicity stunt. However, the hearings were the impetus for the current penalties for performance enhancers. Thus, you cannot simply dismiss the value of those hearings. Whether it was a court case or congressional hearing is not even an issue. If someone defies a congressional subpoena, they are subject to contempt proceedings. Pure and simple.

Don't you remember the meeting with Congress on St Patricks Day 2005? McGwire pleaded the fifth the whole day and got completely ripped apart in the media. And when Palmeiro tested positive the media destroyed him also. Both have basically admitted guilt. Bonds keeps steadfastly denying it. He should be out there alone because no other player has as much speculation surrounding him and still denies it. I don't remember McGwire ever pleading the 5th (though I may be mistaken). He kept spewing that pathetic, "I'm not here to talk about the past, I'm here to talk about the present," line. While it may seem like he took the 5th for all practical purposes, he did not do so in the eyes of the law. I recall think that the Congressional members were soft in not forcing him to plead the 5th if that is what he wanted to do. They should have said, "Mr. McGwire, you are here under subpeona. You have three choices: 1) You answer the question truthfully, 2) you lie, or 3) you plead the 5th, at which time we may or may not offer you immunity for your further testimony. However, your answers to date do not comply with the letter or the spirit of these procedings." If you are going to call hearings and get the attention of millions of people, don't be scared to use the tools of the office.

A bad team with an awful interim manager. Along with the Sosa substitution gaff, Kimm also left Prior in for his 139 pitch effort just to get a complete game in something like his 8th ML start. Then there was the tantrum he through in the clubhouse. Kimm was way over his head.

I can't complain about Dempster's contract. And when you look at committments around the league 2-3 years from now, the Cubs are among the lowest of any team (not counting the extremely low payroll teams). This just isn't among his worst sins. They have lots of freedom of movement in the next couple years. The problem is lack of great talent locked-up, as opposed to too much mediocrity taking up money. Perhaps it goes without saying, but that flexibility is only valuable upon the availability of talent to acquire with that payroll money. If a front office chooses to pay a FA just because they need to spend money, obviously, that is a detriment. While the Cubs needed a LFer, Jones' contract feels like it fall somewhat in this category. $16 million for a player you double-switch out on opening day? Something just doesn't jive. I don't think there is much confusion that I think any extension (or talk thereof) at this point is a mistake. My feelings about Hendry are well documented. While they are often mischaracterized as simple bias, the fact is I don't agree with Hendry's philosophy and impulsiveness (among other things). But, above all, I simply haven't seen the results I expect from a GM with the budget he has at his disposal. As someone said earlier (perhaps Goony), I don't see why you go through the entire offseason and ST without an extension, only to offer one the first week of the season. It just makes little sense to me.

Good analysis. I would just add that extending Eyre was unnecessary, as I said yesterday. I've just accepted that I will rarely understand a Dusty double-switch.

Based on his throws from center, its hard not to just stop at Wanda. Otherwise, I prefer, "Keeping the seat warm for Felix".

Using your best lefty with a 6 run lead for two innings is unnecessary to me. Looking long range, I'd rather work the other pen arms in that situation. Eyre may be able to pitch in +70 games, but you still have to choose which ones to use him in.

I don't often defend the arms in the Cub pen, but it is a significant weather change for them to adapt to. However, there still is little defense for Williamson not throwing strikes while up by 7. Weather change? C'mon these guys are vets. So? Its still a change on your grip that they have to adjust to, as well as not getting the same feel for the ball in the tips of their fingers. Its a significant change, one in which many never fully adapt to. Look at guys like Maddux who pitch better as the weather warms. Nice to see a pitcher cover first base.

I don't often defend the arms in the Cub pen, but it is a significant weather change for them to adapt to. However, there still is little defense for Williamson not throwing strikes while up by 7.

I will not get into a fleecing debate. I will not get into a fleecing debate. I will not get into a fleecing debate.

Murton is tough. I really like watching him hit.