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:shock: 7.0 IP, 6 ER, 10 R, 17 H, 3 K/0 BB. That's a 2.42 WHIP. That's disgusting!

I'm glad Cotts has options...

I'm starting to think we might have been fleeced in the Aardsma deal. It's still too early to make that call, but I have yet to see anything to the contrary... As bad as Cotts has been, Aardsma's doing MUCH worse. I heard the Sox might be about to release him. I hadn't heard that but Aardsma is definitely in danger of going back to the MiLs.

LOL, so true! Apparently, they aren't impressed with his defense.

Wouldn't it be a 4.50 ERA? the ERA is cumulative of all ST appearances. 4 runsin 9 IP I'm more pessimistic than most of Miller's performances. WHIP is way to high. Today would be a 1.75 WHIP...not good. Too many guys getting on bases, eventually, you give up too many runs. He's had some luck on his side to not have an ERA closer to 6. I agree! Miller isn't missing enough bats for my liking...

You're not sure why that would have anything to do with SS? SS is a MI position. A MI, by definition, has to be able to play SS. True-but to get a backup MI, all they need is somebody who can play 2nd or SS, as long as they are confident that the other 3 can all play both SS and 2nd. There will never be a situation where they will absolutely have to have that other backup play SS, so there's no reason why the backup would have to play SS. That would be preferable, but not a real deterrent if they find a good backup who only plays 2B. Izturis is coming back from injury so the Cubs may want a defensive insurance policy for SS. This would allow both DeRosa and Theriot to play in the same game while keeping Izturis (or his would be substitute) in the game for defensive purposes.

Cotts promptly gives up a run. He hasn't looked good to me.

I enjoyed Todd while he was here, but his best days are behind him and I don't see any point in bringing him back at 34 to see if he can help. The Cubs could use some offensive help, but Todd is no guarantee to be of use with the bat. Plus if the whole goal is to get DeRosa and Theriot playing together, SS is the obvious target. The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS. I think the point might be to have Theriot in the OF while keeping DeRosa at 2B. I know DeRosa has played out there in the past but Lou has maintained he will play the bulk of his time at second base. Theriot is already slated to spend some time in the OF during Spring Training.

Eric Byrnes looks weird

The Cubs are cooking with men on the corners: Pie & Theriot Murton batting

Man, we tied it up only to have them take the lead in the bottom of the inning.

SWEET! Thanks

The game is tied at 1 but I haven't figured out how we did it yet...

Really? PECOTA projects Pie to be worth 2 wins more than Jones this year. Does Pecota add a platoon partner for Jones? Probably not.. Who's his platoon partner for the Cubs? Ken Rosenthal thinks the Cubs will platoon Jones with either DeRosa or Theriot. Lou loves to play percentages so I could see it happening.

Bruce Miles has a new article about Soriano just about locking up the CF job. Pie is headed back to AAA. There's also a tid bit about Prior's throwing today. Link

Not surprising. Cubs are very popular and Lou's a entertaining guy. Yes, but Dusty wasn't nearly as sought after. Lou is not only entertaining he's more highly regarded as a manager. That's clearly the difference. I'm not surprised just pointing it out.

Absolutely. Everyone wants a piece of him... He's also been on WGN radio & tv, and ESPN AM 1000 a few times since ST began. Not to mention the HBO Real Sports piece.

Also checkout the interview Rosenthal did with Lou. Part one Part two

The article is about how the Cubs have greater flexibility in the outfield with Soriano in CF. This is good to see... This is a surprise! This might have something to do with the rumors that the Cubs are scouting other teams (ATL/Blue Jays). Link

If anyone is desperate, like me, for Cubs content, check out the interview on Fox Sports with Ken Rosenthal and Lou Piniella Part one Part two

so does coats make the 25 man along with cherry? if so, does what do they do with pagan? I still think it's a long shot for either Coats or Cherry to make the team. I think Cherry makes it. I think at least two pitchers have to be traded before Cherry makes it. That said, I think he makes it. I think Eyre and Miller (and possibly Novoa, if anyone wants him) will be gone by opening day. I think Cherry makes it as well. I predict Guzman wins the fifth spot so Miller is as good as gone... The Cubs don't have to trade Novoa, doesn't he still have options?

Thanks Bruce. At least we won't be missing most of the regulars...

That caller is a idiot. You can't compare Bere to Prior. Bere never won over 12 games and never came close to having a year like Prior did in 2003. That caller was a Sox fan... he went on to ask a Sox related question. Many of the people that called were Sox fans wanting to cast dispersions upon Mark Prior. In addition, there were plenty of: "he's done," "he used steroids," "he was a one year wonder" :o, and "he's a headcase..." Great radio. :evil:

He has had consistently one of the best defenses in baseball behind him and yet has been incredibly bad. The thing about Jason Marquis is that he just doesn't have the ability to consistently command his stuff. He has the great sinker, but game-to-game he can't keep it together. His control isn't great either, but specifically his command of his stuff is pathetic game-to-game. He'll rattle off 3 good games in a row then 4-5 horrendous games. Inconsistency is key to mediocrity... If he were always bad he'd be out of the League. If he were good we wouldn't be having this discussion. It's up to the manager to limit the damage in his horrendous games while maximizing the success of his good games. What kind of logic is this? "We know he's likely to blow up, so make sure Lou has the bullpen ready for the 65% of the games that Marquis starts because he's going to be horrendous"? Why not try and find a guy who's not going to be a disaster over half the time instead of having to manage for a guy who sucks? He's bad. He's barely above replacement level. It doesn't matter if we signed him to be the "5th starter" or an ace. It was a waste of money for 3 seasons. He might go out and have an average year, and people will exclaim "What a year!" in comparison to his past couple seasons, but that won't change the fact that he'll probably never be better than replacement level over the length of his deal, and we can do better than replacement level pitchers. It's the only kind of logic that exists when you don't have 5 Cy Young award caliber pitchers in the rotation. You are talking like this is an ideal situation where a different option is available; Your response to me isn't rooted in the reality that Jason Marquis is already on the team. Lou will have to deal with his eventual bad games. I did not give him a contract... All I said was, now that we have him, he has to be managed correctly. That's what I'm saying!! :?

He has not looked good at all this Spring and there is concern he might not make the team. Hmmmm, the Sox might have to remake the commercial that's currently running on Chicago radio (about having 5-95mph firebreathers... it goes on to name Aardsma, among the others). Link