Backtobanks

"Attitude, hustle." Sounds like he's right up Hendry's alley. His bloody nose early this year will probably make him about an additional $10Million over his career and a rep as a valuable "charachter guy" that someone will undoubtedly overvalue. He's an average player, at best. There are probably 10-15 guys in AAA that can match his overall production. On a side note, with the Sox struggling, I can't wait until we start hearing people bemoan the Rowand trade because it stole away the Sox's "Heart and Soul" or whatever inane garbage. Thome has single handedly won about 20 games for the Sox this year with his power and presence in the lineup. It was a masterstroke by Williams, and if they hadn't made that trade, with the pitching they've gotten this year, they's be out of the race. I think that is quite an exaggeration since many AAA players never make it to the majors, let alone become starters in CF for a World Series winner. I agree that Thome has saved the White Sox this year, but they expected some production out of CF and haven't gotten any. Thome has been an outstanding addition to the Sox, but they have missed the production and "Heart and Soul" that Rowand has provided. The Sox were even rumored as possible trade partners to get Rowand back. You don't think there are 10-15 guys in AAA who could hit .275 with 13-15 HR and play good defense in CF? We'll have to agree to disagree on that. Also, as for the last paragraph, take Thome off this team, and put Rowand back, and the Sox are at .500 right now, even with all the red-ass-ness, want to, character, whatever. If there were, they would be starters in the majors and not playing at AAA. As for the comment on Thome, I agreed that Thome has saved the Sox this year, but Rowand did add something to the Sox that they lack this year. It's not an either/or discussion. If the Sox could get Rowand back, they would run away with the division this year.

You don't have to wait until the end of the game to log onto NSBB.

"Attitude, hustle." Sounds like he's right up Hendry's alley. His bloody nose early this year will probably make him about an additional $10Million over his career and a rep as a valuable "charachter guy" that someone will undoubtedly overvalue. He's an average player, at best. There are probably 10-15 guys in AAA that can match his overall production. On a side note, with the Sox struggling, I can't wait until we start hearing people bemoan the Rowand trade because it stole away the Sox's "Heart and Soul" or whatever inane garbage. Thome has single handedly won about 20 games for the Sox this year with his power and presence in the lineup. It was a masterstroke by Williams, and if they hadn't made that trade, with the pitching they've gotten this year, they's be out of the race. I think that is quite an exaggeration since many AAA players never make it to the majors, let alone become starters in CF for a World Series winner. I agree that Thome has saved the White Sox this year, but they expected some production out of CF and haven't gotten any. Thome has been an outstanding addition to the Sox, but they have missed the production and "Heart and Soul" that Rowand has provided. The Sox were even rumored as possible trade partners to get Rowand back.

They have a young CF (Shane Vitterino) who they seem to like better for the future and Rowand can bring in some prospects.

If the Cubs trade Pierre and/or Jones, the Phillies are rumored to be shopping Aaron Rowand. He is not the big name player most of us are looking for, but he seems to add a spark to the lineup. I must admit that I dislike most things involving the White Sox, but Rowand did impress me with his attitude and hustle. The White Sox made a good deal in getting Thome for Rowand, but they have suffered in CF since he was traded.

Today's Tribune hints that Hendry might be trying to broker a 3-way deal basically sending Maddux to the Dodgers for Izituris and Izituris plus prospects from the Dodgers and Cubs going to the Orioles for Tejada. Obviously there must be other players (or cash) involved between the Cubs and Dodgers, but it sounds promising if it's true.

Today's Tribune is downplaying a Maddux trade, basically saying that he would have to ask to be traded and that he seem okay with just staying in Chicago the rest of the season. I love Maddux, but I was hoping to get something of value for him next week.

According to Ben Maller, ARod said he would veto the blockbuster trade with the Phillies that would send ARod and Melky Cabrera to the Phils for Abreu, Burrell, Gordon, and David Bell. I'm sure the trade was pure fantasy, but that would really fit the word "blockbuster".

Been reading a lot about ARod having bulked up too much to play SS again.

Trade for Arod and shut him (and his toe) down for the rest of the season along with DLee, Prior, and Wood and then everyone can sing the refrain "Wait till next year."

And if he was, he would be hitting like Corey Patterson did for us.

No, I said the same thing many times. He's young, lefty, and had some success, but I think he will start showing over the years that he's nothing too special.

Tomorrow's sports headline: "Prior suffers setback after signing autographs."

I know the title is an oxymoron, but the latest evidence is in yesterday's game. Dusty has pointed out that he can't just play the kids because the Cubs have to win some games. Also, it is his job to protect a young player from failure by not playing them against a dominant pitcher. Yesterday, he starts Theriot (a rookie) against a Clemens (a dominant pitcher) totally ignoring Clemens' record against lefties (.367 BA for lefties vs. .143 for righties) and Walker's success against Clemens (.349 BA & .388 OBP). I'm all for starting "the kids" for the rest of the year, but I'm sure Walker or Neifi will be starting today. Make up your mind Dusty?

A young, experienced lefty.........be prepared to be stunned.

Like I said you are basing your analysis on a half a years production while I am looking at career numbers. In the case of these other guys I will just say that because other GM's may have signed players to a bad deal, doesn't mean Hendry had too, especially when he was basically bidding against himself. (KC was the only other team showing interest) Also, while he has put up numbers at the plate, his defense is horrible and his baserunning gaffes have been inexcusable. With inflation and crazy GMs, what is a "bad deal"? I wasn't a big fan of Jones' signing at the time, but I have stated in many posts that I don't think Jones' contract will hinder the Cubs at all when they decide to trade him. There will be teams willing to pay him $10 million/2 years especially if he continues to hit close to what he is hitting now. Most of the "good deals" out there involve younger players who haven't reached the arbitration stage and are still playing under a team-controlled contract. As soon as they put in the time, they will have contracts worth $10 -12 million per year too.

Whatever anybody thinks of Dusty, he needs to go now because his firing has become a distraction to the team. Everybody on the team seems to be waiting for the other shoe to drop (firing Baker and/or trading half of the team). I think it is pretty obvious that Baker will not be managing the team next year, so get rid of him now.

The thing I admire about Jones is the fact that he hustles to first base on every ground ball. That is an admirable trait on this team that looks like they are playing out the season waiting for Baker to be fired and half of them to be traded.

Brenley pointed out the importance of getting into any team's middle relief (which is the weakest set of pitchers on a team), but it's pretty hard to do when you average less than 2 pitches per batter for two innings.

In today's game, Trachsel got through the 4th & 5th innings (7 batters) on 13 pitches. Even more amazing, of his first 75 pitches in the game, 21 of them were to DLee. Way to make the pitchers work Cubbies.

I consider Marmol more than a "B level prospect" after seeing him this year. I think he is part of the 2007 rotation or perhaps will be groomed as a closer.

How does what you post say he "won't be going"? Sorry, I misread the quote.

\ 3 game winning streaks against the brew crew are apparently huge. Here's to a 15 game losing streak starting out with the Mets. I want Dusty humiliated and Hendry to look like the idiot he is. I want them both gone. But I don't understand those who want Baker fired right now but are willing to give Hendry another opportunity next year to overpay for mediocrity and "toolsy" players. I will say this for the players, if they wanted Baker gone, they could've laid down against the Brewers thus pretty much solidifying Baker's departure. If the Cubs somehow play well enough to finish .500 or a few games below, does Hendry try to re-sign him? The Cubs would have to play .635 ball for the rest of the season to end up at .500. Counting the 3 game win streak that would be .650 ball over the last 77 games. If Dusty does that, not only will he get re-signed, but probably a big raise to go with it. But fear not, it ain't going to happen.

It looks like Maddux won't be going to the Brewers. Contrary to a report out of Chicago, Cubs pitcher Greg Maddux does have a no-trade clause in his contract. That was confirmed by his agent, Scott Boras, who attended the All-Star Game. Boras gave no indication that Maddux would refuse a trade to the Milwaukee Brewers, who have expressed interest in acquiring him for the second half. Maddux is thought to be receptive to going to Milwaukee, where his brother, Mike, is the pitching coach and longtime friend Ned Yost is the manager. Maddux, who has a home in Dana Point, Calif., reportedly would OK a deal to the Los Angeles Dodgers as well. Posted July 12, by Ben Maller

On CLTV's Sports Page (Sunday), Norm Van Lier said quite a few times that Dusty is a friend of his, but "business is business" and predicted he will be fired.