Backtobanks

This is the time you'd hope your manager would help the GM out. After 6 Maddux had given up 4 runs, and should have left with a comfortable lead. But Dusty tried to get 7 out of him, despite being lucky to have only given up 4 at the time. With a 7 man bullpen and these games being meaningless, Maddux should have been pulled, looking decent against a great lineup. There was no reason for him to hit in the 6th either, but Dusty can't think beyond right here and now, and it's questionable how he handles the here and now. Exactly, if Maddux can get through the 5th with a lead, you keep him on a very short leash. First sign of trouble, yank him.

Well said! It is fun discussing some of these rumors, but I've seen pages and pages criticizing the Cubs for thinking about Craig Wilson, Carl Crawford, Abreu, Soriano, etc. for a variety of statistical reasons. Meanwhile, back at the ballpark, the Cubs are on their way to losing 100 games. Hendry is an idiot for wanting Soriano and Kenny Williams is a genius for getting him. You've seen pages and pages of criticizing the Cubs for thinking about Craig Wilson or Abreu? I sure as hell haven't. I'm not even sure there are pages criticizing them for thinking about Soriano. It's not the type of move I'd like to see them make, but I'm not adamently opposed to it either. I've seen Crawford brought up on occasion, usually in the positive. While the Cubs are struggling, Cub fans are going to criticize or attack any move or rumor that involves Hendry. If the Cubs acquired ARod or Miggy, people would complain that they're over the hill, cost too much in salary, and the Cubs gave up too much for them (Pie, Hill, Cedeno, etc.). I've written more than a few times that while the posters are finding fault with every rumored trade, the Cubs are going to lose 100 games this season. I like Walker, but for goodness sake, there's a thread going on now comparing Walker (favorably) to Soriano (and that's without the salary). Sometimes stat geeks need to take their noses out of a book and watch some baseball.

Well said! It is fun discussing some of these rumors, but I've seen pages and pages criticizing the Cubs for thinking about Craig Wilson, Carl Crawford, Abreu, Soriano, etc. for a variety of statistical reasons. Meanwhile, back at the ballpark, the Cubs are on their way to losing 100 games. Hendry is an idiot for wanting Soriano and Kenny Williams is a genius for getting him.

Put down the bottle, it's much too early to start drinking.

Don't trade ARam. It isn't easy replacing a guy who averages 30 HR, 100 RBI, and does a decent job on defense. He's struggled this year, but everyone on the Cubs has struggled (except Barrett & Eyre) this year. The Cubs have lots of holes to fill, but 3B isn't one of them.

"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.