jersey cubs fan

Whether or not it's deflating doesn't really matter. You can't manage a roster without sending guys back to AAA from time to time. We aren't talking about some sort of franchise player here. He's a reliever. And the Cubs felt, somewhat justifiably, that they needed a left handed arm out there. That's your roster reason.

He has, but Ascanio has looked great ever since he has been up here. If it's not broke, don't fix it. 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks 3 strikeouts. Only 1 ER, but his numbers don't scream MUST KEEP! they also scream SHOCKINGLY SMALL SAMPLE SIZE. I don't really think it has a great impact (if any) on our chances of winning, but it does seem sort of pointless. Well yeah, but I was just refuting the notion that he's been great. Bottom line is no reason to get pissed about it.

He has, but Ascanio has looked great ever since he has been up here. If it's not broke, don't fix it. 5 IP, 4 hits, 3 walks 3 strikeouts. Only 1 ER, but his numbers don't scream MUST KEEP!

I'm neither for nor against the move. I hate that they always worry about LH or RH starters and hitters, but a LH pitcher can be handy and Cotts has been pitching well in the minors.

And Kouske isn't there either?

Soto is more deserving.

If Theriot was still producing by the time the deadline comes around, I'd be in favor of considering such a move. But, his numbers have begun to decline of late, and this offense may not be able to withstand the same non-existent production they got from CF and SS last season, especially if Soto falls back at all. Plus, you will have traded the guy in the organization most capable of filling the SS spot for 2009, while acquiring a late 30's pitcher who will be a free agent, and who hasn't been all that special either. I'd rather see if they'd have interest in Murton or some other position player who is redundent to the Cubs, like Patterson.

The Score is saying the idea is Collins is a short term hire, and the interviewing that Pax is doing is for assistants that will eventually succeed Collins as coach in 1-2 years. Interesting strategy to say the least. I could see hiring a guy like Bill Parcells with the idea of grooming an assistant to take over. But Doug Collins?

It really did look like they were about 1/2 the players England was. England had such pretty passing and the U.S. could barely control a ball in the air. That would be because they are 1/2 the players England fielded. That was our B squad and the players missing are perhaps our two best offensive players. Donovan definitely and Altidore maybe. At our best, our A squad can hang with England's. You were looking at a motivated, on form England A squad and an awestruck, strategically poor American B squad. Do you know very much about soccer, specifically this US side? If you do, you realize that despite how you feel about Landon Donovan, he is our talisman. His pace would have stretched the English midfield loosening the stranglehold they had. His passing would have sprung Dempsey, who would have played up front in place of Wolff (who I'll get to later). His vision would have found offensive opportunities that weren't there without him. Now to our ridiculous strike partnership. I don't EVER want to see either of those guys in the American colors ever again. Ever. One is a recently converted right-winger for a MID-TABLE, BUNDESLIGA 2 side. That's right, their second tier league. Eddie Johnson is a RESERVE PLAYER for a Premiership side that should have been relegated. RESERVE PLAYER. Wolff has no pace, no ability in the air and no finishing instincts. This isn't a recent development either, which is why I find it so mind-boggling that he is on the squad let alone starting. Eddie Johnson is a [expletive]. That pretty much sums him up. If Josh Wolff had Eddie Johnson's ability, he'd probably be a world class striker. I understand that Jozy is only 18 and stretched pretty thin right now and I understand Bradley didn't want to drag a bunch of MLS players all the way to England, but give me Brian Ching and Kenny Cooper over those two guys every day of the week. Hell, give me Taylor Twellmen. Dempsey and Adu should have started up front with Eddie Lewis on the right wing. Our midfield was pretty meh. Our 4 was better than their 4 but neither did much. Beasley was very active, but we know enough about DeMarcus to know that he can't create on his own. His elite speed and shiftiness are best utilized when he doesn't have the ball at his feet. He had the ball at his feet more than any other front 2/3 player for us today. Clark did nothing. Dempsey did nothing. There was really nothing for him to do. Clint is a nice offensive player, but you can't expect him to thrive taking on Lampard, Rio, Terry, Gerrard and Cole by himself. Our central defense was good. I thought Gooch and Boca did an excellent job on Rooney (most overrated player in the world? Possibly.) and Defoe. Cherundolo and Pearce tried to get forward, but that is a tough midfield to get through with no support. Howard and Guzan were faultless. Nothing spectacular, but nothing bad. Bottom line, we really need another midfielder to step up and lock down that spot next to Bradley. I don't see any coming up the pipeline unfortunately. Feilhaber needs to step up and outside of him, I guess Kljestan is another to look at. I am a Bob Bradley fan, but until he starts using these friendlies to actually experiment with his lineup, we are not going to have an identity. As great as that Poland game was, it was from set pieces and Landon Donovan. It has been far, far too long since Clint did anything on the National level. I love Clint, but all this bouncing around is screwing him over. I will say that his time at Fulham has greatly improved his defensive work rate. I was very impressed with that aspect of his game today. I say move him inside. I think this lineup would have competed today. ----------Altidore-----Adu------------- -DMB--Bradley--Dempey---Donovan- -Pearce--Boca--Onyewu--Cherundolo- --------------Howard------------------- Bench - Guzan, Feilhaber, Edu, Cooper, Bornstein, Lewis, Kljestan, DeMerit. God that game was annoying. Not really, and definitely no. And I also didn't understand a word you wrote.

Seems like a fairly disappointing choice.

Yup..and Lowe is one of only 3 right-handers in the next 7. Edmonds will be doing a lot of sitting the bench. How about he just sit on the coach. Trammel, Rothschild or Perry?

I thought he went to the bullpen?

Your buddy must not be a very good lawyer. ;) Well, he said more important, he didn't say more likely to take up my time.

we have to stumble if you don't pimp the site here first. I'll add it to my list of daily things to do, right after checking woot.com and FJM I appreciate being third on that esteemed list. I see FJM has had some fun with the Trib lately. I check the Daily Herald sports section first, but I don't remember about the blog until after I've read the SI Extra Mustard and check my bank account. You need more pictures of women to draw traffic.

America sucks.

Do you get anything in HD? You need an HD feed and an HDTV. I have directv, so that requires an upgraded dish and receiver. Most cable outlets just require a newer receiver. The problem is your provider's HD package may not include WGN HD. Directv offers WGN America (fka Superstation WGN), which is different from plain old WGN Channel 9 in Chicago. Although I still don't know how that whole thing works.

Actually, from the looks of the quote it seems that he does realize what the future holds.

better #'s Yo And Grit! I think there's been some backlash against Rollins for winning an undeserved MVP, plus, he's missed a lot of time this year, and he plays in a city where the fans hate all their players.

I love that the SS is compared to Edgar Renteria but with more power, then it says his biggest con is a lack of power.

To prevent more Americans from heading north to avoid the draft?

Just watch ESPN2 instead to see Maria.

I would hope that it wouldn't take 48 hours to make the first two picks. :roll: I don't know how long it will take, but I do know that from Friday night through Sunday afternoon at the earliest I'll be out and about. If my pick is on the clock by midday Friday, no problem. But if it's up at 5pm Friday, I won't be around a computer. IF you want one of us to, you could surely send someone your "draft queue" and someone could make picks for you. It'd be much better than what happened to Goony for the draft. I don't trust preranked drafts of any kind. I'm still under the assumption that one of you sneaky bastards purposefully drafted wounded relievers and backup middle infielders for me. I'll wait until the time comes. I may have the 1st pick by then anyway.

Probably enough motivation to keep him around another week.

I have to settle for annoying announcers with HD over disgusting looking WGN feed.

He just lost a game 2 days ago. Why can't an article be written about it? He's been bad. Marquis has been bad, not so bad that it's indefensible for him to have a job pitching in the major leagues, but bad enough to justify writing articles about how bad he's been. It's a 162 game season that requires stories to be written for 9 months. Soriano's poor showing is deserving of an article. The tears, well, that's another issue.