jersey cubs fan

Go Samardzija. Start turning things around so, at the very least, you become a valuable trading chip this offseason or next.

AZ Phil has posted an excellent and thorough recap of what transpired during the Mesa game at the Cub Reporter. Wow, sounds like a little league game.

That also means the Cubs have the least amount of opportunity to leapfrog teams with head to head meetings. Plus, while those teams might beat each other up, it might be just as likely that one or two emerge well ahead of everybody else. The wild card isn't out of the realm of possibility. But I think the division is still the more likely goal. I'd take either though.

Cubs hitters: 8th in HR hit, 13th in BB taken Cubs pitchers: 13th in HR allowed, 9th in BB given up. It really shouldn't surprise anybody why this team isn't atop the rankings.

I could see them doing it because it's the Cubs and they do stupid things. With Guzman injured/in the bullpen, Cotts worthless and no other obvious 6th starter at this point, I could see them thinking Dempster would be a good fit. But I'd hate to see it. He's been a decent reliever, but an awful starter in his career. I'd have less faith in him than I had in Marquis this offseason.

Since I'm getting screwed out of this trip I've given control of the tickets to a friend of mine because I don't want to be reminded that I'm not there. So, sorry to anybody who was hoping for tickets.

it's getting good baby

utley reyes santana peavy lackey

That doesn't mean he didn't sell low, Patterson especially.

I'm incredibly depressed right now. Flights out of NY are being cancelled lefty and right, including mine. Somebody's working on getting me on one tomorrow, but it doesn't look good. I'm going to miss this series, and a great Chicago weekend.

Unless you are implying he was actually 23, then this makes no sense. Guys don't just have a finite number of swings in them before they deteriorate. It's probably a combination of things. Is this the first time he's really had a lengthy slump like this? Sometimes when a player goes through it the first time, it's really tough to figure it out & push through. I do agree with the impatient angle -- he could stand to take a few more pitches. But then again, lots of players could. I'm not sure how much money he's really losing. Yes, the price will go down, but given his past accomplishments I find it likely at least some teams will scoff at this year and give him a handsome contract. He has an 83 OPS+ right now. In 2001 he had a 96, which included an 83 over the 2nd half. He's struggled from time to time in the past. He's never been a high average guy, but he doesn't, and hasn't had, patience issues. He's striking out at a higher rate. Perhaps his eyes are deteriorating as he enters his 30s.

Wasnt he always kind of outspoken with the test me stuff and what not. He also was a TE at Auburn so he was big when he came into baseball and hasnt really gotten any bigger. I am not naive and if it came out next week he was a user I wouldnt be shocked. I just dont think there is any evidence at all that points a finger at him. First Ballot HOFer. This is what annoys me about the steriod issues. Getting bigger doesn't mean a guy has or hasn't used steriods. I'm not saying that I think Big Hurt doesn't deserve to be in the HOF, in fact I believe he does deserve to be in. I'll be interested to hear what networks like ESPN have to say about guys like Thomas, Griffey Jr., ARod, etc. that all played in the "steriod era" and are HOFers in my mind. If you don't vote guys based on suspicion, or because they're guilty by association then none of these guys get in. The whole situation intrigues me, to be honest. I always found it funny that everybody assumed Frank had to be clean because he was a big college football player, as if big college football players never take steroids.

Unless you are implying he was actually 23, then this makes no sense. Guys don't just have a finite number of swings in them before they deteriorate.

Oh so very true. Dempster blew a save today, send him to the rotation. Colvin hit 2 HR the day Hendry showed up, promote him. Over and over they've shown a wishy washy approach to decisions. They let one event overwhelm the longterm trends when making decisions.

not really... Jim Thome had a monster year in 2004, which was also the year that Howard broke out. All you can really criticize the Phillies for is having him in the minors for half of 2005, and during that time Thome was on the team. Agree. And Thome's still a good player. He still gets on base nearly 1/2 the time he comes to the plate. But he's a DH who maybe never should have been signed in the first place. Still glad the Cubs stayed away.

Let's ask again after the Brewers. If they don't at least win the series, that's a pretty big setback. Not necessarily season-ending, but it'll really hurt. Definitely would, as it would leave them only 3 more head to head matchups.

NoKclemens?

I think different coaches are better with prospects rather than major leagues. Just like Dave Duncan is pretty adept at taking a journeyman 30-something pitcher and getting the most out of him, he doesn't have a track record of developing fresh from the minors pitching prospects into stars. I think there's probably a big difference between helping 20-24 year olds tweak their swings in order to get to the major leagues, than getting 26-38 year olds to change their ways. Big league hitting coaches, to me, are more like advisors. Minor league hitting coaches do all the dirty work. A very good minor league hitting coach is worth his weight in gold, and while a team might lose him to a major league hitting coach position, there's always the financial aspect to convince him to stay.

The Cubs need RH bench help, and could use a little pop there as well. But I'm not sure Shea is interested in being a bench player, and with his reputation, and current numbers, it might not be worth the risk to find out.

I'm off to Chick-a-Go for the weekend and will in all likelihood have leftover bleacher seats for both Saturday and Sunday. If anybody is interested let me know.

Losses aren't sexy and Z has six of them. But that's part of the problem with judging pitchers on wins. People don't do the same on losses. A 20 game winner who lost 12, still has bigger cache than a 18 game winner who lost 5. Go 12-6 and it's impressive, but not nearly as impressive as winning 15 (even if you lose 15).

Even if you aren't confident, I think you have to keep giving DeRosa a shot. He's cooled off, but he's still getting on base. Yes he is and I'm never one to abandon a good source of OBP. But I'd like to see if Cedeno can actually play the SS position at the ML level and not be a total 0 with the bat. And Fontenot has played well enough to get a long look at 2B. But I guess I don't really care which of those two (Fontenot and DeRosa) gets the starts - I'm less concerned about finding a decent 2B than SS. The only point I'd make about DeRosa's OBP is he's hitting in front of guys like Pagan, Hill, Bowen, Pie and the pitcher in most of his ABs. I'm not terribly surprised that he's finding it pretty easy to patiently wait for a decent pitch and walk if he doesn't get one. His AVG is still solid at .275 and it's not like he has a huge walk total, but it's not a huge leap of faith to think either Theriot or Fontenot can match that OBP at 2B. And, I guess I'd like some pop at the 5/6 spot where he's been hitting. While his OBP has held pretty firm in the .340-.360 range most of the year, his SLG has been in a slow steady decline since the end of April. It's not like he has no power at all, but his XBH appear to fewer and farther between as the season goes on (he has 4 total in June: 3 doubles, 1 HR). He's a fine player and his overall #s still look pretty good, but I don't think he's a guy we have to have in the lineup. If Fontenot can basically match the .350 OBP and hit in the 2 spot, I'd call up Cedeno just to see if we can get more than a .600 OPS out of the SS position without trading for one. Edit to add: I'm in no way saying Cedeno is that source of pop. If Lee, ARam and Floyd hit 3, 4, 5, maybe DeRosa is the only source of any power and has to hit 6th. Again, I'm not that concerned about who plays 2B this year - I don't see that choice impacting our win total a great deal. But if we can give Cedeno 3 months to see if he can be a decent SS at this level, and the cost is ABs for 2 of Theriot, Fontenot or DeRosa...meh. Ball, Strike (looking), Ball, M DeRosa homered to left center, D Lee and C Floyd scored In your face! :D

square D commercials suck.

http://sirocco.accuweather.com/nx_mosaic_400x300c/SIR/inmSIRIL_.gif

1-0 Cubs with rain on the way.