Lukin

He is 25

Yes, but I doubt Hendry makes a push for him. Its very possible that he will be the best option. I think Hendry values his job more then he hates Sosa, but I might be wrong.

Shouldnt Sammy be available by late summer?

Thats BS. He was not anywhere near 'below average' in '05 and he started 17 games in '06. This year he struggled in one or two games, and has been very solid in 35 games.

I hate to say it, but I beginning to think Theriot might suck. He only appears to be a slightly better hitter then Iz, and he has no range. I would keep Iz at SS and at the 8 spot everyday, and then figure out who the super sub is between Dero and Ryan.

Gooze is older then Cordero, and COrdero has saved 98 games with a 2.66 era and 1.1 career Whip (this number will improve). He is 25 years old. Unless you believe that Gooze is going to become a legit starter, which is a stretch considering what he has done (and what he has shown), swapping Gooze for Cordero is a great move. There is no way Gooze *becomes* the closer Cordero *is*. No way. As for Demp? If we could grab Chief without dealing him, then give him a spot in the pen. He can take Howry's slot and Cordero can close for the next 10 years.

Chad Cordero is mediocre? Please explain. oh, right, sorry. 1.71 WHIP is worse than mediocre Thats pretty picky. He has pitched 22 innings (under poor circumstances). His whip over the past 2 years is about .5 better then Demp (Demps been around 1.5). Cordero is so much better then Dempster it isnt comparable. You people who call him mediocre have not been watching him throw. He has all star calibre stuff, Dempster doesnt. I type this as Demp serves up to fat fastballs, with zero location. Cordero hits spots very well.

Send Izzy here.

A proven reliever for an unproven reliever? If gooze pans out he still wont be as good as Chief.

He walked 6 guys in his first 5 innings, and 8 in his next 20 innings. He has struggled a bit this year, which is fine because when his command is back (he is all command) he will begin to dominate like in '05.

We need to go get him. Package up Demp and Gooze and send them to the Nats for Cordero. He will be a great closer for a long time, and the Cubs will have the dough to lock him up after his arb contract comes up in '10. We could shore up the closer situation for the long term, and give us an unhittable closer for the rest of '07.

Izzy is better then Theriot.

Clemens and Bonds will be remembered for a long time. Once AROD breaks Bonds HR record and wins a WS he will be remembered as the greatest player of his generation. Remember that we are the people that ascribe legend status to a ballplayer.

Not hurt, just bad command.

I had no idea that when it went bad for Soriano, he would look this bad.

I've had the distinct pleasure of meeting Ernie Banks in person and talking to him about our beloved Chicago Cubs. It would be easy--REAL easy--for players such as himself to wash his hands of this entire organization given it's track record of winning championships (or lack thereof). When baseball fans think about former Cubs, his is likely one of the first names to come to mind. Would you want to be that guy who's forever tied to 98 years of futility? Yet his optimism is so incredibly contagious it's almost unbelievable. I got to meet him once to, and our right that the guy is special. I in no way am trying to invalidate him. Im saying that I dont like the statues, Harry included, outside the park.

One need only look to the foul pole to remember Mr. Banks. If you feel a giant bronze statue is needed to remember the players place in the franchise lore, then the player doesnt deserve the reverence.

Continued celebration of losing does not deserve applause, does not deserve "its about time"s. The Cubs franchise is larger then a single player, no matter how good that player is. I would agree that from the standpoint of "who most deserves a statue" the answer is Ernie or Ron. But I argue the statue does not belong. His number is retired, he is in the hall, he is on the walk of fame, he is given the moniker "Mr. Cub". That is more then sufficient celebration of his career as a Chicago Cub. Im not saying that the statue will deface the park. Im just saying Ernie Banks' career has been sufficiently celebrated. I loath hypercelebration of players and achievements and thats what I classify this as.

Every infielder has played SS before, whats your point. Im talking about constantly changing his position during the season. They wont stick with him at SS. There is no way he has the range to play everyday there. If you put him at SS then you essentially have an 3 utility infielders. Rotating angles increases chance of injury. Did you watch any Dodgers games, or are you basing the sub par D on 25 games he has started in Cub colors? He has made a career showing good range and turning the DP. If he gathers form he is in the top 3 NL SSs with Everett and A Gon. Last time Izturis was truly healthy, was the front side of the 2005 season. If he can get anywhere close to that form we are in great shape. You cant pull the plug after 40 ABs. Especially considering you have zero real options at SS other then the former All Star gold glover.

He wont hit 30 bombs. Maybe if Utley and Aaron Hill had a baby.

Introducing another arm angle to Theriot at this point in absolutely the wrong thing to do. Theriot will never be a long term answer at SS. He could be at 2nd. He should starting every day at 2nd. Izturis is the best defensive infielder on this team. He is twice the infielder that AGon or Neifi were. He has also had some nice at bats. He wasnt crisp on a play and you all freak out? His arm looks fine to me, and he has made some great plays. He doesnt strike out, and he has shown he can move runners. Izzy's O is more then passable in the 8th slot of a powerful lineup. Dero is the guy that should be relegated to spot duty or flat out moved. I have no idea why we picked him up in the first place. I had a feeling we were getting Blausered. We have seen 10% of his career HRs in 2% of his career ABs. I doubt that trend continues. He has had some terrible ABs, and booted an easy play at the duece. Izzy isnt going to bring much in the batters box, other then hopefully hit patiently, not K, and move runners. In this lineup, he shouldnt have to do anything more. We have a lot of bats. If we move Theriot to SS, everything he does offensively is marginalized by weak defense and him not learning a position. Im hoping for a lot more out of RT then Freel Redux. Moving him around is not helping his development. Im looking for him to grow into an Utley type and be a big part of this franchise's success.