Little Slide Rooter

Yeah, but they've all been game related, meaning that it's not a single injury that becomes re-aggravated. Those are the ones you worry about.

Nothing that turns me on to a prospect like an injury. No sir.

I like Eduardo Sanchez better, but whatever.

[expletive], [expletive], [expletive], [expletive], [expletive] Why can't it ever just be Ty Wright or Jonathon Mota.

Almora 0-1. Big slump for him.

3rd day and 4th game since the last Vitter's sighting. Any word?

While Youkilks might have been a safer bet than any of our internal options, we simply had to many to cycle through to spend any amount of money on an aging and injury prone vet. As for the outfield, I think it was a "moneyball" move. They simply opted to use Schierholtz and Hairston as a single player rather than make a long term commitment to the 32 year old Swisher. They had their eye on the Bourne market, but were hoping the price would drop lower than he ended up with. Cleveland's certainly getting their $7MM worth so far, but after this year the salary goes way up, and the fact is that he's a 30 year old whose top tool is speed.

Yes, but if they don't intend on truly winning (I say winning rather than competing because at least on paper this team should be competing in the sense that they should be at least agressively flirting with .500) until 2015, may as well sell off anything they know won't be a part of that plan. And there's a lot of that. As far as the guys under control through 2014, their value's obviously a lot higher than it will be next year. And I do believe that when free agents that they feel strongly about become available, they'll open the checkbook, as they were willing to do for Anibal Sanchez, who by the way has been awesome this year. As for guys like Maholm, Feldman, and Schierholtz; they found them without a lot of trouble, and when ready to compete, they'll find more at the same price. Until then, may as well keep treating them like baseball cards. It's a [expletive] FA market and they have critical areas of the team that are obviously severely deficient. They can't just shove off anyone and everyone of value season after season. Russell's a key example. It's stupid baseball to want or expect a firesale every time they stink, otherwise you're just creating a self-perpetuating cycle of crap. I guess that it depends on what you mean by fire sale then. The young guys like Russell, Wood, and Valbuena that may not be cornerstones for the future, but are certainly key pieces should not be sold off. I wouldn't expect them to be. Then again, if somebody wanted Russell bad enough that they were willing to give up something comparable to what we got for Marshall, you don't say no. As for guys like DeJesus, Feldman, Gregg, and Soriano, sure, they could be useful in 2014. Just not beyond. Their value can go nowhere but down if for no other reason than age and service time. With this in mind, assuming that somebody is willing to give up something of long term value for them, you almost have to take it. There are also prospects that are in the [expletive] or get off the pot stage. Jackson, Vitters, and Watkins are a few guys whose prospect expiration dates are fast approaching. Whether or not they're big league ready, AAA is no longer going to be able to fix their main issues. Trimming the fat gives a chance to give these guys a sink or swim look at the big league level, and decide whether or not there's a future for them. It's one thing to take fliers on guys like Sweeney or Borbon, but there's no reason to be giving guys like Lillibridge and Ransome PT over these guys once the truck is backed up.

Damn. Think Carlos Marmol has trouble with control? In 6 games and 9.1IP, 20 year old Rangers prospect Cody Buckel has a 20.25 ERA, 4.07 WHIP, and wait for it; 28/9 BB/K. Not a misprint.

Is their any news on Junior Lake? Has he reported to Mesa or is he hiding out with Paniaqua somewhere?

As of now, I don't think that Valbuena's trade value is anywhere near his value to the Cubs. He's exactly the type of player we should be stocking up with for cheap, leaving more flexibility for free agents. As you said, he has several years to either increase his value or cement his spot on the team. Personally, I'd like to see him get a bit more time at 2B to maximize his value.

Yes, but if they don't intend on truly winning (I say winning rather than competing because at least on paper this team should be competing in the sense that they should be at least agressively flirting with .500) until 2015, may as well sell off anything they know won't be a part of that plan. And there's a lot of that. As far as the guys under control through 2014, their value's obviously a lot higher than it will be next year. And I do believe that when free agents that they feel strongly about become available, they'll open the checkbook, as they were willing to do for Anibal Sanchez, who by the way has been awesome this year. As for guys like Maholm, Feldman, and Schierholtz; they found them without a lot of trouble, and when ready to compete, they'll find more at the same price. Until then, may as well keep treating them like baseball cards.

If Brett Jackson looks remotely ready, I say trade DeJesus. Again, it depends in the plan for 2014. If they don't plan on some big additions, trade DeJesus and audition Jackson and maybe Szczur. Brett Jackson is hitting 246/331/390 (with a .342 BABIP) and a 27.6% K rate in his third AAA stint. His ability to have any influence on the Cubs' long-term plans is over. My thinking is that both he and Vitters are in shot or get off the pot mode. If not later this year, then next year they should be either traded or thrown into the fire. Whether or not they're ready, I don't think that there's much more benefit to them being in AAA. As for DeJesus, he needs to be cashed in. I think he could very well contribute next year, but not beyond. He's at his peak value. Even if we spend the next year or so cycling through Borbon, Sweeny, Jackson, Szczur. Again, this is assuming that he has as much value as is perceived. If we can't get anything of value, then we keep him.

Albert Almora refuses to be contained.

Any reason why Vitters didn't get so much as an at bat in either game of the Iowa DH?

No point in starting a new thread. So who's next? Bowden back? Cardinals waiver pick up guy?

If Brett Jackson looks remotely ready, I say trade DeJesus. Again, it depends in the plan for 2014. If they don't plan on some big additions, trade DeJesus and audition Jackson and maybe Szczur.

I agree to a point. While there's no reason to rush Soriano, DeJesus, Schierholtz, and Villanueva out of town just for the sake of doing so, it depends on who's looking, who else is looking, how desperate they are, what the available alternatives are and of course, what the 2014 plan is. Granted, we can shop the same guys next year if we're in the same position, but they'll be a year older and all impending free agents. The only 3 guys that should be off limits at this point are Castro, Rizzo, and Shark. Wood and Russell would be in the next tier, that they'd be very costly but but by no means untouchable.

Have we learned yet who replaced Ronny Torreyes' bat with a pool noodle?

Ump just issued a warning. Advantage, Cubs; who gives a [expletive] if one of our relievers get ejected.

Not so fun fact; over these past 3 games, Cubs starting pitchers have pitched 15 innings and given up 14 runs. All but 1 of those runs came in 3 innings.

Oh come on. At least train wrecks are more fun than garden variety suckage.

I actually think that Schierholtz is more likely to be moved than some think. He has another year or two under team control, which adds value. They could trade him and see if Sweeney can take his place. Sweeney's an FA after this season, and I can't imagine that anything Sweeney does will drive up his cost. While Schierholtz has always had more power, at least at the big league level, Sweeney's always had the better OBP, which they seem to value more than ever.

Garza best come ready to pitch at least 7 innings and drive in 3 runs.

Unless he's going to maintain comical, high school-like stats, Almora will probably be there for a while. Maybe early August like Baez last year? I just want to see Soler, Almora, Baez, and Vogelbach in a lineup together, even if it's just a for a few weeks.