Little Slide Rooter

Because theres a good chance that The Cubs will be at a crossroads after this year. With key players leaving in the next few years, this could be the last chance, depending on what they decide to do in the offseason. When opening day 2013 rolls around, who from this bunch do you expect to see? If we dont get a Pujols or Fielder this winter, it could be a long few years. Looking at the guys in our system, I see a lot of guys who could be everyday players, but no superstars, and thats what this team lacks. Our system has enough depth and the organization has enough money that we could part with some pieces and still be able to build a team in the future. However, this is a team that could win now adding a guy like Beltran to the mix. With all of this being said, I really dont see it being a realistic option. We have Byrd and Fukudome for now, and Jackson and Colvin for later, so I cant imagine them chasing another outfielder. As is, we have a .500ish team, and thats probably what we'll end up with.

Im not saying for the future. Im speaking as a rental. Im still al about Pujols or Fielder for next year. By then, Brett jackson should be taking over CF, with Byrd in RF if hes still around, if not, Colvin or Option C. All Im saying is that IF Hendry can pull a rabbit out of a hat, get Beltran for a reasonable price, and let him walk at the end of they year, I would be all for it. Id be OK trading some solid prospects, but nothing along the lines of Jackson, McNutt, or Cashner. I want to enjoy this season. 1 elite bat could make that happen. Its not like wed be trying to build around him with the Astros or Padres. Enjoy the season by watching Starlin Castro. There's no reason to trade anything for a rental, this team has too many holes. They need to be in the business of building as many assets as possible, not giving them away. What holes? We have 2: back of the rotation, which will hopefully be resolved when Wells and Cashner return and a 3 hitter which Beltran would be. Other than that, were very solid up and down the lineup, probably more so than most NL teams.

Bruce Miles tweet: Rumors are absolutely false that Cubs Gm Jim Hendry has been fired. Who starts this stuff?

Im not saying for the future. Im speaking as a rental. Im still al about Pujols or Fielder for next year. By then, Brett jackson should be taking over CF, with Byrd in RF if hes still around, if not, Colvin or Option C. All Im saying is that IF Hendry can pull a rabbit out of a hat, get Beltran for a reasonable price, and let him walk at the end of they year, I would be all for it. Id be OK trading some solid prospects, but nothing along the lines of Jackson, McNutt, or Cashner. I want to enjoy this season. 1 elite bat could make that happen. Its not like wed be trying to build around him with the Astros or Padres.

After yesterdays...eh hem...performance by Coleman, I officially conceed that any amount or production from Davis will be well worth the 900K.

On the flip side, with Mulder they failed to trade for the extended warranty which your always supposed to do anytime you aquire a pitcher from Billy Beane and the A's.

But if we could get him as rental in a desperate attempt to make this season count, would you be interested? Not really, since it would likely require giving up too many promising prospects and/or players on the team that could be better dealt for the Cubs' future. I have to disagree. My though all along has been that the main thing that keeps this team back is the lack of that 1 elite hitter, which is what a healthy Beltran would be. That has nothing to with my post, so I don't know what you're disagreeing with. What I'M disagreeing with is needlessly giving up valuable parts for a 1-year rental. It's not like this is a good Cubs team that just needs one part to push it over the top. My point was that if we could get him without giving too much in prospects, and more in the form of a salary dump. The thing is, I dont see this being a fire sale year. If it was, in July we could get some decent prospects for Fukudeom, Pena, Wood, and Aramis if they decide they arent going to pick up his extension. However, while I dont see them in serious contention as is, I also dont see them far enough back that they cash in these expiring contracts, which is why we should make a go for it. With 1 elite bat in what is a very solid lineup, we could really contend. Hendrys strong point is going out and aquiring these expiring contracts, and giving up minimal value in return. Between Hendrys 3 big mid season aquisitions, Aramis, Nomar, and Harden he didnt give up a single thing that weve missed.

But if we could get him as rental in a desperate attempt to make this season count, would you be interested? Not really, since it would likely require giving up too many promising prospects and/or players on the team that could be better dealt for the Cubs' future. I have to disagree. My though all along has been that the main thing that keeps this team back is the lack of that 1 elite hitter, which is what a healthy Beltran would be.

1. Castro 2. Barney 3. Byrd 4. Baker 5. Sori 6. Johnson 7. Pena 8. Hill 9. Demp Lets hope Baker and Reed can do some lefty bashing today.

But if we could get him as rental in a desperate attempt to make this season count, would you be interested? Assuming we have enough money, and assuming that The Mets were more interested in salary dump and a few solid prospects as opposed to wanting top prospects? I think it would be worth it. We could either send them Byrd in the deal, or else try to turn and move Fukudome. All of the sudden, Castro Barney Beltran Aramis Pena Soriano Byrd Soto(when back) looks like a lineup that could really hang.

We could be able to beat Baumgarner. We should be able to beat Vogelsong. We probably wont be able to beat Lincecum. Cubs should seriously consider winning these first 2 games.

They need to tell these guys to stop sliding into second base.

Assuming he could stay healthy, he would be the 3 hitter this team so desperately needs. However, that is a big assumption. If The Mets would do it as a salary dump,assuming we have the money Id be all for it, considering this division is still winnable. However, considering Beltrans injury history an the fact that hes a rental, I wouldnt give up too much in prospects. Maybe theyd take Byrd and a few solid but not top prospects plus cash. However, if we were to make such a deal, we may end up scrambling for a RF next year, unless theyre content with some kind of Colvin/Johnson platoon.

And Luis Flores to Tennessee to replace Clevenger. Also, Nelson Perez was promoted to Tennessee for the injured Brett Jackson. Sink or swim time. Do we know the severity of Bretts injury or how long he'll be out?

Carlos Pena for Mike Trout. Make it happen!

The Cubs are very good at loading the bases and even better and letting pitchers out of jams.

So now can we put the kibosh on the Casey Coleman experiment? Send him off to Des Moines and bring up Ramon Ortiz for a start or 2 if we have to. Aside from a decent start vs. Cincy, the kids been flat out rotten.

Um, are you perhaps confusing Tom Ricketts with this guy? http://www.nndb.com/people/410/000022344/don-rickles-pubshot.jpg Mafia lingo.

per Bruce, Bretts injury is to a ligament in his left pinky. no broken bones.

Last year, his BABIP indicates he was a bit unlucky. However, his FB rates the last two years have been 44.9% and 42.0%. That's not a good idea in Safeco. But even beyond that, his plate discipline seems to be eroding as quickly as his mental state. His strikeout rate is up over 30% and his once-prolific walk rate has dipped as well. He's already burned through 8 teams in the league, none of which is likely to welcome his return. Of the remaining teams, I can't imagine more than a couple would have any more than a passing interest. The way I see it, it's likely Tampa Bay or bust. They're a saber-oriented front office which makes them more likely to value his potential contributions, they are in contention and trying to make due with a Fuld/Damon/Johnson trio across LF/DH, and Bradley's league-minimum pricetag matches up nicely with their thrifty ways. Also worth noting is that the media coverage is pretty light. Of course, the wildcard in that proposal is Desmond Jennings. The Rays will delay free agency by a year if they keep him in the minors until this Saturday, but it will likely take into July to avoid Super-2 status. If they're inclined to think Bradley may rebound, it may do them some good to pick him up and give him a shot until July or so. But ultimately, I think they'll pass. As will the rest of the league. Baltimore needs help at 1st. What's the thought process there? Bench DLee (who has been a notorious slow starter), move Scott to 1B, and Bradley in left over Pie/Reimold? I wont put anything past the O's, but considering how close MacPhail and Hendry are, I'm sure he's privy to all the awful things Bradley did in his tenure with the Cubs that never made it to the press. Besides which, it seems awful early to pull the plug on a "big FA acquisition" like the O's sold DLee as being to the fans. I was just hoping to see what would happen with Scott and MB in the same locker room. Bradley would probably give Scott a white guy.

Good pitching day sans A B-D.

thats tomorrow.

Come on, do it for Old Gil. I need this job. My wifes gonna leave me and take the kids and the house.

Exactly. Nobodys wringing their hands or even particularly upset. Just thinking from a business perspective.

Or why they wouldnt try to work in Reed Johnson. If the have Baker in the OF, youd think theyd want to just plug in Johnson.