Little Slide Rooter

Where are you seeing that it's a mutual option? BR has these details: Huh, I could have sworn it was a mutual. If we do have enough money of Aramis and one of Prince or Pujols, I would strongly recomend picking up the option, especially considering there really arent any decent 3B options in the FA market, and I cant see Josh Vitters being ready to take over, so the options would probably come down to Jeff Baker, Blake DeWitt, and Marquez Smith. Also, as of now, Colvin is pretty much playing Marlon Byrd off the potential trade block, so the 2012 opening day lineup could be Castro SS Brett Jackson CF Pujols/Prince 1B Aramis 3B Soto C Soriano LF Byrd RF Barney 2B P. I dont know about you, but I think I like it. or perhaps Brett Barney Prince/Pujols Aramis Castro Soto Soriano Byrd

You are probably correct, but I really don't see a scenario where this team scores a ton of runs consistently. I do believe that their pitching will improve, and I sure hope they can correct the defencive lapses. That offence though, is going to have its struggles unless they add a big bat in the middle of the lineup. Eh, Pena's not likely to stay this cold. Even as bad/unlucky as he was last year he still hit for plenty of power. Sure, there's a chance that he has some lingering issue from last year given that his last month was by far his worst, but hopefully he'll likely rebound. If he does then the Cubs have a decent heart of the order to work with between him, Aramis and Soto what guys like Baker, Barney, Castro and Fukudome have shown they can do to get on base. But then you have the issue of Quade, who seems to be convinced that none of those 3 can or should hit #3. While Id prefer that the Cubs get it together and get in this thing, if we do fall out of it by June/July, we could really cash in with Ramirez, Fukudome, and Wood, as well as Pena if he can remember how to hit. We could maybe even get a fringe prospect or 2 for Grabow. Especially Ramirez, as there is a decent amount of contender who could use a 3rd baseman, and a potential shut down reliever like Woody is always in demand. I agree. My point is I think that the Cubs will rebound enough and the division is crappy enough that the front office won't sell. That's been their M.O., and I think with numbers down as much as they are in baseball they'll be afraid to project the image that they've thrown in the towel unless they're just hopelessly out of it really, really early. While I think guys like Fukudome and Pena would be moved if that was the case, I'd be surprised if a front office as historically timid as the Cubs moves a fan favorite like Wood even during a season that bad (especially with this latest signing seemingly being hinged on the idea of him retiring as a Cub, so you might as well stop fantasizing now), and I doubt (and actually kinda hope) they don't move Ramirez and and I think they'll exercise his option next year to back up whoever they go for as their big #3 signing. I could see it, but the question is will he? Remember, its a mutual option, and hes going to be turning 33 in June, so if he has a good season, this could be his last chance to secure another 3-4 year deal. Then again, if we do sign Pujols and Fielder, depending on how much he really loves the Cubs, he could excersise it just to see if the Cubs can make it happen in '12. But if he does come back for another go, is the money coming off the books for Fukudome, Bradley/Silva, and Grabow going to be enough for Fielder or Pujols? Do we have players do for big raises next year like Soto, Garza, Wells etc?

You are probably correct, but I really don't see a scenario where this team scores a ton of runs consistently. I do believe that their pitching will improve, and I sure hope they can correct the defencive lapses. That offence though, is going to have its struggles unless they add a big bat in the middle of the lineup. Eh, Pena's not likely to stay this cold. Even as bad/unlucky as he was last year he still hit for plenty of power. Sure, there's a chance that he has some lingering issue from last year given that his last month was by far his worst, but hopefully he'll likely rebound. If he does then the Cubs have a decent heart of the order to work with between him, Aramis and Soto what guys like Baker, Barney, Castro and Fukudome have shown they can do to get on base. But then you have the issue of Quade, who seems to be convinced that none of those 3 can or should hit #3. While Id prefer that the Cubs get it together and get in this thing, if we do fall out of it by June/July, we could really cash in with Ramirez, Fukudome, and Wood, as well as Pena if he can remember how to hit. We could maybe even get a fringe prospect or 2 for Grabow. Especially Ramirez, as there is a decent amount of contender who could use a 3rd baseman, and a potential shut down reliever like Woody is always in demand.

is very likely an acceptable alternative?

He has a $14 million player option for 2012, right? If he can pull it together, its possible that he doesnt excersise it, which I wouldnt be too opposed to, not because I dont like him, but because it would be a solid chunk of change added to what already promises to be a very nice amount of available cash in the offseason, but if he continues doing what hes doing now, its pretty much a guarantee he excercises it.

Too bad that's a slur, it's a great word Time for us to take it back like Randall did for [expletive].

this team is going places. the same place things go when I flush my toilet.

Too much time working on his standup routine.

Welp, looks like Quade went and left Dempster in too long again.

I understand that your starting catcher needs an off day here and there, but he got one yesterday, so theres no reason to look for opportunities to get the exceptionally light hitting backup in there.

Rebel Ridling continues to hit everything he sees and is 3-3 with a 2B. Jackson is 1-4 with a 2B and 3 Ks and Flaherty is 2-3 with a 2B and a walk. Vitters is 0-3.

Matt Cerda seems to be figuring things out. Hes only 20 years old, so does he project as a guy to watch for the future? Also is Pierre LaPage worth following?

hes up to .310 with a .764 OPS, which doesnt sound great, but considering it was in the mid .600s last week, its pretty impressive.

It's just going to move the 5 spot back a day. They can't really skip it. The good news is that the 5 spot only has to pitch once in the next 2 weeks. When are Wells and Cashner due back? Haven't they just started a throwing regimen recently? According to Wittmeir this morningan they're both throwing off flat ground, no mound yet. Wells is at least 2 weeks, Cashner a bit longer.

Pity.

It is indeed a sad day when 2 of our 4 best players are Jeff Baker and Darwin Barney.

Gordon Wittmeir is on Mully and Hanley, and he says we might be seeing Jay Jackson "by the end of the weekend"

According to a Bruce Miles tweet, the past 3 games, the wind has blown out. In that time, the opponent has hit 7 home runs to the Cubs 0.

Remember when we were beating the D Backs, Astros, and Padres and thought this team had a decent chance to be mediocre? Those were the days.

this team is not good.

This Pretty much. Quade is really doing his best to show he's a typically crappy MLB manager. Can they just offer him his old job as back and hire a major league manager? Under better management, this team wouldnt be great, but theyd have a chance to be decent.

Brett Jacksons mini slump is saddening me.

Either Modzillas trying to send a hint ir he feels the same about Byrd hiting Thyrd as the rest of us. Or I guess it could be both.

Sometimes Ian Kinsler and Kevin Youklis complain about dinner being too expensive, so their team mates pelt them with matzo and gefilta fish. That type of thing happens all the time. Its all in good fun.

Remember when Baker used to do this as a sort o f "reward"? Seriously, though, what has Byrd done to deserve even momentary consideration as a 3 hitter? Vs. Mediocre lefties, Baker and Johnson are basically a decent 3 and 5, so Quade may as well play them that way ,