Little Slide Rooter

I get the sense that the punchline has something to do with disasters. At least the Cubs are more of a ha ha disater at this point.

Well then you should probably take the rest of 2010, and probably 2011 off.

In ther past, this game would have intensified my Sox hate, but this year, I just see the Sox as another mediocre team thats better than the Cubs and it just intensifies my Cubs hate. I really hope that Gorzalanny is given Wells next start, and the one after that. For less than 3 of Wells last 4 shots, Rich Hill was banished never to be seen again and Zambrano was sent to the pen, but I guess Wells gets the benefit of the doubt because he was 2009s pleasant surprise, no matter that hes awful this year. well, Rich Hill was 2007s pleasant surprise and we all remember how 2008 wound up for him. The problem with the Cubs, is we just dont have "that guy". You know, the one where when he starts or comes to the plate, the other team says oh [expletive], its that guy. we dont have him. Maybe Marmol on the off chance that we get to the 9th with a lead. Also, we just dont have a good enough team to make up for the fact that we dont have that guy. Much like the final episode of Lost, I think we'll all be happier once were finally ready to let go. Its just too bad that their are so many god awful teams in baseball this year that getting the top draft pick next year will probably be harder than making the playoffs, even with this awful team.

are you kidding me? Hill really is playing again? Hitting 7th. Ahead of Castro no less. Just go away Lou.

Wow an hour to game time for the Cubs/Sox and only 3.posts. People truely have checked out. Let's go win the most coveted trophy in all of sports, the BP cup.

Pretty much an awful day for all prospects worth tracking with the exceptions of DJ LaMahieu and Aaron Schafer.At least Grabow mowed down some minor leaguers for another inning, so we'll probably be seeing him again soon. Joy.

Assuming the fire sale were to start today, where would be the best fits for some of our guys? Obviously, Lou should be the first to go, but where to go from there? Derrek Lee: Obviously, he has the NTC, but if he knows he wont be back next year, hes likely waive it for a contneder. Most contenders have a starting 1B, but this year, there are 3 in the AL West that coukd use him. Value: 2-3 decent prospects Angels: In a move that makes Ryan Dempsters rail hopping injury look like brilliance, there starting 1B broke his leg celebrating. Now they are in big need. Rangers: Justin Smoak seems to be improving, but is he really starter on a contender just yet? A's: even if the A's really do see themselves as contenders rather than pretenders, would Billie Beane be willing to spend? Ted Lilly: Pretty much any contending team could use a front end starter like Lilly. However, one team that really stands out as a team who could be 1 quality starter away from running away with their sicky division is the Twins. Of course he has that NTC, and may not want to return to the AL. Still, theres the Giants, Dodgers, Braves, Phillies, and even Dusty Bakers Reds who would love to have Lilly aboard. We could probably get the best trade value of all for Lilly. Maybe they want to get gutsy and try to move Kosuke and give Colvin RF. We could really use his 2011 salary off the books, especially considering that I see it as a rebuilding year, possibly 2006 caliber. Other bits and pieces we could move: Jeff Baker: a utility man with a bit of pop in his bat. Xavier Nady: Probably more a guy who could gain interest around the waiver deadline. Everyone can use a spare bat, especially when roster expansion time rolls around Tom Gorzalanny: We could slide him back in the rotation if Lilly is traded, but would it be wiser to give the spot to Cashner, Jackson, or Diamond? Gorz could interst some teams looking for a back of the rotation starter. Ryan Theriot: Maybe we keep Baker around and try to move Theriot. John Grabow: wishful thinking. Stupid Hendry. And any chance of a Carlos Zambrano for Jake Peavy trade? 2 woukld be aces who could use a change of scenery. Z has a good relationhip with Ozzie, and Peavy prefers the NL and the Cubs were 1 of his top choices.

:-)) Also happy that we don't want to give Lee any chance to build off having a good game. Lou on top of it as always At least he didn't do something stupid like play one of the better options over Theriot.

there probably are because he's a lot better than a black hole (which many utility middle infielders are) at shortstop, but it would help if he would stop playing like a complete turd. You could do worse than Theriot at the 8 spot, but hes just not a leadoff material. Also, if he were a better defensive player, his hitting would be more forgiveable. Fontenot and Baker are both better options at 2nd than Theriot, but for some reason, Lou just cant get enough of him. Some players have a few bad games and their in the doghouse, others get chance after chance. I just dont get it.

Damon Berryhill just homered off of Randy Wolf.

Im fine with Soto 7th. Theriot 1st is just poor logic. Guys who cant hit, take walks, or properly baserun are not traditionally leaadoff hitters. In fact, theyre usually lucky to be on the bench, especially if they're not particularly good fielders. Castro batting 8th is the worst though. Granted, hes cooled down since he came up, but batting ahead of poorly hitting pitchers is a great way to ensure that he doesnt see many good pitches leading him to get overly agressive, ala Ryan Theriot.

I'm a baseball fan. Im a Beatles fan. I guess I have to automatically hate The Doors.

Ive never been a hocky fan before, but Ive watched some of the PO games this year, and its a damn exciting sport to watch, up their with football. Hell of a lot better than basketball. The only problem is its sometimes hard to follow the puck. Im not one of those bandwagon Hawks fans who are suddenly going to go out and buy a Kane or Toews jersey and a car flag and all kinds of other crap, but as long as we have a potential championship team in town, Im going to watch them and root them on. Its not like the 2005 White Sox where their out quasi rivals and were rooting for them to lose. Well I was anyway.

Last year, the DLing of Aramis Ramirez was the low point of the season, and devestating to the season as well. This year, its about damn time. It could end up being a good thing if Tracy can come off his Iowa hot streak and rake for a little while and Ramirez can come back rested and productive. Big ifs, but still. I just hope that Tracy is at least given the chance to start at 3rd instead of bouncing Fontenot and Baker around.

Let's face it, we don't have many options. While I'm no expert on the subject, a guy who can't hit or take walks really shouldn't be leading off, and that's what we have there now. While Super Soriano is best suited for 3-5, regular Sori might be better off leading off. Without further adiu, I give you my proposed lineup, while aramis is out anyway 1. Sori LF 2. Castro SS 3. Byrd CF 4. Lee 1B 5. Colvin/Fuku RF 6. Tracy 3B 7. Soto C 8. Font/Baker 9. P

I suppose Ill check in on the losers here and there, but I can't imagine too many self respecting Chicago sports fans watching this or the other suckfest across town over the Hawks tonight.

Per WSCR, Aramis will likely be DLd today. If so, I really hope they call up Chad Tracy and give him the full time 3B job as long as he can stay hot. I know Chads ina different situation in his career than Fox and Hoff were when they were caalled up, but they were pretty hot at 1st, so hopefully Tracy can do it for us too.

Were going to end up with a pity all star again, bottom line. Yeah, Silva and Dempster have had great seasons so far, but there is a long line of NL pitchers who have simply been better, but Silvas a possibility. The only other possible options I could think of are Marmol or Soriano.

I think Colvin, Castro, Lilly, Dempster, Silva, Cashner, Marshall, and Marmol despite last night are the only Cubs Im not sick of looking at. Sometimes Soriano and Byrd.

Our offense is the problem, no question. Back when Samardjiza, Caridad, and Grabow were all key parts of our pen, then the pen was a big problem. Now, its the offense. Theriot is garbage. Lee and Ramirez will occasionally show flashes of their former selves, but for the most part, they have no busienss in the heart of any lineup. Our 5 best hitters as of late are all outfielders, and theres really nothing we can do about that.

Seems to be the same way as far as Im concerned. Bad offense due to bad lineups due to the fact that we have a bad manager making said lineups. Cant complain toomuch about the starting pitching aside from a few recent Wells and Z starts, and even the pens been doing OK for itself, although Grabow made a rehab appearence yesterday, so he'll probably be back to screw things up even more than they are.

Why? It's never a bad thing for guys to get extra time off, especially when they're one of the few useful players on the Cubs right now. You want Marmol rested for what exactly? 2011? Sure, why not? He's young enough that there's no reason to want to over use him in the meantime. Id say 2012. 2011 is likely to be a very ugly rebuilding year.

So whats worse: Koyie Hill starting or Koyie Hill batting ahead of Starlin Castro? I know Castro hasnt been knocking to cover off the ball, but how many good pitches is the kid going to see batting in front of the pitcher, and aside from Z, none of our pitchers are very good hitters even for pitchers.

Fire Lou. Set fire to Theriot.

Give him your best here. Finish him.