Little Slide Rooter

Did I expect loosing Aramis Ramirez for 8 weeks to hurt? Absolutely. However, the fact is, we still have 3 supposedly elite hitters in Lee, Soriano, and Bradley,and coupled with Fukudome, Soto, Fontenot, and Theriot, this team should be more than capable to score 4-6 runs a game, which would have been enough to back up many of the pitching performances that ended up as losses. Did Hendry offer up some bad contracts? Yes, but just because guys like Soriano, Fukudome, and Bradley didnt deserve the kinds of contracts that they got doesnt mean that they arent top of the line hitters capable of doing a hell of a lot more than they have. IMHO, Lou is the one who needs to go. Even without Ramirez, this is too talented of a bunch to produce the garbage that it has been. If they want to fire Hendry, fine, but it wont do anything to help. Whats done is done on his part, and firing him would be more of a punishment than something to help, at least this season anyway.

Im going to agree with the jist of the original post that rather than point fingers and view this as a lost season when were 3.5 games out behind 3 mediocre teams, its time for this team do the expected and start playing some good baseball.

good to see him and Clevenger in Iowa. We need to start routing out the 30 year olds from that team and bring up more guys like them, Colvin, and Marquez Smith. Remember, winning the PCL should be the I Cubs second goal, and developing players should be the first.

Hopefully we all get the potential serial killer we know and love and not that hack who showed up in Deroit.

He needs to get up here. we NEED a shortstop, and now, well ANY offense. You mean the 18 year old whose never bee past low A? Yeah, I dont think they'll be bringing him up any time soon.

Milton Bradley was also on it if by notables you mean pas and present Cubs. Also, if D Lee used roids, it was in 2005, not 2003, but you never know. If this list is legit, can any of these guys be penalized at all?

So is it time to start viewing Coleman as a legit prospect along with Jackson, Cashner, and Carpenter? His numbers have been just as good as Jacksons, and I wouldnt be the least surprised to see them both open 2010 in Iowa.

Doesnt sound like a guy who will be ready by the trade deadline in exactly 1 month. Maybe in august, but I cant imagine him safely making it through waivers.

I really hope Gregg isn't a part of the team next year (he'll be way overpaid just because he's got saves on his resume) and I have real doubts that Harden will still be around. I don't think those guys necessarily have value to next years team. As for Lee, I'm not sure Fox and Hoffpauir won't be able to platoon similar numbers than Lee at that spot next year for far less money. And since it will be nearly impossible to trade Soriano or Bradley, and because Ramirez will in all likelihood be at third, they may need that money and be very limited in where they can use Hoff/Fox. I really dont see Harden on the team next year either. Id be very content with a rotation of Z, Lilly, Demp, Wells, Marshall, unless we do end up making an offseason trade for Peavy which could be realistic once the ownership is in place. Id prefer to go after a middle infielder. Orlando Hudson or Freddy Sanchez would be a good one. Not a player that will make or break a team, but a solid number 2 hitter. As for Gregg, I dont see him on the team, but we'll need a closer, and unless Marmol rebounds with a strong 2nd half, were going to need something. I think that the pen will be another focus of the off season. in 2010, I dont expect to see Harden, Gregg, Heilman, Freel, Patton, Johnson, or Hill. I know that doesnt free up a whole lot of money, but if Lee is traded to a team willing to pick up a lot of salary, it could be worth it. If and when the Ricketts take over, they seem like they really want the team to succeed, and hopefully they'll put out the money to back it up.

The Boston Red Sox and Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester disagree. (exception that proves the rule, but dang, its always disappointing to point out what truly great front offices can accomplish) Jay Jackson and Casey Coleman appear to be potential late round gems early on, already acieving sucess in AA at the age of 21, but time will tell.

It seems to me that while I cant see either making an impact of any kind, So Taguchi would be the better choice if he can play CF. He has major league experience, his .299/.396/.399 is slightly better than Fulds .286/.358/.399, and every off season they seem to try and find someone to make Kosuke feel more at home, and hes a righty, so he can get a few starts vs. lefties.

That's my assumption. He's going to be 23 years old at the end of this season, and probably won't yet have 100 professional innings. Combined with his 2008 college season he'll have maybe 150 IP over a 2 year period. This team has been obsessed with finding bullpen help for several years, and after going through this extremely disappointing season from the bullpen, I'd have to think they will be looking anywhere they can for help, including Cashner. It's tough enough for guys to make it as major league starters when they've built up plenty of starting experience in college and the minors, but it's got to be even tougher when you have basically no history of throwing 6 innings in the same game. Id guess hes one of those guys who starts out in the pen and they go from there, IE Adam Wainwright.

The MLB drafts a crap shoot. Bottom line. Its not like the NBA where a guys expected to make in impact in his first 3 years or hes out the door.

While this has been discussed multiple times in multiple threads, The only guys it would make any sense to move in a fire sale would be Harden, Gregg, and possibly Lee if they feel that Fox, Hoff, or a platoon is a legit option for 1st base next year. If we could find a taker for Miles, super. Reed Johnson, Ryan Freel, and Aaron Heilman are others that could go, but they wouldnt bring much in, maybe a low level quasi prospect or used as a throw in for a deal for one of the others.

I'm not sure it's possible to overvalue Mark DeRosa and what he meant to the Cubs. He was the heart, fire, soul, passion, integrity and compass of this team. While we all loved Dero, I hope that was supposed to be in green. I think we need to stop worrying about Derosa and start bracing ourslves for if and when the Cards get Holliday.

Looks like Jake will continue to get his chances at 3rd http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090628&content_id=5580986&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

I give this colosus until lunch time before they pop on the ole virtual padlock. Its basically the equivelent of what happens in junior high when the sub leaves the room.

Any word whose taking Fulds spot in Iowa?

Fuld's been bouncing around the organization for awhile and had a cup of coffee back in September 2007, when rosters expanded. His ceiling is a 4th OF on a decent team. I'm guessing this move was done to fill the hole Reed Johnson left when he went on the DL. From what I can gather, his ceiling is a poor mans Scott Podsednik.

Why would they call up colvin? Not that I disagree with you, I just want to know your reasoning. Basically, whoever comes up is going to be a non factor. I cant see any of these guys being any better than the other 2, so why not see what the one of the 3 who may have a future with this team has to offer. Fuld is 27 and his only use MIGHT be as a leadoff hitter, but thats not going to happen. Because Colvin needs regular at bats, something he wouldnt get on this team. Fulds going to be of no use. A pinch runner at most. Hes a lefty, so theres no platoon to be had out of it. If you're going to bring up a pinch hitter and nothing else, may as well be DuBois who has a bit of pop in his bat. Maybe Colvin will get Fulds roster spot in Iowa.

Why not throw Bradley and Soriano out the window with him and take a real multi million dollar bath.

Why would they call up colvin? Not that I disagree with you, I just want to know your reasoning. Basically, whoever comes up is going to be a non factor. I cant see any of these guys being any better than the other 2, so why not see what the one of the 3 who may have a future with this team has to offer. Fuld is 27 and his only use MIGHT be as a leadoff hitter, but thats not going to happen.

That article is hilarious. Phil Rogers has taken Jay Mariotti's role of "Sensationalistic journalism" and made it his own now. Yes lets give away Zambrano at the low point of his value, that will sure improve this team, Phil. :roll: Phil Rogers is an idiot, and my eyes bled from reading that blog. This isn't the low point of his value, but it's a stupid idea anyway. If Hendry wanted to give Z away, there would be 29,000,000 Cubs fans blowing up his house. fixed.

Im surprised they're not going with Taguchi due to his major league experience and the fact that hes a righty and could maybe platoon with Kosuke. What Id really like is if they went all out and sent up Colvin.

Maybe they'll win. Maybe they wont. This is the Pirates, so hoepfully we take care of buiness, even though the Pirates did just take 4 of 6 from AL Central giants the Indians and Royals. I miss the Indians.