Little Slide Rooter

I know its not considered cool around here to say anything posive about Miles but if he can go back to being his .280 hitting self, Id JUST AS SOON keep him at 2nd over the other options. Granted, he'll never OPS over .700, but we could use another guy like Theriot who can get a lot of singles and the occasional double. You dont have to have a murderers row to make the playoffs, especially when you have the pitching we have. Yes, I said it. if were not going to make a trade, I want Aaron Miles in the starting lineup. Flame away.

I think that's the case for most of our offense. They all have had similar seasons as Fontenot to this point (patience is there but all of them have been incredibly unlucky). Once some balls start falling in, the numbers will improve, runs will start being scored again and we'll start winning some games. Baseball is such a fickle game, though, that there's really not much a team/manager/GM can do in stretches like this and desperation efforts often only worsen the impact. I don't know... I'm really worried about Soto. He came out of nowhere so he could turn back into crap just as quickly. Soto may not be the player he was last year, but I think we've got enough evidence that he can be a successful major league catcher. It is certainly possible that it was a mirage, though. Soto hit 2 home runs last night. At least if they were hit this evening he did. I know that the stat sheets dont take that into account, but at least its encouraging.

While Kouz wouldnt be my ideal target, Id take him. What I dont like about this comment is the Fontenot adequately filling 3rd part. Be it true or not, were still relying on the 3 headed monster at second. Im willing to give Font time to pull it together, but Id just assume not have to rely on at least 1 of Scales, Freel, and Miles in our everyday lineup. I know that every team has a guy like that in their lineup, but we have to rely on a lineup with a solid, no easy out 1-8 since we dont have that one superstar like a Pujols or a Braun. What is it exactly that you like about Kouzmanoff? He's currently got a .651 OPS and is getting on base at a .285 clip. Fontenot's .667 OPS is actually better this year than Kouzmanoff's. Kouz is doing better than Fontenot this month, but Fontenot did better in April. Kouzmanoff might be an upgrade over Aaron Miles and perhaps Bobby Scales, but not by much in either case. I don't think it's worth giving up trading chips for a very minimal upgrade over Miles and Scales. And given the Padres' reluctance to come out and put Kouz on the block, I doubt he'd come really cheap. Sometimes, you just hit those stretches when you think that anyones going to be the answer to the problem, be it rational or not. I simply cant look at Miles or Scales for too many more games and stay positive about this mess, especially considering that Arams July/August return is no guarantee. The lack of production from Bradley, Fontenot, and Soto is the real issue, but its not relaistic to consider benching them, so the best you can do is get someone at 2nd or 3rd who can at least potentially produce and pick up some slack, and Kouz just seems like the type of hitter who could produce at Wrigley.

http://www.mikedownscenter.org/upload/thumbnails/Win%20button.jpg

Wish I could use them, Fred. The Cubs haven't won since I left town. I tried telling the wife that meant I needed to go back and spend the summer in Chicago attending every game. She didn't go for it. :| Whats more important?

The Prates that always killed us were Bay, Nady, and Doumit, and 2 of them are far, far away and the other is on the DL.

Before you LOL, today's MLBTR suggests the Giants might have to give up Cain or Sanchez for Uggla!!!!! Giants Inquire On Uggla By Eddie Schmid [May 24 at 7:21pm CST] Juan C. Rodriguez at the Sun-Sentinel says the Giants have had preliminary discussions with the Marlins about second baseman Dan Uggla, "though they are not believed to have reached general manager level." This jives with reports that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria wants "substantive changes" for his team. Rodriguez says the Giants would almost certainly have to part with Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez if such a deal were to go through. Rodriguez also speculates that the Giants might be kicking the tires on Nick Johnson and Mark DeRosa in their quest for a bat. But if the Giants are giving up Cain, they would just leave us out and get Uggla or Cantu and forget about Lee with his NTC, large contract, and declining production. If the Giants were really trying to trade Cain, and want a major league hitter in return as oposed to prospects, I wouldnt be surprised to see the Brewers jump in and offer up Fielder. This isnt a smart move by the Giants, because they aint winning this year, and they should be building around Lincecum, Cain, and Sanchez, but if they really want to make that happen, Fielder would be an ideal fit for them. I know it was discussed during the off season.

While Kouz wouldnt be my ideal target, Id take him. What I dont like about this comment is the Fontenot adequately filling 3rd part. Be it true or not, were still relying on the 3 headed monster at second. Im willing to give Font time to pull it together, but Id just assume not have to rely on at least 1 of Scales, Freel, and Miles in our everyday lineup. I know that every team has a guy like that in their lineup, but we have to rely on a lineup with a solid, no easy out 1-8 since we dont have that one superstar like a Pujols or a Braun.

How about you shut up and hit Milton. Jesus. You're the target audience of Paul Sullivan. He has the story he wants to write, he just needs the quote from Milton, so he asks him some questions to get him going and then writes it knowing a guy like you is going to be pissed that Milton's worrying about umpires rather than just playing the game. You're making Sullivan's job too easy. Sounds like Milton is the one making Pauls job too easy.

[nitpick]It was actually 1972. They had winning seasons every year from 1967 through 1972, then beginning with 1973 they didn't have another winning season until 1984 (there was one 81-81 season in that stretch). [/nitpick] Were spoiled now. growing up on the Cubs teams of the 80's and 90's, I was just happy when the Cubs won 1 here and there. Hell, they didnt have to, if my favorite players had a good game, that would suffice as well. Besides '89 and the marginal '98 team, I really didnt grow up with a winning team. Then 2003 came along, and that winning thing that other teams seemed to do so often felt good. Once I got that taste in my mouth, there was no turing back, and while 2006 wasnt much worse than most of those crap teams Id accepted all those years, Id finally developed expectations, and failure wouldnt do anymore. not one bit.

The guys 65 years old. Senility, Alsheimers, dementia and what not will rarely kick in until the 80's.

If we can take 2-3 from the Pirates, that will suffice. If we can take 2-4 from the Dodgers, we'll be on the right track. With the Cards and Crew going head to head, this would be a nice chance to gain some ground on someone.

And Samardzija. I'll defer to you on Lake. I certainly prefer Castro and Thomas to Cashner as prospects. Samardzija couldnt be traded anyway.

I don't see a big trade happening. The Cubs have been reluctant to take on new payroll with ownership still in flux. We have little in the minors to offer, and trading one of the few pieces we do have seems shortsighted. It's time for some of the players we already have to simply start playing better. Jeff Stevens, Kevin Hart, Greg Reinhard, and even Aaron Heilman could be quite usefull to teams looking for bullpen help. Jake Fox should entice many AL teams. We also have several AA and below prospects that a lot of teams would be interested in.

It has nothing to do with Hendry's intentions, but rather the results of his actions. All GM's want to win a world series and be the golden boy at the meetings. That means zero. I have little doubt in Hendrys abilities to fill the holes he needs to, but Id be more confident if I heard some news. Every time I check MLBTR, I read about someone else whose team wants to trade them who could be our guy, be it Blalock, Beltre, Uggla, Cantu, DeRosa. Id take any of these guys over our current 3B platoon. If I could just read anything about Hendry exploring his options Id feel much better about the whole thing.

I'd like to see him get called up to AA soon. Why skip high-A? Because Daytona may never play another game.

that is completely insane. If you havnt grown accustomed to insane posts over the past week, you never will. Why wouldn't you trade Cashner (if you could)? Just have a good feeling about him. 1 of those things. I guess I shouldnt say I wouldnt trade for anything. If Peavy were on the table, obviosuly, but Im more thinking in terms of our middle infield situation. Aside from those 3, Id be willing to part with pretty much anyone else in a deal for a Blalock/Huff/Beltre type.

that is completely insane. If you havnt grown accustomed to insane posts over the past week, you never will.

Jackson is quickly joining Vitters and Cashner as the only Cubs prospects I wouldnt trade for anything.

Morneau just hit a granny vs. the Brewers after Mauer got HBP to load the bases. 6-1 Twins in the 7th.

:-)) And that's what the recent attitudes seem to amount to. I'm angry, so I want someone to pay for making me angry. It's comical to think that we're more upset than the team, manager, and GM. I'm sure they are just as frustrated...actually moreso, than we are. To be honest, I was quite angry tuesday-saturday, but this evening, I found myself turning off the game devoid of emotion after the Padres scored their 4th run. I flipped over to the Hawks game for an upper, but the 5-1 score proved quite the opposite. I said it before, we left St Louis in a slump, and entered the worst possible ballpark to break out of slump, which might I add thank GOD we wont have to return to until next year. Were coming home to Wrigley and the Pirates which is always a cure for whatever ails you.

I think its time for a group hug.

Dodgers: Before Manny Rays: We knew they were a good team during the streak. This Cubs team has not been impressive at all. To be honest, I dont remember them being impressive, but the fact that after a 7 game losing streak, and theyre still at .500 suggests they have been. They had Aramis Ramirez when they were impressive. Now they don't. That's the key difference here. I'm not sure what ARam's projected status is, but I've got to believe his return is still in question (in terms of timelines and effectiveness when he does return). Yes, one player means that much to us, right here & right now, IMO. Without Aram, were a contender. With Aramis, were the favorites, which brings us full circle to the fact that we need to make a trade if at al possible, which Im sure it is. I think they're going to give it through the upcoming hoem stand, at which point, as the thread title sugests, it will in fact be time for change. It wont be a manager, general manager or coach being fired. Hopefully, it will be a trade for a 2nd or 3rd baseman.

Dodgers: Before Manny Rays: We knew they were a good team during the streak. This Cubs team has not been impressive at all. To be honest, I dont remember them being impressive, but the fact that after a 7 game losing streak, and theyre still at .500 suggests they have been.

Theres not a single position player on this team Id miss if they were injured, traded, DFAd, whatever.