Bruno7481

Neifi & Izturis will carry this team towards a .500 record before the end of the year 8)

I want Chad Tracy... In a totally heterosexual, baseball related way only.

Unreal. 20/41 .487 AVG .532 OBP .750 SLG 2 HR 9 RBI 6 BB

Chad Tracy owns the Cubs. Reincarnation of Will Clark.

I don't know about Glanville, but Simona ctually did play pretty well for the Cubs. Had an .800 + OPS. Also came though with some big hits. Saying they wouldn't make the playoffs without him may be overstating things though.

Where did Mark Prior go?

Maybe, but his stock has fallen so much he just got sent down to AAA. That's just crazy. He was sent down for a rehab assignment.

He's been traded to the Cubs for Nevin.

Then the question becomes (and I'm scared to even type this) whether Hendry will re-sign him to a one-year deal in the off-season ... which wouldn't surprise me. I really hope a deal can be reached. I think if Maddux isn't traded, and he wants to pitch another year that Hendry would offer him a deal. Not saying it is right or wrong, but Greg has pretty much made it clear that he wants to play in Chicago.

or it could all be a business move...and they could still bring ARam back as a FA and they would be able to negotiate for a longer period of time since he would be with a different team. I doubt that, I think some eyebrows would be raised if the Cubs trade him away and then re-sign him. Besides, If A-ram wants out I don't think he'd be willing to come right back like that.

Also, forgot to add that if you are going to trade Ramirez for some minor leaguers there is no better place to start than Anaheim.

Interesting. Hendry is in a tough spot here. If it is true about A-Ram opting out of his contract, Hendry might feel some pressure to deal him now and at least get something back in return. If he is traded, that has to be the main reason why.

An educated guess based on your location, are you referring to Todd Wellemeyer? Yep.

Just having him in the dugout is enough to keep him. Why? Has there ever been any evidence that he has any impact on the rest of the pitching staff? Because looking at numbers during his 3 year stay only Z (who is great anyway) has improved year to year. I don't and never have bought into the whole "Maddux is a mentor" thing. That seems to be a load of bull. Just because he's a veteran pitcher who's won alot of games doesn't mean he can help Rich Hill spot his fastball, or Sean Marshall harness his control, or Mark Prior develop a changeup. He's a pitcher, not a pitching coach. Just need to chime in here. I had a pretty good friend who was a member of the Cubs pitching staff until he was traded away this Spring. I know for a fact that Maddux is absolutely a mento to many on the pitching staff, specifically the younger guys. That being said, he's not a miracle worker either. He can help guys like Marshall become better pitchers. This is Marshall's first year, and your expecting Maddux to help him becoming an All-Star already? It is far from a "load of bull". He can help young guys a whole lot. That being said, if you can get a good deal for him then trade him. But if there isn't going to be much value coming back in return, keeping him the final 2 months of the season isn't going to stunt any type of growth. Where did I say anything about Marshall needing to be an All-Star? I said Maddux cannot help these guys in the areas they need help in. Just because he may have a negligible, unprovable effect on other pitchers is no reason to keep him around. The 10 starts he has left would be better spent allowing guys like Hill and Guzman to get acclimated to consistently starting in the majors. It doesn't matter what you get in return. What matters is the developmental time given to players that are in this team's long-term plans being used to it's fullest. Show me your negligible, unprovable data that he doesn't have an effect. Maddux was described to me as being the hot girl in high school. You just want to be around him, hang out etc. He will not approach you and say "your doing this wrong", "I wouldnt do it that way." Instead he allows guys to come to him, and if they want some advice he is more than happy to help them.

Just having him in the dugout is enough to keep him. Why? Has there ever been any evidence that he has any impact on the rest of the pitching staff? Because looking at numbers during his 3 year stay only Z (who is great anyway) has improved year to year. I don't and never have bought into the whole "Maddux is a mentor" thing. That seems to be a load of bull. Just because he's a veteran pitcher who's won alot of games doesn't mean he can help Rich Hill spot his fastball, or Sean Marshall harness his control, or Mark Prior develop a changeup. He's a pitcher, not a pitching coach. Just need to chime in here. I had a pretty good friend who was a member of the Cubs pitching staff until he was traded away this Spring. I know for a fact that Maddux is absolutely a mento to many on the pitching staff, specifically the younger guys. That being said, he's not a miracle worker either. He can help guys like Marshall become better pitchers. This is Marshall's first year, and your expecting Maddux to help him becoming an All-Star already? It is far from a "load of bull". He can help young guys a whole lot. That being said, if you can get a good deal for him then trade him. But if there isn't going to be much value coming back in return, keeping him the final 2 months of the season isn't going to stunt any type of growth.

Great comments, wouldn't expect anything less from Maddux. Actually makes me believe that if he isn't traded he will probably be back again next year assuming he wants to pitch another year.

Nice play Neifi

Exactly..... :lol:

No trade. Maddux pitched a great game though. Got 2 huge ovations and he acknowledged the crowd as he came out of the game.

Speculating. I don't think Joe knows anything period, let alone anything we don't. That said, I also believe Maddux will get traded. Joe isn't that bad. I think he can be pretty entertaining at times.

I would guess that it curtails any concerns a GM might have that Maddux has lost it. Someone like Omar Minaya is probably taking a hard look at the situation. It seems his only option would be to give up Lastings Milledge to get Zito or look to Maddux and give up a lesser prospect or two depending on the deal. Victor Diaz for Maddux I would certainly hope Maddux is worth more than Victor Diaz, who is putting up the stellar line of .230/.287/.345 in AAA.

Hmmmm.... DOes the tipping of Maddux's cap and acknowledgement of the fans a sign of things to come?

great ovation for Maddux. He deserves that just in case this is his last game w/ the Cubs.

I bet that Pierre will be ahead of Patterson in 2 of those 3 categories by the end of the season. He is catching up-very fast. Your on. I think I would have to put my money on JP in this wager as well.

Interesting to revisit the Pierre/Patterson debate, Pierre is catching up quickly. Juan .284/.332/.377 37SB CP .281/.313/.417 33SB That gap was a lot wider just a month or two ago. I'm not saying resign Pierre, but he's been playing very well since June.