sharkfan50

It wouldn't be that outrageous if Ramirez wasn't locked up for another 1 or 2. Even if Vitters came up and did well, he'd still be forced to go down for another season or 2. Josh can only play 1 position at this point and that position is locked up by their best player for a couple more seasons. So as mentioned many times, you basically start the clock on Vitters for 40 games and barring another major injury to Ramirez, the clock ticks with Josh while he's in the Minors for another season or 2. Just won't happen.

You saw it right and I say good for him. I love the Cubs but of any fanbase of professional sports, Cub fans are the most repulsingly annoying and ignorant of them all. Embarrassing. Talk about hypocrites and that's basically what Bradley's gesture was about. He was booed mercifully in his previous at bat and then all of a sudden the minions want a curtain call? Priceless. Like when Lee begrudgingly took a curtain call last week when he hit his GS, he didn't really want to do it because he's been booed all year. These players are human after all and if anyone thinks booing a player is going to make them better or give them any kind of incentive to get better, you're a moron. I never thought it'd be possible, but Cub fans reputation is getting worse and worse every year. I also don't find it hard to believe why some people think a good amount of Cub fans are racist.

I spend a lot of time in AZ and if you think he's bad on FOX, you should hear him with Darrin Sutton. Those 2 are the worst booth tandem, this side of DJ and Hawk. You talk about tools. Grace has this thing where he says "CAR", about 5 times a game and the sad thing is, that it's spread out there and much bigger tools, bring these signs with the word CAR on them and hold them up during the game.

Problem with that rational, is Zambrano pitches game 2. The key to hitting against Lowe as a RH hitter, is to look away and drive the ball to RF. His 2 seamer has great movement on the outside corner and ofcourse his sinker is hard. If you go up to the plate with the mentality of pulling anything of his, then you're just gonna pound the ball on the ground all game and hit easy 2 hoppers to SS all game.

Who made up this schedule, Lee Elia?

You're just now starting to get optimistic? We had a great and enjoyable summer this year, sorry you missed out on it.

My guess.......Cotts.

No need to trade for a starter to replace Marquis. We already have that starter: Sean Marshall. What we need is for the Cubs to realize that Marshall is better than Marquis. Well, I don't know if Marshall is the answer either, but I will agree with you that he should be the 5th starter over Marquis, anyway. It'll be interesting what the Cubs decide to do when Eyre comes off the DL. EDIT: Nevermind, no it won't. Hart will obviously be sent down. 3 lefties in the pen though with 2 "long relievers". Something has to be shaken up here soon I would imagine.

True Dat. We all know that it takes Howry a couple months into the season to get his arm "loose" and this bullpen really does need him to be effective once again like last season. To be honest it always kind of amazed me how a guy like him who does throw hard (not too much movement though on his fastball) but who consistently works his fastball on the outside of the plate and who primarily throws fastballs, has been so effective throughout his career. Having said that though, from the limited games I've been able to see this year (about 2 or 3 a week), it does appear that RECENTLY anyway, he is throwing more offspeed pitches and changeups than I can ever remember him throwing, which is good and encouraging. This being baseball and baseball being a game of "ifs" but if Marmol can return to his April and May form, if Kerry can be a lights out closer in the 2nd half, if Howry can be the pitcher he was in the 2nd half last year, if Eyre can come back healthy, I still like the chances of this team the way it is currently constructed. I would have to say between the Cards and Brewers, the CUbs have potentially the best overall pitching in the league and if that bullpen can shorten the game down some, than I think this team has enough offense to still win this Division. Offensively, there's only 1 move IMO that they can even improve upon and make a move for and that's obviously replacing Cedeno's bat. Every position is basically locked in. I guess they could also add another starter to replace Marquis. But who and just how much of an imact starter would they be willing to give up prospects for? Is Burnett even a possibility at this point and would it be foolish of them to make an already solid rotation, that much better? I guess my question is, we all know that Burnett would be an upgrade over Marquis, but would he be that much of an upgrade over Marquis to give up the prospects that it would take to get him and do the CUbs even have the prospects it'd take to take the chance and get Burnett???

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno. your feeble attempt at humor just cost you any shred of credibility you ever had What a shame.

I like how you threw that in yourself. It's really not most obviously, since there's not another player on this roster that can back up SS. and who exactly do you think would be replaced? Fontenot? He's actually contributed to this team this year. I guess the other obvious option is to use that roster spot by sending down a pitcher and going to a 12 man pitching staff. As long as they add a RH bat to push Cedeno down on the totem poll, is fine with me.

I understand what you're saying, but if Theriot keeps it up offensively, I really don't see Gomez getting too many starts. Although Theriot isn't the slickest of defenders though. Cedeno has only started 10 games at SS as well though. Chris Gomez may not be the answer but he would most certainly be an upgrade and would cost next to nothing. Plus again, he's a veteran and has been in pressure situations and I would feel much more comftorable with him up in a late inning pressure situation than Cedeno, that's for sure. One thing though, is that Cedeno is not long for this team and I think it's a certainty that he will be replaced.

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

Who cares that he's 37 years old? I'm not suggesting they sign him to a long term contract. Bottomline is he's hitting .311 with a .341 OBP and is hitting .316 with an OBP of .350 as a PH. That is not only consistent numbers but ten times the prodoction you'll get out of Cedeno as your primary RH hitter off the bench. There's no comparison really and more importantly he's a veteran. I also could care less that he has 3 errors in 18 games at SS.....again, I'm not asking him to be a late inning defensive replacement either. Sh*t, Cedeno right now isn't even a defensive replacement. He is just sucking up a roster spot and needs to go and will be gone. This is ridiculous. There's pretty much no use in attempting to predict what either player can or will do in 15-20 pinch hit at bats. Those situational stats based on limited ABs also mean nothing. But go ahead and feel free to keep ranting on this team's "need" for a RH pinch hitter. Thank you , I will.