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.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

Now, HERE'S some nit picking for ya .......... Cedeno P PA P/PA BDI LOB RBI% 6th inning 82 19 4.32 2 5 0.286 7th inning 104 25 4.16 1 13 0.071 8th inning 79 20 3.95 8 9 0.471 9th inning 36 9 4.00 0 5 0.000 6th thru 9th 301 73 4.12 11 32 0.256 All innings 569 145 3.92 19 75 0.202 Factionista! Fact Nazi! Harbinger of Facts! That's the beautiful thing about stats: You can pretty much use any variation to support your opinion. Just ask Rich Hill fans. The stat I look at when judging how sucktacular Cedeno is as a PH is his robust .083 BA this year as a PH. Yeah, he only has 20 ab's as a PH so what does that tell you? It tells me that Lou has very little confidence in him as a PH. Not a good sign with your first choice for a RH PH. Cedeno is just sucking up a roster spot and he is thankfully not long on this roster as Hendry is more than aware of this weakness. Maybe I did overreact slightly about saying that this is the most "glaring" hole on this team ( which is actually a good thing when a single bench player is your most glaring hole- means you're a good team) but it definitely is something that has to be and will be addressed. Like I said previously, those of you who don't think that improving this need is not a big deal, the next time Cedeno is up as a PH late in a game and he swings at junk over his head and chokes yet again, I will bump this thread. I not only want someone who is a good PH in his roster spot, but a veteran who's been through pressure situations late in games. That's another thing I dislike about Cedeno, he's a headcase and is a terrible fundamental player who will choke every time. Can you tell I don't like Cedeno........whatsoever???? Go ahead and bump it as this team is on it's way to 95+ wins. Don't be a jackass. There is nothing wrong with strengthening your team, no matter how small of an upgrade you might think it is. If you think Hendry is sitting back and content with this team, you're very much mistaken.

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.

Now, HERE'S some nit picking for ya .......... Cedeno P PA P/PA BDI LOB RBI% 6th inning 82 19 4.32 2 5 0.286 7th inning 104 25 4.16 1 13 0.071 8th inning 79 20 3.95 8 9 0.471 9th inning 36 9 4.00 0 5 0.000 6th thru 9th 301 73 4.12 11 32 0.256 All innings 569 145 3.92 19 75 0.202 Factionista! Fact Nazi! Harbinger of Facts! That's the beautiful thing about stats: You can pretty much use any variation to support your opinion. Just ask Rich Hill fans. The stat I look at when judging how sucktacular Cedeno is as a PH is his robust .083 BA this year as a PH. Yeah, he only has 20 ab's as a PH so what does that tell you? It tells me that Lou has very little confidence in him as a PH. Not a good sign with your first choice for a RH PH. Cedeno is just sucking up a roster spot and he is thankfully not long on this roster as Hendry is more than aware of this weakness. Maybe I did overreact slightly about saying that this is the most "glaring" hole on this team ( which is actually a good thing when a single bench player is your most glaring hole- means you're a good team) but it definitely is something that has to be and will be addressed. Like I said previously, those of you who don't think that improving this need is not a big deal, the next time Cedeno is up as a PH late in a game and he swings at junk over his head and chokes yet again, I will bump this thread. I not only want someone who is a good PH in his roster spot, but a veteran who's been through pressure situations late in games. That's another thing I dislike about Cedeno, he's a headcase and is a terrible fundamental player who will choke every time. Can you tell I don't like Cedeno........whatsoever????

My apologies, I wasn't aware that improving the team was "nitpicking". I personally like the idea of improving the team as much as possible and the next time Cedeno comes up late in the game in a crucial part of the game and shows no plate discipline and swings at garbage over his head and strikes out, you let me know if you still think that i'm "nitpicking".

+666

Well besides a RH pitcher in the pen to replace Hart :lol: I gotta say when I look at the way this current team is constructed that a RH Veteran bat off the bench to replace Cedeno's is crucial. That to me is a glaring hole. Cedeno and Blanco coming off the bench as your primary RH bats simply is not good enough. I know I know, when the Cubs face righties once Soriano is healthy, Johnson will be the Primary RH bat. The point is though, Cedeno is a terrible PH and is just sucking up a roster spot and the Cubs are definitely pursuing this hole. Any ideas who would be a nice pick up? I personally wouldn't mind the Cubs going after Chris Gomez of the Pirates. He is a .263 lifetime hitter but his last 5 seasons have been pretty solid. He also has a career .303 BA and a .397 OBP as a PH. Sure would take that over Cedeno, ay?

Rumors have it, Samardzija may be pitching in Iowa much sooner than any of you baseball brainiacs thought :thumbsup:

Jeff will no doubt be up "full time" before 2010 and definitely before 2011. His deal runs up after 2011 season with club options for 2012 and 2013. His deal is for $10 Million over 5 and obviously is on the fast track. The organization didn't sign him for $10 Million (with incentives the deal could total $17 Million) to have him pitch 3 or 4 years in the Minors. Hell, there's a good chance he'll be pitching in Iowa sometime this year and an outside chance he'll be a September call up, if for nothing else to give him a taste (hopefully a part of a team fighting for playoffs) of what he's been working so hard for.

Since this is NSBB and the most popular form of expression is sarcasm, I take it you're being sarcastic. I guess it's better than the 2nd most popular form of opinion which would be using personal attacks. Even though your response doesn't deserve one, I will anyway and yeah, he hit another HR and yeah, what a prospect is right. The growth he's shown from last season at the age of 19 to this season at 20, at the Major League level is freakish and by the end of the year, he could be in very rare company. As far as Felix' progression from last season to this season, I'll settle for a swinging strikeout that is actually a strike :wave: