RedFlash

Is this the yr of the BLOWN calls, or what?

Maybe he's excited about having the Batman (Harden) to his Superman in the rotation?

You could, but you can't pick very many other guys beyond Lincecum who could do a better job of mowing the Cubs down. I have a feeling that Cubs are going to rope Lincecum.

I agreed to a point. If Harden shows he will be healthy, in the next 3 weeks, then another stater won't be necessarily (and I would be confident that Marquis/Marshall/Lieber/Geaux Dan would get the job done as #5), but if Harden shows a little wear and tear (which is possible), then you could see the Cubs make a trade for another starter. I still say try to see what Colorado wants for Aaron Cook. There don't seem to be nearly as many questions surrounding his durability as there would be with Burnett or Bedard, and he isn't as crappy as Wolf or Maddux. If that is the case, then the Cubs could see about Cook, but also see about Brian Fuentes and Ryan Spilborghs. The Rockies could help the Cubs fill some serious needs in one trade. Spilborghs got hurt in Milwaukee last night and is headed for the DL Hairston, or Blake would still be viable RH threats off the bench.

Heck, I take Dan Harenesque production from Harden.

Come on Cub, let's give Harden and Geaux Dan a welcoming gift.....a super-dooper whooping of the Baker's Reds.

Donaldson's big value is in his draft spot and good numbers at Boise. he struggled mightily with Peoria this season. with Soto, Castillo, and Bautista having monster seasons, Donaldson was becoming an even bigger long shot to make it here anyway. To be fair, that Bautista kid, doesn't look like he will be staying at C as he progress in the minors.

I agreed to a point. If Harden shows he will be healthy, in the next 3 weeks, then another stater won't be necessarily (and I would be confident that Marquis/Marshall/Lieber/Geaux Dan would get the job done as #5), but if Harden shows a little wear and tear (which is possible), then you could see the Cubs make a trade for another starter. I still say try to see what Colorado wants for Aaron Cook. There don't seem to be nearly as many questions surrounding his durability as there would be with Burnett or Bedard, and he isn't as crappy as Wolf or Maddux. If that is the case, then the Cubs could see about Cook, but also see about Brian Fuentes and Ryan Spilborghs. The Rockies could help the Cubs fill some serious needs in one trade.

Sig.....

I agreed to a point. If Harden shows he will be healthy, in the next 3 weeks, then another stater won't be necessarily (and I would be confident that Marquis/Marshall/Lieber/Geaux Dan would get the job done as #5), but if Harden shows a little wear and tear (which is possible), then you could see the Cubs make a trade for another starter.

how could he pick Batman over SUPERman? No the question should be, why doesn't he like Canada's Premier Team, Alpha Flight?

This statement to me, says that he is trying to give Cards fans hope that they are still in it for the long haul. But in turn, all this statement is....is false hope. To call LaRussa the "best manager" is ridiculous. LaRussa might be the MOST OVERRATED MANAGER this side of Joe Torre and Bobby Cox. wait so if larussa, torre and cox are overrated, then who the hell is a good manager? Sciossa, or however he spell his name. I'm not saying LaRussa/Torre/Cox are bad managers, or are not good managers, I'm just saying they get more credit then they prolly deserve.

Definately Nomar. Not only because it down to the last minute, but when he got to Chicago, he got a standing ovation before the game, before his first AB, and he collected his first hit as a Cub, to clinched the game late against the Philles. That was also Maddux's 1st or 2nd try at 300, which he didn't get, but Wrigley Field was definately abuzzed with Nomar coming, and Maddux going for 300.

I would like to add a "threat" from the right side off the bench, to compliment Ward. Guys like Casey Blake (2008--.279/.353/.438/.791--8hr/21 2b), Scott Hairston (2008--- .255/.302/.494/.796 with 13 hrs/14 2bs) Ryan Spilborghs (2008--.314/.420/.497/.917) , would make enticing bats off the bench. Because right now, the only "RH power threat" off the bench is Carlos Zambrano. So, yes, I would like to add a power threat from the RIGHT side before the deadline. If you can add a Fuentes or a Marte, or even a Ron Mahay: 2008: Ron Mahay: 1.91era 14Holds 36Ks 1.19whip Brian Fuentes: 3.60era 14saves 34K's 1.26whip Demaso Marte: 3.46era 15holds 44's 1.13whip I wouldn't lose sleep over it. So if the Cubs could land one of Blake/Hairston/Spilborghs for the bench, and one of Fuentes/Marte/Mahay for the pen (to replace Cotts, who could be moved back in the deal for one of these lefties), I would say we would have one heck of a team.

Here's how my day went: Got at a 2pm, didn't jump on the internet. By 4pm, went to Logan's Steakhouse for an early dinner. By 6pm, went bowling, for a couple of hours. By 9pm, went to see "Wanted" and hang out with some friends. By 1100pm, took a bath for an hour. By 1200am, jumped on the interent to find out how the game went, but: The first thing I saw on myexcite homepage was: Cubs Acquire RHP Harden From Athletics My jaw dropped as I couldn’t believe the Cubs would acquire a talent top end starter, so close to the Brewers getting CC. I honestly, believe the Cubs would eventually land AJ Burnett closer to the deadline (and they still could, in all honesty). And I couldn’t believe it, I really couldn’t believe it. Then I found out, that they picked up Chad Gaudin along with Harden, for Gallagher and replacement parts. Even with his injury concerns, to get Harden so cheaply, was highway robbery. To say, I was dancing like I was channeling my inner Mick Jagger would be an understatement. I know some people had favorites as to who to acquire, but to get a young a man, who is 26 (Gaudin is only 25) and has not reached his potential, for players that could be replaced, and losing Gallagher, was simply too good of a deal to pass up. I know some people thinking the Cubs could still land a starter at the deadline, and they could, but my gut feeling is, Hendry wanted Gaudin included, as insurance, just in case Harden does get hurt. On top of that, I found out the Cubs had signed their Top Draft pick, and the Cubs beat the Reds, to me, this is as perfect of a day, in the life of a Cub fan as you can get. Not to wax poetically, but this day just seem too perfect for Cubs fans. But I am going to enjoy it for as long as I can. So pardon me, but I have to say it…. RICH-----SOAPDROPPING-----HARDEN is now a Cub. And I look forward to watching a “Harden-Wood” combo shutting down opps for the rest of the yr. And one more thing: People are concern about Rich Harden and his injuries histories, well guess what, the Brewers have the same concerns about Ben Sheets. In fact the Brewers/Cubs Top 2 starters are mirror images of one anther. Both have heavyweight looking ACE pitchers (CC .v. Z) and they both have extremely talented, yet supremely injury prone ACES (Sheets .v. Harden), so both teams have the same concerns about ½ of the studs combos.

This statement to me, says that he is trying to give Cards fans hope that they are still in it for the long haul. But in turn, all this statement is....is false hope. To call LaRussa the "best manager" is ridiculous. LaRussa might be the MOST OVERRATED MANAGER this side of Joe Torre and Bobby Cox. The simple truth is...Perry is trying to convince himself and the rest of the Cards nation, that his team still has a shot. But the reality is....unless they make a big deal, they are playing for 3rd place.

If Beane is going to trade Harden, he's going to want Harden's replacement in the deal, ie Sean Gallagher, and then a couple of good upside players, who are close to being MLers themselves, perhaps Pie and Ceda? Not necessarily because he could bring up Gio Gonzalez. Beane would probably want to wait until the very end of the trade deadline to give Gonzalez a few more weeks in AAA. If Beane feels the time is right to trade Harden, Gonzalez is just about ready and as a young pitcher he'll benefit from McAfee Stadium. If he could acquire an arm like Gallagher to replace Harden in the rotation, the A's could still allow Gio Gonzalez the extra time in the minors, then call him up. Adding a kid like Gallahger, would allow the A's to push back bring up Gonzalez till Septmeber, unless they move Blanton at the deadline. You see, the A's move Harden for a package surrounding Gallagher and perhaps Pie. The A's would hold Gonzalez in the minors for a few additional weeks, as to figure out if they want to move Blanton at the deadline, after moving Harden. If they decide to move Blanton at the deadline, they would then have Gallagher AND Gonzalez join a rotation that includes Greg Smith, Dana Eveland, and Justin Duchscherer. That becomes a very nice young rotation for the A's. So, it's not a matter of waiting for the A's to move Harden (in terms of trading him now, or closer to the deadline), and allowing Gio to work in the minors, they're waiting on the right package to be offered by the Cubs (or whoever). I would offer 3 good prospect (Gallagher/Pie/Ceda), and a ptbnl. The PTBNL would have a condition: if Harden stays healthy an dmakes say.....80-90% of his starts in the 2nd half, then add a 4th good prospect, but if Harden misses more then say 20% of his starts in the 2nd half, the PTBNL would be of the Kevin Hart variety. So, I believe Hendry and Beane is having a staring contest as to the perimeters of the deal. If Beane wants the same kind of package for Harden as he got for Haren, then he waits for the offseason, or if he gets it, but he has to include a ML arm along with Harden (someone like Devine or a good prospect). But if Beane is willing to take 3 GUARANTEE good, young Major League ready players (2 of them pitchers), and a PTBNL, I think a deal can be reach quickly. It will depend on what Beane wants to do. And we both Beane and Hendry often thinks/acts outside the box.

they had a writer from toronto on the score today talking about this, he said it was a long shot and would require a good package but isn't completely out of the question I'd kill for Halladay, but I just don't see the Cubs having the ammunition to pull that kind of a deal off. i think he's a 10/5 player now, so halladay would have to want to be a cub in first place for this to happen. Toronto is a nice city, but I don't think you'd have to twist Roy's arm. Either way, it's a pipe dream, IMO. It is a pipedream, but it can't hurt to ask. If by some miralce, the Cubs do land Halladay, there would be no question that the Cubs are the NL Best, and totally counter the Brewers acquisition of CC. So, you know what they say.........."luck favors the bold." So who knowsm right? But if they somehow landed Halladay, IDK what I would do.

(Can't take credit for the video) Man the look on Angel Hernandez's face after Mongo saying he would have some "speaks" with him, was utterly, and without question, priceless, and friggin' hilarious.

I think we pound him, this time around.

If Beane is going to trade Harden, he's going to want Harden's replacement in the deal, ie Sean Gallagher, and then a couple of good upside players, who are close to being MLers themselves, perhaps Pie and Ceda?

At this point in their careers, Marshall and Hill are comparable pitchers, with a slight edge to Hill, but not enough to say he is a "better pitcher." Hill's career: 4.37era 1.268whip with a 106 ERA+ in 57 starts Marshall's careers: 4.76era 1.445whip with a 97ERA+ in 46 starts So again, the numbers slightly give Hill the edge, but he isn't a "significant edge" to a point you keep Hill, and trade Marshall. So if Oakland or Atlant wants to buy low on Rich Hill (for either Hudson or Harden), I would have no problem moving Hill in the deal. Same with Marshall. And yes, a rotation of: Z Hudson/Harden Lilly Dempster Hill/Marshall Would be sweet, and would be significantly better then the Brewers 3-4-5.

Coinciding with a Cubs winning streak....

Didn't someone do that to Randy Johnson once in Arizona? It was Curt Schilling, and I believe either the late Mike Darr or Ben Davis did a bunt for a hit, and our own Bob Brenly call they bunt attempt, "Chickenpoop" (I using a cleaner word then what Brenly used).

Why? Because of some "unwritten rule" of baseball? The game was close enough (3-0), to warrant Blanco going for a bunt for a hit. There is nothing wrong with Blanco going for the bunt. Had the game been something like 5-0 or higher, that's one thing, but 3-0 game it's still a winnable game, thus Blanco DID THE RIGHT THING, unfortunately DeWitt made a heck of a throw.