THISisTHEyear09

Between Arnett, Bayshore, and Phegley i dont understand how IU didnt make it farther. who do you think will be picked 1st out of these guys? who will be the best in the future? Will the Cubs pick any of them at 31?

First, Jake Fox is a FA after this year so they better trade him before seasons end Second, I dont see any takers for D-Lee I see the line-up pretty much the same (maybe experimenting soriano at second during the spring)

Jake Fox is putting up mind-boggling numbers for Triple-A Iowa http://www.masslive.com/sports/index.ssf/2009/05/jake_fox_is_putting_up_mindbog.html

I think Soriano to second makes a lot of sense. They can get rid of Miles(who doesnt do a thing) because they will have Fontenot on the bench. Put Hoffpauir and Johnson in a platoon in Left and bring up Fox to be the power guy off the bench. And you keep the Gold Golve Lee in the field.

Since the Cubs are struggling to score runs (scored 2 runs in their last four games) maybe we should changes in the order? 1. Soriano 2B 2. Theriot SS 3. Fukodome CF 4. Bradley RF 5. Hoffpauir LF 6. J. Fox 1B 7. Soto C 8. Fontenot 3B Also our starting pitching isnt so bad so why not get a solid bat in a trade insted of Peavy?

In case you don’t follow minor league baseball. There is a guy down in Iowa (triple A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs), who is hitting the ball like crazy. The thing is, it’s nothing new for Jake Fox, he was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2003 draft outof the University of Michigan. All he has done since he has been in the minors is hit the long ball, to the tune of 122 dingers as of yesterday, including 17 so far this season. So far this year in 149 at bats, he is hitting 0.423/17 HR/50 RBI/.886 SLG/ 1.389 OPS, those numbers are just ridiculous. So here is the question I was asking myself, he is in triple A, a skip away from the majors and he is obviously killing the ball in the minors. Why isn’t he in the majors? So I did some snooping and aparently he is a very bad fielder. The only position they trust him at is first base. Although he has played in the outfield. Why in the world has no American League team inquired about him as a DH? I mean what team wouldn’t want a 0.275 Avg/25 HR/80 RBI DH hitter in the middleof their lineup? I understand why he hasn’t been called up to the majors as there is no room for him in Chicago, but this guy deserves a shot in the majors. He had a small taste in 2007 and did horrible, but it’s now almost 2 years since then and he is entering his prime at 26 years old. He is ready for the pros and what ever team lands him (since he probably won’t stay with the Cubbies),is going to be awfully happy he is their DH. Like I said he is capable of 0.280/25/80 easy, there isn’t one team in the AL that couldn’t use him. What is the most you have to give up? A single prospect? Probably not even a top 10 in the organization prospect. So that brings us to his current value as a baseball card. After a search of eBay I came away with 2 of his autographs. Both will run you around $10 – $15, but for a guy that is absolutely exploding in the minors, I would consider this the buy low. I could see it just skyrocketing to $100 or so if he gets promoted and continues to hit like he is in the minors. I am curious if anyone else has seen himplay and what your opinion of him is. http://badwax.net/2009/04/29/the-curious-case-of-jake-fox/

The guys they got for derosa are all emerging prospects. The Chicago Cubs scouts obviously knew more about these players than the public did. This trade will pan out a lot better for the cubs than the indians. I give the Cubs and their scouts a lot of credit for this one

You get a chance to see radar guns for these guys? Also, any thoughts on the position players down there (Thomas, Barney, Clevenger, Guyer, Wright, etc.)? Didnt see any times on those guys but Cales REALLY impressed me. Jackson looks like a promising starter if he keeps at it and Gaub looks like he's ML ready. Thomas had a solid hit to lead of the game but gets fooled on offspeed stuff sometimes Barney didnt have a good game walked once and scored thats about it. Doesnt put effort into defense Clevenger looked OK behind the plate kind of reminds me of kendall Guyer went 0-3 and left 4 men on i think Wright can really hit the ball Adduci looks like he can be a good ball player also

I went to Tennesee game today, Jackson started out pretty good first two innings, rough 3rd, good final three. Cales came in the 7th struck out two, he has a slider that might be the best one I have seen in AA, its filthy. This guy was drafted last year and could make it to AAA by the end of the season!!! or should I even mention September?? Gaub came with runners on 2nd and 3rd and struck out 2 to get out of the inning. Bring up Gaub, get rid of Cotts Shlitter came in and gave up a hit then a walk and got a dp to end the game.

Bring up Jake Fox and Jeff Stevens

Everyone ripped the trade at first not looking so bad now is it Archer- 1-0, 1.42 ERA, 19 inn, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 13 BB, 19 SO, .133 against- needs to work on command and will gd prospect Gaub- 0-0, 2.16 ERA, 8.1 inn, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 15 SO, .167 against - just waiting for a callup maybe sooner than later Stevens- 13in, 4H, 0 R, 0ER, 7 BB, 13 K, .095 against - next callup? These 3 pitchers are now top prospects in our organization

Who would be our closer/setup/relief pitching in the future? 2012 Bullpen Closer- Carlos Marmol Setup- David Cales LHR- John Gaub Mid Relief- Stevens, Reinhard, Ruhlman, Guzman What do you think of that bullpen barring any trades/ FA signings?

Jake Fox seems to be falling off a bit, but then again, if I knew I had no chance at a promotion, how inclined would I be to overperform at work? Falling off but still leading the PCL in almost every catagory

I think Wadell is pretty good any chance he gets called up? Cales save for Daytona, 24th Round Pick Last Year, now thats pretty good

Gaub another good outing

Jake Fox NEEDS to be on this team. He is leading the PCL in Runs (14), Hits (23), Doubles (6), HR (7), RBI (24), TB (54), Slugging (1.041), and OPS (1.549) --- If those numbers dont belong on this team no one does. I dont care if he cant play defense, he would be the best rhh off the bench. Guab is another good call batters are hitting .141 against, looks like that Dero trade isnt looking that bad-- archer did good in last start 1 bb over 5 inn Another guys that could go the system this year is Cales, has the devestating slider that could get any ML hitter out

What guys would be deserving of a callup beside samardzija. Do we have any good lefty relievers down in the minors?

Cales the win for Daytona he has filthy stuff.

Im hoping Chris Archer and Jon Gaub do really well and I know they will because the Cubs were confident in the players they got back from the Derosa trade. Another guy to watch that could have a breakout type season is Brad Synder he looked pretty good in Cubs camp and they could need him if Fukodome is still using that bat with the big hole in the middle. Who are your guys to breakout this season and why?

Im saying Lilly will come through yet again this year because he is always a dependable starter to count on and give it his all everytime he throws a ball Lilly 18 W-- consistent arm Zambrano 16 W -- never know which carlos is going to take the mound Dempster 14 W -- dont know if last year was a fluke or the real deal Marshall 13 W -- young, fresh arm looks really promising Harden 11 W -- If stays healthy could be a 20 game winner but he hasnt held up

Im saying Lilly will come through yet again this year because he is always a dependable starter to count on and give it his all everytime he throws a ball Lilly 18 W-- consistent arm Zambrano 16 W -- never know which carlos is going to take the mound Dempster 14 W -- dont know if last year was a fluke or the real deal Marshall 13 W -- young, fresh arm looks really promising Harden 11 W -- If stays healthy could be a 20 game winner but he hasnt held up

Wouldn't be suprising though if they kept Cashner their half a season to get his command under control.

Iowa MVP: T. Colvin-would be Shark if he stays at AAA this year Suprise: J. Dubois Tenn MVP: J. Jackson Suprise: A. Cashner Daytona MVP: J. Vitters Suprise: D. Cales Peoria MVP: R. Flaherty Suprise: don't really have any Who would you put as you mvps and suprisesy

Im wont say anthing more on the subject, should've never brought it up

Good one