Machina

He's a baseball player from that era, so you can't really say "absolutely no way it's possible." But there's not really any evidence supporting it. Just an idea. I love Z, I hope its something else and he can work out out.

Is there a way we can get half a team again at the trade deadline, a la 2003 when we got half the Pirates? Seriously though, if the Cubs are in contention, I see a big name or two coming over. Just a feeling.

Off the juice? Seriously- please don't ban me.

I will be there, loud and proud. Yesterday was a disaster. But I have seen Petit pitch a bit over last season and this one, he will be pretty good for a few innigns and then crap the bed for an inning or two, hopefully Z will be strong tonight.

He has been really good this year. D-Backs offense is that bad. No run support at all.

Everything here in Arizona says Haren. Pumped for the game tonight! Going with a few Cubs fans and some ladies, which are D-Backs fans. Haren has been a tough luck loser this year, so D-Backs should give him no run support. But D-Backs always play the Cubs well here in Arizona.

we all knew our bullpen would suck before the season. should die hard nat fans not worry about their rotation after one week? I'm actually not that concerned about our pen. Marmol and Gregg are obviously darn good. I'm a huge Heilman fan. If Gooz keeps his arm intact, I have no doubt that his performance will be fine... hell, even Vizcaino aint half bad, provided he never faces a lefty. Patton is a gamble, and Cotts sucks. That's still a good deal better than most teams. I don't get how Gregg is obviously darn good. He's a fairly questionable bullpen arm. I am worried about Gregg's ability to handle pressure. What we have seen of him in a Cubs uniform hasn't indicated he won't give in in August and September.

I know the season is extremely young, but Jeff's numbers thus far are not horrible, but not great in Iowa. http://iowa.cubs.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=451&stn=true&sid=t451 His strike outs and his WHIP are very positive. His ERA is not good but not bad either. The thing that scares me is that he has given up 3 HRs in AAA in 12 Innings to AAA batters. Without injury, its too early to bring him up. I want to see him work on making good pitches to not give up the long ball. I think that if he tears in up, or if there is a bullpen injury in June or July, then bring him up as the 5th starter and moving marshall to the pen might be a good idea, like a few others have mentioned.

I agree, I am not trying to say he was. I was just saying that in my opinion, Jeff as Reliever would be the most beneficial this season for the big league club. For the organization as a whole for the future, he is best where he is at right now. Marmol is great and has explosive stuff, but I worry about him mentally at times. Gregg has struggled, this season. Guzman has great stuff as well, but is inexperienced and hasn't found his control yet. I am not saying we need to sell the farm to get bullpen help today, but I am certain that the cubs need to get at least one more dependable arm down there for the stretch run and hopefully playoffs. Samardzija is not that player, but he would help for the stretch run in the pen this season.

I guess it comes down to the classic question, for the future of the organization or for the here and now. While the starting pitching has not been great this year, the Cubs still have 4 good starters with Z, Ted, Rich and Ryan. And if the Cubs end up making a play for Jake Peavy, then what could would Samardzija do for us this year? While I agree that the best thing long term might be to have Samardzija as a starter, I am worried the window (with the current team) might be closing in the new few years, so I would like to see the Cubs do what it takes to get it done this season. Samardzija in the pen would be a bonus, but if the Cubs can get some bullpen help by the trade deadline, then things should be okay.

Forgot about Rivera. He is worthy for sure. I was just pointing it out because I know some of the big time relief pitchers started out as starters. But what you all said is very true, people who are only relief pitchers is fairly new to the game of baseball. And like I said earlier, part of my love for this team is that they do not have a lot of retired numbers. Makes it a little more special to me to apperciate the history of the Cubs. I am not comparing the Cubs to any other teams, but just saying, Yankees retired 16 numbers, Dodgers 10, Cardinals 11, Astros 11. Cubs only having 4 retired numbers adds to the accomplishment a bit more to me. As far as Sosa, he numbers were worthy, but does the Steroids/Banned Substance alligations tarnish that? To me, I would not like to see Sosa's number retired. But that is just my preference and personal feeling right now. If the organization decides differently, they will have my support in that.

Bumping to reinforce this. It absolutely needs to stop. It's getting ridiculous. I think the team needs to go to dinner together tonight. Talk about things. Have a mini meeting. And then watch these videos. I think that will help them the rest of the weekend and the season. http://www.bestsportsdirect.com/images/ba61_1_1_.jpg

Roberts just signed an extension with the O's...he's not going anywhere. Edit: Whoops, beaten Just trying to generate some ideas so we could discuss. I forgot that Roberts signed the extension. I just remember him being rumored to Chicago for a few years. I don't know if we can give up on DLee and we have a lot of outfields, so I was suggesting Roberts because I think 2B and Relief Pitcher are we need to most help. But I agree with what a lot of people have said thus far, that its too early to start panicing. Cubs have played less than 10 games so far, lots and lots of baseball left.

I am sure someone will be available at the deadline, but who can we get for bullpen help. I would love if we had it like the Astros a few years ago, two legit set up men and then a closer. Gregg for the 7th Marmol or who we get in a trade for the 8th and 9th (whatever order is best) Maybe a package for Sherrill and Roberts with Baltimore?

I just want to say my bad. I feel I jinxed it before the game started saying certain people would have good games. Won't happen again.

Sad, just sad. I guess we got screwed though on balls and strikes, but that is unacceptable.

My gut is telling me D-Lee and Hoff will have good games today. I hope I am right. Lets get some runs early.

Grace was 3rd-4th in line until Dawson/Maddux left. Then he was behind Sandberg til he retired. Then he had maybe 2 years of being the most popular Cub before Sosa took over. Mark Grace does not represent the Cubs in any way. Exactly. Grace was only a top Cub because the Cubs sucked. The 90's Cubs were horrible. The fact that Grace sticks out the most from that time doesn't make him worthy of honor. It was a sad miserable time to be a Cubs fan, in part because their best player was nothing special. Yeah the Cubs were bad in the 90's, but Grace did lead the 90's in hits. I don't think he should have his number retired, but I think there is a argument to be made that it should. Also Marmol could have a chance assuming he becomes the fulltime closer within the next year and he stays with the Cubs for all if not most of his career. Marmol could be the closer for the next 10ish years and he could rack up a pretty good amount of saves (overrated stat but valued in mainstream baseball) and post some good WHIP, K, and ERA numbers as well. I agree with what you are saying about Marmol. But my question is, how many numbers aroudn baseball are retired for relief pitchers who spent their entire careers as relief pitchers? Does Lee Smith have his number retired? Hoffman will in San Diego, but other than that, no one is coming to mind right now that spent their entire career in the pen.

I think pride has a lot to do with it. From what I have heard here in Zona, is that he worked very hard this offseason. He hit over .300 in Japan during his career, he expected a lot out of him and he probably thought he could be like Ishiro. At the begining of the season we all thought he could last season, but then he struggled to hit just above the Mendoza Line. I am sure he was embarrased for himself, his family, and he felt like he let the team and the city down. I not not saying he is going to hit .320 with 43 HRS and 130RBIs and a Gold Glove, but I think we will see a much improved player and someone who is worthy of a starting spot in the outfield for the rest of the 2009 season.

One thing that I love about the Cubs is that there are only four retired numbers. I know there would be more from back in the day, but still, its not easy. You have to be a GREAT player and a real ambassador for the team and the City of Chicago. That said, I do not think anyone is on track for that to happen, not even Big Z. He has been a good, pitch who has been great at times, but too inconsistent and doesn't have the presense on the team and in the city that Santo, Banks, and Ryno did. The only player I can see right here right now with any potential of getting their number retired would be Soto. And he would have to remain a Cub for many years and put up better numbers in most of those years, and at worst similar numbers to last season in the other years, in order for that to happen.