soapy

Happy Kerry Wood day. I don't expect much out of the gate, but I'm happy to see him get a chance. I anxiously await seeing him take the mound for the first time. I can't really think of anything better than seeing Wood contribute down the stretch of a pennant race. In my weaker moments, I find myself day dreaming about him closing out game 7 of the WS. That would be about the greatest thing I could imagine.

Regardless, playing him because he had a good night last night isn't really the smartest decision. Let's play him because he's...you know...better than Floyd or Pagan. Just like he was before last night's game.

I'm starting to think that whether or not this offense will have enough will probably be dictated by two positions: Catcher and Right Field. I'm guessing at this point that it's Theriot and/or Cedeno the rest of the way at SS, and Jones/Pagan in CF. I have little to no hope that they will improve, so I just hope they don't decline any further. RF: Murton needs to start getting starts vs. all LHP at an absolute minimum and preferably more than that. A 50/50 split of playing time would even be an improvement at this point. On top of that, Murton and Floyd both need to produce. I've stuck up for Murton for two years and will continue to do so but he and Floyd need to start hitting (with some power too) if this team is going to score enough runs. C: One of two things needs to happen: 1) Kendall needs to prove Hendry right and start producing. It's possible (though not at all likely, IMO) that he could regain even last year's form. He put up .321/.391/.368 after the all-star break last year after struggling in the first half. If he got even close to that, I'd be beyond thrilled. 2) The other alternative is to give Soto a shot. The guy is mashing and the Cubs are currently getting almost nothing from the Catcher's spot. At the very least, call him up to alternate with Kendall (instead of Hill). I don't feel confident that the SP will continue to be quite as good as it's been to date. Even a slight drop off will be costly if the offense doesn't improve. I'll give Hendry the benefit of the doubt (for once) and try to believe that the pieces he wanted to acquire were just too costly. However, there are in-house option available that have a legitimate chance to improve this team and they need to be used. Soto and Murton being two of them. Going on a hot streak doesn't mean you have to maintain the status quo. Things could still be improved, and they should. If these things happen, they can be good enough. If they maintain current production from C and RF, I don't think they make it.

Maybe Hendry can convince Bowden to take Pagan or Jones instead. :pint:

Would also likely be the death knell of Murton in Chicago, correct? I kind of thought Church would play CF and wouldn't really effect Murton. Of course, Murton could be part of the deal. I don't know if I'd like giving up Murton for Church. They seem very similar, with Murton having a little more potential and maybe a little better bat and Church being a better defender and being able to play CF. Church is every bit the bat Murton is, probably better. agreed. i'm a huge Murton fan, but i'd probably swap those two with out hesitation.

Would also likely be the death knell of Murton in Chicago, correct? I kind of thought Church would play CF and wouldn't really effect Murton. Of course, Murton could be part of the deal.

WCIU? Lame.

August 20

well, assuming for a moment that nothing happens in the next seven hours, my feelings are that the Cubs might be good enough, but i have several concerns. CF, RF and C (and probably SS) are problem areas, offensively. Some of this could be helped in-house with Murton, Soto and maybe even Cedeno. Pie could also be an outside shot to join the club and help out, but i doubt it. I worry about SP. Marquis is struggling and I am concerned that Lilly and/or Marshall won't be able to maintain their performance to date. Especially Marshall. I hope I'm wrong there, but the Cubs offense isn't strong enough to withstand a meltdown from a couple of starters toward the end of the season. To your first question: Could Hendry have done more? It's hard to say. It just depends on what is available and for what price. It seems there are some options out there in Griffey, Dunn, Church, Renteria, R. Hernandez, etc. but it's hard to say what teams were seeking for these guys. Maybe Hendry thought the asking prices were too high.

I pray that Murton goes 4-4 tonight with a HR and 4 RBI's so Lou will "play the hot hand".

The Cubs record after game 50: 22-28. Is that a cold streak? Edit: It got worse; 22-31 on June 2.

Do you honestly think that the Cardinals where the best team last year? The Marlins in 2003? Let's just get to the playoffs and take our chances. the marlins had the best record in the NL (IIRC) in the second half of 2003. it wasn't just luck, they were a good team. their pitching was dominant. and yes, they got a little luck as most teams need to win in the playoffs. however, how often does a mediocre team like the 2006 cardinals win the world series? it's very rare. there's no reason for the Cubs to stand pat with the glaring holes they currently have, unless there just really truly is nobody available, which i don't believe. Don't the Cubs have the best record in the NL this year in the second half.....So far! I'm just saying.... absolutely. but there are two months to go. we'll see. i think the point remains, they have holes that can be filled and should try to get better.

Do you honestly think that the Cardinals where the best team last year? The Marlins in 2003? Let's just get to the playoffs and take our chances. the marlins had the best record in the NL (IIRC) in the second half of 2003. it wasn't just luck, they were a good team. their pitching was dominant. and yes, they got a little luck as most teams need to win in the playoffs. however, how often does a mediocre team like the 2006 cardinals win the world series? it's very rare. there's no reason for the Cubs to stand pat with the glaring holes they currently have, unless there just really truly is nobody available, which i don't believe.

this really can't be said enough. this team is not good enough to win a world series right now, and that's all that matters to me. winning a weak division would be great, but not enough. they need another bat, or at the very least need to tinker with the pieces they already control (murton, cedeno, soto, pie, etc.).

Agreed that they should look into all those guys, but don't you think they are doing that? I'm sure the organization is still looking for a deal if they can find one that's good-they simply aren't desperate right now and refuse to overpay. Bruce told us a few days ago that Griffey was basically unavailable and that Dunn was commanding a very high price according to his sources. no i certainly do think hendry is looking into several options, possibly including the above mentioned names. i was responding to the people saying that there wasn't anyone out there that can improve this team unless the cubs are willing to get fleeced. i don't really believe that. i hadn't seen Bruce's comment about Griffey and/or Dunn. that's interesting. however, i wouldn't say they are the only two options. just the first two that popped into my head responding to Rusch33's question.

Who's out there to get that we won't get fleeced over? Griffey? Dunn? Renteria? Probably forgetting a few others. You think Atlanta won't fleece the Cubs considering they're in the playoff race with us? Do you think Cincinnati isn't going to ask for the moon for both Dunn and Griffey? Are you sure you want to give Hill possibly for one of those guys because that might be one of the pitchers that goes. of course it's possible the Cubs would get fleeced acquiring one of those guys, but how do you know? are you saying it shouldn't even be considered and we should just assume there's no chance to get someone who will upgrade this offense? that seems insane to me. the braves need pitching. the reds need everything. is see no reason not to inquire about guys like this. and to answer your question specifically, no, i wouldn't give up R. Hill for those guys. but i'm not sure that's what it would take.

Who's out there to get that we won't get fleeced over? Griffey? Dunn? Renteria? Probably forgetting a few others.

i couldn't help but think hendry might stay put when the cubs were putting up runs saturday and sunday. just based on some of the things he said about wanting to see what the club would do offensively before he decides. having said that, i don't really put much into this "report". obviously hendry is going to say he's happy, and Levine is probaby just speculating beyond that.

yeah, we posted at the same time. ha.. anyway, i'd have interest for the right price. he's nothing special, but could be helpful is used properly.

Ward?

Phil Rogers claims the Cubs are scouting Ty Wigginton

hahaha...only the cubs would try to correct the mistake of trading for Kendall by trading for Laird. of course, one might say the mistake of trading for Kendall was preceded by the mistake of trading Barrett. oh, and free Soto.

i wasn't a fan of the signing, but he's been fantastic so far. i hope he keeps it up. i do still worry about the last two years of the contract, but we'll see what happens.

good to see you still haven't said who you'd like playing most of the time in rightfield. why back up a perfectly irrational claim with facts? you racist!

I'm SICK of people going into threads that are clearly labeled with a specific topic only to bitch about said topic.