JonJayCutler

It also sounds like the Cubs are going with 13 pitchers today partly because Fuld isn't in Chicago yet (Stevens was still in Chicago). Bruce said that Fuld will be activated for tomorrow's game. Well that changes everything. 15 days is a lot better than 30-40. In that case I don't blame him for not acquiring a replacement. I still say we need a bat in general though, preferably for 2B. It also says in the blog that Soto could be back next week, which would be huge.

Hendry just keeps getting better all the time. Id rather we stayed internal also instead of giving up a good prospect for a month long Reed replacement. Odds are over the next month we face Im guessing, 5 LH starting pitchers at most. It says we won't be trading for a Johnson replacement, but I took it as we won't be getting another bat at all. I'm still not a believer in Fuld, at all, but I hope he proves me wrong. Although I have to say, his 10 triples at Iowa this year are quite impressive.

Hendry just keeps getting better all the time. Id rather we stayed internal also instead of giving up a good prospect for a month long Reed replacement. Odds are over the next month we face Im guessing, 5 LH starting pitchers at most. It says we won't be trading for a Johnson replacement, but I took it as we won't be getting another bat at all. I'm still not a believer in Fuld, at all, but I hope he proves me wrong.

Can someone explain to me why anyone would prefer Grabow over Beimel?

Hendry just keeps getting better all the time.

If this was the case, why wouldn't they just call up Fuld today? Shark and Stevens both pitched Tuesday and rested yesterday, while Atkins only threw eight pitches.

I'm happy to see this move, mainly because it leads me to think we could be getting a bat. Of course with Jim Hendry I won't be holding my breath. We can't just go with one center fielder can we?

I think Hill was definitely as good, if not better than Wells for a stretch there in late 2006, early 2007. But if this discussion is about whether or not Wells could go the route of Hill, I wouldn't worry about it. How often do pitchers completely lose the ability to pitch from one year to the next? Sure it happens, and no Wells isn't going to be a sub-3.00 ERA guy throughout his career, but I don't see a reason why he couldn't be a 3.75-4.25 ERA type of guy for the next few years. That would be excellent for a #4 or #5 starter.

Of course I'm sure it doesn't matter because I doubt Lou puts Teahen at second even if we get him.

On hitting alone I'd take Ross over Teahen or Hermida, but if Teahen is the only guy of the three who we can play at second then he obviously makes the most sense.

Hairston would be wonderful although I doubt the A's move him again. We need a good bat at 2B more than OF, but I think the latter would be easier to find. I was using the injury to Johnson as part of a point that if guys keep going down we need to acquire someone instead of relying on the farm everytime. It feels like half the AAA team to start the season is up here right now. I'm actually fine with Kosuke being an everyday player in center until Johnson returns. I think he deserves one more chance to prove he can play everyday.

And not just for the sake of making a move either. This team needs a new bat in here, plain and simple. Forget the bullpen, even a less than 100% B.J. Ryan is better than people like Grabow. Now I know the offense has been a lot better lately, and most keep saying that our best acquisitions will be those who are injured becoming healthy, but have the injuries really showed any sign of stopping? Today we lost half of our platoon in CF probably until September at least. Who is to say someone else won't go down after we get Soto back? We just flat out need more depth. Calling up guys like Sam Fuld isn't going to cut it. Assuming we can't get someone like Dunn, I'd be all for Mark Teahen. His salary shouldn't be a problem, and I can't see the Royals demanding too much for him. He is not a great player, but isn't bad, and going from a team like the Royals to a place where he has a chance to win should only help his performance, not to mention he would be going from the AL to the NL. Hopefully Lou would be smart enough to stick him at second (with decent speed I see no reason why he couldn't play this positon). We could keep Baker to play against lefties, which means we should probably do something with Fontenot. Maybe he could be part of the deal to acquire Teahen. Sorry, just thinking outloud here. I've been very happy with our play since the break, but seeing teams like the Cardinals, Phillies, and Giants make moves to improve their clubs is frusterating knowing that its only going to hurt our chances unless we counter with something, especially at the rate our guys are going down to injuries.

Johnson officially broke his foot? Wow, looks like we're going to have to bust out the golf carts to track down balls in the gap if we acquire Dunn. Yeah, someone reported it in the Cubs Discussion part of the board. Out one month.

How much would that suck if this trade was really going to go through until Johnson broke his foot?

Perhaps we give Jim Edmonds a call if this is true.

Apparently Mitch Atkins has 610 wins in AAA this year. Also, he has a 1.26 ERA despite allowing 425 hits while not walking or striking out anyone in 121 innings. Oh and he also has 108 saves..... http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/A/Mitch-Atkins.shtml What the heck?

LOL at this. Because if they pitch around Ramirez and keep the deficit at eight, they'll have a good chance at coming back. :roll:

Soriano batting 6th is working out pretty well isn't it?

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL.

Dumpster.

Don't blame Lou for not going to a PH there. We don't have an off-day until August 6th and last night was a long night for the bullpen. We got ourselves a ballgame though. Shutdown inning here is a must.

Is there still anyone out there who doesn't think Dempster's 2008 was a fluke?

Yeah some of these team's asking price for left-handed relievers who aren't even that good is ridiculous. We just need to trade for a bat and hope B.J. Ryan will make it up here. Couldn't Teahen learn 2B?

How many prospects should it take to get Grabow? The guy has a 1.57 whip this year. Would rather have Sherrill but I'm pretty sure Baltimore is asking for too much.