tmicmiller

So Volsted, maybe Wells and Coleman are the next in line for the fifth stater spot...but at this point I'd almost prefer to see Raley first and Rusin second.

The Chief's pitchers need to drill someone. Regardless of how long Baez watched his HR, you can't let your teammate keep getting drilled. Eventually he will get hurt, although you'd hope he'd learn his lesson before then.

When does Kirk get a bump to double A? I hope he doesn't fall off the cliff like last year. Any ideas on ceiling for Kirk?

I'd prefer Mike Maddux. Having a manager that is in touch with the pitching staff would be a welcome change.

#1 B. Jackson #2 J. Beaz #3 Sczur #4 McNutt #5 Vitters #6 Vogelbach #7 Maples #8 Flaherty #9 Whitenack #10 Castillo #11 Beliveu #12 Antigua #13 Lake #14 Dolis #15 Carpenter Also of note: Watkins, Rhee, Candelierio, Amaya, Kirk, Rusin, Ha

Rusin, Castillo and Lake

I actually like the Ian Stewart idea. Stewart hits left handed, and is an excellent defensive 3rd baseman. Plus I think he'd be cheap to trade for, possibly a couple reliever prospects like Dolis and Gaub along with a third player. Stewart is definately capable of hitting .260 with an obp in the .330 range with 20 plus HR's and plus defense.

Lefty relievers and catchers are two spots the Cubs have depth. I'm all for trading Marshall and possibly Soto... Lefties: -Marshall -Russell (been good in the bullpen) -Grabow (gone soon) -Maine (AAA) -Gaub (AAA) -Rusin (AAA) -Beliveau (AA) looks like a stud Why not move Marshal from a position of depth and strength in the organization? However, I wouldn't do it without getting back a top 50 prospect and a high upside B prospect or two. I think the Cubs could get that for Marshall since he dominates left handed hitters, but is also really good against right handed hitters. Any contender would be interested.

How long until Dustin Geiger is moved up to Boise? He is hitting .390 with an OPS over 1.000. BA had him and Beeler as sleepers from last years draft...looks like they called that one.

Hendry only trades Garza if it is a clear win...meaning someone drastically overpays. Otherwise he looks bad (again). I'd be shopping Garza to the Yankees asking for Banuelos and Betances along with 2 others, hoping the Yankees are desperate enough to overpay. If not, the Cubs hold him and he anchors the rotation for the next couple years. I saw a stat today while watching the game that that Cubs are 29-25 when Garza, Dempster, or Zambrano starts. If the back end wasn't such a mess, this could be a .500 ball club.

Garza isn't going to the Red Sox. If the Cubs get serious about trading him, Hendry will use the Red Sox as leverage to get a better package from the Yankees. The Yankees have Montero, Banuelos, and Betances....much better prospects than what the Red Sox have left after dealing for Agon. Two of those three, plus about 3 more B prospects would probably do it. At the end of the day, I don't think the Cubs move Garza unless someone like the Yankees make an overwhelming offer Hendry can't refuse. I doubt the Yankees do that, and the Red Sox don't have enough to get it done.

If I remember correctly, we had discussions with Texas about Chris Davis centered around either Castillo or Chirinos. The rumor was Texas wanted to flip either to Tampa for Garza...of course built around a deal with other more premium prospects like our Archer and Lee. Not saying he was the lynch pin in the deal, but Tampa obviously liked him which is why Texas was after him. Soto is arbitration eligible for the second time....guessing he will be in the 5 million per year range next year. I'd rather have Castillo for 400k. I really don't want Soto locked up on a FA deal. He is good every other year, and gets hurt all the time.

Please trade Soto... Tampa, Boston, someone will over pay for Soto. Remember, Chirnos was an important part of the Garza deal because catching is such a premium. Catching just happens to be an area of depth for the Cubs with Castillo and Clevenger close to ready and I think Max Ramirez is still kicking around at Iowa. Long term, it is probably Gibbs. Soto gets hurt too often, is up and down, and is about to get really expensive. Let's trade him now.

So Kirk or Rosscup??? Rosscup higher level, but a little older. Kirk has better numbers. What do the scouting reports say?

Anyone have a scouting report on Kirk? His numbers in Peoria are off the charts. I'm trying to figure out why he is still there, and not in Daytona yet? I've heard great curveball, and his walk numbers indicate great control. Where does his fastball sit? Does he have a 3rd pitch? Is Kirk this years McNutt?