SouthSideRyan

I think Marlon Byrd is the culprit behind the culture of losing. He chose to sign with a team that didn't even come close to the playoffs. He's the big addition to last year's team and lo and behold we're much worse

Even if you assume the Phils can't add a cent of payroll and are getting Oswalt free this year, they're STILL getting Oswalt for 9M next year. Until we hire Jim Bowden midseason 2011, Ed Wade is easily the worst GM in baseball

Now Lee doesn't hustle?

Just imagine how well Colvin would be playing if Derrek Lee wasn't around

There's nothing blocking DLee from resigning with the Cubs during the offseason if he feels this is the best place for him contract wise or family wise or whatever his reasons. Blocking the trade only does two things. It keeps him from having to uproot himself and be away from his family more over the next few months and it keeps the Cubs from getting whatever prospects they might have for his services. Derrek Lee doesn't owe the Cubs prospects for his services. In turn, the Cubs don't owe him the right to play every day to prove himself to future employers. This would matter a lot more if the Cubs had a 1B prospect who they could get some playing time (hey 2002 Cubs), as it is you let him play out the season, chase the big names via trade in the offseason, and go from there.

I think it'd be a terrible move for him. Jimmy Collins was way more established in recruiting Chicago when he went there and it didn't get him very far.

He'd need to petition the NCAA for a medical hardship waiver seeing as he already used his redshirt last season. I doubt he'd get it, even if he wanted to, and it doesn't sound like he would

There's not really a common bond between the 3 pitchers you named with regards to their stuff or what was holding them back. Why not hope he makes something out of the major league ready arms we already have?

I could care less, though I would prefer just to call it the SWC again. I'm sure the non-Texas schools would love that

You ask that as if he's got 3-4. He's got 1 so far in his career. And he's yet to do it over a full season of 180-200 innings either. Still, he could be your 2nd more reliable starter next year. That's not good. If you can call monthly end points over 2 seasons full years from Lee, can I add up the random innings Wells had before '09 and put them on to his 2010 season? And Wells threw 191.1 professional innings last year. Pretty sure Carlos Zambrano would be the 2nd most reliable starter behind Dempster. You're acting like these guys are getting by on pure luck this year and they're not. You trade Silva's bloated ass, fill out the 5th with Diamond/Jackson/Cashner and have the other 2 as swingmen/AAA insurance. It's not complicated, and that's an above average rotation. Again, this team may have Cashner pencilled into the bullpen and we have no idea where Zambrano will be. I'm not sure what 2008 innings would have to do with Wells' 2010. Ok, please tell me what does have to do with Wells's 2010, because you apparently don't feel his 2009 or 2010 performance offer kind of hint as to what we can expect from here on out. Yes, congrats you got me he hasn't pitched a full season in 2010 yet, the worthless bastard. Why is he likely to be so far below average the rest of the way such that this season can't be considered a full above average season?

You ask that as if he's got 3-4. He's got 1 so far in his career. And he's yet to do it over a full season of 180-200 innings either. Still, he could be your 2nd more reliable starter next year. That's not good. If you can call monthly end points over 2 seasons full years from Lee, can I add up the random innings Wells had before '09 and put them on to his 2010 season? And Wells threw 191.1 professional innings last year. What is it in Wells's peripherals over this season and last that makes you think he won't be good going forward? Pretty sure Carlos Zambrano would be the 2nd most reliable starter behind Dempster. You're acting like these guys are getting by on pure luck this year and they're not. You trade Silva's bloated ass, fill out the 5th with Diamond/Jackson/Cashner and have the other 2 as swingmen/AAA insurance. It's not complicated, and that's an above average rotation.

How many years of above average major league pitching before Wells has enough of a track record? You're already punting next year anyway, so why would you want to bring in a guy like Happ who the best you could hope for is what every one of our pitchers did this year?

If you assume they have penciled Cashner into a relief role and are doing anything they can to get rid of Zambrano, they don't really have an abundance of starting pitchers. Silva is having a fluke year, Lilly is gone, Wells has hit a rough patch or two. Dempster is the only stable guy returning. Gorzo has been good for the Cubs but is in no way a lock for 200 innings of solid starting. You have some arms in the minors, but all of them have major question marks. The Cubs have 5 starters who have performed at an above average rate this year (Lilly included) They also have a guy with a better track record than all of them in the pen. They also have Cashner, Jackson, and Diamond as major league ready arms. Yes, if we're going to talk in the Cubs are [expletive] stupid terms, sure they might not be stocked enough because they'll turn Jay Jackson into a 3B and release Carlos Zambrano, but what is the point in talking about that.

I don't believe that's what jersey was saying. He was talking about recovery time without the aid of stimulants.

He blocked a trade to the team the Angels are chasing too.

The Cubs would only get compensation if they offered arbitration(and Lee qualified for compensation) And if the Cubs offered Lee arbitration, I might finally quit

A team with those guys made the NLCS. Damn Wood and Prior were good. Macias wasn't on that team. A half-dead Troy O' Leary was though. 3/4 Dead Doug Glanville too.

Boost that trade value Ryan!

Jerk. I don't blame him. If I was in his position, I'd probably do the same. He already has a World Series ring, his family is settled here in the city, what's the incentive to agree to a trade? I don't buy this. You're talking about two months playing a game when you are away from home half the time anyway. He would at least have a shot at playing in the playoffs this year. If Chicago is where he has to be he should look to re-sign with the Cubs in the offseason on a one year deal for $3 or $4 million. Exactly. It wouldn't kill the guy to let the Cubs trade him. I certainly like him a bit less after this. It's a right he's earned, and if he'd legitamately rather have the month with his family(probably not) compared to chasing a ring then it's his perogative. If he'd legitamately rather play every day on a losing team than be a weak side platoon player on a winning team, that's his right too. The last 2 months of the season could make a huge difference in what kind of paycheck he's getting next year.

How shitty does Mike Fontenot feel that he can't even play on forfeit day.

It never sticks with you when the team does as expected. It's the out of the ordinary that you remember.

I'm more happy to see walks from Colvin than extra base hits at this point in the season.

Is Kyle off somewhere arguing with a mirror?

You're all wrong and stupid

But Sandberg moved to 2B because the Cubs got Ron Cey. He already had a full year as a 3B. It wasn't to "get a shot at the majors"