Outshined_One

Box Scores Iowa won 2-1 Box Score CF L. Montanez 3/4, 2 RBI, 2B (13) LF T. Colvin 1/4, K, Assist (2B) 3B DJ LeMahieu 1/4 1B B. LaHair 0/4, 3 K RF B. Snyder 0/4, 3 K C C. Robinson 3/4, R, K 2B R. Flaherty 0/4, 2 K SS J. Mota 1/4, R PH S. Moore 0/1 SP C. Coleman 7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 11-4 GO-FO RP B. Parker 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, WP RP S. Maine 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K Tennessee won 9-8 in the 10th Box Score CF JH Ha 0/4, BB, K, SB (2) 1B R. Ridling 1/3, 2 BB, R, SB (4) 3B J. Vitters 2/5, R, 2 RBI, HR (10), K, CS (6) C S. Clevenger 0/4, K 2B N. Samson 2/5, 2 R, RBI, 3B (2), HR (4), K LF M. Spencer 1/5, RBI, 2 K, CS (2) SS J. Lake 1/4, R, SB (8) SP R. Searle 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, WP, HBP, 6-1 GO-FO RP J. Stevens 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 2 WP, 1-3 GO-FO RP M. Hatley 1.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 1-0 GO-FO RP J. Beliveau 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 1-0 GO-FO Daytona won 10-5 Box Score CF M. Szczur 2/3, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B (4), Assist (Home), E (2, throw) SS/CF L. Watkins 1/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR (3), K 3B G. Rohan 3/4, BB, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B (5), HR (1) 1B J. Bour 1/5, R, 2 RBI, HR (21) LF M. Burgess 3/5, R, 2 RBI, HR (14), K RF N. Perez 1/5, 4 K DH M. Brenly 1/4, R, 2B (9), K C C. Noble 2/4 SP C. Harman 4.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, HR, 1-3 GO-FO RP J. Latham 2.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2-1 GO-FO RP K. Smit 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 2-1 GO-FO Boise won 5-4 Box Score CF PC Chen 0/3, BB, R, K C R. Lopez 3/3, R, 4 RBI, 2B (3), HR (2), HBP 1B P. Hoilman 1/4, 2 K RF J. Morelli 1/4, PO (1B) DH Y. Cabezas 1/4, R, RBI, HR (1), K SS W. Darvill 1/4, E (8, fielding) 3B W. Contreras 0/4, E (12, fielding) LF B. Springfield 1/4, Assist (2B) SP A. Reed 4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, Balk, HBP, 8-4 GO-FO RP JY Kim 2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, Balk, 1-3 GO-FO RP D. Fitzgerald 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, WP, 3-0 GO-FO AZL Cubs won 8-2 Box Score CF O. Zapata 0/4, BB, RBI, 3 K SS M. Hernandez 2/4, BB, 2 R, RBI, SB (6) 2B G. Amaya 2/4, BB, RBI, K, SB (6) LF E. Gonzalez 1/5, 2B (1), 2 K DH DY Kim 1/3, R, HBP, SB (8) C N. Rosario 2/5, 2 R, K, SB (1) 3B G. Gonzalez 1/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, K RF KM Na 1/3, BB, 2 R, 2B (2) SP H. Ackerman 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, WP, 3-2 GO-FO RP S. McDonald 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GO-FO RP F. Pena 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, HBP, 4-3 GO-FO RP R. Diplan 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K DSL Cubs 1 lost 15-7 Box Score SS A. Gonzalez 2/4, BB, 2 RBI, CS (10), 2 E (17, fielding x 2) 3B F. Sanchez 0/5, 3 K, E (22, fielding) 2B J. Ortega 2/4, R, SB (8) SP V. Salazar 3+ IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 1 K, WP, 5-2 GO-FO RP G. Abreu 2.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 WP, 2-2 GO-FO DSL Cubs 2 won 2-1 in the 10th Box Score RF J. Baez 0/3, 2 K PH X. Batista 0/0, BB SS C. Penalver 0/5 3B J. Candelario 2/5 1B/RF D. Arcila 2/5, RBI, K RP D. Torrez 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, HBP, 3-1 GO-FO OVERALL: 6-1

None of this information has been confirmed, either. We need to be cautious. However, between this draft, the potential 2012 top 5 draft pick, the emergence of legitimately intriguing Latin American position prospects in the DSL and AZL, and the possibility that one of the high ceiling arms in Peoria/Boise has a breakout season next year, there is reason for optimism for this farm system going forward.

I'm still not convinced that I'm definitely going to put Vogelbach/Maples in my top 10 (of the two, I think I may slot Maples at 10), but Dunston Jr.? Not sure he's going to be in an end of the season top 20 for me. If so, he'll crack the back end, that 15-20 area where I am tempted to go with a lot of upper level relievers. That pretty much sums it up for me. I'd have Baez as a Top 3, Vogelbach and Maples in the 10-15 range, and Dunston Jr. probably somewhere in the 20-25 area.

Sickels' Top 20 in Review They have a few intriguing high levels LHPs in Wade Miley and Pat Corbin and two projectable young RHPs in Robbie Rowland and JR Bradley. If we're lucky, the Cubs might get one of each for Pena.

Box Scores Iowa lost 8-3 Box Score CF B. Jackson 2/4, RBI, SB (2), Assist (Home) 3B DJ LeMahieu 1/5, R, K LF T. Colvin 0/4, 2 K C W. Castillo 0/2 C C. Robinson 1/2 1B/2B S. Moore 2/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, HR (8), E (11, fielding) RF L. Montanez 0/4, K, Assist (2B) 2B R. Flaherty 1/4, R, 2B (5), K SS M. Gonzalez 0/3, BB PH B. Snyder 0/1, K 1B B. LaHair 1/1 SP J. Jackson 5 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 2 HR, WP, 4-2 GO-FO RP R. Coello 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K RP J. Berg 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 2-1 GO-FO RP C. Carpenter 1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, 2-1 GO-FO Daytona won 5-3 Box Score CF M. Szczur 2/4, BB, 2 R, RBI, 2B (2), HR (2) SS L. Watkins 1/5, R, 2B (10), K 3B G. Rohan 3/5, RBI 1B J. Bour 0/5, R, 2 K LF M. Burgess 3/5, R, RBI RF N. Perez 1/5, RBI, 2B (4), K C M. Brenly 1/4, K DH C. Noble 1/4, 2 K SP A. Guzman 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, HBP, 1-1 GO-FO RP B. Wallach 3.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1 HR, 6-1 GO-FO RP A. Kurcz 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 0-4 GO-FO RP F. Batista 1 perfect, 1 K, 2-0 GO-FO Peoria lost 4-3 Box Score CF T. Easterling 1/4, SB (2) SS E. Soto 0/4, K 2B R. Silva 2/4, 2 R, K, SB (4) 1B R. Jones 1/3, BB, R, 2B (28), K 3B D. Geiger 0/4, K C M. Gibbs 1/4, RBI, 2B (9), K, E (4, throw) DH B. May 0/2, BB, 2 K, HBP LF B. Klafczynski 0/1, BB SP A. Kirk 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 6-4 GO-FO RP P. Francescon .2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 1 HR, WP, 0-2 GO-FO Boise lost 8-2 Box Score CF PC Chen 1/4, K SS B. Zapenas 0/3, BB, R, K 1B R. Lopez 1/4, K DH P. Hoilman 1/4, R, 2 RBI, HR (9), K C Y. Cabezas 1/4, K RF J. Morelli 1/2, HBP LF B. Springfield 1/3 2B W. Contreras 0/3, K, 2 E (11, missed catch, throw) 3B K. Socorro 0/3, K, E (4, fielding) SP SM Jung 4 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, WP, HBP, 4-0 GO-FO RP C. Greathouse 3 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, HBP, 4-1 GO-FO RP C. Thomas 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GO-FO RP C. Richardson 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GO-FO DSL Cubs 1 PPD DSL Cubs 2 lost 7-6 in the 12th Box Score CF J. Baez 0/6, 3 K SS C. Penalver 1/5, BB, R, 2 K, SB (12) 3B J. Candelario 2/5, BB, R, 2 K DH X. Batista 0/2 1B D. Arcila 1/6, R, 2 RBI, K SP P. Araujo 4.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, WP, Balk, 6-1 GO-FO RP H. Perez 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR, WP, HBP, 3-0 GO-FO OVERALL: 1-4

Fake tan indeed. I have a hard time believing Toews has anything remotely resembling a sense of humor.

Apparently CB Bucknor has diarrhea. Heh heh.

Discussion question of the day: What do we make of Marwin Gonzalez? He's 22 and has mostly split time between 2B and SS with Tennessee and Iowa this season, with a smattering of CF in AA. In 216 ABs with Tennessee, he hit .301/.359/.421 with a 27/17 K/BB, 2 HRs, and a .335 BABIP. In 67 ABs with Iowa, he's hit .358/.392/.537 with a 5/5 K/BB, 1 HR, and a .367 BABIP. I haven't seen a whole lot in the way of his defensive reviews, but he's only had 11 errors between AA and AAA, so it seems as if he has handled himself well enough in the field. Most of his success appears to be batting-average driven, but he's kept his Ks down and seems to draw enough walks to keep the "hacker" label at bay. Compared to previous seasons, it seems as if he has improved his batting average, walks, and power. A September callup is not out of the question if he continues hitting like he has been. Is he a flash in the pan? Should he be in the conversation for the Cubs' Top 10?

BA's take at the time. Bourn and Costanzo were both considered above average prospects at the time, although neither was considered a Top 100 guy. After the trade, they were 5 and 6 on BA's Astros Top 10 List, which featured the immortal JR Towles as the #1 prospect in that system. Towles came up #53 on BA's Top 100 list that year and was the only Astro on it. Bourn's turned out phenomenally for the Astros, but in terms of how that deal looked at the time, if the Cubs get an equivalent return for Marshall as the Astros did for Lidge, I'd be kind of iffy on the deal.

I think Marshall is worth keeping, but mostly because I think he will be a helpful part of the 2012 team if he's still around. I think the Cubs can compete next season. Having Marshall in the bullpen as the 8th inning guy/occasional closer would be a boon for the bullpen. He's good and he's cheap. I don't know if there is anyone on the team or on the farm who can step in and be as effective as Marshall next season. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of throwing money at free agent relievers. However, if some team is willing to overpay for Marshall along the lines of offering up a Top 50 prospect for him, I'd be happy to see him traded.

Box Scores Iowa won 3-1 Box Score CF B. Jackson 1/3, BB, R, RBI, HR 1), K 3B DJ LeMahieu 2/3, BB 1B T. Colvin 0/4, K C W. Castillo 1/3, BB, R, RBI, HR (15) RF B. Snyder 0/4, Assist (3B) LF L. Montanez 1/4, K 2B J. Mota 0/4, K PH S. Moore 0/0, BB SP N. Struck 7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 8-3 GO-FO RP B. Parker 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1-0 GO-FO RP J. Gaub 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, WP, 1-0 GO-FO Tennessee won 8-3 Box Score CF JH Ha 1/5, R 3B J. Vitters 1/4, 2 R, 2 RBI, K LF R. Ridling 1/3, BB, R, RBI C S. Clevenger 1/4, 2 RBI, 2B (19) SS J. Lake 1/4, K, CS (2), E (12, fielding) PH L. Flores 0/0, BB SP A. Bibens-Dirkx 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 5-5 GO-FO RP K. Rhoderick 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 2-2 GO-FO RP J. Beliveau 1 perfect, 1 K, 0-1 GO-FO RP R. Dolis 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 1-1 GO-FO Daytona won 8-2 Box Score CF M. Szczur 1/5, R, RBI, 2 K 2B L. Watkins 1/3, BB, R, CS (4) 3B G. Rohan 1/3, BB, RBI, E (1, fielding) 1B J. Bour 1/3, R, 2 RBI, HR (20) LF M. Burgess 1/4, K RF N. Perez 1/4, R, 3B (1), K DH M. Brenly 0/2, 2 BB, R C C. Noble 0/2, BB, R, K SP J. Lorick 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, HR, 6-3 GO-FO RP J. Serrano 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 2-2 GO-FO RP F. Batista .2 perfect, 1 K, 0-1 GO-FO Peoria lost 5-2 Box Score 2B A. Alcantara 0/4, BB, 3 K, E (33, throw) SS E. Soto 1/5, 3 K, E (8, throw) CF R. Silva 1/5 DH R. Jones 0/3, BB, R, 2 K 1B D. Geiger 1/4, 2B (2), 2 K C S. Burruel 0/3, K, HBP, E (2, catcher interference) 3B B. May 1/3, BB, RBI LF B. Klafczynski 1/4, K SP M. Loosen 6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR, WP, HBP, 6-7 GO-FO RP P. Levitt 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-0 GO-FO RP B. Ebinger 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GO-FO Boise won 13-6 Box Score CF PC Chen 2/5, 2 R, RBI, K SS B. Zapenas 1/5, R, RBI, 2B (7), K DH R. Lopez 1/4, BB, R, RBI, CS (1) 1B P. Hoilman 1/5, R, 4 RBI, HR (8), 2 K, E (3, missed catch) C Y. Cabezas 0/2, BB, 2 R, HBP RF J. Morelli 1/3, BB, 2 R LF B. Springfield 2/3, BB, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR (1) 2B W. Contreras 2/4, R, 3 RBI, 3B (4) 3B K. Socorro 1/4, K SP YL Wang 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 3 WP, 8-2 GO-FO RP J. Rosario 4 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K, 6-0 GO-FO AZL Cubs lost 10-2 Box Score CF O. Zapata 1/4, BB, CS (3) 3B M. Hernandez 2/3, BB, 2B (9) SS G. Amaya 0/4 DH E. Gonzalez 0/3, BB, R LF DY Kim 1/3, BB, K, CS (1) C T. Davis 1/3, BB, RBI, K, E (1, throw) SP J. Pugliese 2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 1-2 GO-FO RP A. McKirahan 2 perfect, 2 K, 1-2 GO-FO RP Y. Sanchez 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K, 0-1 GO-FO OVERALL: 4-2

BCB has a poster on there who's done a pretty good job of being ahead of the curve in terms of reporting whom the Cubs have signed and when, even before news of those signings is released. He recently stated that the Cubs have signed Urban, Maples, and Dunston. If true, it's fantastic news.

Peoria ended their six game losing streak. Liria piggybacked del Valle and had a solid outing.

Not really. If a hanging slider right down the middle of the plate is better. I'll take what I can get with this team.

That's better.

Fantastic stop by Johnson, but he should have eaten that.

Woo Castro. Pretty sure that pitch was about a quarter of an inch off the ground when he hit it.

Given that Andrew Cashner is still undergoing rehab and hasn't even made any appearances in the minors yet, I think there's a really good possibility that he starts in AAA next season. The Cubs will have to monitor his usage very closely and he likely won't be able to go deep into games at the beginning of the season. It'd be easier to bring him back to full strength in the minors. Considering the Cubs' in-house options are not exactly palatable, they may have to bring someone in to fill the #5 rotation spot, at least until Cashner's healthy.

Those two things are not mutually exclusive.

Box Scores Iowa lost 4-1 Box Score CF B. Jackson 0/4, 2 K, Assist (3B) LF L. Montanez 1/3, HBP 3B S. Moore 1/4 1B B. LaHair 0/3, BB, 3 K RF B. Snyder 1/4, R, 2B (20), 2 K 2B R. Flaherty 1/4, RBI, 2B (4), 2 K SS M. Gonzalez 1/3 PH T. Colvin 0/1 C C. Robinson 1/3, K SS J. Mota 0/1 SP A. Cabrera 6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 8-1 GO-FO RP S. Maine 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 2-0 GO-FO Tennessee won 6-2 Box Score 3B J. Vitters 1/4, R, 2B (20), K RF M. Spencer 0/4, RBI 1B R. Ridling 2/4, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2B (17), HR (14), K C S. Clevenger 1/4, R, RBI, K, E (6, fielding) SS N. Samson 2/4 SP T. McNutt 5 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, HBP, 6-4 GO-FO RP O. Martinez 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, HBP, 3-1 GO-FO RP M. Hatley 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-0 GO-FO Daytona lost 3-2 in the 10th Box Score CF M. Szczur 1/5, 2 RBI, 3B (1), E (1, fielding) 2B L. Watkins 0/2, 2 BB, K 1B G. Rohan 0/4 DH J. Bour 0/4 LF M. Burgess 0/3, BB, K RF N. Perez 1/3, BB, 2 K C M. Brenly 0/4, K 3B D. Harrington 0/4, R SP J. Antigua 7.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, HR, 8-3 GO-FO RP E. Figueroa 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, HR, 3-2 GO-FO Peoria won 2-1 Box Score CF T. Easterling 1/4, 2B (1), K DH A. Alcantara 0/3, BB, R, K 2B R. Silva 0/4, 2 K 1B R. Jones 1/4, K, CS (3), PO (1B) 3B D. Geiger 1/3, BB, R, 2 K C M. Gibbs 1/4, RBI, 2B (8), K LF B. Klafczynski 2/3 SS E. Soto 0/2, HBP SP M. Del Valle 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, HR, 8-2 GO-FO RP L. Liria 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, HBP, 3-1 GO-FO Boise lost 4-1 Box Score CF PC Chen 2/4, R, 2B (10), 3B (2) SS B. Zapenas 1/3, HBP C R. Lopez 1/2, 2 BB, 2B (2) LF J. Morelli 1/4, RBI, K, PO (1B) RF R. Golden 0/1, BB 3B K. Socorro 0/2, K 1B P. Hoilman 1/3, 2B (7), K, HBP 2B W. Darvill 0/4, 2 K DH B. Springfield 1/3, BB, K 3B/RF W. Contreras 0/4, 2 K SP B. Wells 4 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, HR, WP, 7-1 GO-FO RP K. Burke 4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, WP, 4-1 GO-FO RP D. Fitzgerald 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, WP, 2-0 GO-FO AZL Cubs won 8-2 Box Score CF KM Na 0/2, BB, SB (1), CS (1) CF O. Zapata 0/0, BB SS M. Hernandez 1/4, RBI 3B G. Amaya 2/5, R, 3B (3) DH DY Kim 1/5, R, K, SB (7) LF E. Gonzalez 1/3, BB, R C N. Rosario 1/5, R, 2 K SP R. Pichardo 4 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 3-3 GO-FO RP B. Smith 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 1-2 GO-FO RP R. Hartman 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, WP, 3-1 GO-FO, E (1, throw) OVERALL: 3-3

Box Scores Iowa lost 5-2 Box Score CF B. Jackson 1/4, 3 K SS DJ LeMahieu 0/4 LF T. Colvin 0/4, 4 K 1B B. LaHair 0/4, 2 K C W. Castillo 3/4, 2 R, RBI, 2B (9), HR (14) RF B. Snyder 0/3, BB K 2B R. Flaherty 0/3, 2 K 3B S. Moore 0/1, 2 BB, K PH J. Mota 0/0, RBI SP D. Bush 3.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, HBP, 5-1 GO-FO RP J. Gaub .2 perfect, 0-2 GO-FO RP C. Rusin 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 6-2 GO-FO Tennessee won 6-5 in the 10th Box Score CF JH Ha 1/4, BB, R, RBI, HR (2), K, CS (3) 3B J. Vitters 0/4, E (20, fielding) LF R. Ridling 0/3, 2 K PH S. Clevenger 0/0, BB C L. Flores 2/4, 2 R, 2 2B (5) LF/1B M. Spencer 0/2, RBI SP D. Beeler 2.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR, 4-0 GO-FO RP M. Carrillo 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 WP, 3-4 GO-FO RP J. Stevens 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 3-0 GO-FO RP R. Dolis 2 perfect, 1 K, 3-0 GO-FO Daytona lost 8-3 Box Score CF M. Szczur 0/3, BB, K, SB (3) 2B L. Watkins 0/4, 2 K, E (12, fielding) LF G. Rohan 0/4, Assist (3B) 1B J. Bour 3/4, 2 R, K RF N. Perez 0/4, 3 K DH M. Burgess 1/3, BB, R, 2 RBI, HR (13), K C C. Noble 0/4, 2 K 3B D. Harrington 0/4, 2 K SP DE Rhee 4 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HBP, 2-4 GO-FO RP L. Suarez 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, HR, 3-1 GO-FO RP K. Smit 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 2 HBP, 4-0 GO-FO RP A. Kurcz 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 1-0 GO-FO Peoria lost 2-0 Box Score LF T. Easterling 0/3, BB 2B A. Alcantara 0/4 CF R. Silva 0/3, BB, 2 K 1B R. Jones 0/3, 2 K, HBP DH D. Geiger 2/4, 2 K C S. Burruel 0/3, K, HBP 3B B. May 0/2, BB SS E. Soto 1/3, K SP E. Jokisch 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, HR, 3-2 GO-FO RP Y. Gonzalez 1 perfect, 2-0 GO-FO Boise won 3-2 in the 10th Box Score 2B Z. DeVoss 2/4, BB, R, SB (8), E (2, throw) RF R. Golden 0/4, BB, RBI, 2 K LF J. Morelli 0/5, 2 K DH R. Lopez 2/5, RBI, 2 K 1B P. Hoilman 1/4 C Y. Cabezas 2/4 SS W. Darvill 0/4, 2 K CF B. Springfield 0/3, K PH/CF PC Chen 0/0, BB 3B/1B W. Contreras 1/3, BB, 2 R, 3B (3), K SP W. Cruz 6 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 6-4 GO-FO RP C. Thomas 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, WP, 0-2 GO-FO AZL Cubs lost 4-2 Box Score LF O. Zapata 0/0, E (1, fielding) PH/LF E. Gonzalez 0/5, E (3, fielding) 3B G. Amaya 1/4, 2 K SS M. Hernandez 1/3, K, PO (1B) DH DY Kim 2/3, BB, R, 3B (1), K CF KM Na 1/3, 2B (1), K, HBP SP H. Simpson 1 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, HBP, 0-2 GO-FO RP R. Garcia 5 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 8-1 GO-FO RP A. Jimenez 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 2-2 GO-FO RP S. McDonald 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1-1 GO-FO DSL Cubs 1 won 14-5 Box Score 2B J. Ortega 0/4, 3 K SS F. Sanchez 1/3, 2 BB, 3 R, RBI, 2B (4), K PH/DH/2B A. Gonzalez 2/2, R, 2 RBI RP G. Abreu 3+ IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 5-2 GO-FO DSL Cubs 2 won 5-3 Box Score CF J. Baez 0/3, R, K SS C. Penalver 3/4, R, RBI, K 3B J. Candelario 1/4, R, 3 RBI, HR (4) DH X. Batista 0/4, 2 K 1B D. Arcila 1/4, K OVERALL: 4-4

Austin Reed was doing pretty well until the sixth, when this happened:

You're pretty much doing this for the lulz, aren't you?

I'm inclined to agree with Truffle. I don't think anyone would care a whole lot if his name were Trevor Smith. He's a good athlete with legitimate power, but he needs a lot of work at the plate and in the field. That sort of thing would be intriguing for a catcher or shortstop, but for someone who seems ticketed for 1B, that's not exactly encouraging. Still, it's good to see he signed.

It's conceivable. The NL Central isn't very good. I don't see the point of trading Soriano just for the sake of trading him. The Cubs are probably parting ways with Fukudome after this season, meaning they'd have two holes to fill in the OF for 2012 if they traded Soriano. Plus, even if the Cubs ate a substantial chunk of Soriano's salary, I don't see them getting a better return than they did when they kicked Sammy Sosa to the curb. There are some intriguing names among the FA OFs, but I'm not really enamored with the options.