brinoch

Getting really tired of the Cubs popping into outs like that.

Go Cubs. Run up the score.

I'd call him five minutes ago and offer him a ton of money as well complete control of the USMNT. I'd have done the same with Klinsy. But, hey, Gulati is, you know, an awesome Federation head. He rocks. Oh yeah. Speaking of which, how can we get rid of him? I'd like to start a movement to bring in someone who knows something about soccer.

A fair point, given that the Cubs had hit into several double plays already -- including one from Jacque!

It's funny actually how people perceive the two different players -- Howard is awesome, but Dunn is terrible. Personally, I'd take 'em both on my team.

That was some amazing decision-making. Wow. But let's be fair -- Lou makes some crappy decisions, too. Like Jones bunting last night? Gar!

Renteria might also be available, depending on how comfortable the Braves are with Escobar taking over. I think it's likely that they'll move some salary again this winter, and Renteria -- along with Jones -- are the two easy targets.

Personally, I like Theriot a lot. I know it's irrational. I know he isn't much more than a replacement player. I just like him. Now, of course, I am the same guy who started the Tejada thread for 2008, so obviously, I hope we can upgrade SS for next season. On to something more important: people are entitled to opinions, and they can express them on this board if they will. I think the board is enhanced by a multitude of opinions and perspectives.

Tejada has, what, two more years on his current contract? While he is getting up there in age, I think it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a better SS for 2008. A-Rod would be great, but he's just going to cost too much. I really don't think the Cubs will be able to sign him.

I'll be following this saga in the off season, for sure.

I think Soto's a marked upgrade over Kendall, all in all. I'll admit that Kendall's done better than I anticipated, but Soto's better defensively, likely to be better (at this point) offensively over the course of a season, and gets paid the major league minimum. That, hopefully, represents a modest improvement at C while freeing up resources to sign an SS or RF this offseason. The more I think about it, the more likely it seems to me that the Cubs recognize the OF deficiency and will look hard at how they can improve it. (Don't get me started about Murton -- he would be a modest upgrade over Floyd.)

Boy, I'd love to install Tejada as our shortstop and move Theriot to the utility role. That would be a huge upgrade. We all know that SS, CF, RF and C are the areas of weakness, and with a tough free agent market, this might be a good way to go.

There's no reason that Rossi couldn't come back and play for the US team. He probably won't, but there's a very, very, very slight chance he will. Frankly, I'd offer him a bunch of money right now along with a guarantee that he's on the first team. Again, I don't think it'll matter.

Going to the playoffs is better than not going to the playoffs. Pretty simple, to my mind. Look, I'm no Hendry fan, but even I think the Cubs management is smart enough to realize that you can't count on the division being terrible every year in order to make the playoffs. Any way you slice it, winning ~83-86 games with a payroll of greater than $100M isn't exactly a tremendous success. Regardless of who is the Cubs GM, that person and his team will seek to upgrade over the offseason -- they won't stand pat. The problem with Hendry and his crew don't seem to understand how to put an effective offense together.

I think Z will keep his temper in check. There are going to be several players and coaches, I suspect, that will be ready to stop him if necessary. Moreover, Carlos has been very dominant against the Cards for the past three years. In fact, for the past three years Carlos has pitched more innings against the Cards than any other team. This season, the Cards are hardly doing well against him, posting a line of .209/.282/.335/.617 against him. If there's one team that Carlos owns, it's the Cardinals. I'm sure that LaRussa will try some silly garbage -- he always does -- but the key is not to let it get to you, whether you are Lee, Zambrano, or any other regular starter. If Wainwright throws at Ramirez, wait until Zambrano has left the game to respond. Then use Gallagher or some other non-critical pitching piece to plunk Pujols in the behind. LaRussa loves the "mental" games, but the game is won on the field -- not by winning the mental games. Frankly, the Cards are on the ropes this weekend. Eliminate them.

I couldn't agree more. The Trachsel deal, and his subsequent starts, were terrible, terrible decisions. I cannot express my true feelings without immediately banning myself.

I thought Bradley played pretty well, but yeah, he has a poor first touch.

The practice of calling posts an idiot is merely a proxy for calling a poster an idiot. It is also not acceptable.

I thought Gooch looked pretty decent, while Bocanegra and Cherundolo were terrible, all in all. Bornstein is fast, I'll give him that, but he was put of position a bunch, and gave the ball up too easily. Sweden abused us on the counter-attack with several relatively weak long balls. They didn't get a score out of it, but they deserved at least one. Cherundolo is small and overmatched. With a really solid middle on the backline, he's serviceable. Against smaller, faster teams, Gooch is going to get beaten. His positioning was decent, but he relies on his strength. I thought DeMerit looked very solid in the time he was in there. Spector was played on the wrong side, and struggled a bit because of it, but was at least as good as Bornstein. Convey was awful. No shock there given how long he's been out. He gets a pass. When the US had Dempsey, Donovan, Beasley, Feilhaber, Bradley and Mastroeni in, I thought they had some good ball movement and developed some intriguing runs. I was somewhat disappointed in Feilhaber earlier, but in retrospect, he was out of position and did better than I originally felt. The midfield wasn't a real weakness, other than in its crossing. Bradley made some bizarre passing attempts that led to several turnovers. I really don't think he's ready for prime time. Donovan went missing again, but the announcers were making excuses because of the long flight. The more I watch Landon play, the more I think he needs to be in a withdrawn forward/attacking midfield position. It's time for Altidore.

How, exactly, is Jacque Jones relevant to a Murton vs. Floyd discussion?

Seriously, this is completely backwards and, frankly, a trite argument. Murton IS good. He proved it last year. This season, for whatever reason, Lou's never given him a real shot. Of the non-injured outfielders prior to Pie's recall, Murton is the youngest (3 months younger than Pagan), has the most upside, and is the likeliest to post solid numbers.

Just because MurtonFan's obsessed doesn't mean he's wrong. :D Murton SHOULD be playing everyday. The fact that Lou keeps him on the bench to fetch his coffee is ridiculous.

Let's buy low on Quentin.

I've been extremely frustrated with Kendall's defense behind the plate. He's let a lot of balls get past him that were stoppable, and his "throws" to second are atrocious.

Hey Lee homered. Cool!