dew1679666265

Any time you're a legitimate buyer at the deadline is a good thing, and Hendry - like some have mentioned already - has been very good at midseason acquisitions. I'm of the mind, though, that no matter what Hendry does, somebody will criticize him. That's just the way the situation is right now.

I keep meaning to ask, WTF is a Senior Circuit club, and why does it matter how they rank among senior circuit clubs vs among the rest of the league? The Senior Circuit is the National League. It's called that because it's been around the longest, I believe.

Ward's played a couple games there, hasn't he? I believe he has. His defense out there is atrocious though, and I don't think his offense playing every day would make up for it.

I agree I'd like to see Floyd's power numbers improve, I was only taking issue with you seeming to put him in the category of weak areas. I agree if this team really wants to stir up trouble in the postseason, we need to bring in a power bat. Whether it's Junior, ARod, Renteria or Jonny Gomes, we need some more pop in the middle of the lineup. If that comes from Floyd or Lee in the second half, I'll be thrilled but I would like to see a major move before the deadline to ensure a fix.

Agreed, but you and I both know that's what ol' Jim's gonna do, right? We're going to give up 1-2 prospects plus a major leaguer for Eric Gagne to get us 'bullpen help' while our offense settles into a 3-4 RPG clip the rest of the way. It gets me angry just thinking about it because it's so obvious that's what Hendry will do. After seeing the Cubs win in person 3 times at RFK this week (thankfully I skipped the July 4th massacre) I'll agree with the board consensus that this lineup isn't good enough to sustain our post-June 3rd play the rest of the summer, or even anything close to it. It's not just C and SS. At center we still have a platoon of Pagan/Pie/Jones (on occasion), and RF speaks for itself. Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are nice pieces, but filling in around them with a bunch of crap won't win this decision no matter HOW well we're playing right now. I really really hope Hendry does everything in his power - whatever that may be- to add some offense to our everyday lineup and not go chasing after overpriced, veteran 'help' in the bullpen. This team's bully is fine. While I agree we shouldn't be going hard after Gagne (I wouldn't mind him, but would prefer Jim target the other useful Texas player - Lofton), RF is not one of this team's problems. Floyd is hitting .292 with a .363 OBP. While Murton perhaps should be starting in right, Floyd's fine. His only problem is lack of power, but I think that will pick up eventually - almost every one of his hits are scorched somewhere, he just needs to start elevating now.

Of course, we didn't really have anybody that could hit the baseball at catcher before the trade either. Too bad San Diego doesn't have one either, since they have to start Josh Bard now. :wink:

.172/.221/.266 for an OPS+ of 29. And all I have to say to Neifi taking banned substances is exactly what vance said, :shock:

Only way I see a different starter in the rotation this year (barring injuries) is if Marshall is traded. Then I could see Gallagher starting.

We don't get an extra player during that time, so someone would have to be sent down for that to happen. And I think Ward will do better than Soto at first anyway. This is exactly why we signed him.

I know a lot of people are worried that the Cubs won't be buyers at the deadline because of the pending sale, but looks like it might be the opposite. Good news for the playoff race. A good article from Bruce. Definitely worth the read. Lots of good stuff in there. Excellent news! Now, will the purchase be Griffey, Dunn or ARod. 8-)

Works well enough for me. :D

How often is cubs.com main page less optimistic than the board? :lol:

Lou and Perry have been working with him. i know they have...but he is not getting much playing time i don't know why, but i just feel better with him out there everyday call me crazy Lou feels very strongly that he'll do better working off the field for a while. Hopefully he's right. yikes...i really hope so too! I can see some benefits in it. It takes a lot of the pressure off of him. Especially with the hot streak we're on. maybe it is just the dork in me, but i see something really special developing between him and soriano...i guess it is just going to take some time... i just need to exercise a bit more patience I agree with the relationship between him and Soriano. And I think we all need more patience sometimes my friend. :D

Lou and Perry have been working with him. i know they have...but he is not getting much playing time i don't know why, but i just feel better with him out there everyday call me crazy Lou feels very strongly that he'll do better working off the field for a while. Hopefully he's right. yikes...i really hope so too! I can see some benefits in it. It takes a lot of the pressure off of him. Especially with the hot streak we're on.

Lou and Perry have been working with him. i know they have...but he is not getting much playing time i don't know why, but i just feel better with him out there everyday call me crazy Lou feels very strongly that he'll do better working off the field for a while. Hopefully he's right.

Lou and Gerald Perry have been working with him. Quite consistently, from the reports.

I could go either way, McCann's only 23 and Salty's 22. Salty may have a little more upside, but McCann's no slouch and the Braves can likely get more for Salty. A toss up in my opinion.

Yeah, I said in another thread that if we can't add salary (ARod, Griffey, Dunn) I would prefer trying to add Lofton to center and try out Cedeno and Soto. Not an ideal situation, but the rest of the options aren't worth giving up young players for.

If he were to help push us into the playoffs and hopefully further, I'm sure you could find it in your heart to forgive him. :D I couldn't, he clearly wasn't thrown at, he got our starter ejected for no good reason and then punches Fontenot in the jaw. No to Edgar. I could forgive Barry Bonds if he got us to the World Series. From what I've seen of Edgar - and I follow the Braves somewhat closely - he's generally an ok guy, but was pretty classless there. I'd take him if we could get him for something relatively small (and would prefer him slightly over Yunel).

Marshall for Escobar? Then bring up either Guzman or Gallagher to start? I think I would like that. I'd hope we could enlarge the deal a bit. Marshall + Izturis + cash for Escobar and Reyes or Ascanio. You think Izturis could pull in Ascanio or Reyes? I like both (especially Reyes) but I really doubt Izzy would pull either of them. I doubt Reyes, unless he gets bombed on Sunday while filling in for Smoltz. Ascanio? I'm not sure. I'd like Harrison too, but I don't see them dealing him at all. I'd take Moises Hernandez as well. I wonder if the Braves might want Fox and give him some time at firstbase. I kinda doubt it. Not sure what you're hearing, but from what I've heard and seen, the Braves like Thorman but are giving Salty a try at first because he'll be better. I doubt they take Fox over Thorman, but they may.

From what I've understood, he's starting every day in right.

If Lou makes determinations on who brings what to the table based on a handful of ABs this year rather than a year's worth of starts in the majors last year, he's a total idiot. If the reports are true and the Cubs (meaning Hendry and Lou primarily) are very high on Murton, what that tells me is that Lou didn't determine what Murton brought to the table based on anything he did this year. What my speculation is (and that's all it is until Lou says something) is that Murton struggled terribly early and Floyd played well. Thus, Murton began to slowly get less playing time and Floyd more - this only makes sense when a team feels they can contend. Eventually, Murton's struggles got so bad that Lou felt he would do best to go to Iowa and get consistent at-bats without hurting the team. Therefore, the team still values Murton and that is shown by the fact that they haven't given up on him and traded him (see Barrett and the attempts to trade Izzy and Jones). Do I agree with Lou on this? Not entirely, but I can understand the thinking.

Marshall for Escobar? Then bring up either Guzman or Gallagher to start? I think I would like that. I'd hope we could enlarge the deal a bit. Marshall + Izturis + cash for Escobar and Reyes or Ascanio. You think Izturis could pull in Ascanio or Reyes? I like both (especially Reyes) but I really doubt Izzy would pull either of them.

Marshall for Escobar? Then bring up either Guzman or Gallagher to start? I think I would like that.

Unfortunately, I believe you will be proven correct. While Truffle's probably right about a, I'm still holding out a little hope Hendry will find a way to bring in Salty. I don't think we have the players to get Salty especially now that we're playing too well to trade Zambrano. Again, probably right, but his value at least hasn't risen any since he's been iffy at first. Centering a deal around Hill - IF the Braves like him - might be enough, but you're right that it would take quite a bit to get it done. I'm sure the Braves like Hill, especially after watching him dominate their team three times this year (2 earned runs in 23 innings for Hill against the Braves this year). Not even close. Don't forget Shurholtz didn't win all those division titles by trading away young talent for a marginal starter and spare parts. Hm, maybe that will work in our favor in a trade. Hill + Eyre + Jones for Salty? :wink: I realize it's not even beginning to be enough. I was making a joke (seriously). Like Raisin said, it wouldn't surprise me at all if Schuerholz hung up the phone unless Jim's first words were Hill, Pie and perhaps Colvin. And as much as I want Salty and don't want to concede that we won't get him, I highly suspect you're both right.