Soul

Our ace is a basket case who still can't meltdown even when he's leading by 3 or more runs. That's not even close to being very good. I know everyone loves heaping on the bullpen right now, but it's not like it's a disaster. The main weakness is our sleepy offense. Some guys are eventually going to break out because of their history (Soriano in a big way, Jacque in a less big way), but Lee's lack of power is worrisome given his injury last year. I know he's got a bunch of double so far, but he hasn't had anything slapped down by the wind moreso than a guy like DeRosa. Maybe this is just the current variation of his old slow starts...I hope so. Even if it is, Zambrano needs to be traded to pump up the offense ASAP before he flakes out even more. Our offense has been just fine though lately-here are the scores from the last 8 games: 12, 3, 6, 3, 1, 6, 9, 4-avg-5.5 runs per game. The offense has been fine-not great, but just fine. The problem is that when the offense is good, the pitching fails-and when the pitching is good, the offense is terrible. It's just a matter of putting it together in the same games. What you've just described is a losing baseball team. Every team in the league that sucks will tell you "we just can't get both going at the same time." We've gone through this many other years, too. It's the same old story. If we don't rectify this by May, then we are finished. We're already in an ever-deepening hole that will be difficult to climb out of.

Jacque must be nigh untradeable. Otherwise he would have been moved by now.

It's way too early for me to read all of that, but yeah I agree something must be done about the glut of outfielders on this team. It can't go on forever. Someone's going to have to get traded, probably for a relief pitcher so we can junk Eyre/Ohman.

I'm not going to write off the season just yet, but I'm definitely starting to panic. How could you *NOT* panic with what you've seen? It's typical Cubs, find-a-way-to-lose baseball. We've seen this movie before, ladies and gents. And it usually ends with us out of the playoffs.

I'm starting to panic. I never expected to be five games under this early. We're digging a mighty big hole for ourselves.

Like I said in ST, there's definitely an injury. Just a matter of finding it.

Seriously, name one manager the Cubs have had who is better. About the only argument I can really see is Riggleman, but only because he seemed to understand situational baseball better than the others. Certainly the results he had haven't been close to Lou's in his career. Who else? Frye? Popeye? Both seem a little more like lightning in a bottle than actual great managers. Though I did like both and they were probably an upgrade over the other bozos we've had throughout the years. Lou > every other manager we've ever had. A case can definitely be made.

Read Game of Shadows. There's loads of evidence he used. Loads.

Most of the working world gets 3 days of bereavement leave, standard. So not many people are taking a YEAR off. But by all means, let's bash Dungy. People's Christian beliefs are at fault for how they choose to grieve a loved one? That's one of the most ridiculous things I've ever read. Please.

In answer to the original question: Because we suck. Thanks, I'll be here all week.

Zambrano's pitching, and all the Cubs can manage is WCI stinkin' U? Gawd.

Last year pissed me off because of the late trade down that took forever before our first pick...and then it was Danieal Manning and WHO WAS HE ? Many are still waiting for the answer to that question, interestingly enough.

Plenty of the Chicago media did though.

That's been true since the day Soriano signed. I'd still rather have Murton in RF than Jones, right now. It's not like Jones possesses a great arm anyway.

You've got to be kidding me. What possible justification can you give for wanting or thinking that Wade Miller not only deserves another start, but will show improvement? He's terrible. He's done. He's not the pitcher he used to be, and people need to accept that. If he starts another game, it will be another loss. This team is not good enough to have a guaranteed disaster start pitching every fifth day. It's this mentality that has contributed heavily to 99 years of losing. Yeah, I don't understand it either. It's not like Miller's just rusty or something. He's lost a full 10 MPH off his fastball, and his entire success was based on a 97 MPH fastball. It's not like with Dempster, where he was a slider pitcher so you knew if he could get that pitch back, he'd have a chance to be effective again. With Miller -- this guy was a fireballer. That's how he learned to dominate. I see very little, if any, reason to believe a fireballer is going to learn how to be a finesse guy with an 87 MPH fastball and a couple other, average pitches. I think it's clear he's finished.

The way Fonz was hobbling around yesterday, I'm a little suprised the Cubs are going to be starting him *anywhere* soon. Are they rushing him back?

If the Bulls are to win, they'll have to fight through the officials as well as the Heat. With all the whining coming from Miami and the national press, you can bet your bottom dollar the refs are going to sell out wholesale and just give Wade/Shaq every imaginable call. they didn't call the first game that way Correct, but they just got an earful from everyone from the Heat to the national press. They're going to cave in.

Don Banks has the Bears with Dwayne Jarrett. Actually, I wouldn't mind that. Moose is old and a young big possesion type receiver could be a welcome addition. I will be surprised if the Bears take an offensive player with that first pick though. They've gone offense in the 1st round before. It's TE they shy away from. I have no idea what Angelo is going to do. @ 31, it's not like he's getting a blue chip, so I hope he treats it like a mid-round pick because he does much better when he looks for talent & value beyond the beaten path.

If the Bulls are to win, they'll have to fight through the officials as well as the Heat. With all the whining coming from Miami and the national press, you can bet your bottom dollar the refs are going to sell out wholesale and just give Wade/Shaq every imaginable call.

He wouldn't be good at that either. I don't think he would be either, but he could be the sacrificial innings eater for blowout games. I'd rather get the rookies some action in blowouts. Miller is also not a guy I'd want relieving in a winnable game either. If he can't pitch well enough to stay in the rotation I'd just clear his roster spot. Put him in Iowa and make him show he can still play. Send down/cut: Ohman Miller Bring up: Guzman Cherry Problem not necessarily completely solved, but if I'm going to throw a starter out there to get whooped up on, then I'd rather it be a young guy like Guzman who has some upside than Miller, who's career is obviously not going to continue. Lots of us have been saying this for weeks now. There's no reason for Wade to start another game for the Cubs.

Yeah, we'll we're still arguing over who starts where in late April. These are February arguments, not May arguments. There's really no wonder we're bringing up the rear. I expect this will continue unless they figure out what the hell they want to do.

I still think he has the potential to be good, but the current numbers are what they are. He's not all that great at the moment.

I thought it was the Vegas line at first at that seemed high to me given national opinion. Also wanted my 6 wins opinion to be on the over side. How are you only picking 6 wins? I thought you had us in the conference finals?

Alright, good. So now we know. Next bus for Iowa leaves at 5:30.

No way Lou makes it out of April without an explosion on the field. God, he's got to be thinking retirement looks real appealing right about now.