Peoriaman

He is not as good as he started off this year. I suspect he is a .250 hitter with some power and a pretty good catcher.

I don't need a sarcasm detector--I get it. He still needs to chill.

An ass? Jesus, settle down and relax.

well, 0-3 with 2 K's in game one. Sigh.

If the Cubs wanted him to hit 15-20 home runs, all they need to do is ask.

He is another 5-6 inning pitcher. Good luck to the pen if we get him. Toronto needs hitting and will not give him up for nothing..

He has been very, very good. As good a right fielder as there is in the league, excellent on-base guy, occasssional power and a terrific base runner. All this in his first year in a foreign country. I couldn't be more pleased.

We should probably release him. This Steve Stone analysis just drives me insane, oh the teams through intense research realized that throwing breaking balls low and away is his kryptonite! It has been kryptonite for Soto for about a month, same for Lee, same for Soriano, but for his entire career. You can deny it, but it is true. They aren't working him inside and setting up the ball low and away (Steve Stone analysis), they are starting there and working further away. Soriano's last K yesterday was three feet outside. I think Soto will adjust. According to this all you ever have to do is throw breaking balls low and away and you'll be Steve Nebraska. I've noticed no change in the way Soto's being pitched from the beginning of the year. Then you haven't been paying close enough attention. Nobody ever sees a change in the way a hitter's being attacked when they're doing well. Soto's doing poorly lately, therefore, you're looking for things that aren't necessarily there. Soto was laying off those pitches earlier in the year and walking a ton. Now he's not. You are not paying attention. Teams have all changed how they are pitching him. That was confirmed to me by a MLB scout a few weeks ago.

teams have figured him out.

The book on him now is to stay outside and throw a lot of off-speed stuff. It is working. He needs to adjust and go the other way more as well as be more patient.

How would anybody here know this?

He has also saved 2-3 games with his glove.

I am happy to see a Cub team actually put a priority on winning--nad winning now. If these guys are bonified major leaguers, they will not be down there long.

While I agree with basically evertything you said, Soriano has the best arm. so I was wrong once!

I am thrilled with his production. He is the Cubs best on-base hitter, their best baserunner, their best arm and has played great defense. All as a rookie. I talked to a veteran MLB scout who said he is a "terrific player" who would hit 15-20 homers if they just asked him to. Of course, his on-base %/BA would decline and strike-outs increase. We are really digging for something to complain about if we are bitching about this guy.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080517/SPORTS1402/805170342/1014/SPORTS03 des moines register article

Discussions still ongoing. Nothing imminent.

This is still in the works.

That is the best catch by a cub I have ever seen.

me too! Worried he may stop hitting!

me too.

I rather how Marshall in AAA as a starter, where he is better suited for, then at the major league as a reliever, in which he would be a square forced into a circle. At least in AAA as a starter, he can keep his arm loose, and stretch out in case of an injury. It's not that the Cubs hate Marshall, quite the opposite, it's there is no room. Exactly. This was the right move.

That can't be good for the 'ole trade value. This doesn't mean anything. The starters who are ahead of Gallagher are all stretching out to more innings and the bullpen guys are starting to work more on back to back days. It makes sense to send Gallagher down to get regular work. Gallagher essentially had no shot of winning a SP gig with the Cubs this season with Zambrano, Lilly, Hill, Dempster, Marquis, Lieber and Marshall all ahead of him. Yes, I have to agree that this does nothing to his trade value as the "O's" have wanted him as the centerpiece of the supposed deal. Sean basically had no shot to make the roster as a SP with all the SP in front of him. I would even have to say that even if Sean had pitched lights out during camp that with the veterans signed and the contracts it would've been difficult. Sean needed to be sent back so that he can get some innings and I would've to think that hopefully the Cubs have given up the idea of using him out of the pen. I would also have to say that even though Sean said it wasn't affecting him that with all the questions and rumors about the trade that it was. I had a great conversation with Sean after he had gotten the news and it was expected and I told him to just concentrate on pitching and things you can control. actually the O's wanted Hill as the centerpiece.

Wuertz + for this guys doesn't seem very sensible. "This guy" was #3 in rookie of the year voting last year. Yeah, and in 89 Walton and Smith went 1/2. ROY and other voting is meaningless to me. We're talking about a guy who has done a decent job hitting for average and getting on base at an old age for every level, and he hits for no power. I don't see him making much of a career out of his skillset. Wuertz, as a middle reliever, may be of equal value, but I'd much rather include Wuertz in a deal for something meaningful, not another 4th outfielder. Coming from a GM who so grossly overvalues veteran relievers, I can't imagine how he can justify trading one of his best + prospects for this guy. From what I see, he was 5th in voting. He would be our starting CF, IMO.

Wuertz + for this guys doesn't seem very sensible. "This guy" was #3 in rookie of the year voting last year.