vance_the_cubs_fan

F-Bomb!

We have to go to the fireworks at 9:00, so hopefully the Cubs have a big lead before I have to leave.

I'm going to be cautiously optimistic until I see results in actual games. I am holding out hope that he is moved back to Iowa quickly. It could serve two purposes: 1. He could return to the Cubs rotation or 2. He could become a valuable trading chip if he really has solved his control problems.

If the Brewers get Sabathia, he'll likely be able to make anywhere from 12-15 starts for them, depending on when the trade goes down. Will he make that much of a difference in those starts to overcome 4.5 games in the standings, I don't know. But it could come close to being a push. I would love it if we got up about 7 games over Milwaukee and they traded for Sabathia. He's not going to make up 7 games, and if he doesnt re-sign with them, they just wasted prospects. Well they wasted prospects they currently have, but they would also have a good chance at having 5 of the top 40 picks or so if CC and Sheets walked. So they really wouldnt "waste" them, and Id trust their organization with 5 picks a hell of a lot more than Id trust the Cubs. Sure, the Brewers have a better track record with early round draft picks but either way, prospects at AA are much surer things than a potential draft pick. Of course thats no doubt. However since LaPorte and Gamel play positions the Brewers already have locked up with young kids. It seems like a no brainer if you can get a guy like CC, and then turn that into 2 1st round pitching talents where they need the help. Unless they hold on to LaPorta and Gamel and use them to get a pitcher who will replace Sheets when he walks.

If the Brewers get Sabathia, he'll likely be able to make anywhere from 12-15 starts for them, depending on when the trade goes down. Will he make that much of a difference in those starts to overcome 4.5 games in the standings, I don't know. But it could come close to being a push. I would love it if we got up about 7 games over Milwaukee and they traded for Sabathia. He's not going to make up 7 games, and if he doesnt re-sign with them, they just wasted prospects. Well they wasted prospects they currently have, but they would also have a good chance at having 5 of the top 40 picks or so if CC and Sheets walked. So they really wouldnt "waste" them, and Id trust their organization with 5 picks a hell of a lot more than Id trust the Cubs. But they'd be wasted in the sense that what they would pick would not be nearly as close to major-league ready as to what they would give up. The Brewers have a tough call to make. If Sabathia really is the difference maker for them, it's worth the gamble. On the other hand, if they hold on to LaPorta, Gamel, Escobar, and others; they can use those players to make an off-season trade to replace Sheets if he were to walk. Next year, they will have Gallardo back. Their core of players also will be back, but if they trade their major league ready guys now, they may set themselves back a year or two if both Sheets and Sabathia walk. If they ride with what they have, they will be in a prime position to use these chips to trade for a player who could replace Sheets on the roster. It's a tough call for them. In a lot of ways, I'm hoping they trade for Sabathia but that CC is unable to make up the difference.

That's what my email from the M-Braves said. I might have to make an unplanned trip to Mississippi to see Jeff.

If the Brewers get Sabathia, he'll likely be able to make anywhere from 12-15 starts for them, depending on when the trade goes down. Will he make that much of a difference in those starts to overcome 4.5 games in the standings, I don't know. But it could come close to being a push.

My guess is that if Fukudome just missed it, he'll be among those you can vote for to get the last spot.

He'd probably want his 2010 option picked up, but that's not a bad idea. Hudson would be a better option than Burnett and Harden. If the Braves were sellers, Hudson would be very intriguing. That beings said, I don't expect the Braves to put Hudson on the market.

after midnight...who's next to start the next game thread?

I agree with Rosenthal that if the Brewers put LaPorta and Escobar in the deal, there's not another to team who can or will compete with that.

It appears that Gallagher will work out of the pen, at least for the near future. Link

Lou seems to be wondering if Marmol might be tipping his pitches. Link

My guess is Cleveland is looking at everyone. I doubt Taylor Green is the centerpiece, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. The Brewers have a deep system, so there's enough there for a deal, but my guess is that it would include one of Salome, Gamel, or Escobar and then probably Gillespie or Brantley too.

Somehow, I don't think Cedeno would interest them. If a SS is what they want, I could see Burnett to the Braves for Brent Lillibridge, Burnett to the Brewers for Alcides Escobar, or Burnett to the Dodgers for Hu.

Valid point Cubs have gotta land CC though, that's the key move, IMO. The report is that the Brewers are willing to move Gamel but not Laporte. If were willing to deplete our farm system, we can get him. The Brewers know CC will just be a rental so they'll be careful with what they give up. Maybe the same with us, but we have more at stake, with a better chance of being able to keep him around. Depending on what they add to Gamel, I doubt we can compete with that. If they deal Gamel and Escobar along with another piece, that's just more than we can match.

If it got Lincecum out, I'll take it.

Never mind, here comes Wuertz. We're doomed. You were saying?

Decent bounce back inning for Sean. We need to chip away and get Lincecum out of the game.

Thank god that inning is over. Too bad, we may have dug a hole too big to come out of.

WTF?!?!? This is freaking ridiculous!

Wheels coming off for Sean this inning. :(

Lincecum singles in Castillo. 2-1 Giants.

Castillo doubles in the tying run.

Nice play by Ramirez. 1 out. Rowand moves to second.