vance_the_cubs_fan

That play did not cost us the game, but Walker gets the blame because of the bobble or trouble he had getting the ball out of his glove that disrupted the timing of the play. Cedeno's throw was poor because as he threw it the runner (I forgot who it was) actually made an attempt to grab the bag and when he couldn't he grabbed Cedeno's foot making Cedeno get off a poor throw. These guys are adults who have been playing baseball all their lives. If they have to act like babies I don't fault the manager, I fault the players. Walker threw Cedeno under the bus with his comment that you'd have to ask Cedeno what happened on the throw when Walker was right there as Cedeno was being tripped up. I understand when fans don't want to place any blame on "their" guy, but you can't then blame Baker or anyone else who does the same thing. I still don't know why more wasn't mentioned of Walker's lie when he created a stir by saying he never spoke to Baker during the offseason when a month later he admitted he did. As I said earlier, it was always curious to me that any team could've had him, as Hendry was seemingly dangling him , yet no one wanted him. But we don't know for a fact what Hendry would have taken for Walker. Everyone wants to say that he could have been had for a song, but we don't know that. We only know what was reported in the media. And yes, it seemed as if Walker was actively being shopped, but we really don't know what Hendry's asking price was, just as we don't know definitively that Hendry could have had Dunn for Rich Hill.

I'd take Garty Matthews Jr. for CF, Jason Schmidt SP, and Craig Wilson, plz. If his medical records check out, a one year deal for Sheffield would please me as well.

Why is Walker getting the blame when it was Cedeno who tried to throw the ball into Lake Michigan? Cedeno still had time to make a good throw and he airmailed it. Should Walker have kept his mouth shut? Maybe. But I think a lot of this could be the boiling over from the fact that Dusty Baker has lost this team. Losing creates disention. Players are much more willing to be team players when being one creates results. When you have a selfish manager who plays favorites, selfishness becomes the theme in the clubhouse. Williamson spoke the truth a few weeks ago. Much of this I don't see as indictments against the players as I do those who created the climate for it to fester. Players will follow the lead of their manager. If that manager lacks accoutability, integrity, and makes excuses, then his players often follow suit. What I find interesting, especially if we look at the two main culprits from 2004 in Alou and Mercker is that both those guys were always called great guys in the clubhouse everywhere they've played before Chicago and afterwards, yet under Baker they had issues with the media. Now other players are starting to have the same "issues" again. Dusty has been known to preach "you're either for us or against us." Maybe the polarizing problem here is the one chewing the tooth pick. His firing cannot come soon enough and hopefully Hendry will follow him out the door if he's not leading the way.

NO!!!! Why involve the Padres?? And Howry for Vazquez or Garcia I would not do. I would demand Broadway and Fields in return for Howry. Getting Kottaras would be a better haul than either Broadway or Fields. In the long term, trading Howry and getting Kottaras from the Padres would be better than making the Sox give up Broadway or Fields.

And to think, I missed two episoded of the A-Team to watch this pathetic display!

Maybe this will get Jones traded. We can't have bad chemistry guys around any longer.

I'm convinced that no matter what happens, Hendry is incapable of making the right call.

Oh well, this one is done!

Oh crap....that wasn't pretty. A three run lead. So much for being at 500 by August 3. Maybe by August 4...

I think the ESPYs are on afterwords Oh, I thought it had something to do with the Gay Games or something. I know the closing ceremonies are supposed to be held at Wrigley. The what?! http://www.gaygameschicago.org/ceremonies/c-venue.php Wow. What surprised me is this is gay games number 7? I've never heard of this until this year. Ozzie says he's going to them.

If we run the table, we can still finish 108-54 If we go 56-18 (.757) we can still win 90! I really wonder if JH considers these numbers when he says stuff like "we can still go on a run, gotta play the vets" It's exactly what he's thinking. He's mathematically challenged and doesn't realize how unlikely all that is.

If we win the next 20 in a row, we can be at .500 by August 3.

Or get traded somewhere with a better team I don't think Hendry trades Jacque. If he plays well, Hendry will think he made the right move offering a three-year deal. Now, the better Maddux pitches, the easier it will be to move him.

Jacque trying to save Dusty's job.

Wow...at the rate Traschel is working, it's going to be supper time before this game is over.

The A-Team it is!

This is an easy match-up for the Beatles.

Barrett's contract expires after next season. Kottaras was just promoted to AAA. If I ended up with Kottaras, I'd likely play him a half season there while Soto was back-up to Barrett. In July, I'd re-evaluate things. If Kottaras is hitting well, I'd promote him. If we're in contention, I'd keep Barrett and replace Soto with Kottaras and let him be a left-handed compliment to Barrett. If we're out of contention, I'd deal Barrett to a contender. The Padres are in a different situation. Piazza is under a one year deal, so they can let him walk and give Kottaras a chance to win a job in the spring. My desire for Kottaras isn't a short-term deal. There's no reason to deal Barrett if a trade for Kottaras is made.

Link I'd love to hear some of the depositions in this case.

how would a fox/kottaras platoon look in the future? would the padres be willing to give him up? how's his d btw? The Padres are very high on him and it may take more to get him than that. His numbers at AA: 276/394/451. Supposedly he has a cannon for an arm. He was promoted to AAA over the All-Star break and did well in his first game with Portland. I believe he has a cannon for an arm. Kottaras as a primary catcher with either Soto or Fox as a back-up would be decent. Kottaras is a left, so he would get the bulk of playing time. I like Kottaras as a player. I think the Padres view him as competing for a starting spot next spring and likely will try to pair him with a veteran catcher. If the Cubs could get him for just the cost of a middle reliever, even one like Howry, I'd do it. The only way the Padres do the deal is if they believe a SP like Vasquez is what is needed to finish the final playoff push.

Speedy recovery to Chris.

Should I watch this game or A-Team re-runs on TVLand and then Sleuth. Choices....choices....

First of all, Fred, if you're in Baton Rouge (which means "Red Stick" if you didn't know) it should be Geaux Tigers! Secondly, are you heading this way? Third, have lunch at Ralph and Kakoos. I highly reccomend it!

What more does Rich Hill have to prove at AAA? Let's see if he can make adjustments at the big league level. Also, Guzman is still getting his arm strengthened after getting an 18-day vacation to the end of the big league bullpen. I'm fine with giving him another shot, but the guy just baffles me. He dominates in AAA but then gets shelled outing after outing in the majors. How many more chances do we give this guy to prove himself? We should give him an extended look from now until season's end. This season is over and he needs regular starts so he can make adjustments not just a sporadic start here and there.

Once Aerosmith beats them, the White Stripes will be irrelevant as far as the poll goes, however.