vance_the_cubs_fan

They could make a sitcom out of this year's team. And they wouldn't have to make anything up....

Rain-out, plz.

Beane is likely smart enough to realize Todd Walker's value. We're likely dumb enough to trade them Walker for Antonio Perez.

While I wanted to see Restovich given a shot, I think this has to do with the fact that he wasn't completely comfortable at firstbase. He had never taken balls there until spring training this year and is more comfortable in the outfield. While I'd have liked to see him play some RF against lefties, it was clear that the Cubs were committed to Jones there. I think if Restovich had any experience at first, he would have been given more of a shot than he had.

I'm personally hoping this pushes Womack to CF and Pierre out the door. Personally, I've grown weary of the Juan Pierre suck-fest.

No way. Weeks is a good player, but I'd want more than Weeks for Prior at this point.

If Walker stays in the line-up, I don't have a problem with this move. If it pushes Walker out, it's a dumb move. But in truth, it matters little since we won't contend this year anyway.

You're basically talking about the need to "Dusty-Proof" the team. Not at all. I'm talking about constructing a decent team. I do, however, believe that Dusty's hand is all in the roster construction, but I'm not talking about Dusty-proofing.

There's nothing strange about a scorer ruling a ball lost in the sun as a hit. On Sunday, during the Dodgers-Braves game, a Dodger (sorry can't remember who) hit a high pop up between first and second....it was two outs, so the batter ran the whole way, and Giles let it drop on the infield dirt. The scorer ruled it a double. The ball didn't travel more than 90 ft from home, but it was a double.

If Wood is going to be traded, it's going to take his consent. I think two things could make that happen. 1. Trade him somewhere he wants to go. 2. Trade him to a team that will (can afford) to pick up his 2007 option. I've come up with five teams: Yankees (#2), Mets (#2), Diamondbacks (#1), Rangers (#1 or #2) and White Sox (#1). The question is would any of those teams want him and what would they offer to get him? The Diamondbacks are loaded with prospects, so I'd prefer to deal with them. It would be a major coup if the Cubs came away with one of Drew, Young, Carlos Gonzalez, or Quentin. It also might be easiest to get a good prospect from Arizona since they have so many. I'd be less willing to deal with the White Sox, and I'm not sure they would be as inclined to offer as much as the other four teams. My guess is it would take a package of players from the White Sox as no one jumps out as the player to grab. After Milledge, the Mets don't have a lot to offer either. I doubt they would trade Milldege for Wood (maybe for Prior, but not Wood), so once again we'd be looking at a number of B-C level prospects instead of a top of the line player. With the Yankees, I'd ask for two of Eric Duncan, Phil Hughes, and Jose Tabata. If we deal Wood to the Rangers, I think the Cubs should ask for Diamond or Danks. If the Rangers won't deal one of those two, then Teargarden and Joaquin Arias would be an ok return. All in all, dealing him to Arizona could produce the best return and may also be the most palatable for Wood.

We still suck.

Agreed. I don't see why choosing Farnsworth over Howry is even an issue. My guess is this is just another feeble attempt at trolling by someone who has made this his mo.

Somehow I feel as if another six game losing streak could start tomorrow.

I have a feeling that Wuertz has somehow gotten into the Hendry/Baker doghouse. This is mere speculation, but I think there has to be a reason beyond his mere performance.

If I had the choice right now of either Hendry as GM and a new manager or Baker as manager but a new GM....I think I'd probably take the second option. For those that know my position on Baker, that says a lot about how I feel about the construction of this team.

Back to the meaning of the initial post, I think the losing streaks are indicative of Dusty's failure to lead this team. Regardless of excuses, no team should have that many streaks of six or more losses. The inabilty of this team to recognize the cause of our failure is ridiculous. That is most depressing.

I think the love stems from the fact that he is very much fan oriented. He is extremely visible and makes it a point to appease the fans in as much as an owner of a sports team (i.e. business) can. Exactly. I do not think Hendry and company are all that enthused about winning. Sure they would like to win but don't seem passionate at all about it. Cuban certainly does. Not that you need a person who is boisterous and exciteable and acting like a fool but at least he shows that he truly cares. I think the man would be going out of his mind if he owned this team and they were playing this poorly. He would do something instead of just sitting around saying "Oh well the Astros turned it around last season. So, I won't do a damn thing about it. Those are the breaks. Maybe we will get a break to. Ho Hum. Life sucks and then you die." I don't really get that vibe from Cuban. He would be firing Baker at least. Sure it might not do a thing to turn anything around but at least it would be a sign of at least TRYING to shake up the team. This management does zilch. Honestly, I would like to see a rich dude take over the Cubs. It seems like those guys know it's their rear ends on the line and will do something to better their team at all costs. Granted the Tribune does have the Cubs at a nice monetary amt but you know they could dish out plenty more but simply will not. All I know is something in upper management and/or ownership needs to change. I would not mind Cuban being the replacement at all. I disagree that Cuban doesn't want to win. I've met Hendry and I think he wants to win as much if not more than we do. At issue is what he believes will improve the team. Hendry has a flawed view on how to construct a baseball team. When he does use stats, he misuses them so horribly that the result is the awkward Burnitz stat that we were exposed to last season or a look at BA with RISP. I don't want Cuban as an owner because he'll sit in the front row and ra-ra all game long. Though, I do like that part of his persona. I don't wan Cuban because he really, really wants to win, though that is a plus as well. I want Cuban because I believe that he will employ a front office that actually understands how to construct a baseball team.

I think the Cubs do have players that could have value as the trading deadline approaches. There will be a number of factors coming into play that could increase the value of the Cubs' players. The first is the number of teams who believe they are in contention. If 20 teams believe they have a chance, then that means there are only 20 selllers. A situation like that could benefit the Cubs. 1. Wood- If Wood is willing to waive his no-trade clause and regains his velocity, cost or not, teams will be trying to get him. He's the type of pitcher that could carry a team through the postseason. He could net a top prospect if traded to the right team. 2. Maddux- Maddux also could fetch a decent prospect for a team looking for an experienced pitcher. 3. Williamson- Williamson will bring a mid-range prospect if shopped to the right team. 4. Walker also could be a valueable trading chip to a team looking for a lefthanded bat.

Cut him and bring up Womack!!! :wink: You got half your wish...

I just voted. I'm going to be away for a few days, but always willing to help when around.

We could trade for Abreu and move Jones to CF. Jones' production wouldn't be horribly bad for CF.

Right. The Cubs shouldn't trade for anyone that doesn't fit the long term picture. Trading for a player like Finley would not help this team. We should be unloading vets, not accumulating them.

I've voted 11,000 times. And while the Cubs I've voted for were undeserving, at least I know that Adam Dunn earned every vote I've cast for him.

Patterson is a FA after this season isn't he? So who do we sign for CF, Pierre or Patterson?

Open up the fire sale. This season is beyond redemption.