Ward to 15 day DL, Moore called up.

Ward was sent to the DL with a strained calf. So the cubs made a roster move today bringing up versatile player Scott Moore. He can play all infield positions and has some pop in his bat. He is hitting 10 for 19 in last 7 games with 5 homers! Moore was acquired in the Kyle Farnsworth trade and he is going to be in the lineup today. Lets see how the kid takes the pressure of playing with the big boys. Good luck to you Moore!

Cubs trade Izzy, intrest in Dotel and other notes.

thanks to MLBtraderumors.com-

Pirates Acquire Cesar Izturis

The Cubs have traded shortstop Cesar Izturis and cash to the Pirates for a player to be named later. I suppose the move is meant to push Jack Wilson, but I don't really see the point as they're similar players.

Addition by subtraction for the Cubs, who might want to call up Ronny Cedeno soon. Instead they brought up Jake Fox, who was moved off the catcher position earlier this year. He's hitting .284/.327/.504 in 91 games at Double A. Fox has been playing first base and outfield for the Smokies lately, so he can help fill in for Derrek Lee. Fox could become a Ryan Doumit type one day, catching on occasion. He was college guy, and has been old for his levels. This could possibly be a trade showcase, though Fox doesn't have a ton of value.

A fellow had emailed me about the Bucs' interest in Izturis a few days ago, but I couldn't confirm it and didn't print it. The reason I mention it is that he also said the Cubs have interest in Xavier Nady.

Mlbtraderumors.com also says the are intrested in Dotel.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Cubs called up Jake Fox, who can play Catcher, First, and OF. He will help during the Dlee suspension

- Floyd and Ward left the game today with injuries. Ward was trying to grab Pedro Feliz's infield popup in front of the pitcher's mound and converged with three other players. He fell as he tried to make the play and immediately was pulled from the game. His status is day to day. Floyd collided with pitcher Matt Morris in the third inning and stayed in the game. He eventually scored from second on a passed ball by catcher Bengie Molina, but was lifted on defense in the fourth.Floyd, who has been battling shoulder and elbow problems, was pulled because of a sore neck. Look for Pie or Murton to be called up if any hit the DL( which is unlikely)

Greinke a fit for Cubs?? Lee serving suspension because of injury.

Thanks to mlbtraderumors.com-

Cubs Interested In Zack Greinke
Whether he tops out at 96 or 100 mph, there's no doubt 23 year-old Zack Greinke is an intriguing pitcher. His name helps us remember or mnemonic devices from elementary school. The man even has his own website.
Bob Dutton mentioned Greinke as a trade possibility a few days ago, and now Jeff Vorva of the Daily Southtown reports that the Cubs are interested. Vorva is quoting "broadcast reports" for this rumor; I will try to find more detail. UPDATE: The rumor is from 670 The Score out of Chicago.
Greinke would be a fine addition for the Cubs whether used as a starter or reliever. I don't believe he becomes a free agent until after 2010, though you'd have to check my math. However, Greinke is a very valuable property for Kansas City and the Cubs would have to give up something good. Maybe Dayton Moore could add some middle infield depth with Ronny Cedeno or Eric Patterson. Would that be enough for Greinke?

I would really like getting Zach. He is 4-5 with a 4.54 era. He has 61 SO in 74 innings. He is only 23 years old and would be valuable as a long relief guy since he has made 7 starts this year. Iwould trade Cedeno for Zach. That's a fair trade. But not Epatt, he could get a much better reliever.

------------------------------------------------------

Derrek Lee drops appeal

By Paul Sullivan, 12:24 p.m.

Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee has dropped his appeal of a five-game suspension that was handed down following his June 16 fight with Padres pitcher Chris Young.Lee believed Young had thrown at him intentionally.

Lee was injured during Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the Giants after fouling a ball off his left ankle. He expects to be out for 2-3 games, which in part lead to his decision to drop his case. A hearing on the appeal had not been scheduled.Lee will miss the rest of the Giants series and a weekend set against Arizona. The Cubs have Monday off. Lee's first game back is set for Tuesday in the first game of a series against St. Louis.

Young also received a five-game suspension and a fine, though it in effect amounted to one game because he’s a starting pitcher who works once every five games. He served it before and after the All Star break.Cubs hitting coach Gerald Perry also received three games and a fine from Major League Baseball disciplinarian Bob Watson for "aggressive actions" while trying to separate players.Padres pitcher Jake Peavy and outfielder Brian Giles were fined for their roles in the fight but were not suspended. Young and Lee were also fined.In June, sources said the Cubs argued that Lee’s history should be taken into consideration in the final decision.

They also pointed to comments by Peavy in the San Diego Union-Tribune that suggested he would have hit one of Alfonso Soriano’s teammates if he’d been pitching after watching Soriano backpedal out of the batter’s box to initiate a home-run trot during the series with the Padres.Peavy was involved in the scrum, though San Diego manager Bud Black insisted he "was just trying to pull Derrek Lee off of somebody.

If there is a good time to lose Dlee to a suspension, I guess since he is hurt this is a good as time as ever.

----------------------------------------------------

Other rumors-

The cubs are taking a strong look at teams that start to become sellers. According to multiple sites the Cubs are rumored to be interested in Gagne and Lofton of the Rangers.

More Cubs Rumors and Notes!

Thanks to MLBTRADERUMORS-


Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has some quotes up today from Carlos Zambrano, and they strongly indicate he'll sign a contract extension to stay with the Cubs once the season ends. Specifically, he said there's a "90% chance" he re-signs. Negotiations may not have re-opened, but Z is certainly positive about the situation. The Cubs are likely to pay extra for waiting.

Signing Zambrano might put the Cubs in a position to enter 2008 with the exact same rotation they have now - Zambrano, Rich Hill, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, and Sean Marshall. That group will almost certainly regress from where it is now, but it still looks like a better than average staff to me.

Time to put on my fan cap and speculate about some moves I'd like to see for 2008 (if you hate this sort of thing, just stop reading. No complaints about too much Cubs stuff.)

For the catching situation, I'd just turn it over to Geovany Soto and Henry Blanco. They should be acceptable.

I'd like to see a third of the Iowa Cubs promoted for '08. Bring up the DP combination of Eric Patterson and Ronny Cedeno, and give Felix Pie a legitimate full-time shot at CF. These kids are all hitting well at Triple A. Can you imagine a Cubs lineup with four of eight position players homegrown?

No more patchwork stuff in right field. Go out and spend some money on the best right fielder available - Kosuke Fukudome. It would be fun to see the Cubs garner Japanese attention. Even at $14-15MM a year, I'd throw it down. This will compensate if a few of the kids falter.

I don't have a great solution for Matt Murton. Trade him for a respectable reliever if possible, or just use him as the fourth outfielder. Projecting him as more than that may have been wishcasting anyway. Similar situation with Mike Fontenot.

Mark DeRosa and Ryan Theriot are solid guys but they're on my bench.

Nontender Scott Eyre and Jacque Jones, eat the salaries and be done with it.

Keep Ryan Dempster in the pen but use Carlos Marmol as the closer. Mix and match with kids and vets, same as this year. Don't spend big bucks on free agent relievers. Dempster could slide into the fifth starter role if the pen is a strength and Marquis bombs.

Another $3.6MM on Mark Prior on the chance he can outpitch Marquis? Sure. Wouldn't be opposed to bringing in a Freddy Garcia/Jon Lieber/Kenny Rogers if the price is right. You can never have too much pitching.

----------------------------------------------------------------

Here is some juicy rumors-

It seems Izzy is on his way out next. There are rumored to be at least 3 teams interested in Izzy( BoSox, Royals, and Pirates). Its has been rumored that Hendry is eyeing the power righty bat of Xavier Nady. Could Hendry actually pull off a trade sending just Nady for Izzy he would be a genius! Nady is the Perfect fit for a platoon situation in RF with Floyd or Ward. Nady can play alot of positions he has played 3rd base but he has played all OF positions and first base. He is hitting .284 with 14Hr and 51rbi in 80 games. He posts a lifetime .328 OBP with an OBP of .352 and .336 the last two years. He hits leftys well with .314 and he hits well in day games.367 average. He hits well at Wrigley also, hitting .353 avg 1hr .423 OBP in just 68 AB. Nady is only making 2.15 million and has almost 4 years of ML service.

To say the least this would be a win for Hendry. How bout packaging Murton or Jones or Eyre with Izzy to get Nady and a reliever???

As for the Royals, I don't really want any of there outfielders except maybe Reggie Sanders. He is a good veteran and a good player. Now can he play the outfield??? that is a big question. I still think he can. He could be a problem healthy wise. He is hitting .380 with 2 hr in 50 ab with KC. He has a lifetime .289 avg against leftys. Not the worst choice in the world but not best. I can see dealing Izzy for relief help.

The BoSox don't have much to give up to the cubs except Wily Mo Pena. If you read this site you know I love him.

-----------------------------------------

Also today Soto was sent to Iowa to make room for Kendall.

Cubs get Kendall for Bowen and minor leaguer.

Cubs get veteran Jason Kendall today for Bowen and minor league pitcher. This is very good move in my opinion. He is a solid defensive catcher and OK offensively and much better than Bowen! He is expected to be in uniform tomorrow!