Good and Bad News on the Cubs Front

Got some good and bad news today-

- The bad news is it seems that the Brewers will land C.C. Sabathia. According to Doug Melvin they have a package of players on the table for Sabathia and the Indians have been scouting the AA team of the Brew Crew. They have been rumored to offer Matt Laporta, Taylor Green, and Lorenzo Cain. That is quite a package and the Cubs I do not think have the goods to land him if the Brewers are indeed offering that package. That is quite a bounty for a 3 month rental.

- Some of the good news is Jim Hendry has been in constant contact with J.P. Ricciardi, Kevin Towers, and Billy Beane. The Cubs have Rich Harden, Justin Duscherer, AJ Burnett, Randy Wolf, and Greg Maddux all on their list of potential pitchers that could be pitching for the Cubs in the next 3 weeks or so. The Cubs have still kept in contact with Mark Shapiro but the Brewers are making a lot of progress to acquire the hard throwing lefty. It has also been rumored that the Jays want a young shortstop with upside in a deal for Burnett. I think Ronny Cedeno could be the center piece of a deal for A.J.

- Rich Hill maybe back in Chicago before we know it. The once project #2 starter for the Cubs lost his command and mind this year and last we heard was sent to AA ball and pitched awful, but now their is great news.

He no longer tilts his shoulder and head back to the exent he had been doing (a la Fernando Valenzuela), which allows him to keep his eyes on the catcher's target... [Hill] was absolutely unhittable today.

The curves literally buckled the knees of the young AZL Cubs hitters, and (probably more importantly) he was able to consistently throw his fastball for strikes And maybe most importantly, Hill looked relaxed and he even was able to crack a smile at one point. (One of the telltale symptoms of Steve Blass Disease is the inability to smile).

This is great news and I suggest you all read the article on thecubreporter.com-

http://www.thecubreporter.com/2008/0...ll-turn-corner

This would be good news for a lot of reasons. He could be a trading chip for a top line pitcher or he could fill out the rotation in the #4 spot. Either way this is great news for all cubs fans!


IN OTHER NEW-

- Soriano is on the mend and ready to start swing the bat! He could make a couple of rehab starts in Iowa next week or he could jump in the lineup right before or after the all start break. I for one thinks he should see some live pitching down in the minors before he is inserted in the lineup in Chicago.

A couple of quick hits

- Soriano will be reevaluated on Thursday and could take batting practice in St. Louis on Saturday. When Soriano returns he will be placed in the leadoff spot with Fukudome hitting 2nd and Edmonds hitting 5th.

- Marshall will get a start against the Cards either Saturday or Sunday. Z is expected to pitch Friday in his return from the DL.

A whole lot of Rumors!

Hot Stove is about hot, so lets get to it-

- The Cubs have renewed interest in Brian Fuentes, they have the Cards and Rays as competition for him.

- The Rays like Matt Murton a lot. Like one of my posters says, maybe we can trade for Edwin Jackson straight up??

- I thank Peter Gammons and MLBTR on this one. Lots of good information here-

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog entry up, with the focus on the Cubs' desire to add a starting pitcher. Gammons talked to a Cubs official who said, "We almost certainly will do something. But we really don't want to give up Sean Gallagher at this point."


Here's a quick rundown of the candidates:


C.C. Sabathia - Cubs don't believe they have enough to get him.

Rich Harden - Gammons doesn't specifically say the Cubs are interested, just that they're monitoring Oakland.


Randy Wolf - The Cubs have interest, and Gammons says Wolf would waive his no-trade to go to a contender. Plus, Wolf treated the Cubs well when they courted him in the 2006-07 offseason. Gammons adds that the Padres still like Matt Murton. History has shown that Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers work well together on trades.

A.J. Burnett - The Cubs "also keep looking" at him. Last Thursday, Gammons' colleague Jayson Stark hadn't found "any indication that the Cubs have even batted his name around."


Aaron Cook - Gammons says the Cubs would love him, but Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said earlier this month, "We're not doing anything with Cookie."

Bronson Arroyo, Kevin Millwood - Gammons says the Cubs have "kicked around" these names.

We have all heard these names before except Millwood and Arroyo, which both guys have an ERA over 5. Another name that is really interesting is Aaron Cook, he is 10-5 with a 3.64 ERA. Has a great sinker and having that low of an ERA when half the games you pitch are at Coors, outstanding!

I disagree with Gammons about Sabathia. I do think the Cubs have the farm to get C.C... but it would be hard without including Gallagher.

I honestly think the Cubs are going to surprise everyone and get Rich Harden or Justin Duscherer. They have been scouting Oakland a lot lately and I have another "tip" that they are scouting them tonight with Harden on the mound.

Aram out for 3 or 4 days. Cubs could get Maddux back??

*Aramis Ramirez will miss most or all of the Giant series. Aram will be attending a family matter in Dominican Republic but should be back by the Cards/Cubs series. I hope everyting goes well with Aram and his family.

* The Padres are going to be sellers at the deadline and the Cubs have a lot of interest in Greg Maddux and Randy Wolf as their back up plan if they do not get Harden, Burnett, Sabathia, Bedard, or Duchscherer. Not bad backup plans. I just do not see why the Cubs trade for Maddux and a top tier pitcher like Harden, Sabathia, etc.. Maddux will not cost much as for prospects and he would wave his no trade clause to come back to Chicago I think. Especially if their in a pennant race! Murton and mid-level prospect for Maddog seems about right.

Another couple of injuries. More pitchers Cubs are looking at??

- The Cubs have placed lefty Scott Eyre on the 15 day DL with a sore groin. They have called up Jose Ascanio. I really like this Ascanio kid, he has good fastball and some wicked breaking pitches. Kind of reminds me of Marmol but not as nasty.

- Ryan Theriot has been out with a mysterious hand injury the past couple of games. He should be back in the lineup tonight.

- You can add John Garland, Justin Duchscherer, and Jarrod Washburn to the list of candidates the Cubs may trade for. The Cubs should trade the farm for Duchscherer and Harden both. Drooling at the rotation and how cheap their contracts are!

1. Zambrano
2. Harden
3. Lilly
4. Duchscherer
5. Dempster

WOW... I am dreaming. Not to mention Harden makes 4.5 million this year and 7 million next year and Justin makes 1.2 million and arbitration eligible next year. He has only 4 years of service.