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.

Sabathia, Harden, and Burnett... Oh My!

Here are some good notes on possible pitchers that the Cubs could land.

- A trade for C.C. is the Cubs #1 objective at the deadline and there is some good news. Jim Hendry has said he will go out and get the best available pitcher before the deadline is up on July 31st. The Indians have now been rumored that "any team that acquires C.C. Sabathia would gain an exclusive window to sign him long-term before he reaches free agency." People have stated more than 20 teams in baseball would trade for Sabathia with only about 5 that are the most serious. The Brewers, Rays, Yankess, Red Sox, and Cubs are the most serious about landing him. My bet is on the Cubs because unlike the other teams they will trade the farm to win this year!

- Rich Harden is a stud but has health issues so he is a gamble, but a good one at that. He is the Cubs number 2 pitcher on their wish list. The A's were recently scouting the O's and Cubs series that wrapped up yesterday. Its too bad, they did not see a very good series on the Cubs side.

- A.J. Burnett is becoming more of the most affordable pick up for the Cubs. Since his comments about wanting to play on the Cubs, his trade stock has went down and the manager got fired. The Blue Jays are close to blowing up the team and starting over, keeping guys like Wells, Halladay, and younger guys but getting rid of guys like Stairs, Burnett, and maybe Rolen. Plus it does not help the Jays that A.J. has an opt out clause in this contract for this year which also makes it hard to trade. Unless the Jays allow a window to renegotiate his contract which is unlikely.

Cubs notes.

- Scott Eyre has a sore groin and is going to take a few days off and be reevaluated to see if he will have to go on the DL.



- Samardzija will make his next start at Iowa. It will be his second start in AAA.



- Lou will be the replacement for Willie Randolph as a coach of the National League All Star Team.

"I'm happy that they asked," Piniella said Thursday. "I look forward to going to New York. It'll be the last time I'm in Yankee Stadium. I played there, I managed there, coached there, I was a general manager. It'll be fun for me, and I'm appreciative that I was asked, and I'm looking forward to helping Clint Hurdle out in any way I can."

Fukudome hurting and Soriano back earlier than expected??

Good and bad news today-

-Fukudome is scratched from tonight's lineup with tightness in his calf. Lets hope he is back tomorrow but Lou sounds concerned. WE CANNOT TAKE ON MORE HURT PLAYERS!

- Soriano is going to be back before the 6 week time table. Soriano feels that he will be back in the lineup after the all star break. Lou also backs up this new time table.

- Jon Lieber will likely retire after the season.

Cubs call up Marshall.

The Cubs called up Sean Marshall today to pitch against the O's. They had to make room for him so they put Reed Johnson on the 15 day DL and is expected to be back July 3rd because he has not played since the Rays series. The Cubs also activated Ward and sent Hoffpauier to AAA Iowa.

Cubs are showing off young talent.

Soriano's broken hand maybe not that bad after all. With Soriano being out the Cubs have turned their attention to players such as Micah Hoffpauier, Eric Patterson, and Matt Murton, and they all have been doing quite well. Hoffpauier is hitting .400 with a .432 OBP in just 35. He has been a stud! While Eric Patterson helped his numbers last night, putting his avg. to .318 with 1 homer, 5 RBI, and 2 SB in just 22 ABs. Murton is up to .273 with 4 RBI and really improving.

So what does all this mean. It means the Cubs all the sudden have improved their chances to land a top tier starter at the deadline. They have all the pieces in my opinion to land a pitcher like Bedard, Sabathia, or Harden.

The thing that better improves the chances of landing a big named pitcher is the fact that the Cubs are pretty well set in the outfield( with the platoon of Edmonds and Johnson), the infield( we have the best depth in the majors), bullpen( we could get another reliever but we are still strong), and bench( still very strong and have good talent in Iowa as well to fill the role). So the Cubs have a leg up on a team like the Brewers, Mets, Yanks, and Phillies because they will also setting their eyes on another bat, reliever, or bench. While the Cubs put all their time, energy, and prospects together to land one big pitcher.

I think the Cubs will land a great #1 or #2 starter before the trade deadline passes. Here is the order I would go with-

1. Sabathia- Lefty, big power pitcher, good health, and will come over from the American League which is a bonus.

2. Harden- The guys is straight up nasty, not to mention cheap money wise. 4.5 million this year and 7 million next year. He does have some health concerns but when healthy he is a number 1 starter.

3. Bedard- A good lefty with some health issues but has number 1 stuff. He could come kind of cheap because the M's might fire sale and start over.

4. Burnett- Again some health issues and could opt out of his contract but has good number 2 stuff. When he is on, he is unhittable and he would like to become a Cub.

5. Harang- Not going to happen but they say he is available so why not give it a try. He still has 3 years 30.75 million left on this contract which is affordable these days.

6. Wolf- Another decent option if the others fall through the cracks but he is a #4 at best.

7. Maddog- Not a bad choice, can pitch in big games, still has good stuff, and I would love to see him back in that sweet Cubs' blue!

I think the Cubs will land one of these pitchers and here is to hoping it is one of the top 3!