Cubs need to trade Howry. Should take a look at Roy Halladay.

I usually do not go nuts like some Cubs fans and say " get rid of this player" but in this case we should. Bob Howry once again is scuffling and this time they can't use the excuse that he starts off slow because it is the end of July and he has not came close to turning the corner. Bob is in the last year of his 3 year deal which makes him a perfect candidate to trade. Not to mention the reliever market has few great relievers and not to many average relievers which means you would find a take on Howry after guys like Fuentes, Ohman, and Street find new homes.

Consider that last year he only gave up 31 runs in 78 games and he has already did that ths year in 50 should be enough to get rid of the guy. His era is an awful 5.22 for a late inning reliever, and I think the Cubs should trade him before he doe any more damage. The White Sox, Brewers, Phillies, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, and Yankess should all have interest in the veteran reliever because his price will be a lot lower than Fuentes, Street, etc. Jim needs to trade Howry before he give us higher numbers in the "L" column, plain and simple!

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The Jays are secretly shopping Roy Halladay and I think the Cubs should call the Jays if the have not already. Those of you who do not know Roy Halladay, he is a beast! He is almost guaranteed to give you at least 200 innings pitched a year. In his 10 year career he has only pitched under 200 innings 5 times and is on pace to have 200+ innings this year. He is has never lost over 8 games in a season and is almost guaranteed to give you at least 12 wins a year. In the past 6 years he has went 22-7, 8-8, 12-4, 16-5, 16-7, and is currently 12-7 this year. His lifetime ERA is 3.56 and has a 2.82 ERA this year. OH, and the really good thing is he has 3 years 40 million left on his contract if you count this year. He would cost the Cubs a ton to get, but I think you sell the farm for a guy like that! The guy is a number 1 on every team in baseball and would be a great addition for the Cubs.

Samardzija called up. Wood sent to DL.

Jeff Samazija has been called up because Kerry Wood was placed on the 15 day DL yesterday. Something else that is interesting is that Jeff might get a start this weekend against the Marlins. The Cubs are toying with the idea to push back Harden's starts to every 6 days because his record and ERA are really good when he gets 5+ days of rest. I would support this move if they do in fact make it. It will be nice to see this kid pitch!

Soriano and Eyre back. The Cubs will decide soon on what to do at deadline.

The Cubs have activated Scott Eyre and Soriano from the DL. The sent Micah Hoffpauier and Kevin Hart to AAA. I would not be surprised if Hart and/or Hoffpauier's name comes up in the next week about possible trade chips. Both have had decent success in the ML level and could be a nice addition to a team that may want to start over.

I also think you will start to see Cedeno, Font, Hill, Pie, Ceda, Veal, Vitters, Samj, and others to come up in trade talks which are really starting to heat up with the deadline right around the corner.

The Cubs will decide in the next 4 or 5 days whether they need a bat, reliever, or another starter before the deadline ends on the 31st. They need to see how Soriano's hand is doing and how Eyre looks coming off the DL. Another thing that hinges on wether they make a deal for a reliever is on Wood. He is not likely to head to the DL now which is a relief but they will still keep an eye on him to see if they need to make a deal for a Fuentes, Marte, or Mahay.

The Cubs also look decent at the starting rotation. They could upgrade the rotation by trading or releasing Marquis and getting Burnett but that does not look likely even though the Jays have made it no secret that they would trade A.J.. The Jays said they have not received any calls on Burnett but they have said to like Ronny Cedeno and both teams have been scouting each other the past week or so.

The Cubs could use another bat in this lineup but where and who?? The Cubs should get a good lift from Soriano who returns tonight against the Dbacks but if the Cubs see any inclination that Soriano is not 100% they will make a deal for a big bat. The Cubs would prefer a left handed bat but besides Adam Dunn( will not be traded within the division), Raúl Ibañez ( who is not that big of a bat), and Barry Bonds (we will not go there) there is not much on the market.

One player that does interest the Cubs whether or not Soriano comes back is Matt Holliday. Now I know you all are saying where would he play, but trust me they would find a place for Matt. They could move Fukudome to CF, leave Soriano in LF, and put Holliday in RF. It would be a good defensive outfield, not to mention the lineup with him in it. WOW! The price of Holliday would be astronomical but he would be well worth it. Guys like Vitters, Hoffpauier( could eventually replace Helton), Veal, Marshall, and Ceda would really interest the Rockies. Lets face it they need young good pitching and we have that. Just keep your eye on the Rockies and Holliday because he is likely to be dealt right before the deadline ends, if traded at all.

More Hot Stove Talk

Here is some more rumors and news-

- The Cubs had Chicago Cubs special assistant Ken Kravec at yesterday's Jays/Rays game. Not sure he was looking at, maybe Joe Inglett or Marco Scutaro? It should be also noted that the Cubs have had prior interest in A.J. Burnett but he did not pitch yesterday. It should also be known that the Jays have received no offers for A.J.

- How Soriano returns will determine what the Cubs do before the deadline.

- Here is some news on Soriano thanks to Cubs.com-

Soriano had three plate appearances for the Mesa Cubs -- a rookie-level team -- on Monday morning, as he went 0-for-2 with a walk as the designated hitter.


Soriano reported no lingering effects in his hand and said he would even be ready to come back for Monday night's game in Phoenix against the Diamondbacks.

"I didn't feel anything in my hands and nothing in my fingers," Soriano said. "No pain, that's what's important.


"If they want me to play tonight, I'll play tonight. If they want me to do one more game of rehab, I'll do that. It depends on what the team wants. It's their decision, not my decision."

Soriano said he will likely head down to Tucson for at least one game, where the Iowa Cubs are playing against the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, before rejoining the Cubs in Chicago to face the Marlins on Thursday.

I hope he takes at least one or two more rehab games before heading to the field.

Soriano early return and other notes

-Soriano is expected to make an earlier return than expected. He maybe in the Cubs lineup Wedensday against the D'backs instead of the Marlins on Thursday. He took batting practice on the field for the second straight day Saturday, swinging more aggressively than Friday in a longer BP session. He is expected to do a rehab assignment in Mesa on Monday.

- Wood could be sent to the DL with a blister on his index finger depending on how it does in the next couple of days.

- Cubs placed Jon Lieber on the 15 day DL and recalled Micah Hoffpauier from AAA Iowa.

Greene not coming to Cubs and other notes.

- Cubs officials said today that there is "no truth" the rumors circulation around the Padres' Greene. So rest assure that Greene will not be a Cub anytime soon.

- Soriano said he will be ready to return to the Chicago Cubs by the Flordia series which is July 24th. That is depending on how batting practice goes in Houston, if all goes well he could be with Iowa by Monday, and in the North side lineup on the 24th. This is good news for the Cubbies!

- The Cubs really want to land a reliever and a bat off the bench. Brian Fuentes is on top of a short list of relievers the Cubs really like. As far as the a bench player, I could see them looking at Casey Blake. Blake is batting .282 with 9 homers and 52 RBI in 301 ABs. He can play 3b, RF, LF, and 1st base. Basically another Derosa, which would be very valuable off the bench!

Cubs check in on Greene?? Hendry working the phones again?

According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Cubs have recently inquired on Khalil Greene. They have expressed interest in Greene earlier this year and the Padres wanted Pie but he was "untouchable" at the time. Greene is in the first year of a 2 year 11 million dollar deal. Greene is batting an awful .216 avg. with an .264 OBP, he does have 8 homers though.

I do not understand why the Cubs have interest in the shortstop unless they are planning on trading Cedeno or Mike Fontenot the Cubs will not trade Theriot or Derosa because how valuable they both are to the team right now. I could see the Cubs trading Cedeno along with some minor leaguers to the Blue Jays for Burnett and then trading for Greene. They could also try to work a three way trade with both the Jays and Padres. Other than that I do not see Greene as an upgrade at all.

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It seems Hendry is really working the phone again, this time his target is some relievers. The Cubs have kept tabs on Brian Fuentes, Ron Mahay, Damaso Marte, Jon Rauch, and Jack Taschner. I really like Marte, Fuentes, and Mahay out of the group but Fuentes want to go somewhere he can close, Marte is in the same division, and Mahay will cost a lot considering the Royals do not want to trade him.

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The Cubs are one of many teams that have been monitoring Freddy Garcia. I have also heard grumbling that the Cubs have contacted the Mariners about the availability of Erik Bedard. This is from Geoff Baker, the Mariners beat writer-

Both Bedard and the Mariners favor a trade. However, Baker believes Bedard will have to take the mound at least one more time and maybe twice before the deadline to satisfy a suitor. Bedard is said to be 50/50 to make his July 22nd start.

What a nasty rotation that would be for the 2nd half!

Zambrano
Harden
Bedard
Dempster
Lilly
Marquis- 6th pitcher

Trade looking good for both teams!

Yeah, I know it has only been less than a week since the Harden trade but the players involved are already contributing to their new ball clubs.

Gallagher got his first start last night and had a familiar face in the outfield in Matt Murton. Gallagher went 7 strong innings, giving up just 2 hits with 2 earned runs. He walked 3 and struck out 7. He had some good offensive help from former Cub Matt Murton. Matt went 1 for 5 with 2 RBI. Nice to see Gallagher and Murton succeeding for their new team. I wish them all the luck in the world.

Now on to the new Cubs Harden and Gaudin. Harden pitched a gem today giving up 5 hits, 0 ER, walking 3, and striking out 10 in just 5.1 innings. The thing I like about Harden is that he does not over-think pitching and uses what is working. Today Harden featured his hard fastball between 92-98 MPH and a great change about 84-88 MPH. We only saw that slider occasionally but all he needed was two pitches today. He changed speeds with his fastball well along with that devastating change up. His control was almost Maddux like and I like how he does not give into hitters. It is just to bad the pen gave up the lead and could not give him a win!

As far as Gaudin goes, he is not filthy by any means but he has a nice fastball and good slider to complement it. He will be a very solid middle reliever for the Cubs. He pitched .2 innings and did not give up a hit.

Overall I think the trade was a fair one. I am glad to hear we are going to give Harden 6+ days of rest between starts because he is so much better when he gets extra rest and we have the depth to do that, so why not!?!?

Cubs Notes

-Soriano will skip the All Star Game to completely heal his hand and be back with the Cubs after the break.

- The Cubs signed first round pick Andrew Cashner, he was their first pick (19th overall) in the First-Year Player Draft.

- Rich Harden will make his Cubs debut Saturday against the Giants. Can't wait to see him pitch in Wrigley in Cubbie Blue!

- The Cubs still have interest in trading for another starter pitcher and reliever. They have interest in Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay but their asking price maybe too high. As far as another starting pitcher, the Cubs are looking at guys like Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, Kei Igawa, and Jarrod Washburn. Jayson Stark says it is not out of the question that the Cubs get Wolf. I think the Cubs want to add another decent pitcher just in case Harden has problems. To be honest I would take Wolf and Maddux over Marquis or Marshall but not Igawa or Washburn. How bout trading Marquis for Maddux or Wolf???

Cubs land Harden!

The Chicago Cubs have countered the move of the Brewers today by trading Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and Josh Donaldson for the nasty righty Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin . This is a great move by the Cubs and the only players I would be hesitant to get rid of out of the group are Donaldson and Gallagher. Both will be solid ML players with Gallagher being the closest to being ML ready.

The Cubs in my mind only gave up two players that fit into the long term picture. Eric Patterson's defense, bat, and inexperience has made him expendable especially with guys like Theriot, Font, Derosa, and Cedeno in the infield and our outfield pretty well set for the next 3 to 5 years.

Matt Murton is nothing but a AAAA player with the potential to be a decent 4th outfielder in the majors for many years to come. He was blocked in our outfield for at least the next 4 years by Soriano and Fukudome.

With Gallagher you are trading a projected #3 or #4 starter in the next two years or so. Right now he is a good number 5 starter. With Josh Donaldson you get a catcher with tons of potential. I am a big supporter of Josh and think in the next 3 years he will be a solid ML catcher for Oakland.

Now lets look at Harden! Harden is a really good pitcher, probably in the top 10 best pitchers in baseball when healthy. He has 2 years left on his contract. He is owed 4.5 million for this season and has a 7 million dollar club option for 09 which the Cubs will likely exercise or work on a new deal for the nasty righty. Rich Harden is a great 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in just 13 starts. He has had some health issues but has been relatively durable this year. He has a career 36-19 record with a 3.42 ERA. Can you say nasty!!!!!

The "throw in guy" is not just a throw in guy! Chad Gaudin is a really good long reliever and can even start. He is 5-3 with 3.59 ERA. He has 26 appearances this year with 6 of them being starts so he could fill the long relief of spot start occasionally. He is making 1.7 million this year and has less than 4 years of ML service so he will be arbitration eligible next season.

REACTION-

I think this is a fair trade for both sides. The Cubs do not have to throw away many of their young players and the Cubs get a #1 pitcher to follow Z and they get a really good reliever. I like this move very much and feel we got a better pitcher and deal compared to the Brewers.