You can add Carlos Marmol and Aramis Ramirez to the list of Cubs who are hurting. The first was Bradley with his sore groin, now you have Carlos Marmol with a grade A strain in his knee, and Ramirez will miss at least 3 games with a strained calf.
The one good thing is losing your stars early in the season for a short time is not a huge deal but it could hurt. The Cubs are expected to call up a guy to back up the infield. Some rumored names are Bobby Scales, Andres Blanco, and Jake Fox. The Cubs should call up Fox, he can rake!
The Cubs have other issues as well, moving the lineup around they way Lou did is simply idiotic. Having Lee hit 4th and Soriano hit 3rd does not make sense. This is what he should do-
With Aram-
Theriot SS
Fukudome RF
Aram 3b
Soriano LF
Fontenot 2b
Lee 1st
Soto C
Pitcher
Without Aram
Theriot SS
Soto C
Fukudome RF
Soriano LF
Fontenot 2b
Lee 1st
Soto C
Pitcher
With Bradley and Aram back, everyday lineup-
Soriano LF
Lee 1st
Bradley RF
Aram 3b
Fukudome CF
Soto C
Fontenot 2b
Theriot SS
Pitcher
But that is just my opinion.
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
MIlton Bradley to Sit and Bye Luis....
- Sweet Lou will sit Milton Bradley until he is completely healthy and it seems he is far from that after going 0 for 4 with 3 Ks last night. He has been bothered by a bad groin and may be out for a while but is available to pinch hit. Lou does not see him going on the DL. I got to say they should put him on the DL and call up Jake Fox, he has been tearing the cover off the ball in Iowa. Plus he can backup almost ever position on the field. Just my thoughts.
- The Cubs DFA Luis Vizcaino and recalled Shark from Iowa.
- The Cubs DFA Luis Vizcaino and recalled Shark from Iowa.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Cubs To Call on Shark, Deal Cotts....UPDATE....
UPDATE @ 6:30pm- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs will call up Jeff Samardzija Thursday to join the pen and not start. Bradley is back in the lineup and will not head to the DL and lefties Neal Cotts and Sean Marshall will not be sent to Iowa. Sullivan speculates that Luis Vizcaino may be released which would mean the Cubs would have to eat the 4 million they owe him. I think it would be silly for the Cubs to release Vizcaino, in 3 IP he has no ER and no BBs. He has been one of the only bright spots in the pen. I think Sullivan is off on this one. I think Neal Cotts may be headed to the DL even though there is nothing wrong with him. The other thing is that maybe Kevin Gregg could be headed to the DL because of his knee and how it has effected his pitching. The last game he pitched in was the 18th which would put 15 days at May 3rd, giving plenty of time for the Cubs to deal Cotts or find out who deserves a spot in the pen. Only time will tell.
Bruce Levine said today that the Cubs could call up Jeff Samardzija as soon as the Cubs deal one of their bullpen guys that are not performing. The Cubs can't send down Patton or Guzman because they could lose them so the likely candidates would be Cotts or even Vizcaino. Cotts has basically pitched his way out of the pen and Marshall then could be placed permanently in the pen with Shark starting in the rotation.
I still think the Cubs are fine with Marshall in the rotation and they should deal Cotts and call up Waddell, not Jeff. Let Jeff continue to work on his pitches. He has not exactly been dominate in Iowa giving up 3 ER in 6 innings. Waddell on the other hand has gave up no walks and has an 1.25 ERA in 4 innings of work.
More on this later....
Bruce Levine said today that the Cubs could call up Jeff Samardzija as soon as the Cubs deal one of their bullpen guys that are not performing. The Cubs can't send down Patton or Guzman because they could lose them so the likely candidates would be Cotts or even Vizcaino. Cotts has basically pitched his way out of the pen and Marshall then could be placed permanently in the pen with Shark starting in the rotation.
I still think the Cubs are fine with Marshall in the rotation and they should deal Cotts and call up Waddell, not Jeff. Let Jeff continue to work on his pitches. He has not exactly been dominate in Iowa giving up 3 ER in 6 innings. Waddell on the other hand has gave up no walks and has an 1.25 ERA in 4 innings of work.
More on this later....
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Milton Suspended and other notes..
- Milton Bradley has been suspended two games and fined after making contact with umpire Larry Vanover. Larry is the one that made the awful call so he should be fined as well. Milton is appealing the suspension. I think he should just take it and take it now while he is still hurting.
- The Cubs sale is still moving but slowly. It could take until the beginning of June now. The good thing is Ricketts said the first order of business is setting payroll for the rest of the season.
- The Cubs could make a move very soon by calling up a reliever or two up from AAA if things do not start improving. Chad Fox, Jeff Stevens, Jose Ascaino, Jason Waddell, and Greg Reindhard have not gave up any ER yet in AAA Iowa. Waddell has yet to walk anyone in 3 innings of work. Nice to see the guys in Iowa putting pressure on the guys in Chicago.
That is it for now. Go Cubs!!!
- The Cubs sale is still moving but slowly. It could take until the beginning of June now. The good thing is Ricketts said the first order of business is setting payroll for the rest of the season.
- The Cubs could make a move very soon by calling up a reliever or two up from AAA if things do not start improving. Chad Fox, Jeff Stevens, Jose Ascaino, Jason Waddell, and Greg Reindhard have not gave up any ER yet in AAA Iowa. Waddell has yet to walk anyone in 3 innings of work. Nice to see the guys in Iowa putting pressure on the guys in Chicago.
That is it for now. Go Cubs!!!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Cubs Talk...
- Reuters article thinks the sale of the Cubs could drag past May. As long as it does not drag past June I am not worried. I love how the team is now but if a guy like Doc Halladay or Peavy are available at the deadline you pick them up!
- The Cubs are still waiting to hear from Mike Lamb. According to a Cub officials the Cubs have offered Mike Lamb a minor league contract. The Cubs have also been in contact with free agents Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin as they would serve as depth in AAA Iowa in case Soto, Hill, or an outfielder goes on the DL.
- MLBTR has a list of mid season trade candidates. Here they are-
Jake Peavy
Roy Halladay
Erik Bedard (looking great so far)
Rick Ankiel
Adam LaRoche
Miguel Tejada
Adrian Beltre
Matt Holliday
Jermaine Dye
Brian Giles
Aubrey Huff
Kevin Millwood
Magglio Ordonez
Vernon Wells
Dan Uggla
The players in red are on my short list of players that I think the Cubs will target. The green players are targeted players if an injury occurs with a player being out for a long period of time.
- Jake Peavy rumors will not die until he is a Cub. Here is some links and highlights from the past week on Peavy going to the Cubs-
****Rosenthal said, "Jake Peavy would be the best possible alternative for the Cubs."
****Sun-Times said, "And until Jake Peavy shows up for this team, the Harden spot, Marshall spot and empty spots behind them will be concerns."
****Buster Olney also commented on Peavy"it feels like it's only a matter of time before he winds up in a Cubs' uniform."
- News again on the injury front both good and bad. Bradley is out for 3 to 5 days with that strained right groin, they target him coming back Friday against the Cards. In good news both Aram and Soto are expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday.
That is it for now Cub fans!!!!
- The Cubs are still waiting to hear from Mike Lamb. According to a Cub officials the Cubs have offered Mike Lamb a minor league contract. The Cubs have also been in contact with free agents Wily Mo Pena and Javier Valentin as they would serve as depth in AAA Iowa in case Soto, Hill, or an outfielder goes on the DL.
- MLBTR has a list of mid season trade candidates. Here they are-
Jake Peavy
Roy Halladay
Erik Bedard (looking great so far)
Rick Ankiel
Adam LaRoche
Miguel Tejada
Adrian Beltre
Matt Holliday
Jermaine Dye
Brian Giles
Aubrey Huff
Kevin Millwood
Magglio Ordonez
Vernon Wells
Dan Uggla
The players in red are on my short list of players that I think the Cubs will target. The green players are targeted players if an injury occurs with a player being out for a long period of time.
- Jake Peavy rumors will not die until he is a Cub. Here is some links and highlights from the past week on Peavy going to the Cubs-
****Rosenthal said, "Jake Peavy would be the best possible alternative for the Cubs."
****Sun-Times said, "And until Jake Peavy shows up for this team, the Harden spot, Marshall spot and empty spots behind them will be concerns."
****Buster Olney also commented on Peavy"it feels like it's only a matter of time before he winds up in a Cubs' uniform."
- News again on the injury front both good and bad. Bradley is out for 3 to 5 days with that strained right groin, they target him coming back Friday against the Cards. In good news both Aram and Soto are expected to be in the starting lineup Wednesday.
That is it for now Cub fans!!!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Soto Still Out, Fukudome Making Me Look Bad
- Geo will be out the rest of this series in Milwaukee and maybe the next series depending on how he rehabs. The Cubs luckily have caught lighting in a bottle with Koyie Hill, who has proved how good he really is as a backup. Even though Lou said they will have to come up with a decision by Sunday because they cannot just carry just one catcher. If Lou does indeed put Soto on the DL he could call up Jake Fox, who came up as a catcher. He could also go with Mark Johnson or Chris Robinson. My pick would be to bring up prospect Welington Castillo. The Cubs could showcase him as a trading chip to scouts and plus he would be a better defensive and offensive option than Fox, Johnson, or Robinson.
- Fukudome is looking good and by doing that making me look bad. I have been saying most of the off season that the Cubs should have traded Fukudome for Matthews Jr. I am sure glad they did not. Fukudome is on fire batting .421 with 2 homers, 3RBI, and one stolen base. Thanks for making me eat crow Fukudome! I got to say I love this team just as it is, for right now anyways.
More to Come.....
- Fukudome is looking good and by doing that making me look bad. I have been saying most of the off season that the Cubs should have traded Fukudome for Matthews Jr. I am sure glad they did not. Fukudome is on fire batting .421 with 2 homers, 3RBI, and one stolen base. Thanks for making me eat crow Fukudome! I got to say I love this team just as it is, for right now anyways.
More to Come.....
Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Cubs Lose, Soto out, more talk....
- The Cubs lost yesterday in extra innings but that was not a big blow compared to Soto leaving the game with shoulder discomfort. He left the game after a throw down to 2nd base causing him some shoulder discomfort. He is likely to be out for only a couple games as a precautionary procedure. Soto said this also happened in Spring and if he keeps up on his exercises he should be fine and will not happen again for the rest of the year. Soto even said he could play today if it was an emergency. Koyie Hill will get the start the next couple of games. I think the Cubs will be fine with him behind the plate.
- Former Cub Chad Gaudin is getting some interest since the Cubs released him. The Padres and Rockies have both contacted him.
- The Cubs are still considering signing Dallas McPherson and Mike Lamb to minor league deals in case Aram goes down for an extended time during the year.
- According to multiple reports the Cubs will have "significant flexibility" in payroll to add a player or two at the deadline if needed.
That is all for now, Go Cubs!!!!!
- Former Cub Chad Gaudin is getting some interest since the Cubs released him. The Padres and Rockies have both contacted him.
- The Cubs are still considering signing Dallas McPherson and Mike Lamb to minor league deals in case Aram goes down for an extended time during the year.
- According to multiple reports the Cubs will have "significant flexibility" in payroll to add a player or two at the deadline if needed.
That is all for now, Go Cubs!!!!!
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Opening Day Thoughts- CUBS WIN!
The Cubs won their Opening Day game yesterday in Houston. It was a game full of good offense, OK defense, and good pitching. Zambrano went 6 innings of 5 hit one ER baseball with 6 punch outs. The players of the game were Aram and Soriano with big homeruns and Hoffpauir with an insurance run late in the game.
I also want to say how good Heilman looked by using just one pitch to get a double play ball. Yes, he did surrender one run that was charged to Z but he threw a great pitch, it just was an awkward unusual hit to get that run acrossed.
My one big disappointment in the game was Fukudome. This guy has to be one of the most frustrating things for the Cubs and their fans to watch. He does well in the WBC for Japan (and in Japan in general) and does nothing for the Cubs in Spring Training or on Opening Day. Lee did not get a hit either but at least he hit the ball hard when he was up. If this 0 -4 stuff keeps happening do not be surprised it Hendry starts to shop him and Johnson and Gathright get more time in CF. I still think the Cubs should see if the Angels would trade Matthews for Fukudome with the Cubs paying about 3 million of his contract.
The great news is the CUBS WIN!
I also want to say how good Heilman looked by using just one pitch to get a double play ball. Yes, he did surrender one run that was charged to Z but he threw a great pitch, it just was an awkward unusual hit to get that run acrossed.
My one big disappointment in the game was Fukudome. This guy has to be one of the most frustrating things for the Cubs and their fans to watch. He does well in the WBC for Japan (and in Japan in general) and does nothing for the Cubs in Spring Training or on Opening Day. Lee did not get a hit either but at least he hit the ball hard when he was up. If this 0 -4 stuff keeps happening do not be surprised it Hendry starts to shop him and Johnson and Gathright get more time in CF. I still think the Cubs should see if the Angels would trade Matthews for Fukudome with the Cubs paying about 3 million of his contract.
The great news is the CUBS WIN!
Sunday, April 05, 2009
Shark To Iowa, Gaudin Gone...
- The Cubs have released Chad Gaudin today and optioned Jeff Samardzija to AAA Iowa. This giving the final two spots to Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pickup David Patton. Gaudin has had an awful Spring allowing 19 ER in just under 17 innings of work. He did so bad that the Cubs could not even deal him for a PTBNL. I think they should have placed him on waivers instead of out right releasing him. It is nice to see Angel staying put in the pen and Patton winning the final place in the pen. The Cubs have a great mix in their bullpen this season and expect Jeff to not be in Iowa for long, especially if anyone goes down with an injury or falters early.
- The Mariners could be having a fire sale in July and I expect the Cubs to be buyers especially if Ichiro or Bedard get placed on the block. Another guy would be Jose Lopez, but I am not sure where he would play if Fonty has a good season like I think he will.
- By the way Cub fans, do not look at the recent games in New York as a sign of things to come. It was basically a Spring game and the Cubs pitching and bats are better than that. I do think the new Yankee Stadium is quite beautiful.
- The Cubs also released Esteban German on Friday, his time as a Cubs was just a little bit longer than Bill White's.
Cubs Opening Game Monday!
- The Mariners could be having a fire sale in July and I expect the Cubs to be buyers especially if Ichiro or Bedard get placed on the block. Another guy would be Jose Lopez, but I am not sure where he would play if Fonty has a good season like I think he will.
- By the way Cub fans, do not look at the recent games in New York as a sign of things to come. It was basically a Spring game and the Cubs pitching and bats are better than that. I do think the new Yankee Stadium is quite beautiful.
- The Cubs also released Esteban German on Friday, his time as a Cubs was just a little bit longer than Bill White's.
Cubs Opening Game Monday!
Friday, April 03, 2009
Peavy Again???
- The Cubs just can't shake this guy! Buster Olney said today that the Cubs were "much closer than anybody realized at the time" talking about acquiring Jake this winter.
- Towers said he may want to get another starter and may look at Gaudin or Guzman to fit the bill. Although Angels has come out and said he wants to stay with the Cubs.
That is it for a slow day!
- Towers said he may want to get another starter and may look at Gaudin or Guzman to fit the bill. Although Angels has come out and said he wants to stay with the Cubs.
That is it for a slow day!
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