Cubs Going Down... Trading Off Players is Coming...

- The Cubs traded for Rodrigo Lopez and sent pitcher Ryan Butcher to Atlanta. The Cubs also designated Robert Coello for assignment to make room for Lopez on the 40 man roster.

- Lopez will get the start Monday in place of recently sent down Casey Coleman. Coleman was sent to AAA because Randy Wells was activated from the DL.

- Lopez is 6-1 with a 2.59 ERA with the Braves minor league club this season. One Cubs scout said Lopez is throwing better than he has in a long time with great movement on his sinker. He will provide the Cubs with veteran leadership and as an inning eater.

- Soto is expected to be activated off the DL Sunday and start behind the dish that day as well. Castillo is expected to be sent back to Iowa in a corresponding move.

- Trade talk is already starting the the struggling 22-28 Chicago Cubs. They are currently 8 games out of first and have 4 teams ahead of them including the Pirates. The Cubs are also 7.5 games out of the wild card with 9 teams ahead of them there. So lets run down the recent trade talk.

***The Red Sox are in need of a right-handed hitting bench bat that can play multiple positions. They have been linked to multi-purpose guy Jeff Baker. No word on what the Cubs could get for him.

***Although the Cubs look like they are in the position to sell they could add an impact player or two that can contribute the next couple of years and is inexpensive money wise. The Cubs have been linked to 4 players recently and talks could progress as we get closer to the deadline. Those four players are Jason Vargas, Francisco Liriano, Gio Gonzalez, and young stud lefty Zach Britton. All four are under team control for two plus years but would likely take a bundle to pry loose especially in Britton and Gonzalez case.

***There are rumors out there about the Yankees, Giants, and Cubs working out a three way trade they would sent Jorge Posada to the Giants (replacing the recently injured Buster Posey), the Yankees would receive Carlos Pena, and the Cubs would get a good prospect like Eric Surkamp or Brandon Crawford from the Giants.

***The Cubs are likely to listen to offers on all players even including Cub favorites like Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood. Players that will not be moved that are currently on the 25 man roster are Darwin Barney, Geovany Soto, Starlin Castro, and Carlos Marmol. Also prospects like McNutt and Brett Jackson will not be traded as well.

***The Cubs are really trying to make Blake DeWitt looking attractive on the trade market by using on a limited basis and putting him in various positions like LF, 3rd, and 2nd.

Look for the latest Cubs rumors and news here....

Until Next Time...

Cubs Updates

- Marlon Byrd was placed on the DL with multiple facial fractures after the horrific hit by pitch in Boston. He will likely be out for more than 15 days because he is not able to do any physical activities for the next 2-3 weeks.

- Matt Garza was placed on the 15 day DL and will likely be out until June with a elbow strain.

- Geovany Soto is coming close to returning for the Cubs. He is in extended Spring Training right now.

- Randy Wells is set to come off the DL and pitch on Saturday against the Pirates.

- Andrew Cashner will not pick up a baseball for at least 2 weeks and will have 6-8 weeks of rehab after that. If this does not work for him Cashner could be shelved for the rest of the season.

- Jeff Baker is day to day with a strained left groin.

- The Cubs called up former first round pick Luis Montanez from Iowa and placed Brian Schlitter on the 60 day DL.

- The Cubs had interest in Kevin Slowy of the Twins before his abdominal strain.

- Brett Jackson could get called up in June if any of the other outfielders struggle.

Until Next Time...

Getting Caught Up and Off Guard!

Getting caught up-



- The Cubs sent Tyler Colvin and Marcus Mateo to AAA while bring up lefty reliever Scott Maine and speedy outfielder Tony Campana.

- In my last blog post I said the Cubs needed to add someone to spark this lineup and I thought the answer would be Brett Jackson, instead it looks like Campana has brought some energy to this mediocre team.

- The Cubs did have some interest in Kevin Millwood before he signed with the Red Sox.

- The Cubs sent Colvin down to AAA for three reasons 1. Struggling to hit for average and power 2. Did not get any playing time 3. Too many players in the minors provide more to the team than he does.

- Randy Wells is set to pitch in AAA Iowa on Sunday, if he pitches well and feels good the following days he would likely join the Cubs rotation on Friday the 27th or Saturday the 28th.

- Andrew Cashner suffered another set-back and will likely be out another 6-8 weeks.

- Doug Davis will likely anchor the staff for the rest of the season if Cashner continues to suffer set-backs.



Interesting thing hit my email box-

So as I am shifting through the large amounts of comments and email regarding the Cubs one thing peeked my interest that I would love to share with you. A guy named WrigleyVendor3 sent me an interesting thought on a trade and what better time to share it as the BoSox and Cubs get ready to face off. Here is what he said- With the Cubs woes and the Boston Red Sox looking for a long term solution at catcher, why don’t they make a trade? I purpose the Cubs get Kevin Youkilis, Lars Anderson, and Jacoby Ellsbury and the Red Sox get Aramis Ramirez, Geovany Soto, Marlon Byrd, and a PTBNL. Please let me know what you think.

Well WrigleyVendor3 here I go. First off I think the Cubs would need to give up more for a package centered on Youkilis and Ellsbury. Lars is a good target for the Cubs because he is young up and coming first baseman but is currently blocked by Adrian Gonzales. Plus still having Soto on the DL kills this trade. Having said that I think overall it is still possible if the Cubs add another player or two once Soto gets healthy again.

From the Cubs point of view I like the idea of the Cubs getting a guy with good power and average that can play 1st and 3rd base really well. Plus looking at Kevin’s stats and price tag he is relatively cheap. The Cubs would also get a legitimate leadoff hitter and would automatically make the Cubs better on the base paths. Looking ahead to next year and having Barney, Castro, Ellsbury, and Jackson in the everyday lineup would add speed and great defense! Not to mention if they would sign a guy like Fielder as well (if you acquire Youkilis contract you cannot sign Pujols to his mega contract). Just take a look at his lineup-

Ellsbury CF
Castro SS
Youkilis 3rd
Fielder 1st
Soriano LF
Jackson RF
Barney 2b
Castillo C
Pitcher

From the Cubs prospective this is a steal. They get rid of Marlon Byrd and his contract at the height of his trade value and Aramis Ramirez in basically the last year of his contract unless the BoSox exercise the team option. They do give up their former All-Star catchers and let’s face it, it is hard to trade a catcher like Soto because they are so few and far between.

From the Red Sox prospective I like aspects of this trade but not the end result. I love the idea of getting Geovany Soto for at least 4 more years because of arbitration. I also like the idea of freeing up 25 million over the next two years to possible get an impact bat for OF like Grady Sizemore through free agency. I also am looking down the road and with Youk being 32 years old, his numbers and health declining I may take a chance on this deal. Aramis Ramirez still provides some of the power and defense Youkilis does so losing him would not hurt as bad. I also give up a blocked prospect in Lars Anderson as well which does not hurt me as bad.

Now for the things I hate about this deal if I am a Sox fan. Youkilis has been a big part of my team and has moved all round the diamond to help this team win. I don’t feel like thanking him by shipping him off to another city. I have no clue if his replacement Aramis Ramirez would stay healthy or have his numbers translate to the AL and its pitching staff. I also hate the fact I have to trade Ellsbury in this deal. Guys of his caliber do not come around very often and the fact I trade him at such a young age also hurts. I think trading him straight up for Soto is asking to much despite the issues in regards to the disappointing season Jacoby had last year. The other thing I am worried about is replacing his production something I don’t believe Byrd provides. Overall the cons out weight the pros for the Red Sox so unless the Cubs add a guy like Brett Jackson, Jay Jackson, or a young caliber player like that I don’t do this deal.

Seeing it from both sides is sometimes tough to do and this is one of those cases. It would be hard to determine whether Soto, Byrd and Ramirez would matter more to the Red Sox than Ellsbury and Youkilis. It is also hard to determine if the Cubs would even be interested in a possible declining Youkilis with 2 years 25 million left on his deal when they could try to make a splash by landing Pujols. They could also be worried about Jacoby’s work ethic and attitude which baseball saw falter some last season. All these are reasons why it is hard to judge a trade like this. I love the deal for the Cubs and hate it for the Red Sox.

What do you guys think?

Until Next Time…..

BABY IS HERE!

IT’S A BOY! ON Monday May 16th at 12:09 PM Parker Jordan was born. He weighs in at 7 lbs 8 oz and is 21 inches long. We are truly happy that God blessed us with another child and hopefully another future Chicago Cubs player.

Watch for a “getting caught up blog update” soon!

Time for a SPARK!!!

NOTE- I do realize that Jackson is on the 7 day DL so calling him up is based on recovery.

It is time for a change! Barring a couple of offensive outburst the Cubs have yet to put a consistent win streak together and even more so put a consistent lineup out there on a daily basis. One of the things the players praised Quade for is letting players when they are playing and where they are batting, but that has not happened this year. Each player except Aramis Ramirez has been shifted up and down the lineup on a regular basis. The solution in my opinion is to shuffle the roster. I think it is time for Tyler Colvin to go to AAA to get consistent at bats and I think it is time to bring up Brett Jackson.


A little over a year ago the Cubs brought up Castro and he provided excitement and a spark to a team that had none. I feel Brett Jackson can do the same and here is why.


- Brett Jackson would automatically fill in as the everyday RF/CF for the Cubs depending on if they move Marlon Byrd or not.

- Trotting Fukudome out there everyday is a mistake because he gets tired by the end of May and we see his number decrease dramatically as the season goes on. Add Jackson as an everyday player allows you to give Fukudome one or two starts a week and a defensive replacement for Soriano late in games. Doing this saves Fukudome and his stats for the entire season.

- Jackson adds a dynamic to this team that is basically non-existent, great speed and base running skills. He is 13 for 15 in stolen bases in 32 games. The Cubs have 7 SB as a team!

- Brett also allows teammate Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney to be set in one or two places in the lineup which would be a dramatic change for both. Young players prove time and time again if you give them consistency they are more likely to succeed.

- Brett Jackson will add more excitement to the ball park and the team thus creating a spark.

- Adding Brett Jackson would fill the need for a leadoff hitter versus righties and lefties, thus making the lineup more set. Here are two lineups I see-

Jackson RF
Barney 2b
Pena 1st/Ramirez 3rd
Ramirez 3rd/ Pena 1st
Castro SS
Byrd CF
Soriano LF
Soto/Castillo C


Jackson RF
Castro SS
Pena 1st /Ramirez 3rd
Ramirez 3rd/ Pena 1st
Byrd CF
Soriano LF
Barney 2b
Soto/Castillo C

I see either Pena or Ramirez batting third or fourth. I can also see Castro or Barney filling the number two spot. If Barney fills it then I think you have to put Castro in the 5 spot other than that the bottom can be shuffled some.


The time to call up Jackson is now! The Cubs are continuing to play mediocre baseball and I rather play it with the future rather than watch past. But that is just me I maybe wrong.

The latest from the falling Cubbies...

Here is the latest-



- The Cubs 4th and 5th starter position is a combined 1-7 with an ERA over 9 since Wells and Cashner both hit the DL.

- Cashner and Wells both had bullpen sessions and are on there way back but the earliest would be the 3rd week of May.

- The Cubs could call up Doug Davis and Todd Wellemeyer to replace Russell and Coleman in the rotation. Both are scheduled to make their debut this week. Todd in AAA and Davis in A ball.

- Baker is still out with a sore shoulder, it is not likely he will be out very long.

- With Soriano’s hot start and the Cubs continuing to scuffle may be a blessing in disguise. The Cubs maybe able to move Soriano if he continues to hit the ball the way he has. The past couple of years we have seen players like Jake Peavy, Vernon Wells, and Alex Rios all traded with a large amount of cash still remaining on their contract. So anything is possible.

- Brett Jackson could be called up very soon if the Cubs continue to fall in the division. They would likely use Jackson this year like Castro last year; a potential spark.

- The Cubs are unlikely to try to trade Zambrano no matter how far out of contention they are because of the dramatic turn around he has shown. Of course that could change if a team like the Yankees or Red Sox came calling with a very strong package for him.

- If the Cubs continue on the road they are heading on you would likely see guys like Blake DeWitt, Jeff Baker, John Grabow, Jeff Samardzija, Alfonso Soriano, Marlon Byrd, Kosuke Fukudome, Carlos Pena, Ryan Dempster, Reed Johnson, Aramis Ramirez and even Randy Wells on the move because they either don’t fit the team financially, don’t help the Cubs build toward the future, or they could snag a good package of prospects from contending teams.

- Ted Lilly was a little puzzled that the Cubs traded him last summer reports Paul Sullivan. Lilly was willing to get creative and to try to stay but talks did not get far. I expected Lilly to get traded but I thought he would have at least tested free agency and let the Cubs shoot him an offer. I think this team would look mighty good Lilly in the rotation.

- Tom Gorzelanny dropped his ERA to 2.93 in 5 starts, it may have been a mistake to trade him something Hendry has been making lately because Pena is starting to look like a 10 million dollar bust.

- The Cubs have no interest in Kevin Millwood.

- If the Twins make Francisco Liriano available the Cubs would likely try to make a deal for him because of his upside, he is a lefty, would likely dominate in the weak NL Central, and is only owed 4.3 million with one more year of arbitration after this one unless he is sent to the DL or down to AAA in which case he may have another arbitration year for 2013. The Cubs could offer the Twins a decent package of prospects to get Liriano but nothing like they had to give up for Garza giving the struggles of Liriano.



Until Next Time….

Levine Notes...

Here is the latest from Levine and other media outlets-



- Levine credits Shark’s success on keeping the ball down and developing the cutter last season.

- Levine says no matter how good Soriano does this year he is untradeable because of his contract. I seriously doubt that considering what we seen happen with Vernon Wells and Alex Rios these past years.

- Quade is continuing to tinker with the Cubs lineup as Castro struggles in the 3 hole. Q needs to leave Castro and Barney in the 1 and 2 spots in the lineup until Brett Jackson comes up then you have to really shuffle your lineup because he is the future leadoff hitter for the Cubs. I think the Cubs should put Aramis, Soto, or Soriano in the 3 hole because Byrd is just not doing it.

- We have likely seen Russell’s last start because of his struggles and the two up coming off days can let the Cubs skip the 5th starter spot.

- Levine says now is not the time to trade your veterans like Byrd and bring up Jackson. I disagree because I think Jackson would bring more to the table than Byrd.

- Baker may end up platooning with Pena at first if he continues to struggle. Nothing like a 10 million dollar platoon player.

- The Cubs may end up turning there attention to Fielder instead of Pujols this offseason because Prince will cost less, likely take less years, and is younger.

- The Nationals have some interest in Byrd.

- Sam Fuld was expected to be dealt during the year last year but injuries prevented potential deals. Fuld is obviously off to a great start and the Cubs looked like they misjudged him but they really did not have a choice with their already crowded expensive outfield.



Until Next Time…

DL Pitchers, Castro #3, and DeRosa Chicago Bound????

Here is the latest we have for you today-

• Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner were re-evaluated on Monday. No word yet on the next time table.




• Starlin Castro could be moved to the #3 spot in the lineup very soon hinted Jim Hendry and Q. Marlon Byrd is in the middle of a slump and is 3 for 20 with RISP. The move would not shake things up too much because Fukudome would likely go into the leadoff spot followed by Barney who is a staple in the 2 hole. Byrd would likely hit toward the bottom of the lineup.
  


• Remember Mark DeRosa? Well he could make his way back on the Chicago Cubs. The Giants are looking to trade Mark DeRosa and the 6 million left on his deal that expires after this season or they may release him. Now the Cubs are not too keen on trading for Mark DeRosa unless the Giants are willing to take John Grabow and his 4.8 million dollar contract or maybe Smardzija and the 3 million left on his contract (although he has already vetoed 2 trades in his young baseball career). The Giants have two players that are currently making there way back from the DL in Cody Ross and Andres Torres. According to officials Mark is likely the odd man out since the middle infield and outfield would then be very crowded. If the Cubs acquired DeRosa it would likely push Blake DeWitt to AAA since he still has an option left where he can get playing time and work on his swing. DeRosa would then assume the super utility role he is use to. DeRosa not only brings strength, versatility, and RBI production to the Cubs bench, he brings leadership and good clubhouse qualities. I am all for the Cubs replacing Blake DeWitt for Mark DeRosa on this team even if it cost the Cubs half his salary to do so.
  


• Until Next Time.
  

Cubs add Vets and looking ahead to 2012

• The Cubs added Doug Davis to their minor league depth. He could actually take the ball in the place of Russell next time around. Both Wells and Cashner could miss 4-6 weeks so you could see a carousel of pitchers filling in the 4th and 5th spot in the rotation.


• The Cubs signed Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal to add depth to the rotation in AAA Iowa.


• Fukudome is listed as day to day with a strained left hamstring.


• Here is an early look at my Chicago Cubs opening day lineup and rotation for 2012

• Brett Jackson CF


• Starlin Castro SS


• Albert Pujols/Prince Fielder 1st


• Aramis Ramirez 3rd


• Tyler Colvin RF


• Alfonso Soriano LF


• Geovany Soto C


• Darwin Barney 2b


• Pitcher


• Ryan Dempter


• Carlos Zambrano


• Matt Garza


• Andrew Cashner


• Trey McNutt

• I think players like Chris Carpenter, Jay Jackson, Reggie Golden, and Matt Szczur are still a year away although you could see Carpenter in the pen. Players like Josh Vitters, Hayden Simpson, Junior Lake, Jae-Hoon Ha, Ryan Flahery, D.J. LeMahieu, and Michael Burgess are still 2+ years away from the big leagues. Also in this lineup I see Dempster either exercising his player option or signing a longer deal to stay with the Cubs. Randy Wells is likely to get dealt this offseason because his trade value will be high if he pitches like he did in 2009 which I expect him to do so. He is also due a big raise in arbitration next season which could lead to him being dealt. I also see Marlon Byrd’s role on the team limited to a fourth outfielder or platoon partner for Colvin in RF. He could also get dealt as well. Finally I see the Cubs either landing Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder next offseason. The Cubs have a ton of money coming off the books and do not have a solid 1st baseman for 2012. If Ricketts makes one splash this off-season it will be one of those two. I don’t see the Cubs coming out of the off-season without one of them, it just won’t happen.

• Until Next Time…

Cubbie Notes...

Here is the latest on your Chicago Cubs-

• The Cubs and Nationals did have a deal in place that would have sent Nyjer Morgan and Jason Marquis to the Cubs for Carlos Silva, Blake DeWitt, and a PTBNL but the Cubs/Nationals backed out because they could not agree on how much salary the Cubs were going to take on of Silva's. They also could not agree on the "player list" of the possible PTBNL. Now Morgan is killing the Cubs as a Brewer.


• That Cubs are now .500 on the young season and to be honest I am pleasantly surprised.


• Casey Coleman gets the nod today against the Brewers hot lineup and Gallardo.


• Russell will get a start next week.


• Jeff Stevens was called up.


• Cashner and Wells were sent to the DL both with arm issues.


• Silva signed a minor league deal with the Yankees, I thought he did not play in the minors???

• UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!