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!

Cubs place Z on 15 day DL.

The Cubs placed Z on the 15 day DL even though Z fought them every step of the way. Zambrano will miss two starts and Marshall is expected to be called up Tuesday to fill his 2 starts. Eric Patterson was called up today since Carlos was placed on the DL but will be sent back down once Marshall is called up. Ward is also expected to be with the team Tuesday against the Orioles.

Great Baseball Videos.

Here are some great baseball videos for your viewing pleasure. I know it is not Cubs rumors or news but have fun with it.


Switch hitter vs. Switch pitcher- This is great!
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=073860f8-cdc3-4778-92cb-ad2d20ac545d

Great Baseball fights-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGb4heyJKAM

Cubs Win Cubs Win-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvhbdEGQhvc

Nobody does it better!-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16xyyuSc0tY

HEY! HEY!
http://www.faniq.com/blog/Video-Jim-Edmonds-HR-Len-Kasper-Does-His-Best-Jack-Brickhouse-Impersonation-MLB-WalkOff-Blog-9559

One of my FAVORITES! Paul Wilson vs Kyle Farnsworth-
http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1818684

Good News for Injured Cubs.

The Cubs got some good news today to cap off a great day for Cubs fans everywhere. Carlos Zambrano has just a minor strain in his pitching shoulder and is still expected to miss his next start which is Tuesday.

"The good news is there was no structural damage to the two main parts of his shoulder," Jim Hendry said following Zambrano's MR arthrogram. "The two worrisome parts of his shoulder are the labrum and the rotator cuff, and they're in very, very good shape for a man who has pitched as many innings in the big leagues that he has."

Trainers and coaches will talk to Z on Saturday to determine their next course of action. Although a DL stint is unlikely. Marshall or Gallagher could take over Big Z's next start or two if needed. This is the best news you can expect Cubs fans. Thank God!


More good news is that Soriano is healing well and expected to be back in the lineup after that 6 week time table. He says he expects to take batting practice on Monday but Lou does not think that is a good idea and I agree.

In other injury news, both Reed Johnson and Jimmy Edmonds were available to pinch hit on today and could be in the lineup this weekend or by next series. Daryle Ward has began batting practice and is expected to be with the I-Cubs this weekend and in the Cubs lineup by next weekend if everything goes well.

Big Z to miss next start.

Not looking good Cub fans. Zambrano flew back to Chicago last night to get checked out and he is required to get a MR arthrogram test to check why he has discomfort in that right shoulder on Friday. The fact that he is required to have further test on his shoulder worries me. He is going to miss his next start on Tuesday and I am just hoping nothing is damaged. Lets just hope it is tendentious or a strain and he would miss only a couple of starts. A long DL stint would be a big blow to the Cubs especially since we were already looking for a starter at the deadline, if he is out longer than 15 days then you have the problem of needing two starters and not having the resources to land 2. Lets pray for Z and wish for the best.

Edmonds is also day to day with foot soreness due to the turf they have been playing on.

Rumors and Notes

- The Cubs called up Matt "Thunder" Murton today and sent down Eric Patterson to Iowa. Murton provides a right handed bat against the tough lefties on the Rays. Lets keep in mind that he is only batting .298 in AAA with one homer. Should have called up Dubois or Torres instead, they have earned it more.

- The Cubs have 6 pitchers they are looking at via trade before the deadline ends next month. They are C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Rich Harden, Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, and Erik Bedard. I have a good feeling about Sabathia, Harden, or Burnett on this one!

- Soriano is hopeful to return by the all star game. In fact he is hoping to play in the all star game. Good news for the Cubs!

Rumors, Rumors, and more Rumors!!!!

Lots of rumors involving the Cubs today, lets get caught up!

- If the Cubs fall out of the Sabathia race then they may turn to Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, or Erik Bedard. All are available via trade and the Padres and Mariners have been informed of the Cubs interest.

- The Cubs need a top tier starter and they prefer to land a nice lefty to complete the rotation of Z, Lilly, and Dempster. The Cubs number one choice is Sabathia but they have tough competition with the Yankees losing Wang. Their other alternative is Erik Bedard or Randy Wolf.

- Gary Hughes( Special Assistant to the GM) was scouting the A's and Giants game recently. The Cubs are not looking at position players but pitchers. Rich Harden maybe??

- Sabathia maybe traded sooner rather than later to maximize value in return. The Cubs, Rangers, Cardinals, Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox all are interested in acquiring the lefty.

- According to 1460 kxno out of Iowa, the Cubs maybe interested in Carlos Beltran. The Mets are an aging team with young players that could be ready for the ML next season. Carlos has fallen out of favor with the fans and staff and could delt if " the right deal came around". The Mets need young pitching and outfield so the Cubs maybe a good match. Jim Edmonds and Reed Johnson have done a good job in the outfield for the Cubs and by no means am I saying there better than Beltran but I think we need pitching more. Beltran is signed through the 2011 season. He is owed 18.5 million for each of the next 4 seasons.