Zip- Girardi could at least handle a pitching staff, Barrett is unfamiliar with the concept.

I agree that big changes need to happen, but Jones couldn't make a little league roster and the Mrs. Z for AROD thing is doubtful at best. If it did go down, AROD was 190 the last time he played short, he's up to 225 now. Im not saying he can't do it, but there will be some difficulties.

In retrospect, Im selling my tix for next weekends series in Atlanta. Its not worth the drive to watch us continually get sodomized.

My favorite part of this whole thread:

"Jacque Jones misplayed a ball in center and proceeded to throw the ball into the ground."

It would be funnier if not so incredibly accurate...I saw the replay, and it literally was like a golf ball coming down and putting a dent in the ground...how is this guy a pro outfielder?

Joe Girardi made many bonehead plays, especially on the base paths. Look it up. That this guy from Chicagoland is going to be some sort of "savior" for the Cubs is bogus....and, mentally lazy. His "great baseball mind" is what has landed him in the TV booth rather than in a dugout. Girardi is or was, at best, a Barret-type player....

I think we will be seeing Pie in the outfield if not today this week. I have watched the Pinella interview about five times now, and I really think things are going to change. I am just hoping and praying that th changes are in the right direction. Hopefully the Hill's can get us going today.

Not hiring Girardi was because Hendry was trying to save his job and make something happen now. Chemistry was never a consideration for the spending spree. Barrett has a history and so does Zambrano and Pinella. Can someone say CHEMISTRY? (obviously, not in the front office) I have pained since Hendry hired Lou. Lou is a good manager, but not our future. Personally, I have pained ever since the Cubs traded Girardi the very first time. Any ballplayer could tell you he was destined to be a great baseball mind. The guy who wrote in a few days ago bashing Girardi as a poor baserunner needs to rethink his statement. The last time I checked, there were not any managers running bases for their team! Although, Lou could do as good or better than a few of our current players.

This organization needs a strong dose of Roundup! I cannot wait for a new owner, new GM, new direction in the farm system, new manager, new strength and conditioning coordinator(or lack there of for pitchers), a new pitching and hitting coach, a bonified base runner coach and whole new attitude.

Yes, there needs to be trades to acquire pitching help and hitters that work deep into the count and advance runners. We also need a strong middle of the field, set lineup and get Sorinao out of the leadoff spot. He is killing us there!!!!

My take on all this BS is just that: this entire dugout and clubhouse episode is much ado about not very much. Anyone who has ever played organized baseball has seen this kind of thing on every team for which they played...no exceptions.

The media and many "fans" make this out to be some kind of "As the World Turns" soap opera. Well...that's BS.

As for the play....or, lack thereof...that can and should be laid squarely at the feet of Lou Piniella. He has never had control of this team. Whoever the sportswriter was/is who suggested that Piniella has lost control of the team should explain to me how Piniella ever had control of this team. He is merely along for the ride...just like the rest of us....and, has no clue how to fix busted players who don't give a rat's ass.

I'm going to watch today's game on WGN and right now I'm wondering why that is. It's certainly not because I expect professional level play from the Cubs. It's certainly not because I expect routine flyballs to be caught and routine throws to be made successfully. Maybe it's because I didn't watch enough of the Three Stooges when I was a kid.

Greg Shirey,

Perfectly written. I couldn't agree with you more. Especially regarding the "punches" thrown during the "catfight" in the dugout.

A trusted CubDumb source says Michael Barrett was admitted to Northwestern hospital with two black eyes and possibly head trauma. They were running CAT scans on his brain.

What is going on with this team?!?!?! Wow!!! speachless right now, talk to ya all tomorrow.

Before last season, Lady Z and Barrett warmed in the pen on the first day of spring ball. It was my 1 year old son's first ballgame, and when they were done warming, Barrett tracked down the ball and flipped it to me to commemorate my kid's big day. One of your reporters witnessed and reported on this and all the other niceties of spring ball. And we all felt good inside.

Then the 2006 Cubs proceeded to play the most gutless, uninspired, pathetic baseball I had ever seen - and I attended the first of my over 300 Cubs games back in 1969, so that is saying something. Barrett and Maddux appeared to be the only guys on the team who were bothered by the lack of interest, and their record bore out the product on the field - worst in baseball.

Now we have the 2007 edition of the league's lovable losers. The latest iteration of a team designed to win in a softball league, but destined to fail in Wrigley. And yet we all relinquished sensibility and placed hope in Sweet Lou and the $136m dollar man. And we watched these guys look like minor leaguers in spring training, and we have watched them regress throughout the first third of the season. Now, I am the first guy to say that Lou has turned out to be an enormous waste of cash, that he appears lost and overrun most of the time. And I am embarrassed at what happened today - mostly, I'm embarrassed that today's altercation was the first sign of life we've seen from these guys this year. I'm embarrassed by how lady Z throws a "punch" too - but that's another story. But more than anything, I'm disgusted that Cubs management seems uniquely capable of finding the most bizarre combination of the talented and the gutless, the most insecure of superstars, the perennially fruitless phenom. At what point does one - just one - of these men step up and take some personal accountability for their own and their teammates' performance?

This team has more ability than most we have watched; who can we turn to to get them to answer the bell between the lines? Guys - you play day baseball - deal with it. Notice how well the visitors play on your field - even after visiting the horse in Lincoln Park. Don't worry about your ace throwing (punches) like a girl. Worry about your utter failure to execute on basics you've been proficient at since you were children. Worry about the fact that the most exciting things you've done this season have been in the dugout and behind the microphone. Worry about the fact that Cubs' marketing is sending emails begging me to buy tickets for a Monday game against the Astros. Worry about the fact that one of your most die-hard fans is tempted to buy his 2 year old son a Diamondbacks t-shirt. See, you really have hit bottom.

Big-Z is too much of himself right now, but his frustration is RIGHT NOW shared among all his teammates, so why is he injuring one of them??? Is the Z having hormone problem or what? He should be OUT, at least for a month without a ballgame and maybe some financial penalization (if the contract allows).

Zambrano's performance in the past had its ups and downs, but in general, the trend is an improving one. But somehow, he lost control this season, and he's losing temper as well. This is unacceptable for a major leaguer. I don't think getting a better catcher will change much. And there's really no one on the market. Everyone knows that the catcher is the most important player on the field, guiding his pitchers and translating manager's tactics to other position players. No team will let go of an established big-league catcher, unless it can't afford him anymore. But if a better catcher who can lead his team comes in, then keeping Carlos is not a problem, because he'll be happy anyway.

On Jason B from AZ's last post, Steve mentioned the possibility of bringing young arms up here as well: Another solution for pitchers. This is in need, the sooner the better. A good trade is preferred, but I doubt Jim Hendry really knows where to look for one, and what to look for -- analysis of pitching is more complicate than batting, because a GM must be able to compare cross-references of stats to league standard (if he knows how to set one up), and visualize these with the pitcher's mechanics.

The Cubs needs a new brain. At this point of the season, I still care if they will win a World Series. But I don't mind if the front office decides to win it next season. But they need to know why they can win.

A new management team might be needed. I want to see some changes in the front office. With a new owner, Hendry might be fired after this season. Then we can talk about baseball.

That said, Joe is just a younger version of Lou. Joe's fiery nature is why he is working for Rupert and the gang at FOX instead of managing the Marlins.


And, I know another ego is not what we need right now, as egos are why were fighting each other. (I use we lightly by the way, Here at the CCO were all in this I think)


That said, I think A-Rod would humbly play for Lou, and eagerly win with this team. I want A-Rod, we dont need him


The main problem is still the fact no one has consistent playing time. It is why the lack of fundementals is rampant. I would like having A-Rod at SS, and have The Riot play everyday at 2B. Hell, he looks like Ryne Sandberg and has his fire too!


Let Murton or Floyd play everyday and have the other become trade bait, bring Pie up and that solves things. Remove the ego from this team and play the guys at the same spot everyday and I think we start winning!

Matt:

Both A-Rod and Rivera have no trade provisions in their contract. A-Rod actually has the no trade and Rivera being a 10-5 year player. I agree with you that Pie s/b here and playing everyday.

I get the feeling that Blanco is the receiver of choice for the pitchers. Zambrano needs to look in the mirror and reflect on his short comings.

If we're going to start rebuilding all of a sudden (which we may need to), not hiring Girardi is looking like a stupider decision every second. That Marlins team he molded together last year would win the NL Central easily...imagine what he could do with Theriot, Pie, Pagan, and Cedeno combined with the experience of A-Ram, D-Lee, and Soriano. Because other than getting A-Rod, I can't think of a thing that is going to keep Lou from quitting on this team. Being a firey manager isn't always helpful.

I know this is a pipe dream, but I wonder if there is any way to package Zambrano, Jones, and {insert player here} for a package of A-Rod and maybe Mariano Rivera.


Sure Mario is old. But hes proven and a winner. The NL would prove to serve up an easier 9th inning than that AL East anyday.


Help me out with the team renovations, anyone?

Pie should have never been sent down. Jones needs to find a dance partner elsewhere soon.


Harder said than done, Im sure. Especially with the sale of the Cubs disrupting any move Jimmy H tries to do.


Even still; this team needs a change.

Hate to say it, but: White Sox bring up the kid Owens and he sparks them to a win. Hmmmm, maybe we could do the same thing. Pie anyone?