For crying out loud... you act like the Cubs treated the signing of DeRosa as the signature move they've made in the past two or three years. No.. it was to fill a need and get a solid player that can play plenty of positions. Nobody in the Cubs acted like Reed Johnson or Mark DeRosa was the cure to Cubbie woes. It's the trades for Lee, Ramirez, and the signings of Soriano and Fukudome that were big position player grabs when they were made. And even though everyone hates Soriano do recall when he carried us through September last year. Signing 30 + year olds to fill holes is a natural thing for a hopeful team to do. You know what you're going to get and don't have to rely on a prospect that you don't know much from anyways. For every prospect that works out following his bumps and bruises there's about five guys that fizzle out of the league entirely. Teams like the Marlins always have good prospects because they have tons of last place finishes where they draft high and trade away everyone for a boatload of prospects. When you have that many, some are bound to turn out well.. as it happens.

To all the complaints of the farm system.. come on. What are you expecting? Every guy to turn out amazing. The farm system has turned out guys such as Zambrano, Marmol, and Soto. There are your big former farm guys for whoever complained about that. The reality is that most guys in the league don't turn into much more than average players. Theriot, Hill, Cedeno, etc. are just that... average players that fill roles and aren't ever going to be studs. If you expected more that's your problem.

Peter Gammons reported on Baseball Tonight and on his blog Monday that the Cubs would like to add a left-handed hitting outfielder to hit 5th in the lineup behind Aramis Ramirez. Lou Piniella would like to move Kosuke Fukudome up to 2nd in the lineup after Alfonso Soriano and ahead of Derrek Lee according to Gammons.

Padres released Jim Edmonds...

Agreed, Jason B. and very good point on the mental aspect of our coveted prospects. I have allways said that what this team could badly use a shrink.

I also suggested to trade Rich Hill last offseason to the Rays [for C.Crawford] who wanted him badly but everybody here went nuts saying he was untouchable and apparently so did JH. Believe me and I hope I'm wrong...but we just saw the last of Poor Hill as a starter. A mediocre 88-89mph fast ball and a curve ball with zero movement will keep you in the Grapefruit leagues.

BTW you can add there the unforgetable D-Train and some a couple of good pitchers that are in Florida...lol

Hey agustin!

I agree that most teams envy the Cubs for Marmol and Soto (assuming they keep up this kind of production throughout their careers).

However, who else can you add to that sentence: Rich Hill, Felix Pie, Angel Guzman, Eric Patterson, Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton??

The Cubs can't develop most of their top prospects the past few years. Marmol has a full year of being good, and Soto about 1/2 a year, so they are both relatively new on the scene.

Perhaps some teams envied the "potential" of some of the Cubs farmhands, but not too many have actually produced on the major-league level for a consistent period of time.

Contrast that with Jose Reyes & David Wright, or many of the young studs in Florida, Oakland, Minnesota, etc...

I think most teams have 1-2 good young players at any given time. The problem with the Cubs is that they have historically not been like most teams in this regard.

Whether you blame Hendry for drafting them, or for the coaches (which Hendry put in place) that have worked with these kids, they aren't ready to take the next step.

Have you noticed too that the problems are typically mental with our guys? Rich Hill, Cedeno, Pie...even Corey Patterson. All very physically talented, but it seems their mental toughness has kept them from finding consistency in the majors.

Now, perhaps this is the year Cedeno permanently makes the transition from AAA to the majors...if he does, I think having your starting SS, starting C, and starting (future) closer to all be homegrown and fairly young, is pretty good. If Pie gets his act together, and a guy like Gallagher sticks in the rotation, then you legitimately have 5 young talents making a huge impact. That is when you start comparing yourselves to the Braves and A's and Twins of the world, and patting yourself on the back for the job you did building up the farm system.

Baron,

After I wrote that, unfortunately, I was browsing the internet, and came across an article, I know longer can find, but it said something about the reason he hasn't been signed that I never thought about.

Apparently, after he left the Giants, his teammates basically threw a substantial party. Going back to his days at ASU, his teammates have ALWAYS hated him.

Word around is that apparently he had become such a clubhouse cancer, only caring about himself and his stats, not giving a damn about the team, that players evidently have told their respective agents, and they've relayed the info to GM's that if the particular team signs Bonds, their clients will request a trade.

Maybe the reports are unfounded, but it's a major reason why there is no collusion evidence whatsoever. The only people that have even suggested collusion are a few journalists simply trying to spark a debate and gain readers. It's completely unsubstantiated rumors in that regard. Don't you think the union would've made HUGE news by now about it.

C'mon, two of the top home run hitters of all time, who still produced 25+ hr and 80+ rbi last year are still unemployed (Bonds and Sosa). There's a reason for it. Other players will no longer put up with prima donas on their team. Sosa's line was really pretty good for a guy out of the game for a year. Bonds was basically the same way after inexplicably being absent from the team for unsubstantiated "knee issues".

Don't you feel there's a reason for the lack of interest? I mean, couldn't the (insert team name) use those type of stats?

Exactly....I apologize for my suggestion...I didn't do my research, but made an impulsive comment about adding Bonds.

I really think he'd do more harm than good on this team. Lee is probably the best leader that we have, and he's more of a "lead by example" guy, rather than vocal. With Bonds on the team, you'd need a Jeff Kent-type to get in his face when he's dogging it, and we just don't have that. Maybe Z could punch him? LOL

Anyway, it was dreaming is all it was....It'd be nice to add a Dunn, Bonds type....NOT Griffey...for crying out loud, the last thing we need is a ultra fragile player.

JimK, I would LOVE that move, save for moving Gallagher. I'd probably offer: Marquis, Pie, Colvin, Marshall, and Hart for Hamilton and Milwood. However, with Hamilton on the cheap, it's doubtful Jon Daniels would make that deal.

As I mentioned in my previous post...NONE of our position players in the minors should be considered "untouchable". Hell, if teams ask for Vitters, we should include him (though, I believe he needs another year to be eligible to be traded---I think that's the rule for draftees).

I'll tell you this though....Signing aging (30 years and older) starting pitchers and position players as free agents is almost NEVER a good idea, and that's what we've done: Lilly, Eyre, Howry, DeRosa, Soriano, Ward, Johnson, Lieber, etc.

Now, obviously, you need to fill holes with established veterans, but usually those are bench roles. We seem to do it EVERY year in MAJOR positions.

I don't think we make the playoffs without Lilly...but how do we know for sure? Wasn't Marshall doing very well last year before he was cast aside after fatigue late in the year? Marquis was a completely unnecessary signing IMO. But would we have made the playoffs without him...after all, he was the main reason we won most games to start the season last year? However, what if Hart or Gallagher were in the same spot? Maybe they struggle...yet, maybe they succeed. Or, maybe they learn on the job like Zambrano did when he first came up, took their lumps, and became stud pitchers in subsequent years.....Guess we'll never know.

If they don't change their philosophy, we might never win a World Series. You either have to grow young talent, or trade for young talent. If you keep signing aging veterans to fill big gaps, then you'll be at a HUGE disadvantage for the long run.

Ever wonder how the D'Backs were able to get to the playoffs and have the best record in baseball this year? Ever wonder how the A's, D'Backs, Rockies, Marlins, Braves, Twins, and now the Brewers---have been consistently competitive and making the playoffs year after year recently? Just look at the make-up of their rosters.

They all have young, up-and-coming talent. It's an unbelievable stream of talent and competitiveness. They do it all largely by staying away from expensive 30+ year old free agents, and trading away "star" players that are close to 30 to re-tool their systems and remain competitive.

Anyway, sorry I'm preaching again, but this really has been a huge problem for us

Neil...I agree and regardless of how the Cubs have slumped recently...I have no doubt they are the best in the Central. I don’t believe the Cardinals are that good or that the Brewers are that bad.

_I always prefer a strong finish than just a hot start so our boys have work to do.

1-Kerry Wood needs to throw away the Hamster look and bring the killer instinct that we know he has.

2-We need a solid starter…might be Gallagher or we might need to trade for one.

3-We need Soriano, he will carry us at some point but man Lou has to show him who the boss is. Soriano looks very lost in every aspect of the game right now.

Cedeno/Pie/Fontenot/Derosa/Theriot…gezzz at some point somebody has to make up his mind on [who] the regular is.

-It might be Fuku in Center Hoffpauir in right Patterson in second and Cedeno in SS….maybe next year.-

For those of you that wonder… Teams that have a Volquez or a Lincecum also ask themselves; Where is our Geovanny Soto…who is doing the scouting? why do we never draft a Carlos Marmol? I’m not saying our system rocks but it is not bad either.

Barry Bonds is a better hitter on his worst day than anyone who ever played for the Cubs...Steroid, Shmeroids... who knows whos juicin and whos not...

Nobody ever didnt want Bonds cause of his crap hitting... Sure, hes an A#$#$HOLE --- but we are not judging the personality paedgent for Miss America...

The left handed outfield bat we hear about on the wish list could be Milton Bradley, a switch hitter whose line is .315-4-16. Maybe he can play center, but it probably means Dome goes to center. How much more fun it would be if the Ranger coming our way would be Josh Hamilton. Let's see, Pie, Hill, Marquis, Hart and Gallagher for Hamilton and Millwood (33)--whose remaining $32 over 08,09 and '10 may be motivate a deal.

Agustin, I know the Astros are hot but don't worry about them right now. The most important thing I see at this point is the Cubs putting together a solid couple of weeks....everything else will fall into place if they take care of their own business.

by the way.... here come the Astros

jerljr...the only thing that can bring the Zito of the past is a loaded HGH shipment. The guy is done...Even if he comes back, 12mph loss in velocity is permanent damage. It is a pitty though

I keep hearing the same shenanigans from both Hendry AND Piniella about acquiring a "big left-handed bat" for the OF.

Have any of you guys read into that? I see it in virtually every post with the headline "Piniella" or "Hendry" in it on chicagosports.com, suntimes, or cubs.com.

I can only think of Dunn, Griffey Jr., or one Barry Bonds.

How's this for a sweet deal. Even though I hate his guts by the way....his stats were unbelievable last year, even after steroids testing, he was still hitting .275, .485 OBP, 25+hr, 130 walks, in only 300 AB's

And all of this....for free, basically. We don't give up any talent, other than cash. Who knows if his attitude would affect the team. It's doubtful, and it might even be a big enough distraction to help the other players...kind of like Ozzie Guillen is to his players.

If that happens, I'd put Fukodome in CF, and put Bonds in RF, or flip-flop Bonds and Soriano, and have Soriano in RF.

This would buy Pie more time to figure things out in AAA, and increase his trade value, and would give Hendry and Piniella their jollies, because they finally have their big left-handed bat that they keep bitching about.

Dunn and Griffey ain't happening. Only the Pirates are dumb enough to trade big players within their own division (ARAM).

I think DeRosa should sit for awhile in favor of Cedeno while he tries to figure out his crappy play of late.

Additionally, Gallagher should move to the rotation in favor of Lieber, with Marquis moving to the bullpen in favor of Marshall. Fox will be shipped out (unless Marshall is stretched out in AAA) in favor of Eyre.

Overall, that actually weakens the pen with Fox, Eyre, and Marquis in there, but adds a little with Lieber returning.

Guys, I just don't think we have what it takes, and if you read into Piniella's comments, he doesn't think so either, which says EVERYTHING. He needs to win...He's by FAR, the best manager we've ever had. He demands excellence, and is a WINNER....something the Cubs organization is not familiar with at all. I honestly think that if we can't make the playoffs, or get far in them, that he might just walk away from the team like he did Tampa. The guy's awesome. He's not a quitter like some of the players and management that he's worked with in the past. I think Hendry's put him in a terrible position. SHAME ON HENDRY!!!! He's the best damn coach we've ever had, and Hendry's the biggest bafoon we've had.

C'mon, Fukodome!!!! Are you serious?!?!?! That's our off-season move right there. And we still kept Marquis, though he was benched in the playoffs. And we replaced Jones with Pie, which actually, was a step down in all senses---experience, stats, etc. Why couldn't we have added Lofton as insurance? Reed Johnson was a decent move----if you're satisfied with your team, and use him as a back-up, but he's no everyday player by any stretch of the imagination, just as Theriot, Fontenot, and DeRosa are not everyday players, yet three of the four are our everyday shortstop, second baseman, and center fielder. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

But, see, Piniella HAS to use them as such, even though in his recent comments, he sheds light that it's not ideal. He HAS to, because the bafoon supplied him with make-shift parts.

Consider this....If he were trying to win, he would've gone after Carlos Lee, a guy who WANTED to come here, obliterated the ball at Wrigley, was the same age as Soriano, but had BETTER stats. The thought then was Soriano would give more speed and versatility. hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, lotta good that's done, right?

How good would that lineup look now anyway:

Theriot/Cedeno

Fukodome

Lee

ARAM

C Lee

Soto

DeRosa/Fontenot

Pie/Johnson

Let's face it...Nobody considers Soriano a threat anymore...Not most of us, not other teams, and certainly not Piniella

I said it at the time....C Lee needed to have been signed. In fact, he waited for quite some time for the Cubs to figure everything out before he signed with the 'Stros

As D lee goes, so go the Cubs?

10-2 in his multiple hit games

7-0 in his multiple RBI games

He was 4-25 over the road trip, all singles, only 1 RBI.

His slugging percentage dropped almost 100 points in a week.

He looked gassed and hit like it. I hope he gets rejuvinated at Wrigley.

baron...You're right that Lincecum is a top young pitcher. This year, so far, he is 9th in wins and 2nd in ERA for all pitchers--although that might be just the NL. I did't mention him in the same breath as Hill, and I won't be any time soon. It's not an excuse for our unproductive farm system, but we haven't drafted early enough in the first round the last few years to get a Lincecum or a Kershaw.

I would be delighted with the still learning Sanchez who should be comparable to Cook, Hamels and Young--which means better than Lilly and Dempster.

jerljr...Waiting wet the little boys pants, but you could be right that many teams are'nt ready now to do deals. My fear is that we fall several games out of the wild card picture before the trading deadline, and then chose not to go for a stud pitcher. That possibility gives us reason to think about what we might do now or in the next few weeks.

Joking a little, I'm not sure what Howry and Eyre have in them. It might be arthritis. Zito isn't a likely helper. If he looks decent the next couple of outings, we don't have room for the payroll we would have to take on. If he looks indecent, he doesn't help us.

I went to the Iowa Cubs game today and here are a few highlights from the 14-2 beatdown our jr. Cubbies put on Tacoma this afternoon.

Player of the game had to be the 26 year old catcher Anthony Richie who went 4-5 with 2 doubles, a homer, 3 runs, and 4 rbi's. He's now batting .325 and with 35 ab's now in AAA the dude's only struck out 3 times!

The centerfielder Andres Torres extended his hitting streak to 23 games with a double and is batting .352 Before you get excited about this "prospect" he is 30 years old. I'm not saying he couldn't help i'm just saying he's 30.

Patterson went 2-5 with a walk & 2 rbi's. Murton went 2-5 with 2 rbi's as well and is now batting .356. Hoffpaur went 1-5 with a double and a run...He looks rusty as expected...swing not quite there yet.

Kevin Hart went 3.2 innings giving up only 2 hits 0 walks and 0 runs while striking out 6...he must have been on a pitch count. Cotts went 2 and a third giving up 2 hits, a walk, no runs, and struck out one.

The I-Cubs are now 15-18 in 2nd place 2 games behind Omaha.

Plain and simple, this team will go as far as the pitching will take it.

Fella's, I think we are going to have to put up with this pitching staff until July when we can get some salary dumps.

Our offense will keep us in the running. As irratic as it is, its a very good offense and we will some games on offense alone. We knew this pitching staff wasn't the greatest. Thought the bull pen would be better but I still think, with some tinkering, that it will be. But, it will be a trial by fire for the next two months but there will be pitchers tht will step up. Howry, Eyre, Marmol(who already has), Woods all have it in them.

The starting pitching is the problem. After Zambrano, I dont have complete faith in any of these guys. Lilly, for the most part, has been OK, Dempter has done just like I thought he would do. Good somedays and horrible on others. Hill, Lieber, Marquis whatever. Maybe Gallagher will step up or Marshall.

But be patient, get through these two months and we will get some help in July.

Anybody think that Zito would be a possibilty??? He's sucking now but maybe a change will get him back to his old ways. And we probably could get him cheap. But that salary might be too much to take a chance. Thats about the only hope of any help before the trade deadline.

JimK, Tim Lincecum is one of the top 2-3 young pitchers in baseball, with simply outstanding stuff. Rich Hill cannot be mentioned in the same breath -- Even packaged with Fukudome... Rich Hill is a poor man's Barry Zito, who also has become a poor man's Barry Zito.

The Cubs have very little to offer that could ever get him away from their clutches.

My questions is -- where are the Cubs Lincecum's, Hamels, Volquez's and Maines? Why do we come up with Hill's and Marshall's and Wuertz's? Who is doing our evaluating and drafting....

Hill isn't overrated at all, but you can pretty much trace his downfall back to a specific moment: when Rothschild, for whatever stupid reason he had, changed Hill's pitching delivery so he could prevent baserunners from stealing. The result? Early on, his curveball went from unhittable to a homerun gift (now it's average at best), his other offspeed pitches never hit the zone (they get there sometimes now), and his fastball was pretty much the only pitch he could get into the zone (now it never really seems to). I mean, I remember watching the game his changes took effect, hearing Brennley briefly mention Rothschild worked with Hill to change his pitching mechanics, and then watching as he completely melted down while everyone scratched their head over the next few starts wondering what went wrong. I mean, preventing stolen bases is good and all, but it really is secondary to...what's that again, oh yeah: PREVENTING THEM FROM GETTING ON IN THE FIRST PLACE!

Someone mentioned it before and I completely agree with them to this very day: Rothschild is worthless and has yet to give us a good pitcher. Marmol and Zambrano are exceptions only because they were special right out of the box. And really, because of him and his influence on our pitchers, that's a big reason why we have a need to trade for a good starter.

Thinking like Keith Morland (who could hit it and catch it in left fieldl), Pie and Hill remain in my trade scenarios--as does Soriano. P and H--should have more value going forward to us or someone else. I do think we need a stud starter and a lefty reliever right now to restore belief in ourselves that we are capable of beating anybody with 1 through 4 in our rotation. We aren't exhibiting that belief now.

Unlike Baron who implies our Iowa roster is all we have to trade, a trade up from that suggested above with the Giants that included Fukudome could get us Lincecum and Randy Winn too--but I like keeping Dome. Lincecum has some violence in his delivery and is small of frame. The slightly lesser valued Sanchez, is a stud in terms of both arm and body and might hold up a lot better.

In my honest opinion, Rich Hill was always overrated. He's a great AAA pitcher that will never get it together in the "Bigs." I agree that it's too late to trade him.....for now.

Closer to the trade deadline, I'm sure there will be more pitchers available at a lower asking price than right now. Even if Hill is back and successful in the majors by then, I will try to include him in a deal for a pitcher.

Anyone who suggests trading Soriano is delusional and should stop using drugs. That will not happen.

I like the trade ideas, but need to throw some cold water on them.

Trading Hill right now is a terrible idea. His trade value is now MUCH lower than it was just a month ago. He is struggling with his command, and this raises serious questions about whether Hill is really a top-3 starter for your rotation.

Same with Pie. His trade value is very low right now, I don't think we can get what we think we can for a package of Pie and Hill.

Soriano is not tradeable, not just because of the no-trade clause, but the money. Like it or not, he is in LF for the next few years.

If we want to make a big splash, if I am an opposing GM the guys I really want from the Cubs and will back up the truck for are Marmol and Soto. Thus the rub, because I don't want to give those guys up!

Bryan, Mike and Brady get up before breakfast and have ideas! I had some forming last night, and they still make sense now to this bastion of reason. It's unlikely that all could actually get done because not everyone's interested when you are or like your valuations. But when one team can meet another team's needs, deals get done.

Trade one is Cedeno or Theriot, Ward and EPat to the Giants for Jon Sanchez (lsp), Hinshaw (lrp) and Ben Snyder (lsp.) Sanchez (25)is a power lefty, high K guy, capable of being a #2. Hinshaw (26)had a .77 ERA, with 11 IP, 5 H, 4 W and 14 SO at AAA at last check. Snyder (22) is a #20 prospect who won 16 last year and has a line this year at Hi A San Jose of 35 IP, 25 H, 4 W and 33 SO and a 1.02 ERA.

On this Cubs team, Sanchez starts in the #4 or #2 hole with Lilly in the opposite spot, and Hinshaw is a lefty reliever. Snyder will be a top 5 prospect in a year on his current track. Hoffpauir replaces Ward as a lefty 1b/of off the bench.

Another doable deal would be Hart, Marshall and Huseby (rsp) to the Rockies for my man Seth Smith AAA lefty outfielder with good speed, arm and power. We would also get # 5 prospect Hynick (rsp) and AAA lefty reliever Newman. Smith started a little slow, but he's .291-3-20 with 25 BB and 20 SO, 6 SB and no CS. He was 5 for 8 in the post season (prime time) for the Rockies last year, and he would play center field for the Cubs. His arm is well suited for right too.

The Rockies badly need pitching and have 5 outfielders ahead of Smith. Some of you may not like this one--but Smith is a + OF with good lefty power. If Soriano goes down, Smith plays left.

Lastly, we could likely do a payroll swap with the Mariners to move Marquis (29). Both contracts run through 2009. We would get Washburn (33), a journeyman lsp and rsp prospect (#3) Chris Tillman (20). The M's would get prospect Thomas or Donaldson.

There you have it. Unlike JH, this GM never sleeps.

Good to see Corey Coles get released. Granted, I know little about him, but the sheer fact we obtained him and another player for Angel Pagan, who 1) would've been a good part of this team this year and 2) is actually producing, much like he did in limited playing time for us, as a Met, just makes releasing him inexcusable. He had limited at bats, sure, but in those limited ABs, he was batting in the .300's, which is just too good of an average to release a guy who will most likely be going back to the Mets, meaning we basically gave the Mets Angel Pagan for one prospect. Its little things like these that make it so easy for teams to ask a lot from us for so little.

Tim Lincecum? Lol... The giants wouldn't take the entire Iowa Cubs roster for him.

Trade thoughts and the Giants make me dream of deal that could bring the Cubs Tim Lincecum. Of course that would be unlikely because he would be the cornerstone of any Giant rebuilding process. Still, the Orioles traded Bedard, so.......

Bryan I am with you, this team is definitly not "all is lost".

Man Mike just thinking about us having Dusty instead of Lou makes me cringe. And yes Soto is a stud.

I agree with all of you that a solid number two pitcher would be great (and what we need), but the one thing I don't want to see is getting rid of Soriano (yes I am a fan). The last few games his swing has looked like it is showing signs of life, he even took a late inning walk.

I think Pinella warned all of us a couple weeks ago when it looked like we couldn't lose, and told us lets not get ahead of our selves this is a long season, there will be bumps in the road. This could be what he is talking about. And now people are coming out and saying this team sucks and this person needs fired. Basically the same stuff that was being said last year around this time. This team is fine, lets let Lou make the necessary adjustments and get back on a roll. Hopefully one of the adjustments is sending Gallagher into the rotation.

I think it was Ryan who posted yesterday, this upcoming series is a series that could get this turned right back around.

Guys, good initial thoughts this morning. I agree, and really like the idea of a packaged Soriano/Hill/Pie. I know many here will stay that Soriano's not the problem (and he many not be), and that Pie really needs to get his 200 AB's before making any final assessments. But if indeed Soriano has fuel in the tank, and Pie's upside is viewed as high in the market, then the time may be right to package the trio and make a big, impact move. I really like Mike's recommendation of the Padres or Giants...there is pithing talent there, and both really need offensive help. I would think they would welcome Soriano's upside and fan perception value.

I would welcome that for a solid #2 in the rotation.

And, by the way, I love watching Soto play. For many here that in spring training who thought he just another "farm call up", surprise! A stud behind and at the plate.

The optimistic side says we have a manager in Pinella who has little patience, and will be bold in making adjustments. Can you imagine this happening in the Dusty "let's continue to play Neifi" regime. Ouch!

Bryan, I think it might intriguing to package a Soriano/Pie/Hill into something special in return. Soriano has a no-trade clause, so that's certainly an obstacle (and we'd have to eat most of the contract). But I agree that that combination should get you a very quality #2 starter (and hopefully more). The Padres are sinking, and need an outfield infusion...and they have the pitching to deal. So perhaps a partner there (or with SF). IF you can land a solid #2, then the pieces fit nicely with Dempster, Lilly and Gallagher, along with a Lieber and Marshall in the more comfortable long relief roles. And I believe that Marquis can still get you a solid prospect as well. It's all about being bold, and making a "splash" move.

Well, there certainly was a fair amount of dissension after yesterdays embarrassing loss. I'm not quite ready though to get on the "all is lost" bandwagon yet, or to ship Hendry out of town on the next train.

I'm surprised at the current DeRosa bashing going on. Mark is a great, stand-up guy who plays where-ever needed, and without complaint. He'll pull out of this mini-funk.

Soto's been more than anyone anticipated, though many here (including myself) predicted 15+ HR's and 80+ RBI's this year. We finally have a bona-fide allstar catcher, with hopefully many productive years ahead of him.

The team was a hitting machine just two weeks ago, and for whatever reason the team has lost that plate patience, and overall team momentum that truly is important in team sports. Now I'm not going to start a Soriano bashing here (though I'm candidly not a big fan), but I truly like the Johnson/Theriot (or Cedeno if you'd like) tandem at the top of the lineup. They tend to work pitch counts and ably set the table for the middle of the order. Soto could likely be moved to the 6 hole, with Soriano and Cedeno/DeRosa completing the mix. This lineup can still be awesome, but it's getting back to what worked just recently. Patience, getting hitters counts, and then attacking v. reacting.

The pitching staff is in disarray currently, and confidence needs to be resurrected. I agree that Rothschild is over-rated (at best) but Lou needs to take the reins and make adjustments. Inserting a Gallagher and another hard-throwing (not finesse) arm from the farm would be advised, and I'm not to debate who that might be. Or make a bold trade move and send off some talent (Marquis, Patterson, Pie, Murton, Hill, Eyre, Soriano....take a pick of the mix), and truly go get a stud #2. I know that many here thinks Soriano will make the turn for the better, but I'm really leery of the 6 more years on the contract. Hard to believe that a package of him, Pie and Hill/Marquis wouldn't open many great trade opportunities for a class pitcher. Again, not bashing Soriano, but just thinking what if's.

Final thought, with Hoffpauer off the minor DL, perhaps he can continue to perform as he did in spring training, and provide another Soto type spark.