With respect to Samardzija, he's only a big prospect within the confines of the Cubs system. He was struggling at AA, and they are still bringing him up to AAA. He needs to develop better command of his breaking ball before he can even be considered a top-line prospect.

The Santana trade doesn't prove anything..it just means the given factors were right for that specific situation. Everyone else was backing out off Santana. With the CC trade sweepstakes, you could have teams like Boston, Milwaukee, Tampa (if they wanna go big), or Phili with signifcantly better prospects (w/ the exception of Phili).

Eh..? Ben Broussard? Jim Edmonds is doing 800x better than anything Broussard would offer...

And about Harden, if we can get our hands on him is a gamble...however a healthy Harden > Zambrano. His stuff is among the best in the majors when on.

Older fans (among others) enjoy favorable comments on their views. I think Aaron agrees with everything I said except where we get relief help. My take is that we likely will need help both from the farm (maybe Ascaino) and in a trade--like the highly effective Marte.

Re. Broussard, I think Hoffpauir gets the corner outfield, first base first call. Re. Hardin, I like him too--if healthy.

No youre right Aaron. It sounds wacky. And trust me, I thought a bit on it. But RIGHT NOW, they both look locked in at the plate. I dont want them to be the long terms solutions.

What I was suggesting was a two week stop gap in the outfield. If Lou likes to play the hot hands, Ben and Jason are hot. And from watching the games they are locked in.

Will it last. Absolutely not. But what if they stayed locked in for a bried period of time (say two weeks at the majors). It would be nice.

But yeh. The 40 man is a problem. ANd youre right Im on something to suggest it. But check out the Iowa games if you get a chance, theres some guys who look nice, even if some of their numbers dont show it.

Which brings me to the subject of our "prospects". Numbers are a bit misleading. Especially on guys like Smardija (Sp?) and Pie. Pie has been working on mechanics and Jeff is working on secondary pitches. Jeff is going to Iowa I hear BTW.

But yeh, I think we have some prospects that could get us some considerable booty come July, wont yall agree?

Hubert:

I totally agree when you say our prospects are not as good as some of the other contenders looking for Sabathias services down the stretch... however assuming the indians figure the team that trades for sabathia will attempt to lock him up long term i cant see them trading him to another AL team... With that being said it really breaks down to the dodgers, phillies and us that would be looking to trade for him from the NL

Matt, no offense man...but what are you smoking? Sure, Broussard has 2 home runs, but only has 5 hits in 23 AB's---not exactly "mashing" dude.

If you use that logic, then DuBois earns a shot with 8 home runs in only 66 AB's, and also has a .288 avg, and .377 OBP. It'd be nice to see him get a shot that he earned like 4 years ago, but never received. Baker gave him a couple starts, but that's it, and it's unfortunate for us, because we've had so many of these guys like DuBois and Hoffpauir come through the ranks, and produce, only to receive a couple pinch hits here and there, and never a real opportunity like Cedeno, Murton, and Soto have received (all of them at least got a full year of playing time) I say why not DuBois...We need a RH power bat with Soriano out....Obviously neither Fox (Chad or Jake) are in our long-term plans and could either be DFA, or in Chad's case, put on the 60-day to free up a roster spot...either way---Broussard or DuBois, you'd have to make that type of move

Honestly, when discussing the Sabathia trade possibilities you have to look at it from the perspective that there are other suitors that have superior prospects to us. The only real "big" prospect we have right now is Vitters. Regardless of what I or anyone thinks when we label Ceda or whoever a frontline prospect, that doesn't mean that is the way our prospects are viewed outside Cubdom.

Burnett would be a better possibility...

As would Harden..

JimK,

I'll bet anything that Lieber, unless he implodes, will be on the postseason roster, assuming we make it (not a given, considering the Cards are only 3 1/2 behind---could've been more, had we not completely sucked ass in Tampa). I also doubt Hendry would be smart enough to part ways with Eyre and Howry....Obviously their over-use has taken its toll on their arms, and they're not even close to what they were before:

Howry: 11 seasons, averages 68 appearances, 3 wins 4 losses average, 70 1/3 innings, 63 hits, 22 walks, and 60 K's, with a 3.57 ERA. HOWEVER, he's had 4 seasons (including this year) with a 4.19 ERA or higher. Additionally, he averages 63 hits allowed, which is not very good for a top notch reliever. His WHIP this year (an effective measure for pitchers) is a DFA-worthy 1.514 AND to top it all off, he's given up 49 hits in 36 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, if you're going to win championships, you have to go with the here and now, and it seems Hendry's approach has been historical numbers, instead of current production.

Eyre: 12 seasons, 64 appearance average, 2 wins 3 losses average, 70 innings, 71 hits, 36 walks, and 56 K's, with a 4.35 ERA average. However, that's a little skewed, because he spent 2 years as a starter witht he White Sox, and had 5.04, and 5.38 ERA's. However, his average WHIP is 1.542, which is TERRIBLE...Couple that with his ADHD (which greatly impacts how he reacts to adversity in games). Eyre has to be one of the most over-rated relievers I've ever seen. In 12 seasons, he's only had 5 in which he's had an ERA under 4.

All of this being said, I think Jason B. once pointed out (and correctly, I might add), that relievers are a total enigma in this game. One year, they'll be on top of their game (see Marmol last year; Gagne in the past; Hoffman in the past; ditto Wagner, Lidge, etc.) The point is, there are so few relievers like Mariano Rivera, and so many like Howry and Eyre....It's a total crapshoot. You can't ever predict the effectiveness of a reliever, unless his name is Mariano Rivera. He's so money, it's not even funny. This is also another reason why big money should NEVER be given to a reliever (just ask the Brewers).

I don't think ANYONE would have predicted Marmol's success last year, because he was simply too erratic as a starter...and now he's struggling again---so go figure. Lidge at one point was considered Mr. "good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight"---completely money at the end of a game, then he implodes....I could go on and on.

As I've said many times on here, we'd be better off bringing up young prospects to fill the void in the pen. I say this for the simple reason of the toll that it can take on your arm going 60+ appearances....younger guys can handle this a lot better, and be able to bounce back with good velocity. But Eyre and Howry are in their late thirties. Pre-steroids testing, I'm sure older guys could be effective (and were effective), but we're finally dealing with reality now, and as history proves...your production takes a hit when you age.

If we can find an effective reliever no older than 33-34 at or before the deadline, then I say we take a look, but otherwise we look in-house, or deal with Eyre and Howry for the rest of the year.

For what its worth, I think the Santana trade proves Sabathia could be had for our prospects.

I just dont like CC's weight. Unless he takes a hint from Soto and Gally, Im afraid CC will break down. (That is if we trade and sign him..)

The guy I want is Roy Oswalt. He is rumored to be on the block, but theres no way in hell Houston gives em to us, Im sure. But he would look gooooood in blue.

That said, Bedard is cheaper than he was this offseason because of how he has performed.

Point is, I do want a pitcher over a CF or lefty power bat. If Reed Johnson has to go down, Fuld could be a stop gap.

But why Im here today is I want to advocate playing time for one Ben Broussard. Since coming to Iowa, he's hit well. Hitting for average and power. Just until Soriano comes back, why not look at Brousard.

If Patterson continues to mash however, dont change a thing. I like that dude if he can keep it together!

Edmonds is doing a lot better than I expected with a Cubs's line of .311-4-16 in 74 AB's. I'm guessing he can continue above .285 + good power playing 5 days a week against righties and lefties. A healthy Soriano, Edmonds and Dome in the OF would be huge. Huge includes being able to use Hoffpauir and/or EPat in a deal.

Health and ablility to perform now are critical in any pitching acquisitions says Mr. Obvious. Many of us have discussed Bedard and Burnett. Bedard is experiencing back spasms and heavy criticism for his attitude, partly because he "quits" or "runs out of gas" (depending on your critic) at 95 pitches and partly because he reportedly spends his off days (mostly) in the clubhouse and not on the bench with the team. Burnett has an 11.30 ERA in his last 3 starts. He's had occasional health problems, had a recent bout of foot-in-mouth disease and is known for ego problems too. Either could still work for us IF, IF they are healthy when a deal is done AND, AND they both want to be Cubs and hide their egos. (That is easier on a championship calibre team.) Burnett can opt out of 2 years remaining at $12 million--and will if he's healthy and figures someone will give him a new deal (like 4 years at $15 million.) Bedard won't be elgible for free agency until after 2009 and is making $7 million this year. Neither Bedard nor Burnett will cost as much as they would have in April.

The Dodgers are 6 under .500 but only 4 1/2 out of their division lead. Should they fall further behind, Lowe would likely be available (if he would accept a trade). Right now, he would be my first choice for a top pitcher because he is pitching very well, knows the league and has post season experience. The hard part of that deal would be having players that match up with the Dodgers' needs. Maybe Ceda and Cedeno.

On the lefty relief pitching front, I'm hoping for Domaso Marte from the Pirates. He's 33, 3.22, 36 IP, 31 H, 2 HR, 9 W and 39 SO. He's pitched well for many years.

Re. other comments about our staff, I'm expecting fading veterans Howry, Eyre and Lieber to be gone after this season and maybe not make the post season roster.

Personally if we can not get Sabathia i would like to see us go out and get Bedard. He is pitching decent in the AL west and pitched really good in the AL east last year. I think a move to the NL would be really good for him (kind of like a move to the NL was really good for Lilly).... I think AJ Burnett is to streaky and if he doesnt have his strike out stuff he isnt pitching good. Plus he has the first name AJ and nothing good comes from that.

Good point Jeff... obviously the all star game only has an impact on the Cubs if they make it. With the exception of Tejada at SS (I'd rather have Hanley) I can't really argue with the results so far:

1B Berkman

2B Utley

3B Chipper

SS Tejada

OF Soriano

OF Fukudome

OF Griffey

C Soto

I'm not going to tell anybody else how to vote but I'd personally rather see Ryan Braun than Griffey and Hanley versus Tejada.

VOTE NOW, VOTE OFTEN!!!!!

**Could you imagine the Cubs with home field advantage in the World Series!?!?!?!

Great point Cliff... lets just hope the Cubs do their part and make it. :)

I'm afraid I have to agree w/ Keith. It turns out that the baseball analysts were right when they said the central is the weakest division in baseball but it is the American League Central and not the Cubs division. Having said that I will go back to a previous comment I posted many weeks ago... The White Sox will have a major losing streak and will have a fire sale. Crede will go. Thome will go. Dye will go. etc. etc. All the while the Indians will gain momentum and turn into buyers and not sellers. Not saying this as a White Sox hater... just a prediction after watching a pitching staff over achieve against an ice cold division over the first 2-3 months and an offense that is built around power (not Ozzie ball) and is very streaky to say the least.

JimK nailed it early this season or even preseason when he mentioned AJ Burnett. They just fired their manager. They are a team in turmoil and a downward spiral. I believe he is the top notch pitcher that the Cubs should and will eventually go after.

Some have mentioned Wolf from SD. While he is having a good season his splits show that he is taking advantage of a great home ballpark to pitch from. This is a midseason move that the Cubs of old have made... not a big splash, a gamble, not a difference maker. I hope that he is not the midseason move.

I digress.

Also... I hope that with the Reed Johnson injury the Cubs do not panic and go after Coco Crisp. I do not like this punk and especially not for what I can assume the package to get him would be (possibly Rich Hill?).

Let's get back to 20 games over .500 tonight and enjoy one of the best weekends in recent memory.

***ALSO... how big is the ALL STAR GAME this year for the Cubbies? Home field advantage in the world series for a Cubs team that refuses to lose at home has never meant so much. PLEASE VOTE!!! VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS!!!

LOG ON TO MLB.COM AND VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS

LOG ON TO MLB.COM AND VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS

LOG ON TO MLB.COM AND VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS

LOG ON TO MLB.COM AND VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS

LOG ON TO MLB.COM AND VOTE FOR THE BEST PLAYERS

That's my 2 cents. Enjoy peeps. Go Cubs.

I don't think you will find a single Cub Fan that wouldn't like Sabathia. I think we are dreaming though.

First, the Indians have to be way out of it, and they are not yet. They are 6 1/2 back, not great, but not completely out, especially in a weak division.

Second, what do we have that really helps the Tribe? We have some nice trade bait, but we do not have a single blue-chip prospect that we can trade without crippling the big-league club. None. It would take alot for the Tribe NOT to just take their chances they can get back into it, and collect the draft pick if they can't.

...all the more reason to go get Sabathia.