He's an admirable human being, but Chad Fox makes no sense to me as a Cub's pitcher. I wondered earlier if he was (somehow) prepping for a job as a minor league pitching coach. After several explanations for his roster spot were dismissed, I'm down to Chad spotting Lou and JH wearing kilts coming out of a field of sheep during the last off-season.

My pick for being DL'd when Wood returns is Scott Eyre. I see Eyre and Lieber best suited now as additions when rosters expand in September. I think both are left off the post season roster.

When we need 40 man roster spots this season, the drop candidates seem to me to be Chad Fox, Fuld, Pignatiello and Harben. The underdog hopefuls who touched glory ever so briefly prior to this season, Fuld and Pignatiello, have faired poorly in the minors in 2008.

Does anyone else think Marquis would pass thru waivers? The Rockies are desperately looking for a #5 starter, Marquis is just that. He's a traditional ground ball pitcher w/ that heavy sinker which seems suited for Coors. We could move Marshall into the rotation and leave the Shark in the bullpen when Woody comes back. Surely a PTBNL could be worked out for Marquis? Just wondered if anyone else thought this might have merit. NO WAY Lou puts Marquis on the postseason roster so his value is only for another 10 starts this season... I'd rather see a lefty vs. the Deadbirds (STL), Pirates, & Reds the rest of the way.

What has happened to Scott Eyre? Jim, I don't disagree with Lou leaving Eyre off the postseason roster, but I just don't understand how he's fallen so far. Earlier in the year he set a scoreless innings mark, then he got hurt and it's like Lou gave up on him because he got hurt. I still think he can contribute.

Hey Jim i am the OG Jim.

I kinda of like the Day games.

Dave in StL....I guess I would hope Marquis would not pass through waivers, and someone else would get his $9.8 million contract for next year. I think there's no way the budget conscious Rockies would add Marquis. He likely will remain with us through 2009, and maybe he becomes a long man--spot starter. BTW, I'm recalling exchanging some thoughts back in the Feb--Apr time frame with David in St Louis. Are Dave and David the same poster? It's easy for a guy with creeping senility to get confused, so help me out here.

Jim....It seems to me that Eyre had a successful string of mostly one hitter appearances early on. I think he matched some savvy, some ability to pitch down and away (now lacking) a fidgeting presence on the mound that seemed to confuse hitters and the fact that batters are not successful 7 times out of 10 to have some success.

I suppose none of us knows for sure, but his skills have eroded with age. He does weigh about 30 pounds more than when he was at his peak. It was disturbing to me when he recently said that he had gotten in better condition while on the DL.

Since we are starting a tradition of admitting when you wrong on this website, I have to say that I was wrong about the Shark( not even going to try to spell his name). He has showed a maturity about him that I didn't expect. Plus, he seems to be liked by his fellow teammates. Still not sold on him being on the playoff roster but if he keeps going the way he is, why not. But in the bullpen. He might get a start here and there down the stretch but lou going to keep him in the role he is in now. An inning muncher in the bullpen. As Lou does, he puts people in positions they can succeed.
Which at this point is great for him. I dont think he has "the stuff" yet to make it the second time around the line up. But I think in two years you will seem in in the starting line up.

As far as Marquis, he is doing exactly what he is expected. Get through that 5th day and at least give us a chance to win. Overpayed for it. But he is doing his job.

Sorry for the misspelled words. Trying to eat lunch and type.

I'd love to see if any team would bite on Marquis. Heck, PTBNL would be great if someone is willing to eat his ridiculous '09 salary. Hendry would be a real magician if he could pull that off. If Erye and Cotts aren't Lou guys then we need to try to move them for similar parts. I just don't think we can get equal value at this point. I'm worried about the stress Howry, Erye, Cotts, Lieber, Hart & Wuertz create on the rest of our pen. We NEED two of these guys to step up over the next three months.

I agree on the bullpen mrdro,

and I think they will step up.

Howry has dumbfounded me this year but I cant see him keep going the way he has. Erye I think will come back and at the yeast be a good lefty specialist. and hopefully the cagy veteran Lieber can come around but I think our betst bet out of the rest would be Hart.

But in the playoffs I think your going to see a hungry helping of Gaudin, Marmol and Woods.

well i could say i told you guys about "the shark" but that would be rude. but im goin to say it anyways i told you so!!! he ha been really good and maybe just maybe they should try to spot start him to see what he does and if he is better than marquis than switch spots make marquis the long releif guy and the shark in the rotation

hey does anyone know how much money the cubs are going to have in the offseason to spend

Quick guess on next years budget dollars. We gain $13 mil from guys not back like Howry, Lieber and Eyre. Budget goes from $120 mil to $140 mil. Money to spend =s $33 mil.

$25 mil goes to Cubs free agent increases like Dempster, Wood, Edmonds, Johnson, Gaudin etc. and to built in increases and raises. That leaves $12 mil for new people or for an early long term deal for a guy like Soto or Harden.

Oops! Bad math above in the wild guess numbers. We would have $8 mil to spend on new people or early long term deals.

That's true tommy. The shark probably should be spot started in place of Jason Marquis for one start. See how things go and let Lou make the decision.

Aaron, how do you know that I'm a male? Did I give you any clues from previous posts?

Quoted by Aaron on 8-3-2008 on Talkin Cubs Live:{Candle....do you also feel it in your penis?
LOL}--Aaron

Say yes to the little bears!!

Samardzjia should not be switched back and forth beteen relieving and starting. We have 4 quality starters and more than a little concern in the pen. If the shark can sustain something close to a shutdown inning or two--two or three times a week

Too many Jims and too many Matt Haggards. I'm having a difficult time keeping them seperated.

(finishing last sentence above) Samardzjia will be an important difference maker the rest of the way. He could be Howry's replacement--if Bobby continues to struggle.

I remember Samardzija looking good in spring training, but I didn't want to get too excited before he had proven something. After half a summer he's come up and shown great composure. Its safe to say the young man has surpassed my highest expections since his debut.
However, I'm still not sure I see Shark in the rotation this season. I think Marquis is still capable. He didn't get any run support in his last start. The Cubs lost 3-0. And give credit to Karstans (or whatever his name was) for throwing a good game, but the Cubbies should be able to put 4 or 5 runs at home against the Pirates.

Hey Candle,
You're not a eunuch, are you?