Barry, The MLB owners/players operating agreement requires all baseball teams to put a 40 man roster player on waivers prior to trading that player after July 31. That requirement applies after July 31 each year--which is why that date is referred to as the trading deadline (without having to put a player on waivers). Once placed on waivers, the player's own league teams have priority in claiming the player. That priority further gives the teams preference in reverse order of their standing in the league. The worst record has first choice.

If a player clears waivers in his league then the other league's claims, again in reverse order of standing, come into play.

To make the process even more complicated, if a player is claimed, his team can simply take the player off waivers and keep him. A lot of players are put on waivers to see what interest there might be and if the priority claimer is a team of possible interest for a trade. The waiver process is not publicised--but occasionally word leaks that a player has been placed on the waiver list.

So, for Cliff Lee to get to the Cubs this season, all of the AL teams and all the other teams in the NL would have to allow Cliff Lee to clear waivers. Then the Indians would have to be interested in D. Lee and Marquis and D. Lee would have to waive his no-trade clause.

Another roadblock is the fact that only those players on a team's 40 man roster as of August 31 are elgible to participate in the post season. So, if Cliff Lee were to become a Cub at this time, he couldn't play in the post season.

Apparently, you didn't know that the "rules" (in addition to Cleveland's interests) make it so close to impossible that Cliff Lee could be traded to the Cubs now that it isn't worth talking about. You seemed to be saying that there was a way, and I asked you to explain how. Occasionally, a waiver deal does get done for either a big time player who is in his free agent year or a lower level player. Adam Dunn going to the Dbacks is a case in point--if I'm right in recalling that he went after the trading deadline. The Reds weren't going to spend big bucks to keep him and got some talent for him by trading him during the year.

Barry, if you don't know, everone's posts are logged in the "CCO History" section at the top of the CCO site. I looked for your and Agustin's remarks last night and found yours when I clicked August and looked under the August 9th date. I didn't see an Agustin post about Z immediately around that time. You might consider looking for it, and then you can provide him a dated topic that contains his remarks.

Augustin,

I am 42 years old and when I say you raked me over the coals believe it. You don't need to tell me to produce the evidence You strongly rebuked my comment on Lou giving "Z" a pitch count. You and others but don't read into my words I was only stating a fact.

Jim K believe me when I say I was not talking about you when I used the term "experts." I think I have made myself perfectly clear in the past what I feel about your input to this awesome sight so if I was not articulate enough I apologize. I think in the following contributions I will ask you rather than just blindly throw out there.

So, Jim, you can start by telling me why the Indians would waive CLee IOF all the other AL teams to pass on him and then tell me why he would not come to Chicago for a chance to win now?

Hell, DeRosa said on PTL this afternoon that that is why he signed?

Respectfully asking for input here.....

Dlee may be great defensively but he is killing rallies every series. I don't dislike him but I want to win and sometimes you need to be shrill as a GM and although I never will be one I can still pontificate as if I were. lol

GO CUBBIES!!

This "expert" will tell you Barry that that trade would never go through waivers at this time. Hell, If I were the Cubs I would do it in a heartbeat. I dought the Indians would.

There won't be any more trades this year. Out team is on the floor. And it's a damn good team!

agustin,

I remember when you raked Barry, because it was 2 days after the day before that you had raked me about something as well.

So there!!

On a more serious note, here are some observations:

in the playoffs, the bullpen won't be as much of an issue, as Lou will probably just use the top guys: Wood, Marmol, and the Shark. Guzman could be a real wildcard here...if effective, he could be a huge boost, and extra insurance if Wood has a recurring blister issue that forces Marmol to close.

I think starting pitching will be fine...possibly even lights out, ala the 2005 White Sox, in the playoffs.

The biggest issue will be our explosive, but streaky, offense. As long as we don't all get cold at once, we should be ok.

Hopefully they are getting their cold streak out of the way all at once now!

By the way, how difficult do you think it is for Aaron to not post doom and gloom during a 5-game losing streak? I guess he is gone forever...

On other good news; our loosing streak just got productive as we gain ground on the Crew with out a win! Baseball is some kind of a twilight zone!

BTW Barry I don't mind people taking a shot at me as I understand we all need to vent our frustrations. But if you can tell me when it was that I "raked' you about not resting Zambrano, I would gladly look into it and believe you. Don't just make things up,back them up. But feel free to vent if you feel better its cool.

**CCO I just want the Cubs to win a World Series now.

85-55 says it all!

5 games up on the Brewers!

10 games up on the Phillies for the wild card!

Lou Piniella!

AND PEOPLE ARE TALKING ABOUT TRADING AT THIS TIME?

COME ON CUBS FANS! GET REAL!!!!!!!

ENJOY THIS!

GO CUBS!

Hey guys....the Brewers just lost their fourth in a row. The Cubs are up by 5 in the loss column.

Justin....Fear not for D.Lee. He isn't going anywhere unless Lou rests him (likely) or his health takes him to the bench or the DL. Too, he might go lower in the order. In the cases of rest or injury Hoffpauir should get his chance to help.

You are right that we have a quality team, and look around Wrigley during the next telecast. You will be hard pressed to find signs that say "Cubs Suck!" Or, "All is Lost, Again!" You won't find what might be an occasionally appropriate sign either that says "Cubs sucked yesterday, but we'll do better today!"

Barry, Your chandelier is lighting up when you say I want to replace D. Lee. Everything else you say dims the lights. Please answer why all of the AL teams would waive the likely AL Cy Young winner this year, Cliff Lee, who has a below market contract with 2 years remaining? Answer also, why the Indians would take on Lee's $26 million and Marquis' $10 million of remaining contracts for possibly marginal, older players--when they are rebuilding. Explain too why you think Lee would waive his no trade clause.

You make it pretty clear that you don't listen to experts, so how about telling us mortals how a Cliff Lee--D. Lee + deal gets done. Or any other deal for an above average pitcher for that matter.

It saddens me to see people turn on the team as soon as things get a little rough. I admit, too, I am worried. Very worried. I see a trade in the future as well, but to get rid of Lee because he is not playing as well as three years ago. He is bar none the best defensive first baseman in MLB. We are in a rough spot, but the Brewers, knock on wood, are not capitalizing on these issues. This is how baseball is, ups and downs and we still have a quality team.

No doubt we need to get it together, but lets slow our roles, yo! It's hard to stay positive as a Cubs fan, but damn, what else do we have as Cubs fans.

GO CUBS!

**regretfully snickering**

Anyone remember me suggesting that Lou rest "Z" because of back to back terrible starts about a month ago? Some of you (Augustin) raked me over the coals for it saying how much of a stud "Z" is and that he can throw 100+ pitches every game.

So here is my next prediction. We will acquire another SP and I would love to see a trade!!! Here it goes..... Don't get mad but I would trade DLee and perhaps Marquis for Cliff Lee.

Listen don't any of you "experts" tell me how it can't be done or it trade DLee..... No wayyyy!!!! Get over it. Lee is not the player he once was nor will he ever be again. He is decent but for the salary he makes he should be doing more. It is Hoffpauir time and he is our future so let's watch the next Soto at first base. He could actually be better!!!

GO Cubbies!!!

To anyone who needs a Cub fix on their offday:

milb.tv is free through the AAA playoffs.

Iowa Cubs v. Oklahoma Red Hawks.

Game 2

Cubs lead series 1-0

I sure would like to see big Z rested another week or two....give him one or two tune up starts at the end of the season....I wish Lou would insert the Shark in his spot instead of Marshall.....

I believe it was Z's turn to pick up his kids in the car pool line at school, so that's why he couldn't make the MRI yesterday.

"Missed the MRI for family reasons". C'mon. What a bunch of Cubs spin that is.

I hope that I am terribly wrong, but I have a bad sense that Z will undergo some form of surgery next year, and that the Cubs will attribute it back to this episode. Again, I truly hope I'm wrong.