sad, sad.

This move was obviously made to free up cash for another move. Lets just hope Miles fills in and does the job like derosa.

This move was terrible. I know it was to make more cap space for Bradley and maybe Peavy. But whats the good of trying to make our farm system better RIGHT NOW? The Cubs have maybe one more year to get it down or else it may take 10 more years to get to the World Series. That team is the closest the Cubs can get to the World Series. Now Hendry got rid of 2 KEY players in Kerry Wood and DeRosa. Kevin Gregg and Miles will not fill those roles like Wood and DeRosa. Its tough to be a Cub fan at the moment until Hendry makes good moves.

I think DeRosa was at the bottom of Hendry's list of right handed hitters that he would like to trade, but the advent of the no-trade clause, really drove this deal. Soriano and Lee were at the top of the list, but refused to be traded. This is the kind crap that happens when the inmates run the asylum.

Inuendos, Outuendos, Heroes and Possibilities.

I share Agustin's and all of our sadness over the departutre of DeRo. Our sadness springs from DeRo's (and K-Wood's) best-I've-got-performances everyday and their character, their value propositions, and the fact that their standard performances were very good. They will be remembered in heroic terms. Unfortunately, it seems usually to be the case in competitive environments that changes are facts of life. And they are not always good.

What I and others of the male persuasion know for sure about women would amount, even collectively, to a very small book. But I am reaching some conclusions about the baseball groupie in our midst--based upon some analysis of her statements.

On the one hand, S.S. is likely a JH plant on CCO. She asks our help (clearly for JH's benefit) if we would prefer the marginal, more costly, older Viscaino vs. Gaudin. Surely the answer to that one is as obvious to her as it is to us--but it might not be to JH. On another hand, she does not deny a considerable familiarity with JH--even comparing his appearance to the Reuschel brothers.

Then S.S. exhibits a special fondness for Scot Sanderson--who really came to the Cubs a little after her teen crush years (the '84 season). So that friendsip likely goes beyond our expected admiration for players like Wood and DeRo. And, in that relationship, lies the secret to the Cubs' success in 2009 (and beyond).

With at least as much possibility and rationale as a BR sighting in a Cubs or a Sox jersey, it happens that the "charming", Scot Sanderson is a strong #2 in the player agency headed by Michael Moye. Two of their clients are the answers to our prayers for a lefty outfield bat with amply demonstrated, major league power. Those players are Lance Berkman of the Astros and Josh Hamilton of the Rangers. So, Susy, regardless what you care to disclose about your "plant" status, it's all on you to use your special connections to get us either Berkman or Hamilton. Like JH and his incomplete grade at this time, you are now on the bubble.

The Rick Reuschel citing reminds some of us of our accomplished pitcher in the 80's. He was a portly, horse like Z and maybe an inch shorter. But he could run some and hit, and he was an all-star pitcher. He was moved after several years to the Yanks and the Giants, and he pitched (not well) in a World Series for each.

I read this story recently about him which speaks to a "baseball toughnes"--likely lacking now in the big contract/heavy fines era. Larry Bowa, SS for the Phils, commented in a Montreal paper, that a tough loss there would be overcome against "a lousy Cubs team" in their next series.

Rick Reuschel nailed Bowa in the ribs with the first pitch of the game--a fastball. An angry Bowa shouted obscenities at Reuschel on his way to first base, then gave every sign that he was going to steal second--to get even. Reushcel picked him off with the second pitch of the game, and the firstbaseman applied a painful tag. More obscenities.

In Reuschel's first AB, he got a single. Bowa told the second baseman to give him a quick throw if a DP attempt happened, and said that he would hit the SOB right between the eyes with the relay. The DP grounder happened, but the second baseman bobbled it briefly and the throw to second was a little late. Reuschel went in high (and safe) and put a spike gash in Bowa's leg that required Bowa to leave the game. From the dugout, Bowa waved a white towel of surrender to Reuschel. Rick said nothing the whole time, but tipped his cap to Bowa in the dugout and went on with the game.

Hopefully, in the next few days, JH and his assistant will get us the productive, lefty bat we need.

MLBTradeRumors:

Keith Law says the Indians got Mark DeRosa for cheap, adding that a ".285/.365/.440 line is well within reason."

Is there anyone out there in the media that thinks that Hendry/Cubs got the better of this deal? Just unbelievable!

Oops! Sorry for the mis-step.

i think derosa is completely right..

team chemistry is the most underated aspect of the game, which is why i think wood and derosa leaving are huge mistakes

Wow.. if SS is a plant for JH that is scary. The Cubs are in huge trouble if the decsions are the team are swayed by blow hard bloggers. We've got problems.

Well JH in case your listening. Too late you already traded Derosa. You can redeem yourself by getting Peavy.

Don't Gregg and Miles' salaries add up to about the same as DeRosa. DeRosa and Ceda would seem much more preferable to Gregg and Miles for the same dollars. It's been a very strange offseason ...