I am all for any move that keeps Neifi Miles from taking ABs away from Scales.

Sorry about that, forgot to hit reply.

Aaron's idea not mine.

Never thought about McPherson, interesting idea.

Also Aaron you couldn't be more right about Miles. Maybe the Cubs could package him for McPherson?

I like the idea of Scales playing 3rd. I know he has played very little but I like what I see. Aaron great work, lots of names that are tempting. Joe Crede would be nice but at what price.

No thank on Beltre and Figgins. I can't stand Beltre and Figgins the Cubs couldn't afford.

Dallas McPherson might be that "lighting in a bottle" type of guy that we all know JH loves.

For the record, I think the 3 easiest names to get on that list are

Wiggington-who reminds me a lot of Phil Nevin when Lee was hurt in 2006, with similar stats

Keppinger-essentially the same player as Freel, no power, good speed, and contact, but wouldn't make much sense

Brandon Wood-now, along with McPherson, this is a VERY intriguing name. However, I feel that the Angels are using him as insurance for possibly losing Figgins in free agency next year, so that might be doubtful

I think we would take DeRosa's 6 HR's and 22 RBI's (though the average is down this year so far). But I sense Mark went into Lou's doghouse after his post-playoff comments on the teams overall preparation. He won't be back, sadly.

Wouldn't it be so Cubs to get DeRosa back? Of course it would cost them more than they got to begin with, but he fits their needs almost perfectly.

He can play third, has only one year left on his contract and can somewhat replace the numbers of Ramirez. Even when Ramirez comes back, you still have his versatility off the bench. He's starting off slow which lowers his value somewhat...

Just to be clear for any of you "PC" folks out there....my last name is McMeekan. Takes one to know one, right? ; )

Aaron, never ceases to amaze me how many players you know about. On the face of it, I think JH should definitely add another piece to our team. So I advocate getting rid of Miles and I would love the Cantu or Loretta option. Don't know anything about McPherson, but you know I'm partial to those Micks out there.

Almost forgot to add a few other more realistic options to replace ARAM's production:

1)Garret Atkins-Why? Because the Rockies are content with Ian Stewart

2)Wiggington-Why? The O's have Mora already and Wiggington, like Atkins isn't performing well this year

3)Wilson Betemit-Why? The White Sux are said to be considering a shake-up, and getting the versatile Betemit might make sense, especially since he backs up the higher rated Josh Fields

4)Jorge Cantu-Why? The Marlins can't afford him next year, and he also can play 1B. He's killing the ball right now, so it might be a long shot

5)Jeff Keppinger-Why? I've always loved Keppinger since his days with the Reds. I thought he was always pesky, similar to Freel, and has speed. Doubtful the Astros would trade him though

6)Mark Teahen-why? With Gordon coming back soon, they might be open to trade. It's doubtful though, because he's so versatile for them.

7)Brandon Wood-why? He backs up Figgins, and the Angels, like with McPherson have waited forever for him to fulfill his potential, but seem to have given up on him, though he's done fairly well for them

8)Mark Loretta-why? He's versatile, and backs up Casey Blake, and is hitting very well

Anyway, all of these names are probably because most are back-ups. The Cubs, ultimately might decide to ride it out with what they have, and like I said before...as long as it doesn't include Miles in the everyday lineup, I'm okay with it.

I pined for Jorge Cantu last year when Tampa Bay released him. I was shocked that they did that. I knew Longoria was going to play 3b and that Iwamura was going to be at 2b, with Pena at 1B but they sucked at the DH spot and he could have hepled them there. I actually picked him up really cheap for my fantasy team.

Other possible candidates not mentioned:

* Morgan Ensberg

* Joe Crede

Ensberg is done, and I wouldn't be surprised in the least if he surfaced in the Mitchell probe. He had one good year, then bombed, and hit .189 avg and .323 OBP in 52 AAA games last year....He's finished.

As for Crede...you might be onto something. While he has the same problem...only more severe than Lee...he's a Boras client. And Boras clients are notorious for turning it up a notch in contract years. Last year he had 17 hr, 55 RBI in only 97 games. My one issue with Crede is his lifetime .306 OBP. That's pitiful for a middle of the order bat. But the power numbers are tempting.

I almost think that provided ARAM will be back for the last few months of the season, and if Bradley improves as we all hope he will, then Hendry might just be content with a platoon of Scales, Freel, and Fontenot over at 3B.

We all know Fontenot has extra base power, and Scales had a very respectable SLG percentage in the minors for an infielder at an average of .432 (last year was .499 SLG and his batting average of .285 in 11 minor league seasons is also respectable....who knows, maybe that will be our answer to the bridge for when ARAM gets back?

Aaron, thanks for the thought provoking posts...Have you ever thought about applying to the front office?

You would need a little more patience of course...but you have a great knowledge and capacity for research...it is appreciated.

The Cubs obviously need to make some moves,,,but without Ricketts in place..I don't know how tied JH's hands are...or...if he can be trusted to make the right move after sucj a disasterous

winter.

Yes, this is bad news, but Figgins will cost nearly our entire minor league system. The reason for that is the Angels value him almost as much, if not more than the O's valued Roberts. Figgins, in my opinion is WAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY over-hyped, and a lot of people have bought into his hype. Do you realize that Figgins' Slugging Percentage is .298 this year, and .318 last year....which for everyday players was near the bottom of the league. In fact, it's Juan Pierre-esque...he's even a lesser player than Pierre, getting fewer hits, less SB's, less average.

Adrian Beltre is perhaps, even worse, and given the fact he was linked to steroids, is NOT the answer, and his stats this year are Soto-esque.

I have an intriguing name for you, though I'm not sure what it'd take to get him, because Bochy seems high on him....Dallas McPherson.

If you'll recall, Dallas was released by the Marlins in ST after injuring an oblique muscle and missing some time. The Giants signed him on April 12th, and it was reported then he'd head to extended spring training to get some AB's, then report to AAA Fresno. As of now, that hasn't happened, as he's had a little setback with back spasms. However, they expect him to recover just fine.

I'm wondering if Hendry could find out his progress, and if he's ready shortly, we should go after him. Obviously, it has to be in reason. We can't have him like 3 weeks from now...we need him immediately. So his health status is definitely an issue. But the cost to get Figgins and Beltre will be WAYYYYY too high for my liking given their production.

We need power, and McPherson is the only one I can think of that wouldn't cost us our entire system to get. Any thoughts?

Oh, also an update....Jake Fox hit 2 more bombs last night, giving him 14 on the year which leads minor league baseball, but the I-Cubs lost 16-15 in extras to C Springs. Brad Snyder also hit his 9th bomb of the year, and he's also on a tear. Unfortunately, Jason Waddell and Kevin Hart did not fair too well. Waddell gave up 5 runs, Hart blew the save, and Jeff Stevens gave up his first run of the year.

Jake Fox would've been my initial choice to replace ARAM, but for whatever reason, they don't trust him at 3B.

All I know is that Miles doesn't fit on this team. The only real position he can play is 2B, so his "versatility" isn't needed, especially with Scales and Freel now on the team. Someone has to either be put on the DL, or DFA'd. Soriano, Johnson, Fukudome, and Bradley aren't going anywhere. Hoffpauir has proven he belongs. Theriot and Fontenot aren't going anywhere, and are out of options anyway. That leaves Scales, who has certainly proven himself; Freel, who is very versatile and replaces Gathright's speed; and Miles. Miles doesn't belong. So, Lee must go on the DL for there to even be another player on the team, or Miles must be released.

I think all of Cubs nation would be in an uproar if Scales is sent down in favor of Miles.

Yet, the roster as it is might even work, provided that Lee and Soto stay out of the lineup. This would be my choice:

Soriano-LF

Theriot-SS

Fukudome-CF

Hoffpauir-1B

Bradley-RF

Fontenot-2B

Scales-3B

K Hill-C

bench: Chris Robinson-C, Jake Fox-IF/OF, Reed Johnson, Dallas McPherson-IF, Ryan Freel-IF/OF.

This gives us more balance. Jake Fox and McPherson supply the power with a nice R-H/L-H punch. The Cubs can hang onto Miles until McPherson is ready, then DFA Miles. The theory here, is even if/when ARAM comes back this year, you'll need a power bat to back him up, and McPherson supplies that. Freel replaces Miles' "versatility" and can also back-up the OF, while Fox can do the same, and obviously Johnson can back up all OF positions.

I think this gives our team more of a "dirtbag" mentality necessary to go deep into the postseason. Theriot, Freel, Scales, Fox, Johnson, and Bradley all seem to have the fire/intensity to put the team over the hump. Lee and Soto are too injured to play right now, and Lee certainly lacks the fire necessary to take us to the next level.

DL-Lee, Soto, ARAM

DFA-Miles (only after McPherson is proven healthy and especially if we can acquire him in the first place from the Giants)

I think we should see if Lee or Hoffpeuir could play third base. Getting Figgin will be togh because the Angels have injuries too and oyr ownership situatian will need to be completed.

I was thinking the same thing about Beltre at first to Grant, but when Ramirez comes back where do you put Beltre. That is why I would like to go after Figgins, alot more versitile.

I was thinking the same thing, because he can also play other positions as well when Ramirez returns.

WOW Z demp lilly harden wells good rotation and with a 6th starter in marshall

but tht sucks about ramirez mabe adrian beltre

Figgins another player for Lee Cotts.

Wow, if it is really going to be eight weeks for Ramirez, Hendry better start hitting the phones. I like the addition of Freel, but he is in no way, the long term answer.

According to Carrie Muskat, When Zambrano returns Wells will be on the team. Wells and Marshall will pitch this week and who ever does better will be in the rotation and the other one will go to the bullpen. I say Marshall goes to the bullpen and release or trade Cotts ( I dont know who will want him, probably no one. The Wells is the 5th starter.

I smell trouble because when Dr.James Andrews is involved that usually means trouble.