CUBS suck regardless who they call up. Lucky if clowns finish 2nd this year.

Okay, one more, more thing: Mets need a 1B pretty badly. Fox or Hoffpauir might be available. But looking over the Mets staff, there's nothing at the MLB level that I'd want (or that they'd give up). Frankly the Cubs have enough positional players at this time (if used wisely). It's the pen that needs the help.

The Red Sox need a DH. Jake Fox is screaming to be traded with every hit. Looking over the Red Sox pitching staff I see that they have a great 'pen. But what they'd give up is another matter. . . . Okijima is great; Ramon Rameriz, too (doubtful they'd give up either of them for what we offer). I don't what they've got in the minors, but Jake Fox could be a very short, short-timer with the Cubbies.

Ripsnorter, re Bobby Scales and Lou's comment...that's not ominous...that's truth...if Scales continues to produce like he has...they will make room for him...if not...he goes and someone else comes in.

The Red Sox are supposed to be loaded in the minor leagues...the only thing the Mets have that I would want would be one of their 2 big signees over the winter...

and their contracrs are probably too big

to take on just now...With 3rd unsettled

with ARAM out...noway does Lee get traded

for defensive reasons.

I guess Hoffpauir could go in a trade...

bringing up Fox to replace him...BUT...

I don't see anyone on the Mets either...

Maybe a 3 way trade?...but then...we already know that type of thing makes

JH's head spim.

We definitely need a solid lefty in the pen. And another bat...Oh well...we can

dream....

YUes, SuzyS, we can dream, dream, dream. : )

I think Fox could go to Red Sox for something. If he does, you watch him hit like Jason Bay or Xavier Nady.

One more thing Lou said last Friday--about Bobby Scales--"It took him 11 years to get here, but it's easier to get here than to stay here." Sounds ominous, doesn't it?

Aaron,

No way Bradley sits. He's due $32 million. If Lou sat him down, JHendry would lose his job. Not even JHendry can sign a player for $32 million and then have to eat the salary. JHendry's boss would have his job pronto. So Bradley has to get on the field if healthy enough to do so. Besides, he's going to hit .250 this year. He's on a pace to pick up about 50 RBIs. lol Bradley is hitting .256 2HR and 7 RBI thus far for the month of May. Time to back off riding Bradley.

Soto has started to hit. Thus far in May, he's batting .298 1HR, 8 RBI. No need to sit him right now. Last seven days he's hitting .375. So leave Soto alone for now. Besides Hill is not an everyday MLB player at this time--probably never will be. He's doing fine as a situational catcher, so let's not promote him past his capabilities.

I think Lou might be smart enough to give Wells another start and keep Marshall in the pen. Somebody will have to go come Zambrano-time Friday. It will probably be Patton. I'd hope for Cotts to be DFA, but JHendry will send Patton back. That may be a mistake, but that's what JHendry will do.

I'm sorry Aaron but I just can't see every move you suggest. Your pitching stance is dead on and moving Wells in would be well worth getting Marshall in teh bullpen so maybe we can lose this Cotts crap. I'd give Fontenot the utility since Scales bat is better at the time. Bring Fox up with ripsnoter's suggestions above,yes, but drop Lee, then Soto, and then Bradley? You ask to much of Lou and too much of the players you wish to replace them. Lee for Hoffpauir fine, I just hope as the league continues to get looks at Hoff its not a curve ball in teh ground to a swinging Fukudome situation when it counts late. Koyi Hill for Soto, maybe a few games but I still don't see Hill being an everyday starter. And then to bring up a double A prospect (Steve Clevenger) out of no where is far too much. Snyder has been creeping up, but were not going to spend the money to pull up someone within when we all know damn well we can't use or lose Bradley. I just think we need to make the pitching solid, right now. The bats will come...they always do, what we really need is the pitching late to hold on when we are hitting.

This is off topic but I noticed Rich Hill pitched for the O's the other day and got the win. Struck out 6 only walked 2, it was good to see him pitching well. Hope he has his head screwed on right and continues his success.

As I've said on many occasions...I have some VERY basic steps to fix this team, and get it winning consistently:

1)immediately remove Gregg from his closer duties, and put him in middle relief (not even 7th or 8th)...have Guzman and Marshall in 7th and 8th inning roles, and Marmol as closer

2)When Z gets back, DFA Patton

3)then, DFA/trade Cotts

4)Marshall goes to the pen

5)Wells replaces Marshall in the rotation

6)DFA/trade Miles

7)Scales gets Miles' "utility IF" role

8)promote Jake Fox

9)convince Lee that it's either best for the team, or himself that he sits in favor of Hoffpauir, or that he be traded to save embarrassment of being supplanted

10)sit Soto until he gets into shape and loses at least 20 lbs, and convince him to go on the DL to get his hand right

11) either....

a. replace him with Koyie Hill as starter

or

b. put on DL and call up Chris Robinson or Steve Clevenger

12)when ARAM comes back, make a decision on Bradley...either he's hitting by then and remains in the lineup, or his ass is placed on the DL with a phantom injury, and Snyder is called up to replace him.

These are not moves that require much thought for the Cubs. It's blatantly obvious....you simply CANNOT have your 4,5,6, and 7 hitters (Lee, Bradley, Soto, and Fontenot) hitting around .200 with below .300 OBP this late in the season. It's killing the team. Furthermore, you simply CANNOT have 2 roster spots occupied by pitchers that throw once every 10-12 days. It's simply not in the best interest of the team. You either suck it up and DFA them, risking waiver claims, or you trade them and bring up someone you have confidence in.

I can think of no one more deserving of a call-up than Jake Fox.

Remember last year when he went to Piniella in Spring Training, and asked for more AB's to prove himself? What did he do? He went out there, and smacked a couple home runs, and a few doubles, leading Piniella to comment that he wished his regulars had the same heart and attitude that Fox brought.

You bring him up, and I 100% guarantee you that if he plays at least 5 games a week, he'll get you a .280 avg, 20 hr, 80 RBI. He absolutely CRUSHES the ball, and always has since he was drafted. The knock on him was his K's, and this year, he's cut down on them, showing better plate discipline, and you see it in his avg and OBP.

Bryan was absolutely right....when ARAM came over, the knock was his defense, and similar things have been said about Fox, though I have yet to find concrete evidence of that. I don't know if some scouts have something personal against the guy, but his fielding stats aren't all that bad.

Good bats in our system have been VERY rare indeed. In the past few years, we've had two PHENOMENAL bats come throug hour system. One is Hoffpauir's, who for whatever reason, seems to be blocked by underachievers in both his positions (1B and RF). The other is Fox. Outside of Vitters, they're also the only guys known to have much power in our system.

Isn't it ironic that our greatest need right now is power bats, and we can't find room for Hoffpauir and Fox on the same roster...two guys that have absolutely crushed AAA pitching, and MLB pitching (Hoffpauir)....and I guess you could even say that about Fox, crushing MLB pitching in Spring Training.

Bobby Scales is a 31 year old career minor leaguer for a reason, don't let 20 hot AB's convince you otherwise. Randy Wells is another guy that screams flash in the pan, the guy pitched around a lot of damage to get through 5 innings, don't count on seeing that trend continue. Jake Fox has no position til interleague play and has almost no value since he is 27 years old with no position and no MLB track record. Cotts is terrible, keeping Patton over Gaudin was one of the worst moves I've ever seen, and Gregg/Heilman are what they are.

That being said all of these things are minor problems. This team is going as far as Milton Bradley, Soriano, Ramirez (when he's back), Lee, Marmol and the starting pitchers carry them. Back-end of the bullpen and utility players impact very few games throughout the season. All of the players listed above have fantastic MLB track records and are still at ages where they should produce, don't over-react to a few bad games (Bradley, Lee) or a few good games (Scales, Wells). It's a long season and in the end it will be the studs that make all the difference, not the scrappy minor leaguers.

I'd love to see Fox's bat in the lineup, but it's not gonna happen. My only hope is that he is traded for some GOOD pitching help to an AL club in need of a DH (Boston?)

I find it interesting how you are all clamoring for Fox to play 3B, but as soon as he boots a couple grounders and opens up a huge inning for other team, you will all be screaming then about his defense. If his defense is really a "notch above horrific" there is NO WAY you can put him at 3rd. People always tend to underestimate the value of defense, because its not as exciting as hitting. Until it comes back to bite you in the arse.

Be careful what you wish for.

Fontenot has played SS everywhere. He's fine. Scales has played SS. He's fine, too, to back up Theriot.

But you can forget Miles going anywhere. You may as well wish that Bradley was gone. Neither one is going anywhere, and will play at every opportunity, simply because they are owed so much money.

The Cubs are 21-15. But if in 3 of those wins, the bullpen (or any other cause) had blown the game so that they became losses instead, the Cubs would be just .500. I point this out to show you how critical it is for the manager to carefully manage each game. Sure, they say, "It's a long season." It sure is. But the difference between a division winning club and a .500 is really just about 5 or 6 games. The diffo between 91 wins and 81 wins (.500) is a mere 5 games from the win column to the loss column. In short, WAKE UP LOU!

I have go to believe that the only reason we havent got rid of Miles and brought Fox up, is that we would not have a replacement for Theriot as SS.

It seems that Font and Scales will be able to split duties at 2B; however can either of those guys give Theriot a breather when needed?

Even if they don't play Fox at 3B they need to bring him up for the Power Right bat off the bench. He will be great to use as DH in interleague play coming up in a month also. He, Hoff,Dlee and Bradley can split those duties.

Seems to me we just need to have one of those guys be able to back up Theriot and then the move should be made.

What do you all know about Font and Scales at SS?

Fox deserves the call up NOW. Remember when we acquired Aramis the knock on his was his defense as well, and now he's awfully solid. I just don't know how the organization can keep Fox at AAA.

And Lou is indeed an idiot. His managerial time has passed.

Bryan,,,his time is NOW until Ricketts/JH

change it. The Ascanio thing was laughable...BUT I don't think Lou could have gotten anyone up quicker...I guess the answer is to get 2 guys up at a time...but that is a waste.

I don't care what a guy hits, if he can't field, you can't put him at a crucial position like 3B. Smart teams will take advantage of him by bunting. You just can't give teams 4 or 5 outs an inning and expect to win. Most games are won by a team putting together 1 big inning. Bad defense increases the chances of that happening more regularly. No way.

If it was LF or 1B, I'd say ok, b/c those positions are not as hard to master, but not 3B.

You ARE correct ripsnorter! Lou needs to hadle his pitchers with a little more BALLS. Why would you leave in Gregg??? He did the same with Ascaino, I would have taken him out after his 2 pitch circus, hitting two guys on 2 pitches. MY GOD....that calls for a little ambarassment, and he should know that he deserved it. Then, Ascaino gave up the pass ball on the same damn pitch!!! Come on Lou, what are you thinking?

With the way Miles is playing and that fact we have a younger better version of him in Fontenot. Time to DFA or trade

Miles. Put Fox at 3rd have Scales replace him for D in later innings put Fontenot back at 2nd.

Patton should be given back and along with Gregg and Heilman.( I wish)

Anyone else rather have RC cola than Heilman. I sure do.

What ever happened to Pignangelo (SP)? He was a good lefty.

Not calling up a player who is playing that well is a firable offense.

Miles ain't goin' nowhere. Too much $$$ invested in him. Besides, Lou doesn't bench people for a lack of offense. They get benched for a lack of defense, or they get traded for speaking too loudly around him (cf. DeRosa, Ohman--a couple of guys we could use right now). Remember they kept Pie over Hoffpauir last NLSC. lol What can you say except Lou is in a coma. Since Miles is okay with the glove, he stays right where he is.

How'd ya'll like Lou shouting at the fans because Gregg gave up back to back HRs, and two line drive singles (including one off of his pitching hand), and Lou didn't want to take him out? So Gregg hits the next guy. That's simply GREAT managing. Yessireee. Lou is a great manager. lol Those fans deserved to be yelled at. lol

George Sherill

John Grabow

Brian Fuentes

That is only some I could come up with. I will take Sherill or Fuentes (I dont see getting traded because they will be in it all season) if cheap. Put him to closer marmol 8th Guzman 7th Marshall Heilman Ascaino long relief Wells fifth starter. release Cotts and Patton.

I look for Patton to go back to the Rockies when they activate "Z" on Friday.

They won't get rid of Cotts until they

get another lefty...but they really should dump him now.

...Don't expect much from "Z" in his first start back...unless a trade is

made this week...they really should put Marshall in the pen...But I guess they are starting him Thursday....we really,

really need another GOOD lefty reliever

in the pen....does anyone know of any that might be viable out there?

If we cant trade hime, just give hime back to the Rockies and call up Jeff Stevens, who is the best pitcher in triple A now.

Waldo - I'm pretty sure we can't trade Patton. Since he's a rule5, we use him or lose him.

Look at the Brewers, 3B Matt Gamel had 93 errors in the minor league since 2007 and played yesterday at 3B and made 1 great play and 1 bad play that resulted in a error.

Ascaino is young, his next outing will be good. Patton needs to be traded for a minor leaguer the cubs can keep. The Cubs need to trade Fontenot, when still gots enought to trade. I think after the deadline Miles or Fontenot will not be on the team because when Ramirez gets back they have to many infielders and Scales needs to be starting second baseman. On July 20 Jake Fox will be 27, if he becomes a better fielser, I can see Fontenot and Miles gone.

Jake Fox is clearly a major league hitter. I am a beleiver in defense, though, and Fox's defense was described by Baseball America as "a notch above horrific". And that's at 1B, what kind of defense will he play at 3B?

You can make up bad defense with the bat, but he would need to carry a .900+ OPS in the majors to make it worth it.

This reminds me of the "Free Hoffpauir" debates from last year, but Hoff can at least play one position well (1B).

Man, this guy Jake Fox deserves to be called up. Let him get some swings in, off the bench or MAYBE in at 3rd, but definately deserves to be called up.

Ascaino and Patton need to leave. Ascaino especially after that circus act on Sunday.......unbelievable!!! And he's a PRO? COME ON! That was a joke!!!

Mark,

Sorry, have to disagree with you there....Ascanio had a rough inning, but give the guy a break. A lot of young pitchers struggle when they initially get called up. We've seen Juan Cruz, Carlos Zambrano, Marmol, and Guzman all struggle initially when they were called up. Ascanio has phenomenal stuff...something Patton doesn't.

Additionally, Ascanio was a starter at AAA, and despite what some may say...it's a very difficult task to go from starter to reliever, and vice-versa, all in one year. The preparation is different, the mentality is different, and the pressure is different. The margin for error is also smaller. Ascanio was doing VERY well as a starter in AAA. Kevin Hart also did well in the past as a starter, but when you bounce guys back and forth like we have with Marshall, Hart, Wells, Guzman, Samardzija, Mateo, etc., it's very difficult for them to get into a groove. Give Ascanio the benefit of the doubt. He's the real deal.

I'd love to see Jake Fox here, but I don't think it is going to happen. Lou doesn't like him. I think JHendry will trade him for a washed up reliever like Frank DiPino (for Davey Lopes) or Bob Locker (remember the Bill North for Bob Locker trade?? OUCH! Almost as bad as the Lou Brock trade).

The Cubs should put Fox at 3B while ARam is out. Fontenot should return to his best role: utility man and spot starter. Give Scales the starts at 2B until he proves he can't play better than Fontenot or Miles. Maybe he can keep the job.

Lou has just got to move Gregg and Heilman down in the pen. And Marshall needs to stay in the pen. Let Marmol close and Guzman and Marshall set him up. I'd have Heilman ahead of Gregg, (double gag!) and I'd "CUT COTTS" and do whatever I had to do to move Patton off the roster. He's simply not ready yet. Ascaino looks like Aardsma when he first came up with the Cubs. Let him cut his teeth up here in non-critical innings until he straightens himself out. I believe he will.

Rip:

100% in agreement. On a side note. As a young boy I remember those great Oakland A's teams from the early 1970's and it seemed like anyone that they would pick up in a trade would get white hot and blend in with the great talent that they had like: Reggie, Bando, Campeneris, Tenace, Rudi, Blue, Fingers. Don't forget

Kenny Holtzman was traded to Oakland. The cubs went years after that trade in an effort to find a Lefty like him for the rotation.

Good catch, Suzy.. I remember ol' Aardsma. I always thought he had a decent upside, besides the year ('06) he struggled here. He's also the guy that took over the first spot in the alphabetical list of baseball players.. The only time he'll ever beat out Hank Aaron for anything. :D

Enough said about Fox...we are waiting to see him.

Interesting note...just saw that Seattle

is going to use David Aardsma as it's closer for the short term.

The 27 year old reliever has 4 saves already and an era under 1.80 this season in 18 appearances...it seems he is finally putting all that talent together.