I apologize to Demp and the site for making a bad joke of a serious injury.

Re. the Trib reports, who knows what the claims are all about? Probably only the Trib. The press release or confirmed story that really is definitive likely comes from the buyer or results from a joint press conference.

I can see the creditors and probably the Court favoring a Ricketts' deal with its preponderence of cash--if the difference is $50 million or so. I still think the Ricketts will knock $25 to $50 million off the original proposal. That will cover one or two year's interest on the borrowed money--and leave more room for payroll.

Well the No no was good on short rest(thought so)... but aparently this year against the reds not so hot, so it looks to me like it is mixed

Any of you stat junkies out there know how Z is on short rest???

ask and you shall receive:

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=zambrca01&year=Career&t=p

I don't think it's right though, as I seem to recall him pitching on 3 days rest more than once, but here's the line:

1 game, 0-1, 5 1/3 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 1 hr, 3 BB, 1 K, 6.75 ERA

not sure I know how to feel about this. While Dempster hasn't pitched that well for us this year....he's a veteran, and knows how to get out of jams.

Hart is an enigma. He did awesome in relief in 2007 with the Cubs, then did horrible in relief the following year, then was switched back to the rotation, and did awesome, then started this year in relief, then back to the rotation in Iowa, then back to relief with the Cubs, then back to the rotation. I'm not sure how I feel about him. Will he be in the rotation or relief, with Samardzija going to the rotation? I actually would've preferred Ascanio being called up to start in place of Dempster. I know he only goes 3-4 innings in his starts, but dude has a 0.80 ERA at Iowa, and when he starts, he usually K's like 6-7 guys in those 3-4 inning stints, which is pretty impressive.

Who knows...finally putting Hart in the rotation, they might just find another Randy Wells?

My concern is Hart is not stretched out

and hasn't pitched that much...Ascanio would have been a better choice....

Earlier today I saw Papelbon was being promoted to AAA...from Tennessee...his line is not that impressive...:

2 -4 / 3.54 era/ 48.1 innings pitched/

15 BB/ 37 SO /1.70 WHIP

There were better candidates at Tennessee

for promotion...but at least I know why

someone was being promoted today.

Still...the thinking here still eludes me....But then...I don't make my living at this.

SuzyS,

I was close to pro ball myself...(working in it now, albeit on sales end), and I've had many friends play MLB and in the minors alike, and here's what I've been told:

1) Money talks with promotions: just ask other players what the hell they were thinking when Samardzija was promoted rapidly while underachieving

2) The round you're drafted in talks as well (ie.-top 10 to 15 rounds are particularly key) as teams generally want to save face with their draft choices

3) Rule 5 Draft matters as well...teams need to find out what they have before they expose you to the Rule 5 Draft and leave you unprotected. Here's the rules again:

Players are eligible for selection in the Rule 5 draft who are not on their major league organization's forty man roster and:

- were signed at age 19 or older and have been in the organization for three years; or

- were signed at age 18 or younger and have been in the organization for four years.

Papelbon has been with us since 2006, meaning he would be exposed this coming Rule 5. He was drafted in the 19th round (not particularly high, but high enough, plus his brother might be one of the best closer's in the game...pedigree counts for something, huh?) and he's progressed VERY well through our system:

2006 Boise: 4-0, 1.83 ERA 44 1/3 IP, 50 K's

2007 Peoria: 9-6, 3.11 ERA (8 starts) 107 IP, 99 K's

2008 Daytona: 2-1, 2.57 ERA (4 starts) 73 2/3 IP, 51 K's

2009 Tennessee: 2-4, 3.54 ERA (6 starts)48 1/3 IP, 37 K's

That's what you like to see from your good prospects----climbing the system with good consistency. He's like Marshall in a lot of ways. He doesn't throw particularly hard, but he can fill in with relief or spot starting, and get the job done for you. At 26 years old, the Cubs have to find out what they have, or risk losing him this winter.

Aaron...thanks...that makes sense to me then.

I'm with ya on Ascanio. Hey as far as Hart goes we can only hope he is a shadow of what Wells is. There is always hope in Wrigleyville.

Aparently 4PM is the time that all the reporters have to get their stuff in...seems like all the news hits at that time.

Demp will be alright before long. I just called the tow truck. Okay, Okay, I'll go back to my room!

Big Toe FRACTURE...that's a lot longer

than 15 days...we wont see Demp for awhile.

STOP KICKING THE DANG WATER COOLER!!!! In a totally unrelated story...Mark Derosa also going on the 15 day DL, he will be missed at Wrigley over the weekend...NOT!!!

and yes I know NOT went out of funny with Schwing a long time ago...but hey...

According to ESPN1000 Ryan Dempster is being placed on the 15 day DL for an injury to his right big toe.

Kevin Hart called up in his absence.

FYI.

Per Muskat it is a Right Big Toe Fracture and Hart will start tomorrow??? Seems that Ascanio, Marshall would be better replacements...maybe I am the one fooled here.

That's random and bad. No one seems to know how it happened yet, Carlos Zambrano will start for the Cubs tonight.

Only in the world of Chicago sports does this kinda stuff happen. Unbelievable.

Neil...espn.com is reporting a second offer for the Cubs has been agreed to by the Tribune....The Utely group out of NY

has submitted a bid for "slightly more money,but less upfront cash".

According to the ESPN report...both offers are likely to go to the bankruptcy

court....Espn report was filed at 3:20 pm

The Sun-Times article I linked to said the report about the Utey bid was not correct. No one seems to know what is going on right now.

I mentioned that report in the extended part of my article.

What a mess!

The one thing I gathered re the sale...is Ricketts thought they had a handshake deal....Kind of like Moises Alou...I don't know if I would want to shake Zell's hand...lol

So let me get this straight: Chicago Tribune, and its website affiliates, are reporting that the proposition for the sale of the team is currently being checked by the MLB. Every other sports site is also reporting the same thing. But the Sun-Times, the chief rival of the Tribune company, is calling it false? Really? I know it seems too good for the sale to be nearly done, but at the same time, I have to imagine the Tribune wouldn't report this if there wasn't a very reliable source behind it all.

Typical Tribune folly.