Back to Wittenmyer's column...the other day Suzy and I were bemoaning the bullpen that has blown 17 late leads and could be blamed for the fact the team hasn't run away with the division...but in reality the lack of offense has always been the problem. 34 big L's with under 2 or less runs - man. Of course I don't read that stat as 1 or 2 run games, but without digging up the number of losses by 2 or fewer runs I think it would safe to say 1/3 of those could have easily been converted with a timely hit or two. That would be 11 more W's and 11 less L's for a 22 game flip! 66-39 right now would look pretty solid.

1000 pts. Jim!

Thanks for the anecdote, wonderful image and quite a lovely metaphor.

I do love the 3-6-3 DP, but I was always too small to play 1B...maybe I wished to a SS...

Great find jc....Wittenmyer nails the Cubs situation. Lou mentions there is a wild card race too, and I think that's our best chance. The Rockies and Giants are the contenders, and tonight begins the critical series against the Rockies.

It is amazing that, with ARAM out two months, Soto 1 month, Demp out a while and Bradley and Soriano greatly underperforming, we are still talking playoff possibilities. It must be good management. LOL, LOL, LOL.

Does the 3-6-3 in your name indicate that you were a first baseman?

The management "logic" reminds me of helping my grandad pick a load of corn about 1950. I was in the wagon when he pulled out on Highway 6 as he had done for 30 years. Tractor and wagon were crossways in the road when a speeding Packard came barrelling over a rise in the road. Just before impact, it swerved into the corn field. It zigged, zagged, knocked down about three acres of corn and re-gained control as it came back onto the highway. As it went on, my grandpa turned around from the tractor and said to me, "We got out of that field just in time."

Jim, Thanks for the huge smile.

good column in the S.T. if you haven't yet seen it.



http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1705221,CST-SPT-gordo07.article

Hits on all the proper points and sticks a finger into the sore spots...just enough to make it sting.

It is hard to believe that the Cubs have scored 2 or fewer runs in 37 games this season. That is an amazing number. Of their 49 L's 34 have come at the hands (or feet) of the Offense.

Thinking out loud...I don't think "Z"

or Lilly would make it to Boston on a waiver deal...Texas and Tampa might have something to say first...Texas did make an attempt at Halladay...I'm sure they would figure a way to jump in...financial problems and all...but they have some great prospects too.

JimK, I love your late night whimsies! I have brought up the idea of dangling Z to Boston or NYY a couple times over the past year. I am one that do not believe Z needs to be cornerstone of the future. His antics are exhausting and he will never reach his true ACE potential until someone forces him to. And I don't know who that is or how it will work...anyway, just putting him on the waiver wire would surly ignite some interest. And as we've seen, once Boston shows interest, the Yanks are behind them.

BTW, where can one view the waiver priority list?

Zambrano would bring a haul of young talent...who is that rookie SS Boston has?

The waiver list is not public and, as Aaron and I have detailed a couple of times, most teams put a lot of players on waivers to see who indicates a claim. Most team's quickly withdraw the waiver names, and that's why it makes sense not to publish names. As you know, if it came down to the Yanks and Boston, Boston has priority because they trail the Yanks in the standings. Any NL team making a claim would have priority over an AL team.

Jumping in for JimK...Reddick...they just activated him.

Reddick played a game or two last week or so ago and had 2 dbls and a walk in 4 AB's. in his first game. He's only 21 and is up from AA. He was working on more consistent contact so he could be prone to some SO's. In my trade scheme a month or two ago, I had him as a lefty counter part to Vitters in 2111. And now he is in the bigs.

I agree with you that a Z-- Boston deal is not likely. But Slim and None are still in the building, and the Red Sox are (now) highly motivated. I too don't want us to "tank"--a pre-condition for a trade.

The Red Sox better be first on the waiver wire list....because Z won't pass through very far....

Joe....I've seen some GM-type comments that, given the economic realities of most teams, big contracts and especially long-term big contracts will pass through the waiver wires. The Red Sox pick before the Yankees, and that may be all that matters re. Z's $18 mil.

Maybe the Mets, Angels or Dodgers would be tempted, but I think they would pass. Who do you think would step up? The Red Sox realize they are in trouble and they are a big budget team with some excellent young players/prospects.

Yes indeedy, my other team...the real Sox

are in trouble.

Smoltz is done...DiceK and Wakefield on the DL...Bay with a hammy possibly on the way.

As a Boston fan "Z" would look good in the rotation right now.

But as a Cubs fan...that will mean we tanked...and I don't want to see it.

If that happens...And either Z or Lilly

are involved with a Boston trade....

then we should hold them up and insist

if they want to fix their pitching problem...they have to take Bradley off

our hands as well.

(But none of this is going to happen...

I suspect).

Two more late-night whimsies. Manny is .270 in 96 AB's during July and August. That could be his new norm without his booster shots.

The Red Sox are 7-10 in their last 17, and pitching is an issue. They were blown out tonight by NY and now trail by 3 1/2. I don't want our wheels to fall off in the next 10 games, but if they do we might get three potential regulars for Z and shed a major, long-term contract.

Joe S....If Harden's fragile arm/body were capable of pitching 4 or 5 games a week, he could be an effective closer. That seems unlikely to me since he often needs an extra day between starts.

Maybe we lock all of the starters in a cell and say, "When you decide who is going to be the closer, you can all come out and eat." LOL

Jim, I disagree there bud. Smoltz became a closer for the Atlanta Braves[and a HOFer] because he could not start after the TJ surgery, same deal with KWood. It would make Harden more durable too and the Kid has the stuff to do it. I'd die for this move Joe S.

I think Harden because of his stuff and control could be as dominant as Eckersley as opposed to just good closers such as Smoltz or Wood.

I think this is a move that would pay off huge.

Me too Joe, I have been preaching here that Harden should be the guy since last year. Even though I like him as a starter, especially for the playoffs, the guy almost never makes it to the 6th inning because of the pitch count and fragility. Let's do it period!

On another note, Smoltz was not a good closer...he was Eckersly like but only closed for 3 1/2" years. He racked up 154 saves in that small span while Dennis converted 390 he closed for near to 14 years. What I mean is I love KWood but he is not in D.Eckerrsley league but Smoltz is.

When Lilly comes back....if Gorzellany has pitched well enough to stay in the rotation....how about this idea....

Rich Harden as closer!

Harden reminds me ALOT of Dennis Eckersley waiting to happen. Eck had pretty good stuff...had some great games...but just never became the elite picther. But when Oakland put him in the pen to close for an inning he was LIGHTS OUT for years!!

Harden can be lights out. Part of his problem is he racks up so many strikeouts his pitch counts jump up quickly....leaving him spent by the 5th or 6th inning. Rather than change his style of pitching..why not play to the strength and use him as a closer who can also come in the 8th if necessary??

I think he'd be a goldmine!

And for Gregg....DFA!!!

Joe S., That may sound like a logical (or plausible) idea at the moment, but realistically it won't happen. Here's Why:

1. Harden has been much better lately. Better command of his fastball is where it all started to turn around. He is keeping it down and hitting the corners for the most part.

2. He has never closed before. You can't just expect him to adjust on the fly in the middle of a season.

3. Nobody is going to DFA Gregg. Even though he does remind me of Bob Howry w/ that laser straight fastball, he makes too much coin and would ultimately leave the bullpen in worse shape. I'd prefer Guzman in the closer role.

Maybe too late for this year....but I think overall you have to consider that option....

Eck had never closed and was an average pitcher at best when we had him 84-86..... his best attribute was his control. And when Oakland decided to put him in as a closer....look what he did. Not just great...but unbelievable numbers for a stretch.

Yes Harden has been better lately, but he still is being haunted by the fact his pitch counts creep up with all his strikeouts...and with his arm issues...pitch counts are a huge factor for him.

Incidentally, I think the Cubs tinkered with Carlos a couple years ago because he had the same issue with pitch counts due to alot of strikeouts. Look at his numbers the last couple years....strikeouts are down...but now he doesnt look the the dominate ace pitcher he was.

JimK...did Woody's deal vest for the 3rd year? If I recall right, it was 2 years

at 10 mil ea....with a club option for a third...if they liked him...have to look it up.

- Do you really think the Cubs and Cards would trade during a neck and neck race with each other?

Greene's Ok...and love to get rid of Miles...but.....?

Suzy, I used two years at 8 to 10 mil in describing Woody's contract savings--with the 8 being his Cubs's discount. The $30 mil was the max total--and the third year may not vest.

It would be uncharacteristic for the Cubs and Cards to do a deal while fighting for the Central. But both sides could decide that neither guy is going to help the opponent--so why not do it.

Suzy, Kerry's deal vests with 55 games finished in either 2009 or 2010. The third year is worth $11 million. Kerry has pitched in 40 games this season ... do not know how many he has finished.

Kerry has finished 33 of the 40 games he has appeared in.

Wow Jeff, get some rest. You'll have more clarity after a good nights sleep. LOL. Actually most people here fall into the category of being occasionally wrong but never in doubt.

Re. the bright Suzy's quest for a shortstop, there is a trade that might be doable. I'm not sure if it helps. The Cards would likely trade K. Greene's remaining $2.6 mil this year for Miles' $2.8 mil or so due this year and next. Greene historically has hit with power and a low average and is considered a competent SS. Greene has disappointed this year, including a DL stint for personal anxiety disorder, but he is now ready to play. Contrary to some opinions here, LaRussa does like Miles. Greene's contract ends this year.

I agree with Aaron that E. Young is not obtainable for Colvin, + mid-level prospects. And he needs more time in the minors.

I disagree with Aaron's (repeated)descriptions (distorted I think) of some of the JH offseason transactions. IMO, there were two decisions that created the main problems we all see. He could have done nothing (and not fixed something that wasn't broken). But after two post season washouts, we were all calling for a left-handed power bat for the middle of the order. So he acted and ended up with Bradley. In hindsight both those decisions were wrong. I don't think most knowledgeable people thought that Bradey would flop so badly (but Aaron did). And he thought DLee was done too. LOL.

In the interest of killing Hendry at all costs, there is major distortion here as to how JH made his moves. Usuallty ignored is the fact that JH had a bankrupt owner and had to cover $18 mil of built-in contract increases AND come up with $10 mil for a lefty bat--and the money to re-sign Dempster. He let Wood go (saving $8 to $10 mil per year for at least 2 years. He traded DeRo to save $5 mil (and got 3 unhearlded prospects who are looking good). He traded Marquis to save $5 mil. Players who left like Howry and Eyre added up to savings of about $10 mil. Those moves enabled covering the increases of guys like Lilly and Z and signing Bradley and keeping Dempster.

It is a distortion to say that Dome, Edmonds, Pie, Hill and Fontenot were lefty bat answers. Dome was terrible in the second half and Edmonds was leaving. The others have no middle of the order potential. Hoffpauir (also mentioned above) had possibilities but was judged to be better suited to role playing.

It is also a distortion to say that guys like Abreu and Dunn were answers because they were looking for $13 to $15 mil deals for multiple years when JH decided to do what he could with $10 mil. Once again, with hindsight, if JH had opted to do nothing but let Wood and maybe Marquis go, he would have been a lucky genius. That's because two weeks before the end of spring training, economic realities had guys like Abreu and Orlando Hudson signing one year deals for $5 mil., and we do miss DeRo.

Hendry was pro-active which we wanted, and he signed Bradley. Two mistakes.

JH deserves a lot of criticism mainly for signing Bradley and Gregg--and I suspect he thought Marmol would win the closer's job over Gregg. The rest (Heilman and Miles, e.g.) were secondary deals. JH should get some credit for what has to be the most productive AAA farm team in the majors this year. And certainly not matching Woody's $30 mil, 3 year deal with Cleveland was a big plus.

The trade for Grabow and Gorzelanny may turn out quite well--but it's too early to tell. And, somehow, with guys like ARAM and Soto missing in action and Soriano and Bradley faltering, we still have a modesst chance for the post season. It hasn't been pretty, but Yogi told us how to measure performance.

Additionally, JH gets no "points" for moving DeRosa. We've been reeling from that "brilliance" all season already, with no remedy in sight.

Jim K...while I appreciate your perspective on JH, you failed to mention the 5 MORE NO-TRADE YEARS we have on the Soriano contract, 2 MORE NO-TRADE YEARS on the Bradley contract, and 2 MORE NO-TRADE YEARS with Fukodome. For the first two mentioned, those critical and handcuffing moves alone should mark JH's ticket out of town.

Bryan....I agree that the no-trades can be painful and, with very long-term deals, they can be punitive. Unfortunately, that's often the price of poker for the (suspected) impact players. Without the clauses, we wouldn't have ARAM, DLEE AND Z. The Yanks wouldn't have Teixeira and Sabathia, etc. To be considered, Dome's deal doesn't look too bad this year.

I don't know for sure but there are probably 30 or 40 no-trade contracts around--mostly in big market contending teams. That's what we became when JH was allowed to open the checkbook in 2006 and we became a star system team. It's likely that Soriano's $18 mil for the next 4 years is more limiting than his no-trade.

On DeRo, I agree that JH gets no points. With the Riot and Fontenot both hitting over .300 with decent OBP's in 2008, JH likely thought we would be OK at SS and 2nd. DeRo's contract was tradeable and a source of cash. As we know, Fontenot and Bradley fell way below expectations, and DeRo is sorely missed.

Jeff, Thanks for the kind words...but just a fan like you...

I believe Hendry's contract goes for another three years...maybe 2.

So it is likely that Hendry may have

a position with Rickett's anyway....BUT

Rickett's will definitely have his own management structure installed...and Hendry...could keep his job (unlikely),

be bumped up or downstairs...(ie Ed

Lynch's long term consultancy when he was removed as GM.)

The thing is...He will have a new boss or bosses...and lots of checks and balances. I don't think he alone will have the free hand he's had the last couple of years if he is retained.

Remember, Rickett's is a fan like us...

and he's no dummy to pull this off.

Everyone seems to be complaining about 2B, and rightly so. What about SS? There is an easy way to address both positions and the problems associated with them.

2B: no production and below average defense (unless Blanco is in there). A big problem, especially as second baseman are now required to hit above the Mendoza line (should be Uecker Line).

SS: Theriot may be a productive hitter, but he is not a SS. Horrible range in both directions and a weak throwing arm. Any ball that requires him moving more than 3 steps will likely be a problem. He has committed 14 errors this year, but DLee has saved about 5 or 6 that I can remember.

Solution: Move Theriot to 2B and find a SS who can produce. JH should have done this a long time ago, but for some reason he thinks Theriot is a prototypical SS.

Possible Trades JH could have made:

1. Yunel Escobar-ATL: Bobby Cox doesn't like him, but a change of scenery might do him a favor. ++Arm/Range/Skill, and he can hit.

2. Michael Young-TEX: why didn't JH go after him when they moved him to 3B? He didn't want to do it at first, but after a while he decided to cave in.

3. Orlando Cabrera-OAK: Yes I know he was traded, but JH could have picked him up before the season or at the deadline. Easily.

I could add a few more, but nobody would read it. I know nothing will happen this year, but tell me what you think about making a move next year? Please respond w/ any comments/criticism.

Wilson,T Theriot should really be a 2nd anyway...you're right....and he's not the best...but he is such a gamer and has great heart. I love to watch him.

With Castro coming on strong in the minors at SS...(a true SS) any move in that direction has to be short term...which is what we need right NOW.

If you write it...I'll read it.

I like the guys you mentioned...except Escobar seems to be another"head case"

like Bradley...but definitely an upgrade

to what we have.

I'll let Aaron or somebody more knowledgeable than me address the rest

in regards to SS.

Hopefully Castro continues his ways and we see him in a Sept. call-up. He MIGHT

be the Gordon Beckham of the Cubs and set us up for years at short...Hope so.

Thanks for the response, Suzy. Yeah I have been keeping track of all the talent in the minors, and from what I gather it looks like we have a few promising SS in our system. We have Castro like you mentioned, DJ Lemehieu, and Hak Ju Lee. Who knows if the latter two will end up at SS for good, but Lemehieu and Lee look like future middle infielders for sure. I know Lee is young at 20, but so far his numbers are great. BA, OBP, OBPS, stolen bases, BA w/ RISP, and good against lefties and righties. I wish we could get an update on him--I haven't heard much about him.

I just don't like waiting around for the talent to develop while Ramirez, Lee, Soriano, and Bradley (hardly worth mentioning) continue to age.

and the dreaded goat has got to go

The Yankees acquired Chad Gaudin from the Padres according to ESPN 1000.

GOOD!!! Send them Miles/Gathright/Freel/

Bradley/Vizcaino...and while we're at it

Gregg. I hate the Yankees...always did...always will...GO BOSTON!!!

I just wanted to say I've really enjoyed coming to this site over the last few months and reading everyone's well-thought out, informed posts (particularly Aaron's and Suzy's).

I have a rather ominous question for anybody who'd like to answer it. If the Cubs somehow miraculously win the Central - and I personally see little chance of that happening, as much as I'd like to see it - does anyone think Hendry could actually save his job? I shudder at the thought.

And I hope it won't be too hot in Colorado so Lou can't use weather again for the excuse for lack of effort/intensity.

Yeah, but it's so high...do you think the air is to thin?

Aaron Miles High?lol

For those excited by our 14-6 record since the AllStar break, think of who we've beaten. The Nats and Reds. I'll get really excited when they beat someone of sound caliber, and consistently.

Bryan...we'll know in a week's time...

Col/Philly

Absolutely agree. For the 7 games referenced, I think anything less than 5-2 would be uninspiring. The team needs 3 of 4 at Colorado and 2 of 3 against the Phils at home.

How about 3 out of 4 from the Astros who were on their heels at the time?

The Astros are reeling, and were never (and are not now) a legitimate playoff looking team.

Last night in the wee hours...I had a 1 or 2 page ranting post...,more Aaronesque

then Aaron...(no offense Aaron...I do love your posts).

The Cubs, for some reason...have always had a difficult time with rookie pitchers....Combine that with the

obvious fact that we didn't have our best lineup out there...and rarely do...

so the frustration with havung the

Golden Apple in front of us...and not be able to take that bite...was immense.

In the Big picture this year...if Hendry

had made his off season moves...Just a little differently...we might have been so far ahead of the Cards...that their management might not have gone after Halliday. That Hendry screwed up so badly with Gregg/Bradley/Miles...AND we are still in first place...is a great tribute to our pitching staff and grit

of the position players.

The Bullpen has...all by themselves...

cost us 17 games or late inning leads this year....It's not all Gregg...nor is any bullpen perfect

I don't know the league average...but let's split the difference...I think it fair to say if our Bullpen were better...

we would have won 9 more games.

Replace Bradley with either Ibanez/Abreau/Dunn (and take away the divisive nature of Bradley)keep Dero

over Miles...and we are easily up by 15 - 20 games.

OR Sign no rightfielder in the off

season...fill in with Hoffpauir/Fuld...

...possibly we pick up Halliday if they didn't cut it...and we're still up

15 - 20 games with a legit World Series

juggernaut. Umm (we had that last year...

remember?)

That's the true frustration with this team.

We have a chance now...but it xould have been so much better...and we know it.

Instead, we have Miles/Bradley/Gregg.

It's August. Hendry/Lou...it's not too late...make the right moves now...

PLEASE.

If we can't get a decent waiver deal for

second/ss...scour the minors mlb wide

and expend our prospects to give Fontenot

and Theriot the solid help they need.

(EY Jr. ?)

Give Miles away and pay his salary as a throw in to whatever deal you make.

Bradley's not going anywhere...at least until the offseason...sit him/DL him...

give FOX/Hoffpauir his lost opportunity.

Put Guxman at closer now....Yes, he'll

blow a few as a (rookie closer...until

he gets his feet under him,,,But he'll be awesome in theplayooffs and gives

us a better chance than Gregg's straight

fast balls.

Send Shark down/Stevens back up....and plan to get a September look see at

Gaub/Castro/Cashner.

Since Hendry overpays and ET Jr won't come cheap...offer Tony Thomas/Tyler Colvin and a mid level arm...that should get it done....quality for quality...

and a World Series.

Make the moves boys...and all will be forgiven if you get us to that hallowed land.

I love your trade for EY Jr., and I think with the Rockies and their uncertainty surrounding Brad Hawpe's tenure with the team, might be interested in taking a flier on someone like Colvin. However, I think you're shooting a little low there. It'd take far more than Colvin and Thomas to get it done. I think it'd be more like Colvin and Mateo or Colvin and Sean Marshall, or Colvin and Gaub/Stevens (and perhaps the likes of W. Castillo, Jay Jackson, Hak Ju Lee, etc.)...so, in other words, if you don't put up, you're not getting him. The Rockies, mind you, turned down a Pirates offer of Grabow straight up for him...so you can clearly see they value him a LOT. We essentially gave up Kevin Hart and Josh Harrison straight up for Grabow. (it was essentially Ascanio for Gorzelanny according to reports for the rest of the deal), so you better think along those lines PLUS some to get EY Jr.

I don't even think Colvin's on any single one of our top prospect lists put out there. He's slightly average in terms of talent.

You're absolutely right about the big picture too...Hendry royally screwed us over in the offseason. I mean, c'mon Gregg/Miles/Gathright/Bradley/Heilman was supposed to replace:

Wood/Fontenot(b/c he became a starter)/Pie/DeRosa/Howry...yikes!!! I could see Heilman being an upgrade over Howry, and Gathright being a wash with Pie, but the rest.....c'mon!!!!!!! Even if you went by "career year" type of numbers, Gregg, Miles, and Bradley couldn't hold up to Wood, Fontenot, and DeRosa.

I've analyzed the deals for you before. Swap DeRosa for Bradley, and you gain $5 million. Swap Wood for Gregg, and you lose $5 million=wash (so far). Swap Pie for Gathright, and you gain $400,000. Swap Fontenot (in reality...if you'd kept DeRosa, it'd be this way) for Miles, and you gain $2.1 million=gain of $2.5 million so far. Swap Howry for Heilman=wash.

Then, he swapped Marquis ($9.5 million) for Vizcaino ($4 million) and had to eat $1 million of Marquis' salary, so we lost $4.5 million that way. So, if you're following, that equals $2 million that we lost.

If he would've non-tendered Gaudin, which was the obvious move given the depth we had already, then it would've been close to a wash just with getting rid of Marquis.

Here were the lefties we had on the roster at the end of the season last year:

Hoffpauir-IF/OF

Fontenot-IF

Koyie Hill-Catcher

Fukudome-OF

Pie-OF

Edmonds-OF

Hendry went and spent $13.5 million on Gathright, Miles, Bako (buyout), and Bradley, none of whom can hit and/or get on base against righties (or lefties for that matter...aside from Bradley). We had perfectly suitable options in house, and like SuzyS said....the real damning thing here is that we couldn't go after an available hitter at the deadline, because we had too much money committed in no-trades, etc.

Miles and Bradley are paid $12.5 million combined to be bench players at this point. Bako's $200k buyout was both foolish and unnecessary given we already had Koyie Hill and other internal options to back-up Soto. Gathright's contract is also a sunk cost of $800k.

Talk about your all time 0-fers. It's surprising that Hendry even has a job right now, given how everything he touched this year turned to crap. EVERYTHING. I can't think of a single GM in history where every single move he made in the offseason or during the season, turned to crap...I really can't, and I pay attention to almost everything going on in the league.

To think all of this could've been avoided if we'd held onto DeRosa. We wouldn't have Miles. We wouldn't have Bradley's attitude or albatross contract. We wouldn't have issues with filling in for ARAM when he went down, etc. And we still would've had a crack at Abreu at the very least. All Hendry had to do was look at his depth chart and see that both Fox and Hoffpauir were deserving of shots, and it all would've worked out. But now, all told, we're saddled with $35.5 million of immovable contracts (not pro-rated) in Miles and Bradley. DeRosa's contract would've been off the books anyway after this season. Would it really have hurt to keep him?

I can't stand Hendry, nor ANY of his moves he made.

Aaron, going forward...just to fix ss/2nd

at this point in time...waivers/minors...besides EY Jr.,

who or what else is a viable GOOD option

to help Theriot/Fontenot...NOW?

Assume Miles is going.

The Cubs have also always seem to have problems with soft throwers. Last year Jamie Moyer made us look awful,To often the are over swinging and not making pitchers work.

Second I like Kosuke leading off as long as he doesn't try to steal.

Third I know Lou wants rest his key people, but three times this year he has rested people during a winning streak always resulting in a loss. I hate when he makes moves to give up mighty MO.

Finally Lou's dedication to his starters also works with his coaches. I have seen enough of the Larry Rothchild pitching staff. If one player can't throw strikes thats a pitcher problem. If they all can't thats a coach problem.

When is the next owners meeting and will the Cubs be a subject there.

Yesterday's game at the end of a productive week was exactly kind of game that depresses me to no end about the Cubs. Here comes my best Eeyore, I apologize in advance. But seriously, after that pathetic display of baseball from the players on the field to the manager on the bench what tells you that they are the kind of team that is truly hungry to FINALLY win for real? Nothing. Flat all the way around.

And I don't want to hear any excuses. None. Yes, we know it is a marathon, that is the POINT not an EXCUSE. Someone always wins the marathon, ALWAYS, and it is the best team with the most heart. So don't give me that crap. I was hot in Florida. WHaaaaa!!!!! It's hot EVERYWHERE in August and it always has been. Shut-up Lou and the rest of you. Last night is when Lou should have lashed that team. I don't care if was the second string line-up, the Reds are terrible right now, and Justin Lehr is essentially a AAA pitcher, and winning teams' have benches that can beat AAA pitching. No more excuses. I think Lou is more tired of it all than he says his players are.

OK, I'll try to get to a couple positives: DLee IS the man. I love him, he plays with heart, he plays through pain, and he leads. He has one more year and I hate to hear people talk about how they have to trade him. That is ridiculous. Aramis is THE OTHER man.

Theriot is a gamer and we are damn lucky to have a guy that plays so hard everyday. He isn't oozing with talent, but gets his job done. Think of how much better he would be if he just started at 2B everyday. An athletic, young SS should at the top of the wish list this winter.

Hendry should put Bradley, Miles and Fontenot on waivers TODAY. No one will claim either most likely, but you never know. I seriously think Texas wouldn't mind having Milton back, and I bet he wishes he were still there.

What a strange feeling...we are in first place but it does not feels like it. But maybe Paul K is on to something here...we have had a good stretch after the allstar but we have not really look like a Hot team...but what if they catch fire within the next week or so? I don't think anybody expects the Cubs to win the World Series this year SO THIS MIGHT BE JUST WHAT THEY NEED. Last year everybody expected us to atleast get there and we sucked! This time around we might catch fire under the radar.

Dear God; Let Fox Play on a daily basis..thanks.

The way I see it, if the Cubs stay close to .500 on the road and take care of business at home the rest of the way, they'll end up with 90 wins.

I'm not sure if that gets them into the playoffs or not, but in hindsight, with all the injuries they've had this season, that would be quite an accomplishment. You can't say that many teams can lose arguably their best hitter for 2 months, have 4/5 of their starting rotation on the DL at some point this year, and still win 90 games.

Don't take this as me saying I would be satisfied with the Cubs not making the playoffs or that I am less of a fan because I'm not demanding a World Series title. I want both of those to happen, and unlike most people here, I still believe that can happen this year.

Thanks Paul, I feel exactly the same way. I really like the fact that they are 14-6 after the All-Star Game. Every team has bumps and they have had their share of them this year. A lot has been said about the relief pitching, and for sure it should be better, but in most cases I think the offense has let us down this year. It is amazing what their record is if they score 3 runs a game. There just has been too many men left on bases in crucial situations. But imagine what a team it would be if Bradley and Soriano were hitting at or near their lifetime averages. I still think they are going to the playoffs and we all know that it is a crap shoot when the playoffs start. I am still positive. GO CUBS!

That surprises me to no end that the Royals DFA'd Freel. He wasn't even doing poor; he hit when they started him, was stealing bases, and not getting picked off or making baserunning blunders. Basically, he did everything that he didn't do with the Cubs. I guess they must be trading him to a contender that can use a productive Ryan Freel for a better prospect than what we got.

So goes A-Ram, So goes the Cubs... The guy is an RBI machine and it seems like whenever he is hitting the rest of the guys follow...A-Ram is the heart and soul of this team, with D-Lee right behind him... A-Ram is the MAN!!!!

So Ryan asked for his release, but we released Waddell as well? He was impressive when he was called up. Anyone know what gives?

I also saw that Freel was designated for assignment as well.

In "Give Away Day" (last night's recap),

Neil provides a link re Waddell.

Reading it now. Thanks!!

You're right Brian, they have been a better team since the break. But what was last night all about? A little Deja-Vu just so we don't get too cocky? Or just a nod to Aaron so he can say "I told ya so"? Whatever it was, I hope we don't see too much of that the rest of the year.

Lou's comments in the Tribune today...

"Piniella theorized the players were "tired" after experiencing some hot weather in Florida last weekend."

Here we are vying for 1st place, and we have a manager who makes these types of comments/excuses.

Typical, Lou can't motivate his team in crunch time!

You're up late Brian.

Im going to the 3 first games at Colorado this weekend! I haven't been reading too much from this site but has anyone talked about sending Dempster back to the closer roll? Maybe this will happen when Lilly comes off the DL?