Game One Hundred-Ten - Cubs 5 Rockies 11
WP - Jorge De La Rosa (10-8) LP - Tom Gorzelanny (4-2) Save - None
The Cubs completed the 10-game, three-city trip with a disappointing 4-6 record after losing the wrap around series to the Rockies. Tom Gorzelanny could not follow up his solid debut and left in the second inning with a bruised right foot. Gorzelanny reportedly went to the hospital for x-rays after getting hit on the foot by a combacker off the bat of Dexter Fowler. X-rays were negative and Gorzelanny will make his next start.
For as effective as Gorzelanny was against the Reds, he was equally as ineffective against the Rockies. Gorzelanny surrendered six hits to the 10 batters he faced in 1 1/3 innings. Two of the six hits were home runs by Troy Tulowitzki and Clint Barmes.
Esmailin Caridad was called up on Monday afternoon from Iowa and made his big league debut a couple of hours later. Caridad took one for the team. After an extremely shaky start, Caridad settled down for a few innings before departing in the seventh inning. Caridad allowed three runs, two earned, on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings with a walk, an error, a hit batsman and four strikeouts. Caridad threw 78 pitches, 49 for strikes, and really saved the Cubs' pen.
Aaron Heilman added insult to injury and allowed the game to get ugly. Heilman gave up two more runs in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI single by Troy Tulowitzki.
Troy Tulowitzki had a career night. Not only did he become the fifth player in Rockies history to hit for the cycle, Tulowitzki was a perfect 5-for-5 with a career-high seven RBI. Tulowitzki took advantage of two poor plays in left by Alfonso Soriano to earn the cycle.
The Rockies truly outplayed the Cubs in every facet of the game throughout the series, and once again on Monday night. The Cubs offense was pathetic on Monday, until the ninth inning ... 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position, stranded 13 base runners for the second game in a row. When the game was still in question, the Cubs loaded the bases in the first and second innings and came away empty ... and for a third time in the eighth. All three times they came away without a single run.
The Cubs only run off of Jorge De La Rosa came courtesy of Geovany Soto in the sixth inning. Soto hit his ninth home run of the season, a solo shot to left for his first hit since returning from the DL.
The Cubs offense woke up in the ninth against Huston Street. They scored four runs off the Rockies' closer ... and if not for a tremendous catch on a ball hit by Geovany Soto in center by Dexter Fowler, the Cubs might have plated a couple more runs. Mike Fontenot collected a pinch-hit RBI double, Jake Fox singled in Milton Bradley and Geovany Soto's long drive to center ended up plating Mike Fontenot. Jeff Baker drove in the Cubs final run with an infield single.
On his career night, Troy Tulowitzki fielded a grounder off the bat of Koyie Hill and threw to Garrett Atkins to end the game.
The Cubs will limp home beat up and hopefully ready to start playing ball again on Tuesday night.
The four-game series in Colorado ended up being a very costly one for the Chicago Cubs. Not only did they fall three full games behind the Cardinals with Monday loss, they placed Carlos Zambrano on the DL, lost Aramis Ramirez for at least three games and possibly Tom Gorzelanny ... while the bullpen logged 20 innings in the four games, with the only positive start coming from Ryan Dempster.
The Cubs also played extremely sloppy baseball during the series and over used their bullpen. The defense committed another error on Monday night, their sixth straight with at least one miscue ... and over the last three games of the series, six unearned runs crossed the plate.
After the Cubs loaded the bases with two outs in the first inning and came away empty, Tom Gorzelanny took the hill in the bottom half. Gorzelanny retired Dexter Fowler and Ryan Spilborghs on three pitches but Todd Helton blooped a single into left ... Alfonso Soriano could not get to the weak fly.
Troy Tulowitzki followed and launched a 2-1 pitch from Gorzelanny over the wall in left ... 2-0 Rockies.
Gorzelanny got out of the first and the Cubs offense loaded the bases again in the second inning. Sam Fuld singled to center, Gorzelanny sacrificed him to second and Theriot walked ... Theriot's free pass was the third issued by De La Rosa in the first two innings. Milton Bradley was robbed on a diving stop by Garrett Atkins on a ball ticketed for the left field corner. With the bases loaded and two outs, Derrek Lee struck out swinging to end the inning.
The Rockies put the game out of reach in the bottom half of the second. Clint Barmes hit his 16th home run over the wall in left on a 0-2 pitch from Gorzelanny. Yorvit Torrealba followed with a double to left on a 2-2 pitch. Jorge De La Rosa then blooped a single into shallow left.
With runners on first and third with one out, Dexter Fowler hit a smash back to the mound. The ball appeared to hit Gorzelanny in the foot but he fielded the ball and tried to throw home. Torrealba would have been out by a mile, but Gorzelanny fell to the ground as he was trying to throw the ball. Torrealba scored, 4-0 and Gorzelanny left the game.
Esmailin Caridad replaced Gorzelanny and made his big league debut.
Ryan Spilborghs flied out to left but Todd Helton walked to load the bases. Troy Tulowitzki launched the first pitch from Caridad down the line in left. The ball was called foul but after a visit from Jim Tracy, the umpires reviewed the call.
The first reviewed call for the Chicago Cubs.
After a four minute and ten second delay, the ball was ruled foul.
On the very next pitch, Tulowitzki singled to left and drove in De La Rosa and Fowler with the Rockies' fifth and sixth runs. Brad Hawpe struck out swinging but the damage had been done.
Caridad faced the minimum in the third but the Rockies offense cranked it back up in the fourth. Ryan Spilborghs singled to left with one out. Todd Helton followed with a single to left center. Caridad uncorked a wild pickoff attempt of Helton, who was a step off the bag, Spilborghs scored and Helton advanced to third. Tulowitzki followed with a hustle double that plated Helton with the Rockies' eighth run.
Troy Tulowitzki completed his cycle with a leadoff triple off Caridad in the seventh. Tulowitzki hit the ball down the left field line, hustled out of the box and as soon as Soriano bobbled the ball, the cycle became reality. Tulowitzki scored on a double by Brad Hawpe.
Aaron Heilman, not to be outdone, gave up the Rockies final two runs after loading the bases in the bottom of the eighth. Tulowitzki completed his night with a single to center that plated the Rockies final two runs.
The offense showed a little life in the ninth down 11-1. Ryan Theriot singled to center. Milton Bradley walked. Mike Fontenot pinch hit for Derrek Lee and doubled to left off of Huston Street. Theriot scored the Cubs second run.
Jake Fox followed with a single to center, Bradley scored and Fontenot stopped at third.
Dexter Fowler robbed Geovany Soto of at least a double. Fowler ran full speed into the padding in center to haul in the ball. Fowler left the game after lying on the ground for a short time. Mike Fontenot tagged and scored the Cubs' fourth run.
Alfonso Soriano followed with a double to right ... on a ball Brad Hawpe usually catches. The ball popped out of his glove and was originally ruled an error. Fox had to hold but ended up at third. Jim Tracy replaced Street with Joe Beimel.
With runners on second and third with one out, Jeff Baker drove in Fox with a single up the middle ... Clint Barmes kept the ball in the infield. Beimel then struck out Sam Fuld and retired pinch-hitter Koyie Hill on a grounder to short.
The Cubs will be back at Wrigley on Tuesday night.
Rich Harden will face J.A. Happ in the first of three against the Phillies on Tuesday night under the lights at Wrigley Field.
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Neil, thanks for the write up.
I'm sure it was difficult to watch the whole thing and then rehash it.
Depending on if you use the mlb box
or the yahoo box the Cubs lob was 21
or 20 respectively.
Either way...putrid baseball.
"Z"'s non-start Friday and ARAMs shoulder
sent repercussions throughout the series.
The Cubs are unwraveling in front of us.
Unless Lou can find a way to right this ship...rumor has it (as JimK would say)
that Wednesday is "Fat Lady Day" at
Wrigley...and they are all preparing to sing.
Suzy, you are welcome.
On the LOB - look at the total line at the bottom, not the player's totals. The players totals were 21 but as a team, 13 left on base.
Thanks for catching that...just woke up.
Dorasaga, thanks for the info on the Luis Tiant story...I missed it since
I turned off the computer early last night...Hope they replay it sometime.
I am not justifing the Cubs performance this last week. However who ever scheduled the Cubs in Miami in late July and then turn around and go to Colorado did them no favors.
WOW, that is all I have to say. WOW!
I have never seen a Cub team that I disliked more. My God! And, as all of you, I have seen bad bad bad teams. But at least they showed up!
I have seen one game in about a week, Sunday's, and it was a JOKE! I did not even care to watch last night, when I checked MLB network, I thought they were showing highlights of Sundays game, except it was dark, but the score was the same. Unbelievable!
Once again the Sox make moves, UGH! And on the North side...NOTHING!!!
What is that pounding, it is relentless...Oh yeah, it's the nails being pounded into the Hendry, Piniella, Rothschsuck, Tribune, Zell, CRAP era! WOW!
Amass a multi million dollar payroll, a recognized name at the helm, and back to back NL Central titles, and blow the whole damn thing up! Infest it with disease, so much so that the undying faithful of this team...HATES 1/2 of your players, your manager takes a nap for the first 80+ games of the season, and your GM sits and watches the debacle.
REBUILD REBUILD REBUILD REBUILD
Hurts to even say it, but Go Cubs Go...no really...Just Go!
For the record, my allegiances are
1)CUBS by far
2)Red Sox
3)White Sox...I don't hate them/I don't love them...I hate the rabid Sox fans that hate the Cubs...In my prime...going to pro ballgames...I'd average 18-20 Cubs
games/6-7 Sox games...(when I lived in Chicago area....and the only reason I started with the Sox...is they signed Carlton Fisk...that lived 7 miles away from me in NH...and about the same when he moved out here.
I know some on this site hate the White Sox...like I hate the Yankees...but give me a break here...I am a true Cubs fan
above all else.
That being said...I am very envious of
the White Sox GM...Kenny Williams.
-Bold moves...always with an eye to the World Series.
-Ultimate poker player...you never know what cards he's playing until he lays them down...(not months of talking about Brian Roberts/Jake Peavy etc with little results.
-Admits mistakes...he screws up...but admits when he does and moves on to the next thing to make the team better.
- Moves are always shrewd,and sharp with the elements of risk clearly identified.
...So the fans can buy into the logic of the move.
-The acquisitionm of Rios reminds me of when they first got Dye...he was coming of a poor season also.
There's only one Kenny Williams...but I really hope Ricketts can install a GM
that is cut from the same ilk...we need new blood...Top to bottom.
It's going to be ugly for a while...
but as surely as the forcast for tonight
is "Dark followed by Dawn", the Cubs
will rise again.
GO CUBS.
Every day is groundhog day when this team is on the road. The writing for this season is on the wall.
Went on vacation last Tuesday and just returned yesterday. I didn't get to see any basebdall, and when I got back yesterday the first thing I did was check on how the Cubs did. I should have stayed on vacation.
I used to be a fan of Hendry, but now, I hope the new owner runs him out of town so dang fast.
As far as Ramirez goes, just put him on the DL and let Fox take over at third. If we can keep ground until September then activate Ramirez again, but we can not continue to play short.
At this point I strongly agree that they should DL Aramis and not risk further damage to his shoulder. He isn't healthy and it is not right to risk the long term health of your only franchise player (that is worth a crap) for this sinking ship. Plus, I think Fox -with everyday at bats- will probably be as productive as Aramis at 75%. Maybe not, but wouldn't you like to find out?
I am one who has also been screaming for Hendry to be fired as the first move under new ownership. But he is under contract for 3 MORE YEARS! Does anyone know what it would take to get rid of him? Is the only option to fire him and pay off the contract? His 3 years left are less expensive than one year of any of the awful contracts he's handed out.
Another reason to pull Aramis...it is a very simple and honest way to start slowly changing the direction of this team early. It is not "giving up" as I've heard mentioned here. If the move that takes one of your only -maybe ONLY- offensive weapon out of the lineup is due to concern over long term health, then that is all it is. Who here doesn't want to see Fox get 150 ABs down the stretch? They HAVE to see what he can do on a daily basis. His performance ought to be a key to how re-shaping this team will happen. Worst case, he continues to display the hitting prowess we've seen and is showcased for a trade. Then, the next step would be to DL Soriano (for a "tired ass"), and get a platoon going in LF that includes Fox/Fuld/Hoffy.
I know trading Soriano will take a lot of hard work on the part of the new GM, but if a suitable replacement is found within, i.e. Fox, it would be easier to stomach swallowing a large portion of Soriano's contract. SF is still the best looking option...and I've turned the corner on accepting Zito. Do it.
Just some thoughts on what next. Because I really don't feel like bemoaning how poor the current team's play is anymore. As Cub fans, it is part of our fabric, but I'd like to accept that this season is in the bad, and start talking about positive changes that could be made.
The moves this past winter and the way this team has been managed has set this franchise back at least 3 to 4 years and maybe more. It makes me sick to see st. louis get a guy like holiday that can hit and catch a fly ball for less than waht we are paying a guy that would be a poor outfielder on a softball team down the street. These next few years are going to be tough unless a miracle worker can come in and get rid of some of these overpaid bums we have on our team (zambrano, soriano, bradley, fukudome,and dempster).
There is no hope for a season in which we had no chance to begin with. I've already documented at length the reasons why Bradley, Miles, Gregg, Heilman, and Gathright (which turned into Freel, which turned into Baker) wouldn't even come close to getting us to the postseason. It turns out I was right. All 5 struggled early on, and only Bradley, with a 1 1/2 months left this season seems to be "turning" (which is pretty loose, considering he still can't get a hit under pressure, usually striking out, and his average is still about .260). I lamented the losses of DeRosa, Wood, and Edmonds, along with essentially swapping Pie for Gathright, which I never understood at all. And though I wanted to get rid of Marquis 100%, I thought we got robbed, trading a decent 5th starter (albeit, overpaid 5th starter) that did nothing but eat innings, for a journeyman reliever that was WAYYYYYYYYYYYYY overpaid (Vizcaino). I just didn't get it.
We all know DeRosa's value to the team, and given the fact that Hendry stated we're in a "win now" mode (which was his justification for getting rid of all the prospects in the Harden trade, then Pie, Hill, and Cedeno), it makes the move even more contradictory.
DeRosa, btw, has 21 hr, 63 RBI this year (8 hr, 13 RBI with the Cardinals in just 25 games...good enough for a home run about every 12 AB's).
Hendry most certainly killed the heart of this team when he got rid of Wood and DeRosa, and neglected to bring back Edmonds as well.
I can almost guarantee you that if we had DeRosa, these RISP situations with less than 2 out, and coming up empty, would be few and far between. You have to admit that dude had a knack for getting the runs across, and finding a way to jumpstart the team. Imagine how many RBI he'd have with the Cubs right now...just think about it. The Indians sucked so bad, and couldn't get on base, while we had the opposite problem---we were getting on base, but getting stranded every damn time. Right now, he'd rank 2nd on our team in hr AND RBI, which is pathetic, considering that Soriano ($18 million) and Bradley ($10 million) have 27 home runs and 77 RBI COMBINED (which is 4 more home runs and 3 more RBI than Lee...and 6 more home runs, and 14 RBI more than DeRosa right now...and the worst part about it, is they make a combined $28 million, while DeRosa makes $5 million.....)
Anyway, I hate this team right now more than anything...from top to bottom. It's a horrible, incredible waste of time to watch them, yet we all come back to feed from the trough day after day, just hanging on hope that today is the day they turn it around. Well, we're in the second to last month of the season folks, and they have yet to give us reason to believe in them...sorry to say.
In fact, now would be a good time to talk about next year. What do we do? I think I'm fully on board with blowing the entire thing up and starting from scratch. I'd keep almost all the 20-something players on the roster, but anyone over 30 MUST go. That means we'd have a roster like this:
Rotation: Z, Gorzelanny, Wells, Caridad
Pen: Samardzija, Marshall, Guzman
Marmol
position players: Fontenot, Theriot, Fox, Fuld, Hoffpauir, Soto, Baker
*out of those 20-somethings, I probably wouldn't want Fontenot (unless reserve role), Caridad, Gorzelanny, or Baker on the team.
Of the 30-somethings we have, I'd only want ARAM and Koyie Hill back.
That means, we'd have 3 spots in the rotation to fill; 3 spots in the pen to fill; 6 position spots to fill. We'd need a starting first baseman, starting 2nd baseman, and starting LF, CF, and RF, and one bench player. Only Jake Fox projects to be a regular at this point, so he could fill one of those roles.
I would do everything in my power to land Adam Dunn this offseason. Reportedly, he's taken to first base really well this year. I'd then let my young guys (Tony Thomas, Darwin Barney, Starlin Castro, Ryan Flaherty, DJ Lemahieu, etc. battle it out for 2B next spring and in fall ball). After that, I'd go after Mitchell Moreland of the Rangers system, who can play OF and 1B, and I'd also go after Chris Davis of the Rangers, who can play 3B and 1B. I'd try to find a lead-off type for CF, and go after a veteran like Rick Ankiel or Jermaine Dye for the other OF spot.
I'd trade Soriano straight up for Zito, so we'd need just 2 more starting pitchers, which I'd select from: Samardzija, Jay Jackson, Andrew Cashner, and whoever else starts coming on late this year. I'd fill the last 3 pen spots entirely from within, with the exception of Joe Beimel or Rafael Betancourt.
Players that could net us prospects in return: Lee (certainly now, given his rebound this year), Dempster, Lilly, Fukudome, Bradley (as crazy as this might sound...if you could get a guy like Dunn, or another major RBI threat, and as much as I hate Bradley, if he does his thing like he's been doing in the 2 hole, we might even keep him if nobody takes his whole contract). We net draft picks for John Grabow, and that's about it. I'd never risk offering arbitration to Heilman or Gregg...it's simply not a wise idea, as they'd most likely accept.
This team HAS to be turned over though. If Hendry was that idiotic for getting rid of half of the team that netted 97 victories last year, imagine the uproar if he doesn't do the same, if not more, for a team that can't even make the playoffs?
First off, I am a very optimistic fan and a huge Soriano supporter, which is why I can believe I am about to say this. I think it is time to trade Soriano to whoever will take him, I think it was Aaron who suggested Soriano for Zito, do it!
Then I go after Dunn and Guzman from the Nationals, they both solve two big problems we have. Put Guzman at short and move Theriot to second. Then you walk out a lineup of
1. Theriot - 2nd
2. Bradely - RF
3. Lee - 1st
4. Dunn - LF
5. Dome - CF
6. Fox - 3rd (put Ramirez on the 15 DL)
7. Guzman - SS
8. Soto - C
Now you only have ONE guy hitting under .260 instead of three and you have three power threats in the lineup. And if Lou doesn't want two lefty's hitting back to back switch Dome and Fox.
Like I said, I can't beleive I said that about Soriano and I really hope he proves me wrong by going on a huge tearer the rest of the season.
no...just posted recently. That would've been JimK's original idea. He also thinks trading Z to the BoSox is a good idea, which I would have to agree with at this point, considering we need young prospects to start over, and Z has a TON of value around the league...I just think he's extremely underappreciated by the majority of Cubs fans, mostly because of his childish behavior....but the dude is a stud, and he averages ERA's well under 4 and over 200 innings per season. He's a horse. But JimK's right...all that abuse on his arm, his recent injuries, his childish behavior...it all adds up, and we need to get good value in return for him, and not wait like we did with Sosa until he completely lost all value.
The Zito-Soriano trade makes the most sense for both parties in my opinion. Both have similar deals. Both have similar money. Both haven't lived up to their contracts. The Cubs have injuries to their rotation, and the Giants need offense. It makes SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much sense
Sorry about that, I thought it was one of you two. It does make a lot of sense for both teams.
Nick, I like your ideas...just think they'll never happen though. Has Hendry ever made a decent trade where he's not acquiring from a team like the Pirates, who were having firesales?!? I guess the Harden trade comes to mind...but we got Gaudin specifically in that deal, BECAUSE Harden was injury prone....so, that can't really be considered a great deal, especially since it hasn't really paid dividends for us. Can you name a recent good trade the guy has made? Don't tell me "Freddie Bynum for Kevin Hart"...I'm talking about MLB deals made to improve our ballclub. Still searching? That's because he HASN'T...in fact, he hasn't made a good trade since he swapped Todd Hundley for Karros and Grudz, and pilfered the Pirates for ARAM and Lofton...That was over 6 years ago, folks!
He simply does not have the intelligence to make the logical trades. Instead, he spends his entire offseasons going after players we have no shot at getting in the first place, like Brian Roberts and Jake Peavy. Rumor has it, it would've cost something like Rich Hill, Ronny Cedeno, Matt Murton, and Felix Pie for Brian Roberts, and Hendry refused to pull the trigger because Hill was included in the deal. Now, that might've made sense to not pull the trigger on that, but since Cedeno, Murton, and Pie were blocked on the team, and we already had Rich Hill Jr. (Sean Marshall) on the team....why would you not pull the trigger?!? Now, I'm not saying that's not a lot to give up for a player of his caliber, but we needed a leadoff hitter badly, and he fit the bill, and all the other players were blocked. It's like the Harden deal. I thought Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and Donaldson were a lot to give up for an injury prone player, yet, I thought it wasn't all that bad, because they were all blocked on our roster.
Cubs management continues to mishandle their minor league system. I agree there are certain talents that you simply cannot afford to trade (based on expiring contracts, injuries, etc.), but if you have a chance to improve your team with a top PROVEN MLB talent that you at least have under control for more than 1 year, then you HAVE to do it. It's why I hated the trade the Brewers made for Sabathia (from their perspective), because they gave up a LOT of talent for a guy under control for just 2 1/2 months of the 2008 season. It's why having Harden and Gaudin under control for 2 seasons (with arbitration) was a better move for the Cubs.
I just don't think Hendry thinks in those terms. He doesn't think about projected cost, and the term "selling high" on talent isn't even in his vocabulary, and yet, every successful GM in the game employs that strategy. It's a great way to keep payroll down in the future, and keep the team fresh, going after young talent.
Some folks on here seem surprised that we seem lethargic, and out of games right away. You know why we came back in so many contests the past 2 years? It was because we had young guys like Theriot, Fontenot, Hoffpauir, Soto, that came up from AAA, and injected life into the ballclub, often times playing everyday for underperforming veterans. When you have overpaid veterans clogging up the lineup, you really don't have "hunger" to win a championship. The days of veterans like Paul O'Neill, Bernie Williams, etc., veterans that had a burning desire to win at all costs, are long gone in favor of bloated contracts like AROD, Soriano, Zito, etc.---guys that go home after failing, and realize that they don't have to have the desire to win, because money can buy them just about everything else they need in life.
Why do you think ballclubs like the Marlins (2003), Rockies, Rays, etc. have made waves in the postseason recently? They have a strong nucleus of young players that has a never die sort of attitude (like a Randy Wells sort of attitude, where he pitches like every game is his last in the big leagues). They make $400k. They know they have to put everything on the line to set themselves up for the future, and that means, constantly trying to be their best every single day they put on the uniform, in the weight room, in the offseason, etc. Guys like Soriano could care less, and it's reflected in his non-hustle on the field.
btw, Aaron why don't you send your resume
along with some of your posts to Rickett's c/o the Chicago Cubs...can't hurt and he'll love your passion.
Aaron (aka "captain obvious"),
If I had a dime for every time you have patted yourself on the back for predicting the obvious (i.e. last winter's moves were horrendous) we could all retire tomorrow. PLEASE !!!
That's like predicting in April that the Royals and Pirates won't win their divsion and then keep saying all summer " gee, I told you so, I was right again " !! No kidding ?? Gee, thanks.
There isn't one fan on this board, or anywhere else that was enamored with Hendry's moves this past winter.
WE ALL HATED THOSE MOVES WHEN THEY WERE MADE. ALL OF US.
So please stop patting yourself on the back. It's like fingernails on a chalkboard.
Others ask for change and put the miracle worker on speed dial. This old crisis manager, like Cincinnatus comes out of retirement to save the empire.
Z's back and ARAM'S respite were like a deathknell to the (late) rallying Cubs. They have likely punched their ticket to the sad town called "Also Ran". The (had-to-be) risky moves to cure the post-season ills of the team that won 2 division titles (don't forget) contributed to a fatal case of Swine Fool. The team and the baseball gods gave us something like a "grudge pregnancy" this year. That's when someone(s) else has it in for you.
And so it's time to counter attack and make the moves that will restore the mettle of the Blue (sooner or later). It's time to put the peddle to the mettle:
1. Do a waiver deal now with the Red Sox that sends Harden + A level prospects Chirinos (C) and Guyer (CF) to the Sox for Michael Bowden, 22, (AAA RSP), Ryan Kalish, 21, (AA lefty OF--.280-13-59-13 SB) and a mid-level prospect. Bowden compares to Bucholz, is a top 4 prospect from Winfield, IL, and is ready. Kalish has a good chance of being a productive 2, 3, or 5-6 hole hitter in two years (and Bradley's replacement).
2. Rest ARAM (31) for two weeks and then let him demonstrate he still is a key RBI bat. In the post season, trade him to the Angels (who likely lose Guererro) for top SS/3B prospect Brandon Wood (24)--a 25-to 30 HR guy, #2 prospect Trevor Reckling (21, AA LSP) and #15 but rising, corner IF/OF prospect Matt Sweeney. He bats left and throw right, is at Hi A, is excellent defensively and has some power.
Wood can play SS or 3B and is ready now. Wherever he plays now, he could move to 3B when our farm gives us the highly touted Starlin Castro to play SS and Theriot moves to 2nd.
3. In the post season, trade Soriano, Flaherty and Rhee to the Giants for Zito, #6 AA prospect, Henry Sosa (RHP), and Ben Snyder (LRP AA). If Sosa's current injury is serious get an equivalent (top) pitching prospect. Give Jake Fox the LF position.
One lineup would have Dome, Theriot, Lee, Fox, a platoon of Bradley and Hoffpauir, Soto, Wood and a second baseman to-be-determined. Z, D, Lilly, Wells and Zito would be starters.
Bowden, Marshall, Grabow, Guzman and Marmol would be in the pen. Some of Johnson, Hill, Fontenot, Fuld, Baker, Blanco, Samardzija and Gorzelanny would be around. Heilman and Gregg would not. Maybe we do one more deal or add a key free agent.
Guys like our Castro, B. Jackson, Cashner, Vitters, et.al.and others like Kalish, Reckling, Sosa and Snyder would be ready within 1 to 3 years. (Reckling replaces Lilly.) And hope would spring eternal again next April.
Damn, JimK, you've got it all figured out! I think you are the Bizzaro World JimH! Though I do not pretend to know all those prospects you mentioned, I trust that you do. I am just so reluctant to trade Aramis. B Wood has a ton of upside and sure seems ready, but he's been given the "Fox treatment" by Scioscia. Your plan would result in a true "re-building" year or two. Aramis has been my favorite Cub for years, just because he has been the only consistent and professional hitter for years. But no saying Fox doesn't have the same kind of production locked up in his bat. But if you stick Dunn in that line-up you've made...that would be productive.
What about Carl Crawford -he is in a walk year no? I'm sure the Rays would like to get something in return for him rather than just see him go. But they would need a replacement bat for down the stretch...Soriano could DH there and the Cubs could take Kazmir's bad contract off their hands and deal with him later. He's better than Zito. I don't know. I wish there was a way to land CC, but we know that big handing out contracts probably are not in the Cubs near future.
Jim K...I like the overall recommendations. The only switch I would make is that I would keep Ramirez, move him to 1B, and then move Derrick Lee, who's still aging a bit quicker.
But I love your sound suggestions. Intriguing.
Who's your manager and GM?
I too am on board with the Zito for Soriano trade. Both would easily fly through waivers, so there would be no reason to wait until after the season. I think Zito would have much more value to the Cubs as a 4th or 5th starter (or even a reliever)than Soriano currently has. Plus, with Soriano gone, I know a certain free agent left fielder that would look pretty good in a Cub uniform.
Of course, we know it will never happen because Soriano is way too selfish to waive his no trade.
what FA LF are you talking about? I don't see any good ones on the list this offseason.
Zito would be FAR more valuable to us than Soriano is...that's for damn sure.
As for who I'd replace Soriano with immediately, I'd have to go with either Hoffpauir or Brad Snyder in LF (actually, Snyder right now...as Hoffy's trying to find his swing again).
I am pretty sure Matt Holliday is a free agent after this season.
Guy's, I'm all for remixing the entire complexion of the team...and right now.
However, there is one fatal flaw in your logic. Hendry is STILL at the helm and Ricketts still doesn't have control yet.
What makes you think Hendry would be any better selling Harden etc, right now...and getting the right prospects/players necessary back...to
identify the right players...and pull the trigger in the right mode?
Epstein and Company would lick their chops and go to town on Mr. Hendry.
Trying to make us better last year(I assume, anyway)...look what he did.
NO, we still have to wait for Ricketts...
to give direction to the club. Even
Kenny Williams has to explain himself to
his owner...so they are all on board
together. At this point, from Hendry...I only want to hear thay took away his checkbook and authority to do anuything.
Next, I want to hear the sale is completed...and JH gets an "Ed Lynch deal to finish off his contract.
Then I want to hear we have a new GM and President that know what they are doing.
We've suffered this long through stupity.
I'm willing to wait another month or 2
before this team begins to remake itself
...the right way...without JH's fingers
in it.
Why do have to be such a downer Suzy? We are playing fantasy Cub's GM ; it is way more fun than playing reality Cubs fan!
Of course there are no guarauntees that anything will happen - sale, new owners, smart owners, new GM, smart front office, re-made team....see....reality sucks! I want to go back to Cubs fantasy land!
Fantasy it is...do we take the World Series in three?
Ah, I see the Dunn lovers are back at it.
:-)
Yes, let's dump Soriano and add the lefthanded version of him (Dunn). That puts us right back to square one.
Brilliant.
What does :-) mean?
smile.
unfortunately, you didn't do your research:
Dunn: .281 avg, .409 OBP, .576 SLG, 58 runs, 108 hits, 23 doubles, 30 hr, 84 RBI, 83 walks, 126 K's
Soriano: .249 avg, .313 OBP, .442 SLG, 61 runs, 106 hits, 25 doubles, 19 hr, 49 RBI, 37 walks, 103 K's
But, yeah, you're right, aren't you...the same player...LOL...there's only about a 40 point difference in average, a 90+point difference in OBP, over 100+point difference in SLG, 10+ home run difference and almost 40+ RBI difference...over 50+walk difference, and Soriano beats Dunn on K's by 23 (which is the only category he's significantly better than Dunn...only thing is, a 70+differential in K's to walks doesn't really help, as Dunn is just 40 off.
$10 million vs $18 million........hmmmmmmm
Actually, Dunn blows BOTH Soriano AND Bradley out of the water COMBINED in terms of offensive production....so, I'd watch your accusations buddy, about Dunn=Soriano, because it is BOGUS
Back when Soriano was stealing 40 bases too, the comparison might have been more difficult,
but based on their 2009 season, there is no contest... Soriano has played like a bum this year -- 19 HR, 8 SB
and what gets Neils Goat most of all:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/fielding/_/position/lf/sort/errors/order/false
His 9 errors in LF ranks DEAD FRIGGING LAST among qualified players
Replys to fellow concerned warriors: DLee, has one year and will likely retire as a Cub after it's over. Forget his leaving! The equally beloved (and fragile) ARAM has to go to get a likely successful rebuild done, and he will be going to a contender.
Soriano would likely find San Francisco acceptable and OK the deal. He knows that he is wearing thin here. We don't have to do a straight Soriano--Zito deal, and I want to exchange some surplus with the Giants in the deal.
JH can OK the Harden trade because it is payroll positive. If ownership is still uncertain later, he could also do the ARAM deal because it is (highly) payroll saving. Unfortunately, Z's situation has diminished his value substantially, so he gets to come back with us. He likely will.
Dunn has a power bat, but I want the younger and likely better fielder, Jake the Rake, in LF. Speaking of free agents, DeRo is one too, and likely affordable. I look for the Cards to spend their money on Holliday and not on DeRo.
Re. GM and manager, I am the GM and JH becomes Assistant to the Chairman. His main responsibility will be ignoring emails and other communications from ranting senders. LOL
Re. Manager, If Lou decides to retire or will take a $1 mil buyout, Suzy is the manager and Ryno is her bench coach and locker room messenger. As soon as Suzy thinks Ryno has learned what he needs to know (but not later than one year hence), Suzy takes her $1 mil buyout and returns to CCO full-time for her further nurturing of Aaron and (from-time-to-time) the rest of us. She also invests some of her money in a restaurant started by a latina and a black woman near Wrigley called "Nacho Mamma!" Are we having fun, yet?
JimK...I'll take that million buyout right now...dfa me...and if it's a restaurant you want...It would have to serve LOBSTA PIE/and CLAM CHOWDA as good as the Union oyster House in Boston.
Of course you could washit all down with some Grog or Glogg and Sam Adams.
Of course it would be called :
"Succulent Suzies Cub Den"
As former manager of both the Cubs and Red Sox...Popeye Zimmer is maitre d and resident lore teller.
Brenley's my manager with Sandberg in the wings...Mark Grace takes Brenley's
place in the studio and Sutcliffe comes back as the pitching coach...possibly
Madduz.
Yes!
Mr "Research",
First off, before I refute your argument, let me say one thing upfront. I am in NO WAY defending Soriano. I think he is a turd, just like Dunn.
I DISLIKE THEM BOTH.
BUT to compare their stats this year is misleading, because Soriano is having the worst year of his life, and is playing hurt, while Dunn is having probbaly his best year.
Look at their career averages, Mr. "research" and you'll see they are basically the same guy.
HR / RBI / Avg / OBP / K
Soriano - 36 / 93 / .279 / .327 / 145
Dunn - 40 / 115 / .250 / .384 / 180
As you can see, Mr. Research, they are very similar.
And oh by the way, neither of them can run, play defense or execute fundamentals.
so I ask you again - Why do you want another guy that can't run, can't play defense, strike out a million times, and won't hit in the clutch against good pitching (i.e playoffs) ???
Why, why, why ??????????????
I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS how many HR's he hits. THEY BOTH SUCK.
I WILL NEVER GET IT.
Does any of your great "research" uncover how many runs he gives the other team with terrible defense ???
The thing that really blows me away about the Dunn love is this.
Every night we watch HORRENDOUS defense in the OF with Soriano & Bradley (and Fuk is good OF, but not fast enough for CF) and see the cubs BLEED runs every night, and yet people keep clamoring for another guy (Dunn) that would probably be even worse in the OF than Soriano.
I think its pretty obvious that the value of good OF defense is pretty important.
So again, why do we want this slug ?
I will never get it.