Neil, keep it up you have more stamina than our 40 man roster!

We were successful today. I came to the point some years ago of not being too critical of good results (that are not achieved as the result of lieing, cheating or stealing).

I have to "pile on" another Gregg embarassment. Thank you, "Big Ernie in the Sky" for sparing me that grief. I do lament missing Micah Money's HR.

My view is that the Ricketts won't stand (mostly) pat for 2010. This is not "Hot Stove League time, but I may have a couple of suggested move (possibilities) for the recap thread.

JimK, I think Ernie Banks might take exception to you calling him "Big Ernie in the Sky". Last I saw, he was not 6 feet under...you might refer to him more

appropriately as "Big Ernie in L.A." lol

SuzyS....God and I know where Ernie Banks is. My reference is to suggest that God has a sense of humor AND that He would like to be Ernie Banks.

And then, recalling the agitated George Hallas who ran up and down the sidelines coaching his team. Red Grange died and found himself playing in an all-timers game on a heavenly football field. The coach was running up and down the field in an agitated manner. Red asked another player who that was and the player answered, "That's God, He thinks He's George Hallas."

If we can MLB to assign our entire 2010 schedule to playing the Bucs including using them as a proxy for other playoff teams we could definitely win the WS on 2010...just to be safe we could pay half of his salary to take Gregg next year.

NATION REPRESENT!

CUBS WIN! CUBS WIN!

OK-let's be real on eating money-soriano is not going anywhere for a loooong time; mcdonough gave him that contract by adding years and money; per his instructions from the tribune co. when in winter of 2006 he was told to make a splash and sign someone since the team would be put up for sale. ask any chicago newspaper writer-mcdonough did the contract; not hendry.(it was in the tribune sunday edition 2 weeks ago confirming this again)

for theriot at 2b; bad idea; have U looked at the SS free agents; orlando cabrera is the best one. the team needs speed; chone figgins to play 2b would be best; followed by orland hudson, and the cheapest option of felipe lopez.

after 2010; lee and lilly FA, bradley would have 1 year left and so would fukudome; so trading either would be easier and less money to eat; this team will be the same next year except for 2b, bullpen help(keep grabow), and the bench. the same nucleus that won in 2007 and 2008; look at all the career worst years this year; no reason to blow the team up nor can they w/ all the long term deals.(soto, soriano, big Z, gregg, miles, 5 DL trips by the SP, ramirez out 2 months, the early bullpen troubles, no wonder ! they are out of it.

finally, marmol-closer for 2010 and beyond. the kid has grown up as closer; no more walking the world and look at his stats; .160 avg. and 35 hits in 65 IP; think about that-30 more innings than hits; that's unreal!

It doesn't matter how much money you pay a player...if he is done, he's done.

So...re Soriano...either he played all season with a knee problem that should have been taken care of in June...or he's aged tremendously and is done...one of the two....I agree Soriano is untradeable at this point...and we will see him next season...but if he starts out next year as he's finished this year,

then the Cubs will not have much choice

but to release him and eat his contract.

If he does rebound...the Cubs would be wise to find a taker at whatever cost savings they can get off the 90 million.

They cannot continue to pay a premier

player's salary to a guy whose very play

results in losses and rally killings.

Heads will roll...and the money is incredible but if he has no redeeming features to his game anymore...then he must go.

Cubs Win!!!

- Only 10 more wins to go to clinch .500

Yippee!!! (Tongue in cheek)

Gregg has become Lou's personal "please fire my tired old ass" billboard. I have no other explination as to why he keeps running Gregg out there.

Hey!!! Had it not been for Gregg, Marmol would not have gotten the save. Let's think positive here.

Gregg gives up a 3 run homer...2 walks before that...You have to wonder if he'll ever right himself. Thank God Hendry didn't give him a 3 years deal.

I really, really hope Ricketts brings a new GM in tow.

I don't trust Hendry...to make the right moves this offseason.

Gregg is PATHETIC!

Nice tack on runs.

Lou's bringing in Gregg with an 8-2 lead...How bold...lol

How prescient of you Suzy

KOYIE!

Amazing how well we play against AAA opponents. Whoppee!

HOFF-POWER!

They needed that one!

The Cubs are tackin' now up 3-0....mostly the result of the little people doing what it takes.

I gotta be trackin for an hour or so on a couple of errands to prep for the Chicago trip on Friday. We and our former Mt. Prospect neighbors will be in the park on Sunday--with tickets purchased at face value from a Skokie guy we met at Cubs spring training 5 years ago. I suppose there's some tradition behind all of that. We're hoping it doesn't rain.

Soriano will be much better (healthier) next year...i have to believe that, he will obviously not be a 40-40 or even a 30-30 guy but just like everyone wrote off Konerko last year when he basically had the same offensive numbers as soriano when he was hurt, he bounced back.

i look for .265-.275 25-30 HRs 10-15 SBs and many more RBIs at the 6th spot for a full season.

SAM FULD IS NOT AN EVERYDAY OF...please, just like we all fell in love with lil babe ruth, mike fontenot until he became exposed...he is a solid defensive replacement but no team with him starting will be a contender.

Z got out of trouble again

So Baker drives in another run and the Cubs lead. He certainly is making his claim for a job somewhere.

I think Soriano could be a .260-25 guy next year in left. I think I'd rather bench him if he doesn't hit. That means we'll have to move Bradley if we don't want Pi.. and Moan playing the corner outfield positions.

This is my last reminder that all are invited to Mullens Bar and Grill in Rogers Park at noon on Saturday, Sept.12th for some chatter, a burger or a salad, a brew and the Lou and Dusty show on T.V. I'll be bringing my 1971 baseball signed by the Cubs team that featured 4 Hall of Famers. Also some "gifted" baseball cards of great Cubs like Dawson, Buckner, Sandberg and Grace to give away. Gramps and I + the trophy wife will be there during a noon to 2 p.m. time frame, and Jim C T.P. is a maybe. If the mood strikes you, just show up.



And did you hear that the Red Sox have traded for and brought up the 28 year old guy with third best BA in the International League (who also has 24 SB's and has only made two errors in the OF all year. And they got him for a PTBNL. Why don't the Cubs ever get a windfall like that???? Why didn't we have a shot at Joey Gathright. LOL

Looking into the future . . .

Yankees - Red Sox - 2009 ALCS - Yankees up 3 games to none - Score tied late in game 4, 2 to 2 - Victor Martinez draws a two out walk - Gathright comes in to pinch run - he steals second - J.D. Drew knocks him in with a single to right - Red Sox win game 4, go onto make another improbable comeback to goto the WS where they sweep the Cardinals.

Jim...I won't be able to make it...will be out of town...but have a great time and tip one for me...

Re 2nd base...other than Hudson (F/A)

I still think we should move Theriot to 2nd and concentrate on SS.

We could start with Blanco...and hope either Castro or Barnes grow into mlb

ready SS (or backups) as the season progresses.

If theCubs resign Grabow as a lefty for the Bullpen...then Marshall could be trade bait towards SS or 2nd...If Theriot isn't moved...He should go back to 2nd...which his natural position.

In regards to moving Riot to 2B....I agree and I know this wouldnt be popular either...but based on what I saw from him in San Diego....I'd consider a flyer on Khalil Greene at SS. He can be had for cheap due to his head issues the last couple years...but he seems to have things under control. He is VERY good defensively....has some power--I could see 20 homeruns from him...and could turn out to be a decent stick.

Joe, it would have to be a very cheap flyer on Greene...it's very possible also

that he could fall into the ex-Cardinal

infielder mold like Miles....and I really don't want to see the Cubs become the "Oakland Raiders" of baseball with head cases...still...you have a valid point.

Joe, 2nd base requires more agility...and will have a ton of chances.

When Soriano had 20 errors he was younger and had his legs...so those 20 could become 40 or more.

2nd is not a place to hide...There is no good answer to Soriano and his contract.

If he does not bounce back early next season offensively...the Cubs have to think about eating his whole contract and releasing him...If he does bounce back offensively...then they can tink about trading him to an AL team as a DH...but even at that they might only recoup 10 or 20 mil of the 90 mil he is owed.

Like you, I've been racking my brain about Soriano...and there are no good solutions....Second is not one of them.

I agree here. Soriano just has to go, whether it's eating the majority of the contract or not.

I can actually live with Bradley in RF for another year, assuming someone lays down the law on behavior, and the strict consequences if he detours.

I think the moveable contracts are Fukodome and Z. I see Fuld similar to a Grady Sizemore mindset, and would like to see him in a full season of playing time in CF, and candidly would like to see a low-cost Reed Johnson as an insurance piece. I still would move the above two contracts mentioned, try to get a Bucholz for Z straight up, and then use the saved money for a full court press on Carl Crawford. I can get excited over a Crawford, Fuld, Bradley outfield next year, and then, if possible financially, try to land an Orlando Hudson, though wouldn't it be great if Blanco could blossom to hit ML pitching consistently.

And then refresh your starting rotation with Wells, Buchholz, Lilly and Dempster, and if Harden goes (as I'd recommend just based on the health factor) then get younger with some live arms in return for his free agency escape.

Besides swallowing (very hard) on Soriano's contract, there is flexible money if someone outside of Hendry (hopefully) can get creative.

Bryan, I agree with your thinking...and I like Reed Johnson...but I think Colvin has finally put it together...and it's time to either give him a shot (in place of Johnson) or trade him to someone that will...

btw...Pie has turned into a .270 hitter

with Baltimore...with great defense. He's not really the answer...but it can be argued that Pie's failure begat Fuko.

Fuko's failure begat Bradley...so in a weird sort of way we have Pie to thank

for the 26 mil we owe Fuko and the 20 plus mill we owe Bradley....and Fuko has the same BA as Pie???

How's that for convuluted thinking?

I didn't have time to verify, but I would venture to say that Pie built that .270 average against primarily right handed pitchers, while Fukudome has been platooned much less and has a much higher OBP

Agreed...but then tere is that little matter of 26 million still owed Fukodome.

As I said...Pie isn't our answer...Fukodome is better...BUT...

Suzy...that was convuleted, but I stayed there with you, and agree with your assessment on Colvin v. Johnson (nice point on your part). Thank you.

Maybe the Cubs could apply for an exemption and use a DH all year long...lol Soriano can rest on days Zambrano pitches so the big baby can get his at bats too....

Here's a little something to kick around during today's game....an interesting though to ponder--I think--although I am not completely behind the idea.....

We have a major problem with Soriano. With 5 years and 18 million left...a whopping 90 million total...he isnt going anywhere anytime soon unless the Cubs eat a WHOLE lot of money.

His defense is HORRIBLE. All we can hope for is he bounces back offensively.

Our OF situation is a mess. LF is a disaster with Soriano. CF we have Fukudome making about 20 million the next two years as a platoon player...and we have Bradley who is making about 20 million the next two years as well and was horrible most of this year as the "left handed bat we needed".

What to do?

Our other need is at 2B. My first choice would be to go get Orlando Hudson and give us a true leadoff hitter.

However, after Hudson, the free agent market is pretty bare for 2B or even SS (so we could move Riot to 2B).

That being said....here is the thought.....move Soriano back to 2B and go get a better defending power hitting LF.

I know Soriano's defense is horrible but wouldn't it be hidden less at 2B and it gives us a better chance to upgrade (more available outfielders than second basemen)?

When Soriano played 2B he averaged about 20 errors. As bad as that sounds, looking at this years stats with a few weeks to go...some 2B who I'm sure we would love to have...carry about half that total themselves....the great Brian Roberts has 10....Chase Utley and Dan Uggla each have 11...and Clint Barmes has 12. So, we'd be taking on about 7 or 8 extra errors. Again, based on the fact I think he might be less of a liability at 2B...and the fact we have more options for finding an outfielder than a second baseman...it could be a good solution.

Thoughts??

The league figured out Fox can only hit fastballs and fed him anything but. His average after playing regularly was atrocious.

Sorry, you have to find some other wonder kid.

Paul...that was the book on Fox throughout last year and early this year in the minor leagues...and he made the book look pretty bad.

Fox will hit with regular playing time.

Paul...I totally disagree. Fox is a pure hitter...he'll adjust just fine. He just needs additional playing time in a regular lineup. We should not give up on him anytime soon.

WHERE IS FOX!! i know he is ok, because didnt he pinch hit last night? Why is Scales playing every day, and Fox is consistantly on the bench. And why not start Fuld in left. I believe Fuld and Fox should share time in left, and Scales should occassionly get playing time at second.

Either Fox is in Lou's doghouse or something is wrong with him.

Neil, "special guest host"???

Gotta be tough holding blogtalk when most fans are turning away...

Since all but the Smokies are done...

you might consider looking at the minor leagues tonight for rays of future hope.

Today's lineup:

Fukudome - CF

Theriot - SS

Lee - 1B

Hoffpauir - RF

Baker - 3B

Fontenot - 2B

Scales - LF

Hill - C

Zambrano - P