It took two years, six months and twenty-five days but the Chicago Cubs finally have an owner and today is the Ricketts Family first full day at the helm. Tuesday officially ended Tribune Co.'s 28-year run as the owner of the Chicago National League Ball Club ... on June 16, 1981 Tribune Co. purchased the Cubs from the Wrigley Family for $20.5 million.
Tom Ricketts will be formally introduced at a press conference Friday at Wrigley Field. WGN TV and CLTV will air the press conference, which begins at 11:00am C.T.
Not to long after the announcement, the rumor mill and other news began surfacing ... here is the latest a week before the Cubs' organizational meetings get underway in Mesa.
Bruce Levine Rumors
In bullet point format ... a few tidbits from Bruce Levine:
- Bruce Levine's sources have indicated "Ricketts will tell his baseball people at the Cubs' organization meetings next Wednesday that the minor league system is his No. 1 priority."
- Mark DeRosa's return to the Cubs is a possibility ... but probably not for more than a one-year deal with an option
- Levine has heard the Cubs' payroll will be the same $140 million as it was in 2009
- Tampa and Toronto are possible destinations for Milton Bradley
- On trading Bradley ... "Jim Hendry is counting on being able to move his contract for another bad contract, NBA style - lateral move."
- "Hendry is doing his best right now to try to reshape the team for the future."
- Orlando Cabrera could be a one-year "fix" at shortstop, moving Ryan Theriot to second, in order to give Starlin Castro more time in the minors
- If the Cubs make any major deals this winter, Sean Marshall might be involved. Marshall's versatility is very valuable.
Vernon Wells
Bruce Levine mentioned the Cubs, Milton Bradley and Vernon Wells in the same context on two occasions Tuesday.
"Tampa is still a viable team, but keep your eye on Toronto, which has money problems and is dying to move outfielder Vernon Wells."
"The Cubs have talked to Toronto about different scenarios that may include players like Vernon Wells and Bradley."
Could the Cubs be talking to the Blue Jays about a deal that would send Vernon Wells to the North Side for Milton Bradley?
First, the money is nowhere near equal. The Cubs owe Milton Bradley $21 million over the next two seasons while Vernon Wells is owed $107 million over the next five seasons ($12.5 in 2010, $23 in 2011, $21 in 2012, $21 in 2013 and $21 in 2014. Wells is also owed one more payment of his signing bonus of $8.5 million ... he has an opt out clause after the 2011 season). If Jim Hendry was to trade Bradley to the Blue Jays for Wells he would have to receive quite a bit of money in return ... or the Cubs would end up paying Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells $197 million over the next five seasons (Soriano is owed $18 per year for the remainder of his contract which ends in 2014).
Vernon Wells turns 31 on December 8 and is coming off a down year to say the least. In 158 games Wells put together a .260/.311/.400/.711 line with 37 doubles, three triples and 15 home runs.
Cubs Florida Bound?
According to Bruce Levine, the Cubs are using Florida "as a ploy" to get a new, and much-needed, facility in Arizona. Levine, like most, feel the Cubs will not move their Spring Training home to Florida. The Cubs are the number one draw in the Cactus League and Arizona cannot afford to lose the revenue they generate.
The Sun-Times thinks the Cubs "are likely to stay in Mesa despite Florida's interest" in moving the club's spring training home.
The Naples Daily News reported on Tuesday night that the group trying to bring the Cubs to Florida has scheduled a news conference for 2:00pm C.T. on Thursday.
Video from Naples Daily News
Video from WGN TV
A tip of the cap to Chuck Divine for the link from the Naples Daily News ... any and all tips of news and rumors are welcome. Email the CCO ... neil@chicagocubsonline.
Jeff Samardzija
Jeff Samardzija has been medicore in Winter Ball ... and Baseball Prospectus wonders how the Cubs can think the Shark will be an effective starter in the big leagues.
It's almost remarkable that the Cubs still think Samardzija can be an effective starter in the big leagues. He's made no secret that he wants to return to the rotation, but two late-season starts in the majors were disasters, and now he's merely holding his own in Mexico, allowing 10 runs and 28 baserunners in 18 innings for the Aguilas. Turning 25 in January, with each passing year, it seems that Samardzija will never graduate from thrower to pitcher, and for most, his ceiling ends at middle reliever.
Other Rumors
- Mike Ferrin from XM Radio said on Tuesday his sources indicated the Cubs' payroll for 2010 would increase to around $150 million ... and Tom Ricketts is expected to be a hands-on owner.
- ESPN.com mentioned the Cubs could look at Orlando Hudson to fill their need at second base. As for a solution a shortstop, the Worldwide Leader indicated Jim Hendry could look at Miguel Tejada or J.J. Hardy
From the CCO Inbox
Sully Baseball emailed two links to the CCO that are well worth the read ...
Did the Chicago Cubs Inspire the 1919 Black Sox Scandal? Playboy thinks so and asked the CCO to pass it along to our readers.
A Couple of Things
- Follow the CCO on Twitter ...
- A quick reminder to check the CCO's Community Blog ... excellent posts and different opinions from the Faithful.
Well, that's the latest ... and I'm sticking to it!
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What about Soriano and Bradely fore Weells.
Wells is a better defender and younger than both. I think he will have a better year. Soriano is a DH now and Bradley still can play RF if needed.
With the teams cancelling out the contracts.
any thoughts?
I would make that trade.
I wouldn't be surprised if:
* Bradley goes to Toronto for Wells and Toronto picks up 75% of the salary.
* Bradley gets traded to Anaheim for Matthews jr. The salarys are nearly equal.
I'd be surprised if either of those deals happened. The Angels wouldn't want to take a risk on having Bradley effect their clubhouse ... an unhappy Sarge Jr. doesn't cause the same problems as an unhappy Bradley. As for Toronto, if they're going to pay 75% of Well's salary anyway, they'd be much better off gambling on a Well's revival than Bradley. So far the Burrell deal is only one I've heard mentioned that makes sense for the other team involved in the trade proposal.
I think Bradley either (in order of liklihood) (1) stays with the Cubs, (2) is dealt with cash for Burrell, or (3) is unloaded with cash for a marginal prospect, utility player or low end reliever.
Note this quote:" it seems that Samardzija will never graduate from thrower to pitcher, and for most, his ceiling ends at middle reliever."
Exactly what I've been saying. He's only got one pitch that he can throw for strikes: fastball.
Jim Hendry and the outfield have proven to be oil and water. He's been trying for years...and it just seems to get worse.
Seems like we'll be paying for Milton and Soriano for years.
Wells does not make a lot of sense unless:
1)Halladay comes with him.
2)Soriano goes.
3)Toronto eats a ton of the Wells
contract.
Overall, we still need to get younger
and MORE flexible with the contracts...
not less.
JimC....The little Sarge thing makes the most sense to me re: Bradley.
Rip...I agree with you re Shark...he should have done it by now...But then,
Rothschild and the Cubs hindered his progress by moving him like a yoyo.
He needed time to truly develop...and never got it. It's nuts that he has a no trade clause.
neil i know you are not very fond of this move but i would do it for a one year fix with an option. Tejada. He has an infectious personality, great clubhouse guy, and unlike milt, he wants to play everyday no matter the amount of innings. we could move theriot to 2nd. give castro one or two years to develop. This move would not cost us any prospects, and it would greatly improve our lineup. put theriots numbers up against any 2nd baseman and he is much better than most. i know tejada took the juice but so did many other former cubs and people around baaseball. how many used peds that we do not know about. i can only speculate, but there are many cubs i think used them. borowski, alou, sammy, hundley, grudz, glenn hill, santiago, sarge jr, valdez, mitre. there is no way possible to tell which current players actually have used them and who hasnt. i would love to be able to win a ws with a team full of CLEAN players, but you have no way of knowing anymore. i think the steroid era is over but we still have the majority of players who are holdovers from that era. i do not want to wait until all of them have retired to win a ws.....bb
Bo, all of your points are valid. I am not a fan of the way Tejada handled himself ... but it would not surprise me if Hendry went after him. Remember all of the Tejada rumors several years ago.
One of these years what Tejada did will eventually catch up to him and I would hate for it to be with the Cubs. They have signed so many players over the years past their prime and Tejada would be another one.
Like:
Mel Rojas
Jorge Bell
Danny Jackson
Dave Smith
Todd Hundley
Cabrera would be another shuffling move that would be bad...he is an undisciplined hitter and has bounced around pretty good... just what the Cubs need. The other moves are just trading bad beef...except DeRosa who the Cubs missed last year...hold on to Bradley and hope his value increases as the season plays out...teams might be more aggressive for a bat in July. While Tejada can hit he is aging and makes Theriot look like a gold glove...Houston wouldn't let him go if he was so great. I'd keep a leash on Hendry and make sure he doesn't add to the mess he has already created, even if it means starting with virtually the same team with some low risk and cost adds or tweaks. The division turns on the Cardinals being able to repeat what they did in 2009 (and the health of Carpenter and Pujols...Holliday may be gone) and the Cubs could still win it with a healthy Ramirez and a return to 2008 form by others with some relatively minor changes...(let's not forget we have a new hitting coach!)...all this while the minor league system is upgraded with top development management and a sound long range strategic concept
I gotta say a resounding "NO" to any recommendations for aging vets. At SS, allow Blanco and Castro to battle it out in spring training, and either move Theriot to 2B, or use him as trade bait.
Regarding Soriano and Bradley, we should just eat the contracts (and please don't exchange for another crappy contract), and just start over with a youth movement based around speed, energy and athleticism.
Bryan, I'm with you on this...but I don't think it will happen that way.
Ricketts gave Hendry an amount he is
"willing to eat" re Bradley...and I don't think it's the whole thing.
Bulldog Jim has his single-minded blinders on again...and it seems we're on our way to another bad contract somewhere. He's looking for his tree...
and can't see the forest around him.
We definitely need speed, youth, and athleticism .. which is why I was glad to see Ricketts say that developing the minor league system would be a focus. Out biggest problem is we don't have speed and athleticism at the major league or minor league levels ... and we don't have desirable trading chips to acquire it! At this point, we have to hope for a turnaround of our players back to 2008 form along with good health ... or wait a few years for the minor league system to develop ... there is no quick fix for this team other than a turnaround and good health.
David...I respect your opinion and view.
I do think we can get younger and more athletic, without major moves. While I know I'll get skewered for these recommendations (since many will say these "kids" aren't proven at the minor/major league level, I'd propose:
Castro SS
Theriot 2B
Ramirez 3B
Fox/Hoffpauer RF
Lee 1B
Soto C
Colvin LF
Fuld CF
Soto has to rebound from a terrible 09 and get back to form. With Fox/Hoffpauer in a platoon you can get 80+ RBI's and 25 HR's. Your RBI guys would be those two plus Soto, Lee and Ramirez. The rest need to play small ball and set the table, while at the same time upgrading our defense big time.
I'd allow Soriano and Fukodome to just sit on the bench, and become spectators.
with all due respect Bryan, that lineup of two very young/green rookies, light hitters at CF and 2B an unproven platoon in RF, and an unknown behind the plate...they'd be lucky to win 80 games. That lineup looks like the Reds, but not as good.
JC...not really debating here, and I don't necessarily disagree. But, you know, I would rather watch and enthusastically cheer on that lineup (for questionable as it might be) than watch Soriano continue to embarrass the organization or see Fukodome's whirly swing.
Atleast the youngsters will provide a spark of energy, and give 110%. And, hey, with the "best hitting coach" in all of baseball, you just never know.
Ahhhhhhhhhhh....Goodness!
First of all I should not even have to make the statement "If Hendry" because he should be GONE!!!!!!!
But...If we trade Bradley for Wells, that's it, rain on my welcome Ricketts parade, because that would be AWFUL!!!!!
Let's have the 2 most overrated outfielders in the game, and oh yeah make them have 2 of the largest contracts for outfielders...and have them both be in their 30's and declining. COME ON!!!!!!!!!!
Bradley should and yes, has to be dealt. No question. There will be mutiny on an already disfunctional team if Bradley comes into Mesa in March. Whoever he goes to, we had better be even, or make a little in the deal, and it had better include at least one young talented person. But it most certainly had better NOT create a bigger problem financially than we already have.
Love the idea of resigning Dero with an option. Hard to believe one guy, one utility guy, could make such a difference, but there is not a person who watched this team in 08 and 09 that can argue that he DID NOT in fact make a difference.
And finally Re: The infield. Derosa signing, and a trade for EY Jr solves that cheaply, and instantly.
Not to mention what it looks like in 2011 for my master plan.
an Infield of
3B Aram
SS Castro
2B EY Jr
1B Chris Davis
looks pretty slick to me.
Welcome Ricketts family, please immeditely quell the rumors of signing older guys, and please reconsider your stance on Mr. Hendry. Go Cubbs.
I hope your master plan comes true.
I've gotta say it boys, and I mean it:
I'd bring the garage heap Milton Bradley back if I could not trade him away without eating a single penny. That's right: you heard me: Keep Mr. Garbage Ego Bradley if we cannot deal him away without eating any money. If somebody wants him for $1, let them have him. But I would not eat any more money.
Face it, Gents: JHendry is an awful GM that has dug a huge hole that the Cubs are unlikely to come out of for the next five years.
Back to Bradley: get a manager who simply says to Milton, "Shut up and play. No more mouth outta you." And if he violates his parole, then find a way to cut him financially.
Been saying this for 3 years.
Smardijiza should be on Bears, not Cubs.
he would help them more.
He's a dog
Just a thought.......
If the minor league system is his first priority, Then I can see wholesale changes mid-season if were not contenders or maybe even a few in the off-season.
This might not be a bad thing. Ever since I've been a Cubs fan they have never really had a strong farm system.
WOW--all the hatred to hendry is such 20/20 hindsight!
7 yrs as GM; 5 w/ a winning record and 3 yrs in the playoffs. any other cubs GM done better??--except those from the early 1900's..............
let's see if Hendry can rebound this year; it's not his fault soriano was hurt/stunk, soto stunk or ramirez got hurt. w/ those 3 out; we were not gonna win the division anyway.plus derosa was bad for the cards so he is not the traded away "salvation:.
and for the idiots that think blanco will ever hit;;get real! and castro is 19; shall we rush him to like we did patterson or let this group of veterans try again. here's hoping ricketts is smarter than some of these postings!(fox in RF-are U kidding!)
ok..."don't hate Hendry".
Let's see, he's the one who handcuffed the club with a totally ridiculous 8 (yes 8) year contract on Soriano when no-one else would likely offer anything beyond 3. He's the one who took a headcase in Bradley when all the signals were right there in front of him that this guy was a nut-case...and rather than give him a one-year flyer, he provides a 2 year deal plus a gimme 3rd year add-on. He's also the one who gave a ludicrous contract to our "supposed ace", who couldn't manage 10 wins and admitted to being lazy in his preparation to his job. He also made totally buffoon moves with the likes of Miles, Gregg, and others, all documented on this site many times.
Five winning seasons has yielded "ZERO" NL or WS wins. I didn't think our benchmark of success was "winning record seasons".
Hendry's moves have strangled this team for years unless Ricketts' now gets creative.
Hendry's "misses" fully outweigh the good. And "yes", I'll take just about anyone in RF or LF that doesn't have the name Soriano or Bradley. Remember, 5 more years still to come of Soriano being penciled in. Something to indeed enjoy and look forward to.
Sick, That is what I am looking forward to with Sori in right for five more years. Sick also describes the way that I feel when you mention Hendry's debacle. Timeline it... and it hurts.
Sick, also describes your comeback to the defend Hendry camp.
Sick is also how I feel seeing 2 former Cubs; Grace and Karros on Fox's opening of the World Series. If in fact Bob Brenly goes to manage elsewhere...I want Gracey added to my wish list as color commentator on CUBS.TV...
You are right, Cubs'67, it was not Hendry's "fault" that Soriano and Ramirez got injured (or that Soriano and Soto sucked - though he was the one that pursued and over-signed the mentioned sucky Soriano, so really that IS his fault).
Hendry is the GM of the team. Players get injured, so it's probably a good idea to have a suitable back-up for someone like Aramis, who has suffered injury 3 years in a row. Actually the Cubs did have a suitable backup in DeRosa but he opted for Aaron Miles. I do not bemoan the loss of DeRo like so many do, but to essentially "trade" DeRosa for Miles and then give him a mulit-year muli-million dollar contract was flat out B-A-D. You cannot argue that.
Cubs 1967...I take exception to your comment on the idiots and Blanco. I like Blanco...it's my opinion vs yours...and I am certainly no idiot.
It's ok to have a different opinion...it's not ok to depict those that differ with you as idiots and other derogatory terms.
Keep a little classier Cubs 1967.
Very well said...
When I said "very well said" ... I was referring to "cubs1967". Other than calling other posters "idiots" (which I disagree with), his analysis of JH and the Cubs is spot on.
On the Blanco issue specifically, what is the statistical support for why he will hit better? ... I don't see it in his major or minor league history or in players with comparable skills and historicals (In 2020 Minor League AB's, he's hit .256 with 13 HRs) ... but I'm open to hearing the other side.
David F. I am the one that said it was not unreasonable that Blanco could hit in the .270-.280 range.
You are right...the overwhelming bofy of statistical evidence supports a .250-.255
hitter...over eight years combined minor
and major league.
He will never be accused of being a slugger but I still feel he can improve:
1)With this season included...Blanco had
4 "sips at the bigs"...The three with KC,
he never had more than 38 games per season.
2)Ar Iowz...this season he hit .302 over 64 games and .285 in 2008 over 102 games.
(.252 with the Cubs this season).
He's currently hitting .275 in Venezuela
over a very small sample (12 games).
His defense and range is exceptional.
At 25, with consistant opportunity and acclimation to mlb....I still do not feel it unreasonable that he hit .270.
That being said, I view him as a platoon
or backup player with exceptional defensive skills.
To be clear...IF Castro continues the way he is...I would be comfortable with a platoon of Blanco and Castro at ss.
The operational word is IF.
As for Castro being 19...I remember watching Sammy at 18 in the bigs...
So age is not always the deciding factor.
Thanks for the food for thought on cold autumn morning, Neil. (hard to believe it just Game 1 of the series tonight)
My bulleted thougths:
-NO Wells for Bradley, bad bad idea, but for Soriano, OK, I guess
-I am aboard the youth movement train, BUT I'd take Tejeda or Cabrera on a 1 year contract only. Castro is 19! Patience, grasshopper.
-maybe trying JJ Hardy for 1 year would be worth it, now that we have Rudy, Master of the Hitting Universe to turn him around. If it works, move Castro to 2B.
-I can't believe that we can't get over DeRosa. This is becoming unhealthy.
-Finally, the fabled EY Jr., what makes any of you think the Cubs have enough to land him? Cloy, you think he would come cheap? Rockies aren't giving him away, that's for sure.
jc 3-6-3 Ey Jr will cost a bevt od pitching prospects...and maybe Marshall at least...I don't expect him to come cheap...he will settle 2nd for years to come...and can fill in at CF.
Last season...I would have offered
Harden in the mix. This year it would have to be Gorzelanny or Marshall and maybe 2 high level prospects and 1 low level.
Since the Rockies are set at 2nd...Theriot is not in play here...
But could be traded to a third team
for pitching prospects depleted by the intial trade.
This is in response to Cubs1967 and jc363.
1)No other Cubs GM had an open checkbook
to make the team what he wanted.
2)For me...it wasn't hindsight...Hendry lost me the day he signed Soriano to that stupid deal...it didn;t make baseball sense then and makes less sense now. So it isn't hindsight.
3)Although DeRo upset me at the time...I'm not one that blames him for that...I DO BLAME JH FOR CASEY MCGEHEE...
/Gathright over Pie/signing Miles at all...and then overpaying...and Bradley was easy to project as a bad sgning from day one.
We do not need DeRo back...unless it's cheap and for 1 year and a 1 year club option....Baker is fine.
I'm sorry but since he stuck us with Soriano...and Milton's a loss...a platoon of Fox/Hoffpauir might be the better alternative to overpaying another
Hendry bust.
Nope...I have absolutely no faith in the man...even less now that he doesn't have an open checkbook.
Top of the day Cub fans across the USA.
PLEASE!refrain from potential trades that would involve players too old for a young athletic desire.
Everyone has too start somewhere in order to see how well they qualify.The farm system is that place of experience that
that gives you a foot in the door for employment.
Give these young people a chance to make it or not.
So what if a youngster is 19!He has showed his ability and we want to close our eyes to his obvious talent.
All of the young talent brought up in 2009 showed they are worthy of a longer look at the big league level.
WHY do we want to over-look them?If you havn't won with the current players in 3yrs then move them for high prospects to build from with in to void ridiculous salaries for fading players.Why is it that age has become a factor for qualifications too move up to the MLB.level.Look back into the 50s & 60s and see how many players began a MLB.career at 26/27 yrs of age.
YOUTH/ABILITY/RISK promoted those players and there was only 16 teams to move up into!
Give the kids a chance.Let them show you what they can do with pitches around the strike zone 60% of the time unlike the minor league pitcher learning; his position;give him a MLB. diamond w/o holes unlevel outfields etc.
When they stand on that MLB.field they bring out another side of energy yet to be released.
We don't want to buy a team!We want to cheer and prod our own players up from with in the system
Ron, re: youth and Castro, I don't care how old he is, (though there are very few 19 year old that can make that leap - that is a special player, think Dr. K, Griffey Jr., ARod) his experience is very limited, he performed well in Rookie ball, AA, and the current AZ fall league for a total of what? - 100+ games. I have high hopes, but I'm certainly not penciling him into the lineup just yet.
JC---I was referring to his salary, but as far as who we could give up.
Name a pitcher in this system including Marshall that you would not trade for a 2nd basemen who has hit in the minors, has speed, shown a glove in the minors is young, athletic and cost effective.
Marshall, Gorzo, Smarzdja (Thank JH for a no trade clause there which I know people will bring up), Stevens, Heillman...
Other than Marmol, Guzman, Gaub???, and this closer in the minors who is admittedly a few years away who would you rather have than EY?
Personally, if we all wanted them to trade away the dero prospects for a Peavy ( A Strength), then we certainly should look at trading young pitching to shore up a decidedly weak point on this team for years to come in 2B. Not to mention a speed merchant.
Hey, I'd send Marshall and Shark and all those bums/youngsters you've mentioned, but the point is, Colorado is not going to part with a top prospect position player who is MLB ready for a package of mid-prospect (in the Cubs org) relief pitchers. Of course I would do it, I just think most here are underestimating how easily Colorado is going to give up EY Jr.
EY is one of the Rockies top prospects and will cost a lot more than Marshall ... try Marshall and Jay Jackson and then you might have a deal. Would Cubs fans be willing to make a deal like that?
Do it... yesterday!
OK let's not.... let's keep the same tired no OBP, no speed, pitching potential down in the minors (Jose Ceda etc...), Jeff Baker, Mike Fontenot platoon at 2B.
Better yet let's over pay for an aging veteran, Cabrera, Figgins, Scutaro...
How is this even a question?
My philosophy is to get cheaper, younger, more talented, and faster. EY gives you all of that. Let's break some eggs and make some omelets.
A review of the Cubs minor league system that I thought was interesting is below. The intro which talks about our lack of player development over the last 20 years is most telling.
http://razzball.com/minor-league-review-chicago-cubs/
Neil what is latest about what the Cubs is going to do with Rich Harden.
The last I heard they were not planning on re-signing him or offering arbitration ... but that has been a while. Maybe two weeks.
Thank you Neil for the update good work as always. I am quite curious why they not at least going to offer him arbitration.
Ronald, I believe they fear he would take it...at about 10 million.
It would skew the already tapped out budget...for a pitcher whose arm they have to baby.
Ronald, I agree with Suzy ... I think the Cubs are afraid he will accept arbitration. Which makes them not trading Harden before the deadline even more confusing.
How does CC get away with the white nike swoosh emblem on his glove?
SuzyS i understand what you are saying but you can never have to much pitching.I do not trust Gorzelanny and Zambrano do not show up for most of the season.
I don't disagree Ron.
Harden is tough for everyone...His stuff is so good...he could be an Ace...but an ace with a blown out arm is no good...I would not be surprised if they picked up more pitching this offseason...I'm just not sure what form it will take...with the budget as it is.
How about them Phils!
Cliff Lee has pitched as well as anyone this year, and these last couple months...just un-BE-LEive-able.
I wish I could hear Ronny call this game.
As Ron would say: " Oh Man!!!"
IF they do not offer arby to Harden, then you just had more proof handed to those eternally loyal JHendry fans that he doesn't have the first clue about what he's doing. Hey Jim: ya gotta have a plan!
I read those comments about how good JHendry has been for the Cubs. Wake up, people. He has just sunk the Cub's ship for at least the next five years. He has destroyed the farm system, and over-paid for Sorry-oh-no-Milton-Bradley-Aaron-MIles-etc. "We're sunk, and we're going to have to pay through the nose, and you know it!" lol
"And Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cub's payroll!" lol "We're sunk, and we're gonna have to pay through the nose, and you know it!"
Phillies - Awfully good !!
WOW.
Yanks better win tomorrow, or they be in biiiiiiiiig trouble.
Go Phils (NL)