I had a thought on this Derrek Lee situation ... it occurred to me that maybe Derrek realizes he is old and washed up, and is planning on calling it quits at the end of the season.

If that were the case, it would make some sense to want to spend the last two months of your career in a city you love.

Anyone think that could be it? Or am I crazy?

Jeff, Levine said Lee he told him today that he is not contemplating retirement.

I think part of the issue is that DLee and others do not want to come to grips with how miserable they have played and failed.

To accept a trade to another team to them is probably admitting that they could not get it done.

They need to get over it and accept the fact they have all underachieved as a team and move on.

That a nice sentiment, but the story is that Hendry had a deal to the Angels done on July 21, and DLee rejected it.

The Cubs have been playing terribly all year and DLee has underperformed all year so see no correlation with the proposed 21 July trade date.

It seems that Henry was trying to move on, but DLee wouldn't let him, the Cubs organization, or the fans move on.

And that is exactly my point.

When you said DLee and others, you must have meant other players, not others in the organization (Hendry specifically). If that is so, I can now see your point.

JH has as much blame as anyone for this mess though. The Angels approached the Cubs not the other way around. JH has done nothing to fix this mess and can't even con anyone into taking on Fukudome's contract.

This again points to the Cubs management and JH of giving overpriced contracts to players and then not getting the performance in return.

JH has tied his own hands with as much blame on the players for putting him in that position.

Your not crazy, but if that's the case, then DLee can show that he is a true leader. The first step would be admitting that retiring is his plan. The next step would be him publicly taking responsibility for some of his poor showings over the past three seasons. The last step would be to accept a lower position in the batting order and a reduction in playing time. Since hr hasn't done any of this, its safe to assume that he is just being greedy, and not the respected leader he and a few of his cronies like to paint him as.

There appears to be a stigma that the Cubs have from the fifth inning on. Yesterday Ted Lilly held the Astros scoreless through 5 innings, than lost. Today Wells did the same thing, yet the final score was disastrous.

My guess is that they were not going to get much for DLee and Hendry was just looking to trade him to a contender as a favor to him. Maybe a couple low level players with a slight chance to make it to the bigs.

Your probably right, but at this point, a bag of used balls and a broken fungo bat would provide the Cubs with more help than DLee will for the rest of this season.

What's the difference if we trade D. Lee, or Theriot, or Lilly, or Little Jimmy Dickens?

We have an owner who is a fan, not an astute baseball owner. He has no more idea of what he is doing than you, or me.

Wanting to keep around a GM that has set this entire franchise back at least 5 years is the height of ignorance, and contempt for a fan base that has patiently waited for over 100 years for a title.

Shame on Tom Ricketts for leaving the best fans in baseball high and dry again.

I want to revise my previous comment.

I said Tom Ricketts is a fan, I was wrong.

No true fan would put up with this.

To be honest, I don't know what to make of Ricketts. He can't be stupid, no man who reaches the pinnacle of his success can be lacking brain power.

Maybe he likes the Cubs just as they have been for over 100 years;"Lovable Losers." Don't scoff, there are a lot of so-called Cub fans who want things to remain just as they are. If they won, then they wouldn't be all cuddly and cute anymore.

Right on again, erniesarmy! I think that there are plenty of so called Cubs fans that secretly don't want them to win. If they did, then they would be just another sports team. Winninf, to them, would rob them of their identity.

Thanks for the kind words, Maven.

I wish we were wrong, don't you?

I've been a Cub fan for 46 years, and I am beyond tired of the losing.

I really thought Ricketts would be an improvement over the Tribune Co.

Standing O for erniesarmy

This team is an embarassment. however, I do not think that bringing in guys from AA and AAA will solve all our problems. I keep seeing people come on here saying we Lahair and we need tony thomas and etc. Please give me a break. Tony thomas has been in double A for 2 years now and lahair was let go by the mariners who need offensive production worse than we do. If he was the answer then he would not have been available to us. I will be the first to admit that our roster sucks but these pie in the sky lineups with half of Iowa and tennessee in them are just ludicrous. All a sensible person has to do is look at Pittsburgh and some of the other teams going with young guys. Those guys in pittsburgh were mostly 1st round choices and top prospects and they are still struggling at the MLB level. Bringing up a bunch of guys hitting .280 and some minor league free agents will not work unless we are filming a sequel to Major League.

You might be right but you never know unless you give them a chance. They always say a change of scenery can do a person good, working with different coaches and managers etc. The Cubs are well out of it and will finish in the bottom 10 so why not try these 26-28 year old guys see what they have. It isn't going to do any worse than D-Lee or Dome and if they do you just insert the old dudes.

Right on, skeldor!

Stuff from Levine:

The Phillies like Ted Lilly just not in their park. Levine indicated the Phillies will not be trading for Lilly



The Dodgers are the hottest team on Ted Lilly. Dodgers working hard to move money because they want badly to add Lilly to their rotation



The Padres and Diamondbacks are interested in trading for Ryan Theriot. Levine is not sure why the D'Backs are in the mix.

After Lee invoked his NTC, Theriot told Levine he wish he had one.

How could they not like him when they have Jamey Moyer who gave more home runs than Ted Lily and their pitching staff have not been that great after Halladay and Hamels.

My thoughts exactly

Can you say ugly loss??

Ugly is not even the word, that loss was atrocious, hopefully we finish the season on a high note.

The Trib is reporting that Derrek Lee will block any deal, including one that could have sent him to the Angels.

Way to take one for the team Derrick.

Hopefully his #@@ is benched for the rest of the season.

wishful thinking on my part, and on your part. He'll be right back in the lineup on Friday, that much is guaran-damn-teed.

Derrek Lee is ranked #296 in Slugging Percentage, #246 in OBP, and #361 in average. Now, obviously, those stats are from the sortables on MLB.com, and they also factor in pitchers, etc., that get the occasional at bat, so the numbers are skewed a bit, but it still illustrates how bad Lee really is.

His ass needed to be on the bench LONG ago. Soriano does too, but because we loaded our roster with guys like Nady, Fontenot, and Baker...what are you going to do?!?

In a perfect world, you'd add a guy like Camp that can play all IF positions except for 1B, and LaHair, who can play corner OF and 1B, which would negate the need for Nady and both Baker and Fontenot (as only Fontenot can play SS of the 2), which would in turn, allow you to either add another OF, or add another young guy like Tony Thomas. What you want is versatility. If we trade a guy like Theriot, then you want someone like Barney, who can play both 2B and SS. If we can just release Fukudome, it'd allow us to add Snyder. It'd really be worth it

For the end of the season, sure. To see what they can do. But for a long term plan, no.

You dont know how bad I hope they do exactly what your saying. So you can see how wrong you are. How dismal this team would be. But you probably blame the coach for ruining them instead of admitting that your wrong.

I repeat again the last time they gave starting jobs to a bunch of prospects(Cedeno, Murton, Mitre) we came in last place.

But I will agree that they need to get rid of Nady, Baker, Fontenot.

But you use all the young guys your talking about and you will have a bunch of guys batting .210 or less. At least Theriot is in the .260's and can do better. Fukodome the same.

Minorleague stats dont matter. They are not the majors.

Add all the players that your talking about and we will be even worse.

Thats what you dont understand.

maybe....maybe not...that's the beauty of going with youth. But in the long-run, if you have a solid base (which we do), off which to build, then you'll be MUCH better off in the long-run if you go young now. Sorry, but that's what you don't seem to understand.

Dempster

Gorzelanny

Wells

pen: Russell, Marshall, Cashner (or for rotation), Marmol

Soto, Castro, even ARAM (both because we can't trade him b/c of salary AND because this is his worst year by far of an otherwise consistent career of 25-30 hr, 100+RBI), Byrd, and Colvin.

That means we just have to find 2 starters, 3-4 pen arms, a 1B, 2B, and LF, plus 5 bench guys.

With the pitching, in case you haven't noticed, ever since the 2002/2003 seasons, we've pretty much stocked our own rotation and pen with system arms. And in case you didn't notice, we have more than capable arms like Jay Jackson, Cashner, Carpenter, Chen, Coleman, Diamond, Archer, Dolis, Bibens-Dirkx, Rusin, Rhee, Mateo, etc.

Are you one of those fans that gets attached to veteran players? Were you sad to see Sosa go? If you lump yourself into that fan group, then your more of a fan of the players than the team concept in general. I know, I used to be that type of fan. I loved Sandberg, Dawson, Grace, Maddux, Jenkins, Sutcliffe, etc. growing up, and I'd rush to check the stats in the next day's papers to make sure they got the win, or hit a home run, or went 3-for-4, or whatever. I'd of course, look to see if they won...but if they didn't, I'd still feel good that Sandberg or Dawson hit a bomb and Grace went 4-for-4. I soon realized that the Cubs PR machine totally and completely brainwashed everyone into this type of thinking...that it was somehow fine if the Cubs lost big time, but your favorite player hit a bomb.

It's not even close to that for me anymore. If the player isn't performing, he's NOT helping the team, no matter what name is on the back of his jersey. Unfortunately, with Cubs management, they haven't quite got the memo for that...and the rest of the league has...heck, Ortiz was even benched.

Just another series loss to the Astros

It is really sad how we cannot beat the worse teams in baseball. Makes you really wonder who is the worst team?

I remain convinced that Hendry thought his team was still in the thick of things going into this series ... today's performance may be just the hammer over Jim's head that we have needed for months now.

DO SOMETHING NOW JIM

not likely...

Here's the multi-million dollar question. Just who can you move anyhow?

Ted Lilly? If the recent rumor of Lilly to the Phillies for JA Happ is true, then I'd do it in a heartbeat, but anything less than a Happ-caliber player in a trade, I probably wouldn't. The reason is simple. Can you find a player of his caliber in free agency next year? Other than Cliff Lee, who would cost more, there really isn't a better lefty on the market. So, at worst, he declines arbitration and you get 2 top draft picks, or he accepts arbitration, and you get a veteran lefty who clearly was worth every penny of his contract for just one year, so you're not tied handcuffed for multiple years.

So, I could certainly understand hanging onto Lilly if that's the route they take.

How about anyone else? Nady? Are you kidding me?!? in about 166 plate appearances this year, he's had 8 GIDP's, and hitting just above .200....Good luck with that one!

How about Fukudome? NOBODY wants him...even if we pick up most of his contract. Rumor has it that we'd have to pick up 80% of his deal just to move him, and even then we'd be hard pressed to find a taker.

Soriano? LMAO....unless it's in a swap for an even bigger contract and disappointment (Vernon Wells), it ain't happening.

Fontenot? Yeah, teams are lining up for hobbit looking infielders that lost their only asset (power), and ride the pine

Silva? Teams were waiting for him to turn into a pumpkin, and his last few starts have indicated he's turning right into one

Zambrano? Oh yeah, teams are stumbling left and right to pick up a maniac, immature pitcher that's lost about 5 mph on his fastball, and is getting lit up in AAA ball right now...oh, and has 3 years left on his deal for HUGE money

Unless you consider moving Gorzelanny, Byrd, Colvin, Castro, Cashner, Marshall, and Marmol, we have absolutely NOTHING that teams want.

Therefore, not only can we NOT retool for next year by trading veterans as most teams can, and usually do at the deadline, but we're also stuck with this veteran roster fillers when we should've been able to fill their spots with young prospects if we had a competent GM in the first place.

The Cubs roster in August should've looked something like this:

Tony Thomas-2B

Castro-SS

Colvin-RF

ARAM-3B

Snyder-LF

Byrd-CF

LaHair-1B

Soto-C

bench: Chirinos, Camp, Soriano (b/c we can't get rid of him), Wright, M. Smith

Most of those guys are players either too old to be considered prospects and are worthy of consideration, or are guys that will be subject to the Rule 5, Rule 55 next year, and we HAVE to know what we have with them before we lose them.

But now that we're stuck with Lee, and most of these other loser veterans, unless Hendry has the balls (which we know he doesn't) and releases them to free up roster space, we're more than likely going to see guys like Hoffpauir, Fuld, Adduci, Stevens, Gray, etc., in September, because they don't have the roster space to allow for Snyder, LaHair, Thomas, Chirinos, Diamond, Jay Jackson, Carpenter, etc.

It's just a really messed up situation right now, and as I've very accurately pointed out earlier this season (and seeing how things have gone thus far, that's why I say I'm right), it's going to get even worse.

Fans can legitimately boo Lee for good reason now, and not feel bad at all about doing so. He just destroyed any chances we had at retooling for next year by his decision. And because he was the only underperforming "major" bat in our lineup that we can move, and our offense is the biggest culprit, that is a VERY accurate description, is it not?!?

Sure, we could eat nearly all of Soriano, Fukudome, and ARAM's contracts, but ALL 3 have full no-trades, or limited no-trades that'd prohibit us from doing so. All 3 are also locked up beyond this year, so it becomes even more impossible to get better next year.

This is precisely what I've been saying ad nauseam the past 2 seasons, and I had people on here saying all I was doing was being negative....Well, how you like it now?!?! It's the damn truth.

Hendry set us up to fail for the next 3 years (5 if you include the last 2) with all the long-term, no trade clauses he dished out to average veteran talent. Some fans think it doesn't matter if we have these veteran contracts on our payroll, but I just proved to you that it DOES matter, especially when you're trying to retool your roster. How can it not?

If you have Lee, Nady, Fontenot, Baker, Theriot, Soriano, Fukudome, and Hill that add almost nothing offensively to your team, then you can't insert a young guy to see if he can outperform that veteran. However, if you bring in a guy like Snyder, and he fails big time, then because he would have an option or two left, you could always bring in another young guy to see if he works. But the minute you start bringing a lot of veterans on, and when they don't perform, you're left with the option of eating millions in salary trying to DFA them, or, you're left with having them clog up your roster, adding NOTHING to your team if you don't want to eat the money.

Look what happened with Cedeno. He wasn't cutting it, so we brought in Theriot. Hoffpauir didn't cut it, so we brought in Colvin this year, and so on and so forth. But once you start getting players like Theriot, Fontenot, and Baker, that are at 30 yrs old, or close to it in Baker's case, then chances are, they're out of options, and your roster flexibility is limited.

Does anyone realize that our two most productive players on offense, Colvin and Castro, are the ONLY position players with options. Kind of screws you over, doesn't it, when your veterans can't produce?!?

I am sorry to burst your bubble Jeff but because JH lives on another planet and still thinks the Cubs are in it he is having a hard time coming to grips with reality.

Reality should have hit after the Cubs lost the series to the Astros after taking 3 of 4 from the Phillies after the All Star break.

It really makes you wonder what they are thinking.

Well, who is beating up on whom? Answer is very clear to me.

Why oh why is Bob Howry still on the roster?

Can anyone give me ONE GOOD REASON???

You want a good reason? I'll give you THE reason; you'll have to decide whether or not it is good.

Bob Howry is buddies with Lou and Larry Rothschild.

Okay, now that you have the reason, you can enjoy him stinking up the joint yet again this afternoon.

This whole game is EMBARRASSING to watch if you are a Cubs' fan.

Embarrassing how bad the Cubs bullpen can be. Many on this site said signing Howry was scraping the bottom of the barrel...how right they were!

To diehardcubfan, you are absolutely right. What a delight watching the Rangers excel in all facets of the game. That defense is remarkable, as noted by many of their opponents. Seeing Cliff Lee's skills is a treat, isn't it. By the way, X. Nady's 0 for 4 on tv this afternoon just underscores why the Rangers should stay clear of him...even if the Cubs gave him away!

I have been watching every night they are on FSSW. Like you said they know how to play the game.

Kinsler, Young, Andrus, Bourbon, Cruz, Hamilton, VLAD. They are gamers. They should teach the Cubs how to play the game.

And Cliff Lee, what a difference maker.

They are the most dangerous team in the AL right now and Derek Holland will be healthy soon.

Watch AL.

It makes you wonder why Rudy even took this job with all the veterans. He's never really had that many old guys...and I'm talking, guys on their last leg than he's had in the everyday lineup with the Cubs: Soriano, Lee, Fukudome, and possibly even ARAM.

Let us hope Rudy is thinking ahead and chomping at the bit to work with Snyder, Jackson, Campana, LaHair and the other younger players and continue to work with Colvin, Soto and Castro.

At least the young Cubs have someone to teach them the subtle aspects of hitting.

I guess the 2 week offensive surge is now a mirage!!

Schlitter isn't looking all that good these days . . . may need some winter ball.

Wells is having the off year I predicted. I thought he'd get 10 wins, but that may be a stretch now.

Lilly is our best starter. If you trade him, Dumpster becomes the ace, and Gorzelanny our #2. Silva, you say? He turns into a pumpkin at midnight. FORGETABOUTIT.

The team have many flaws we to fix it somehow and we can still resign Lily in off season if we trade him.

I have to agree with Aaron and others that DLee was selfish. If he and ARAM would have produced like they should have we wouldn't be in this mess.

As Aaron pointed out we will likely get nothing for DLee this winter. Also, the Angels would have probably looked at bringing DLee back for next year.

He has done yeoman's work for the Cubs but now reality needs to set in as we are not contending and I do not believe DLee is in the Cubs plans for next year.

The Cubs need to look at other options and since DLee is getting older he is evenly less likely to be productive next season.

I am not happy with DLee right now.

Well, as Rip pointed out, if we offer arby (not likely, but with good 'ole Hendry, it might be), he can only receive a cut that amounts to $10.4 million (2.6 million is 20%). There's a few problems there. If you offer, he most certainly accepts. If you trade him, you get virtually nothing in return, because that team will say that they won't give up anything for a guy they won't receive picks for, because they know he'll accept arbitration, meaning, he'd have to hit like 20 bombs and 50 RBI in the months of August and September to even justify considering an arbitration offer, and furthermore, if you hang onto him, he blocks development of your younger talent.....so, the ONLY options we have are:

1)Bench him indefinitely until he becomes so embarrassed he accepts a trade (I believe the Rays did this with McGriff when we got him and he initially said no)

2)Trade/Release Nady, thus opening a spot for another 1B on the roster like LaHair, and bench Lee 4 days a week, easing the young player in

3)Outright release Lee in August or September, proving a point to other veterans on the team that if you don't produce, you're out

Also, JH has not directed the release of Howry and we know how awful he has been.

What a sad state of affairs this team is in.

Aaron, I do not think JH or Lou will do any of the above.

Given also Nady's poor performance a trade is out and I do not think JH plans on releasing him. Over the winter I think they will relook but that might not even be til ST.

DLee will just be a thorn in the Cubs side this winter.

D Lee has a full no trade protection in his contract and then when he exercises it he is selfish? What planet do you guys live on?

Baseball is a game to us, but in reality it is a business and a livelihood. Of course Lee knows that he has a better chance in arbitration this winter. Does that make him a bad man? He has earned 10-5 rights. That is something. Since when should players make personal sacrifices for a team by leaving when that didn't really do shit for them while they were on the team?

The Cubs organization has done plenty for DLee. I hate to see him go but reality is reality.

Personally, JH should have handled it better. It makes you wonder what communication and relationship JH has had with DLee.

DLee did make it clear he did not want a trade but also the Cubs need to improve themselves and DLee is likely not a part of the teams future.

No matter what it is now a mess. JH has done nothing to improve the team or build for next year.

A reality check needs to set in but no one seems to realize it is already there.

Poor old Schlitter...getting his brains beaten in; what a confidence booster for this young man.

Carlos Lee does it again. One of the original Cubs killers of this generation

There sure are lots of Cubs killers out there this year, arent't there, Neil!

It didn't take a lot of insight to predict as I did before this game that Norris would likely stifle the hapless Cubs (and no surprise that the Cubs let him off the hook in the lst). The odds were big time in Norris's favor. Think the front office will continue saying the Cubs will get back in the race? Such talk is insulting when we watch this club play the Astros and Pirates, to name just two of many. This Cubs team is dead in the water and we all know it.

GO RANGERS!! As Texans we got to root for something positive this year.

Hamilton for MVP!!

And there you have it ... five walks and finally Astros do damage

DLee now makes the Cubs put either:

1. Offer him salary arby, or

2. Let him walk away for nothing.

DLee may be having a down year, but he isn't totally stupid. He knows that the Cubs are not likely to offer him arby, so he is going to punish them by making them get nothing for him. A little revenge, eh?

You're absolutely correct. I might be wrong, and Neil might be able to help me out here, but I think you can only receive a 10% pay cut in arbitration...It might be 20%, but I think it's more like 10.

That means that Lee would earn $11.7 million in arbitration at the very least....LMAO!!!

The ceiling is 20% pay cut, not 10%.

DLee isn't worth more than $1 million.

oh, and just FYI...this Lee situation should be the nail in the proverbial coffin to Hendry's job.

Even if he wanted to improve the team, he can't, because of his own misguided decisions with no-trade clauses handed out like candy to children...and also very bad contracts to begin with.

"Bradley, I know you've said you want to play her, and you want at least 2 years on your deal...I tell you what. Because you want to play her so badly, I'm going to give you a 3rd year that will be so easy to obtain with plate appearances that you can't possibly miss it. Sound good?"

-Hendry to Bradley

....I actually say it should be the nail in the coffin, but you know Ricketts just loves Hendry to death, and will probably extend his contract 10 more years after this season...and give him a no-firing clause...LOL

You've said everything I wanted to Aaron, top post.

From Carrie Muskat:

Derrek Lee invokes 10-and-5 rights to block proposed deal to Angels.

wow...this makes me dislike Lee even more....just proves how much of a loser he really is. Go from near bottom of your division to 2nd place, and a great shot at making the playoffs...in your hometown area nevertheless....LOL...what a joke he is.

I hope his ass rides the pine the rest of the year, and he's embarrassed, and ends up on the street like Dye was this past year.

I'm glad Lou had the balls to sit him. Hopefully that was a directive from Hendry to do so. It's almost an unwritten rule in baseball that it should happen, because he's putting himself over the betterment of the team both short-term and long-term. He's NOT wanted here in Chicago, and should be booed at Wrigley if he returns

Wow dude, we understand what a loser you think D Lee is. Could you give it rest? It is tiresome and a personal attack.

And do not tell me not to read it if I don't like it. It is obvious that you continue to post your broken record diatribe to illicit a rise and fish for response.

Just drop it. What is the point?

Wow dude, we understand what a loser you think D Lee is. Could you give it rest? It is tiresome and a personal attack.

And do not tell me not to read it if I don't like it. It is obvious that you continue to post your broken record diatribe to illicit a rise and fish for response.

Just drop it. What is the point?

Wow dude, we understand what a loser you think D Lee is. Could you give it rest? It is tiresome and a personal attack.

And do not tell me not to read it if I don't like it. It is obvious that you continue to post your broken record diatribe to illicit a rise and fish for response.

Just drop it. What is the point?

Sorry JC, but what planet do you live on? DLee does have the right to invoke his 10-5 clause, but we have to rip him for doing that. Everyone has their right to an opinion. Just because a big strong multi-milliomaire athlete like DLee chooses to hide behind his family, his agent, and his contract doesn't mean he gets a free pass. You speak of being classy, but clearly DLee is not living up to that. You accuse others of not being classy in expressing their opinions, but in doing so, you are living up to your own criticism.

An ugly first inning for both teams

From ESPN Chicago:

BREAKING NEWS: Cubs' Derrek Lee won't accept a trade

Wow....what does that say about his competitive spirit? He is content to stay with the Cubs versus joining a contending team for the last couple of months.

This may provide some insight into the Cubs struggles when one of the team leaders is content with staying with a losing team.

I could understand if he had more years on his contract, but when you are basically talking about a couple months and a chance to possibly to win another WS ring? I would think at his age and being an athlete, his number one priority would be to win!

I'd sit him the rest of the year so younger guys could play. He doesn't fit into future plans and with 6 of the position players set next year (ARAM, SOTO, CASTRO and the outfield) I'd see what our younger guys have (lehair mainly). By him not accepting a trade it just handcuffs the rebuilding process.

That is very selfish of him, but again that what happens when you give players no trade clause.

What the hell does that mean? Selfish? D Lee is 35 years old, he has a family and a daughter with a rare illness. He isn't a kid breaking into the game, maybe he doesn't want to move to an apartment in Tampa Bay or Arlington, Texas in August (can you blame him?). And why shouldn't Lee or any other veteran be "selfish"? O, he is supposed to sacrifice his comforts and move his life for the Cubs! Give me a break.

And I'm also sick of hearing about how he is content losing. That is such bullshit, too. Are you telling me every single one of you that sit here and read and post on this site are completely happy with your jobs? If you aren't, would you just drop everything, move to a different city and start a new job TOMORROW because you there was a chance you could get a bonus after your 3 month tenure? It might be a bad analogy, but everyone acts like being traded just means you put on a different color uniform the next day.

Lee has put in his time, paid his dues AND been a freakin rock on this team, through the good and the pathetic. And he's the only schmuck out there with a championship ring on his finger.

Stay Classy, people.

first of all, you have the story wrong. His daughter's "illness" was not nearly as bad as previously thought, though somewhat troubling nevertheless. Here's the problem I have with all that garbage you just said about family, kids, etc.

#1: He's NOT coming back with the Cubs, so consequently, he will have to find a new place to live, new schools, etc. PLUS, most Chicago schools start up again in early September. It'd allow him to get them settled into a new area at least, where he can hope to do well, and land himself a contract with the new team. Furthermore, he's actually screwing over his kids, because now they're going to be in Chicago in schools from September til December or January (if he finds another team), and STILL have to move. At least this way, you can hire private tutors, and while you decided if you'll stay with your new team or not, they don't miss any schooling. It's absolutely ludicrous

#2: Lee now has almost no chance of landing another job next year, as teams will almost certainly view him as selfish, as accurately described on here. Baseball, as much as everyone does NOT want to recognize, is a highly political sport. It's the good 'ole boys network, and if you screw over someone just once, and they're well-liked around the league (like Hendry is...though you have to wonder if some of that is because they can take advantage of him in trades), then the chances of someone picking you up at 35 years old and on the decline is slim to none.

#3: I fully understand you don't want to recognize that Lee is a loser for wanting to stay, but that is the perception, and perception is reality. If he's content to stay on a likely last place or second to last place team and he's making $13 million/year, then any team that might otherwise have been interested in him before, might turn away, because they realize he's complacent. You invoked the old, "wouldn't you feel that way in your job" bit, so let me paint a scenario to you...As a manager, I've had the opportunity to hire, fire, and promote people. If someone approached me about a job from a competitor, and that individual was ranked in sales 7 out of 8 on their team, and their company was one of the worst competitors in the league, I wouldn't even give them an interview. Furthermore, if someone in my own organization was looking at a promotion, but wasn't a team player, and didn't do what was best for the organization, then why in the world would I give them a new contract or promotion?!? If your company offers you the chance of a lifetime in a promotion to go to a better market where you've got a better chance of landing big accounts, and can therefore earn more money the following year than you would've been in line for, and you refuse that promotion, then I'd actually consider demoting that person, or taking responsibility away from them....

Which, while I understand they took him out of the lineup most likely because they were on the verge of trading him, they still did the right move by benching him, and he should continue riding the pine until he accepts a trade, even if it's in August

"His daughter's "illness" was not nearly as bad as previously thought, though somewhat troubling nevertheless."

You have sunk to a new low. You need to get your priorities in line. I am sure you would not say that face to face to any father who had a child that had to go through what Lee's daughter did. Whatever Lee has he has earned. I can imagine how you would be crying and bitching if your company took away something that you have earned.

In what I hope is the last word on this subject, DLee's family issues should have no effect on his job performance. As a social worker, I've had to work with families dealing with tragedies far greater than DLee has. The difference is that they don't have multi-million dollar guaranteed contracts in order to cover there tracks. People everywhere have to deal with these things and perform at a high level, otherwise they lose jobs. Like I said in a previous post, professional athletes are far too priveledged and make far too much money to ever play the family card as an excuse for poor performance.

Sorry Sir, but once again, you try and don't succeed.

Those were NOT even my words. If I recall, that was nearly verbatim from what Muskat said about a year and a half ago about Lee's daughter. The ONLY thing that I added was this ("illness"). I shouldn't have done that, because that made it seem like I was marginalizing it, when in fact I wasn't.

Do you think I have no heart? C'mon man...get real!

While I dislike Lee as the ballplayer, I'm sure he's a great person, and his family really did struggle. I know, I've experienced a misdiagnosis like this in my own family and it's very troubling, but it happens.

But like I said, you and Scott, and others cherry-pick things for no other reason than an "ah-ha" moment trying to get me off guard. Too bad I do my research.

And while you don't deserve the research I've done, because clearly you just have a vendetta with me (which you can't deny), here it is for everyone else, so they can see I'm not a classless fan as you like to think:

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derrek_Lee

In September 2006, Lee's three-year-old daughter Jada was diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a rare genetic disease resulting in loss of vision. Lee and Boston Celtics co-owner and CEO Wyc Grousbeck with the University of Iowa established Project 3000 in an effort to eradicate the disease, which affects both their families. Lee guest starred in an episode of NBC's drama series ER, "Gravity", which was first broadcast in October 2007. Lee agreed to the brief appearance because the producers of ER aired an episode in January 2008 that deals with Leber's congenital amaurosis. Lee's efforts to raise awareness and funds for research into the condition have helped to raise over $1,000,000 of additional research funds. An eventual cure for the disease depends greatly on getting data on patients and Lee's support has had a significant impact both in fundraising and testing patients who have the disease.

"In 2009 Lee revealed that Jada had been misdiagnosed and does not have the disease, but Lee continues to be active in raising money for Project 3000"

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Oh, snap...did you see that last part?!? LOL....Oh, I love it how you say these things and get me going.

But, hey, I presume you will find something wrong with THIS post, which didn't even come from me....If I wanted to waste more time, I could paste Muskat's report, but, hey, why don't you do some original research yourself?!?! Isn't that a novel idea?

Thanks for letting me know that she was misdiagnosed. I did not know that. Also thanks for apologizing for the "garbage" comment. As you can see by my nick in this site, I am very family oriented and it raises my ire when somebody associates family problems with "garbage".

Also, I have complimented you before on your research and I commend you again for doing it. I don't have the time nor want to take the time to look all up all the stuff you look up.

As far as Lee refusing to go to the Angels: He has that right. He has earned that right. He is the only one that can make that decision. We don't know all the factors that play into it. I am sure you have made some decisions in your life that some people do not agree with. It will be something he has to live with. Like I said in a previous comment: How can you call him a loser? He has been on a World Series winning team, he has had a great career, and he is an upstanding citizen. Read some of the comments in the Sun Times about how other players feel about Lee and you will see he has the respect of all of them.

And for a little levity: I am glad they did not release him last year and pick up Wilson Betemit LOL!

Keep up the great work on research, Aaron, but try to show a little more of that heart that you know you have.

Wow, I wonder what "Gramps" will say in rebuttal? Facts, as they say, are inconvenient things when one has an agenda.

Keep up the good work Aaron, true Cub fans know that what you are saying is what is needed; a complete overhaul of this organization from top to bottom.

Garbage? Really? Man, you are full of today!

Just curious, do you have a family?

The point is it is all about making the team better and it was best for him to accept the trade at the end day I grateful for all he have done for the Cubs, but it is what is best for the team not him.

Very well put J.C.

It is going to be a sad day in Wrigleyville if or when Lilly gets traded.

JH, you are to blame for us having to give up a true professional and a gutsy player in the Marlon Byrd mold.

We need more Lilly's and Byrd's, not the mess we have now.

I actually hope Lilly does not get traded.

Not really looking forward to this game, pretty much all backups. Not fun.

Don't be at all surprised if the Cubs feel, as the game goes on this afternoon, they are getting an extra dose of Brett Myers when facing young Bud Norris of the Astros. Coming back from some injury problems, Norris is a big strong guy who will likely sense the Cubs' vulnerability and limit their oft times puny offense. Certainly Wells generally doesn't get that much support so another perplexing, frustrating day may be in order....I would be VERY surprised otherwise but hope I'm wrong.

Today's lineup:

Theriot - 2B

Castro - SS

Colvin - CF

Ramirez - 3B

Nady - LF

Fukudome - RF

Baker - 1B

Hill - C

Wells - P