Aaron, I agree with practically everything you said.

However, Ricketts is just as clueless as Hendry, if the quotes he made in the Tribune are correct.

Unfortunately, no one can fire Ricketts. So what you've got is a clueless GM, a clueless manager, a clueless president, and, worst of all, a moron for an owner!

I don't see any hope for this franchise now, or in the future.

They desperately needed an owner with leadership abilities, a keen sense of baseball, and a willingness to do what it takes to put a winning team on the field; including firing anyone, and everyone, responsible for this mess we have on the field today.

I don't want Hendry doing anything! I want him gone! Then hire a GM who knows what he's doing and make the necessary player, and personnel moves.

What a terrible game. I didn't even have to look at highlights...only the bottom line in the box score. Nady?!? LOL...What did I tell everyone...he and Lee are GIDP machines. Whenever Nady comes into the game with a runner on first and less than 2 outs, it's almost automatic with the double play ball.

I see that Silva turned into a pumpkin, which brings me to the main thing I wanted to get at:

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TOP TEN REASONS HENDRY SHOULD BE FIRED:

#10: trade that sent 3 of our best pitching propects at the time, Nolasco, Pinto, and Mitre to the Marlins for a one year rental in Pierre

#9: traded Pie away for practically nothing. Look at how Pie is doing now and did last year at the end with regular playing time, and he was still just 24 at the time of his trade. Oh, and he was replaced by Gathright, which I'm not even mentioning here as a top reason, though that should be noted

#8: signing a midget infielder like Miles to essentially replace DeRosa, and giving him more years/money than any other team, including his own team, were willing to offer, coming off a career year (a theme of Hendry's)

#7: signing Lee to a multi-year MASSIVE extension when he was coming off a career year. If he was worried about losing him, he could've tested his loyalty by offering arbitration, making him repeat the best year in his career, which happened to be the ONLY year at the time in which he hit over .300, had over a .400 OBP, over 40 hr, and over 100 RBI in 8 previous MLB seasons.

#6: signing Fukudome to a 4 year deal. Yes, the Cubs wanted to make a splash, and yes, most of us bought into what the Cubs were selling us, but the fact remains, most fans ignored the fact that Fukudome was 4 years older than Ichiro (31) at the time he signed with us, and the Cubs should've known that post-steroids era for players geared more towards power than anything, they'll experience a significant drop-off in stats in the 30's. Given the fact Ichiro (27) and Hideki Matsui (29) were the only Japanese position players to experience success at the MLB level, that should've been a red flag. Furthermore, the Cubs should've noted Matsui's decline at nearly Fukudome's same age of arrival, who happens to be a similar hitter to Matsui prior to arriving in the states. I guess you could make a case for a 3 year deal if you're attempting to enter the Japanese market, but 4 years?!?!?

#5: trading DeRosa for 3 prospects not even listed on the Indian's top 30 prospects....Notice, top 30...THREE ZERO!!!!!!!! This is someone that produced 20+hr, 80+RBI for us....and was a team leader...WOW!!!...oh, and was signed for a very reasonable deal

#4: Not keeping McGehee when he had NO back-up for ARAM at 3B in the organization at the time. This is one of the most egregious mistakes he made. Baseball 101...ALWAYS have a back-up in your system at all times for key positions like 1B, 3B, middle IF, C, and at least one or two in your system that can play all 3 OF positions in the event of an emergency

#3: In 2007, we had a glaring need at the time for some OF help, as we had nobody available in our system, or even current team that was a good option for CF or RF. The Cubs did not believe Jacque Jones was the answer. Murton was a LF that was a man without a position due to the Soriano signing, and so they had a glaring hole in RF and CF that they needed to fill with a player that had a lot of pop and could play those positions. Who was available that offseason? None other than Josh Hamilton, who was regarded even during the preview of that year's Rule 5, as having the best raw talent of all-time of any Rule 5 draftee. Was their risk? Sure there was, but we had no other options. Hendry instead traded the selection, then signed Cliff Floyd to play RF...a guy that not only had an injury plagued past, but also had just 156 games played in RF in 13 prior MLB seasons....WOW!!!!!!!!

#2: Signing Soriano to the large contract. I've gone back and forth as to who to blame on this one, but the more you think about it, the more you see that the blame falls squarely on Hendry's shoulders, no matter what anyone else says. Why? Because anyone who actually thinks that McDonough--a marketing guru that was recently promoted to president at the time, and admitted he didn't know much about the baseball operations side of things--actually had any real pull on the baseball ops side of things, is not being honest with themselves. Fact is, Hendry really could say whatever he wants, and if McDonough is a friend of Hendry's, and has no vested interest in the team at this point, he would probably come out to defend him, even if it were Hendry's sole decision. Hendry had multiple options then, including the more consistent Carlos Lee, who actually wanted to play here for less money and less years than Soriano.

#1: The signing of Milton Bradley. This was ALL on Hendry here, and it indicts him even further as a GM who consistently tries to fit a square peg in a round hole. Not only were there more talented and more proven options (Dunn, Abreu, and Ibanez) available on the market for less money, and less years in Dunn and Abreu's cases, but they were NOT at all regarded as having anywhere close to the character issues that plagued Bradley throughout his career...But more importantly, this signing could've been prevented by #3 on my list with Hamilton. Had Hendry signed Hamilton, he wouldn't have signed Floyd, which wouldn't have necessitated the signing of Fukudome the following year, which wouldn't have necessitated the trading of Pie and subsequent signing of Bradley the following year after that.

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The problem with Hendry, is you can see that multiple ill-conceived moves he made via free agency and trade necessitated even more questionable moves and set the organization back even more.

You can see with the $$ and years tied up into Soriano how it's handcuffed us in trades/FA/our own system in improving the position. You can make the same case for Fukudome, and even for Lee.

You can see with the decision to trade DeRosa, the lasting effects that's had on the team even just 2 years removed. We wouldn't have attempted to fit Miles in that position, nor Freel, nor Fontenot, nor Baker, all of whom are considered bench guys at best in the major leagues.

You can also see the ill-conceived decision to trade our top pitching prospect at the time, Ceda, for a closer coming off one of the worst seasons in the league for a closer in terms of blown saves, and also coming off knee surgery, oh, and by the way, was going to be NON-TENDERED anyhow by the Marlins when we had a closer candidate in Marmol already on our roster. If we'd just gone with Marmol to begin with, there's a VERY good chance we would've made the playoffs last year. Plus, if you look at this season, he would've already had a year under his belt experiencing more pressure situations, which would've only aided in his development.

There are no more excuses for Hendry, and each and every day that he waits to make trades this season to get rid of cumbersome salaries proves all the more that he is so incredibly out of touch with the realities of the job as GM in major league baseball. It is his duty to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em. Most people knew we were out of it last year, and yet he refused to fold 'em by trading Harden and Heilman at the end of the year, and this year, he's refusing to trade Lilly when there are no less than 5 teams right now looking to trade for him, and give up premium talent to do so.

Speechless...I can't stand the man, and I hope Ricketts grows a pair and finally puts him on the chopping block which he's clearly deserved for a LONG time now

Aaron, you also forgot he gave Jeff Samardjza a No Trade clause.

I am not declaring that the Cubs have no chance. That performance against the Astros was poor if not pathetic.

This team is too erratic and inconsistent to have a chance. They continue to have more questions than answers.

It is now time for the Cubs management to get as much as they can for the veterans and start planning for next year as much as I hate to do it.

It is now time to become realistic and face the facts this team cannot contend.

I would give them a shot if there was not such separation even in the wildcard race but given the Cubs are 10 games back in each, the last glimmer of hope disappeared tonight.

If Ricketts truly cared about a winning baseball team he would fire that front office and most of the field managers.

But, he isn't, so he won't.

And the beat goes on.

Silva said he is not hurt just got beat tonight.

Piniella said he has no explanation for Silva. He hasn't been in to see the trainer. Piniella said they have to get him straightened out.

First career home run by Chris Johnson. Just horrible, horrible pitching.

Soriano's 2 out aggressiveness did not bother me one bit.

ARAMIS!!!!!!

Colvin!

Number 13 ... against another lefty. Good thing he did not play everyday early in the season.

What's really bad is that tonight is the worst I've seen Wandy in a while

I was thinking the the same thing. At 5 runs down, the Cubs still had a chance.

I still don't understand not pinch hitting for Atkins with runners at 2nd & 3rd and nobody out.

Man, this Houston Astros buzz saw is just too much for the Cubs. No wonder that the Astros are favored to win the World Series in 4 straight.

Silva is no longer a mystery to the NL hitters.

Can someone explain to me why Lou would would not use a pinch hitter for Atkins? How many more innings can he pitch? One? Is he saving the pen for the post season? I will be so happy when that old fart Piniella is gone.

Atkins should be able to go four or five. He was stretched out as a starter in Iowa.

Since this portion of the season should be used for evaluation, one conclusion should be that Mitch Atkins is NOT a Major League pitcher.

I really thought Atkins would do better against these guys. He's faced them in the PCL with success. Just proves your point.

DAMN!! If you told me that Castro would go 2-2 with a 3 run homer I would have been excited. Just didn't know they have a Castro too.

I was going to say the ugly truth has been exposed, but we already knew the truth.

WTF!!! Had dinner. Went out for an ice cream cone with my wife. Sit down to listen to the game and we're already down 5-0. Why do I waste my time on this team?

Good job by Atkins

Here's Mitch Atkins ... just three runs too late.

This is why Silva had and has no trade value.

And the Cubs go in order ... and continue to make bad teams look very good.

This is why I think we need to trade Lily soon before some thing like this happening like what is happening with Silva now. Neil what does Cubs want to do with Cashner in the future. Will he be a starter.

I have heard both on Cashner ... back end of the bullpen arms are hard to find but so are front end of the rotation pitchers. I am looking forward to seeing Jay Jackson at the big league level.

If they want him as a starter I believe we should send him to Triple A to get stretch out and recall him back in September to start to see what we have. Jackson might be up sooner rather than later since this team is going no where.

The fact that Lou didn't get anybody up until 5 first inning runs had scored, tells you everything you need to know about what he thinks the possibility of a mid-season surge is.

wtf Silva ....

Pathetic!

Neil if Silva is injured why is he still starting or is this the old Carlos Silva from Seatle is back.

He has been hurt for a while. Lou admitted he talked his way to the mound in his last start ... and I think he's done it again.

wtf Silva ....

If Silva goes on the DL, and I really hope he does, this will be his final start of the year.

Silva allowed five runs 12 min after the first pitch.

Silva needs to go on the DL.

He does I guess the old Cubs are back.

Silva's hurt. Does not even look like the same pitcher

What do everyone think is gonna happen with Hak-Ju Lee this year? With lake, lemahiu and flaherty at daytona i see him in peoria for the year

what do you all think?

Grant, he should finish the year in Peoria but with the way he has progressed I would not be surprised if they started him in Double-A next year.

I wouldnt... which makes me mad cuz he needs more seasoning at High A next year then maybe a lil AA next year and then a lil more AA or AAA in 2012 and then the majors, thats more likly..

Im hoping he stays the whole year in peoria though

Sounds like you have it figured out.

Yea i know most the Chiefs pretty well, and most the minors just annoys me whats being done with Vitters, he hasnt had much time anywhere to develope he shoulda stayed at Daytona till about mid august and finish up at Tenn to see what happens

So only two weeks in Double-A?

Yes because hes only 20, maybe the last month or so but i think he being moved up too agresivly, as did many people in daytona

But I still think it will help his career going to Colorado. He still was a .300 hitter up to this year. But I dont I would agree that he is a role player and that they wont get much value for him.

Good Luck tonight.

Go Cubs!!!!!!

I believe his struggles is due to fact that he known is job was in jeopardy and when he loss the arbitration hearing I think he was extremely disappointed.

What about last season?

He was trying to do too much because of all the expectations people expected of him.

Horrible start for Silva

Theriot has value as a bench/role type of player. He just doesn't have enough pop to justify an everyday job (cf. Aaron Miles).

I wish that Santo had not nicknamed Fontenot "Little Babe Ruth."

Theriot traded to the Rockies would be good for his career. As somebody said a few months ago, his singles could turn into doubles and triples more often in that ballpark.

i hope J.B. has a good night...

If the Yankees are trying to get in the mix then that should up the value that we get for him. Not from the Yankee's exactly but Competition for him could start a little bidding war.

Yea but when have Jim Hendry done right thing.

Jay Jackson and Casey Coleman are readay too come up.. Brett Jackson and Robinson are NOT

I believe we should trade Lily now, Theriot probably will get traded and I am just hoping the team will better next year.

Tonight's lineup:

Colvin - RF

Castro - SS

Lee - 1B

Ramirez - 3B

Byrd - CF

Soriano - LF

Soto - C

Baker - 2B

Silva - P