I read where Mr Sandburg was a players manager.That he par-takes in infield practice as both pitcher&fungo batter.Interesting that he wants to sweat and get dirty!

Idon't believe I've ever seen such energy from previous mgrs.

Adefinite plus too extract from his porfolio.The list of potential mgrs.do not reflect such interaction on the field.

People persons in mgm't achieve higher levels of success in pursuit of established goals & objectives;vs established mgmt'with longjivity in the same area of expertise.

BEWARE OF WHAT YOU WISH FOR IN THE NEXT CUB MANAGER TO ACHIEVE SUCCESS'

One addittonal comment.

Mr Rothchild you should take to heart Rynos approach to involvement and release your presence in the dugout and take your place in the bull pen to oversee who is ready to come into the game in relief;not some other guy with a clip board.You need to keep your players in the game mentally if not physically!Discuss whats going on out in the field,and what they see the opposition is doing when at bat.

A pitching coach belongs on the field with his responsible job of PITCHING.We have a bench coach who can pick up the phone and contact YOU to get your input on who is the best relief solution at this time for this situation

Ron

What other team keeps their pitching coach in the bullpen??????

None that I know of..... All pitching coaches are in the dugout.

Big Z threw scoreless inning:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/news/story?id=5402966

Thanks for posting. While Z's line looks good, Sam Fuld made a great catch in center that took away an extra basehit.

yes sir. I'm more of an optiimist and its not great but for his first outing in a month i'll give him credit. I'm crossing my fingers he tears it up after he comes back. finds a groove and gets moved.

The best way to join the Cubs or any major league team through the minor league is when there is an opening and the stats indicate that a player is a good possibility. I think this was Kevin Kostner's dream in the movie, "Bull Duram." Even though Thomas Diamond's numbers are currently impressive, because of previous injuries I would watch him with a fine tooth comb if he is selected to the pitching roster of the Chicago Cubs. And who knows, he might surprise all the Cub baseball fans.

If Diamond is not given a call up in September and a shot at making the rotation/bullpen in the spring then there is something really wrong with this organization.

He could be the solution to our middle inning relief problem and that would allow Cashner to move into the rotation, unless the Cubs are thinking the other way around.

In theory, you're correct, especially regarding this season, but let's not get carried away here.

First of all, Diamond has had his fair share of injuries. One of the reasons he is NOT a reliever, is because he takes forever to warm up. Secondly, as a starter, he simply throws too many pitches, and the scouting report on him seems to be that he's like Harden Jr., where he tires in about the 5th inning, thus taxing your bullpen.

That being said, he's no worse than Zambrano, or Silva, or even Wells at this point.

Next year, here's my ideal rotation:

Dempster

Gorzelanny

Wells

Jackson

Diamond

pen: Parker, Mateo, Dolis (long-relief, spot starter), Marshall, Russell, Cashner, Marmol

Aaron,

Would you not want some of the money saved from Lilly, Lee, etc. to be spent on a top starter? There will be plenty of options:

C. Lee, proven playoff ace.

Webb, yet to pitch this year, but could be a steal with injury issues.

Or what about flyers on a guy like:

Tim Hudson

Javy Vazquez

What about a rotation of:

Lee/Webb

Dempster

Gorzelanny

Vazquez

Jackson???

With Wells being moved for prospect.

Nobody is going to take Silva or Z's contracts off our hands. We move one into the long relief role and eat one of them for prospect. We saved what 9 mil on Silva deal? I'm sure if we sent Silva and 9 mil to a NL team in need of a starter (Mets, Dodgers for example) we should be able to get something in return. We know the Cubs didn't use Silva's 9 million on Byrd - because Dempster has already come out and said he restructured this year to allow for Byrd.

I really want Bobby V as our next manager. Let Ryno be the bench coach. Our team needs the fire and Bobby V would be the perfect fit. I love Ryno but I don't compare him to Bobby V or Giardi due to experience.

I for one am not a fan of Brenly as manager. When he left Arizona he seemed past his prime in that position and nothing has changed that perception for me. And there are numerous things he says in the both that I just don't agree with. I could handle him on an interim basis, for maybe a year or two and let Ryno get some pro experience, but that's about it.

The field of candidates grows, Brenly wants in.

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/2522096,CST-SPT-cubnt22.article

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/id/1687/pierre-deal-still-hurts-for-cubs

Neil...thanks for forwarding this.

Nolasco and Pagan (who I was really high on when he was with the Cubs) have been tough losses, and both would have been sound pluses to the current roster and state of affairs. But as the article stated, hindsight is wonderful.

Oh one thing I forgot, there was a Mitch Moreland that played 1st and rf for the Redhawks, does anyone know if he's any relation to Keith Moreland? I tried to google but came up empty. He's a good ballplayer!

I went to the ICubs game last night for the Samardziga vs. Rich Harden matchup and I wouldn't be too sad about us letting Harden go. He did strike out 9 in 5 innings but he also gave up 6 runs on 7 hits including 2 bombs by Bobby Scales and Hoffpauir. Samardziga's numbers were good but I can't explain it my friends and I just don't think he's got the stuff for the Bigs. Barney played ss and had a decent game but man he looks and reminds me of Bobby Hill.

I'm going to check out Big Z tonight and will let you know how he looks, I splurged and got seats behind home.

Bob Howry has supporters?

Russell is not that good either.

No, he isn't really, and neither is Berg or Atkins. There is some hope for Stevens based on his peripheral numbers, stuff, and ability to miss bats, but he isn't performing so far.

I hate signing FA relievers to multi-year deals; they almost never work out. You are much better off taking shots with retreads/rehabs/farm system, and attacking it with quantity. Going into this year, I would not have expected ALL our AAA arms to perform, but I don't think it was unreasonable that we could find a Mike Wuertz or two somewhere in the AAA bunch that could contribute next year. So far, that hasn't happened.

no, it's not hard, which is why you keep trying until you find one that sticks. Last year, we thought we'd found Caridad and Berg to stick. I think there's still hope for Caridad, but as far as I understand, he's MIA. Nobody seems to know where he's at. He went on the 15-day, but since then, no updates, nothing....

Neil has never been a supporter of giving any veteran reliever a long-term, high dollar deal. It's just not worth it.

If you believe what Nolan Ryan thinks, then you just put up with high ERA's of starters, and allow them to go a full 9 or at least 8, and go directly to your closer. But managers play little games that don't work, do they? Occasionally, you'll have a lights out pen that you want to play games with, but those seasons are too few and far between. If I had my choice, I'd go with a 6 or even 7 man (if you did that, you'd have an Atkins, Samardzija, or Marshall that could be a swing-man), then you'd have a full-time set-up guy and closer. That's the best way to do things, and that way these teams don't see your middle relievers everyday like they do now, and therefore can't figure them out as quickly....but, I digress...

As for your comment about Stevens....There is absolutely NO hope for that guy. He is awful, and he's had plenty of opportunities to prove his worth, and hasn't. He's a classic case of just cutting your losses and moving on, and letting him figure it out with another team like so many other relievers do. Ever notice how middle relievers seem to do better when they switch divisions, or even leagues? That's no coincidence. Teams see them less, and they have better years. The very next season, they'll suck. It's just the way it goes when you see guys so many times, you develop your own scouting report as a hitter, and stop relying on advanced scouts.

Nice posts today Aaron. I agree with you on the middle reliever thing. It is extremely hit or miss for any given reliever on any given team. I think Stevens is a career minor leaguer. I do believe that Schlitter can be decent, just needs some opportunity. And like you, I think Russell is decent.

I wonder if Angel Guzman has any hope of being healthy in the future...

Agustin,

I disagree on Russell, as I think he's fairly valuable, and has the bloodlines to cope with the ups and downs and succeed.

Howry is finished. Stick a fork in him, he's done. (sorry for the cliche there, LOL)

As I mentioned the other day, the pitchers most likely to get a look this year are:

Jay Jackson

Samardzija

Diamond

Parker

Mateo

and possibly even Dolis if we fall very far out of contention (talking 15+games under .500)

DFA candidates from a pitching standpoint are: Berg, Gray, Stevens, and Schlitter

DFA candidates for position players if we can't trade them, include: Hill, Nady, Hoffpauir, Fuld, Adduci

As far as changes go, I think we'll see a TON of movement you'd least expect, such as moving Fukudome, Lee, ARAM, and even Z, as the Cubs try to clear the books for next year, and clear spots for young up-and-comers.

As has been mentioned in several articles, if we can clear Lee, Lilly, and even Z, it becomes easier to eat almost all of Fukudome's 2011 salary based on the savings through trading others this year, if that makes sense.

I don't think any of us would've thought we could get anything for Lee, Fuk, and Z this year, but injuries are piling up around the league---just look around, it's crazy. The Red Sox, Tigers, Phillies, Yankees (Pettitte), Angels, Rangers (though not injury, through trade), Mets, Twins, etc., all contending teams, have experienced injuries that we can fill with middle infielders like Fontenot, Theriot, and Baker, and rotation with Lilly, Silva, and possibly even Z, and first base with Lee and Nady, 3B with ARAM, and OF with Fukudome....I'm pretty damn sure none of us thought we could unload these guys, but now's our chance

I have to admitt he is not a terrible pitcher, his K/Walk ratio is impressive but he serves up home runs at an alarming pace. Just to put it in perspective BOB HOWRY has given up 8HR's in 31 IP and Russell has given up 9HR's in 28 IP and 7 of those were at Wrigley. Cashner has served 3 in 23IP and Carlos Marmol 1HR, yes ONE, in 45 Innings pitched.

At the very least, Russell should be kept away from wrigley...specially with a tight game on the line. He will not walk a guy though.

BTW-I think we should keep Bob Howry for next year and build our BP arround him. [that way all the other guys would look good no matter what they do]...Or just proceed with the Fork thing...thanks.

Aaron:

Lets starting dreaming (realistically) about next years line up.

For me, I will start with :

1: Starlin Castro SS

2 Tyler Colvin RF

3 Aramis Ramirez 3b

4 Adam Dunn 1B

5 Alfonso Soriano LF

6 Dan uggla 2B

7 Marlyn Byrd CF

8 Miguel Olivo c

Pitcher

9 Pitcher

Jim,

I love it...except for Olivo based on age. I thought Hendry made a serious mistake this year by not signing him as a back-up, but I digress...

I also love, love, love Dunn for 1B, and I know that will catch flack because of his defense, but what other guy (ON THE MARKET) will give you 40 hr, 100 RBI? Plus, his defense has improved, as well as his average, which is near the .280 range this year. He's sitting at 22 hr, 59 RBI, which, given his track record at Wrigley, you'd think it'd improve even more with us....I love that idea

I also love Uggla, who also has increased his average and defense this year, and is the mark of consistency with about 30 hr, 90 RBI every single year. Why wouldn't you want that?!?

I think your lineup is pretty close. I'd only make a few changes, which include benching Soriano:

B Jackson-CF

Castro-SS

Dunn-1B

ARAM-3B

Colvin-RF

Uggla-2B

Byrd-LF

Soto-C

bench: Chirinos/Castillo, Barney, Campana, Soriano, Snyder

Dunn and Uggla would look good on the infield, but you would have to give them at least a 3-4 year contract and they both will be 31 years old when the season starts. I don't think either would come here for a 1 or 2 year contract. I think they should look at some younger guys if they have to give out contracts that have any length.

I actually really like that lineup Jim C, except I think I would stick with Soto at catcher, especially if he continues to have the year he is having again.

Yeah, I was hard on Soto but have to give him credit. He's been solid on both sides of the dish this year.

Plus, Olivo is having a career year, he is 31, and in Colorado. All that adds up to big disappointment. But I do really like him, Jim.

How about Brett Jackson in CF, Byrd in RF and Colvin at 1B?

And I'm with Neil, I do not want to see Dan Uggla on the Cubs. We need to get more athletic and better defensively.

I agree with you that I would like Jackson in CF and Byrd in RF. That would depend on if Colvin could play 1B effectively given he has not played there in a while.

Dunn is a good hitter but we need to be more athletic and have hitters that do not consistently strike out.

Also, based on the way Soto is tearing it up he deserves to stay on the Cubs. He has been a beast.

2B is our biggest hole and we really have no one to fill that unless we decide to go with Campana.

Campana is doing well in AA and probably deserves a shot. He has the potential to be the leadoff hitter we lack. Maybe he will get a September audition.

Howry does stink, we are not deceived.....his peripherals are terrible.

RE: Diamond, I think he is a minor league FA after this season, correct me if I am wrong. If we are interested, we need to give him a look-see, or someone else will sign him.

He's not on the 40-man, but dumping Howry would take care of that......

For you Bob Howry supporters: his stats.

As a Cub in 2010:

21 games, only 18.2 IP with 22 hits

14 runs (8 ER), 6 BB, 7 SO, 1.50 WHIP, 3.86 ERA and 0-2 record. 2 HR allowed.

That 3.86 ERA is SOOOOOO very deceptive. He stinks!

Tribune assessment on Lou...

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/rosenblog/2010/07/piniellas-thoughts-on-the-way-out-reveal-the-lack-of-respect-he-showed-coming-in.html

Rosenbloom is an arrogant asshole. I don't have a problem with most of his opinions, but they certainly aren't just HIS.

He has the pulpit and screams loud from it. He certainly doesn't add many ideas or solutions, not as many as I can read here.

So good for you Steve, blast away and hide behind your big mouth just like so many sports "personalities" today. What happened to journalists? At least Morrissey - whom I also don't care for - writes a story. Rosenbloom just points out the obvious.

I agree. The guy even ripped into the black hawks this year because they lost 2 in a row. The guy went to USC and he never, never has written anything about the USC scandal, but, rips other colleges that cheat. Just a tool.

Totally agree.

Rosenbloom is an arrogant, sarcastic, bitter, cheap shot artist. A total Ass.

Half the crap he talks about is a such a reach. Like he is inferring that Lou is thinking about money and money only. Whaaaaat ?? Just ridiculous.

He's a big man to sit there and take pot shots when he's probably never played 1 sport in his whole life. What a jackass