It's a weird thing to feel so happy about being 3.5 back, but from where we came, this is a great place to be. It's gonna be a dogfight the rest of the season, but we're in striking distance of the division lead, and even better off in the wild card race. I have just a few comments about some of the recent news from the cubs.
Kerry Wood - It's so nice not to need him anymore, or even be counting on him. Still, you have to hope he can get back and pitch again, even if it's not this season. Not only was he a tremendous talent, but he's a good guy too. True, he likes to party maybe a bit too much, but I'm not really in a position to criticize somebody for that. I've been very encouraged by the news from him lately, and how awesome would it be if we could get somebody to replace Eyre or Ohman without going outside the organization?
Cesar Izturis - It's good he's getting a chance to play every day now, at this stage in what has been a good career, he doesn't deserve to be sitting on the bench. And the truth is, if he had been getting regular time he probably would have been hitting better. (Case in point, JJ) Still, with Theriot and Fontenot as good as they've been, there's no way you can keep Izturis on the roster instead of another arm in the bullpen. Unfortunately, due to the injury to Daryle Ward, now Cedeno is likely to be recalled. This is probably gonna lead to more DeRosa playing in the outfield or at first base, which is fine. But I'd have preferred to see Murtono called up. None of this would have been an issue if they hadn't dealt Izturis, but after that grundle-lovin he gave Ramirez on national TV, it's probably best that he and the team parted ways.
Cliff Floyd - You're not a young guy anymore, you can't go diving all over the outfield. And when some skinny ass dude is standing in the middle of first base, don't hurt yourself trying to avoid him, just clear the way with your 250 pound frame. You're too good of a hitter to keep putting yourself on the bench for short stretches with avoidable injuries.
Derrek Lee - Please come back hot from your supension. It's been a great July and I'm not used to losing two games in a row anymore.
Ken Griffey Jr. - I'm incredibly skeptical that a deal would happen where he would come to the cubs. That said, it's about the only deal I would like to see involving another bat added to the lineup. Please, Jim Hendry, don't go after Adam Dunn. Between Sori and Ramirez, we don't need more free swinging strike-out artists.
2 comments:
Simply being in the hunt is a good feeling. I really hope this is the team that can knuckle down and fight the good fight. I would not be disappointed to see this NL Central race go down to the wire with both teams pushing each other forward.
Kerry Wood - I've never been that crazy about him, really. But if he can come back and give us some quality out of the bullpen, I'm all for it.
Cesar - too much grundle-loving out of this guy. Oh, and crappy defense and bad hitting too.
Cliff Floyd - please just try to show an iota of grace while playing this game. You're no ballerina, but I guarantee with a little thought into how you're moving your body, you can minimize the amount of retarded injuries that you get.
Derrek Lee - screw anyone who complains about your power numbers. Homeruns are great, but give me a .330 avg/20 HR/ 80 SO hitter over a .260 avg/40 HR/ 140 SO hitter any day. You keep doing what you're doing, big man.
What is your primary concern right now?
1) Another arm for the starting rotation.
2) Another bat in the OF.
3) A true defensive CF.
4) The lack of a #5 hitter.
5) A shut-down left-hander out of the bullpen.
Mine is definitely point #5. Ohman and Eyre are sooo not getting the job done. Eyre in particular. Ohman is alright, but he can't be your best lefty out of the 'pen. The Cubs need to pick up another lefty.
1) Meh - We have a #1 in Zambrano, a #2 in Lilly and a few 3/4's in Hill/Marshall/Marquis. Hill goes through good stretches and bad, but not enough to warrant kicking him out of the rotation, the same for Marshall. Marquis' pitching has been extremely suspect lately, but I think with enough smacking around you can get him to pitch competently. His problem is that he's trying to strike guys out. If you can convince him that he's a sinker-baller and that he need only get the ball over the plate low in the strike zone and get some ground-outs, he can start eating up innings again.
2/3/4) I think a Pagan/Jones platoon in center and a Floyd/DeRosa/Jones platoon in right is fine too. That said, if you can find a way to pick up Griffey, you'll hear no complaints out of me.
What are your thoughts on a possible Lofton pickup? The guy plays a very good centerfielder, but we don't really have a spot for him in the lineup? Is he going to be a bottom of the order guy? I see him needing to be at the top to be effective, but I don't see that spot existing.
I'm pretty wary of Lofton, he's been through alot of different teams, and supposedly isn't that easy to get along with. With the way the team has banded together lately, I'd hate to see them bring in somebody that might cause any disruptions or tension. I was sad to see Barret go, but it's unquestionable now that it was the right move, so I'd hate to see the cubs lose that progress.
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