First Star - Sean Marshall (.259)
Second Star - Aramis Ramirez (.151)
Third Star - Adam Kennedy (.116)
Alright, Milwaukee makes the first chess move, so now how do we counter? Every show I watch and podcast I listen to has the Cubs needing a lefty in the pen as well as a starter in the rotation, but I gotta ask, what’s wrong with Neal Cotts? Has no one noticed that in his last nine outings, Cotts hasn’t allowed a run? Some of those appearances have been more than just LOOGY appearances. Why can’t he be that second lefty in the pen once Scott Eyre comes back from the DL? I’d rather not see us go out and spend prospects to bring in someone in the pen when we can use some of those resources to bring in the starter in the rotation we need to counter.
I’ll be honest with you. Milwaukee picking up Sabathia doesn’t scare me all that much for the simple reason that I believe Ben Sheets will go down before the season’s out. If that becomes the case then the Brewers are back to where they started before getting Sabathia. They would have a dominant starter and that’s it. That doesn’t scare me. Let’s not worry until we have something to worry about. Right now, at the end of the day, we’re still on top of the division. That’s what matters.
Sean Marshall looked real good again today and appears to be making his case for why he deserves a regular spot in a Major League rotation without having to prove himself in the minors any more. He’s more developed than Sean Gallagher, but with a slightly lower ceiling. I think it’s important to keep him in that rotation and eventually move Jason Marquis out of the rotation in favor of Gallagher. With those two at the back of the rotation, it really turns into a very serviceable five pitchers to run out there day after day. Marshall impressed me today by getting ahead of the hitters, especially Albert Pujols, and making the pitches he needed to make to be successful. He did give up a home run to Ryan Ludwick, but it was with the bases empty and did little damage in the grand scheme of things.
On the offensive side of the ball, I was very pleased with the ways we scored runs today. We capitalized on a Cardinal error, drove in runs with extra base hits and even picked up another home run by Geo. It was important to get on top early and set the tone after the tough loss yesterday and that’s what they did. Now it’s time to take a day off and head home for a very winnable six game home stint before the break. Is it out of the question to ask for a 6 game sweep before the break? I don’t think it is.
July 6th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
I like the weeding out Marquis idea as well. Marshall and Gallagher have more years in them too.
I imagine we’ll be hearing a lot about A.J. Burnett and Randy Wolf in the next few days, of which I prefer Burnett. All depending upon the cost, of course.
Go Cubs!!
July 7th, 2008 at 1:44 am
I’d prefer Burnett too, although if Tim Hudson were available. (I heard a rumor that he might be…) That would excite me too.
July 7th, 2008 at 8:31 am
what are Cotts’ stats regarding inherited runners scoring. That’s a far more telling stat with lefties…
July 7th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I’m a bigger fan of Burnett as well. He showed a lot of poise and control when we faced him last month. A rotation with Zambrano, Dempster and Burnett matched with our offense would be really tough to beat…especially in a best-of-seven series.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Let’s talk stats: how many runs has Lee driven in during this “HOT Streak”? How long before Big Z or Dempster[ arm weariness after being a relief pitcher} last year land one of them on the DL or a missed turn or two? Eyre and Ward will probably be back on the DL before the year is out! Bulging disk don’t heal over night. Someone suggestted the trading of LEE, Oh I forgot that Hoffpauir is a rookie and like
SOTO can’t be counted on!! A package of Lee, Marquis and, Hill should bring a nice return.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Yeah, why not trade them to good ol’ Dusty Baker in Cincinnati?
July 7th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
^ Um, do you really need two different logins, or do you like to have conversations with yourself?
July 7th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Is #’s 5 & 6 on crack…perhaps we should call the show intervention??
Hoffpauir over Lee HUH Soto got the job because he was hitting the ball the last two catchers believed the best way to throw out at second via center field…also is he sure dusty is still in the majors???
July 7th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
how many runs has Lee driven in during this “HOT Streak”?
Huh? RBI = extreme team dependent stat. It tells us very little about how a hitter is hitting.
Seriously… you want Hoffpauir to replace Lee? Seriously? Do you actually want to get to and win in the playoffs?
There are an extremely small number of players that would be worth trading Derrek Lee for, and that very small number of players would almost never be traded… for anyone.
Seriously… where do people come up with this stuff?
July 7th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Seriously… you are complaining that DLee has hit .500/.519/.731 OPS: 1.250 over his last 27 plate appearances, but only has 2 RBI?
Seriously?
Good thing Hendry won’t take your advice.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Boy, if you think trading Lee is going to help, then you are crazy. First, he isn’t going to bring you as much as you think. Second, this is not the move you make on a first place team. Taking a leader out of the clubhouse in the middle of the season is never a good idea.
July 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I smell a troll.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Harden
get it done
July 7th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I agree.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Is this Harden’s last contract year? If not, what year is he signed through? Send them Hill, Pie, and Murton.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
He’s got one more year (after this year) at $7 mil. I think. Don’t quote me on that.
July 7th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
I agree, get Harden if we can.
July 7th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Hill, Pie, and Murton ≠ Harden
Billy Beane will be looking for something really similar to the Haren deal. And Hill, Pie, and Murton isn’t it.
July 8th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Especially with Pie and Hill struggling.
July 8th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
To get Harden it may have to be Ceda/Samarija/Gallagher plus Patterson/Colvin and Murton/Hoffpauir. It will be a three or four player deal with atleast one young, high upside pitcher, and two position players who project as high OBP guys. This is quite a bit to give up considering the injury risk involved. I still say that we don’t need Harden to get to the playoffs, but would need him to win it all. This is why I think he is worth the risk. Let’s go all in.