DeRo GONE

We just traded Mark DeRosa to the Indians for three minor league pitchers. Sound like the backbone to a Jake Peavy trade, anyone?

We did pick up Aaron Kilometers earlier -- who can play second and is a better number two hole hitter than anyone we have.

Yikes. Didn't see that coming.

You heard it here first.

JS

New Year's Resolutions

First of all, it appears that we are going to sign Marvin Hasbro. I'm not thrilled about that as I would prefer the younger, better hitting Adam Dunn. The less headcase, less injured, wants to be a Cub Adam Dunn. The 50 plus dingers Adam Dunn. But what do I know?

I can see it now. Both Hasbro and Soriano will get injured on the same celebratory "jump bump" in May.

We'll be trading Jason Marquis for Jose Vizcaino. What's that? Oh. Sorry. Luis Vizcaino. Not much difference in my mind. It's more of a salary dump. Too bad we couldn't get more young talent for Marquis -- he's not THAT bad a starter. At least barring an acquisition, this means that Sean Marshall gets a chance to be a starter right out of the gate. I'm okay with that because he's a pretty good pitcher, getting better every season...and he's a lefty. As long as we split him and Lilly's starts, he should be effective.

The Mets have offered Derek Lowe three years and $36m...that's not much for a guy with his stats. We should jump into the mix if that's the going rate.

Enough baseball for the year --

It's time to talk about the new year. 2009. What will it bring? A world series to Cub fans? I hope so.

My resolutions:

1. I will not criticize Kosuke Fukudome. At least until spring training starts. Then it's ON.
2. I will not watch the "pitch by pitch" recap on my phone during family gatherings.
3. I will not stay up to see highlights of games that I watched.
4. I will not make fun of Mark DeCarlo's throwing arm.
5. I will not wear spandex pants to restaurants.
6. I will not let any single game outcome upset me. Because they play 162. Postseason not included.
7. I will quit stalking Mike Fontenot
8. I will be a happy blogger and not rant so much. I will seek out only the good. In fact, I might change the name of the blog to "Shermhappyhappyjoyjoy." Or not.


My real resolutions? Well, number 2 up there is kind of real, but beyond that...to try to be a better me than I was the year before. I'll try to keep blogging as often as possible, because it keeps me in touch with my friends -- you guys -- and that's important to me. I'll try to eat better so that I don't get confused for a lighter skinned Prince Fielder. And I'm gonna finish my novel.

Feel free to post your resolutions. Remember that they don't count unless you tell somebody.

I would like to play in that Mesa Mania, or whatever it's called, but as of this moment cannot commit to the days. My schedule in January is nuts -- I need a few more days to decide. If I miss out because of that...oh well...maybe I can come down and root for you guys who do play.

Happy New Year. I wish you all the best for 2009 -- and look forward to sharing a world series championship with you!

JS

Winding down

Here we are...2008 is winding down, and baseball is at it's slowest. No news, except that the Dodgers and Mets are purportedly discussing an Andruw Jones deal. Me? I'd take him if the Dodgers would eat most of his salary. Why not? What's the upside? Huge. Downside? A centerfielder who can field and whiffs a lot. Been there already, haven't we? Rumor has it that he's lost about twenty pounds this offseason and wants to prove himself. Of course he does...it's another contract year. I'd rather have Adam Dunn. Have I mentioned that?

So, anyway, 2008 is slogging to a close. What a year it has been. A decent baseball year for us, certainly (if you can short memory the playoffs) and a wild ride otherwise. There's the economy -- do I believe what I read or what I see? The stores SEEM busy when I go to them. The freeways are still jam packed with cars, regardless of gas prices. Hotels and airlines still take advantage of the fact that I HAVE to travel. I expect 2009 to be another year of doom and gloom (at least it'll be reported that way) for the economy.

Stores closing left and right. Did anyone notice that a lot of stores closed back when the economy was good? It's called "bad management" and it is not exclusive to down economy. Linens N Things took the big shit because they weren't very good at what they did. The automotive industry is circling the bowl because they didn't believe that this could happen to them (again -- see short memory.) So, instead of bailouts and rewarding bad (stupid) behavior...how about just doing things better? That's a novel approach, huh? Improvement instead of bailout.

Ah. It'll never change. Change is hard and we live in an "easy button" kind of world. Just ask Circuit City. Oops. There goes another one.

I'm sure the president elect will change everything. Maybe we can adopt the Canadian health care system. I'm sure the Canadians would appreciate that...since they all come here to avoid the long wait and poor treatment. I tried to ask a Canadian about that last time I was there but he was too sick to answer.

More than all that stuff -- it was a year of life and death, gain and loss. Like all years are. Which does not make it easier. My heart broke a hundred times this year for little Courtney -- a beautiful baby that I never even got to know, except through pictures and speaking with her father. On the flip side, baby Kendall is a beautiful little girl who is blessed to have such a loving family -- and my prayer for her is simple: health and happiness. What else is there?

I'm ready to close the book on 2008. It has been a tiring year. I am looking forward to 2009 with great anticipation. As always, I am determined to hit this year running (figuratively) and live it well. My resolution list? Maybe tomorrow. For now, suffice to say that I'm done reflecting on what is past and starting to consider all that is good in the future.

Sherm

Spending

I read that the Cubs have "maxed out" their spending for this coming year. What does that mean? That we've publicly aired the fact that we'll do no more free agent shopping? We haven't done anything. Sure. Fine. We spend a bundle to keep Ryan Dempster. That was nice. Meanwhile, other teams have made some deals that help them do more than just stay the same.

We have the same weaknesses that we did in 2008. We haven't addressed them one bit. The bullpen is slightly worse. Gregg for Wood doesn't make us better. Just a little older.

Starting pitching, despite all the Peavy hoopla there for a while, is exactly the same. Marshall is now more likely to be the number 5, not Marquis as we try to dump his salary. What does that mean? That we'll likely eat half or more of it, and trade him for someone who doesn't help us.

Infield? Same. Still no "real" shortstop. Furcal, and all his drama, stayed a Dodger.

Outfield? Ready for this, Cub fans? Same. Oh, sure, we might get Milton Boardgame eventually. And we'll overpay for the 34 year old, headcase, oft injured outfielder, because we are somehow somewhat desperate to "acquire" the "best of what's left." And is he? This blogger prefers Adam Dunn. Younger. Better hitter. You think Marvin Hasbro (whatever) is that good a fielder? I don't. Or maybe we don't even land him and end up with the 2008 outfield, minus Jim Edmonds. Can't give up on Goes K. Paying him too much.

The lineup? Same. Yes, it's true. The same deficiencies exist that were exposed in the playoffs. Shhh. Maybe no one else noticed. Maybe the other teams in the majors didn't watch. Soriano will still lead off. From his home in wherever he lives, he just swung at a pitch thrown in the winter league. Followed by Ryan "caught stealing" Theriot. He could also be "ground ball to the right side" Theriot. I wonder if teams will ever put on the shift for him? The same one they used to use on Barry Bonds? Eight guys on the right side. Then Derrek "BOGO" Lee (that's "buy one, get one" for those of you not in the retail game) -- batting third and grounding into a pitcher's helper. Aramis "might as well pitch around him because look who's batting fifth" Ramirez is next followed by, what a coincidence! No one of consequence. Who's batting five? DeRosa? Soto? Fukudome? Gathright? Pie? Fontenot? Cotts? Rothschild? DeCarlo? Oops. I found the whole in the order. 6 through 8? Who cares? It'll be three of the guys I just mentioned. Probably not DeCarlo. Soto is a pretty good hitter. Yes. But very slow and not a number five guy. He should hit six or seven. DeRosa is a two, six, or seven hitter. We do have the market cornered on guys who can and should bat 8th.

Anyway...think about it. Same team as 2008. Same problems as 2008. Same result as 2008? Win the division and get blown out in round one? I hope not.

What do you think?

I hope that you all had a very safe and Merry Christmas. More later.

Sherm

Merry Christmas

That's it. Just Merry Christmas.

No baseball news. The hot stove is quiet for the day. It's been quiet for the Cubs all winter.

But have no fear. Jim and Lou have a plan. That plan? Well, if you must know (I must, I must) it's for Fukudome to be as good as he was in Japan. Yeah. That's the plan.

And for Dempster and Lilly to each win 17 games again.

And for Feliz NaviPie to hit like he did in the minors in the bigs.

And for DLee to return to his MVP, pre-owie wrist injury self and hit .330/40/120 while playing flawless gold glove caliber first base.

For Mark DeFonta to combine for 35 dingers while playing rightsecond against leftrighties.

For Big Z to win the big Cy.

For sunshine and the Cubbies in the world series. (thanks to raker for that one)

And so the hot stove simmers for another day. But for now, we have Christmas -- the day when anything is possible!

Merry Christmas to all of you.

Sherm


unrelated side note: did television kill the name Gilligan for future generations or has it just always been a poor choice?

Christmas List

Dear Santa,

Here's what I want for Christmas this year:

1. Jake Peavy in the starting rotation (without losing Marshall or Fontenot)
2. Adam Dunn's bat in the middle of the lineup
3. A healthy Alfonso Soriano all year. Hitting 40 out, stealing 40 and generally doing everything we thought he'd do when he was signed to that big contract.
4. Big Z's breakout season: 22 - 5
5. A healthy Rich Harden all year long: 19 - 3
6. Fireman of the year: Carlos Marmol: 55 saves
7. A scholarship to the Randy Hundley Fantasy Camp
8. Yankees: 86 - 76
9. Al Franken admitting defeat and going away. Forever. Because he's not good enough. And people don't like him.
10. Shermrants getting picked up as a daily column by the Chicago Tribune. Et al.
11. Mike Fontenot breakout season: .311 w/ 22 dingers
12. Ron Santo in the HOF
13. Ryan Theriot -- 200 hits and 30 stolen bases vs 3 caught stealing.
14. Happy, safe and healthy holiday season for my friends -- especially all you guys who travel with me on this winding road called "cub fan"...thank you all for your friendship and have a Merry Christmas!

Sherm

oh, yeah...and an owner who makes the Steinbrenners look like Scrooge.

In defense of offense

Everyone is so "defense minded." Can't get Dunn. He's not a great fielder.

Let's review some of the best teams of the past few years. That Red Sox team has been pretty good, even though Manny is way "below average" defensively. They seemed to manage. Sure, he misplayed a few balls, but the opposing team had to change its entire pitching strategy because of him...

The Phillies did okay last year, even with Pat Burrell and Jason Werth in the outfield corners. Both "serviceable" fielders at best, but offensive players.

Brewers did okay -- even with two DH's in the OF -- Ryan Braun and Corey Hart.

Angels made the playoffs with Vlad Guerrero, who can't play outfield anymore on those knees or with that shoulder and Garrett Anderson, a 51 year old slacker with no arm.

My point is this -- if you can make an acquisition that makes you one of the most...if not THE most feared offense in the league? You do it. It doesn't matter that the D suffers a little. Our pitching is good enough to win games. A handful...and that's all it'll be...a handful of unearned runs aren't gonna kill us. We lost games last year because of our offense. Let's rectify that. Adam Dunn puts a huge lefty, power bat (with patience, by the way) into the middle of the lineup. Which only makes everyone else better, too.

And, Soriano, for all his defensive faults? Isn't THAT bad. He catches most balls. He's getting better out there the longer he plays OF. He has a quick and accurate arm.

Let's try it. One time. Get Dunn. And get it done. Consider the lineup.

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Dunn
Ramirez
Soto
DeRosa
Whoever in CF (Fuku, Pie, Joey)
Pitcher


Huge difference over the 2008 lineup.

js

Adam Dunn

I keep reading that Adam Dunn WANTS to be a Cub. Are you kidding me? I don't care if right field becomes an amusement park...sign this guy. He wants to be a Cub. He says he's not looking to break the bank...just be fair. We are talking about 50 or 60 home runs added to last year's team total. That's more. Probably 125 rbi's. That's more than Fukudome. Yeah. It is. And he does walk a lot. Yes, he strikes out a lot, too. So do Pie and Goes K. Sign him. Ummm...what was that top priority again? Oh yes...power lefty bat for the outfield...

Don't argue with me. Just sign him.

Sherm

the outfield

What's wrong with the JCM's? Look at it this way. The JCM's would easily hit 110 homers and have upwards of 300 rbis, if healthy. That makes up for a whole bunch of misplayed fly balls. I think even Zambrano would understand that.

*JCM = Juggling Circus Monkey

I really like yesterday's line up. With our pitching staff, I'd sacrifice a little defense for a ton of offense. You kidding me? Think of the difference. Boardgame and Dunn instead of Fukudome and Pie. Holy Cow! Come on Jim Hendry...read this blog. Make that deal. Two free agents. No trade. No loss of players. Keep the farm for a mid season deal...

The more I think of it, the more I like it.

More later. Or perhaps not.

JS

Hot stove

Not sure why they call it hot stove. More like crock pot. Not much going on except for the same bozos holding out for more money.

Furcal seems like a punk. I thought so last time he was a free agent. Now I know it. Sure screwed the Braves. Again. To get a little more from the Dodgers.

Cubs are in the hunt for Milton Boardgame. I'm okay with that. I'm okay with Randy Johnson, too, for a year. If he's healthy, he's nasty, and he'd be an interesting clubhouse presence for us. Some say we need fire. Johnson brings fire. So does Boardgame. I'd rather have Peavy or Lowe, but would take the Unit. That keeps Marshall as a Cub, too, as he'd become the bullpen lefty along with Cotts.

What we should do is make a big play...get Boardgame. AND get Adam Dunn. Get rid of Pie. Give "Goes K" a year in the minors to learn how to say "why I suck?" in English and let Gathright be the fourth outfielder. I didn't forget Reed Johnson. I just don't care. Bada Bing. Offensive problems solved.

So then even if Soriano and Lee have to bat 1 and 3 because of their egos...our lineup looks like this:

Soriano LF
Theriot SS
Lee 1B
Dunn RF
Ramirez 3B
Bradley CF
Soto C
DeRosa/Fontenot 2B
Pitcher

Now you really do have to admit -- that's a nice lineup. A real nice lineup. Really, really nice. Huh? Admit it. You know you want to.

So here I sit by the phone waiting for Jim Hendry to call.

If you are wondering what to get your favorite blogger for Christmas...I'll post my list soon. Stay tuned.

js

We did it!

We addressed the need for a left handed hitting outfielder! We got Joey Gathright!

Of course, he only hits a homer about every other year, but he's fast and he can jump over cars and pitchers. Look it up. Maybe he can play CF and jump over Soriano to catch balls in left field.

How's this? Outfield of Pie, Gathright and Fukudome? Nothing in the air ever lands on the grass.

Put Soriano at second base. Fuck it. Who cares? Look how good the outfield is!

Ah, nevermind. They'd never do it.

Looks like Furcal is going to be a Brave again. Good for him.

Teixiera will probably get 8 years at about 21 million a year. Good for him.

Peavy could go 4 and 14 with a 2.13 era in San Diego this year. Good for him.

By "good for him," I mean "fuck him" in case you weren't reading between the lines.

more tomorrow, I think. I'm very busy today. Good for me.

Sherm

Powerhouse?

I never once thought of our team last year as a powerhouse. Very good? Yes. At times. Good pitching. Scored some runs in bunches, sure...but a powerhouse? No. Even though we scored more runs than blah blah blah...we all know that this team is no offensive juggernaut. That was painfully exposed during the playoffs.

I am starting to realize that Jake Peavy probably won't be a Cub. Perhaps until midseason, if the Padres don't trade him sooner. I'd love to have the guy, but agree with keeping key components. I'd say that the rest of baseball's salivating over Mark DeRosa is a good reason to keep him. I'm happy keeping Marshall, too.

Powerhouse? Really, Doc?

Will the oft injured, headcase Milton Boardgame be the next free agent signee for the Cubs? Or will he go to the Rays where he can DH part time, too? Maybe we should say to hell with defense and go get Adam Dunn. Mike Fontenot can be his "Mini Me." It'd be cute.

Powerhouse? No.

Anyone starting to think a salary cap makes sense for baseball? Before the Yankees sign Manny, Lowe, Teixiera, Bradley, Dunn and Wolf? I'm waiting for Mussina to announce his un-retirement and return to pitch with those guys for one more year. If the new Cub owner prospects had any balls at all -- they'd all be calling Crane Kenney and telling him to go get what they need and not worry about it.

Powerhouse. That's funny. Maybe in a "wind farm" kind of way...

We need a true leadoff hitter. We need a power lefty. We need a little...just a little...bullpen help -- probably from the left side if Marshall is in the rotation.

Yes. We beat up bad pitching last year. We didn't hit good pitching as a rule, though, and that's what it takes to go farther than round one. We need some patient hitters. OBP guys. I'm telling you that Teixiera is that kind of guy. I know. We can't have him, but that's not the point. As a team, we need to change our approach and be more like that.

I agree with Doc -- I think it was Doc -- who mentioned that the RH/LH thing is overrated. We should go get the best athlete for RF...whichever way he bats and improve the team. But who is that guy? Thoughts?

Someone told me they had an idea for backup catcher...Mike Piazza. Thoughts on that? Think he can handle 20 games a year back there? Wouldn't mind that bat on the bench...but I'm not crazy about the idea. Fun thought, though.

Glad we aren't in the AL east...

Happy Monday to all...

Sherm

Peavy?

Doesn't look like the Peavy deal will come to pass, and perhaps that's good...if Hendry thought it was too much...then it probably was. Is Peavy worth 6 - 1 or 7 - 1? I don't know. Padres wanted to base their entire rebuild on the Cubs. I think we might be better off to go and find someone through free agency. Money is sometimes better than players...long term.

I have to say though, that I like the Mets thinking. I know that was disputed on yesterday's comments -- but games are more often won in the eighth and ninth than they are in the early innings. We are not (unless someless dramatic happens) a powerhouse, run scoring, big lead, offensive team. Even with a great staff -- we'll have a lot of close games late and that means that we need to hold and save, hold and save, hold and save. I like the comment I heard today -- someone (a GM) was asked about spending a lot of money on a set up guy, and he said that if it's that important to have a guy for the ninth...it's equally important (and expensive) to have a guy in the eighth. I agree.

Apparently the entire league wants DeRosa -- which means we should either NOT trade him...or get something real good for him.

I am glad that for the time being we still have Marshall. For some reason, I think he's going to be very good this year.

We should trade Soriano.

Huh? What?

Yes. Free up about a hundred million and go get Nate McLouth and someone else for the outfield. Use the rest of the cash to find a leadoff man. Only problem is that I can't think of anyone who might want Soriano. Maybe the Yaguchi Dragons? Is Fukudome's cousin available? His name is Isuktoo.

Teams are getting better this offseason. Are we?

Who's our backup catcher? If we let Soto catch 150 games...we'll just burn him out.

Thoughts on Randy Johnson?

I think we should consider Ben Sheets. Give him a two year deal with incentives and a player option. When he's right...he's easily as good as Peavy.

Well...after this trip I'm done traveling for the year, I think, and thrilled about that. Next post will be from the friendly confines of San Clemente. Anyone have any exciting Christmas plans? All I want is a "staycation." Stay home. Work on the novel. Smoke cigars. Drink. Relax. Chill. Yeah...that sounds nice. Real nice.

js

Met note

I'm not thrilled to see the Mets suddenly have such an outstanding bullpen. That was their only real weakness last year, and now they go get K-Rod (for not THAT much money) and JJ Putz (for minor leaguers who didn't figure into their immediate plans anyhow) -- suddenly the Mets are playing seven inning games. Why didn't the Cubs think that way? Could have kept Woody and done just that.

Jake Peavy. Will we or won't we? I don't care that much anymore. Just make the deal. Or not. And then make a different deal. Quit dragging it out. And don't overpay the stupid Padres, all right?

I think Milton Bradley will be a Cub. Good thing or bad thing? Maybe a little fire is exactly what the clubhouse needs.

Gotta like Roy Oswalt. He's begging the Astros to get more pitching, and will take a salary restructure to make it happen. Houston should trade him to a real team.

The Yankees say that they want Sabathia, Burnett and Lowe. Add that to Wang, and that's a pretty fearsome foursome. Good series with us if we get Peavy, huh?

Question of the day. Will any Cub pitcher win 20 games in 2009? If so...who?

more later. It's late and I just got in. To Charlotte. The city. Not the woman. Stop it.

js

Winter Meetings

Sorry, Dave, that I couldn't be there yesterday...

Time to jump back into baseball...

The Cubs appear to be ready to get Jake Peavy. I still like the acquisition, although I question the trade of Mark DeRosa. I know that you have to give quality to get quality. I just think he's such a valuable and versatile player -- as a multi position guy, a good teammate and a fairly important part of our offense. He did hit 20 out and have 90 rbi's. I also realize that he may have had the best year of his career and perhaps this is a perfect time to trade him.

Obviously, Marquis must go to get this and other deals done. That'll happen, but when? They keep talking about a lefty bat for the outfield -- my prediction? We get Milton Bradley. I know. People think he's a headcase. So what? Lou does well with headcases, and he's the most talented guy available. Much better fielder than Abreu or Ibanez or Dunn. Also, a switch hitter. I'm okay with him.

I hear that the Yankees want to sign all three big pitching free agents: Sabathia, Lowe and Burnett. Could you imagine if they got all three? That would be quite a coup. And expensive.
I'd rather see Sabathia in the AL than on Milwaukee.

This is fun -- I wish more deals were being made. It's all talk right now. K-Rod is a Met. I think Kerry Wood will be a Tiger. Better a Tiger than a Cardinal, I always say.

More later.

js

Family

I am again on the road -- so this post is a bit later than it should have been. It's not about baseball or the Cubs and if you're a first time reader, go away, it's not for you.

Dave and Missy lost their little one yesterday -- cb, as I've come to think of her -- and I cannot fathom the scope of that loss or their pain. She was the littlest member of our "blog buddies" team -- extended family in that way -- always on our minds, in our prayers and hearts.

Life is funny. It has a way of going onward despite our hurdles, challenges, tragedies and setbacks. It will for Dave and Missy, too, and especially for little Kendall who will bring them great joy in the years to come. She'll never really get to know her sister...with whom she shared a warm womb for almost nine months and a family for six. They'll tell her what a beautiful little girl her sister was -- and that will keep cb's memory alive forever.

I don't know God's plan -- but I believe that He has one. Somehow we all fit into it in a way that we will understand, hopefully, when we are together again in eternity. Courtney makes us better. Her life makes us better. I feel it. I never met her, except through Dave's joy -- at the anticipation of her and her sister's birth, the actual event and the pictures since that time. Her life, although too short -- was filled with love. Wonderful loving parents. Their family and their friends. Time is the gift that she wasn't given and the only comfort in that, if you believe as I do, is that our time here is short in comparison to eternity anyway -- and we know she's already there and living it up...still being loved and cared for; now she waits, patiently as life here rolls on.

Dave, I apologize if this is way too personal and religious -- I felt moved by cb the first time I saw her little face in the pictures you sent. A friend of mine told me once that he looks for the face of God in every person he meets -- I know I saw it in Courtney.

My deepest sympathies to the family, especially the parents, for their loss. I wish that were something I could say to help ease the pain. I am aware that there are no such words.

I'll probably pull this post in a day or two when it sinks in and I realize how personal it is. For now, without calling and bothering you guys -- just know that all my prayers and love, and that of my wife, are with you.

best to cb, always,

Sherm

No news

I heard a rumor that there was a trade rumor but it was just a rumor.

The sports page sure is boring this time of year.

I suppose we could argue the BCS if anyone wants.

If we get David DeJesus from KC...it might be good that we don't have to listen to Harry Caray try to say his name -- might be a lot of blaspheming.

best to cb

more later...

js

Happy Thanksgiving (slightly belated)

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you who read this!

Things I am thankful for but didn't mention at the dinner table yesterday...

> That the Cubs won their division and at least allowed us to have that swagger all season last year. I hate it when the swagger is gone in May/June.

> That my wife somehow was able to surprise me a couple of years ago and send me to the Cubs fantasy camp -- where I met some great former professional ballplayers...but more important than that I met directly and indirectly everyone who reads this blog and THAT has been a truly great thing. I appreciate all of you. Best part of camp for me? The friendships.

> That Jake Peavy will soon be a Cub and that the future looks incredibly bright for the team.

And other stuff, but I promised to get some things done around here today -- and the football on the telly looks very unwatchable to me...so I'd better get started if I'm to get it all done.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and your families!

Best to cb --

Quote for the day is an old Zig Ziglar line: "I never met a happy, ungrateful person."

Sherm

Peavy or bust

I wouldn't go crazy giving away good young ballplayers. I keep hearing that KC wants Fontenot and Marshall for Mark Peehat and that kills me -- even if he's a .285/25/90 guy (which he's not...at least the last two years) he wouldn't be worth those two ballplayers. I think both of them are good teammates, good bench and bullpen guys, and potential starters. Marshall could be a fine number five. Someday, he may even be referred to as "crafty." (the ultimate compliment for a lefty who doesn't throw hard.) Fontenot might be a 20 hr guy -- and he hit real well after the break last year...best on the team in the second half. You know, he's not that different physically than Dustin Pedroia. Maybe if he could play everyday. And swing harder. Nah, nevermind.

Now, if Jake Peavy is the prize? That's different. But giving away two good guys for one "decent" guy? Don't do it, Jim. I don't care how much the city is clamoring for a right fielder ASAP.

We have to trade Marquis. Yes, we have to eat all or most of his salary to do it. We all know it. He knows it. Just do it. Get something for him. Minor league talent. Whatever. He's not pitching for us this year, so make the deal. SOMEBODY needs pitching out there...get something back that oh, I don't know, San Diego wants perhaps?

I hear that we are looking at a Jeremy Hermida deal. Any thoughts on that? You know we'll pay too much for him if that's true. Florida likes to trade with us. Although Dontrelle Willis hasn't exactly made the HOF yet.

How about Magglio Ordenez for right field? He could be had. Remember when we could have had him for next to nothing? And he wanted to come back to Chicago just to wiggle it in the White Sox's face? But we passed. He's put up some nice numbers in Detriot. Think he'd be worth a two year package with an option? I don't, but thought I'd toss it out there.

I agree with myself. Sign Edmonds and let him play right field. I know, I know. He's got that noodle for an arm. He'll hit 20 platooning DeRosa in right -- and that works for us. Also gets Little Man Font more 2b playing time.

I think we should go to the Pirates, overpay THEM for Nate McClouth and forget about CF for the next ten years. It'd be worth it. Mark my words.

Still waiting for Hendry to call. Rumor has it that he reads this every day on the can. Can't he afford a phone in the can? I'm here, Jim.

best to cb

sherm

Hot Stove

Okay. So far, I'm not overwhelmed by the off season activity. We've not gotten any better. At best we have stayed the same by keeping Dempster. Perhaps a little worse by getting Kevin Gregg. I don't understand letting Ceda go -- everything I've read says that he'll be a stud. We wouldn't part with him in the Roberts deal a year ago. I also heard that he'd have been an important part of the Peavy puzzle...is that dead now? Carrie Marshrabbit says so. I hope not.

It seems that right now it's a sellers market. Until a couple of the big names are signed and/or traded, it will be quiet, and then the reactionary deals will kick in. You know, if Boston signs Teixiera, the Yankees will quickly overpay for two pitchers...that kind of thing.

Anyone think Garrett Anderson would be a good one year rental? Is he too old to play right field in Wrigley?

I hear talk of Marshall and either Cedeno or Fontenot for Peehat. Ridiculous. Horrible trade idea. Royal friends of mine (that's friends who are Royal's fans, not friends who are part of the Royal family) would love that deal. They are not big on Peehat. As a hitter or an outfielder. Plus, I'd keep both Marshall and Fontenot unless someone was giving up something significant (think Peavy) because they are both young and talented. I'd be okay with Marshall as our number 5 pitcher all year and Fontenot as our everyday 2b. We need another bullpen arm...unless we bring back Woody, and we need a right fielder -- I personally don't care which side of the plate he bats from...

I worry about CF -- will it be a three headed monster? Pie, Fukudome, Johnson? Pie is out of options -- I think he'll be traded before the season...especially as no one wants to take Fukudome off our hands. Berghoff's Cafe at O'Hare offered a sandwich and some chips for him, but Hendry turned it down.

Reed Johnson is a serviceable fourth outfielder -- but he's not an everyday player anymore.

Milton Bradley is available. Thoughts on that headcase?

How about this? Lee, Pie, Cedeno, Marshall, Fontenot, Marquis and a top minor leaguer for Peavy and Giles? And some cash to help defer Marquis' salary for a year.

Then we get Teixiera for first base and are set.

Giles takes RF. We suffer through Fukudome in CF, but have the best rotation on earth and a much improved lineup.

Canada was cold and snowy. And TV there sucks. I'd go to check sports highlights and get nothing but hockey and Canadian Football. It must not be curling season yet.

Welcome to the blog, J Southsider -- readership increased 20% when you commented. And so it grows.

best to cb

Sherm

Cross town cross talk

A Cubs/Sox camp? That's not a fantasy, it's a nightmare. Former Cub "greats" Les Lancaster and Todd Hollandsworth? Sox "greats" Steve Trout and Ron Kittle? You kidding me? Why not Gary Varsho? Where's Kevin Orie? Lamar Hoyt will be there. Be fun to slip him a 'lude and see what happens.

Okay, so Dempster is a Cub for four more years. I'm okay with that because he's only 31. I know he seems to be older because he's been around a while, but I think he's hitting his stride. Many starters hit their prime in their early thirties -- he works hard -- he might be a good investment. BUT -- I read that getting Dempster officially takes us off the Peavy board, and I think that's a mistake. ONE MORE ARM is what we need. Peavy, Lowe...whoever it is...do the deal. That will put us over the top in '09.

Team states that LH bat is now the priority. Also has said they'd like to trade Fukudome. Guess what? No takers. I hear we are talking to the Royals about Mark Teahen. Let's look at his numbers: He's 27, which is good. He hit .255 last year with 15 hrs, 31 doubles and a paltry 59 rbi in 149 games. OBP of .313. with 131 whiffs. Can play OF, 1b and some 3b. It sounds like he's a left handed, not as good, Mark DeRosa. Remind me why we'd want him? Oh, right, he bats from the left side. So does Ken Griffey, Jr. Go get him for one year and wait to fill right field in 2010 with either a Fukudome who has learned to hit or another free agent.

Or you go with Pie and Fukudome. Period. And hope for the best. Defense in the OF (at least 70% of it -- would be spectacular and the pitchers would appreciate that.) They both bat left and have speed -- teach them to bunt and play little ball. Ah, nevermind. It wouldn't work.

Thoughts on a potential Randy Johnson signing? Other than the complexion competition with Trammell? I'd still rather have Peavy. Even if it depletes the farm. Speaking of farms, where will Jim Edmonds play in '09? You know, we could just re-sign him and let him play RF. Just saying. He hits lefty and is better defensively that Ibanez, Abrea or Dunn. Or Peehat. Or whatever his name is.

That's it for now. I'm off to Canada later today, so posts may drop off for a day or two. Here's what you do. Go back and read some old ones. Kind of like a "best of Shermrants." It'll have to do.

best to cb

js

Burnitz?

Comparing Adam Dunn to Jeromy Burnitz? I don't see it. Dunn is a considerably better hitter than JB ever was. Prove it, you say?

Dunn: 6 straight years with 40 or more homers. 5 of those 6 with 100+ rbis.

Burnitz: never hit more than 38, which he did once. 37 once, too, but that was in Coors field so...
JB did have 4 seasons with 100 rbis

Lifetime averages: Dunn .247 and JB .253 -- close comp that one

Walks -- Dunn -- all 8 years over 100 per year. Burnitz? Never that many.

K's -- Comparable. Dunn = 100+ per year. JB = 100+ per year ten times.

OBP: Dunn .381 Burnitz .345

Feilding Dunn .969 as an outfielder and .984 as a 1B; JB .977 OF only. Comparable.

So they have some similarities, but Dunn is a much more consistently powerful hitter.

Adam Troy Dunn (nice symmetrical name, eh?) would hit 50 as a Cub. He'd walk 100 times. And he'd whiff 150. That said, him hitting 4 with ARam 5 would change our lineup dramatically -- for the better, I'd think. You want a hitter who can elevate the ball? This guy can do that.

Food for thought. We still need a 3 hitter who won't erase baserunners for the 4 and 5 guys. So...I will say it again. Trade Lee and go get Teixiera. And Adam Dunn. That's a lineup! Damn. Why doesn't Jim Hendry call me?

There are too many good pitchers available NOT to get one of them. Who will it be? I'm also hearing that Peavy isn't a dead deal, but that there need to be other teams involved because we DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO OFFER. That might be where Lee comes in...

Maybe they need an eye doctor. I think we have one we could add to the deal...

best to cb

sherm

I don't get it

It now seems official -- Kerry Wood will not be a Cub. Hendry goes on record saying that it is because we can't afford a multi-year deal for Wood. Wood says he'd do anything to stay a Cub, including sign a one year deal. What's up with that? Why not sign him? I said it last week, and I will say it again: Gregg/Marmol is nowhere near as strong as Marmol/Wood. Period. We just got weaker at the end of games. Not a good start to the hot stove league.

Plus, everyone I talk to, and everything I read says that Jose Ceda (the guy we gave up for Kevin Gregg) is a stud. He's the guy we refused to let go to get Brian Roberts last year. He's the guy they called untouchable. I've heard him referred to as a young Lee Smith. And now he's gone? For one year of Kevin Gregg? What the???

Signed,

Not happy in San Clemente.

Dear Not happy in SC,

It's okay we are saving our money. That we can sign a free agent left handed bat. Like maybe 36 year old Raul Ibanez. Or a pitcher. Like maybe 45 year old Randy Johnson. Let's call it a "youth movement."

Signed Jim Hendry

Dear Jim,

It makes me want to take a movement of my own.

NHISC

Dear NH,

It's okay. You'll see. We don't need Jake Peavy, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixiera or any of those guys. We are good enough as we are. Look at how many games we won in 2008.

Jim

Dear Jim,

How many playoff games did we win?

Not

Dear Not,

Umm...what does that have to do with anything. We won two postseason awards. Besides we don't have an owner. And MLB will never let Mark Cuban own a team. So sit back and be happy that we don't lose a hundred games a year anymore. Hey, maybe Greg Maddux is available. He's got some good years left.

J


anyway...that kind of went awry, but you get the point. What the hell are we doing? Other teams are going to improve this offseason -- we've taken a step back. But look at the upside. Oh wait, there isn't one. Nevermind. Let's see what they do from here out.

Now we'll go overpay for a left handed bat. Note: there aren't any good LF bats available right now so don't force it. Wait it out. Get a good right handed bat, if necessary, and trade during the season. It's hard to sit here and watch other teams get better.

I hear that we are pretty much out of the Peavy sweepstakes. Didn't offer enough. Oh well. There's always free agency. Hey, this just in -- lots of pitching is available, including Kerry Wood and Ryan Dempster.

I'd make Teixiera the priority. Just saying.

Bears looked playoff ready yesterday, huh?

Hey, whatever happened in the World Series? Did they play it? Is it still raining?

Watch the Yankees get Sabathia, Lowe and Burnett. That'd be impressive.

Watch the Mets get Manny and K-Rod.

I must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed, cuz I'm kinda pissed off about the whole Kevin Gregg deal all of a sudden. Oh well, maybe Hendry has a good deal up his sleeve. Maybe Lou has a po'boy up his sleeve. Whatever.

best to cb

js

Wood

I am underwhelmed by the acquisition of Gregg from the fishies. Don't get me wrong, he's a decent middle of the road set up guy -- certainly better than the '08 version of Bobby Howry that we suffered through -- but he's no Carlos Marmol, and THAT'S the guy he's being asked to replaced if we get rid of (i.e. don't sign) Kerry Wood.

In this era -- starters are going six innings more often than not. Unless they are Rich Harden, and then five is good. Which means you have to GET the game to the closer in the ninth for the closer to matter. We gave away Eyre last year. Fine. Marshall did pretty well handling the lefty specialist job, as well as some much needed long relief. And some good starts. His reward? He'll be traded. Another time on that. I think the strength of our pen these last two years has been Marmol in the set up role, not the closing. A great set up guy is critical...especially since he's the one that comes in with 2 on and 1 out most of the time. Marmol does that really well. I like the Gregg acquisition only if it comes for one of two reasons: 1.) precursor to a trade in which he is involved, or 2.) we still re-sign Wood and the bullpen is that much stronger in innings 7-8-9.

Just a thought. We should re-sign Wood for the ninth inning duties. Keep Marmol for the 8th. Find a reliever (a good one) whose last name starts with the letter B. Maybe Jonathan Broxton?) That way, they could say on TV "here comes the BMW" -- and BMW could sponsor the final three innings of the games. It's a money maker, trust me. Gregg won't work, because GMW makes no sense.

Sorry, sometimes I digress. Where was I? Oh, yes, the bullpen. I suppose Marshall - Gregg - Marmol could be the MGM boys, but I like the car reference better. Anyhoo...

I am starting to think that Peavy is this year's Brian Roberts. All talk, no get. Lou said he didn't think we were pursuing Peavy that hard. Either he's out of touch, or lying. He said as far as he knew, our only interest this off season was a left handed bat. I think he means "batter" because the bats are pretty much good either way. Rumors I hear? Ibanez, Hermida or Dunn. I like Hermida best of the three...but am underwhelmed by them all in general.

Enough for today. Imaginary postseason Shermies to all my loyal readers.

best to cb

Sherm

Postseason Awards

All right. You wanted to know my thoughts on postseason awards? Here it is: they are not worth the newspaper they are printed on.

Congratulations to Geo Blanco, aka, Hank White's "Mini Me." Soto said recently that the Cubs "need" to re-sign Blanco. Geo "needs" to work on plate discipline and learn more about national league hitters and their tendencies. (Like, they "tend" to hit flat fastballs in fastball situations a long way. That kind of stuff.) He needs to let Hendry manage the roster.

Congratulations to Lou for winning the NL Manager of the Year. How did THAT happen? We spend a ton of money and load the roster for him. Trade for Harden. Add Edmonds and Johnson. All that's on Hendry. And Lou "manages" to do what everyone in baseball EXPECTED him to do. Win the central. That was what he did. He met expectations for the regular season. Nothing more. And we all know of his postseason managerial success in recent years. Six and out.

They say that a manager, a good one, anyhow, can account for up to seven wins in a season that the team would not have had otherwise. I don't know if I can give Lou that many...where his decisions helped snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Yes, Smitty, I said snatch. Quit the giggling. Maybe May 30. When we were down to the Rockies 9 - 1 in the sixth and we scored nine unanswered runs to win the game. That was the day Lou said "thems has lots of points, Larry. You play manager man and me go get pizza." We won that day. Why? Because Larry went with him, that's why. Daryl Ward managed the team to victory that day.

Speaking of postseason awards -- Lincecum deserved the NL Cy Young. Good call for a change. He was great on a shitty team.

The Peavy sweepstakes continue. Now the Braves are the frontrunners. They are offering pretty much everyone they have, plus a Jane Fonda "Klute" poster. Peavy wants an extension, too -- which could make him a 5/80 guy. Now I know he's a great pitcher, but at some point it makes sense to keep the farm system and just go get a free agent pitcher who is as good, or close to it, doesn't it? Don't get me wrong -- I'd take the guy in a minute, but at some point the cost is TOO much...what's that point? Let's hope Hendry knows.

I think we should re-sign Wood and Dempster and THEN pursue these other guys. Not the other way around, or you risk losing them all. This tells them (W & D) that they only fit if we can't find anyone better...which might piss them off to seek employment elsewhere. Baseball players are sensitive. It's only money. Sign them. Let Lou do it. He's the manager of the year, after all.

Well, I have stuff to do. Looking forward to reading your pithy comments. No I don't lisp. I meant pithy. Why did they put an "s" in lisp? That's just wrong.

I leave Jim Hendry with this sage advice: Big money, no whammies.

best to cb

js

Rakerus Bloggicus

Doc Raker makes a good point in his latest "blog." (He still thinks that an email with more than two recipients is a blog. Don't tell him. What's the point? It pumps up that resume of his: Eye Doc, Raker, T-Ball coach, "blogger.")

His aforementioned point? That next year's World Series, if played in Chicago at the end of October/early November could be berry, berry cold. Freezing, with snow, even. Because the brilliants powers that be in baseball are led around by the nose by that evil mistress, money. So a team could earn the right to get into the World Series and have the whole thing tainted by the weather. You can't play the same way you do all summer in November. They are called the Boys of Summer, remember? Not the boys of Spring, Summer and now much of Winter, too. Why not just play year around? At least that way, we could GET BACK to the warmer weather for the World Series. Play a 300 game schedule. Give the players a "Winter Break" from Dec. 15 to Jan. 15. Expand the rosters to maybe 40 - 45 players. Institute a salary cap to keep the rich teams from stockpiling players. Throw out the old record books. Why not? Think of the money!

Or mandate domes! Yes, that's it. Domes for everyone! By 2010, or else.


Baseball question for the day: Setting aside that we might get Jake Peavy in the deal...would you be upset to lose Mike Fontenot? Anyone think that he'll turn into a very good 2b someday? I'm talking a .300/25/90 good, not a .265/10/55 good. He's compact...I think he's going to bring some power and consistency to a team who gives me a fair shot to play everyday. Thoughts?

Holliday is an Oakland A. Better than a Card or Girl Horse (Filly) -- let the AL west worry about him.

Who thinks we re-sign Wood?

Who thinks we re-sign Dempster?

Congrats to Soto for NL ROY honors. A little more plate discipline and he'll be a great one someday.

Blanco's tattoo man. Good one, Raker.

best to cb

js

Adam Dunn? Not my choice

Rumors are swirling that Adam Dunn will end up in right field for the Cubs. That wouldn't suit my taste at all -- sure the 40 homers are nice, but the 150 strike outs and below average defense don't help us. I'd rather have a contact hitter that can hit 20 hr and play great defense. (Wasn't that supposed to be Kosuke?) If the plan is to overpay for an outfielder, why does it HAVE to be a lefty? Isn't that lefty/righty thing overrated anyway?

Spend the money elsewhere (leadoff? bullpen? Keeping Dempster and Wood?) and let Hoffpauir have a shot at right. His defense can't be worse than Dunn. Anyone want to see Griffey out there? Too old?

How about Fontenot full time at second (LH bat) and let DeRosa play right all year?

If we get Peavy -- and I'm hopeful we do -- we'll need a solid defense. You got Zambrano, Peavy, Harden, Lilly and either Dempster, Marquis, Hill, Guzman, Marshall, whoever...and you have one of the best staffs in MLB. Yankees want Sabathia and Derek Lowe -- which could give them a good staff, too.

What we need most offensively? A full production season from Soriano. 40 homers, 40 doubles and 40 steals.

I'd still work a deal for Teixiera if I could, but I am hearing it'll take ten years and $200M...and that's just too much to tie up. I hear that he could end up as a National.

Monday's are not the same this time of year. Football box scores don't do it for me the way baseball box scores do.

I am officially opting out of baseball camp this year. I might come down for big game weekend again, though, if some of my friends are playing. Unless the Monk marathon is the same weekend.

Have a great week.

best to cb

Sherm

What's Peavy worth?

I am hearing different things in the Jake Peavy sweepstakes. I heard that they want pitching, and that the Cubs are considering one of the following being included in the deal: Harden, Marshall or Samardzija. I think we'd be nuts to give up Harden or the Shark, and I'm not convinced that Marshall isn't going to be a very good pitcher someday. Much as I'd love Peavy in Cubbie blue, I'd prefer to get a free agent pitcher and keep our existing talent.

Dempster apparently wants a 5/$75M deal. Is he nuts? I'd rather go give Sabathia a 7/$130M deal. Of course, it isn't my money. I would offer Dempster a lucrative 3 year deal -- maybe $40M. I've heard the Mets are real hot on him, however...so we'll see what happens.

I'd go get Holliday from the Rockies if he can be had. Them I'd give some young pitching -- not Harden or Samardzija, but certainly Marshall and more for a hitter like that. Stick him in right field and forget about that position for a while.

I think the answer is a $350M payroll.

I'm still on the road and my laptop is broken, so this post is coming to you courtesy of a hobby lobby computer while I wait for my ride. More later...when I can think about whatever it is I am saying. And who knows? Maybe more Man of La Mancha references.

best to cb

js

Baseball, Baseball, Baseball

I was going to do a political rant. Suffice to say, I decided against it to spare you the diatribe. The oversaturation of politics this year has numbed me...probably all of us -- which I believe was the point -- specifically to take us all OFF POINT when we vote. I voted already, always vote early...not like it matters much in California since they'll call the state by noon.

Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday. Wouldn't mind seeing him in Wrigley -- can he play right?

I think we need to resign Dempster and go get Peavy. Letting Dempster go and signing Peavy is only a marginal improvement -- how much better than 17 - 6 would Peavy be? Anyone think that Demp can do that again? I do.

Short blog today -- have to leave early. Spent too much time on a comment from yesterday...

best to cb

Sherm

Random notes and thoughts

1. They are happy in Tampa. Proud to have "gotten" to the world series. That's what wrong with that city as a baseball city. If you don't win your last game of the year (even if it takes three days in the pouring rain) then your year was not a complete success. Maybe I'm too cynical. Maybe I should be happy that we made it to the playoffs. Yeah. That's it. I'm esctatic.

2. There is no actual award, Smitty. The Shermies are chimerical. You know, quixotic. That should clear that up.

3. Dempster filed for free agency, and says he won't sign with the Cubs during their exclusive negotiating period -- wants to see what other teams offer. That's loyalty for you. After all the nice things I've said about him.

4. Look for a three way deal to get Peavy. We'll lose a bunch -- probably Pie, Marshall and couple others (Hart, Guzman, ??) I'd say it's worth it -- especially if we keep Demp.

5. I hate to lose Marshall because I think he's going to be real good.

6. Lou says he wants to platoon centerfield again next year -- ready for this? Johnson and Fukudome. So, Edmonds is off the board and where does that leave Pie? I think San Diego.

7. I still can't believe that we got swept so easily by the Dodderers.

8. I'll be glad when the election is over, but I think I'm going to hate the result. Oh well, socialism has its upside, right?

9. Texas - Texas Tech was a great football game.

10. Here's an idea. Lots of players go play in Latin America during the offseason. Send Soriano to England and get him in a cricket league. If he's going to swing at balls that bounce, he should at least learn to hit them.

I gotta go...

best to cb

JS

Phinally

In the who gives phuck department, the girl horses (sorry, that's what fillies are) won the series. The phinal innings were carried on the weather channel for those of you who missed it. Major networks pulled out due to lack of interest. Somewhere, Tim McCarver is probably still talking.

Too bad, phor it would have been phun to see the Tampa phans celebrate. I can only imagine the mayhem and tipping of golph carts. Rest homes adding an hour to lights out and early bird specials extended to 7pm. It would have been insane.

Thankphully, it's over and we can get back to the real world. By the way, both Chicago and Anaheim had glorious weather all week and would have been perphect venues to play.

In case you didn't see the sportswire, Casey McGeeHeeHaw was picked up on waivers by the Brewers. Aramis can now stop worrying about his job.

Thank you phor the comments and suggestions re: the Shermies. Since this was the phirst year, I'll admit that perhaps I missed a phew. Mojo gets the Golden Shermie for keeping his sense of humor during a very tough year. Ravage gets the Rojo Shermita for not staying in Cozumel so that we could win the world series.

Now we can start building next year's team. I, phor one, have very high hopes.

best to cb

js

Uh oh

For one thing, the world series won't end. When I suggested a million inning tie? I was kidding. Apparently it isn't always sunny in Philadelphia. Not that I care.

Read the male bag yesterday. Or is it mail bag? Should be the former because it contains a scrotum's full of info. Two things caught my interest and one made me say "uh oh"

Of interest. We can't have Manny because we have Soriano. Period. Maybe there's a law I don't know about. Of interest. Hoffpauir can't play first unless Derrek Lee agrees to share. Uh-oh. Felix Pie is out of options and WILL make the big league team next year. So, we have to carry this guy whether he can cut it or not? Instead of who? Hoffpauir? Edmonds? So what do we do with the Japanese Pie?

How come OUR prospects always turn into Felix Pie (or Corey Patterson, or whoever) and other teams end up with guys like BJ Upton, Jacoby Ellsbury, Denard Span, Jay Bruce, Nate McLouth and so on. Is it so hard to develop good young outfielders? Or just for the Cubs?

Yeah, yeah. Geovany Soto worked out nicely. I hear you. How many Bobby Hills and Kevin Ories do we need to live through for every good one like Soto? And why no outfielders? Who was the last good outfielder to come through our system, and stick?

Well, with Pie on the roster all year, at least we don't have to worry about who's going to bat in that pesky 8 spot.

I will be out of town, sans laptop (that means without it, Smitty) until Wednesday night -- so you are going to have to live with Shermrants for a couple of days. Here's what I suggest. Go back and read some of the older ones.

best to cb

JS

why don't they understand that it's over?

Yesterday after church, some knucklehead asked me if I saw the last inning of Saturday's game. Something about a five man infield or some such nonsense. I told him that baseball was officially over for the year and "what game?"

Why won't they just leave me alone?

If the Fillies and the Raes played to a one million inning 0 - 0 tie? That'd be okay with me as long as it didn't preempt my "shows." I really like "Life" about the cop who was in jail but got out because he didn't do it and now he's still a cop but wants to find out who framed him in the first place. It's pretty good. Sons of Anarchy is good, too, but I think I'm getting off track.

Question: who's ugliest? Wanda Sykes, CCH Pounder, Whoopi, or the black lady on Without a Trace? Answer: They all pretty damn ugly.

Rumor is that the Brewers have offered CC 4 years at 100 mil. And Flintstone-like food. He should take it because he's fat. And then they'd have no money to sign Hardy or Cecil. Or Laurel or Beanie, for that matter.

Aramis Ramirez won the Hank Aaron award. I think it's for being the most offensive player in the league, which just seems rude, but whatever.

best to cb

Sherm

THE SHERMIES!!!!!

Yes, indeed, it is time for the First Annual SHERMIE Awards!

Let's jump right in to this year's awards!

> The "Hop to it" Shermie: goes to Alfonso "Hoppity Hooper" Soriano. This award was formerly known as "The Varsho" and before that, "The Moreland."

> The "Guy who kept us from winning 100 games this year" Shermie: Goes to Jair Jurrjens of the Atlanta Braves. Honorable mention for this award goes to Jeff Bennett. Okay, I'll explain. Jurrjens was supposed to pitch against the Cubs the next day and walking out of Wrigley field after a game, twists his ankle on some steps in the clubhouse. Can't start. Bennett does, and promptly nails Soriano in the hand, costing us our 100 game season. Go with it.

> The "Bucket List" Shermie: goes to Kosuke Fukudome. Only guy I've ever seen run into the first base coach. During his swing.

> The "Johnny Cash" Shermie: goes to Ryan Dempster, the game one playoff starter. Why? He "walked the line(up)"

> The "Granny" Shermie: to Carlos Zambrano who went to see his dead grandmother and pretty much blew for the balance of the year. Throws a no hitter, visits granny, stinks. In that order.

> The "Yips" Shermie: To the entire Cub infield for their endearing postseason play

> The "Hoffy" Shermie: To the best hitter we have who didn't make the (offensively anemic) postseason roster.

> The "Unused" Shermie: It's a tie. One goes to Reed Johnson who did nothing except spark the team and help us win all year -- and who didn't see the field in the playoffs. Maybe Lou was saving him for the Phillies? And the other goes to Ted Lilly, the only pitcher with 16 wins in the playoffs who didn't even warm up.

> The "AL Manager of the Year" Shermie: to Jim Leyland, who took that Tiger team and monster payroll and parlayed it into 74 wins and a finish BEHIND Kansas City. The Royals, for those of you who didn't remember that they had a baseball team.

> The "NL Manager of the Year" Shermie: As much as I'd love to stick a Shermie to Dusty Baker for ruining the Reds...it goes to Bud Black and his 99 loss Padres. Someone please save Jake Peavy. Could it be the Prior factor?

> The "fat" Shermie: Tie between CC and Cecil.

> The "Blackwell" Shermie, in honor of the recently departed, Mr. Blackwell: goes to Greg Gagne for wearing Cecil's uniform.

> The "Separated at birth" Shermie: to Kevin Youkilis for resembling our own Doc Ravage.

> The "Bad Taste" Shermie: to ARod. Is he really seeing Madonna? Yuk. That's just nasty.

> The "Around the World" Shermie" aka the combined distance of the balls hit off of him: Bobby Howry. Gave up thirteen homers. So did Brandon Webb. In three times the innings. Cliff Lee allowed 12 in 30 starts.

> The "Hamburger Helper" Shermie: to Derrek Lee for worst use of ground round.

> The "Best Debut game that turned to Shit" to Kosuke Fukudome for having one good game and fooling us into thinking he could play big boy baseball in America. He seems very surprised by live pitching. What did he play in Japan? T-ball?

> The "Without a Trace" Shermie: goes to Aramis Ramirez and Alfonso Soriano for their disappearing act in the playoffs. Someone call Anthony LaPaglia.

Finally, we have just "The SHERMIE" --

To Andruw Jones. 36 mil, two year contract. Guy bats .158 with 3 homers and 14 rbi's. Lost his stranglehold on the fourth outfielder slot when they got Manny. Just for perspective -- Carlos DelGado pretty much had a better season on JUNE 27th -- when he hit two homers and had nine rbi's.

What's that? You want more? Oh, okay.


The "Regular Update" Shermie: goes to Phil Smith for his diligence at keeping his website up to date. I think his last post mentions the acquisition of Jim Edmonds.

The "Something to strive for" Shermie: goes to the hirejimessian.com website which keeps me trying to increase my readership to maybe, I don't know, five or six people?

The "I can only dream" Shermie: to Mark Cuban for next year's $220M payroll and a world series championship!

More later. Or not.

best to cb

Thanks for tuning in. Without your comments, it's all in my head.

Sherm

Jim Hendry

Hendry got a four year extension...which I have to believe that he deserved. All things considered, I think he's done a good job. Juggling this new owner, the pending sale, the team budget and so on? It can't be easy and I think he's done as well as he can -- plus he's pulled off a couple of very good deals.

It wouldn't have hurt us to rent Manny last year. I wonder why we didn't get into that. The Dodgers didn't give up anything in the deal. Sure, LaRoche, but we had to have something as good or better than that for Pittsburgh...

Edmonds and Johnson were a very good centerfield platoon -- I wonder what we'll do for that position in 2009? I don't think we'll see a repeat platoon. Anyone out there think that Pie is ready? Why is our "young" guy always not ready? Why are Gomez, Span, Upton and a host of other young centerfielders ready? Soto made the transition to the bigs. Why can't Pie? He's a five tool guy. He can field. He can run. He can field. And he can field. I'd say that if we can't sign a big bat for right field, resign Edmonds and Johnson...but I don't think it will happen. Both showed that they can still play and at least will sign elsewhere.

I think that if Fukuwasteofmoneydome doesn't hit over .300 in spring training? Send him for a season of AAA ball. He's got to learn to hit somewhere and the big club is not on the job training for a contender. Sorry, Kosuke, here's a camera. Go see America by bus.

I am working on a great "column." Can I call it that? Anyhoo...stay tuned. Sorry. That might have been a shameless plug. You know what that makes me. Oh, well.

Oh, to be a Luddite.

best to cb.

Sherm

Yawn

So, how about those Bears? Or Packers? Or whoever.

Whatever.

Right now I just don't have anything "basebally" to say. I don't care about the World Series. I don't care about the awards. I don't care about any of it.

When can we start signing and trading people?

best to cb

js

Sox - Rays

Okay, I'll admit it. I'm going to watch tonight's game. I know that baseball is officially over for me -- but I choose to watch. It's that or Missouri - Texas...and I need more baseball right now, not football. I'm rooting for the Red Sox. I'd pretend that they're the Cubs, but I don't want to jinx them.

I hate this time of year. I live for baseball box scores, and one every other day just doesn't get it done. When does spring training start again? When are the winter meetings? Who can we get for D.Lee? What the hell am I going to type about every day? Oh, I'll think of something...

I'd like to see Jake Peavy as a Cub, but don't get raped to get it done. Better to overpay a free agent than to deplete the system, I think.

I saw a movie last night about some old lady trying to set up her cable. Weird.

Well, gotta run. Or limp. Whatever.

Best to cb

JS

You have to enjoy watching the Red Sox

Whether they end up beating Tampa or not...they are fun to watch. They have discipline. They always seem loose, regardless of the situation -- and you just had to know when the cut that lead from 7 - 0 to 7 - 4 that they were probably going to win.

I loved the call "this would be a good time for Drew to show some of that Mickey Mantle power" and he jacks one out on that pitch to make it 7 - 6. How about that Chip Caray after all?

What was I saying about tough outs? Did you see this game? There are about 5 or 6 tough outs on EACH team.

Great comment during the broadcast that "Cliff Floyd has been a winner everywhere he's ever been." Oops. Except the Chicago national league ballclub.

Great quote in the SoCal paper yesterday. Actually two. Both Manny.

1. This is just like it was in Cleveland. The fans love me. Now we have to see if management loves me, too.

2. (and this one instantly becomes my all time favorite) -- He says "I'm a five tool player. I can hit. I play left field. I can steal a few bases. And I can hit." Classic.

The only people less happy than Tampa fans (that sounds odd. Do they actually HAVE fans?) are Yankee fans.

Best move of the night? Using Papelbon early to stem the tide. Gives up a double to Upton...two runs charged to Del Carmen...and then...NOTHING. Letting his team come back.


Cub baseball. I have been giving it a great deal of thought. We need to trade Lee and get Teixiera. Period. If we only make one major change this offseason, that's the one. Re-sign Hendry. Re-sign Dempster and Wood. The rest of the team, while not perfect...is good enough.

Unless someone thinks that Hoffpauir can play outfield everyday...trade him to an American League team or someone who needs a firstbaseman. Get something for him. His stock will never be higher than it is right now.

Separated at birth: Joe Maddon and Eric Burden.

more later. or not.

best to cb

Sherm

Just Manny...going home

And so the highly publicized Manny and the Dodgers can go home and shut up. Finally.

They weren't that good to begin with. Yes...we were just that bad, thank you very much.

And so the Phillies are the best team in the (gag, choke) national league. I have to say that they are because they are going to the world series. To play the Rays? Probably. While I watch what? The new adventures of old Christine? What a shitty October, baseball fans.

I figured out why it is so important for the Cub "Seniors" to win the game against the campers on that final day at fantasy camp. For former Cubs, it's the only time in their career that they get to win the last game of the season.

Where will Manny go? Some say Mets. Some say Yankees. I don't think he'll stay in LA, but maybe -- stranger things have happened, and the team responded well with him. It doesn't hurt to have Joe Torre as manager. I don't think Girardi could handle him. I say let him go back to the American League.

Oh, well...off to Atlanta in a few minutes. More later. Or not.

best to cb

js

Pat who?

We cannot stand pat.

There are several teams in the NL that are going to be considerably better next year than this year -- namely:

1. Mets -- the young rotation is improving. All they really need is some bullpen help, and we all know that Omar Minaya will go and get it...even if he has to overpay.

2. Phillies -- can't see them being any worse, anyhow, especially if they replace "Dad" Moyer with a free agent arm. Scary lineup if they bring Burrell back.

3. Astros -- hate to say it, but they have to believe that they can win in '09 after the way they almost made it this year. Need an arm -- or to keep Wolf, but if Lee and Co. are healthy...they won't be an easy team to write off.

4. Dodgers -- will be improved through experience. Even without Manny, those young guys (and Kemp, Loney, Martin and Ethier are a talented bunch) are going to be better.

5. DBacks -- have to think they'll still be a force with that pitching staff.

Florida and Cincinnati have the personnel to be a pain in the ass all year, too.

We need to become a better team in several ways to win our division again. We need a couple of tougher outs -- including at least one big lefty bat. I don't think that will be Micah Hoffpauir. I think it SHOULD be Mark Teixiera -- we should show the baseball world we mean business and sign this guy -- early and big. Trade Lee for VALUE. And then work the other pieces in as needed. One more arm as I said yesterday. You can get value back for Marquis. I would only consider Soto and Ramirez as untouchable position players. No one is going to take Soriano off our hands...so that's moot.

I'm slightly stunned by the Rays. In the "who gives a rats ass" world series...Phils and Rays? Oh, man, will the TV people be upset. Ratings? Slightly lower than a Survivor reunion show. At least Boston - LA would have viewers. Any game after 5:00PM Eastern time won't be seen locally in Florida as all the folks will be eating early bird dinners and getting ready for bed. I won't be watching. I'll read about it in the paper.

Wow. What a disappointing year. I don't know about you guys, but for me it is just sinking in. What could have been. What should have been. What is.

best to cb

js

What can I say?

Not much Cub news to report. Will we re-sign Wood and Dempster? Probably. Will we be active in the free agent market? Maybe.

This year's news isn't going to be about what we do (unless it's big, and I don't think it will be. What I mean is -- don't expect Sabathia or Teixiera in Cub blue next year.) It's going to be about what others do. I expect teams to make big, bold moves to improve.

I anticipate little moves by our guys. Harden's locked up. Rotation is pretty close to set. Bullpen is pretty good. We're stuck with Neifidome. We're stuck with Strikeout-ano. There will be no change in the corner infield or behind the plate. Chances are that Theriot is locked in at short. DeRosa will play somewhere -- second and right, again, most likely platooning with Fontenot and Mendozadome. That really only leaves centerfield. Edmonds and Johnson were good enough, by far. I expect that this should be Pie's year to try to shine. Hoffy replaces Ward as PH lefty off the bench. What else can we...or will we do? Anything else is a shake up -- and I just don't see it. Not without a new owner and a new budget. I don't see a big free agent signing in our future. I don't see a CC, Burnett, Lowe, Peavy or top starter being added.

Memo to all Cub fans and song writers. Lay off the stupid songs. Every time we have a team song we lose. Well, we lose with or without the songs, but let's have a year of humility this year and let's not celebrate every home win like it's the little league World Series.

Memo to Cubs. Let's make it a more businesslike approach. Now that you've won two straight division titles -- let's not even pop champagne for that. No champagne for you until you win a playoff series. Deal?

Wasn't it Lou who left Tampa Bay a few years ago because they weren't committed enough to winning? I have pants older than that team. Do they have a fantasy camp? It would have to be all guys who are still playing.

Rumor is that the Brewers will be trading Cecil. Thoughts? I think he'll be a Yankee if that happens.

best to cb

Sherm

Big hits

Win ball games. Simple as that. See Phillies. They found a couple of DLowe mistakes and turned them into game winning runs. It can be done.

I'm not a big fan of either NL team, and I hope/think that the AL team wins it all. Not that I'm really paying any attention to it.

When are the winter meetings? Now that's what I'm waiting for!

There weren't as many homers this year as years past. I notice that no one hit seventy again. Or even sixty. Or even fifty. Anyone other than Ryan Howard get into the 40s? Why is that? What could it be? Speaking of which, do you think the "steroid era" in baseball will also be known as the "dead balls era?"

best to cb

js

What's wrong with shameless self promotion?

Not a thing, as far as I can tell. Obviously, others have a differing view.

What other kinds of self promotion are there? Besides, it's not like this blog is a big money maker or anything.

Anyhoo...

I am more and more intrigued by the Zambrano and Lee to San Fran for Lincecum deal. If we could get Teixiera...it makes perfect sense.

We still need a lead off hitter, but then we'd have (if it's okay with Alf) a three, four, five of Soriano, Teixiera, Ramirez...pretty strong, especially with the patient, switch hitting Tex in the middle of that. Think that there is any chance it happens? Or am I dreaming the Cub off season dream again?

There is talk of Bobby Abreu for right field -- he's a huge offensive upgrade over mendoza-dome, but I'm not sure he's the guy we need. Plus he's what? 34? 35? And he'll want three or four years.

Does Jim Hendry still covet Brian Roberts? I kind of hope not. He's not that big an upgrade, plus we'd lose Fontenot in the lineup altogether because that's his only position. DeRosa would lose playing time, too. Plus whatever you give up for the guy. Not sure he's worth all that. Thoughts?

Derrek Lowe is a free agent. He might fit well at Wrigley for a couple of years. That is, if we add starting pitching and don't stand pat. A lot less $$$ than CC will cost someone. Think of this rotation (if the San Fran deal actually happens): Lincecum, Lilly, Lowe, Harden, Marshall. Not shabby. And it allows Marquis to be dealt for a position player or bullpen help. Gives Samardzija another year in the pen to mature -- which allows for the immediate dismissal of Howry. Somebody will want him. Count on it.

I would like to see Nate McClouth in centerfield next year. The Pirates are always ready to trade someone pre-payday and he might be ripe for that. Plus, he'll be someone's starting CF for the next ten years. Hopefully, ours. I like Ichabod Pence, too, but the Astro's don't like to trade within the division very often.

Would you want Furcal at short? That would mean trading Theriot, or making him the 2b. Gives us the lead off guy we need, for sure. Thoughts? Orlando Cabrera? He's available, too. Or are you okay with Theriot at short for the next few years?

I think we need Mark Cuban to buy the team. Now. And do the Lincecum deal and the Teixiera deal. Then, get McClouth. And if nothing else happens...we're good to go for the next few years.

Shameless self promotion. Ha!

Look for the Shermrants ads during the world series.

best to cb

js

Just to see what would happen

I just picked up a baseball and threw a pitch. Right here in my office. Somewhere, wherever he is, Alfonso Soriano swung at it. And missed.

Shake it up

My first reaction to the debacle in round one -- is to shake it up. I think that this team is good enough to continue to win, or come close to winning the division. I don't think it's a championship team, as was exposed by the Dodgers. We are considerably better than we were pre-Piniella. No question. Some of that is due to Lou. Some of that (a lot of it) is due to Hendry and the players we have now. We have a pretty good team. Kansas City would be proud. We're not KC, and after the loyalty we've shown, and our forefathers have shown, to this team...we deserve a little more.

So, bring on Mark Cuban. Or whoever it is that will be the next Cub owner and let's get started building the team to the next level. The next level being championship caliber baseball. Able to win a playoff game caliber.

Soriano's comment was very odd. I'm half paraphrasing because I don't have the exact quote in front of me, "we're built for a marathon, not a sprint." I think he meant that this team isn't good enough to win a short series against another real good team. Perhaps he meant that this team can run farther than other teams, but not faster. Who knows? After all, he's an idiot. Or is he?

I have said all year that it boils down to our inability to hit good pitching. Most teams have that problem, sure. Good pitching usually beats good hitting. It beats us more than it should for our payroll. That's the imbalance. We need to beat the Billingsleys of this league. We went into that series hoping and praying that our pitching would shut out LA for three games, didn't we? And when Dempster imploded, we all went "uh-oh"...and then the infield all lost a bet to the devil and went out there with their gloves on the wrong hand for the next game and we all went "oh no...here we go again"...and then we reenacted the Night of the Living Dead Offense and it was over.

So what to do? We must add a hitter or two that will stabilize our offense. Tough outs. We need a couple of tough outs. Name a tough out on the Cubs. Can't, can you? There isn't one. There is not one single person on this team that makes an opposing pitcher (I mean the good ones) really worry. You can pitch around every guy on our team if you have a plan, and yes, it seems that OTHER teams have plans. (Quick, somebody get us a plan.) Number one, we need a table setter tough out. That's a huge advantage for an offense. Soriano? No. Theriot? Not tough enough. Look at Furcal, working walks, bunting for hits, has some pop...tough out. Look at guys like Jimmy Rollins, Brian Roberts, Ichiro, Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Damon, Jose Reyes, and several others I'm forgetting at the moment. Then you need a middle of the order tough out -- a Manny, an Ortiz, a Berkman or Carlos Lee...even a Cecil. Guys you don't want to face late in the game. Guys that make you pitch different three of four batters earlier...we don't have that guy. We need that guy. Go get that guy.

Pitching is our strength, but with Sabathia, AJ Burnett and a few others on the market...I'd play in that pool, too. Add to the starting rotation. Big Z, Lilly, Harden, Dempster and one other front line starter isn't too shabby.

I heard this rumor -- DLee and Big Z to San Francisco for Lincecum. Then we go sign Teixeira. Thoughts? Who'd you rather have? Lee and Zee? Lincecum and Tex?

Well...I'm sure that I can find other things to think about.

best to cb

Sherm

I feel bad

I feel bad for Reed Johnson and Ted Lilly. Johnson was a spark plug all year long...and didn't get a single post season at bat (Fukudome got ten!) and Lilly was unquestionably our best pitcher down the stretch, and he didn't get to throw a pitch.

Great email from Doc Raker yesterday about sharing baseball with the family. Except my kids are grown. My wife doesn't like baseball. And the dogs, no matter how much I tried to solicit their attention...didn't care. So I suffered through this beat down alone -- except, of course, for all of you loyal readers.

Questions to ponder:

1. Will we re-sign Ryan Dempster? I think we should but don't know if we will.
2. Will we re-sign Kerry Wood? I think we will but don't know if we should.
3. Will we be active in the free agent market? I think we should be.
4. Will we re-sign Edmonds? Johnson? Or will this be the year of the Pie?
5. What impact player(s) would you like to the Cubs add? And how do you suggest it happen? Trade? Who for who? Free agency?

How would you change this team so that we can actually win a post series (or game)? Send me your suggestions. I think Jim Hendry reads this blog, so he'll see your ideas.

more later. Or not.

Thank goodness the White Sox are done. Angels, too...now my cow-orkers will shut off. I purposed misplace the hyphen in that word because it's funnier. Deal with it.

Red Sox lose Manny completely, Lowell to injury, Ortiz and Drew are half speed at best. Beckett is pitching hurt. Oh, yeah, and they still beat the team with 100 wins. News flash> there is a strategy to baseball.

best to cb

Sherm

Just this

Congratulations to CC Sabathia for winning America's Got Talent

On the bright side

Oh, wait, there isn't a fucking bright side.

I'd keep the pitching staff and wholesale the rest of the team. Is it too late to become a lifelong Red Sox fan? What's the number for Doctor Tattoff?

Seriously, though -- my name is Sherm and I am a Cub fan.

{Hello, Sherm} responds the rest of the audience in this make believe Cubaholics Anonymous support group.

I've been a member of C.A. my whole life. Apparently it is an addiction I cannot break. Let me say this, though, to those of you who share this addiction: I PREFERRED it when we sucked. It was easier to be a lovable loser than just a loser. It's less heart wrenching to be a doormat than an upset. It's simpler to have no expectations than feel this pain.

I could write more, but I just don't want to. I have no real want to be funny or clever. I have no need to be poignant. I'm numb. And I just realized that this team...will NEVER make it any farther than this. Period. I mean THIS team -- these players and coaches -- not the Cubs in general. The Cubs will eventually win it all. And I hope that my great grandkids enjoy it.

So when does the Mark Cuban era begin? I mean era, not error, like that jackass Dick Stockton..

And that wasn't Tony Gwynn. It was Bill Cosby on helium. I was waiting for him to bust out a pudding pop reference any moment.

More next spring.

best to cb

Sherm

Pathetic

Anemic, pathetic and embarrassing. Rescind the offer to Piniella. Terminate him. Fire Gerald Perry. Get someone in here who can coach hitting in this century.

I wrote it here months ago. Against good pitching we look stupid. Well, we just did it again three games in a row. And that wasn't great pitching -- merely good. Unbelievable. Pathetic.

Fitting that Soriano whiffs to end it on a bad pitch after taking a perfect strike one fastball down the middle.

More tomorrow maybe. Tonight, I'm just fed up with the whole thing.

Like Doc said...there are more important things in our lives than baseball. Still, this hurts. Plus, I called every hotel in Cozumel and he wasn't it any of them. Fucker.

best to cb. She matters. The Cubs don't.

js

Not so deep thoughts

I have been sitting here considering what words to put into this space this morning, and having a difficult time making that determination.

First -- let's take the "glass half full" position:

1. Theoretically, we have the far stronger number three and four pitchers in this series, and therefore could, and perhaps should, win the next two games regardless of where they are played. That forces a game five, back at home -- and anything can happen. Odds are that Dempster will never be as bad as he was in game one again.

2. Sabathia lost.

Well, that's it for the "half full" position. Wish there was more. But there is not.

Now, let's look at the "glass half empty" or "glass leaking from crack in bottom."

1. Piniella is being outmanaged by Torre. Period. That's not the reason for everything that is happening, but if you are looking at the little things...it's very true.

2. What's the Japanese word for "stinks?" Whatever it is, Fukudome is that. Nice call playing him. Nicer call leaving him in with two on in the ninth. Anyone else see that whiff coming? How do you say "pathetic" in Japanese? How about his Mark DeCarlo-ian throw home in the eighth? Off the mark on eleven hops. How do you say "fuck me" in Japanese?

3. This belongs in the half full side, but whatever. Zambrano actually pitched a good game, all things considered -- and kept it together when it was falling apart.

4. Why play Fukudome? WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?????????????

5. If DeRosa isn't healthy enough to play right then he isn't healthy enough to play second. Even Ron Darling knows that, and he's the biggest idiot ever. Of course he could have played right. He's got four of our 5 rbi's. He's running the bases, for Christ sake. Fontenot would have a.) been a better offensive option vs both Dodger pitchers we've seen, and b.) caught the fucking ball and turned the fucking double play and maybe we have a chance to win the fucking game.

6. Errors are as bad as walks. Worse, even. Look it up.

7. Yes, Lee has a couple of hits, but the important at bats? Terrible. For the most part, this team either has no, or a terrible, offensive plan -- and that continues to kill us. I said this a month ago and will repeat it here because it matters -- we are only a good hitting team versus average or below average pitching and we are a poor offensive team versus good pitching. I said then that we'd be in trouble in the playoffs because everyone in the playoffs has good pitching. Quote from Mike Scioscia today when asked about the Angels lack of offense lately -- "to win in the playoffs you must be able to beat good pitching." Damn. Wish we'd have known that. But the bottom line is that we really don't have a single hitter who is really a great hitter. We have a lot of guys who get their hits vs the dregs of the league and are exposed, year after year, when the playoffs roll around. When will we address that? You think Soriano's average is going to go UP in the playoffs? Come on.

7b. More on that. This is the same team, with the same problems and deficiencies that we saw get swept by the Diamondbacks and we were foolish to think otherwise. Same poor offensive plan. Same impatience and sloppy at bats. Same lack of execution. Why did we think we'd be better this year? Harden? He can't hit. Fukudome? He can't hit, either. How do you say "utter and complete failure" in Japanese? Those are really the only two differences between this year and last year. Yes, Dempster is a starter now. Yes, there are a few minor differences...but really? That's it. Why did we think we'd be better this postseason? Because we are stupid. Thank you very much.

8. Party? I'm not having a party until or unless we get into the next round. No fucking way we have an elimination party at my house. Well...maybe a game five party. We'll see.

9. Is Doc in Cozumel yet? No. Seriously. Is he? Not that I'm superstitious or anything, but GET THE FUCK TO COZUMEL ALREADY.

10. Oh, trust me, there's more...but how do you say "fed up" in Japanese?

best to cb

Sherm

The One Hundred Year Weight

The One Hundred Year Weight
How much does one hundred years weigh? You probably think that it can’t weigh any more or any less than one year, or five years or even fifty years. You would be very wrong to think that. One hundred years weighs a lot. Just ask the city of Chicago – at least the North Side. Ask Boston how heavy eighty-six years is. Ask the South Side of Chicago how heavy eighty-eight years can be.
Surely, I spelled it wrong; I mixed up my homophones, right? I mean one hundred year wait, right? Wrong on both counts. Definition of wait? To look forward to. Simple enough. Look forward long enough and what happens? You get what you want. Or you die. Weight, on the other hand? Heaviness. A mental burden. Importance. That’s what weight is. That’s what we have here. And we have one hundred years of it.
Could you feel it last night? Even the three stooges from TBS (somebody explain to me why TBS is carrying these games?) could feel it. They mentioned the unmentionable – it wasn’t noisy at Wrigley. It was kind of subdued. Why? How can that be? The Weight, I tell you, it’s The Weight.
We have one hundred years resting on more than just our shoulders – it’s planted firmly on our souls. It’s on the essence of Cubnation: the management, the players, the fans. They can say it doesn’t matter. They can say that they can’t feel yesteryear sitting beside them on the bench…but they don’t mean it. It just isn’t true. Yesterday is there. Yesteryear is there. Right next to every one of us, whispering in our ears every moment of the season and the off season. It’s there, bemoaning every bad call and unlucky break. Oh, that weight. It’s especially heavy now, during the postseason.
This is a team that loves its losers. Why? Because they’re all we’ve got. So we hang onto them for dear life. “If only, if only, if only,” we say, because we need to. Because of the weight.
Let me confess something. Confession is supposed to be good for the soul. I feel the weight. It’s on me like, well, you know what it’s like or you wouldn’t have read this far. I wear the weight. I am the weight. I am guilty of it as I can be. I throw up my arms in disgust and say things like “That’s it! I’m done. I’ll never care about them again. In fact, I’m not even WATCHING tomorrow’s game.”
Of course I do. Watch the game, that is. I’ll die again tomorrow if I have to. Today I will rant, as is my God given right. Tomorrow, I will be resurrected as Cub fans are – year after year after year…as the song goes – and I will root with all my heart and all my soul and all my being.
Enough. I am going to tell you how to beat the weight. Syndicate. That’s right. Here’s the secret. Don’t bear it alone. Go to a support group for Cub fans (there are also called “bars.”) Never give up. Think good thoughts. Do you have lucky underwear? Put them on! If you are picking your nose and Soriano gets a hit – Cubnation expects you to pick your nose every time he comes up. Do not hold back. If we all do the right things at the right time, then maybe, just maybe, we can get out from under the weight that is one hundred years. Dear God, I hope so. But if not, I’ll be there next year with a new pair of lucky underwear.
Sherm

The Oracle

I have consulted the oracle, seen into the future and now know the events of the game tonight before they even happen. I will share them with you, even though the oracle has recommended against it. The oracle can be pissy.

The oracle (which is really my ouija board, my lucky New Orleans dice, and my astrological mood ring) has spoken:

Zambrano's line: 8ip. 5 hits. 1 run. 1 walk. 9 k's. 116 pitches.

Howry pitches the ninth because it doesn't matter.

Cubs hit four home runs: Ramirez, Cedeno, Soto and DeRosa.

Final score: 7 to 1.

Long live the oracle.

You gotta be kidding me

Stupid. That's the only word I can think of that covers it all. Stupid.

1. Stupid to walk that many hitters in a fairly weak lineup.
2. Stupid to bat Fukudome second.
3. Stupid to bat Soto in the five spot.
4. Stupid to even have Pie on the roster.

Whole lotta stupid going on. Hey, I checked the Japanese translation for Fukudome and found something interesting. "Fuku" means Felix. "Dome" means Pie.

Soriano picks up right where he left off last year in the playoffs -- with a huge 0'fer. Ron Darling (and don't get me started on the announcing team of Moron, Asswipe and Fatz) even said that it's pretty easy to pitch Soriano -- get him to strike one and then don't throw anything in the zone again. He'll chase. Great. Now the secret is out.

Soto shouldn't bat 5 because he is not a mature hitter. His at bat with Ramirez on second and none out proves my point. It's two and o -- and then he takes two fastballs right down the middle. And then swings at a pitch a foot off of the plate. All he needed to do was move the runner over. It was 4 - 2 at the time.

Dempster's refusal to quit overthrowing fastballs hurt -- walking Lowe twice? Furcal, in his first game in months, twice? Come on. He was absolutely pathetic.

I thought we played like a team that didn't have to fight to get into the playoffs.

I think we can and will win tonight, but now it's a tougher road. We have to win 3 of 4 against a Dodger team that is really starting to build confidence. Loney was in the dumps until the slam. He had an awful September and looked bad on the first two pitches of the at bat until Dempster hit his bat right on the sweet spot. Now he'll be sky high.

We need Big Z to make the difference tonight.

Also -- Fontenot should have started v Lowe last night. If DeRosa was okay to play at all, he should have been in right field. Fukudome is a late inning replacement only. Two spot! Ha. Nice 0 for 9 from the top 167 million dollars.

Go Cubs. Win tonight. Ravage -- back to Cozumel, quick!

best to cb

Sherm

Who cares

About the Twins and White Sox? As far as I'm concerned, it's a non baseball day.

I'm pulling for the Twins because I hate the Sox, but think that either of them will lose to the mighty Rays in round one anyway. And the Rays will lose to the winner of the Angels - Red Sox.

I have an odd feeling the Red Sox are going to cruise past the Angels. Don't know why I think that, just do.

AL MVP will be K-Rod, but not according to Mark Grace who said "they have their own award." I still think he'll win it, because he's not getting the Cy Young.

NL MVP should be Ryan Howard.

Managers of the Year? Maddon in the AL. Who else? In the NL? Could be Lou. Dark horse is Cecil Cooper -- have to give the Astro's credit for hanging in as long as they did after an awful start and the loss of Carlos Lee. Torre? No. They weren't in it until they got Manny and he had nothing to do with that.

Have a great Tuesday...much more to talk about tomorrow!

best to cb

js

Off to the postseason we go

Not exactly the way I'd have liked -- with a win, and facing the Mets, but what the hell...at least we are in.

I've been laid up -- so I've been Smittying the updates, sorry.

Re: Saturday - someone please teach Felix Pie to say "I got it" and then catch it.

Re: Sunday -- I think it would have been an important win. Too bad Lou didn't think so.

Re: the Dodgers -- they have some experience and youth...a nice mix. Furcal seems healthy. Kent is back and Manny is Manny. I think it could go five games.

Re: the Brewers. I hope the Phillies beat them because I really don't want to play them in round two.

In the AL? As long and the White Sox don't make it, I don't care what happens.

More later when the drugs start to wear off. Or not.

best to cb

js

Good news, bad news

It's always good news to come from behind and win a game. That's the good news. Still a lot of fight in these guys, even in a game that really doesn't mean anything to us. That's a Lou Piniella influence, I think. Dusty would have mailed it in.

Bad news? Is Big Z okay? Was that just an issue of an ump who didn't match up well with Carlos' strike zone? Sometimes Carlos doesn't adjust. Or is there a bigger problem? Either way, I think that he has pitched himself into the number three starter spot.

Howry gives up a leadoff triple -- AND PITCHES OUT OF IT. That was cool.

This just in: Clay Aiken has revealed that he is gay. That's news?

Insignificant trivia tidbit for the day: In those 20 plus years as a terrific pitcher, Jim Palmer NEVER game up a grand slam. Why? He felt that there was never a good reason to give in to a hitter. Just because the bases may have been loaded or there were three balls on the batter -- he wasn't going to give in. What he said was "I'd rather walk in one, than give up four. One is easier to get back. If I lose this one, I'll get the next guy." I think there is something to be said for smart pitchers.

Really, Clay? Who'd have known? You hide it so well.

We need to take three of four from the Mets and the Brewers. That would be a nice way to finish the regular season, and make them fight for it. Mets finish with Philly, so they'd have to win to get it. Otherwise...Houston could snake them both out if they keep winning.

Samardzija is going to be good, but that wasn't wise to throw DelGado an 0-2 fastball. He'll learn from that mistake.

Very quietly, Aramis Ramirez has had one hell of a year.

more later, or not.

best to cb

Sherm

The Wild Card Race

Not much left in regular season worth following except the wild card race in the NL. AL is settled, although Boston still has a chance to win the division, which it appears they won't. Now, Minnesota catching and passing the White Sox? That would be awesome. Go Twins. Ozzie would have to kick his own ass, swearing the whole time, on national television.

We lose to the Mets. And I couldn't have cared less. Santana needed to throw 125 pitches. Mets are now one up on the Brewers (who play the AA Pirate affiliate all week) so that race could get close. I've decided that I don't want the Brewers in the playoffs at all.

Right now I think that Marquis and Marshall have to be on the postseason roster. Not so sure about Gaudin. He's been pretty bad of late.

My roster would be this:

Pitchers: Zambrano, Harden, Dempster, Lilly, Marquis, Marshall, Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Samardzija, and Howry. Yes, Howry. He's got more experience and when the chips are down I still think he'll come through. I'd carry eleven pitchers for the first round. I'm leaving off Wuertz, Hart, Guzman, Gaudin.

Non-pitchers: Soto, Blanco, Lee, DeRosa, Fontenot, Theriot, Cedeno, Ramirez, Soriano, Edmonds, Johnson, Fukudome, Ward, and Pie. Yes, Pie. Hoffpauir is too similar to Ward in that he's not great defensively. Pie at least gives us excellent defense if need be, and speed. He can pinch run. If we had a bigger right handed bat in the mix, I'd chose that over Pie...but we don't.

I expect that Lou will go with 12 pitchers and leave off Pie.

I hope that Z is sharp tonight so that we can all quit worrying about him.

Big party at Merkle's (bar across from Wrigley) last night. Did any of you go? I did not, but would have liked to.

I received my notification yesterday that I did not get the opportunity to purchase playoff tickets. Maybe if we play the Dodgers or Angels I can go out here.

best to cb

js