It’s Groundhog Day, and fittingly the Cubs are clearing space on their roster, and it might just mean we get to relive one of the most disappointing chapters of a recent Cubs history so chock full of them that it boggles the mind.
On Monday the Cubs traded overthinking lefty Rich Hill to (his doom in) Baltimore, and then turned around and traded the homely Mike Wuertz to Oakland (where he’ll look great in white shoes).
They acquired a player to be named later for Hill, which begs the question, what are we supposed to call the guy while they get around to naming him, and two minor league duds for Wuertz. It opens just one spot on the 40 man roster because something named Richie Robnett had to go on the 40 man, and the timing suggests that Jim Hendry is about to bring somebody in to round out the roster before pitchers and catchers start trickling in next week.
Next week? Oh, thank god. I thought this winter would never end. Oh, well who’s it going to be? Who’s coming in to compete for the last spot on the roster?
The Cubs have talked to Nomar Garciaparra about a return to Wrigley Field. The popular, once-talented, made of papier mache Nomar would presumably take the last bench spot, which, if he could ever actually get on the field would be a nice fit.
Consider the Cubs are going to carry 12 pitchers which means they have 13 spots for position players.
They’re keeping two catchers, Geovany Soto and either Gabor (oh, fuck why?) or Koyie Dolan Hill. They’ll carry five outfielders, which figure to be Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano, Reed Johnson, Kosuke, and Joey (oh, fuck why?) Gathright. That leaves six spots for infielders, which would be Derrek Lee, E-ramis, Ryan Theriot, Mike Fontenot, Aaron Miles and…
Nomar? We know he can play first base and third base. He can probably still stand out at shortstop for an inning or two late in the game and wave as the ball rolls past into left field (you know, just like Theriot does) and he could do the same thing at second.
Other candidates for this position are less than appealling. Micah Hoffpauir can play first and…, yeah. I’m sure Maude thinks the Cubs should put Bobby Scales on the 40-man roster and let him flail around to open the season.
Even with the Cubs opening a 40 man roster spot, it fills one each in Baltimore and Oakland, which means there are only 19 spots left for the more than 140 free agents still on the market. Granted, most of the time when a team signs a free agent they waive a player, but still, it puts into perspective the kind of uphill battle guys like Nomar and douches like Kevin Millar or Rich Aurilia, have trying to find a job. Even if you accept a minor league invite, to make the team you have to bump somebody off a 40 man roster.
Now why would the Cubs want to bring back Nomar? He didn’t exactly set the world on fire in his first go-round, though he certainly set his crotch on fire when he left his groin in a heap in the Busch Stadium batter’s box. He’s 35, he hasn’t had a good year since 2006 and it probably means we’ll have to sit through another Mia Hamm Day.
Honestly, I don’t even know if it’s a good idea. Except that I have a Nomar 5 Cubs t-shirt that I’d like to get a little more wear out of, and I do enjoy screaming No-marrrrrrr at odd times.
Basically, the Cubs roster is already set. We’re just sitting around until the beginning of April waiting to see if a Jake Peavy trade happens, or otherwise we’re going to be left wondering if Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart or Jose Ascanio can win the final spot on the pitching spot. Feel the excitement.
What the hell. Bring Nomar back, and we can start a pool as whether his season ending injury happens before or after the first 70 degree day in Chicago.
Bruce Miles just told me he guesses it would be Rich Aurilia, but how much fun is it to yell Au-reee-lee-yah! Not that much fun. I’m sticking with Nomar.
Nomar – what a great name. Rumor has it that his mom picked Nomar because it was backwards for Ramon (his no good absentee biological father).
“otherwise we’re going to be left wondering if Angel Guzman, Kevin Hart or Jose Ascanio can win the final spot on the pitching spot.”
I wouldn’t mind Ty Wigginton for the final spot on the bench spot.
I can back up at first, so why the fuck not?
Aurilia would be a creakier, less-important-roster-spot version of Jeff Blauser, the “Reverse Cub Killer Effect” wherein the only value he brings is that he’s no longer beating the shit out of the Cubs anymore. I hate Rich Aurilia.
Nomar? Sure. Anything to take my mind off of Gabor.
Why the f*** not??? Other then the fact that his groin will explode if he runs too fast out of the box. I did enjoy watching him do his little hand thing in between each swing of the at bat.
Nomar can play SS after the Cubs deal me in the Peavy trade.
Well, we need something to backup first and third base. Did you know that Erin Miles has averaged two games at third the last six years and his mother was an elf?
Hell, I can play shortstop. I’ll pitch too. Just give San Diego your not-so-goodies.
You pronounce it, “Oh, really? Ah?” It’s kind of fun to say.
(sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh-sploosh)
I thought I was gonna be the last guy on the roster?
Hendry is pretty terrible at selling high. The Cubs REALLY need someone who can tell them which prospects to keep and which to trade.
They kinda sold high (high enough) on Murton and Gallagher. They didn’t do much to finish out 2008.
“Aurilia” pronounced backwards is “AILY-ROO-EH.”
I’ll be here all season.
What. The. Fuck.
So I guess Hendry thinks that Murton and Hill deserve a chance to play more often because of their age, skill, and the roster situation — but he won’t let me get a shot somewhere?
Don’t worry Micah, you’re going to be the super utility guy, I can’t wait to see you play third base lefthanded.
Let me give you some pointers, Micah.
Is there any truth to the talk about Manny going to Cards?
“I wouldn’t mind Ty Wigginton for the final spot on the bench spot.”
He bypassed the Cubs and went straight to Baltimore. The shortest distance is between two points is a straight line, broseph.
http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=3469
We’d love Manny, if he’ll play for free.
Hoffpauir could replace the Fat Kangaroo. LH supposedly can hit and can’t field any position well
Thank god Wigginton is out of the NL. He hit 100 homers against the Cubs last year.
Andy, – “Don’t worry Micah, you’re going to be the super utility guy, I can’t wait to see you play third base lefthanded.”
Not Cool, Dolan.
I already said it was a brain fart on my part. I forgot he was a true lefty. I thought he was like Fontenot.
Do you kick children and old ladies when they are down, too?
We can have D. Lee switch to third if needed and have Micah play 1st.
Can we get Scott Moore back from Baltimore?
On another matter;
I’m still pissed about the Gabor signing. Koyie Dolan Hill should be catching. Left handed and with only 7 digits.
Still better than Zsa Zsa.
God damn it, Andy.
When will you fix this name issue?
OK, this going to be boring, but seems like as good a place as any. What browser are you using where you can’t see the name you used to post? I’m serious because it works fine for me in Firefox 2 and 3, in IE 7.0 and Safari. I want to fix it so those of you who aren’t seeing it will see it, but I’m having a hard time figuring out which ones don’t see the names over the gray shading.
I cant see the names over the grey shading when I use IE 6.0 (.2900.2180) in the office.
Seriously, you guys told me I’d be the last roster spot!
Thank you Hawk, I think I know what the problem is. And for god’s sake, start using Firefox.
IE 6.0.2900 SP3, We may have found our culprit.
Fat chance Andy.
It is IE 6, it puts the gray background over the name instead of under it, I would guess you guys can’t see the comment number either, but maybe you can.
The easiest thing would be to upgrade to IE 7. The fix I thought would work, didn’t. I’ll see if I can come up with something else. I need to do an upgrade to the new version of WordPress, and that always fixes a few things and then breaks a few new ones.
Firefox is the greatest ever
Firefox is great, but unfortunately my Evil Kansas City Based IT Department thinks otherwise.
If it helps, I can’t see the post number or the name of the grey posts.
I don’t have a problem with another Mia Hamm day. Any chance to get the women’s soccer team on the screen is good. I’m probably not the only one who digs the shin guards. That tattooed chick is smokin.
From MLBTraderumors.com:
Ken Rosenthal wrote earlier today that the Phillies also continue to monitor Nomar Garciaparra, who is “trying to decide whether he is physically sound enough to play next season.”
Uh, Nomar. This means you aren’t.
OK, who’s next? What’s Jose Hernandez up to these days?
I’m available for utility duties.
mmmm, Ham. Count me in.
I’ll play!
seriously: Micah Hoffpauer.
“They acquired a player to be named later for Hill, which begs the question, what are we supposed to call the guy while they get around to naming him, and two minor league duds for Wuertz.”
Ummm…Run on sentence much?
I was just trying to throw Kurt Evans off the scent so he wouldn’t steal this as a blog entry four days later. It didn’t work.
That guy’s a stroke. MLBTR gave him the credit, too.
Yeah, but Santo is going to be back, right? Who else do we have to say stupid things all season?
“Yeah, but Santo is going to be back, right? Who else do we have to say stupid things all season?”
Aw, for cryin’ out–
Will ya jus–
I can’t belie–
To heck with it. Just listen to the podcasts.
Hi.
Sorry Andy, but I haven’t been reading Desipio articles for quite a while. I have always given you credit if I read it from you first.