Yesterday the Astros euthanized Jimy Williams and brought in former Brewers and Tigers manager Phil Garner. Garner’s excited because he’s never managed a team this good. I’m sure he’s just the guy to finish off their quest for .500. Though, he’s only managed that one time in his managerial career…so maybe not.
The Cubs start the second half tonight against Milwaukee and while E-ramis is expected to be back, Todd Hollandsworth needs a root canal on his leg. I’m not even going to ponder the stupidity of not wearing a guard on your leg when a couple years ago you fouled a ball off it, crushed a nerve and missed the rest of the season. Let’s just say that while Todd is a very smart player between the lines, anybody with hair like that can’t be the swiftest guy off of it.
Again, in Chicago, we’re at that fun time of the season on both sides of town that Norman Dale urged the fans of Hickory to avoid. “I would hope you would accept us for what we are, instead of what we are not.”
I’m not sure if Nomar Garciaparra or Orlando Cabrera or Ugueth Urbina are Jimmy Chitwood, but Cubs fans will be obsessed with who could join the team in the next 16 days instead of who is on it. It’s human nature, and it’s kind of fun. But it has to be frustrating for the guys actually on the team. Then again, they are heavily compensated for such inconviences, so who are we to care?
The Cubs have 17 more games in July and because I’m a dope, I’m going to tell you how many they are going to win.
All seventeen.
See what I get for splitting a hotel room with Ken Caminiti? Honestly, I think they’re going to win 12 of them. That’d be a nice start. They’d go into August 14 games over .500 and the flawed bunch of wild card wannabees would be thinning out behind them, and it would no doubt put a little dent in the insurmountable lead of the mouth-breathing rednecks…er, Redbirds.
Last night, Cubs front office guru Gary Hughes was on Sports Central with Tom Waddle and Dave Kaplan and he said something that was very interesting to me. It seemed to blow right over the heads of Tom and Dave, though they were, as always, too busy looking for the envelope with the Lobster Grams in it to actually listen to their guest.
Hughes gave a rundown of the first half and needs for the second half and said, “We haven’t been happy with what we’ve gotten out of shortstop, so we’re going to have to do something there.”
You would think that comment would be followed up by a “what something do you have in mind?” instead it was followed up with something witty like, “did you know I used to be an assistant basketball coach at NIU?” Oh, well.
There are obviously degrees of improvement the Cubs could make at shortstop. So, let’s go into the Desipio Laboratory and see what those levels might be.
LEVEL ONE — The Ed Lynch Solution
This solution involves going on the radio every other day and making vague pronouncements that you’re going to swing a big deal. In this scenario the Cubs activate Alex Gonzalez from the DL, release Rey Ordonez and then on July 31 trade Bobby Brownlie to whatever team picked Ordonez up off of waivers to get him back.
Net improvement: None.
LEVEL TWO — The Larry Himes Solution
In this solution the Cubs pick Rich Aurilia up off of waivers and make him the everyday shortstop. Larry then goes down the clubhouse and yells at Greg Maddux out of habit and tells E-ramis he needs to shape up or he’ll trade him to the Expos.
Net improvement: Moderate at shortstop, though more than offset by the fact that Greg Maddux is arrested for wrapping a nine iron around Himes’ head, and E-ramis regresses to 2003 Pissburgh E-ramis.
LEVEL THREE — The Jim Frey Solution
The Cubs trade Mark Prior, Angel Guzman and Alex Gonzalez to the Red Sox for Nomar Garciaparra, Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi. Nomar hits .330 the rest of the way for the Cubs who miss the playoffs by one game, and then Nomar signs with the Dodgers in the offseason.
Net improvement: The trade and its aftermath increase the chances of walking up to the Wrigley box office the day of a game and buying a ticket.
LEVEL FOUR — The Jim Hendry Solution
The Cubs trade Sergio Mitre and Alex Gonzalez to the Expos for Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera hits .285 the rest of the way, steals 15 bases, hits 20 doubles, plays a Gold Glove caliber shortstop and the Cubs win the Wild Card by five games.
Net improvement: Just like in the E-ramis trade, Jim Hendry gets a guy not playing up to his ability for a pittance, and the player is re-energized and helps the Cubs to the playoffs.
LEVEL FIVE — The Desipio Solution
The Cubs trade The Farns, Alex Gonzalez, Ricky Nolasco and Brandon Sing to the Red Sox for Nomar Garciaparra, and then lets the Red Sox worry about what they have to put together to get the Big Unit (probably Kelly Shoppach, Kevin Youkilis, Nolasco and Sing). The Ice Man returns to Wrigley to replace The Farns and Nomar hits .330 for the Cubs the rest of the way. After his three month stint with the Cubs which includes a first round sweep of the Dodgers and first-hand witness of the Gabor Bako homer that beats the Cardinals in game six of the NLCS, Nomar signs a five year deal to stay in Chicago with the Cubs and Mia Hamm signs on for three years to replace Brad Maynard with the Bears.
Net improvement: The sun shines brighter, the sky is bluer and your food tastes better when you’re wearing your 2004 National League Champions Chicago Cubs t-shirt.
What about the World Series? What am I, Kreskin?
—-
Paul Sullivan on what the Cubs need to do in the second half. By the way, did I mention they’re going to go 53-22?
Seabiscuit’s Jockey says the Nomar trade looks unlikely. But he can’t dismiss it.
The Bulls tried to sign Kobe. And I’m sure they got really close. Whatever.
Groucho says the dynasty is over in LA now. Really? What tipped you off, the Shaq trade, Kobe’s impending rape trial or them not winning the NBA title the last two years? More importantly, Sam, how is trading Eddy Curry going to fix this?
Coach Ditka is not running for Senate. I just wanted to see the debate. That would have been entertainment at its finest.
Mariotti puts down the doughnut to return from a three day “vacation” to bore us to tears about the Lakers.
Todd Hollandsworth won’t be back anytime soon.
Mike Kiley thinks the Cubs will go 43-32 the rest of the way. Pessimist.
The Wizard of Roz went to the Kwik-E-Mart and got more baseball crap from Sanjay. Sanjay thinks that if the Diamondbacks trade Randy Johnson it will adversely affect the Cubs chances of winning the Wild Card because it will help out the Dodgers, Padres and Giants so much. Huh? Johnson’s likely to make what, 15 more starts? Say he goes 9-4 with a few no decisions. Those nine wins wouldn’t all come against the Dodgers, Padres and Giants. Maybe five of them? Maybe he beats the Dodgers twice and the Padres and Giants both once? Who’s to say that his replacement wouldn’t have gotten lucky and won three of those games? So that’s what a two game impact split among three teams who might not even factor into the Cubs chances anyway? Yeah, brilliant stuff there Sanjay. Now head over to aisle the three, a bum is pleasuring himself to the Jessica Simpson spread in the new Vanity Fair, and it’s my turn.
The Boston Herald says the Cubs are after Nomar and Randy and the Sox are after Nomar. Shouldn’t the Sox be trying to find a pitcher? Honestly, if Johnson will agree to go to the White Sox (which he has shown no inclination to do) they could get him. Kenny Williams would pay any price player wise if Reinsdorf would open the wallet. But it’s not going to happen.
A Guillermo Mota-Nomar trade makes as much sense (if not more) than The Farns.
The Twins might trade for Shawn Estes. That alone will win the Central for the Sox…or Indians.
The Nuggets are going to get Kenyon Martin after all. For three number ones? Do the Nets not realize having multiple numbers ones is normally just a waste?
The poor, dumb Clippers think Kobe will actually pick them today.
The Sopranos got 20 Emmy nominations. I hope Vinny from “Doogie Howser, MD” got nominated for “Best Performance while receiving an Ass Kicking.”
X-tina is going bald? No, not there…THERE. Eww.
Getting a tan can be addictive.
America’s finest news source with The Hulk, on why nobody made “The Hulk 2.”
Daaa Cooaacccchhhhh for Senate…nothing could possbily be better. NOTHING! I am brutally disappointed that it didn’t come off.
I mean, what’s the harm? Obama would only beat him by a billion votes. In the meantime, we would get to pass the normally insipid fall months of Election Year sitting by the fire, watch Ditka spit and fume, and call his opponent a cocaine freak over and over again…
…Good Times!
WE STILL NEED A CLOSER!
Cabrera doesn’t exactly have a proven track record. Without inviting Satan in again, last year was a career year.
His numbers don’t compare that favorably with Gonzalez.
Power is pretty much a wash, his average figures to be slightly better, fielding worse (29 errors 2 years ago). The only vast improvement is in stolen bases, but at last check those were an overrated farce or something like that.
Think bigger!
I don’t know Sloth, while Iron Mike’s candicy would have been funny, there’s still too many people in Chicago who would have just voted for him based on his name (of course most of them listen to Mike North’s show, and would be too dumb to register). And I have to wonder, why is the guy still worshipped in Chicago? Taking a look back, he had the most talented team in the NFL from 1985-87 and very good teams in ’84, ’88, and ’89 and we got one Super Bowl out of it. In my mind, that makes him the equivalent of Barry Switzer.
Hey, I just posted the novel idea that the Cubs should just trade their prospects for RJ, and then trade Clement to the BoSox for Nomar and the Sox would be happy because they got a good starter and the Yanks didn’t get RJ. It’s not like anyone thought of this a couple of days ago.
I begged Larry Legend not to trade me to the Bulls, and it worked! Instead I’ve been traded to Atlanta…sh@t.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/07/15/hawks.pacers.trade.ap/index.html
I think O-Cab is a big improvement over A-Gon. He’s higher in AVG/OBP/SLG lifetime and he racks up doubles and stolen bases. Fielding is a push (unless you consider.3% a huge difference). He’s also a couple years younger. Nomar is the big prize here but if he stays in Boston, Cabrera would be a good move w/out breaking the bank.
Did I play the dad on "Eight is Enough"?
You think Cubs fans are bad, check out this on a Red Sox message board
http://redsoxnation.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=6758
The Sox sent Kevin Youkilis to Pawtucket and recalled Ramiro Mendoza and they think it’s an indication of the impending Randy Johnson-Nomar-Cubs (or White Sox)-Red Sox deal.
Another rumor is that Randy’s list of teams to be traded to is:
Dodgers
Angels
Cubs
Yankees
Red Sox
I like the Desipio Solution for Nomar. I mean, I am the guy who used to pay $1,000 for a toilet seat.
The Best Solution would be the Desipio Solution sans Farns.
They don’t get a guy to keep long term unless they want to include a Youkilis level guy.
O-Cab is way better than Gonzalez defensively. What that fielding percentage fails to indicate is Cabrera’s far superior range.
The guy would be an asset to the defense and to the top of the order.
Caspar, I’m more than willing to give up The Farns if it means keeping Brownlie, Guzman and Beltran.
You don’t need to give up those three dudes, CT. One, at most. Trust me. I know trading.
I’ve got a very good source who tells me that the Johnson/Nomar trade is a done deal pending Johnson’s approval.
I have heard the same thing.
I dunno about O-Cab for A-Gonz. I agree with DH in saying that isn’t exactly an upgrade. If it’s straight up, one-for-one, I think it’s a wash. You get Gonzo’s pretty boy Ks, but solid glove work and some HR pop. O-Cab is a guy that will give you some speed, but he isn’t going to be the answer at the top of the order. Seems the better days of O-Cab were in 2002. Yeah, the argument could be made that he’d be re-energized, but that’s specious reasoning.
Just to clarify, I do think Cabrera’s a better player than Gonzo, just not by a significant enough margin to get excited about.
I don’t really follow the "He’s a couple years younger" factor. Are you afraid Gonzo’s old age is going to make him tired by September?
My understanding is that Cabrera’s a free agent either way, whom the Cubs can still sign in the offseason if they wish, regardless of whether he finishes the season here.
Well we’re probably gonna get Nomar, but as far as Cabrera vs. Gonzalez it is absolutely 100% no contest: Cabrera all the way. It wouldn’t even be a straight up trade with Montreal – we’d have to add some major value to the deal.
Cabrera covers more ground defensively, is way fast and is very efficient at stealing bases, makes contact, and has actually had some good offensive seasons, unlike Gonzalez who has never.
A-Gon’s career avg range (league avg): 4.46(4.37)
O-Cab’s career avg range (league avg): 4.45(4.36)
The last 2 years A gon has been below avg (just missed last year). They are essentially the same fielder. Cabrera makes about 3 mil less and is 2 years younger.
A-gon’s OPS+ is 78.
O-Cab’s OPS+ is 84.
Both are below avg hitters, with Cabrera being slightly better.
If nothing else it shows that the Cubs are doing something to correct a hole so they can make through the playoffs THIS year.
Is there anyway Randy Johnson would come here and let me set up 9th innings for him?
Dave, just wondering, how good is your source? I’m just asking because Unit’s agent was on the Score today and denied that there was any sort of deal between the Red Sox and Cubs for Johnson. It could just be him BSing, but I was just wondering how confident you were in the info.
Did anybody notice that when Kaplan (aka Cubbie Boy) interviewed me last night he never seriously asked me to comment on the Nomar rumors? It’s only dominated every conversation he’s had (ones about something other than himself, of course) for four days now and yet he didn’t ask a guy who obviously couldn’t confirm it. You just know Kappy’s bursting at the seams to announce it’s going to happen, and you’d better believe that the "good soldier" will be the first one who announces it tonight or tomorrow.
CT, never trust an agent.
I don’t see much reason to give up much for Cabrera if he’s not a significant upgrade on A-Gon and he’s able to walk after the season.
And never go up against a Sicilian when death is on the line! Ah hahaha! Ah haha……
"Surgery isn’t seen as a necessity now." – Cardinals’ medical supervisor Dr. George Paletta discussing Scott Rolen’s knee.
So it’s not a necessity now. That means it could be a necessity soon.
It also means that it is an *option* RIGHT NOW.
Thsi guy si hurt, and hurt bad.
Tick…Tick…Tick…
.yadot elbuort fo sdnik lla ginvah m’I
Don’t worry, I’m set for a trip to the DL soon as well!
Meanwhile, we’re the picture of good health!
While I am healthy, I can’t make contact with a slider right now if my habeas corpus depended upon it.
CT,
I have two sources. The first is a guy at the Trib who is extremely well placed and came through with every detail of the Maddux stuff well before the media even hinted at anything. The second is a buddy of mine who has long standing ties with various people in baseball including people in the front offices of both the Cubs and Red Sox. Both of these guys are saying the same thing about the deal. However, both are very careful to note that when dealing with athletes and agents things are always volatile. So, things looked good earlier today but could have changed a lot by now. All I know for sure is that both sides felt good about a deal a few hours ago.
Rolen hurt his knee in the last game of their series against the mighty Reds. Since then he’s gone 3-13 (.154) no homers, but he did steal a base. Gotta love Gabor Bako.
Dave B — If the Cubs trade for Cabrera they won’t be giving up a lot. He’s just better than Alex…a lot better…trust me on this.
Here’s how the Nomar thing goes down. If the Unit insists on being traded to the Yankees, Nomar stays in Boston the rest of the year. If the Unit will go to Boston, Nomar’s a Cub. It’s that simple.
Here’s how smart I am. In my non-Desipio fantasy league, I’m trying to trade for Moises.
I can’t be stopped!
Rolen’s RBI production rate went down sharply the last two or three weeks of the first half. Whether that can be attributed to the injury or the fact he set a pace nobody could keep up with is unknown.
What is known is this: While I think the Cardinals are going to win this division, I think they have nowhere to go but down. Their starting pitching has been really good, but in a post yesterday I outlined why it’s likely to go downhill in this year’s second half. The lineup has been carried most of the year by Rolen, but now that production is going down. If Womack doesn’t keep getting on base for the Cardinals their runs per game should go down. And their bullpen will get overused at some point, right? I mean, this is Tony LaRussa, right?!?!?!?
1) I assume you are all talking about the ‘Nomar to the Cubs, Johnson to the Red Sox, Cubs Prospects to AZ’ trade?
2) Any ideas which prospects would be going if your source is right?
Please don’t make me play 3rd base or bat with men on base. Please don’t make me play 3rd base or bat with men on base. Please don’t make me play 3rd base or bat with men on base. Please don’t make me play 3rd base or bat with men on base.
We were confused and thought that our runs per game might go up if Womack (and anyone else) weren’t on base as often. It turns out they *should* go down. Very interesting.
http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=35714
Apparently the authority on Chicago sports, the Boston Herald, thinks that the White Sox are going after Nomar too…
Andy’s summary is correct. How does everyone feel Randy’s statements that he doesn’t like Shilling affects the deal? Is the statement true? I’ve never heard that Shilling and RJ hated each other. I also never listended for such.
I’ve heard it was a working relationship. Off the field they went their seperate ways.
Chuck, I always heard that the two didn’t like sharing the spotlight that much. It’s a natural feeling. You’ve worked hard all your life, you finally reach the pinnacle of your profession, and then you have to share the glory with someone else. I think that’s where Johnson and Schilling got some bad feelings for each other.
I would agree with TW, their relationship was probably a working one, but I don’t think they particularly liked each other in Arizona. Of course, if it doesn’t get in the clubhouse it’s fine.
My source confirms that the Sox are in the middle of this, too.
If Randy insists on accepting a trade to only a playoff lock, as he’s indicated, I don’t know how he’d be able to consider Boston one, if’n Nomar leaves as he arrives.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=klapisch_bob&id=1840061
Thursday, July 15, 2004
By Bob Klapisch
Special to ESPN.com
…With his no-trade veto power, Johnson could leverage the Diamondbacks into avoiding the Sox altogether, since his antipathy toward former teammate Curt Schilling is apparently real.
When asked about the unsuccessful phone calls Schilling made to Johnson’s cell phone this week, the left-hander dryly said, "there’s a reason why I changed my number."
Johnson and Schilling don’t hate each other. It’s completely made up. I’ll try to find a link.
Dave #41:
Which Sox? I assume you mean White.
Since my team leads the AL in runs scored, it seems very prudent of me to trade prospects for another hitter, especially one unlikely to sign with my team long term. I’m brilliant!
April : 27
May: 26
June: 23
July (projected): 8
I was concerned when I heard Angel Guzman’s name being mentioned in a deal for Cabrera. No way should Hendry do that. Nothing more than a mid-level pitching prospect and Kelton/Dubois. Otherwise, I’d take my chances with Gonzo.
I thought it was more an issue of Johnson providing the names of teams he’s be willing to go to and that those were:
Cubs
White Sox
Yankees
Angels
Red Sox
Also, keep in mind that Johnson does not hold all the cards. The D-Backs are not going to take a deal that they don’t like just to send Randy to the team of his choice. The Yankees have vitually nothing to trade with and I think Colangelo will keep Randy Johnson rather than trade him away for absolutely nothing. If it comes down to a scenario where The Big Unit can either go to Boston, or stay in Arizona, he’ll probably take the trade.
Did I not tell you all that Curt Schilling is the most annoying gasbag in Major League Baseball? He never…I repeat…never shuts up. He’s worse than Mark Grace when it comes to media whoring, too.
It goes back a long way, too. Remember in the 1993 playoffs how he’d sit in the dugout with a towel over his head, playing up the fact he was afraid to watch Mitch Williams try and close out his games?
Understandably, Mitch scared everybody, but unless you want the camera on you while you’re "agonizing" you just do it in the clubhouse like every other pitcher since the advent of televised sports.
April – 40%
May – 20%
July – < 1%
August – Bone grinding on bone
September – "Mike Ditka" knee replacement surgery
I don’t think you’ll see one of the Cubs top prospects go in a Cabrera deal.
I do, however, think you might see Angel go to D’backs if the Nomar trades comes about. I know there’s concern in the Cubs’ organization that as talented as Angel is that a) he’s older than they think he is and b) he’s already had two arm surgeries. In fact, he came to the Cubs because the Royals waived him when he failed a physical.
There is, however, no doubt that if he stays healthy that he’s going to be a stud. And if healthy the Cubs rotation next year of Prior, Wood, Zambrano, Guzman and Maddux will be better than the current one (assuming year-to-year improvements from Prior, Zambrano and Guzman). So it’s a risk you take. But one of these days you’ve got to…you know…actually win something.
I said the "you know, there’s a reason I changed my number" thing as a joke. I laughed, and the weasly media round me laughed when I said it.
Schilling’s an ass, but Jerry Colangeo doesn’t want to trade me to Big Stein’s team, and if Bruce Hurst can have a dominant season in Fenway, just think how good I’ll be until my knee falls off.
There’s two, and Shilling’s not one of them:
Non-human
![]("http://www.oaaa.org/outdoor/sales/formats/images/Blockbuster-lg.jpg"/)
Inhuman
![]("http://www.national-basketball-association.com/ontheair/images/rashad_ahmad_000410.jpg"/)
CT, we’re just bouncing rumors of rumors, but the one I read said he has never made a list of teams.
He simply said not a team with a chance to be a contender, it’s got to be a real contender.I don’t see either Sox fitting that.
Completely agree with you that the D-Backs may not choose to trade him. They can probably count on him to give them an honest effort and try for a Cy Young, rather than make things worse for the team if he stayed.
I also didn’t buy Randy’s comments that he’d only accept a trade if he was sure the D-Backs were getting a good value. Why would he care? But I guess it indicates he’s got some loyalty and wouldn’t be a complete prick if he stayed.
Again, why would Johnson want to play for a No-Nomar BoSox team? Isn’t that addition by subtraction by division?
I think Johnson has three teams on the "Yeah, OK" list: Yankees, Cubs, Angels.
The Schilling-Johnson feud is bogus. Fox was reporting that their families were going to pal around in Houston Monday/Tuesday.
Adding Johnson to the BoSox will almost surely force them to give up on Pedro Martinez next year, no?
Andy, could you post your projected lineup of the Cubs with Nomar on the team again?
I know people might disagree with this, but I think the key for the Cubs in 2004 is that we must get out 1 and 2 spots stabilized. I think the best way to do this is have Walker lead off, Nomar at #2, and trade Grudzielanek somewhere for a bullpen arm.
Lineup:
Walker
Nomar
Sosa
E-ramis
Dee Lee
Alou
Barrett
Korey
Pitcher
DH, I think Randy’s blow up at Luis Gonzales probably greased the skids to get him out of town. Gonzo should have made the catch, but he’s generally considered one of the most well liked and respected players in baseball. Also, how can you not consider Boston to be a contender? They have the 2nd best record in the American League, and a rotation of Johnson, Schilling, Pedro and the rest would make them the Wild Card favorites. The Yankees are the only team I’d consider to be a "lock" for the playoffs, but even then, anything could happen (by anything, I mean a bus crash). If you consider Boston to be out of contention, then you’d have to say the same thing about the Cubs.
CT, Texas actually has a better record than Boston as well. Right now anyway.
I’m just saying they’re not a lock, and less of one if Nomar goes. Pokey and Bellhorn?
Depending on a wildcard without much chance at the division is a slippery slope. Oakland and Anaheim are right behind Boston.
It would all depend on Randy’s definition when he says a true contender.
And there you go…
ESPNews is reporting that Randy Johnson has submitted a list to the Diamondbacks of five teams for which he would consider waiving his no-trade clause – the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Cubs, and White Sox. Furthermore, both the New York Post and the Boston Herald reported Thursday that the Diamondbacks had already had contact with those five teams Wednesday regarding Johnson.
DH, Nomar has only played 26 games this year, so it’s not like they got where they are because of him. No one is a lock to make the playoffs.
I hate to say this, but if the Unit has the White Sox on his list of five teams, I’ll bet he goes there. Kenny will empty the farm system to get him.
But the rumor I heard was that the five teams had the Dodgers, and not the White Sox listed among them.
I don’t buy that Kenny’s going after Nomar because if he did it he’d basically be steering Randy to the Red Sox and if they wanted to win a pennant you wouldn’t want Randy on the Red Sox.
Then again, Kenny’s constantly distracted by having to scrounge up money to pay his kids’ bail.
We’re getting Randy and we’re going with a six-man rotation which will allow us to have all of our guys throw 150 pitches per game (not Maddux, he’ll still only throw 88) and thus eliminate the need for a bullpen.
That is all.
I thought I was going to the Sox. They have pants that fit me, unless Bartolo took them with him.
Just asking: If you traded him, would Grudzielanek bring a pitcher better than, say Kent Mercker? Seems unlikely. Like Andy said, they should launch Mercker and bring "The Iceman" back.
They need to find someone who destroys lefties. B.J. Ryan fits the bill, but I’m not sure how valuable the Orioles consider him.
My lineup with Nomar was:
Grud/Walker
Nomar
Sammy
E-ramis
Mo (just because you know Dusty won’t bat him lower than this)
D Lee
Corey
Barrett
pitcher
Chuck’s was
Grud/Walker
Nomar
Sammy
Aramis
Derrek
Moises
Barrett
pitcher
Korey
Or something.
Why would the Cubs trade Grud? Do we really want a healthy dose of Ramon or Macias at second if Walker gets hurt? I think Dusty should go to a true platoon system with Grud and Walker, but it’s nice having both of them around. And if Dusty puts Walker in left field for one inning, I’m going to kill myself.
Larry.
Oy, you’re giving me the shpilkees with ideas like that! I’m shcvitzing at the thought of such a rotation. The rest of the NL’s batters would be schmatas before that bunch of menches.
It’s just too bad you aren’t a lansmen like I thought you were.
Never mind B.C., #69 is an assclown…
Well, Andy. My "or something" was:
Grud/Walker
Beltran
Sammy
Aramis
Nomar
Derrek
Moises
Barrett
pitcher
But my woulda-shoulda-coulda was:
Vidro
Beltran
Sammy
Thome
Rolen
Nomar
Piazza
Moises
pitcher
That would win a few hundred games.
I agree with a true platoon system at 2B, if by "true" you mean Walker against RHP (95% of the playing time) and Grudz against LHP.
Loyalty shmoyalty, Walker’s 2 HRs away from Grudz’s career high.
Wouldn’t it be more accurate to say that #69 was a pussy-penis clown?
I’m not in the lineup tonight! Yes, my groin is made out paper mache!
Get ready for the stylings of Jose Macias!
Do the White Sox have the prospects to trade for Johnson? The biggest problem for the Sox is most of their pitching prospects have been used in the majors this year, and most of them have had their heads kicked in. Besides, is the Chairman (I hate big contracts for pitchers) really going to go on the hook for Johnson’s 16MM in ’05?
I know it won’t happen, but if they can put the deal together, the Cubs should trade directly for Johnson themselves. Then they have the position of power in the dealings, and ask the Red Sox for the Greek kid and Nomar, or maybe even see if the Yanks are desperate enough to possibly part with one of their all world shortstops (not likely, but you never know until you ask). And if nobody will meet our demands, then we’ll just keep the Big Unit, and they can try and hit him in the World Series.
#74 – where’s the link to tonight’s lineup?
Don’t worry Cubs fans, we’ll be there soon to boost your chances of making the playoffs.
Need help finding Wrigley, John and Rich? Give me a call.
Signed,
Garry Gaetti
Hey Garry, aren’t you in Houston now?
Olerud would also bring a ready-made nickname along. Dork Helmet.
I reported that Aramis would not be in tonight’s lineup. I’m never wrong.
Tonight’s lineup
Gruddy 2b
Macias 3b (God help us)
Corey cf
Sammy rf
Moises lf
D Lee 1b
Barrett c
Ramon ss
The Franchise p
Sounds good to me.
JESUS CHRIST!
3b Molitor
2b Gantner
ss Yount
cf G. Thomas
1b C. Cooper
lf B. Oglivie
c T. Simmons
lf C. Moore
p P. Vukovich
The inability of those players to get on base should cause the number of runs to stay down.
Calm down, Walker. Davis is a lefty, I’m platooning you and Grud now.
OK, not really. He’s still going to start five days a week.
Prior leaves with an injury in the 2nd? Can we panic now?
Ha! Psych!!
Miss me?
Maybe you’d rather have me than Nomar.
You may be right, Randy!
Responding to other people’s comments…
To everybody: Again, Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling are good friends. Bob Klapisch is on crack.
To Andy: NO ONE is worse than Mark Grace for media whoring. Or announcing, for that matter.
To CT: Randy Johnson had every right to be angry at Gonzo for dropping that fly ball and allowing three runs to score. Gonzo may be the nicest guy in the majors, but that doesn’t matter when you make stupid errors like that, and someone who’s as intense a competitor as Randy Johnson is, pitching his heart out for the worst team in baseball, isn’t going to take such crappy play.
Thank God Dusty played me tonight!
The heel is fine, it’s me that you should really worry about.
It was pretty nice of Glendon horsing up some emergency innings, too. And how about the offense putting up more than the 2 run ceiling!
Oh, Elbow, they usually score a few for Glendon, anyway. He’ll get to win #8 before me. I’m just concentrating on getting my ERA down to 0, so I don’t factor into any more decisions.
does this mean I’ll be getting pizza from Andy tonight?
You know, Theo Epstein, I just might have the lefty you crave. Glendon will only cost you your shortstop. You don’t want the 6-foot-10 left-hander in the desert.
Uh Jim, if you mean Pokey Reese, we’ll make the deal, but no way do I trade Nomar for Glendon Rusch.
No way you trade Pokey Reese, Theo!