Slumpbuster
Top of the 7th, two on and two out and Derrek Lee steps up to the plate and I'm thinking to myself, "Well, at least he can't hit into a double play here". (Sigh).
The Cubs find themselves just one game ahead in the Central and their offense hasn't been able to buy, rent or even lease a big hit. Besides hoping for the comforts of Wrigley, I'm not sure what they can do to get out of this funk. I'm usually not a big fan of catering to the hot hand, when that hot hand usually doesn't do much, but it might be time to let Mike Fontenot move up to the two spot for a few games until he cools off. His 1.240 OPS in July needs to be somewhere where it can do a little more damage and Fukudome and his .555 July OPS can figure out why he's no longer awesome at the bottom of the order.
Otherwise, I think the a team-wide slumpbuster (see definition #3) might be in order. My source at Sky Harbor airport is keeping an eye out to see if Rosie O'Donnell, Kirstie Alley, and Camryn Manheim show up for a little team remedy.
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#1 Re: Slumpbuster
I am wearing my stupid "Believe" bracelet until they win. 24/7. Sleep, shower, sex, skydiving. This is not leaving my wrist until they win.
#29 Re: Slumpbuster
Yes I am overreacting. This is the Cubs!!!Our margin for error is very small. Look at all the bastard teams catching up. Let's just have every freaking player go up to the plate and bunt. This is the equivalent to what I do when my golf driver and I are on the outs: I drive with my putter. That'll show 'em!
RRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Slumpbuster suggestions: Grace Slick, Lizzie Grubman,Kirstie Alley, or one of those haggard-looking Olsen twins (though a player could end up testing positive for BMP).Let's get some runs!!!
#33 Re: Slumpbuster
Edna Turnblad.
#2 Re: Slumpbuster
Too bad Mama Cass isn't around anymore...
#3 Re: Slumpbuster
Rikki Lake
Carnie Wilson
Looks like Larussa and Duncan will be out of jobs soon-
HGH urine test
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/2008-07-22-hgh-urin...
#4 Concerned
I'd like to think that I'm just a nervous nelly here but....
The Cubs have lost 5 out of their last 6 games and have scored a total a total of 6 runs in those losses. Is it just an abberation?
The Brewers went balls to the wall with their deals in pursuit of a division crown, etc. The Harden+ deal was great and stands to pay huge dividends, but with the deadline looming should the Cubs consider adding someone(s)? Would it make sense to try to find a right handed counter part for Fuku? I'm not talking about a full blown platoon or any thing...just maybe a player with some pop that could step in every 4th game or so. Even with his frigid bat over the last months, I still love Fuku's glove, spead and arm in right.
Of course a deal for Brian Roberts could free up DeRosa to spell Aram, Fuku, Soriano and Roberts himself. Then again, again I wouldn't want DeRosa to take much of a cut in playing time.
Hell. I don't know. I just want the old Cubs back. You know the ones that score runs. If it takes a deal or two to get things going, then fine. Just score some damn runs.
#5 Re: Concerned
Fuku's right-handed counterpart is DeRosa or Reed Johnson...they've been a bit busy filling in for Soriano though. But now he's back, it's like making a deal at the deadline (I will now shoot myself for using that line).
#11 Re: Concerned
5 of 6 could be an abberation. But they've gone 13 - 17 over their last 30, which looks a lot like a trend. Granted, that's been without Soriano. Here's hoping he gets hot in a hurry.
#15 Re:13 - 17 over their last 30
What's with the arbitrary 30 games? The Cubs are 2 games under .500 since losing Soriano.
As Lou said yesterday, he's our biggest home run threat and his absence was bound to catch up with us.
#6 Re: Slumpbuster
I still don't see the point in bringing Soriano back after two rehab games. He should be down there for a week, at least. I understand that the Cubs need him. But they don't need him rusty. That is not going to help them any more than playing Derosa in left will....
#9 Re: Slumpbuster
all the minor league rehabbing in the world don't get you ready for major league pitching. There's going to be an adjustment period either way and the sooner he can get it over, the better. I think 4 games is the max I've seen for a hitter on a rehab assignment. With a lefty on the mound and if he feels ready, it can't hurt with the way we're hitting.
#13 Re: Slumpbuster
a little fuel for your rant...
#7 Speaking of Soriano
looks like he'll be activated for tonight's game...I assume Hoffpauir is on his way out.
#8 Re: Slumpbuster
I wonder if they're going to do anything about Lieber and Eyre... Seems like Hart could be sent down for one of those guys...
#10 Re: Lieber and Eyre
Lieber isn't eligible to be activated until Friday, Eyre whenever they feel he's ready. And yeah, likely to be Kevin Hart who gets sent down.
#12 Rumor Mill
Rockies seem to want a top starting pitching prospect ready for the majors for Fuentes. Asking about Clay Bucholz, Ian Kennedy, Jon Niese, Wade Davis...
Reds (?), Mets, Dodgers, Brewers, White Sox asking about Huston Street...
#14 Re: Slumpbuster
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/jon_...
Look at this Heyman column from today... He is talking about Rich Hill's performance in Iowa... That's month-old news at this point! He's sucking it up in Daytona now.
#16 Re: Slumpbuster
"I still don't see the point in bringing Soriano back after two rehab games."
If the club were doing well right now, I'd agree with you. But with the tremendous suck going on right now offensively, I don't see a reason not to put him back in the lineup. The club has nothing to lose with this move, unfortunately.
#17 Re: Slumpbuster
Batting averages so far on this road trip:
Rammy .000 (0-for-20)
Lee .143 (3-for-21)
Soto .053 (1-for-19)
Big 3 combined: .067 (4-for-60)
Every hitter has slumps -- these guys will come out of it.
Hopefully starting tonight.
#18 Re: Every hitter has slumps -- these guys will come out of it.
Soto has hit a lot of balls hard during that 1/19 streak that didn't fall in.
Lee is problematic. He seems to be having some wrist problems. He was in obvious pain after a swing a few games ago. His last home run was June 20th. Way too many GIDP's.
POWER
OUTAGE
The trouble with Arams' O/20 is he already had a recent 0/22 (2008-06-26 2008-07-04 ). Both streaks are uncharacteristic career nadirs.
NOT
GOOD
#19 This just in
Look's like Canning's group has been kicked out of the Cubs garage sale. No word on any other bidders.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-cub...
#24 Re: This just in
article also says...
"...with as many as five invited to continue in the sales process, and given greater access to business data.
Of the five to 10 offers fielded for just Wrigley Field, the source
said three were deemed promising enough to be asked to continue in the
process."
Five bidding on everything, 3 just on Wrigley...I suppose it all can change, but interesting.
#35 Re: This just in
woah.
that's a top tier shakeup.
wonder what happened there...wonder if they wanted him to sell his chunk of MIL to continue and he refuse...wonder if it's aliens.
i bet it's aliens.
#38 Re: This just in
Sun-Times has their version of the story up:
- Mark Cuban is one of the 5
- Confirms that Canning is out, but their sources say he could put in a re-bid if he wants.
http://www.suntimes.com/business/1071146,wrig07230...
#20 Re: Slumpbuster
But Soriano will not be replacing those guys that are struggling. He will be replacing DeRosa, mostly, who might end up playing 2B, which would mean we might be removing Fontenot, and replacing him in the batting lineup with Soriano. Whether you see it as replacing Fontenot (.341 in July, 3B last night) or DeRosa (1-2, 2B, 2 BB last night), either way it is unlikely to be a positive offensively. I understand that there is going to be a period of time where Soriano is going to need to adjust to MLB pitching. I am just saying that this doesn't seem to be the time when the Cubs can afford to let him kick off thew rust, especially when he hasn't exactly been lighting it up in only 2 games in the minors.
#21 Re: Slumpbuster
Not if you move DeRosa to third, and sit Ramirez for a couple of days.
#22 Re: Slumpbuster
or let DeRosa play RF some in place of Fukudome
adding one of your 3 best hitters after sitting out 6 weeks can only be a good thing...
#32 Re: Slumpbuster
ARam is not going to be benched for a couple of days.
One game? Maybe. More than that? Absolutely not.
#23 Re: Slumpbuster
I don't see Ramirez sitting tonight against a LHP. I wouldn't be upset if he did, but I don't think it's likely.
#26 Re: Slumpbuster
I'm sure Fontenot will sit tonight with a lefty on the mound. Small sample size and all, but .596 OPS against lefties in his career.
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