Game 108 Thread / Cubs @ Brewers (3 of 4)

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SP Ryan Dempster SP *Manny Parra
11-4, 2.99, 117 K, 57 BB, 138.2 IP
9-3, 3.72, 92 K, 54 BB, 113.2 IP
LF Alfonso Soriano 2B #Ray Durham
SS Ryan Theriot SS J.J. Hardy
1B Derrek Lee LF Ryan Braun
3B Aramis Ramirez 1B *Prince Fielder
CF Reed Johnson RF Corey Hart
2B Mark DeRosa 3B Bill Hall
RF *Kosuke Fukudome CF Mike Cameron
C Henry Blanco C Jason Kendall
P Ryan Dempster P *Manny Parra

The Cubs were able to secure wins over the Brewers big two, and now the Brewers will try and retaliate amidst our big three. Dempster goes for back-to-back road wins for the first time in seven years and looks to draw even with Zambrano for the team lead with twelve wins. A win for the Cubs tonight would also put them back up to twenty games over .500, which is a neat little number. Dempster will have to watch out for Ray Durham and Jason Kendall, both of whom are sporting OPS's over 1.000 against him over their careers.

It'll be Manny Parra for the Brewers, who I suppose makes the third leg of the Brewers troika (TCR word of the week sponsored by Motorola) of starting pitchers. He survived a brutal April and is 8-2 with a 3.40 ERA since the beginning of May. He has one career start versus the Cubs last August and lasted only three innings after giving up three runs in the second.

Tags: 
Ryan Dempster
Gameday Open Thread
Submitted by Rob G. on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 6:05pm
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Comments

Submitted by blockhead25
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 6:52pm

meaningless stat of the day:
Cubs have spent the last 44 games hovering between 16 and 20 games over .500.
During that time they are 0-4 when 20 games over, but 6-0 when 16 games over.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:20am

Let's hope ace #4 gives us Blackjack tonight.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:27pm

Is he a hold out? Pay him whatever he wants and get him back in Camp!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 7:03pm

and has given up 5 hits in 2.1 IP so far with a walk, but just one run...

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 7:32pm

This is bullshit. MLB.TV blacked out due to ESPN. ESPN is blacked out on my TV because I am supposed to have the Milwaukee telecast. But FSN-Milwaukee is blacked out right now during the game too. Screw Direct TV. And I just get the apartment building's set-up so I don't even have a say in what channels I get or have anyone to complain to. Now I have to go down to a bar in the heart of Brewers territory (Madison) to watch the game, which depending on how it goes could be quite annoying.

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 9:55pm

What the hell's the point of paying what, $80 a year for MLB.TV if they black out games? What if you don't want a television at all and and you just want to watch baseball games? Then you're just fucked?

The day Bud Selig is cold and rotting in the ground should be a national holiday. If the MLBPA represents the players and Selig represents the owners/corporate suits, who represents the fans? Clearly no one.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:00pm

Yeah it is frustrating. You can't watch ANY games on MLB.TV on Saturday because Fox buys the rights to them all so everything is blacked out, and if the Cubs are on ESPN you usually can't get it either.

It was enjoyable being a bar downtown tonight though :) I went in full Cubs atire and sat smugly in the middle of the bar.

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:10pm

Move to Manila where ZERO games on MLB TV are blacked out :)

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:58am

Who watches baseball in Africa?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:28am

Africa? Huh?

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:59am

I dunno about Africa, but there is a strong baseball following here in the Philippines, complete with little league, high school and college leagues. Some of the older coaches told me that Babe Ruth and other all-stars played exhibition games here back in the day.

Submitted by Jackstraw
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:16am

From Dr. aaron b:

Who watches baseball in Africa?

Well, me, for one. But only for three times a year the last two years when I've been in Ghana. Got the Yanks-Red Sox (who f'n else) last weekend at midnight Sunday. Went to bed early last night with my alarm set for midnight local time, which is when the Cubs were to be on. Got up to find a storm had fritzed the sat dish where I'm staying. Went online for an hour and got the Cubs through 4.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:02am

I was Joking.

Think along the lines of "Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?"

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:12pm

i have the TV package. i live in a BAL/WAS TV area. what's screwing everyone is tv rights and commercial revenue the teams can market to the TV stations looking to bid on the games when it comes that time.

i live in the middle of NC...

i get 1 of the 3 channels that get BAL games and 0 WAS games.

that leaves me with around 60 games a year from my Fox Sports assigned area and whatever games pop up randomly via matchup on espn/fox-saturday/wgn/tbs.

as it is this isn't really inconvenient except when chc/was plays and wgn doesn't have it.

i'd go nuts if i was a WAS/BAL fan and i have 1 BAL fan here who is absolutely pissed about it. he has to use a foreign proxy to view games on mlb.tv (on a paid, legit account) when he'd rather be using his TV.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:36am

Why any games that are sold out are blacked out is confusing to me. Hope you had fun with the cheese heads at the pub.

Submitted by dcf
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 9:42pm

Dempster, you magnificent bastard. If you write a book, I'll read it.

Submitted by dcf
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 9:53pm

Soriano now 6 for 12 in this series with 5 runs scored

Theriot now 6 for 13 with 4 runs scored (although another CS)

Nice job gentlemen

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:03pm

Can I just state the obvious that our starting pitching has been absolutely sterling in this series. Keep up the good work boys. I expect nothing less of Harden tomorrow.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:20pm

Ramirez and Lee 0 for 9 today!....that's terrible... (looks at score)

oh, we're up 7-1...carry on.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:25pm

Step on their f'n throats.

NO MERCY!!!!

Go CUBS!!!

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:43pm

Sweep the leg, Cubbies!

Submitted by dcf
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:28pm

3 in a row

20 games over .500 for about the 5th time in the last 40 games

4 games clear of Milwaukee and St. Louis

Harden tomorrow

Go get em

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:37pm

When can we start hating on Theriot again?

;-)

Submitted by Fireball
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:50pm

(A phone rings in the Brewers dugout. Everybody looks at it nervously. Slowly, Ned Yost walks over and picks up the phone.)

Yost: For God's sake, what now?

Lou: Who run Bartertown?

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:56pm

MASTERBLASTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep the embargo on!!!!!!!

Submitted by Chifan
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:51pm

It looks like the Manny 3-way is tentively done:

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/content/sport...

It looks like PIT gets Ryan Tucker in the deal and BOS gets John Grabow in addition to the other noted pieces in the deal.

Submitted by jacos
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 10:58pm

Does anyone else think this is crazy and borderline suicidal for this season by Red Sox to do this?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:06pm

3.9 WARP 1 for Bay, 4.4 for Manny so far this season...

Not much difference...and I think it's obvious that Manny is pulling some ridiculous shit behind-the-scenes for them to be doing this.

 

Submitted by 10man
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:23pm

I think it's becoming more and more prevalent that clubs put more value on character and make up when it comes to putting teams together, (good statistics notwithstanding).

For the Red Sox they get a younger guy with much less baggage and hardly a drop in production. I say they made out just fine.

Submitted by crunch
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:35pm

-

Submitted by Chifan
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:09pm

Epstein is a smart guy. It looks like from the outside that it has gone from Manny being Manny to Manny being a clubhouse cancer, so it might be more suicidal to keep him.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 7:14am

For Boston's perspective, they have to be happy with getting Bay and Grabow, even if they'll end up throwing in a prospect along with Ramirez. Lose an aging headcase with a massive contract and a lot of uncertainty, get a young stud in his prime and some relief help.

After what I saw last weekend, the worst part of the deal for me is Jeremy Hermida to the NL Central.

Submitted by rokfish
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:12pm

cubs pitching has been awsome
scott eyre is gonna be gone tomorrow
brewers defense has looked bad
ryan braun wow good thing he ha sbeen cold
and he has not looked good in field either

is the harden marshall thing a go now
i like that brewers load up with lefties
sixth inning marshaal comes in.

Submitted by nohit
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:31pm

cubs are on a roll
wrigley field north is rocking
you gotta believe

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:09am

ya gotta love our "home" record!

Submitted by Jeff_Pico
on Wed, 07/30/2008 - 11:36pm

Baseball continues to amaze. How can the Cubs go from losing those 2 game on Fri and Sat when they couldn't score a run to save their lives to breezing through the Brewers?

I was prepared to be happy with the split but now the sweep seems like more than possible.

The August schedule is beautiful for the Cubs could definitely open up some ground.

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:12am

of the trade due to trying to squeeze out as many top-tier prospects as they can:

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb...

I just cant see Boston getting a Manram deal done without getting a somewhat compariable RH OF or SS bat back. The only team I can think of now of the top of my tired mind is Houston with either Tejada or Carlos Lee. I guess they could always go put Youk in LF and get a 1b or move Lowell to 1b, Youk to LF and get a new 3b, but the only guy I could think of in those scenerios would be Adrain Beltre. I think they just need to give Pit whatever they want because it looks like the Red Sox are at a point of no return with Manram. BBTN had a good feature on the 10 pm show about Manram taking 5.17 and 5.34 sec to get to 1B on a few grounders in the Angels series.

Submitted by garsky
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:28am

The only problem with the Asstros being involved is that, inexplicably, Ed Wade thinks they're in the thick of it, and is BUYING, not selling.

Submitted by Chad
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:16am

remember last week when I said that I hate this team? I lied I really love this team.

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:20am

I think you neee to buy them a nice gift.

Submitted by nohit
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:19am

haha... Sully is out next week, so Riot is stepping in to man the "Ask Paul" column.

"You're often referred to as a 'scrappy' player. What does scrappy mean to you?"

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 2:26am

It means the blog I'm reading is gay.

Submitted by blockhead25
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:44am

In a year of home team domination...
Brewers sweep Cards in 4 game series at STL
Cards win 3 in Atl
Cubs win 3 in MIL

Go figure.

Submitted by T-Dubs
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:49am

Did anyone catch the extremely humorous moment when ESPN put up a shot of Sabathia in the dugout and Dave O'Brien started waxing about what a great young ballplayer Prince Fielder is?

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:36am

How about the 20 times O'Brien mentioned that Ryan Braun is "unknown" despite being a superstar-caliber player, yet somehow this unknown asset led all outfielders in the popularity contest known as All-Star voting?

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:27am

I thought Soriano led the OF votes?

Submitted by nohit
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 4:49am

FWIW, ESPN's Cy Young predictor has 3 Cubs in the top 10:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/features/cy

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 6:42am

If Kerry can get off the DL in a reasonable short amount of time and stay semi-effective, he should cruise to the comback player of the year award, unless I am forgetting someone.

Submitted by Wes
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:22am

I'd put Lohse in there.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:36pm

I guess he may get some support, but I prefer a player who actually is good at some point, so Lohse (and Pena) shouldn't really qualify. Dempster's got to be a much better candidate than Lohse.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:50pm

What did Dempster come back from?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:52pm

granted, I haven no idea how the award works, but I would think you'd need to miss significant time either due to injury or demotion to be considered. Lohse started 32 games last year and Dempster only had a small DL trip.

Kerry Wood seemed to be cruising to it. 

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 1:03pm

The award.. according to Baseball Almanac:

The award will recognize the players who have re-emerged on the baseball field during a given season.

Not quite sure how "re-emerged" is defined.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 1:06pm

well in that case, Dempster and Wood seem like viable candidates.

 

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 6:46am

I was watching the game at a bar with no sound, and I was confused by something.

I believe it was the top of the 9th, and I believe it was Lee. The bases were loaded, and he hit a grounder up the third base line. There was no play at first - the third baseman bobbled the ball. A run scored, and I thought everyone was safe.

I noticed that the little graphic showed runners on first and second, but not on third. I thought it was just a mistake, but then a third out was recorded, and it turned out no one was on third.

This was a couple beers in, and I might be remembering something wrong, but it seems we lost a baserunner at third (and gained an out). A few of us were trying to figure out what happened. Was there a force that I missed?

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 7:01am

Yeah, the ump said Bill Hall still had his foot on the bag when he fielded the ball to get the force out at third. I didn't think so when it happened and was confused too, but I haven't seen a replay to know for sure.

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:09am

Thanks. No one looked out to me either, but that explains it.

Submitted by garsky
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:30am

The replay looked like he pulled his foot off a split second too early, but the ump's gonna give that to the fielder 9 times out of 10.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:09am

I think it is time that ROB G does an "apology issue", for those of us who wish to "come clean" on misplaced bashing they have levied on the Cubs prior to, and during this season.

I would like to start by saying that Ryan Theriot, I don't know what happened, but you have turned into one of the top NL shortstops, and I didn't give you a chance. You have earned my respect. I am humbled. Just, please, only try stealing on Jason Kendall.

Ryan Dempster - dude, I never thought you would make this years' rotation after the Cubs signed the great Jon Lieber. HA! Was I WRONG! So far, YOU have been our most reliable and arguably, most impressive starter!

To Jim Edmonds: Dude - I loathed you as a Cardinal. But, I suppose its not the first time that a player moves to a team's chief rival. I have to say, at the end of your career, you have given the 2008 Cubs some valuable play - won a couple games, and made several gems in the OF. To this point, you have been a terrific value for what we're paying. Thanks for your efforts. I WAS WRONG.

Kerry Wood - I'll post later in the next "Cubs Apology Post".

Ahhhh...I feel so much better.

Anyone else?

Submitted by Brick
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:10am

You fool! They were strengthened by your hatred! Your apologies are rendering them powerless!

Let the hate flow through you again or we are doomed!

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:17am

And yours?

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:00am

It's not too late Brick, step away from the dark side. Fear and anger I see in you.

Submitted by Timmer
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:22am

This is like a player in the dugout saying, "hey, our guy's got a no-hitter going."

If Theriot, Edmonds and Dempster all start slumping, we'll know who's to blame.

Submitted by Rich.P
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:09am

Surely this guy would be better than Gonzo

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8398348/Reds,-C...

Submitted by Rich.P
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:11am

Doesn't say who the Reds get back in the deal.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:11am

According to Rosenthal and WSCR
Pending Jr approval
Players going from White Sox not known
JR would play CF

Extra base hits every where rejoice.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:29am

meh...

NBD. Griffey is not going to make that much difference on anyone's team this year unless he gets a big drink from the fountain of youth.

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:28am

Griffey is going to play CF?!?!

Wow.

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:58am

Woah, never saw that coming.

How many instances have there been of 500-HR Club guys on the same team? Obviously not many.

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:35am

McCovey and Mays were teammates for a long time during their careers. As for other guys who are/were teammates during their careers being teammates at one point. Arod/Sheff is only is only 16 HR from Sheff away and Arod/Giambi is 116 HR from Giambi away.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_500_home_run_hitt...

If you want to look 15 + years into the future some possibilities of 500 HR guys being teamates at one point and time are:

Braun/Fielder
Sheff/Cabrera
Delgado/Cabrera
Cabrera/Hanram
Manram/Hanram (if Manram does get traded)

BTW, Griffey has waived it.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:41am

I'll be ticky tacky, Mays retired before McCovey hit his 500th.

Submitted by Indiana JJ
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:43am

How many did McGriff and Sammy have when they played together?

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:49am

I was just trying for 500 HR guys who were teamates at one point in their careers. As for guys who were 500 HR club members when they played together its just Griffey/Thome and Sosa/Palmerio.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:44am

Sosa Palmeiro 2005 Orioles

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:16am

Yeah, that was for sure the first time. Mays-McCovey and Aaron-Mathews just missed it. Don't think there has been any other since.

Submitted by Rich.P
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:14am

Beat you by seconds Jacos :)

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:25am

I just woke up and heard the deal. I was sure the update was from 3 years ago until till the next item up was the Cubs/Brewers score.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:44am

~tips cap~

Submitted by billybucks
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:28am

Flashback to Sunday....

Lifeless Cubs trail 5-2, Brewers winning at the time, first place fading into blackness.

BAM! Sori ties it with a 3-run bomb, the team wakes up and the hits have kept on coming. Sori then sets the tone in Milwaukee against CC with a leadoff 2B & SB and then a HR.

He can be maddening in the field and at the plate, and will likely cause future angst, but thank goodness he is back. Without Sori, these last 4 games might have been a lot different.

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 8:55am

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10914094/2

Unless Edmonds is seriously hurt, I dont know why were trying to add a starting OF. I wouldnt mind an insurance policy guy like Teahan, who would really be an insurance policy at all 4 corner spots. Really with this offense rolling I think its dumb to mix up the chemistry if everyone is healthy.

Submitted by Dmac
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:35am

"Can I just state the obvious that our starting pitching has been absolutely sterling in this series."

Not to mention it's been sterling since the AS break, but with little offense to show for it - hard to imagine how much $$ Dempster will be raking in during the off - season. Maybe he'll give us a hometown discount?

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:42am

I think Dempster got his ticket punched out of town when Harden came here.

I'm indifferent if he stays because I don't know if he will live up to a big money contract.

We already have too many of those as it is.

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 9:50am

http://thebiglead.com/?p=6931

Close to Cubs Club Sandwich?

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:00am

Woo! Go sexism!

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:47am

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=224434&src=152

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:57am

Of course... that would make it more likely that Cuban would sell the Mav's! :)

Submitted by 10man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 11:45am

At the end of the day, if Cuban win's the bidding and the vote goes to the owners, I think the most important question they will be asking is "Will Mark Cuban being in MLB help bring more money into my pockets?".

The answer, of course, will be an overwhelming "YES!" and on that basis I don't see the owners as being a roadblock for Cuban being the Cubs new owner.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:21pm

I'm sure you were joking, but Reinsdorf can handle teams in both leagues, I'm sure Cuban can. 

Submitted by big_lowitzki
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:52pm

Only kinda' joking.

I had heard reports somewhere that Cuban would probably sell the Mavs if he bought the Cubs.

Submitted by Dmac
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:50am

If the club feels that Dempster's past arm problems are truly behind him, then I hope they make a strong bid for his services. The guy looks to have full command of four pitches at this point, that's unusual among the staff right now. But if it looks to be another monstrous contract, then I would have to agree with your sentiments. I have a feeling that he'd like to stick around, so perhaps he'll take a little less to stay (e.g. the Z and Wood deals).

Submitted by Doug Dascenzo
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:22pm

I'm just guessing here, but I'd put Dempster's new contract in the 4/48 region. $12m/year for a guy like him seems reasonable (no spring chicken, only a couple good years, hometown discount likely).

I think I'd pull the trigger on this, but I'd definitely prefer 3/36 or even 3/39.

Submitted by navigator
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:37pm

How about 3/44

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:41pm

That would be unprecedented proven veteran pitcher money.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:48pm

If he finishes the season as strongly as he's started, look for the Mariners or someone to throw him a 4 year $54 million contract. I think that if the Cubs get a pre-emptive strike in there, they could get him for 3/$40 or 4/$50.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 1:07pm

I say take the 2 draft picks. He surely will be a type A free Agent.

Didn't he put up a similar career year as a closer in 2005 during his last "contract year"?

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 4:13pm

If it comes down to pay Wood or pay Dempster, who would you rather have back at this point?

Maybe if the Cubs can dump Marquis, they can bring back both. Or they could go after a big name starter, like Sabathia. Then again, they might have to dump a lot of contracts in order to do that.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 4:58pm

I'd offer Arbitration both guys and see if they are willing to come back for 1 more year (doubtful for either)

I collect the comp picks and look at what's out there. I'm not sold on the long term prospects of either guy.

Submitted by Charlie
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 5:45pm

I see your point, but if they have a good stretch run, I find it hard to say goodbye to either. Demp is definitely the better bet to give you innings, but I'd hate to let Wood walk away and become an elite closer. I'd also hate to pay them both big contracts and then have Wood on the DL and Dempster as only average. Risky.

What type of free agents do you think they'll be? What do you do with the money you don't spend on them?

Submitted by nohit
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 7:29pm

I believe Dempster will continue to have success after this year. I'd like to see the Cubs make a strong effort to keep him.

Wood? I'm not so sure. Marmol and Smarmyninja are in the wings. Maybe you let him test the market.

Submitted by Chifan
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 10:56am

Kind of surprising that the Sox who are looking for pen help give up a pen guy for a marginal upgrade. Richar is a 2B so I guess Phillips is going back to SS as I doubt Richar has a SS arm.

Submitted by Cubster
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:01pm

from Rotoworld:

11:50 am (central)...ESPN's Peter Gammons says the three-way negotiations between the Red Sox, Marlins and Pirates are close to dead.

11:48 am...Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that talks regarding a Manny Ramirez trade are "taking off."

Submitted by The E-Man
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:36pm

LOL!

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:04pm

According to Bruce Levine ESPN 1000-

Kerry Wood pitched simulated game today with protective sleeve and felt good.

He's waiting to hear if he can throw in next couple days without sleeve.

If that session goes okay he wants to go right to bullpen no rehab in minors.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:22pm

Is it a protective sleeve over his fingers? Wouldn't those be called gloves?
Is there an arm injury that the club might be keeping secret(Shocked!)?

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:28pm

Over his finger.

So obviously he would not be able to pitch in game with it on.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:38pm

That's some superstition, wearing a condom to the mound... How's the blister problem with his finger, though?

Submitted by Dmac
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:32pm

Yeah, that's just what I've been thinking as of late - blister, my foot. Typical Cubs - speak on the injury front.

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:33pm

Well, if it is an arm thing, which I personally think is doubtful, the next 90 minutes will tell us. We'll see another reliever brought in PRONTO...

Submitted by Rob Richardson
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:38pm

LF Soriano
SS Theriot
1B Lee
3B Ramirez
LF Fukudome
2B DeRosa
CF Edmonds
C Soto
P Harden

2B Weeks
3B Counsell
SS JJ Hardy
1B Fielder
LF Braun
RF Kapler
CF Cameron
C Kendall
P Bush

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:43pm

This lineup sucks.

Submitted by Jace
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:39pm

Yanks and Red Sox Eyeing Stevie Ire....
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=mlb...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Thu, 07/31/2008 - 12:51pm

Hughes or Buchholz, first one to blink gets Eyre!

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