Andy McPhail snubs Ryne Sandberg

Orioles President Andy McPhail, of the royal baseball McPhail lineage (grandpa Larry, dad Lee) had a chance to snag another ex-Cub and went another direction today by hiring non-nonsense manager, Buck Showalter.  Recent speculation by Tribster, Steve Rosenbloom, had Sandberg on Andy's speed dial but it seems it wasn't so. The O's beat writer for mlb.com said the short list was former O's catcher Rick Dempsey, former Indians manager Eric Wedge and Bobby Valentine, who has recently volunteered his services as the next Cub manager.

Sandberg did add some fuel to the speculation when he was quoted in the Des Moines Register back on June 16th:

“The last time I talked to Andy was during the winter meetings, when we
were on a committee together,” Sandberg said before Monday night’s
Pacific Coast League game against New Orleans at Principal Park. “But
I’d listen if someone called, for sure.”

Since shedding the official Tribune Tower sweatervest worn as the Cubs President at the conclusion of the abysmal 2006 season and finding refuge in the tender clutches of Oriole owner Peter Angelos in June 2007, Andy has stocked the Orioles with ex-Cubs like the Statue of Liberty says (paraphrasing now):

"Give me your near retired, your poor fielders,

Your huddled masses short of breathe rounding third,

The wretched refuse of your teeming minors.

Send these, the homeless once Cubs, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the Orange Oriole door!"

We've all enjoyed his accumulation of cast off ex-Cubs. I shall list the names with Cub ties from the McPhail (Cub) era:  Front Office: John Stockstill (Scouting/Farm director, previously O's Director of International Scouting); Manager/Coaches: Dave Trembley (former O's manager, minor league manager for the Cubs 1994-2002), Rick Kranitz (pitching coach), Alan Dunn (bullpen coach); Players: Steve Traschel, Corey Patterson, Felix Pie, Rocky Cherry, Scott Moore, Caesar Izturis, Paul Bako, Jake Fox, Luis Montanez, Will Ohman, Rich Hill.

Could you imagine the Chicago media frenzy if McPhail had named Sandberg as the next Oriole Skipper? If one imagines standing in the room where Tom Ricketts puts the phone receiver to his ear, while on the other end of the phone call, Jim Hendry tells the new Cub owner that beloved Ryno's gone orange. THUD.

Tags: 
Felix Pie
Buck Showalter
Andy McFail
Submitted by Dr. Joseph Hecht on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 8:00pm
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Comments

Submitted by jacos
on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:08pm

Well if he's not good enough for Andy McFail...

Submitted by John Beasley
on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 9:47pm

Capps to Twins, Ramos to Washington.

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270...

Sure would be nice to receive a future MLB player in a trade this season.

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 11:03pm

Great poetic & dramatic post, Cubster.

While reading the list of cast off ex-Cubs, I was reminded of the old LP record "Great Moments in Chicago Cubs History", narrated by the late, great Jack Brickhouse. At the end of the album, he intones the names of Cub greats (with lots of reverb added) while dramatic music swells in the background: "Cap Anson. Frank Chance. Johnny Evers. Joe Tinker. Rube Waddell...." etc. I was imagining Jack reading the names of the Cubs cast offs with the music swelling in the background and Jack finishing up by saying, "another championship can't be too far away for our own wild, wonderful, and unforgettable... CHICAGO CUBS!" (music ends, with horns giving a dramatic flourish). As a side note, that record was produced following the 1970 season. Exactly what would Jack have considered to be "too far away"?

Anyway, thanks for taking me back. I haven't thought about that record for several years now.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 11:30pm

A friend of mine has that record. Fun stuff.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:58am

new picture up to go with the post.

Thanks for the recollection Pepi. I loved (and have) that album somewhere, now I just might be motivated to digitize it.

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 11:23am

Please post a link to your digital version.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:09pm

I have the album in vinyl and have a usb turntable to digitize albums on my puter...but I'm filing this under projects to do when I'm unusually bored.

The album is currently availible on ebay for $14.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Jack-Brickhouse-Great-Mom...

Submitted by JoePepitone
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:08pm

Great pic! Yeah, that's the one. Of course, now I notice how I screwed up the title of the record.

I always had the feeling that the record was originally conceived and largely put together during the 1969 season to coincide with the pennant that the Cubs largely had in the bag. When that fell through, they put it off for a year in hopes that the pennant would come in 1970. When THAT fell through, I think they just said, "The heck with it. We'll just put out what we've got now -- enough people will still buy it." And guess what -- we did!

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:56am

Rosenthal/Morosi buzz post...

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-latest...

The Dodgers are talking to the Cubs about a trade for both left-hander Ted Lilly and second baseman Ryan Theriot, according to a major-league source.

It is not known whether a deal is close. The Cubs almost certainly would need to include cash to cover part of the nearly $5 million combined that Lilly and Theriot are owed for the rest of the season.

...Theriot likely would take over at second base, with the Dodgers possibly sending Blake DeWitt to Triple-A.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:43am

What a damning statement about Blake DeWitt.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 10:43am

DeWitt as part of the deal??

edit:

Bruce Levine radio report says Dodgers not in on Theriot. Mentions Theriot for Kelly Johnson of D-Backs.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:28pm

If I were the Cubs, I'd take that deal. You lose one year of club control in Johnson over Theriot, and Johnson will surely get a decent raise in arbitration after this year, so he will cost more next year than Theriot or a youngster from AAA. But Johnson is 2 years younger, and is the better player.

They are strangely similar in that both have really 4 full seasons 2007-2010. Of those four, Theriot has had WARs of 1.7, 1.8, 1.0, and -0.7 this year. Johnson basically had one really bad year, last year, where his WAR was 0.9, otherwise it was 4.3, 3.5, and 2.0 so far this year.

Based on their past performance, I would guess Johnson has an average OPS of around .800 for the next few years, about a 100 points or so above what Theriot will put up.

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:06pm

Yeah, that's a really easy deal to take for the Cubs. I'm guessing there's more to the story.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 1:42am

There does seem to be more to the story...

From Bruce Levine:

The Cubs also have a possible deal with Arizona for second baseman Kelly Johnson. The Diamondbacks have asked for Ryan Theriot --AND-- left-handed pitcher James Russell in return.

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 6:01am

I would do that deal. I wonder how much less we'd get from the Dodgers if they only got Lilly?

I guess I think Kelly Johnson is a better option right now at 2B, but DeWitt has more years under club control. So I would guess that the Cubs would rather take the chance on DeWitt with a lower salary

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:43am

could have had johnson for nothing at beginning of year

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:57am

So? I never understand that argument. It's like not drafting someone and then trading for them or signing him later in their career. Yes, you could have had them for basically nothing earlier, but you didn't know their value then. Now you do. Why would Hendry have signed him after last season with the idea of Theriot-Fontenot/Baker this season at second and with Johnson coming off of a bad year? Now we have Castro, and Theriot has continued to slip at second, and Johnson has rebounded. It makes more sense now than then.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 11:11am

Why would Hendry have signed him after last season with the idea of Theriot-Fontenot/Baker this season at second and with Johnson coming off of a bad year?

just pointing out that he could have been had at the beginning of the year for very little if Hendry/Lou had some balls to throw Fontenot/Baker to the curb.

Just a player I've always liked and had some knee injuries the last two years to explain his slump and his 2008 wasn't even that bad.

No biggie, Russell and Theriot seems fair to me, but as I said, I like Johnson.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 11:17am

Agreed. I didn't like the Fontenot/Baker platoon idea either. We needed a starting second baseman. As I said above, I'd be fine with this trade. I'd try to replace Russell with another (or maybe another two or three) of the less talented Berg-Atkins type guys, because I think he will probably end up being a decent reliever over his career, but I'd still pull the trigger if I had to.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:21pm

I read a few days ago teams were calling the Dodgers about DeWitt. Maybe the Dodgers have another deal in mind to create a need for an infielder. The latest rumor says the Dodgers are talking about Lilly and a Cubs position player, but it's not necessarily Theriot.

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:50am

Nice job here, CUBSTER.

Bonne voyage!

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 8:32am

I believe former Cub Rick Kranitz is the O's pitching coach. Add him to the list.

Submitted by Dr. Joseph Hecht
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:17am

former Cub Rick Kranitz is the O's pitching coach. Add him to the list.
---
so noted. Thanks. Also that lead to the following two additions:
Alan Dunn (bullpen coach) and former O's manager, Dave Trembley

Alan joined the Orioles as bullpen coach on August 25, 2007 and begins his third full season on a major league staff...He was in his 15th season in the Chicago Cubs organization and his first as minor league pitching coordinator when he was named bullpen coach by Manager Dave Trembley, with whom he had worked in the Cubs organization from 1994-2002

http://mlb.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c...

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 10:52am

and in the front office, former media relations director for the Iowa Cubs [Jeff Lantz] now works for the O's too...

Submitted by The E-Man
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:01pm

You guys realize we will become the "Orioles West" in 2011 with our record and level of talent?

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:19pm

all the fears about immovable players is beginning to look pretty accurate.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 12:32pm

Miles says Diamond was on a pitch count last night at Iowa - 64 pitches. He speculates that hey may get the call to take Lilly's spot in the rotation after a trade.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:00pm

speaking of pitch counts...holy kerry wood, batman!

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/2010...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:07pm

The scouting report will read: “Get to him early. His second 100 pitches are stronger than his first 100.”

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:44pm

It was up to Kockler, who walked 10 batters, hit three others and unleashed four wild pitches, to make the lead stand up. He never hesitated to return to the mound for the seventh inning.

“I just ran out there. No conversation. I just wanted it,” he said.

A mere 17 pitches later, he’d stranded two more runners and started a spirited celebration.

This won't sound very "old school", but I think that was incredibly irresponsible. Irresponsible of the pitcher and irresponsible of the manager for not stepping in and doing something.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:50pm

it happens a lot, both in college and highschool...especially highschool.

it's not mega-uncommon, especially with highschool players, to have a guy throw 120-150 then go out 3-4 days later and do it all over again.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:55pm

Especially for a 1-A (smallest school) Iowa team. If he is a senior, this might be the last real game he will ever pitch.

Submitted by Mike Wellman
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:08pm

also, fwiw, diamond has been on a pretty short leash pitch count-wise all year...

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:28pm

Not lately.

His last outing on the 24th.
Pitches-strikes:
Diamond, T 92-59

6.0 IP 6K 3BB 2H 0R

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 1:51pm

From the Fox Sports boys:

Ted Lilly remains a trade option for the Twins, but as of mid-day Friday ET, virtually every team pursuing Lilly was continuing to report that the Cubs were asking a high price for the veteran left- hander.

Submitted by TJ
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:09pm

I don't have much faith in Jimbo the shrewd trader. He is more Jimbo the bull charging forward to get the FA he wants, i.e., give them anything. I'm very concerned we will end up with Lilly after Saturday, and of course, he will not offer him arbitration and we will loss Lilly and get nothing for him.

Mike, why has Diamond been on a short pitch count all year?

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:14pm

Steve Stone is convinced Ted Lilly will be traded, it's just a matter of who will get him. If true, I say Dodgers. Stone also saying much of the team is untradable, which I don't necessarily disagree with.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:45pm

Steve Stone went on to say, "Steve Stone Steve Stone Steve Stone Steve Stone".

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:19pm

Levine...Lilly might go to Yankees (or Dodgers)

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Submitted by Ryno
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:23pm

Lilly in the AL east? Yikes. {g}

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:29pm

The Dodgers and Yankees are the last two teams rumored to be looking at Lilly, although the newest report says the Tigers are back in.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/notebook/_/page/100730...

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:28pm

Cubs and Reds spoke. But not in the last couple of days.

http://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/19935324302

(Yonder Alonso??)

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:45pm

they're fake

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:05pm

Don't know. Don't care. Don't tell Johann.

Don't watch Seinfeld?

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:36pm

Levine latest on ESPN 1000 radio...2:30 pm, cst:

Bud Selig's birthday...you can make fun of him if you want to but the guy is 75 years old. Bruce bought him a box of prunes for his BD.

Otherwise, nothing new...Dodgers have no money making a trade there iffy...Lilly might not get traded by deadline but still could go later on a waiver deal. Theriot-KJohnson still possible.

BL is in Colorado with Cubs (it's his punishment).

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 2:44pm

You know, taking a look at the Dodgers lineup, the only positions they could possibly upgrade via trade would be 2b, LF (which makes little sense since they just traded for Podsednik and they should get Manny back eventually), and...gulp, catcher. Now would they bench or trade Russell Martin? He's having a crappy year with the bat and his salary keeps going up through arbitration, and they have several other young guys in the same arbitration pattern. It would make sense that the Dodgers try to move one of those increasing salary arbitration players to save some moolah. I wonder if Hendry would be dumb enough to give up on Soto. I'd rather not take Russell Martin. For some reason he just reminds me of Paul LoDuca too much, like he's primed for a short career. His performance this year only helps fuel that theory.

What do other people think, Russell Martin or Geo?

Rob G., you're in LA, what do you think of Martin?

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:42pm

I think you're pretty much right on with Martin. The problem is that Retardo and Pinhead probably aren't that high on that baseclogging power hitting Soto because he calls too many sliders or some nonsense.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:55pm

.400-ish ob%

14hr 15 doubles in 240ab....

at least we have one of the best 7 or 8 lineup hitters in the game.

...sigh.

aram 240ab in the 4 slot pre-allstar... .268 ob% .380 slg%
dlee 330ab in the 3 slot pre-allstar... .330 ob% .369 slg%

we should pay the next manager $10m so he'll be sure to be awesome like this. at least he didn't bat the wrong guy leadoff. that would have sunk us.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:16pm

crunch, I keep telling you that managers don't matter enough to pay one so much money.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:21pm

so paying a huge sum of money won't get us quality like this?

i'm not sure i'm willing to risk that chance.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:25pm

Only if that manager is awake during the games instead of dreaming up ways to look more and more like Tweedle Dee.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:29pm

Preaching to the choir.

Where did Jody Davis bat?

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 3:49pm

not a big fan of Martin myself...looks like he's on the Jason Kendall career path

much bigger fan of Soto and the Jorge Posada career path he's on

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:07pm

Roider-The Dodgers were trying to dump him last year when scouts noticed he didn't have the same body he used to have. An AL Scout said he wasn't as strong as he was the year before and an NL Scout said his bat speed was way down. This got in the papers and two days later Martin denied he used steroids. Dodgers told the media he might lose his starting job and were trying to shop him. So, Martin who weighed 206 in 2009 showed up weighing 231 (those magic 25 lbs of muscle)in spring training. Said he "bulked up" by lifting weights AND cutting out yoga. Then he promptly pulled his groin and has had one physical problem after another all year.

The .285 .806 OPS Martin is just a fading memory. Martin has been a .248 .679 guy the last couple seasons.

Please, no Martin.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:18pm

I am not saying that I disagree with bringing up the possibility that Martin did 'roids. However, I am amazed at how commonly people put out blatant accusations about people, and seemingly feel that, by putting a question mark at the end, you are not actually accusing the person of anything.
"Johann's mom - a whore?"

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:26pm

Bad example; that's a fact. Not in a pejorative sense, either.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:29pm

Cubs released Howry, activated Z.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/cubs-re...

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:38pm

that's a wash...except for the salary differential (ah c'mon, I still love Craa-Z)

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 4:56pm

berkman to yanks...geeeeeeez.

must be nice to have an upgrade you don't need or have a place to play.

go spending to crush competition go.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 8:33pm

The Yankees have now also added Austin Kearns from the Indians to their bench. Guess they didn't want Nady back.

Submitted by WISCGRAD
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:04pm

The Red Sox were shot down in an attempt to acquire left-hander Sean Marshall from the Cubs, according to ESPN's Jayson Stark.

Submitted by Jace
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:10pm

I think Sean Marshall is a good pitcher, but as long as the Red Sox offer someone that could really help the Cubs in a couple of years, it seems like they should listen... and I guess who says they didn't...

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:18pm

I can only hope by shutdown, it went the prospects you're offering are not good enough, not there's just no way we'd trade this reliever no matter what youoffer.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:22pm

Wow, Braves sent Nate McLouth to the minors a few days ago, I missed that news.

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:53pm

He's been out with concussion symptoms for a couple months.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:56pm

Solid lefties are hard to find. But if the Cubs dangled Marmol I bet somebody would bite pretty hard. I have no real basis to say this, but I think Marmol is likely to not last more than a year or two before a big injury gets him or he goes all Bill Blass on us. Perfect opportunity to sell high. And I've always loved watching the guy pitch.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:19pm

By "going Bill Blass", you don't mean designing his own line of clothing? :).

BTW, this ARod watch on MLB Network is really driving me nuts. I'm tired of them breaking to every ab of his waiting for the cheater to hit 600. I keep praying someone drills him in his pretty centaur face.

This is great if you've never seen it...
http://cdn0.sbnation.com/imported_assets/2874...

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:24pm

or he goes all Bill Blass on us.
---
William Ralph "Bill" Blass (June 22, 1922 – June 12, 2002) was an American fashion designer, born in Fort Wayne, Indiana.[1] He is known for his tailoring and his innovative combinations of textures and patterns.

vs.

Steve Blass is best known for his sudden and inexplicable loss of control after the 1972 season.[1] His ERA climbed to 9.81 in the 1973 season. He walked 84 batters in 88 innings, and struck out only 27. Blass suffered through the 1973 season, then spent most of 1974 in the minor leagues. He gave it one last try in spring training of 1975. Failing to regain his form, he retired from baseball in March 1975.
Thereafter, a condition referred to as "Steve Blass Disease" became a part of baseball lexicon...

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:32pm

If he goes all Kenneth Cole on us, move him to the outfield and give him HGH like the Cards did.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 10:31pm

yes, steve blass I meant of course.

I doubt Marmol goes Bill Blass in clothing.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:05pm

Love rotoworld's commentary on howry...

Cubs released RHP Bob Howry.
Howry isn't so far removed from being a useful reliever, but this is the second time he's been released this year. He had allowed 19 runs -- 13 earned -- in 20 2/3 innings for the Cubs. Considering that he struck out just eight in that span, he should probably be written off for the rest of this year, IF NOT FOREVER.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 5:49pm

Not that there are offers. But Z would approve a trade if the Cubs came to him.

http://twitter.com/cst_cubs/status/19944015852

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:08pm

paul sulivan still has a hard-on for getting Z fired/traded/etc. based on his twitter posts.

it's getting rather "bradley 09" on his side of the internet again.

http://twitter.com/PWSullivan

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:15pm

Maybe we can trade Sullivan for a less bitter writer.

Submitted by Dr. aaron b
on Wed, 08/04/2010 - 1:20pm

+1

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:34am

Mets offered Oliver Perez & Luis Castillo for Zambrano.

Cubs said no to inclusion of Castillo.

http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/199917...

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:06pm

via CM...his uncle must be from a very remote part of india.

#cubs Lou Piniella will miss Sat-Sun-Mon games to attend funeral of his uncle

Submitted by The Joe
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:16pm

He's been at a funeral all season.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:38pm

I am more curious to see if Trammel uses his 3 day gig to illustrate to GM's around baseball that he knows your second worst hitter doesn't bat #3.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:42pm

at least dlee/aram are actually playing like they belong there the past few weeks.

too bad that's too little too late and too long left to stink up the middle of the order, though.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:52pm

ubs lineup fri is rf colvin, ss castro, 1b lee, 3b ramy, cf byrd, lf sori, c soto, 2b riot, p demp

Guess not.

Lou must have made lineup cars and left them next to meals in Tupperware marked FRI-SAT-Sun

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:04pm

"#cubs Lou Piniella will miss Sat-Sun-Mon games to attend funeral of his uncle"

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:06pm

oops

Friday is the new Saturday btw

Submitted by Rob G.
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:05pm

probably just getting the lineups from Lou anyway

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:27pm

gems like that

Why everyone needs to read TCR

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:37pm

Will his absence be noticed?

Submitted by navigator
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:29pm

The Cubs pregame buffet table will notice.

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:09pm

via CM...

#cubs lineup fri is rf colvin, ss castro, 1b lee, 3b ramy, cf byrd, lf sori, c soto, 2b riot, p demp

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:49pm

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/30/north-kore...

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:45pm

Wow.

"the athletes were subjected to a "six-hour barrage of criticism" for their poor performances...The players were then asked to step up in turn and publicly criticize manager Kim Jong-hun, who had apparently been singled out for punishment."

Submitted by The Joe
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 12:58am

Seriously, that made me sad. We made jokes during the tournament that they better play well or they'll get punished. Sometimes, I just convince myself that a lot of fears are just hearsay and paranoia, but then I read that.

I have a friend who goes to North Korea every week for business. I get nervous for her every time.

Submitted by Cubster
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:50pm

per Bob Nightengale tweet...Berkman snubs WSux

Lance Berkman had recently exercised his no-trade rights for possible deal with White Sox before accepting Yankees' trade.

http://twitter.com/BNightengale/status/199471...

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 6:53pm

HA

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:30pm

Kenny Williams duped?

From Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald:

Williams discussed the trade the netted the Sox starting pitcher Edwin Jackson earlier in the day, and he thinks the right-hander's power arm and experience is a definite upgrade over rookie Daniel Hudson, who went to the Diamondbacks for Jackson.
But KW also sounded like he's been duped _ likely by Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo _ in talks for Adam Dunn.
While he didn't mention any specific names, Kenny said it's been "frustrating" dealing with newer GMs, of which Rizzo is one.
He also mentioned "playing games" and "being above board," so you pretty much get the picture.
I'm hearing that Rizzo has taken Dunn off the market, but who really knows? These have been the most unusual days leading up to the trade deadline I ever can remember, by far.
But I'm thinking the original plan was for the Sox to acquire Jackson and send him to the Nats for Dunn.

http://blogs.dailyherald.com/node/4450

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:37pm

I think dealing Hudson and the other prospect for Jackson is a horrible trade. Jackson has awful numbers, not just this year but most of his career, and he's owed about $13 million through next season, which the Sox are paying all of.

He's been so bad, Nate Robertson, who was released by the Marlins last week has similar numbers and could have been signed for a prorated share of the major league minimum, saving the Sox $13 million plus two top pitching prospects.

Robertson has a similar horrible ERA, 5.47 to 5.16, if I recall correctly. They each have 1.49 WHIP's, Jackson is k'ing more guys at 7.0 per 9 ip compared to 5.5 per 9 ip for Robertson. Robertson walks fewer guys, 3.5 per 9 ip compared to 4.0. (I might be off, those are the numbers I remember from earlier in the day but I think they're correct). The point is not that Robertson would be a good signing, although he's pitched better than some starters in the majors, but that Jackson, despite his talent, has never been consistent other than mostly consistently bad, and terribly overpaid. Factor in the two prospects the Sox gave up and Kenny must have dropped some acid before making this trade.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 7:45pm

according to wscr "the retarded dave duncan " sox pitching coach don cooper "saw something that Jackson was doing wrong and he could fix."

Last guy he fixed?
Jake Peavey

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 8:06pm

According to Len if Lilly gets traded Z back into rotation.

Howry to retire.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 8:47pm

Colorado should play one game a series w/out humidor balls.

Throw back game.

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 2:01am

I like it.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 7:38am

Apparently they do.

Submitted by rokfish
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:30pm

Per Rosenthal or Olney whoever tigers and dodgers still looking at lilly but
they mentioned a third unknown team could be just BS being put out there.

Are the giants that happy that they wouldnt want to upgrade say with a
starter and also keep dodgers from getting Lilly.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:56pm

From Jayson Stark:

Sources say only real gap separating #Dodgers & #Cubs on Lilly is amount of $ Cubs would take, but could be enough to prevent a deal

http://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/19959974602

Submitted by crunch
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:37pm

HOLY CRAP!

THIS GAME SUCKS!

DUUUUUURRRRRR DERP DERP DURRRRRRRR!

why do i keep clearing time to watch this trainwreck?

ps- when is the last time dlee actually ran to 1st base?

Submitted by rokfish
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 9:46pm

On the Lee play it seemed the ball got out there fast but Lee was not
close to first base i thought it was ramirez for a second.

Will be interesting to see if Trammel brings out the same lineup saturday
or wants to make a statement.

Submitted by jacos
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 10:12pm

Doubt he's going to show up lou.

Didya know lou and dave magadan are cousins?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 2:00am

The way Lou handled that 8th inning I was starting to think he was related to Gene "Sleepy" Lamont.

It would have been a smart time to get Z back in major league action, down 3 to start the inning, game likely over, little pressure. At least put Z in instead of Cashner once Marshall gives up a few.

Submitted by rokfish
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 11:01pm

Give Brenley credit Cashner is geting shelled a rookie where is your
TEAM LEADER going to talk to the pitcher to try to settle him down
Derrick Lee take a seat for a while.

Why the hell did lou put Cashner in anyways.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 1:01am

huh?

Submitted by Mornington Crescent
on Fri, 07/30/2010 - 11:11pm

13 hits, 11 consecutive hits plus 2 walks with 2 outs. 8 extra base hits in the inning.

Submitted by navigator
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 12:15am

Yes, it was well on its way to being just another dull unmemorable mindnumbing loss. But the Cubs made it interesting in the 8th.

11 hits in a row.

It's sheer poetry that the 1929 CUBS were one of four NL teams that held the old record of 10 consecutive hits in an inning.

Submitted by crunch
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 12:17am

this game was dildos.

Submitted by The Joe
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 1:02am

but not in a good way?

Submitted by Paul Noce
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 2:58am

ESPN's Bruce Levine:

"The Dodgers would like to obtain both Lilly and second baseman Ryan Theriot. The Cubs have asked for second baseman Blake DeWitt back as part of any trade...

The Cubs also have a possible deal with Arizona for second baseman Kelly Johnson. The Diamondbacks have asked for Ryan Theriot and left-handed pitcher James Russell in return.

The Cubs have been going back and forth on both deals, knowing they can’t trade Theriot twice."

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/cubs/post/_/i...

Jump on Theriot and Russell for Kelly Johnson. Johnson would be a very nice addition for next season. Russell might become a good reliever in the future but he's not now. A middle reliever and a 2b we will likely non-tender for a legitimate starting 2b would be great. We have a ton of young pitching coming up, replacing Russell wouldn't be hard.

Submitted by The Real Neal
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 7:47am

Johnson was either non-tendered or was going to be non-tendered by the Braves last off-season. The Cubs bullpen is giving up 4.73 runs/9, so a guy with a 4 ERA is a lot better than average back there, and Russell has probably been a bit unlucky with his HR's allowed.

I am not sure the rush to trade for him, anyway. Are the D-Back in the playoff hunt or are the Cubs?

Submitted by H_Vaughn
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 7:55am

Great point Neal. Here's a guy in Johnson who was freely available talent, Hendry ignored him, and now he wants to give away a solid bullpen contributor and sell low on a averagish middle infielder to acquire him. Poor stewardship of resources.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 8:07am

It's what the D-backs have asked for, rumor has it. Hendry hasn't agreed to it, yet.

There are a number of teams looking for lefty relievers. Even a rookie. If Hendry wanted to trade Russell, I would think there would be a better deal out there. I have a hard time believing Hendry's considering this deal.

Submitted by Rob G.
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:46am

i highly doubt you'll do better than a regular 2bmen for an okay lefty reliever.

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:59am

I just think the inclusion of Russell pushes the deal too far in favor of the D-Backs. If they wanted someone else who hasn't proven to be useful ("okay") at the major league level, that would be a different story.

After Johnson's 2009 and his home/road splits this season (and the money he'll make for 2011) I have some concerns.

Submitted by Old and Blue
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 9:19am

That's pretty much the best, most succinct way I've heard to describe Hendry's last several years.

Submitted by Jumbo
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 8:22am

I agree

I do wonder what we'd get to send Lilly to LA by himself. Theriot never seemed like a sweetener before, and I can't really imagine how much better the deal would get by including him. It seems the Dodgers want the Cubs to just pay Lilly's entire salary, which wouldn't bother me a bit - hell, pay Theriot's entire salary, too.

I thought I heard a trade scenario involving James Loney, he'd be nice to pick up if they had a replacement for him for the rest of the season

Submitted by QuietMan
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 8:52am

Any scenario involving James Loney were the ramblings of some fan. (Edit- there may have been some Loney talk in regards to Cliff Lee.)

The way I read it is that the Cubs want DeWitt. So Theriot is being offered as a 2B replacement for the Dodgers - so they don't have to go with Carroll and Belliard.

Submitted by Charlie
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 12:32pm

Sure they can trade Theriot twice. Maybe three times. They still have Baker and Barney, don't they?

The truth of the matter is they know they don't need both DeWitt and Johnson.

Submitted by H_Vaughn
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 8:00am

That game last night was just rock bottom, maybe the worst Cub performance I've seen in 35 years of watching games. I want some kind of apology from Ricketts, Hendry, Piniella and Lee.

Submitted by Cubster
on Sat, 07/31/2010 - 8:18am

Having Lou miss the next 3 games just might be useful. I'm thinking that we just might see how much a lame duck effect he has on this team. I remember the 2007 team played well for Trammel in Milwaukee when Lou was suspended for the 4 game tirade vs ump Wegener.

Bringing up as many kids would be more useful...if they got to play.

Here is the obit on Lou's 92 yr old uncle that passed away.

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memo...

(it is former major leaguer, Dave Magadan's dad)

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