The Tipping Point
Another day, another loss and this season has somehow become even less interesting than last season. Incredible.
The trade deadline won't even give us much to peak our interest, the players that could net anything interesting are paid too much and few teams have the money or the willingness to take on that type of salary. Carlos Pena could make sense for the Rays or Giants and possiby Mariners or Angels, but how willing are they to take on his $5M balloon payment for next year or the remaining $2M or so he's owed this year and then how interesting will the prospects be that the Cubs could get back? Aramis has warmed up and 3b always seems like a tough position to fill, but he'd have to waive all his options that kick in($1M if he's traded plus his 2012 $16M option) if he's traded along with his no-trade clause. I'm sure he sees the writing on the wall that he won't be back with the Cubs at $16M next year so he may be willing to do that, but that's gonna take a lot finessing to happen and then to find a team to move him to. Some contending teams with black holes at third base include the Mariners, Tigers, Brewers, White Sox and Pirates.
The other options that the Cubs may consider moving would probably be Jeff Baker, Reed Johnson, Kosuke Fukudome and if any dumbass team would want Zambrano or Soriano's contracts, but good look with that. None of those will really net more than minor league filler though. I suppose Kerry Wood as well, but my feeling is that Wood is pretty much committed himself to being a Cub for the rest of his career and Hendry will respect that.
I also just wanted to note that I got through the Cubs 2011 draft on Wiklifield and some guardian angel was helping out with the signings, so thanks for that. I still have to go back and do the 2010 draft and re-do previous years so all that sortable info is useful. Also updated the All-Star page and Futures Games for anyone interested.
Garza vs. Livan Hernandez tonight in an attempt to avoid the 4-game sweep. Cubs currently hold the 2nd worst record in the baseball, 5 games ahead of the Houston Astros for the top draft pick.
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