Jerry Crasnick has a story up at espn.com about the significant number of free agents still looking for work. "The game's rampant unemployment problem," he refers to it jokingly.
It's a long list--more than 90 players are still unattached according to ESPN's Free Agent Tracker--but 12 of the names on the list caught my eye:
Antonio Alfonseca
Paul Bako
Luis Gonzalez
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Kenny Lofton
Ramon Martinez
Damian Miller
Corey Patterson
Josh Paul
Neifi Perez
Sammy Sosa
Steve Trachsel
From the headline on this post, you can probably guess the question:
If you absolutely, positively had to make room on the current Cubs roster for one of these former Cubs, which one would it be?
Would it be Lofton, who, in his age 40 season, still turned in a .296/.367/.414 line for the Rangers and Indians and could keep centerfield warm until Pie grows into it? Of course it would be Lofton, so take him out of the equation.
Antonio Alfonseca
Paul Bako
Luis Gonzalez
Jerry Hairston Jr.
Kenny Lofton
Ramon Martinez
Damian Miller
Corey Patterson
Josh Paul
Neifi Perez
Sammy Sosa
Steve Trachsel
Now what you do say? And no, death is not an option.
m.trout gets his 1st cycle...
cubs sure are good at these late/last-inning comeback teases only to fail...
4-5, final...men stranded on 1st and 3rd.
make that 4/4 (.223)
Man, I'm sure glad Camp wasn't DFA'd. It's not like guaranteed salary is important or something. Wait....what?
16.2ip 26h 6bb 12k - 7.56era 1.92whip
rondon/russell/camp combine to give away a 3-0 lead.
awesome 5 run inning.
welcome back garza...this is what you've been missing.
still lots of lipstick on this Cubs pig...
btw on Garza, Cubs have no reason to trade him if they don't score big-time prospects. They'll certainly offer him the qualifying offer and get the draft pick or happily have him back.
Always good to get Shawn Camp some work. I hope Garza breaks his knees with a bat when he gets bak to the dugout.
Worst Cubs bullpen ever?
Phillip Humber on the roster, not a good thing though.
and......Camp gives him a no decision. Go Cubs.
He does have the stuff. Plus guys from Nacogdoches are always cool.
5ip 1h 3bb 5k (0r) for garza...82 pitches
cruising around 94mph with the fastball (92-94mph, mostly tipping to the upper).
I bet the Cubs could add Phillip Humber to the roster if they wanted.
well, he did have a no-hitter through 4.1ip today at least.
"Ability to have guys that have no-hitter-type stuff go out there is always a nice asset to have." -- Sveum, before game, on Garza return.
In other news, Tom Thibodeau said he likes basketball players that are good at shooting and Marc Trestman says the Bears are going to attempt to score touchdowns this year.
d.barney 2/2...breaks the .200 mark (.208)...should be over .300 ob% with that, too.
i would be impressed with more walks if he wasn't hitting 8th so much (all but 4pa this year).