It’s a pitching situation

Add comment June 18th, 2008

 

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan is reporting that the Cubs are preparing a multi-player package, including Matt Murton and Rich Hill, to trade for Red Sox free-swinging center fielder Coco Crisp.

I don’t mind dealing out either player (Murton: I really like the guy, but the Cubs clearly see no future in him and his Triple-A numbers make him great trade bait. Hill: Many will say it’s too soon to give up on him. But his horrid start to the season and his shoddy Iowa appearances make it seem that he peaked last season), but do the Cubs really need another center fielder, let alone an outfielder?  

Jim Edmonds has grown on Cubbie Nation and shown he’s more than worth the $250,000. Reed Johnson is the perfect player to rotate between left and center. And when all else fails, the ultimate jack of all trades Mark DeRosa can easily hold down left and give Fukudome a day off in right.

First and foremost, what needs to be addressed is the Cubs pitching staff. God knows they have done wonders so far this season and there is little to complain about. But, how much longer will a first place rotation/bullpen be able to maintain the wear-and-tear into the playoffs without making any upgrades?

One concern is the endurance of Ryan Dempster. Can the one-time closer continue to pitch like a No. 2 into September? After all, before this season, he’s only had six starts since 2004. Also, there will come a point where the void in the bullpen will need to be filled by someone other than Chad Fox, Kevin Hart, Sean Marshall, Jose Ascanio, Carmen Pignatiello or Neal Cotts.

As far as rotation pitchers go, the options are out there in C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Erik Bedard, Randy Wolf and even Greg Maddux.

The incredible shrinking man

Add comment June 18th, 2008

I know this is a Cubs blog, but I had to say something about the Bulls and Michael Beasley.

Beasley was listed as being 6-10 at Kansas State and I’ve seen him listed as 6-9 and 6-8.25 (with shoes, Wikipedia). Now he’s measured at 6-7.

Reminds me of a former University of Illinois player who was listed as 6-10 while he was in high school, 6-9 when he was a freshman, 6-8 as a sophomore and 6-6 as a senior. I think he was really 6-4.

Any way, even before Beasley’s shrinking act, I wanted the Bulls to take Derrick Rose with the top pick. Rose visits the Bulls today and tomorrow.

Great game even though Cubs lost

Add comment June 18th, 2008

I didn’t see much of the game last night, but I was able to tune in for one of the most exciting ninth innings I’ve seen in a while.

Troy Percival is one of the best closers ever, so it looked grim when the Cubs came to bat. After all, they only had four hits in the first eight innings.

Geovany Soto led off with a shot that could have been a double if not for an excellent running catch by the left fielder, who banged up against the padded wall and held on to the ball.

Mark DeRosa followed with a single and Kosuke Fukudome hit a pinch hit double. With runners on second and third, Percival uncorked a high pitch that got by the catcher and allowed DeRosa to score and Fukudome to go to third.

Unfortunately Micah Hoffpauir struck out. Jim Edmonds then walked to put runners on first and third with two outs. Reed Johnson tried to surprise the Rays with a bunt but was thrown out on an excellent play by both the third baseman and first baseman.

The Cubs continue to show they can come back. They just couldn’t come back far enough last night. The Rays made the plays when they needed them most.