I normally like to keep my mouth shut and just read the blogs - unless I'm attending the away games Al is not - but I just need to blow off some steam.

Yesterday the Sun Times said Hendry's not ready to push the panic button:

http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-kiley06.html

After today's two unbelievably horrible showings (and yesterdays, and the day before that, and...), I hope he's changed his tune.  Right now the Cubs seem disheartened. That is, they seem to have lost determination and confidence, both at the plate and in the bullpen. This mid-season, all-around slump is not unusual for the Cubs, but this was not supposed to be the usual Cubs team (or was it?).

The solution, IMHO, is we need a Garciappara-like trade (which happened on Aug 2, 2004, and possibly a little too late) - a shake up - something to return this team's heart and confidence - to have any sort of chance. I know it didn't work last year, but last year we had other drama to deal with when a superstar entered the territory of another superstar.  This year I don't think we'll have such a clash of egos. Hendry needs to be pushing for a Dunn trade, or better.

But the continued question is, is this possible given the amount of money the Cubs are shelling out currently for players and former players? Are the obvious parties willing to shell out more $$$?

Another question - would it really be worth it?  I mean, does this team really have the talent to do something special? When I think about who we're talking about, Lee, Prior, Wood, Ramirez, Maddux, et al. (incl. Garciaparra?) - I think this team looks like it has talent - so what's missing right now?

Either Dusty's lost his touch or this team is just too much for him. A team that's faced so many severe ups and downs in terms of expectations and injuries has got to be hard to handle. Is it really a lack of talent? Is it really Dusty's fault he can't find a lead-off hitter (I haven't seen Walker lead off in a while)?  It may be that Dusty can't handle this bi-polar team (remember the Southern California 6 of 7? I do.) on his own and he needs the continued aid of Hendry's magic wand. Please Jim, for the sake of salvaging a season in which we should really have some sort of chance to make the playoffs or better, it's just about All-Star break time, it's time to shake things up (don't wait until it too late).

Thanks for letting me vent and if you have answers or opinions about my many questions, I would love to hear them - or if you just want to vent...

Clay