I'm going to need more cowbell...and another starter
by MDBNIU on May 30, 2008 9:39 PM CDT
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PrintGreat game at the old ballpark today. Electric atmosphere and one of the most satisfying wins in a long time. Doesn't matter that it came against a wretched ballclub in Colorado. Anyway, the lackluster performance of Ted Lilly in 2008 convinces me more than ever that we MUST acquire a primetime starting pitcher if this team is going to make it to the promised land. Lilly has devolved into left-handed version of Jason Marquis. Hopefully he can get it going.
I like Dempster. But I'm not going to be seduced into thinking he can keep pitching like a bonafide # 2. I also like the promise of Gallagher. But right now thinking of him as anything more than a # 5 type starter is a mistake. So basically we are left with ace Zambrano, Dempster and three # 5 pitchers in Lilly, Marquis and Gallagher.
Jim Hendry, get this team Rich Harden. Trade whatever it takes to get him because THIS is the season that is our best chance in 100 years to win a bloody friggin World Series!!!!!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.
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"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on May 30, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 31, 2008 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions
If the Rockies continue to lose maybe
Jeff Francis?
"You know they're not going to lose 162 games." Harry Caray
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 30, 2008 9:59 PM CDT reply actions
Harden?
Season ending injury waiting to happen?
I agree SP has to get better. Will guy(s) step up? Maybe.
I like Lilly and Demp. I just don’t think they are #2 and #3 guys on a WS-championship team.
Well...
Actually, I think we are getting the best performances out of the current starters that we can expect. How can Zambrano pitch better? Dempster has been an overachiever all season. Marquis is Marquis. Gallagher is talented but still a rather green rookie. Lilly is the only guy who you would think can do better. But even that I’m not so sure about. His velocity (on the scoreboard at least) was in the low 80’s today. When Lilly was performing well in 2007 his velocity was in the 90-91 MPH range.
By default we need to look outside the organization for help in the rotation. I still say Rich Harden is the guy who will be available. When he is healthy he has the potential to be a top 5% pitcher. Imagine Zambrano and Harden firing on all cylinders come playoff time. Harden is always hurt, but beyond him I am hard pressed to come up with a more suitable name of somebody who will be available and reasonably attainable.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
and the best
performance is getting US the best team in b-ball
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 31, 2008 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh, lordy.
Here we are on the Rich Harden train again. It’s a train wreck. We have been down this road with The Former Employee before.
Plus, what makes anyone think that the A’s, who are only three games out of first place, will part with Harden if he is, by some miracle, healthy?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Al
Its like asking a dog why he went in the bedroom instead of outside?......btw….how bad are you missing Chicago right about now after this win? Its nice
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Yeah, no kidding.
But I’ll be back at the ballpark on Sunday!
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Maybe this is a pipedream
but the Indians don’t look like they’re going anywhere this year. Is it completely nuts to dream about them dealing Sabathia at the deadline?
Sorry, but this isn't 1984 revisited - no Rick Sutcliffe coming to the rescue
Even though they’re hanging on the wrong side of .500, with the way that division is, they won’t be out of it at the deadline. And with the pitching they have, they’re just a hot streak away from taking control of the AL Central.
The Indians still think they can sign Sabathia, even if it’s not til after the regular season. And even if this was all just public posturing and in private they’ve already resigned themselves to the fact that he’s gone, they won’t pull a White Flag deal – that’s just not how they operate. If anything, they’re going to try and add some offense and go for it all this year. Worst case scenario, they’ll get two high draft picks as compensation when CC leaves. And they’ll be very satisfied with that – gives them two more chances to reload and extend their farm system.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 31, 2008 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions
Good Grief
I don’t even know why I clicked on this diary. I should have realized that a title about getting another SP + the author being Blue Mike = Delusional fantasy about Rich Harden.
Why do I do this to myself?
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
because even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.
one of these days Blue Mike will hit the nail on the head… but alas, today is not it.
if we wanted a fragile pitcher to soak up a salary while rehabbing in arizona all year… well, we woulda’ just kept Prior. hell, if you want somebody to waste space on the 40-man roster, just go give Garcia his ten million and keep the prospects.
Lilly had a bad outing, true, but he had a couple of pretty good one’s before than and the Cubs still won. Zambrano had a bad outing last night, but the Cubs still won. pitchers have slumps, and pitchers get hot.. usually when the weather does. Summer is almost upon us and those beautiful Wrigley afternoons are coming with them. so let’s all take a big deep breath, pry our eyes away from the ESPN rumor page, and wait and see what happens in June, ‘cuz nobody’s actually gonna deal anybody until july.
How true
There should be some sort of filter on how many “Let’s go get a #2 pitcher” posts there are per week. It’s getting ridiculous, we’ve discussed it far too much.
"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"
#2 starter
We’re simply not going to win in the Playoffs when we’re facing the other teams aces, and we have to grind out wins with Lilly.
I suggested Aaron Cook earlier, but I doubt they’d trade him. I’m also on the Harden bandwagon. It’s a chance that you have to take if you want to win the WS.
What happens when we have to face the D’Backs, when they got Webb, Haren, and Johnson lined up? We’ve got Zambrano, who is having his best year so far, and IMO is the CY leader, an overachieveing Demp who I love having as our 3rd starter, and Lilly Marquis and…
Potential available pitchers IMO:
Sabathia
Francis
Harden
Blanton
Burnett
Bedard
Cliff Lee
Devin Hester, you are rediculous! -Jeff Joniak
That's a very optimistic list.
Here’s a list of guys that are more likely to be available, courtesy of Peter Gammons:
Paul Byrd
Zach Duke
Rich Harden
Jeremy Sowers
Derek Lowe
Vicente Padilla
Odalis Perez
Brett Tomko
Kevin Millwood
Jarrod Washburn
Isn’t that encouraging?
Our best hope to locate a dominating starter at the break is for Rich Hill to get his command back. Beyond that, there ain’t much and it ain’t cheap.
I say we find out once and for all what the Padres want for Maddux
just having him around will make all of our pitchers better
Vincente Padilla
has been having a good year. He could also provide some veteran leadership.
"You know they're not going to lose 162 games." Harry Caray
by wrigleyrocker12 on May 31, 2008 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I'd be happy with Padilla too...
and Harden of course, but I sure wouldn’t sell the farm for either one.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
depends on the price
Padilla’s had good starts before only to end up barely holding down a roster spot come august. also the Rangers aren’t certain to be sellers this year.
Padilla is having a good year. However,
he can’t even lead himself. How is he supposed to lead anyone else?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on May 31, 2008 1:07 AM CDT reply actions
scotch eggs
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on May 31, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Heart attack on a stick
(if they were on sticks)
"Is there anything he can't do?" ~Len Kasper, 4/5/08, on Kosuke Fukudome
cubs
i,d love to have derek lowe and maddux???offer up murton.after all we traded him for izturiz. f*%##ng great move that was.and why wont the cardinals go away.
Hey, everyone...
... could we try to limit the number of egg posts?
Thanks.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
i coulda swore
the pitching staff we have now has helped get the best record in baseball to date.
It might beeeeee!! It could beeeeeee!! It issssss!! Homerun!! Holyyyyyyy Cow!!!
By scoring at a clip I will bet several C-notes
that will not be continued through out the rest of the season.
I think the embattled fanposter here is talking strictly on the SP front. Sorry but I just don’t see a WS title with the 1,2,3 the Cubs have now. I could be wrong and I hope I am but they have to keep their options open to continued improvement.
Would it be inappropriate to say...
...MDBNIU has a harden for Harden?
Nanika Ga Okoru!
Oh, and remember, folks: Alfonso Soriano is NOT batting leadoff. He's batting first.
No it wouldn't
Nicely done!!!
"Please move away from this vector and get into another coordinate pronto. There's no access for you in this quadrant." Mike Donnelly
Watch out, now!
And be sure to try the veal.
"And there's a...BASE HIT! Fair ball! Fontenot will score! CUBS WIN!" -Len Kasper, 5.28.08
by neverAcquiesce on May 31, 2008 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
NO
But I have to ask why? I still think he’s a season-ending injury waiting to happen.
I like his stuff but I’m looking for “Good” and “Durable”.
MADDUX !!!
Ok he is NOT a # 2 but better than any 4-5. Last night typical for him
6 innings 2 runs and blown lead by the San Diego bullpen and they won the game
in 13. Apparently the Padres are bored by 9 inning games.
Maddux will only cost the remainder of his salary ( roughly 3.2 million if it is a deadline deal) and a face saving player/prospect. Of course he has to WANT to come to the Cubs
vs Dodgers and or Braves but like I said you won’t have to give up any major players.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Dude
will you shut the _ up about Rich Harden already? You must be mentally challenged or something! It’s like rain man and Wapner…or K Mart..or whatever. SHUT UP MAN! Enjoy something for a change!!!!!!!!!!!! Or…just go away.
Calm down.
Can't tell him to go away w/o providing
an argument why. I don’t always agree with MDBNIU and in fact usually don’t…..however, telling someone to just shut up (hey, what happened to that on Mike-and-Mike?) without a backup ain’t it.
Come on, Kinky I think you can provide a solid counter point or two.
how about the fact that
Harden isn’t likely to be off the DL list for most of the rest of the year?
And..
Egg yolk.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on May 31, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions
OK, that first part is good
and I’ve feared he’s a season injury waiting to happen…
...but help me out here, what is all this egg and egg yolk thing about?
Sorry
got a bit annoyed with hearing it from him. Truthfully, my initial response was because I am SO VERY SICK of hearing him say Rich Harden. However, I would have to say that if I were to provide some factual support for my argument it WOULD be he injury history. If one looks at his numbers in 2007 or even 2008 (limited sample) he looks like a solid pitcher. But…if we are going to trade away important pieces of out future and/or current team (which is in 1st with the best record in the league), then I want someone who will put up those numbers consistently throughout the rest of the season.
I want to know the pitcher we pick up, should we pick one up, is a solid contributor the rest of the season.
Calm down.
by Kinky Reggae on Jun 1, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Same thread different name
How long ago were we convinced that Soriano had to go and were throwing out names. Then it’s Theriot when he has a slump. Marquis absolutely had to go and we can’t we get this ace or that.
If you play fantasy baseball, I would guess your the type who thinks he needs Pujols at !st, Uggla at 2nd, Rollins for your ss, A-rod at 3rd, and bitch about your C while you try to cheat someone out of Russell martin or Martinez.
I agree that you can’t have enough top talent, but be realistic. The Cubs can’t trade aces, or OF studs without giving up guys like D.Lee or Ramirez. The ideal thing would be to bring up guys from the minors who develop into the types of players we need.
Enjoy all the guys we have because they are 14 games over .500. Get behind guys like Edmunds, instead of holding the door open for him, can possible push out a hot streak from him.
Don't acquire another starter = Failed season
Rich Harden. If not him, then go after Derek Lowe.
"It is never too early to start beefing up your obituary."
EGGregious hYperbOLe, K?
"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott
eggzaktly.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08
by drewishdrewid on Jun 1, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't aquire eggs at the store = failed breakfast
Eggs. If not those, then go after Egg beaters.
"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derek Lee, 5/29/08
Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!
6 Starts
3-0 Record
2.60 ERA
35 IP
41 Ks
Felix Pie, Tony Thomas, Sean Marshall … DO IT
Get Rich Harden !! 6 starts, 3-0, 35 IP, 41 Ks, 2.60 ERA
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