There are still Lieber, Gallagher and Marshall available for the rotation. At least try them before making a panic deal.

And, despite the mediocre starting pitching, the Cubs are still 18-13. Get the rotation straightened out and this team will be just fine.

but after watching gallagher…idk anymore! he looked good, looked determined. he wants to start, unlike hill who looks like a white dude in headlights. i think that a huge part of a young kid’s success is his self confidence – it can make them overachieve dramatically. sean looks like he got “it.” i don’t want him in the rotation yet – but in maybe a month max give him a start and see what happens

ps could totally be wrong, but he looked like ronny has looked – just badass “let me do my f*cking job!” mentality

Lieber, Marshall, Gallagher, I even read that Hart is being stretched out to start (which I’m not sure how much I like). I also wouldn’t be surprised to see Hill come back in 6 weeks-2 months and be #3-4ish in the second half. But that still doesn’t give us a #1.5-2 kind of guy to go with Zambrano. After Hill’s recent struggles, I’m guessing he’s less “untouchable” in the trade sense, so he’s someone else that could be trade bait as a “project”. Available pitchers of course depend on who’s contending, and the price will be high as other contenders (Brewers, Braves, Mets) in the NL would also like to add arms. One name I’ll throw out there that I’d at least want the Cubs to look into is A.J. Burnett. He’s pitched well against the likes of Bos & NY consistently, but has also had some injury stuff. I’d like to hear what others think about that idea, assuming Toronto isn’t contending in a couple months. Kevin Milwood will also be available, but I’m not sure I want him.

I have been saying the same thing you just posted! This team is good enough to get to the playoffs because there are plenty of weak teams to beat up on. However, beyond that we have a big problem! Look at what the Cubs have done against the good teams: Lost two series to Mil, lost to Philly & lost to St. Louis. We have only won series against Houston, Pittsburgh & Cincy. I dont count 2 game series although beating the Mets 2/2 should count as a good win, the only really good series win. So this begs the question; why cant we beat the good teams? My guess is the rotation and lack of timely hitting in big series. I think the hitting will come but I dont think starting pitching will suddenly show up. Hendry MUST make a deal at the deadline for a stud starter! Who is going to be available, that is the question.

If the Yankee’s somehow blow up then it is very possible that Mussina and Pettite could both be on the blocks. A swap of Hill for one of them would be very doable. I dont however expect the Yanks to be out of it at the trade deadline.

acquiring non-SP’s first may set up a deal for a SP.

While the trade market really won’t even start to heat up until a couple weeks after Memorial Day, you can bet Jim and Lou have already started discussing things. I have to believe there is so much going on that we don’t hear about, it would be downright scary if we were ever a fly on the wall during their discussions.

The Cubs have several interchangable parts right now. That may come into play when the trade market hits full speed ahead come July.

Right now I sure wish the starting rotation was….Zambrano, Dempster, Lilly, Lieber, Gallagher. The Cubs need to do something they have rarely done in their history, at that is to eat the contract of Jason Marquis if nobody will take him off our hands.

It would seem almost inevitable that Rich Harden to the Cubs trade talk will got hot and heavy at some point. I’m not advocating the oft-injured Harden. Merely saying what I think will become an all-consuming topic of conversation leading up to July 31st.

Frankly, I’m sick and tired of some of you saying Sean Marshall should be in the rotation. He shouldn’t be because, simply put, he isn’t a very good major league pitcher. His highest and best use is as a mop up man in the bullpen. That is until the league invariably figures out to hit his weak crap and he should be demoted to Triple A.

Piniella and Rothschild don’t want Marshall in the rotation. For very good reasons.