If the Cubs want to solidify their playoff chances then acquisition of a primetime starting pitcher is imperative. A.J. Burnett would look awfully good in the Cub rotation pitching behind Carlos Zambrano.

...at exactly the same time. 11:51 am. So who’s gonna blink?

granted that he stays healthy throughout the season and hopefully the postseason as well. He’s also a cheaper option than someone like Rich Harden, who Billy Beane is asking a fortune for. He’s got great stuff and I would love it if he came to Chicago.

We need Burnett, especially since Marquis is so unpredictable. But getting Burnett probably won’t happen since the Jays will be wanting too much in return. Go CUB!

Sabathia .. a rotation of Zambrano-Burnett-Lilly-Dempster-Gallagher would be excellent!

As long as Hendry doesn’t trade Gallagher I’m happy .. trade anybody in the farm, but do not trade Gallagher.

If I get to choose any of the pitchers rumored to be on the market, the one I want is Zack Greinke: 3.48 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, no injury-worries, a fresh arm, 24 years old, and we’ll have him under control for more than just half a year.

And the dream scenario is to find a way to get Greinke and Maddux on the same team (but not totally a dream because if we need two pitchers something has gone wrong somewhere).

So if we trade for him, I hope he doesn’t command an “ace” type bounty in return. He has never won more than 12 games in a season (he should this season however) and always has an ERA in the high 3’s.

Looks like a solid #2.

Z did something very similar last year after fans gave him a hard time about a bad start, and we all still love Big Z and wouldn’t ever say he was a bad influence in the clubhouse.

I’m not saying I’m in love with the idea of Burnett, just something to think about.

I dunno about Burnett. I think the Cubs could do better going out and getting somebody else. Besides, he could have kept his opinions to himself, and if he wanted to leave, he could have just told his GM to trade him. He didn’t need to turn it into something public. I do wonder if his “makeup” isn’t right for this team.

he knows the team is cleaning house and he’ll probably be gone before the season’s over. Burnett was asked about Chicago and he favored the Cubs as an alternative to go play for. That’s all.

He would be an improvement over Gallagher, for example, and whether a trade for him would be worth it depends on what it costs the Cubs. I agree with MDBNIU that the Cubs need a starter (and perhaps a reliever too, down the road if Lou keeps burning the arms of a few of those who are now in the bullpen) to be favorites to win it all in October.

provided we get CC first and AJ doesn’t cost a lot. The Indians have spent an awful lot of resources scouting our guys, major and minors. As I said between Matlock updates on the game post, I think Shapiro has already talked to Hendry. And, I don’t think Jim would pull the trigger UNLESS a long term deal was already on the board with CC. Burnett would be fine, if he is cheap, as his injury history is unsettling. That being said, I think that, above all, we keep Gallagher. IF we get a signed CC, Burnett looks really good in the pinstripes…

signed,

Jim Edmonds haters

I heard on the local sports radio this morning that the Yankees have their eyes on CC. I’d certainly prefer him over any of the other alternatives discussed on this thread.

Cubs get:
SP Tim Lincecum

Giants get:
SS Ryan Theriot
CF Felix Pie
SP Donald Veal
SP Jeff Samardzija

That would totally happen, right?