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Gary Hughes is scouting the Padres

Cubs2_tiny by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on

According to a report in today's San Diego Union-Tribune,  Gary Hughes (asst. to Jim Hendry was at Petco Park last night -- witnessing Greg Maddux's strong performance. (Still, it was  loss -- Maddux's 11 th  straight start without a victory since he won on May 10th.) Maddux went 6, giving up 4 hits, 2 earned runs, walking 1 and striking out 3 in the Punchless Padres 3-1 loss to the Marlins.

Maddux is now 3-7, with an ERA of 3.90 in 112 innings. 56 K's,  22 walks.

The Padres beat writer speculates that either Maddux or Randy Wolf, who will pitch tonight are both being considered as being involved in trade deals with the Cubs.

Wolf is 5-8, with an ERA of 4.59. He's lost 4 in a row, with an 8+ ERA in those starts -- however, in two of those games, he allowed only 2 earned runs. The Pads were outscored 26-6 in those four losses. (Wolf is 3-12 lifetime against the Marlins.)

 

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Yes on Maddux, no on Wolf.

My position on this is well known and hasn’t changed.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 1:10 PM CDT   0 recs

+1

Just because I don't care doesn't mean I don't understand. - Homer J Simpson

by MikeOxbyg on Jul 8, 2008 1:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I definitely agree about Wolf...

...but I’m still waffling on Maddux.

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 8, 2008 1:31 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes to the professor for Marquis and still yest to Harden too

As for Greg Maddux, yes to him so he can rub off on the Sean’s and prepare the rest of the staff mentally for the playoffs as the 5th starter. Trade Marquis in a money deal, Cubs would have to add another throwin…but Maddux is due roughly 47% of his $10M contract, and Marquis is due $9M next year and 47% of his 6M this year. Send SD consideration for Marquis’ balance and call it even.

That still does not diminish the need for a top of the rotation starter ala Harden.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 8, 2008 2:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

well

it’s pretty obvious they’re masochists already—after all, they still actually PLAY the game… :P :P :P

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 2:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, you might be able to convince them

that PETCO could mitigate some of his shittyness.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jul 8, 2008 2:21 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wow

I’m not sure Petco can fix that

by denvercubbies on Jul 8, 2008 3:53 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed...

We already have a better version of Wolf in Sean Marshall.

by crazymountain on Jul 8, 2008 2:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I would like Maddux's numbers

I just think its time to let him go. He was great in Chicago but I think bringing him back for a 3rd time would be a little much.

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 1:13 PM CDT   0 recs

What good would getting Greg Maddux do?

No team is going to be afraid of him. And we all know that it’s the fear of ROYAL PITCHING that wins games.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 8, 2008 1:16 PM CDT   0 recs

if he strip-pitched

ie, took off a piece of clothing for every hit (every run?) then maybe people would be more afraid…

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 1:29 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

PITCHING IS KING!!!

AH-HAHAHAHHA!!! PITCHING IS KING!!! (Daver falls to the floor cackling insanely.)

Nanika Ga Okoru!

by dat cubfan daver on Jul 8, 2008 1:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for spoiling this

Will do a long post later but a few bits. There is one big mistake. It was ONE EARNED run last night thank you. The OTHER run was an error by our friend Myers no hit , no field SS Green.

Now this is a SHORT version. Maddux and Wolf are for back end rotation ( I will expound
on my theory on how we can get “rid” off Marquis later). There is no question Maddux
would be a BIG improvement. Guess what no one was EVER afraid of him , his job is
to get guys OUT which he still does fine. Petco or no you should have seen him last night
and it is not like the Marlins are bad hitting team.

Anyway more later

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 1:20 PM CDT   0 recs

I just want to note that Gary Hughes...

...lives in (and works out of) Southern California; he didn’t have to travel that far to go see the Padres, and likely sees them in the course of normal coverage every so often. Teams are always scouting other teams.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 1:24 PM CDT   0 recs

Maybe he just wanted to see Greg

get his 351st win.

More seriously – he may have been watching someone other than Maddux if he was scouting. There’s also Khalil Greene.

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 1:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do not TOUCH Greene

He is batting worse than ANDRUW Jones and committing a lot of errors Something is wrong with him.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 1:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

If by "a lot of errors"...

...you mean “three fewer than Ryan Theriot,” then sure, Khalil Greene has committed a lot of errors. What makes this even more impressive is that Greene has committed fewer errors than Theriot while recording 54 more zone rating outs.

And that thing about batting worse than Andruw Jones is simply not true in any conception of batting that I can figure – he has a higher batting average, OPS+, Runs plus RBIs… what on earth are you even talking about here?

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 1:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Should have qualified the Andruw Jones thing

Actually the stat I was freaking on was Khalil with runners in scoring position. He was
batting .083 before he made an out last night so it has gone down but in fact he IS just
ahead of Andruw. Seriously have you watched him this past month . He is PUTRID.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ah, RISP.

In other words, a split with no predictive value. Gotcha.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 2:27 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You sir, are a man amongst boys

when it comes to stats. I have been reading posts on this site for a few years and on GROTA and I cannot think of anyone with the grasp on stats that you have. It really is amazing and makes me wonder where you get all the free time.

That being said, I would like to curse you for making me look at Theriot in a more rational way and ask you never to do the same to DeRosa.

"I'm not giving him a high-five ever again." - Sammy Sosa, joking about Moises Alou's personal habits

by MorePiePlease on Jul 8, 2008 3:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Mark DeRosa is awesome.

He’s having an oustanding year on offense, playing defense well at second base (and elsewhere), and is probably in the top five second basemen in the NL, if not MLB.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Jul 8, 2008 4:00 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes he is.

Now if my girlfriend would just appreciate him for the same reasons I do and not her own reasons I’d be perfectly happy.

"I'm not giving him a high-five ever again." - Sammy Sosa, joking about Moises Alou's personal habits

by MorePiePlease on Jul 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Greene would mean more than any starting pitcher

just by covering ground that Theriot doesn’t…..

by crazymountain on Jul 8, 2008 2:24 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Right.

I know that Greene can be a maddening hitter, but he’d clearly be a HUGE defensive upgrade over Theriot.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 8, 2008 2:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And given the balance of the season

there’s a decent chance he hits better than Theriot for the rest of the season, too.

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 3:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought he lived in the Bay Area

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 8, 2008 1:32 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

This SF Chronicle article from today says so … in reference to his scouting Harden recently.

If he just wanted to take in a game last night, Oakland was playing at home.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 8, 2008 1:35 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

NorCal

Gary Hughes lives in the Bay Area.

Donut jokes are not funny. They're way past funny. They're frickin' hilarious.

by MaTheMeatloaf on Jul 8, 2008 4:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes on Mad Dog

He wont surprise anyone or over power them but he is very consistant and is still one the greatest pitchers in this era. He will give us big innings when we need them. He can handle the bat as good as anyone. If we dont need him as a started he would be a great long and middle relief guy. And I think we could get him for little to nothing.

by pickupman21 on Jul 8, 2008 1:25 PM CDT   0 recs

No on both

I’m ok to continue sending SD our crap but I really hope Hendry can do better than that in terms of what he brings back.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 8, 2008 1:26 PM CDT   0 recs

reaching a ways here but

would the Pads in such dissaray would Peavy ever become available?

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 1:33 PM CDT   0 recs

Probably not

but they might trade us Prior.

by DGU on Jul 8, 2008 1:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

only..

if its Prior of 03

by pickupman21 on Jul 8, 2008 1:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he hasn’t been delegated to be used as spare parts for other pitchers yet?

"Look at it this way: If you're a Cubs fan, the Greatest Day of Your Life is yet to come." ~ Cubs Forever

by IvyOnTheWall on Jul 8, 2008 1:38 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Peavy

Not a chance

by cubs on Jul 8, 2008 1:37 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

other than that

Maddux….........No
Wolf…..............No

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 1:34 PM CDT   0 recs

Iffy

I would say no on Wolf, a definite no actually. Maddux however is one of those guys that you can never quite say no to. Look, he is not the Maddux of old, but he is also only getting 3.35 of run support per game. He is also a great guy to have in the clubhouse, as we all know.

Look, do we need another ace? That is the question. Would I like to get Harden? Sure, probably. But what are we going to give up for him? Maddux would probably come pretty inexpensively. Look, Z and Dempster have been great all season. Lilly has turned the corner. Even Marquis has been pretty good recently. I think Maddux would be a perfect fit as a number 4 type of guy.

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 8, 2008 1:35 PM CDT   0 recs

As I said in my original post aboiut Maddux in May...

... he may not be the BEST pitcher out there, but he is the RIGHT one.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 1:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Irrelevant comparison.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 1:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's not a comparison, Al, it's a commentary on the logic.

“Greg Maddux is the RIGHT pitcher” is meaningless. I believe we’ve gone through this already. “I think Greg Maddux is the right pitcher” is fine, but you state it like it’s an unassailable fact. Lots of folks believe the opposite.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 8, 2008 1:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure, it's my opinion.

I figured people knew that.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 2:07 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

and if you don't like it

well, he has others.

:P

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 2:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Ha.

Alan Trammell: Assistant (to the) Manager

by northsider on Jul 8, 2008 2:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The difference between Want and Need

we all may want to get some fireballing ACE like Lincecum or Webb. But do we NEED it. We have a rock solid team. We’re in first place. We need a couple of tweaks. And one of those is a back end starter, not a 1-2-3 guy.

They call me MISTER Fukudome!

by brokenland on Jul 8, 2008 1:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No

We are overloaded with back-end starters. What we have screaming need for is a frontline starting pitcher who preferably throws hard. Our second need is another high grade bullpen arm.

Get Rich Harden, Tim Hudson or AJ Burnett RIGHT NOW !!! No more living in denial and rationalizing away the holes on this pitching staff. No more Luvable Loser syndrome getting in the way of gunning for a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Jul 8, 2008 1:52 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+2

"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun

by Bump Bailey on Jul 8, 2008 2:36 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+4

we have enough guys like Maddux

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 2:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

we don't have

ANYONE like Maddux. There’s only ONE Maddux.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 2:41 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

ur talking about the 08 version ?

or the 1995? version?

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 2:42 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

any version.

I’m not suggesting he’s a lights-out pitcher. There are significant intangibles when it comes to Maddux that no one else brings.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 2:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Like

fake stirrup socks

by oeosoto on Jul 8, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Highly underrated.

"I've always felt that starting pitching is the most important part of the rotation." - Joe Morgan, Sunday Night Baseball 8-12-07

by gary varsho on Jul 8, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I bought some when I was in Toronto

True story.

''Listen, losing Soriano is no box of chocolates.'' ~Lou Piniella

by JohnM on Jul 8, 2008 3:08 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

ok

like the intangibles in 04? no playoffs
or in 05….........no playoffs
or in 06?............no playoff berth
last year…......ooops! no playoffs again!
I like the guy as much as any but we need a frontline guy…......at this popint he’s just a guy

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 2:45 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

he can't

make the whole team be good.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 8, 2008 2:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

You talking about Maddux?

Yes, he did go to the playoffs in 2006, with the Dodgers.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Jul 8, 2008 2:47 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I stand corrected!

But…........4 IP 7hits and 4 ER does not give me alot of playoff confidence

I do agree however….....that if he’s cheap I’d take him but not in lieu of a power arm like Harden or Burnett

by plenz on Jul 8, 2008 2:55 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How do you think the Dodgers GOT THERE in 06

After the Cubs traded him to the Dodgers who
were not doing well. Maddux was fantastic ( he almost pitched a no-hitter against the Reds his first game for them but got stymied by a rain delay ) . If you ask any
Dodger fan they will tell you getting Maddux made the difference.
Something to think about.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 3:03 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

How do you think the Dodgers GOT THERE in 06

After the Cubs traded him to the Dodgers who
were not doing well. Maddux was fantastic ( he almost pitched a no-hitter against the Reds his first game for them but got stymied by a rain delay ) . If you ask any
Dodger fan they will tell you getting Maddux made the difference.
Something to think about.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 3:04 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

THANK YOU!

Too true! I think Maddux in the pen ensures we’re ready in October. I think we also offer WAY more run support than the Padres (and yes, I know Wrigley ain’t Petco), and look. Marquis is going to break down—Maddux is more than adequate to replace that, and he gets the front line starters (Z, Demp, Lilly) ready, and offers mentoring ability for Marshall and Gallagher, etc. This is a great trade in my mind, and we don’t have to give up much.

These are the saddest of possible words: "Tinker to Evers to Chance"

by slcathena on Jul 8, 2008 2:46 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

The one and only Maddux

The guy who threw FIVE pitches to get the Marlins out last night
in the first inning. How bout some of you watch him pitch a game or two.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 8, 2008 2:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

+5

Maddux is not the answer!

by cubdreamer on Jul 8, 2008 3:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Considering who is available

High grade bullpen arm is more likely to pay off more for us. Since the chance of getting a “frontline starting pitcher” is fairly unlikely.

by StevenABQ on Jul 8, 2008 1:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree on the bullpen arm

would love to see Linebrink in Cubbie Blue, I remember being a bit jealous when the Sox signed him.

Go ahead, Z me.

by tony412 on Jul 8, 2008 1:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

We all know what he can do and we could get rid of a couple relievers to AAA and get the good ones back when the rosters expand for the playoffs.

by pickupman21 on Jul 8, 2008 1:43 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

What I see IF Maddux came back

is he could be a Wakefield type pitcher for us. Pound another team with power starters z and Dempster and our bullpen then pitch the finesse pitcher in Maddux. Not saying he is the best choice or is a choice. That’s just what I see as his plus for us. Wakefieldand his knuckle ball has done wonders for the Red sox at times.

This is only the beginning....Lou Pinella end of '07 season and Chicago Transit Authority (the band when they were really good).

by mrcubsfan on Jul 8, 2008 2:02 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Unfortunately, Greg Maddux would exasperate the current condition of being overloaded with 5 and 6 inning pitchers

We are already in significant danger of running the bullpen ragged by the end of summer.

Get Rich Harden, Tim Hudson or AJ Burnett RIGHT NOW !!! No more living in denial and rationalizing away the holes on this pitching staff. No more Luvable Loser syndrome getting in the way of gunning for a World Series.

by MDBNIU on Jul 8, 2008 1:38 PM CDT   0 recs

This is sort of an actual, real valid point.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 8, 2008 1:40 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Just got back in town and was catching up. Saw this. Are you feverish? Should we call and ambulance?

by N Oakley on Jul 8, 2008 2:01 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I said "sort of" and I stand by it...

getting Maddux is a sideways move. If we’re going to add something, I’d rather it be for someone who is going to make a bigger impact on the team. Otherwise, I’m willing to stand pat with what we’ve got.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 8, 2008 2:06 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Slightly OT

Has the Lincecum article from SI been discussed around here?

http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1141385/1/index.htm

The sections on Prior and Brownlie appear scary relevant as us fans clamor for a front line pitcher and the Oakland brass identified Prior and Brownlie up front as having breakdown issues.

by N Oakley on Jul 8, 2008 2:38 P