I do realize that it sucks to pay a guy for little production.  But the Cubs have the money.  If we don't get anything in return, why not just hold onto him?  Who knows whether Dempster or Leiber will come up with an injury, or Hill will have a bad outing and exit early necessitating using another starter.

Look at the Dallas Mavericks.  I am sure they would rather undo the signing of Erik Dampier.  However, they have him and may as well use him as a backup.  He is being paid far too much as a backup, but what is done is done and may as well use him to benefit the team.

The Mavs, like the Cubs have plenty of money so at least it doesn't prevent us from important free agent moves.

No teams are willing to trade anything of value for Marquis and will want us to pick up the entire tab. Why not just hold onto him then?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Not to mention any health issues in our rotation ...

I really hope Dempster has a great year.  You know he wanted to start in the past, but sacrificed himself to be the closer: he embraced a role not so much because he wanted it, but because the Cubs needed it. - TL

I'm glad Demp is leading for the 5th spot, I don't trust Marquis out there and it seems he consistently has trouble with his manager.  It would be nice to be able to hold onto Marquis for a month or two into the season so we can deal him to a team that is desperate.

Has Leiber pitched that much better than Marquis/Dempster to slot him as #4 in the rotation, as Miles claims?

And how about Marquis and Dempster on their own?  Have they been good/bad/ugly thusfar?

Wood was also solid as was the entire bullpen. Pie is showing himself as a starting regular, hitting with authority and patience. Ward was in mid season form at the plate and others including AAA players played well.

The only decisions are as follows: It seems to me that the following 5 starters and 6 relievers (11)and 11 position players are set, 8 starting regulars plus Blanco and Cintron...leaving 4 spots open....

What to do with Marquis?
What to do with Murton?
What to do with Fontenot?
What to do with Cedeno?
What to do with Fuld?
What to do with Patterson?
What to do with Marshall?

DeRosa & to a lessor degree Theriot offers so versatility...the next versatile player is probably Cedeno (on the field), then Patterson, then Fuld, Fontenot and Murton. Fonty & Murton offering more offense.....

I could see Patterson making this team for the month of April as the 25th player simply because the Cubs play in so many cold climate games and speed at the end of the game could be a difference. So then you have 2 more players (probably all three being position players unless the Cubs cannot trade Marquis).

With Cintron and if Patterson goes north (can back up CF) than Cedeno is on the bubble, with Patterson then Murton (23rd player) goes as a rightie-bat-off-the-bench, leaving one more player.....Fontenot or Fuld....and based on whether Fontenot can play SS in a pinch he goes as the 24th player.

Ward (IF-OF, PH par deluxe), Blanco(C), Cintron & Fontenot (IF utility), Patterson & Murton (OF) ....through April. But this means Marquis must be traded in a salary dump.

When May comes along then the decision will be between Fontenot or Patterson, as the final roster spot as the Cubs would probably recall a 7th relief pitcher.

Anyway. to prepare for my trip, I shaved my beard off and gave myself a pseudo-military haircut.  1/4" on top, 1/8" on the sides and some 1/16" edgework.  I'm gonna save so much money on shampoo...

2 outs

Fielder up

man on 3rd 1st 2 outs

swinging strike  0-2

passed ball  1-2 Kappler tries for home but goes back

check swing 2-2

pop up RF  3 outs  

Cubs 3-0

Fastball, chopper to 3rd to 1st

1 out

Fastball down  2-0

Fastball up, foul  2-1

Fastball outside corner  2-2

Slider away 3-2

Fastball way up

Walk

Fastball, base hit to LF

Gwynn at 3rd, Munson at 1st

Fastball in, basehit to RF

Gwynn in  Munson 2nd, Bush at 1st

Cubs 3-1

Munson in, Bush to 3rd, Weeks at 2nd

Cubs 3-2

Bush in, Weeks at 3rd

CUbs3-3

Curve down  2-0

Fastball basehit down LF line

Weeks in, Kapler to 2nd

Brewers 4-3

Fastball 1-1

Curve, swinging strike 1-2

Fastball out 2-2

Checkswing, strikeout

3 outs

Changeup in  1-1

pitch in  2-1

Changeup up and away 3-1

fastball up, basehit LF

Hart to 2nd, Escobar to 1st

pitch away 2-0

pitch in 2-1

hit to 3rd base out at 1st

1 out

Hart at 3rd, Escobar 2nd

pitch away 1-1

pitch up 1-2

curve ball, check swing, strikeout

2 outs

Bases loaded

Hill is coming out, Lehay is coming in

Slider away 1-0

Fastball down 2-0

Slider, foul 2-1

Fastball down, foul 2-2

Fastball, swinging strike three end of the inning

Brewers 4-3

sorry i will try to make it bakc on later

But it's ST-- and I don't care.

UW-Platteville alumni enjoyed watching the game from the Budweiser pavillion in right field. Brewers' fans were especially pleased with the outcome of the game.