We all know it was pretty much a foregone conclusion... today MLB named Geovany Soto the National League Rookie of the Year.  Soto is the first Cub to win the Rookie of the Year since Kerry Wood in 1998, and Jerome Walton in 1989.

 Soto is the first catcher to win Rookie of the Year in the National League since Mike Piazza 15 years ago, in 1993.  In his first full year in the majors, Soto batted .285, with 23 homers, and 86 RBI.  Soto led all rookies with his 86 RBI, and was superb behind the dish.

The trade deadline is coming up soon, as in 6 days.  What should Hendry do?  Find a taker, (if he can), for Marquis?  Find another arm for the bullpen, or will the Shark fit in nicely?  Do the Cubs need another bat, especially a left handed bat?  Does the team dare trade a piece of the future for something to augment this year?  There are a lot of possibilities out there.  Houston Street?  Duescher?  Marte?  Who could it be?

Good morning everybody.  It's time once again for roster talk.  Let's get together here and discuss what we think the roster will, could, should, or even might look like over the next week until Fonzie comes back.  Another bat should come up today, will it be Hoff, or maybe Pie?  Who is the pitcher to go down?  We know the team is looking for a RH hitter off the bench and to spell starter(s) in the OF.  Marquis is on the block as well, can the Cubs get anyone to take on enough of his money to make a trade?  If big Jim does make a trade for either need mentioned above, who could it be?  Will Cedeno be moved, either down to AAA, or traded?  It's time for Roster Talk.  (Feel free to bring all possible nicknames to the roster(s) you post.  Let's have fun until tonight at 7:00 CT.

Went to Saturday's game.  Had a great time with one of my longest, bestest friends, Goodie1969.  The sun turned me into a lobster.  Couldn't even have a cigarette for almost 5 hours!  We all know how the game turned out, and thank God it turned out positive, or there might have been a mutiny.  I was there. 

Harden was impressive, in fact, he was beyond impressive.  Great velocity, and he just seemed to throw with no effort.  Ed got a double & a 2-run HR, with 4 rbi.  I was happy.

Then...  suddenly, the game was tied.  Marmol has really been struggling, but he wasn't that bad on Saturday.  I know what you all are saying.  Marmol did hit a batter, walk a batter, but only two of the hits were really solid.  And both of those two were ground balls.  The other hits given up were ground balls that just squirted under the glove.  Marmol should have just tried to make the play at first, and let the run score from third on the dribbler to the first base line.  Theriot should have ate the ball.  By that time though, you could see & sense that the Cubs were playing frantically- wondering how they blew the lead.  Lou always talks about putting a player in a position to succeed.  I understand that Marmol is the type of pitcher that needs to get regular work, (bordering on over-use).  When he gave up a run, or even when he did the splits trying to get that dribbler, LOU SHOULD HAVE TAKEN HIM OUT.  Woody, unknown to us, was unavailable.  However, Marshall was up warming with one out.  Lou should have taken Marmol out to save the game, and his psyche.  Saturday's near loss was all on Lou.  I think Lou knew it as well, since he had to have a beer before he was interviewed after.

With all this being said, kudos to Marshall.  He set down 6 in a row impressively, and got a hit to start the winning rally in the 11th.  Fontenot really laid down a crappy bunt.  It was to the third baseman, (where it should have been), but far too hard.  Marshall didn't stand a chance.  Thank God that Hendry picked up both ED and RayJay.  When Johnson hit the single that won the game, I saw it go just under the 2nd baseman's glove and immediately turned around, started jumping up and down, screaming, "CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN, CUBS WIN."  I had no idea it would be that close at home, and DeRo made a great slide. 

All in all what a great day.  When the game was over, not many wanted to sing "Go Cubs Go", me included.  It was more of a relief that they won, not time to celebrate.  Let's hope Gaudin can continue to pitch well, and that Hendry picks up another arm for the bullpen- Fuentes?  I think Marmol will be fine.  I hope Marmol will be fine.  Can't wait for the second half. 

It's time to realistically discuss what the roster might look like in the second half.  Do you anticipate changes?  If so, what do you think they might be?  Let's be realistic here though.  Just signed players, like Cashner, will not be on the big team this year.  One of the many "starting" pitchers will have to go.  The bullpen could use a slight face lift.  Should the Cubs make any changes in the infield, and if so, do you think they will?  So, let us talk, (write), it up...

This has been discussed in many of the threads today, however, these threads are getting really L-O-N-G.  We need a new one. 

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