As has been discussed to death, there are few power-hitting outfielders available, even if the Cubs were looking to move Kosuke to centerfield. 

I propose something different: a power-hitting second-baseman.

Rich Hill and Matt Murton for Kelly Johnson and Royce Ring. 

Atlanta is playing well, but has a need at starting pitcher.  They are loaded with LH power, with Jones, Teixiera, and McCann. Even Kotsay and Gregor Blanco are adding OBA from the left side.  One of their prime prospects is Brent Lillibridge, currently a SS.  They have an assortment of other potential 2Bmen: Ruben Gotay, Martin Prado, Omar Infante.  Matt Diaz, their RH-hitting LFer, is struggling with a below-.600 OPS. 

The Cubs could bat Johnson in the lower part of the order, with Fukudome moving up to the #2 spot.  Kelly has had some minor injury problems, but DeRosa could play against lefties or fill in as needed.  Now DeRosa has hit very well this year, but could see more regular time in RF, or just be the top bench guy. 

I'm interested in your analysis. 

 UPDATE:  Thanks for all the discussion.  By the way, Matt Diaz went on the DL after being injured last night.  The Braves might have some interest in Murton in a minor deal. 

Iowa Cubs

Matt Murton arrived in Sacramento to join the I-Cubs, and promptly went 2-2 with a walk.  Kevin Hart started and pitched three innings, as the Cubs are apparently trying to stretch him out.  He gave up a walk and three singles in the first, leading to two runs, then settled down.  JR Mathes followed with five innings and took the loss.  Iowa dropped this one 5-4 . 

Andres Blanco had three hits.  He is now at .316/.357/.392.  A .750 OPS with a little speed and good defense means we may have a decent backup in AAA, if the Cubs do decide to trade Cedeno or Theriot, as folks on this board have suggested.  Blanco's stats versus righties are .345/.397/.414.  He's 24, and only had 99 AB last year before getting hurt.  His lifetime minor league OPS is only .613.  Is it possible he has figured something out this year, or will we look back in a month and say "small sample size?"

Tennessee Smokies

The AA squad lost to Jacksonville, also 5-4 .  Most relevant is Scott Eyre's inning: flyout, groundout, groundout.  Maybe he's about ready.  Doug Deeds was the top hitter on the day, with two singles and a double.  Tanner Watson took the loss.  Lefties are just killing him this year. 

Daytona Cubs

The Daytona lineup was all shook up against a lefty starter.  Jon Wyatt hit sixth, and Tony Thomas eighth.  The offense came through, beating Ft. Myers 6-4.  Ty Wright his his first homer, and Jim Adduci, Wellington Castillo, Russ Canzler, and Thomas each had two hits. 

Billy Petrick pitched for the first time this year.  He threw two hitless innings, with no BB or K. 

Peoria Chiefs

Peoria dropped a tough one , 2-0 to South Bend.  Ryno's team only managed four hits.  Hung-Wen Chen made his third start: 7 H and 2 ER in 5 IP. 

Iowa Cubs

Josh will post a first-hand account of the game at Sacramento later.

Tennessee Smokies

The Tennessee Smokies lost big to Jacksonville, 10-1.  Mitch Atkins took the loss.  The sixth inning was a comedy of errors, including a dropped ball on a forceout attempt at home.  The Smokies only managed five hits. 

Daytona Cubs

Daytona also lost , 5-2 to Fort Myers.  Jonathan Wyatt had two doubles and a run scored.  Others with two hits include Adduci, Lalli, and Barney.  Adam Harben struggled, giving up five runs on 4BB and 6H in 4.2 innings, with only 3 Ks.  Darin Downs was solid in relief, as was Casey Lambert.

Peoria Chiefs
 
Ryno's squad salvaged the day for the organization, beating South Bend 4-3.  Dylan Johnston hit his third homer, and Blake Parker got the win with 2.1 innings of relief.  Parker induced a grounder to second with the bases loaded and two out in the fifth, and then struck out three hitters over the next two innings.

Sam Fuld was awarded the Dernell Stenson Award by the Arizona Fall League.  Story is here.

Fuld has juvenile diabetes and the award recognizes his work with children's programs related to the disease, as well as his work ethic as a baseball player.  The article is the most extensive write-up I have seen on Fuld's life.

I hadn't realized that he was unable to play the summer he was drafted because of a shoulder injury.  After playing four years in college, then missing that summer, he has been old for his leagues, but seems to still be improving.  

Again, I am not advocating any moves, just trying to understand the news and rumors I'm reading.

If the Angels sign Alex Rodriguez, will they be motivated to deal Orlando Cabrera, or do they have lots of slack to sign ARod?

With the Cubs rumored to be interested in Kaz Matsui, is it possible they think Matsui could play shortstop on a regular basis?  He has been somewhat better against righties in his career.

Why isn't anyone talking about Alexei Ramirez?  If he gets clearance to enter the US, and is a free agent, is he major-league ready? Info at http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=597

Is Tony Giarratano better than Ronny Cedeno or Ryan Theriot?  Is there any shortstop who spent all of 2007 in AAA that is?

Are the Rangers open to dealing Michael Young in their rebuilding mode?  Should we care?

These are just some things I was wondering reading rumors and headlines.  This is just to stimulate discussion--I'm not advocating any particular moves.

1. Frank Wren has said the Braves want a one-year stopgap in centerfield.  If the Cubs were to send them Jacque Jones, what prospect might we get in return?  Is it possible to trade a player on the DL, such as asking for Mike Gonzalez, who won't be back from elbow surgery until late in 2008, but would be under club control in 2009?
2. How bad is Rocco Baldelli's injury history?  Would the Rays consider a package like Sean Marshall and Eric Patterson for him?  Where could the Cubs flip Baldelli if they got him?
3. How well did Chad Tracy play the outfield that one year in Arizona?  b-ref says his range factor and fielding pct. were about average.  Is he a possible acquisition for RF?  What would it take to get him?
4. If Felix Pie wins the starting CF job in the Spring (or on the basis of his winter ball progress), would you let him start every day so you get full advantage of his defensive strength?  Or would you platoon him with a righty to downplay his offensive weakness against lefthanded pitchers?  Who would be available as a platoon partner?

That's my inference from his comments in this article.  

He says he would like to play near home (Ft. Lauderdale) for the Marlins and Fredi Gonzalez.  If not, he will look to play somewhere where he can DH as well as play outfield.  

Sounds like Cliff was able to put family issues to rest along with his father in Chicago this year.  Thanks, Cliff for your part in the Cubs' playing winning baseball this year, and we wish you the best!

Assuming things pan out in the next couple of hours, I'm going to be flying out Tuesday night for the first two games of the NLDS.

Tickets are still available through the Diamondbacks web site.  I assume they'll sell out once the Cubs are announced as the official opponent.  I have some extras I'll probably sell on ebay for around face value.  

I'm thinking the first game might be in the afternoon.  If so, some of us could meet up after the game.  If you're going to be at the Arizona games, post your plans or Q&A here!

And then there were four.  

Iowa Cubs

John Nelson hit two home runs. Fan appreciation, baby!  Joel Santo, promoted all the way from Daytona because they were rained out their last three games, and Iowa needed a starter, gave up 4 runs in 7 innings.  Koyie Hill was the DH.  And, thus endeth 2007 for the Iowa team: Losing 5-4.

Tennessee Smokies

Tyler Colvin had two hits.  Jeff Samardzija gave up four runs in four innings.  And the Smokies limped into the playoffs by virtue of having the second-best overall record to Huntsville, which won the division championship in both halves of the season.  Carolina 4, Tenn 3.

Peoria Chiefs

Darwin Barney hit his second home run of the season.  Jose Ceda struck out 6 batters in 2.1 innings.  Al Maestri struck out the side in the ninth.  And Sandberg's team ended the regular season with a 5-2 win over Cedar Rapids.  

Boise Hawks

Tony Thomas had two hits, including a homer.  Zach Ashwood, a switch-hitting pitcher, did not get booed after earning the win with 5 strong innings.  Boise wins, 5-3.

Thomas is now at .307/.397/.540 for the season, with 40 R, 26 SB (only 2 CS) in 44 games.  Jon Wyatt is at .307/.407/.462, with 59 R and 40 RBI in 64 games.  

The Hawks have two games left.  The season is now over for Iowa, Daytona, Peoria, and the AZL Cubs.  Tennessee continues in the playoffs.  

This year on the MDA telethon:  Dusty Baker singing "You'll never walk again."  

When you get up to bat,
Hold your hands up high,
And don't be afraid just to swing.
Ninety feet away is a tallish guy
And to get to his base is the thing.
See the ball coming in,
Hit the ball going out,
Though the pitch be fast or slow.
Swing early, swing often,
With hope in your heart,
And you'll never walk again.
You'll NEVER walk again.

Iowa Cubs

Their last game is today (Monday).  Last night, they dropped a tough one to Omaha, 2-1.  Former Cub bust Richard Lewis drove in the Royals' winning run in the 10th inning.  Jake Fox had a single and double, and Josh Kroeger had the lone RBI.  Randy Wells struck out seven in five scoreless innings, Carmen Pignatiello then gave up a run, Neil Cotts was strong for 2.2 innings, and finally Ben Howard gave up the winning run on two hits and a wild pitch.  Iowa is 79-64 on the year.  

tharr, you can order a Josh Kroeger game-worn retro jersey for $225.  Order now!  I was thinking about the Clay Rapada (oops, traded) or Scott Moore (oh yeah, him too) or Buck Coats (darn!) or Rocky Cherry (#@&^%!).  Apparently somebody grabbed the Matt Murton one already, so there won't be a debate about that (please?).  

Tennessee Smokies

Justin Berg struggled, partly due to his own error and one by the second baseman, and the Smokies dropped a tough one to the Mudcats, 6-5.  Other than Chris Robinson and Jemel Spearman, the Tennessee offense couldn't get much going.  This loss, and Huntsville's win, meant Huntsville earned at least a tie for the second half division championship.  The Smokies have three games remaining, the last two against Huntsville, and are 2.5 games back.  

Daytona Cubs

Had a double-header cancelled.  Rain and the end of the season were the reason.  Look for Josh's wrap at the end of the season.  The team finished 57-80, in last place in their division.  

Peoria Chiefs

Ryno seems to be giving each pitcher a few innings to wrap up the year.  Nothing much to note in a 6-4 loss.  They have one game left.  Can't believe I didn't make it to Peoria to see my hero, Sandberg, manage a game this season.  I was just too caught up in going to Wrigley, I guess.  

Boise Hawks

Three games left for the Hawks.  Tony Thomas had three singles in the leadoff spot, but it was cleanup hitter Josh Donaldson who scored three times, leading Boise to a 5-4 victory.  Simon Lee, the Korean FA, couldn't get anybody out in the fourth, but starter Dustin Sasser, Audy Santana, Marcus Hatley, and Shawn Muller all pitched effectively in their short stints.  Josh Vitters had the day off.