Re: the last two, I wouldn't be shocked at all if they were being shopped.

With the crazy lack of ML ready starting pitching in the system, can't imagine they are shopping Shark. Also why I'd bet they are talking extension with Garza.

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Team Cutler.

yeah, 2 good starters in their 20's is a nice start to a rebuild

Listen,I know I'm supposed to be "Mr. Meatball" but unlike most of you,I have been following this team since 1967. That's because I'm OLD,I understand. I'm also tired of watching some 45 years of crap and disappointment. Before this losing streak,the Cubs were just two games out of a playoff spot.
They should have invested in some more vets and make this lineup more respectable.

"The only people that accept losing are losers." Brant Brown

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Then run some specials. Sox have half price Monday. Not to say that the Cubs have to do that, but make upper deck outfield seats $20 on weekday games or something. A couple years ago they did discounted beer and hotdogs in the bleachers. Do something like that. I know attendance isn't a huge issue at Wrigley, but it was down last year and will certainly be down this year if the club keeps playing like this.

Hell, the Friday and Sunday games of the crosstown series weren't even sellouts. I'm sure NATO had something to do with that, but even if Cubs fans didn't want to go I'm sure there were enough meatball Sox fans willing to snatch up those tickets....if they were available for a reasonable price.

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My baseball money will be invested in seeing a few Schaumburg Boomers games. That's the team with the giant cartoon cock on their caps.

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favrefan said:"Chris Coghlan isn't gonna pay your rent, Jimmy."

Jimmy, do you want them to win a world series?


Those who try to win and rebuild simultaneously usually fail at both

Castro may wind up at 3rd. They have 2 SS in the minors, including the guy they drafted in the first round last year that they like a lot. If they can't develop a good 3rd baseman, it would make sense to move Castro there. He's not a great SS anyway. That could also make him a good candidate for trade, but trading a guy that led the league in hits...As far as Sammy-no way they trade him. He has the stuff to be a top of the rotation guy for many years to come. Plus, Theo has already spoke of his admiration for Samardzija. Bret Jackson is the best CF in the organization. He's MLB ready defensively. But will he hit? He hit real well in spring training, but has been disappointing in AAA so far this season. Not sure he would bring a ton in a trade without proving himself more than he has to date. Better to develop him and see if he can be what they hope he will be. I don't see the team signing Garza to a long term extension. He thinks he's a staff ace and wants to be paid like one. In reality he's probably a 3rd starter on a good team.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Baez has a lot more power potential than Castro. Much more likely to see him more to 3B and Castro to 2B if he's eventually moved.

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Team Cutler.

Another possibility....thats what this season is really all about -and next year too and perhaps the season after that. It will likely be 3 years till they contend. But they may well begin identifying what they need from free agency in 2014 when they determine what positions they appear to be lacking at (draft/trades did not result in acceptable results) and fill in the missng pieces with free agents. They SHOULD NOT go signing high priced free agents in the next 2 years though. Neither should they sign any older veteran players as stop-gaps. They should only be younger guys with a chance to be part of a contending team in the future.

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Go Cubs!!!!

Theo has actually made the Cubs a ton of money already by getting fans to accept a payroll far below what the dominant baseball team in a major market should be paying for multiple years. They'll likely save $60-$100 million on this fact alone.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

I think the Cubs 2nd baseman of the future is Padres farmhand Cory Spangenberg. He's another Hoyer/Mcleod love child who they over drafted last year at #10. I can't imagine the new Padres front office loves him as much as they do and wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the Cubs acquire him next off season.

He was a master of spending money on the draft to sign players other teams were frightened to choose. The changes in draft spending rules have eliminated that advantage. He better find something in the magic computer because he was not all that great with his big free agent moves.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

He's also good at drafting (independent of stockpiling picks.)

As much as he made a few big mistakes. There were a lot of smaller time signings that helped them win in 07


Im happy he's here.

That may be true, gd. Still though, gotta give him time to see what he can do. The BoSox were in a much better position when he took over for them.

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A week ago this team was exciting and finding ways to win games that last year they were losing no matter what they did. Cut to a week later and Lahair isn't hitting anymore and their pitching staff is in shambles. It went bad really really quickly.

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If only the Cubs had added guys like Eric Hinske. 162-0. Why in the world are they not doing everything possible to get that new playoff spot? Nothing would say success like another quick exit from the playoffs.

If you want to find a way to criticize the new front office, and not make it look like something in the comment section of a Tribune article, how about the fact most of these reclamation projects have sucked?

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Do you guys realize they suck?

Every team is gonna have a few hot stretches. The bad ones have a few more cold stretches, which is what this team will have. Anyone who doesn't realize this organization will not be good before 2015 is fooling themself big-time. You have waited this long, what's wrong with waiting a few more years.

There isn's a bigger Cub fan on this board than me. Give it time everyone. If they still suck at the end of 2015 I will be at the head of the line calling for the ax to Theo's head.

Wait till 2015 to call up Rizzo.

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Yeah, these Cubs are definitely not playing like the Cubs from the Summer of 69.

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You guys are all missing the boat completely.

We'll find out how good Theo is at the trade deadline when we see what he gets for Soto, Garza, and who ever else he sells.

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Everything Theo does, He Does For You, Cubs fans. Please Forgive Him if he Cuts Like A Knife with some of his moves, because they are Straight From The Heart. Cubs fans, just Keep The Faith. This season will likely be Ugly Everyday. But Never Say Die, Theo Believes, so Have A Nice Day.

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So you are giving Theo three seasons til you want results?

Im not that patient

They should be better next year and ready to contend for the playoffs in 14

I hope the cubs lose 110 games and have the first pick in the draft.... There are a few moves i did not like but i think he is cleaning house real soon so i'm a still excited... i still see this team being the team to beat in the n.l. central pretty much yearly starting 2014.

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The Cubs should be looking to be playoff bound in 2014. That's enough time to get the bad contracts off the books, satisfy the minor league system with some better potential and let 2-4 of those guys bouncing in the system currently to cement themselves in the bigs. Money will be there in the '13 offseason to shake up the roster with some solid free agent pickups.

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I'd keep Garza. Sell Dempster and if possible, Maholm, De Jesus.

The one person no one talks about moving is La Hair. I don't know what the market would be but at 29 he is not the future either. You shined crap into gold, now sell it.

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O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason.

Completely agree. If anyone is willing to give you something of value for him you do it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

That's exactly how I see it.

LaHair has very little trade value.

Most teams have a good hitting 4 A type guy who they can stick at first if need be. Certainly dont need to trade for one.

The fact that he's a left handed bat helps, but doubt you get much.