All right, that was a master stroke adding Harden...but we know Hendry's not done yet...what's next?

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I'll wager that's about all you'll see. Unless they can deal Marquis (who might not be the 5th starter now) for a bullpen guy that can help them in the playoffs (god willing).

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"Play until it hurts, then play until it hurts to not play."
http://soundcloud.com/darkside124 HOF 2013, MM Champion 2014

I think everyone is counting too much on Edmonds, except Hendry...perhaps I am in the minority, but I see a centerfielder coming...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I think you still try to add to the bullpen. A guy like Fuentes from Colorado would look nice against a tough left handed hitter. I don't know if his contract would be a problem.

Howry's velocity still doesn't seem to be where it was late last year, Cotts has shown flashes of his 2005 self but I still have concerns. Wuertz has only one effective pitch, the slider, and if that doesn't work he is toast.

The lineup is fine, the rotation is strong and deep, I am of the opinion that you can never have enough bullpen depth.

Does Marquis or Marshall become the 5th starter? My guess is Marquis is given the slot now but if he has a couple of bad outings, the Cubs quickly turn to Marshall or even Gaudin.

Just depends. They no longer have the sway to get someone truly difference-making. Trade bait includes Marquis, Cedeno, and Hoffpauir maybe, along w/ whatever notable scraps are in the minors.

The only forseeable move would maybe be a straight up trade w/ Marquis for a similar iffy 5th starter.

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Left-handed relief pitcher for sure.
Possibly a right-handed bat off the bench.

Interesting about the starters.
Lou has said all along that he wants two lefties in the rotation.
Marquis has said he can't pitch well out of the pen.
This is a dilemma.

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Host of the weekly "We Fish ASA" podcast
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Trade for a starter that will be healthy enough to start game 2 of the playoffs.

I disagree with you on that assesment of the Cubs minor league system. Veal, Samarja (spelled wrong), yes Hoffpauir, Pie...these are not scraps. the Cubs will have chips if need be...I just don't know if they will think they "need be"

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

I still wonder if Hendry might not revisit the Brian Roberts deal. If they would take Donnie Veal with Hoffpauir and maybe Fontenot I would make the deal. They still lack a true leadoff hitter, who can put pressure on the opposing defense with a high on bace percentage and a real threat to steal bases. In the playoffs, it will become much more important that they be able to manufacture runs, as they will be facing top pitchers. I hope Roberts remains a possibility.

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Go Cubs!!!!

I think the Roberts deal was more media speculation then reality and it was mostly proven by some of the media reports claiming the Cubs were never close to matching players. You would be looking at losing at least 2 prospects and a starter.

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why are you quoting elmhurst steve? i was having a peaceful day...and now i'm blinded by rage.

brian roberts...jesus christ. get rid of fontenot...ugh. ow. ow. OW.

Brian Roberts is a guy who has an on Base Pct of about .375 with 50 steals a year and a batting average of around .300 . He is also a guy who hits from either side of the plate. He is the proto-typical leadoff hitter. If you want that kind of guy, you have to be willing to give up a great prospect like Veal, along with guys like Fontenot, who could fill in the spot at 2nd that Roberts would leave and another young player with promise, like Hoffpauir. Leadoff hitters are the tough guys to get via a trade, as there are so few good ones. If you don't recognize the value Roberts has, it is apparent that whether by Rage or other causes, you are indeed blind.

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Go Cubs!!!!

once soriano comes back, i dont think id be fucking with that lineup. bringing in roberts would have a domino effect on the lineup, moving guys around, trying to find another spot for soriano. the lineup that has been working best for the cubs has soriano leading off (i cant believe i am saying that), theriot, lee, ramirez, fuku, soto, edmonds, and derosa. soriano has actually been getting a lot of rbi chances thanks to the success of the bottom of that order.


i dont see a glaring weakness anywhere that needs filling, but another lefty in the pen would be nice, if you could maybe trade marquis somehow. lost in all this is the fact that the cubs still have jon leiber in the pen. they have starters galore down there, i dont think you need 2 starters rotting in the bullpen. i can see them sticking with marshall in the rotation, keeping leiber or marquis, but one of those guys has to go.

yeah, my bet would be a lefty to go with cotts and eyre, and marquis somehow getting moved.

there is absolutely no reason to change the lineup. you're right, man of the few opinions...a lefty in the bullpen would be spectacular, along with getting rid of marquis...i'm just so sick of seeing him go to the mound.

Sorry, ive been drinking again. And i have an itch.

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Scraps was just a weak generalization based on that the Cubs just moved a lot of their bigger AAA/MLB tweener names.

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why would one think about doing the Roberts deal? Soriano's health. If he were to go down with leg issues again (which I think he will) then you'll need a left fielder and a leadoff hitter wouldn't hurt...DeRosa just goes to left and now you've got a lineup of patient hitters from top to bottom...I do it if you don't give up too much potential...and remember last year, Theriot wore down, so a leadoff hitter is important, but heck, Roberts would make an impact anywhere in the order...

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.

i see what you are saying, but what if soriano doesnt go down, and you trade for roberts (for a hefty price,likely). derosa has been playing well, i dont see a need to trade for roberts to replace him. i definitely wouldnt pay the price to get roberts for insurance against a possible injury. i like roberts, but i dont see the need to give up good players or prospects for him anymore.

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Ба́бушка гада́ла, да на́двое сказа́ла—то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет.