Cubs Can Add Pieces At Deadline
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 22 at 10:04am CST]
They're not involved in the chase for Roy Halladay, but the Cubs could still add players before next week's trade deadline, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs apparently have enough payroll flexibility to add a "mid-level" player and Wittenmyer suggests the team could pursue relievers such as George Sherrill and Chad Qualls. GM Jim Hendry said the Cubs can make moves "if something comes up," but didn't discuss specific needs.

The Cubs, who nearly acquired Chris Coste earlier in the month, could also pursue catching help if Geovany Soto's injury lingers longer than expected.



So help me if Jim goes and adds bullpen help to this team. I don't know if my baseball psyche could handle it.

I'm not a Cubs expert ... but don't they need someone to attempt to smack that little white ball? Maybe even when there is a runner who wouldn't mind crossing home plate?

It will require a lot of talent to get Sherrill or Qualls. Joe Beimel is a more reasonable target.

Wow...Chad Qualls....I will starting printing those World Series tix....

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By all means lets get more pitching. Then they can lose 2 to 1 in 15 or 16 innings as opposed to 13.

Hit the ball! Score some F'n runs you morons!

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Proud to be UNVERIFIED.

+100...in all my years of Cubs baseball,hitting was not usually an issue.
it sure is now!

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

typical for us Cubs fan - we have one piece or the other but not both pieces at the same time.

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Does your cat make too much noise? Try KITTEN MITTENS!


Charlie: Oh shit. Look at that door dude. See that door right there? That door marked 'Pirate'? You think a pirate lives in there?
Dennis: I see a door marked 'Private.'

How about Freddy Sanchez?

Do the Cubs have qualms trading for Qualls? Will trading for Qualls raise squalls amongst the fans? Why do I find this the least bit funny? Perhaps because the wordplay (horrible though it is) is the closest thing we'll get to seeing a deal be made before the deadline.

The Cubs are locked in with the roster they have, for better or worse.

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Stupidity irritates the crap outta me... and yes, I irritate myself far too often.

Baseball Tonight said the Cubs are going after Freddy Sanchez really hard, but the Giants could also jump in.

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Fuck Edwards and Zobrist

Beimel was pretty great for the Dodgers last year.

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I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires. -Susan B. Anthony

Sanchez will be a Cub.

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Since mentioning Sanchez above, who would make a great fit at 2B and leading off, I found out that his contract for next season is for about $8 million. I'm sure they can off-set that by letting Rich Harden walk after this season, and he's making about $7 million. Of course, the Cubs have some escalating contracts coming up so they may have to do more than just that.

I dont know how you can argue that Sanchez wouldn't be a huge upgrade offensively over Fontenot. But the problems on this team would remain the same and the Cubs shot at the post season would still rest on the ability of Sorianon and Milton to drive in runs. However if this move guarantees that I never have to see Aaron Miles in a Cubs uniform ever again then I am all for it.

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freddy sanchez would be a perfect fit. i dont care about the lefty situation anymore. just put in someone that can hit. and jim hendry has shown a great ability at fleecing the pirates for talent

Who is making that argument? Of course, he'd be a very big upgrade at the top of the order, and maybe he'd get on base for the middle of the lineup. I think the price tag is more of an issue.

Freddy's pricetag isn't much of an issue. The pricetag of Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, etc makes Freddy's $ an issue.

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Soooo....its an issue

Thanks Frank

Its an issue beacuse of other bad Hendry contracts.

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I heard Jim Parque is available.

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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 heard Mac on his show making the argument that he would just be another number 2 hitter on a team with too many of them anyway. I will agree with you that nobody has been clamoring for Mikey Fontenot much anymore and there are plenty of seats to be had on his bandwagon. My question to everyone is even with Sanchez doesn't this Cubs team still have the same problems as the one that got bounced from the playoffs without winning a game 2 straight years? Maybe Milton will become an RBI machine before October and A-Ram will actually show up in the postseason if the Cubs make it but probably not. Sanchez would be a nice pick up but its hardly a cure-all. Even with Sanchez this team is going to have a very hard time hitting against playoff caliber pitching.

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well if the cardinals do get matt holliday jim hendry better think about doing something with this team fast. putting another intimidating bat around albert pujols doesnt sound fun

Obviously, most of the players in that lineup need to hit better or else acquiring Sanchez to hit at the top of the order won't matter. Acquiring Sanchez, and assuming that he is able to continue his success in Chicago, only matter is the guys in the middle are able to knock him in.

As for Mac's comment, he's wrong. A team with a several underachieving/underperforming players can certainly use a guy like Sanchez.

YES!!!!!!!

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Go Cubs!!!!