The new Muskbag is full of everything, including shit. Away we go.

Hypothetically, what would happen if a player such as CC Sabathia or Rich Harden were selected to the All-Star team in one league, and then traded to the other league before the All-Star Game?
– Andy K., Griffith, Ind.

Your mundane life as you know it in Griffith, Indiana would end. Or, he’d just play for his current league and get replaced on the roster of his former league.

CARRIE: If Harden had been named to the American League All-Star team, and traded before the game to a National League team, he most likely would not pitch for the NL squad, but would be replaced on the AL team. The NL All-Star team would have already been picked at that point. That’s according to a Major League Baseball official. As far as this official knew, that situation has never happened. Dusty Baker did switch “teams” for an All-Star Game when he managed the 2003 NL All-Star team wearing a Cubs uniform even though he had guided the San Francisco Giants to the World Series in 2002.

Which dumb-ass “official” did you talk to whose memory doesn’t go back as far as 2004, when Carlos Beltran was voted as an American League representative, was traded to the Astros, and played for the National League in the All-Star Game? I bet Hartig wouldn’t have fucked that answer up.

I can understand the acquisition of Harden but in shipping off Eric Patterson, Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher and Josh Donaldson, do you think the Cubs gave up too much young talent for a guy who has been plagued by injuries?
– Jake M., Lafayette, Ind.

In the words of the Most Interesting Man in the World, “No.”

CARRIE: That’s the gamble GM Jim Hendry decided to take. The Minor Leagues exist to provide talent for the big league team as well as to provide trade material. I don’t know if Murton and Patterson had much of a future with the Cubs because the team has long-term commitments to some players. As you saw this season, Murton had no place to play. As much as Lou Piniella liked Patterson’s speed and athleticism, he couldn’t find a full-time spot on the Cubs roster. Donaldson has potential, but the Cubs have a young catcher in Geovany Soto whom they hope will stick around for a long time. Gallagher was the key piece to the deal — and you do have to give up something of value to get something of value in return. Bottom line: For the Cubs, the future is now.

Congrats to Gallagher after his Athletics debut. He gave up two runs over seven innings on Friday.

Let me fix that for you. “Bottom line: Everyone they gave the A’s except Gallagher sucked.”

I can’t believe how well the Cubs are playing at home this year. Is it just me, or is this a relatively new trend? For example, from 1992-2002, it seems like the Cubs always lost more at home, and were out-homered. Is this correct? What was the Cubs record from 1992-2002 at home, and how about home runs?
– Patrick K., Chicago

I hate you so much.

CARRIE: According to Cubs historian Ed Hartig, the Cubs went 432-428-1 (.502) from 1992-2002 at Wrigley, and were out-homered 989-928. They fared better from 2003-2007 with a 207-199-0 (.510) Wrigley record, and out-homered their opposition, 487-469. That’s a combined 639-627-1 record (.505) for 1992-2007, with 1,415 Cubs home runs compared to 1,458 homers by opponents.

The Cubs posted a winning home record nine times from 1992-2007 (1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2007). In three of those seasons — 1993, 1997 and 2007 — the Cubs were out-homered at home.

The Cubs posted seven sub-.500 home records from 1992-2007. In 1994, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2006, the Cubs were below .500 while being out-homered at home. In 2005, they actually out-homered the opposition at home, but finished below .500. And in 1995, they finished below .500 at home but hit the same number of home runs as the opposition.

So far this year, they are 37-12 record at home, the best start since the team began play at Wrigley in 1916. And they’ve out-homered opponents, 67-44.

I’m glad that’s all cleared up. No one has made a big deal about the Cubs’ home record so far this year. I was wondering if it was good or bad or what.

I noticed that Aramis Ramirez has changed his socks, and is wearing the tall, old school socks now. I was wondering if there was a reason for that.
– Alex K., Normal, Ill.

Interesting side note. Larry Rothschild has never once changed his socks.

CARRIE: I asked Ramirez, and he said, “Friends of mine in the Dominican say I look good like that. They say I look faster.”

Not to Barry Rozner he doesn’t.

Would you or Ed Hartig be able to tell me what number (if he wore one) did Joe Tinker wear? I want to get a jersey that I can customize with someone people know but don’t really have. I guess if all else fails, I’ll stick with my lucky No. 4.
– Joe B., Bloomington, Ind.

Might I recommend this?

CARRIE: Tinker did not wear a number while a Cub. The Cubs began wearing numbers in June 1932. Tinker’s last season as a Cub was in 1916 as player-manager. By the way, the first Cubs player to wear No. 4 was Riggs Stephenson in 1932.

Good old Riggs. I have a Stephenson jersey myself.

What’s the timetable for Jeff Samardzija’s callup to the Cubs?
– Reed L., Chicago

Why in the world do people keep asking Samardzija questions? Christ, I’m a Notre Dame fan, and even I know there’s absolutely nothing about his numbers at any level to get excited about. Unless you’re looking at his football numbers.

CARRIE: I wouldn’t be surprised if Samardzija is called up sometime this year, although it might not be until rosters expand in September. The right-hander has pitched well since he was promoted to Triple-A and the Cubs have seen progress (he’s hiding the ball better, for example). In his last start July 9 against Round Rock, he struck out seven over seven innings and did not walk a batter.

If Samardzija is called up before September, something has gone horribly, horribly wrong.

With the success of players like Kosuke Fukudome, Ryan Theriot and Reed Johnson in the leadoff spot, what are the chances of Alfonso Soriano going back in the leadoff spot when he returns, or will Lou place him down in the middle of the order?
– Chris C., Bradenton, Fla.

The odds are 100%. Just like they were when he was first signed by the Cubs. And just like they were when he started the season. And just like they were the other thousand times this stupid-ass question was asked.

CARRIE: Don’t even bother sending emails about this one. Piniella has said he’ll put Soriano back on top of the lineup when he returns, and that’s that. Yes, Theriot is batting .327 (16-for-49) in 11 games leading off, but No. 1 is where Soriano is comfortable. Soriano was batting .297 (60-for-202) as the leadoff man. End of discussion.

It’ll only be the end of the discussion when you stop discussing it.

Geovany Soto is having a remarkable season. With him practically on pace for 100 RBIs, it got me thinking — who was the last Cubs catcher to get 100 RBIs?
– Jason M., Holland, Mich.

Remarkable? No, remarkable is the fact that people like me are forced to live in a world where people like you ask questions like these.

CARRIE: The last Cubs catcher to drive in 100 runs was Gabby Hartnett, who did so in 1930. Jody Davis came close in 1984 when he totaled 94 RBIs. Soto, one of eight Cubs to make the NL All-Star team, played in 88 of the Cubs’ 95 games in the first half and has 56 RBIs. If he keeps up that pace, he will likely finish with 95 RBIs. Also, Andy G. of Baltimore asked about Soto getting more days off, and I suspect he will with the weather heating up. Henry Blanco did start Sunday, his first game since June 29.

That was actually Andy M. of Baltimore. He wears a sweater vest, and he uses the Muskbag to scout the Cubs’ farm system. He sends several questions a week, such as, “How are Soriano’s teeth?” and “When is the last time Aramis Ramirez had his brakes checked?”

Another Muskbag is mercifully over.