I was at the game last night with J-Kerm. When Neal Cotts came on to pitch, I turned to J-Kerm and said, “I guarantee they will not have the lead by the time Cotts leaves this game.” Thanks for making me look brilliant, Neal. Even the eight-year-old kid behind me said, “Oh, WHY is he bringing in Neal Cotts?!” Smart kid.
The Cubs’ total ineptness was in full display last night, so what do we want to bitch about? The fact that Ryan Theriot is still an idiot when it comes to running the bases? The fact that Farney whispered into Ryan Freel’s ear that it would be a good idea to get into a foot race to third base instead of throwing out Adam LaRoche at first base by about thirty feet? The fact that the bullpen is utter crap? The fact that Lou Piniella sent Carlos Zambrano to the plate with the tying runs on base and Kosuke Fukudome on the bench? The fact that Aaron Miles is utterly useless in every facet of the game? There is a lot to be pissed off about right now. Don’t let the “It’s still early” crowd prevent you from venting. It’s more than 1/4 of the way through the season, and this team is a disaster right now.
Incidentally, since I didn’t have sound, what was up with the dugout argument during the game? It looked to me like Ted Lilly was bitching at someone, but I couldn’t figure out what was going on, and I’m too disgusted to read anything about this team to learn for myself.
Apparently, Lilly was pissed about Davidson’s strike zone, and he and Rothschild began jawing at Davidson from the dugout. Davidson ejected Lilly from the bench, at which point, Ted decided to come out and get his money’s worth. Lilly asked Davidson to “concentrate,” Davidson told Lilly he could do whatever he wanted, and then Lilly had to be restrained.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/05/lilly-ejected-from-cubs-game-.html
this is why ted lilly was ejected
We don’t want Cotts back here in Des Moines. Just release him and put the whole organization out of its misery.
I have really been struggling with the roster makeup since Spring Training. I am not one of those “if we had DeRosa everything would be okay” guys, but I just don’t understand how Hendry and Lou felt some of the moves they were making in the offseason/Spring Training were going to help this team.
The other struggle has been the utter lack of common sense that has been on display of late. Similar to the examples Kermit mentioned from last night’s game, there have been examples each game of mental breakdowns/lack of execution.
I’m not sure how you get this thing turned around.
Perfect vent… All of these things ran through my mind watching the game. I can’t stop hating Aaron Miles. He hasn’t done anything all year. And why not Fukudome? Did Pittsburgh have someone in the pen who’s nails against lefties, that’s the only thing I can think of as to why they’d go with Zambrano? Do you Theriot was making motor noises with his mouth when he broke for third? Wasn’t he the smart one between him and Cedeno? And Cotts wow. I knew he kind of sucked, but I always thought you guys were hard on him. But damn what a worthless waste of space. How I wished the Cubs signed Trever Miller.
Positives. Milton Bradley hitting. Soriano working the count. Theriot hitting. Soto having some good at bats (even his outs have been looking pretty good lately, I think he’s turned a corner). Everything else sucked.
I was at the game last night as well and I think this post perfectly summarizes the feelings of that game. I said the same thing when Cotts came in, and damn if he didn’t disappoint. I also predicted Theriot would run himself out when he hit each of the doubles and was only right once… That game was a disaster and indicative of what’s to come if something doesn’t change.
@Mendoza –
They did have the lefty who ended up coming in to face Hoffpauir after Soto almost killed Capps with the line drive. Burnett I think? But if Lou was that concerned, he could have sent Koyie up there to hit and switch around if necessary. (Not a great option, but better than what we got instead.)
I’m pissed at Lou for sending a pitcher in to pinch hit at the most crucial point in the game to that point, and I’m pissed at all the morons who cheered the decision. What the hell was that? I’m all for getting behind Zambrano, but did we really think that was going to end well? Good god, that’s almost worse than the “Well at least Sammy hit a homerun” shit we used to have to deal with.
Its that kind of crap that makes me embarassed to be a Cub fan. Do you think Joe Giradi gets cheered for sending CC Sabathia to the plate if there are actual bench players available to hit? He’d be killed by a sniper before CC ambled to the on deck circle.
This whole we gotta get more left-handed thing this offseason was a big imaginary crock of shit! I wasn’t a DeRosa lover but he sure looks good now. Fontenot can handle 3B for a day or 2 but in a long stretch he’s not the answer & what was Hendry thinking when he signed Miles? The Cardinals wouldn’t give him $1Mil for a year. This is a steal & he’s a switch hitter? If you can’t hit .280 left-handed who cares if you’re left-handed? Neal Cotts is a lefty who is bad he makes me pray for Will Ohmanoman. Seriously Wells in the rotation or BP is better than Cotts on the roster.
It’s time to stop pretending Zambrano is a viable pinch hitter. I don’t care how much he likes to hit, he’s not Micah Owings. Get him up there overswinging, especially when he doesn’t have pitching to worry about, and a strikeout is simply the predictable outcome. I can understand worrying about emptying the bench in a close game, but you’ve gotta get there first. Send Zambrano up in the 10th if you have to; put a professional hitter in a real spot.
Now that Lee’s starting to hit a little I think we should trade him to the Padres along with Harden & maybe a minor leaguer ( we already gave them Chad Gaudin ) for Jake Peavy & Adrian Gonzalez. I know Lee has the no-trade clause but he could go for a trade to a California team. The Cubs don’t need one of their current top 4 starters to be the new 5th starter so one needs to go & the Padres probably would like Harden’s contract the best with an $8 Mil option for next year otherwise I’d prefer to move Dempster but he’s too rich for SD. Peavy proved Kevin Towers has limited ( only the Cubs) options to trade a man he must trade to cut payroll so why should Hendry give up quality minor leaguers when they have to dump him anyway & he can only go to us? Nobody wants to pay the $22 million for last year of his contract especially in this economy so this is Hendry’s advantage. The best Hendry trades are when he squeezes small market clubs. So in order to let Towers dump Peavy, Hendry should & realistically squeeze Adrian Gonzalez too. Towers will not be able to afford Gonzalez in a few years anyway & if Hendry feels nice he could throw in a couple mil for the remaining $30 mil on Lee’s contract. It’s a win-win for both clubs.
Or if Lee rejects the trade, trade Micah Hoffpauir & D. Lee becomes the new Micah Hoffpauir off the bench. I’m sure Lee’d accept if he knew that’s how it’d be.
@Frasier Crane – If the Padres did that, it would be the dumbest trade in history.
What makes you think Lee would waive his no-trade to go to San Diego? Why the fuck would the Padres agree to give the Cubs Gonzalez? What kind of magic fucking leverage does Jim Hendry hold over Kevin Towers to get that done, and why didn’t he exercise it back in Spring Training. And what does the $22 million have to do with this? The Cubs can’t pay it, and they shouldn’t anyway, only a team that Peavy’s on the fence about would agree to exercise that option to entice him to waive the no-trade.
Christ.
@Frasier Crane –
There is a site for ridiculous trade suggestions such as yours – it’s just not this site.
What’s that Hendry?
An agingA disintegrating first baseman with a highly unfavorable contract and the dude Samuel L. Jackson’s character in Unbreakable was based on for Peavy AND Gonzalez? That sounds like a great deal, Jim. Sure, you just sit right there while I get the paperwork rolling. You hear that Jim? You sit right there. Don’t move a muscle, Jim. Don’t even breathe. That’s how fast I am going to jump on your offer. Are you sitting perfectly still? Good. Just wait right there Jim.Hey Morons,
As I said & all media has said Towers has orders to reduce payroll below $40,000,000 due to the owner’s divorce. If it’s true it makes perfect sense with Lee or with Micah Hoffpauir. Maybe SD doesn’t want Harden’s contract too. It doesn’t matter.
CT put the bong down. Why the fuck would the Padres agree to give the Cubs Gonzalez? What kind of magic fucking leverage does Jim Hendry hold over Kevin Towers to get that done,
Towers has orders to reduce payroll below $40,000,000 WHICH MEANS PEAVY MUST GO. LAST WEEK HE REJECTED A TRADE TO THE WHITESOX. Why should Hendry give up quality major or minor leaguers when Towers has to dump Peavy anyway & he can only go to us? In a fair market it’d be an absolutestupid deal for SD but the trade market isn’t fair when you have only one partner that being Hendry. Second, the Cubs don’t need Peavy as badly as the Brewers or any other team do. The Cubs rotation is fine as is. Hendry should be awarded Gonzales simply for taking the Peavy contract off Towers’ hands. The only other option Towers has is to eat the contract he’s been ordered to dump. Anymore stupid leverage questions CT? Then again Hendry has negotiated against himself. E.g. Dusty Baker for starters. What is “CT” Connecticut, Central Time?
and why didn’t he exercise it back in Spring Training asked CT
First, World Series are not won in Spring Training, April or May. Second, There was/is speculation Peavy might be a little hurt after going 10-11 last year & missing a few starts on the DL. This year he looks healthy & is 4-5. By not doing the deal in Spring Training we get a much better read on his health & durability at the Padres expense. Thirdly, It’s cheaper to do the deal later. E.g. the Cubs would save $4Mil by doing it on June 1& $6Mil on July 1
2009 salary: $11 million 2010 salary: $15 million 2011 salary: $16 million 2012 salary: $17 million Contract status: Peavy signed a three-year, $52 million extension, which begins in 2010, on Dec. 12, 2007. The Padres have a team option for 2013 at $22 million, with a $4 million buyout.
Hey Erich B.
Who the fuck made you the regulator? Are you saying a potential trade has never been mentioned on this site before? The article is called “Let It Out” not “hold it in” There a website for you too it’s http://www.gofuckyourself.com
Frasier,
You are being an oversensitive douche.
Now, tell me to go fuck myself if you must, and then go away.
You’re right. Whoever takes the Padres’ best pitcher is also entitled to their best position player. You’re a model of rational thought.
@Frasier Crane – Whether he has to trade Peavy or not (and I agree that he does), unless Adrian Gonzalez fucked Kevin Towers’ wife and daughter and made Towers watch, there is absolutely no situation in any universe in which that trade is made.
Not only is Gonzalez the best player on that team, he’s one of the best hitters in the National League. Hell, in all of baseball. And his contract is absolutely phenomenal for the Padres. He’s on a 4-year, $9.5M contract through 2010, and the Padres have a club option for 2011.
@Adam B – I don’t regulate anybody even you. We are all entitled to our opinions. That’s what “comments” are for.
I do think you’re stupid for not understanding what “let it out means” & why many deals are not done in Spring training.
If someone wants to give me shit about a comment it’s not oversensitive to defend it. I told Erich B off because he was acting as a member of the HJE police. Adam B. you’re the kind of stupid idiot who lets campus security detain you until the police arrive.
I guess some of the young readers don’t understand what “must sell & divorce” mean. It basically means Kevin Towers has the negotiation strength of a crackhead when trying to unload Peavy’s contract. This is why it’s realistic for Hendry to present this proposal as a favor. The Padres could trade Harden for minor leaguers or the cubs could simply keep him & Lee too.
Let’s see what happens in July.
@Frasier Crane – But Towers’ need to trade Peavy (if said need is actually real) has absolutely nothing to do with Gonzalez. And he’s definitely going to want useful players back in return. With Gonzalez on the team, Lee is totally useless to the Padres.
If you’re really desperate to give us Lee trade scenarios, I’d start with the Mets.
Frasier Crane, you sir, are mentally retarded. That is all.
@Feesh – Not their best pitcher but their most expensive player who is taking up over 20% of their payroll & who they’ve been ordered to dump. Yes, Hendry should be rewarded any player he wants for that considering Towers has no other options. Towers is no position to demand anybody. The Cubs would be doing them a favor. It’s called a bailout.
@Frasier Crane – You realize the Cubs would be getting PEAVY, right? They wouldn’t be taking Mark Prior off Towers’ hands. “Any player he wants” is Peavy.
@TDubbs – TDubbs your production on this site is about as worthy as Aarron Miles’ roster spot. That’s the DL. You have only produced 1 good story & about 3 decents comments over the last 2 years. The fact that U think I’m mentally tells me I’m on to something.
@Frasier Crane –
I’ve produced a good story?
@Bad Kermit – exactly. Hendry should take their 2 most expensive players. All I’m saying is why should Hendry stop with Peavy. Towers knows Gonzales will be in another uniform by 2012 & the Padres have no chance of winning before 2012 without Peavy.
It’s simple Hendry agrees to take them both or none
@Frasier Crane – That makes no sense for at least two reasons:
1. Gonzalez isn’t even CLOSE to an “expensive player,” nor will he be until after the 2010 season. Hendry MIGHT be able to get their second-most expensive player, but why in God’s name would he want Brian Giles?
2. Why the hell would Hendry say “It’s both or neither”? I think there’s something you’re not understanding. HENDRY ACTUALLY WANTS JAKE PEAVY TO PLAY BASEBALL FOR HIS TEAM.
Do you honestly think that there is any way possible that Adrian Gonzalez (Adrian. Not Luis, Alex, or Elian) will be traded? You know he’s fucking awesome, right? And if for some unforeseen reason he gets traded next year or in two years, it’ll be for prospects. Good ones, though, not the ones that the Cubs have. I have to assume that every comment you’ve made here was supposed to be typed in green font. Please tell us all that this is the case.
Towers does not want to trade Adrian Gonzalez or Peavy but he has been ordered to cut payroll. http://rotodatabase.com/node/2290 Peavy’s contract is such a burden to the Padres that Towers must consider putting Adrian Gonzalez in a deal if Hendry is to relieve them of the financial
burden. http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/19/1s20padres-projected-payroll-over-target/?padres This what happens when a GM gives a player a no-trade clause. This is same team that let Trevor Hoffman walk $6Mil
Let’s go over this again. You think that the Padres are so desperate to lower payroll that they have to dump Gonzalez too? But in your trade scenario, the Padres take back Derrek Lee who MAKES MORE MONEY THAN GONZALEZ.
As for 2012, why the fuck would Towers care about signing a guy who’s contract is up in 2012? I’d say the odds are a lot better that Towers is gone from the Padres by then than Gonzalez.
I hope Adrian stays with the Pads and builds his reputation into the best-hitting first baseman in the ML. Until then he’ll be one of the few bright spots on an otherwise usually bad-but-lately -very-lucky team.
Shit, the Cubs getting swept by the hottest team right now in the NL? I remember going to Jack Murphy Stadium (and then Petco Park ) and generally the Cubs had more fans in the stadiums than the Pads did.
All I’ve had to go on was the box scores but the Cubs generally sucked. They need to get it together and maybe this latest move will help.
I hope also that Skip suggests to SUL that he get a mental enema. Whassa matter, batting Zambrano? He’s not a professional hitter.
And one Jake is good, two Jakes, especially one named Peavy, will be better. Get him, please, Jim H. He’ll be one of the catalysts in the good chemistry and ballplaying that follows.
Jesus, I’m tired of seeing the Birds and Spewers ahead – I wish the Cubs would play like they should be able to…otherwise it’s going to be a long summer.
@Frasier Crane – Will you please look at Gonzalez’s contract before you continue saying ridiculous things? He’s making THREE MILLION DOLLARS this year, $4.75M next year, and they have a $5.6M club option (with no buyout) in 2011. That contract is RIDICULOUSLY GOOD.
How about this:
Jim Hendry builds a time machine, and invites Kevin Towers for a ride. They land in Ray Kroc’s box on October 6, 1984 and Hendry takes out a glock and caps Steve Fucking Garvey. They get back into the time machine, come back to today, and then Hendry threatens to shoot Towers’ dog unless he gives him Gonzalez and Peavy for Lee and Harden. Actually, I think — since he has so much leverage (and a time machine that looks an awful lot like a 1977 Chevy Vega) — he should just take Gonzalez, Peavy and anyone else he wants from the Padres. Then he should shoot Towers anyway.
Yeah, that’s what should happen. I think.
Let’s go over this again. You think that the Padres are so desperate to lower payroll that they have to dump Gonzalez too? a href=’#comment-43992′>@CT – YOUR HALF RIGHT. i’M SAYING THE COST OF RELIEVING THEM OF PEAVY’S CONTRACT SHOULD AWARD THE CUBS GONZALEZ. But in your trade scenario, the Padres take back Derrek Lee who MAKES MORE MONEY THAN GONZALEZ<……..NO. I’ve always been aware it’d be stupid for Towers to absorb Lee’s contract. SINCE GONZALEZ’S CONTRACT IS PEANUTS HENDRY AGREES TO PAY THE DIFFERNCE. IN OTHER WORDS, EACH CLUB PAYS THE OLD PRICE FOR THEIR NEW 1B.
HENDRY TRADES HARDEN, LEE & ABOUT $24 MIL. FOR PEAVY & GONZALES. THE CUBS FINALLY GET A 1B THAT DESERVES $12-15MIL BUT WILL ONLY RECIEVE $3MIL BECAUSE HIS NAME IS GONZALES NOT LEE.
If Lee rejects the trade, trade Micah Hoffpauir ( keeping the $24 mil since the Padres wouldn’t have to pay Lee) & D. Lee becomes the new Micah Hoffpauir off the bench. The Cubs absorb an extra $3mil (GONZALES CONTRACT) to upgrade 1b only if Lee rejects the trade. LEE $13-15Mil+GONZALES$3Mil= $15-18mIL 1B. If Lee knew Gonzales would be taking the majority of his playing time I’m sure he’d waive his no-trade clause to be with a California team.
Who do the Cubs need more Gonzales or Peavy? Peavy would be nice but we don’t really need Peavy with our current starters in the rotation as much as Gonzales.
Harden could yield SD some prospects from a contender & maybe SD tries to trade Lee to the Mets or Angles or something.
No Kermit the Cubs don’t need Giles. I assumed Gonzales was 2nd highest paid player but he is only the 4th.
Yes, I spelled “receive & you’re” wrong above, sorry. It’s 5:30am
Where is your responce CT? Now that it is all spelled out and makes perfect sense you’re silent? This deal makes even more sense now because I just learned D.Lee has only has 2010 left on his contract. You asked why the deal was not done in spring training I gave you 3 excellent reasons why it wasn’t & you had no mention of it in your last comment. Since you haven’t defended that part of the deal or the whole deal I’ll just declare you a wuss & myself a more knowlegable fan.
Harden, Lee & $15Mil (or Hoffpauir & no $) for Peavy ($63 Mil remaing) & Gonzales.
I agree this deal isn’t good for SD but if Towers has been ordered to reduce payroll for 2009 & beyond & Peavy is only willing to play for the Cubs I don’t see why Hendry shouldn’t use this incredible leverage to squeeze Gonzales too especially with the 6 starter the Cubs already have.
SD is caught between a rock & a hard place. This is the position Hendry needs to deal from.
@Frasier Crane – I think you think you’re helping your case. I can assure you, you’re not. I’m not trying to be a dick, but the idea that the Cubs are “owed” one of the best hitters in baseball as compensation for taking one of the best pitchers in baseball off the Padres’ hands is so crazy, David Kaplan agrees with you.
even a broken clock is right twice a day. I don’t think you’re a dick either. You’re funny, harsh & sometimes mean but always fair. I thank you for letting me express my opinion crazy or not. You’re a fine human being and a great asset to Cub fans.
The real question is how desperate are the Padres to dump the contract. THe shit will hit the fan in July. Murph agrees with me too. If this trade ever happens will HJE hire me as a consultant or at least buy me a drink?@Bad Kermit -
@Frasier Crane – If that trade happens, I will be too busy blowing Jim Hendry for 10 hours a day to buy anyone anything. And “Murph agrees with me” is never a good sales pitch.
I was just kidding. I was humorously refering to ur Dave Kaplan remark
If that trade happens, I will be too busy blowing Jim Hendry for 10 hours a day to buy anyone anything.
Jim Hendry just got into his time machine, went to the future — following the press conference introducing Peavy and Gonzalez — and dropped his pants around his ankles. There he waits at full staff.
I don’t want to see this escalate . . . but how can you honestly believe your logic is even remotely correct? Because, you know, the Cubs are the only team around interested in Peavy. Not like Peavy would turn down, you know, the Dodgers, Phillies, or any other teams who will be in the thick of a playoff race. Not like those teams would try to get Peavy without demanding the Padres’ best player as well. I just can’t fathom the absurdness of the logic here.
The Padres will not trade him to an NL west team. Peavy is not interested in the Phillies.@kevin -