KNOW YOUR ROLE

A great win by the Cubs last night, although I truly wish they'd make it a little easier sometime.

There are a lot of reports about the poor baserunning of the players. I think a lot of bloggers want to blame Wavin' Wendell, and justly so (probably). I happen to like Wendell (in the sense that I have empathy for him) but I think I'd be a happier Cubs fan if he was off the team after this season. Hopefully they'll get Vince Coleman in Chicago soon to work on fundamentals.

Fundamentals aside, Corey Patterson has been playing a superior game lately. His average is up above .280 and he contributed to last night's victory with three RBI. I think he'll turn out fine.

A key component to a winning ball club is role players. I've harked on this one before. Yeah you want consistancy, but a bench player with a great game (or even a timely pinch hit) can turn the tide maybe even several times a month. Likewise, a big reason the Cubs didn't really swoon this June was because of Derrek Lee. He's cooled down in the last week or so, but Lee is still batting .380 on the month with 5 homers and 19 RBI. Lately it's been Corey, who's batting .323 on the month and .478 in the past week.

PRIOR WATCH

Am I the only one concerned that Mark Prior hasn't really found it yet? I love Kerry Wood, but consider it a criticism when I say that Prior has been resembling Wood more than his old self so far this year. He's allowed too many walks, thrown too many pitches, and has trouble getting past the 5th. It reminds me too much of how Wood was the first and second year after he came back from arm surgery.

What's important however is that the Cubs keep it close until Wood and Prior are at full strength. When lesser pitchers are going to be getting tired in late August and through September, Wood and Prior should be finding their stride and hopefully getting stronger.

But not if Mark Prior keeps pitching like a younger Kerry Wood.

BELTRAN, PHEH

I was having a small debate with Joe from the VftB about the Astros and what they'll do with Beltran if they keep on sliding. I think most pundits (professional and amatuer alike) agree that Beltran will probably be dealt again if the Astros fail to gain ground by the end of July.

Personally my money is on the Boston Red Sox. These guys have a little brother syndrome with the Yankees. Year in and year out Big Brother Yankee beats them. They get the players the Sox want, they win the games the Sox need, and they obviously tend to go home with far more post-season glory than the Sox have seen since a young pitcher named Ruth was on the team.

Likewise, I think the Red Sox couldn't give two shits about fan favorites - and most of their fans probably feel the same way, to be honest. This can be demonstraited by how the Red Sox have allowed for guys like Carlton Fisk and Roger Clemens to leave town, and also by how they were more than willing to part with Nomah this off season. Likewise my brother (a huge Red Sox fan) feels pretty confident that this is Pedro's last year in Bean Town. So, don't be surprised if the Red Sox acquire Beltran, let go of Jesus Damon, and make a run for the post season.

Assuming Houston tanks, which is a pretty big assumption.

YOU GO AWAY FOR A WEEKEND...

...and when you get back, the Cubs are FIVE GAMES OUT OF FIRST?

*does double take*

Not much else to say about that at the moment. Check here tomorrow or Wednesday for a new page design which hopefully will look painfully cool.

THE BLOG OF THE CUB FAN NATION IS MOVING!

After years of vague, insinuitive threats, I have finally decided to make good on my promise to up and leave.

This will be my last post on blogger, after this my new personal website (as shared with the beautiful Carolyn, aka my girlfriend) will host my blog. You can follow it via this link to the new and soon-to-be-improved Cub Fan Nation!

I'm not sure exactly when you'll see the improvements, it depends on my ambition.

As for the meaning of it:

Main Entry: fa·ce·tious
Pronunciation: f&-'sE-sh&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle French facetieux, from facetie jest, from Latin facetia
1 : joking or jesting often inappropriately : WAGGISH (just being facetious)
2 : meant to be humorous or funny : not serious (a facetious remark)
synonym see WITTY
- fa·ce·tious·ly adverb
- fa·ce·tious·ness noun

I'll see you there.

BAH

Although the Cubs have lost their shot at a sweep and in a gut-wrenching way, I think their Monday victory was probably harder on the Cardinals overall.

Derrek Lee continues to be absurd. In the last week of play, he's batting .750 (15 for 20). His average for the month is .456, and he's improved his seasonal batting average to .319. If he keeps this up for another week or two, he'll deserve All Star consideration. And he really, really should be moved to the #2 spot of the lineup.

Cubs go to win the series tonight. It'll be a tough matchup, but I think they can do it.

HUGE WIN

Winning game one of this three game set against the Cardinals gives the Cubs a lot of running room. Going into it, like all Cub fans I was hoping for a sweep of the Cardinals, and like many Cub fans I was terrified of the Cardinals sweeping the Cubs.

A sweep of the Cubs would've knocked them back to 5 games out of first - and possibly fifth place in the division. Now, even if Chicago loses the next two they won't be more than 3 games out.

I don't think anyone is expecting them to lose the next two.

IT WAS 20 YEARS AGO WEDNESDAY THAT SGT. SANDBERG TAUGHT THE BAND HOW TO PLAY...

Anyone else notice that? June 23rd, 1984. Forever known as the Game Ryne Sandberg became... Ryne Sandberg. For those of you unfamiliar, a 36-31 Chicago Cubs, 1.5 games out of first place, took on the speedy and talented St. Louis Cardinals. Willie McGee hit for the cycle, but that wasn't the game story.

The game story was this: in a nationally televised game with a victory in hand, the Cardinals called on Bruce Sutter - then the best closer in the game (imagine Eric Gagne with a beard). Nearing victory, Sutter gave up a game-tying homerun to a young Ryne Sandberg - then only 24 years old.

The Cardinals came back to score in the top of the 10th before the Cubs battle back again in the bottom half of the inning. Still in the game, Sutter again faces Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg hits yet another game-tying homerun, giving him 7 RBI on the game and allowing for bit-player Dave Owens to win it in the 11th. After seeing the performance Cardinals skipper Whitey Herzog compares the young Ryno to Joe DiMaggio. The Cubs catapult into the hearts of fans all over the country, improve to 37-31, and go on to win their first division title since 1945. Sandberg becomes the MVP of the National League.

20 years later on the day, the Cubs will be playing the St. Louis Cardinals.

I wonder what will happen this time.

RE-CONVERTED

I'm well on my way toward changing my mind about these Cubs.

After the Pirates double-header where the Cubs found a way to lose twice in the 9th innings, I felt that a series of things needed to be changed before the Cubs could compete. I felt they needed a real closer and another bat in the lineup. Turns out they really just needed to be rid of Joe Borowski, but like any great GM Jim Hendry should find a way to tinker with the team a bit and upgrade.

Thing is - and I think most everyone knows this - any competitive team will have its stars. Every good team has a Sammy Sosa, an Aramis Ramirez, a Derek Lee. But what distinguishes good teams from great ones are the role players. A team with a strong bench will have guys step up and play brilliantly when needed. This week it was Ramon Martinez. Last week (hell, last MONTH) it was Todds Hollandsworth and Walker. These guys provide the offense you need, and in our case they also provide a lot of clubhouse atmosphere.

If - still a BIG if - the Cubs make the post season, it'll be as much because of the Lemons as it will be because of the stellar, unbelievable pitching.

Oh, and if the Cubs win the upcoming series against the Cardinals, consider me a believer again.

SUPERSTITIOUS

Generally I'm a logical person. I'm also very spiritual, but I don't go around thinking that any good or bad thing that happens to me is because of some divine purpose. I'm also generally not an overly emotional person. I don't hate things or people (but I hate things or people in baseball sometimes). In fact baseball, in many ways, is an exception to who I am as a person. So I'm going to rattle off some of the superstitious things I've done. (I do find it very strange that we as fans would feel we have any real control over a game's outcome, yet I think many of us have quaint little things we do to help. I know Al Yellon has a series of them when he's in the bleachers.)

1. I never gaurantee victory, especially in the post season no matter how much they're up by, and how many outs are remaining.

2. I watch most non-televised games on CBS sportsline, but for some time I switched over to Yahoo sports because any time I watched them on CBS they lost. After they were having a rough patch before this most recent streak, I switched back to CBS. Last night in the 9th, I switched back to Yahoo hoping it'd give them the edge.

3. Depending on how they're doing, I either wear a Cubs jersey during every game or go out of my way not to, if that hasn't been working.

4. In the past I've done something with my boxers, but I won't comment on that here.

I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of. But with that in mind, I just can't bring myself to really speculate on the probability of the Cubs taking the next two games from Houston. I hope it happens though - it'd go a long way toward making me feel very, very good about the team.

THE BIG GAME

Last night was huge. The road-weary Cubs came to Houston against this year's best pitcher (so far) and took him for several rides, while their young ace came through with five shutout innings.

But the really impressive thing to me is Jimmy Anderson. A day after tossing an inning of relief against the Angels, Anderson comes in and throws four innings and 54 pitches. He had to've wanted it, and although he was shakey by the 9th inning it was too late. Much respect for him, as he let the Cubs bullpen rest for a night after the marathon outing.

In other good news, the Cubs have signed SS Ricky Gutierrez to a minor league deal. This is good news because no matter how bad he is, he can't be worse than Rey Ordonez. See ya, Rey. Good luck, good bye.

TWO YEARS TODAY

It's unrelated to baseball, but two years ago on this day I began dating Carolyn. Little was I to know just how fantastic that would turn out. Two years isn't a lot, I'll start feeling good about it after twenty years, but it's a good start.

WHERE DOES THE (FIRE)SALE START?

Taking a gander at the various rosters of the various shite teams that are already out of contention, I discovered a few players who might be had, and if so, might lift the Cubs.

Guy #1 is Melvin "Tell Me" Mora. Where to start? He can play any position. He's 32, is only making 2.3 million this season, and he's hitting .359 and is on pace to hit 47 doubles, 31 homers, drive in 115 RBI, walk 95 times, and steal 20 bases. I feel like Butch and Sundance because I see those numbers and I think "who is that guy?!" If the Orioles are willing to part with him, I say do it. A cheap, temporary offensive boost of huge proportions. That's what this team needs!

Also on the Orioles is young 2B Brian "Doctor" Roberts. Roberts is 26, and light hitting. He's on pace this year to hit 50 doubles, walk 78 times, and to steal 56 bases. But he's light hitting. Because of his youth the Orioles might be less likely to part with him, so the Cubs would probably have to overpay with prospects.

One final Oriole I wouldn't mind having, but would also be hard to acquire. Lefty reliever B.J. "BJ" Ryan. In theory he could close, but I really get the feeling he's Farnsworth's left handed twin. He's had 4 career saves, 11 blown, a 2.48 ERA this year and 12.12 K's per 9 innings. Oh, and he's only 28.

Tampa Bay offers the following players:
SS Julio Lugo who would fit in with both Dusty Baker and Sammy Sosa (Baker because he's a contact hitter who draws few walks, Sosa because he has a history of spouse abuse). Not the leadoff hitter the Cubs need, but very productive - probably the best of the second teir of shortstops. Is only making 1.75 million this year.

CP Danys Baez who was a bit too sporadic in his first season as a closer last year, but has 11 saves in 13 chances this year. At only 26, he could be a good one for the next five years or more, assuming he can keep it together. Lacks post season experience, isn't a dominating closer.

Kansas City offers, of course:
CF Carlos Beltran - the Holy Grail of available players. Beltran is entering the prime of his career and will surely provide a boost to any team who wants him. If the Cubs can get him, they should. He'd immediately improve their chances of a pennant this year and next year, should they be able to sign him to a long term deal.

Over in Seattle...
2B Bret Boone. He's 35 and starting the decline. He still might have a good year or two left in him, but his .236 average this year is a telling sign. Still, he's on pace for about 20 homeruns and 20 steals this year and he could raise his average by year's end.

CF Ichiro Suzaki, who is ideal for leading off. If the Cubs decide to move Patterson and can't get Beltran, Suzuki is a good solution. He can steal 40-50 a year, and manages to get on base at a .382 clip.

Or a third choice for CF...

Arizona's 39-year-old vet, Steve Finley who's old and therefore questionable, but having an offensive resurgence this season. I suppose it's possible to demote Corey if he flounders into July, make a deal for Finley, and let him have CF for the rest of '04 (actually I think this is a v. bad idea, but he's probably available if the Cubs could find a place for his bat).

And finally, Colorado's SS Royce Clayton. I still don't really want him, his OBP is really too low to lead off, but ANYTHING is an improvement over Rey Ordonez, and he's cheap. He also has speed.

And there you have it. Here's to hoping that Mora and Beltran are Cubs by the end of July.

Realistically? Nah. But it'd be sweet.

ENOUGH SCRAPS WILL MAKE A MEAL

We're still a few weeks away from trade season, but making trades is currently my favorite topic. I always like to point out that about 20 years ago yesterday, the Cubs made the hugely successful trade to acquire Rick Sutcliffe, who promtly went 16-1 for the Cubs while winning the Cy Young in the process.

With that in mind, although I'm not expecting it I would love to see Jim Hendry make a few trades over the course of the next month.

Here's a list of the potential sellers:

In the AL:
Baltimore Orioles: 27-31, 11.5 games out
Toronto Blue Jays: 28-35
Tampa Bay Devil Rays: 26-34
Kansas City Royals: 23-37
Seattle Mariners: 25-36

In the NL:
Montreal Expos: 20-41
Pittsburgh Pirates: 24-35
Arizona Diamond Backs: 26-37
Colorado Rockies: 21-41

Each team is linked to their respected players page on ESPN. That way you can see for yourself who might be available.

Off hand, I feel the Cubs could improve at shortstop, second base, and possibly in center field. I also still believe they could use a legitimate closer.

As they day progresses, I'm going to go through the lists of players and pull out the guys who might adequately do the job for Chicago. I invite my readers to do the same and perhaps through sheer determination, we can get Jim Hendry to actually make something happen. ...or we could at least complain really loudly to no one at all.

WAS IT WORTH IT?

I'm still feeling the glow of the 15 inning victory, but you have to figure that after that game the Cubs are totally pooped. Which means an exhausted, weary team will be playing the Houston Astros starting today. Our only hope can be that Prior out duels Clemens for at least a 7 innings appearance.

BELTRAN?

Will Carroll has an interesting article about why the Cubs should acquire Carlos Beltran. He makes some interesting points.

First, the Cubs can afford him both in cost and in prospects.

Second, the Cubs need some sort of lift to carry them to post-season glory.

Third, Beltran is painfully better than Corey Patterson.

This is the sort of trade that I'd do in a heartbeat. I believe Patterson will someday be a good ballplayer, but I also believe that the Cubs haven't won a pennant since 1945, and a World Series since 1908.

In other words, sometimes you say fuck it and get all the weapons you could ever need. While there at it, I'd love to see the Cubs unload some prospects for a good young shortstop, but that won't happen either.

But do any of us really doubt that Hendry will make moves when the time comes? He's been great at making trades, even if he's never really pulled off a blockbuster. I expect to see new faces in July.

JUMPIN' JESUS CRISPITY

Now THAT was a heart-wrenching game.

What's good is that the Cubs managed to take two of three against a potential World Series team in their park. What's bad is that it took every trick Dusty had in his bag. Bunt hits, more bunt hits, and every relief pitcher and his brother.

Maybe Corey should bunt for hits every game. More tomorrow.

GOOD NEWS, BAD NEWS

The Good News: Corey Patterson has drawn more walks in 225 at bats this season than he has in any other completed season. He's walked 20 times, and is now on pace for 53 BB for the season. He's also looking to have his first 20-20 season.

The Bad News: Patterson has been painfully inconsistant, is only batting .258 on the year, and is only batting .143 with runners in scoring position.

The Good News: Joe Borowski has been found to have a partially torn rotator cuff. He won't have surgery and should miss 6-8 weeks on the season before returning at full strength.

The Bad News: Joe Borowski will return in 6-8 weeks.

The Good News: The Cubs currently have three players on pace for 100 RBI on the season, and should be joined by a fourth player once Sammy Sosa returns from the DL.

The Bad News: The Cubs have been shut out six times already this season and are currently something like 6-11 in one-run games.

The Bad News: The Cubs could be renamed "The Cripples" as they have suffered close to a dozen injuries on the major league roster so far this year. Presently they are missing Mark Grudzielanek, Kerry Wood, Sammy Sosa, Joe Borowski, Todd Wellemeyer, Tom Goodwin, and Alex Gonzalez.

The Good News: Trailing only 2.5 games out of first place, Goodwin was activated yesterday, Wood is due back hopefully by the end of June, Sosa within the next week, Grudz probably within the next two weeks, and Gonzalez at the beginning of July.

Things will get better.

I still wish they'd make a few trades.

UNETHICAL JOE

Today the Tribune had an article about Joe Borowski. He apparently has damage to rotator cuff, but they're staying quiet on just how bad it really is.

I question the ethics of it. Chances are Joe hurt that shoulder at some point last year. If - I say IF - it's an old injury, he kept it from the Cubs in order to receive a better contract, which he then felt obligated to pitch through pain in order to "earn."

THOSE TRADES

Just a quick refresher to the readers of this blog... since I don't know if you've always been here or are relatively new, I've decided to reiterate my desire to see a few trades made before July.

First a shortstop. There are a few options out there but I ultimately think the Cubs need a short term solution who can lead off. I say short-term because Edgar Renteria is a free agent and he'd be a quality acquisition in the off season. My vote goes to Omar Vizquel. He's batting .296 with an OBP of .368 and he's on pace to steal 15 bases. Omar is typically a #2 guy on the Indians lineup, but I think he could fill the job.

Second, another outfielder. I really do believe Corey will shape up, but it wouldn't hurt to have a quality center fielder on the team just in case. It also would allow for more flexibility in the off season. I vote for the next Kenny Lofton... er, Kenny Lofton. Assuming he gets healthy. This gives the Cubs strength in the late innings when they need a run - instead of hoping for the long ball, they can play small ball and make things happen that way. Also it allows for the prospect of letting Alou go, moving Kenny or Corey to left next year, and providing the Cubs with more spending room for a star like Omar.

Third, a closer. The bullpen is unbelievably solid right now, but LaTroy Hawkins isn't my first choice as closer. Actually I'd rather they use Beltran if they go from within, although he gives up too many homeruns (he's up to six in 22 innings... if he were a starting pitcher, he'd be on pace for allowing more than SIXTY. Anyway, the ideal guy is Eddie Guardado. I personally am leaning more toward Braden Looper. Looper is younger, cheaper, and has World Series experience. Either would do the job.

With that in mind, the Cubs would be improved at short, at leadoff, on the bench, and in the pen. And then maybe - MAYBE - they could string off five or fifteen in a row and we could start talking about our post season plans at Wrigley Field.

BITCH SLAP

I have to admit I was pretty despondant after last night's attrocity of a game. I didn't get to watch but I did hear two things that interested me:

1) Matt "The Flaming Asshole" Morris managed to empty the benches after he'd almost worked up the cojones to hit a Cub. Almost worked them up.

2) Corey Patterson's new nickname aught to be "Dog" as he apparently dogged two plays in the 8th inning that led to the Cardinals offensive explosion.

I have to admit I'm on the fence about Corey. I don't ride him like Joe does over at the View from the Bleachers - to hate Corey that much is kind of absurd. When I saw him play in Pittsburgh, I saw a guy who hustled on every play, who ran out every ground out, and who almost single handedly saved Game 1 of the Double Header Debacle.

If Corey truly dogged two plays yesterday, he should've been riding the bench today (and maybe through the weekend). I suppose that because of the injuries, the Cubs NEED Patterson to start right now, but I'm expecting him to get some bench time once the Cubs get healthy again.

I also remember in 98 when the Bobby Cox pulled a young Andruw Jones mid-inning after he nonchalantly allowed a ball to drop in front of him against the Cubs. I think he turned out alright, I think Corey will, too.

As for the pseudo-brawl, with all due respect to Bart Gunn, Matt Morris is an asshat shit-eater who I hope to see the Cubs pound on in his next outing against them. After hearing about the brawl I thought, "they better beat the Cardinals without mercy today, or they've got nothing and it's game over" (or something less cliche).

Because of yesterday's suck-fest, I avoided the game entirely until about 10 minutes ago, where I found the Cubs leading the game 12-2. I guess Chicago responded. I'm surprised Zambrano didn't put someone in the dirt - he's fiery like that.

Guys, it's a long road ahead. Actually this season has depressed the crap out of me so far. I wish the Cubs would either win or lose 10 straight so I could support them fully or give up on them until next year. In the meantime I am taunted by memories of last season's close brush with the pennant, and that's probably the worst of all.

For those of you who were old enough to appreciate '84 (I wasn't) is it always this bad? Every year? Or just during the years when they're SUPPOSED to compete?

TRADES

Most of us agree the Cubs need help. While the following probably won't be enough to get them totally over the hump, it should help.

I think the Cubs should trade Todd Walker for Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Macias for Sammy Sosa, Glendon Rusch for Kerry Wood, hell, Rey Ordonez for Alex Gonzalez even.

Remember the Cubs had been getting shut out with him, but Sammy still brings an offensive infusion. And while he's still not a legitimate leadoff hitter, if Grudz can hit a bit better than Walker has been, the Cubs will be improved.

And remember. The six men who really consist of the bullpen (Jon Leicester doesn't count) have a combined ERA in the low 2's. That evokes a lot of confidence that the Cubs won't be losing too many games in the 8th inning the rest of the way.

PRIOR v. MORRIS

These guys don't like each other. Last season Matt Morris said he was going to tank it to the Astros to prevent the Cubs from winning the division, and Mark Prior had little good to say to Morris or the Cardinals in response. Hopefully this will be a well pitched contest that allows for say, a combined three runs on the day.

No, scratch that. Hopefully the Cubs will run Matt Morris out of the game by the second inning while Prior goes the distance. Now THAT would be nice.

WHAT WOULD IT TAKE TO GET GUARDADO

He's 33 years old. Presently he's allowing less than one run per nine innings, and he's playing for a team whose season went down the poop-shoot pretty quickly. The Cubs are lacking a closer.

So what would it take to get Eddie Guardado?

First of all, the guy is a newly acquired free agent. Chances are the Mariners won't want to part with him - unless they can unload some unwanteds in the deal. Those unwanteds may included Rich Aurilia, Bret Boone, and an assortment of other cast offs.

Likewise, the Mariners might demand quite a bit of young talent for Guardado - although I'll tell you now that if the'd take him straight up for Farnsworth, it's a deal that should've been done two weeks ago.

So, while I like Guardado, and I do think the Cubs need a proven closer, I think he's going to be too costly in either the prospects he commands or the add-ons he brings with him.

A DIFFERENT MENTALITY

So, it's the 8th inning and the Cubs are down a run. As the 8th inning started, Mike Remlinger came out to face the heart of the St. Louis lineup. Rather than take the "oh crap, we're fucked" approach, I felt decisively confident that Remlinger would do his job. Two strikeouts later, I was right.

Then Farnsworth came in to face Rolen. Farnsworth is about as reliable as Maurice the Crack Fiend, and yet I didn't feel particularly worried that he'd blow his assignment. A deep fly out later, I was right.

The bottom of the 8th is starting now, and I have this new feeling about the Cubs.

I don't feel like they have no chance of winning. I feel like they're still in it.

All because Mike Remlinger made it look easy.

AVAILABLE CLOSERS

Believe it or not, the Cubs actually have six guys who have pitched well out of relief. Those are Hawkins, Farnsworth, Wellemeyer, Beltran, Remlinger, and Mercker. Of course two of the six have spent considerable time on the DL. These six have combined for 106.2 innings pitched, 74 hits, 50 walks, 28 earned runs (for an ERA of 2.36) and 98 K's. That's damned good. What's damned BAD is overall, the Cubs bullpen has an ERA of 4.30 on the season. If these six guys remain consistant (a tall task for Farnsworth) that number should drop considerably.

More important, however, is who the Cubs get as their new closer. Borowski is done, for all intents and purposes. I hope that he eventually comes back strong, but as far as this season is concerned he's a total bust. Assuming that Borowski's shoulder injury is serious, we have to consider who the new Cubs closer will be. The obvious choice is LaTroy Hawkins, who is Lights Out dominant. However most would agree with me when I say that as the Cubs best reliever, he's best suited to pitch the 7th and 8th innings. With him out of the running as closer, no one else really stands up in my mind as being closer material on this year's team. It certainly wouldn't be Farnsworth, who - let's face it - couldn't even close a bathroom door properly. Beltran is an interesting choice but I say he's not ready. It's not that he doesn't have the mentality for it, but he's already given up 5 homeruns in 20+ innings of relief thus far. A closer with that kind of tendancy is volatile at best.

And so, I think the Cubs should look to other teams. Here's a short list of possibly available closers.

Danys Baez. This 26-year old is the closer for the hapless Tampa Bay Devil Rays. I question his mental makeup, but so far this year he's saved 11, blown 0, has struck out 23 in 25 innings of work, and has an ERA of 2.52. I'm not sure what it would take to get him, but he stands out as a strong choice.

Braden Looper. Looper is 29, has 11 saves, 1 blown, and an ERA of 1.20. He's playing for the Mets who, a week ago, I thought was out of it. Since then they've climbed to 3 games out of first. However if they swoon in June, Looper might be made available and could probably do the job. He also brings post season experience - he was the closer for the Marlins last year, although he had a crappy series with the Yankees.

Danny Kolb. This one is an interesting choice. In 21.2 innings of work for the Brewers, Kolb has allowed 17 hits and only 3 walks. But he's also only struck out 6. He's saved 15, blown 1, and has an ERA of 1.25. The real question is: why would the Brewers trade him? Unless the Cubs put together a nice package, I can't imagine they'd deal their best reliever no matter how far out of it they eventually drop.

And after that, unless you want to talk about acquiring a setup man to convert to closer, that's about all that's really good that might be available.

With Borowski out of the picture the Cubs are already drastically improved. But to have a really, painfully dominating bullpen, they need to get a solid closer.

I wonder if Rod Beck could be had for a song...

A NEW SEASON

And just like that, things are looking up for the Cubs. No, it's not because Greg Maddux is pitching like the days of old, nor because Kerry Wood has started the slow road to rehab. It's not because the Cubs took two of three from the Pirates, and it's not because the cornerstone player of the team successfully returned from the DL a few days ago.

The Cubs now have a shot because Joe Borowski has gone on the Disabled List - hopefully for a long, long time.

They still need to acquire someone like Omar Vizquel.

Zambrano's Year

It's now June. If, back in February, someone told you the Cubs two best pitchers would be 6-2 and 6-4, on pace for 36 combined wins, with ERAs of 2.27 and 3.27, with one on pace for 217 k's and the other 206, you would've said "well of course, Prior and Wood are aces."

In fact, the two pitchers of note are obviously Carlos Zambrano and Matt Clement. We've talked about the strength of Cubs pitching. All along we've said the reason the Cubs will be such a threat isn't because of Wood and Prior, but because we had the best 4 and 5 starter of any rotation in baseball. Well when all is said and done, Wood and Prior will probably combine to miss 18 starts on the season if not more, and if the Cubs are still in it it's because of Carlos and Matt.

My Dreams Taunt Me

Ever since I admitted on this blog that I feel the Cubs need to upgrade their offense to compete (therefore saying they won't make the playoffs), I've had a series of dreams about the Cubs making the post season. In baseall, there's no feeling quite as exciting as post season play and especially after how close the Cubs got last year, it's going to be bitterly disappointing if they don't make it this year. And wouldn't it be something if they played the Red Sox?

A CUB FAN MENTALITY

Any time I'm watching a Cubs game and the Cubs say, get the bases loaded with no outs, I think "so how are they going to blow THIS one?"

Any time the opposition gets the bases loaded, I think "aw nuts, we're screwed."

I don't know what's worse... that I'm so negative about their chances in such a prime scoring opportunity, or that they have given me precident for legitimately believing they'll fail.

OTHER THOUGHTS

There are a few moves the Cubs can make this season to put them back over the hump. First, they DO need a leadoff hitter, and I realize I'm a bit crazy but I think Omar Vizquel would fit the job. Yes, he's on the decline, but so is Kenny Lofton and how many Cub fans wish he was still on the team? Omar is the perfect short term solution - he's getting on base at a .370 clip and he's still got some wheels. Also I bet he'd be easy to acquire.

Second, and this is the part where I'm really crazy, but I think the Cubs should bring back Kenny Lofton. Look at it this way...

Lofton obviously wouldn't start this year. However next year Alou will be gone, and the Cubs can move Kenny or Corey over to left field. Lofton then becomes the leadoff hitter in '05, while allowing for Nic Jackson or Felix Pie to develop. That also opens up the checkbook a bit so the Cubs can genuinely improve at another position - shortstop, with Edgar Renteria.

But that's all in the future... here's why it's a good idea THIS year. Having Kenny Lofton on your bench adds an entirely new dimension to the game plan. Suddenly you have the ability to work late inning magic via small ball. Insert Lofton into the lineup and suddenly via him, Omar, Corey, and Derek Lee, you have half your lineup capable of running the opposition ragged on the basepaths. You no longer need to rely on the long ball in those late inning situations - you have four guys who can advance two bases on a single, or possibly bunt for hits repeatedly. And if you find a way to keep Goodwin, you have FIVE guys to make magic with (although I would argue that Lofton's return would be Goodwin's departure).

It's just a thought, but from this point forward I'm advocating that Omar and Kenny become Cubs. They aren't big bats but the Cubs don't need big bats - they need guys who can get on base and make things happen.

If you go back and look at my first post of today, there are a few options to improve the shortstop position, but I think Omar is the best fit in this situation.

WHILE YOU WEREN'T LOOKING

We all agree that Corey Patterson is having a relatively disappointing season. But did you know that young Mr. Patterson has already drawn 16 walks this year in just 183 at bats, more than he drew last year in 329 AB? In fact he is presently on pace for 50 walks - something many of us Cub fans have probably NEVER expected him to reach.

If Corey manages to right the ship and creep back up to a batting average in the .290's, he would have an OBP in the .360's - ideal for a #2 or #3 guy in the lineup.

If I were managing the Cubs (*ignores anyone who is thinking "thank god he isn't"*) this is the lineup I would use on a daily basis...

1. WHOEVER the Cubs eventually acquire to bat leadoff
2. Derek Lee - on pace for 65 walks, has speed and power (presently is sucking ass)
3. Corey Patterson - puts up his best numbers in the three hole, also has speed and power
4. Sammy Sosa - he hates it, but he's perfect for it
5. Moises Alou - on pace for a career year if he stays healthy (but expect the numbers to drop off a bit)
6. Aramis Ramirez - also on pace for a career year. May wind up with 40 homers and 130 RBI
7. Michael Barrett - who ever thought that this guy would be near his career highs by JUNE FIRST?
8. Walker/Grudz - good bats, but generally unproductive. Neither have power or speed.

You take the top 3 guys in the lineup and you run them. Assuming the Cubs get a leadoff man with speed, the first three guys could steal 70-80 bases over the course of a season. Numbers 4-6 are your long ball specialists. These guys could get you 100 or more homeruns on the year. And the 7 and 8 hitters are your play makers - they're not as good as the other bats in the lineup, but that means they'll be underestimated an awful lot.

So what's the difference between my fantasy lineup and the lineup the Cubs are currently using? At least to me, it looks a little scarier. Of course it also relies on Lee and Patterson picking up the slack, but if you put them both in front of Sosa and Alou they'll probably see some good pitches. Of course the big difference is the assumptive leadoff hitter - a genuine table setter allows you to do all sorts of things with the lineup that you can't do presently.

As much as the Cubs also need a true closer right now, they need a leadoff hitter as well. If the Cubs managed to get both, they could be a force.

LEAD OFF SOLUTIONS

There are a series of needs the Cubs have at this moment. They need better production out of Corey Patterson. They need some sort of production out of the shortstop position - and if possible, they need a solid closer and some relief help, and if possible they especially need a leadoff hitter.

Those are all hard orders to fill. I suppose realistically the Cubs aren't a bad team - they're just a team that's painfully, woefully inconsistant. They can have a great offense. They're getting surprisingly good production from Barrett, Ramirez is hitting the ball well, Moises is acting like he's hopped up on speed or something, and Sammy is Sammy, when he plays. They could use a bit more production out of Derek Lee and Corey Patterson, but otherwise they've actually played well offensively.

...at least, statistically, but stats lie. They've been shut out way too often.

What they need - desperately - is a table setter. The following players could do the job:

3B Melvin Mora, Baltimore. Mora is having a career year. Sooner or later he WILL return back to reality, but for the moment he has an OBP of .466, and his career OBP is .362. He has speed - 7 steals thus far - and power, having hit 10 homeruns. He's 32, so the Orioles might be willing to part with him. He's only making 2.3 million this season. And he does play shortstop as well as third base. But as long as the Orioles are floating around or above .500, it's unlikely that they'd part with him. Let's see what kind of June Baltimore has, and then we'll talk again.

SS Carlos Gullien, Detroit. This one would be costly. Gullien is 28, a switch hitter, currently has an OBP of .408, is on pace for 80 walks, 19 homeruns, and 100 RBI. He's also only making 2.5 million this year. His career OBP is only .343, so if he begins to return toward his career standards he could be a bust. However he's young enough to maintain those numbers over the season, he's cheap, but because of his age he'd cost some prospects. Perhaps Detroit could be persuaded once they hit 10 games under .500.

2B Ronnie Belliard, Cleveland. He's 29, he's making 1.1 million this year, he has an OBP of .406, and he's on pace for 88 walks, 54 doubles, but also 0 homeruns and 0 triples. Belliard has never stolen more than 7 bases, and his career OBP is .348. If he returns toward his normal career trend, he'd be a bust. Oh, and he's never played shortstop, so he's not a good fit.

SS Omar Vizquel, Cleveland. He would probably be the easiest to acquire. He's 37, is making 6.25 million, has an OBP .376, is on pace to draw 74 walks, hit 37 doubles, and steal 14 bases. Also, he has post season experience which is always a positive.

SS Royce Clayton, Colorado. Now we're starting to really reach. Clayton has an OBP of .368. He's also on pace for about 50 walks and 120 k's. He's only making $650,000, is 34, and probably easy to acquire. But would you really want him?

So, unless the Cubs went all out and got themselves one of the premier center fielders, these are their choices. I can see them getting Omar above the others because he would cost the least and he'd probably do the job.

None of these guys look like great choices to me. None of them would strike terror in the hearts of their opponents. But they might just do the job, and they would allow for Grudz/Walker to slip comfortably into the #2 spot where they are probably best suited. Let's not forget that Todd Walker IS doing better than most of these guys suggested - he's on pace for 16 homeruns, 30 doubles, and has an OBP of .383. But he's definitely NOT a table setter.

Here's a question for you... if the Cubs could package Patterson in a deal for a mid-20's short stop with good speed, AND reaqcuire Kenny Lofton in a separate deal, would you do it?

I might.