RUMORS ABOUND
Not entirely surprisingly, there are a lot of controversies and rumors swirling around the sinking ship that became the Late September Cubs. First, Chip Caray is officially gone. He will be rejoining his father with the Braves. Second, Steve Stone is probably gone, which would be completely and totally atrocious and wrong of the Cubs organization.
Cub fans, I say to you this: if Stoney isn't brought back, on opening day when they announce Dusty Baker's name, boo him hard, and start chanting "Steve Stone," just so Dusty learns his place.
Rumored to be interested in the job is Bob Costas, a man who I would've thought too high profile for the Cubs. Otherwise, Dave Kaplan and Mark Grace are rumored to be interested as well, while some fans are speculating that Pat and Ron would be promoted (or at least Pat, should Stoney remain).
It's going to be a long month full of speculation.
NOW WHAT?
The season is over, and in spite of the Cubs finishing with a better record this year than last, it remains an unequivical disappointment. I'm sure we will see some helpful, new faces next year, but I also think the core is solid. The Cubs have three very talented young starters who will hopefully pitch in Chicago for at least the next decade, coupled with incredibly good corner infielders, and a center fielder who still may turn out to be above average in his career.
In reality, we may see two or three new hitters next year, at left field, second base, and possibly shortstop. We also may see a new starter, closer, and an entirely new bench.
There also have been rumors that Sammy is disenchanted with the Cubs and may seek a trade this off season. The reported team of interest? The New York Mets. I'm not sure what the Cubs could get from such a trade, but it would be nice if the player of choice was Cliff Floyd. I'm more inclined to believe the Cubs would get stuck with Richard Hildalgo, who is set to make at least 12 million next year.
Here's a short list of potential free agents who may be helpful to the Cubs next year:
There are two or three prospective closers, all who bring baggage of some sort: Trevor Hoffman, whose team holds an option on him, Troy Percival, who is an outright free agent but has had arm problems, and Armando Benitez, who has had issues pitching in clutch games in the past. I think Hendry should look for a cheap alternative through a trade, or find someone unproven but with potential, as any one of these guys will cost a ton.
Possible available second basemen include, well, Todd Walker and just about no one else. I don't expect (or hope) the Cubs will bring back Grudz, but Walker deserves a return, and I think he can play full time well.
The two best options for short are Nomar, obviously, and Edgar Renteria, who has a chronic back problem, and while he has speed I don't know if I'd trust him to lead off, although he may be the best free agent choice available. In 2003, Edgar walked 65 times (compared to only 54 k's) and stole 34 bases. This season he's only walked 37 times, struck out 73, stole 17 in 27 attempts, and generally played below expectations. He's still probably less of an injury risk than Nomar, and cheaper to boot.
Available outfielders include Trot Nixon, a player I've always liked who has suffered from injury problems this year, Magglio Ordonez, who is a huge risk as he apparently is suffering from a chronic knee injury and may be forced into an early retirement over it, Carlos Beltran, who will probably be The offseason free agent, and expensive to boot, J.D. Drew, who's great if healthy (and that's a HUGE if), and Lance Berkman, who will possibly command nearly as much as Beltran.
There are also a variety of available role-players; I'm sure the Cubs will find some one(s) who can help the team in that way.
Point is, this is a big off season for the team. I've come to trust Hendry, which means he'll probably deliver a crotch-blow sometime soon (as is the Cub Way). But I do think he'll make some solid moves. I'm dying with anticipation to see what happens, which means that October is going to be a long, slow month for me.
Oh, and I'm officially rooting for the Red Sox, so send some love to Boston. They may have insane, whining fans, but we have insane, whining players. It balances out.
QUITE THE HONOR
Yesterday I was talking to Joe of The View from the Bleachers about an interview he gave to Christian Ruzich of The Cub Reporter. I'm sure anyone who reads my blog realizes that the Cub Reporter is THE Cubs blog, with quality and content above and beyond any of we other Cub blog posers. (No, "posers" was not a typo of "posters.")
Joe told me last night before he posted the interview that Ruz mentioned my blog, to which I replied, "in a good way?" After all - as I just said - compared to the Cub Reporter I'm just a poser. To my shock, the answer was "yes," in a good way. My blog, along with Joe's, The Big Red C, and Al Yellon's and another thing! are the four Cub blogs Ruz checks daily.
I must say I'm quite flattered; I never would've guessed. And just in case there's a single Cub Fan Nation reader out there who hasn't checked out the Cub Reporter, I'd suggest you give it a shot. And for that matter, check out Al Yellon's blog, as well as the Big Red C and The View from the Bleachers. All great reads, consistantly updated with great analysis and fun commentary. ...even if the Cubs do really suck right now.
SPEAKING OF SUCKING
Just in case someone out there was fantasizing about a Cubs sweep of Atlanta, it looks pretty bleak right now. Kerry Wood is on the verge of his first ever losing season as a pitcher.
I can't really bring myself to utter that famous phrase we Cub fans banter about often in September (and often as early as June). But I do hope that next year will end on a better note, as nothing is quite as bitter as falling out of playoff contention with only a week left to play. Wait 'til... aw, forgettaboutit!
THIS ISN'T "NEXT YEAR"
I think today was an entirely heartbreaking day for Cub fans. We finally witnessed Mark Prior return to form... the man threw nine innings of three-hit ball, walked one, and struck out sixteen. He also gave up one run - a homer to Austin Kearns. The rest of the Cubs performed significantly less admirably.
Obviously, you can't win a pennant without timely hitting. Today the Cubs were so lacking of timely hitting that - let's face it - we're still waiting for those bats to show up, and the game ended three hours ago! You also cannot win without solid relief pitchers.
I think a lot of good things can be said about the fellas over at Baseball Prospectus but one thing even Stat-Masters like them and Bill James fail to really measure is the need of a true closer on a baseball team. The Red Sox went without one last season and it made late innings an adventure. I believe that a team really needs a guy who not only can get people out in the 9th, but wants to. This year the Cubs had a closer - Joe Borowski - who I miss now more than ever. But his shoulder wasn't right, and I don't know if it ever will be, and along with a leadoff man, a closer should be a top priority in the off season.
The Sloth feels that we can expect a lot of turnover between next year and this, but I think the core of this team is intact. They merely need a few components - essential ones, but only a few nonetheless.
Really, I feel bad for my friend Jason, whose grandfather I mentioned in an earlier post. Sadly, I believe Jason isn't alone. It's a frustrating time for Cub fans, but now we know something that we've never had before - at least, not in my lifetime. Last year's Cub team wasn't a fluke. The Cubs didn't have one of their One-and-Under seasons, where they follow a playoff berth with a complete collapse into the second division of the Central. Next year could be a lot better, and I believe they'll take the steps to improve the team.
Let's just hope Jason's grandfather is there to see it.
OK, NOW I'M WORRIED
I don't want to be a total pessemist, but I think it's time to start looking toward next year. With two strikes and two outs in the top of the 9th, LaTroy Hawkins again gave up the game.
This shit can't keep happening. Even if the Cubs somehow recover and rebound into the post season, they won't get far without a reliable closer.
Maybe the Cubs can grab Benitez this off season.
I'M NOT WORRIED...YET
Well, that was a thugly night, wasn't it?
Now with only five games remaining, the Cubs have to feel pressed to win. They're tied with San Francisco - still not the team to worry about, they lead San Diego comfortably, and they are only half a game ahead of the Astros.
The Astros. If St. Louis played them like they could, I wouldn't worry about them. But it seems as though the Cardinals are determined to keep the Cubs out of the playoffs, and quicker than you can say Presidential fix, it looks like Houston has an easy road their remaining four games of the year. They have one more against the Cardinals, and then they play the hapless Colorado Rockies.
Colorado. 67-90 on the year. Presently riding a four game skid. Owners of a 1-2 record against Houston this year. Ok, ok, maybe I'm a little worried about Houston slipping in. But only because St. Louis is taking it easy on them.
Of course, none of that would be a problem if the Cubs played like we know they can. Today, they have to. From here on out, everything is must-win.
Maddux owes up to his flubbing
Moises Alou to consider retirement after the season ends. Insert hand-pissing joke here
Neifi will be on the playoff roster should the Cubs make it. Plans to celebrate by going 0 for his next 18, in classic Neifi style
Cubs players too busy dividing up playoff shares to notice that strange object in their mouths obstructing their wind pipes
I told him that a player on a streak has to respect the streak. You know why? Because they don't---they don't happen very often. If you believe you're playing well because you're getting laid, or because you're not getting laid, or because you wear women's underwear, then you ARE! And you should know that!
-Crash Davis
We Cub fans talk a good talk. We make brilliant declarations about the state of our baseball team, and we do it often as early as April. After a harsh five game skid, we will proclaim the season over and the team's hopes shattered. After a resurgent six game streak, we flip-flop, declaring that the NL better watch out, the Cubs have come to play. But in reality, we're a cowardly and superstitious lot. Many of us are too scared to openly believe in the team out of a harsh and understandable belief that the Cubs are build to disappoint. Obviously it would've been a lot better going home with a win. It's tough to come in here and lose the series, but we played good baseball and won some big games. Hopefully we can turn it around and get going again when we get home.The Cubs have been a streaky team this year. Too streaky, at least for my liking. They'll win five, lose three, win one, lose two more. In fact, over the course of the season, the Cubs have had two six game winning streaks, and two five game ones. After their first six game streak, dating from April 19th-25th, the Cubs lost 4 of their next six. After their second six game streak on June 12th-17th, the Cubs played .500 ball, winning 3 of their next six.
-Kerry Wood
He's not a Cubs fan. Grew up a Mets fan, in fact, and currently cheers for the Tigers. No, he wants the Cubs to win for one simple reason: his dying grandfather. The old man has cancer and he probably won't make it through to next season. I guess that's probably fairly common with us Cub fans, but it's my first experience with it. It's scary to think that sooner or later, we will all reach a point where there isn't a next year to wait 'til. I hope for his sake, for our sake, for everyone's sake that the wait will soon be over. Magical things are happening, guys. There comes a time when all the cosmic tumblers have clicked into place and the universe opens itself up for a few seconds to show you what is possible.Keep clicking.
-W.P. Kinsella
TOO MUCH TO SAY
It's a big assumption, but should the Cubs actually manage to hold on and make the post-season, I officially have no plans whatsoever to attend a game. They are 1-4 in games Carolyn and I've attended this season.
First: I'm pulling for LaTroy to keep it going into the post season, but I will be severely disappointed in the team if they are unable to upgrade at closer next year. The bullpen, as always, has been a weakness this season.
Second: Sammy Sosa is just plainly and utterly TERRIBLE. Strike outs, double plays, and more strike outs. I would feel more comfortable with the pitcher at bat with runners on in a close game. Sammy needs to take some time this off season and get his head together. I'm rooting for him to successfully return - and you know he will; it's a contract year.
Third: Moises is a whining bitch who really needs to relearn what it means to be a professional ballplayer.
Fourth: Nomar truly has limited range right now, but that didn't hurt the team in the games I saw. He's also swinging a good bat.
Fifth: Prior is back. I'm glad I saw him play.
Sixth: Blame Wood for the loss, but he's still a solid pitcher and I'd take him in the post season.
Seventh: I was more vocal than usual during the second game. At one point I yelled "Hey Corey, get a hit, you are SO DUE!" The people around me laughed and told me that's the nicest they've ever heard a taunt. Later I yelled to the umpire, "HEY UMP, YOU DON'T KNOW A STRIKE FROM Y-...A HOLE IN THE GROUND!" To which those around me again were pleasantly surprised. "I didn't know how you'd finish that one," one said. And I said "yeah well, there are children around."
Eighth: Watching tonight's on-going game makes me worry about the team. The offense should be ripping Claussen a new one, Zambrano is tossing way too many pitches. On a night when the team needs seven solid innings from its starter, he'll be lucky to get through six.
Pictures from Shea tomorrow, or maybe later tonight.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
The Cubs managed to win last night's thriller against the Pirates 1-nil. Where does that leave the Cubs? With 11 games remaining, the Cubs are tied in the loss colemn with San Francisco, and lead Houston by 3, San Diego by 4, and Florida by 6.
Props go out to Carlos Zambrano for shutting the Pirates down, and also to Sammy Sosa who made a hella-catch. The Cubs have won a couple of back-to-back one-run games, which his maybe hopefully a good sign.
What's great is that in another day or two, the team will no longer have to worry about San Francisco. Los Angeles is sliding quickly out of the division lead. LA and SF play each other six times, and I think it's going to be hard for the Dodgers to hold off the Giants. Hopefully both the Dodgers and Astros continue their slides, and the Cubs have an easy entrance into theh post season.
Of course it's not all roses and candy. The Tribune is reporting that Kerry Wood has strained his back from a rough night's sleep in Pittsburgh, and may miss his next start in New York City (although Dusty thinks it's unlikely).
Regardless, things are looking up for the Cubs. Here's to hoping that by the time I see them on Saturday and/or Sunday in NYC, they'll have taken the Wild Card lead.
Kerry Wood is 1. Mark Prior is 1A. Now meet Carlos Zambrano, 1Z.
Sammy Sosa, Chicago's whipping boy, makes a great defensive catch in spite of being "a poor defensive player"
Sammy Sosa, Chicago's whipping boy, defends his homerun hop
Kerry Wood nominated for the Clemente award