We've heard for two or three years about the dearth of major league hitters in the cubs farm system, and that they're really just trumped up triple A lifers (and god forbid we have a true major league talent in the minors, because they only become Pie or Patterson). 

Now from what's occurred in the past few years we've seen to either

a) rely on them in short burts -- witness Bobby Scales or Micah Hoffpauir this year

b) trade them for something (sometimes we get value, sometimes not) a la Murton, Cedeno, (or longer ago B. Hill and Choi)

or

c) turn into bona fide major leaguers -- Soto or Theriot

Certainly these guys don't seem to ever be the nine-figure salary guys, but they do seem to be the guts of a 25 man roster.

Two years ago, Lou lit a fire under the team by reaching into the minors to find the hot hitters and see who would stick.  Theriot, Fontenot, even Pie at times, were used not only for the on field production, but to inspire greater production from the veterans (at the risk of losing their jobs).

Glad to see Lou reaching to get Scales, and hopefully his performance (or the performance of others to follow) continue to keep pressure on the rest of the troops. 

In all of the offseason discussions, I'm surprised that there's been no talk of trading Fukudome.

On the one hand, it's easy to argue that he's got no value -- he had a horrible second half+, hasn't ever really proven himself in the MLB, is owed a fairly decent amount of money.

On the other hand, his value may never be higher -- he's still got "upside," can be a real fan draw (especially on the west coast), has a "sellable" small ball game of defense/speed/slap hitting that plays well in pitchers parks like Petco/ATT and (especially if the cubs pony up some cash) can be viewed as a pretty low risk/high reward option for team bereft of talent like Giants, Mariners, etc.

If Marquis can get traded, or years ago Hundley can be traded, there's no reason to view that Fukodome can't. 

So if it's possible, why not?

That's the word that keeps coming to mind as I watch the '08 Cubs.  They just keep coming after it, and don't stop.

I remember watching a number of the As/Angels games the year the halos won the world series (I live in No. Cal, and had a 3 or 4 year old at the time).  The Angels that year just kept banging out hits.  The Bo Sox two or so years ago were the same way.  Every spot in the order is in play, looking to get on base in any way they can.  Nearly every inning is stressful for the opposing pitcher.

I don't remember a National League team doing it in ths fashion until our beloved men in blue this year.

I had fun in April and May too, like most Cubs fans.  Of the three cubs jerseys I bought my kids this year, Fukudome was one (Z and Lee were the two others).  Somehow he made the all-star team, and in deed this must make all Cub fans sheepish.

But now it's August, and we're motoring toward a very important September.  Primarily on the road. Almost completely against .500 or better teams.

Can we afford to have Fukudome in RF? 

For perspective, from June to now (if CBS stats are read correctly): 

.247 BA

.342 SLG

25% strikeout rate

Granted Fuke's D is exceptional, but Huff seems to be tearing the cover off the ball in Iowa.  C'mon Lou, let's see what the unheralded rookie can do!  Remember the concept -- bringing up hungry minor leaguers to push poor performing major leaguers?  Isn't it time?

I must say, amidst all the hoopla over the players, I can't say I've ever seen a manager have such an impact on the team.  The two overriding differences between Lou and any manager w/Cubs or others are:

1.  If you play well, you play.  If you don't play well, you sit or get sent down.

2.  Throw strikes or sit down.

Others may talk about instilling a "winning attitude."  I say bunk.  Pinella's instilled a performance attitude.  Perform or get out.

Hit and runs, double switches, bunt or swing for the fences, keeping or pulling the starter -- the luck associated with all these guesses evensb out over the season.  Getting the most out of the players you've got or getting others who will play -- Can't say I've seen that here or elsewhere.

Consider:

Cubs minor leaguers were considered studs 3 to 4 years ago

Currently are viewed as mediocre; and have been further depleted by call-ups in the last 2 years (Theriot, Cedeno, Soto, Fontenot, Marmol, etc.) and the Harden trade

Yet are whooping other teams in the last 6 to 8 weeks at all levels of the minors.  Dozens of homers.  Decent pitching numbers from guys not viewed as legit prospects.

Are we in more of a Rays position than people think? 

Fine, his BABIP is somewhere in the Jacques Cousteau territory, but the guy is still 9-2 with a sub 3.0 ERA.  No one has been a bigger surprise -- Wood perhaps -- and while we're getting great seasons from many, many players, is anyone else more surpassing expectations than Demp?

Others have had hotter spurts, both pitchers and batters, but Ryan's been a constant from April through May and now June.  It wouldn't surprise me that he fades into oblivion in the second half, but for now, argue who's been more valueable to the team?