Me and my buddy from high school are going to Wednesday's 1:20 game against the Rockies.  We're gonna try to get there so we can sit front row in the bleachers right behind Soriano.  I hope Milton only needs a day or two off so hes back in the lineup and hopefully Fukudome's hot bat continues to light up teams in Chicago.  I'm excited to see Harden pitch his second game of the year, i'm looking forward to seeing him strikeout at least 10.  Anyone else going to be there?

Not too sure if this has been discussed at all so i'm gonna put it out there...

If Kosuke Fukudome doesn't show improvement next year in the spring, or beginning of the season, I think Hoffpauir should be slated as the starter in right field.

He showed this year he can play some outfield, while he may not be the best defensive option out there, he can provide some more pop in the lineup with a left handed at bat.

I know minor league stats don't mean much (look at Felix Pie) but hes shown potential at both levels ( remember I believe it was a 4 for 5 or 5 for 5 game against the mets in which he had i believe 2 home runs and a double or two)?

Also bring edmonds back, but give pie one more chance in centerfield, move soriano to the 3rd spot, lee in the 5th or even 6th spot.

I know its wayyyyyy to early but...

Pie

Theriot

Soriano

Ramirez

Lee/Soto

Soto/Lee

DeRosa

Hoffpauir

My friend and I, who I should add is a big Twins fan, were talking today about the situations of both the Cubs and the Twins.  He said to me that the Twins are looking to get rid of Joe Nathan in an effort to resign Johan Santana and make Pat Neshek their closer.  He said to me that he read or heard soemthing that listed the Cubs as possible suitors for Nathan.  And it would make sense.  The Cubs should be buyers, trying to solidify their bullpen.  Forget the garbage about Wood coming back being better than any trade because we all know that we cannot rely on him.  Nathan is a very quality pitcher that will be at the back end of the pen.  Just a normal conversation wondering waht all your thoughts were.. gotta head out to work..have at it

Just think about the ways the Cubs can improve if Cuban bought the Cubs.  He will have Zambrano resigned.  We will still have Soriano, Lee, and Ramirez.  He will supply us with the resources we need to make sure we do have a championship team.

My friend and I were just talking about it while we were watching the game today and we might have taken it a little out of hand but with alex rodriguez expected to opt out of his contract, he could be a cub.  I'm not saying this is too realistic but it COULD happen with Mark Cuban as the owner of the Cubs. I could just picture next year's line up

LF Soriano
CF Pie
1B Lee
SS Rodriguez
3B Ramirez

fill in the rest with Derosa, Theriot, Fontenot, Eric Patterson, Soto, Pagan, Murton, maybe even Tyler Colvin will be ready to man right field

Marmol I believe should be the closer and the pitching staff will be strong once again with a couple moves here or there..mainly to the bullpen

The "Cuban Cubs" would very much be a World Series winning franchise for years to come

Hey guys I was wondering if any of you could help me out.  Before the game in which Sammy hit his 600th homer off of Jason Marquis, they played a tribute video of Sosa.  This video featured the song by R. Kelly, "The World's Greatest".  Len mentioned before the video played that it was just simply a video of Sammy as a Chicago Cub.  I was wondering if any of you out there know where I would be able to view it on the internet, or any other type of tribute video to Sammy Sosa.

I think earlier in the year actually before we let Patterson go to the Orioles..that I made a pretty bold prediction on what Corey Patterson would do this year.  which was this

ok now that hes gonna be leaving
patterson will hit .286 with 26 HR and 89 RBI with an OBP of .342

ok im not saying hes going to hit 26 HR along with 89 rbi's this year..but he is doing a hell of a lot better than he was with the cubs..his statline as of now looks like this

.306 5 HR 18 RBI 23 R 15 SB .358 OBP

it is..my opinion..that this is just the cubs luck..now patterson is no lou brock..but we sure cyould use that kind of production right now

Everyone knows how Kerry Wood has been injury prone pretty much his whole career..and many of us here at BCB dont think hes worth it.

Greg Maddux is getting older..and this is I believe his 3rd year with the cubs since rejoining with the club..which is also an option year if im not mistaken.

Both of these guys have a pretty hefty salary for 2006.  With Wood's at about $9.5M and Maddux at around $9M.  

I was just thinking about this, what is the chance..the Cubs DO NOT resign either of these guys, and take a chance at Barry Zito...considering he is not resigned or traded and signed by the end of the year?..Just wondering what everyone elses thoughts were on this.

He won the minor league player of the year in the first year of his career.  At Peoria he hit .333 and 50 extra base hits with 71 rbi's in 110 games.  He also stole 40 bases.  

Al, do you know where Patterson will start playing next year?..at AA or AAA?.. and how soon before you think he gets a call up to the majors..i know we dont want him to be rushed and turn out like his brother..but eric shows more promise..maybe he can get a little taste when the september call ups roll around..depending on the cubs' playoff contention.

Our favorite site has posted a new article stating the cubs are still very much alive in acquiring zito, and that the Tejada trade is not dead.  Seems that the A's like the Cubs farm system and are looking not to get matt murton, but a couple of y9oug pitchers.  Take a  look for yourself.  

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

I was looking around on ESPN.com of course on the MLB section, and there was an insider story that said Nats want pitching for Soriano.  Are they trying to get rid of him now?..they just got him.  I'm not subscribed to the insider so I dont get to read any info on it..but maybe someone out there does and can help us all out.  This could be just another rumor for us to get our hopes up...but i doubt it