Anyone think Julio Lugo is worth a shot?  He's a natural SS and would allow Theriot to move to 2B. He's hitting .285 with a .350 obp. Like the BJ Ryan deal, I think it's certainly worth a shot. He's got some baggage but IMO he's an upgrade........he effectively would replace Fontenot/Baker in the lineup. I'm still trying to get to seventy five words here. Julio Lugo Julio Lugo......go Cubs Go!

Ok............Mark Derosa is a Cardinal. Not exactly where we wanted him to go but so be it. He's a nice addition for them but NOT a huge difference maker. This team is 3.5 games out with alot of season left and we have Soriano and Bradley performing at career worst levels. Obviously that has to change and the law of averages says it likely will.  Aram's return is close..............so I don't think a bat is the most pressing need as long as he and Sori and Gameboard perform anywhere near career average

    14........count em.......14 last at bat losses in less than half a season is ridiculous! Jimbo's only hope is to go get a couple of guys to help the bullpen. Even if our hitters were hitting like they should and we were in 1st........we would be in for another playoff meltdown with this mess of a pen. Who's out there and available?  IMO.....we need a loogy and a decent setup guy. Time for Jim hendry to atone for his blunders!

Look around the diamond position by position

LF: Manny over Soriano by a mile

CF: Kemp  vs Edmonds/Johnson.....MAYBE even or slight edge to Kemp

RF : Ethier by a mile over whatever we put out there

3B : Ramirez gets the nod over Blake

SS: Furcal over Theriot (again,not even close)

2B: Dero gets  the edge

1B: I'll take Loney over Lee by a bit

C: Soto vs. Martin is pretty Close...call it a push

Both pitching staffs are very good............but all together they are a superior team.........regular season records aside. I am too depressed and worn out over this playoff debacle to discuss what to do for next year but this team needs some overhauling for sure. 2 years in a row of the same failure is enough to see that. EVERY single position player has his share of blame here along with the manager.

cubs have released lots of tix on tues.......just got 4 bleachers

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Our favorite rumor site has the Cubs pursuing Ibanez. Not sure where he fits this club but you gotta like his stick. Thoughts

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There has been many discussions on lineups, who should play where,  the closer spot, etc. but this teams sucess or failure will come down to how are starting pitching pans out. while it's likely enough to make the playoffs there's no way it's good enough to advance, which is the ultimate goal here. Mr. Hendry is going to need to fing a starter or 2 before it's all done. I think we've all seen enough of Marquis at this point....history shows he gets worse as the season progresses and he has been awful lately. As for Hill, there's not much reason for optimism there either. In a year where we need him to step up he has regressed........instead of developing a sorely needed 3rd pitch he now has zero command of his only 2 and I think there's a better chance of him staying off the 25 man roster than returning to it.

On the positive side, Z has looked like the legit ace we have been wiating for him to become and Dempster has far exceeded expectations.........we can only hope that continues......but you never know. Lily has been a bit better lately as well.

Question here is.........do we count on Lieber and Gallagher to fill those 2 slots or do we get at least one good starter via trade and who is....or might become available? I really think this is a club that can go very deep into the postseason but not without help in the rotation.

I just went onto to cubs.com and got 4 upper deck box section 427.

There seems to be several there for those still intersted in going

Good Luck to all!

If...........and only if Fukodome does'nt pan out.....any thought on taking a chance on Podsednik?
Maybe a one year sparkplug? He seems worth a chance given the free agent market for OF's and the uncertainty with Pie. He would certainly come cheap. Again.........this only if Fuko does not sign. Get him Jimbo!!!!!!!!!!