I just don't understand the hatred.  Hatred isn't too strong of a word either.  He's a decent complementary player.  He's not a star and he's paid comparable to his production.  He should be batting 6th but sometimes with injuries, the lineup gets juggled.  Let me post some reality from 2006:

RISP: .298
RISP w/ 2 outs: .277
Men on base: .314
Bases loaded: .385
Tie game: .297
Within 1 run: .307

Those were Jones' numbers in 2006.  Pretty solid to me.  Incidently, last season he hit best in the 6th spot with a .343 average.      

A diary for Day 2 rumors and such.  

The Washington Post this morning had more information on the rumored "shocking" trade that Jim Bowden mentioned yesterday and was posted in a diary here.  The big name is Manny and the Nationals could be involved in the 3 way deal including the Giants not the Cubs.  Felipe Lopez would be one of the players heading to Boston.  Washington would get prospects/young players with Manny heading to SF.  Noah Lowry was mentioned as one possibility for Washington.  It wouldn't surprise me if Jon Rauch was also included since his value won't be higher than right now after his performance last year.  In a separate note, the Nats are shopping Ryan Church so he could be included.  Seems he has aggravated the organization for the second straight year.      

Cleveland traded Bob Wickman to Atlanta for a Class A catcher.  While Wickman has struggled at times, he still has closed in the past.  He's definitely a better option than Williamson and you could argue Howry based on salary and the history of closing. Wickman might be a similar choice to Dempster except for the contract (Thanks Hendry).  It does show the current market price for relievers.  Not very high.    

The prospect, Maximiliano Ramirez, is hitting .285 with 9 homeruns.  He is a prospect but not on Atlanta's top 10 per BA.  

I'm sure this will result in a few flaming responses.  Everyone complains about Baker playing Neifi but what options does he have?  

Cedeno: Neifi is a better fielder and at least right now a better hitter.  If Baker's job is to win games (and maybe until recently it was), Neifi is a better choice then Ronny.  The minors is supposed to be where players learn and develop, right now Cedeno looks like he needs some development time.

Walker: Obviously Walker is a better hitter but if defense matters up the middle, Todd is a tough play.  It does say something that Hendry tried to trade Walker before the season and no one wants him.  Should Walker play over Neifi even with his defense, probably but after seeing last Sunday's game, I can see why Baker sometimes wants a more steady defender.

Womack: No discussion needed.  

Theriot: Probably the new favorite choice.  At this point, Ryan should play but earlier in the season, I can see not playing him.  I really doubt he'll amount to anything.  After all, 275 AB's and zero homeruns.  I can see it now, teams will call the outfielders in and pitchers will roll the ball to him and say hit it.  Unless he develops Pierre speed from the right hand side, he's never going to be a starter.    

Now I'm not going to say Neifi is a good player.  He isn't.  He should never bat second.  He's a terrible hitter.  In fact, in some seasons he was the worst offensive player in baseball but it's not like Dusty is sitting Ryne Sandberg for Neifi.  The Cubs roster is just bad.  Time for Fontenot now.            

In case you missed the report:

Iowa starter Angel Guzman struck out eight batters in 3.2 innings before leaving the game with cramps in his forearm. Iowa reliever Kerry Ligtenberg was tagged with the loss and fell to 2-3 on the year.

It's too early to tell anything but it's not a good sign.  He is still a year away from being useful at the major league level.  He should be slotted for Iowa for 2007.  
 

As part of all these "blow up the team" posts, a lot of people keep saying, let's see what the kids can do.  Here are my lists of which kids should be in the majors and minors.  The majors list are those players that have performed well at AAA and it's time to see what they can do in the majors, good or bad.  

Majors: Aardsma, Hill, Fontenot, Theriot
Minors: Marshall, Marmol, Guzman, Pie

I'm sure a lot of people will write flaming responses but some kids are not ready for the majors.  Case in point, Sean Marshall after a successful April should now be sent to AAA for at least July and August.  A quick look at his monthly stats show the following:

April: 4 starts, 2-0, 4.22, 13 hits/7 walks in 21 innings, .94 WHIP.
May: 6 starts, 1-3, 5.57, 31 hits/19 walks in 32 innings, 1.55 WHIP.
June: 6 starts, 1-4, 5.45, 40 hits/16 walks in 33 innings, 1.70 WHIP!

If it wasn't for April, no one would be saying he is ready.  The book is out on him.  Hitters now know him and the results are getting worse.  Wait until August when he starts tiring from the long season.  He will likely get crushed.  

Guzman was set down to AAA where he belongs.  Marshall should be next (and yes I like him).    
         

Could someone explain to me what the Cubs are doing with Angel Guzman?  He once was a top prospect but he's been hurt for the prior two years.  He seems healthy this year and in limited AAA time has shown he may still have it with a K/BB ratio of 47/12 in 41 innings.

You would think that with his past injury problems, the best thing for him would be to pitch.  Instead the Cubs are having him sit in the bullpen and not pitch for over two weeks.  It's not like they need him anyway, they have 7 pitchers in the pen.  Why not send him to Iowa and add another bat (Fontenot?).  The Cubs should see what they have with Guzman.  Can he get his hot prospect status back?  Right now, they don't know and he isn't building arm strength riding the bullpen pines either.

I can only think of three reasons for this:

1. Hendry and Baker are completely incompetent and don't understand what they are doing.
2. Hendry and Baker really don't see much future for him and therefore don't care much about what is best for him.  
3. Guzman is a pawn as Hendry and Baker are battling over him.  Hendry wants him to pitch in the majors but Baker doesn't.  As a result, Baker just lets him sit unless he absolutely needs him.

My take is #3.  To me, it seems the only alternative.  Hendry loves his prospects and wouldn't give up on him.  Thoughts?  Maybe we should start a "Free Angel Guzman" campaign.  I'd like to see what he can do.      

Lots of talk on who to trade.  Here's my take.  First off, they won't be able to trade everyone.  No one does so we don't have to worry about a whole team of AAA guys.  

The bullpen guys (Williamson, Dempster, Eyre and Howry).  Every contender needs bullpen help.  These guys are probably the easiest to move.  The Cubs aren't winning this year or next so they are expendable.  Trade as many as you can for prospects.  Guzman, Aardsma and Hill can backfill as needed.  Whatever they do, Guzman needs to pitch somewhere!

Walker.  He's gone after this season so he should be traded first.  Let Fontenot play if you move him and no I don't think Fontenot will be the starter next year.  Just see what he can do.

Maddux.  He's earned the right to say what he wants.  If he wants to be traded, trade him for whatever you can get which I don't expect is too much.

Pierre and Jones.  These two should not be given away.  They could return next year and start again.  However, if someone makes a decent offer, take it.

Barrett.   I don't think there is much market for him so they might as well hang on to him for this year.   Consider someone else for next year.  

Ramirez.  I don't like his attitude but he is a solid hitter.  No need to trade him unless you get a couple of Grade A prospects.  

Nevin, Mabry, Perez, Rusch.  These guys have no value.  Get a few hot dogs if can.

Bynum, Pagan.  These guys have little trade value.  No you can't package them up with Hill and Dopirak for Cabrera.  Play them.  Neither look like starting material but maybe one could be a 4th OFer in the future.

A final point, if they can find a scrub starting pitcher, get them and give Marshall and Marmol some AAA time.  Marshall has a 59/42 K/BB ratio in 86 innings.  He is not ready for the majors.  I like him, don't ruin him.                    

In case you missed it, the Cleveland Indians traded Eduardo Perez to the Seattle Mariners for SS Asdrubal Cabrera.  This is obviously one of the first out of contention teams trading spare parts for prospects.  Everyone is probably aware of Perez.  Decent hitter vs. LH, can't hit RH, backup 1B.  Nothing special.  

Cabrera is interesting, last season as a 19 y.o., he hit .318(.407 OBP) in A and .284 in high A.  Then for some strange reason Seattle jumped him to AAA where he hit .217.  He was only hitting .236 in AAA this season but with decent power and BB/AB for a 20 y.o. in AAA.  He is also supposed to be an excellent defender.  It will be interesting to see if Cleveland considers moving him back to AA.

While the Cubs didn't have someone meeting Perez' profile, these are the kinds of deals that Hendry needs to be looking for.  This is where he should be earning his salary.  By 2008/2009,  Cleveland could have a starting shortstop for really nothing.  Of course, this doesn't seem to be the kind of player the Cubs acquire.        

The talk of Cabrera, Brandon Wood and the like is nothing but a pipe dream.  The Cubs don't have the players to get these guys.  Here are some alternatives I'd like to see that might be available from teams in contention.  I would concentrate on AA/AAA guys only.  Any others?

Dustin McGowan/Toronto - A former high prospect.  Has Toronto soured on him?  A change of venue might be worth it as he won't get a chance with Toronto in contention.

Ryan Shealy/Colorado - Not sure about his defense but in Wrigley it might be ok.  The guy can hit, maybe Colorado will let him go.  

J Brent Cox/Yankees - I don't think Philip Hughes is available.  Maybe they could get Cox instead.  Maybe get Tyler Clippard in the deal and see if someone can turn him around.

Ben Johnson/SD - Unfortunately his recent hitting probably made him a little tougher to get.  Not sure what SD might want either but I like Johnson.  

Justin Orenduff or Greg Miller/LA - The Dodgers are really loaded so I'd take practically anything from them.  Miller is intriguing if his injury problems are over.  

Humberto Sanchez/Det - I don't think he is available but I'm listing him for those that think some of the Cubs pitchers are grade A prospects.  Look at his AA/AAA numbers.  Ryan Raburn might be an interesting prospect for 2B but I'm not too familiar with him.

Dustin Pedroia/Bos - Not sure what Boston's view of him is.  Might be worth inquiring.

Ryan Sweeney/CWS - Had to list someone from the Sox but overall I'm not too high on anyone.  Not sure they could get Josh Fields.              

Dusty Baker?  No.

Gene Clines?  No.  

The Indians released Jason Johnson today.  I guess their thinking was if a pitcher can't beat the Cubs he must really be bad.  

Incidently, the Indians are bringing up prospect Jeremy Sowers to take his place.  Maybe the Cubs are watching.  Hint, hint - It's ok to release veterans who really aren't very good.  

There has been some recent discussion as to whether this Cubs team is worse than the 70's.  I did some checking.  The worst 70's Cubs team record-wise was 1974.

In 1974, the winning percentage was .407 (66-96).  They hit .251 and slugged .365 while scoring 4.13 runs per game.

This year's team has a worse .382 winning percentage.  They are hitting better at .257 and slugging better at .388 but scoring less at only 3.92 runs per game.  The major reason for the difference, the 1974 version had an OBP of .326 while this year's team, a paltry .309!  

On the mound, the 1974 edition had a ERA of 4.28 and a Runs/Game of 5.10.  That team really allowed the unearned runs!  This years model has a worse ERA of 4.82 and is allowing a nearly identical 5.09 R/G.  

So bottom line, this team might only be better defensively.  In all other categories, this team could be considered worse.  In addition, the '74 Cubs started 5 regulars at 25 years or younger and had 4 starting pitchers at 26 or younger.  Billy Williams was the only player older than 31 so at least there was hope.

Incidently the 1974 team also changed managers during the season from Whitey Lockman to Jim Marshall.  

A final note, the 1980 team had a worse record  than 1974 at 64-98 (.395) but even that is better than this year's version.  Offensively 1980 was even worse than today's team (3.79 R/G) but better on the mound at 4.49 R/G.  This year's team has a significantly worse run differential.

Bottom-line, no matter how you want to look at it, this year's team rates up there with the worst teams that any of us can remember.              

I've been a voyeur and reader of this blog for awhile now but I've never signed up.  However, my frustration of the current season has made me want to sign up and vent my rage.  I've been a long time Cubs fan from the 60's so I've seen some pretty bad teams but the current state is frustrating beyond anything I can remember.  

For my first post, I'd just like to inform Jim Hendry that Mark Prior and Kerry Wood are injury prone.  It's not a good idea to expect them to pitch effectively during the year.  You should take anything you can get from them as a bonus.  To do anything else and then blame the poor season on bad luck with injuries is incompetence.  

P.S. Please release Neifi Perez.  He is useless.