Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

40 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (roster is full) 

28 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and twelve players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors. 

Last updated 3-26-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 15
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Jose Cuas
Kyle Hendricks
* Shota Imanaga
Caleb Kilian
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Julian Merryweather
Hector Neris 
* Drew Smyly
* Justin Steele
Jameson Taillon
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
* Miles Mastrobuoni
Christopher Morel
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
Alexander Canario
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 12 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Ben Brown, P 
Alexander Canario, OF 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Matt Mervis, 1B 
Daniel Palencia, P 
Keegan Thompson, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 
Hayden Wesneski, P 

 



 

Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
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Idjit

Nice job, Michael Barrett. You let yourself get suckered into sucker-punching one of the smartest jerks in the game. I figure that punch is worth at least a five-game suspension and maybe more, and those will be games where the Cubs offense is even more anemic than it has been up to this point. There are very few people in the game who are better than A.J. Pierzynski at getting under the skin of opposing players. Did he have to bowl into Barrett? No. Did he have to slap the plate after he scored? Of course not. That's a straight-up dick move. But you damn well better believe he knew exactly what he was doing. I'm sure he didn't want to get punched in the head, but I imagine he probably didn't mind all that much, especially once he realized it took one of the Cubs best (only?) hitters out of the game. I'm already hearing how maybe this will be the thing that will fire up the Cubs and get them back on the winning track, but I have no idea how extra Henry Blanco in the lineup is going to do that. You know what will get the Cubs back on the winning track? Winning. Timely hitting. Any hitting. Taking the occasional walk. Not bunting in the first inning. Not bunting with two outs in the ninth inning. Getting more than two hits in a game, and when they do, not leaving those guys on base. Those sorts of things, not punching people in the face, even if they might deserve it. Barrett ought to be ashamed of himself.

Comments

Well just another nail in the coffin of another lousy Cub team. I don't think anyone looking at this team realistically, thought we we really had much of a chance of contending. Last year with a better team we finished 4th, 21 games back with Ramirez and Barrett having excellent years and Lee having a career year. This year with the injuries and now the Barrett suspension, we probably will be very fortunate to finish 4th again. But the bright side is that McFail will be delighted with another profitable year for the Tribune.

Here's an interesting way to look at what's happened to the Cubs since 2003: by position. Seems like every spot on the field has had some controversy or downright bizarre circumstance--I wonder if any other team can say that? Left Field: Moises Alou--throws the temper tantrum that probably keeps Mark Prior rattled in the infamous game six. Can't run bases. Pees on hands. (Also looks like child molester, but that's beside the point. Center Field: Corey Patterson--talented youngster can't figure it out, bats leadoff despite an OBP slightly less than what Stephen Hawking could manage in the big leagues, fans make it their season goal to convince him to commit suicide. Also, Juan Pierre: Steady career hitter suddenly has trouble topping .250 in a Cubs uniform. Right Field: Sammy Sosa--perhaps the greatest slugger in team history, gets hit in the head, ends up walking out on his teammates a year later. Leaves team disgraced. Jacque Jones--cocky enough to rip fans after being a Cub for just three months. Almost gets pelted by a ball thrown by a fan. Third Base: Aramis Ramirez--has various injuries that keep him out of the lineup. This year he can't break .250. Shortstop: Alex Gonzalez--makes inexplicable error in game 6 after a stellar defensive. Nomar Garciapparra--his longtime team finally wins world serious AFTER trading him, his groin falls off. As soon as he leaves Chicago for L.A., he's a world beater again. Neifi Perez--he plays, somehow. Second Base: Todd Walker--secretely hated by management and front office to the point they wanted to trade him and play Hairston or Neifi. Has said many controversial things in two years here. First Base: D-Lee--not long after signing a huge contract extension he--get this--has a major injury. Catcher: Michael Barrett--The Oswalt incident. And now, the Pierzenski incident. Also, giving away injury information (and all the weird "Art of War" stuff that got talked about during that time). Starting pitchers: Do I have to go through this? Wood--injuries, injuries, injuries, also headhunting rumors and a fued with Steve Stone. Prior--injuries, which have been handled in strange ways by the front office and the PR department. Zambrano--can a person even list all of the absolutely weird things he's done on the mound mound? He's basically loco. Bullpen: Kyle Farnsworth--flips out on the clubhouse fan, basically explodes in any and all pressure situations (the bigger the situation, the worse the explosion). Kent Mercker--calls up to the booth to complain about comments made by announcers. Allegedly threatens said announcer. Enough said. LaTroy Hawkins: Becomes a major distraction as teammates rally behind him and support him, alienating the fans even as Hawkins is blowing 10 of every 11 save chances. Manager: Dusty Baker--constructs ridiculous lineups, ruins his pitchers, blesses their arms with holy water, gets implicated for sexual harrassment in the NY Times, makes comments about white players not handling the heat like darker-skinned players, makes ridiculous statements about "clogging the bases," etc. Third Base Coach: Wendell Kim--single-handedly loses 3 or 4 games with bad decisions. Continues to make bad decisions anyway. Pitching Coach: Larry Rothschild--helps purpotrate conspiracy about health of pitchers. HERE'S MY POINT: Is it any wonder we haven't won anything in the last couple of years? There has not been a stabalizing force on this team at all. Not a single one. Every position on the field has, at some point, had a player with a major physical/mental/character issue. Some of them are so comical as to be unbelievable. Time to blow it all up and start over.

There is nothing that can get this club back on a winning track. It pains me to say this but more often than not they currently look like a AAA team playing a major league team. I am just dumb-founded that this is what 100 million buys. Oh, yeah, I know, this team is built around its pitching. That old myth has been dead for at least a year or two. Hendry should have known after last season, if not before, that Wood cannot be counted on. Prior cannot be counted on. Maddux is still talented but on the downslide of his career. Z is very talented but still something of a headcase. The truth is that our starting pitching is pretty average at best and that Wood and Prior are not supermen who are going to come in and save the day. As you say, it just keeps getting worse and worse. Now Barrett will be lost for at least five games. We used to be criticized for being a tema that could only score when we hit homers. Well, back in those days, seems like a long time ago now, at least we used to hit home runs. Our offense is simply, in a word, terrible, awful, pathetic. At some point something is going to ahve to be done. We need someone who can come up with some kind of a plan that does not involve Neifi, Hairston, Blanco, Pierre and Jones. I fault McPhail and Hendry more than Dusty. This is going to be a very long, long painful season. I just hope something in terms of a shake-up happens eventually and that Hendry and McPhail don't both wiggle off with the lame excuse that Lee is injured. Our problems go way, way beyond Lee being injured. Well, one bright note, if you want to call it that, I doubt ARAM will be opting out of his huge deal with the Cubs at the end of this season because it is now clear that no other club will want him for what the Cubs are paying him.

You know what is sickening? After seeing what we did in 2003 and then watching the slow downward spiral of the franchise ever since. I am sick of all the controversy of Henry/McPhail and their side kick Baker. I am sick of all the little scandals this franchise has had since Baker has been hired. I am sick of excuses of why they cant get the job done. I am sick of watching them throw hissy fits on the field that cost us ball games. (And I am sure people are sick of other people complaining about this team). :) I just want a baseball team. An honest to god hard working, takes nothing for granted, baseball team. I just want the controversy to end, the blow ups on the field to end and get back to what counts the most. Winning baseball games. 2003 was supposed to be the stepping stone. Not the highlight.

I stop in here once in awhile to read the comments. I find it interesting that so few Cub fans understand the current front office organization. Andy McPhail runs every aspect of the Cub organization from his Ivory Tower. He operates very similar to the situation with Howard Hughes in the 70's. Everything is done with memos. Very few of his players have even met McPhail. He deals with scouting reports only with memos. I am not certain how often he meets with Hendry in person but I do know that Jim Hendry makes no moves without permission from the President. I also don't know if he deals with Tribune officers in person or by memo. McPhail is very comfortable letting Hendry take the credit or the blame for his lack competance.

Give us more credit than that Another. The chorus around here to get rid of McPhail has been deafening. You let Hendry off pretty easily. He likes fans like you. You apparently do not think Hendry is to blame for any of the players the Cubs sign. Well, a lot of us are going to differ with you on that point. You apparently speculate that Hendry has really nothing to do with the players who are signed. Well, a lot of us are going to speculate the other way on that point. What exactly is it that Hendry does in your world? Sign off on concession stand orders? If general managers played no role in acquiring personnel for major league teams, few if any general managers would be fired. And yet they are fired each and every year. As I have said before, if we have any luck, or hope, both McPhail and Hendry will be fired.

Just tell us which one gave extensions to Neifi and Rusch so we can punch them in the sack.

Hendry claimed on WSCR on Friday that he had complete control of the Cubs franchise and their payroll -- He said he was responsible for ALL the personell...Yet, he did tell Murph that he would have to "consult with upper management" (eg. McFail) if he were to make a large move like hiring a new Manager or bringing in a big player.

"I stop in here once in awhile to read the comments. I find it interesting that so few Cub fans understand the current front office organization. Andy McPhail runs every aspect of the Cub organization from his Ivory Tower. " What are you talking about? This same claim has been made here a dozen times by people who say they worked for MacPhail but don't know how to spell his name right.

The only reason Dusty Baker is still around is McFail is scared to death of the race card being played and sure as hell Dusty Baker would play that card to "protect" his reputation. All you need to do is look back to the last Cub Manager firing....and Baker would say the Cubs are quick to fire black managers. There is no reason in the world for Baker to be making comments that his team sucks...overseeing team production that has been poor to terrible the past two years and still holding onto his job. He has a much higher payroll (relative with inflation dollars figured even) than Baylor or Riggleman or any other manager and he's managed to lead them to a comfortable but not safe lead over the last place Pirates...nice... Race has it's protection these days.

Who thinks this is over between the Sox and Cubs? With Z going tomorrow, I'm a bit worried.

Tribune is an under-performing media company...the firm's sales, profits, and cash flow from operations are dropping -- this was all in the recent SEC filing that I posted in the last 24 hours...The Cubs' parent company is under tremendous pressure to cut costs and sell-off non-core assets. Large shareholders are getting impatient as Tribune has dramatically under-performed the S&P 500 and a number of other peer media firms. The Cubs franchise may make some money for Tribune BUT overall it is a small part of operation...The vast majority of their profits come from selling advertising in the publishing and broadcasting markets. It does not make sense for a large diversified media company to own a major league baseball team. And we all know that the Cubs division is underperforming for the fans and many other stakeholders. The best thing Tribune could do is SELL the Cubs team to some private owner that could give the team a real chance to be a contender. A private owner of the Cubs could focus like a laser beam on building a team that could become a champion. That would require a new GM, a new Manager, new coaches, and many new players...it would take some time to re-engineer the entire Cubs organization and their farm team system. Yet, it could be done. It's not just a question of how much money would be spent on the Cubs. The team currently has a payroll that is in the top 10 in MLB. It would take a new strategy and a real sense of urgency to build a team that is better by design. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Quite honestly, I don't blame Barrett one bit for punching AJ, not for getting run over, perhaps for the plate slap, but then he came back and shoulder charged Michael. In those circumstances, being dazed like I'm sure he was and then having someone come back for more, I probably would've done the same exact thing. Was it smart? Probably not, but I can't blame him for doing it. Michael should get a 3-5 day suspension, and AJ should be just behind him, because he quite honestly started it. Anderson and Mabry will probably get a few games each as well.

That was no "shoulder charge" I agree with those who speculate he was stepping toward his helmet, and both had to have been a little disoriented by the collision, and more or less stood up into each other, AJ was jawing, esp after Michael laid hands on him, etc. At least with the Cubs sliding, these local guys (BUCS, anagram for CUBS?) look better and better by comparison.

Here's an interesting perspective that was written on a blog a few hours ago... Had Enough Yet? http://www.goatriders.org/archives/2006/05/had_enough_yet.html {...They have a $90M+ payroll and are one of the four bottom teams in the National League. It's a week before Memorial Day and the Cubs look done. Dusty Baker? Jim Hendry? Andy McPhail? John McDonough? Naaa. It's about time some faceless bigshot rings up Dennis Fitzimmons' cell phone and interrupts his putt on the 15th hole at Kemper, and tell him that he needs to cancel any appointments he may have for Monday morning, because it's time to talk about Andy McPhail's enterprise. Being sucky has been tolerated by the Tribune in the past although, to be fair, they have burned through four management regimes in twenty-five seasons of ownership. The reason McPhail has been given a longer leash than Jim Frey and Larry Himes before him is because his personnel failures have been offset by John McDonough's brilliant marketing ability. But being embarassed on the large, local stage at 35th and Shields, about five miles (as the crow flies) from the Cubs' corporate home on Michigan Avenue...well, that can't feel good. Playing like a bunch of jackasses in front of the rest of Chicago can't be good publicity for anybody. Not even the Tribune's clever use of their spin-management tools can combat this. The bottom line may be strong, the value of the franchise may be high, but this team is an utter laughingstock. Mr. Fitzimmons? It's time to do something about this this mess...}

"That was no "shoulder charge" I agree with those who speculate he was stepping toward his helmet, and both had to have been a little disoriented by the collision, and more or less stood up into each other, AJ was jawing, esp after Michael laid hands on him, etc. At least with the Cubs sliding, these local guys (BUCS, anagram for CUBS?) look better and better by comparison." Bull...I just watched it again, and he lowered his shoulder into Barrett. Going after his helmet my ass.

Pierzynski needed to be hit in the face regardless of wheter he did anyting in the first place. Anyway whats the worst that happens Barret gets suspended and they lose more games. If the Cubs are gonna keep letting Neifi play they need to do something else to strike fear in the eyes of their oppenents.

One a possitive note. Prior and Miller and D.Lee wont have to rush back from injury. They can take there time and heal/rehab correctly. The Wait till next year is nigh. May 20th ugh!!!

I dunno, I liked what Barrett did. It gave me a reason to watch a game where Rich Hill started.

no excuswe for what Barrett did, and even Barrett is willing to admit it now. I don't care what ticky tack mind games AJ was playing, but you don't lose control like that...you embaress yourself, your team, your fans...when there is enough to be ashamed about. I was VERY glad to see that Baker did not stand up for Barrett...I was glad to see Baker say what AJ did was part of baseball. That's the type of accountability I want to see...when someone loses their head and ultimately hurts your team, don't jump in front of the press and try to protect him, that just would make a bad situation worse....now hopefully it will difuse quickly. Barrett knows he royally fucked up, Baker knows it, the Sox know it...now they can go out and play the game tomorrow. Incidentally...I thought it was good to see Rich Hill stand up for Barrett...that is was a young guy should do...stand up for his catcher. Now if only he knew how to throw a friggin ball over the plate...he might make it back to the big leagues in a few years.

Pujols another homer...sigh. 10.5 games out in mid May...that's impressive.

First baseman suffered bruised ribs in Saturday's altercation http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060520&co… {...john Mabry suffered bruised ribs during Saturday's fight in the Chicago Cubs' 7-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox, and his status is day-to-day...} Michael Barrett I hope you are glad you started this outburst -- was it really worth it...? Maybe if the Cubs do a complete overhaul of the team they should be thinking about a new catcher. The thing I like about D. Lee is that he is a class act all the way (just like Thome)...They don't start fights...They get out on the field and make things happen and they play great baseball. These guys are role models for the next generation...Michael Barrett -- well, he's in a comletely different category.

If Barrett was smart, he would have punched Rich Hill and told him to throw some strikes! The Cubs are the dumbest team in all of baseball. AJ Pierzynski maybe an ass, but he is definately one of the smartest players in the game. Michael Barrett, on the other hand, is a complete idiot. That was his 4th incident in the last year. He has had run-ins with Roy Oswalt, twice recently with Dave Roberts, and now Pierzynski. The difference between AJ and Michael is huge. AJ get in his opponents heads and psyches THEM out. Opponents get in Barrett's head and pysche Michael Barrett out. Barrett is DUMB, DUMB, DUMB. But then again, Barrett's upcoming 5-10 game suspension is no real loss. Did you know Michael Barrett has only one freakin' RBI since April 20th? A solo HR against the Giants in a 7-1 loss. Michael Barrett is batting a robust .083 with RISP for the month of May. If Barrett wants to hit something, how about doing it when he's batting with runners in scoring position.

Nice to see Rich Hill give Glendon some competition for the LH BP pitcher role. Is there another organization in sports - outside of Isiah's Knicks - in such total disarray? Hendry has been somewhat unlucky -- DLee injury, Pierre and A-Ram playing way, way below reasonable expectations -- but, he clearly built a team with no depth. Key question now -- what's the plan, Jim? Do you have one?

So if Barrett is suspended for 5 games, does that mean we get to see Geovany Soto? Oh boy... Just another reason Hendry should have gone harder after Craig Wilson in the offseason. I assume that Hill gets sent down and Soto comes up, but then what happens when Prior has to come back before Barrett's suspension is up? Does Theriot, who has barely played, go back down? Or does Hendry use this as an excuse to DFA Freddie Bynum? Or does Barrett manage to protest the suspension for a while until July when the fire sale will have already began?

theriot/hill are the expendables...the real question is who goes when miller is back. guzman, probally. wuertz also cant stay at AAA forever...

brain mccann...collision at home plate...huge injury to him...injury TBA...he really got his knee/ankle wrecked. speaking of catchers...

Memo to: Ruz. Subject: Bowling over Barrett. Dear Ruz: Pierzynski, say what you will about him, was every inch within his rights to bowl over Barrett. (A right hearty plow it was, too, knocking Barrett about four feet behind right of the plate, with the impact sending Pierzynski about two feet directly behind it.) Reference Rule 7.06, Note, which says plainly enough a catcher is not entitled to block the plate. Ball in his hand or no ball in his hand, Pierzynski has the law on his side. (You think he's the only one who ever slapped the plate in ebuillience after a score like that?)

"Memo to: Ruz. Subject: Bowling over Barrett. Dear Ruz: Pierzynski, say what you will about him, was every inch within his rights to bowl over Barrett. (A right hearty plow it was, too, knocking Barrett about four feet behind right of the plate, with the impact sending Pierzynski about two feet directly behind it.) Reference Rule 7.06, Note, which says plainly enough a catcher is not entitled to block the plate. Ball in his hand or no ball in his hand, Pierzynski has the law on his side. (You think he's the only one who ever slapped the plate in ebuillience after a score like that?)" but he wasn't within his rights to get back up and bowl into Barrett with his shoulder lowered jawing away at him like he did.

jeff...a basestealer is within his rights to steal a base in the 8th with a 10 run lead. he was 100% within his right to do what he did, but he knew he didn't HAVE to do that. being a catcher its almost inexcusable for him to do that...of all the people around he knows what he did. he's a catcher, too... right or not, he knew better...that had to play a huge part of that incident and the personal anger involved. techically, its 100% legal...don't think anyone is saying it wasn't...but it was totally overaggressive and like a pitcher throwing at another pitcher, its a bush league move. but that in NO way excuses barrett's response...not the grab and definately not the punch.

Can't wait to see Hendy his magic again this week! This guy rocks! Bynum pick up before the season has been incredible. Good to see the restovich and Theroit call ups provide energy to the team. Carrying 5 middle infielders has been brilliant. Looking forward to seeing us light it up like "houston was 15-30 and made the world series" did last year. We have the pitching, incredible depth off the bench, and the ability to hit the long ball like last years Astros! Damn it! we are so freaking pathetic.

Well said, Ruz. There are only two questionable things about the play: did AJ need to bowl him over, or could he have slid? and did AJ know he was walking towards Barrett, or was he dazed after the colision and/or looking for his helmet? Even if the answer on both of those questions points to some culpability for AJ, it's still Barrett who chose to escalate the situation. And now, we get a week or so of Blanco. ~sigh~

I'd rather see Tony Womack on the roster than Freddie Bynum. And I'd rather see Edgardo Alfonzo than Neifi Perez or Theriot. Cincy DFA'd Dave Williams, why won't Hendry do that with Rusch? Anaheim (FU LA) DFA'd Alfonzo, why won't Hendry do that with Bynum or Perez? There isn't any backlash for those releases, so fear of admitting a mistake in getting those losers is no excuse. (The Angels are in a similar boat as the Cubs the last month, but not nearly as much talk about firing Sciosca interestly.) ESPN shows Alfonzo is making $8 mil this year. If the Cubs picked him up would they have to pay that? If not I think I'd grab him ASAP. Not that I'm a big fan, but I think he's better than our current bench and especially ueful if Mabry's out a few days with bruised ribs and a suspension. Womack and Alfonzo suck, but not as bad as Bynum and Perez. Barrett lost what was left of my respect today. I'd like to see him gone before next year. Neifi grounds into a DP with bases loaded and 1 out. Typical. He's a AA player at best. This season is lost, so they might as well get rid of proven losers and let some kids play.

*All you need to do is look back to the last Cub Manager firing....and Baker would say the Cubs are quick to fire black managers.* Bullshit. Baylor stank up the joint for how long? And the Cubs have fired white managers who have done *better* than Baker. They fired Zimmer--who once one 90+ games--when they were what, *one* game under--in May? And what players did we have under Zim that year? Certainly not 100 million dollars worth, that's for sure. They might hear it from the usual race-baiting idiots in the press, but fuck it. I'll throw it right back at them and say "If you can't fire a black/latin manager, how in the hell are you ever supposed to be able to hire one?"

350K is left on matt lawton's deal and he's DFA'd...not everyone's cup of tea, but i kinda wish hendry would have snagged him for a 4th OF'r this offseason if he was gonna be so cheap. suprised reds are giving up on him enough to trade him, but they want the roster space now, i guess.

"suprised reds are giving up on him enough to trade him, but they want the roster space now, i guess." williams, that is...

"Barrett out to be ashamed of himself." Give me a break Ruz. Was it a stupid overreaction that's going to do his team more harm than good? Sure. But you sound like his mother here. Come on. No, this won't get the team fired up- they suck. No question. But I'll be damned if I'm going to watch this lifeless team for the last three, and hear everyone rightfully criticize the cubs for not looking like they give a damn, only to see someone finally say "enough" of this being pushed around stuff and then say "he should be ashamed of himself." No, Cubs fans should be ashamed of ourselves for rightfully criticize this organization then turn around and buy 3 million tickets for the third year in a row.

This season is lost, so they might as well get rid of proven losers and let some kids play. ... or at least add some better veterans that are available if Dusty doesn't want kids like Pie, Fontenot, Theriot, & Patterson.

120 games, and I don't think I'll be watching very many of them at all, unlike past years. I was planning a few trips to Wrigley too, but won't now. And I'll be sure to write some letters to the various Cubs officials to let them know exactly why they won't be getting my ticket, hot dog and beer money. One lettter doesn't make any difference at all, I know, but if/when others join in, it can have an impact. 4-17 the last 21 games. 4-17!!! 120 games left, and at that pace, they would only win 23 of them. Why watch this year?

this has been the worst month of baseball ive ever seen out of the cubs...granted, ive only been watching the cubs as an informed fan since the mid-80s...but wow...yeah, this is worse than "that last few weeks in sept" to me.

The question Crunch is what is gonna be done over the next 120 games. My fear is that nothing will be done just like the last 20 games and there will be no hope for 2007.

what can be done? the kids in the minors...the ones worth playing that are actual impact players are already up. you got bench player of the future buck coats (if he remains untraded)...casey mcghee, etc. etc. you got felix pie, but well...he's 21...at what point do you start the clock on a guy who's not even gonna prime for 3-7 more years, but you really dont need right now? as far as trading goes...there's not much to be traded for except these DFA'd guys floating around. no one's dealing even quality support right now. right now there's not a lot to be excited about as far as personell changing except for a possible rare early impact trade...i would throw dusty's possible firing in, but that dont change a lot of who's still on the 25-man. be nice if aram/pierre started hitting close to the aram/pierre we're used to, walker can rediscover his swing, and murton can figure out how to advance himself more than 90ft. at a time.

I would rather have a guy on my team who might make an idotic decision defending himself than someone who will just let people bowl them over and celebrate it.

mccann theyre initially deeming has a sprained ankle...hope that diagnosis holds up. he got rolled over hard. xrays show no fracture.

There is no hope for us unless and until the entire bunch is shit-canned, from McFail on down. And I don't see that happening unless TribCo sells the team. Very depressing.

Barrett has shown punk-like, I'm-a-cool-guy, self-appointed enforcer tendencies (see Dave Roberts, Oswalt 2004, now A.J.P.), but his response today was understandable. Looking at the replay, I can understand how he thought AJP was coming after him, bullying him after bowling him over. He may have been mistaken, but I can see how he thought that was happening. He did overreact, but adrenaline does strange things. When you are bullied and you think (rightly or wrongly) that the bully is coming after you again, instincts take over and a person doesn't show the restraint or discretion that he would in another situation. That said, I am ashamed to say that it was really fun to see him punch AJP in the face. There, I said it.

First of all, let me state that I don't condone Barrett punching AJ. But, I have no problem with Barrett reacting to getting bowled over, AJ slapping home plate and the appearence of AJ walking over toward Barrett. I would of liked Barrett just got in his face and told him to "FUCK OFF" and maybe pushed him away and then next time he came up the pitcher to buzz him or plunk him in the back and then the whole thing be over. Instead Barret overreacted and now he has to live with the 5-7 game suspension. But like I said on parachat, and many others have said. I like the fact that barrett just didn't get bowled over and took it. I can think of two different times over the past 2 years that the Cubs rolled over and didn't repsond to something the toerh team did. 1) Berkman faking he got hit in the head. He rolled around on the ground acting like he got hit when the replays CLEARLY show he didn't. The Cubs never sent a message back to him that year or early next that that kind of stuff won't be tolerated. 2) Carlos Lee clearly leg whipped Todd walker breaking up a DP and the Cubs never responded back to Lee. I blame the players and Baker for that. At least Barrett stands up for himself, as he knows Baker and the team won't (like with Oswalt). A similar situation happened to the White Sox 2 years ago. Minnesota Twin Tori Hunter bowled over White Sox C Jamie Burke and the team did nothing to respond back. The Twins ended up going to to continue their dominance over the Whtie Six and many White Sox fans on sports radio were pissed they did nothing. And as for the fact of its stupid, because we lose Barrett. Yes, it does suck we will lose him for a few games, but this offense has been soooo bad with him the past 3 weeks, it doesn't bother me that much. This season is all but done already and they have lost 17 of 21. Also, there have been rumblings on TCR a that some want Barrett out as C before today, so this isn't the biggest loss in the world to me. Maybe this fight can bring the players together more and can spark them. Of not, things can't get much worse than they are.

South Siders so much better this isn't even a rivalry By Jay Mariotti http://www.suntimes.com/output/mariotti/cst-spt-jay20.html {...Seems Cubs management, stuck with a Dead Manager Walking and a general manager who is doing a crummy job, would have more important issues than pressuring the Chicago Tribune into softening daily reporting about a 17-24 stinkbomb. But that's club president Andy MacFail for you. He's so busy writing letters to editors and trying to get beat writers removed that he once again is allowing the Cubs to free-fall out of contention, which would leave him with two playoff appearances in 12 years as boss. By any baseball standard, a .167 batting average is grounds for demotion or dismissal, no matter how much money MacFail makes for the mother ship...}

Scott- Are there any real links or factual stories about McPhail doing those things, besides Mariotti? I hope so as the only reason Hendry is here is because of McPhail. Maybe if a new president comes in he wants to clean house and get rid of Hendry and Baker, which is exactly what the organization needs (as long as they don't make the playoffs this year whichs is just about a foregone conclusion).

The Cubs.... are last in the NL in runs scored. are last in the NL in hits. are last in the NL in doubles. are last in the NL in home runs. are last in the NL in total bases. are last in the NL in runs batted in. are last in the NL in batting average. are last in the NL in slugging percentage. are last in the NL in on-base percentage. are last in the NL in equivalent average. The only meaning full stat the Cubs aren't dead last in is triples - where we have ten. The Cubs have outscored the Royals by 3 runs, but that lead was thirty runs 2 weeks or so ago and the Royals have played 2 less games than the Cubs.

"I think it was pretty gutless on their partó[Pierzynski] hitting Michael when he didn't even have the ball." óCubs starter Rich Hill "Tell that Triple-A [bleep] to shut the [bleep] up. Tell him to start throwing some strikes or he's going to get Dusty fired." óGuillen Damn I think Rich Hill got bitch slapped. What is sad is Ozzie's comment is dead on the money.

"He had every right to hit me and he made a great play in taking me out before the ball could get to me." - Michael Barrett admitting he got it wrong. Reported by Copley News Service.

"Bull...I just watched it again, and he lowered his shoulder into Barrett. Going after his helmet my ass." Nah. http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3259/cxs1060520151024x7680fu.jpg We all like to defend our own guys, but this one's on Barrett. He went out of his way to go and get Pierzynski. Maybe he was just trying to fre up the team? Or maybe he was just frustrated? "The Cubs are the dumbest team in all of baseball. AJ Pierzynski maybe an ass, but he is definately one of the smartest players in the game. Michael Barrett, on the other hand, is a complete idiot. That was his 4th incident in the last year. He has had run-ins with Roy Oswalt, twice recently with Dave Roberts, and now Pierzynski. The difference between AJ and Michael is huge. AJ get in his opponents heads and psyches THEM out. Opponents get in Barrett's head and pysche Michael Barrett out. Barrett is DUMB, DUMB, DUMB." Maybe true.

If you havent already, check out Exile in Wrigleyville for a very good summary. http://www.all-baseball.com/exile/archives/022880.html Cliff notes version: Barrett after looking at the replays knows he screwed up. AJ says as he tried to walk past Barrett to get his helmet Barrett grabbed him and said, "I didn't have the ball, bitch," then threw the punch. Image shows that AJ's helmet was on the Cubs side of the field.... http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2006-05/23524917.jpg Barrett said he didnt see the plate slap, again the image shows this as true. A poster said they watched Baseball Tonight and on the show they orginally thought AJ started it but after watching the replay and the interviews they put Barrett totally at fault for starting the altercation. That is about as fair a run down of the events as you will get.

Barrett admitted he was wrong. What the hell does anyone else's "analysis" matter? Catchers get bowled over every day and they don't punch out the runner. Check this one out on a throw from Ichiro. Guaranteed if the throw weren't late...AGAIN...and Barrett had tagged Pierzynski out there would not have been a fight.

On a positive note: Micah Hoffpauir (1b) was promoted to Iowa from West Tennessee (10 HR 31 RBI) the other day and is just killing the ball. He's 5 for 9 with three home runs.

Just to put an exclamation point on how ridiculous Michael Barrett's behavior was yesterday, the Braves lost their catcher ---National League Batting Leader Brian McCann (.350) --- to a twisted ankle on a play at the plate. The runner put a shoulder into him causing him to drop the ball. His cleat caught and the shoulder block twisted it so badly most people thought it was broken. Instead of starting a bench clearing brawl, McCann said it "was a clean play. He did what he was supposed to do."

"But, I have no problem with Barrett reacting to getting bowled over, AJ slapping home plate and the appearence of AJ walking over toward Barrett. I would of liked Barrett just got in his face and told him to "FUCK OFF" and maybe pushed him away and then next time he came up the pitcher to buzz him or plunk him in the back and then the whole thing be over." huh? mannytrillo, you're an idiot. aj did nothing wrong. clean play...period! stop being a "homer." you can be a cubs fan and recognize the faults. good things come out of educated discussions. you're just an idiot. you don't "plunk" somebody because your own teammate couldn't take a hit at the plate. that's part of the game. you don't "plunk" somebody for no reason and "then the whole thing be over." stop writing here...moron. i'm sure you still believe juan pierre is the leadoff guy, too.

#52 of 59: By MikeC (May 21, 2006 02:17 AM) "I think it was pretty gutless on their partó[Pierzynski] hitting Michael when he didn't even have the ball." óCubs starter Rich Hill "Tell that Triple-A [bleep] to shut the [bleep] up. Tell him to start throwing some strikes or he's going to get Dusty fired." óGuillen Damn I think Rich Hill got bitch slapped. What is sad is Ozzie's comment is dead on the money. I wish Ozzie was our manager. It would be fun to watch him tell guys to work or go home, bench crappy players. I bet he would actually have pinch hit Z for Neifi the other day. I think that would send a message, coupled with the post game interview questions and straight up answers.

#56 of 60: By cubswinthepennant (May 21, 2006 03:36 AM) Barrett admitted he was wrong. What the hell does anyone else's "analysis" matter? Catchers get bowled over every day and they don't punch out the runner. Check this one out on a throw from Ichiro. Guaranteed if the throw weren't late...AGAIN...and Barrett had tagged Pierzynski out there would not have been a fight. Was that Jones throwing that laser beam? Someone tell Dusty to roll the film for the team. This is the only acceptable reason for not throwing to the cutoff man!! Damn, Ichiro can throw.

McFail should be accused and more importantly fired with the now exposed Tribune's internal conflict of interest between the Chicago National League Ballclub (and I use the ballclub term loosely) and his attempt to manipulate the press. McPhail's assault on Sullivan was an attack at the FIRST Amendment. That's serious stuff. Yes. Let's blow up this team. The Marlin's approach looks good to me from down where we are.

from today's suntimes Jones said he noticed a spark in the Cubs after the incident. "We got our butts kicked today, but we had a little bit of fire as far as playing the game,'' Jones said. Wow....did he really say this? We are tied up at zero a piece when AJ plows Barrett over...Barrett punches him..benches clear..Mabry gets thrown around like a puppet....The White Sox go on to score 7 runs....the Cubs zero...but they did so fired up... That right there is your 2006 Chicago Cubs folks.....crap that whether they play fired up or heavily sedated ....you can't tell the difference...nice

CRUNCH: this has been the worst month of baseball ive ever seen out of the cubs I think this morning is the toughest time I've had being a Cubs fan in 32 years. It may not literally be the worst the team has been in all that time, but so many disparate strands of suck are converging right now that baseball itself isn't bringing me much joy.

...now that baseball itself isn't bringing me much joy. ---- Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright. The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light. And, somewhere men are laughing, and little children shout, but there is no joy in Cubville ...Michael Barrett punched us out.

*this has been the worst month of baseball ive ever seen out of the cubs* I take it you were in a coma that month the Cubs lost like, three weeks worth of games in a row and then Trebelhorn met the fans outside of the bleacher gates?

"Santo's Still Alive" (to the tune of "Susannah's Still Alive" by the Kinks) Ron Santo's bananas, but he Only wants the best for his favorite club He'll never see a World Series Just another round of "This Old Cub" Oh, Ron Santo's gonna cry Oh, Ron Santo's still alive Ernie comes in, says "let's play two" Because there's nothing else that he can do Neifi's hacking at the plate DP with three men on Doesn't matter what they do They'll never score a run Oh, Ron Santo's gonna cry

For those of a certain age, we can remember well the truly abysmal Cubs teams from the mid to late 70's - with catchers like George Mitterwald, Steve Ontiveros at 3rd, Larry Bittner in the outfield, etc. This team resembles those infamous squads in so many ways -you knew the season was over by Memorial Day, and just watched to laugh when Kingman tried to scoop up grounders in the outfield - or when Bittner lost an outfield fly in his hat. But I still went to those games because Wrigley was usually only half - full during those days, and it was a decent way to spend an afternoon without breaking the bank (and most of the fans there were truly Cubs fans). But why go now, considering the expense and the product on the field?

Pardon my sin here, but I think Ozzie Guillen is so freaking cool. He expects gamesman ship, teamwork, selflessness, and good fndamentals from his team-- and he's not afraid to tell it like it is. I love his response to Rich Hill. He's absolutely right. We on the other hand have a laid back, dope smoking, toothpick chewing, overly defensive, press antagonizing fool. Regardless of in-game management it's just a lot easier to like Ozzie. Oh right, and Ozzie coached his team to a world series victory. The difference between the Cubs' failures and the Sox's successes are more complicated than a comparison of managers (before you get your panties in a bunch, crunch)--the fact that Kenny Williams has done a much better job assembling a team than Hendry certainly helps as well. I wish we could get rid of Dusty already and get started on a new era. I hate it that the White Sox are so much better than we are.

I like how Ozzie defends his players, but his little bitchslap of Hill sort of bugs me. As admirable as Ozzie's might be to some at TCR, it was nothing more than a personal attack on Hill in response to Hill's personal attack on AJP. There's no "right" or "wrong" about it -- he's just defending his guys. What do you guys think Ozzie is "right" about? That Hill is a AAA pitcher? That he needs to throw strikes? To bring those things up (true or not) in the context of a debate over the play at the plate is a healthy bitchslap, but I don't see how anyone could say the substance of his words are relevant. He might as well have said "Hill's mom is ugly." Would we be discussing whether Hill's mom is actually ugly, and saying "you know, he's right"? Ozzie defended his guy and chose words designed to embarass and ridicule Hill. Sure Hill needs to throw strikes, but that fact has nothing to do with Hill's comments about the incident, and it certainly doesn't disqualify a guy who was close to the play from expressing his opinion about it. Let's recognize Ozzie's words for what they are: a slap back at Hill, not a comment about Hill's role or performance on the team.

What do you guys think Ozzie is "right" about? That Hill is a AAA pitcher? Hmmm, To hell with his managing skills...Ozzie for GM? Hill to AAA Iowa Wuertz called up just the facts Mam. lineup: Barrett is catching, Walker DH

His words are relevant because he implies that Hill is without ethos in this argument--that is, the kid has no credibility. His words are relevant because he's saying, in effect, that Hill doesn't have the experience to know what is and is not appropriate, conduct-wise (the unwritten rules of what is and is not a dirty play, for instance). Yes, it's a personal attack, but that's the point.

I finally had a chance to run the sequence a few times on my Tivo. You know what impressed me the most? The way that Scott Podsednik, probably the smallest guy on the White Sox and the guy on the on-deck circle, went and defended his catcher. And good roster composition by Dusty/Hendry... Mabry gets tossed and because Walker is DH'ing they have to put JHJ at 1B. Lovely. If Mabry's ribs are sore enough today that he can't start, does that mean that Neifi is the DH??

A similar situation happened to the White Sox 2 years ago. Minnesota Twin Tori Hunter bowled over White Sox C Jamie Burke and the team did nothing to respond back. The Twins ended up going to to continue their dominance over the Whtie Six and many White Sox fans on sports radio were pissed they did nothing. Interesting that you'd bring up that game, I was actually at the Cell that night. It was also the last time I was at the Cell, after being completely convinced that Sox fans are the dumbest fans in the world. 1/2 the crowd was chanting "Torii" when Lew Ford came to the plate 2 innings later. But more to the point, I thought Sox fans were idiots for complaining about that play. It doesn't matter if the catcher has the ball, if he's blocking the plate, he's going to get hit. Barrett's response was bush league. This Cubs team has totally lost control, has lost any desire to win, and is playing like they feel sorry for themselves. Its disgusting, disturbing, and sadly, very typical of the Cubs teams we've seen since Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS.

JustinH, if Ozzie had stopped at "Hill is a AAA pitcher" you might be able to make the leap that you're making, but he didn't. Ozzie essentially said "shut up, asshole", not "Rich Hill doesn't have standing to comment on this situation." It wasn't a complicated play. I can't believe that Ozzie would suggest that you have to have X years of major league experience to comment on it. Again, I like how Ozzie defended his guy. Hill made a personal attack, and Ozzie fired right back with his own personal attack. But what he said was simple name-calling, so let's not get carried away with whether Ozzie was "right" or not.

They've "lost all desire to win"? How insulting. I see desire and lack of execution.

I'm not saying I think Ozzie's right. I'm just saying that was the relevance of his statement. Follow the statements out to their conclusions: "Tell that Triple-A [bleep] to shut the [bleep] up" (because Triple-A pitchers don't have a leg to stand on in these kinds of arguments) "Tell him to start throwing some strikes or he's going to get Dusty fired" (again, he is not qualified to speak in this matter; he has not even established himself as someone who knows the fundementals of the game--such as throwing strikes--so what does he know about the intricate details of unwritten rules of conduct. As further proof of his incompetence, consider that he is going to get an experienced baseball man who DOES know the unwritten rules fired because he is ignorant of the fundementals). Again, I'm not saying it's a good argument or a correct argument, only that Ozzie, in his own vulgar, inarticulate way, was trying to make some sort of a relevant point about Hill.

JustinH, again, if Ozzie had stopped after the AAA comment, maybe. But your interpretation of the "throw strikes or he is going to get Dusty fired" comment is quite a stretch.

continued... Certainly Ozzie wouldn't be saying that failing to throw strikes implies that one doesn't understand that you have to throw strikes to get people out, right? Those are two very different things. I think Hill knows he needs to throw strikes; he just hasn't been able to do it.

Why is that the minor league pitchers all have solid numbers but once Rothchild gets a hold of them they fall apart? These guys start every 5 days but once they get recalled they sit in the bullpen and then we wonder why they are called on they suck. Yeah Hill and Guzman have sucked but is the staff giving them any kind of coaching or are they just being sent to the lions?

"please, quit going. All of you." I've stopped going to about 90% of the Cubs games that I was planning to go to...I've stopped a daily subscription to the Chicago Tribune (only get a Sunday paper now and scan the headlines during the week for free on the Internet)...I've also dropped my subscription to Chicago magazine. In every way possible I am going out of my way NOT to support Tribune Corporation -- a media firm that continues to disappoint.

Edward: "mannytrillo, you're an idiot." Sorry, but I couldn't read anymore of your intellectual post after this statement....CLASSY!!!!

"Why is that the minor league pitchers all have solid numbers but once Rothchild gets a hold of them they fall apart?" Great question...I have always wondered what White Sox Pitching Coach Don Cooper could do with talent like Rich Hill or Angel Guzeman...? The Cubs have proven that they rarely have the ability to bring out the best in their young pitchers. Kenny Williams and Ozzie also have about THE BEST Pitching Coach in all of MLB....Rothchild and most of the other Cubs Coaches just aren't getting the job done. Yet, none of this should surprise us...it's the kind of team Jim Hendry put together...Since 2003 compare the moves Kenny Williams made to the moves Hendry did (or did not) make. The White Sox are not 28-14 right now by accident...the team is better by design.

Rich Hill is Scott Ruffcorn's younger brother. http://www.baseball-reference.com/r/ruffcsc01.shtml Some of you may remember that Ruffcorn was the White Sox #1 pitching prospect in 1992-1993-1994. The guy who the front office wouldn't trade for immediate help, because he was going to be a 10-year starter. Who ended up with an 0-8 record and a 8.57 ERA in 70.3 IP. For his career.

Sorry Rob, you just sound too happy. The rest of us are pissed off.

It's nice to see Ramirez get his confidence back...Two home runs in one game against a great pitcher...hmmm....Where has "this Ramirez" been in the last few weeks...?

I am not sure what irks me more in this article -- http://tinyurl.com/f3e8u -- by Carrie Muskat on Rich Hill: the self righteous condenmnation of Hill by Hendry/Baker (might as well kick a guy even more while he's being sent down) or the condescending nature of the whole article in general. Reads like nails on a chalkboard.

The Cubs were never going to develop a player like Rich Hill so he could reach his full potential...he may never be ready for prime time or he may need the kind of coaching he can't get from the Cubs organization...Why didn't Hendry have the wisdom to trade Rich Hill when there was SO MUCH positive hype about him...? Timing is everything in baseball.

The top of the 5th today is a microcosm of what's wrong with the Cubs hitters. Z is obviously agitated, would it be so bad to try and stretch the half inning out as long as possible so he can calm down? No, that was what, an eight pitch inning? And the worst thing about it was having to listen to that turd Hawk prattle on.

I extremely dislike Carrie Muskat. Lets add her to the list of people who should be fired. Man, she's a tool.

is the wgn gun wrong? or is carlos only throwing 83-85 MPH w/ low 70s offspeed like he has this inning?

Nick re #91 - Coach Clines talked to the guys and made sure that they could do better than a 8 pitch inning the next time around ... and sure enough: out of the 6th inning on just 6 pitches. Well done!!!!

They've "lost all desire to win"? How insulting. I see desire and lack of execution. I see a team that is picking fights, making baserunning blunders, bunting to end games, etc.. Hardly things that you see from a team that actually wants to win baseball games. What's insulting is that the Cubs management has allowed the team to quit, and that Cubs fans have to put up with it.

{...I see a team that is picking fights, making baserunning blunders, bunting to end games, etc.. Hardly things that you see from a team that actually wants to win baseball games. What's insulting is that the Cubs management has allowed the team to quit, and that Cubs fans have to put up with it...} I totally agree...A Jim Leyland or an Ozzie Guillen WOULD NOT accept the kind of performance we see from the Cubs...they both know how to get more out of their teams. If you look at the catchers for both teams in this series you see AJ who is controversial BUT he still hits very well and gets the job done on the field...Barrett gets distracted and fails to come through with important clutch hits that his team really needs...And starting that fight yesterday was totally uncalled for.

re: "quit going." I haven't been to a game at Wrigley in four years. Instead, I go to one or two road series a year. One year it was SD/LA, last year it was the opening series at Arizona and then the Nationals' series. This year it's the Rockies series, a game at Milwaukee, and one home game where I'm using a friend's season tickets. One of my cousins who lives downstate is off mid-week, and goes to 12-15 games a year, none of them at Wrigley.

Barrett owed the Cubs fans a clutch hit BIG TIME...Jaque Jones way to go...;-)

Amen to that Scott! Need this game in the worse possible way ... wouldn't it be nice to see Ozzie G on the post-game hotseat for a change!?!

It's great to see the Cubs give the Sox a real run for their money...I want the Cubs to really challenge them...It's up to our Bullpen right now...Gotta watch out for Konerko and Dye -- they can do some real damage.

The one weak part of the White Sox team is the Bullpen...The Cubs have capitalized on that today...I'm sure if Ozzie could turn back the clock he would have left Contreras in a little longer.

The worse thing about Barrett's punch was how bad it was-he hits like a girl! Ozzie is a far better manager than Dusty. Williams made some horrible moves for two or three years and now everything he touches is gold. Go figure. I can't believe they didn't throw at Barrett. Lets hope this hitting 6th thing has changed Ramirez. I didn't see the homers but his last at bat he tried to pull a pitch he should have gone to right with...

Michael "Barroom Brawl" Barrett

j.jones looked like the happiest guy on the planet to have a mic in his face postgame not being asked how it feels to be so hated.

CUBS WIN!! IN DUSTY WE TRSUTY!! Good win by the Cubs today. lost teh series, but didn't get swept. I don't think it was realistic to expect teh Cubs to win teh series. They are playing the defending champs, on the raod and they have the 2nd best record in baseball. Good to see Barrett's hit was a big one!!! Go Cubs!!

Is it too much to hope for, a positive attitude bump coming out of today, and maybe pound the Fish Mon-Weds? I'm not looking for any resurgence, but just maybe stop the skid and try to tread water.

HEY 433: DID YOU TAKE MY BET FROM THREE WEEKS AGO? C'Mon Man- -put you money where your mouth was! Cubs will not finish higher than 4th place. $50 to Cubs Care. Lose Pays. You were so convinced about this "terrific" team, with the "terrific record". In front of the TCR faithful, are we on?

Hey E-Man! Why be such a sarcastic prick! Now then. I never said this team was terrific. I did however say that 14-11 is a terrific record, because it is. (A team that goes 14-11 6 times is 84-66 with 12 games to play. That's a 91 game pace, which I consider terrific.) I'd have to go back, but I never accepted your June 1 proposed bet, because I'm not insane. I did propose an end-of-season 4th place bet, but I don't think you ever accepted did you? If you did I apologize. If that's the case, then you are on. If you are trying to accept that bet today, I hate to say you are a little late! This is a 4th place team at best!

WSCR is saying Wood is still "sore" from outing the other day. He is status to start for Tuesday is uncertain. Hopefully it just from not throwing in anger for awhile, on the other hand "sore" in Cub talk could mean "hopefully he can make his next start after the All Star break."

'Barroom Barrett' is an OK nickname. I think a better one, though, is 'Punching Bag Pierzynski'... talk about a moron - pissing off the craziest pitcher in the Major Leagues. Does he not know they have another series against the Cubs later in the year?

Pierzynski is an ass...he deserved to get beaned today after his homerun. The ninth inning would have been a great place to bring in Novoa - we want Wuertz up here instead anyway, right? Hit Pierzynski ...then bring Dempster in to get the save.

this is just heart wrenching. my oldest of 3 sons is just 7 and really getting into the game of baseball, only to be baptized into this tradition of pain. its hard to go through this crap. the pain of 03 just hurts more and more with each following season it seems.

Scott Elarton said after today's game...."We're(KC) pretty much bad at every facet of the game..." Things could be worse for us.

this is from the ESPN website... {...Kerry Wood could be be dealt by the trading deadline if the Cubs can't get back in the pennant race, the Daily Herald reports. As is stands now, it's unlikely the Cubs will pick up his $13.5 million option for 2007, instead buying him out for $3 million. But before that happens, the Cubs might try to re-sign Wood to a multiyear deal for a lot less. If they can't and are out of the chase, the Cubs would have to consider moving him. The 28-year-old doesn't plan to weigh his contract situation until the season ends. "I'll go out every fifth day and concentrate on what I've got to do to give this team a chance to win, and when the season's over we can look back on it all and make that decision," Wood told the newspaper. "I absolutely would love to stay here."...}

Things are piling up with Barrett. The Oswalt incident...now the A.J. incident. Has anyone noticed since 2004 that several of our starting pitchers (when they're not on the D.L.)have been reluctant to throw to a certain starting catcher (Barrett)? Time to look for a new catcher?

how do you go from... "But before that happens, the Cubs might try to re-sign Wood to a multiyear deal for a lot less." to... "The 28-year-old doesn't plan to weigh his contract situation until the season ends. " all between 1 sentence... now that's confusing. you can pretty much apply it to the whole team, too...*shrug*

Thome haunts Cubs this time around ________________________________________________ With Lee sidelined, Hendry's decision to pass on slugger in 2003 looks bad, writes Phil Rogers By Phil Rogers Columnist The Chicago Tribune Published May 21, 2006 http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/chi-0605210274ma… {... When Thome was forced from Cleveland by the downsizing of the payroll and the arrival of young first baseman Travis Hafner, the Cubs were his first choice. He would have been a tough fit for a variety of reasons, including Hee Seop Choi and doubts about his long-term viability in a league not wise enough (yet) to have a designated hitter. Jim Hendry passed on Thome, as he also would on Ivan Rodriguez, Jeff Kent and Carlos Beltran when the Cubs were more attractive than ever to free agents. He hasn't regretted it, either, because Choi was all it would take to get Derrek Lee from Florida after the 2003 season. If Thome were still in the National League, if the White Sox had not given him the parole necessary to escape Philadelphia, he might be having health issues. But things are working out quite nicely for him, and we can't say the same for Hendry...}

Hendry insists heat's not on Baker GM says injuries Cubs have suffered impact skipper's options 05/21/2006 6:52 PM ET http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060521&content_id=… {...CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs didn't have to win Sunday's game to help Dusty Baker keep his job. Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said Sunday that Baker is not to blame for the team's recent struggles. "Under the circumstances we're in and with the people out [because of injuries], I think it's unfair to be critical of the manager over what's happened in the last couple weeks," Hendry said on Sunday...}

Rogers is really out of his mind on several points in just those few sentences. Is he actually saying that the AL features a more advanced form of baseball than the NL because of the DH? I mean, arguing that it's more exciting is one thing (it's the only way you get to see Hafner play, for example), but it's undeniable that the addition of the DH is the *relaxation* of a rule. It's a league going slack, not finding a higher level. And anyway, it was hardly a matter of wisdom for the AL to bring on the DH; it's not as though they said, "gee, our pitchers are really tired of hitting and we have all these guys who pretend to play in the field but really can't, so let's sit the pitchers and add a nice, rested hitter to every lineup." Baloney. It was about generating more offense and boosting attendance, completely mercantile concerns. Rogers also obviously understands why Hendry didn't get Thome, but rips him for it anyway. I mean, I would *love* to see any hitter in a Cub uniform with the supremely confident approach Thome has right now, but I can't say it would have been a good decision at the time for Hendry to get him. Rogers conveniently forgets the insane Monopoly money Thome was in line to make in 2003, and pretends that it would have been as easy for Hendry to get Thome then as it was for CHW in 2006 as part of their, uh, parole program? (It's not enough for CHW to be the 1927 Yankees, now they're Nelson Mandela, too, I guess.) But that's typical Rogers: "I have some dumb, simplistic point to make! I know it's wrong, but still."

Things are piling up with Barrett. The Oswalt incident...now the A.J. incident. Has anyone noticed since 2004 that several of our starting pitchers (when they're not on the D.L.) have been reluctant to throw to a certain starting catcher (Barrett)? Time to look for a new catcher? Don't forget the Dave Roberts thing last week. Time to look for a new catcher? Absolutely not. I have a ton of respect for Barrett, not for punching an asshole, or making the game exciting, but for actually caring that the team is losing. He is expressing on the field what I am feeling as a fan: they are losing more games than they should with the team that they have, and that fires him up. As for the second part of your comments about "since 2004 that several of our starting pitchers have been reluctant to throw" to Barrett. I don't quite know what you're talking about here.

Ryno, you are right on. Barrett is so anti-cubs, it would kill us to lose him. everyteam needs emotional leaders, you take it away from this gutless cubs team and you certainly have a AAA 100M team.

I kind of liked Barrett's short right hook to A.J.'s cheek. But his footwork was poor so there was not much power behind it. The frusration of losing, and getting your ass kicked, probably was the ultimate cause, although 90% of the other players in baseball will be buy Barrett beer for slugging A.J. But A.J. has a ring, and perhaps his play last Fall against the Angels was the biggest reason the Sox have rings. Buerhle gave up two hits, frustrating my no-hitter prediction. I did not see any response in the Tribune to Mariotti's column. If I was the managing editor and sports editor, I would tell Mr. MacPhail that I will run my shop, why does he not run his and that there is not to much one can do to spin a team that goes 4-16.

Another reason to love Guillen and Despise Dusty. Guillenactually takes resonsibility (and even KNOWS when he has screwed up). And Guillen is damn right, managers lose games and nobody has lost more becasue of back-asswards decisions these last three years than Dusty Baker. Guillen's quote from Sunday: "I always say managers don't win games," Guillen said. "Managers lose games. I feel like I lost this game." Can anybody even imagine Dusty saying or thinking this? Honestly.

to think that the inclusion of Rich Hill might have caused Hendry to nix any potential deals this past offseason is nauseating.

Wait, Cub's pitchers are reluctant to throw to Barret? What? Punching AJ was a dumb thing to do, but you know what, I'm glad somebody did something. I dunno. Maybe we're wandering into Charleston Chiefs territory at this point.

The Hendry/Dusty scorecard -- just facts, no emotion: 1. Cubs are last in the NL in runs scored, by a wide margin, having scored 23 fewer runs than the next-worst Pirates. 2. Cubs have the 4th worst ERA in the NL. 3. Cubs have 4th worst record in the NL -- ahead of Fla. ($15MM payroll), Pittsburgh ($46MM) and Washington ($63MM). 4. It sems unlikely that signing Tony Womack will cure any of the above.

totally off the subject, but did anyone watch "Family Guy" last night? They did an interchangable joke about stewie telling bartman to reach for the ball. It hurt to watch. Yet it was funny.

They just played the movie last night, right? Funny stuff. Anyone see Conan and Andy run down Bartman with the desk while Conan was in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.

Wait, Cub's pitchers are reluctant to throw to Barret? What? It is well known if given the choice between throwing to Barrett or Blanco Maddux, Z, and Prior would prefer Blanco. Got to be under a rock to not know this.

MikeC, If it's so well know, you shouldn't have any problem supplying us with some hard evidence. Right?

"It is well known if given the choice between throwing to Barrett or Blanco Maddux, Z, and Prior would prefer Blanco" Well then the team era should go down tremendously during Barrett's suspension. And Maddux looked great Friday with Blanco behind the plate.

It is well known if given the choice between throwing to Barrett or Blanco Maddux, Z, and Prior would prefer Blanco. Its well known by the Barrett-Bashers who like to repeat it over and over, but the actual evidence to back it up is always lacking. Not to mention, there is a big difference between prefering to throw to the guy who clearly has better defense, and being relucatant to throw to the far superior offensive catcher. I do have to ask, again, if Barrett is so bad at handling pitchers, then how did he get along so well with Roger Clemens while being his personal catcher during the WBC.

MikeC: Got to be under a rock to not know this. Come on, Mike. When you know something that us lesser human beings don't know, please don't insinuate that we have been "living under a rock"; I didn't know this and I've certainly not been living under a rock. I'm not saying you even need to be nice, but you could be respectful. The only thing I've heard about Blanco, is Dusty was trying to match Z & Guzman up with Blanco because they are both Venezuelians.

Regarding Barrett and whether the pitchers prefer Blanco over him....why does it matter? It's a team game. Do what is best for the team.......and a catcher is like a Quarterback. The ONLY statistic that matters is wins. ERA and BA are only PARTS of the puzzle. It's the Manager and General Manager's jobS to provide the leadership for these guys. If a pitcher doesn't throw as well to Barret as he does Blanco, bench his ass (the pitcher I mean). Throw him under the bus....Ozzie would...and guess what, he's getting results by LEADING his club. No matter what....the team comes first

Barrett fall-out: Lest anyone thinks Henry Blanco's year so far is an aberration: -in 2002 he hit .204 -in 2003 he hit .199 -in 2004 he hit .206 -last year's .242 was the best year of his career. Basically, in 2002-2004, he hit .200. He may be good defensively, but he's not that good. Given that catcher is the one "everyday" position where the backup gets a lot of playing time, going into the year with Henry as your #2 catcher was just plain stupid.

If Barrett has a brain, he appeals the suspension and hopes they don't hear it until Lee comes back...

signing henry to a 2 year 5 million dollar contract was stupid

Speaking of "Lee" -- will Carlos Lee be a FA this year? If so, can we please get him? DLee, ARam, JJ and CLee would be a pretty good group of run producers.

Lost in the Michael Barrett punch was the fact that the Cubs have a LF who can't throw out a slow catcher from medium left field.

Carlos Lee is a FA after this year, Brewers were talking extension earlier this year but who knows where they're at. The landscape of backup catchers isn't much, Blanco fits right in. At least he does one thing well which is defense.

geovanny soto or Jose Reyes will be = to Henry Blanco next year I assume?

If Blanco is the norm, or near the norm, for backup catchers int he major leagues, the following discussion will be had at the BillyBucks dinner table tonight: "Son, throw away that fielder's glove. We're going to make you a catcher."

sad but true BillyBucks, while you're at it, make sure he can hit left-handed.

Ryno: "I'm not saying you even need to be nice, but you could be respectful." Bullies aren't nice, thus Mike is not nice. You have to of been under a rock to not know that....:) You know I am just teasing!!

Hey, regarding the observation about Maddux, Prior and Zambrano prefering a catcher (backup) other than Barrett - It's just been talked about in the past on the Score and I think I remember hearing Stoney talk about it too. I think that it was in reference to some of the pitchers' perceptions that Barrett didn't call that great of a game. He seems to have improved, but I thought that you all had some memories of this being 'talked to death' the last couple of years.

As was discussed: #8 of 19: By Phil (May 31, 2004 03:11 PM) As for Barrett, he'll be guaranteed a day's rest every fifth start as long as Maddux remains healthy.

We need to celebrate each Cubs loss, as it's one step closer to getting rid of the cancer on the team, Dusty Baker. Has anyone noticed that Dusty's comments after each loss seem to excuse or explain their pathetic performance, and to make sucking being okay? It has trickled down to each and every player. Watch what they say, it's a mindset that could not possibly ever lead to success. They've got to get rid of him, he's the problem. How any team ever won in spite of him is a miracle.

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Recent comments

  • Arizona Phil (view)

    There are two clear "logjams" in the Cubs minor league pipeline at the present time, namely AA outfielders (K. Alcantara, C. Franklin, Roederer, Pagan, Pinango, Beesley, and Nwogu) and Hi-A infielders (J. Rojas, P. Ramirez, Howard, R. Morel, Pertuz, R. Garcia, and Spence, although Morel has been getting a lot of reps in the outfield in addition to infield). So it is possible that you might see a trade involving one of the extra outfielders at AA and/or one of the extra infielders at Hi-A in the next few days. 

  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

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  • crunch (view)

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  • Childersb3 (view)

    Seconded!!!

  • crunch (view)

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  • Arizona Phil (view)

    Here are the Cubs pitchers reports from Tuesday afternoon's Cardinals - Cubs game art Sloan Park in Mesa:

    SHOTA IMANAGA
    FB: 90-92 
    CUT: 87-89 
    SL: 82-83 
    SPLIT: 81-84
    CV: 73-74 
    COMMENT: Worked three innings plus two batters in the fourth... allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits (six singles and two doubles) walked one, and struck out six (four swinging), with a 1/2 GO/AO... he threw 73 pitches (52 strikes - 10 swing & miss - 19 foul balls)... surrendered one run in the top of the 1st on a one-out double off Cody Bellinger's glove in deep straight-away CF followed one out later by two consecutive two-out bloop singles, allowed two runs (one earned) in the 2nd after retiring the first two hitters (first batter had a nine-pitch AB with four consecutive two-strike foul balls before being retired 3 -U) on a two-out infield single (weak throw on the run by Nico Hoerner), a hard-contact line drive RBI double down the RF line, and an E-1 (missed catch) by Imanaga on what should been an inning-ending 3-1 GO, gave up another run in the 3rd on a two-out walk on a 3-2 pitch and an RBI double to LF, and two consecutive singles leading off the top of the 4th before being relieved (runners were ultimately left stranded)... threw 18 pitches in the 1st inning (14 strikes - two swing & miss, one on FB and the other on a SL - four foul balls), 24 pitches in the 2nd inning (17 strikes - three swing & miss, one on FB, two SPLIT - six foul balls), 19 pitches in the 3rd inning (13 strikes - seven swing & miss, three on SL, two on SPLIT, one on FB - three foul balls), and 12 pitches without retiring a batter in the top of the 4th (8 strikes - no swing & miss - four foul balls)... Imanaga throws a lot of pitches per inning, but it's not because he doesn't throw strikes...  if anything, he throws too many strikes (he threw 70% strikes on Tuesday)... while he gets a ton of swing & miss (and strikeouts), he also induces a lot of foul balls because he doesn't try to make hitters chase his pitches by throwing them out of the strike zone... rather, he uses his very diverse pitch mix to get swing & miss (and lots of foul balls as well)... he also is a fly ball pitcher who will give up more than his share of HR during the course of the season...   
     
    JOE NAHAS
    FB: 90-92 
    SL: 83-85 
    CV: 80-81 
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day... relieved Imanaga with runners at first and second and no outs in the top of the 4th, and after an E-2 catcher's interference committed by Miguel Amaya loaded he bases, Nahas struck out the side (one swinging & two looking)... threw 16 pitches (11 strikes - two swinging)...   

    YENCY ALMONTE
    FB: 89-92 
    CH: 86 
    SL: 79 
    COMMENT: Threw an eight-pitch 5th (five strikes - no swing & miss), with a 5-3 GO for the first out and an inning-ending 4-6-3 DP after a one-out single... command was a bit off but he worked through it...   

    FRANKIE SCALZO JR
    FB: 94-95
    CH: 88 
    SL: 83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 6th inning... got the first outs easily (a P-5 and a 4-3 GO) on just three pitches, before allowing three consecutive two-out hard-contact hits (a double and two singles), with the third hit on pitch # 9 resulting in a runner being thrown out at the plate by RF Christian Franklin for the third out of the inning... 

    MICHAEL ARIAS
    FB: 94-96
    CH: 87-89
    SL: 82-83
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and allowed a hard-contact double on the third pitch of the 7th inning (a 96 MPH FB), and the runner came around to score on a 4-3 GO and a WP... gave up two other loud contact outs (an L-7 and an F-9)... threw 18 pitches (only 10 strikes - only one swing & miss)... stuff is electric but still very raw and he continues to have difficulty commanding it, and while he has the repertoire of a SP, he throws too many pitches-per-inning to be a SP and not enough strikes to be a closer... he is most definitely still a work-in-progress...   

    ZAC LEIGH: 
    FB: 93-94 
    CH: 89 
    SL: 81-83 
    CV: 78
    COMMENT: Was called up from the AA Tennessee group at Minor League Camp for the day and tossed a 1-2-3 8th (4-3 GO, K-swinging on a sweeper, K-looking on another sweeper)... threw 14 pitches (11 strikes - one swing & miss - eight foul balls)... kept pumping pitches into the strike zone but had difficulty putting hitters away (ergo a ton of foul balls)... FB velo is nowhere near the 96-98 MPH it was a couple of years ago when he was a Top 30 prospect, but his secondaries are better...   

    JOSE ROMERO:  
    FB: 93-95
    SL: 82-84
    COMMENT: Was called up from the Hi-A South Bend group at Minor League Camp for the day and worked the 9th (14 pitches - only six strikes- no swing & miss) and allowed a solo HR after two near-HR fly outs to the warning track, before getting a 3-1 GO to end the inning... it was like batting practice when he wasn't throwing pitches out of the strike zone...