Dear Jim Hendry and Co.,
Congratulations on your stellar season thus far. You're at, or nearing, the halfway point of the season and your Cubbies stand alone in first place in the NL Central Division. At one point, your team even had the best record in all of Major League Baseball.
Much to my surprise, your powerful lineup has done well minus star outfielder (or slugger, I should say) Alfonso Soriano.
What worries me, Jim, is your rotation. Before lashing back, hear me out on this.
Your starting rotation has done very well, up to this point. Carlos Zambrano is 8-3, definite Big Z numbers, Ryan Dempster has been a pleasant surprise, and the young arms have delivered, for the most part, when called upon. Heck, even Kerry Wood is pulling through in the clutch and we all know it has been awhile since that was the case.
What worries me is this: One injury to the starting rotation and your whole season could go down the Wrigleyville drains. The Cubs have been struggling a bit lately, dropping six of their last ten before getting swept by the South Siders.
I don't think its coincidence that the slide began when Big Z placed himself on the DL with a right shoulder strain. Yes, he is only one man and accounts for one of every five starts, but he also happens to be your ace and the face of this franchise alongside Derek Lee and Soriano.
Being the power pitcher that Zambrano is, a right shoulder strain is nothing to mess with. I understand he threw a bullpen session and will pitch against the Cardinals Friday, who just so happen to be only two games back in the division now.
I'm a die hard Red Sox fan, Jim, but in the past few years I've loved pulling for the North Siders. They're the lovable losers, but that wasn't my attraction to the Cubbies.
There is something about Cubdom that gets me: Wrigley Field, Chicago, and perhaps living in Indiana for the past four years. It would be an awful year to come out and say I'm a "Cubs Fan", because that would certainly sound bandwagon. But Red Sox Nation is really making me sick—where were all these fans before 2004? So for now, I'm enjoying the Cubs ride.
My advice is this: Go after Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard. The Mariners are in no position to make a run in the AL West and would love to deal him for some young talent (Felix Pie?).
So far, C.C. Sabathia has been the hot ticket of trade rumor talks as far as starting pitching goes. Forget Sabathia, Bedard is a competitor and adding a talented lefty to the rotation, most likely for a reasonable price, could end the drought at 100 years and not a century plus one.
Good luck the rest of the way, Mr. Hendry. I'll be looking for you in October.
Regards,
Kevin Luchansky
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3 months ago
You're totally right about the Boston fans; feel for ya. I always liked em with Damon, not so much without, but I really just pulled for them to beat the Yankees in '03 and '04. Anyway, I like Sabathia more than Bedard. Bedard seems moody, and always seems to miss a few starts for one reason or another.
We'll see what happens
3 months ago
Good read Kevin.
Trading for Bedard has pros and cons attached to it.
Pros: Potential ace of the staff or at least a dominant number 2. Lefty strikeout pitcher who most likely has yet to reach his peak. Trade value is lower than it was at the beginning of the season.
Cons: Injury issue starter who has developed character concerns this season. Has never pitched 200 innings in his career. How much would it cost to get him, and then sign him afterward? Bedard is a free agent I believe after next season.
from 3 months ago
I agree there are some Cons but i feel a lot of the issues come free being traded from a non-contender (orioles) to a supposed contender in the mariners, resulting in some frustration. I would just try to get him for the stretch.
3 months ago
Bedard would be the right fit but he'd have to eat and sleep scouting reports if it's a deadline deal.
But please ... don't let this BoSox / Cubbie World Series happen.
I was at a DeLand, FL gypsy fortune teller's place in 1990 and, being stoopid, I asked about the apocalypse.
World Series, BoSox vs Cubs, 7th game, tied, 2 out, 9th inning, full count fastball on the way ...
BANG! earth implodes, black hole.
She was purty specific about this man.
from 3 months ago
Haha I dont even want a Cubs - R.Sox World series. it would be disastrous.
3 months ago
I strongly agree we need another starting pitcher. Bedard would be nice, but he would take a lot as he is under contract for next season. Plus he has a bad hip and supposedly a bad personality. Of course I'd really like Sabathia as a rental for this year only. We'd win the WS if we got him for sure. I'd also take AJ Burnett tho C.C. is the big catch here if they make him available.
from 3 months ago
I feel Sabathia will be made available but something in the back of my mind tells me he would clash with Big Z and that Zambrano may take offense to the acquisition. Sounds strange but its just a hunch.
from 3 months ago
An A.J. deal would make more sense.
Bedard isn't exactly a team leader or a staff No.1 really. He moped around the clubhouse here at the Yard a lot and I think a move back to Canada would be a blessing to him and.
You get Bedard and move him for A.J. ... worse has happened.
3 months ago
Burnett probably would be the better fit, I just really feel like adding a lefty to the rotation would be deadl for Cub opponents.
3 months ago
What a fight that would be - Big Z vs. Sabathia. Two very big men going at it. I don't think there would be a problem there.
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