Bleacher Report - Articles by Bryan Cox

Cubs Sitting Pretty Nearing All-Star Break

Bryan Cox — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:54:04 -0400

The Cubs are going into the All-Star break with a little extra swagger, having the best record in baseball and sitting atop the NL Central.

Pulling off a deal to shore up the starting rotation and the bull pen at the same time doesn't hurt either. Rich Harden coming to Chicago is a high risk, high reward deal, however, The Cubs did get some insurance in the deal, Chad Gaudin, who appears to be a very versatile right hand pitcher who has had roles as a starter and reliever in the majors.

Harden will be the number two starter, and what a great number two he can be. Gaudin will be in the bullpen, where he can take some pressure off of Marmol, Cotts, Howry, and Wood. The Harden, Gaudin deal seems to really shore up the pitching staff, that is if everyone can stay healthy. Gaudin, Marshall, and Marquis are all possible fifth starters, however, it looks like that spot with go to Jason Marquis.

The Cubs are in a good position going into the All-Star break, they have the pieces to keep winning. There is no doubt the Cubs have the inside track on the NL Central title.

Jim Hendry has stated that he is in no hurry to make more trades. Remember, the Cubs do have seven All-Stars, and there is no point in adding players just to add them. When Soriano comes back and plays left, the Johnson/ Edmonds platoon will be back in full force and so far it has been working well.

For the first time in a long time, the Cubs don't really have any pressing needs.

As for the deal for Harden and what the Cubs had to give up, Patterson, Murton, Gallagher, and Donaldson were not a huge price for what the Cubs got back. Murton and Patterson were not going to get consistent playing time, and in Oakland its a strong possibility they will.

Gallagher is the gem of the deal, he is a young pitcher that has already started to find his way in the majors. He was in the process of being sent to the bullpen when the trade happened, so for this year, the deal doesn't hurt the Cubs. It would not be at all surprising if Gallagher turned out to be a very solid major league started.

Josh Donaldson is a player not many people know, he is a minor league catcher who looks to have some pop in his bat. The Cubs seem to be set at the catcher position for a while, so once again dealing Donaldson is not a huge sacrifice.

The Cubs have been able to keep almost all of their top prospects besides Gallagher. Josh Vitters, Tyler Colvin, Jeff Samardzija, and Jose Ceda are all still in the farm system. It looks like a great trade by Jim Hendry and has the potential to end a certain long draught Cubs fans desperately want to be over.

This half season for the Cubs has had it's ups and downs, with many more ups. Being in first place and having the best record in baseball is something Cubs fans are not used to. The Cubs have hit in the clutch and displayed an amazing offense. High points include sweeping the White Sox and ironically the low point was getting swept by the White Sox.

With the Cubs getting healthier and adding a few new pieces to help during the stretch run, this should be a very interesting second half of the season.

Chicago Cubs Pad NL Central Lead as Carlos Zambrano Throws A Gem

Bryan Cox — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 16:31:10 -0400

The Chicago Cubs came into their second game against the Cincinnati Reds with a little extra confidence.

The Cubs literally have another ace up their sleeve coming into the game Wednesday night. Rich Harden has officially arrived at Wrigley, and the Cubs batters greeted him with a show.

After giving up a quick solo home run to Adam Dunn, Carlos Zambrano settled down to say the very least. Zambrano retired the next 20 batters he faced, and looked like he could have pitched all night.

In winning the game, Zambrano becomes the second Cubs' pitcher to reach 10 wins, and Ted Lilly can become the third if he wins Thursdays game.

After tying the game on an error, Aramis Ramirez broke out of his slump in a big way hitting a solo blast and putting the Cubs up for good. Ramirez later doubled in another run, Kosuke Fukudome got into the act with an RBI double, and the Cubs cruised.

Carlos Marmol came in to pitch the eighth inning but was stepped on while making a play at first—he didn't bounce back after that and loaded the bases. Kerry Wood came in and shut the door to get his 23rd save of the season.

There was no doubt coming into this game the Cubs looked like a complete team, and they are missing arguably their best offensive player, Alfonso Soriano. Even while missing their star, they find a way to put up runs and gain ground.

The Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals both lost Wednesday night, meaning the Cubs pull further ahead on both NL Central opponents.

The Cubs are looking to extend their winning streak and their lead in the division Thursday against Bronson Arroyo.

Kerry Wood: The Definition of Perseverance

Bryan Cox — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 04:45:00 -0400

Only three men can say they have struck out 20 batters in one game, and one of them is the closer for the Chicago Cubs. The road to the big leagues was easy enough for Kerry Wood, it was staying on the mound that has been his issue.

How did this star in the making become a player no one would touch?

Kerry Wood began his major league career as a can't miss prospect. In his first season he had the infamous 20 strikeout game, everyone wanted a piece of him. His rookie season went well enough, he pitched his way to a 13-6 record and easily won the Rookie of the Year award. However, he missed the last month of the season with elbow soreness, to say this was a foreshadow of what was to come is an understatement.

Kerry missed the entire '99 season because of Tommy John surgery, his star was getting dimmer. He struggled over the next few seasons, but every now and again would show flashes of the star he could become. In 2003, Wood seemed to put it all together, he finished the season 14-11 will a career high 266 strikeouts. The Cubs almost made it to the World Series and Wood played a huge role in their success.

2004 began with the same struggles that plagued Kerry in the past as an injured elbow once again sidelined the flame thrower. 2005 was the same story, season ending surgery.

Kerry went to the bullpen when he came back in '07, the fans didn't expect much from him. However, when it came time to sign a new contract Kerry stated that he owed the Cubs and their fans for all the time he has missed due to injury.

A stand up guy, he literally became a multi-millionaire while on the DL, but he realized he needed to prove to everyone that he could still pitch. The Chicago fans for some reason stayed devoted to this guy, people were disappointed but not upset. It's almost as if he was a family member that you couldn't stay mad at, but you wanted him to succeed so badly.

And succeed he has, becoming the closer in 2008 has brought new life to the career of this one time can't miss star in the making. Kerry has gone from All-Star to injury plagued bust and then back to All-Star.

As the closer in 2008, Kerry Wood has 22 saves and a 2.91 ERA. Wood has looked downright unhittable when he takes the mound in the 9th inning. His velocity is back, his delivery looks more stable, and he has become a dominating major league closer.

The story of Kerry Wood's career is a story of perseverance and determination. He has bounced back from injury time and time again and has proven to the loyal fans that have come to see him, and believe in him year after year, that the kid can still play. Kid K is probably not a suitable nickname anymore, it seems like forever ago when the baby faced Texan threw that one hitter.

However the rest of the story plays out, it seems Kerry Wood will always have a place in the hearts' of Cubs fans.

Rich Harden To Chicago Cubs—The Battle For The NL Central Is On

Bryan Cox — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:38:06 -0400

The Chicago media is reporting the Cubs have landed stud right hander Rich Harden of the Oakland A's. The deal sends Harden and Chad Gaudin from Oakland to Chicago for Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallager, and Josh Donaldson.

This trade comes one day after the Milwaukee Brewers acquired CC Sabathia from the Cleveland Indians. Harden to the Cubs changes the complexion of the N.L. Central race yet again. Harden will solidify the Cubs' rotation—that is, if he can find a way to stay healthy.

Harden's numbers have been outstanding this year, going 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA and 92 strikeouts. His only downfall is his health issues, having been on the DL many times in his career.

Jim Hendry has sent scouts to watch Harden's past six or seven starts, and they have all been quality. There is no doubt with the way Harden has been pitching this year he has the potential to make a huge impact on the rest of the Cubs' season.

This blockbuster move on the Cubs part will no doubt put fear in the rest of the teams in the N.L. and make the league take the Cubs seriously.

Jim Hendry is taking a chance to win now, something Cubs fans are not used to. The World Series is in sight, and this move puts the Cubs one step closer. At the very least it shows that Hendry is willing to do whatever it takes to make his club better, whatever the cost may be.

Giving up a players like Murton and Patterson, who will never get serious playing time in Chicago, is not a big sacrifice. Sean Gallager may turn out to be a solid player, but Harden helps the Cubs win this year. Ending the 100-year drought needs to be top prioriety, not who will play left field in 2010.

Harden also has one year left on his contract, something Sabathia does not. This deal is not a rent-a-player—Chicago is getting a potential number one started to go along with their other ace, Carlos Zambrano.

This is going to be a fantastic finish. Years don't come along like this often.

No doubt the Cubs are for real. MLB, take notice.

Geovany Soto: Cubs Standout is Becoming a Fast Fan Favorite

Bryan Cox — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 04:44:52 -0400

The Cubs young phenom catcher Geovany Soto has had a rough road to the majors. He was never thought of as the next big star or even a top prospect, but Soto has brought new, young energy to a veteran Cubs team.

Geo, as he is called by his teammates, is a 25-year-old rookie who has brought new life to the Chicago Cubs.

He has shown superior fielding, throwing, and most of all, offensive skills. He has almost surpassed the offensive numbers of all the Cubs catchers of the past five to six years. The catcher's position for the Cubs used to be seen as an easy out, a low average, and virtually no power.

In the past the Cubs have had catchers like Damian Miller, Paul Bako, Michael Barrett, and Jason Kendall. Miller, for example, sported a .233 average, 36 RBI, nine home runs, and a .310 OBP during the 2003 season. Barrett averaged 59 RBI, a .290 average, and 16 home runs. In his short stint with the Cubs, Jason Kendall hit .270 with one home run and 19 RBIs.

Soto, on the other hand, over the course of half a season, has almost surpassed the best full season stats of any of these other Cubs' catchers.

A .289 batting average, 52 RBI, 15 home runs, and a .375 OBP are all impressive for any player, not to mention he is a rookie.

Geo is overachieving in most people's minds, but this kid can flat out hit, as well as call a spectacular game. Geo is playing the hardest position on the field and putting up numbers Cubs fans are not accustomed to seeing from a catcher. He is on pace to have over 100 RBIs and 30 home runs, no one in the Cubs organization expected those numbers from such a young player.

An adjustment period has not been necessary for Soto as he has shown an uncanny ability to bounce back from any adversity he may face. Soto went through a stretch where he struck out eight times in a row, only to bounce back to hit two three-run home runs in his next game.

Geovany "Geo" Soto has been rookie of the month and voted to the All-Star team, something no NL rookie catcher has ever done. He will surely be in the running for Rookie of the Year and if he can keep his numbers up, he will no doubt continue to win over Cubs fans everywhere.

Rich Harden Becomes Main Target for the Chicago Cubs Now that Sabathia is Gone

Bryan Cox — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:07:44 -0400

Now that the Milwaukee Brewers have made a huge splash in the MLB trade market with their addition of C.C. Sabathia, it's time for other teams to make moves as a reaction.

The Brewers have the right idea. They made the deal as soon as possible. Sabathia will have at least three or four starts before the trade deadline passes.

The Cubs, who were rumored to be interested in Sabathia, now need to move on to plan B. That means Rich Harden or A.J. Burnett, the best option being Harden but the cheaper option being Burnett.

The Cubs have been in talks with the A's for almost a month and no deal has been done. The price for Harden could be the same as the deal done by the A's and Diamondbacks for Dan Haren. That deal included five prospects including major league ready arms as well as two top 50 prospects.

Despite some reports, the Cubs have the players to get a deal done. It will basically be a matter of time.

The choice is easy. Harden should be the player the Cubs welcome into Wrigley Field before the July 31st trade deadline, but Billy Beane is notorious for driving up the price of his ball players.

In reality, Harden is a good, not great pitcher who has amazing "stuff", but has never lived up to his full potential. The Cubs need to think about the fact that Harden has has injury problems, and trading for him could mean mortgaging the future.

Cubs' fans and Cubs' officials need to realize that winning this year needs to be the biggest goal. The weeks leading up to the trade deadline should be interesting to say the least.