Bob Howry, Daryle Ward, Jim Edmonds, and Henry Blanco were the other players that were not offered arbitration.

Your opinions on Wood not being offered?

Cubs Blog

Cubs decline arbitration on all their players

All Cubs fans are hoping that Dempster won’t require a ton of money to stay with the Cubs. I would expect Howry to not demand as much money the way that he threw the ball in 08. I’d be willing to give Howry a one year deal to see if he turns things arounds and Dempster a three year deal.

Dempster went 17-6 with a 2.96 ERA in 33 starts, striking out 187 in his first full season as a starter after trying to be the Cubs closer. Dempster’s last contract was for three years at $15.5 million. I say offer him a nice raise and pay him around $21-$24million for a three year contract.

I’d expect Fox and Edmonds to not resign with the Cubs as both of them could be on the verge of retiring.

I should also mention that the Cubs lost Casey McGeehee as the Milwaukee Brewers claimed him off waivers. McGeehee is a pretty good player but was never going to much time at his natural poistion which is third base. McGeehee was a 10th round pick by the Cubs back in the 2003 draft.

Cubs Blog

Ryan Dempster and three other Cubs file for free agency

The Cubs will be looking to re-sign closer Kerry Wood as well as starting pitcher Ryan Dempster. I agreewith both of thoe guys being resigned and hopefully Dempster will give management a little bit of a break as far as the money in the contract goes. Dempster was recently quoted as saying “I love the city. I love playing here. Hopefully, everything works out.”

Bob Howry, Jim Edmonds, Daryle Ward, Chad Fox, and Jon Leiber are all free agents as well. We are already pretty much sure that Fox and Leiber will not be coming back to the team. I doube that Ward will have a roster spot as Micah Hoffpauir showed that he can do just as good of job pitch hitting as Ward. The two question marks out of the group would be Howry and Edmonds I would think.

I can see management signing both players to one year deals. The Cubs could use Howry in the bullpen and hope that he comes back strong after a shaky 2008 season. As far as Edmonds go, I think it all depends on if Jim Hendry can pick up power hitting left hander via trade or in free agency. Edmonds is a nice veteran to have on the club and helped out a lot in 08, but who knows what he will do in 2009 as he is a year older. It could also come down to if Felix Pie is given the chance for the starting job in center field or if he is possibly traded in the off season.

I expect Hendry to try to move players like Jason Marquis,  Ronny Cedeno, and possibly Pie and Neal Cotts in trades. He can use those players and also include a couple minor leaguers like Jose Ascanio, Kevin Hart, Josh Vitters, and Tyler Colvin in deals. We would only move Vitters and Colvin if it brought a big name player I’m pretty sure.

One player that we don’t have to worry about any longer is Rich Harden as the team picked up the option on him for the 2009 season. Harden went 5-1 with a 1.77 ERA in 12 starts with the Cubs, and his .149 batting average against after the All-Star break led all Major League starters. Harden was unbeaten in his final 10 starts with the Cubs.

Needs for 2009 season in no particular order:

Left handed power hitter that can play in the outfield
One more starting pitcher (two if Dempster does not resign)
A couple more bullpen arms. One lefty and one righty.

It will be an interesting four months untl spring training talk really kicks into full gear.  We have the Winter meetings coming up in a few months so we should have some nice trade rumors etc around that time.

What do you think the Cubs should do for the 2009 season? Any players you would like to see traded or signed?

Cubs Blog

So where do the Cubs go from here?

Even though the Cubs will mostly have a right handed lineup against the Dodgers pitching staff, I really like their chances. The Cubs can play small ball or hit for power depending on how the game is going. If Derrek Lee and Alfonso Soriano hit the ball in this short series, then I expect the Cubs to win the series three games to one. However, if Lee continues to struggle and ground into a lot of double plays and Soriano can’t get on base, it will make things a lot harder for the Cubs to advance.

You have to give the Cubs pitching the nod when you compare them to the Dodgers as well. The Dodgers will be sending Derrek Lowe, Chad Billingsley and Hiroki Kuroda to the mound as their starting pitchers for the first three games. The Cubs will counter back with Ryan Dempster, Carlos Zambrano, and Rich Harden. Ted Lilly will be used in game four if needed. I love the fact that we have Dempster going in game one as he been awesome at Wrigley Field.

One thing that the Cubs cannot do is let Manny Ramirez beat them. I don’t care if they intentionally walk him everytime, you cannot let him beat you. It will be interesting to see how the Cubs bullpen throws as well as they struggled in the later part of the season. I do not want to see Bob Howry with the ball in a crucial situation that is for sure. Hopefully we can see our starters throw seven or eight innings and then close the door with Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood.

Game 1 – Ryan Dempster / Derrek Lowe – October 1st, 5:30 CST
Game 2 – Carlos Zambrano / Chad Billingsley – October 2nd, 8:30 CST
Game 3 – Rich Harden / Hiroki Kuroda – October 4th, 9:00 CST

I say that Cubs win the series 3-1.  What do you all think? Leave us a comment and let us know your prediction!

Cubs Blog

Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers NLDS Preview

Kevin Hart gave up a infield single to Carlos Beltran in the bottom of the ninth and took the loss. Hart is now 2-2 on the year. Bob Howry struggled once again as he gave up two hits in the eighth inning. Howry got the blown save but the runs two runs in the inning where charged to Neal Cotts. Chad Gaudin also gave up a run in relief of starting pitcher Rich Harden.

Harden pitched six innings and only allowed two hits and three runs. Harden did give up four walks while striking out five. It was an ok for start for Harden but he needs to cut down on the walks. He can’t walk that many batters in the playoffs that is for sure.

Five of the six Cubs rbi’s came off the bat of Micah Hoffpauir. Hoffpauir hit two home runs and also had a rbi single in the game. He is really trying to work his way onto the playoff roster. Casey McGehee also had a rbi single in the game for the Cubs.

The Cubs will now travel to Milwaukee for the final series of the regular season. Ryan Dempster will take the mound for the Cubs and is expected to throw between 75 and 80. Earlier in the day, Lou announced that Dempster would be the game one starter for the NLDS.

I will try to have updates through the weekend but I’m unsure if I will have a internet connection as I will be out of town attending a college football game. I hope to be able to update so keep checking back!

Cubs Blog

This time the Mets get the best of the Cubs

It was a back and forth game all night long. Carlos Zambrano gave up a grand slam to Carlos Delgado as he only lasted 4 2/3 innings. Zambrano walked four while only striking out two. I thought he was going to have a good game as he had a great first inning but then he ran into trouble in the third inning.

Jeff Samardzija also was wild in the eighth inning as gave up two hits and two walks as the Mets scored one run off of him. I do have to give credit to the Cubs bullpen however even though they got themselves into jams, they were able to work their way out of them and not allow a run to score. Boby Howry is one example of getting out of a jam. He gave up a lead of triple in the ninth inning, but then got out of the inning as the Mets left the bases loaded. The mets were just that bad tonight and the Cubs were lucky to come away with the win in my opinion.

Howry ended up with the win while Kerry Wood got the save which was his 34th of the season.

Mark DeRosa had three rbi including a solo home run before he left the game in the fifth inning with a left calf strain. I’d expect to see DeRosa take a couple days off just as a precaution. Reed Johnson and Alfonso Soriano both had rbi’s in the game as well as it was a good night at the plate for the Cubs.

The Cubs will try to take three out of four games against the Mets as they play once again on Thursday. Right now I like the Cubs chances as the Mets are struggling and just don’t seem to have any confidence. What do you think?

Cubs Blog

Cubs win a sloppy game against the Mets

Lilly was great in his seven innings of action as he only allowed one walk, one hit, and struck out nine astros.  Jeff Samardzija, Carlos Marmol, and Bob Howry all pitched in relief of Lilly and they did not allow a hit either. Between the two games against the astros, the Cubs only allowed one hit and outscored the astros 11-1.

Derrek Lee finally hit a home run as he went deep for a two run shot in the sixth inning. Geovany Soto then followed Lee with a two-run homerun of his own later in the inning. Jim Edmonds also had a home run in the game as he went opposite field for a solo shot in the fourth inning. Aramis Ramirez also picked up a rbi in the game with a rbi sac fly in the first inning.

Great showing by everyone on the cubs roster. Now the Cubs head back home for a three game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. The magic number sits at 6, and if the Cubs can sweep the brewers these next there games that means they will win the division and clinch the division at home on Thursday.

So now we ask you this. Will the cubs clinch on Thursday against the Brewers?!

Cubs Blog

Lilly and the Cubs dominate the Astros 6-1

I knew that it would be a tough game against the Phillies as they were sending Cole Hamels to the mound. Hamels pitched seven innings and only allowed five hits as the Cubs just couldn’t get anything going off of him. Once Hamels was pulled from the game however, the Cubs bats came alive.

Mike Fontenot got everything started with this solo home run off of Ryan Madson to lead off the eighth inning and then we all know what happened when Ramirez came to the plate with the bases loaded. It just seemed like the hitters had a big sigh of relief when Hamels was taken out of the game and they had a lot more confidence hitting against the Phillies bullpen.

Ryan Dempster struggled as he threw six inning and allowed eight hits and four runs. He ended up with the no decision in the game and is still 15-5 on the year. Bob Howry who pitched the eighth inning received the win to improve his record to 6-4. Wood made his fourth straight appearance for his 28th save of the season. I’d expect Wood to get Friday off and see Carlos Marmol in the closers role.

It will be a short turn around for both teams as they will play a afternoon game at Wrigley Field on Friday. Rich Harden will be going against his ex teammate in Oakland Joe Blanton.

Cubs Blog

Aramis Ramirez delivers big time!

Kosukue Fukudome led the Cubs with four rbi as he went 3-4 in the game. The four rbi was a career high in a game for Fukudome in a Cubs uniform. Aramis Ramirez also stayed hot has he clubbed a three run home run to finish the game with three rbi. The Cubs also got single rbi’s from Derrek Lee, Henry Blanco, Jim Edmonds, and Ted Lilly. It was a huge performance out of the Cubs offense as they swung the bats very well and never really let the Pirates in the game.

Ted Lilly one his 13th game of the year as he tossed seven innings. He did allow two home runs which scored all three runs but there was plenty of run support to help him out. Bob Howry and Kerry Wood threw the last two innings of the game and both pitched scoreless innings.

So now the Cubs are up a full five games in the standings and are 31 games over .500! Wow, I didn’t think I would ever be able to say that the Cubs are 31 games over .500 lol. It is a good time to be a Cubs fan that is for sure!

Go Cubbies!

Cubs Blog

Cubs stay hot with 12-3 win over the Pirates

The bullpen was absolutely terrible in the game. Neal Cotts gave up a grand slam, Bob Howry gave up a run, and Chad Gaudin allowed two home runs and six runs to score in the final two innings of the game. I hope this is just one of those games where your pitchers just don’t have it but come back and throw the ball good the next game.

It was also nice to see Derrek Lee actually hit another home run. It was his first home run since July 27th. Mark DeRosa also had a home run in the game as he reached Waveland Avenue in the fourth inning to score two runs.

The Cubs had a short turn around as they are currently playing the Nationals in game two. Need a big win out of Ryan Dempster and get back on the winning track.

Cubs Blog

Cubs blow lead and then blown out against the Nationals

It seemed like anytime the Cubs scored the Braves would come right back with a couple of runs of their own. Good thing that the Cubs offense was four runs better then the Braves and they were still able to get the victory.

Ted Lilly didn’t have his best stuff but the offense picked him up. Lilly improved to 12-6 as hey got the win after pitching six innings. Lilly gave up eight hits and four runs in the game. Bob Howry gave up the other three runs as Jeff Francoeur took him deep in the seventh inning for a three run home run.

Carlos Marmol and Kerry Wood also pitched in the game. Marmol threw 1 1/3 innings without giving up a hit while Wood allowed two hits in the ninth but did not allow the Braves to score.

Aramis Ramirez went 2-2 in the game with three rbi. Ramirez went deep in the third inning for all three of his rbi’s. He later scored in the fifth inning and left the game with a contusion on his hip. Hopefully he will stop sliding into home plate head first because he is just asking for trouble when he does that.

Geovany Soto also had a good game at the plate as he went 1-2 with two rbi and two walks. Geo is swinging the bat pretty good the past week or so. Alfonso Soriano absolutely crushed a home run and finished with two rbi. Reed Johnson, Mark DeRosa, Ryan Theriot, and Daryle Ward all added single rbi’s in the game as well.

With the Brewers loss to the Padres, the Cubs are now up 4.5 games in the division. They will now fly down to Florida to take on the Marlins over the weekend. Hopefully they can play well against the Marlins as they always seem to give the Cubs problems.

Go Cubbies!

Cubs Blog

Cubs complete sweep of Braves with a 11-7 victory

Geovany Soto and Jim Edmonds had a great game at the plate.  Soto had a two run double and a two run home run to finish the game 3-4 with four rbi.  Edmonds had a two run home run and a rbi double to finish with three rbi.  Aramis Ramirez, Ryan Theriot, and Mark Derosa all added one rbi each as well.

Jason Marquis threw a lot of pitches as he worked out of multiple jams but lasted 5 1/3 innings to pick up the win.  Marquis is now 8-7 on the year with a 4.67 era.  Neal Cotts finished up the sixth inning after Marquis exited the game and then Jeff Samardzija pitched the seventh and eighth innings.  Bob Howry finished things up with a scoreless inning in the ninth.

The Cubs should be setup nicely for the second game of the double header as Rich Harden will start the game.  The Cubs still have Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol in the bullpen as well.  Hopefully we see a double header sweep of the Braves and then a Padres win over the Brewers!

GO CUBS!!

Cubs Blog

Cubs take game one against the Braves 10-2

Jim Edmonds, playing against his former team had two solo home runs to lead the Cubs with two rbi.  Edmonds went deep in the second and seventh innings of the game.  Without Jimmy, the Cubs would have been shutout and lost the game.  Great game for Edmonds!

The game winning run in the 11th inning came off the bat of Henry Blanco who was hitting with zero outs and the bases loaded.  Blanco signled to left field and Derrek Lee scored the winning run.  Lee started the inning off with a walk and then moved to third base on a single by Aramis Ramirez.  Cardinals pitcher Ryan Franklin then walked Kosuke Fukudome to load the bases before Blanco’s game winning hit.

On the mound it was Bob Howry picking up the win to improve his record to  5-4.  Howry looked pretty good in his one inning of action as he threw a lot more breaking balls early in the count then he has been.  Great to see Howry out there throwing the ball like he is capable of.

Jeff Samardzija allowed one hit in two innings as he did a great job as well.  Jeff has really been throwing the ball well and Lou has a lot of confidence in him right now.  Ted Lilly pitched 7 1/3 innings before being taken out in the eighth inning for Carlos Marmol.  Marmol finished up the eighth inning by recording the final two outs.

The Cubs and Cards will battle it out Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series.  The game will be shown on FOX so make sure you tune if you can’t make it to the game. I’ll be sitting out in the bleachers with my wife and I can’t wait!

Cubs Blog

Cubs beat Cardinals 3-2 in 11 innings

Starting pitcher Rich Harden didn’t have his best game as he gave up eight hits and five runs in 5 2/3 innings.  Bob Howry once again gave up runs as he was charged with two runs in 1 1/3 innings.  It was nice to see Kerry Wood back in action as he pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Carlos Marmol pitched a scoreless ninth inning.  To make room on the roster for Wood, the Cubs designated Scott Eyre for assignment.

General manager Jim Hendry had been trying to trade Eyre for quite a while but was unable to get anything done.  The team designated him instead of sending Neal Cotts or Sean Marshall down.

What does everyone think about the Eyre?

Cubs Blog

Cubs blow big lead and then come back to beat the Astros 11-7

The Cubs got to Brewers starter CC Sabathia in the first inning when Alfonso Soriano missed a home run by two feet and led the game off with a double.  He later scored on a rbi single by Derrek Lee to put the Cubs on top 1-0.  In the third inning, Soriano smoked a solo home run about 30 ft farther then his lead off double.  With the score at 2-0 the Cubs did not score again until the seventh inning when Lee grounded into a fielders choice and Ronny Cedeno scored.  The Brewers should have got out of the inning but Rickie Weeks throw to first base was wild.  Reed Johnson had a nice break up slide that forced Weeks to make the bad throw.

Things got really exciting in the ninth inning with the game tied at 4-4.  Lee added another rbi on a double that scored Soriano and moved Mike Fontenot to third base.  Fontenot then scored on a infield single by Mark DeRosa to make it 6-4 Cubs.  The offense came through when they needed to and that is what they are going to have to do this entire series if the Cubs want to extend their lead over the Brewers.

On the mound it was Ted Lilly starting the game and throwing six innings while giving up seven hits and three runs.  Lilly gave up back to back solo home runs in the sixth inning to J.J. Hardy and Ryan Braun.  Those two pitches were pretty much his only mistakes of the game.  Bob Howry once again gave a run on a solo home run to Russell Branyon.  Howry is stinking it up right now out of the bullpen.  Chad Gaudin ended up picking up the win as the threw the eighth inning.  Carlos Marmol was electric in the ninth inning as he got Gabe Kapler to fly out to the warning track to end the game.  Marmol picked up his fifth save of the season in the game.

Now the Cubs will send Carlos Zambrano to the mound against Ben Sheets of the Brewers.  It should be a classic pitchers duel and hopefully Big Z will be on top of his game!

Cubs Blog

Cubs take game one in Milwaukee 6-4