Cubs' Pitching Staff Commanded by the Carlos'

In the past month, the Cubs have begun to figure things out thanks to the phenomenal pitching of starter Carlos Zambrano and reliever Carlos Marmol

Both have nasty stuff. Both are intimidating on the mound. Both are named Carlos.

Since June 1, Carlos Zambrano has truly begun a "new season," while Carlos Marmol has been lights out since he was brought up from Triple-A on May 18.

The fiery, intense, and hard-throwing Carlos Zambrano is beginning to live up to his prediction that he would win the NL Cy-Young this year. In his last four starts since June 1 and the Michael Barrett scuffle, Zambrano is 3-1 with 1.14 ERA. His most recent start came yesterday against the White Sox in which he went eight strong innings, struck out 12, gave up one earned run, and walked only one. Yesterday's game was Big Z at his best. Zambrano's stuff was electric with his breaking balls falling off the plate and fastball hitting as high as 95 mph. Big Z will look to continue his dominance Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies in which he will get to bat again. If his brilliance on the bump isn't enough, Zambrano is batting .273 with two homers, four RBI's, and nine runs scored.

When Zambrano ever needs some help he needs to look no further than his good friend Carlos Marmol. Marmol has been simply magnificent since his recall on May 18 from Des Moines. Marmol has comprised a mind-blowing 0.96 ERA in 18.2 innings with 24 strikeouts and has only given up 10 hits. His slider has been nasty and he locates his fastball beautifully. Last season, Marmol went 5-7 with a 6.08 ERA, but it is clear he learned a lot about himself and his abilities since then.

With the Carlos' dominating, the Cubs finally are getting back on track at 34-39 with a chance to sweep the South Siders tomorrow at U.S. Cellular Field. Marmol did a solid job today, while Zambrano had a superb performance yesterday. Expect to see Marmol if Cubs starter Sean Marshall struggles at all tomorrow.

Together, they are commanding and leading the Cubs' pitching staff to consistency. If Zambrano continues his dominance expect him to be in the running for the NL Cy-Young award. However, let's hope his other prediction of a Cubs World Series victory comes true as well. Regardless, the Carlos' will be there the whole way leading the pitching staff back to excellence.

Chicago Cubs Cancer and Catcher Sent Packing

The Cubs and Michael Barrett parted ways Wednesday when he was officially traded to the San Diego Padres for back-up catcher Rob Bowen and minor league outfielder Kyler Burke

The saga that was Michael Barrett is over. Not even halfway through the 2007 campaign, the Cubs' front office had seen enough headlines featuring Barrett over the last three and a half years.

Just this year, Barrett has been the focal point of fights, silly arguments, and bone-head plays. All these contributed to not only his departure, but a disease that needed to be cured in the Cubs' clubhouse. On June 1, Barrett and Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano went toe-to-toe after a lot of mounting frustration and more brainless plays by Barrett. The fight has been well-documented with many blaming Barrett for the repercussions even in light of Zambrano's intense emotions. Only eleven days later on June 12, Barrett and Cubs lefty Rich Hill got into a mild discussion about pitch selection. Then, in the 13th inning of the team's loss, Barrett misplayed a throw to home by Jacque Jones that would have nailed Jose Vidro of the Mariners by a couple steps.

These headlines in the past three weeks are simply the end to a long list of ridiculous issues with Barrett. In May 2006, the catcher socked White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski after getting cleanly run over protecting home. Barrett suffered a 10-game suspension for his actions and depleted a Cubs roster that couldn't afford his absence. Back in 2005, Barrett instigated a feud between Houston Astros starting pitcher Roy Oswalt that fueled the Astros to overcome the Cubs in the wildcard race late in the season. Even with all these distracting headlines, it is the play of Barrett so far this season that has Cubs nation in disarray.

At 30, Barrett is batting .256 with nine homers and 29 RBIs in a more limited role this year. However, it has never been his offense that people questioned, but his defense and overall lack of respect from pitchers. So far this year, Barrett has committed five errors, been charged with eight passed balls, and thrown out seven of 39 potential base-runners. On top of that, he has had some of the silliest baserunning blunders on record. Throw in the fact that numerous pitchers have requested he not catch for them including Hall of Fame bound Greg Maddux, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, and most recently Carlos Zambrano. Finally, add to the mix that back-up catcher Koyie Hill has gone 5-2 with a 1.75 ERA in games he's started since being brought up.

With all of these put into the equation and Barrett set to be a free agent at season's end, the only logical move was to get rid of Barrett and his nonsense. It is rare that you see a player fall from the graces so quickly, but with everything over the last year the writing was on the wall.

Now, the Cubs will look to Koyie Hill and Rob Bowen to get the job done. Bowen joins the Cubs with a .268 average, two homers, 11 RBIs, and a .371 OBP. However, for all you Cubs fans who are worried about a lack of offensive production from the catching position, you need look no further than Des Moines, IA. The Cubs catcher of the future Geovany Soto is batting .325 with 15 doubles, eight homers, 41 RBIs, and a .400 OBP in 53 games. There is also an offensive-minded catcher named Jake Fox who resides in Double-A ball right now for the Cubs. Fox is hitting .298 with 14 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 19 doubles.

Whoever ends up making the biggest impression will win out, but for now Hill and Bowen are in charge. Barrett lost his welcome with the demanding fans and organization. He's just the first of a list of players that need to be shipped out. That list includes overpaid outfielder Jacque Jones, back-up shortstop Cesar Isturiz, and the lousy lefty reliever Scott Erye. By July 31, all three should be residing elsewhere and causing headaches for other clubs.

The good thing about trades is that you can monitor and see who the winner and loser is in the upcoming weeks. Barrett joins a pitching staff that leads the NL in ERA, but he struggled all year with the Cubs behind the plate. Regardless of what the future brings, both are better off going their separate ways.

Finally...Felix Returns

After a short stint with the Chicago Cubs earlier in the year, Felix Pie returned from Triple-A Iowa Sunday going 2-5 with an RBI and two runs in the Cubs 10-1 beat down of the Atlanta Braves

The Cubs' centerfielder of the future finally returned to big league action Sunday to help the Cubs halt their six-game skid and immediately showed he has the tools to make this team go.

For weeks I've been praying that GM Jim Hendry and anyone else involved would bring back Pie as soon as possible, and Sunday my prayers were answered. After Alfonso Soriano recorded the first out in the bottom of the first, Pie singled up the middle and eventually came around to score on Mark Derosa's grand slam. Pie would add an RBI double following Soriano's lead-off triple in the bottom of the fifth that helped kick start a three-run frame. Pie would strike out in his last two at-bats, but the excitement he brings to the game was seen in the fifth inning.

On a broken bat shot down the first base line, Pie hustled out of the box with a double in mind the whole time. Upon rounding first he glanced at right-fielder Jeff Francouer who raced and blindly threw a strike to second. However, it was Pie's speed that won the battle against Francouer's cannon of an arm. That type of play is exactly what Pie can bring to the Cubs day in and day out. He can turn a single into a double, a double into a triple, race down flyballs in centerfield, and steal bases.

Before being brought up, Pie was batting an astounding .389 for Triple-A Iowa with three homers, 24 RBIs, and 31 runs in 31 games. Pie's only real weakness comes against lefties in which he hit a dismal .156 in 32 at-bats. However, against righties Pie is deadly, hitting .468. The Cubs will face three righties in the upcoming series at Miller Park against the Milwaukee Brewers in Dan Bush, Claudio Vargas, and Jeff Suppan. With those match-ups, expect Pie to be starting everyday in center until possibly Thursday when the Cubs travel to Atlanta to face lefty Chuck James.

With Pie's return, Darryl Ward was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained hip. Now, the Cubs once again have a log jam in the outfield with Alfonso Soriano slated in left daily, Felix Pie, Jacque Jones, Angel Pagan, Matt Murton, and Cliff Floyd. With all these players vying for playing time, you have to imagine the Cubs are planning to make a move with either Jacque Jones or Matt Murton. Jones has struggled all year batting a lousy .248 with only two homers in 165 at-bats. Jones' also possess a sub par arm and a lack of overall worth for the Cubs anymore.

Along with that, the Cubs organization made it clear that Pie's second stint in the big leagues this year is for good. "This is no extended trial," Cubs manager Lou Pinella said. "We brought him up here to play. He's going to play" (chicagocubs.com). If that is the case then the Cubs have four outfielders battling for playing time in right field. That can not continue for long so it is time to bring in the era of Felix Pie and say goodbye to the days of Jacque Jones in a Chicago Cubs uniform.

With Soriano heating up in the lead-off spot, Pie slated second in the order in which he batted .367 at Triple-A Iowa, Derrek Lee the epitome of consistency in the three hole, and Aramis Rameriz leading the Cubs in RBIs and homers in the clean-up spot it looks as if the Cubs finally have their order solidified one through four. Those four went a combined 10-18 in Sunday's win with two homers and three RBIs.

It is clear Pie brings a spark to this line-up unlike any player before him. With Soriano and Pie back-to-back expect a lot of speed, excitement, and production throughout the rest of the year.

Welcome back to the big leagues Mr. Pie. I'm going to get my Pie no. 20 jersey ASAP.

Frustration Boils Over at Not-So-Friendly Confines

The headache continued for the Cubs Friday when starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano and catcher Michael Barrett fought in the dugout and back in the clubhouse, meanwhile the Cubs fell 8-5 to the Atlanta Braves

The month of June began with a bang for the Chicago Cubs, only it was Carlos Zambrano's fist hitting Michael Barrett's face in the dugout Friday afternoon as opposed to a victory.

Losing their fifth consecutive game and ninth in their last 11 games, has the whole team in shambles. After a horrid fifth inning in which the Braves tallied five runs, Zambrano lost it. Confronting Barrett he pointed to his head as if saying, "play smart" after Barrett committed his seventh pass ball and fifth error of the year on the same play. The pass ball allowed runners to move up from second to third and the throwing error enabled the runner to score from third. Barrett responded by pointed to what seemed to be the scoreboard, and then Zambrano returned with a shot to Barrett's face as they both began to push back and forth.

Head coach Lou Pinella confirmed that the fight continued back in the clubhouse before Pinella sent both players home for the day. Barrett headed to the hospital first due to having an injured lip, but there is no word on the exact injury yet.

It seems that the Cubs simply can't get out of their own way. Zambrano was tagged for seven runs, six earned, 13 hits (a career-high) and no strikeouts (first time he hasn't recorded a strikeout after starting a game). On top of that, the Cubs gave up a total of 20 hits to the Braves, while committing two bone head errors including a ball lost in the sun to start the game by shortstop Ryan Theriot. It was yet another day filled with very few positives and many negatives from the starting pitching to the fielding.

In the post-game press conference, Pinella finally lost it at the end when asked how frustrating everything is becoming by stating he needs his players to start playing like major leaguers that can catch and run the bases or else they (Cubs organization) will bring in players that can.

In response to Pinella, I've got a few solutions to your problems. First, move Soriano to second or fifth in the line-up, second, trade Jacque Jones and bring up Felix Pie ASAP, and finally, put Ryan Theriot as the lead-off man for good.

Until these things are taken care of the Cubs will continue to struggle offensively and the frustration will heighten until Pinella as a real explosion on the field. However, at the same time you can't blame Pinella for much, the Cubs' players have been playing like complete garbage over the past two weeks and have dropped to a pathetic 22-30 overall, while falling to a dismal 10-15 at Wrigley Field.

I guess $300 million just doesn't by what it use to.

Dream World: Kobe Heading to Sweet Home Chicago?

Los Angeles Lakers' superstar Kobe Bryant demanded a trade on ESPN 1050 AM hosted by Stephen A. Smith today; however, with no control over a possible trade a lot is up in the air.

Chicago fans start dreaming and believing...the possibility of having arguably the best player in the league and a player in the same realm as Michael Jordan became a small, but nonetheless possibility Wednesday.

All the drama surrounding the Lakers came into light when Kobe discussed his anger over a Laker "insider" blaming him for the departure of Shaquille O'Neal in an article in the Los Angeles Times and how the team promised to build a contender around him. Kobe told Stephen A. Smith that Lakers' owner Jerry Buss was the one responsible for sending Shaq packing stating Buss' said, "Kobe, I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years. No way in hell. I feel like he's getting older. His body is breaking down, and I don't want to pay that money to him when I can get value for him right now rather than wait" (ESPN.com). Later in the day, Shaquille O'Neal said he believed Kobe a thousand percent.

Furthermore, Kobe feels that the organization especially GM Mitch Kupchak has done nothing in regards to building a contender around him and instead have been rebuilding for the last three years. The three-time NBA champion stated that he even suggested going after Carlos Boozer, Jermaine O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and Ron Artest during the last three years and none of them have been fulfilled. Instead, Kobe has been forced to play with the likes of Smush Parker, Jordan Farmar, Kwame Brown, and Ronny Turiat. The only players that should start in the NBA on the Lakers are Andrew Bynum and Luke Walton.

With all this coming to fruition and Kobe demanding a trade and then backing off a bit after talking to head coach Phil Jackson, the Chicago Bulls seem like the only viable option to possibly make a trade for the superstar. The Bulls have a huge amount of young talent in the likes of Ben Gordon, Loul Deng, Chris Duhon, Tyrus Thomas, Andres Nocioni and Kirk Hinrich. It seems to me a reasonable trade would be Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni (sign and trade deal), Chris Duhon and the Bulls no. 9 overall pick this year for Kobe Bryant. The Lakers would get a scorer in Gordon, a scrappy and potential scorer in Nocioni, a solid back-up guard in Chris Duhon, and a young talent with the no. 9 pick. The Lakers also have the no. 12 pick in this year's draft and since it is such a deep pool of talent they should be able to get some nice value there.

If the Lakers come calling for Loul Deng and Ben Gordon in any trade combination the Bulls and GM John Paxson would have to shoot down any offer. Taking Deng and Gordon away would leave the Bulls without a number two scorer to support Kobe and although the Bulls would get their closer on offense they would simply lose too much.

Imagine a starting line-up of: PG Kirk Hinrich, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Loul Deng, PF Tyrus Thomas and C Ben Wallace. Now, that is a team that equals a championship!

Chicago would immediately be brought back to dominance in the East since the Jordan era ended in 1998 and have yet another Hall of Famer to lead them to multiple championships. The possibility of Kobe even leaving LA is small, but if any team has the assets to offer a trade it is the Bulls. Here's to wishing good things in Chicago since the Cubs and White Sox have given up playing any decent baseball. Basketball and football are once again taking over Chicago sports.

Take a second and close your eyes, remember the Jordan/Pippen days...now picture the Bryant/Deng days. I know it's the ultimate dream, but here's a toast to those dreams becoming a reality in 2008 and the Chicago Bulls claiming the 2008 championship!

Hunter Will Be A Major Prey This Off-Season

In the last year of his contract, Torii Hunter is hot as the summer heat

For the last ten years, Torii (TORE-ee) Hunter has been the epitome of consistency offensively and defensively for the Minnesota Twins. With his contract year in full swing, Hunter is tearing up the diamond yet again, but may reside elsewhere next year due to his high-rising contract demands on the current market and young superstars on the Twins.

Entering tonight's game, Hunter is batting .317 with 11 homers, 42 runs driven in, nine stolen bases, .350 OBP, and slugging .581. This year he is making $12 million, but could demand upwards of $75 million over five years or $60 million over four years. It's not that the Twins don't want to sign him, but it's the fact they will need to fork up major cash to keep two-time Cy-young award winner Johan Santana and reigning AL MVP Justin Morneau. Santana at age 28 has become arguably the most dominant pitcher in the majors over the last five years, but will become a free agent after the 2008 season. Justin Morneau on the other hand won't be a free agent until after the 2009 season, but with his power, consistency and clutch-hitting he will surely demand top-dollar as well. Morneau so far this year as 15 homers and 39 RBI's including two walk-off homers. With his continued improvement, come 2009 Morneau will surely demand a huge contract in comparison to his current $4.5 million one. With all those figures in mind, the historically cheap Twins will be forced to let the ever-popular Hunter go after this year.

Although neither side truly wants to go their own ways, the time has come for Hunter to move on unless the Twins pony up and pay big dollars to Hunter, Santana, and Morneau. Otherwise, the six-time Gold Glover (01'-06') will be patrolling a different centerfield next year. Hunter could collect his seventh consecutive Gold Glove with his defense thanks to yet another jaw-dropping web gem last night when he robbed White Sox slugger Jim Thome of a solo shot in the Metrodome.

If Hunter is let go without an offer by the Twins expect a lot of teams to prey on the ten-year veteran. At only 31, Hunter is still playing at an extremely high-level in all aspects of the game. On top of his amazing play, the stud centerfielder has the perfect character and work ethic needed for any ballclub. It would be a shame to see Hunter depart from Minnesota, but money issues may force the Twins' hand regardless.

Cubs' Fans Feeling a Heavy Dose of Deja Vu

Bullpen blows another lead/game after offense provides spark

It's a phenomenon known as deja vu or otherwise Chicago Cubs baseball.

If you thought it couldn't get any worse...it did Friday night and into early Saturday. The Cubs bullpen imploded yet again. After the Cubs found themselves in a 5-0 deficit to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team rallied for one run in the sixth and seven in the seventh to take an 8-5 lead. All signs pointed to a solid come from behind win for the up-and-down Cubbies; however, the bullpen stole the show again by serving up four runs in the bottom of the eighth to lose 9-8 to the Dodgers.

Cubs set-up man (hopefully former set-up man and Cub) Bob Howry came in the eighth with a three-run cushion only to give up back-to-back-to-back line drive singles to Russell Martin, Luis Gonzalez, and Tony Abreu. The amazing aspect of it all was that Howry continued to go to his mediocre low-nineties fastball to all three batters he faced. All three batters drilled the pitch for a single. Does the Cubs’ set-up man have another pitch besides his pathetic, no-movement fastball? Do any of the Cubs’ relievers have pitches besides mediocre fastballs? I’ve watched majority of the Cubs games this year and so far I’ve never seen a bullpen throw so many fastballs and average fastballs at that.

After Howry loaded the bases, lefty Will Ohman (or as I say when he comes in “Oh Man”) proceeded to give up a single up the middle to pinch-hitter Olmedo Saenz. The lead was now 8-6, and head coach Lou Pinella quickly took out “Oh Man” for youngster Angel Guzman. Guzman’s first pitch found the dirt and flew passed Michael Barrett as the Dodgers drew to within one. Three pitches later, Guzman walked pinch-hitter Andy LaRoche to load the bases yet again. With the bases juiced hot-hitting Rafael Furcal slapped a single through the left-side of the infield tying the game at eight with the bases still loaded and no outs. So far three Cubs’ relievers had faced six batters giving up five hits and one walk without a single out.

Next to the plate strolled ex-Cub Juan Pierre. Pierre hit a sacrifice fly (something he never could do with the Cubs) to give the Dodgers the lead 9-8. Another ex-Cub Nomar Garciaparra followed by grounding into an inning ending double play; however, the damage was done and Cubs’ fans took a deep breath for that’s all they could to do to restrain themselves from freaking out (if you did freak out…it’s more than understandable).

When the top of the ninth rolled around the Cubs position players went 1-2-3 without so much as a jab. They were defeated by their bullpen once again. The steam of their seven-run seventh inning was jarred by yet another miserable, horrendous bullpen outing. With the loss the Cubs fell to 21-25, and 2-11 in games decided by one-run. However, was anyone really surprised how this one ended? The Cubs are a major-league worst 2-11 in one-run games while the Dodgers are a major-league best 10-4. The Dodgers are 28-20. It’s as if every other game I go through a feeling of déjà vu. Haven’t I seen this script before? It’s like when you see a movie with almost the exact same plot or a TV show based on the same nonsense. Last year, the Cubs’ bullpen was miserable and this year the story’s the same with a few new characters.

Looking at the standings, somehow the Cubs find themselves only six games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, but does anyone really think the Cubs’ bullpen will be able to turn it around this year. When you win everything is great, but when you lose and lose like the Cubs have numerous times this year, well…then it makes you wonder. They say good teams win the close games, the Cubs haven’t done that. They say good teams get the clutch hit or make the clutch play, the Cubs haven’t done that. They also say head coach Lou Pinella is not a pitchers coach, well after the first 46 games I see why.

The Cubs’ bullpen has been downright PATHETIC and needs a real mix-up with certain players being released. It is clear the message has not been delivered. The only relievers whose jobs are not on the line are Ryan Dempster, Carlos Marmol, and Angel Guzman. The rest of the bullpen better wake-up soon or else find new fans to bring headaches to.

Looking at the stats, nothing adds up. The Cubs have outscored their opponents 219 to 193 and have given up the six fewest runs in baseball thanks to solid starting pitching, yet are 21-25. The White Sox have scored 11 fewer runs than allowed, but have a record of 24-20. The Cubs entered Friday nights’ game with an NL leading .285 average with runners in scoring position, second in NL in overall average at .269, but seventh in runs scored. Once again, none of this makes any sense.

However, it all makes sense when you look at the bullpen numbers. The bullpen leads the majors in losses with 15, with only four wins. They have blown 10 saves with only one coming at the hands of closer Ryan Dempster who is 10 for 11. Howry sports an era of 5.56, Eyre checks in at 7.53, Ohman at 4.97, and Dempster at 4.15. The answers to the offensive statistics are in the Cubs’ pathetic excuse for a bullpen.

Someone end this déjà vu…go out and do your job! Cubs’ nation, the coaching staff, and position players have all had enough.