With 9 days left until the July 31st trade deadline, lets get caught up on what the Cubs might be looking to do.
As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, the Cubs need bullpen help. Well, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Sun Times, the Cubs are likely to seek a reliever at the trade deadline. Wittenmeyer says that the Cubs don't have the resources to get into the Halladay sweepstakes, but have enough payroll flexibility to add a mid-level player, such as an experienced, preferably lefthander reliever. Baltimore Orioles reliever George Sherrill could be a good fit.
Wittenmeyer also says that the Cubs could look for another catcher, depending on the progress of Geo Soto's recovery. One possibility is Toronto's Rod Barajas.
Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald reported of the Cubs interest in Julio Logo, prior to the Cardinals acquiring him today. With Lugo off the market, perhaps the Cubs could go after someone like Freddy Sanchez of the Pirates. The Pirates made a token offer to Sanchez to try to save face for when they eventually trade him. Sanchez makes $6 million this year and has a club option for $8 million for 2010 (with a $300K buyout). If Fontenot continues to struggle, perhaps Sanchez could add a spark to the Cubs' offense.
Other than that, there are not a lot of options for the Cubs. The uncertainty surrounding the sale of the team has put them in a bind this year and will likely prevent them from going after any of the big fish on the market. However, this team should be good enough to win without adding a big player, but a couple of tweaks here or there can't hurt.
Jeff Baker who was picked up by Cubs was for what reason? Backup? Starting 2nd Baseman? Or what? Look, this is a waste of time and whatever money was involved to get him. Come on. Is this Hendry’s attempt “to blooster” the depleted players who continue to go on the DL? Ah…….Fontenot was playing there, Blanco was playing there. Pinella has not kept anyone there long enough to get started. Blanco is a very good defensive player, Fontenot is fair, and Baker is well not enough games to evaluate his talent. The way I see it, if you “are serious” about plugging holes or looking for someone to help you then why not Freddy Sanchez? He hits. And is not a bad fielding 2nd baseman. ! Sanchez is hitting 299 with 45 runs and 34 RBI’s and 6 home runs and 5 stolen bases, and a 987 fielding PCT., only 35 errors in 614 games. Why aren’t they pursuing him? Makes absolutely no sense to me!
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