Grabow/Gorzelanny to Cubs 'just about done'

After yesterday one has to wonder if the Bucs could snag Vitters in a deal for those 2.

When I asked what else could happen, I really didn't expect an answer.

I wish they were not talking to the Cubs about anything, I hate the Cubs. I remember Gorzo saying he hated the Cubs, he is a White Sox fan.

really? Gorzo? Come on.  This is rediculous. Why trade pitching? Why is he not in the rotation? (&*&^#@$&^@#*^@#$!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Return better be pretty good if they are moving Gorzelanny.....

Vitters would be awesome, doubtful though. Same was said about Alderson though....

Ditto, Leadoff.

And please, please, if you're gonna trade Gorzo GET SOMEONE WHO CAN HIT THE BASEBALL FAR!

I think this, along with yesterdays trade to the Mariners, qualifies as a de facto package deal...

Does it really matter if this team has another lefty in the pen besides Veal? Having a situational lefty in the pen is of little consequence at this point.

Unless there's some personality problem with Gorzelanny, I'd rather they hold on to him and see if he can regain his old form.  As for Grabow, if he's really going to be a Type A free agent, I'd just as soon tender him in the offseason and see if they can get the comp picks.  Worst case scenario is he takes arbitration, and they get an overpaid LH reliever for another year (who would likely have just about the same appeal for trade purposes next year).  They've certainly cleared enough payroll to take that risk.  And there are worse things to have than an established lefty reliever.  

No, not the untouchable Grabow, too!

I'd be stunned if we got Vitters out of the deal, and I think the Cubs would probably have to take as many meds as the asylum takes on a daily basis to consider that.

BTW, not sure who he is, but jtads14 has an awfully good source. Didn't he call the LaRoche trade as well?

I wouldn't be able to understand a trade of Gorzo.  He has as much, if not more, upside than the prospects the Bucs have been picking up in these trades, plus he's closer to actually helping the big league club.  Hell, he's done everything they've asked of him down in Indy and he's only not up in Pittsburgh due to contractual issues.

Grabow?  Yes.  Gorzo?  No.

The Cubbies have a couple of real good infield prospects in Castro and Flaherty. Would be nice to get one of them in a deal.

Maybe the Cubs are in a panic.

I may be one of the few that trusts the evaluation of our players from our FO and scouts.  They are trained to scout, know more than me, and see the players more than I do.

I thought Gorzo was awful last year .  But I am not sure why they want to get rid of him.  I can see why they continue to keep him in the minors due to his arbitration clock.  But why not keep him around.  He is experienced and did very well before. He did OK out of the pen earlier this year.  Plus he is left handed.   He must either be awful or he must have did /said something to really get on the bad side of the FO.

One thing Cubs have is an abundance of  is middle infield prospects, Castro etc.  If someone like that is involved it might make sense.  Gotta give to get.  

This convinces me more that Huntington is bent on removing EVERY player ever acquired by the Littlfield regime.  I just commented this AM to a co-worker that every pitcher he has picked up is a RHP.  Gorzelanny should have value to the PBC, if only for that reason.  I'm willing to take Grabow to arbitration, as Fats_Henry suggested.  But, boy are they going to suck for the next 1.5 seasons, at least.

 It better be a quality young middle infielder with upside. What has Gorzalanny done to Huntington or Coonelly to deserve the way he has been treated? A lefty starter who had great success and hten struggled but seems to have found himself (Zach Duke scenario anyone?)  Duke, Gorzo, Snell, all young pitchers with great upside but had multiple managers and pitching coaches (I think 3 of each in a 4 1/2 year time frame) At what point does the organization step and and take partial responsibility for these guys struggling? Like I said hte return better be SOLID.

Ugh...

The first thing I am against here.....

Gorzo should not be going anywhere.....

Except into the Pirates rotation in about a month (gotta keep him down so he doesn't go to arb...I'm cool with that, but trading him?)

If the Cubs will only do it with Gorzo included....

Then I hate to say it, but......

SAY NO DEAL, NEAL!

IMO Huntington has struck upon an ingenious plan to ensure that he draws a GM paycheck for a longer period than his predecessor was able to.

Neal waited two years, two years in which during each off season instead of trying to improve a last place club, he stood pat, or made it weaker.

Then he told Bob Nutting he could not win with what was left and he is in the process of dumping everything and starting over with a clean slate of haphazardly thrown together mediocre prospects figuring it buys him at least 2 or 3 years before the on field product can be expected to show results and as long as Nutting is profiting, he is not going to ask questions.

At this point, Neal will have 5 years into the job collectiving a GM paycheck before he is expected to begin showing results.

By Littlefield's 5th year, things were starting to get a little dicey for him.

Would someone please tell Mr. Huntington to stop crashing the servers.  

Dejan -- any hints who might be coming from the Cubbies?  That's the only fair way to evaluate the trade, but I stand by my comment above that Gorzo has as much upside and is ready to help sooner than the pitching prospects Huntington has been acquiring.  But maybe that's what a GM does so he buys himself more time to get his crap together...

Anyone up for trading for that kid in the Yankees system that pitches both LH and RH?  That way, we never have this problem again.  

Also, all pitchers (either traded for or drafted or signed int'lly) should fit the before mentioned mold.

Forget POWERarms Neal.  Go for BOTHarms.  

Does not surprise me that the Cubs are involved with the Pirates again.  Littlefield is part of the Cubs front office and probably giving them advice on players in the Buc's system that he knows about.  

This is like pulling a Band-Aid off your hairy arm a eighth of an inch at a time.

Well, if nothing else, at least the Pirates have a lot of prospects.

The deal is close to done? Oh, this better have a power bat attached to it...

That's it Neal...now trade/dump our remaining talent within the bloody division...

...brilliant, just bloody brilliant.

Maybe we get Ramirez back. That would be funny. Sort of.

I'd take Jeff Samardzija and one of the latin middle infield prospects actually.

OK...so our payroll now is about $30 million annually? RIGHT?

re: Mr. SaNO

Do we NOW have enough to sign him...or do the cheap Nuttings look for another reason NOT to sign the prospect?

This needs to be one heck of a return in order to trade within our division.  

I was very comfortable with getting a draft pick for Grabow and getting Gorzo back into Pitt, even as a reliever.

But, NH has made good baseball trades when it seemed like it would be a salary dump.  When we don't have that issue, could this be a coup for us?  We'll see.

Would love to get one of the MI's and Jake Fox(all he does is kill the ball)

i know i wouldnt want advice from littlefield

With all the money we've freed up this week, maybe we'll get Aramis back.  

Bet there is a good chance it won't be any of these guys...

Cubs Top Ten Prospects.....

1. Josh Vitters, 3b

2. Jeff Samardzija, rhp

3. Andrew Cashner, rhp

4. Dae-Eun Rhee, rhp

5. Wellington Castillo, c

6. Kevin Hart, rhp

7. Starlin Castro, ss/2b

8. Ryan Flaherty, ss

9. Jay Jackson, rhp

10. Hak-Ju Lee, ss

Best Hitter for Average Josh Vitters

Best Power Hitter Josh Vitters

Best Strike-Zone Discipline Sam Fuld

Fastest Baserunner Tony Campana

Best Athlete Brandon Guyer

Best Fastball Jeff Samardzija

Best Curveball Casey Lambert

Best Slider Andrew Cashner

Best Changeup Dae-Eun Rhee

Best Control Esmailin Caridad

Best Defensive Catcher Luis Flores

Best Defensive Infielder Darwin Barney

Best Infield Arm Junior Lake

Best Defensive Outfielder Sam Fuld

Best Outfield Arm Kyler Burke

 What hte heck has gotten into NyMo and Burnett since they went to the nationals??? Nyjer is now at .310 and stealing bases with regularity and rarely getting caught now. Burnett is virtually unhittable and look at his last 10 appearances and see how many strikeouts per inning. I hope Lastings is ready to roll tomorrow. I am not second guessing the trade, I follow all the former Bucs and wish them well. Soon it will be virtually impossible to watch a major league game with out seeing a fairly recent former Pirate.

Let's wait and see what the trade is before we start wringing our hands.

As for Gorzo, I hate to loose him but it is also an indication of how far NH has taken this team in a short period.  Just a few seasons ago, we couldn't find a fourth, let alone fifth starter due to injuries and ineffectiveness.  Now we can possibly let a pretty good starting pitching prospect go in the trade and still have Lincoln, Hacker, Karstens, McCutcheon as depth.  Remember, Gorzo currently isn't in the rotation (the same should be said for Vasquez).  Now throw in a couple more arms in AA, and high A.  This team has some depth.  Just need the #1 guy.

I have no problem dealing Gorzo along with Grabow if it maximizes the return from the Cubs.  I think Gorzo had fallen out of NH's plans for the future, so if he didn't want to use him, get rid of him and bring in someone who is wanted.

I hope they don't Photoshop all that black shoe polish into the next Grabow-look-alike's goatee!

For two of our best pitchers? I'm expecting some position clout back ... is Leon Durham still available?

If they don't get vitters or szmardja (sp) it would be a waste. Gorzo has years of control left and Grabow can bring comp picks as type A. And he is LH which counts for something.

It's gotten ridiculous how Huntington is so determined to rid himself of every player who was here when he took over as GM. He better have a winning team in place by 2011, or he should be fired before opening day that year. 3 years is plenty of time to put a winning team in place particularly with all the money they've been saving over the last 2 years by trading all the higher paid players.

Grabow is easily going to shut down the Pirates every time we face the hated Cubs. Awful.

We can only hope Littlefield is giving advice to the Cubs.

Someone asked what Gorzo did to FC and NH to deserve to be treated like this.  How about coming into spring training fat and out of shape in 2008.

I will paraphrase what John Perroto wrote about Gorzo this spring when he got sent down:  Gorzo had success and then became a jerk

I want Vitters, Flaherty (I think he was a classmate of Alvarez at Vandy) and whichever Papelbon they have (LHP).

Best Changeup Dae-Eun Rhee

This guy's coming back - the PBC loves the Changeup...

I have no problem dealing Gorzo along with Grabow if it maximizes the return from the Cubs.  I think Gorzo had fallen out of NH's plans for the future, so if he didn't want to use him, get rid of him and bring in someone who is wanted.

If they could get Vitter, it would enable Alvarez's move to first to take place without any loss of a 3B to fill that hole. The only question then would be what to do with Jones, Pearce (I know what the consensus here would be) and the newly acquired Clement?

Wow. This is not a good idea. Unless we're raiding their system for multiple high end pieces. Why give two lefties to a division team?  Terrible idea.

I can't imagine Vitters would be part of the deal.

Grabow could conceivably net the Bucs draft picks, but chances are he'd accept arbitration after the season.

Samardjzia has a full NTC so I doubt it will be him coming back, and with the way Fox is playing, and the fact that right now he is the Cubs only back up catcher, I also doubt he will be included either.  

lets just get some sort of middle infield help other than the great ronny cedeno

Historically it seems the Cubs get quality and give up kwap when dealing with the Bucs. I hope, but don't expect, that it is different this time. Yesterday gives me hope, but......asking for another day of decent returns is just asking too much with this FO group I'm afraid.

Chris DeLuca, Chi Sun-Times says deal is closed for Grabow, nothing about Gorzo.

twitter.com/.../2937097142

Gorzo has little value.  He looks like a AAAA pitcher.

Grabow has a little more value.

It'll be interesting to see what they get.

Anyone who thinks we can get Vitters in this deal, or any deal, should seek counseling.

I think Neil gets it done on this one.  He's not dumb enough to send two good to great lefties (in their respective roles mind you) to a division team without getting a good return.

And, as has been said, Gorzo is still a good, young arm.  Add in that Grabow is a Type A (can someone spell out the exact req's for Types A and B?) and the PBC should be expecting a nice return.

I think this is what Huntington wanted to do when he first came on, but that our minor leagues were not up to the total rebuilding.  So he spent his time for the first year and a half building things up to where he could put a team with potential, unrealized though it may be at this early stage, on the field.

I think the McLouth and Morgan trades were situations where the Bucs were approached and the upsides were too great to turn down -- given, of course, that there is risk in every trade.  But the effect was to put this team of future players on the field ahead of schedule and allow him to complete phase 1 in one swell foop.  

Suddenly we're looking at a team with potential on the field, money to spend, and a pipeline with some talent in it.  When they do start winning, there is every reason to believe that they will keep winning.  

I heard... it is Bobby Hill

Also...thinking the Bucs are getting Vitters is a pipedream.  No way the Cubs give up Vitters for a middle reliever and a AAA pitcher (no matter what success he has had in the past)

It's clear that the Pirates are trying to distance themselves from all other contenders in total consecutive losing seasons.

Take down the Jack and Freddy banners and replace them with that one!!!

I read an interesting theory by whygavs on Twitter that Veal might be involved in the deal., with the Bucs keeping him when all is said and done, but being able to send him down to AAA.

Hey at least this is fun.  Even though he'll be exhausted, Dejan lives for this stuff.

Per Peter Gammons:

"Right now, 22 of the 30 teams are down from their 2008 attendance despite the work MLB did with its corporate sponsors. "Next year," says one club financial officer, "will be tougher."

So the Pirates are in the minority, as one of the eight teams to be UP in attendance?  And we're selling like crazy.  

The Cubs wouldn't deal Vitters to the Pads for Peavy.  Ain't NO WAY the Buccos are getting him for Gorzo and Grabow!

Fox is the only backup Catcher and is spelling A-Ram at times.  He's staying.  Samardzija has an NTC.  NOPE!

Cubs are stocked with Shortstop/Middle Infield prospects at all levels.  Guys like Starlin Castro, Junior Lake, Ryan Flaherty, etc.  Expect a MI prospect.  Not sure who else they would throw in.

I can't imagine getting Vitters unless you throw in Duke, I sometimes laugh at what people speculate we can get from trades. Can't wait to see the return, it better be substancial and address our glaring need in the middle infield. If it is a couple of single A right handed pitchers the PG servers will implode.  

I've absolutely adored Huntington's last three trades, but I'm a bit puzzled by the decision to deal Gorzelanny. I'm fine with trading Grabow but Gorzo performed well out of the bullpen in his brief major league stint and would appear to be Grabow's ideal replacement. Gorzo's value is most likely pretty low at this point so I wouldn't expect us to get a significant return for him. The Cubs system is relatively weak so I'm not particularly optimistic about the return.

Maybe it's Jose Hernandez again????

Isn't the Cubbie bull-pen an issue this year?  Why would it surprise anyone to get a good return for a solid reliever?

re: return on this trade...

REPEAT AFTER ME....

We get  2 (two) Double AA pitchers "these guys have power arms, with good downward plane, plus-plus fast ball, good ability to change speeds. These guys have played in hitter friendly parks..that's why their numbers this year  are a little high. We think our superior pitching coaches can really help them out."

the suspense is killing me!

Ask Gammons what does corporate sponsors have to do with attendance?  Seems like two separate things to me.

Maybe part of this deal with the Cubs is that we can keep Veal --and not as a Rule 5 pick.  Then we can send him down to the minors.

Joey Bats,

You almost nailed it.

You forgot one word.

"We get  2 BIG (two) Double AA pitchers ......"

They must be 6'4" tall or taller.

I was going to joke that it's Bobby Hill coming back from the Cubs, but someone beat me to it.

It's selling low on Gorzelanny.  2 months of Grabow must not be getting much of a return by himself.  We'll have to see what the return is.  I was hoping Gorzelanny would be in next year's rotation with Duke, Maholm, Morton, and Ohlendorf.  Maybe Lincoln can make the team out of spring training next year and fill that spot.  

I didn't realize Clement had such bad knees.  I don't like the deal as much as I did yesterday.  As a firstbaseman, his value is not nearly as high as at catcher.  Hopefully, they can get him some at bats in September and next year.  I think he has more potential with the bat than Moss or Pearce.

Well, we'll see who is coming from the Cubs.  Probably minor leaguers.  Hopefully, it will be some good ones.    

Yesterday and last week, those moves I agreed with.  THis one?  No way.

Gorzo and Grabow both have solid future upsides.

Same with Burnett.  And good left-handed pitching is ALWAYS at a premium -- especially at PNC (no one wants to see visiting teams parading left-handed pinch hitters against righty relievers).  

Better be moon and stars in return.  

I don't know...I'm thinking sending Grabow to a division rival is just an ingenious plan to get our offense going.  I'm hoping for Starlin Castro.

The latest from the Sun-Times is that the Cubs are expected to announce they've traded for Grabow AFTER their game with the Astros today. Cubs are winning, 12-3, in the bottom of the 8th.

I'm no Sherlock Holmes, but might they be waiting until after the game because one of our pieces may be involved with the BIG club?

At any rate, my money is on DK breaking it first.

I think Gorzo has some solid potential.  Grabow is great, but there are always the injury concerns with the elbow chips.  He's missed a decent amount of time over the past few years...

Grabow has always been one bone chip away from elbow surgery

Since it is the the Cubs we are dealing with here, I have to think Veal is in the mix, the Bucs probably approached them with what it would take for the Bucs to keep him and send him down without the Cubs taking him back.

The Rays were cooperative with the Bucs last year about Meek, but something tells me the Cubs are going to be a little more on the lets make a deal side.

I hate trading with the cubs. They are studs at stealing in trades. See Ryan Sandberg and Aramis Ramirez.

Definitely not psyched about Gorzo, this means we get to enjoy watching Virgil serve up some more meatballs in 2009. HOORAY!!!

but I believe in the FO so guess I just have to wait and see. Just when it was safe to get back to work

JoeyBats - one more suggestion, say they are the No. 28 and 32 prospect in the Cubs organization, you never heard of them and never will again.

We're going to have to add another minor league club, just so all these pitchers get some work in.

One thing in Neals advantage, you would think with all the lottery tickets hes buying, maybe one will be a winner?

(Ok, now I understand the game plan)

I wouldn't mind if Sean Marshall came back in the deal.  I think he could be a solid starter.  But, they pitched him today and wouldn't have if he was being traded (unless it really isn't finalized).  They probably want Grabow to add to their LH relief and not replace who they have though.

Thundercrack re "One bone chip away from elbow surgery"

So is every other human being on the planet.  You're not exactly breaking any news there.

All

Note that the Dodgers gave up two single-A guys with average numbers for Orioles' closer George Sherril. Not a good sign.

So the cubs pulled Theriot as part of a double switch... just saying

I wonder if this deal means management believes Daniel McCutchen's solid start indicates he's a viable candidate for the rotation.

cubs-stros box score shows theriot has been pulled

I gotta say Huntington is different than Littlefield from one perspective.  Littlefield always overvalued our talent and would tick people off by expecting too much.  Huntington just likes to fill out the trade paperwork, he'll take any scrap from someone else's junkpile.

Lets see, the vultures are circling, his phone must be ringing off the hook, everyone wants to deal with this fellow.

I totally agree with mates that say trading Gorzo inside the division to the hated Cubs is just plain stupid.  He'll be eating our lunch for the next 4 years

Cmon, this isn't real, is it?

Dejan---

Have you been up for 48 straight hours now attached to a   Starbucks espresso IV??  This is so dizzying I can barely SIT straight!

"Jolly Roger Trading Company" whirling and wheeling away.  Anyone else feel as if you're in the middle of a tornado?

Baltimore to trade Sherill. One of those "I'm not staring the phone call, but I'll listen".  calls.  Most likely a panic call too after last night's blown save.  

www.baltimoresun.com/.../bal-sherill0730-homelink,0,3281416.storylink

I LOVE the b*thching about trading within the division.  If you're as far back as the Pirates are from the Cubs are they really in the same division?  It's not like Grabow's going to come back and ruin our playoff chances for this year.

Has anyone voted in ESPN's SportsNation polls all about the Pirates?

Pirates Scuttle Ship

espn.go.com/.../polls

@heyfred: Must suck to be that slow eh?

Astros down to their last out ... shouldn't be too much longer now, if what they say is true at the Chicago Sun-Times site.

Jay Jackson is missing his start tonight for single A Daytona

Hey, NuHo, quit stealing my stuff!  

Maybe we're getting Aramis back?  (just kidding)

Rule number one, trade outsside your division unless it is a complete snooker

BAB,

Apparently Grabow already has floating bone chips in his left elbow. That's his throwing arm.  

Not every other human being on the planet has floating bone chips.

@ baywatch..

With Grabow in the mix, someone will be coming off the 25 man roster, and I would think they'd let them finish the game.  Whether it is a demotion, part of the trade, or outright release.. I wouldn't hazard a guess.

I think we all should come back to reality right now and accept the fact that we are unlikely to receive a top 10 prospect in this deal.  While we can remain hopeful its better to prepare for the worse!

Just a thought (sarcasm on).... Who was most recent 1st round pick to flounder for the Cubs?  There is your answer for Grabow.  

@leadoff - re -Veal is in the mix,

You just might be right, but that lessens the return, why not keep Veal on the roster for the rest of this year?

It doesn't make a difference overall

They just mentioned the PBC on ESPN, folks are laughing/booing us as per usual

derek lee was pulled too.....

cubs stros final... who we gettin damnit!!

Before yesterday I would have said "NO WAY!" to any deal involving Gorzelanny.

But know, if the Bucs can get a good middle infield prospect this is a deal that MUST be done.  Please give us some hope of escaping Young's defense and Cedeno's bat.

And look at it this way, only Doumit, Maholm, Duke, McCutchen, Lincoln Capps, Moskos and Walker to get rid of before next year's trade deadline!!!!

Logan Watkins will do just fine.

@graham:  go ahead and holler 'First!'

Might as well take calls for Capps tomorrow as well.  Who needs a closer if you can't get a lead going into the 9th any way!  

I really feel for John Russell.  Talk about having your knees cut from under you

Good point, sside67 ... Man, I hate it ... I gotta go to work!

(Spoken like a true industrious person, right?)

I hope the Pirates are looking at what the O's got for Sherrill.  If not they should be holding out as there is one less LHP on the market now

It would be visually orgasmic to see Gorzellany throwing a game in Wrigley Field... and I mean throwing the game.

I'd take D Lee until Alvy gets here :-)

And wouldn't he LOVE being a Pirate! Why would I envision an Operation Shutdown, a la Derek Bell, in that case!

Any word on what we could get for equipment manager Roger Wilson?

On the Ch Sun Times site....breaking news:

After their game against the Houston Astros today, the Cubs are expected to announce they have acquired left-handed reliever John Grabow from the Pittsburgh Pirates.

No mention of who they are giving up though.

We're getting ripped on ESPN, and notice I take it personally

We're now the Pittsburgh Prospects

They are advocating that the budmeister step in and demand that we start making reasonable trades, ripping on Robert Nutting and the 31 million dollar payroll

What I'd give for this club to earn a little Dignity, now with the silence on this am wondering if we are trying to include Duke in the trade

$20 bucks says we get Marian Hossa and a Player to be named later

Cub fan here:  I wouldn't be surprised to see it being Kevin Hart for Grabow or Kevin Hart + one of the middle infield guys for Grabow and Gorzelanny.

But thanks either way.  LH RP is a huge need right now.

i would say that the cubs don't have a lot to offer - their system isn't for developing.

the hope is that another, more rich farm system just called Neal H. with an offer for a baseball trade he can't refuse.

Trade Cutch Now......

Plenty of Cf in the system. Being a potential OY candidate his value is likely not  going to be higher. Ditto with Jones. Blow up the whole team

I've been checking in on the Halladay news.These guys ARE CRAZY!Some of the players they want for him is mind boggling.Talk about wanting the moon!It's officially less than 24 hours left before Christmas in July is over and I'm almost afraid to check the blog.

@Bizrow

Who is "ripping" us on ESPN?  

How can they be ripping on us compared to a team like the Nationals?  I think we are the most aggressive team in baseball now in terms of trying to get better.  

Do those goofs on ESPN want us to keep Adam LaRoche and his $7m salary just so our overall payroll is higher?

They don't know everything about every team.  They only follow the big market teams and the teams in first place.

Word coming in from my sources that Neal Huntington has traded at least four of the seats at September's G-20 summit to an African country, believed to be Morocco, for young prospects.  Three seven year old clay-firing specialists will go immediately to Bradenton, where we now have almost certainly the best tagine-production cohort this side of Tangier.  We're believed to have included an undisclosed amount of cash, and future considerations.  Rumblings that Luke Ravenstahl was included in this deal are unconfirmed.

Next years trade deadline will be just as bad or worse as almartin/uscgrad has noted

Oh great, PTI has the pirates on the list for discussion, think I'll find my Steelers hat to wear to work for a few days

Hey we're not dog^%$#, those 2000 flies are all wrong

Great point TJK33.

@Bizrow

Wow , what are they saying, I mean yesterday wasnt the worst thing we have done, I mean we got something back but if you can elaborate let me know, And who is saying it, Baseball tonight???

@Graham

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

@PittisCHCsAAA - Cute name, you're not welcome in here though

@Bayarea - priceless man, that was hillarious

Tough on JR and especially Doumit with the way that guy competes. ESPN joked that the Pirate Parrot was on the trading block.  If we could only trade away Nutting . . . .

Seriously, it's time to just have the league nix several teams including the Pirates and Nationals.  Put a minor league team in the cities that lose their teams.  End this disgrace.

My guess is that by game time tomorrow there will be at least 4-6 teams at the AAA level that could beat our starting lineup. Any one have ideas about which ones? I mean, really, do we have anything more than advanced (and that's being generous) AAA lineup?

Oh crap, just figured it out. We have to be making this move to get Huntington's boy Luis Rivas back from the Iowa cubs. Gorzo is being included just to balance out the roster

@darylethepiratefan

PTI says,and I know its TV

Pirates usually not worth a mention, they are talking about dumping 8 starters from  08, took shots at Huntington, talked about what a great city we have, the Pirates organization is a mistake, talked about dumping us to the second division like in soccer, shot hard at Neal, he rips on the fact he isn't breaking up the 27 Yankees, the retort was well who the heck are you?  17 years of losing lies at the feet of this FO

That makes me sick, thats embarrasing for me and all of yunzers

Can we throw in Capps to?  Will he get to pitch the rest of the year?  Will the games be clsoe to use him?  This plan better work!

All in lineage for the Orioles.  Dad is an announcer for them, WHY DIDN'T WE TAKE KYLE DRABEK!

Nothing official, and may just be someone throwing out a name, but I saw him mentioned as a return, he's their 7th ranked prospect according to BA. If so, I say yes please and thank you to the Cubs.

----------------------------

Starlin Castro, ss   Born: March 24, 1990 • B-T: R-R • Ht: 6-1 • Wt: 160

Signed: Dominican Republic, 2006. Signed by: Jose Serra.

Background: The Rookie-level Arizona League Cubs had three legitimate shortstop prospects last summer in Castro, fellow Dominican Junior Lake and $500,000 bonus baby Logan Watkins. Castro and Lake shared shortstop and moved around the infield, while Watkins played both second base and left field.

Strengths: Castro flashes an interesting package of tools. He has a good approach at the plate and isn't overmatched by breaking balls. His hands and wrists work well, giving him some power. He has average speed with the potential for more. At shortstop, he has plus range, steady hands and a solid arm with good accuracy. He displays fine instincts at the plate and in the field.

Weaknesses: Carrying just 160 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame, Castro needs to get stronger. Once he does, he could have close to average power and plus speed. He's still learning how to steal bases after getting caught five times in 11 tries last season.

The Future: If everything comes together for Castro, the Cubs think he can become their first all-star shortstop since Shawon Dunston in 1990. Figuring out how to get time at shortstop for Castro, Lake, Watkins and 2008 supplemental first-rounder Ryan Flaherty poses a dilemma. Chicago will make sure Castro plays regularly there in 2009, most likely at Boise.

@GrahamKoonces...

That whole free speech thing sucks, huh?  

I am hoping we dont give up these four names:  Vitters, Cashner, Jay Jackson, and Dave Stevens.   Other than that...the minors have lots of blah.

For what its worth the last hour on ESPN, the shows were PTI and the talking heads, has been Bucco/FO bashing, also listened to ESPN radio in the Burgh on the way home, I don't like the "Drive" but they were also having a field day with the buccos

Gawd, why did Maz hit that homer in 60?  I never had a chance after that (and Clemente, Blass, Stargell, etc, its all their fault)

Do these experts at ESPN realize that if we trade Grabow, 3 of the 4 guys we've traded in the past week are free agents.

And my guess is that most of guys don't know who Sean Burnett is...and barely know Nyjo.

Why Stan -- Were we offered Kyle Drabek?

The Astros released Russ Ortiz.  I bring this up because they were 2-1 in his three starts against us this year, though he never made it to the sixth inning.

Three starts against us: 10 innings pitched, 10 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.

He had a 3.36 ERA on June 28th, and a month later they cut him (after an ERA over 9 in July, with three starts of 6, 8, and 9 ER allowed).  

Ants marching, no details on the return yet

Nurse please get out the fire extinguisher and the heavy meds

the Drive?!  oh yea , Logan and Crowe really know a lot about baseball.

Jay Jackson may be in the mix now too...

Ants Marching =====================

Just came out:

twitter.com/mlbtraderumors

RT @espnchicago BREAKING NEWS: Cubs send Hart, Ascanio to Pittsburgh for Grabow, Gorzelanny http://www.ESPNChicago.com

4:47pm: ESPN Chicago says the Cubs sent pitchers Kevin Hart and Jose Ascanio to Pittsburgh for Grabow and Gorzelanny.

4:50pm: The Pirates' return of Hart, Ascanio, and Harrison is confirmed by a press release from the Cubs.

www.mlbtraderumors.com/.../cubs-eyeing-teahen-hermida.html

WOW!!!  You guys racked up.  Kevin Hart (good arm), Jose Ascanio (GREAT arm), and Josh Harrison.

Great deal for the Pirates, I think.  I would much rather have Ascanio than Gorzelanny as a Cub fan.

@ Bizrow:

The idiots on PTI are just stupid talking heads.

They have no clue about anything other than opening their pie hole and inserting their foot. This FO hasn't even been in control of the team for 2 full seasons yet and their has been drastic improvements in scouting, development, a willingness to pay for top prospects in the draft and an ability to not get caught up in placating the fan base by keeping some marginal players with bloated salaries just so that some of the fans could "relate to the face of the Pirates" mularky.

Kudos Neil. Kiss it PTI morons!

4:50pm: The Pirates' return of Hart, Ascanio, and Harrison is confirmed by a press release from the Cubs.  Gorzelanny will head to Triple A Iowa.

I'm getting drunk now...

Also reading 3b Josh Harrison

ShadesofRichie - from Framinham, btw - re - ESPN

Yeah, its all fluff, but I'm tired of losing and I'm tired of getting laughed at

Harrison....a 5'8" 3B? Doesn't appear to have the physical attributes to be able to handle the position. It would seen that anything hit over 6 1/2 feet off the ground would be at least a single.

He does seem to be able to stroke the ball though...over a .300 avg at each stop.

WOW....I was very happy (as a Cubs fans) with dealing Ascanio and Hart....but I really, really like Josh Harrison.  He has absolutely raked at both Low-A and High-A (and the Florida State League is by no means a hitters league).

Josh Harrison is in high A ball right now but maybe  a switch to 2B is in the plan taking in to account his size and lack of power.

I'll just keep going to Curve games, the talent level would be about the same and save me 3 hr drive to PNC