Anyone for a Cuban? Mark Cuban that is.

It seems that Mark Cuban has submitted his application to MLB to purchase the Chicago Cubs. So you maybe asking yourself the same question as this Cub fan, Is this a good thing? Well that depends on your point of view. Cuban has helped turn around the Dallas Mavericks basketball team, but has had numerous run-ins with the authorities (i.e. David Stern). He is heavily involved and has some conflict with his coahces (i.e. Don Nelson). So what would he be like as owner of the Cubs? One would believe he would spend money to put a winner on the field and to provide nice amenities for his players, but how involved would he want to be and does he have the knowledge to be involved? Would he become the George Steinbrenner of the NL? Is that a bad thing? Would he put advertising all over Wrigley, would he move the Cubs from Wrigley? Would the owners ever let him in? Jerry Krause owner of the rival White Sox and Chicago Bulls has a major dislike for him, and Bud "Lite" Selig may not want to deal with him, so is this all just a matter of pointless rhetoric? I say give him a chance to explain what his plans for the Cubs are. Hear him out, because no one can be as bad for the Cubs as the Tribune Company has been. I say we band together and vote for Cuban to get a chance and see what he can do to turn the Cubs around!

Mr. Hendry I Have A Bridge In Brooklyn I Would Like To Sell You!

Last night while watching the game between the Cubs and Giants on MLBtv.com I heard the Cubs announcers mention that the Cubs had made a trade. Now I was not paying real close attention until I hear trade and it seems that they had mentioned the guys name before that word. And the commentators were making comments like, "How could you not make this trade?" and "There is nothing to not like about this deal!" and so I am thinking, hey maybe we made a deal for Ken Griffey, Jr. or maybe Eric Gagne. Then to my dismay I hear these words, Jason Kendall, nnnnnnnnnoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo, please nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

What in the world are the Cubs thinking? I mean I know that neither Hill nor Bowen or for that matter Soto in like 3 games has not really added any offense to the catcher's spot, but they had been much better defensively than Barrett. So why make this deal?

Kendall is hitting .226 on the year and has thrown out 20% of the baserunners attempting to steal against him and has a -12.4 VORP. Hill is batting .148 and has thrown out 28%, and has a -4.8 VORP. Bowen is hitting .065 and has not had a runner attempt a steal against him as a Cub, and has a -5.4 VORP. Soto has a -.8 VORP. So is that really an upgrade? Some of the catchers in front of Kenall are Will Nieves, Paul Bako, and Jason Phillips! And the Cubs traded for this guy and believe it was a good move? Now you know why the Cubs have not won a World Series in almost 100 years. They are run by an inept front office.

Look Jim, I know you want to make a difference and add something to this team to help push it over the edge in terms of making the postseason, but Jason Kendall is not your answer. I mean you have the best record in baseball since June 4th and you have won 4 straight and 16 of 20, was the catching position really the place you needed to make a move? Why not start by looking for some relief help or better yet, how about an everyday rightfielder who has some power and plate discipline so that you don't have to run out a combination of Jacque Jones, Cliff Floyd, and Angel Pagan? I mean do they look like World Series contributors to you? So Jim, I know you felt like you needed to make a deal, but please all we Cub fans ask of you is to make sensible deals for real players who will make a real difference for the real problems you have! And if that doesn't work I have some ocean-front property in Arizona I would like to talk to you about.

1 Year In (Now Only 2.5 To Go)

Well I have finished one year of my doctoral work with another 2.5 to go before it is all said and done (literally). So I am celebrating this accomplishment by acting snobish and feeling superior to others (like those with Ph.Ds do). Anyway small comment right now, hope to be back a little later with some more posts.