Solution for Cubs' Playoff Woes: Be "Idiots"

In 2004, the Boston Red Sox ended 86 years of frustration by winning the World Series.  Many attributed their success to the "idiot" mantra put in place by many of the team's laid-back, easy-going players.  In particular, Johnny Damon, Derek Lowe, Kevin Millar, David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and Pedro Martinez.  Now, at the start of the 2009 campaign, the Chicago Cubs will embark on their season not having won a world championship in 101 years.  This team, however, has done what past Cubs rosters couldn't: succeed on a consistent basis.  Led by Lou Piniella, the Cubs won the NL Central Division Championship two years in a row (2007, 2008), however quietly exited the playoff picture both seasons.  In each playoff appearance, the team look nervous, pressing, and not at all like the team that would win 97 games in a 2008 campaign in which they had eight All-Stars.  Now, embarking on this offseason, there doesn't look to be any significant holes in the Cubs roster; most of the 97-win team is still intact.  However, one notices a funny thing when looking at the list of free agents and available players...Damon, Lowe, Millar, Pedro Martinez, and Manny Ramirez are all presumably available.  Thus a proposition can be made for the Cubs: why not bring some of these "idiots" in to not only add talent, but lighten the postseason clubhouse and put their "curse-ending' magic to work on another organization.  Each of the following players could fit in the Cubs' 2009 plans:

-Johnny Damon is not a free agent, however, he is entering the final year of his contract with the New York Yankees making $13 million.  When looking at the Yankees current situation, they are in desperate need of pitching, but along with the recent acquisition of Nick Swisher, have a surplus of OF/1B/DH types.  Out of Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, Melky Cabrera, Brett Gardner, Nick Swisher, Jorge Posada, and possibly FA, #3 hitter Bobby Abreu...Damon and Matsui would seem the most expendable entering the final year of their contracts.  The Cubs could presumably trade Jason Marquis and his $9.875 million salary (along with maybe a mid-level prospect) to the Yankees for Damon.  Therefore, both teams exchange high contracts while getting a more appropriate piece of need.  On next year's Cubs team, Johnny Damon could fill a void in adding a left-handed lead-off hitter with speed and power, as well as adding exceptional defense in right field.  In addition to the skills, he would be one piece of the previously aforementioned "idiots."

-After trading away Jason Marquis in the above proposal, the Cubs would be in need of a 5th starter.  They could fill this need in-house, but there are two free-agent options that are intriguing.  They could go the route of Derek Lowe, who has said he's seeking a 3-year deal on a team with a chance at a championship.  Lowe dominated the Cubs in his postseason start against them, and would be a welcome addition to the pitching staff and the the clubhouse.  Another option, however, which could pay dividends and be a low-risk, extremely-high reward type thing, would be a signing of free agent Pedro Martinez.  After some injury slowed seasons in New York, Pedro would take an incentive-laden deal with ace potential.  In addition to this former Cy Young winner's talent, Pedro is another aforementioned "idiot."

-I'm just gonna mention it here real quick...even though it'd be great, the Cubs are probably not going to sign Manny (the biggest "idiot" of them all in 2004...and I mean that with the utmost respect for him and his amazing talents).

-The last free agent possibility out there is none other than Mr. "Cowboy-Up" himself: Kevin Millar.  Millar was an integral part in the "idiot" atmosphere in 2004, and would play a vital role of pinch-hitter, backup 1B/OF that was lost in Daryle Ward filing for free agency.

So in this very do-able proposal, the Cubs would add Johnny Damon to play RF, Pedro Martinez as the 5th starter with ace-potential, and Kevin Millar to the bench, thus reuniting the Damon-Pedro-Millar combo that brought the "idiot" attitude to the 2004 World Series Champion, Curse-breaking, Boston Red Sox...and can do the same for the 2009 Chicago Cubs.

"Oh, crap. I think I've made a huge mistake."- Broadway Brett

Is a picture worth a thousand words, or what?  Brett Favre has been traded to the New York Jets for a conditional 2009 draft pick.

DG Live: Trade Deadline '08 Looking to Impress

When it looked like all was going to be relatively quiet, MLB GM's sprung into action moving star players left and right.  After the previous weeks had seen such large deals as C.C. to Milwaukee and Harden to the Cubs, another big deal went down days before the deadline.  The Atlanta Braves traded star, switch-hitting 1B Mark Teixeira to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  This move, made by baseball's best team (statistically, of course) is clearly a addition in ammo meant for October.  Tex adds another huge bat to an offense already featuring Vlad, Tori Hunter, and Garret Anderson.  Then, today (a day before the July 31 [non-waiver] Trade Deadline, the Yankees made a move to replace their star catcher (Jorge Posada who is out for the season with a shoulder injury) with another star catcher, acquiring "Pudge" Rodriguez from the Tigers for reliever Kyle Farnsworth (a move that nearly brought Yankee manager Joe Girardi to tears, because of their close relationship after Girardi caught Farnsworth in Chicago).  Now, with less than 24 hours remaining before the Trade Deadline, there looks to be a third major trade on the brink of happenning.  The Boston Red Sox seem set on trading Manny being Manny, seemingly sick of his personality.  There is a trade on the table, according to sources citied by MLBTradeRumors.com, which would send Manny to the Marlins, while the Red Sox get Jason Bay from the Pirates, and the Pirates get Hermidia from the Marlins (with prospects also involved to all teams).  Now to me, this trade seems extremely stupid.  While Manny may be causing distractions for the Red Sox front office, he is still producing on the field (.301 AVG/20 HR/68 RBI) and is one of the greatest hitters in history.  And they want to get him off the team for Bay, a guy who would certainly be a downgrade from Manny:  1)he is not the seasoned hitter mentally that Manny has proven to be, 2)you'd be losing Manny's electric personality in Fenway, 3) you'd be losing the invaluable friendship between Manny and fellow partner-in-crime David Ortiz.  If I had those two in the middle of my lineup, I'd ride the power wave to championship town (2 WS titles in last 5 years) as long as I could.  Now if this deal was made, it would certainly be a steal for the Marlins here.  They'd be acquiring a proven hitter for the middle of their lineup, who along with Hanley Ramirez and Dan Uggla would give them a nice core to compete in the N.L. East (of which they're only 1.5 games out right now).  In other trade news, the Cubs are looking great, beating the Brew Crew the last three games in convincing fashion.  They already bolstered their team this year by adding released center fielders Reed Johnson and Jim Edmonds who have been key cogs to the offense (along with much-improved Mike Fontenot and Ronny Cedeño).  They also traded for a true #2 (actually an ace of his former staff), Rich Harden who has been stellar in three outings.  In addition to the offense and starting staff, the bullpen has also become a strength as the emergence of Jeff Samardzija, Chad Gaudin, Neal Cotts, and Sean Marshall adds to the already stellar Kerry Wood and Carlos Marmol for a solid staff of late-inning, shut-down arms that Lou can feel confident in calling upon.  However, there have been rumblings that the Cubs have inquired on a few left-handed, outfield bats.  Most notable, according to MLBTradeRumors.com, Brian Giles, Raul Ibanez, and David DeJesus.  One last item that this blogger would like to touch upon, is the stunning availability of a major offensive threat to any of the 30 MLB teams.  There is a player out there who can be had for no prospects or players of any level.  He can give you instant help to the tune of major power, a +.400 OBP, a leadership prescence in the clubhouse, and a serious offensive boost for the fall.  And he'll only cost around $300,000.  Who is this player?  The answer: Barry Bonds.  He is still a FA, who told the Yankees last week (before they acquired Nady and Pudge) that he'd play for them for $300 K and donate it all to buy tickets for kids.  If you're worried about his legal troubles, he doesn't have a court date of any kind until next spring.  If you're worried about his clubhouse consequences a signing will have, he has been said to be a great clubhouse prescence who improves younger players.  And if you're worried about his offensive production, well he said he could be ready in about 10 days, he is BARRY BONDS!!, and he has produced every single year he's been healthy.  I don't think there is a question about his offense.  If I was a GM, I would sign him in a heartbeat.  And looking at teams like the Rays, who seemingly need one DH/OF bat to be serious contenders, I think it'd be a smart idea.

Cubs Acquire Harden, Gaudin in 6-Player Swap

Before this evenings' Cubs game, it was announced that Jim Hendy had pulled the trigger on a 6-player deal sending talented Oakland ace Rich Harden to the Cubs along with reliever Chad Gaudin.  As part of the move, Sean Gallagher, Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, and minor-league catcher Josh Donaldson have been sent to the Oakland A's.  Gallagher is expected to join the A's rotation, while Murton and Patterson will be sent to Triple-A Sacramento (Donaldson may be promoted to the A's Double-A team).  The Cubs, meanwhile, gain a talented, young, right-handed ace pitcher to pair with Carlos Zambrano and strengthen the rotation.  In Gaudin, they also receive a valuable bullpen arm.  Harden is expected to make a start for the Cubs this weekend against the San Francisco Giants.  This move will no doubt add more depth to the Cubs starting rotation by allowing the Cubs to match-up with any N.L. club (including Milwaukee's C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets).  Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Marquis/Marshall combination are expected to fill-out the remaining three slots.