Lee back; Ramirez done for the year?
Let’s play another one. We got all kinds of stuff from between games, including a night-game lineup. First, Derrek Lee is back in there after missing Game 1 of the day-night doubleheader. He fouled a pitch off his left foot last night and went for X-rays today. Those proved negative, and D-Lee is good to go. On the other hand, third baseman Aramis Ramirez is not ready to go, and he may be next in what’s becoming a long line of Cubs to be shut down for the rest of the year.
“I'm not going to say that, but we'll see," Lou said.
Aramis is suffering lingering soreness from the dislocated shoulder he suffered in May.
Lineup
Fuld, CF
Theriot, SS
Lee, 1B
Hoffpauir, LF
Baker, 3B
Johnson, RF
Fontenot, 2B
Hill, C
Zambrano, P
Speaking of Reed Johnson, Ted Lilly came into the interview room after he pitched Game 1, and he was wearing a blue T-shirt that read, “With Reed we will succeed.”
Johnson is a free agent after this season, and Teddy Ballgame wants him back.
“Hey, I believe it,” Lilly said of the campaign slogan. “I definitely enjoy playing with the guy. Obviously, regardless of what happens with any of the players next year, our front office is going to do the best job that they can. One thing for sure is I don’t have the answers as to what we need to do. I’m busy as it as with my own job. They’re good at what they do.”
Johnson is one player who spoke up forcefully in support of playing in Chicago after Milton Bradley was suspended for the season on the last road trip, in part for saying disparaging things about playing for the Cubs and in Chicago.
“The story behind the shirt is I was given that shirt from one of the flight attendants," Reed said. “I guess one of their family members...they live in the suburbs and have a Reed Johnson fan club or whatever. They gave me that shirt. I didn’t have enough guts to put it on myself or even give it to one of my family members. Ted wears anything, so I just gave it to Ted.”
Johnson said he’d love to come back next year.
“Oh, yeah, for sure,” he said. “It’s a great organization. It’s the best two years of my career (that) have been spent here. Hopefully, I continue to be successful here.”
Other notes: Ryan Theriot had 3 of the Cubs’ 4 hits in Game 1. He has 171 hits. He had a career-best 178 least year. Theriot improved his batting average to .289 and his OBP to .349. Kosuke Fukudome extended his hitting streak to eight games. He’s 11-for-31 (.355) during the streak.
Does Derrek Lee plan to see a specialist about his continuing neck problems?
Bruce - Thanks for continuing the great blogs all the way to the end. I am worried about some of this year's health issues carrying over to next year. Please let us know your thoughts:
Ramirez you say he has lingering soreness in the shoulder he injured in May. But Aramis does not plan on off season surgery. What makes the Cub medical staff think the shoulder will be better next year?
Soriano - a few weeks ago, when you recapped his knee surgery you used the word "degenerative." We need rebound seasons from Soriano and Soto next year. What makes the Cubs medical staff think Alfonso knee will be better next year?
Less important - Why did the Cubs shut down Colvin? Injury or what?
Bruce
I'm worried about Aramis's shoulder. If he doesn't have surgery will this be a problem next year? Is rehab enough? Are the Cubs risking their best hitter to long-term injury?
It will be a shame if he decides during spring training that the shoulder hasn't healed and he needs surgery then. That will be two wasted seasons for him.
Not being a doctor nor playing one in the newspaper, I can pass along what I've been told. The Cubs feel that with Ramirez, strengthening the shoulder may be enough. He had a similar injury in 2000 with the Pirates and did not suffer a recurrence until nine years later, the result of a hard impact to the shoulder. The risk of surgery is that the capsule can be tightened too much, restricting movement. This has happened to a few pitchers over the years.
With Soriano, the knee was "cleaned up," but I don't know the extent of the degenerative nature of the original injury. If he can strengthen the quads, I think he can get by.
Colvin is not hurt. He was brought up because of the injuries to outfielders and the Bradley suspension. He most likely will not make the team out of camp next year. The Cubs wanted to give him a taste. Lou said Tyler looked a bit tired after the surgery rehab and the minor-league season. If he starts another game here, fine. If not, no big deal.
Thanks for the questions, all.
could've sworn Lou said we're going to be seeing a lot of Colvin.
Why dont you take the rest of the year off too, Bruce.
A bunch of us still care.
count me in.
Bruce,
I know there has been a lot of Zambrano trade talks. However, would the Cubs consider trading Dempster? He has pitched well down the stretch and might bring more in return and open up some $ space.
I suppose they could try, but they haven't considered it. Dempster doesn't have a no-trade, but he does have 10-5 rights, which means he can't be traded without his permission. I can't see him wanting to be traded, even in the unlikely chance the Cubs wanted to move him.
Bruce,
I know you posted the QS blog earlier, and I know that Z has a no trade clause....but I really think it's time that Hendry explores trading this guy.
9 wins, and a 3.80+ ERA for a supposed "ace" is a joke. Trade him, to make up for whatever portion the Cubs will have to eat to get rid of Bradley. How can anyone justify paying over 2 million for each win Z gets? How? Big deal, about his quality starts. He's not consistent enough to warrant his deal.
I read last week about Zambrano crying about retiring if he doesn't have a great season next year. Please. It's beyond old. This guy is never going to mature, and refuses to do what is necessary to be consistent. How many years are we going to keep on having this argument or saying "what if"? Explore it. With a weak free agent market, the Cubs might be able to get something back worth doing it. IF anything, it should send a message to this idiot to man up next year.
Happy trails....
He's not even 30 yet. My gut tells me that while yes, his act is way beyond old, I think it would backfire on the Cubs big time.
...where the offense has scored three runs or less. How many of those games is he expected to win? Baseball is a team game, and Zambrano has done his part - it's his teammates that haven't performed.
The Cubs had won two-thirds of the games Zambrano started this year entering tonight: 18 of 27. He pitched well enough to win several of the no-decision games. We seem to be trading everybody tonight, and that kind of talk is fun. But with whom do you replace Dempster and Zambrano. Dempster's had a hell of a nice run since Aug. 2, going at least 6 every time. There's no denying Zambrano's nuttiness, but I'd rather have him than not.
If you keep both Z and Dempster do you think the Cubs would look for someone to take Hardens spot? Maybe a Randy Wolf or Jon Garland type? Garland has pitched great down the stretch and has pretty good career numbers even in the AL. What about taking a flyer on Ben Sheets...has anyone heard how his rehab is moving along?
How many postseason games has Z won?
Lets see....
2003 vs Atlanta, he blew a game 2 lead after the Cubs tattooed Smoltz.
2003 vs Florida, he blew ANOTHER huge lead, and to this day I have heard Hendry state the Cubs should have swept the Marlins.
2007 vs Arizona....he pitched very well. No complaints.
2008 vs LA....he imploded. Granted, DeRosa's error was huge, but once that happened it was over.
So the guy has won.....ZERO playoff games. He's not an ace. I'm sick of the blind love for this guy. Why do we continue to say that we want this guy as a building block? What has he done?
More often then not, Zambrano should give the Cubs a start that Carpenter gives the Cardinals. Rarely, do you see Carpenter get shelled. Until he learns to pitch more consistently, I don't see how anyone can continue to defend him.
I would love to know how many mound visits a year the Cubs have to take to calm tnis jack @ss down. You see him chomping on his gum, staring off into space, as Rothschild grabs him and tries to calm him down, after some BS bloop hit, or walk, or whatever else.
IT's the same thing over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.
And he's been a bigger jerk than Bradley ever was....and for a longer period of time. And, NO, I dont love Bradley, but Zambrano has been a bigger pain, longer....yet he gets a pass.
He's also produced for the most part throughout his career. Had Bradley produced then he could have been a jerk and gotten away with it, but he put up bad numbers in pretty much every category other than OBP and he's not getting paid to ONLY get in base.
Would I rather have Roy Halladay or CC Sabathia? Sure, but last time I checked they pitch for other teams and the Cubs farm system isn't robust enough to trade for a guy like that and still have anything valuable left.
Wins? that's what you guys are basing this off of? OMG, he hasn't won a game in 5 whopping playoff starts.
He's not an ace. It goes back to Jim Hendry over paying for guys and then the fans taking it out on the players for not being worth what they were getting paid. Not his fault.
Weird. Guy has an off year and Cub fans are in selling mode. Sell low, buy high, that's the motto of most Cub fans it seems.