So Now What?

Although it was probably always a long shot that the Cubs would trade for reigning AL Cy Young Award winner C.C. Sabathia, now their chances at doing so are over. With his move to the Brewers last night, the Cubs are in a more pressing position than ever to make a deal. The Brewers are picking up steam and are now only 3.5 games back of the Cubs, so the scare is coming back a bit.

It has been stated quite often that the Cubs need to upgrade their staff at the top, particularly if they plan on making any kind of impact down the stretch run and into October. To put things into perspective, the Cubs have one #1 starter, a possible #2 in Ryan Dempster (but more likely a #3, due to his lack of consistency away from Wrigley Field), a #3 in Ted Lilly and that's about it. Jason Marquis is as good to me as a rotting corpse, and while the Sean Marshall/Sean Gallagher 5 spot has future implications that interest me, I shutter at the thought of them pitching in a possible playoff series. So, to no further avail, who can we go after to shore up the front of our rotation?

In my opinion there are only a few names that can even possibly help our cause. We'll hear rumors of B-Level pitchers in the next few months, but they would do nothing but help mend the back end of the rotation, something that I'm confident we can do from the inside.

1. A.J. Burnett - Burnett was quoted saying that he wouldn't mind seeing a trade to Chicago. However, with his high profile arm also come problems. How could a guy with a high 90s fastball, devastating curveball, and an arsenal of other offspeed stuff have a career record of 77-74 with a 3.97 ERA and only be 8-8 with a 4.97 ERA this year? His consistency has killed the Blue Jays and fantasy owners everywhere, throwing two shutouts just a week ago, and following it up with five innings of eight run ball in his next start. Is he capable of pitching in a big time situation down the stretch? Is this the guy the Cubs really want to put their faith in? Also factor in that Burnett has an opt out clause in his contract at the end of the year. It could be just a two month rental for us. I say no.

2. Randy Wolf - A free agent signing in each of the past two years, the Cubs targeted him two years ago before he signed with the Dodgers. He reportedly has a good relationship with Jim Hendry, even explaining to him why he took less money to stay on the West Coast. With the Padres struggling, he could be a target. His record in the past two years leaves us to question if an acquisition really would be worth it though. He is only 5-8 with a 4.59 ERA, and his addition would add in another soft tossing lefty into the rotation. I say no.

3. Rich Harden - The Cubs have seen this kind of player before. A devastating talent that when healthy is a top five pitcher in the league, but that isn't quite as often as you would like. See Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, etc. This year has been no different. The 26-year old Harden is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA, but that has come in only 13 starts due to another trip to the DL earlier in the season. Lifetime, Harden is 36-19 with a 3.42 ERA - always flashing that priceless talent. A's GM Billy Beane knows that he probably never will get full value for his oft-injured star, so prying him loose will more than likely prove to be extremely difficult. He is the biggest question mark of this market, and even more so due to the extraordinary fashion that the A's are playing right now, only four games out of the AL Wild Card in a so-called "rebuilding" season. My personal take is to stay away, because an acquisition could prove to be too costly even if he is to be had. You can't count on him to be in the rotation down the stretch, and Beane will want much more than can be given up. I say no.

4. Erik Bedard - Ah, the memories. The Cubs tried to pry him away from the O's just a few years back. The offer on the table was Mark Prior and a prospect for Miguel Tejada and Bedard. I'd gladly add to that offer now, just to get any value for the Gutless Wonder. Since then Bedard went on to have a fabulous 2007, and again the Cubs went after him this past offseason. However, he went to the Mariners in a huge package that landed the O's two lower tier prospects, a top AL closer (George Sherrill), a star pitching prospect (Chris Tillman) and their current CF and outfielder of the future (Adam Jones). However, with Bill Bavasi now out as GM in Seattle, new management is willing to sell off parts. Could Bedard be a piece? While he has struggled a bit this year (6-4 with a 3.67 ERA), he is a high power arm that went 13-5 with a 3.17 ERA and 221 K's in 182 innings. Personally, I've thought his struggles have been overblown, and even though he complained of tightness in his shoulder, it appears to be a day to day thing. If the Cubs could pry Bedard away from the Mariners with a package of prospects (something they NEED, considering their complete disregard for wins this year...and that package sent to Baltimore), this could be the ideal situation. in their prime, front of the rotation pitchers (possibly a #1) that are under contract for another year don't just grow on trees. If the Cubs are confident that the 29-year old Bedard is still that same guy they pursued for the past few years, then this is the best time to get their hands on him. I say go for it. Even though a Cubs front office source said this week that Sean Gallagher is almost untradeable, I think a deal could be made here. Throw Sean Gallagher, last year's #4 overall pick Josh Vitters, and top pitching prospect Jose Ceda together and I think you will get the Mariners attention. While the Cubs system isn't as strong as others, this offer could raise some eyebrows. All I'm asking is to make a deal, and this is the best impact move we can make. Go get him.

So there you have it, it isn't all bad. The Cubs have options, although only one can really pack the punch that is necessary to make a run in 2008. Do what you got to do boys, this year has the makings of something special.

Quick note, Rich Hill has supposedly changed his delivery down in Mesa, and after his disastrous start down there last week, his side session under a new delivery went great. Hopefully this is all he needed. It's not often I feel terribly bad for professional athletes, but when someone loses it all in this quick of a time span, it gets to me. I felt terrible for Rick Ankiel, look what that got me. He's got the chance to be an All-Star outfielder now.

By the way, I saw an awesome CSNY cover band the other night. Marrakesh Express is a predominantly Northwest Indiana band, with one of their members, Daryl Grady, coming from great Crown Point band Salamander Drake. Hopefully I'll see more of those guys in the near future. Anyway, the song of the day comes from Mr. Neil Young, however this live version has the great harmonies of CSNY. The joys of Youtube. Here is "Down by the River," courtesy of CSNY, written by Neil Young. Have fun with it, and see you all soon.