AAA All Star Game, Mid Term Report Card, and More

Updated: Breaking News, Cubs sign Ryan
According to The Chicago Tribune, the Cubs have signed former Blue Jays closer B.J. Ryan to a minor league deal. Ryan will be sent to Mesa for rehab, and then will head for AAA Iowa.

AAA All Star Game
Last night, the 2009 AAA All Star Game was shown live on ESPN2. Cubs farm hand Chris Robinson of the Peoria Chiefs caught the first 5 innings going 1-2 with a single and a fly out at the plate. Former Cubs Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, both of whom where lost in the Harden trade, both played in the game. Murton went 0-3 as the DH and Patterson came off the bench and went 0-2. The PCL lost the game 6-5.

Sean Gallagher Traded
Speaking of guy the Cubs lost in the Harden deal, the A's have named Sean Gallagher the PTBNL in a deal they made with SD earlier this year. Gallagher will now join the Padres organization.

Second Half Starts Tonight
Well, 86 down 76 to go, and it all starts tonight in DC. The Nationals are clearly the worst team in the NL, so we have to win this series. The Nats fired their manager during the All Star Break. The Cubs MUST win at least 3 out of 4.

Baker at Second
So far Jeff Baker has played pretty well since the trade to the Cubs. He's in the starting lineup again tonight. Fotenot has been sitting the bench, the Cubs could be looking to add a middle infielder before the end of the month.

Some Links
- 3 things Gordon Wittenmyer thinks "have to happen"
-5 things Paul Sullivan thinks the Cubs "must do"
- Carrie Muskat's Numbers to Digest
- Possible Cubs Targets from Phil Wilson
- Cubs Corner Trade Deadline Preview
- Waldo's Midseason Awards

MLB Network Cubs Mid-Season Report Card
Former Cub Dan Plesac graded the Cubs first half. -- is the worst, ++ is the best, + is good, +/- is OK, and - is bad:
Offense: --
Defense: +
Starting Pitching: +
Bullpen: +/-
Overall Grade: C

MLBN Rest of the NL Central Grades
Cardinals: A-
Brewers: C+
Astros: B-
Reds: C
Pirates: C

Well, that's it for now! Let's go get a win tonight!