Series Preview: Cubs VS Astros

After starting the second half successfully by taking three of four from the Phillies the question is Can the Cubs win with consistency? After knocking Roy Halladay around on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball, the Cubbies must avoid the let down factor and win a series against the lowly Astros.


Saturday's game was a tough one, because the Cubs were that close to sweeping the series and having a four game over .500 weekend instead of a two games over .500 weekend.

The Cubs have a history of having trouble with struggling teams like the Astros and Pirates. If this mini turn around is for real, beating the 'Stros before a tough weekend series with St. Louis is a must.


Houston comes in to Wrigley Field with a 37-55 record, 14 games back in the NL Central. They are still in fifth place, 4.5 ahead of the Bucs. After a crucial series victory, the Cubs are tied with the Brewers for third in the division. Both teams are 9.5 games back of St. Louis, who took over first with a win yesterday.


The Astros, who are in the Windy City for three games, have had a tough go of it on the road, 17-29 this season. They started their second half by dropping two of three in Pittsburgh. Houston will look to bounce back tonight after a tough 9-0 defeat yesterday.


The Cubbies dropped two of three when the two teams met August 16-18 at Wrigley. The Cubs lost the first set of the year at Minute Maid June 4-6, so the 'Stros have a 4-2 edge in the season series thusfar. The two teams will not go long without seeing each other, as a three game set in Houston starts next Monday. The Central division foes will battle at Wrigley one more time after this series, September 6-8 in the final meetings of the year.


Marlon Byrd had a great series against the Phills and continued to show that he's a team player. Marlon was hit by the pitch four times in the series, twice last night. He is second in the league in HBP with 16. Rickie Weeks, who has been plunked 17 times, leads the league.

Tyler Colvin hit lead-off yesterday and Starlin Castro returned to the No. 2 spot in the order. We'll see if Lou keeps the kids at the top tonight. Piniella also showed craftiness in the series, calling for two squeeze bunts and several other strategic plays to try to get the offense going.

Carlos Zambrano could rejoin the team in time for their next road trip, which starts a week from today. Z tossed a simulated game in Mesa and is expected to make a rehab start at Triple-Iowa this week.


Game 1: Monday 7:05 PM CT
Astros Starting Pitcher: Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (6-11, 4.97 ERA)
Cubs Starting Pitcher: Carlos Zambrano, RHP (9-3, 3.45 ERA)
TV/Radio: WCIU/WGN 720


Game 2: Tuesday 7:05 PM CT
Astros Starting Pitcher: Wesley Wright, LHP (0-0, 5.59 ERA)
Cubs Starting Pitcher: Ryan Dempster, RHP (8-7, 3.57 ERA)
TV/Radio: CSN/WGN 720


Game 3: Wednesday 1:20 PM CT
Astros Starting Pitcher: Brett Myers, RHP (7-6, 3.35 ERA)
Cubs Starting Pitcher: Ted Lilly, LHP (3-8, 4.07 ERA)
TV/Radio: WGN-TV/WGN 720

The bottom line for the Cubs is just taking it one win at a time. After this series they will enjoy a day off tomorrow and then host St. Louis to round out the ten game homestand. The Astros start a homestand of their own against the Reds on Friday. The Cubs and Brewers will be in town to play the 'Stros next week.

The MLB Trade Deadline is less than two weeks away... but will the Cubs play on the field effect whether the Hendry decides buy or sell, or is it a case of too little too late.

"I don't care who wins as long as it's the Cubs!"

Sullivan & Theriot with Kaplan

Updated at 8:47 with info from MLB Network

David Kaplan and Paul Sullivan talked Cubs on Chicago Tribune Live today:

• Cubs GM Jim Hendry was surprised by the lack of moves at the meetings.
• Hendry talked to a lot of teams, but those teams felt like they were close to making deals with other teams.
• Jim thinks the Cubs will "make a deal or two" before the holidays. (There's 15 days 'till Christmas)
• Sully says that Milton will be gone by Christmas.
• In the end, Paul says, he'll end up with Tampa Bay because it's the best fit.
• If the Cubs can, they will try to flip Burrell to some other team. However, Sully says the Cubs should make the deal, then worry about Burrell later.
• Kap says that one of the teams Roy Halladay would go to would be the Cubs. However, Sullivan says that there's a 99% chance that Roy will not become a Cub because they lack the flexibility payroll wise.
• If it comes to that, they'll eat all Bradley's money.
• Paul says that the Cubs are still leaning towards Arizona for Spring Training. Florida is going all out for the Cubs, and in the end the ball club will have to good choices.

Kap was joined by Ryan Theriot on Sports Central tonight for their weekly segment:

• David Kaplan told Cubs fans to "relax" on Sports Central. There's still plenty of time left to improve their roster before Opening Day.
• He reiterated that there's no chance Bradley will still be on the Cubs next season.
• Kap got about 30 emails today with people upset that Bradley's not gone yet. Cubs fans should relax, Bradley will be gone.
• Theriot thinks Jim knows what he's doing. Hendry has everything under control, and he's going to do what's right with the team.
• Ryan thinks that this offseason should not be evaluated until the All Star Break.
• He predicted that everyone on the team will have a better season next year.
• Dave and Ryan agree that the Cubs need another starter.
• Theriot says Lilly is not the type of guy who will take his time to get back. Ted played through injuries that nobody even knew about last year.
• Theriot's started his Christmas shopping for his children. This year, he is getting tons of cool pirate stuff for his son. Ryan is trying to get more presents that cost less. His middle child likes the princess stuff.
• He gave his dog, Little Girl, back.

Yesterday on MLB Network's Hot Stove, Matt Yallof talked with Andre Dawson, then the guys discussed whether The Hawk should be in the The Hall.

• The Hawk's nick name stared when he was 8 or 9 years old. It was give to him by an uncle.
• Dawson doesn't really get nervous or excited about the Hall of Fame voting anymore. He doesn't want to set himself up for disappointment, and it's something he can't control.
• He likes to "sit back and roll with the punches".
• The Hawk was told he was lucky if he played 4 years, so he had pride in his longevity.
• After the interview, Ken Rosenthal says he has voted for Dawson and will continue to do so.
• The rap against Andre is that he had a low on base percentage.
• Dawson's job was to swing the bat, and that's what he did.
• Ken says, "The man is a Hall of Famer."
• Dan Plesac says that when you go back to the 70s and 80s, the two most feared hitters in all of baseball were Dave Winfield and Andre Dawson.

Other Updates

• Rosenthal said that the question about the Bradley trade is when? not if? The main possibilty is still Tampa, but once this trade happens the Cubs offseason can begin.
• When Bradley took a shot at the Cubs' fans, that was the final nail in his coffin. Dan would be shocked if he's still a member of the Cubs in Spring Training.
• No matter what, his salary has to be off the books for the Cubs to move on with their winter.
• Gordon Wittenmyer tweeted tonight that a Cubs source told him that the Bradley deal could get done in the next day or two. He notes that he was told the same thing 2 days ago.
• Jayson Stark says Bradley could still end up in Tampa, with Texas, Seattle, and Boston all out.
• Bruce Levine notes that the Cubs bench is vacant after trading Aaron Miles and Jake Fox to Oakland. The bench currently consists of Andres Blanco, Micah Hoffpauir, Mike Fontenot, Jeff Baker, and Koyie Hill. Of that group, only Baker and Hill are "locks" to make the Cubs Opening Day roster.
• The Cubs will offer contracts to all of their players before Saturday's roster deadline, except Neal Cotts, who will be offered a minor league contract.

If I hear anything else, I'll update this post. There will still be two more posts tonight, so stay tuned.

Granderson, Bradley, Bell, and More

Update 3- Bruce Levine Chat Info

• The Royals are only in the exploring stages with the Cubs. As of this morning, the Royals GM Dayton Moore had not talked to Jim Hendry. However, there we plenty of conversations between the teams scouts last night
• Lou Piniella thinks Castro needs more seasoning.
• The Yankees are now the front runner for Granderson.
• The Cubs have other areas that they will address before second base, but they are still interested in Orlando Hudson, or they could end up with Luis Castillo.
• The Angels and Cubs have talked about a Bradley for Gary Matthews Jr. swap.
• When the Cubs refurbish Wrigley Field, their goal is that they will not have to play anywhere else during that time.
• Pat Burrell cannot play right field.
• Kyler Burke is going to need at least two more years in the minors, but he's on the fast track.
• Soriano's main goal this offseason is to strengthen his lower body and work on his core muscles. The Cubs have been monitoring his work and they will send some of their people over to the Domican Republic, where he is training, to check his progress.
• The Cubs are concerned about Reed Johnson's back problems.
• The Cubs would only trade Carlos Zambrano is they could get a better pitcher in the deal.
• Ryne Sandberg "could be on the fast track for Wrigley, depending on how the 2010 season turns out for Lou Piniella.
• Some front office people like Gil Meche, while other think he's "a little weak-minded". Levine wouldn't "call that a real hot rumor at this time".
• The M's got to Chone Figgins so fast that there was no time for the Cubs to get involved.
• Some media reports have overstated the Cubs' interest in Mike Cameron.
• Bruce thinks Cameron's days as an impact starting center fielder are behind him.
• The Cubs have not talked to the Giants about a Roward for Bradley trade.
• The Cubs may look at signing guys like Ben Sheets and J.J. Putz, who would be rehab projects.
• Levine would take the White Sox pitching staff over the Cubs. The only thing wrong with the Cubs staff is that they are coming off an injury-plagued season.

Update 2- Info from Chicago Tribune Live @7:05 CT

• David Kaplan talked to Phil Rogers from the Tribune on the CTL on CSN Chicago today. They talked about the winter meetings and more.
• Lou Piniella says that Jim would like to make a deal for Milton Bradley in the next few days. Lou thinks that Bradley "could have a nice bounce back year" for somebody.
• Rogers doesn't think that the trade will get done by the close of the Meetings on Thursday.
• Phil says the KC is in the picture.
• The center field pursuit and Milton Bradley are not related.
• Curits Granderson is still on the table for the Cubs.
• Kaplan thinks the Cubs are "an arm short in the rotation".
• Rodgers says that the Cubs don't feel like they have to add a quality arm, but they know they could use it. Phil likes Gil Meche from the Royals calling him an interesting name.
• Phil reports that Heath Bell is on the radar, but we have heard that that rumor is untrue.
• The Cardinals have "a ton more issues than the Cubs".

Updated 6:30 CT- Peter Gammons said on Baseball Tonight on ESPN2 that he thinks the Bradley for Burrell trade will work. Gammons thinks Bradley will make a terrific DH for the Rays. Then the Cubs would try to find a team who would take Burrell.

Also, Phil Rodgers said earlier today that Juan Pierre could end up back with the Cubbies.

A few tidbits:

• Ryan Theriot told David Kaplan on Sports Central last week that he would be willing to move to second base if it helps the team.
• The asking price on Curtis Granderson is very high. Buster Olney said on Baseball Tonight that the Tigers are asking for Starlin Castro and 2 pitching prospects in return for Granderson.
• The Cubs have spent the 4th most money of any MLB team in free agency since 1998 at $598.4 million. They are behind only the Yankees, Mets, and Boston.
• Gordon Wittenmyer heard that the Tigers may not be trying to move Granderson this week.
• Jim Hendry laughed off a rumor that the Cubs are interested in Heath Bell.
• Hideki Matsui will not come to the Cubs.

Bruce Levine was on Waddle and Silvy from the Meetings today:

• The Meetings are a lot like the 10, 20, 30 year reunion.
• Levine says the Cubs talked to the Royals last night, but nothing was intense. The names Bradley and Meche did come up.
• The Cubs had interest in Gil Meche the last time he was a free agent.
• Levine says that the likelihood that Bradley will be moved by the end of the meetings is much better.
• Hendry has been talking about all kinds of teams about the players that they want to move to try to work out a Bradley swap.
• The Pat Burrell thing doesn't really work out for the Cubs because they would have to have a trade lined up to turn around and trade Burrell, who is not a fit for the Northsiders.
• Most teams feel that Milton Bradley in the right scenario will be fine. Smaller market teams' GMs "feel very comfortable bringing in Bradley" because there is not as much coverage their.
• Levine once again mentioned the idea of Rick Ankiel in the Cubs outfield in 2010.
• Jim Hendry has "talked at length" with Toronto about Roy Halladay, but those talks were about 6-7 weeks ago. The Halladay scenario is tough because you have to make sure you can get him to a long term deal.

More soon...

Who's On the Cubs Shopping List?

Since it's Black Friday, I thought it would be fitting to take a look at Jim Hendry's shopping list for this winter. Included with each name is my prediction of how likely it is that they will become a Cub.

• Curtis Granderson- Cubs have reportedly been pursuing the Tigers' outfielder most of the month. Could be one of the Cubs top choices, but they're not willing to give up Starlin Castro or any other top prospects, and the Tigers have a high asking price. 35%
• Roy Halladay- The Blue Jays have contacted the Cubs about Halladay, but the Cubs are most likely not going to add him unless Carlos Zambrano leaves. Also, the Cubs don't have the cash or prospects to get this deal done. 2%
• Pat Burrell- If the Cubs pull of a trade that sends Milton Bradley to the Rays, they most likely will end up taking Burrell. According to Bruce Levine, if the Cubs would then try to move Burrell. 45%
• Aroldis Chapman- Earlier in the offseason, the Cubs were included in the list of just about every MLB team that was interested in Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman. Right now, he's most likely headed for either Boston or New York. 1%
• Mike Gonzalez- now that the Cubs have re-signed Grabow, they are unlikely to pursue a left handed reliever 4%
• Chone Figgins- The utility speedster would fit the Cubs needs, but they may not be able to afford him. The Mets, Phillies, and Angels are also in on him, but their is no front runner. Giggins will be 32 year old in Spring Training. 19%
• Mike Cameron- Has been listed as a backup plan for the Cubs if they are unable to land Granderson. The Padres, Braves, and Yankees also are in the mix. He will not return to Brewers. 60%
• Matt Holliday- Jon Heyman groups the Cubs as a possible fit for Holliday, but this is not very likely. 5%
• Luis Castillo- There were reports from FOX Sports that Castillo could end up with the Cubs in the 3-team trade that would send Bradley to the Rangers. Other media outlets shot down the report. Castillo is most likely not the answer for the Cubs middle infield. 10%
• Marlon Byrd- Byrd is anotheroption to replace Bradley in the Cubs outfield. T.R. Sullivan sees a 3-year deal worth 18-24MM for the former Rangers. Byrd wants to return to the Rangers, but they most likely will let him walk. 25%
• Mark DeRosa- According to most sources, DeRo is not coming back to the Chicago. They don't have the money for him, and feel that he is too old to make a long term commitment to.
• Orlando Hudson- Bruce Levine is a big fan of the O-Dog, and has mentioned that he would look good in blue. Hudson will seek a 2 year deal worth at least $15MM. Hudson could hit second and play second base, but the Cubs may not have the money. 40%

Let me know what you think in the comment or at cubsblogmailbag@aol.com

A few more Black Friday Cubs Notes:

• Bruce Miles doesn't see the Cubs as a player for Halladay.
• He adds that Starlin Castro is not going to be traded.
• Kosuke's Q&A with Carrie Muskat.
• Sammy Sosa has been sued for $203K in Domician court.
• Paul Sullivan says the Cubs aren't going to rush Starlin Castro. He will get an invite to Spring Training, and a chance to break camp with the Cubs if he has a great spring. However, it's a long shot.
• Ryan Theriot has been told that he may have to move to second base in the near future to make room for Castillo as short. He's fine with the idea. "Ryan feels like if he has to change positions and move to second base, he would have no problems," Hendry said. "He has made it no secret he loves the Cubs and wants to stay.
• Cubscast put together a great Thanksgiving All Music episode.
• The CCO Radio will return on Wednesday, December 2.
• Check out yesterday's post to find out what Cubs fans are thankful for.

It's been a fairly slow week on the Cubs front, but things are expected to heat up after the holiday weekend. We will continue with daily Cubs related posts!

Tuesday Quick Hits: Bruce's Chat, Lee, Halladay, Bradley, and More

• Albert Pujols was named the NL MVP today. Derrek Lee finished 9th in the voting.
• New billboards have been added at Wrigley. They are designed to block the view of rooftop advertisements.
• As we've mentioned before on this blog, Koyie Hill is hosting a Make-A-Wish Foundation fundraiser on December 5.
• Jake Fox of the Cubs is headed to the Dominican Republic to join Licey for the second half of the season.
• The Chicago Cubs are teaming up with National Runaway Switchboard to host a holiday dinner for the runaway and homeless youth.
• Wally Hayward has been named the Cubs new Executive VP, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer.
• The Cubs are unlikely to land Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay due to lack of room in payroll.
• According to Buster Olney, the Rays will only take Milton Bradley for Pat Burrell trade if the Cubs absorb enough money.

Bruce Levine had his weekly chat today. Here are the highlights:

• More signage in the outfield is a possibility.
• Andrew Cashner is not ready for the bigs, and he will not be competing for a spot in the rotation next spring. Samardzija and Marshall could compete to fill that void left if Harden departs.
• Hendry's payroll is maxed out. After Bradley is gone, he can start making "some lateral moves."
• The Cubs are not likely to go after Chone Figgins.
• If Hendry get Burrell for Bradley, he'll have to turn around and trade him again.
• The Cubs would love to add Curtis Granderson, but the Tigers are asking for a lot. "It's hard to see a good matchup between the teams, because the Cubs are not going to trade Starlin Castro.
• Levine has mentioned Orlando Hudson as a fit with the Cubs on every chat for weeks.
• Bruce thinks the Cubs need to hold on to the top prospects to sooner or later will have to establish their own group of high-profile, low-pay stars.
• The rumor is that Derrek Lee is a favorite of the Ricketts family.
• If the Cubs have another down season, Jim Hendry probably will be fired.
• The Cubs would love to add Roy Halladay, but they'd have to dump Zambrano and his no trade clause first.
• Bruce thinks Gorzelanny is better as a swing man. He doesn't think Gorzo is the answer to the 5th spot in the Cubs rotation.
• Harden's injury history is the main reason that the Cubs are not looking to resign him.
• He reiterated that the Cubs have no money to spend.
• The Cubs don't need all that much added to the team to be back up their and win the division again.
• Levine thinks Soto has a good attitude but poor work ethic.

Weekend Updates: The Halladay Season, Grabow on ESPN 1000, and More

• Carrie Muskat reports that the Cubs are one team that have been contacted by the Blue Jays about ace Roy Halladay. (Here we go again... it is the "Halladay" Season)
• Carlos Marmol is hoping that Pedro Martinez will join the Cubs, but the team shot his idea down. Paul Sullivan says the Cubs have "no plans" to pursue Pedro.
• 4-6 teams have expressed interest in acquiring Bradley.
• Both the Rangers and Cubs have denied a Chicago Tribune report that a 3-time trade that would send Bradley to the Rangers, Millwood to the Mets, and Castillo to the Cubs.
• Bruce Levine likes the John Grabow signing.
• Pat Burrell doesn't fit with the Chicago Cubs according to Levine.
• Jon Heyman listed the Cubs as possible suitors for Matt Holliday and Jason Bay on MLB Network.
• The Cubs think that Esmalin Caridad, Justin Berg, and Angel Guzman, gave them enough bullpen depth to trade Heilman.
• Hendry told Paul Sullivan that he may try to add more to the pen this winter.
• Other arbitration-eligible players may also be traded in the next couple months. This list includes Mike Fontenot, Carlos Marmol, Jeff Baker, Sean Marshall, Ryan Theriot, Koyie Hill, Angel Guzman, Tom Gorzelanny, and Neal Cotts. Out of this list, Marshall, Cotts, Gorzelanny, and Fontenot have the best chance of being moved in my opinion.
• Bruce Levine and Sean Marshall's agent are both unsure of what happens to Marshall next year. Maybe a trade would be the best thing for Sean at this point according to Bruce.

John Grabow joined Bruce Levine and Jonathan Hood today on ESPN Radio's Talkin' Baseball:

• Coming back to Chicago was the right place for John to go.
• The whole team, coaching staff, and training staff were great to him.
• "It's so much more fun pitching in a full house," he said of pitching at Wrigley instead of in Pittsburgh.
• Grabow think chemistry is huge. If your team gets along, that's probably going to put some good results on the field.
• He would like to cut his walks and wildness down next season.
• It's a tough situation for some of the smaller market teams like the Pirates.
• Repeating his delivery is the key for Marmol.
• Relievers have to stay consistent with their pregame work.

That's it for now...

Monday Night Rumor Roundup

GM Meetings Getting Started
The Major League Baseball GM meetings at the O'Hare Hilton in Chicago. The meetings last until noon Wednesday. The Organizational Meetings went great according to Hendry:
"We had a chance to meet the Ricketts family, and we feel they are going to be tremendous owners for the city of Chicago."

Hendry's Priorities
After Milton Bradley is gone, Paul Sullivan lists the areas the Cubs would like to upgrade this winter as: leadoff batter, center field, and middle infielder. Chone Figgins may not be in the Cubs price range, and they'll probably stick with Kosuke Fukudome. Speaking of Kosuke, they could move him back to right field and add a center fielder such as Aaron Roward. Bruce Levine adds a relief pitcher to the Cubs wish list.

The Bradley Latest
Gordon Wittenyer reports that the Cubs have at least 3 teams interested in Milton Bradley that have contacted them in the last week or so. Hendry and Randy Bush hope to meet with 5 or 6 teams and figure to look more toward trades than free agents this winter. No deals are expected to be made this week by the Cubs. Bruce Levine says that the Cubs could kill two birds with one stone by dumping Bradley. They would improve both chemistry and talent.

Cubs Award Candidates
Carlos Zambrano could win another Silver Slugger award when they are announced on Thursday. Big Z won the award in 2006 and 2008. AL Gold Gloves will be announced tomorrow, and Wednesday is the National League. Derrek Lee has a good chance of adding another Gold Glove to his trophy case.

Cubs Free Agents
John Grabow and Kevin Gregg have been named type A free agents, and Rich Harden is a type "B". The Cubs will receive a first round draft pick from the team that signs Gregg or Grabow, or a second round pick if Harden signs elsewhere. The Cubs will get nothing if they lose Reed Johnson because he isn't a type A or B FA. According to Bruce Levine "Rich Harden and Kevin Gregg will not be back next season". The Cubs would like to sign Reed Johnson, but Reed is seeking a multi-year deal and the Cubs do not want to give him that.

300 Home Cubs
The Cubs could have 3 players reach the 300 homer mark in 2010. Lee has 293, Ramirez is at 264, and Soriano is just 10 homers shy of 300 career.

Roy Halladay for Bradley?
Bruce Miles from the Daily Herald writes that one scenario has the Cubs getting ace pitcher Roy Halladay for Milton Bradley and a package of prospects. To get Roy, the Cubs must move money. Roy would provide "an instant jolt in the Cubs' rotation."

10 Names
Here's the list of 10 guys that the Cubs are looking at according to different sources:

• Roy Halladay
• Jason Bay
• Miguel Tejada
• Marco Scutaro
• Chone Figgins
• Johnny Damon
• Mike Cameron
• Aaron Roward
• Mark DeRosa
• Pat Burrell

That's it for now, I'll keep you posted as the Hot Stove starts to sizzle.