Enough Already

I don't know how much longer I can keep up with this disaster of a team, let alone blog it. Thursday's game followed the usual pattern, a close game characterized by good pitching and an appalling offensive output by the Cubs. I remarked that I could not imagine how the Cubs might score that afternoon, but, unaccountably, they managed to coax two walks and execute a perfect sacrifice bunt by Fukudome to set up a game tying hit by Tyler Colvin. Not to worry, though, as Derrick Lee came up with a clutch DP to end the threat. They managed to destroy their chances with a sloppy 10th inning.

Friday's game was a new low. Three singles, three walks, no runs. Dempster forgot how to throw strikes in the 7th and Fontenot managed to botch up a DP to open the flood gates, but really, they might have gotten out of the inning if Dempster had not walked the opposing pitcher to force in a run. Lou finally seems to have noticed that the Soriano/Fukudome platoon may not be a bad idea, but he is too lazy to even switch the lineup around so that Fukudome bats leadoff. But, again, what difference does it make? Even if he were to get on base, he would soon be erased in a DP by Lee or Ramirez.

Which brings me to the main point. Lou must go. The sooner the better. So must the majority of his coaching staff. Something has got to shake this team up. Does anyone think trading Zambrano will change anything? Trading Bradley didn't, even though they got lucky and got a decent pitcher in return.

Then start fresh. You know you are not going to contend this year with these players barring a miracle. Stop fooling around talking about trading virtually immovable contracts. Begin by trading the obvious players who can be moved and almost certainly will not be around next year for pieces you can build around. That means first trading Lee, Nady, and Lilly. Then start thinking about building a versatile and balanced team that can play defense and not a team built for a ballpark that probably never existed and certainly doesn't exist now, namely, a Wrigley Field where the wind blows out at 30 mph all summer and you need to load up on RH power hitters, because that place just does not exist and the strength of your team is starting pitching.