|
It is soon going to be time for Jim Hendry to make a move to put the Chicago Cubs over the top. The move isn't needed on the offensive side of the ball; it is needed in the pitching staff. The big question though, throughout Cubbie land is do we want to make a run for a guy like Sabathia(too late) or Harden, or can you settle for a veteran like Randy Wolf or Greg Maddux? The answer is simple, the Cubs need to go big or go home! Right now this Cubs team has all the bells and whistles needed to make a run for a championship. If dumping your farm system is what you’re going to have to do to put you over the top, then by all means sell the farm, chickens and all.
I don't need to go into how much time has passed since the Cubs last took home the trophy, we all know the answer to that. Let's take a serious look at this though. They have the team this year. Their offense is great and they don't seem to be dropping out of this anytime soon. Even with the Cardinals right on their tail and a big series coming up this weekend, there doesn't seem to be that panic mode yet. Do you know what a disappointment it is going to be if the Cubs don't get to the World Series this year? It's already looking as if this is what is expected from them this season. Not that it hasn't been a letdown in the past, but as I said before this team is built to win it this year.
Now let me explain why I say that Hendry needs to sell the farm system and whatever else is needed to acquire a guy like Rich Harden. If the Cubs were to win the world series this year and did whatever it took, Cub fans, in my eyes would not care if they had to rebuild that farm system. Why? Because they just won the world series. It's been a rollercoaster ride for so many fans and just to taste the victory would be enough to last them another 25 years. So who would care if they got rid of everything they had just to make sure they could win the series this year? Cub fans I think welcome the idea of doing whatever it takes to make this happen. It's been a long time since fans can say “this is the year” and actually take them seriously. Of course there is a good chance that they’re right.
There are two pitchers that would come into this team and make an immediate impact. The first being C.C Sabathia. He's big, he's bad, and he's a lefty. Nice combination you have there! He started the season off all over the place, but looks like he has found himself again. He is 3-0 in his last five outings and has gone at least seven innings in all of them. Not to mention striking out double digits in three of those outings. A guy like C.C. would help in giving the bullpen a little break. Carlos Marmol would be given a nice day to rest when Sabathia would hit the mound. This would definitely keep him a bit fresher as we come down the stretch.
The other guy I like and think could come in and fit this team is Oakland A's pitcher Rich Harden. He plays for a team that is somewhat surprising people this year, but in reality isn't going to make a run for the AL championship. The A's could get some nice pieces from the Cubs to continue to keep that team down the path to getting better. Harden although has a little history with injuries, seems to be healthy this year. He has a nice ERA of only 2.25 in the American league, where scoring runs is like having Starbucks for some people, it’s a daily ritual. He is averaging seven strikeouts a game this year out west. Not to mention he would be a bit easier to get for the Cubs then Sabathia. You can expect the Indians to want a large amount of talent for C.C.
So it's simple Jim Hendry, do whatever it takes to bring one more top notch pitcher to the North side. Marshall, Marquis, Hill, sure they may help you get a few wins during the season. Come playoff time and the Cubs have to take on that dynamic pitching force of Brandon Webb and Dan Haren out in Arizona, those three names above won't cut it. If you can go Zambrano and Sabathia, well then my friend, you will move on into the playoffs!
So Hendry get to your local hardware store and pick up a for sale sign and put that in front of your office, cause the farm is for sale!
Trackback(0)
|