The Longest Inch, Episode #25

In episode 25 we begin our MLB preview with a breakdown of the Central Division.

Mike's Predictions:
NL Central
1. Cardinals
2. Brewers
3. Cubs
4. Reds
5. Pirates

AL Central
1. Tigers
2. Twins
3. White Sox
4. Royals
5. Indians

The Longest Inch, Episode #20

Episode 20 features a recap of the end of the college football bowl season and some MLB talk including the Hawk's induction to the Hall of Fame, Holliday's $120 million deal with the Cards, and a preview of the NL Central (See: Mike hates on the Cubs).  We also take a very early look at next season's top 25, with Skyler breaking down who's returning, who's leaving, and along the way we tell some coaches to Be Serious.

I Really Don't Know if I Can Continue as a Cubs Fan

In case you haven't heard, the Cubs just traded outfielder Milton Bradley to Seattle for right-handed pitcher Carlos Silva and cash.

Wow.

Harold, I don't know how much more of this I can take Harold...

In eight seasons, the 30 year-old Silva is 60-64 with two saves and a 4.72 ERA (592 ER/1128.2 IP) in 295 major league appearances (159 starts) with Philadelphia (2002-03), Minnesota (2004-07) and Seattle (2008-09).  He has walked only 214 batters in 1128.2 innings pitched, an average of only 1.7 walks per nine innings.  That's pretty much the extent of anything good you can say about Carlos Silva...

In 2009 with the Mariners, Silva appeared in a whopping eight  games(six starts) due to a right shoulder impingement that landed him on the disabled list from May 9-September 15. He went 1-3 with an 8.60 ERA...

Rich Harden is gone, so I guess Silva can step right into the overpaid, constantly injured starting pitcher role! Thank God we filled that spot!

Really the only good thing you can say about this trade is that Seattle is going to pay $9 million of Silva's ridiculous salary.

Bradley, 31, batted .257 (101-for-393) with 12 home runs and 40 RBI in 124 games with the Cubs last season.  Was it a bad year? Yes.  Was Bradley and his "attitude" the  sole reason for the Cubs terrible season? NO.  Anyone who jumped on the "I hate Milton Bradley Train" or the "Milton Bradley is the cause of all our problems express" (AKA about 75% of all Cubs "fans") needs to get a clue.  How about terrible starting pitching all around (except you, Theodore Lilly), underperforming by basically ever hitter, and terrible managing by Lou???


Oh, and just FYI, the last time Don Wakamatsu and gameboard were paired together  (in Texas in 2008) he hit .321/.436/.563....

Mark my words right now, this will not end up as a good move for the Chicago Cubs. 

Thoughts on a dark and dreary Cubs season thus far...

OK, if last nite's game against the Braves doesn't show what it's like to be a Cubs fan then I don't know what does.

It's just so damn depressing sometimes...



For those of you who were lucky enough NOT to be paying attention to the slop-show that was the Cubs last nite (or this whole season for that matter), let me fill you in. Rookie starting pitcher Randy Wells continued his surprising year (as he still looks for his first big league win), taking a no-no into the 7th inning. All this went for naught as he was removed for the increasingly incapable Carlos Marmol, who was then relieved by the continually disappointing Kevin Gregg. I'd rather not go into specifics, but during this time the Cubs managed to blow the 5-0 lead that Wells had staked them to, went to extra innings, and then eventually lost 6-5 on a Chipper Jones base-hit.

I guess Wells will just have to wait another 5 days to get another shot at his first W. I can't imagine the Cubs deciding to send him back down to triple-A or converting him to a reliever at this point, especially with the consistent health issues of Rich "I'm a Gimp" Harden, and the disappointing performances of Sean Marshall, Ryan Dempster, and Big-Z. However, I suppose he could just end up being the odd-man out of the rotation if Harden comes back and can stay healthy. Personally, I would much rather have Wells taking the mound every 5th day than seeing Marshall out there.

Some other tidbits floating around my pea-sized cranium this morning:

-Gameboard, thanks for nothing. I seriously can't believe you are injured AGAIN. 1st year of a 3 year, $30 million deal is looking pretty good. I'm realllllly glad we decided to go out and get that left-handed power bat in the lineup, it's working out great.
-Dempster, way to also not live up to your huge contract thus far. $52 million??? Although in all fairness I will say this: I was in favor of resigning Demp for that much. I think Dempster is going to be just fine. He's steadily improved in his most recent starts with 1 exception. I, unlike many others, do NOT believe that last year was a fluke, and I think that as the season progresses he will post far better numbers, especially as he gets more starts at home.
-Zambrano, get your act together. You're supposed to be the ace of this staff, start acting like one. If you need an example, take a look at Roy Halladay, CC Sabathia, or Johan Santana. (All players to whom you would probably compare yourself.)
-Lee, I think it's time to move over and make way for the Hoff. And I don't mean the Hasselhoff. (I don't care if you did homer last nite..)
-Reed Johnson, your beard is glorious.
-Marmol, I have no words for you...
-Gregg, as I said when we got you and ditched Kerry: "UGH!!!"