Why on earth does Chicago make that trade?
To clarify, the CWS trading Loiza for Contreras
CHICAGO - When the Cubs went down to the Florida Marlins in Game 7 in the National League Championship Series a year ago, Matt Clement was no factor. He had beaten Florida's Dontrelle Willis in Game 4 but was reduced to being a cheerleader with the season on the line because Cubs Manager Dusty Baker didn't feel he could use him in the bullpen.
Alex Gonzalez, the shortstop whose Game 6 error was much costlier than Steve Bartman's interference, went 1 for 4 in Game 7 to finish the series 3 for 24. Contrast that to Boston's Nomar Garciaparra's 7-for-29 hitting against the Yankees in the American League final.
Those four more hits might have made all the difference, especially if one of them had triggered a little bit of life against Marlins ace Josh Beckett.
And those who don't learn from history are destined to repeat it, right?
The point is this: If there is any way the Cubs can get Garciaparra, a shortstop with a history of delivering in October, they should not be reluctant to trade Clement, even though he has kept them in solid position in the wild card race.
Perhaps you can argue whether the Cubs are better off in August and September with Clement in the rotation and Gonzalez as the shortstop or with Garciaparra at shortstop and Glendon Rusch in the rotation. But there's no debating the point in October, and the Cubs' goal isn't just to make the playoffs, it's to get to the World Series.
That's why General Manager Jim Hendry must say yes to a deal for Garciaparra, assuming the Boston Red Sox are really desperate enough for pitchers that they will trade him.
It's hard to believe Boston General Manager Theo Epstein would have the nerve to trade Garciaparra, a franchise icon who is hitting .388 in July to raise his season average to .321, right next door to his .323 career average. But major league sources indicate talks between the Red Sox and Cubs have heated up the last couple of days.
Perhaps Epstein and team President Larry Lucchino have decided it's time to get what they can for Garciaparra, who is a free agent at season's end. The Red Sox have treaded water since April (40-39), largely because of a .464 winning percentage in games not started by Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling.
While the Cubs have wasted too many strong efforts from Clement, going 10-11 behind him, his 3.05 earned-run average is eighth in the NL. Opponents are hitting a mere .224 off him, which ranks behind only Jason Schmidt, Randy Johnson, Odalis Perez, Ben Sheets and Roger Clemens.
With Randy Johnson unavailable, Clement would be the best alternative for the Red Sox. He would face a transition going to the AL, but both his style and easy personality fit Fenway Park.
The health problems of Mark Prior and Kerry Wood, who lost Wednesday night in Milwaukee, are serious concerns for the Cubs.
But starting pitching has not been the Cubs' problem this year.
Even with Wood and Prior combining to make only 20 starts, the starters have a 3.59 ERA, the best in the NL. But Wednesday marked the fourth time in the past five games, entering Friday, they have scored only three runs.
As pitiful as this seems, given the presence of Sammy Sosa, Moises Alou, Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee, they need to do something major for the lineup - not just add a spare part like Florida's Jeff Conine, who they also have been scouting.
According to sources the Cubs-Red Sox talks center on Clement and Gonzalez for Garciaparra. Boston is trying to get Hendry to put a young player, most likely a pitcher, into the deal.
If there's a chance, seal this deal, Jim.
You won't need one of your top five starters if you do reach the playoffs. Garciaparra, however, could figure in every October game. That outweighs the loyalty you must feel toward Clement.
http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_np=0&u_pg=38&u_sid=1162887
Got me....
Nomar is a free agent in 2 months. Word is he wants to go to the LA area where his wife is from.
The Cubs have a snowball's chance in hell of catching the Cardinals, so Nomar's there for 2 months for nothing, probably.
The Red Sox get the SS Carbrera, I think the Expo's Orlando Carbrera, and a first basemean Doug Mankiewicz(?? pronunced Man Kay Vits), from I don't know where. The Red Sox seem to have boosted their infield.
longjack