NEWSLETTER
So, the trade deadline didn’t go as we’d hoped.
The Chicago Cubs were inexplicably (inexcusably?) quiet over the last 24 hours, and there wasn’t much to discuss. I certainly wasn’t writing the kinds of rapid-fire rumors and transactions I thought I would be when I proposed this experiment a month ago.
But, that said, I had too much fun, and thought the response from you readers was too strong to consider this anything but a success. And I didn’t even peel off any of my skin.
Though I will confess I dramatically underestimated the myriad ways a sleep-deprived brain can fail you. Two stand out: (1) my memory went to shit – I can’t tell you how many times I thought of something “really awesome” to write, but, by the time I opened up a doc to start typing, I’d lost it; and (2) wait, what was the other one…? Oh yeah, writing quality. It took me twice as long to produce articles that were probably of half the quality of my usual pieces. I did my best, and I hope you’ll excuse any seeming sloppiness/laziness/short-shriftedness.
Thank you for your participation, and I hope it was a worthwhile – enjoyable, if not informative – experience. Thanks also to those who contributed to make this possible. It was truly awesome of you, and I appreciate it.
(If you’re still itching for an easy way to “reward” me for this 24-hour blogathon, consider nominating Bleacher Nation (and me, Brett Taylor) for whatever awards you see fit HERE. If you choose just one category, make it the “Best Team-Specific Site.” It takes just a few seconds, and I would be wildly appreciative.)
Now for the final tallies.
Total Posts During the Blogathon:
29. Is your RSS or Facebook feed clogged yet? In case you missed any of those 29 posts, I tried to place them all in the “Cubs Rumors” category. Click there to flip through them all.
Total BN Tweets During the Blogathon:
126.
Total Comments During the Blogathon:
740 (and counting).
Total Visitors During the Blogathon:
16,000+ (and counting).
Total Cubs Transactions at the Deadline:
Zero. If not for the Kosuke Fukudome trade to the Indians earlier in the week, the Cubs would have pretty much the same team on August 1 that they had on Opening Day.
Record of the Team the Cubs’ Front Office is So Determined to Keep Together:
42-65
Number of Media Types and Fans Blasting the Cubs for Doing Nothing:
Too many to count.
Among them, SI’s Jon Heyman: “cubs players dont want to leave (aramis, wood), cubs dont want to trade their players (pena, byrd). one big happy family.”
George Ofman: “So just to clarify, Pirates interest in Pena, no! Braves interest in Byrd, no! Rangers interest in Marmol, no! Cubs win WS in 2012!”
Dave Kaplan: “I find it unbelieveable that the Cubs will not make any more deals before the deadline. Team is 22 under and there are some guys with value.”
The Cub Reporter: “I feel sorry for teams scrambling at the trade deadline instead of being able to do nothing, knowing the pieces are all already there.”
Total Caffeinated Beverages Imbibed:
Two Coke Zeroes.
Two Cherry Coke Zeroes.
Two Starbucks mocha frappuccinos.
One Amp Energy drink.
Total Updated BN “About” Pages at 4am:
One. This one. Query whether that’s the best time change the face of the site. Speaking of faces of the site, you can see my picture there! I’m pretty!
Final Thoughts About the Chicago Cubs’ Trade Deadline Strategy/Execution:
Had the Cubs made one or two small moves, I would said this deadline performance was inexcusable. But, as it stands, I have to call it inexplicable.
That the Cubs made zero moves – indeed, affirmatively told teams they would not be moving players they should obviously be shopping – tells me something is going on behind the scenes to which we have no visibility. That’s not blind optimism, mind you, because that “something” is just as likely to be something stupid as it is something brilliant.
I’m sticking to my Lame Duck Theory, which is picking up steam around the Internet: it is understood that Jim Hendry will not be returning as the GM next year, and he has therefore been instructed not to deal anyone whom the next GM might want to keep for 2012. Thus, the Cubs kept virtually everyone. Just a theory.
Or the Cubs simply got shitty offers and decided to roll the dice on August trades, draft pick compensation, and improved performance in 2012. “Lame Duck Theory” has more pizzazz, though.
Hours I Plan on Sleeping Now:
No fewer than eight. If I had my druthers, that number would be closer to 15, but, recall, my wife and I have a baby. If I get those eight hours (I believe I’ve earned them), I’ll be thrilled.
And, in case you haven’t guessed it, yes: the Enhanced Box Score for tonight’s Cubs/Cards tilt will be delayed until the morning. Mea culpa.
