Enjoy the Winning, but the Cubs are Still Sellers and Other Bullets

Jul 15, 2012

I’m sure you’re not at all sick of hearing about my travel plans, but you’re going to have to hear about them one more time. I’m headed back from Chicago today, so you can expect my absence for a bit. And then, almost as soon as I get home, The Wife, The Little Girl and I are headed to Northern Michigan to spend a week with her family (when your spouse is a teacher, you can expect to take a cluster of short trips in the Summer). Coverage will be normal this week, but things might be a bit choppy between now and tomorrow morning.

Cubs GM Jed Hoyer says, no matter how well the Cubs play these next couple weeks, the sell trades are coming. “As far as the moves we make, we made our bed really in May and June to where we aren’t going to compete for a wild-card spot this year,” Hoyer said. “But it doesn’t mean we aren’t happy with the way we are playing. It’s nice to see us play more clean games and be much better offensively. It’s amazing how much the vibe around the team has picked up.” And that’s, of course, the right attitude. Even with the Cubs winning 11 of their last 15, the math on them getting to .500 by the end of the year – let alone getting to a playoff-caliber record – just doesn’t work. We can enjoy the wins, but the trades are coming.

Hoyer, on being a seller: “It’s not a position you want to be in,” Hoyer said. “Certainly there are ways you can improve the organization by being in that situation but it’s frustrating because that means your record isn’t that good. It also means the players that are being asked about are good players and neither one is a positive. When you are in this situation, you think you have to do the best thing you can for the organization and you hope you aren’t in this position very often …. People probably look at where they are differently depending on what they expected at the beginning of the year. I think that is sort of like the draft stuff. We’ll see how that plays out at the deadline, we’ll see how that plays out in August. It is really jumbled. It’s definitely keeping a lot of teams in the race which was the intended purpose.”

Hoyer also complimented his manager: “When the team is struggling as we did for a month and a half or so, it’s hard to be upbeat and be the same person. I think [Dale] did a great job of being the same person. Our success over the last few weeks is a result of that and I think that bodes well for the future.”

Ryan Dempster’s 33 inning scoreless streak tied the longest for the Cubs since the 1930s (Ken Holtzman had a 33-inning streak in 1969, before that, the longest was Bill Lee with 37 innings in 1938). It’s actually his second streak over 30 innings – he went 30.1 scoreless between 2005 and 2006 as a reliever. “It’s pretty crazy,” Dempster said, according to Doug Padilla. “I think as a reliever when you do something like that it seems more realistic because you’re going out there one inning at a time. But to go out there start after start and not give up any runs, it’s pretty humbling. I’m just trying to get outs and win ballgames. I’m not expecting that.” Both streaks are pretty incredible.

Hoyer offered high praise of Dempster, as you’d expect him to. “He’s fantastic,” Hoyer said. “He’s a top notch clubhouse guys and really a leader. He wanted to come back so badly from that injury. It showed us a lot. We could have taken it slower with him. He wanted to get back on the mound really quickly to compete and obviously pitched well in New York. He’s a guy that loves the competition on the mound and he wants to be out there and wants to be a part of it as much as possible.” In other words: hey, teams, Dempster is definitely as good as you think he is. Plus better.

Jay Cutler “sang” the Seventh Inning Stretch yesterday, and it was hard to tell if it was actually as bad as it seemed from the seats, but apparently, it was. Not only was he completely monotone when “singing,” he knew only a handful of the words. I know it’s probably not easy to get up there and do that, but, like, have a cheat sheet handy if you think it’s going to be an issue.

Javier Baez gets some love in a MILB.com article, and in the BA Hot Sheet. The short of it is: Baez is killing the ball right now, does everything well at a young age for his level, and is learning every day.

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

The Cubs cannot catch a break this year, man. They've already dealt with injuries to Jameson Taillon, Justin Steele, Kyle Hendricks, Drew Smyly, Julian Merryweather, Seiya Suzuki, and Ian Happ (did I forget anyone?). And tonight, it seems maybe something...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 7, Astros 2 – April 23, 2024

Well there was one big thing not to like about tonight's game - Cody Bellinger was lifted with a right rib contusion after colliding with the outfield wall - and about a million things that were great. And since we...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

Nothing like a little insurance late. Mike Tauchman, who already hit his first home run of the season earlier in this game, just hit his second home run in the 8th! Another opposite field blast for Tauchman, who's been hitting...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

It really is a Cubs homer party up and down the system. In Chicago, Cody Bellinger and Mike Tauchman have gone deep. At Myrtle Beach, Christian Hernandez and Jefferson Encarnacion each homered. At South Bend, Yohendrick Pinango homered. And at...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Kevin Alcantara Led Off Tonight’s Game with a Bomb (UPDATE: And Then Did It Again!)

Kevin Alcantara wasted no time giving the Tennessee Smokies the lead on Tuesday night (or maybe he just wanted to be a spiritual part of the homer party going on at Wrigley Field). Facing off against the Rocket City Trash...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman’s First Homer of the Year Caps Off a 5-Run Cubs Ambush!

I don't like to use "ambush" lightly. But what would you call it when the Cubs put five balls in play over 100 MPH, including a single, a double, and two home runs en route to putting five runs on...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Ian Happ Hit Missed a Homer by a Foot, So Cody Bellinger Launched One into Space to Pick Him UP

Ian Happ was back in the Cubs lineup tonight after missing a few games with a sore hamstring. And in his first at-bat back, he sent one 412 feet to dead-center field for a VERY long double (Statcast says it...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Pre-Gamin’: Astros at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back in action tonight for the first of three games against the Houston Astros at Wrigley Field. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for Game 1. Chicago Cubs Lineup: Nico Hoerner, 2B...

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Jefferson Rojas Has the Longest Active Hitting Streak in High-A

I know what you're thinking – what the heck is this basketball junkie doing over here on our turf!? He normally only shows up when he accidentally puts his Bulls articles in the wrong category! I need a little palate cleanser...

Elias Schuster

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

MLBits: Jared Jones Made Brice Turang Look Ridiculous, Dylan Cease Dazzles at Coors, More

If you're familiar with me/my writing, you know how much I love good pitching. To that end, Jared Jones has been one of my favorite stories of the young season. And on Monday, he gave us one of the best...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Giants vs. Mets: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

Blake Snell will take the mound for the San Francisco Giants (11-13) when they host starting pitcher Sean Manaea and the New York Mets (12-10) on Wednesday, with first pitch at 3:45 PM ET.See how to watch the San Francisco-New...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Orioles vs. Angels: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

Jordan Westburg and the Baltimore Orioles (15-7) visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (9-14) at 4:07 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the Baltimore-Los Angeles matchup.When...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Mike Tauchman Did it AGAIN – Second Oppo Homer of the Game!

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Rangers vs. Mariners: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Texas Rangers (12-11), with Jon Gray on the mound, host the Seattle Mariners (11-11) who will counter with Bryce Miller, at 8:05 PM ET on Wednesday.Find out how to watch the Texas-Seattle matchup below.When is Rangers vs. Mariners and...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oh, Come On: Cody Bellinger Lifted Mid-Game with an Apparent Injury (UPDATE: X-Rays Negative)

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

Chicago Cubs

James Triantos Homers TWICE for the Smokies

Michael Cerami

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Wednesday at 1:15 PM ET, Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (11-13) play Nolan Arenado and the St. Louis Cardinals (10-13) at Busch Stadium.Find out how to watch the Arizona-St. Louis matchup below.When is Diamondbacks vs. Cardinals and when...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Yankees vs. Athletics: Live Stream or on TV

Clarke Schmidt takes the ball for the New York Yankees (15-8) when they host starting pitcher Joseph Boyle and the Oakland Athletics (9-14) at 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday.If you're planning on watching this game, keep reading for TV and...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Twins vs. White Sox: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Minnesota Twins (8-13), led by Ryan Jeffers, host Gavin Sheets and the Chicago White Sox (3-19) at 7:40 PM ET on Wednesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Minnesota take on Chicago live.When is...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

How to Watch

Cubs vs. Astros: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

In a series opener on Wednesday, Jameson Taillon will take the mound for the Chicago Cubs (13-9) versus Spencer Arrighetti and the Houston Astros (7-16), with first pitch scheduled for 7:40 PM ET at Wrigley Field.Keep scrolling to find out...

Data Skrive

Apr 23, 2024

Enjoy the Winning, but the Cubs are Still Sellers and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular