NOTHING BUT CUBS

better sit down before you read the first paragraph.   here goes:

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CHICAGO CUBS on their recent trades before the july 31st deadline. despite RYAN DEMPSTER'S attempt to screw them, they got past it and at least got a couple of players from class A in return for the selfish bastard.  as a reminder, dempster gave the cubs a list of acceptable teams to which he would accept a trade and then turned down a deal to the ATLANTA BRAVES and went public with his desire to be traded to the LOS ANGELES DODGERS, which of course weakened the cubs' bargaining power. dempster's explanation?" i wasn't ready 'right now' to go to atlanta." WHAT? he knew they were trading him but he wasn't ready 4 days before the deadline? screw him.

THEO EPSTEIN had the last laugh when he sent KING CUBPUD to the american league, where real hitters live on a daily basis.  pud was knocked around for 8 runs in 4 innings in his first start thursday night. worst of luck to him and watch how quick he scrambles back to the national league in the off season.

cub fans should remember the name RANDALL DELGADO because that's who atlanta was going to send to wrigley in the trade that the pud turned down. delgado is only 22 but throws five different pitches. we'll see.

congrats on dumping the dope smoking buffet killer GEOVANY SOTO, who seriously weighs 60 pounds more than his .185 batting average. although they just received a couple of minor leaguers, the cubs are wayyyyyyyy ahead on this deal.

REED JOHNSON & PAUL MAHOLM went to atlanta for some more minor leaguers and this is where i hand it to the cubs: they stuck to their guns and got rid of two 35 year olds and two 29 year olds and stocked up on kids as they attempt to rebuild the farm system, especially pitching.

so the CURRENT cubs core looks something like this: ANTHONY RIZZO 23, DARWIN BARNEY 27 and STARLIN CASTRO 22. they need to upgrade third base but LUIS VALBUENA 27 could be valuable because he plays five different positions and every contender needs a good utility player.

 the only keepable pitchers are JEFF SAMARDZIJA 27 and and MATT GARZA, who is 29.

the only outfielder worth keeping is TONY CAMPANA 26, who might not be able to play everyday but has world class speed, something unheard of on the north side.  the catching position is on life support.  BUT that's SEVEN PLAYERS who will be around for a while and that's a start. just 17 more to go but everyone is under 30 so you have time to build.

THE CUBS WILL BE A SERIOUS BALL CLUB IN 2015 AND PLAYOFF CONTENDERS IN 2016.

watch 'em grow.