Ivy Report Moving to a New EXCITING Location!
Dear Ivy Report readers:
I’m very happy to announce to you that Ivy Report will no longer be Ivy Report as of by Monday, August 1st at the very latest. Rant Sports has decided to take it’s blog network, and move all it’s content to a main location- Rantsports.com. With that, Ivyreport.com will automatically directly send you to the Chicago Cubs team page on Rantsports with all it’s current content. We’re all very excited about the move over, as it will consist with SEVERAL new and exciting additions to the network. Thanks to everyone whose come to Ivy Report to talk about our beloved but torturous Cubs! I look forward to seeing everyone on the other side, and until next time- this is Ivy Report saying- Hollllly Cow!
Chicago Cubs Get Trade Ball Moving: Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians
The Chicago Cubs have traded RF Kosuke Fukudome to the Cleveland Indians for two minor league prospects this morning. Fukudome came to the Cubs after a successful stint in his home land of Japan, but ultimately was more of a bust than what he was thought to be. Signed to be a middle of the order left handed slugger, Fukudome turned more into a slap guy, and OBP lead off hitter. There’s nothing wrong with that if he weren’t getting paid 13 million a year.
The Cubs are going to be picking up all but around 800,000 of Fukudome’s 4 million left this year. I personally am pleased to get ANYTHING back in return for him. He never was going to attract top grade A prospects from any team, but the two guys we get back? Who knows what happens with them. The important thing is saving that little money and allowing the kids to play every day. The Cubs need to see what they have in terms of young talent, and hopefully this is just the first of several trades the Cubs make down the stretch here before the deadline.
Is it safe to say that the Cubs aren’t going to make the playoffs Mike Quade?
A Chicago Cubs’ Fans Reaction to the St. Louis Cardinals Trade
I have some serious questions about the trade that sent St. Louis Cardinals CF Colby Rasmus to the Toronto Blue Jays for virtually Edwin Jackson. Yes I know, this was an 8 player deal blah blah blah but let’s face it. The two major names were Edwin Jackson and Colby Rasmus. I actually had to laugh at this one a little bit, because for the life of me- I can’t understand it. Did the Cardinals call up Crane Kenney and ask him for advice? Let’s break it down.
Colby Rasmus is an immature, spoiled former first round pick. He’s got some crazy tools, but has an even crazier father. Colby wasn’t meshing with Tony La Russa very well, and it obviously affected his play.
So, the Cardinals wanted to trade Rasmus. That’s all great and dandy. They couldn’t find a taker for him willing to part with more than just Edwin Jackson? Whom they’ll lose in the offseason? Octavio Dotel? Whom they’ll lose? Wow. If this wasn’t an under sell…I don’t know what is. Truthfully- for as much heat that Jim Hendry has taken for bad deals- the Cardinals GM (whom shall remain nameless) should take more. You don’t trade a 24 year old tool CF for a journeyman RHP whom you won’t resign in the off season.
As a Cubs’ fan you have to laugh a little bit at the rivals in the south. I mean, since it looks like we’re not going to be able to trade any of our dead weight, might as well be thankful we don’t have to deal with Rasmus any longer in that middle.
Chicago Cubs Looking to Trade Carlos Pena to the Indians?
The Chicago Cubs are going to be sellers by the July 31st deadline, and one of their best sluggers, Carlos Pena could be on his way out of town. I personally think Carlos Pena would be outstanding trade bait for any team looking to add power and a glove by the deadline. Where could he go? I’ve mentioned the San Francisco Giants as I think he would fit there, but another team has potentially surfaced.
The Cleveland Indians are in desperate need of some left handed power, and have some prospects to deal. Lewis Pollis of Wahoo Blues wrote an article today saying that the Indians could use some help with what Pena does well.
So what would the Cubs want? I can’t say for sure, but I do think the Indians would match up. If I were Jim Hendry, I would take a hard look at LHP Nick Hagadone. Hagadone has struggled with his command for quite sometime, and with several arms still coming, he could definitely use a change of scenery, and the Cubs I believe could help this youngster reach his potential. I’ve always liked his stuff, and sometimes with young lefthanders- it takes a little more time. Throw in the fact pitching in the national league has to be a tad nicer than pitching in the AL. The Cubs are in some need of some young starting pitching- especially from the left side. I’d be a fan. Another guy I would demand back is Matt LaPorta. I think it’s safe to say Matt LaPorta is bordering on the bust line. He’s really struggled since coming to the big leagues in that big deal for CC Sabathia, and he would be the odd man out. The Cubs are going nowhere fast, don’t have a first basemen in the system ready to play, and could let LaPorta take his hacks and hope he reaches the all star potential he has. Another kid I really like is Scott Barnes. He’s struggled at times, but pitched exceptionally well in the Arizona Fall League last year, so you have to think he has the potential to get good players out consistently. He’s another guy where you can wait and see on as well.
Those three guys I believe would be a nice package for Carlos Pena. Anything else would surely be gravy. Will Pena move? Well…I think he SHOULD move…but you just never know what the Chicago Cubs are going to do unfortunately.
The Chicago Cubs are a Circus, and Mike Quade is Driving the Little Car
Once again, the Chicago Cubs show why their arguably the worst team in professional sports right now. Yeah. I said it. Again. After watching the first two games of the Phillies series, and then reading about the train wreck that was yesterday’s game- I have come to the conclusion that going to Wrigley Field is a lot like going to the circus. You really never know what your going to see, but you’ll probably be able to laugh quite a bit about what’s happening on the field.
In the first inning, Castro lost the ball in the sun. Whatever. Part of the game right? It happens to the best of us. It’ s hard to single out Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney for this catastrophe of a team right? Not for the clown that is Mike Quade.
What a great concept. Let’s call out the two main reasons why anyone watches this team play. Let’s call out a guy in Castro that you can build the entire organization around at 21, and then call out his running mate, Darwin Barney, a guy who plays the game hard, and the right way. Let’s continue to ignore the lack of hustle by Alfonso Soriano, the failure to hit with runners in scoring position in Carlos Pena, and the multiple things Carlos Zambrano has done that would warrant some public scolding. Let’s not call out Ryan Dempster for being incredibly bad for the better part of the year, and let’s not talk a little bit about how Randy Wells can’t get anyone out anymore. I mean give me a freaking break Mike Quade. You think that game set the tone? Why don’t you ask your starting pitcher to be more efficient? Maybe a little more sharp? Maybe attack the zone a little bit more? Nope- let’s throw the best player on the team, a 21 year old kid still learning this game under the bus in the media.
” The veterans are doing a heck of a job I think.”- Mike Quade
Mr. Quade. There’s a reason why you’ve been a career minor league manager. Who are you trying to kid at this point? You have zero idea how to manage a team from a personality standpoint. You don’t have the balls to call out your “great” veterans. You have even less clue how to manage a pitching staff. You sir are a complete joke, and a complete embarrassment to history of Cubs management.
The Cubs? Are a circus. And I don’t even know how to fix them at this point. I have no idea. All I know is that it’ll take 2-5 years to get rid of Quade, Hendry, Soriano, Zambrano, and Dempster- and start completely over.
I mean…can we all just sit back and laugh hysterically at this point?
Starlin Castro- We love you. Pay no attention to your manager that doesn’t have the slightest of clues of how to manage. We the fans believe in your ability and look forward to watching you play the game for the next 10 plus years at Wrigley. Hopefully our owners figure out a way to get you some help, without calling you out in the media for a mistake that didn’t cost anyone the game.
