Vigilante Sports

Since Michael Barrett was traded on June 20, 2007, the Chicago Cubs are one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball (8-2). The NY Mets share the 8-2 record over the last 10 games. The Cubs and the Mets are only bested by the Seattle Mariners for the best record over that span.

Was this a case of addition by subtraction? Was Michael Barrett that much of a clubhouse dope? It seemed like he was a leader on the ballclub. Perhaps that all changed when he decided he wanted to fight everyone, no matter who’s team they were on. Either way, Barrett being jettisoned to the Padres has either prompted this sudden change of fortune for the Cubs or it’s a very peculiar coincidence.

It’s hard for me to bad mouth Barrett. He was my favorite Cubs player. But I do have to say, that I would much prefer the Cubs playing the way that they’re playing over having my favorite player on the team. Look at Brant Brown, I’ve moved on from that.

Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella are starting to seem like they know what they’re doing. Piniella is settling into a good lineup. And his players are now starting to earn their money. The emergence of Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot has given the Cubs reliable middle infield play as well as some timely hitting and a little speed more speed on the base paths. Mark DeRosa has proven that he is a valuable commodity that the Cubs were smart to pick up over this last offseason.

The Cubs seem to be clicking on all cylinders even though their bullpen is a little roughed up. Ryan Dempster being out has forced Carlos Marmol, and Bobby Howry into the closer role. They have both done really well. And as a final note, Will Ohman, I don’t care how many times you get Prince Fielder out, I still don’t trust you.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2007 at 4:39 pm and is filed under Baseball, Chicago Cubs, MLB. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.