Countdown to the Trade Deadline (3 Days Left)

As usual, a quick run-through of the day's headlines

Today, Chicagosports.com reported thst Jim Hendry announced that Dusty Baker will be allowed to finish out the season. This does not come as a surprise to me and it was about time that a decision was made, one way or another. I'm not even going to add a link to the article, because, honestly, I don't really care. As long as Baker is not the manager next year, I'm happy.

Apparently, Ozzie Guillen and Ken Williams are satisfied with the current state of their roster and have warned fans that they should not count on any big names being added before the deadline. Wait, it gets even better... Guillen actually believes that the White Sox have improved themselves by adding Mike MacDougal and backup catcher Sandy Alomar Jr. Reading that made me giggle a bit, but it was the quote which immediately followed that had me rolling on the ground hysterically. Here, see for yourself: "If you look at this group of guys, and you saw MacDougal [Tuesday night] and the way Sandy handled the pitching staff, I think what we need we got," Guillen said. I'm speechless. There's literally nothing to say. Mark Gonzales, the author of this particular article, suggests that the Sox could go after RP Scott Linebrink of the Padres. Sometimes I wonder where they find these writers, because most of them have no idea what they are talking about. First of all, the only thing that San Diego is looking for is a third baseman and unless Williams is willing to give them Joe Crede, and trust me he's not, there is no deal to discuss. In addition, Linebrink is a fly-ball pitcher who was born to throw in spacious Petco Park, not the southside of Chicago, otherwise known as Coors Field part two. But yeah, keep the roster just as it is right now and see if you're singing the same tune, when in two weeks you find yourself eight games out of the wild card spot.

Anyway, next on the list are Kerry Wood and Mark Prior...

Wood & Prior
The thing about Wood and Prior is that, since they have been injured so many times over the past couple of seasons, their value has plummeted so dramatically that it would be hard to get anything of value in return. I was reading an article on ESPN.com the other day where the author polled different GMs around the league, asking them what they would be willing to give up in order to get either pitcher in a trade. The response? For Prior, a B-level prospect, because every now and then he shows flashes of brilliance, and Wood, nothing more than a C-level minor leaguer. I'm not even going to go into the whole "why it will happen, why it won't happen" routine because, for Wood, no team in their right mind, given his fragile throwing shoulder, would take on his salary and I don't think the Cubs are willing to give up on Prior, especially after outings such as yesterday, where he took a no-hitter into the 6th inning. That said, my "prediction" segment will be short and sweet.

Prediction: First off, Mark Prior isn't going anywhere. His stuff, when healthy, is as good as it gets. However, something has to change in regards to his off-season routine, because whatever it is he is doing doesn't seem to work. When I first saw the size of his calves, I couldn't help but think to myself that something was a bit off, but right now I am going to give Prior the benefit of the doubt, and not jump the gun with the steroid accusations. I mean, he is the president of the Player's Association after all, so would he be that stupid? You never know, and if he continues to have long stints on the DL, the questions are sure to come. Nevertheless, performances such as yesterday allow Cubs fans to be cautiously optimistic, at least for the time being.

As for Wood, I think that Hendry should decline his option for next year and resign him at a low price... a very low price. As a free agent, the chances of Wood being offered a lucrative contract are slim to none. When he realizes that no one else wants him, he'll have no choice but to re-up with the Cubs, this time as a relief pitcher. Last year, Wood showed how good of a setup man he could be, averaging almost two strikeouts per inning. If it were up to me, next year should be used to groom Wood as the eventual closer of the Cubs. In 2007-2008, he would be prepared for the role and the Cubs could use Dempster in the 8th inning, where he would be better suited.

So to recap, Hendry will keep Prior and pray that he is healthy for the start of the year. If he begins the season injured again, then the team will seriously have to consider cutting ties, but that's something to discuss in a post much further down the road. Wood will then be resigned, at a greatly reduced price, and placed in the bullpen where he will thrive, eventually taking over the closer's role in two years, a la John Smoltz.

Sound realistic? Any other ideas about what Hendry could do with these two? Let me know. I'm tired and MTV's "Run's House" is on, so I'm going to watch. I'll look forward to reading your comments. Bye for now...