All Star Break Time

The Cubs are 39-50 in fourth place 9 1/2 behind the Cincinnati Reds. It has been a disappointing season so far. Which leads to a number a questions of what next. The trading deadline of July 31 is coming up. I would think that the Cubs are in the selling market a compared to buying. Is it that obvious?

Are Owner Tom Ricketts and GM Jim Hendry ready to call it a season? We will soon find out as the trading deadline gets closer.

Let’s assume the decision is to start dumping payroll. Basically that is what it will be about. Money. Do the Cubs have anyone that another team is going to want? Let’s face it we have a huge payroll and the stars are not performing to the level needed to win baseball games. The Cubs have 8 players earning over $10,000,000 a year

Alfonso Soriano     $19,000,000  signed thru 2014

Carlos Zambrano  $18,875,000  signed thru 2012

Aramis Ramirez        $16,750,000  signed thru 2011

Kosuke Fukudome   $14,000,000  signed thru 2011

Ryan Dempster         $13,500,000  signed thru 2012

Derrek Lee                   $13,250,000  signed thru 2010

Ted Lilly                       $13,000,000  signed thru 2010

Carlos Silva                 $12,750,000   signed thru 2011

Reviewing the salaries note that the amounts are for 2010 and multi year contracts will usually increase each year. A person could make a case that not a single one is worth the money being paid. The pitchers maybe except for Zambrano of course. Ryan Dempster and Ted Lilly have been excellent starting pitchers for the Cubs. Carlos Silva has been a big surprise. Part of his salary is being paid by the Seattle Mariners–at least that is what I read somewhere.

So I would say Jim Hendry has a big job ahead of him if the Cubs are planning on getting rid of their high priced players. The Cubs payroll is the 3rd highest in the Major Leagues with only the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox paying more.

So what does everyone think? Is there going to be a sale? Will Jim Hendry be able to pull off the unbelievable?

The next question is what is going to be done with Carlos Zambfrano? He is on the resticted list. From what I have heard and read about the restricted list is the Cubs are still paying him but they can replace his as a player on the roster. He is not on the restricted list forever. In fact he will be coming back after the All Star break. He is suppose to be going through anger management therapy but I have not read anything on the progress. Lou Piniella stated he will not be in the starting rotation and will be in the bullpen. How that will work out is another question.

As you can see lot is going on and I am sure the Cubs could use the break. They started out great on the road trip but finished up losing 3 of 4 to the Dodgers.