Now This is Just Depressing.

Now this is not to say that I am giving up on the Cubs because it is more than possible for the Cubs pitchers to real off a run of 2-3 good starts each helping the cubs to go something like 15-5. Nomar then comes off the DL, Lee gets fully healed, and Hendry makes a trade for Adam Dunn and Ryan Freel. This is a post born out of the depression of being a Cubs fan after last week. We can't buy a hit, Maddux is looking his age, and D-Lee coming out of the game last night scares the crap out of me. So if we do become sellers who do we sell? I don't think this team would go into full rebuild mode, just a wait 'till next year thing.

• Todd Walker: There are numerous teams that would love to have Todd on thier team. The Twins, Yankees, Padres, and Mets all are looking for a 2nd baseman. Todd is one of the top offensive secondbasemen in the league, and a good prospects or two could be obtained for him.
• Jerry Hairston: The same teams that want Todd would also want Jerry. Jerry's problem is that we are stockpiled with second base prospects in the minors including Mike Fontenot who should get the bulk of playing time if the Cubs start looking to next year.
• Jeromy Burnitz: A good defender, league average corner outfielder, not signed long term. I love him as a player but guys like him are not hard to come by and he could get a good prospect in return. Teams that might want Jeromy include Atlanta, Washington, Flordia, and LAA.
• Michael Barrett: A quality backstop. I would not be adverse to keeping him around but if the right offer came I don't think I would shed a tear. Teams that might want Michael are Texas, Arizona, and LA.
• Todd Hoddandsworth: A quality bench player to any team that wants him. He has been on a tear lately and could help a contending team. Any team in contention could realisticly want Todd
• Kerry Wood: Good arm in a market that dosn't have many of those. He could get far more than he is actually worth. Teams in need, NY, Baltimore, Boston, Texas, LAA, LA, Atlanta.
• Glendon Rush: A good bullpen arm and he can start. Who dosn't need that? Boston, NY (both), Atlanta, et.
• Ryan Dempster, Mike Remlinger, Roberto Novoa: Bullpen help, everyone needs bullpen help. Can anyone else see Boston picking up Remlinger, using him correctly and seeing great Atlanta-like results? Yeah, me too.

But who do we bring up? Who do we get in these deals? We plan on contending next year, right? Yes of course we do. So I recomend getting MLB ready players over higher ceiling prospects. Players in specific are:

• Austen Kearns: If Burnitz and Holly are gone it would be worth the time to stick Kearns out in a corner for the rest of the year. Just in case you havn't noticed he is tearing it up in AAA since he was sent down.
• Adam Dunn: Good now, will continue to be good for years to come. Love him.
• Carlos Quentin/ Conor Jackson: Studs pain and simple. They would take a lot (especially Carlos) but they will hit in the majors, no question.
• Yusmeiro Petit: Good Arm to add to the growing pile.
• Ian Kinsler: Young stud SS from Texas, I love Cedeno as much as anyone but he could be a flash in the pan.
• Brian McCann: The Cubs don't have much in terms of top flight catching prospects. This would solve that need.

And of course play the youngsters, I don't know if Dusty could do this but it has to be done. Cedeno, Dubois, and Fontenot need to play daily. Hill, and Williams, need to pitch regularly. I don't know if it matters that Dusty dosn't like youngsters because he would most likey get the boot if the Cubs fall out this early, so thats something at least. One last thing, notice that Corey is not in that list. If we are out of it we might as well let him try and figure things out the rest of the year. There is no point in trading him at his lowest value if we are not contending.