2011 NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

By: Clay

Mark my words, the Bears will win tomorrow. To quote *NSYNC, "This I promise you". Check back here soon for a new version of the Super Bowl Shuffle.

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NL Central Projected Pitching Rotations

These are the projecting starting rotations as of today.

Reds - Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Travis Wood, Edinson Volquez
Brewers - Zack Greinke, Yovani Gallardo, Shaun Marcum, Chris Narveson, Randy Wolf
Cards - Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jamie Garcia, Jake Westbrook, Kyle Lohse
Pirates - Daniel McCutchen, Paul Maholm, Brad Lincoln, Scott Olsen, Kevin Correia
Astros - Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers, J.A. Happ, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Bud Norris
Cubs - Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Matt Garza, Carlos Silva, Randy Wells

Cubs Trade for Matt Garza

By: Clay

At first, I thought this was a good trade for the Cubs to make. Then, thanks to Harvey informing me on who the Cubs gave up, I didn't like it so much. But as of this morning, I'm OK with it.

The way I see it, the Cubs haven't had good luck with their farm system prospects over the past couple of decades. Or at least since Mark Grace! Sure there has been marginal success with Kerry Wood (The Prodigal Son Returns for 2011!), Mark Prior, Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Marmol and last years rookie sensations (Castro and Colvin) but there just hasn't been an actual MLB star player drafted and crafted by the Cubbies in many, many years.

If you haven't noticed, the Cubs have some terrible contracts out right now that are virtually unmovable and the Cubs are just gonna have to eat that. While their younger players are better and hungrier than their big money options, it seems hard to bench players like Soriano, Ramirez and Fukudome when you are paying them an ass load of cash. And even though they under-perform and can never seem to all play well at the same time, they are just owed too much money to ride the pine. Plus, if there was even a slim chance that the Cubs could trade one of them, they would have to play just so potential teams could see them perform. Their trade value won't rise by them sitting the bench.

We already have the positions filled for the guys we traded away, anyway. Pitcher Chris Archer, shortstop Hak-Ju Lee, outfielder Brandon Guyer, catcher Robinson Chirinos and outfielder Sam Fuld are the fellas going to Tampa. Archer is the only player that the Cubs could have made a spot for in the next couple years. Lee is blocked by Starlin Castro, Guyer is blocked by a handful of players, Chirinos is blocked by Soto and Welington Castillo. Though, I suppose I wouldn't have minded seeing Chirinos replacing Koyie Hill at some point but maybe Welington Castillo can fill that spot.

Garza has never had an ERA over 4.00 by the end of the season. Plus, pitching against the Pirates and Astros multiple times this season should help pad his stats if the Cubs needed to move Garza for some unforeseen reason. Or, if the Cubs do make a serious run for the playoffs in the next couple years, Garza has that experience and knows what it takes to reach that level.

Overall, this is a bad move for the long term of the Cubs if their front office is serious in trying to commit to winning with farm raised talent(Duh). However, Garza and Carlos Pena should help put a few more butts in the seats for the next season which means more money to spend on bad contracts. This is good for the players that the Cubs traded away, however. they have a better chance at succeeding with the Rays than they did with the Cubs.

sig hansen redemption

By: Clay

I received my 2010 Allen & Ginter Sig Hansen redemption a lot sooner than I expected. The redemption card stated that I was due to receive a framed relic. Apparently Topps wasn't able to obtain anything for that. I like this better anyway. Captain Sig!

9-3 Bears and more

By: Clay

The Bears have a rough schedule ahead of them. Today's game against New England is very winnable. This has nothing to do with weather and everything to do with the Bears defense. While the Pats d is second in the league in INT's, the Bears are fifth. Tom Brady hasn't been picked in 8 straight while Cutler has a 2 game streak. Brady is due for a pick. My guess is 2 picks for Brady. One by Urlacher on a tipped pass by Peppers and then one late in the game by Tillman. Bears 17 Pats 13.

GSP totally dominated Josh Koscheck at UFC 124. Jake Shields is likely due next for GSP and may happen at a UFC show in April in Toronto. I predict GSP to pick Shields apart. There really aren't any logical match-ups for GSP at this time. The winner of Fitch/Penn as well as Jim Miller may be in line for a shot late in 2011.

No word on Brock Lesner's next fight. I think that Lesnar should either fight Frank Mir or Roy Nelson. Mir/Lesnar III would be the biggest Lesnar money fight for the UFC. Of course, Shane Carwin could make an interesting rematch for Brock Lesnar, but Carwin needs to get his back in order first. Junior Dos Santos will get the next title shot when he faces champ Cain Velazquez.

Clay Guida next faces Takinori Gomi at UFC 125 on New Years day. That show is headlined by Brian Stann vs Chris Leben and Frankie Edgar putting the lightweight title on the line against Gray Maynard. Anderson Silva defends his middleweight title and top pound-for-pound title against Vitor Belfort in February. Rashad Evans will get a light heavyweight title shot against Shogun but time and place is TBD.

Giants-Vikings postponed

By: Clay

It's a conspiracy! Roger Goodell orchestrated the snowstorm and Metrodome roof collapse so Favre would have an extra day to prepare his body and keep his consecutive starts streak alive.

Things

By: Clay

I know we have been terrible over these past few months but let me weigh in on a few things right quick.

First off, Ron Santo died this week and that just plain sucks. If only he had taken better care of himself a little better (drinks and food), he may have still been here to witness the Cubs 2011 season. But, one has to respect Ron for living his life the way he did, knowing that it may not be the best way to go about things. Ron took a lot of criticism as a Cubs color guy but really, every team has a homer in the booth, so it is expected. I always enjoyed listening to Ron and Pat during Cubs games. Thank you, Ron Santo.

As great as Jud is, I'd rather have Steve Stone come over from the Sox and provide commentary with Pat.

Carlos Pena's batting average doesn't scare me. I believe Pena is going to hit the crap out of the ball, especially if the wind is blowing out. That's a good signing by the Cubs. My ideas for the team, if they couldn't get a guy for first, were as follows:

1. Make Blake DeWitt a utility player, filling in at third and second.
2. Move Aramis Ramirez to first base. Sure, he is a defensive liability there but isn't his arm a liability at third anyway?
3. Call up Josh Vitters To play third base. Youth movement.
4. Move Soriano to second base. Hey, that's where he started and he can't hop and hurt himself there.
5. Slide Colvin into left field.
6. Get rid of Jeff Baker. What is with the cubs always having crappy utility players? Jose Macias, Aaron Miles, Manny Alexander, Bobby Scales, Brant and Roosevelt Brown, Jason Doubois...
7. Sign or trade for a decent #2 or #3 pitcher to slide in behind Big Z. Brandon Webb or Matt Garza should do the trick.
8. Win close games.