Derrek Lee Just Says No To Cubs Trades

Derrek Lee is single-handedly thwarting the Chicago Cubs’ chances of hosting a firesale.

According to a Bruce Levine post, the veteran first baseman who is entering the final months of his contract will not waive his no-trade clause.

Lee, who traditionally has warmed up with the weather, is mired in a season-long funk. It’s almost as if each month of his calendar reads April or May — where he is a career .261 hitter. After batting .233 in the season’s first three months, Lee has picked up his game hitting .292 in July to go along with eight of his nine extra-base hits being doubles.

For Lee, it’s a sign that he is finally breaking out of whatever plagued him in the first half. (Probably looking at a calendar and realizing it reads July helps.) For the Cubs, it’s meaningless. (more…)

Cubs, Cardinals Set For Fireworks At Wrigley Field

The Chicago Cubs are mired in a dreadful season with a lame-duck manager.

The St. Louis Cardinals are fighting to hold off the upstart Cincinnati Reds at the top of the division.

In a mismatch made in baseball hell, the Cubs-Cards rivalry opens up a new page today — and don’t think for one moment this series is not a big deal.

C’mon, today marks the return of Aaron “.185/.224/.242/.466″ Miles.

Even though the Cubs are just playing out the string and counting down the days until Lou Piniella gives his final speech at Clark and Addison, fans attending today’s game against the hated first-place Cardinals should be treated to an offensive onslaught.

In three appearances (two starts), Cubs starter Randy Wells is 0-2 with a 10.13 earned run average in eight innings of work. In his May 21st outing against the Cards, Wells allowed five runs on six hits while failing to record a single out.

Opposing Wells on the bump this afternoon will be Jeff Suppan, proud owner of an 0-5 record and 6.05 ERA split between stints with the Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers.  In two starts against the Cubs this year, both coming while with the Brewers, Suppan was 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA. In 9.1 innings of work, he allowd 16 hits, 10 runs and three home runs.

I mean, if that doesn’t get you psyched for baseball’s best rivalry, I don’t know what will.

And if that doesn’t get it done for you, it’s time to hop along the express and check out the key factors in the National League’s premier rivalry. (more…)