Sorry, Klos, Cubs got Nomar!

[Event]

Linkage

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs became an even bigger player in the National League Wild Card race. The Cubs completed a complicated four-way, eight-player deal Saturday at the trading deadline with the key acquisition being five-time All-Star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra from the Boston Red Sox.

"He's a great player," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said of Garciaparra. "His accomplishments and his ability speak for themselves. He's a tremendous, tremendous player and I think he's capable of giving us a huge shot in the arm here down the stretch. Obviously, we gave up some talent."

Here's the breakdown: the Cubs traded minor league left-handed pitcher Justin Jones to the Minnesota Twins for infielder Doug Mientkiewicz. The Cubs then sent Mientkiewicz, infielders Alex Gonzalez and Brendan Harris and right-handed pitcher Francis Beltran to the Red Sox.

Boston sent Garciaparra, minor league outfielder Matt Murton and cash considerations to the Cubs, and the Red Sox also sent Gonzalez, Beltran and Harris to the Montreal Expos for infielder Orlando Cabrera.

"It's not every day that you're going to pick up a Nomar Garciaparra," Cubs manager Dusty Baker said. "It's tough on one end when you lose one of your family like 'Gonzo' but you're getting a heck of a player here. We're getting a guy who can play shortstop and a guy who's used to winning."

The Cubs, who are in the race for the National League Wild Card, are hoping Garciaparra can provide an offensive spark that's been missing. He was expected in a Cubs uniform Sunday in time to start against the Philadelphia Phillies. He'll get to Wrigley Field just in time for some history as Chicago pitcher Greg Maddux seeks his 300th career win.

Sorry Klos. The Cubs want to win the Wild Card too!

 

[Klostrophobic]

Good. I've come to realized that despite Nomar being an excellent player (best shortstop in the game today), the Red Sox just were not going to be able to resign him after this year. I'm glad they at least got something for him. He's still my favorite player, and I'm going to miss seeing number 5 in the lineup, but I'll make do it the Red Sox can make it to the World Series.

Hahahahaha, I just had the most amazing thought. How pisser would it be if the Red Sox and Cubs met in the World Series? In game 7, I can see Nomar hitting a walk-off home run off of Pedro Martinez. Although, the Cubs wouldn't have the homefield advantage, but I think it would be spectacular to see the Red Sox lose at the hand of one of their greatest former players. It's the only thing that could add to the lousiness of the Red Sox franchise.

I hope Nomar hits 40 HR, drives in 140, and hits .340 next season.

The Red Sox just made their infield defense infinitely better. Cabrera, Reese, and Mientkiewicz. Serious upgrade! I'm happy.

 

[Event]

That would be my favorite World Series matchup. It really does seem like these teams are cursed, eh? I bet most Red Sox fans' and Cubs fans' hair gets grayer faster than the fans' of other teams.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Yeah, most likely. It could have happened last year if it weren't for some terrible pitching and defense by the Cubs (it wasn't Bartman's fault) against the Marlins, and some terrible managing (and great playing by the Yankees) by Grady Little of the Red Sox.

I imagine if these teams met in the Series it would go seven games, and one team would win on some ridiculous play in the 13th inning of a scoreless game. I don't know which team is more unlucky. The Cubs have just plain sucked since forever, but the Red Sox have come close to tasting victory in the World Series several times. Which is worse--coming painfully close, or just being out of it in July?

 

[Event]

Many Cubs fans blame Bartman. I do not. It was the fault of multiple people. Dusty made the wrong move to keep Prior in. Also, that very same inning, Alex Gonzalez (now a Bo Sock) couldn't turn a perfectly set up double play.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Gonzalez went to Montreal when all was said and done.

I don't see how someone can blame a fan for a loss. The Cubs had ample opportunity to win the game after that play.

Damn, I just saw that the Yankees picked up Esteban Loaiza in exchange for Jose Contreras.

 

[Omero]

I say that if they knew that they were losing him earlier they should've gone for A-Rod. Oh well, Nomar hasn't been himself this year; I'm willing to bet it's because he missed half of the season with an injury. And besides, the Red Sox are still the Red Sox; just because we lost one of the greats doesn't mean that we're done for (the team is more than just Nomar). Another thing about it, Nomar is always going to have fans in Boston, no matter where he plays.

My sister joked with me when I found out about it this morning:
"We should go sprinkle Holy Water on the field just to wart off any potential curses."

 

[Klostrophobic]

They did go for A-Rod. They just couldn't get him.

The Red Sox are greatly improved. Hell, Orlando Cabrera hit a homer in his first at-bat.

 

[Event]

Nomar got a huge ovation today. He says that he loves this Chicago crowd. They are the best fans in baseball. He got a Ribbie today.

 

[the_cobbinator]

Yeah, just saw his hit on the news. At least he didn't waste any time in helping the Cubs.

 

[1X83Z]

Yeah, the Yankees got Loaiza, the Marlins got LoDuca, the Cubs got Garciaparra, and the Dodgers got screwed.

Seriously - the Dodgers freaking got hosed. What are they thinking?

And Klos, I don't believe you're blaming Grady Little. He gets the team to the AL Division Series and everyone calls it bad managing and he gets canned. Total and absolute piss. Could the expectations have been any higher? You Red Sox fans suck.

 

[Klostrophobic]

He was managing an unbelievable amount of talent. Martinez (potential and former Cy Young winner), Lowe (potential Cy Young winner), Garciaparra (potential batting champ and former batting champ, capable of 30 HR, and 120 RBI), Ortiz (potential MVP), Ramirez (potential MVP, eventual second place batting champ), Bill Mueller (eventual batting champ), Johnny Damon (potential .290-.300 BA, 20 HR, 30 SB guy). Hell, even mediocre players like Kevin Millar and Todd Walker had career years. Plus, their bullpen was absolutely untouchable in the playoffs. Show me one other team last year that had two potential Cy Young Winners, two potential MVP winners, and a few guys who have/can win a batting title. Just one. Anything short of making the World Series with a lineup like he had is unacceptable. Sure, that's tremendous pressure, but Torre handles it on an infinitely larger stage.

It just pisses me off that it always seems like the Red Sox have terrible managers.

Grady got them to the AL Championship Series, by the way.

 

[1X83Z]

He was managing an unbelievable amount of talent. Martinez (potential and former Cy Young winner), Lowe (potential Cy Young winner), Garciaparra (potential batting champ and former batting champ, capable of 30 HR, and 120 RBI), Ortiz (potential MVP), Ramirez (potential MVP, eventual second place batting champ), Bill Mueller (eventual batting champ), Johnny Damon (potential .290-.300 BA, 20 HR, 30 SB guy). Hell, even mediocre players like Kevin Millar and Todd Walker had career years. Plus, their bullpen was absolutely untouchable in the playoffs. Show me one other team last year that had two potential Cy Young Winners, two potential MVP winners, and a few guys who have/can win a batting title. Just one

The New York Yankees - not ironically, the team they lost to.

Grady got them to the AL Championship Series, by the way.

You and I both know it's what I meant to say.

 

[Klostrophobic]

Yeah, I know what you meant to say. But I couldn't just let it pass, could I? I don't get many chances to prove you wrong, you know.

Who were the two potential MVP winners? And who were the batting champs? I know Clemens, Mussina, and Pettite all are potential Cy Young winners, but I can't think of anyone who could have been MVP. Maybe Posada?