So all the talk is about the BIG TRADE. Might as well add my meanless opinion to the blogosphere. Do Lofton and Ramirez make this team better? Yes. Can the team win this year? No. Since they can't win this year let's look at how it affects next year. Lofton will be gone so that's irrelevant. Ramirez is 25. Probably the third best option at 3B who is/will be available behind Koskie (my guy) and Lowell. Ramirez is signed for 1 more year at $6.0mm. Affordable as the Cubs will free nearly $20mm in salary next year. Good pickup.

But it all depends on who we give up. Hernandez? Good riddance. Bruback ? Cubs have a load of younger pitchers with higher ceilings. Good move.

The PTBNL the Pirates will have to chose from is rumored to Bobby Hill, Francis Beltran or Steve Smyth.

Smyth? Take him. Please.

Beltran? Ok. As mentioned above, the Cubs have an overload of pitchers younger than this guy. Fine.

Hill? No problem, but they better go get Vidro or Castillo. Grudz isn't in the same class as these guys and both will be available after the season is over. And Vidro and Castillo are affordable as the cubs will free up nearly $20mm in salary after the season ends. So, if they get a sold 2nd scaker in January? Fine with bye-bye to Hill.

So it looks like a good deal, right?

Notsofast!

There are two reasons to dislike the trade.

Brian Giles and Carlos Beltran.

They are affordable due to the salaries being cleared. They fill a need (both are miles better than Patterson). And both could play left after Alou is gone after 2004. And both are available. One of these guys should be a Cub.

So what do I think?

Typical Cubs gutlessness / cheapness. They got good guys, but not guys that were the best and not guys taht make you a contender for a World Series. Alas, more of the same. Chase a division, fill the park, and don't spend what it really takes to win.
Chuck