Dusty Says

“It’s a big day for me in my career to get some security like that,” Dempster said. “It’s definitely a little surreal.”
–Redster.

Chicago Cubs closer Ryan Dempster agreed Saturday to a $15.5 million, three-year contract extension through the 2008 season.

“Obviously, it’s been one of those things that you’re really happy about,” Dempster said. “It shows a lot of respect for me and I have a lot of respect for the way they’ve handled me. I’m glad to be here for three more years. Hopefully, I can help them reach their goals and get to the World Series.”

One can dream.

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs traded outfielder Todd Hollandsworth to the Atlanta Braves on Monday night for minor-league pitchers Todd Blackford and Angelo Burrows.

Burrows, 25, was selected by the Braves in the ninth round of the 1999 amateur draft. He is 4-3 with a 3.32 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season in Class A. A former outfielder, he was converted to a pitcher last season.

So, finally, the merry-go-round ended. At least for now.

First, it was Jason Dubois for Jody Gerut. Excellent trade; the Cubs get a young outfielder who’s patient and can run.

Then, it was Jody Gerut for Matt Lawton; “even better trade!” we all agreed; a potential leadoff hitter, who walks and has a lot of speed and talent. The only risk? He’s a free agent after this season.

And now, we traded Matt Lawton for a player who’s so unknown, that I’m not even going to search for his details…

…I lied. He’s Justin Berg, who was drafted on the 2003 FYD (First Year Draft) by the New York Yankees; he is a right handed pitcher and an Antigo, WI native. This year he pitched at Class-A Staten Island and is expected to join Class A Daytona before the end of the season. In 14 games he’s pitched 55.2 innings, mostly as starter; he has a 18/48 BB/SO and a 3.53 ERA.

Nomar Garciaparra, SS, is injured day to day with a lower back stiffness. “Nomar is better,” manager Dusty Baker said. “I wanted to give him a break.” That, of course, translates into a week or two of benching and more Neifi! time.

The Cubs have apparently joined the shopping of lefthanded reliever JC Romero, of the Minnesota Twins, Baseball Journal says. Romero, 28, is a power pitcher that requested a trade last week; the Twins are looking for outfield help and might be turning their attention at Korey Patterson, CF, or Jerry Hairston, Jr (OF-2B); Hairston and Patterson’s recent promotion might be to showcase the pair to interested teams. The Cubs don’t have a future plan, reportedly, for either of the players.

Outfielder Matt Murton was sent to Iowa after the promotion of Jerry Hairston, Jr. Murton batted .339 in his first stint with the Cubs. He will now become Iowa’s starting left fielder.

Six is the number of times Carlos Zambrano, P, has left a start because of an injury. Still, the righthander has started all but one of his scheduled games and has not gone on the DL this season. He has a 10-5 record with a 3.12 ERA in 24 starts.

Seems like we can expect more of our GM:

By Jeff Vorva
Staff writer

The non-waiver trading deadline passed Sunday with little activity around the major leagues, leaving Cubs general manager Jim Hendry to wonder whether that means some bigger deals will be made this month.
Trades can still be made, but the players involved must clear waivers before they can be moved, and other teams can block deals by claiming the players to be dealt.

The Cubs made one of the bigger deals Sunday, acquiring outfielder Matt Lawton from Pittsburgh for outfielder Jody Gerut. While it could help the club, the swap was hardly a blockbuster.

“I don’t ever remember a deadline come and go like this, where so few teams made trades,” Hendry said. “You could kind of sense it Friday … it was kind of a boring day and you can tell that the movement wasn’t going to happen. None of the clubs were willing to sell their bigger players.

“Maybe the industry will shift more to August. Especially if a few more clubs in a week or so feel they are out of the (playoff) race.”

In 2003, the Cubs were able to acquire first baseman Randall Simon and second baseman Tony Womack after the non-waiver deadline. Last year, they signed shortstop Neifi Perez, who had been released, and traded for outfielder Ben Grieve and catcher Mike DiFelice after the deadline.

“We certainly will be on top of the waiver wire every day,” Hendry said. “If the right situation arises, we still could be active.”

The Chicago Cubs traded for Matt Lawton and gave the Pirates Jody Gerut in return.

Lawton, 33, is signed through this year and becomes a FA after this season. He has a .380 OBP and immediatly becomes our second best on base hitter.

Gerut’s line with the Cubs stood at: 083/214/167.

More on the subject later.

Source: ESPN, Sporting News, WGN.