The Silva Lining
A Look Back at the Bradley-for-Silva Swap

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

We still can't believe the Cubs got likely All-Star Carlos Silva by trading headcase Milton Bradley to Seattle. We would have taken half a Mars bar and a VHS copy of "Big Momma's House 2." With the North Siders playing a series against the Mariners, the Sun-Times looks at the numbers: Silva is 8-2 with an ERA of 3.01. Meanwhile, Bradley is batting .215 with a feeble six HRs. In his last few games, he's batting 0-for-12 with five K's. SI calls the Cubs' move the second-best baseball decision of the season (behind the Nationals signing Stephen Strasburg). Indeed.

Chicago Sun-Times: Silva turns out to be Seattle's gift to Cubs
Chicago Sun-Times: Seattle, what else you got?
SI: Best decisions of the past year

The Big Decision
Hendry: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?
There aren't many Jim Hendry defenders around these days. For every plus (the Cubs reached the playoffs three times since 2003), there's a strong minus (zero playoff wins in 2007 and 2008). The Daily Herald's Bruce Miles lays out the case for and against Hendry, rating his best and worst trades, his best and worst free-agent signings, and more. Miles doesn't conclude whether the Cubs should bring Hendry back next year, leaving the call up to the Ricketts family. Hmmm.

Daily Herald: Cubs crossroad: Stay the course or make a change?

A Place Called Hope
Cubs Will Be Hard-Pressed to Make Post-Season
Some people believe in the Loch Ness Monster. Others cling to the belief that the Cubs will make the playoffs. These days, neither seems rational. The Trib points out the Cubs would have to go 53-40 to tie the Cardinals — and that's if St. Louis plays .500. Other teams have put together awesome runs to close the season, including the 2005 Astros and the 2007 Rockies. Both sneaked into the playoffs with 89 wins via the Wild Card, but that number isn't likely to win it this year. In other words, don't hold your breath.

Chicago Tribune: Playoffs? In reality, Cubs a real, real long shot

Have a Seat
Wonder Why Tickets Are Available for Cubs Games?
You've undoubtedly noticed there are more empty seats at Wrigley Field this season — attendance is down more than 1,400 per game from last year. The Trib's Steve Rosenbloom asks why, then concludes people are unhappy with the new owners. He compares the situation to the Blackhawks and how Rocky Wirtz made massive changes after taking over. Conversely, the Ricketts family has largely stood pat, Rosenbloom says. We might point out that the Blackhawks were in much worse shape and needed a massive overhaul, but still, he makes an interesting point.

Rosenblog: Maybe Cubs fans think Ricketts is worse than the Trib yutzes

Oil in the Family
BP's Involvement Taints Cubs/Sox Face-Off
Nobody wants to get near BP these days. The company responsible for the worst environmental disaster in American history is PR poison. Which makes it all the more unfortunate that BP is the sponsor of the Crosstown Classic's trophy. The trophy was booed when it was unveiled at Wrigley Field a few weeks back, and Crains' Ed Sherman thinks the teams should have put it aside for a year: "The [Gulf oil spill] has me livid, and I'm not in the mood to celebrate anything with BP's name on it," he says.

Crain's: BP disaster puts Cubs, Sox in difficult spot

Aramis Ramirez says the players are to blame for the Cubs' struggles, not Piniella... Speaking of Ramirez, he went 1-for-6 in his two games at Single-A Peoria... If you missed former Cub Doug Glanville at Mark Bazer's "The Interview Show," you can view clips here and here.

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