Bulls and Cavs...

Well, the Bulls did win one game, but they trail the series 3-1 and are going back to Cleveland for game 5. I don't like their chances on the road, but they might take this next one. Every team has cold spells, and Cleveland could have one next game. Or not...

Whatever the outcome of the next game, the likelihood is that Cleveland moves on to face whoever wins the four/five matchup. And the Bulls start looking toward the big free agent class that does include LeBron James, who is sticking it to them right now...

My guess is that Lebron ends up staying in Cleveland, but if he doesn't, he'll probably go to New York. They have lots of money. So who should the Bulls focus on?

Were I John Paxson, I'd be looking at a front court player, either Bosh, Boozer or Stoudamire (if he's still available) to spend their max contract money on. The other option would be to acquire that guy in a sign-and-trade type of deal, and go for Dwayne Wade or Joe Johnson. Wade is the bigger fish, and a backcourt of him and Derrick Rose sounds like a dream. But Johnson might be the better fit. He can post up at the two guard position, he doesn't demand the ball all the time, and he can play either position. Derrick Rose seems to be developing into the type of player who needs to have the ball in his hands. Adding Wade might remove that dimension.

But who am I kidding? If the Bulls could get Dwayne Wade with their max contract, they should go for it! He's one of the 5 best in the league, probably, and immediately makes the Bulls a serious threat in the East. Sign Wade, trade for a low post scorer to go with Noah...that's the ticket!

Big Z in the pen

Well, if this move is a "warning shot across the bow" to both Carlos Zambrano and the whole team, I think it might work. I definitely think there is something to the "fat and happy" state of mind of some pro athletes. They play hard, get their big contract, are set for life, and now the motivation isn't there anymore. So I don't know what Big Z will do, but the team has won two of three since the move.

I still think the move will be very temporary. I'd be surprised if Zambrano misses more than two starts. Because I think the rotation is better with Zambrano in it, no matter how well Silva and Gorzellany are pitching right now.

But the issue isn't only the rotation, it's the team. And I also think it's possible the team would be better, not with Big Z in the pen, but with Big Z traded to another team in a deal where the Cubs come away with some veteran middle relief help and much needed salary relief. If that's the real agenda behind this move, so be it.

*****

Big Z to the pen?

The announcement came across yesterday that Carlos Zambrano, the Cubs' 91.5 million dollar pitcher, who is paid like an ace and to BE an ace for their staff, has been moved to the role of set-up man out of the pen.

Here's my thoughts on the Cubs' reasoning:

1. The organization is trying to get Carlos mad enough to waive his no trade clause. Maybe there's already a deal in place with the Red Sox or the Yankees or some team that has payroll space and can use a starter of Zambrano's quality.

2. This is a shot across the bow to both Big Z and the entire team - no one's big enough or paid enough to keep their job if they don't produce. In this case, I'd guess the demotion lasts 1 or 2 starts at the most.

3. Lou meant to say Carlos Silva is going to the pen, and got him mixed up with Big Z. I mean, he was laughing in the sound bite they played about having to make sure he lets them know in the pen which Carlos he wants warming up - Marmol or Big Z. Maybe he meant Big S.

Otherwise, the move makes absolutely no sense. Zambrano isn't and hasn't been the problem with this team, other than perhaps his attitude on the field. He isn't the 6th best starter on this team. At worst he's the third or maybe fourth best. (You can pick out which guys you think are better than him...) On the other hand, that 15+ million a year would really help in buying some bullpen arms and maybe even an offensive player.

We'll see...

Sports Bits from Chitown

Here it is, already April 16th! We're a couple weeks into the baseball season, the NHL playoffs have started, the NBA playoffs start tomorrow, and the NFL draft is coming up. We have representative teams in both of these playoffs, though the expectations for the Hawks and the Bulls are polar opposites - the Hawks are expected to go deep and compete for the Stanley Cup, and the Bulls are expected to be one and done versus Lebron and the Cavaliers.

In baseball, so far our mediocrity is showing on both sides of town. The Cubs are 4 and 5 through yesterday, and their middle relief is the problem so far. They are at a payroll point where they cannot add any more veterans, so instead are depending on names like Justin Berg, Esmail Caridad (currently injured), Jeff Gray, and Jeff Samarzidja (spelling?). All young players, all unproven, all potentially inconsistent.

The problems on the South Side look to be their 5th starter and perhaps their offense. Freddy Garcia has been rocked a couple of times now, I believe, and I have my doubts that he can get better. He might just be done. I personally believe that their offense will be okay in the long run. It looks like Andruw Jones has something left in the tank, and if Alex Rios and Alexei Ramirez can hit, they should be fine. Juan Pierre made a boneheaded baserunning blunder yesterday against the Blue Jays, but offensively he'll be fine for them. They just need to come together.

I won't expose my ignorance about the Bears any more than I have to, but they do not pick until the third round in the upcoming college draft. There is a slim chance that they are going to deal tight end Greg Olsen and that could produce another pick, maybe even as high as a second rounder. But in this uncapped year, it looks like they've done what they're going to do. We shouldn't be too upset - they did get the best player out there in Julius Peppers, and filled other needs with a blocking tight end and a running back (Chester Taylor).

So here we go. Hold onto your hats, the real action is coming up!