Commence Operation Seans

As WV posted earlier, Jon Lieber's second term as a starting pitcher with the Cubs has ended a mere 49 pitches, 7 hits and 5 earned runs after it began in Cincinnati. And, rightfully so.

Therefore, with Dick Mountain in timeout in Des Moines, I hereby demand that Lou commence Operation Seans. What is Operation Seans? It's a cheap and obvious way to temporarily or permanently help the rotation by tossing out trash like Jason Marquis and Jon Lieber to the farm, where all the other terrible pitchers are set free to play with one another and live happily ever after, and inserting Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher into their rotation spots.

I am by no means panicking. My Lord, it's only game 33. May 7th...May 7th!!! The Cubs have the sixth best record in the bigs before today's game (at the moment, it's 7-0, Reds). However, the rotation does need help behind Carlos. Operation Seans may be just the ticket. Who knows? Maybe it's the ticket.

UPDATE: Sean Marshall came in and gave up 2 H, 2 ER and 3 BB in 2.0 innings of relief of Jon Lieber. Operation Seans is by no means perfect. Just better than the current Operation Terrible Pitching. Sean Gallagher relieved Marshall and got three outs with 15 pitches.

UPDATE 2.0: Sean Gallagher has given up 2 ER on 4 H and 1 BB (1 K as well) through 2.0 innings. Maybe today is just a bad day to be a Cubs pitcher. I will remain steadfastly behind Operation Seans.

So Much For That

The second Jon Lieber as starter era ends swiftly in Chicago.

Gallagher Recalled; Hill Sent to Timeout in Iowa

The Cubs recalled Sean Gallagher from Iowa and sent struggling lefty Rich Hill (aka Dick Mountain) back to AAA to work out some kinks and think about what he's done.

The Cubs also announced that Jon Lieber will move into Hill's rotation spot, which I have no problem with. However, bringing up Sean Gallagher to rot in the bullpen is just plain moronic. Last year, Gallagher was not so impressive at the pitching at the Major League level, amassing an 8.59 ERA in 14 1/3 innings with a horrific 12/5 BB/K ratio. However, he's been outstanding so far in Iowa. I wonder if there's somebody whose rotation spot would be in jeopardy soon...

Maybe Jason Marquis is on a pretty short leash. We can only hope.

Jon Lieber Needs Some Down Time

During road trips, that is, to hunt down Webkinz for his daughter:

Fourth-grader Jillian Lieber’s Webkinz collection has grown to 105, which includes Lil’ Kinz, smaller versions of the stuffed animals. She started collecting two years ago when she got her first Webkinz from a friend in Philadelphia. Jillian said her dad, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jon Lieber, looks for new Webkinz when he travels to different cities. “He calls me and tells me which one they have, and I tell him what I want,” the Mobile girl said.

Beats strip clubs, where bad - things - happen.

Lots Of Old Cubs Still Available

You don't hear a lot about the 2002 Cubs. A Hundred Next Years reminds us why.

Note to Jim Hendry: It's not 1999

Apparently, the Cubs have decided to relive history. I give you, the return of one Jon Lieber. Don't shoot the messenger, folks.

Actually, this might not be all bad. Prior signed for $1M guaranteed, but can make upwards of $4.5M in incentives with his deal with San Diego. Lieber's deal is believed to be worth $3.5M for one year. Considering that Lieber was a fan favorite with the Cubs in his glory days, and that he'll actually be around to pitch, this could be a decent signing for the Cubs.

Ken Rosenthal also speculates that this signing could signal a trade of Jason Marquis or Ryan Dempster. Hmmm...or, could it signal an attempt to provide depth in the wake of an impending blockbuster Roberts and Bedard deal, just prior to the Cubs Convention?

Girardi Just Couldn't Stop Helping

Former Cub Joe Girardi apparently believed he was managing the whole National League East last season.

The Florida Marlins are peeved after Phillies pitcher and former Cub teammate Jon Lieber said Girardi called and told him what he was doing wrong after the Marlins roughed him up July 31, helping turn around his season.

"He just mentioned that the hitters said everything that was coming in was just very flat," Lieber told the Philadelphia Daily News. "I wasn't on top of the ball like I should have been."

While the front office is irked, Dontrelle Willis says so what.

"What are you going to do now?" Willis said. "He doesn't even work here anymore. You can't dock his pay. I don't think it's a big deal. If we lost the wild card by two games, OK. But there are so many different other factors."

The Marlins lost the wild card by 10 games to the Dodgers.