Steve Stone was on the Score radio in Chicago this afternoon. Here's a summary of what he said.
Carlos Beltran had an MRI that showed fluid in his abdominal section, which Stone says is a sign of an abodominal tear and Beltran won't be back anytime soon. Coupled with LoDuca being injured the other day, it's bad news for the Mets. Stone also says the Mets pitchers do not match up well for the playoffs, if they make it.
The Brewers picked up Scott Linebrink on the way down, not on the way up, and the Brew Crew's bullpen is in trouble.
Stone says we'll know everything we need to know about the Cardinals by 3pm ct Tuesday. If they are serious about trying to make a run they will add a pitcher. Stone says their lineup knows how to win but their pitching staff is going to kill them. If Walt Jocketty doesn't make a trade it's not because he doesn't want to, it's because his hands are tied financially.
Mark Teixeira will get a huge free agent contract, which is likely the reason the Rangers traded him. The Cubs wanted to shore up their left handed side of the bullpen and were interested in Ron Mahay, who ended up with the Braves with Teixeira.
Stone says if the Braves get Octavio Dotel then John Schuerholz thinks he can win the N.L. East or is confident the N.L. wildcard will not come out of the Cubs division.
Stone reiterates he Mets are vulnerable. He says the Mets pitching is good enough over the regular season but again, doesn't match up well in a short playoff series. If John Maine faced Carlos Zambrano, Stone thinks the Cubs would take them out.
Ryan Theriot has played a much better shortstop than Stone expected. He complements Jacque Jones in centerfield. He says if Kerry Wood is healthy and only pitches one inning at a time, it's a tremendous addition.
According to Stone, Jim Hendry doesn't have to make any moves, but he could get some insurance for Cliff Floyd.
The wind should be blowing out this entire homestand and Stone expects the Cubs to start launching some balls out of the park. He mentions Derrek Lee and Mark DeRosa as sluggers to watch.
The Red Sox balked at including reliever Manny Delcarmen in a package for Jermaine Dye. Delcarmen would have been a solid building block for the White Sox bullpen. He says they should trade Dye, but if Dye wants a two year deal, someone should offer him a one year deal with a second year option tied to at bats.
Stone says it's not optimistic to think Ryan Dempster can move into the rotation with Wood and Carlos Marmol taking over at the back end of the bullpen. Dempster would have a hard time being stretched out this late in the year. Marmol will eventually be a closer, and Lou Piniella is already using him as a closer, regardless of what inning he comes in. Marmol is being used to make huge stops from the fifth inning on.
A caller asks about the Cubs trading for Jason Bay and Stone stops him in mid sentence saying the Pirates will not deal Bay.
Stone says it makes little sense to trade Felix Pie unless they want to go into next season with Jacque Jones in centerfield again.
Donald Veal, a top Cubs pitching prospect rumored in some trades has taken a step back. "I saw him last year and he was terrific," Stone says, "he's not terrific anymore."
A caller asks why Angel Pagan doesn't get to start in centerfield. Stone asks the caller if he has ever watched Pagan play defense and says he likes Pagan and his speed, but wishes his Pagan would use his speed to run to the ball instead of away from it. Stone says Pagan is not a good defensive outfielder. (I've pointed out before that his career minor league fielding percentage is a horrendous .966. In the majors he seems to have found a way to increase his fielding percentage by just not fielding balls)
Big news here: Stone is asked about the Cubs getting Jermaine Dye. The White Sox demanded Carlos Marmol, and the talks ended there. So much for picking up Dye. Kenny Williams is insane.
Stone says the Cubs will not get Xavier Nady, that the Pirates probably wouldn't deal him and if they would the price would be high.
Stone said he has a feeling Jim Hendry will make a huge signing in the next few weeks, getting Carlos Zambrano's signature on the dotted line. Let's hope he's right.
