Possible Need (bigger than SP)

Watching the bases loaded - nobody out - bottom of the ninth let down last night, I noticed what I believe to be Chicago's greatest need: some more bench depth, possibly in the form of a Right Handed Pinch Hitter.

By all means, I don't want to knock on Blanco (Blanco is a good reserve catcher), but I don't think anybody honestly wants to rely on Blanco when the game is on the line as it was Tuesday night.  He's just not the guy I want up there trying to get over that tying run.

Cedeno momentarily lost that plate discipline he developed when he was hitting .300 in May.  Looked like he was trying to impress the team that he was supposed to be traded to all winter (by hitting a walk-off Grand Slam).  Swinging at those fastballs above his head!

Murton, with two on and two out an inning earlier, couldn't get it done either.

Just looks to me like a possible area in need.  A veteran, professional hitter.

Not sure who would even be available, if anyone at all.  I know Marlon Byrd and Jay Payton have been thrown around a bit all season.  Neither Byrd nor Payton are fantastic but I would actually have felt better if one of them (instead of Henry) was up to bat at the end of yesterdays game. 

Baseball is a funny game.  GOOD hitters fail 7 out of 10 times!  It was one game.  We have not really been pressed in this type of situation this year yet.  It would have been wonderful to see someone step up like the Colorado game but once in a while you are gonna lose & strand runners in the process.  I am not going to fret over our bench players after one loss....

I don't think Byrd or Payton would be any better than Murton.  Plus, they still have Reed Johnson, he's just hurt.  I don't think trading for either of those guys would net any more wins, and would  cost you younger, more valuble players.

I agree, Cedeno looked awful.  Fuku did his best to look worse (although just leaning into that inside pitch would have netted a run).....and in that situation a fly-ball or even a double play would have netted a run, so that makes it even more frustrating......but stuff like that is going to happen.  It just doesn't happen too much to the Cubs this year, so it is more glaring.

The fact of the matter is, the best teams in history lose a third of their games, and you don't win many games where you give up 7 runs.

...and a sometimes used RH pinch hitter is NOT a bigger need than upgrading the starting pitching.....in fact, it may be the least important need.

Put Will's and JO's post together and you have the gist of mine.

I also will add that if one loss in June is going to send one into a panic, blaming this guy and that guy, you will not live to see whatever this season has to offer. 

I know it is the beloved Cubs.  I know that we would all like for this team to shut up those who ridicule Cubs fans for being Cubs fans.  I know that we all think we could do a better job than Hendry or Piniella.  But, folks, it remains what it has always been - baseball.   A pleasant diversion from the real stuff in life.  Let's all relax a tad and enjoy.  Summer just started, the Cubs are in 1st place, therefore, life is good.  Do you guys really believe that anything that occurred to previous Cubs seasons have a tangible effect on this team?