When I left on vacation last week, I planned on keeping up with my blog entries.  Unfortunately, every time I had the time to do it, I didn’t have an Internet connection, and every time I could find an Internet connection, I didn’t have time to log on.  Oh well…

So what’s happened since the last time I posted?  Let’s see:

• The Cubs took three-out-of-four from the Brewers
• The Cubs split a four game series with St. Louis
• During the home stand, the Cubs went 6-4 to bring their record to 43-43 on the year, and 3.5 games behind the division leading Cardinals.
• The Cubs are tied for third place in the NL Central with Houston…Houston?  Where did they come from?
• Ted Lilly was selected to represent the Cubs at the All-Star game.  I guess someone had to go and Lilly is as deserving as anyone.
• Alfonso Soriano was moved out of the lead-off spot (finally) in favor of Sam Fuld.  Fuld played CF against the Cardinals and Soriano batted fifth.
• Milton Bradley is hitting just .243, but he claims he’s figured out what he is doing wrong and will have a much better second half.  I hope so.  Bradley has been working with Cubs hitting coach Von Joshua and thinks he’s found what he’s doing wrong.
• Rumor has it that the Cubs are interested in B.J Ryan, who was released by the Blue Jays last week.  Ryan is owed $15 million over the next year-and-a-half, but would only cost the Cubs the league minimum with Toronto picking up the balance.  This is a good risk.  Ryan won’t be the closer (I hope), but could become a killer LOOGY.
• Roy Halladay is rumored to be on the trade block, but the Cubs are not rumored to be interested in him.  Is Jim Hendry really not interested or is he just playing it cool?  Of course, it could be that the Cubs 1) don’t have the budget room to take on Halladay’s contract, 2) don’t have the prospects that will be needed to get Halladay, or both.
• The Cubs may file for bankruptcy in order to clear some debt from the books.  Supposedly, this could speed up the sale process and put Tom Ricketts in charge.  If it will help the Cubs get some help before the trade deadline, I’m all for it.

Now we’re all back up to speed.  The All-Star game is tomorrow (in St. Louis) and then after an off-day, the Cubs travel to Washington to take on the Nationals.