My concerns

by wild bill on Mar 31, 2007 7:44 PM CDT Comment 16 comments

Let me start by saying that I applaud the Cubs for the off season moves that they have made. It shows, albeit a misguided way, that they are trying to do something that has not been done in nearly a century. And that is win the series. I want to break down what has become my biggest conern with this team, defense. As we all are aware defense helps the pitching. So I would like to offer my thoughts on each position player. I will use SOM ratings for each position. One being the best, five being the worst.

Soriano CF - 4
Murton LF -4
Lee 1B-1
Ramirez 3B-4
Jones RF-3
Barrett C-3
Derosa 2B-3
Izturis SS-2

Not exactly the defense of champions. I truly hope that with in a short period of (2 months) they make a move to shore up this defense. Because I truly believe this will be our down fall this year. Defense affects so much with regards to our pitching. Thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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I am with you and feel in my bones changes

Soriano is a LF'er, Pie is the CF'er, but when? May 1st to May 15th.

Murton then has no place to play but platoon with Jones...forget Floyd he will get AB's at 1B.

So who to get in RF for jones and Murton do not make it.

Then 2B, Theriot both in the order and on the field is better than DeRosa.

Best Harry moment: 'Hey there's Marla without her shorts on!'

by Ivy Walls on Mar 31, 2007 7:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good pitching

would have taken care of the defense.

Floyd will not play 1B unless D-Lee is injured.

Lou will go with Soriano in CF until it is apparent he can't play the position. Too early to tell yet. Arizona is not a good litmus test for that. Murton is too valuable to let go at this price and his defense has improved. He's the perfect #2 hitter. Jones is good in RF as long as DeRosa and/or Theriot is out there against LHP. If Pie tears up AAA we might just see him at midseason, but Soriano would move to RF, not LF, unless Murton absolutely stinks it up.

My main concern is the pitching. Z and Hill are K pitchers, but I'm worried about the others. Luckily we have Guzman and Marshall waiting if they stumble. This is a .500 team when healthy. 84-88 wins if the pitching exceeds expectations, even without wood and prior. If Dempster is in 2005 form, we might just get lucky.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 31, 2007 8:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I disagree with the 4 for Aramis

He's shown some really good flashes of the leather in ST and with D. Lee as the Anchor over at 1st, Aramis is at best a 3 or a 2.5.

The only thing worse then the White Sox, is White Sox Fans. Thank God im a CUBS FAN!

by Galvan316 on Mar 31, 2007 7:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Aramis has improved greatly in the field. not so much in range but quickness, awareness, and sure-handedness. with all those nesses, we could call him eliot.

by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 31, 2007 8:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry it is wishful thinking

Ramirez is a bad 3rd baseman. He had the worst range of any starting 3rd baseman in the NL last year. Also in a strange statistic, he was involved in the fewest DP's for a starting 3rd baseman (tied with Encarnacion who had 400 fewer innings). That's probably because he doesn't like making the throw to 2nd base.

On the positive side, Ramirez's fielding percentage was one of the best. I'd say that's more due to the fact that he only makes the easy throws due to his poor range.

by rlpete on Apr 1, 2007 11:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

David Pinto's PMR...

...puts A-Ram at just a shade below average. His BIS Zone Rating is higher than Miggy's, David Wright's or Chipper Jones's.

He's not Scott Rolen, but that also means that he's not older than Cap Ansen.

by cwyers on Apr 1, 2007 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm reading this wrong

but looks like Ramirez is below Cabrera and Wright but ahead of Chipper. In any case, he's still in the lower half of starting NL 3rd baseman.

by rlpete on Apr 1, 2007 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're...

...underestimating Murton's defense, and if his shoulder is healthy, Jones too. Soriano was one of the top five left fielders last year, according to John Dewan's work in the Fielding Bible. With time, I don't think it's a stretch to say that Soriano could become a much better defender in center than folks are giving him credit for. I'm presuming that your defensive rankings are more "gut feelings," so I wouldn't presume to argue this too deeply. I just think that the team's defense is a bit better than you're suggesting.

Does that mean that things won't change? Nope. Does that mean our defense is top-notch? Nope. But I think it will shake out better than the worst-case scenario. It could well be a rocky start, though.

by cwyers on Mar 31, 2007 9:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks'

for the memories. LOL.

"Billy was put here for....to teach us to treat each other better"

by wild bill on Apr 1, 2007 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Might be so

with what you say about Murton. I am not saying that Murton will not become a decent, but not an outstanding LF. He strikes me as a smart ballplayer. I think he will learn to take his abilities as far as they will allow, both on the field and at the plate. Is he improving, yes. I certainly hope as a Cub fan the sooner the better.

"Billy was put here for....to teach us to treat each other better"

by wild bill on Apr 1, 2007 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Defense...

The Cubs aren't going to make or miss the playoffs because of defense.

Their infield defense is above average and while the outfield defense is atrocious, it's less of a factor than the infield defense.

We don't need any more all defense no-hit guys on this team like we have with Izturis now and numerous guys under Baker.

If you're worried about the defense...add some more offense.

by Maddog on Mar 31, 2007 11:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pitching and defense....

Pitching and defense win championships. Damnit, we could be screwed again.....but then again we do have Lou, and maybe the old codger can somehow make this work.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Apr 1, 2007 7:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Precisely

My point. The goal here is to win a championship. Whether I underestimated this defense or not, I think it is not the kind of defense that championships are made of. Yes hitting can overcome shortcomings on a team. But good pitching will always beat good hitting. Any team you come up against in the playoffs/series will have good pitching and I'll bet good defense.

"Billy was put here for....to teach us to treat each other better"

by wild bill on Apr 1, 2007 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Precisely

Yep, I knew that was your point, and I agree 100%. Lou just might be God, if he can make this work.

By the way, if I didn't say it at the time, I liked your "gut-feelings" stuff.

Hey Lou, we're long overdue.

by deadcatbounce on Apr 1, 2007 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

One of

the very few. Thank you. Sad truth is that it seems that feeling is more often wrong than right. I could have expressed in the diary better, but let us just say it was late. Take Izturis for an example. Nothing other than one good year he had shows that he is worth that much. Against all stats and history of this player, for whatever reason I think he will susprise some if not most. Of course As this season goes along, I will (along with,oh maybe 8 others) know how correct or wrong I will be. Of course you have stronger thoughts on one player over another. Lee comes to mind. I don't have a clue which way he is going to go. I certainly hope history dictates his season. Call it a hunch or whatever.

"Billy was put here for....to teach us to treat each other better"

by wild bill on Apr 1, 2007 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pagan will be back

And be defensive sub for Murton and/or Floyd after first reg. position player goes down....

Also good PR which they need.

Am taking wait/see on Soriano defense and CF. They'd obviously have to move Murton, or Jones, if Fonzie has to move, and that'd be a pretty big trade....Was a little surprised Soriano didn't play any corner OF during ST.

It is scary going into season with unproven-defense in CF, can't think of too many champ. teams w/o a proven guy out there, can you?

by writerinwrigley on Apr 1, 2007 8:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs