2009 Cubs
by jerry morales rules on Oct 2, 2008 10:41 PM CDT
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PrintObviously, big changes need to be made to this team. Please don't tell me about the 2008 in-season stats. They were great, but so what? These guys are choke artists.
The 2009 Cubs will need at least a new leadoff hitter and a number 3 hitter, perhaps even cleanup. I'm not sure if that means that Lee needs to be traded or not. Soriano can move down to #5 or 6 where he is more suited to be. Hopefully Fukudome can improve on his first season in the majors as many Japanese players have. Oh yeah, a CF might be nice too. My guess is that Pie will get first shot, but the Cubs have to know what they are getting into there.
I'm still pretty happy with the pitching staff and would re-sign Dempster (4 years $48M). Zambrano is and will be the #1 of the staff. Picking up Harden's option is a no-brainer. Get a lefty reliever. Shark, Wood, and Marmol can and should stay in thier slots at least to start the season.
This is a sick (and I don't mean that in a good way) team. The head of the sickness has to be cut off and that's with Soriano and Lee, and possibly Ramirez and Theriot too. He can't play major league quality SS defense and let's not kid ourselves. Luckily, they have trade value (with the possible exception of Soriano with his contract). It's time for Hendry to exercise that trade value.
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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dude
2 games is a RIDICULOUSLY small sample size. over the course of the year our pitching and hitting dominated. once you get the playoffs its luck of the draw. if you don’t believe me, read moneyball. even billy beane realizes that once you get to the playoffs there is nothing you can do except sit back and hope things go your way.
LOL
I really enjoyed the line " sit back and hope things go your way"
"Who ever heard of the Cubs losing a game they had to have?" -Frank Chance 1B/Manager 1908 World Champion Chicago Cubs
Look I know it sounds a bit ridiculous,
but a best of 5 game series is too small of a sample size to conclude that you have to BLOW UP the team. We lead the NL in runs and were second in runs allowed. This is a great team. When you get to the playoffs though, anything can happen and you have to accept it.
by WUSTLCubsFan on Oct 2, 2008 11:01 PM CDT up reply actions
except
But the sample size is now 5 for our core players. Lee, Sori, and Ramirez were all here last year and all choked equally hard. Yes, 5 is still a small number, but we are looking at the post-season which is only a fraction of the regular season.
I think a lot of people are willing to write off getting swept in 07 and chalk it up to experience, but it’s happening again—and this year there shouldn’t be any excuses. What makes you think anything would be a different a year from now? Another fantastic regular season and another crash and burn in 3 games in October.
Yes..
… 3 games in October. Once again, a very small sample size. Given that Soriano, Lee and Ramirez are very good major league players, I think there is a good chance that they could string together some solid performances in the playoffs
by WUSTLCubsFan on Oct 2, 2008 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions
when?
do we keep waiting season after season while our talented pitching staff rots?
i’m sure i’m over-simplifying in a state of emotional distress, but i keep coming back to the old saying, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”.
this is twice.
look they could start hitting tomorrow...
…the fact is that no matter what team you assemble and take into the playoffs, there is always going to be a chance that the team doesn’t perform because there are so few games. I’m happy with the cubs lineup because I think they are talented and disciplined, and trust me, I’ve been pissed that they haven’t been performing up to their standard. But even if you revamped the lineup, how do you know that those new guys wouldn’t choke, either? I mean, there aren’t many other lineups I would rather have that the one we currently put out onto the field…
by WUSTLCubsFan on Oct 2, 2008 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
The proof is in the pudding.
They had their chances and failed, so far.
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 3, 2008 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions
no i didn't write it off as to experience,
I wrote it off saying the Cubs weren’t a better team, and guess what, they weren’t. The Diamondbacks team is great. and 5 games is a ridiculously small sample size.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:54 AM CDT up reply actions
complete and utter horseshit
a ‘great team’ is a team that wins in the postseason. Sweeping the pirates in June doesn’t count for shit. Most runs in the NL? That gives us a free run or two in the postseason, right? No? Then it’s fucking irrelevant.
Win or go home. Nobody remembers great regular season teams that couldn’t man up in october. This is NOT a great team.
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions
well, yes and no
This Cubs team is a great team. No doubt about it. The key to this Cub team all year is depth. However, it seems, depth doesn’t get you post-season wins because you stick to the same people. Our 25 is better than any other 25 in baseball. Our 9, is a different story. Winning a lot of post season games has to mean utilizing all 25. No team sends out the same 9 people every game.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:42 AM CDT up reply actions
clearly we disagree on the criteria for judging greatness
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions
well technically,
a team is 25 people. Games are played with 9 people, unless you’re an AL team.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Wood, really?
I’d bring Wood back, but the other three pieces of shit, yea git rid of their fuckin worthless asses!!
"I wish I had a dollar for every time I spent a dollar, because then I'd have all my money back."
-Jack Handey
by deepthoughtsbyjackhandey on Oct 2, 2008 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
if these guys can’t help us win it all, what’s the point? isn’t that the goal? Goodbye Lee, Ramirez, Theriot. Soriano we’re stuck with.
Can this wait until Saturday at least?
The season is not over. Until we have no more games to play this season is not over.
Yes changes will be made but we are not done yet.
Perhaps everyone should take tomorrow off from thinking of The Cubs and just relax and have a fun time out.
And if you’re still upset just blame this year on the Mets. Had they gotten the wild card I have no doubt we would be up 2-0 on them.
+1
There’s blame to give, but now’s not the time for it. And for what it’s worth, I’m not reading anyone giving the blame where it belongs to begin with. It’s best of 5, not best of 3. We’re in it until we’re not.
The author of this post is not a certified scout, doctor, agent, statistician, manager, or journalist, nor was he ever a very good player, though he tried very hard to be like Ryne Sandberg and was about as scrappy as it gets (in T-ball). Any opinion expressed above should in no way be confused with fact, truth, or reality and is hereby qualified in the following ways: 1) The author does not know as much about baseball as Lou Piniella. 2) The author does not know as much about baseball as Jim Hendry. 3) The author does not know as much about baseball as either Dusty or Darren Baker.
I refuse
I refuse to give up on this team until they are eliminated.
I’ve spent too much, too much $$$$, too much of my life to not. I know I wasn’t alone in the 9th inning tonight thinking “could they do the impossible”.
This season has been special. Hell we have a theatrical documentary taping them. What better way to make history then coming back 2-0?
I’ll be negative only when we’re out of it.
Oh don't get me wrong...
I believe it is still possible, and would LOVE nothing more.
But I am also entitled to be a bit pissed by what I have seen thus far. This is getting old.
Teixeira in 2009.
No one is taking on those contracts......ever
So get used to it….this is the team….the middle infield is the only area that has any flexibilty
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
Someone will take Lee.
There’s not a whole lot of cash left on that deal.
Unfortunately, it will take some serious maneuvering to get Teixiera and trade Lee – we may have both players on the roster for a bit.
Soriano isn’t going anywhere, and that’s fine. He is who he is, and he’s a terrible postseason player, as established by his Yankee years.
Pie will be the CF. There’s a chance that Reed Johnson will be the RF – sadly, Fukudome will be a pricey 25th man for the time being – no one will touch that deal. What a waste of a roster spot and resources. Or DeRosa could be the everyday RF, with Fontenot the everyday 2B.
Aramis is going nowhere, and Theriot is probably your SS.
Lee must go. He is fading so fast you can practically see him deteriorate through the television.
Soto is the fixture behind the plate for the next 10 years.
Z is staying. Harden must be extended. Sadly, Dempster will probably price himself off the Cubs, and Marshall will get his spot. Lilly and Marquis will fill out the rotation.
We need to know who is the right-handed middle relief. Howry is probably retiring, and won’t be offered a deal. Wuertz/Hart/Shark/Guzman/Gaudin etc. will try for the other relief roles, and hopefully someone will step up. In the meantime, don’t spend a lot of cash here, Hendry.
They’ll probably need to sign a LHP reliever, as Cotts has been shaky.
Marmol and Wood will return – I assume that Wood needs a raise to do so, but he’ll give a discount.
Ultimately, an upgrade at 1B is job 1 – moving Fukudome and his salary is job 2, but I am afraid that is impossible. Extending Harden is job 3.
It’s an important offseason, in any case.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Remember a guy named Rich Hill?
I’m not done with him
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:42 AM CDT up reply actions
yeah, I remember him...
maybe he could walk 8 people in a LDS series.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree about dumping Lee though.
Do it now while he still has some value
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions
We'll probably need another consistent power hitter in the OF.
Let Pie and Johnson platoon in CF and get a good hitting RF. The new owner is going to have to eat Fukudome’s contract. But the order of prioroties you expressed is correct, sir.
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 3, 2008 12:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Webster' just changed
their definition of choke to 2008 Cubs. Is there any better definition of the term?
Formerly NO100
by jerry morales rules on Oct 2, 2008 11:21 PM CDT reply actions
yes.
The 2007 Mets and the 2008 Angels.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions
until the angels lose 2 at home, we're showing them how to choke
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
listen, I'm going to say this
honestly. But I think the Cubs have a chance. Not a GREAT chance. I like having Harden going in game 3. we win game 3, and then we have Lilly who has been lights out recently going against Derek Lowe on short rest. Game 5 is a crapshoot. We send it back to Wrigley, and who knows what can happen.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:48 AM CDT up reply actions
We have a chance every game
And that’s why we can’t give up. We’ve had odds against this team before. This is the same team who beat Sabathia. This is the same team who came back from a 9-0 deficit. I truly feel better about this game 3 than I did about last years.
Well....
1. Jettison Derrek Lee
2. Get a shitload of new middle relievers
3. Try to sucker someone into taking Alfonso Soriano off of our hands
4. Don’t get into bidding war to retain Ryan Dempster because objective analysis would tell ya he had career year and had a bit of luck on his side in 2008
5. Try to sucker someone into taking Jason Marquis off of our hands
Oh please let this dubious bullpen be good enough in the playoffs...
I'll bite...
6. Sign Mark Teixeira to replace Lee.
7. Sign Edger Renteria for SS
8. Start drafting players that can be useful at some point in their lifetime (see Braun, Utley, Howard, Longoria, etc. not Vitters, Kieschnick, etc.)
9. Never stop trying to improve during the season
10. Don’t coast into the playoffs – no more resting players, we see that did not help.
Teixeira in 2009.
If I had to take a SS...
…I’d look into picking up Furcal. Never liked Renteria and think he’s ridiculously overrated, but that’s just me…
Otherwise I agree with the other nine points. Nice job.
Forgot
about Furcal but part of my doesn’t want him any more….Renteria has always thrived in the NL though not sure about his range anymore though…
Teixeira in 2009.
To each his own
I respect that perspective, definitely. Either way, we need a new shortstop, there’s no way around that. We also need to fix first base and I totally agree on picking up Teixeira. Young, switch-hitter, good defense, great bat. Better than what we have now…
Also forgot
11. Remind TV networks that 8:30 pm game start times suck, especially when the team you are playing is on west coast time. (When do you ever start a game that late? Nice way to treat the best record in the NL. Ridiculous.)
Teixeira in 2009.
Another idea...
12. See if we can make a deal for Matt Holliday for RF (or could look to sign Bobby Abreu) with Fukudome moving to CF.
Teixeira in 2009.
That will never happen.
RF is going to be DeRosa or Reed, with a very expensive backup glued to the bench.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
No Renteria
Not a fan of someone who intentionally elbows our 2B in the nose because the pitcher accidentally hit him.
Are you saying
you wouldn’t want someone that competitive right now? There is no fire out there aside from Z.
Teixeira in 2009.
That's not what I'm saying
I think Renteria is a dirty player. There’s a reason he goes from team to team.
Remember in 2007, he tried to break Fontenot’s nose and I don’t think he would fit with the current team.
And do what with Lee?
Live in the real world, please.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 3, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Lee can be traded.
He’s not worthless yet, and his contract only has 2 years left, correct?
Hendry can get that job done. The Yankees would probably want him – he’s relatively cheap. Heck, the Angels may want him after we sign Teix away from them.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
No market?
a .290 hitter with 20 HR power? Yankees have a 1B hole. Who ever is going after Teixeira and misses will be interested.
Lee is not the leader that people make him out to be. He is a great guy, but it is not working out man. We need to cut our losses before he is completely worthless.
Teixeira in 2009.
agreed
He had his chance to lead. Twice. The team went belly-up. Can’t argue with (lack of) results.
------ TheRiot Squad ------
by RightFieldSucks on Oct 3, 2008 12:46 AM CDT up reply actions
What about anothe
cross town trade? I believe that Thome is done after this year opening up a hole at DH or first base and if I am not mistaken Guillen is a huge fan of Lee. He has gone on record saying he is the best hitter in our great city. I don’t know what we would get back, but they might have a need.
well number 10 I disagree with...
you can’t determine that because we rested players they performed that way… last season we didn’t rest anyone and look what happened… you can’t make decisions post-haste
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
2008 Cubs were a good REGULAR season team
This core of players have shown that they can be good over the course of a season but just dont have what it takes to get it done in the playoffs so far. Guys like soriano, Lee, Ramirez, and Soto can get it done over a period of time during the season but just cant deliver in the playoffs. big changes need to be made
I wanted to blame Lou
For game 1 I wanted to blame Lou but tonight I can’t. I can’t fault a manager for a team not hitting.
While I don’t think lineups should be changed for a post season I’d do something radical Saturday.
You can blame Lou for some tactical decisions, but you certainly can't blame him for the performances we have seen on the field
Oh please let this dubious bullpen be good enough in the playoffs...
Agreed
You can’t blame a manager for errors. It’s not like you could take out Derrek Lee or ARam because they had an error.
I can blame Lou for his lineup in game 1 though. Fukudome should not have hit 2nd. I don’t know if that would have changed the game at all because we’ll never know.
But whatever, I’m not going to vent yet either. We’re not eliminated and we’re still playing at least one more game of baseball and I for one am happy to say I got to see Cubs in 2 post seasons in a row.
I wouldn't get rid of
Aramis Ramirez and honestly, who would take Alfonso with that contract. Ideally I would try to upgrade at left field, first base and shortstop. Soriano is awful against any quality big league pitcher, the types you expect to face in the playoffs. Lee is clearly well into his decline and has been just terrible if you look at his numbers from May through now. Lee slugged all of .390 in the second half. Thats poor for a shortstop, let alone a first baseman. He has been a liability and honestly, until now I did not know just how bad he has been over the last few months. .390!!!!!!!!!! Thats bullshit. On to Theriot. You can get by with a singles hitting shortstop if he has a sick glove and cannon arm, both of which Theriot does not. He probably has the weakest arm of all major league shortstops. The Cubs obviously need a new centerfielder as well, perhaps a new right fielder. I would go ahead and slot Fontenot in as the starting second baseman next year and give DeRosa the bulk of the at bats in Right Field, with Fukudome spot starting in right and center here and there. 10 million for a bench player is a lot, but Fukudome can’t start for a team with World Series aspirations.
Soriano and Fukudome are going nowhere.
Hendry has to pull the Hundley deal all over again this offseason, and move Lee while picking up none of his salary. Basically, Teix will cost Lee + Dempster’s salaries.
Man, Fukudome is a giant miss. Think of what they could do with that cash. They could have Teix AND sign Dempster.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
+1
Take a look at who is home grown in TB, Philly, Anaheim, and Boston.
Where is our Youkilis, Ellsbury, Pedroia, Lowrie, Masterson, Papelbon, etc?
Teixeira in 2009.
Soto & Marmol
Youkilis was an Oakland Moneyball prospect.
Pie could still be Ellsbury, easily.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Oct 3, 2008 1:09 AM CDT up reply actions
why don't you reread your book
Youkilis is a home grown boston prospect.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Well there you have it.
My mistake.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Oct 3, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions
We are playing fantasy baseball again...
You just can’t unload players with huge contracts. There will be tinkering, but you’ll see much of the same cast. Better middle relief is needed. The Astros just unloaded Doug Brocail — a decent guy, who can come cheap.
We need to decide who’s @ 2B. Shortstop could/should be upgraded. And, is it Pie in CF? I think the learning curve for Fukudome was huge. This guy was distracted all year. The huge media contingent from Japan with him every day — that has to end. The guy had to be mentally drained, and couldn’t focus by midseason. I think he’ll rebound.
Lee may never be the same after his wrist injury — I think we now know that. But, you can’t move the guy. You just can’t.
Is Dempster good enough to re-sign? Only at the right price. Sabathia — no way. Too expensive, and the Brewers might have blown him out in their futile attempt.
Wood? Yeah, I’d bring him back. Jeff Spellcheck — is he a starter? He’s projected to be one.
Remember, in the playoffs, with the short format — you’ll see a team’s ace — twice. starting. The worst possible case developed. Enter, Derek Lowe, who’s beat the Cubs at least 8 times in a row. With Furcal back, and Manny around — I thought about this Monday, but didn’t want to express it — this was the worst possible match up for the Cubs. After a demoralizing loss Monday, it was too much to expect a rebound.
We needed the Mets to win the WC. Even they lose, we get screwed. Coasting that last week was wrong.
Don’t expect too many changes. There’s not a lot of wiggle room for Hendry.
MBNIU, you are unbelieveable. For a guy who knows it all, you must realize that ‘sucker somebody to take Soriano’ isn’t gonna happen. Perhaps you were being sarcastic.
You can’t wheel and deal with those contracts.
Farm system? Marmol, Wood, Soto, Theriot, Spellcheck, Cedeno…not to mention the other short relief staff that came back and forth from Iowa….some prospects can start — others should be dealt — H-paur, for example.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 3, 2008 12:13 AM CDT reply actions
Why do you think Lee can't be moved?
He’s making $13 or so million for the next 2 years. That can be moved, and rather easily.
I agree that no one would ever take the Soriano deal. But Lee isn’t such an egregious contract.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
+2
We did need the Mets. I have been fearing Lowe and the Dodgers for a few weeks now.
We did coast into the playoffs – cannot happen ever again!
We are stuck with Soriano and Fukudome, but stranger things have happened. Plus I actually have some faith that Fukudome will adjust his game for next year.
Teixeira in 2009.
Fukudome could get better.
Hideki Matsui was lousy at the end of his rookie year, too.
But not this lousy. And his swing wasn’t so…. weird.
Tony Gwynn was pretty brutal about Fukudome’s twirling and goofiness, and how that doesn’t fly in MLB. I’m just surprised that our scouts whiffed so badly on him
Regardless, he’s your opening day RF.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
Are those scouts still on the payroll?
More people the new owner has to get rid of. We need people who know how to build a good farm system.
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 3, 2008 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Fantasy baseball on SPEED
Right we dump Sori, Lee, Fukudome and eat about 25 million then try to go out on FA market and replace them ? I may be missing something but THEY ALL HAVE NO TRADE CLAUSES so not like you can pay Baltimore to take them. Sorry but almost everyone is too blame for the two post season losses. Almost no hitting , errors and walks. What makes so many people think Texiera is a magic pill who will single handedly win post season games ? The needs are the same they were DURING the season. Middle relief, SS and CF. You
can’t do EVERYTHING so how about the weakest areas during the season. I am not sure we can upgrade both SS and CF and middle relief is probably the # 1 priority. Stop smoking stuff and assuming you can dump high priced players that are not performing up to your
expectations.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Oct 4, 2008 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
all of a sudden
my talking about next year in http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/9/26/622609/off-season-trades a couple days of go become an issue… all that talk about “it’s too soon” blah blah blah… it’s never too soon to talk about next year.
If we can get talent for D-Lee, Soriano, Theriot and Fukudome… I’m all for it. But trading down so to speak, is not the key: Lee, Theriot and Soriano’s stock are all high after this year. There is a weak free agent class next year, so any upgrade with the exception of texiera will have to be done via trade.
Let Dempster walk, his year this year is a hiccup statistically… The Red Sox had no problem letting Lowe go after 2004. Or letting Manny go this year. Or Bellhorn, Mueller, Damon, or even Mr. Clubhouse chemistry Kevin Millar.
Let Dempster walk, resign Wood, but not right away,
Shop Lee, Theriot, and Soriano… it doesn’t hurt to shop them. Only trade them if it makes sense.
A starting rotation of Zambrano, Harden, Lilly, Marquis and Marshall is kind of nice. Halfway through the season, see where you are, and possibly pick up a pitcher.
Remember half-way through this season we managed on Zambrano, Lilly, Marquis, Dempster and Gallagher.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:24 AM CDT reply actions
No one will give anything for Fukudome.
No one will take Soriano’s contract. Keep him and ride it out. He has his moments.
Fukudome actually has negative value – you’d have to send him, AND the money for his salary, and probably a prospect just to get a deal done.
Lee can be moved, and must be moved. Don’t worry about getting talent back for him – the prize is Teixiera. Just get his salary moved, and be happy.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by the way
just so you know, even if the Cubs won the first two games, I still enjoy engaging in these conversations… because the idea of bettering your team is to buy low and sell high… yet still upgrading.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:30 AM CDT reply actions
Something I'd like to see done
is getting a starting pitcher who does not walk a lot of people.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 12:39 AM CDT reply actions
Dempster a one year wonder!
Don’t resign him for huge money.
The ownership
Remember the Cubs will enter the offseason without their new owner. This could be a problem for major move.
Here's the thing about DLee
I don’t think our infield can handle anyone other than a gold glover playing first. Theriot and Ramirez throw horribly many times and Derrek picks it from the ground. You can hear it said on TV.
Look back at 2006 when he was injured. Cedeno had so many errors. While a bunch were brain farts a lot were because he was throwing John Mabry and Henry Blanco.
If we’re trading Derrek I’m not just looking for someone who can hit but someone who can play defense. The only person I can see being moved is Carlos Delgado (which is why I think the Mets took his option). And Delgado has been the most clutch 1B all year.
Excellent point.
We’re probably better off keeping the infield we have now. Concentrate on the outfield.
by Fraggin Judge on Oct 3, 2008 1:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Here's the thing
I don’t know what I’d change on the team. I mean they won 97 games. It just seems like bats got cold again. What can possibly be changed to guarantee a post season ticket and wins?
97 games
this team was very good at beating bad pitchers, and running up pitchcounts on good ones to get to mediocre bullpens. They were all “good” this year, but no cub was truly great. Winning in the playoffs will require the addition of “great” hitters- guys who can be counted on in big spots.
Beating up Pittsburgh can get you to the playoffs… But when all of the teams are high quality, you need great players like Ramirez in the heart of your order, not “somewhat above average” players like Lee. We all heard Gwynn and Darling stating the obvious about Lee in game 2 – he may be the cub you MOST want to face with men in scoring position. For a team leader allegedly in his prime, making 8 figures for a huge payroll team, that is just awful.
Of course, Hendry already knows this.
MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown
by D98 on Oct 4, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I get a kick out of this...
…and Steve Stone said the samething on the radio the other day. He said Soriano is famous for beating up on other teams 4th and 5th starters and middle relief guys. No shit Stoney, the top end starters are that for one important reason, they get guys out most of the time.
The problem with Soriano is he is probably the most streaky hitter in MLB, that puts up the kind of numbers he does. When he is on, he hits everybody and when he isn’t, he couldn’t hit a high school pitcher. When you rely on that in a short series to get you going, you run the risk of him going cold for several games. This is why I believe this will be his last year leading off with the Cubs.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
oh yeah, delgado hitting
.248 for the first half of the season is real clutch.
by scarymonsters85 on Oct 3, 2008 1:57 AM CDT up reply actions
slide Fukudome over to CF
and look into adding a legit RF. Fuku’s bat and defense play better in CF and the market this offseason looks stronger in terms of available RFs. I dont know if guys like Abreu Burrell and co. are the answer but i think thats the easiest way to address Fukudomes issues and lack of a big time power hitter
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- Marlins agree to unretire No. 5 for Logan Morrison, who will honor his father’s favorite player
- Weatherman Derek Holland does Dallas TV
- Ask Alex: Will Julio Teheran or Matt Moore win rookie of the year?
- Ku Klux Klan, umpires and bowling: Why the minor leagues tossed out Jim Evans academy
- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
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