Time to dismantle this Playoff bomb of a roster.

by lemon20pie on Oct 3, 2008 8:46 AM CDT Comment 17 comments

As I've said a million times and have gotten heat for it, this team just simply isn't good enough to not only not win a World Series, but win a Playoff series. What a bunch of crybabies who can't handle the spotlight of the playoffs. Cowards and frauds, is this team. Let's run down the lineup shall we?

Zambrano - YOu sir, are not an ace, as I"ve said many times. Too volatile and when faced with adversity, instead of calming down and ptiching, you just throw a hissy fit and overthrow the ball and try throwing it as hard as you can, because you're a crybaby. You're another crybaby who can't handle the heat. FIt right in with this team.

Soriano - You feed off of the weak during the regular season but when it comes to the playoffs and facing pitchers who can locate their off-speed pitches (down and away), you're hopeless.

Theriot - Thanks for the Career year but you are not acceptable at SS.

Lee - You haven't been the same since you broke your wrist against, ironically, the Dodgers. Your best years are well behind you and I'd be ok with you on this team at 1B, as long as you're not hitting 3rd. More like 6th. You're another one who has yet to show up in the Playoffs as a Cub.You're over the hill, dude.

Ramirez - You're the best player on this team and I have no problem with you, accept, you're not a clean up hitter. On a good team and by good team I mean a team that is capable of winning the World Series, you'd be a perfect # 5 hitter.

Soto - The verdict is still out on you as well. YOur perfect for this team I guess, as you haven't shown up in the playoffs as of yet either and have shown how the pressure of the playoffs is getting to you as your all of a sudden having a hard time throwing the ball back to the pitcher, without bouncing it in the dirt or throwing it at their heels.

Derosa - Next to Ramirez, the most valuable player on this team.

Edmonds - um, yeah. I thought you were a good pickup and have proven me right, but you're a platoon player.

Johnson - My personal favorite on this team and as I said before the playoffs, you should've started in RF over Pukie.

Pukie-Pukie-PUKIEDOME!!! - YOu are the worst ML baseball player I have ever seen. YOu are terrible and as I said, you should'nt have even made the playoff roster. I wanted Hoffpauir over you , because you are so ungodly terrible, it's sickening. Please show some dignity and go back to Japan, for good.

Dempster - thanks for the career year.

I'm getting sick. I can't go on.

This team is a fraud.

Wait 'til next year.

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 agree that this team needs

additions and subtractions in the offseason. That said, I am going to refrain from having off season discussions until the season is over.

I’m no pollyanna, but while you are entitled to vent and chase your tail, I am going to hang in until the final out with the 2008 team.

We have months of winter to contemplate spring training 2009.

Disposable dixie cup drinkin... I'm hiding out in the big city blinking...

by N Oakley on Oct 3, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Good lord

This is the type of acerbic polemic which suggests you are no better than the “corporate” fans on Wednesday night. Last night was the worst game of the year from a good baseball team, which is clearly pressing. However, it is not unreasonable to expect such play when the players KNOW the fans are just waiting to screw up. This is no defense to the play of late – it’s not enough to win your division if you can’t continue in the playoffs. However, to suggest Zambrano is somehow at fault for last night’s loss is ridiculous, to suggest Soto has not earned at least a modicum of trust is mind-boggling, and to castigate Ramirez as something less than a great #4 hitter is spoken out of frustration.

Grow up, calm down, and wait until the series is over to blow up a team that won 97 games

by BigJimSlade on Oct 3, 2008 8:54 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Ummmm

You’re aware that this team has lost 8 straight playoff games?? How is that acerbic polemic? This team can’t win a single playoff game, let alone a playoff series.

That’s a fact, jack.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Oct 3, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

8 games over 6 years?

Who is even left from the 2003 squad? Woody, Z and AmRam? Talk about apples and oranges.

by J.Bo on Oct 3, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My bad...

…here’s who’s been on the team over the last 5 playoff losses. Keep in mind that over the last 5 playoff losses, this team has yet to even be remotely competitive:

Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Ramirez
Soto
Zambrano

YOu get my point. This team has no team leader. Edmonds tried to take that throne as he apparently recognized that fact and spoke to the team after they clinched the playoffs and got heat for it as well.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Oct 3, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually it's 9 straight losses in the playoffs isn't it.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Oct 3, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, it's still 8

Although it may well be 9 on Saturday.

by J.Bo on Oct 3, 2008 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Come now

This is ridiculous. As to the other points made, where is the money coming from? The Cubs have committed so much to so many guys. They aren’t going to get CC Sabathia. (Who by the way “choked” yesterday, according to your standards)

by J.Bo on Oct 3, 2008 8:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fukudome

Jesus, go easy on him. He’s an MLB rookie, he’s not used to playing this many games or traveling this many miles, etc. etc. Which has showed. Put the blame on Lou for starting him last night and sticking with him. Dome is struggling, and he’s out of gas for this year, that’s all. Gotta see what he does next year before making any real judgment.

by bms on Oct 3, 2008 8:56 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

let's see, in your words now:

“Too volatile and when faced with adversity, instead of calming down and ptiching, you just throw a hissy fit and overthrow the ball and try throwing it as hard as you can, because you’re a crybaby. You’re another crybaby who can’t handle the heat. FIt right in with this team.” Is this a self-description?

"Without spikes, psychologically it plays havoc with the other team, when they realize I don't even wear a uniform--they don't know what to expect." Bill Murray

by billmurrayforowner on Oct 3, 2008 9:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No...

….You can call me a fed up Cub fan who is sick and tired of watching a bunch of overpaid baseball players, choke in the playoffs.

Over time, your quickness with a cocky rejoinder must have gotten you many punches in the face - Al Swearengen

by lemon20pie on Oct 3, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree and Disagree

I was amongst the ledge jumpers last nite, but I have faith in Harden and Lilly, so theres a glimmer of hope. But at this point they are a playoff team that hasnt advanced the past 2 season, so maybe some drastic changes need to be made.

But with these contracts none of these guys are going anywhere, especially not Soriano. He has had some good performances in the playoffs, notably the 2001 ALCS, ironically against Lou, he batted .400 and the 2003 ALDS against Minnesota he hit .368

They need a real left handed hitting threat…of our current lineup, I would jettison Lee, his best days are gone and he doesnt even run anymore, which separated him from other power hitters in his Marlin days.

Zambrano was good yesterday, what did he have 3 ER in over 6 innings, thats a quality start. I agree hes not an ace, but hes at least a 2.

Youre absolutely right about Theriot and somewhat less so about Dempster. Theyre both having career years, which is a necessary component to win a world series ironically. I think Dempster can be a successful starter year in year out, i doubt he’ll have a sub 3 ERA again, but hes certainly an above avg starter.

Theriot would be great as our secondbaseman with Furcal at short and DeRosa in right….Im at a loss with Fukudome, the drop off from the first to second half is amazing, even with the larger travel, different pitchers, he’e been a complete shadow of himself from april-july…..I dont think he’s gonna live up to that 48M

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.

by bren on Oct 3, 2008 9:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The playoff losses are frustrating

But for goodness sakes, this is the first Cub team to make the playoffs in consecutive years in a century. Basing your analysis upon 8 playoff games is simply ridiculous. If Harden comes through and if the 9th last night was an indicator the Cubs bats have woken up, I would imagine the attitude towards the roster as presently constituted will improve.

by BigJimSlade on Oct 3, 2008 9:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Zambrano not an ace?

You sir, are a nincompoop.

The man stepped up yesterday and kept his composure while team crumbled behind him.
Our dear defense gave the Dodgers 4 extra outs in the 2nd.
Theriot deflects what could have been a double play ball, men at 1st and third with no outs.
OK, we need a K and a double play to get out of the inning unscathed.
Z K’s Kemp and gets DeWitt to ground out to DeRosa, VINTAGE DP. E1, one run in.
Z stays calm, again we need a DP ball. Z gets the goddamn DP ball. AGAIN. E2.
The man then K’s the pitcher and Furcal gets a flukey bunt hit.
DO you see how ridiculous this inning has been and how well Z has pitched throughout it?
Martin up, double to left-center. Excuse the man for not being perfect.
Z is an ace and he proved it last night.

P.S. Johnson sucks BALLS, you must be joking (or smoking crack)

...

by Chitown Mojo on Oct 3, 2008 9:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, oddly enough, I feel bad for Z today

Last night’s game is one of those things that may get pinned on him by the casual fan but was manifestly Not His Fault.

by SuperContext on Oct 3, 2008 10:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Funny, isn't it?

Many of us were so worried that it would be Z’s temperment that would keep the team from winning. As it turns out, he was just as together in this year’s postseason as he was in last year’s. It was the infield’s temperment, in so many words, that let the team down.

The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 3, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree with most everything you said except for Z

Z has shown up in the playoffs unlike everyone else. He pitched well yesterday, he gave us what we wanted him to give us. And last year Z pitched well in the playoffs as well….He is the ace of this staff and has shown up in the past which is why he should have started game 1

by cubsmania on Oct 3, 2008 12:33 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs