Kenney expects payroll to "bump" up for 09

Kenny Williams is now running the Cubs?!

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 12:57 PM CDT 0 recs

That's Kenny Lofton.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 1:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Actually, the name is still misspelled.

Per Jim Belushi, it should be “Kennedy.”

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

Those first two scare me..

B/C of their age, and I think Abreu would be subject to the same sort of criticism as Fukudome, in that people might perceive them as power hitters, which neither are.

I love this quote though:
‘’The boom-and-bust cycle’s over,‘’ Cubs CEO Crane Kenney said, even before the Los Angeles Dodgers finished sweeping the Cubs out of the playoffs. ’’I mean, that whole ‘get in in ’98, drought until ’03’ — that should be over.’’

My votes would be for Dunn and either Roberts or Furcal….b/c I can just see Angelos and the O’s trying to highjack any interested team for Roberts again, despite the fact that he is now a year older.
Thats great to hear that attitude from the top, consistently competing for playoff spots is also a great sign of success.

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 7, 2008 12:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Where would Adam Dunn play?

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

This has been discussed ad nauseum

I like him b/c hes the left handed power hitter they desperately need, and his acquisition would be dependent on moving Lee, but if anyone would consider Ibanez or Aubrey Huff for one of the corner OF spots, you might as well use Dunn, the difference would be negligible.

I love how they refer to getting “an adult” at SS in that desipio article.

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 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dunn also strikes out 200 times per season

And I don’t like any of those names.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Oct 7, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

That small detail seems to be left out of his stats around here.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

A strikeout is the same as any other out

except that it can’t cause a DP or move a runner up.

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.

by DGU on Oct 7, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up 0 recs

No. There are outs and there are productive outs. A strikeout never advances

a runner. I know that the concept of productive outs is the subject of much debate, but some outs are more equal than others.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

And it sure doesn't cause a double play

n/t

by rgonzale on Oct 7, 2008 1:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Striking out ensures that you won't drive a run in. I really don't

think you want to argue the merits of striking out over making contact. Double plays are going to happen it’s the nature of the game. Given the choice between the two, I’d rather a player make contact with the ball as opposed to striking out. No positive results come froma player striking out. If you make contact, you have a chance of producing a run.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up 0 recs

Unless you are the Cubs or pretty much any other team...

And there is one out and the pitcher is up. I would prefer he strike out as opposed to hit into a double play. Guess hitting hack or not, I will take my chances with Alf at the dish and runners on base wih two outs.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 7, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's an extreme case. All things being equal, making contact

certainly gives the potential for a positive result.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

well that's the thing - all things usually aren't equal

when you’re talking about somebody who produces like Dunn, it’s a lot easier to be dismissive of the strikeouts. If you’re talking about somebody like Jack Cust, not so easy.

If you’re going to argue something, make it specific. Are you saying you wouldn’t want Dunn on the Cubs because he strikes out too much? I don’t agree with that, but it’s an arguable point. Otherwise, you’ll just get caught up in semantics and theoretics. I dunno, maybe that’s what you want…

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 7, 2008 5:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

but if you get on base at a

39 percent clip, and hit 40 home runs every year, you have to be doing something right. and when they do get on base, they are either walking or hitting extra base hits…

by scarymonsters85 on Oct 7, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

He does a lot of things right. I just don't think you can

argue the merits of stiking out over putting the ball in play. Nothing positive comes from a strikeout. A ball in play has the potential to produce a run.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 3:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

or cause 2 outs!

n/t

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 7, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Putting a ball in play requires

the other team to make a play to get you out.

How many times do plays not get made and the hitter is standing on first base?

THAT is why strikeouts are not just another out!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 7, 2008 4:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

probably as many times

as you ground into DP’s

by DartmouthCubsFan on Oct 7, 2008 7:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

The linear weights system I use to evaluate players...

…uses different values for strikeouts and outs on balls in play. (If I wanted to get absurdly technical I could break it down into ground ball outs, pop ups and air ball outs, but that sort of stuff isn’t readily available.)

Even so, he’s still a top run producer.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 7, 2008 1:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

OK, I take it back

His run production outweighs his strikeouts.
But Dunn is a marginal-at-best fielder and would need to learn Wrigley’s difficult corner outfields.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Oct 7, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

Only the Big Donkey can defeat the Goat Curse.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 7, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

I think we need a picture of that one

:)

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 7, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

A picture banned in 49 states.

But the wind blew me back via Chicago, In the middle of the night

by N Oakley on Oct 7, 2008 2:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

He did play with the Reds

and so has been in Wrigley’s outfield fairly regularly. Dunn learning the corners to the best of his ability would not take long

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 7, 2008 2:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

The advantage of Wrigley is that it's a small outfield...

…and there’s less ground for him to cover. Better to have Dunn play 81 games in Wrigley than 81 games in Chase Field or Petco.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 7, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dunn also walks 100+ times per season, which the strikeout-wary crowd doesn't seem to mention either

All hail TTO players!

Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog

by berselius on Oct 7, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Believe it or not, some folks in the Reds organization felt that

Dunn was too selective and took walks on borderline pitches that he had the potential to hit out of the park. I don’t necessarily prescribe to that theory, but it does show how the value of a walk to a pwer hitter is seen in different lights.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

Hm, well...

…any way you slice it – somehow putting him in right field (wherefore art thou, Fukudome?) or trading DLee and installing Adam at first — Dunn would be a huge defensive downgrade. His walks and slugging from the left side would be nice, though.

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

You might have to increase the size of the post-game buffet.

"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 7, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Come Sosa played there for years

and they made the playoffs…..a few times..ha

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 7, 2008 1:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

How about both Furcal and Roberts?

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #2/3 5-0 (1-0). Next up Okie State at home. Live on ESPN in primetime for the second week in a row. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin for Co-Heisman!

by nji232 on Oct 7, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up 0 recs

Now your talkin...

…but I think, highly unlikely.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

With Furcal its just a matter of throwing money at him

Roberts is the tricky one. I won’t get into trade proposals for him because who knows what they would want.

Your 2008 Missouri Tigers! #2/3 5-0 (1-0). Next up Okie State at home. Live on ESPN in primetime for the second week in a row. Chase Daniel and Jeremy Maclin for Co-Heisman!

by nji232 on Oct 7, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dunn is my first choice, with Furcal coming in at second.

Ibanez and Abreu don’t really do it for me. They are too old for long term deals. I would love to have Roberts, but the Cubs have enough second baseman on the team. DeRosa was as good or better than Roberts and while Fontenot probably won’t be quite as good over a full season and doesn’t offer the speed, he will cost more than ten million less than Roberts. Theriot, our third second baseman, should be the odd man out and I wouldn’t be surprised if he were traded after his career year. Steve Stone just wrapped up a segment in which he stated he thinks Lee will be gone as well. I expect a bunch of changes next year.

by dakoose on Oct 7, 2008 2:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

And Stone has been right how many times this year?

his failed predictions have been pointed out endlessly elsewhere on this site. While I don’t necessarily think he is wrong, I am not going to believe that Lee is gone simply because Stone said it.

I would only get rid of Lee if we can get Tex, otherwise it doesn’t make much sense to me.

Otherwise, I agree with the other points you make. We have a lot of 2nd basemen and no real SS. While their offensive numbers may be the same, Roberts causes more problems on the basepaths for opposing teams than Derosa does.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 7, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Tex isn't the only FA who would be an upgrade over Lee.

Dunn could play first base and would be a huge upgrade over Lee. Not only would he immediately become our biggest power threat(and probably double Lee’s HR output), but he would also bring some balance to the lineup. We need a power lefty and I don’t think he will be as expensive as some think he will be. Lee is clearly on the downside of his career and better to trade him sooner than later.

by dakoose on Oct 7, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

I must admit...

…this idea is starting to grown on me. Plus, maybe Dunn could take Hoffpauir under his wing and teach him how to draw some walks.

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 3:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Plus we could field a three man

football team :).

More than likely your infield defense would suffer…so you would have to ask if that was worth the risk. It is not all about Jacking Homeruns especially when it comes to low scoring ballgames…i.e. most playoff games

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 7, 2008 4:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Yeah, the defense would definitely be the biggest risk.

And it’s also true the team would still need to work some speed into the lineup to succeed in low-scoring postseason games. Then again, the Dodgers certainly had no trouble slugging the Cubs into submission.

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 4:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

I simply don't think you can win with Adam Dunn playing defense

at ANY position!

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 7, 2008 4:29 PM CDT up 0 recs

No doubt the defense would suffer with Dunn at first,

but if the Cubs go out and bring in a shortstop that can actually field the position adequately and make nice, strong throws to first base, the infield defense would probably be just as strong. Basically, the improvement at SS could help “cancel out” the loss of Lee’s glove, which according to THT’s RZR stats wasn’t as outstanding as we all are told it is. He ranked seventh in percentage of balls in his zone converted to outs, behind Carlos Delgado and Ryan Howard. I for one was surprised to see that.

by dakoose on Oct 7, 2008 5:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

wow. interesting stat....

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Oct 7, 2008 6:52 PM CDT up 0 recs

I just remember how much the missed D-Lee defensively in 2006.

Even if you upgrade defensively at shortstop, you will still have Aramis Ramirez at third and D-Lee digs an awful lot of balls out of the dirt from throws from third base.

I’m always wary of downgrading any position defensively. My personal philosophy is to do everything you can to stop your opponet from scoring and defense is a big part of that.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Oct 7, 2008 7:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm just not ready

to compromise our infield defense that much, yet. Maybe as the winter goes on, but right now, I think Lee is too important to the ability of the left side of our infield.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 7, 2008 4:19 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well...

…the payroll would go up in 09 regardless if they add anyone because of the backloaded deals. In fact, I believe it goes up around 15 mil on this piece alone.

Some dough will be freed up, but when you factor in Dempster they would need a big boost in dollars to go after FA to fill holes.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:14 PM CDT 0 recs

With the economy...

….struggling, I’m not sure MLB is going to see the same action at the ticket office in 2009. The Cubs could be especially impacted since the majority of their tickets are sold the day they go on sale and it is unlikely the eoconomy will be recovering yet even in the best situation. Granted, they could always sell them later, but the buzz will be killed and with 2008 turning out the way it did, I can’t see the Cubs pulling the same kind of revenue in 2009.

"I'm petrified of nipple chafing. Once it starts, it's a vicious circle." Andy Bernard

by TXCub on Oct 7, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

There is probably some validity...

…to what you say. And the one area I could see impacted is the advertising/sponsorhsip dollars from corporations. I’m not saying this is going to crumble, but you may have some corporations back away from some of these expenditures. Sure, the Cubs would be able to find others to come in, but it may not be for the same dollars considering the overall economic issues.

Also, most of the advertising deals are signed for multiple years, so it really depends on how healthy the companies are that are spending the dough and when the contract expires.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

Implication:

Management isn’t changing prior to the 2009 season, and further, management has been given the go-ahead by Crane KENNEY (not "Kenny") to spend what’s necessary to win.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 7, 2008 1:24 PM CDT 0 recs

It's not spending that's the problem...they need to SELL....

I’m thinking souls to the devil for a WS. Thoughts?

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Oct 7, 2008 1:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

Bud Selig doesn't want Lou Pinella's soul

by dr stabbingworth on Oct 7, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up 0 recs

LMAO - comedy gold, Dr.!

Never, but NEVER, put ketchup on a hot dog.

by CaliCub on Oct 7, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

No surprise on the managment side...

…but if it truely means they have dough to make some bold moves, please go out and make the right ones.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Which they appeared to do this past year. Agreed?

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 7, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well..Kenney should at least be put in a dunk tank at the Convention

so that he can be punished for that ridicolous dugout stunt prior to Game 1.

"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey

by TheRiot Police on Oct 7, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

That's not a bad idea

Charge $5 buck for 3 attempts and give all the money raised to charity. This is definitely something that should be suggested to the organization.

When you're eight games behind, it's like eight miles; when you're eight games in front, it's like eight inches. ~ Ron Santo

by gwood on Oct 7, 2008 2:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

And that dunk tank...

…would be filled with holy water, of course.

So this is how it ends.

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 7, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

The question is, is Crane going to sprinkle the new contracts with holy water?

"When I got to Chicago, fans came to Wrigley Field just to have fun, now they come to see us win. The expectations have changed, for the players and for the fans. It’s about winning." Kerry Wood, 7/14/08

by JB 23 on Oct 7, 2008 1:28 PM CDT 0 recs

Their going to need to spend money,

to restore the fanbase to believe that they are too good to fail in the postseason again.

Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008

by Unique on Oct 7, 2008 1:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Do you think people are really that distraught?

To the point where theyre not gonna follow the team as closely? Im pretty much over it and looking forward to see what changes they make for 09.

I dont think anyone of us became a Cubs fan b/c of their legacy of winning….so a sweep in the playoffs shouldnt really drive real fans away…so I dont know that there is a need to “restore” the fanbase.

Kenney said it himself, the days of sporadic playoff appearances are over.

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 7, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up 0 recs

You know its amazing...

…how the Sun times gets these stories before the paper that is part of the same organization as the Cubs.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:34 PM CDT 0 recs

+1

That is proof of an industrious reporter.
To the Paul Sullivan defenders: he’s a hack who roots for the White Sux. Flame on.

One day I hope to come up with something worthy of this space.

by chilango2 on Oct 7, 2008 1:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

The Trib in general...

…is very weak on the sports front. This Gordon dude seems pretty sharp, and I was impressed with him on the radio last night.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Oct 7, 2008 1:42 PM CDT up 0 recs

I ran the numbers the other day...

…and the Cubs have $115 of comitted payroll to work with. If payroll is held even, that’s $15 million to work with. If payroll increases, the Cubs have $20-$30 to spend in free agency this offseason.

Yowza.

I has a blog. | Ask a sabermagician!

by cwyers on Oct 7, 2008 1:38 PM CDT 0 recs