Bleed Cubbie Blue: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Around SBN: Matsuzaka Dominates, Sox Grab ALCS Lead Bar-right-arrows

Walk On By

Yelloncard_tiny by Al on in Recaps

MESA, Arizona -- Scott Podsednik.

Yorvit Torrealba.

Jeff Baker, Marcus Giles, Ian Stewart, Cory Sullivan, Giles again, Podsednik again, Torrealba again, Clint Barmes, Baker again, and Ryan Spilborghs.

There. In three short paragraphs, far shorter than today's interminable game, you have all twelve of the Rockies batters that Cub pitchers walked.

And the Cubs won the game anyway, 8-6, thanks primarily to Henry Blanco, who hit a two-run homer and also singled, and Matt Murton, who hit two doubles.

Rich Hill was putridly bad today. Now, you'll say, "Why isn't Al calling for Hill to be dumped from the rotation?" It's a question that can be reasonably asked, because Hill has been bad all spring, and today was about the worst -- six walks and only four outs recorded; the only hit he allowed was a deep CF RBI double to Torrealba, scoring the Rockies' third run of the game and bringing a visibly angry Lou Piniella out of the dugout to yank him.

However. Hill was also bad last spring, and it has been discussed on this site how Hill's curve doesn't break in the thin air and elevation of Arizona the way it does in Chicago, and so we shouldn't worry. But after today, maybe we should. Hill had absolutely no command of the strike zone -- he walked the first three batters he faced and the first inning would have been worse if he hadn't induced a DP ball to Spilborghs. Then he walked two more before getting a flyout to end the inning.

Even the second inning could have been worse -- or better. Aramis Ramirez was charged with a tough error after making a nice stop on a Podsednik smash; his throw would have beaten the runner if D-Lee could have held on, but it was in the dirt. Then, Hill threw the ball in the general direction of Apache Junction trying to pick Podsednik off.

Down 3-0, the Cubs tied it in the bottom of the 2nd on back-to-back doubles by Murton and Mark DeRosa and Blanco's homer.

Which bounced right in front of me, then over the little railing behind us and rolled down a small hill to the sidewalk below, where someone simply picked it up. I got quite a bit of grief for not "going for it", but without a glove, I didn't want to risk two broken wrists. BCB reader BigJohnAZ was just to my left, WITH his glove, but couldn't grab it either. BCB reader San Diego Smooth Jazz Man joined us today, but had wandered away when all the excitement was going on.

Tim Lahey, who relieved Hill, wasn't sharp either, and he allowed a two-run HR to Ian Stewart, giving the Rox the lead back. It went back and forth until two-run rallies by the Cubs in the fifth and sixth innings, by which time Kerry Wood -- obviously, not in any distress due to the back spasms of yesterday -- had come in and thrown one innning, allowing a sharp single and a run-scoring double that was just out of the reach of A-Ram at third. Most importantly, his velocity was good, he seemed in no pain from any back trouble, and along with Michael Wuertz, they were the only Cubs pitchers not to walk anyone today. Neal Cotts threw OK in his two innings, and that's good, because I still hear there are teams scouting him. Maybe this outing was enough to get him traded.

Matthew Avery, a 2005 draftee who pitched in Double-A last year, got into trouble after two slick defensive plays (by Mike Fontenot and Ramirez) got him the first tow outs, and Geoff Jones, a non-roster guy who had been warming up in Scottsdale in the 9th inning last night, bailed him out of it.

Wuertz sailed through the last four Rockie hitters and the Cubs had a very ugly victory.

So -- was Lou happy because the Cubs won, or unhappy because he had to yank his starting pitcher in the second inning? Probably a bit of both, I'd imagine, tonight.

The Cubs will travel to Tucson to face the Rockies again tomorrow afternoon. Once again, I will not make the drive down I-10, so will watch along with the rest of you -- the game is on ESPN2 tomorrow. Or, I may head to Fitch Park tomorrow afternoon, camera in hand, to check out one or more of the minor league contests over there. One final note, to no one's surprise, Sean Gallagher and Jose Ascanio were optioned to Iowa today, and Josh Kroeger was reassigned to the minor league camp. I'd expect more cuts to be made tomorrow.

0 recs | Comment 77 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

No Wood today?

I didn't read the article below so if it said it there I wouldn't know

Bleeding Cubbie Blue since 1985.

by Bricks and Ivy on Mar 20, 2008 7:31 PM CDT   0 recs

Yes, Wood today

He pitched ok.

It might have been ugly, but it's a win, and I'll take ugly wins over clean losses...

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2008 7:32 PM CDT   0 recs

At least we dug in and got right back

into it early on to tie it at 3-3, and then again later at 6-6 before we took the lead. Good to see some fight out there.

Fukudome is struggling for sure, Murton hit well today, Lee hit one on the track and if the strike zone for Hill was as big as a hockey net, he still would have had trouble finding it.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 20, 2008 7:40 PM CDT   0 recs

nice thing about Fuku is..

..even though he is struggling, I think his OBP is around .380...that is impressive when your hitting in the low .220's...

Let me get back to you, will ya, Charlie? I got a guy on the other line asking about some white walls.

by JB 23 on Mar 20, 2008 7:50 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Do You Seriously Think...

...that Piniella would put Hill into the 'pen?

I think it is an interesting though, especially if Hendry is unable to push Marquis. Regardless of Marquis' destiny, I doubt Hill goes to the pen.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 20, 2008 8:01 PM CDT   0 recs

I can't see Hill in the pen.

I wonder if he's hurt.

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

by Al on Mar 20, 2008 10:57 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's mental

I really do. He's a mentally fragile pitcher and if he came into camp having any lingering doubts from his nationally televised meltdown last post season and not being able to throw his best pitch, I could see how it could effect his already shaky confidence.

Especially when you read his post game comments and how he seems to be just trying so hard to stay positive and focus on the positve, which today was how he only gave up 1 run in an inning where he walked 5.

by lemon20pie on Mar 20, 2008 11:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Hill's future depends a little bit on...

how his next 2 ST starts go.
Will he end up in extended spring training if they go poorly?

by Gucci on Mar 21, 2008 9:41 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Hill is here to stay.

He is one of those fragile type players (IMO) that you need to remain confident in and give him every chance to prove you wrong...all while hoping every other pitcher is spot on during his struggles.

Damn Nutrisystem...I'm freakin dyin for some Italian beef!

by Kinky Reggae on Mar 20, 2008 8:21 PM CDT   0 recs

As I mentioned in the Game Thread

Rich Hill is 1 more bad start from starting the year in Iowa. From people I talked to who were at the game, he wasn't even close to the strike zone and did a really bad job holding the runners on after he walked them. I talked to someone sitting down the 3rd base line and after a couple SB's off of Hill, Uncle Lou was seen pacing in the dugout while making hand gestures as if he was venting to someone (larry).

Rich has not had one good start yet this year and if all the other starters continue to pitch well from here on out and Hill continues to suck, he will start the year in Iowa until he get's his act straight. You can make all the excuses you want about breaking balls not breaking, which would be true, but there is no excuse for not throwing strikes. He had a bad ST last year as well, but he didn't have nearly the amount of walks he has had so far this ST.

by lemon20pie on Mar 20, 2008 8:59 PM CDT   0 recs

As we talked about earlier...

I also think that Lou would yank Hill from the rotation. He's been the worst starter this spring, including minor-leaguers like Sean Gallagher. Where I differ though is that I think you could see him spend the first few weeks in the pen while they smooth out some issues. It solves the problem of the second lefty out of the pen, and gives the coaching staff a chance to work with him more closely.

There's nothing left for him to prove in AAA. We know he's going to overpower hitters there. But I do think missing a few turns to start the season could be a good idea.

by Damen Jackson on Mar 20, 2008 9:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh geez.

Here's Muskat's postgame wrap:

Cubs manager Lou Piniella was able to laugh with Hill after the shortened outing.
"I said, 'You reached your pitch count just about,'" Piniella said. "He said, 'I only gave up one run on five walks.' I said, 'Yeah, that's true.' That's pretty good pitching."
It was good enough for Hill to maintain a lock on the fourth spot in the Cubs rotation.
"First of all, he has good Major League stuff," Piniella said. "Second, last year, for a young pitcher, I thought he handled himself quite well and helped us win a division, and really one of these years, this young man should have a breakout year. We were hoping this would be the year for him. He's got to throw strikes, obviously."
Piniella said he planned to sit down with Hill, pitching coach Larry Rothschild, and general manager Jim Hendry sometime this weekend to talk about the left-hander, who has two starts remaining this spring.
"The ball was really coming out of his hand," Piniella said. "He had good velocity, good rotation. He just couldn't throw strikes."

Hill is staying in the rotation. Can we give this a rest now, please? The whole point of spring training is to take care of these issues.

I has a blog.

by cwyers on Mar 20, 2008 9:23 PM CDT   0 recs

I agree

you don't yank pitcher like Hill because of a rough spring. There not going to give up on a pitcher like Hill, and they will have to keep pitching him to figure out whats wrong. It's gonna take Hill a few poor starts in the regular season before Piniella considers sending him to Triple A.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 20, 2008 9:56 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed.

However, they had better do it soon. Hill had absolutely no command today.

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

by Al on Mar 20, 2008 10:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So from those quotes

YOu're absolutely convinced that there is absolutely no chance Hill will start out the season in Iowa? I read those quotes and nowhere in there did Lou say Hill is a lock to start the season on the 25 man roster. I also look at those quotes and I see a Manager who knows how fragile Hill is and is trying to make light out of Hill's abysmal start today and atrocious Spring. In that same article, there's also a mention of Hill meeting with Hendry and Lou and that could mean many things, it could very well mean that they could be toying with the idea.

I'm not saying that Hill will start the season in AAA but as I said, if he has 2 more really bad starts, he will start the season in AAA. That isn't necessarily a bad thing. Nor does it mean that the Cubs plans are for him to stay in AAA. All it'd mean is that if he struggles with his control and his delivery and release point again in his next 2 starts, he'll have to fix those in Iowa. Especially if Marquis and Dempster pitch well in their next 2 starts.

It's that simple.

Now I'll agree with you that it's premature to automatically assume that he will have 2 more bad outings. It'll be moot if he rights the ship in those 2 starts.

But you seem to think that starting out in AAA isn't even an option for Hill, which is absolutely not true. I hope he doesn't, because despite how I disagree with you and many other Cub fans on how good Rich Hill is and will be, I want him to succeed. But if he sucks it up over his next 2 starts, he will start the year in AAA for no other reason than to fix whatever the problem is.

BTW, did we ever make that gentlemans bet on whether or not Cedeno would start the season on the 25 man roster as Pie's backup?

by lemon20pie on Mar 20, 2008 11:44 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Wait a sec....

.... are you two even talking about the same Hill? haha I think one is arguing for Rich Hill and the other is arguing for Koyie Hill.

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 20, 2008 11:48 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

classic

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 21, 2008 8:18 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Here's the most important question.

Does Hill have options left? If he does, it's possible. If he doesn't, there's no way, because if he's out of options, the Cubs would have to waive him to get him assigned to Iowa, and obviously, there's no way they'd do that.

Hill has spent part or all of the last three years with the Cubs, so he's been on the 40-man roster at least that long. Not sure what that means in terms of whether he has option years left. If anyone knows, please post.

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

by Al on Mar 20, 2008 11:49 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hill has 1 option left

Even if he didnt have an option left, that blister of his could "flare" up before the start of the season.

by lemon20pie on Mar 20, 2008 11:51 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks.

Sure, if they're really convinced there's a problem, they could stash him on the DL.

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

by Al on Mar 21, 2008 12:03 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Every Cub fan should bookmark this

This is the Cubs 40 man roster with salary and options left done by Arizona Phil over at the Cub Reporter:

http://www.thecubreporter.com/cubs-40-man-roster

by lemon20pie on Mar 20, 2008 11:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Thank you...

There's some great info there.

by Gucci on Mar 21, 2008 9:44 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Personally I don't think

Hill control problems aren't going to last all that long. Hill control wasn't all that bad in his first three games(total 5 BB in 7.2 IP I believe) even though he got hit hard in one of those games. But 9 walks in Hill last 5 innings is what is pretty alarming, but that mostly has to do with todays game. If Hill pitches the way he did today, over the next two starts he probably will start the season in Triple A. But if he pitches like he did against the Sox last Saturday or like he did in the other games he pitched I think the Cubs will pitch him the 4th game of the season still. So IMO Hill is gonna have to be awful bad like he was today to start the season in Triple A. But I think he will figure it out soon. You don't go from having a 0.83 WHIP in Triple A(15 starts) and a 1.23 WHIP in the majors in 06(16 starts) and a 1.19 WHIP in 07 to not be able to throw a strike all of the sudden. So I'm confident that Hill will make a adjustment and fix this problem, I guess this is what spring training is for.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 21, 2008 12:40 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well said cubs

I agree that he will have to suck really bad over his next 2 starts to end up in Iowa to work on whatever is causing his suckness. his best outing of ST was against the White Sox like you pointed out but even then, he struggled with his control. I imagine 2 more starts like that will still be enough for Lou and Larry to send him to Iowa for a couple starts. He needs to step it up. Lou does not baby anyone and I credit Lou for atleast trying to make light out of his outing yesterday, but you know damn well he's not saying "oh hey, it's only spring training". Afterall, this is Rich Hill we're talking about and not some seasoned vet.

Hill will get rolling to his form of last year but if he continues to not throw strikes, then something is wrong and he'll have to start the season in Iowa to fix whatever is wrong. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

by lemon20pie on Mar 21, 2008 3:34 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

i heard

hill could start the year in peoria.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 20, 2008 9:53 PM CDT   0 recs

Not true

read this article Hill is still a lock to start the season in the rotation. It's gonna take a bad start or two in the regular season before he gets sent to Triple A.

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080320&content_id=2446964&vkey=spt2008news&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

by cubsfan25 on Mar 20, 2008 9:58 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well...

...it's true that he could. It just won't happen.

Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!

by initram on Mar 20, 2008 9:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

peoria?

it seems doubtful that rich hill will get sent all the way back to "A"-ball. that's just absurd.

by anormal on Mar 20, 2008 11:54 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

sorry guys, i just couldnt help it. i was obviously completely kidding. the spring training overreactions get funnier every day.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 21, 2008 8:20 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So, why is Hendry

involved in the meeting with Hill, Pinella and Rothschild?

by crazymountain on Mar 20, 2008 10:02 PM CDT   0 recs

Becuase...

I think when you walk 6 in 1.1 innings it's not mechanical, it's mental. Maybr they wanted to make sure everything was ok with him.

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 20, 2008 10:16 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"it's not mechanical, it's mental."

Well... he did get married in the off-season...

"These are the saddest of possible words: Tinker to Evers to Chance."

by bluebythebook on Mar 20, 2008 10:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh mercy!

Maybe he needs to put on the garter belt?

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 20, 2008 10:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you thinking about Sean Marshall

or did I just not know about Hill getting married? Marshall married a TV news woman so it got more publicity...

by LT on Mar 21, 2008 1:32 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Hill got married too.

I thought I heard that 4 or 5 of the Cubs got married in the off season.

by sue369 on Mar 21, 2008 1:20 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

wouldn't it be ironic tho

We've been all "riveted" by the whole Dempster/Marquis "battle", and we'd all look pretty stupid to see them BOTH get on in the rotation... :P

2008: The year we put it all together.

by drewishdrewid on Mar 20, 2008 10:22 PM CDT   0 recs

ok people....let's

not make a mountain out of a mole Hill!! lol

by goatstew on Mar 20, 2008 10:25 PM CDT   0 recs

hahah

i give that joke a 3.5 out of 5

I'm drunk......and it shows.....

by Keystone80435 on Mar 20, 2008 10:26 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Is no one else worried

about Fukudome. I realize its early, but so far this guy only has two extra base hits. Yes i realize he is drawing walks, but that won't keep up if he can't start hitting the ball with authority.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Mar 20, 2008 10:58 PM CDT   0 recs

Not worried.

He has adjustments to make, because as he said early on, American pitchers throw far more breaking balls than Japanese pitchers. He'll have to figure out how to hit those. I'm not worried.

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

by Al on Mar 20, 2008 10:59 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I am just worried

that we are on the hook for four years to a guy that is figuring out how to hit breaking balls. Hope your right Al and he can make the adjustments he needs to.

Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."

by DC Cubbie on Mar 20, 2008 11:11 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

its not like

they dont throw breaking balls at all in japan. it seems each japanese import has some crazy ass pitch he throws. check out that oke-doke pitch by okajima, ha if theyre throwing that kind of wack job stuff over there, im sure dome will be able to adjust just fine.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 21, 2008 8:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No Worries from me, either

Even though he is trying to figure out Major League pitching here, he still is getting on base and a good/excellent RF. He catches everything he can put his glove on and is throwing out runners. A good arm will pay dividends, either outs or keeping runners from trying to take the extra base.

"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse

by BigJohnAZ on Mar 20, 2008 11:15 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed on the defense.

The arm and range are as advertised. So is his baserunning speed and knowledge. I am NOT worried.

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

by Al on Mar 20, 2008 11:18 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Concern is not unreasonable...

Defense and baserunning are skills that are natural to translate. Your arm doesn't just magically get worse by switching leagues. Nor does your speed. These are things that just translate. Kaz Matsui, for example, was known to be really fast. Ichiro was known to have a really strong arm and be really fast. They still are known to be that way.

The reason for concern is the same reason there was concern before Fukudome ever came over. The concern is that Japanese players' power/batting numbers don't tend to translate that well. They tend to see a substantial decline in power, and their OBP usually takes a hit as well (partially due to the AVG). These are the areas in which Fukudome is struggling.

Now, I that it is silly to be concerned simply based on spring training numbers. But being concerned based on the factors I've described above seems completely reasonable. The concern may or may not wind up being justified, but it is completely reasonable.

by SouthernCub on Mar 21, 2008 8:58 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well if their stats dont translate well

They need a better translater.

"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry "I strongly dislike Steve Stone." ---Hammer

by Hammer on Mar 21, 2008 10:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

It's too early

to be concerned about Fukudome IMO. For example Akinori Iwamura hit just 220/292/597 in 59 AB's with only four extra base hits. Then in April he hit 339/479/961 in April. So far this spring Fukudome is hitting 205/357/752 in 44 AB's. So IMO it's too early to be concerned about Fukudome, if he's hitting this poor in mid to late April then I will get concerned. But I just find it hard to believe that he's going to struggle. Ichiro, Hideki Matsui, Kazuo Matsui, Iguchi, Kenji Johjima and Akinori Iwamura were all the star hitters from Japan, and all but one has been a quality everyday player. Even Kazuo Matsui might not be a good ML player, but some of it might have to do with injuries, but he's still a ML player. Fukudome is now the highest paid player to come from Japan, and not just the Cubs were offering him this kind of money. So I find it hard to believe that so many scouts and experts could be wrong.

by cubsfan25 on Mar 20, 2008 11:56 PM CDT   0 recs

I would worry about Hill

not Dome. Hill has had 0 command all spring. What is he about 15 days from his first start? So he will all of sudden become an average pitcher again. Becasue that is really all he is. This is not a consistent 15 game winner in the bigs. Get your stuff squared away Rich.
Cubs rotation is the key to the playoffs.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Mar 21, 2008 6:03 AM CDT   0 recs

well hopefully the Arizona climate

is playing a HUGE role in this..

Live is boring until March 31st strolls by..

by Chanman25 on Mar 21, 2008 6:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Forget this

Lunacy of Hill starting anywhere else other than with the Cubs. As stated earlier by Cwyers, this is what ST is all about. Getting the kinks out and working on different things.

Personally I would not be surprised if Hill throws a shutout in his first outing. How often have we seen pitchers or hitters have a wonderful ST only to start out horribly. Conversely we have seen players like Hill suck it up and come out blazing when the season starts.

Relax, Hill will be just fine.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 21, 2008 7:28 AM CDT   0 recs

You realize you're talking about Rich Hill

Right? you seem confident in someone with a very small track record and very little success.

You know this how?

by lemon20pie on Mar 21, 2008 7:39 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Faith

That is what keeps us Cubbies fans going, right? Really though, I am basing my feelings on what he has shown us from his performance from last year. As well as the potential he has shown over his minor league experiences.

Having said what I did, I most likely have jinxed him now. Do I know for sure he will continue his ML growth? Do we know for sure Soto will hit .270, or Dome will have an OBP of .380? As we are all aware statistics are analyzed and than reanalyzed. But the wonderful thing about the game is this, the human element.

So in ending, I can't know for sure how Rich Hill will do this season. I can only hope. But I will also add I enjoy watching him pitch that big bender.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 21, 2008 8:22 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

very little success?

he was 5th in the NL in k's last year, k/bb almost at 3, whip under 1.20. in his first full major league season. this after making triple A batters look like five-year-olds in the first year of T-ball. hill has plenty of track record, and had incredible success last year for his first full season in the majors.

Bill James Felix Pie 2008 Projection: .283/.333/.456 16 HR 21 SB

by kylejo on Mar 21, 2008 8:26 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

And further more

As noted by kylejo, I think he did real well for his first full year. He finished very strong in '06 and continued this pattern in '07. I do not think one bad ST will negate what we have seen over the past one and a half years.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 21, 2008 8:31 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Amen to That

Its absurd that people would talk about dumping Hill from the rotation because hes struggled over the past two weeks. Meanwhile Ryan Dempster and his 1.40 WHIP is assured of a spot. Why? Because he's pitched decently in 15 ST innings? C'mon. Don't be so ridiculously short-sighted.

by ms9av on Mar 21, 2008 9:55 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

So 1 decent season is your measurement?

Would you like me to compile a list of pitchers who in their first full season had even better numbers than Richard Joseph Hill and then continued to suck for the remainder of their career? 1 good season is not a good measurement to judge a pitcher. Should we just put him in the Hall Of Fame now?

by lemon20pie on Mar 21, 2008 1:19 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

No

Hill's progression since 2005 as a SP should be your measurement, not a few innings in March 2008. Unless there's some physical injury or mechanical thing, then Hill is the same guy who has dominated at all levels of the minors and who has shown the ability to be dominating at the major league level. I'm sure there's a tons of guys who have put up similar numbers to Hill and then struggled, but lets not look at things in a vacuum. Both scouts and sabermetrics types have been saying for quite some time that Hill has great potential, and he largely proved that last year. So lets not throw him under the bus because he's struggled with his control over a two-week period in spring training.

by ms9av on Mar 21, 2008 2:30 PM CDT to parent up   0 recs

I hope Hendry

has this Lahey situation figured out because no one else seems to be sure about how he will be handled. Paul Sullivan said Lahey is likely to be traded before the end of spring, making no mention of the PTBNL situation. Why can't the rules be more simple?

by gwood on Mar 21, 2008 8:28 AM CDT   0 recs

Hill, Fuku & Wood

Hill is a lock for the rotation and I think he will turn it around. With that being said if he doesn't have command of his fastball he is useless. His best games last year were when he had pinpoint control of his fastball, especially when he was able to bring it inside on hitters. Makes that curve deadly.

Fuku also should be fine, he is a solid baseball player and that will show over time.

We have to stick with Wood for closer. We want to win it all and some of the question mark areas have to work out for that to happen. Wood as closer, Pie in center and one pitcher besides Zambrano has to have a great year into the playoffs. In my mind it is similar to what Steve Kerr has done with the Suns. He realizes the goal is to win a championship and you have to take some chances for that to happen. Unless you are that one franchise…Spurs, Red Sox or Patriots.

Lets do it Cubbies

by slocs55 on Mar 21, 2008 8:46 AM CDT   0 recs

Don't be a Sally

Make a Catch Al!!!

"Commit to the Indian!"

by Bpatterson83 on Mar 21, 2008 9:21 AM CDT   0 recs

Wuertz to Tigers???

Just read that the Tigers are interested in Wuertz and Hendry is interested in either Marcus Thames or Brandon Inge....This would be the ultimate in bad deals.

by crazymountain on Mar 21, 2008 9:36 AM CDT   0 recs

This is being discussed...

... in this FanPost.

I think it's yet another example of a sportswriter making up stuff.

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

by Al on Mar 21, 2008 9:43 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, here is the link

the program didn't post it.....

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080321/SPORTS02/80321002

by crazymountain on Mar 21, 2008 9:37 AM CDT   0 recs

Why are so many people worried about Hill?

I'm surprised there are so many people who are already thinking sending him to the pen or down to AAA. That's absurd. In 318 major league innings this guy has been an above average pitcher and a very good one in his first full season.

It's spring training, jeez. Relax.

VORPy

by VS on Mar 21, 2008 9:42 AM CDT   0 recs

"it's just spring training"

I read that statement a lot on baseball discussion boards.
While I feel the statement has value; I don't know if it can be applied to every major leaguer.

I mean, what happens when the season starts? Does a switch get turned on for each player?
Arguably, a mental switch probably gets triggered... yet, then we're talking about something that is unique to the individual.

So, my question is this:
Is Rich Hill the type of person that has this "mental switch" and can turn it on once the season starts?
I don't know this answer...
Does anyone here have some insight?

by Gucci on Mar 21, 2008 9:50 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Sometimes that switch DOES get turned on.

Why? I don't think any of us knows.

Remember, that often in ST games, players aren't playing the same way they would in a game that counts. They're working on different pitch sequences. They swing at pitches they wouldn't swing at to see if they can hit them.

I don't have an answer to your question about Rich Hill. But he had a bad spring last year, too. I wouldn't worry.

Yet.

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

by Al on Mar 21, 2008 10:01 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

"Does anyone here have some insight?"

Doubt it, not unless someone here is a close friend and/or relative of Rich or a trained psychiatrist.

Spring training is where you work all the kinks out. I doubt Hill or any other pitcher is throwing with as much intensity and focus as they do during the regular season. These concerns about his control after just over 12 innings in spring training seem very silly to me.

VORPy

by VS on Mar 21, 2008 10:13 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs

Because all things inevitably lead back...

...to the Roberts trade, here's my conspiracy theory: Hill intentionally walked all of those batters to shift attention away from the vicious cycle of rumors orbiting the second base position. He was just doing a solid for his good buddy DeRo.

Now if you'll excuse me, my tinfoil hat just lacerated my cranium and I must retire to the emergency room. My fellow Cubs fans, I bid you adieu.

Ladies and gentlemen, your 2008 Chicago Cubs starting outfield: Soriano-Pie-Fukudome. Let it be.

by dat cubfan daver on Mar 21, 2008 9:57 AM CDT   0 recs

And Hill

is responsible for Kennedy, the mirage we landed on the moon and so much more. I will say I am disappointed you did not offer up a picture of your tinfoil hat.

"You can't take life to seriously, you don't get out of it alive"

by wild bill on Mar 21, 2008 10:23 AM CDT to parent up   0 recs