Open Thread: Cubs vs. Rangers, Monday 3/24, 3:05 CT
by Al
on Mar 24, 2008 9:47 AM CDT
in Game Threads
SCOTTSDALE, Arizona -- One week from today, many of us will be shivering at Wrigley Field, or, if you believe this advance forecast, getting soaked -- and there are still a number of unanswered questions about the Cubs going into the final week of spring training.
One of the questions that has been answered is "Who's the closer?" Today, Lou Piniella is expected to name Kerry Wood to that spot. That Bruce Miles article also says:
The Cubs have interest in outfielder Reed Johnson, who was given his unconditional release by the Toronto Blue Jays. They seem to like Johnson better than Jeff DaVanon, who was let go by the Padres.
I said yesterday I didn't think the Cubs would add anyone to the roster before next Monday. If I'm wrong, I'll say so. We'll see.
Meanwhile, is the rotation set? Maybe, or maybe not, says Gordon Wittenmyer:
After Jason Marquis looked strong again -- retiring 12 of 13 (including 11 straight) following a first-inning homer -- Piniella seemed to imply that Marquis could make the rotation and bump one of the two others.
Again, we await developments.
BCB got a mention in yesterday's Sunday Drive column in the Sun-Times, which was primarily about blogging and how people are getting information from many different sources these days. Most of the article was about Will Leitch's Deadspin.
The sale of the Cubs now may not happen till the season is over, and one of the reasons is:
some prospective Cubs buyers are frustrated the ballclub would come without the ballpark.
Ryan Dempster will start this afternoon. He will face the Rangers' Kason Gabbard, and Texas will also send C.J. Wilson and Joaquin Benoit to the mound. As usual, the Cubs website shows only the starting pitcher. I'm wondering what's become of Carlos Marmol, who hasn't pitched since last Wednesday.
Today's game is on CSN Chicago. It's also on MLB.com audio and MLB.TV through the MLB.com Mediacenter.
Discuss amongst yourselves.
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Hill - status? expectations?
Is he hurt? or just pitching out of whack? Has anyone really studied him this year on tv or in person is better
Also when is his next scheduled start?
by swampdraggin on Mar 24, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Hill pitched....
... on Thursday. If they stay on rotation, he should throw tomorrow.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Mar 24, 2008 10:08 AM CDT
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If I had to guess...
I'd say it's a combination of the lack of humidity in Arizona and Hill's confidence. The lack of humidity makes it harder to throw a good curve. For a pitcher who is so reliant on the big bender, that's a big problem. Also, he has tended to be shaky emotionally, which can't help.
by SouthernCub on
Mar 24, 2008 10:09 AM CDT
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According to Cubs.com
Rich Hill is starting today.
by lemon20pie on
Mar 24, 2008 10:12 AM CDT
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Also according to Cubs.com
The Cubs are playing the Giants today!
by lemon20pie on
Mar 24, 2008 10:12 AM CDT
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arent the cubs playing the Rangers today - 3/24? and isnt Dempster starting?
are you talking about Tuesday?
by swampdraggin on
Mar 24, 2008 10:34 AM CDT
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Yeah, I saw that.
Those must be the starters for tomorrow's game in Scottsdale. Today, it's Dempster vs. Gabbard.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Mar 24, 2008 11:10 AM CDT
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I don't like Johnson over DaVanon...
DaVanon has a few things that make him more useful than Johnson, in my mind:
1. He has actually shown he can play CF, unlike Johnson. Johnson has played almost exclusively corner-OF throughout his career. In his rare appearances in CF (less than 70 games over five years, and over half of them came in 2004), Johnson hasn't shown much. And on top of that, Johnson is coming off of back surgery.
2. DaVanon is a switch hitter. That makes him valuable in that he doesn't have to be automatically replaced if an opponent brings in a situational reliever.
3. DaVanon is fast. He can provide another speedy baserunning option if we pinch hit with Ward or if Soto gets on base late.
4. DaVanon may not be quite as good a hitter as Johnson, but they aren't that different.
If we were going to get one of them, DaVanon would seem to make more sense to me. I'd be okay with getting neither, but I don't think that Johnson addresses our needs.
by SouthernCub on Mar 24, 2008 10:07 AM CDT 0 recs
Since both have been released
It should be possible for the Cubs to get good information on their current health status. DaVanon is coming off shoulder surgery, and has not demonstrated any power this Spring.
If both are reasonably healthy, though, I agree with you that DaVanon is the better fit as a backup CF.
Free the upper deck!
by zambranofan on
Mar 24, 2008 10:26 AM CDT
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Al ...
Why are you so certain there won't be roster moves? A hunch? Deep Goat? What?
by elgato on Mar 24, 2008 10:10 AM CDT 0 recs
I just saw that Giles (Marcus)
will likely be released by the Rox. Is he worth taking a look at? I know he has had sub par years but he has also looked good in the past and has hit very well in a brief showing this spring.
Damn Nutrisystem...I'm freakin dyin for some Italian beef!
by Kinky Reggae on Mar 24, 2008 10:54 AM CDT 0 recs
The Cubs probably have four or five...
...second basemen better than Giles. I don't see the benefit.
by cwyers on
Mar 24, 2008 10:57 AM CDT
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Agreed.
Giles was in Colorado on a minor league invite.
Strange. He was once thought of as one of the best 2B in the NL. Wonder what happened.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on
Mar 24, 2008 11:11 AM CDT
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It is very strange...
in his first two years of limited duty 2001-2002 he was remarkably mediocre. I wonder how a guy could suddenly emerge as an offensive juggernaut - 2003 - and then fade away after a couple years. Whatever could cause a sudden enhancement in a player's performance and what could have been the reason for that perilous and sudden decline? What a mystery.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 11:30 AM CDT
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Yes it will
always be a mystery, kind of like the bermuda triangle.
"Chicago baseball fans, who are composites of scar tissue and mortifying memories..." - George F. Will
by eswan9 on
Mar 24, 2008 11:31 AM CDT
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was he able to get up
and stagger away?
2008: The year we put it all together.
by drewishdrewid on
Mar 24, 2008 11:39 AM CDT
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That is sort of the point of my post...
I remember when he was "great" and the Cubs would have been lucky to have had him. I suppose theories on enhancement may have some validity.
Damn Nutrisystem...I'm freakin dyin for some Italian beef!
by Kinky Reggae on
Mar 24, 2008 12:04 PM CDT
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Not Only That...
...but Giles had a pretty good spring.
Not good enough, I guess...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 12:10 PM CDT
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Giles is a little guy who wanted to be a power hitter.
In order to do it, he developed a long, loopy swing designed to take outside fastballs (the kind he saw hitting behind Furcal) into the RCF gap. Once NL pitchers learned that he can't handle anything on the inner half, he was toast. He has refused to try remaking himself as a singles-hitting OBP guy even though he runs very well, which means that his bat is worthless. His other problem is that he can only play 2B well and 3B poorly. That makes him a very poor utility IF candidate.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Mar 24, 2008 12:23 PM CDT
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Marquis had a great April and early May last year!
That seems to be his rep, as I was told by my good buddy who's a Cards fan...
I say use him early... win as many of those starts as you can (we wasted too many of his good performances last year), and then trade him before the weather warms up, and he starts serving up dongers.
Ed Lynch is STILL on the Cubs payroll, as our D-Backs scout in Phoenix. Lynch attends all 81 D-Back home games with a notepad in hand. Really paid off for us!
by SackMan on Mar 24, 2008 11:08 AM CDT 0 recs
Cubs lineup
Cedeno, SS
Soriano, LF
Lee, 1B
Ramirez, 3B
Murton, RF
DeRosa, 2B
Soto, C
Pie, CF
Dempster, P
by Bruce Miles on Mar 24, 2008 11:45 AM CDT 0 recs
Bruce
Is DeRo OK? Carrie Muskat reported that he was scratched yesterday.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Mar 24, 2008 12:24 PM CDT
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He was ill
DeRosa had flu-like symptoms yesterday and was sent home.
by Bruce Miles on
Mar 24, 2008 12:53 PM CDT
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Bruce
Thanks for all you do.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on
Mar 24, 2008 1:04 PM CDT
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Murton again?
I love it. But why is he starting? If his role is backup why isnt Dome in there? He needs as much playing time as possible I'd think.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 12:27 PM CDT
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It's possible that Dome is in minor league camp...
...if there's something specific he's working on; you can control the game situation in minor league camp if there's a particular thing you want to try.
by cwyers on
Mar 24, 2008 12:32 PM CDT
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I Just Hope...
...Marmol is ok?
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 24, 2008 12:13 PM CDT 0 recs
More Posturing With Felipe Lopez?
The Washington Post reports that the Nationals actively are pursuing a trade with the Chicago Cubs. There were Cubs' scouts spotted in the stands last Friday at Washington's game.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 24, 2008 12:20 PM CDT 0 recs
Note the phrasing.
"The Nationals are actively pursuing." John Hinckley Jr. was actively pursuing Jodie Foster; it didn't mean interest on Foster's part.
As for the scouts - they're on the payroll, so they're going to be out watching a ballgame somewhere. I wouldn't read too much into it.
by cwyers on
Mar 24, 2008 12:23 PM CDT
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At The Very Least...
... I hope it is posturing to further other trades.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 12:26 PM CDT
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Nothing New Here...
... from everything else we already know. It may be nice for those who don't frequent here too often.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/sportsline/main10733016.shtml
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 24, 2008 12:22 PM CDT 0 recs
Can someone please explain to me how...
it makes any good business sense to parcel out the Cubs franchise seperate from the stadium they play in? How can one piece possibly be worth ANYTHING without the other?
by Jerry Mumphrey on Mar 24, 2008 12:39 PM CDT 0 recs
Tax purposes...
may be the main reason. But obviously the main attraction of the Cubs is Wrigley Field and I also don't know why the potential ownership would want the Cubs without the stadium... Zell seems to think he can get more by selling seperate...
by bap on
Mar 24, 2008 12:52 PM CDT
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...so he's an idiot
That's what I figured. Did he think the legion of Cub fans came from a great track record of success or something?
by Jerry Mumphrey on
Mar 24, 2008 12:56 PM CDT
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Lieber Is Going To The Bullpen
The Score just reported at 1pm.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 24, 2008 1:04 PM CDT 0 recs
I just read the Lieber thread.
I dont get it.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:05 PM CDT
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Lieber Verbalized...
...his willingness. He just wants to retire as a Cub.
The question will be will Marquis even get a start? His first start likely wouldn't be until April 5 (at the earliest). In fact, he could be bumped a couple of times until 4/19 at home against the Pirates.
That just gives Hendry more time to deal him...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:09 PM CDT
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Didn't
Lou already say at some point that he wasn't going to do any skipping early in the season?
by gwood on
Mar 24, 2008 1:12 PM CDT
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That Was Before...
...Marquis "earned" a spot.
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
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Did
marquis earn a spot or fall into a vacant one?
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:25 PM CDT
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Slip Sliding Away...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:26 PM CDT
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He earned it...
He matched Dempster, but Lieber outpitched both. If Marquis was just filling a vacant spot, Lieber would have gotten the nod due to outpitching both of them.
Ultimately, though, I think either Marquis or Dempster will be traded soon.
by SouthernCub on
Mar 24, 2008 1:55 PM CDT
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Marquis
It looks like Marquis is going to fool everyone again.
Lets do it Cubbies
by slocs55 on Mar 24, 2008 1:10 PM CDT 0 recs
I Have No Idea What Marquis Is Going To Do...
... because Nick Markakis wears #21 in Baltimore.
I guess he could go to the Red Sox without incident as I don't believe anyone is wearing #21 there...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:14 PM CDT
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So our starting rotation for the first half of the season is:
Zambrano
Lilly
Dempster
Hill
Marquis
That means that barring an injury to Lieber, the starting rotation for the second half of the season will be: Zambrano, Lilly, Dempster, Hill, and Lieber.
by gwood on Mar 24, 2008 1:16 PM CDT 0 recs
I Bet...
...Marquis is dealt by 4/19...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:17 PM CDT
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What'll you wager?
n/t
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:18 PM CDT
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(I Didn't Say Which Year)...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:23 PM CDT
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Zing!
n/t
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:24 PM CDT
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How About...
One doll hair. Find a pic?
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:25 PM CDT
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????
I guess that one is over my head.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:29 PM CDT
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LOL
$1 sounds like "one doll hair"...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:30 PM CDT
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Did You Know...
...that "Rats Live On No Evil Star" is a palindrome?
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:26 PM CDT
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I was just sticking the script.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:30 PM CDT
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ouch....
where?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
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the one you showed me yesterday when I said DANG to Murton getting an out.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:32 PM CDT
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I know which one...
I was just wondering where you were "sticking the script"?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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i thought RATA was better than ZING...bat after reevaluating the situation ZING was the proper choice.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 2:15 PM CDT
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My fave is...
"sit on a potato pan otis"
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 1:31 PM CDT
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Ha! Good one!
Mine is "was it a car or a cat I saw?"
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:32 PM CDT
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Was it Eliot's toilet I saw?
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:35 PM CDT
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Nice
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:37 PM CDT
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so
not only are cubs fans knowledgeable about baseball, but we aren't too shabby with palindromes either.
by gwood on
Mar 24, 2008 1:41 PM CDT
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Exclude me from the knowledgeable. I'm trying though. Thats why I'm here.
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 1:42 PM CDT
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Oh, And I Would Not Doubt...
...that the Cubs push for a #2 starter come 7/31...
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on
Mar 24, 2008 1:18 PM CDT
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OT: Nathan Extends With Twins
Jacque Jones is gone, and I doubt Ivan DeJesus would mind this!
by initram on Mar 24, 2008 1:24 PM CDT 0 recs
Bummer.
I secretly hoped we'd find a way to get that guy. But hey, not every major market team can continue to steal away Twins players. - TL
"Why shouldn't we believe that we're going to win the World Series?" - Ted Lilly, 1/19/2008, Daily Herald interview w/Barry Rozner
by timlacy on
Mar 24, 2008 2:02 PM CDT
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ZELL-O
Zell just doesn't get it, does he? Break-up artists (see your favorite clip from the movie "Wall Street") always think that the parts are worth more than the whole. Guess he hasn't really had any experience with the real public. He made is money in real estate but he was working with zoning boards and other politicians he could buy. Obviously he has Big Jim in his pocket and I'm sure they've had a conversation like... don't worry big Zell, the Illinois taxpayers are dumb as posts. Just scare them with changing the name of the field and you'll have an extra 500 mill easy. But Zell didn't think that the taxpayers are going to say BS now that the economy is going down. Timing sucks. Guess you better hang on for a couple of years Zell-O. And when your newspapers are still drowning in red ink, then you'll be happy to sell.
I want my Macias!
by wombat on Mar 24, 2008 2:02 PM CDT 0 recs
Perhaps...
Zell could sell off the different sections of the Tribune (Classifieds, Sports, Weather, Health & Fitness, Living, Travel, etc.) and reap more profit too?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on
Mar 24, 2008 2:06 PM CDT
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Zell
is Bill Wirtz reincarnated
I'm drunk......and it shows.....
by Keystone80435 on
Mar 24, 2008 2:17 PM CDT
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