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2nd half needs.

 I am comftorable with this team as it stands now, but I think they can upgrade in a few areas still. Here's what I think their biggest needs are:

RH hitter off the bench. Cedeno and Blanco will just not cut it. I'd like a veteran in this role, even though someone like Aurillia isn't having that great of an Offensive season, you know what you'd get with him and Lou would be more willing to go to him than Cedeno, who right now is just sucking up a roster spot. Someone also mentioned Chris Gomez ,who's career .263 BA isn't impressive but his last 5 seasons have been solid and would undoubtedly be an upgrade over Cedeno (Patrick Swayze would be an upgrade), from Pittsburgh the other day and I think that was a good idea and I would be perfectly happy with that addition. Plus the Cubs have a history of fleecing the Pirates and maybe they can do it again for old times sake.

LH reliever.  Cotts just can't be counted on to be your shutdown LOOGY, he's too inconsistent and Eyre seems to be breaking down. Marshall has looked good out of the pen but is unproven in that role. This area is something that should be given more time to work itself out and will likely be a July 31st move, if any at all.

Overall bullpen. Like the LH reliever situation, this should be given more time to work itself out. I still like this bullpen as a whole and think that it will be fine. The only spot I am not comftorable with is the Wuertz/Hart spot. I was hoping Ascaino could fill this gap, but with him struggling in the Minors, losing hope.

Starting Pitching. You know the old saying, you can never have enough pitching. The 5th spot in the rotation with Marquis is really the only weak spot in the rotation and even with him 5th, he's still as a whole, a good 5th starter. But if the Cubs are serious about winning it this year, I wouldn't mind another solid starter, especially with Harden's injury history. Even though he's never had a serious injury, I can see with the Cubs luck, him getting a sore arm say oh, around September 25th. Lilly is having a decent year but I still don't have confidence in him and his mental make up in the playoffs and if he was pushed into the 4th spot in the rotation and Dempster would be your 5th starter (Zambrano, Harden, 3rd starter via trade -, Lilly and Dempster) , you could start making your World Series plans right now.

Lineup. This is obviously the last of the Cubs needs as they're one of if not the most solid lineup up and down in the league.If Dome can start hitting again and not looking absolutely lost (yesterdays ab was encouraging) at the plate, then that would be like an addition. This lineup is fine.

 

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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stop saying they need starting pitching; they don’t if Harden does get hurt we have Gaudin, Marshall, Lieber I think the bullpen is weaker then it has been though Gaudin looks good may look for in house power pitcher if they feel Shark is ready. They need a bat off the bench when playing the Giants this weekend i was thinking about Rich Aurilla would be a good bat off the bench and can play every infield position.

by oeosoto on Jul 14, 2008 2:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I didn't say they NEED starting pitching

Just said that I wouldn’t be upset if they added another solid starter. All those pitcher’s you mentioned are 5th starters. Are you saying you would rather have them take Harden’s spot in the rotation than say, oh I don’t know off the top of my head, an AJ Burnett? I hope not.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

ALso

then you’d add another hole in the bullpen and the way this bullpen has been pitching lately, they don’t need another hole in the bullpen.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the only pitcher I want to trade for at this point

is Maddux.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

If for nothing else as a surrogate pitching coach.

Sure would be an interesting discussion between Marmol and Maddux right now, no?

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Oh please

not again with these “Maddux would be a great mentor” for young pitchers mumbo jumbo. How did that work out with Maddux’ most recent Cub experience? How many playoff games did they play in with Maddux?

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, his knowledge of hitters in the NL is certainly no help to the Cubs right now.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

With pitchers that can execute the game plan...

...it would, I believe, make a difference, particularly with a young catcher.

Again, we don’t agree, let it go.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

are you suggesting

that our pitching staff - or the rest of our team - is comparable to the PADRES?

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As far as the Maddux and Marmol discussion

I wasn’t aware that Maddux threw a slider. Not sure how he could help Marmol out there.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As far as the mental part of the game, no help, eh?

OK, I’ll let that stand on it’s own…clear that we disagree.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Rich Aurilla ?

Oh Al you have to comment on that one. Um let’s just say Rich Aurilla is not one of Al’s favorites
something I have been needling him over since 2004

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Say what you want about Aurillia

but I’d rather have him hitting a clutch late inning situation than Cedeno ANY FREAKING DAY.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Sigh.

I thought Aurilia was done in 2004. So did the Padres, who dumped him to Seattle in midseason.

Look at his numbers from 2001—a real outlier of a season, if you ask me. Roids? Maybe.

I’m amazed Aurilia is still around.

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

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He still would have been better than

FREAKIN REY ORDONEZ in 04. That period between when our Alex Gonzalez went down and
we signed Nomar, KILLED us because we played Ordonez when we could have had Aurillia
I would not go near him NOW but then I would have.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ordonez sucked, yes.

But look at Aurilia’s numbers in 2004. They were horrid. Why do you think the Padres let him go?

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

by Al on Jul 15, 2008 4:09 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Harden won't get hurt

i hope…GET A-ROD TO PLAY SHORT haha

"I'll play any day. I don't care if I'm 0-for-30, playing baseball is my PASSION. I'll go out and play." - Geo Soto

by CubbyBlues on Jul 14, 2008 2:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2nd Half Needs: 55 more wins (includes playoffs)

the end.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2008 2:34 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2nd Half Needs: 55 More Wins (11 in Playoffs)

"The big possum walks late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jul 14, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Echo.....echo....

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2008 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the LH reliever is the one that's coming next.

It won’t be Brian Fuentes. Take a look around ML rosters and you can find at least two likely suspects.

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

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 2:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Billy Wagner and converted starter Randy Johnson?

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I assume you're joking. LOL

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 14, 2008 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yep. I just don't like playing "Clue".

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I read somewhere...

that the Braves have made it known that Will Ohman is available.

All joking aside, and that is a bad joke, Marte or Sherill seem available and could help. One of those would be an intra-division trade and the other would be with the Orioles and may take a couple of years to iron out. Then there is Arthur Rhodes who might help some, but whose effect would be limited if at all.

by okiecubbie on Jul 14, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So Al

You’re comftorable with Cedeno and Blanco as the Cubs primary RH hitters coming off the bench???

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 3:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think Cedeno has taken a step up this year.

He has definitely improved his patience, walk rate, pitches/PA. Now, he still isn’t an above average bat yet. But for a bench/backup SS I think he is fine. Plus, we will be getting a number of options from Iowa when the rosters expand.

"We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope."

by californiachicagoan on Jul 14, 2008 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When Soriano gets back...

...Johnson will be on the bench whenever the Cubs face RHP. The bench is short a RH batter because our starting LFer is on the DL. This will attend to itself.

by cwyers on Jul 14, 2008 5:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

+1

In fact, if we were going to add a different bench player, I wonder if it shouldn’t be a left-handed speedster who can play CF, a Dave Roberts type who doesn’t have Dave Roberts’ contract.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 14, 2008 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Got another choice?

And don’t say Richie Sexson.

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

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 8:39 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have to say,

I tend to disagree, as Scott Eyre and Sean Marshall look like a good lefty combo going forward. I do agree with the poster though about the bench situation; Mark Loretta, Ty Wiggington, or Marco Scutaro sound really good right about now.

by Damen Jackson on Jul 14, 2008 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

IFFFFF Eyre can stay healthy

then, yes I would be fine with that combo as well. Which is why I think if another Lefty out of the pen is added, it’ll be around the trade deadline.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Do you have some reason to believe..

that he’s more likely to be injured than anyone else once he returns from the DL?

by Damen Jackson on Jul 14, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Might have something to do with the fact that

Eyre has been on the DL 4 times in the past 2 seasons and already twice this season and just now at All Star Break.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure it's been three trips...

in his three seasons with the Cubs. And given that we’re talking about a couple of lower body strains, and a little tendinitis, I’m not going to lose too much sleep about his health. I hope that you don’t either.

by Damen Jackson on Jul 14, 2008 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually, I have heard the name Marte mentioned.

That’s as far as I’ll go.

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

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not so into

ex White Sox comin here. They seem to reek of inconsistence.

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 15, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Scott Downs?

John McDonald and Downs for Cedeno. It’s time for Downs to come back to Chicago from his Canadian exile.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 14, 2008 6:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah because

I really can’t wait to see him sully himself on the mound again in the playoffs.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well, you're a shaft of gold

while all around is dark.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It was one of Whistler’s!

Before each game, please remember to feed the bats.

by Cool Hand on Jul 14, 2008 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

heh-heh

15 BCB points!

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Left handed reliever

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 14, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Another thing I forgot to mention about Gomez

He is a career .302 Pinch hitter with an OBP of .397. I would be happy with those numbers.

by High_Tight_Fastball on Jul 14, 2008 3:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Agree with you on the RH bench player...

I think the bullpen will be OK…just a little fatigue is my guess due to shorter starts.

Cedeno is clearly not performing…I certainly hope this is addressed prior to the deadline, because none of the callups (Murton, Hoffpauir, Fuld, Pie) have been the answer for this season.

However, we will have DeRosa off the bench more when Soriano returns…not sure if that makes a difference.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

why would we have DeRosa off the bench?

We’ll have LBR off the bench. DeRosa will go back to playing 2nd.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

True...I tend to forget his natural position when he's all over the field.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damaso Marte...

...mentioned above, makes a lot of sense. His contract’s up after this season so Pittsburgh will almost certainly be trying to move him. He’s been consistently successful in the LOOGY role for awhile, one of the few guys who really does shut down lefties. His platoon splits are slightly reversed for 2008 but, over his career, he’s held lefties to a .197/.293/.283 line. Moreover, he’s never struggled severely against righties so his role can be expanded to more than just a LOOGY if the need arises.

With Capps going on the DL, Marte is now the Pirates closer so any success he has in that role may drive up his price. Anybody have a guess as to what their price might be?

We sell spatulas...and that's all.

by LaddieRenfroe on Jul 14, 2008 3:29 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe the Cubs agree with the "Need a New SS" contingency around here

Hendry was reportedly kicking the tires on Khalil Greene….

The interest was not mutual though.

by Wreckard on Jul 14, 2008 3:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Reading these insights

I am incited to declare that few people really know MLB. In 2004 Sox made a few minor trades in July and the most important acquisitions were Orlando Cabrera and Doug Mientkiewicz. For the most part the playoff roster on the Cubs appear to be set when Soriano and Eyre return.

On the margins Cubs could add a utility infielder so that we don’t see Theriot make another bone headed play at SS like Saturday. In the playoffs I doubt if we will see DeRosa playing the outfield.

The other addition could be a solid left handed reliever although Cotts is okay.

The risk move could be trading Marquis (although his clubhouse attitude might necessitate a move) the question here is whether Hill is regaining his ‘06‘07 stuff where then the Cubs would have five solid starters, two left handers.

Give me Fuentes from CO and Loretta or Vizquel on the infield and they would be able to stack up with anyone the AL and NL have to offer.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 14, 2008 3:43 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Reading repeated insights like wanting Vizquel in our IF, I am incited to declare that you really don't know what you're talking about.

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Also, just because it worked for the Red Sox in '04 doesn't mean

it’s suddenly a universal formula for success. Every team has different needs, etc.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 14, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, OH NOES!! WE DON'T HAS ORELANDO KABRERR AND DOUG MINKIWEIEICZIOZZZ! DOOMT TO FALE!

"It’s like they have 40,000 players on one team. Forty thousand people want to be in the dugout slapping fives. ‘Passionate’ is an understatement. Fans like that are special." -- Giants LHP Alex Hinshaw on Wrigley Field

by northsider on Jul 14, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not to mention Millar

and most of all DAVE Roberts.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"snicker"

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

the problem with that theory

is that Theriot isn’t likely to be benched any time soon.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 14, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

You're right.

But if he should start to wear down and stop hitting (like he did in the second half last year) things could suddenly get very interesting.

by bluekoolaide on Jul 14, 2008 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

RH infielder

Call up Houston and see what they want for Loretta.

by rlpete on Jul 14, 2008 3:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

As much as I like Theriot

I’d be very intrigued about adding a better glove man up the middle (like Khalil Greene).

by bluekoolaide on Jul 14, 2008 4:08 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

Obviously, I’m a pretty vocal critic of Theriot’s but that’s certainly something I wouldn’t mind seeing either. It’s probably the team’s most glaring weakness outside of the pen, which lacks depth.

by Wreckard on Jul 14, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I should have said, above...

that the RH bat needs to be an infielder.

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 14, 2008 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Theriot is fine for what we ask him to do.

So what he only hits singles? We don’t need him to get us extra base hits. The team has plenty of other guys who can get you extra base hits. We need him to continue to have multi-hit games. We need him to continue to take walks. We defintiely need him to work on his defense. He is a 2nd baseman playing out of postition. I would never trade, or even platoon Theriot and his 36 multi-hit games, just to try to shore up the defense a little bit. Besides, you don’t reward a hard worker like Theriot by putting some other has been, (i.e. Vizquel) in his place. A lot of people don’t want to factor in intangibles, but many times intangibles bring a lot to the recipe. You can’t ignore his heart.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 5:09 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Nail on the head

Lou made a point when he got to Chicago – play hard, get reward. Theriot was his point. He’s invested in Theriot’s ongoing playing time. And maybe this is something Theriot critics haven’t calculated – how much the glorification of Theriot has led to harder work among other players and led to greater success on the field. Maybe. The point is that while we may sometimes wish to ignore his heart – Lou cannot, indeed, is not able to ignore all of Theriot’s melty, gooey Intangibles.

That said, if Hendry really did inquire on Greene, it doesn’t so much matter if Greene isn’t available; the important fact is that the Cubs might be looking for a SS. A SS with better defense could lead to a job-sharing arrangement where Theriot splits time at SS and 2B and DeRosa splits time at 2B and all the other positions he plays, similar to the original Brian Roberts plan.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 14, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Excellent post!

Your previously notorious belligerence on the unfairness of Wild Card play shall be stricken from the record and you are hereby promoted to the position of Voice of Reason, including all benefits and compensation entitled therein.

"Whoo, boy! Next time around, bring me back my stomach!" -Jack Brickhouse

by Goodie1969 on Jul 14, 2008 6:47 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Who, little old me?

Not sure I want the title, but if you are bestowing, I’ll take it.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

whats the deal

with the theriot bashing. He’s a career .291 hitter .351 obp. Those are 50 pts higher than Khalil Greenes.

by nks6911 on Jul 14, 2008 5:22 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Guess you haven't been here very long.

Theriot-bashing is a sport here, sort of like dwarf tossing.

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

by Al on Jul 14, 2008 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Especially now that Murton is gone

Murton bashing was a small side line . Midget dwarf tossing ?

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry

by Doggie Stalker on Jul 14, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Because he's so bad with the leather

The arguments basically boil down to:

Anti-Theriot:
Empty batting average (only hits singles)
Bad baserunning / lots of CS
Terrible fielder

Pro-Theriot:
Gets to first base a lot
Intangibles
Sparkplugs
Gives 110%
Insistence that his defense is passable
Likes to dive
And some combination of:
Hustle
Grit
Gristle
Grittle
Scrap
Spittle
Scrabble

by Wreckard on Jul 14, 2008 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Don't forget the anti Theriot

nauseating stats regurgitation. That is always a fun way to come down on the guy with the highest BA on the team.

Oh I know, BA means absolutely nothing in the game of baseball.

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 15, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I know

Facts make me sick too.

I was once given a fact-finding assignment for work to research whether or not a particular process was effective or not.

I spend the entire afternoon in the bathroom, retching.

by Wreckard on Jul 15, 2008 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I just retched myself....

Any chance that research project was to determine whether repetition actually alterred the validity of a statement over time?

Curious what that result was.

Calm down.

by Kinky Reggae on Jul 15, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no

but neither is it the be-all and end-all of measuring how good a hitter is.

"We expect to win. We go out to win. So we're just living up to our own expectations." Derrek Lee, 5/29/08

by drewishdrewid on Jul 15, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Damoso Marte

Having given my left nut for Rich Harden I hereby offer up my right one for Marte. He would be outstanding addition to the Cub bullpen. I’d offer up Felix Pie.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 14, 2008 9:23 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

NO NO NO...

Marte is an accident waiting to happen.

Jimmyeatworld

by Jimmyeatworld on Jul 14, 2008 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'd gladly take a couple month rental of Marte

Every time I have seen Marte he has been light’s out. He’s cool as a cucumber too. Doesn’t seem to get rattled easily.

Rich Harden Fever, Catch It !!!!!!!!!!

by MDBNIU on Jul 14, 2008 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"And there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom..."

I’m not sure Marte’s going to be available for a reasonable price. I think we can get a suitable lefty (if we need a suitable lefty) out of division.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 14, 2008 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

RH batter v. LH batter off the bench

When Soriano comes back, the bench will probably look like this:
C Blanco®
SS Cedeno®
OF Reed®
2B Fonty (l)
PH Ward (l)

The first two are essential players to have on the bench because of their position. I really don’t think you can improve on either of those guys enough to make it worth trading. Cedeno’s been cold, but he’s more likely to snap back to his season average than to continue on being Antarctic cold; and somehow, he could regain that approach he had at the beginning of the season. The best reason to swap someone in for Cedeno is if that player’s defensive reputation is great enough to get some playing time at SS, but that’s not easy to find, either. Neither Aurilia nor Gomez would do that.

Then there’s Reed as platoon partner for Edmonds – again, he fills an important role and I’m not sure there’s anyone available whose cost will be less than the improvement we’d make.

It’s the last two who you’d consider replacing because of their defensive limitations, although both are hitting. If you replaced one, it’d need to be another LH hitter, I think. I believe this is especially the case as the Cubs look to sit Edmonds and Fukudome. Edmonds, especially, remains a risk for injury and the Cubs really don’t want to get stuck without a LH CF who doesn’t have experience hitting in the majors. Reed Johnson cannot play everyday against RH hitters on a championship team.

What seems most likely is that the Cubs will stand pat on their bench unless Cedeno is traded for another piece.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 15, 2008 7:59 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I'm not certain there's much value in that Cedeno trademark, anymore ;-)

Let my ashes blow in a beautiful snow from the prevailing 30 mile an hour southwest wind...
When my last remains go flying over the left field wall, I'll bid the bleacher bums adieu,
And I will come to my final resting place, out on Waveland Avenue. --Steve Goodman

by NotSure on Jul 15, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LH reliever

Given what I said above about the bench, I wonder if a LH reliever really would help the club more than going to 11 pitchers and adding a speedy LH OF? Consider the options. The Cubs now have several long relief options. How effective would a ‘pen be that had Marshall, Gaudin, and Lieber all able to go 3 innings? Marshall is described as “unproven” above which is true in the strict sense, but Marshall has fairly well proven in his starts that he can go one time through the lineup with excellent results fairly regularly. Marshall runs into trouble as a starter the second time through (around the 4th inning).

A ‘pen of Wood, Marmol, Eyre/Cotts, Marshall, Gaudin, Lieber can give you a lot of innings. The question is – what do you gain v. what you give up if you have a 12th pitcher or an extra bench player.

I doubt this scenario happens. A team that feels the need to go to 13 pitchers won’t drop to 11 and Lou would have to change his ‘pen use patterns a good bit to make this work. The reason I wrote it out, however, was to raise the question of how much a LH reliever really helps given who in the ‘pen/bench is replaced by him.

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 scappy 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. These qualifications should henceforth protect any reader from misapprehension of the contents above, thereby protecting the entire site (www.bleedcubbieblue.com) from any diminishment of credibility or impact.

by DGU on Jul 15, 2008 8:12 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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