Fukudome in danger of losing starting job
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:08 PM CDT
246 comments
"We need him to start hitting," Cubs manager Lou Piniella said before Sunday night's game against the Cardinals. "If not, I'm going to have to start looking for other options."
Fukudome's batting average splits have decreased each month: .305 in April, .293 in May, .264 in June, .236 in July and .125 in 24 August at-bats. He has one home run since the Fourth of July and has started sitting against the occasional left-hander.
Meanwhile, reserve infielder Mike Fontenot is .406 (13-for-32) since the All-Star break. Platoon outfielder Reed Johnson is even hotter, .474 (18-for-38) in the second half.
From MLB.com
I know he's slumping -- but I didn't think Pinella would be bold in sitting Fukudome (who has a 48 million - 4 year deal).
Fukudome looks like a completely different player than what he was in the beginning part of the season (besides his defense). But if Fukudome continues to struggle this month, would you sit him if you were Lou?
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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Again, $48 million reasons why he doesn't sit...
...more reps in the cage, bat him 8th, sit against lefties, but his defense is outstanding…
I can see it come playoff time, but not when we are winning….it’s a TEAM game, and right now they can afford to carry him…
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
But he must be scaring the crap out of Pinella and Hendry, because they sure didn’t pay 48 million for just gold glove defense. They expected him to swing the bat alittle bit more consistently.
I think he’ll turn it around though.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree he'll turn it around.
He’s a professional hitter. Derrek Lee’s gone through some pretty bad stretches this season, too. Jim Edmonds has, too. It happens. Dome is good. We’ve seen it and we’ll see it again.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope so.
I guess we don’t worry about D-Lee because we know he will snap out of it, because he has proved it time after time. We don’t know about Fukudome.
The MLB is tougher than Japan’s league. But as hard as Fukudome works, he should catch up with the speed and production of the game.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Lou is trying to appeal to his pride and professionalism....
...let’s hope it works.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps Lou is managing Dome
but this is also the kind of press release you’d need to make if you were really considering doing it, given Dome’s coverage in the Japanese media. You can’t just sit Dome w/o preparing the media that you might do it.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This argument has always annoyed me
$48 Million = SUNK COST!!!
Whether he’s going to improve with continued playing time is another argument. I don’t care if you have a $100 M backup, play the 300K rookie who’s outhitting him. How does it make any sense not to?
by tal1286 on Aug 11, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what other option
does Lou have?
He’s a rook. You play him, precisely for the kind of defensive play he exhibited tonight.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 10, 2008 10:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
In the article,
Lou says Fontenot (with DeRosa in right), or Johnson in right.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are the current options, unless there's a wavier wire deal available...
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But who out there could we get
that would be any type of upgrade on Fukudome?
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No one of real value, that's the problem...
...unless you bring up Pie and put him in RF….
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt that
Pie would be any type of upgrade over Fukudome. Remember how good he was in April and May? Pie is a good player but I think Fukudome is a safer bet.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree completely...bad options all around...
Not everyone on the team can bat .300 and hit 30 HR’s…
He needs to be patient, work walks and foul off pitches if he can’t square up the ball…
Gerald Perry, where are you?
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You know what I see?
Now, of course I’m no hitting coach. But he swings at the pitches that he can’t do much with, and looks at the ones he can.
Sometimes with the wide strikezone of some of these umpires Fukudome tries to protect the zone by swinging at those pitchers pitches—but I’ve seen him miss “his” pitch alot lately. I felt the same with D-Lee when he was slumping.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He needs to quit that "pirouette" thing he does on his front foot
When I coached, I called that “bailing.”
I also told my players “a boxer does not bail as he throws a punch.”
“Punch the ball. Don’t bail.”
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Aug 10, 2008 10:48 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yep
No way he’s gong to drive an outside pitch with authority doing that
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 10, 2008 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt hes going to change that..
seeing as thats how hes always batted, and it doesnt seem to affect Ichiro…hes a rookie, plain and simple, and hes never had to play a schedule like this, even Dice K had rough patches last year, and look at him now, hes doing great (except for the walks)
Im sure they knew this would happen at some point.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barry Bonds? j/k
My confidence in Dome is more of an all-around, he’ll-be-worth-his-contract confidence and not so much a he’ll-get-it-worked-out-this year confidence, so if we mix in another top LH bat it could be good. Would you play Dunn in RF?
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh no...
I think dome will be fine.
With Soriano back and Edmonds seeming to be a solid Contributor…he don’t need him to light the world on fire at this time. If a key contributor gets hurt, than it could start to become a problem
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he'll be fine, too.
But the Cubs are going for it this year and Edmonds is going to need rest down the stretch. Adding another LH bat isn’t a bad thing if the cost is right.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bring. Up. Pie.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So? You? Can? Watch? Lou? Sit? 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 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 Aug 10, 2008 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Lou is seriously looking for a left handed replacement bat...
...this is his only viable option.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For Lou, Pie is not a viable option.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sept. 1st might change the options...
...with a tough stretch of road games, it’ll be all hands on deck.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pie is likely to be called up to pinch-run and rest Edmonds late in the game.
But the calendar flipping over doesn’t change Lou’s basic view of Felix Pie.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we agree...
...that Lou doesn’t trust Pie, but I think that is wrong…do you?
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely.
Felix Pie is a legitimate talent and could most likely help the club right now. I believe not playing Pie regularly at the beginning of the season has hurt our team’s overall chances to win the WS. That’s not to say that the Cubs aren’t a great team or that Edmonds hasn’t been a great addition. I just think Lou’s wrong about Pie.
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree, to an extent.
Over his last 10 games, Pie is hitting .419 (18-of-43) and hit .373 in 102 July at-bats (.413 OBP).
If Theriot’s healthy, send either Fontenot or Cedeno down for a week or two (or put a veteran like Ward on the DL with a phantom injury) and give Pie a chance. Start him in a few games and see what the kid has done since being sent down. Isnt that the point of “option” years? To send guys up and down to give them a chance?
If the Cubs are going to give Fukudome and Edmonds chance, after chance, until they do well or fail, why not Pie? If nothing else, give the kid some serious ABs in September and see if you can get something out of him like the Cubs got out of Soto.
Pie’s crushing in the minors, why not give him another cup of coffee?
One thing you learned as a Cubs fan: when you bought you ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth.
Joe Garagiola
by Ryan at Cubshub on Aug 10, 2008 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Look at the roster.
You cannot send Cedeno down under any circumstances, as he is the only player on the team after Theriot capable of playing SS.
You cannot send Fontenot down, because that would be silly. He is crushing the ball. He is a very valuable player.
Ward? Well, yes. That can be done. He is a luxury afforded to the Cubs by DeRosa’s versatility, the “big bench bat” who doesn’t play any position. It allows the Cubs to carry no backup capable of playing 3B.
I agree with the larger point that Pie should be seeing serious time in September, and should even be considered for the playoff roster – it’s incredibly dangerous to be using the only backup SS as a PR every time Ward bats.
by D98 on Aug 11, 2008 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the playoff roster
There might be one extra position spot if Piniella cuts down the starting pitchers and leaves Marquis off the roster again.
by rlpete on Aug 11, 2008 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Marquis
Marquis was on the playoff roster last year, he just didn’t start.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/cubs/2007/10/piniella_sets_roster.html
by polly on Aug 11, 2008 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Battle of the signatures!
Who will win?
by dr stabbingworth on Aug 11, 2008 8:17 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not sure there is one out there
Ibanez will never make it through waivers…somebody like Tampa will put a claim on him. Giles has already been claimed and denied the trade. He can’t be put on Waivers again.
The problem is that there record is so good anybody who would be better than Dome is more than likely going to be claimed by somebody with a less a record and thus leave us out.
Unless…you did Bonds. I am not willing to make that leap. The Clubhouse is good…don’t rock the boat
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barry Bonds in a Cubs uniform.....
....would make me throw up in my mouth. A lot.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd replace Ward with Bonds in a heartbeat... if it meant winning it all.
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
by SackMan on Aug 11, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Bonds would be on good behavior.
But anyways…
Tampa couldn’t block it could they? Don’t they have a equal or better record than the Cubs?
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Waiver claims are within same league first, worst to best...
...and then opposite league worst to best….
So we would be ahead of Tampa for NL waivers.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...but not ahead of Boston
Which has already tried for Giles….
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We must have passed up Giles...
Because we are ahead of AL teams for Padres waivers…
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is interesting
Surprised that the Mets did not try for him…
They could use another outfield bat to…
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No.
I would trust Bonds in right just as much as I would trust Dunn.
If Fukudome played left and we didn’t have a guy named Soriano .. I would think about signing Bonds, and I’m serious.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 10, 2008 10:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he might be a little home sick
I think the Cubs should bring his family over so that he does not have to sit in that Apartment by himself…..
That is the move that I would make if I was the GM
I know that it would kill me to be away from Son….
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 10:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You may be on to it.
We may have undervalued the concept of Fukufriend.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
His family did come over...
IIRC, it was when the Cubs were on the Left Coast playing the Dodgers and the Dads.
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Aug 11, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Giles?
I think we’d find his 123 OPS+ an acceptable alternative.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not eligble anymore...at least that is how it was told to me.
He can’t be passed through waivers again. His Ship has sailed…
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 11, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't care how bad Dome is slumping,
If Lou sits him for RJ v. RHP it’s not going to work out well.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Very tough decision.
As lofty as his contract may be, there comes a time when enough is enough. Has that time arrived? I’m not sure. But at this rate, it certainly is approaching. It’s not as if his batting stats are simply dipping. His line drive rate has plummeted, all of his bats have him behind in the count, and he simply seems outclassed by 90% of the pitching he’s seeing these days. For some reason I keep thinking back to that at bat against Sherrill in the O’s series. Those sliders down and away just made him look foolish. Adaptation is the crucial term in his case, and he just doesn’t seem to be able to figure it out at this point. Especially when dealing with a team and sport where salary is a more flexible concern than those leagues and franchises that are capped, I think Lou must take a serious look at this. But what is the alternative?
All hitting aside, Dome has been a force out in right. Even when he doesn’t make plays, his mere presence has been holding runners for months (I like to think of his late substitution in that homestand with the Giants before the break). It seems the only feasible move would be:
a.) Stick RJ in right on a regular basis
b.) DeRo to right, wonder-hamster to 2nd
Either option is a defensive sacrifice. And after watching the leather these Cubs have flashed throughout the Cards series, is that worth shaking up?
Thoughts?...
by TheTruth11 on Aug 10, 2008 10:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I've provided my $0.02 above...
...I just don’t see a lot of options short of an acquisition via waiver wire…
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Giles...
I said it above. 123 OPS+, but he’d have to approve the trade.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since Giles has already vetoed one trade to a contending team...
... I imagine he’d veto all deals. He appears to like playing in SD and doesn’t want to leave.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moreover, didn't he fail to pass through waivers?
If I recall correctly, BOS put in a waiver claim, Giles exercised his no-trade rights, and SD ultimately recalled him. I don’t think you can waive a guy twice.
by D98 on Aug 11, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can, but the second time the waivers are irrevocable.
And SD won’t put Giles on irrevocable waivers.
by cwyers on Aug 11, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would almost have to be pre-approved by the player...
before it happened, so you’re right that it won’t happen. I’m shocked that he wouldn’t find Boston’s situation enticing. I’m also surprised at some of the names out there who haven’t been placed on waivers such as Marlon Byrd or Mark Kotsay.
I’m not entirely convinced that we should give up on Dome, or that he’s a complete offensive liability anyway.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe I read
that Giles has a limited No Trade with only 8 teams on the list. The Red Sox were one of them.
Not advocating that the Cubs get him, just putting that out there.
by ScottT on Aug 11, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He has 10-and-5...
...so a full no-trade clause.
by cwyers on Aug 11, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
According to
it says he had 8 teams.
Here’s that part
Giles’ agent, Joe Bick, refused to publicly acknowledge that Giles turned down a trade to the Red Sox, who claimed the veteran rightfielder on waivers. But Bick, a highly respected player representative, did shed some light on the clubs Giles selected. In addition to the Red Sox, Giles had the Orioles, Tigers, Nationals, Rays, Brewers, Marlins and Pirates on his list.
by ScottT on Aug 11, 2008 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe an off day with Perry...
and a road trip vs. Braves pitching will do him some good.
by WartburgCub on Aug 10, 2008 10:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hoff
needs a shot as bad as his defense is
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 10, 2008 10:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For Ward, yes, but there is no way you can play him in RF...
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he's made the case that he at least deserves a shot at Ward's job.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's like no one watched Swingnmiss Micah
while he was up with the big club. Hoffpauir is not even close to the answer.
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 Aug 10, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
might not be
but what does it cost us to try?? thats right nothing!!!
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 10, 2008 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It costs outs.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dare I say that outs are the result now with Fukudome in the lineup?
I’m still a Fukudome fan but disappointed in his recent lack of offensive production (2 for 21 in his last 7 days) and downward spiraling numbers-including OBP and SLG-every month since April. His plate discipline is not what it once was, either. Walks are down considerably since the end of June.
On the defensive side, there was a time when teams did not challenge his arm but it seems that respect is dwindling, too. Teams are going from 1st to 3rd with no “come-up-throwing-hard” from Fukudome like the first of the season.
I cannot complain about his glove work and hustle.
I think he inspired patience and pumped energy into the lineup.
He will find a way to rejuvenate himself and make us chant again.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Aug 11, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The point is that
Fukudome has good odds of returning to form. Hoffpauir has good odds of turning into a pumpkin. I’d love to see Micah get a full-time chance playing for the Nats or something, but a part-time role will not work for him with his swing and approach.
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you and I are on the same page
As complete ballplayers, Dome in a hitting funk is better than Hoff ripping the cover off the ball every once in awhile. I’ve seen Hoffpauir play defense. Ouch!
Hitters have slumps and can snap out of them. Defensive players don’t snap out of fielding slumps.
And, heaven forbid, if a bad defensive player goes into a hitting slump…double whammy.
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Aug 11, 2008 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly
I value Dome for his fielding and trust that his hitting is off due to enormous adjustments he’s had to make in the past 6 months…
Think about it. Birth of a son, settling in a new country where you barely speak the language, separated from wife and son for months, a new way of playing the game, a vastly different travel schedule, a new set of team mates… it’s overwhelming.
His hitting will come back next year. His early remarkable patience at the plate set an example for the rest of the team that’s paid off the rest of the season. What Lou chooses to do with him from here on out I’ll support, but next season I think we’ll see a very different Dome.
by Emelie on Aug 11, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hoff
yes his defense sux and no he probably wont ever be a regular mlb player IMO. Fukudome will turn it around eventually with a couple adjustments. But as far as Hoff goes he earned some playing time and I think he should get a couple games.
from the mouth of Uecker:
"Am I the only one who’s glad it’s only a 4-game series? If was a 9-game series, I think the Cubs would win them all."
by cubsluver22 on Aug 11, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know
A lot of people are calling for Hoff to come up—as if he performed like some wunderkind when he was up before.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sad to say, Fukodome's become an automatic out these days
and I don’t care how good our offense is, we can’t afford to put him out there on an every day basis-it’s not helping him and it’s not helping us.
Sure he looked good over the first two months but how many guys over the years can we say that about? Sooner or later, the league catches up to players. So far though, Fukodome hasn’t been able to adjust.
My vote would be to rotate DeRo and Johnson in right (assuming nobody is brought in through the waiver wire-whatever they do, it can’t be any worse than what Dome is giving us right now.
by bluekoolaide on Aug 10, 2008 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yes, the defense in RF can get a LOT worse....
...right now we can afford his cold streak at the plate. The playoffs are a different story.
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right. The playoffs are a very different story
So what do you do? Wait until the Cubs are down a game and then make a change? That’s exactly when a lot of people will start complaining about why Pinella didn’t make a change sooner.
Reed Johnson is a solid defensiver outfielder who will be fine in right. Yes, deRosa will be a definite come down defensively but it’s a chance we’re going to have to take.
And, as good as we look right now, it’s dangerous to look at the playoffs as a foregone conclusion.
by bluekoolaide on Aug 10, 2008 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
even with Dome's slump
we’re 24 over .500, 4 games up in the division, and lead the league in all sorts of statistics.
No one looks at the post as a foregone conclusion, but we have time to let Dome work this problem out.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
RJ still can't hit right handed pitching
You’re not getting an upgrade there. Against lefties, he’d still be more likely to spell Edmonds than Dome. Playing Pie for him (come sept) would probably be a good plan though – he hits righties and can play mad defense
Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog
by berselius on Aug 11, 2008 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's put this into a little Perspective
LF – All Star
CF – Awesome Lefty/Right Platoon…Over 20 Dongs
RF – Okay Bat (Chance to Improve), Great Defense.
3rd Base – All Star
SS – Great Singles Hitter
2nd Base – Great Production from Dero/LBR
1st Base – Good Production…
Catcher – Great Production, Great Signal Caller…
We are solid with the bat in areas where teams typically are not (Catcher/Second Base)...that makes up for Dome current lack of Production.
"Aw, how could he (Jorge Orta) lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico." -- Harry Carey
by TheRiot Police on Aug 10, 2008 11:01 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank you for a dose of reality...not everyone can be a .300 hitter
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A little more perspective:
Fukudome still has an OBP over .370 on the season – good for 9th among ML RFs.
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do What TLR Does
and bat the pitcher 8th and Dome 9th? That way Sori stands a greater chance of knocking in the batter ahead of him in the lineup.
"Sometimes I feel like as a Cubs fan if I’m not worrying about something, I’m not doing it right." - HalfBlindCubbieGirl
by CaliCub on Aug 10, 2008 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it was me filling out the lineup cards
Dome would be batting 2nd because that might help him see different pitches and because I expect him to end the season with a higher OBP than Theriot.
Dome’s going through a rough stretch – there may be no more need for something drastic for Dome than there was a need for something drastic when DLee went through a similar stretch.
More perspective: Hideki Matsui’s August 15-31 2003: .196/.297/.250.
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As Long As 1-5 Get On
and come around to score, then we can withstand a slumping Dome. If nothing else, Lou could bat him seventh or eighth until he comes around at the plate.
"Sometimes I feel like as a Cubs fan if I’m not worrying about something, I’m not doing it right." - HalfBlindCubbieGirl
by CaliCub on Aug 10, 2008 11:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He batted second on Sunday night...
... and went 0-for-4.
Your comparison of Matsui in ‘03 is an apt one. After hitting that poorly for half a month, he improved in September to .289/.369/.389, still not great, but at least better. We’d take that from Dome in September.
Also, look at Matsui’s power numbers—they improved significantly in his second year. I know that doesn’t help us NOW, but there is the possibility of improvement.
Maybe he needs a day or two off. At the very least, sit him against Tom Glavine (who’s scheduled to start on Thursday).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 4:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
One night
Even Albert goes 0-fer every once in a while. I’d keep doing it – if after a week he’s still hitting .100 on the month, then it’s time to get worried.
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Matsui
I agree with you totally. Living in NY state, we get all Yankee games on the tube. Matsui was a much more potent hitter his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th years in the league. Only Japanese position player who’s fully lived up to offensive expectations from Day One is Ichiro, and he’s in a league of his own.
"Earthly fame is naught but a breath of wind, which now comes hence and now comes thence, changing its name because it changes quarter." -- Dante, Purgatorio, Canto XI
by sweetswinger on Aug 11, 2008 8:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree
even further….I think that Lou would be making a mistake because of this:
His produce or sit management style works with many of the American born players who sometimes lack self motivating abilities. IMO, Fukudome places a lot of pressure on himself to play up to par. No one more that Kosuke knows that he isn’t producing right now. Sitting him doesn’t help motivate him and at the same time, takes a solid defender out of RF.
Leave him in, he will turn it around hopefully and even if he doesn’t become the hitter he was inthe beginning, we have a great lineup still. People are making adjustments, he may be tiring out a bit. It happens but this is not Pie who is young and somewhat of an immature ballplayer. Fukudome knows he has to make an adjustment…he will.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 8:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do we know sitting out wouldn't motivate him?
Fukudome knows he has to make adjustments, absolutely. Then why in two months hasn’t he made them yet?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
New league, new pitchers, new pitches, adjustments...
shall I go on? Everyone knows that the key to surviving adjustments as a new player, is adjusting to said adjustments. That takes time. It isn’t like an epipheny. He acknowledge this in that post game article. Sitting a couple days for rest is one thing, being benched will simply deflate him and probably not do all that much. I cannot say for sure but he is a disciplined and hard nosed baseball player. He said in the beginning that pitches with lots of movement were new to him. Oddly enough that didn’t show in the first couple months. It is now and he needs to make adjustments.
Same way you argued that Pie should remain in the lineup to work it out (which I agreed with), Fukudome needs the chance to work through this. Not to be benched.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But... it's... been... two... months.
Shouldn’t he have figured SOMETHING out by now?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I suppose...
during those two months though, he has been declining. he didn’t just drop off from a .330 hitter to a .135 hitter. I have noticed that his patience seems to have dropped off a bit probably because he is putting too much pressure on himself. He needs to regain that and wait for pitches he sees well. That was the key to his success in the beginning.
Do you thknk he is costing us games with his hitting? I don’t…yet. Therefore, as someone else pointed out, we have a lot of solid production in our lineup and I think the Cubs have the luxury of letting this guy work through it a bit longer. Come September, if he is still hitting a ta clip of .1 something….then this ought to be considered.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he's under a boatload of pressure
he’s in the media eye both US and especially Japan. I just think he needs the benefit of the doubt. He’s probably too hard on himself on top of all that. Give him the benefit of the doubt and time to adjust.
by Emelie on Aug 11, 2008 6:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Paul Sullivan is on CTL
right now and he said he has talked to Soriano about Dome and Sori told Paul he is going to talk to Dome. Sori told Paul he doesn’t want Dome to get down on himself. If anyone knows about hitting slumps it’s Soriano. I hope the talk helps.
Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!
by sue369 on Aug 11, 2008 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's a fine idea.
Since Soriano knows some Japanese that’ll make it easier for them to communicate.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That is a great idea...
Soriano can share his secrets on not being to hard on yourself. I do believe he has mastered that art.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 12, 2008 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats a great way of putting it
Puts things in perspective to how good this team is
by PieFan08 on Aug 11, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
More perspective..
Fukudome: OBP SLG OPS+
.372 .403 102
Theriot: .390 .373 100
Should we bench Theriot too?
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
by Bump Bailey on Aug 10, 2008 11:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Rotate Both In The Second Spot
"Sometimes I feel like as a Cubs fan if I’m not worrying about something, I’m not doing it right." - HalfBlindCubbieGirl
by CaliCub on Aug 10, 2008 11:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a very good idea...
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leave Theriot in the 2-spot.
He’s been a fantastic singles hitter this year, and he’s a great baserunner. (Albeit one who refuses to tag up to third under all circumstances, which is incredibly frustrating.) That .390 OBP has been pretty consistent month-to-month, hasn’t it? In the meantime, Dome’s splits are getting progressively worse.
The Cubs can carry Dome through this slump, even if it lasts the rest of the season. But they should do so with Dome batting 8th. No big deal, really – it’s just a very good lineup. I wouldn’t let him anywhere near the #2 spot.
by D98 on Aug 11, 2008 9:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are season stats
His splits are more harrowing:
OBP/SLG/OPS+
March/ April: .327/.436/.480
May: .293 .388 .404
June: .264 .387 .402
July: .236 .306 .382
August: .125 .214 .167
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 10, 2008 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dangerous questions there!
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 8:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, Emelie --
With some of the things you’ve posted, I wonder if that’s a double entendre ;-)
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 11, 2008 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
BA/OBP/SLG for the above post
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 10, 2008 11:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fuku says...he's trying to work through things...
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
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 Aug 10, 2008 11:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please stop calling
him by that name. He has stated he wants to be called Dome.
Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!
by sue369 on Aug 11, 2008 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know he requested to be called that...
But I don’t see the need to keep harping on it. People obviously don’t mean to be disrespectful, I think they should have the right to call him that if they choose. Pacman Jones requested to be called Adam Jones, but the media and even his teammates still call him Pacman… just let it go.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Aug 11, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think...
I think the problem has more to do with what the actual nickname/abbreviation says. We obviously know how it is suppose to be pronounced, but that isn’t likely the case for everyone. It’s also not as if he gave himself a nickname (ie Puff Daddy) and then told people to stop calling him that because he didn’t like it anymore.
by polly on Aug 11, 2008 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As long as we have idiots...
Still sellings those “Horry Kow” shirts along with the “Fuku You” shirts… Fukudome will always be a target for immature fans.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Aug 11, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
agreed...
But that doesn’t mean we can’t rise above it here.
by polly on Aug 11, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thank you.
Good luck Shawn Johnson, Lolo Jones and Doug Schwab. Bring home the gold!!!
by sue369 on Aug 11, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He will get through it.
hes obviously capable of batting over .300. He did it for nearly 2 months.
"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." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Aug 10, 2008 11:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Just because you hit .300 for the first two months doesn't mean
you’re a .300 hitter. Lots of guys start out hot before the league figures them out. Now it’s up to Fukodome to adjust and, so far, he looks like he’s in way over his head.
by bluekoolaide on Aug 10, 2008 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just saying that he's capable of doing better
"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." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Aug 10, 2008 11:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We don't know what he's capable of.
That’s what we’re learning. Major League pitchers have adjusted to the approach he used at the beginning of the year and consequently both his walk and hit rates are way down.
Now we find out whether he’s capable of adjusting himself.
by Wreckard on Aug 11, 2008 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
all baseball players over the age of 8...
are capable of adjusting themselves. What I’d like to know is if he can make adjustments to his pitch/strike zone recognition.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 11, 2008 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A few days off, or trip to the DL w/ an imagimary injury might help
The physical skills are there, it’s the adjustments that he needs to make. His D is too valuable to do without for the playoffs
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 10, 2008 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I know this may get some "What are you thinkings",,, but
What about trying to sign Sosa. Hit pretty good last year with Texas. Don’t know what shape he is in but at least he knows Right field at Wrigley
by ChicagoRobb on Aug 10, 2008 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I value defense over offense.
The cubs can afford to carry fukudome in the lineup. In my opinion, they are better off with his stellar defense.
"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." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Aug 10, 2008 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's almost 40 years old.
Last year he played 87 games as DH and 16 in RF. He’d kill us defensively and strike out a ton.
Forget it.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 4:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No thanks
Pretty big can of worms to open up for a close knit clubhouse
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 10, 2008 11:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
"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." - Alvin Dark
by cubs199235 on Aug 10, 2008 11:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kerry would have to replace his boom box for starters
Well, Next Year is here .. and Jack's century's gotta end some time .. GO CUBBIES!
by cubnational on Aug 11, 2008 10:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dome isn't
even hitting the ball hard. He can’t even get a loud out. I do believe if he continues this slump, since what, June, he will have to grab some pine at least couple times a week.
Hit him 7th, and hope he gets out of this funk. I do give him props for his glove, he can go get it.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
by Grockcubs on Aug 10, 2008 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This I agree with.
We aren’t running away with the division, and I hate the idea of proactively benching 2 starters every game to “keep them fresh” like Dusty used to, but this situation is different for a few reasons.
First, Dome is obviously scuffling – and it’s not uncommon for rookies and Japanese “rookies” to struggle in the second half of their first US season. Hideki, Kaz (pretty much all season, actually), Dice-K – everyone but Ichiro, really. The Cubs can afford to give Dome a few days off, and he could probably use them.
Second, the bench options are pretty great right now, thanks to Lou and Hendry. It’s no sacrifice to “have” to start Fontenot or Reed in a game for Dome these days. It’s not like we’re bringing Neifi or Macias or Hollandsworth or Grieve into the game.
And come September 1, there will be even more options available. Pie can and should get a ton of work in CF and RF between now and the end of the season, because he’s looking like he has a shot at the playoff roster (in either Howry or Marquis’ spot, depending on who gets the last RH bullpen spot).
by D98 on Aug 11, 2008 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou
Giving the regulars days off down the stretch will help as well, baseball seasons in Japan are much shorter. Plus all of the aforementioned emotional stress of being away from his family and dealing with the Japanese media on a daily basis may be wearing Dome down mentally. Or he may be compensating for an injury he isn’t telling anyone about.
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 10, 2008 11:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
F%#k you Jobu. I do it myself!
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 12:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is why...
when people say Fukudome shouldn’t be considered a rookie I disagree.
Just like others have pointed out. Baseball in Japan and MLB are very different. The game is about making adjustments. Pitchers have seemed to have found Fukudome’s weaknesses at the plate and now they are exploiting them.
A lot of pitchers in the beginning of the year didn’t know how to pitch him and Fukudome was a beast at the plate because of it.
It’s time for Fukudome to make his own adjustment. He’s a smart player and I can’t see this slump lasting into the [CROSS YOUR FINGERS] postseason.
DEROSA: How did it feel when you're sitting in Baton Rouge and it came across the ticker that Mark DeRosa had just signed to play second base with the Chicago Cubs.
THERIOT: In all honestly, when I saw it, I really felt like punching you right in the mouth and or breaking your leg.
by EJThunder on Aug 11, 2008 12:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Even if it does
The Red Sox had the offensive black hole of Julio Lugo playing short for them last year
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 12:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Plus, Lugo cost 4 years like 52 mil
I don’t know if his D is all that great.
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 12:07 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Interestingly
The same arguments made for keeping Pie up in May ( He brings great D, and the offensive depth on the team is good enough to absorb his short-comings) are being made in regards to Fukudome now. For the sake of consistency, I agreed with that philosophy then (proved wrong) and now.
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 12:13 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
What was proved wrong and how?
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
That our offense could just swallow a spot in the lineup and not miss a beat.
Pie needed to rework his swing in AAA, and the current platoon in CF may not be as great defensively as Felix but they sure bring a lot more necessary offense to the table. Also, if we had stuck with Pie (Great Defense/Automatic Out) then Fukudome’s struggles at the plate would be that much more amplified. In essence, the offensive black hole has shifted from CF to RF, but giving up one spot on the diamond for defense isn’t the end of the world so long as it doesn’t spread.
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 1:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How was it proved wrong?
When Pie was sent down, the offense was ranked #1 in all of baseball in nearly every meaningful statistic. It absolutely COULD just swallow a spot in the lineup and not miss a beat.
Currently (with Soriano back), one could argue it is continuing to prove that it can swallow a spot in the lineup and not miss a beat, as Fukudome is the one not hitting anything.
Now, if you want to say that the offense can’t survive with two spots (not including the pitcher) and still be great, you might be right. But the offense was fine when Pie was not hitting, and the offense has been fine with Fukudome not hitting.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
That’s what I’m saying. We would have been able to overcome just Pie’s struggles , but they would have been compounded with Fukudome’s struggles. Earlier in the season CF was the hole now it’s RF. Neither is a concern individually but if they BOTH lack production then the rest of the offense might sag with it.
The critical thing to understand is that major-league pitchers don't appear to have the ability to prevent hits on balls in play. There are many possible reasons why this is the case, and I don't really have a concrete idea as to why it is.
But the one thing I do know is that it is the case.
--Voros McCracken
by nbt on Aug 11, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or
Pie would have overcome his problems by the time Fukudome started having them and we’d have another option to play in case Fukudome’s problems are more permanent. Instead we wasted ABs on Reed Johnson v. RHP, something everyone knew wasn’t the answer. The situation now is similar. Why waste ABs on Reed v. RHP? Unless you really believe Fontenot could be the answer, stick with Dome.
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 Aug 11, 2008 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome should play RF against RHPs
With the roster as it is I would still play Fukudome in RF against RHPs. DeRosa should play RF against lefties, especially for away games. I like the idea of batting Fukudome 9th.
Edmonds and Johnson are working ok in CF, so that platoon should continue. They are both players with ailments that periodically bother them. I would not fill out a lineup card that requires either of them to play more often than they do and expect that to solve the problem Fukudome’s is having at the plate. Edmonds is already playing alot for somebody who has a nagging knee problem.
Fontenot is the one I would play more against RHPs. I would do that and see how it works. DeRosa would be sitting more against RHPs or filling in for another player.
This is not about catching, but I would play Blanco a bit more down the stretch to make sure Soto does not run out of gas for postseason. I would do that especially if the team is winning alot of games.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 11, 2008 7:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This is a reasonably good idea...
... you’d probably have to play Cedeno vs. LHP at 2B, since your alternate there would be Fontenot, who doesn’t hit lefties that well, either.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 7:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sounds good to me...
I would like to see what Cedeno would do with more playing time.
by BlueSox on Aug 11, 2008 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Theriot could play 2B?
Theriot hasn’t played much 2B this season. Assuming there is nothing preventing him from playing 2B against lefties, then Cedeno could be the SS against lefties.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 11, 2008 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only thing preventing Theriot from playing 2B is Piniella...
for some reason, Piniella has decided not to move Theriot under any circumstances. So Cedeno has to play 2B, despite being more suited to play SS than Theriot defensively.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 9:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou is invested in the Legend of Scrap
That’s the only explanation I can see – that when he got here he pointed to Theriot, said, “That’s how I want the game played and if you play it you will be rewarded.” If he shows any disloyalty to Theriot now (such as using Cedeno as a defensive replacement late in games, then it undoes his lesson of Scrap. How else do you explain the incomprehensible move of regularly replacing Cedeno at SS late in the games Cedeno starts there?
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou's said repeatedly...
That he’s going to rest guys and rotate bench players lots in the next few weeks. I’d much rather have two sharp SS’s in the post-season than just one. I think it’s wise as long as we continue winning this way.
Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.
by IowaCubs- on Aug 11, 2008 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I must not have made much sense
because I agree totally about doing what it takes to have two sharp SSs.
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 Aug 11, 2008 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems Pretty Expensive to have a 10 million dollar platoon player
He is been brutal for 2 months…
He needs to quit the bail & whale… He can t execute that in MLB
Relax, all right? Don't try to strike everybody out. Strikeouts are boring! Besides that, they're fascist. Throw some ground balls - it's more democratic. Crash Davis
by Reed's Johnson on Aug 11, 2008 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
All these splits and blah blah blah....
But no mention of where he bats spilts…..
He is a .305 hitter in the 5 spot, and yet we want to bat him, 2,6,7,8. Yes he has the most ABs there, but it is still his best batting average there (.305). the number 2 spot is his second most ABs and it is his worst BA, .154.
Please put him back in the 5 spot.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
by HIGGY on Aug 11, 2008 8:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Worth a try, too.
That would drop Edmonds to 7th (Soto should hit in between them).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Aug 11, 2008 8:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I mean - it really depends on who you want hot...
I understand Soto and Edmonds are hitting pretty well, but if Fukudome is better suited in the 5 spot, and you want him to hit then you might as well try it. If you want to contiune with Edmonds and Sotos success, dont worry about Fukudomes struggles.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
by HIGGY on Aug 11, 2008 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soto hasn't exactly been knocking the cover off the ball lately either.
He had a .250 June and July
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
by SackMan on Aug 11, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
furthering my point....
Everyone seemed to be hitting just fine before all the switches (understand Soriano was out for a while so you had to play around), but he is back, put Fuku 5th, Soto 6th, and Edman at 7. Try it for a week, and if Fukudome doesnt hit well there, or Soto, then you have to figure something out.
"I love this world. I hope hell is as much fun!"
by HIGGY on Aug 11, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely...
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Back in the 5 spot
I agree, put him back in the 5 spot. Don’t know if it is a coincidence, but Ramirez also got on base more with Fukudome in the 5 spot. It just setup for the bottom portion of the batting order which has been pretty productive for the Cubs this season.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 11, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ignoring the platoon splits for a moment.
Johnson: .300/.364/.444
Fukudome: .269/.369/.399
So it’s not like Johnson is so wildly outhitting Dome as to ignore the defense and handedness issues.
by cwyers on Aug 11, 2008 9:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Those Fukudome numbers are total...
the problem is (as has been stated already in this diary) that Fukudome hasn’t come remotely close to those numbers since June. His OPS the last three months are .789 in June, .688 in July, and .413 in August. So in fact, Johnson IS wildly outhitting Fukudome as of late, as since June he’s posted OPS of .840 in June, .907 in July, and 1.571 in August.
Obviously, that doesn’t consider platoon splits. But citing their season stats isn’t really accurate in this case. Fukudome has been slumping badly for a while now.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Heck, right now I'd rather have Johnson's 3-year splits vs RHP...
than Fukudome’s stats the past two months. He’s been truly terrible lately. Hopefully he can rebound to at least his May/June stats (~.788 OPS).
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, and that's all a small sample with selective endpoints.
To a certain extent it doesn’t matter in what order a player produces; you’re better off using as much information as possible. There’s almost no predictive value in month-by-month splits. Johnson is likely to cool off, and Fukudome is likely to pick back up again.
by cwyers on Aug 11, 2008 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand statistics, so you can save me the lesson...
You can say Fukudome is LIKELY to heat up, unless there is a systematic reason that he’s been slumping badly (which is very much possible – perhaps even likely). You can say that Johnson is likely to cool off (and I completely agree, which is why I referenced his 3-year splits).
With Johnson, we have himself against MLB pitching as a reference point. While assumptions are still necessary there, it’s at least as reliable as you can possibly get. With Fukudome, we have nothing but MAJOR assumptions to fall back on, using past performance primarily by other players in other leagues. Or, you can make assumptions based on his performance in a VERY small sample.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And to actually finish my thought...
my point is that using a full season’s sample for Johnson is probably appropriate, as we know generally what type of hitter he is based on his career in MLB.
HOWEVER, the same may not be true of Fukudome right now, because we don’t have a confident idea of what kind of MLB hitter he is. It may very well be that, due to fatigue or having been figured out, he’s not the same MLB hitter he was in April/May. In that case, considering his April/May stats would be irrelevant.
I tend to believe that there is a systematic reason for Fukudome’s struggles, and it isn’t just bad fortune. Hopefully, it is something that can be quickly fixed, and he bounces back to at least his May/June stats. If he does, I’d certainly rather play him than Johnson. But I’m not going to simply look at his full-season stats and confidently say that he will bounce back to those numbers.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We do know what kind of hitter Fukudome is.
His Japanese stats and scouting reports are not irrelevant.
Relevant comparisons:
David Ortiz’ first month of the season: .184/.294/.350
Ryan Howard’s first month of the season: .172/.297/.343
Chase Utley July 4-25: .219/.286/.313
Great players go through bad stretches. Baseball is hard to play at the ML level, even for great players.
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, we don't confidently know what kind of hitter Fukudome is...
we can make approximate guesses based on the career paths of other players who’ve played in both Japan and MLB, but those players vary in translation fairly substantially, just like players from AAA vary in their translation to MLB.
In other words, as I said before, you have to make MAJOR assumptions. Players aren’t metronomes, so translating Japanese stats gives you a point estimate with a large standard deviation. And scouting reports said that Kaz Matsui would be a great MLBer too, so they certainly aren’t infallible.
It may be merely a slump. But with those other players, you have an MLB history to rely on. And in Ortiz’s case, you had an injury to consider. With Fukudome, it COULD be a slump, or it COULD be systematic (i.e., either fatigue or being figured out).
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you want to go that far, we don't absolutely know the true caliber of any of our hitters.
Rich Harden could be our best hitter going forward this season.
Is my statement acceptable if I say that the odds (based on his stats in both leagues, scouting reports, and projection systems) are that Fukudome will be much, much better to play v. RHP than either Fontenot or Reed Johnson? The only player in our system who could approach Fukudome’s LIKELY production going forward is Felix Pie and he is the one player Lou wouldn’t consider playing.
Ortiz’ #s were pre-injury. I can go through the stats of 90% of the ML players and find similar lines over the course of 3 weeks. Everyone is bugging out about Dome’s “August Stats” ignoring that it’s August 11.
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
this comparison is silly
When Ortiz slumped this season most people expected he would return to his normal levels and he hasn’t been great coming back from the injury but he was dominating through May and June before he got hurt.
We knew that he was going to do this because he has done it BEFORE.
I want Fukudome to improve as well, but we really have less of an idea of what is going to happen. He’s been very good in Japan, but as we all know that japan isn’t as high level as MLB and to top it off, Fukudome is 31 and is probably declining on top of it all.
Don’t get me wrong, I hope that he improves, and I think he probably will. He probably won’t hit .300 again, and he probably won’t continue to hit below .200.
Comparing Ortiz’s struggles and certain rebound to the total uncertainty of what Fukudome is going to do is silly, IMO.
by tal1286 on Aug 11, 2008 11:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dome has done it before.
The Japanese leagues are not softball leagues. They’re tougher than our AAA leagues. What players do in AAA and what they do in Japan is not something you can just ignore. It would be silly to ignore that performace at the professional level. Dome is a major leaguer who has performed at the major league level. I just can’t see how it is silly to compare him to other major leaguers. The point is that ALL baseball players go through cold stretches. If David Ortiz and Chase Utley can go through cold stretches then Fukudome can too. It’s impossible to keep your timing, your energy levels, your eyes all calibrated to face the greatest pitchers in the world.
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 Aug 11, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i understand that
and you certainly have a point.
It’s just that, in my opinion, expecting Fukudome to return to his April levels because David Ortiz improved on a slump is wrong because we don’t really know what he’s going to do in the bigs whereas we have 5 years of production to reflect upon for Ortiz.
by tal1286 on Aug 11, 2008 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
As I say below,
I don’t expect him to return regularly to his April #s. I expect him to camp out at his May-June levels.
And my larger point is that we don’t KNOW how anyone will do in the next month. What we have are odds and Dome’s play in lower levels is hardly irrelevant to the odds.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok...
we agree that he’s going to regress to the mean…
we got lost in semantics basically.
by tal1286 on Aug 11, 2008 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
cool
and I’m sure we’re united in hoping he starts progressing back to the mean ASAP!
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 Aug 11, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not irrelevant...
just not necessarily a strong predictor, either.
I think that Fukudome is probably a .780-.800 OPS player if all is well. That’s below what his Japanese numbers would have predicted (which is my point about not necessarily knowing what type of hitter he is). In addition, there could very well be a systematic reason that he has stunk since July 1 (and perhaps even before that). If that systematic reason is not something easily addressed, then he may very well continue to hit well below what his expected production would suggest.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You need good translations to predict well.
You can’t just bring Dome’s stats over to the States w/o translation, but once you do, I think we had a thread months back where he projected by most people here around .385 OBP – .425 SLG, which is what it looks like we got.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are correct...
we don’t know for certain what ANY player will do. But we can be a lot more certain about players who have an MLB track record than we can about players who don’t.
And it’s not just Fukudome’s August stats. His July stats were pretty bad too.
I’ve never said that I want Johnson playing over Fukudome full-time, or (especially) against RHP. But saying that we know what kind of player Fukudome is is simply not accurate.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 12:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'm still going to stand by the claim that we have a fairly good idea of what kind a player Fukudome is.
I really don’t think we get more certain about players once they make it to the major leagues. You get surprises on the positive side like Magglio Ordonez resurging last year or Mike Mussina this year and on the negative side like Michael Barrett last year and Jason Varitek this year just as often from players with ML track records. There will always be surprises
But in general, minor league stats and Japanese stats can be predictive of major league play. If you don’t believe that, then there’s the difference between where we come down on Fukudome.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I believe they can be predictive...
I just think the standard deviations are much larger for Japanese and AAA players. The two are not mutually exclusive statements.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I'm trying to understand where you're coming from and how you're ending up where you do -
Do you think Dome’s MLB March, April, May, June, and second half of July stats are relevant to predicting his future performance? It seems to me like everyone is fixating on two weeks in July and 10 days in August. I’m not advocating taking those weeks away from the prediction, rather, I’m arguing that the Domesday scenarios are ignoring all of his Japanese stats and 80% of his ML stats. And I’m suggesting that the entire Dome picture we have from the Japanese stats and the entirety of his ML stats is a consistent picture.
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 Aug 11, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm open-minded on this one...
I think that, in general, relying on predictions for AAA and Japanese players leaves one’s self open to be way off – moreso than with MLB veterans, because we don’t have necessarily a good baseline.
HOWEVER, in this case, I think there are two issues at play. I tend to agree with you that Fukudome appears to be a .385 OPB/.400 SLG type of player on average. That’s below pretty much every prediction for him coming into the year – in some cases by just a bit, and in some cases by a lot.
The other issue is that, with first-year players, there is a chance that variation can be greater, because different/better pitchers can make adjustments and take advantage of him. Additionally, as I believe you’ve stated, issues such as fatigue due to larger travel schedules and a new culture may be at play.
So, my other issue was that pointing to his May/June stats may not be relevant, as he may not be the same player right now that he was in May/June. I think eventually he’ll get back to those May/June stats, but it may take an offseason to adjust.
I’m open to the possibility that it is merely a slump, and not systematic in anyway. If that’s the case, then I’d agree with you. I’m just not willing to rule that out and ignore the possibility that there’s a systematic problem here, which is what cwyers seemed to be doing.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't rule out the possibility of a "systematic problem"
that his stance is off significantly or even that he’s covering for an injury. Most of my response is focused on the idea that we’ve somehow dumped millions of dollars into So Taguchi. I’m open to the possibility that Dome will stink for the rest of the year – which is why I’m not opposed to bringing in another OF bat. In fact, I think having a bat who’s established at the ML level and trusted by Lou is a really good idea given Edmonds’ injury-riskiness and Reed’s inability to hit RH pitching.
Here’s the original BCB thread on predicting Fukudome. Kudos to you for having him pegged:
I’d guess he’ll be somewhere between .790 and .850 in OPS. Which end of that OPS spectrum he falls (and whether his OBP is .360 or .380) will make a big difference in his value, obviously.
There was a lot of .800-.840 OPS prediction in there. There was also .850-.900 prediction. I guess what I’m saying is that with all the first year adjustments you mention above, I expected the .800 range with hope that next year he might move towards a range > .850.
As for minor league and JPL predictions – I think the predictions are liable to be off when you don’t take into account the translations needed – like, for example, not realizing a guy who plays in Las Vegas is in one of the best parks to hit in all baseball. But when the proper translations are done, then predictions are generally useful. There will alway be a good bit of surprise, but generally speaking…
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 Aug 11, 2008 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Domesday scenarios"
There’s already a book about that, I heard.
My next sig line quote will also be from Lou Piniella, and the first word will be either "Look", or "Listen", followed by a comma.
by JohnM on Aug 11, 2008 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I see your point
I think your point is that Johnson’s avg would be more like Fukudome’s or perhaps worse more of Johnson’s at bats were against RHPs. I agree, there is no reason to substitute Fukudome’s defense for Johnson’s, although they are both good fielders. As of late Johnson has done better at the plate in important situations. (I’m trying to avoid the “c…hitting” word because I’m superstitious about it. Anytime I’m pegged a hitter as coming through in the “c, they’ve done the opposite for the rest of the season.
Fontenot’s fielding is the one to worry about if he gets to play more.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 11, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The question is -
what does Lou value more – defense and handedness or the all-out hustle and Scrap of Reed Johnson?
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 Aug 11, 2008 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I fear Kosuke is So Taguchi reincarnate
All he does of late is feebly fly out to left and center field. Clearly NL pitchers have figured out how to pitch his distinctive hitting approach. And clearly Kosuke is having enormous difficult time adjusting.
But Kosuke’s defense in right field is superior. I say sit him against left-handers and bat him 8th.
by MDBNIU on Aug 11, 2008 10:50 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
8th?
Cmon BM, bat him 5th, in the spot that he has had the most success. Management’s job is to maximize it’s resources and get the most productivity out of it. Hitting him 5th is doing this.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't bat him fifth anymore
Not when Edmonds and Reed Mantle are doing as well as they can. Not when Soto is a better option to drive runs in. Not when DeRosa has a better chance of driving the runs in. Dome needs to be hitting 8th, and he is damn lucky he still has a starting job.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But Edmonds/Reed haven't proven that they cannot produce in another spot.
Fukudome apparently has shown this to us. Better chances with Fukudome in the 5th than the others.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
If Edmonds or Reed then bat 6 they can't drive in runs if Dome makes the third out of the inning
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
But
in the 5th spot…Dome gets on. More so than in any other spot that is.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's completely irrelevant
on where Kosuke hits in the lineup. His struggles have not coincided with who’s batting in front and behind him. His struggles have been simply the fact that he struggled with the offspeed pitches MLB pitchers throw outside and away from him. The fact that he is overmatched almost more so than anybody else in the lineup against a 5 star caliber player.
He needs to make an adjustment no matter if he’s hitting first or nineth.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 11, 2008 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1000
I don’t think location matters to Dome – his approach seems to be the same wherever he hits. It’s not like he wasn’t walking like crazy at the beginning of the year when he was batting 5th, the ‘RBI spot’. We don’t really have a big sample size of him hitting second anyway, even if you thought there was a correlation
Some people have 3 layers, like pie. Blog Blog Blog
by berselius on Aug 11, 2008 8:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree about the cause however
his numbers in the 5th spot are a great deal better than any other. It is more of a “why not” approach to helping him through this slump. His adjustments will get him out but he has shown the most success in the 5th spot so “why not”?
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 12, 2008 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because you don't put a slumping player
in a RBI spot when he hasn’t been driving in runs nor hitting.
Keep Edmonds in that spot.
My new life, my new world, and my beautiful daughter:
Tamia London Davis: Due date (8-11-08)!
by Unique on Aug 12, 2008 10:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree with this Cubs lineup
I think we need to try him out again regularly to see if the spot in the order has something to do with it. Plus with Edmonds or Soto behind him, he may see better pitches to hit.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 14, 2008 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Cubs are winning
and we’re discussing how to make this team better.
Imagine how good this team could be if Lou finds all the right pieces!
"Every team will win 60 games, every team will lose 60 games, it's what the team does in the other 42 games that decides the season."
by flachimesa on Aug 11, 2008 11:14 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed -- That's what I really like about Lou
He’s never satisfied. The team is on pace to win 97 games, and he’s still trying to make it better.
by Shanghai Badger on Aug 11, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Over the weekend
Over the weekend the Cubs went from 5 games in 1st to 4. So, the division race isn’t over. The Cubs also haven’t proven themselves on the road this season while the next 6 games and alot of Sept is on the road. The Brewers also have more games left against the Pirates. I don’t know how much more can really be gotten out of this roster, but these guys have got to stay with it; that is if this is the year we’ve all been waiting for.
by AboutTheCubs on Aug 11, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A closer look at Dome's monthly splits
Thanks baseballreference.com:
Apr/Mar .327/.436/.480 1 HR 11 XBH
May .293/.388/.404 2 HR 7 XBH
June .264/.387/.402 3 HR 6 XBH
July .236/.306/.382 2 HR 8 XBH
Now, I think what scares most people is looking at the AVG go down each month. especially with the August #s so far. I think it’s important, though, if you’re going to argue that “he keeps getting worse” to split July in half and look at the July splits:
July 1-15 .167/.222/.262 1 HR 2 XBH
July 16-31 .298/.377/.489 1 HR 6 XBH
As of two weeks ago, Dome was the player he was at the end of March. That was facing AZ, FL, Hou, & Mil – not bad pitching. He can play at the ML level. There really shouldn’t be any question about that.
I’m not worried about Dome’s “downward spiral” because I pretty much expected the numbers he put up consecutively in May and June – .385 OBP and .400 SLG. I never really expected him to keep going at the pace of his first month all season long. The normal ebb and flow of ML hitting led to a hot start a cool month when you put together the start of July and the start of August. It happens. Dome’s season averages will probably settle down to May-June and with excellent defense – that’s good for our club. Dome’s production will flow again.
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 Aug 11, 2008 11:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
If you put those numbers up and used the name Jacque Jones instead of Fukudome
This place would be calling for his head.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not at all.
Part of the frustration of JJ was his low OBP and swing-at-junk approach. Dome’s OBP, if May-June is his true level – is rare in the major leagues.
And, fwiw, I think Cub fans tended to underrate JJ, though I was frustrated by him often enough, too.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jacque was def underrated.
Frustrating as hell especially the first half of last year, but he woke up and really shined in the second half.
Dome plays better D, but I still think if Jacque was putting up the same numbers as Dome people would be going nuts demanding that he be traded or DFA’d.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
People are going nuts on Kosuke-turningintoSoTaguchi-Fukudome as it is.
It’s in the nature of Cub fans to go nuts.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'll put it this way Jacque never had any defenders
IMO Dome gained a free pass from a lot of Cub fans after the Opening Day homer, I’m not accusing anyone im particular, but its just something that I have realized since he started slumping in June.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
First impressions make a big difference
Also, Fukudome doesn’t make the same boneheaded mistakes.
by SouthernCub on Aug 11, 2008 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are dead on about first impressions
Dome made a big splash. Jones started 0-13 or something like that. The same holds for Soriano, who struggled his first two months with the Cubs in 2007. Its just recently that people are starting to come around and realize what a great player he is.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jacque Jones...
Had a noodle arm, was a bone-headed baserunner, and never had Dome’s high OBP.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Aug 11, 2008 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
if they were
it would be because of the whole picture—Jacque Jones was never the RF Dome is.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kosuke is in a free fall and transmogrifying into So Taguchi
The WAY he is making outs is very distressing. All he has been doing for several weeks is slapping weak flyouts to shallow left and center.
by MDBNIU on Aug 11, 2008 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously, you weren't watching from July 16-31.
But kudos on the use of the word “transmogrify.”
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually he has been hitting a lot of grounders.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The POINT is...
A. he needs to get going
B. he needs to move down to the # 8 hole
C. he needs to stay in the lineup because of his superior defense
But if all he is going to be is a .250 singles hitter with semi-nice OBP and great defense in right, then we could have signed So Taguchi for 1/40th the pricetag.
by MDBNIU on Aug 11, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The other points, I agree with.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So to summarize...
Fukudome = Taguchi
Taguchi= Fukudome
F = T
u = a
k = g
ud = u
o = c
m = h
e = i
and Kosuke = So
Plus also, Kosuke Fukudome is playing baseball in the same matter and style as So Taguchi….as well.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 11, 2008 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
So would you say...
That Kosuke Fukudome’s style of play is resembling that of So Taguchi?
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Aug 11, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
No...I most certianly would not!
MDBNIU on the other hand….
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 11, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where Dome ends up at season's end
is not equal to what we have in Dome going forward for the rest of his contract.
See Hideki Matsui’s first year.
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 Aug 11, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Kosuke a good deal
Unfortunately however he is not the hitter I thought he might be in this league. He’s a nice all-around ballplayer, but his hitting approach is reminiscent of Pete Rose in his late 30’s onward where all he tries to do is run into the ball and slap it around. Granted Pete Rose was a stats whore who cared only about accumulating hits and not much for the bases on ball.
Kosuke would seem to be a player who will “settle in” to be a .260-ish hitter with 50-60 RBIs and not much power. To go along with superior defensive skills and who isn’t allergic to talking walks. Is that worth $40 million on a 31 year old ballplayer? I’m not sure how to answer that because I like Kosuke being on this ballclub despite his hitting.
by MDBNIU on Aug 11, 2008 3:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd compare low-end Kosuke (if that's what we really have and I'm not convinced it is)
to late-career Brian Giles – who was paid 10 mill a season, right? I think if the Cubs are convinced all we have is Ichiro minus hits plus walks minus speed, then Dome is next year’s CF and we’re shopping for a power LH RF in the offseason. Plenty of time to get to the offseason, though (hopefully the offseason is a long wait for Cub fans in particular) and Dome will tell us a lot more about what kind of a hitter he is by then.
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 Aug 11, 2008 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How in the4 world can you know what type of player he is???
2/3 of a season is not enough to determine what he will settle in to. Sorry.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 5:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
oh, for pete's sake
let me guess. He doesn’t have ice-water in his veins.
He’s NOT in free fall. He’s had more than one critical hit in the past two weeks.
Mr. College Baseball has never seen a slump before. Those NIU player must have been a hell of a team.
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fine
“Point B” is wrong IMO. He needs to hit where he hits best. The more flexible players get shifted around to maximize success.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
by Kinky Reggae on Aug 11, 2008 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fukudome...
Is essentially still a rookie. He may be 31, but he is still a MLB rookie. He’s never seen most of the pitchers he’s faced on a daily basis, he admitted that he’s never had to contend with moving/cutting fastballs in Japan, and he’s in an entirely new world.
If he is truly as disciplined a player as he was advertised coming over from Japan, then he will adjust these last 2 (hopefully 3) months and for the rest of his contract here. He’s slumping, that’s all.
"Remember each day this year, where you were, what you were doing, who you were with, how you felt as the Cubs win their way through it. Because if this does turn out to be the promised land we have all been waiting for, you will want to remember, savor, cherish every moment..."
by CubsBullsBears on Aug 11, 2008 1:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
wow, still in denial about Kosuke.
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2008/7/15/571924/open-thread-2008-all-star#
Tinker to Evers to Chance.
by Matt Allison on Aug 11, 2008 1:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that was nearly
a month ago.
Do you have a point?
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 11, 2008 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the link didn't work
I said a month ago he needed to be platooned.
Tinker to Evers to Chance.
by Matt Allison on Aug 11, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
With whom?
"I've never complained about it. I'm thankful to have a jersey." Mark DeRosa, 22 Aug 2007
by DeRoMyHero on Aug 11, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fontenot needs a chance to start
His career numbers are looking pretty good (OPS in particular). Also, Lou knows what he’s doing, has proven it time and again, and also has more access to information than anyone else. That is all.
No, it’s not, Also: I can’t believe people are even questioning this decision.
by Jerry Mumphrey on Aug 11, 2008 1:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mark DeRosa needs to be benched! His OPS has been going down each month of the season! He’s clearly not the hitter he pretended to be in the first month of the season! His stats this month are a sickly .195/.317/.310! I fear he’s turning into Tadahito Iguchi, except that we have to pay him all this money for the next year and a half! It’s been a whole month now! A WHOLE MONTH!! He’s not really making good contact! He looks overmatched! Bench 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 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 Aug 11, 2008 5:13 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Pretend I wrote that at the end of July.
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 Aug 11, 2008 5:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think the difference there is that we KNOW what we are gonna get from him
Dome is still a wildcard. Is he the player from April (no) he also isnt the player from July/August (hopefully no anyway).
DeRo you know what you are gonna get. Versatility, a .275 average and some nice power and driving in some runs.
Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs
by nji232 on Aug 11, 2008 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sometimes I think
hitting coaches try and re-invent the wheel. Fukudome’s problem is actually pretty simple. He needs to go to each at bat with a plan. He has NO PLAN at all. He gets to the plate and tries to pull changups low and away through the right field wall, and he is giving up on inside pitches. I can’t see why Perry hasn’t (maybe he has, but if he has, Kosuke ain’t listening) come up with a “plan” for him to follow. We all know how great his numbers were when he was being selective. I would tell my buddy (Rambler19) it looks like he has a robotic eye. Now it looks like he has Sammy Sosa model eyes. Its really a basic fundemental. Go up to the plate with the given situation and have a plan. “I’m looking for a fastball in. If I don’t get it, I’m not swinging 0-0. If its not the pitch I want and its a strike, I’m now looking for a hittable strike”. Thats the approach he was using. He needs to have a plan.
Its funny, you spend most of your life gripping a baseball. And in the end, its almost always the other way around.
by TCobb1911 on Aug 11, 2008 9:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps Dome's translator
is a plant from the Brewers, and he’s mistranslating Perry’s words! :D
Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!
by drewishdrewid on Aug 12, 2008 11:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Or it's possible...that Dome is having trouble reading our sign stealer's lips because of the language barrier.
Solution? Sign Stealing Interpreter.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Aug 12, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kosuke needs some rest and tutoring....his defense is worth the trade off on the hitting.
Hoffpauir SHOULD replace Ward. Someone called him swingandmiss….granted he has 14 strikeouts in 37 AB’s but was hitting ,378/.410/.541 here with the Cubs, he is playing in AAA now and has nasty stats, not to mention a 4 homer game. So the problem with Hoff is???? Pie needs some show time, He deserves it. Ward needs to go. Both Pie and Hoff need to be on this team Aug 31, not Sept 1.
The poem fails when it strays too far from the song, and the song fails when it strays too far from the dance ~ Ezra Pound
by crazymountain on Aug 13, 2008 1:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Swingnmiss Micah
I called him that to try and point out how he won’t work as a pinch-hitter. Hoffpauir’s approach at the plate is going to be exposed (if it isn’t already) if he gets much more ML time. If we were the Nats, I’d find a place to let him play every day and see if he can adjust and make a career of it. But he won’t be able to make those adjustments in part-time play. And in situations where contact is important (pinch-hitting situations), Hoffpauir will get eaten alive. That’s my opinion anyway.
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 Aug 13, 2008 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey crazymountain
good to see ya around.
by jbau on Aug 14, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cannot follow all the discussions here...
… as I am visiting Kobe for high school baseball tournament at Koshen Studium for my Okinawan team (they advanced to quarter final today!), and Japan baseball team is playing in Beijing Olympic games, day and night…
But one thing is is Dome might need to remind his days, again, when he played here at PL Gakuen high school, and get back to basic… I know he’s always doing it, it should be important for him…
I'm bleeding Dragons Blue.
by dragonsfanatic on Aug 14, 2008 9:12 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
