Lou talking Sept call ups, looking at 6

by Ivy Walls on Aug 15, 2008 10:44 AM CDT

The Sun Times reports that Lou is talking about Sept call ups in Gordan Wittenmeyer's daily report:

''We don't really want to be overloaded,'' Piniella said. ''I would think it would be on the order of a half-dozen or so.''

One, Piniella said, figures to be catcher Koyie Hill, who played an unsung role for last year's division winners...If they go with six call-ups, that likely means two more hitters (possibly a speed guy such as Felix Pie and a lefty hitter such as Micah Hoffpauir) and three pitchers.

Speculating from my desktop one could project that it would probably mean Wuertz, Lieber (currently on rehab), Ascanio, Hart or Pignatiello. Bringing up Hill would reward a good year in AAA and allow Piniella to pinch hit or double switch with Blanco & Soto in the final month while having insurance on the bench.

The other interesting note involved Daryle Ward:

• • Pinch hitter Daryle Ward, who's hitting just .217, including .103 (4-for-39) in the pinch, has Piniella frustrated and stumped a year after being one of the most feared pinch hitters in the league.

''I don't know how [to snap him out of the funk],'' Piniella said. ''We've tried. More at-bats -- I don't know.''

This kind of connects with Hoffpauir who is a younger mirror image of Ward. Either way I think Micah goes to AZ Fall League and get some rep's in the OF and possibly winter ball south of the border.

Finally we might start thinking about what the presumptive playoff roster could be. Last year Cubs went with 12 pitchers, a nice gesture but a real overload, this year I think they could go with 10 pitchers and 15 position players. Ironically that could mean that a starter and reliever would have to be left off the active roster. In that Piniella has stated that he might skip Marquis's next start this places him on that projected hot seat (again) but who else? Howry? Just something to muse as the Cubs are down in the Everglades.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation, Bleed Cubbie Blue, or Al Yellon, editor-in-chief. FanPost opinions are, however, valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Koyie, Felix and Hoffpauir are must call ups IMO

Just being able to have a third catcher will really make Lou happy. Wuertz might get brought up, but Lou isn’t a big fan of his. Angel Guzman has been talked about by us, and I really like that idea.

I would rather not see Hart or Pignatello.

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 15, 2008 11:04 AM CDT 0 recs

Hill, Pie, Hoff, Leiber, Wuertz, and Ascanio....

…and Ward’s 4-40 as a PH. ( 2 for his last 21 PH since he came off the DL)

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 15, 2008 11:15 AM CDT 0 recs

I don't know if I like any of those potential pitching call-ups

Ascanio has the best stuff but it can be erratic at times. Wuertz is hit and miss (no pun intended) and Leiber is a mop up guy. Hitting, Micah and Koyie could do some damage though.

"It's better to appear stupid than open your mouth and remove all doubt."

by 1060addision on Aug 15, 2008 11:17 AM CDT 0 recs

Playoff Roster

DLee, DeRo, Riot, Rami, Cedeno, LBR
Geo, Hank
Reed, Fonzie, Edmonds, Dome, Ward, Hoff

Z, Harden, Demp, Lilly
Shark, Wood, Marmol, Cotts, Marquis, GoDan, Marshall

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 15, 2008 11:23 AM CDT 0 recs

LBR?

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

by Al on Aug 15, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

Little Babe Ruth aka Fontenot

Thats what Santo calls him

Missouri Tigers 2008 Cotton Bowl Champs

by nji232 on Aug 15, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up 0 recs

Got it.

Never saw it in initials before.

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

by Al on Aug 15, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

It is either Ward or Hoff

…Not both

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

by TheRiot Police on Aug 15, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up 0 recs

I think Lou's

gonna stick with Ward. Not only because that’s what I prefer, but because Ward is still a better hitter. It’s not like the Hoff ate up pitching up here.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 15, 2008 12:26 PM CDT up 0 recs

I respectfully disagree

It’s not like the Hoff ate up pitching up here

In 19 games Hoff went 14 for 37 (.378) with 6 2B. The only issues is his 14Ks in 37 ABs.

Ward has only 17Ks in 69 ABs along with 12 walks (vs. Hoff who has 1BB in 37ABs).

To me it’s a simple choice right now. Who do you want on your as your pitch hitter right now. A vet who can draw a walk or a rookie who can hit but will also strike out a great deal.

Something tells me that Lou will got with the hitter.

On a side note. Look for Pie to make the team as a pitch runner/defensive sub if we make it to the playoffs.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up 0 recs

i agree brew

by cubswynn on Aug 15, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

how many of those

were pinch hits for Hoff and how many were when he started in (shudder) left or right?

Let’s compare pinch-hits to pinch-hits.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 15, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

OK

Hoff was 3-10 (.300) in pitch hits

Ward is 4-39 (.109) in pitch hits

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

fair enough.

Emotionally, I still want Ward — I still trust him to come through in the big at-bats more. But I can see why people would want the Hoff.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 15, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

It's nice Drew, isn't it

That we can debate about the last few guys on the 25 man roster – as opposed to nearly the entire team like not too many years ago.

Current temperature in hell: 45 degrees F - and falling!

by wnielsen on Aug 15, 2008 1:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Remember Wade Miller?

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or Ron Coomer?

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or Boom Boom Freddie Bynum?

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 15, 2008 2:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'm sorry - that's Freddie "Boom Boom" Bynum

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Aug 15, 2008 2:12 PM CDT up 0 recs

Argh! My Eyes!!!

Proud recipient of a hot dog shot from the Iowa Cubs hot dog gun.

by IowaCubs- on Aug 15, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up 0 recs

I'll tell you what

when we’re quibbling over things like this, well… it’s good to be a Cubs fan right now. :)

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 15, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

+1

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 2:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

where are you getting stats from?

Just wondering…

On baseball reference, it looks like he is 2-9 as a PH with 1 BB and 5 Ks.

Personally I though he looked overmatched against good pitching, and in a playoff situation/atmosphere against playoff pitching, between the two I’ll take Ward as my PH 10 times of 10.

"...the internet is not something you just dump something on. It's not a truck. It's a series of tubes." - Sen. Ted Stevens

by bobby h on Aug 15, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up 0 recs

I totally get the love for Ward...

…he’s contributed in the past. Last year, he was a valuable weapon. Got many big pinch hits. This year he’s somehow lost it. He looks overmatched as well. I mean 4-40 is just atrocious.

I like the Hoff and what he’s contributed this season when he’s had a chance to play. And right now he’s tearing the cover off the ball, albeit in AAA. But he doesn’t have big game experience (or a track record of being a good PH)

NEITHER I trust in a big game come playoff time, if Ward continues to swing a bad bat. I’d rather have LBR or Edmonds (depending on if he started or not, of course) be the first option as a LH pinch hitter. And I can see Lou thinking the same thing after his quote in the paper.

Nobody cares about your fantasy league team

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 15, 2008 3:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

well.

5-40, and just about the biggest clutch hit of the year last night.

No way Hoff hits that HR.

Our 2008 Chicago Cubs -- FINDING WAYS TO WIN!

by drewishdrewid on Aug 16, 2008 10:13 AM CDT up 0 recs

Easy to say the next morning...

5-41. Hoff hits fastballs, too, hard to say “no way he hits that”.

The only stats I care about are the ones on the back of a baseball card

by carmen_fanzone on Aug 16, 2008 1:31 PM CDT up 0 recs

pinch

the term is pinch hits

"I don't want to be a product of my environment. I want my environment to be a product of me." Frank Costello

by kalamazoo_cubs_fan on Aug 15, 2008 4:28 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well put, but I respectfully disagree

To me it’s a simple choice right now. Who do you want on your as your pitch hitter right now. A vet who can draw a walk or a rookie who can hit but will also strike out a great deal.

It’s not so simple. Hoff has no control of the strike zone. That “he can hit” going forward is by no means a sure thing. Smart pitchers with good control or good movement will be able to eat him alive right now given how he flails at junk. Meanwhile, the question with Ward is more about whether or not his luck will turn, which it has to be likely to do. Ward looks fine at the plate, still controls the strike zone and has a very nice LD rate. Ward’s current numbers are in 70 ABs. It’s just 70 ABs!

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 15, 2008 4:56 PM CDT up 0 recs

It can easily be both

Marquis is not going to make the roster. A fifth starter who is not really a good bullpen guy has
no place and I happen to like Marquis.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 15, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

i think marquis will make it

as a reward for finishing strong (if he does)

by cubswynn on Aug 15, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up 0 recs

TWSS's?

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 15, 2008 9:45 PM CDT up 0 recs

Wuertz has to be called up...

Although he struggled a bit this year, he’s been NOWHERE near as bad as Howry. Wuertz has experience and he’s got us out of some big jams in the past. As for the rest, I agree with Pie, Hoff, Hill… and the rest I’ll leave up to Lou.

"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 15, 2008 11:24 AM CDT 0 recs

I think Lou has lost his Man Crush on Howry

Look for Wertz to get most of the work in Sept. If he can keep his ERA under 4 I expect he will be on the playoff roster if the Cubs make the playoffs.

Theriot, Fonty, and Johnson = The Scrappy Pyramid of Victory

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Aug 15, 2008 12:39 PM CDT up 0 recs

Are you sure ?

I was thinking it might take at least two more blown saves or holds. FYI Eyre pitched a scoreless inning last night for the Phillies.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Aug 15, 2008 12:58 PM CDT up 0 recs

Mitch Atkins deserves a callup

Mitch Atkins has had a very good year at AA and AAA. He’s not on the 40 man, plus he’s pitched a lot of innings, so he’s probably a long shot. But he’s definitely earned a look.

Hoffpauir, Pie and Koyie Hill have to come up. As for pitchers, Jake Fox is on the 40 man and could be a useful righty pinch hitter with power.

I hope to see Wuertz and Lieber return. Also, maybe Guzman. I don’t think Ascanio, Hart or Piggy deserve a call up. Has anyone heard anything about the charred remains of Chad Fox’s arm?

Also, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Cubs pick up someone like Jay Payton, Rich Aurelia or David Weathers for September.

by tom veryzer on Aug 15, 2008 1:58 PM CDT 0 recs

Somebody pinch me...

I can’t ever remember a Cubs team with this much depth. I don’t think I would be out of line by saying that all of our call ups in Sept. could be every day players on other teams. How about Hendry getting Harden, and Gaudin AND keeping all of our top prospects! A way better trade then Milwaukee getting a rent-a-player for their top prospect. We will definately have a strong Sept. and get our guy’s ready for the playoffs!

by HomerInTheGloamin' on Aug 15, 2008 4:56 PM CDT 0 recs

Call me stupid....

but I wouldn’t mind seeing the Jason Dubois in September along with Micah Hoffpauir.

But they are pretty similar so I doubt BOTH would be brought up.

It’ll be the Hoff over the Duboisinator.

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 15, 2008 9:49 PM CDT 0 recs

Given the choice...

… I’ll take Hoffpauir because he hits lefthanded.

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

by Al on Aug 16, 2008 4:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

The only call-ups that will even semi-matter are the pitchers

Any of the position players called up are going to be anchored to the bench. They might grab a glove to serve as late inning replacement or grab a pinch hitting opportunity.

The pitchers who are called up on the other hand should have an impact. Perhaps enabling Sean Marshall to grab a few spot starts in order to give the rotation a breather? Providing more middle relief options so as to limit the usage of Chad Gaudin, Carlos Marmol, Neal Cotts? If I had to guess right now I would say Jon Lieber, Michael Wuertz and Jose Ascanio would be the callups.

by MDBNIU on Aug 15, 2008 11:28 PM CDT 0 recs

Ward Just Made a Case

Looks like hitting a pinch-hit HR may help Ward get a spot on the playoff roster. At the very least it should give him some confidence. When you’re playing for a team and hit a dinger like he did last night it helps you feel like you’re contributing, rather than flopping around at the end of the bench. His next at bat should be a little more comfortable and hopefully he finds his groove for the stretch run.

Pie, Fontenot, Theriot and Soto up the middle ... yippie oh, oh, oh!

by SpudV on Aug 16, 2008 5:28 AM CDT 0 recs

cubs

pie would make a nice pinch runner ,koyie hill cant hit big league pitching so no need for him.additional pitching will be nice.i,ll say again hendry has done some good things for this team.getting pinella,PRICELESS.

by NOMAR on Aug 16, 2008 7:11 AM CDT 0 recs