Just kidding.

of players that championships are won. I am sure they both feel they deserve to play everyday, and they might have a point. However, IMO I prefer the Theriot and DeRosa combo better.
 Now if the Cubs were losing, they would have more of an argument to start and we as fans would be able to have this discussion with more vigor.\
 Go Cubs.

is a no-brainer as far as I’m concerned.

I think, however, given the chance, Ronny will trend up and Fonty would trend down over a long period of time. I think Ronny is a future starter and Fonty isn’t.

Fontenot: 199 ABs
Cedeno: 169 ABs

DeRosa: 429 ABs
Lee: 525 ABs
Soriano: 354 ABs
Ryan Theriot: 488 ABs

I’m no sabermagician, so I’m not sure how significant the differences in number of ABs are, but I feel the need to bring them up anyway. I do agree that Fontenot and Cedeno’s strong play should be recognized – especially Fontenot’s (man, he’s gotta sweet swing). But I guess the main reason I’d hesitate to rest the starters too much is:

a) Even a six game lead in the standings can disappear awfully quickly, particularly if momentum is lost (if you believe in that sorta thing), and

b) Would the Cubs want to risk a DLee or a Soriano or even a Theriot going into the postseason cold or at least out of their “offensive rhythm”? As we know from last season, a best-of-five playoff series can evaporate very quickly when the big guys don’t hit.

I guess my question for you would be: How soon are you suggesting Lou start resting guys in favor of LBR and Onedec?

especially considering the fact that Cedeno is a stud at SS; as in, he plays the position much better than Theriot.

…before we consider resting our regular guys. Seeing that this is probably not going to happen, let’s stick with the current situation of rotating them in there for every 5th or 6th game, or on days when the day game follows a night game as is currently the case. We are not a playoff team until we clinch the playoffs.

Also, I agree that with daily playing time, the league would catch up to LBR and Cedeno’s numbers.

While we all love to get excited about october, we have not clinched anything yet excpet a great 130 plus games.

we have a very difficult schedule ahead and as the mets, phils and rockies showed us last year it can all turn very quickly.

I dont think you can look ahead to resting anyone until you are in, unless its normal rest that they would have received anyway. Baseball is not a game you can just turn it on at any given time and decide today i will hit well and take tomorrow off.

Once you clinch then you can start to line them up. We have a 6 game lead, you have to bury them when you get a chance not see if we can just coast on in.

Is he starter material? No, not with defensive shortcomings and lack of versatility. But he can be a solid guy coming off the bench grabbing starts and pinch hitting.

Ronny Cedeno? Is he starter material? No. But he can carve out a quality future as a major league utility man. His value will be enhanced if he can learn how to play a little 3rd base.

…nice post. Unfortunately we fans may sometimes view success for a player as defined by being a starter. Something similar happens frequently in women’s sports where the dominant athlete is defined by whether they can compete with men. However, it’s a more logical conclusion to make for bench players. Cedeno and Fotenot are having great seasons, making contributions, but I don’t se either as more than a bench player—but that’s still good because they can be very productive in that role.