Pie gets nod over Hoffpauir on Cubs' NLDS roster
by IllinoisCubs on Sep 30, 2008 8:19 PM CDT
Email
Print"Felix Pie earned the final National League Division Series roster spot Tuesday as the Cubs decided to go with a defensive outfielder instead of slugger Micah Hoffpauir.
Pie hit only .243 in 43 games for the Cubs, but with Mark DeRosa's sore left calf, the Cubs may need a late-inning defensive replacement in right field if DeRosa gets a start in the outfield.
Hoffpauir hit .342 for the Cubs in 33 games, but is considered a defensive liability in either left or right field. Hoffpauir, catcher Koyie Hill and pitchers Michael Wuertz and Kevin Hart will report to the Cubs' facility in Mesa, Ariz., to continue working out in case they are needed for the NL Championship Series when the Cubs can change the rosters if necessary."
For a series that has the potential to be a 3-5 game pitching duel, this makes sense. Gotta have his defense in CF and his speed for pinch-running over Micah's mashing.
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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YES!
This makes me happy. Versatility prefer I.
Dan
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
+1
Pie might not hit a ton of bombs, but his defense and base running gives the Cubs a nice option in the late innings… Hoffpauir is a converted first baseman that is no better than D. Ward…
Hooo-ray! Go Cubs in game 1.
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 Oct 1, 2008 1:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Gotta agree
As nice as it would be to have Hoff’s bat coming off the bench, I’ll take Pie’s late-inning D in the playoffs.
Chicago Cubs Jokes, News and Parody at The Cubs Brickyard
Full list?
Anyone have a like to the full roster?
by Dave in the basement on Sep 30, 2008 8:25 PM CDT reply actions
not yet
but you can infer stuff from the article. Fontenot is going. Howry and the Shark are going, because Wuertz and Hart are not. Cedneo is going. Johnson is going.
And Hoffpauir is not.
Oooooooooh BLUEMIKE!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Sep 30, 2008 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
Also from the article...
Looks like Fukudome gets the start in right field. The only question appears to be if DeRo or Fontentot gets the start at 2nd base due to DeRo’s injury.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
I think it's pretty common
that Mark starts at 2B when Dome is in right.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
Totally agree Dan..
But he may not be healthy enough to start. If not, then I guess we see Fonty.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
Hot hand = 2007 Rockies
Poor hitting vet = 2007 Red Sox
by IllinoisCubs on Oct 1, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions
No word from MDBNIU, of course.
I assume Ward made it… there’s no way he wouldn’t. Hoffpauir’s one 5-for-5 day doesn’t make him a “hot hand”.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
darn straight it does.
Ward = Clutch, Experience, Patience, Strength.
Hoff = Career minor league.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Sep 30, 2008 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Ward has one hit this year of any meaning
Your argument makes me believe you want Howry on this team as well?
Two hits.
He won the game on May 11 vs. Arizona with a three-run double.
Further, he drew 15 walks as a pinch-hitter.
Hoffpauir struck out seven of his 14 pinch-hit at-bats. That’s the role he’d have in the postseason. Hoffpauir has at no time shown me that he is qualified to be a pinch-hitter in a playoff series. Ward has the experience.
It’s really a no-brainer.
Howry is a completely different argument.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al Yellon on Sep 30, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
+1
Barring injury, I doubt we see Hoffpauir this postseason. I wouldn’t mind seeing Wuertz later on though.
"Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball." - Jacque Barzun
I was one willing to give Hoffpauir the benefit of the doubt.
However, he didn’t convince me this weekend. I have severe doubts that Ward will be effective but I have no doubts that Hoffpauir will not be right now. However. I believe Ward is on probation. Expect to see Hoffpauir in the NLCS roster if Ward is unproductive in the NLDS and the Cubs advance..
by Fraggin Judge on Sep 30, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Kind of Told you so....late inning defensive replacement
Double switch with a base runner or if DeRosa is in the OF…..
HOFFPOWER must go to AZ and Venz and learn to hit PH’g
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
No Hoff means we can't post these photos anymore!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)
by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Oct 1, 2008 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, one of the greatest thespians of our lifetime gone to waste!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Hoffpauer has
no hits of any meaning. He has almost no experience as a pinch hitter. Ward =/= Hoffpauir. Ward =/= Howry.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Sep 30, 2008 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Career minor leaguer does not = suck
Obviously having both Ward and Hoffpauir on the bench would limit flexibility, so I will not argue that both should be on the playoff roster. I won’t even argue that Hoffpauir is a better choice than Ward for the playoff pinch hitting role. Ward does have the experience and track record. His average may be low, but he doesn’t have that “washed up” look at the plate, so I remain confident in him. But, just because Hoffpauir has been in the minors up to age 28 doesn’t mean he is a AAAA player. So he’s not 22 years old, big deal. Many ballplayers have had late starts to their ML careers and gone on to be good, even All-Star level players. Ryan Ludwick comes to mind. Hoffpauir probably would have been in the major leagues much sooner if a) he wasn’t blocked by Derek Lee b) he wasn’t injured at the same time DLee was in 2006 and c) played better defense in the OF. Knock him all you want, but he has produced excellent numbers in the minors AND majors over the past 2+ years. I’d agree with Ward over Hoffpauir for playoff pinch hitter, but if DLee breaks a bone, I’d much rather have Hoffpauir at 1st on a daily basis.
I have to admit...
…the Ludwick comparison has crossed my mind, too. I’m not sure how (or whether) it holds up in terms of minor league stats, etc., but one can’t help but wonder.
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
That's convienent of you to say that he is being
blocked by DLee, but the fact is, DLee is just a better player. Hoff will never supplant DLee while they are both here because DLee has a much better glove. Your first baseman has to be able to save errors not cause them. Hoff seems more like a DH to me. Maybe he could thrive in the AL.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree...
…he also won’t play in RF ahead of Fukudome (unless he is traded, which I doubt) and he isn’t going to be playing in CF or LF.
If I am an AL GM, I have to consider making a play for this guy to be a DH. If this happens, in a year or two, I think people will see that this guy is a damn good hitter.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
He proved that the first part of this year. He just won't be able to crack
the starting lineup and he doesn’t have enough experience to be a PH. Tough spot for him but it is what it is.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I love the line, "it is what it is"
single most redundant statement on the planet.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
"It's not over till it's over"?
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.
It may be redundant but it's true. The truth is obvious, but
we sometimes can’t see it because of personal biases. I like Hoff’s bat as much as the next guy, but his glove is holding him up. That’s the truth and it damn well is what it damn well is!
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 11:09 AM CDT up reply actions
lol
I see what you are saying because I observed the words you wrote and so I understand the concept your writing is trying to convey so that we can comprehend your thought processes.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
Thank you. I'm glad we could talk and communicate on
such a highly elevated upper level.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
To use...
…a hockey analogy, the Blackhawks had Dominick Hasek as their 3rd string goaltender when they made the finals in 1992. They knew the guy had talent, but with Belfour, they knew he would be blocked for years to come.
He ended up getting traded and was the best goaltender in the league for many years. He was also a relatively old rookie just like Hoffpauier, but he just needed playing time.
The Cubs are doing the right thing here, I just think this guy is the real deal when it comes to hitting.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
I think you're right that his future could be in the AL as a DH.
Maybe the Cubs could package him along with someone else and get some bullpen help for next year.
One real good comp for him is Jack Cust, who also had to wait for a while before he made it. Cust is a horrible outfielder; next year with Frank Thomas (presumably) retired, he’ll become the A’s fulltime DH. He’s 30 in January (Hoffpauir will be 29 next year). Both could be around for several years as DH’s.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Cust could break a few strikeout records before he hangs em up.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Cust walks.
There’s a difference between a slugger who strikes out, walks, or hits it hard when he swings, and Micah Hoffpaiur, who does not walk, and misses when he swings.
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 Oct 1, 2008 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Re: errors
Lee is a huge asset to this team. He’s saved the other infielders countless times with his glove.
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Oct 1, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
I have said this
a few times this year, so here we go again. H-pauir is a perfect tradable part. He’s got a poor glove, and it was evident in the series in the Mets. You may have been captured by his hitting prowess — and , it was impressive — but if you watched closely, there were a few plays he couldn’t make — Lee would have. We have been spoiled by good 1B defense over the years.
I also remember a fantastic opening day at Shea regarding Korey Patterson. We know how that worked out.
Excellent numbers in the minors when you are 28 — that’s when a player should be in his prime — is fine. But one good game doesn’t translate to a sterling career in MLB.
This guy can easily be packaged with others in a trade that could serve a need.
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Oct 1, 2008 11:30 AM CDT up reply actions
Don't disagree...
…especially in regards to his glove, which leaves a lot to be desired.
I also am one that doesn’t put a boatload of emphasis on minor league numbers, but there is something about this guys swing and approach, that really impresses me.
Sometimes, guys figure it out later in their career and I have a feeling Hoffpauir has done that with the bat. I agree with Lou leaving him off the roster right now, but I can see this guy being a legit left handed power bat if he gets to play everyday at some point.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Al...he's not going to admit anything...but he may use the DeRosa injury as an escape hatch...
but that doesn’t change the fact that he was
Perhaps the rest of us….(including Lou?) just don’t have enough baseball acumen to digest what is really going on.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Sep 30, 2008 9:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Great links SWL
I think my favorite BlueMike quote is this, “I’ve been so right so many times.”
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man, that guy kills me.
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
Hey, MDBNIU! Because I'm nothing if not a man of my word...
…here is a promise fulfilled. Your post from this Sept. 25 fanpost, which you “authored” (and I use that term loosely):
Well…. With a starting outfield of Soriano, Edmonds and DeRosa from left to right against right handed pitching that means Johnson and Kosuke are on the bench. Edmonds is solid defensively, DeRosa does good job in right, Johnson and Kosuke are both plus defenders. Plus Johnson can play all three spots and Kosuke can slide over to center if he needs to. Don’t reckon I see where the defense of Felix Pie is really needed given this fivesome.
Micah Hoffpauier is the better choice and will be the choice.
End o’ subject
by MDBNIU on Sep 26, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
Good call by Lou...
…and with the wind blowing in, the need for speed will be important.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
So, the full roster seems to be set, then?
1. Soto
2. Lee
3. DeRosa
4. Theriot
5. Ramirez
6. Soriano
7. Edmonds
8. Fukudome
9. Ward
10. Blanco
11. Fontenot
12. Johnson
13. Cedeno
14. Pie
15. Dempster
16. Zambrano
17. Harden
18. Lilly
19. Marquis
20. Marshall
21. Cotts
22. Howry
23. Samardzija
24. Marmol
25. Wood
Did I miss anyone?
by HereComesASpecialBoy on Sep 30, 2008 9:13 PM CDT reply actions
Looks correct to me, but we'll see the full list in the morning.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Lace em up...
…and go kick some ass!!!
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
And, drop your drawers... wait...
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Oct 1, 2008 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions
Now turn your head and cough.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
now THAT
is a high caliber team!
Dodgers! Let’s LIGHT ’EM UP!
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Sep 30, 2008 9:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I was close
with the roster I made two weeks ago
Only difference is I had only 10 pitchers with Hoffpauir over Howry. With the risk of a batting slump like last year play offs, I wouldn’t mind having Hoffpauir’s bat in there, but with low scoring games being likely the defense of Pie would come in handy.
(on a side note, anyone else upset that Pie was left off the back of NLC division championship roster shirts?)
-Charlemagne
"Cubs Win!" "Yes, Sir!" - Pat and Ron, June 12, 2008, Walk off HBP, bottom of the 11th
Could you list Howry...........
……….in the 25th spot, just in case Lou decides to use guys in numerical order?
"Happiness? A good cigar, a good meal, a good cigar and a good woman - or a bad woman; it depends on how much happiness you can handle." ~ George Burns
Um how bout the 26th spot instead ?
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Sep 30, 2008 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions
How about the 96th spot?
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Uh
Really didn’t want Ozzie in the playoffs.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
he won't be here for long.
They’re only 4-6 against the Rays. And they only won two games in Tampa.
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
by drewishdrewid on Sep 30, 2008 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
...and the Cubs' record against the Rays is...
No disrespect, but by your logic the Cubs would be swept if we played the Rays in the World Series. Let’s hope that we get there and that’s not the case…in any case.
Let’s kick some post-season butt!
"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."
how quick everyone forgets
all bets are off in the playoffs. anyone can win, especially in a short series.
here is something interesting
my boss (who owns the shop i work at) is a captain for United and he got to fly the Sox to Tampa last night, he has flown the Cubs a few times too but not since last year. He told me he keeps the cockpit door open and tries to talk to the players and coaches, he got a ball signed by the 2007 cubs last year for his girlfriend’s son
by truthaddict11 on Oct 1, 2008 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions
Hoffpauir
Really no room for both him and Ward on the NLDS roster, although for a five-game series, going with only 10 pitchers and keeping both left-handed bench bats would make sense too. But the days of managers willing to go with 10 pitchers are long gone.
If we make it to the World Series, you might want to add Hoffpauir because he could then DH.
OTOH...
… Ward could also DH.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Neither Hoffpauir nor Ward
should start over Fontenot.
DH lineup v. RHP
Sori LF
Fonty 2B
DLee 1B
Aram DH/3B
Jedm CF
Soto C
DeRo 3B/DH
Dome RF
Riot SS
(And, no, the Cubs don’t need to worry about losing the DH spot, given their bench strength.)
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 Oct 1, 2008 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
What About Gaudin?
Is he still hurt? I dont know why, but i really like him and I hope he makes the cut, if not for this round, then the next…..assuming we win of course.
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.
still holding out hope that howry is left at home.
seriously. name one situation that you want to see howry in this post season? If we’re down by 10… fine… bring him in… but in any other situation… the arsonist & his gas can needs to stay far, far from the field of play.
I am ok with him if we are up by 10 too
So long as Marmol & Wood are still available of course.
"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
by Doggie Stalker on Sep 30, 2008 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions
I know one situation where I want to see Howry on the field
And that is opening Champange bottles :)
I think it was Carrie M that said Gaudin and McGeehee have been sent home
while Hoff, Koyie, Hart and Weurtz are going to Mesa to stay loose in case of emergency.
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.
Guzman
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.
Mixed feelings
I guess it’s good that he’s not being stretched after his rehab, and he seems to be have a real good shot to become Marmol Jr. in the bullpen next year.
He looked real good in that last game, though.
by dr stabbingworth on Oct 1, 2008 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions
Me too.
I’ll say it again – I would’ve rolled the dice on Guzman over Howry. Now I just hope Angel stays healthy and in shape and can come back next year to play a key role in the ’09 pen.
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
Rolling the dice
Given how our lefties have done in the ’pen, how about rolling the dice on Scott Eyre and trading Howry to the Phils instead? Our ’pen would be a lot more effective right now with Scott Eyre.
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 Oct 1, 2008 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
How could this be?
I mean, Micah was at the postseason rally downtown yesterday?
<SARCASM – it doesn’t become me!>
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.
Perhaps sending Hoff to the rally was a way of easing the blow?
Throw him a bone and let him soak in some adulation and excitement as a reward for being a good soldier?
"Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like to him."
Solomon
That's probably exactly what it was.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Well
Probably it was because the decision hadn’t been made yet, or at least communicated to the players.
And if it had, along the lines you suggest, Hoff was still considered part of this team, even if they couldn’t squeeze him onto the 25-man roster.
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.
Well, I still think it was odd...
…that Micah was at the rally and not named to the postseason roster. But I’ll admit that I read too much into his appearance.
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
I think they threw him a bone...
…and when you consider the numbers this guy has put on the board this year, I don’t blame them.
I know he hasn’t had a ton of AB’s in the bigs, but the guy can hit. Take a look at his swing, how the ball jumps off his bat and you can see he is a hitter. I am not one to over emphasize AAA numbers, but the production he had this year is really unbelievable. It doesn’t happen often, but some guys can blossom as a hitter later in their career and this indeed may have happened with Hoff.
I think it was the right call to go with Pie in the NLDS, because the conditions are going to put a premium on speed and defense. With that said, Lou really likes this guy and I wouldn’t be shocked to see him in a later series if the Cubs move on. The problem will be, keeping him sharp in the meantime.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Yeah, I agree that Hoffpauir could reappear in a later series.
God forbid, but DWaryle could get injured or Lou might just make a gut call and give Micah a shot. I’m no Hoff Hater – I agree he has that classic lefty slugger swing and I’d love to see him do something significant with the Cubs at some point (or at least get the team something in a trade). But I still believe an experienced hitter like Ward is the right call in the postseason.
The Chicago Cubs: 2008 Central Division Champions
Completely agree
I would really like us to trade Hoff in the offseason to an AL team. This would be one of those great situations where it helps out both teams and the player. Hoff clearly doesn’t have a place on this team, I think a DH spot in the AL could work out for him and his stock is probably not going to get higher for the Cubs.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
I brought this idea up...
…to someone who has connecttions with the Cubs this past week. Their response was Lou and Hendry both are very impressed with his bat, and they are not going to trade him unless the deal really makes sense.
Also, I don’t think it was ever between Pie and Hoff for the last roster spot. They both bring completely different skills to the table and if Hoff was going to make it, it would have been to replace Ward.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
Maybe
I suppose the Cubs could replace Ward next year with Hoff. I don’t believe Ward is signed through next season, so that would make sense. The only problem I could see is Hoff getting pissy because of not getting enough playing time.
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
I don't think...
…he will get “pissy”, but I do think he is the kind of hitter that needs to get AB’s to be productive.
"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel
+1
A player really has to buy into that role. If he thinks he has everyday talent, it’s hard to sit on the bench for days at a time not seeing any action. That kind of situation may not be the best for him at this point in his career.
"Hats for bats.....keep bats warm." - Pedro Cerrano
"Hey bartender, Jobu needs a refill !!!!!!!" - Eddie Harris
by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 1, 2008 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
I agree with this move
With 2 young players go with the superior Defense and guy who can steal bases.
Thngs of worth are worth fighting for regardless of the odds.
What is this
the Jerry Seinfeld Instant Conversation Starter?
make*art
by neverAcquiesce on Oct 1, 2008 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
Well, if they were in the hands of a ninja
you would never know because you’d be dead
"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion
Does anyone know the final postseason LA roster?
I have looked on numerous websites and they all have the expanded rosters from September.
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Cubs By The Numbers
Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.
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Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
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- The Cardinals Hall of Fame can now be found at Bill Clinton’s library in Arkansas (Huh?)
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