The Cubs' Real Problem
by scarymonsters85 on Jan 29, 2009 12:46 AM CST
55 comments
I don't think this faction of the team has been mentioned yet. Most of the talk here has been focused around losing Kerry Wood and Mark Derosa via free agency and trades. However, a facet that has been ignored amongst the blogosphere is the offensive production of our center field platoon of Fukudome and Johnson.
To preface, I don't think the changes we've made as an organization (Wood for Gregg, Derosa for Bradley) will translate into negative production for the 2009 season.
Last year in a platooning role (which favors the player), Reed Johnson posted an OPS + of 99, which is about league average. Fukudome put up an OPS + of 90.
Last year, Jim Edmonds posted a 136 ops + whilst in a Cubbie uniform, which is absolutely fantastic. To replicate the success we had in CF in 08' in 09' will be very difficult, considering our CF options are Gathright, Johnson and Fukudome. All three of those players are poor hitters, Johnson and Fukudome are good defensively, but offensively they are nothing more than average, or below average. Unless Fukudome really turns it around, this is our weak spot. However, MGMT's predilection for speed and handedness makes me uneasy going into the season.
My ideal line up would be:
Fontenot, Lee, Bradley, Ramirez, Soriano, Soto, Fukudome/Johnson, Theriot, Pitcher
The value of Theriot is completely dependent upon his batting average... if it's anywhere between .295-.305 he is useful in our lineup, but otherwise, he is nothing more than barely average.
Jim Edmonds provided a lot last season, and we are going to miss his production in the 09' season. This is not a stump to resign him, because for him to replicate his success would be ludicrous, and last year his defensive stats proved that.
Nonetheless, my biggest concern heading into 2009 is our CF, for it's our biggest hole. As long as those players (Dome and Johnson) are batting low in the line-up, the safer the team is on a whole.
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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I miss Ronny.
I think he’ll be productive on down the road. Sorry, had to say it somewhere.
Anyway, I think most people believe Dome will turn it around. For me, I care more about solid CF defense, as Soriano has his struggles and Bradley may be hindered from time to time by injury.
And I do not think batting average should ever be a qualifier for the complete judgment on a player’s performace.
Free Ronny Cedeno
by Kansas25 on Jan 29, 2009 12:53 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd for Ronny
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 Jan 29, 2009 8:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You just summed up Ronny’s whole sorry career here in one sentence.If Ronny had half the heart of Ruuttigers’ he would’ve made All-American. As it is he just went from a playoff team to a 100 loss team! Go on get outta here!
by gocubs526 on Jan 29, 2009 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've never insinuated
that batting average would ever be a qualifier for the complete judgment of a player’s performance. I have no problem trading Cedeno.
For Dome to turn it around, he will actually have to hit for power. I dont care if he bats over .300 (see Theriot, Ryan), his average is irrelevant, plain and simple, Dome is not a power hitter. He’s an OBP guy. Which is good, if he led off, but Lou likes to bat him 5th for some ungodly reason.
by scarymonsters85 on Jan 29, 2009 1:07 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Lou will figure out the right place to hit him...
… which is 2nd, or maybe 7th or 8th.
Remember, Bradley will supply (presumably) power playing RF, so if Dome can raise his BA and continue to walk, he and Reed Johnson will be a good platoon.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 29, 2009 4:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If Cedeno turns it around
I will be surprised. He can’t hit. He can’t walk. He can’t steal bases and he can’t play defense. Cedeno is nothing more than a singles hitter, and a poor one at that.
by scarymonsters85 on Jan 29, 2009 1:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
He had his chances and blew them
He was our starting SS in 2006 and couldn’t get the job done. His batting average was about .245. He made stupid errors and was not a patient hitter.
In 2007 after being sent down there were moments of hope. Yet he got called up and just couldn’t get the job done again.
In 2008 he did a good job as a backup but I can’t even think of a time when he had one significant at bat that helped us win a game. Yes it was very cool to see him hit a grandslam against the Mets but that didn’t determine a win for us that day.
I’m sure he’ll play better in Seattle, a new team can do that for someone but when it comes to Wrigley, he’s had his chances.
by ak123 on Jan 29, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It's ironic the way you describe and view
Cedeno and Theriot.
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 Jan 29, 2009 8:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not that it matter now
But I trust Theriot over Cedeno at SS any day. Cedeno has had some spectacular plays defensively (I was in person at a game in 2006 where everyones jaw dropped at his defense for one play) but I wouldn’t want him manning the position. For every good play Cedeno had he makes a boneheaded one as well that cost us runs.
by ak123 on Jan 29, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bone-headed plays stick out
if nothing else, they’re great stories to tell. Few if any will forget Ronny getting thrown out after a walk.
Few notice all of the missed plays a poor IF range causes; but I’m not interested in re-engaging in the old Riot/Onedec debate. I actually thought the most ironic part of scarymonsters85’s description was the hitting.
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 Jan 29, 2009 8:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
With his hitting
If always frustrated me when we’d be facing a pitcher who really didn’t have good command. He seemed to be capable of walking you. Ronny would then get to the plate and in 3 or 4 pitches he would strike out by swinging…always by swinging. It was good plate discipline. In fact, I think in ’06 he had the smallest ratio of walks/PA of all everyday players. Granted that was ’06 and this is ’09.
And yes if you watch every day you do see the balls that roll past the infield dirt that Theriot couldn’t get to last year. But those balls aren’t as bad as say Cedeno overthrowing first base or tossing a ball into the dugout with only 2 outs…oh well that’s Seattle’s problem now.
by ak123 on Jan 29, 2009 8:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ronny's "hitting" in '06 was maddening - absolutely and utterly maddening.
But what I saw in ‘08 was a Cedeno who had learned plate discipline. For the first 6 weeks, he had it figured out. He was working counts. He was fouling off bad pitches. He was making hard contact. And I remember near the end of that period, Ronny hadn’t been played in a while, I think, and he was up and Len Kasper said something to the effect of “This may surprise you, but Ronny is exactly the guy I’d want up in a crucial situation like this one; he’s been so hot recently, he’s the guy.” I remember because that seemed to mark the turning point, where Ronny made an out, inning ended and from there, it seemed like Ronny was pressing at the plate, always trying to do too much, and the plate discipline was gone.
I think it was frustrating for Ronny to out-hit, out-field, and out-run Theriot for six weeks, all while the Lou devotees repeat their morning and evening mantra that “The guy who produces plays;” and still Ronny rode the bench. Sure, you can make the case, especially on the rest of the season’s results, that Theriot and his OBP should have kept playing. But I’m trying to follow the story of Ronny’s hitting approach.
The problem going forward for Ronny, is that he goes to an organization with little value for plate discipline. For Ronny and his future, this is one of the worst possible destinations. He may feel comfortable that he can hack away now, with only Yuniesky Betancourt as competition, but his ongoing success requires him to find the disciplined hitter we came to call Onedec.
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 Jan 29, 2009 8:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hope this does good for Ronny
He just wasn’t going to get his chance to prove himself again in Chicago.
In Seattle maybe he will turn some heads. He will be interesting to watch atleast in April.
I agree with some of your points but in the past we’ll agree to disagree for the most part about SS on The Cubs. Let’s see how both Theriot and Ronny do in ‘09, it’s actually an important year for both of them.
by ak123 on Jan 29, 2009 9:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
phew...I thought this was going to be
“The Cubs’ Real Problem is Not Having Peavy”
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
by Chanman25 on Jan 29, 2009 6:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
No
No it’s that they haven’t gotten Peavy in order to trade him for Brian Roberts. GET WITH THE PROGRAM CHAN!
Barbara V. October 14, 1941 - December 19, 2008. A great lady who was a friend to all and like a second mom to her children's friends (she was my best friend's mom)
by cubstoseriesby100 on Jan 29, 2009 6:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh ok thanks for the needed clarification!!
Erm, well if we are going to call Milton Bradley nicknames, mine is Fischer Price: yes, you heard it here first..
by Chanman25 on Jan 29, 2009 2:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Defense matters
Especially with Soriano in left and Bradley (who mostly DH’ed last year) on bad legs in right, ground-covering CFers will be crucial. I think the platoon will work just fine.
Having a year in the league under his belt will help Fukudome tremendously, and if the coaching staff can get him to keep his front foot in the box instead of bailing out, I think he could hit over .300 easily.
I love what Johnson brings to the team in attitude and play.
I’m not worried about center field.
I have nothing funny or creative to write.
by Canadian Cubs Fan on Jan 29, 2009 6:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Uhhh
Well, if it’s OPS+ you want, it’s OPS+ you get. And without looking up all of the numbers, I supposed Bradley’s OPS+ of 163 in RF more than offsets whatever OPS+ was put up last year in RF. So, does Bradley’s OPS+ in RF compensate for whatever the perceived OPS+ will be in the CF platoon in 2009? My guess is absolutely.
Who needs a stinkin' tag line? What are they for anyway?
by krummy12 on Jan 29, 2009 8:21 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is what the Cubs were looking for.
Bradley replaces Edmonds. Dome just moves over. And at this point, I think they are looking less for power from Dome and more just consistent on-base presence, which is why Gathright is plan B there.
I wouldn’t worry so much about Dome. My guess is that his 2009 playing time will either be very limited if he doesn’t hit (the over/under is 4 games), or he’ll be hitting and the Cubs lineup will be very deep.
The problem for Reed Johnson comes in on the if-he-doesn’t-hit part. Reed’s OPS+ is under 100 because Lou used him too often against RHP. Reed’s a great option if he only gets in v. LHP.
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 Jan 29, 2009 8:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Ronny Cedeno will be a utility fielder option in Seattle
Seattle is blessed with a dynamic double play combo in Betacourt and Lopez. Cedeno won’t be terrible missed by the Cubs. His game is frustratingly inconsistent both in the batter box and in the field.
by BLou on Jan 29, 2009 9:03 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Cedeno
Read the Mariners blogs… its amazing. They think they’ve gotten Derek Jeter’s lesser known twin in Cedeno. I’ve never seen a fandom so excited about acquiring a ones middling prospect who never achieved. Cedeno could be somewhat productive but we know how maddening he is… M’s fans are ecstatic about this trade, and if there’s a reason for that, its because of Olson, not Cedeno.
by dmlichte on Jan 29, 2009 9:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cedeno has yet to achieve
but he was more than a middling prospect – he was a 2006 top 100 BA prospect, rated ahead of Tom Gorzelanny, Matt Kemp, and Chris Volstad. The M’s like both Volstad and Cedeno, if you check their reactions closely – and they should be – both are better upside plays for them than Heilman. They’re not out much if Cedeno continues to disappoint.
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 Jan 29, 2009 9:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Well...
… lots of top 100 prospects don’t pan out. For example, Gorzelanny was pretty bad last year (after having a good 2007).
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 29, 2009 11:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And, a Chicago boy at that!
Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow
by PurpleLineToWrigley on Jan 29, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
but a White Sox fan...
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Jan 29, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Boo!
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
exactly.
Mr. Gorzelanny needs to be reminded of this whenever he is in Wrigley Field.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Jan 29, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I think he is when the Cub bats tee off on him.
Career vs. Cubs: 2-4, 6.75 in 7 starts.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 29, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I could swear one game
it was like BP. I could have clobbered a few of those pitches.
Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.
by blackhawk24 on Jan 29, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Could have been this one:
On April 19, Gorzo went 2.2 innings and allowed 7 runs.
I love to play baseball. I'm a baseball player. I've always been a baseball player. I'm still a baseball player. That's who I am. - Ryne Sandberg
by Trey2317 on Jan 29, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yay!
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Of course lots of prospects don't pan out. I think there was one in Chicago a few years ago who was at the top of those prospect lists.
The point was that Cedeno was more than a “middling prospect;” he was well-regarded.
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 Jan 29, 2009 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Cedeno is not going to be a great player, but he will be a useful utility-type who could last in the league another 10 years. Heck, look how long Miguel Cairo has been in the league. That said, I do think that he is an easily replaceable commodity… especially in the current market. It’s too bad he is out of options. We don’t have any young shortshops in the minors near major league caliber, so if Theriot or Miles suffer serious injury or performance dropoff, our fall back option appears to be Luis Rivas : (
by tom veryzer on Jan 29, 2009 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Or Jack Wilson
If Ryan Theriot flops or gets hurt there will be veteran options available in the marketplace. Especially in these market conditions with many teams anxious to shed veteran salaries. Like for example Jack Wilson in Pittsburgh. They’ve been trying to move him for well over a year with zero success. Wilson is a solid defensive shortstop and is example of what Hendry will be able to readily find on the open market. If it comes to that.
by BLou on Jan 29, 2009 10:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For some reason...
…I’m not all that worried about the outfield. I think things will work themselves, uh, out. RJ will likely have another solid season. Dome will find some midway point between all out and bailout. And Milton Bradley will be just fine.
I guess my main worry is the left side of the infield: Will Theriot’s substandard defense finally bite the Cubs on the ass? And, God forbid, but if Aramis gets hurt, who will hold down the hot corner? I’m not getting the impression Aaron Miles is particularly adept at that position. Same goes for SS.
I’m not terrible saddened by the loss of Ronny Cedeno. I, too, think he’ll be a utility infielder for the rest of his career. He’ll likely have brief flashes of offensive success followed by a return to his .639 career OPS. His biggest value to the Cubs, however, was an able defender with good range at SS and a strong arm at third base.
Consistent. Championship. Tradition.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 10:36 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Infield defense is worrisome
No question about it.
by BLou on Jan 29, 2009 10:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The new RF more than compensates for the loss in CF
although I’d expect Dome to be better this year than last, making that difference less than we might think
I also really like the line-up you suggested. I think Fontenot can do a good job leading off. If Dome can replicate his first 2 months from last year, he’d also be an excellent leadoff hitter
by philadelphiacub on Jan 29, 2009 11:28 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
infield defense?
the cubs got better since last year in the infield. I have yet to see a single thing that says the Fontenot is a bad 2B. In fact, most of the metrics had him better than Derosa.
by scarymonsters85 on Jan 29, 2009 11:54 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yes, but the Cubs still have Theriot at shortstop...
…and they no longer have Mark DeRosa to back up Aramis at third. Plus, they no longer have a natural shortstop (that would be Ronny Cedeno) to back up Theriot. Aaron Miles is essentially a second baseman who’s going to be asked to back up two other infield spots not called “first base.” That concerns me.
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 12:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
This would validate the Uribe rumors.
At least he can play a decent defensive SS.
Alex Cintron is still out there, too.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 29, 2009 12:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Cintron looked like a decent utility guy...
…in spring training last season. And I’m on record as supporting a move to get Uribe – as long as he doesn’t wind up playing everyday, he could be a difference maker defensively late in games.
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 12:31 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm still beating the drum for
Maicer Izturis.
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 Jan 29, 2009 12:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I believe he was just re-signed by the Angels.
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He's still under team control
we’d have to trade for 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 Jan 29, 2009 1:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you think that's feasible?
And, if so, what would the Cubs do with Theriot?
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 1:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't know if Anaheim
is willing to trade him, but they do seem to have more IFs than positions to play them. Maybe they’d take Wuertz and Hoffpauir for him; maybe they’d turn their noses up if we offered any three prospects not named Josh.
The Cubs don’t have to do anything with Theriot. He can play the 2008 Fontenot role (minus the power).
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 Jan 29, 2009 1:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Hendry could throw in Rich Hill as reclamation project, too?
I’m currently bantering with a Mariners fan who seems completely oblivious to the fact that Hill has apparently jumped the shark.
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 1:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I like that they can't abide their SS either.
by N Oakley on Jan 29, 2009 2:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Betancourt doesn't do much well
at least at the ML level – he’s still a major leaguer after all – I really don’t see what Al sees in 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 Jan 29, 2009 2:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
CF Output
Edmonds 2008 = Gary Gaetti 1998
And I think most of us remember Gaetti of 1999. There is a good chance Edmonds of 2009 would be the same thing.
Kudos for Hendry not trying to catch lightening twice with Edmonds. Edmonds did a better than expected job for us last season, and deserves to be thanked for that as he is shown the door.
"I like coconuts, you can break them open and they smell like ladies lying in the sun" Widespread Panic
by Cubbie-Tim on Jan 29, 2009 12:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I like Edmonds...
… he might be more suited to a bench/backup role than Hoffpauir, but he would be more expensive, so probably not worth it.
I don’t see teams lined up to sign him, either.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
by Al on Jan 29, 2009 12:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I've been waving the flag...
…for Edmonds as lefty-bat-off-the-bench guy. I think it would be a nice way for him to wind down his career. As you said, though, he may ask for too much money. Or he may simply not want to settle for that role.
We are a fever ... we are a fever ... we ain't born typical.
by dat cubfan daver on Jan 29, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Not too displeased
that Cedeno is gone. I watched him in S/T for 3-4 years and he hit pretty well. His arm is strong and has speed. I always wanted him to succeed because I saw potential but he seemed different once the season began. Last year he had a good start and was getting playing time and then all of a sudden, he reverts back to the Ronnie we chastise. I don’t know if it’s his work ethic and he gets lazy and he’s just happy being a utility guy or what.. He never came out publicly (that I know of) and complained about playing time.
Good luck to him.
"WGN, Channel 9 Cubs Baseball, Excitingly, Importantly, Dramatically Yours." - Jack Brickhouse
by BigJohnAZ on Jan 29, 2009 9:29 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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