Fuld "Vs" Johnson to enjoy on cold winter night

Good stuff!

As great as RJ’s diving catch was, Fuld has him beat because not only did he crash into a brick wall to make a catch, he recovered quickly enough to fire a strike to first to double up the runner. The extra out makes that one my favorite.

"Was you ever punched in the face five hundred times a night? It stings after a while." ~Rocky Balboa

by Goodie1969 on Oct 5, 2009 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

Johnson's catch off Fielder was also significant.

It saved three runs, because it would have been a grand slam. (One run scored, making it a sac fly.)

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2009 10:12 PM CDT up reply actions

but it wasn't a "great" catch

he got back to the wall, sat down, had a plate of pasta, a glass of Chianti, wiped his mouth, and then jumped up, and caught a ball. This wasn’t Gary Matthews or Kenny Lofton running full stride and making a leap over the wall to snag a HR.

The impact of the catch was great, but the catch itself was nothing special. I would say it wasn’t even one of the 10 best plays all year.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

It wasn't one of the 10 best plays in baseball?

Or it wasn’t one of the 10 best Cubs plays?

I’d defintely put it up there as one of the 10 best Cubs plays of ‘09. The ball was over the wall. He pulled it back. That’s always amazing in my book.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

in my opinion

it wasn’t one of the 10 best on the Cubs in ‘09. The difficulty factor on that play was about a 5-6. It was an “easy” play. All he had to do was jump at the right time. He didn’t climb the wall. He didn’t run and jump in one motion. This was no different from getting under a flyball and then jumping up and catching it in the middle of the outfield instead of near the wall. Great impact play and great Cub result. Kinda like a bases loaded smash line drive to the 2B who makes the catch and doubles off a runner. Not a great play from a difficulty perpsective, but a great result for the D.

This is last among all the plays Jessica posted (and it shouldn’t even be on this list). The best play all year by a Cubs player was the groundball fielded and thrown from his butt after diving and rolling over by Andres Blanco versus NYM. I think this was the best play all year in baseball by an IF. I am still floored it didn’t get more publicity.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions

That Blanco play was unbelievable.

It did get some publicity. It wound up #2 on ESPN’s Web Gems that day. Why didn’t it get #1?

Because the Brewers turned a triple play that day.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

triple plays in and among themselves are special only because they are rare

think about it, there need to be a very specific set of circumstances. It like mentioned in posts above. It was great for the defensive team, but it just isn’t that amazing of a ply in and of it self. Just ruotine groundball and the runners happened to be slow enough to ge t caught in the TP. The blanco play, fuld, play, etc were great because they required a level of athleticism. Much like the felipe lopez play against the cubs where we jumped and caught the flare that would have allowed a score (i think)

"It doesn't matter what country someone's from, or what they look like, or the color of their skin. It doesn't matter what they smell like, or that they spell words slightly differently some would say more correctly. I'm a person. Bret's a person. You're a person. That person over there is a person. And each person deserves to be treated like a person. "

by Rhymenocerous on Oct 6, 2009 10:02 AM CDT up reply actions

sad

that was nothing more than a 5-4-3 DP. A dime a dozen.

FWIW—did you notice the little irony in that play? Aaron Rowand is the culprit.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions

That's a very unusual TRIPLE play, though.

There have been very few of those in recent years.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

I think that is underrating how good Johnson's catch was

but I get your point and this is why Fuld’s 07 catch is probably my favorite since he not only crashes into the wall but can still make a throw to double off the runner . On the other hand Scully’s call of the catch of Manny’s HR made it special, while we have fun with the "little Sam Fuld " part the whole call is really brilliant. Enjoy the master while you can . Anyone know if he will call post season Dodger games on radio and we can access them ?

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions

Vinnie

and Dodger postseason games:

http://tinyurl.com/yboap36

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I have to find out if the MLB audio will use that

That is all I am signed up for.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Me too

Of course during the regular season they provide both home and away audio feeds. They are doing the same for the game today, and I would assume the same for the playoffs.

I signed up for MLB audio specifically so I could listen to Vinny. I would rather listen to him call a game on the radio than ANYBODY else that is doing TV. But, I found that I enjoyed the radio play by play of many of the other teams as well, including the Giants, Rockies and even the Cubs. Pat Hughes is a solid play by play guy and his dry humor works well on the radio. While Santo doesn’t add much to the broadcast in terms of analysis, he is endearing with the way he lives and dies with the Cubbies performance on the field and he tells it like it is in terms of criticism,

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I dunno...

…I’d really have to see the complete (and presumably yet-to-be-created) list of the Cubs 2009 best defensive plays to say for sure. I would agree that Blanco’s play appears to be No. 1.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

Re-watch the Johnson catch of Fielder's ball.

It is not as easy as you are making it out to be. He did climb the wall. He took his eye from to ball to see where the wall was, stutter stepped to get the timing and proper spacing of his strides to wall and re-acquired the ball. He climbed the wall and brought the ball back over from a good distance beyond the wall.

Much tougher than a 5-6, and more than just getting under the ball and jumping and catching it in the middle of the outfield for the reasons above.

That said, I think the catch in Washington was more impressive just for taking a great route and laying out like he did. I just don’t think many get anywhere near that ball.

Some people say the glass is half empty, some say half full. I say, are you going to drink that?

by BleedsbluinMI on Oct 7, 2009 4:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Love all of these plays

Both players seem like great guys with good hustle — why have one when you can have two :)

If the Cubs were an international soccer team they'd be called Scotland.

by mrtobby on Oct 5, 2009 8:28 PM CDT reply actions

And here's another one.

Tyler Colvin’s leaping catch, robbing Ryan Braun of a HR in Milwaukee

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 5, 2009 10:08 PM CDT reply actions

also pretty good

"It doesn't matter what country someone's from, or what they look like, or the color of their skin. It doesn't matter what they smell like, or that they spell words slightly differently some would say more correctly. I'm a person. Bret's a person. You're a person. That person over there is a person. And each person deserves to be treated like a person. "

by Rhymenocerous on Oct 6, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions

That was a great game.

Colvin caught all three outs to end it.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions

And a Cubs INFIELD web gem

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090906&content_id=6821026&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 5, 2009 11:10 PM CDT reply actions

i'd agree that was on of the best play of the season

tied or a close 2nd is when fuld made that diving catch against the Brew, the one where he hurt his wrist.

"It doesn't matter what country someone's from, or what they look like, or the color of their skin. It doesn't matter what they smell like, or that they spell words slightly differently some would say more correctly. I'm a person. Bret's a person. You're a person. That person over there is a person. And each person deserves to be treated like a person. "

by Rhymenocerous on Oct 6, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

thanks

I referenced this above. This WAS the best play all year. This was a 10 on the difficulty scale and he got a runner who could actually run in Francouer. AMAZING.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions

And looking at the slomo replay...

… it wasn’t even that close. Francoeur was out by half a step.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions

I love that Manual

came out to argue. What did he say to the ump, “I still can’t believe what I just saw. Are you sure you saw the same thing? How the heck did he get that throw off, with something on it, and that accurate?”

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions

Y'know, I HEARD this play on the radio...

…but never did see the highlight. That is amazing and, as mentioned above, I’d nominate this as the best Cubs defensive play of the season. Not only does Blanco have to snag the ball, he has to throw it across the diamond in the general range of DLee. He did all that, including a pretty damn good throw. Pure instincts – astounding.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Not to knock Theriot, but it would be great to have

Blanco’s glove at SS on an every day basis.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 6, 2009 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey, Willie. Long time no comment.

Do you think Blanco could hit enough to keep the job? That’s the part that seems doubtful. I definitely want him on board to back up SS and 2B. And I’d even go one better and say he should get his fair share of starts in pitcher’s parks, in day games after night games, in the third game of a series when the Cubs have already won the first two…that sorta thing.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions

I've been around, just needed to get away from the everyday grind. I think the bigger

question is “Can the rest of the team hit well enough to justify having his glove in the lineup?” He will never be a .300 hitter, but he could contribute enough to move runners and provide the occasional spark if he makes the right effort. The problem is the rest of the lineup. It’s difficult to justify having him in the lineup if the production from the corner guys isn’t there. If the contribution from 1B, 3B, LF and RF is there, you can certainly justify a light-hitting SS with a great glove.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 6, 2009 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions

If, say...

… you could get Michael Young to play SS, you’d then have a good enough bat that you could play Blanco at 2B. Or, maybe Young could play 2B — he’s done it before.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I would love a combination of Young and Blanco. The offensive production from the

rest of the team has to be there. If it’s not there, then everytime Blanco comes to bat and doesn’t get a hit, everyone will complaining about the fact that he’s not hitting. That’s way to much pressure to put on a person who has not been an offensive player. Many successful teams have had a guy in there lineup who was there for his glove, but the guys who were there for offense carried their portion of the load. The corner positions have to provide the offensive pop. There aren’t a lot of catchers or middle ineilders or centerfielders who carry the bulk of the offensive load. Those guys are the exception, not the rule.

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

by willie mays hayes' gloves on Oct 6, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd put Young at second base.

But I thought we’ve established the Rangers don’t want Bradley?

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

That's a fair point...

…and, as has been mentioned before, there was a time when all-glove-no-stick middle infields were considered the norm. Lou could just put him at the bottom of the lineup and let ‘em play. It’s still hard to imagine that actually happening, though – unless Lou takesw note of Theriot’s noticeable decline in OPS and, most notably, OBP this season. I mean, seriously, if Blanco could put up an OPS anywhere approaching .750, I might be sold on this idea.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 1:17 PM CDT up reply actions

GOD I LOVE REED JOHNSON

Watching these again just sends chills up my spine. I absolutely think RJ needs to be back next year as our primary outfield sub. The guy plays great D and hits well enough for a meaningful bench role.

"Hey! If the moon were made of ribs, wouldja eat it? I know I would!"

by cubs0505 on Oct 6, 2009 12:30 AM CDT reply actions

I feel that way too.

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Oct 6, 2009 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I really like both men

But to be honest, if the team is going to cut salary, I’m guessing RJ is looking for 3Mil or more next year. Fuld almost does the same job but practically free - we’ll have to pay him regardless. Put the 3 Mil towards something more significant for the team.

by ak123 on Oct 6, 2009 8:03 AM CDT reply actions

I think there could be room for both of them.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 8:27 AM CDT up reply actions

i want there to be room for both of them

What they both lack in spectacular hitting, they both have some of the best defensive skills I’ve even seen

"It doesn't matter what country someone's from, or what they look like, or the color of their skin. It doesn't matter what they smell like, or that they spell words slightly differently some would say more correctly. I'm a person. Bret's a person. You're a person. That person over there is a person. And each person deserves to be treated like a person. "

by Rhymenocerous on Oct 6, 2009 9:59 AM CDT up reply actions

Hmm $400,000 is "practically free"

Can I get that job ? Actually Fuld is not “free” in the sense that if they sent him to Iowa he would not make the MLB
salary but I do know what you mean. I think RJ will take a pay cut but the question is how much and is it worth it.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions

In baseball terms practically free

I really like seeing RJ play for us but if they are looking to reduce salarly, this one seems like an easy one, unfortunately.

by ak123 on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

This may be a case where...

… the player wants to stay here enough that he’s willing to take that pay cut.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

Then that would be awesome

I think every player should want to play for the Cubs (with the exception to someone like Jeter who doesn’t need to) because who wouldn’t want to be on the team that finally wins it all? When the Cubs win a World Series, those 25 men will be considered heroes to the city.

by ak123 on Oct 6, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions

Y'know, I've had this same thought myself many times.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

There's no doubt...

… that the allure of being on the Cubs team that wins it all attracts many free agents — and managers — to become Cubs. Clearly, both Dusty Baker and Lou Piniella wanted to be “the guy”. For Lou, it still could happen, and if it does next year, it’s probably his ticket to the Hall of Fame — if Lou wins with the Cubs, that would give him two WS titles. Only one manager (Gene Mauch) who has won more games than Lou as a manager isn’t in the Hall (three others, Cox, LaRussa and Torre, aren’t, but will be), and Lou’s playing career was good enough that his combined body of work probably would get him in.

This alone could be a lure for potential free agents.

"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra

by Al Yellon on Oct 6, 2009 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, at the risk of stating the obvious, I hope Lou gets there.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 7, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I think he can get there without the Cubs

Are rules for eligibility for managers the same as players ?, that you are eligible 5 years after you were last active ? In which case perhaps Lou might want to start the clock ticking NOW so he can enjoy the ceremony sooner.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 7, 2009 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions

Depends

“Can I get that job ?”

What kind of an arm do you have and are you scrappy?

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 4:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Scrappy, Jewish and with a semi Ivy League degree

However not only can’t I hit for power, I can’t field and have NO patience at the plate or anywhere else. With I had the skills in field that had a minimum salary of $400,000. However since Fuld has a degree in economics from Stanford and is working on a masters in statistics might be one of few baseball players who could potentially make more OFF the field.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

You do

however, look good in a Cubs hat and a pinstripe jersey,

No patience at the plate? Can’t field? Hold on, I think Josh Brynes would like to talk to you.

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Having reviewed all four plays...

…I gotta call it a draw. Great stuff.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 6, 2009 9:36 AM CDT reply actions

WOW! Love them both.

Thanks for giving us some great baseball to watch on an otherwise gloomy day. Maybe I shouldn’t hibernate this off season after all if I can keep coming here for a fix.

"Fasten those seatbelts"-Pat Hughes

by katie casey on Oct 6, 2009 10:04 AM CDT reply actions

Jessica

I would throw in Reed’s diving catch when he was in LF—vs. Astros or Cards—I thinki t was a Sunday night and was pretty remarkable.

If I had a vote, it’s a tie between Fuld’s play eating the Dodger fence and RJ eating National dirt. Tie-breaker goes to Fuld for his Ivy leaping exploit throwing a strike to D Lee from the wall.

Fuld is the Winner!!!!!!!!!!!

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

All great catches but...

I think my favorite is the Reed Johnson catch in Washington. Running full speed and laying out like he did was amazing. It also had a few bonus points. After Reed made the catch he just got up and flipped the ball from his glove to his hand like it was an ordinary play. Also, the look on Kerry Wood’s face in the bullpen and the way DeRosa just stood there in disbelief add to the greatness of that catch.

by FloridaCubsFan on Oct 6, 2009 11:36 AM CDT reply actions

That is my favorite

one too. Reed is the Winner!!!!!!

Recipe for Disaster;
C'mon Cubs, hurry up and blow this so I can relax.
by Bluekoolaide on July22, 2009 3:08 PM CDT

by sue369 on Oct 6, 2009 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Reed's catch in Washington

last year is probably the single greatest outfield catch I have ever seen. I’m not taking into account the situation or magnitude of the catch to the game or pennant race. Throw that catch into a tie game 7 of a WS and that instantly becomes the greatest catch ever.

As someone who played for many years and made a few diving catches of my own, the amount of real estate that he covered, the utter disregard for his body, the full horizontal extension on the catch: unbelievable. Ab-sol-lute-ly unbelievable.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 6, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

It was a great catch but far from the best I have seen.

I think what made it extra special was the cap and how nonchalantly he acted.

I think as catches Fuld’s catch in 07 and the catch that broke his wrist but saved the game are better.
That one has a bad link so let me try again
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090915&content_id=6982604&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Much easier to make a diving catch when coming in on a ball vs going back on one. Also, much easier to dive when there is nothing in front of you than when you are going full tilt at the wall. I think that Fuld’s catch against the chain link fence was better than his broken wirst catch for that reason.

Again, I’m not taking into account the situation in the game. Fuld’s catch did save the game and did break his wrist. I’m not considering those – just the quality of the catch. Fuld didn’t have to cover near as much ground as Reed did and was coming in on the ball vs going back blind towards the fence. Just my opinion. I happen to think that Fuld is a better defensive player than Reed, but that catch was ridiculous.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 7, 2009 9:25 AM CDT up reply actions

For that matter, I think Fuld’s leaping catch against the brick wall last year was more admirable than the broken wrist catch too due to the disregard for the brick wall.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 7, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions

One more in the serial posts. sorry

The reason that Fuld broke his wrist on that catch was that the angle that he took to the ball was slightly off causing him to have to reach out of the line of his run for it. Not saying that his angle wasn’t nearly perfect (as it was) or that 99% of other outfielders reach that ball or take a proper angle (they don’t.) He got there and didn’t take a circuitous route to the ball at all, but was just a little bit off. That little bit caused him to have to reach forward in his dive. If you watch the video, you will see that in his last step or two he veers to his right towards the infield and then reaches toward the infield to catch the ball. Unfortunately, this causes his wrist to become twisted during the catch and roll under his arm.

Again, I’m taking nothing away from the magnitude of that fantastic catch. No one reading this could probably ever in their life even dream of making that catch. No way most CF are within even 5 feet of that ball as it falls in for a hit. I’m just pointing out why I think that RJ’s catch in Washington was more impressive. His line to the ball was absolutely true, he covered far more ground (albeit the ball was in the air longer) and he dove head first at a wall that he never looked at to make sure that he had enough room to do so. (He was actually on the warning track when he dove, so he had to know that he was close to the wall.)

Anyway, just my opinion, but that is why I think it. Fuld’s catch may likely be the better in most people’s minds.

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 7, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Fuld should get extra points for the Manny HR catch

He not only caught the ball , he knocked down Milton on the way back.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 7, 2009 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Extra points in my book.

;)

"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray

by Archie on Oct 7, 2009 9:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I noticed that, too.

Oh, the irony.

Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.

by daver on Oct 7, 2009 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

This "vs." applies in more way than one...

since there’s a chance the Cubs only bring back one of these guys next year.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Oct 6, 2009 12:51 PM CDT reply actions

As Fuld said when asked if he knew there was a brick wall behind the Ivy

" Yes I am aware ( of that)". I would hate to choose but Fuld is cheaper and though he has far less power than Johnson
he is a more patient hitter. Can’t I have them both ?

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

:)

TWSS!

if this was still new to me, i wouldn't understand

by N Oakley on Oct 6, 2009 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Assuming Jeff Baker can still play the outfield

…there’s no reason to have both on the roster. Johnson is the better player, but if the Cubs are salary-constrained I see no need to have 2 light-hitting outfielders on the roster.

by Wreckard on Oct 6, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

only 2?

I counted at least 5 light-hitting OF on the Cubs roster this year. It would be tough to keep them both.

:-D

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions

I know

but a girl can dream can’t she ?

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

we all can

if they actually made a big trade and got, say Adam Dunn, I could live with both of those two on the bench.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 5:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Unfortunately

Dunn salary is going to be $12M in 2010.

I don’t see the Cubs being in a position to add that to the payroll. If Dunn gets moved, it is most likely to an AL team.

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think they would

necessarily “add” his payroll, but get rid of some existing payroll to fit him in.

Miles, Gregg, and Harden collectively make more than Dunn and all 3 could be gone in different scenarios (Miles dumped along with Bradley and Gregg/Harden allowed to walk).

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 5:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes but I am sure the current backloaded contracts

for Dempster, Lilly, Ramirez and some of arbitration will add a bit to next year’s payroll.

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

by Doggie Stalker on Oct 6, 2009 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions

2010

Dempster, Soriano, and Fukodome alone have $8M in escalators for 2010. There are also at least 7 players who are abitration eligible, and several players who will become Free Agents.

by azjazzman on Oct 6, 2009 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions

good points

I was saying Dunn as a “for instance” in making a case to keep Fuld and RJ. Not saying that’s exactly what the club needs to do given the unflexibility in the current payroll structure.

The arb cases alone make it near impossible to add Dunn unless Bradley and one of Sori, Z, Demp, Dome, or Lilly went bye-bye as well.

by socalbob on Oct 6, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions