Koyie Hill Named Backup Catcher
From the official press release: The Chicago Cubs today reduced their spring roster from 30 to 28 players. The club unconditionally released catcher Paul Bako and left-handed pitcher Mike Stanton.
almost 3 years ago
Al Yellon
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he hasn't since his first call up in 2003
so it is defense not offense that allowed him to make it IMHO
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Sigh...
Koyie Hill making the club should be good for 350 posts minimum on BCB.
LMAO
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
Make it so, my BCB Brethren!
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
by daver on Mar 30, 2009 12:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
How about we talk about something actually IMPORTANT
Like why is Kosuke a lock to go north with the club when it is clear he still has a crapload of work to do on his hitting and should start the season out in Des Moines.
Or discussion about our dysfunctional bench situation that includes Aaron Miles of all people as the principal backup at three infield spots.
Or our troubling middle relief situation.
Koyie Hill? Well, all I can say is I hope Geovany Soto is up to the task of starting 145 games.
I think he'd have to agree to the assignment.
Michael Wuertz did it last year.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Ok so there is a catch
I doubt Fukudome would accept even if he was asked.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
If he's really struggling, he just might.
After all, Michael Wuertz did.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
I'm kind of surprised that he did accept that assignment
But Lou was probably so pissed at him that he didn’t mind getting away.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
Or he knew that the only way he was going to get better
was with work. And the only way he was going to get really consistant work was in the minors.
The shortest distance between two points is under construction.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on Mar 30, 2009 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
How would Wuertz know? Lou doesnt talk to his players...
I am starting to not like this team
"Just win tonight" - derv
then start a new thread
why do you feel like you need to opine on something if you feel its unimportant. You’re free to start a thread on any of the above subjects. Why not let those who wish to discuss the back-up catcher do so?
by dmlichte on Mar 30, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
b/c if he did.... he won't be blue mike lol
"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."
by Madison Cub Fan on Mar 30, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
rec'd
Greg Maddux could put a baseball through a Life Saver if you asked him. ~ Joe Morgan
by Sioux City Cubs Fan on Mar 30, 2009 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Damn.
I tried to scoop you, Al. But I’ll defer and delete my Fanshot. We did, however, both use the same “chat” format. Well done.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
I think that's the right format to use for FanShots like this one.
It gives a larger headline, and room to post both some stuff of your own and quotes, though you can’t blockquote, you have to use italics to set off the text you want to quote.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
I think it would be interesting
If Soto was given a day off on the same day as Miles plays 2nd and Z is pitching…4 switch hitters in the lineup. Bradley, Miles, Hill, Z.
"The finish line is just the start of the next race."
I like the versatility
This move is consistent with the team’s new emphasis on L/R batter versatility. I was hoping this was going the be the decision. Hill’s making the team is a nice story, considering all he’s been through in the last year.
i thought there was enuff interest in him
that we could get something for him.
it wasn’t enough to deny him the right to sign on as he wished, apparently
Good news
both today and yesterday outta Mesa.
"Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living." ~Alvin Dark
by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Mar 30, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions
won't add up to anything over the season as long as Soto is healthy
But didn’t Z LOVE Koyie? Time to reunite the deadly duo.
So where are the final decisions at now? Gaudin? Who else is on the bubble?
Angel Guzman, unfortunately.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Cubs have been getting "trade feelers" on Guzman and Gaudin
…or so says Bruce Miles. (link)
That would potentially be to clear the roster space to keep David Patton – I’m not sure how I feel about that, although Patton has had a decent spring.
"I see great things in baseball. It's our game - the American game." - Walt Whitman
by hip2bsquare on Mar 30, 2009 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Bruce's blogpost also has this to say about DLee:
D-Lee fouled a ball off his leg today. He came out for a pinch runner, but not because of that. Lou says the right quad is still bothering Lee.
I guess Lou is trying to figure out whether and how to rest DLee without shortchanging him on ST ABs.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
I would think that if Soto went down for a long time
Castillo would get the call or a trade would be made. I can’t imagine Hill would get the full time duty.
www.talkingchicagobaseball.blogspot.com
Patton situation is interesting
Maybe if th Cubs really can win this division easily (hate to assume that) they could keep Patton as a luxury? I doubt he’s going to be handle any kind of pressure major leauge situation, I’ve never seen a Rule 5er who has been able to do that immediately.
Problem is, Patton has to go on the 25-man roster and it's chock full at the moment.
I’d kinda like to see the Cubs find some way to keep him at this point, though.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
What is the current 25 man roster?
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
Well, it contains 27 names....
…but this about sums it up. And the fact that it contains 27 names is precisely our current dilemma.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
My guess is Guzman is gone and
the Shark is sent back to Iowa to work on his three pitches. If Gaudin doesn’t pan out or a starter gets hurt, the Shark returns by June, but at least he spends time in Iowa actively working on his arsenal. I am in the camp that thinks this is the best utilization of his talent (the Shark) in the short-term.
A short-term disappointment, of not making the team, may make him more valuable later on.
And who knows, as I said below, I still think there is a trade before camp is over.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
That all sounds about right to me.
Guzman is another long-time prospect who’s out of options, so he’s ripe to be moved in typical Hendry fashion.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
can't assume the 25 man roster is set
Any combination of suprise moves or trades could change things.
I tend to agree.
I am in Al’s camp on this. As soon as I saw the 40 man roster at 38, I assumed something was going to happen on the trade front in the next two weeks. I still think something will happen.
I wish Bako well, but I too am in the camp that was hoping that Koyie Hill “made the cut.”
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
pun intended?
watch those fingers.
"Manny Trillo is coming in to pinch run. You know, for a lot of teams, you would pinch run for Manny Trillo." - Harry Caray
That's true.
I guess there’s a chance Guzman or Gaudin could still be dealt.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
and Shark will go down - not because he deserves to, but because he can, i.e. has options.
so barring any more deals, that knocks us down to 25.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Also official...
…Hoffpauir is on the opening day roster (not surprising though).
"Pounding sand since 1982...."
Gloating comment by Clutche in 5 and 4 and 3 and...
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
those must be hours, not minutes... right?
I haz blurg: hotbeans.wordpress.com
by digitalbenjamin on Mar 30, 2009 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Clutche is soooooooooooooo not clutch.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
I thought the bigger news here was Michael Stanton
I immediately thought, “He’s still playing?”
by Basketball John on Mar 30, 2009 2:18 PM CDT reply actions
Given the choice ...
… I’m glad its Hill, I think he showed a lot of development last year (in AAA).
That said, I wasn’t quite prepared for Bako being unconditionally released. If Soto or Hill go on the DL who is the callup?
Fox?
The team would probably make a free agent or trade acquisition if Soto or Hill go down to injury.
Well this is good news all the way around
Sends a signal to every grinder minor league player they too can make the club and beat out a long time veteran.
Hill is very good in the locker room pre-game prep and has a good working relationship with Soto.
He has shown very good offense this springs and his a good defensive catcher.
Now down 28 players: Gaudin and Guzman have some trade value puts the situation to 26 if both are traded.
Patton or Samardz with Vizcaino as the one kept for long time stuff.
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
Cubs.com Link
Click Here for the story on the above items.
I could see Bako signing with the Giants...
… or one of several other teams looking for catching help.
"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx
Because you can never have too much Johnson.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
Elapsed time: One minute.
Excellent.
"That little kid at second base - he is after a job, isn't he?" ~ Lou Piniella, 3/9/09
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