Back To The Drawing Board: Cubs 2, Cardinals 8
by Al Yellon on Apr 25, 2009 6:05 PM CDT
in Chicago Cubs Recaps
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PrintWhen even the Fox-TV color commentator notices that things aren't working, maybe Cubs management ought to sit up and take notice.
Eric Karros was a standup guy when he played for the Cubs, and he still is a standup guy, and doesn't mince words. During today's telecast he did so in a nice enough way that you don't even realize how bad he was ripping Lou and Jim during today's 8-2 Cubs loss to the Cardinals that, in a twist on the old phrase, "wasn't as close as the score indicated". It was the Cubs' fourth loss in a row, the longest losing streak of the year
Now, in fairness -- the Cubs are now missing three key performers. Milton Bradley is out till who-knows-when, and Aramis Ramirez and Carlos Marmol suffered minor injuries Friday night and are out for only a few days, so the Cubs are not playing at full strength. But that is also the problem. Jim Hendry did not assemble a team that has suitable backups so that the Cubs could weather losing a starting player or two. Last year's team could -- Alfonso Soriano missed a third of the season in 2008, and the Cubs were a competitive 28-26 in the games he didn't start. This year, they don't seem to be able to win any games when two of their big bats are on the bench, and there is zero flexibility on the bench -- had anything happened to Mike Fontenot, Aaron Miles or Ryan Theriot today, we would have seen Soriano at second base, because he's the only other player on the team with experience at 2B.
Unless you want to see Micah Hoffpauir, Koyie Hill or Reed Johnson play second base, that is. Oh, and Hill hasn't played at all -- not a single at-bat -- in 12 days, despite playing well during spring training and in his six games played while Geovany Soto is out.
Maybe that's Lou's way of saying to Jim Hendry, "Get me some help!" He's done this sort of thing before, making a public protest without saying anything specific. I'll repost Lou's quote made after last night's game:
"We've got no bench," Piniella said. "We've got an extra catcher [in Koyie Hill] and [Micah] Hoffpauir and [Joey] Gathright. We're going to have to get somebody in here."
And speaking of Gathright, he's basically on the team to be a pinch-runner. So being picked off this afternoon negates any value he has -- that gives him one stolen base and one caught stealing, essentially a worthless addition to the roster. Can we please just release him and sign Jim Edmonds? At least Edmonds can hit, or he could last year, and he could hardly be worse than Gathright, who can't hit at all.
There's no sense ripping apart today's game, except to mention that even Karros questioned the move of Soriano down in the lineup, saying his approach would be different in the three spot, and I agree. I think I need go no further than these Soriano splits:
2007 Hitting Leadoff: .308/.345/.579 2007 Hitting Elsewhere: .162/.225/270 2008 Hitting Leadoff: .287/.350/.544 2008 Hitting Elsewhere: 0-for-10 2009 Hitting Leadoff: .317/.406/.633 2009 Hitting Elsewhere: 1-for-8
Look. The guy's your leadoff hitter. He's done well in that role -- especially this year, with the .406 OBA so far. Why screw with it? Mess with some other part of the order -- let Geovany Soto hit cleanup, drop Derrek Lee to 7th, hit the pitcher 8th -- but put Soriano back in the leadoff spot.
In any case, Jim and Lou have to sit down soon -- after tomorrow's game wouldn't be too soon -- and make some roster moves. Bringing Jim Edmonds along when they leave St. Louis would be a good first step. I'll leave this post with one positive from today's game -- Sean Marshall threw a nice six innings. I realize he was scheduled to lead off the 7th, but I think I'd have stuck with him for one more inning. Karros didn't have very nice things to say about David Patton, saying that Patton didn't approach the AB of Colby Rasmus and Albert Pujols with proper pitch selection and he was absolutely correct. That doesn't mean Patton shouldn't have been in the game or that he can't contribute to this team, only that they have to throw the right pitches to the right hitters, especially when the wrong one turned a 3-1 game into a 7-1 game.
Finally, for you ledge-jumpers: the Cubs are 8-8. It's way too early to panic. It is NOT too early for them to make some changes. Get 'em done, Jim.
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in a bad funk
Definitely not going to throw the towel in on the season but this team is in a funk. Does Edmonds even WANT to come back? The guy wasn’t in spring training with anyone, can he just pick up a bat tomorrow and be back with the team? I’d think not but you never know.
I think any significant loss of Marmol would be the most devistating thing to happen to this team, without him the bullpen becomes pretty terrible.
I have heard that Edmonds has been working out...
… and definitely wants to play. It might take a few days worth of minor league games, but I’d still do it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I would not trust Edmonds in CF anymore
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
More a bat off the bench and insurance in case Gameboard continues to miss games...
Not as a full time starter….
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
plus if Hendry finds an AL suitor for Hoff
Edmonds can back up Lee
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I wouldn't either
But his bat is a good backup for Bradley. They could keep Dome in center and put Edmo in right, where he’s played 220+ innings in his life.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd trust him in CF the number of times he had to play there.
Edmonds was competent in CF last year. He’d be fine on a temporary basis. He can still hit.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
His UZR was around -10
So it’s pretty clear that his days in center are over. Edmonds would probably be around average in a corner.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't think UZR provides clarity regardless
but using it to judge a short season is pure crapshoot. Nothing about his defensive skills should be assumed from that.
You're right
However, he was also -1.8 the year before, and he is now 39. It is very unlikely that he can play a passable center field.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
Plus....
How would Edmonds help in the infield, which is where there is a shortage? Gathright can go to AAA and get some work, his wheels are a nice addition when everyone is healthy. But right now, Ramirez’s injury is exposing our biggest weakness. Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome, Johnson, and Hoffpauer is all the outfield assistance we need. Edmonds would bring absoluteley nothing over any of these guys.
Gathright, IIRC, cannot be sent down without his consent.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Your right
I live in STL and he has been on the radio a couple times stating he still wants to play
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I heard it would take a few weeks for him to be ready.
I’d rather see a 4 corners guy than Edmonds.
Derrek Lee is good.
Edmunds is somewhere bending steel gurders
And picking his teeth with the leg bones of the animals he’s hunted and killed, just lying in wait for the call… he’s like a predator.
he learn that from Lilly?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I can't remember specifics.....
But I’ll bet the Cubs didn’t lose 4 in a row until late August last year….
That said…last year …was just that…last year….
I’ll bet Philadelphia lost 4 straight sooner than that….and the Dodgers were under .500 until when (though this division will take a better record than that to “be had”)?
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
Actually late June 2008
Lost one to the Orioles in Wrigley and then went down south to the Cell where they lost three straight. Of course they were 19 games over .500 at the time so losing 4 in a row didn’t mean as much as losing 4 straight today with a 8-8 record.
What concerns me most about this mediocre start is that it may set the tone for the first half of the season, digging a hole too deep to get out of once the second half starts.
I am still optimistic, but concerned.
Is Jake Fox worth giving a look? I know he has been hitting well, but he only plays 1st and 3rd. Who at Iowa would be worth a call-up that could help? Also, can we end the David Patton experience? The jump from ‘A’ ball to the big leagues is made successful by few. That last one I remember doing that wears # 5 for St. Louis. We all know he’s on a different planet from the rest of us.
Jake Fox doesn't play third base.
Or, if you put him out there, you could watch him wave at balls as they go by him. He’s a DH.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Gathright
wanted to dig a hole in the dugout and pull it over him. If he’s released now, his major league record would just be slightly larger than Moonlight Graham’s. One SB, one “hit,” one picked off: one official cup of coffee.
Well, except for...
… the 1145 AB he had over the last five years for Tampa Bay and Kansas City.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
The whole team looked like rookies
or AAA talent at best, it was embarassing… and being in Peoria I’m going to hear about these two games for the next 2 weeks, minimum… ugh.
So with the Gathright pick off, the Cubs are now 7 for 15 on base stealing this year.
This is pathetic. Why is this guy on our team if we are going to be under 50% in stealing? Cubs do need some bench versatility. Even if they have to bring hungry guys up from Iowa, at lest they will be of more value than this guy’s limited role.
"If it's obvious, it's obviously wrong." - a well known stock market guru
You think the bench is bad now
Just imagine what we will be throwing out there when Soriano has his annual groin pull and has to miss 4 or so weeks
Lets Go Hawks!
On moving Soto 4th
He hasn’t done any better than whoever else they put there. IO definitely think they should keep Fonzie at leadoff though, because he definitely is more comfortable there.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 6:24 PM CDT reply actions
This just stinks of 2004
I know it’s early, but seeing St. Louis on fire and the Cubs with injuries and not playing well, it just looks too familiar.
Cardinals have injuries too
Remember this is all happening with Carpenter and Glaus on the DL
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
But look at how their "fill ins" are doing...
That’s the difference. Would you rather have Joey Gathright or Colby Rasmus on your bench right now?
Barden/Thurston have been dynamite so far this year
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you
Expect it to continue? I’m not saying the Card won’t contend with the Cubs, but they won’t be this good. They’re just hot.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
So does Rasmus
But it probably won’t continue.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
The Cardinals aren't going away
they’re a good team and laRussa, love him or hate him, has a knack for getting guys to overachieve.
That being said, it’s still way too early to even think of giving up. But Hendry has to start making moves right away. It doesn’t STAY early for very long.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't say they'd go away
I said they aren’t going to be this good all season. They’re extremely hot right now, and Rasmus, Barden, and Thurston probably won’t continue this.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Rasmus is going nowhere
BB-rates/plate discipline are amazing and he’s just now starting to hit the ball with authority.
Not afraid to nitpick
Thurston
He’s really had no track record in the big leagues. Never had any oppurtunties either. I wouldn’t pencil him in as being a big contributer.
Ah, well, in his case
I don’t mean “good” as in “big contributor” but more in “I wish we had him instead of Miles.”
Derrek Lee is good.
But those aren't unexpected injuries
in the same way that MB’s isn’t unexpected.
Derrek Lee is good.
Well I thought Glaus would at least wait till the season started to get hurt
Carpenter was just a matter of time
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Glad I wasn't the first...
to make this comparison… yes it is very early, but something about this team makes me feel like 2004. All of the “experts” handed us the division title before the season started. “The class of the Central.” Not to mention the really high expectations.
Please let me be wrong!
by FloridaCubsFan on Apr 25, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions
No, I've been thinking that for awhile now
In ’04 everybody kept sayong that the Cards were playing over their heads and would come back to earth. Problem is that nobody bothered to tell the Cardinals that.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's wait
at least a month or two before we start making 2004 comparisons.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree
But I can’t help this feeling right now…
*Tells himself “stay positive stay positive we could be the Nats we could be the Nats”
by FloridaCubsFan on Apr 25, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Just, um, blah....
1. Let’s hope Riot’s ankle isn’t bad enough to have him sit, because then you will see Fonzie at 2b.
2. I’m not sure why you even have Patton in there in that situation. Didn’t Lou basically say he was the mop up man the other day? And to keep him in when he loaded the bases? WTF?
3. I don’t think Fonzie batting first would change how pathetic he looked on breaking balls today.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
When I saw Lou leave Patton in, I thought -
- oh he’s so frustrated, he just wants to give Patton a lesson. Then when Patton came out again for the next inning, I thought, – we’re giving him back to the Rox tonight. I could be totally wrong, but that was my thought.
Derrek Lee is good.
It definately reeked of some kind of "message".....
…what that message was, I’m not sure…
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Leaving him in doesn't matter
It’s the way he was used in this game that upsets me, personally. Why are we running an unproven pitcher out in a game like that? About the game with a 5 run lead? He should be pitching in that spot to get comfortable, so in September when we have a 3 run deficit we can put him out there and not sweat… I just don’t get it.
When Patton was brought in
he was facing the bottom of the lineup, plus Brendan Ryan who is the equivelant of the bottom-of-the-lineup v. RHP. I think that was what Lou originally thought and it made sense.
But leaving him out there to face Rasmus and Pujols when it was clear he didn’t have his command/control smelled like punishment or resignation that we had lost this game or both.
Derrek Lee is good.
or a test to see if he is MLB ready when we need a MLB ready pen
cannot tell how a pitcher will bounce back and react if you never put him in that situation.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
a number of these guys
seem to suffer from ADHD. Can’t track a long fly…get picked off first…WTF?
I know this disorder, as we have one at home. Concerta, anyone??
I wouldn't be opposed to bringing back Edmonds
Even cold, he’d still probably have a more competitive at bat than Joey “I’m only here because I’m fast” Gathright
Chuck Norris is a Cubs fan...
Two fun games
I just did a round trip from Chicago to central Wisconsin, timed my travels to listen to both games… ugh.
I don’t consider myself to be a ledge jumper and frankly find that term kind of insulting. I realize that there are some people who are extreme, but most of the people who are being critical aren’t saying the season is over, they’re just saying that there are things that they are seeing that are concerning. Some may say “small sample size”, and thats fine, but that isn’t going to stop me from analyzing what I see, be it 5 games in or 50 games in. Think this is too soon or too small of a sample size? Well Lou’s line-up change as well his voicing of concern about the lack of offense over the last week would say that maybe there is validity to making observations over 2 or 3 weeks of play.
Anyhow, Al, I agree with much of what you say here and I think that Lou did something in shaking up the line-up. You mention the lack of back-ups, but to be honest, do we really think that the outcome would have been much different had Aramis Ramirez been in the line-up? I don’t think so. I really hope that D. Lee shakes out of his early season slump but he is showing real reason for concern. Further Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot are showing real reason to question if they are full time players rather than platoon guys. If Ryan Dempster and Carlos Zambrano don’t step it up, the depth and quality of this rotation, which supposedly set the Cubs apart from the rest of the league may prove to be not the advantage that we all though the Cubs had. The team wide approach at the plate, team wide, getting ahead in counts and then meekly popping up a 3-1 pitch, wasting their fair share of RISP opportunities is coming back to haunt this team.
I’m not ledge jumping but I am concerned. I’m not saying that the season is over, however there are some pretty talented teams in the division and the Cubs need to shake out of this because spotting the Cards or even the Reds a 5 game lead would be a big mistake.
by dmlichte on Apr 25, 2009 6:35 PM CDT reply actions 5 recs
recd
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
The Ride Continues...
This would fall under the section of the “ride” that goes: "There will be bad days. There will be some REALLY bad days, but that’s part of “the ride”.
A rough patch no doubt, but only 10% of the season has expired. The Cubs are 8-8 (or twin Dolly Partons as we say on the golf course) and there’s still a ton of time to fix what isn’t working.
So, after you Mr. Hendry….. time to get busy.
Tomorrow’s another day and great wins come at some of the most unexpected times.
GO CUBS!
Go Green! Go White! GO STATE!
King Leonidas: Spartans! What is your profession?
Spartans: HA-OOH! HA-OOH! HA-OOH!
I just don't get it Lou
You were dead serious about Soriano staying as your leadoff hitter to the point you didn’t want anymore questions about it, now this? Hit him first, period.
Sign Edmonds, I agree, unfortunately there are other holes. I am afraid the Miles signing reminds me of a dose of Nefi.
Rough waters ahead, lets hope it doesn’t take long to ride it out.
"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"
If you're going to sign Edmonds, you make Hoffpauir irrelevant too...
If you get him to be a PH and backup OF (and I’d have no problem with that, so long as nobody expects a repeat of his unbelievable 2008), you might as well demote both Gathright and Hoffpauir and bring up a corner IF. It would make the most sense for that corner IF to bat RH and have a bit of pop, so that we’d have 3 capable hitters off the bench instead of two capable hitters, a pinch runner, a utility fielder, and a catcher.
Of course, what Piniella is failing to note is that we have only three bench players because he has chosen to stick with 12 pitchers and two of his position players are now hurt. So he will either have to DL one of Ramirez and Bradley or get rid of a pitcher if he wants to have more than 3 guys available on the bench.
by SouthernCub on Apr 25, 2009 6:40 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs
You're exactly right about Edmonds making Hoff irrelevant
Gathright is a pinch runner/ defensive replacement and that’s not what Edmonds would be doing. He would fill role Hoff now has plus he could play center unlike Hoff. Hendry already decided he’d rather have Hoff than Edmonds so we shouldn’t expect to see him brought back off the scrap heap.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Why couldn't you have both?
You’d then have two LH backups, one who can play 1B, the other can play OF. Gathright can’t do anything but pinch run.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Because we need another infielder...
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 8:28 PM CDT up reply actions
that is where you shorten your bullpen by one
and add an IF
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
we can't shorten our bullpen....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
11 pitchers should not be a problem
we are carrying 12
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
and if a starter gets bombed....
….we use most of our bullpen and then have to call Iowa the next day.
We don’t have a day off for 3 weeks, carrying 11 would not be wise.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 26, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
The only thing I worry about...
is what happens if they DON’T make the moves. What is Hendry and Lou are resigned to keep trotting Cotts out there? What is this is a “learning” year for Patton? What is Rami’s back is worse than HE thinks? What if Bradley plays 50 games…? This is what I’m worry about right now… how the team is performing in April means nothing to me… it’s the teams apparent inability to adapt to this current situation that has me worried. If the past has proven ANYTHING to me, it’s that the Cubs have a difficult time learning from their mistakes… and when they do learn, they over compensate, and everyone sees it coming. I could care less what happens in April… and most of May… it’s how the team adjusts to this offensive drought that will prove whether or not they rebound and show up again in the Playoffs… I desperately want to be a glass half full guy (you have NO IDEA how many posts I typed up, re-read, and said “wow I sound like a ledge jumper now…” and deleted) but this current trend needs to STOP and the team needs to make some changes to move forward…
1.) Get Bradley to the DL
2.) Cotts DFA, Worrel or another decent lefty up
3.) Rami 15-day DL, and bring up Jake Fox or Josh VItterss and just play them… good or bad, we need to see how these kids respond in the big show
4.) Sit Lee every 3rd or 4th game and get Micah sometime in his natural (and future) position at 1B.
5.) Finally (and I hate to say this, and I was a proponent of his signing) outright release Gathright. He’s hurting the team, and he’s a liability… there are better options for his roster spot in AAA or AA.
Ok, that’s my pseudo-ledge jumping post… on to tomorrow’s game :-)
is = if in a lot of that
sorry, stream of consciousness :-) the heart of every ledge-jumping poster!!
I agree with all you said and couldn't have said any better
I said this the last two seasons and I am repeating it again..It’s not about loosing in April but it is more about how you are loosing. Piss poor fundamentals, inability to execute a sac bunt, repeated TOOTBLAN’s etc etc.
I don’t have a clue about what the heck Miles and Gathright are doing on a 140M team. Our team construction is really bad.
Like you said injuries do happen, but the frustrating part is why the heck we do not have a backup plan? The manager is saying that he doesn’t have a bench to play. What the heck is the GM doing?
Miles was signed to replace DeRosa...
And Gathright… I dunno, he must have been owed a favor or something. He looks good on paper, but in practice he’s… bad. Miles has potential to be a good fill in, but he’s not MDR, and never will be. Imagine how different things would be if we had DeRosa… I wouldn’t even CARE if Bradley was out 66% of the games… we’d have 20-25 HR’s from right and a CLUTCH hitter which this team DESPERATELY needs right now. I really need to get over my DeRo man crush…
Yes, you do
And there’s no guarantee DeRosa would be much better. He isn’t exactly setting the world on fire in Cleveland right now.
I think one thing Piniella has been very good at is that he isn’t afraid to make changes if something isn’t working. The anti-Dusty, if you will. I’m confident he and Hendry will smooth this out.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions
No....BUT
He has more RBI’s than ANY Cub right now
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
Again, KC,
the Tribe scored 22 in one game. And he had, what, six that day?
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
It's not just the RBIs
It’s the versatility.
He can play anywhere and we don’t have that guy right now.
Believe or Leave ~Cubswynn 9/9/2008
That is what I see also
Losing DeRosa means you lost someone that could play anywhere on the diamond for you guys. As a Cardinal fan he was my favorite Cub last year.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions
DeRosa
also was not a great defensive repalcement, just able to man the area. I have heard that his defense cost the Cubs between 9 and 11 runs on numerous radio shows.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by acutal stats
His defense was around average at all positions.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions
may I correct you
Miles was signed to replace DeRosa…
Miles was signed to replace Font/Cedeno as versatile player off the bench. DeRosa was moved to open the everyday starting position for Font.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Agree
Trading Derosa was a horrible decision. Hendry got caught with his pants down on that one. He thought he was getting Peavy and it fell through. Its time to realize that Hendry screwed and accept that Derosa is gone. It still hurts though.
by shastamasta on Apr 25, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions
please tell me you joke about bringing Vitters up this soon
for the love of God, he has not seen AA yet, and that would be career suicide. We have rushed enough playuers up only to see them fall flat and die in the pressure while being forced to play at a level they are not prepared for.
if you want to rush him up, might as well just trad him instead, that way we get something for him, instead of killing his career.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
further...
… bringing him up now gets his MLB service clock started, something you delay as long as possible w/ prospects. Vitters will be at Wrigley in late 2010 at the earliest.
honestly
a lot of knee-jerk reactions here. I’m a cards fan and, realistically, you guys are probably still strong favourites for the division.
Some bad moves this summer but once your offence gets going I can’t see you running this rut forever. You’ve the best rotation in the NL (arguably the Giants could contend if Zito wasn’t so putrid) and a fairly solid lineup. If Marmol and Gregg remain healthy I still reckon it’s going to be tough to be up with you come September.
However, I would advise that “fastball, up and centre” is not a signal you want to flash again with pujols at the plate ;-)
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
We will win the division, no doubts about that :-)
I think the NL wild card will come from the east and so that leaves the cards out of the equation completely.
It is just that we are holding ourselves to higher standards.
by cubsnlinux on Apr 25, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
you're possibly right
wildcard won’t come from the west, that’s for sure. I reckon you’ll take the division and we’ll have the WC. I think we’ll be the best two records in the NL come the end of the year, of course that’s contingent on injuries. I don’t think either team has much depth, especially in terms of pitching (we can probably take a couple of position players going down, pujols aside, and you’re probably better equiped for another SP going down).
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Also,
I would advise you guys to enjoy this April as much as you can because bad days are ahead :-)
Equally
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I would advise you to enjoy Aaron Miles as much as you can
because you’ve got another 11 months of his $5m skillz.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions
sign of a true friend
they stab you in the heart, not the back
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
You know...
For a Cards fan, you’re awful reasonable. :)
(Actually, it’s nice to have non-troll Cards fans around from time to time. Allows for interesting views from the other side.)
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
If you sign Edmonds, which I would like, but wont happen
he becomes the CF, Reed is your bench RH hitter, who takes Sori’s spot for defense in the 8th or 9th. This is all contingent on MB not being in the lineup for a while. The Edmonds move allows you to put ARAM or Bradley on the DL, get them healthy for a while. But all this is based on signing a 41 year old who hasnt had a spring training or seen a pitch in 7 months. That I know of.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
Edmonds only has value if one of two things happens...
1) Bradley is out for a long time;
2) the team gives up on Hoffpauir.
If (1) is the case, then Edmonds is likely to disappoint. I can’t imagine that the guy will come close to repeating his 2008. If (2) is the case, then Edmonds is likely to be a big addition. He’d provide great defense at the corner OF spot, maybe could spell Lee at 1B occasionally, and could be a solid bat off the bench and platoon mate for whenever Bradley or Soriano are hurt.
Not to be lost is that we don’t actually know if Edmonds has any interest in coming back.
Exactly
He would cost nothing, produce more than Miles, maybe even Hoff, and can play 4 positions. Hoff can’t play one, and it allows Reed to be a RH pinch hitter. The last time I checked we didnt have one of those.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on Apr 25, 2009 6:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Let's not forget that it took Edmonds, what, 2 months to get his bat going last year
which was blamed on him not preparing for the season like he normally did.
Derrek Lee is good.
Good point.
I still remember in that Colorodo comeback game, Len and Bob were wondering along with the rest of us if that was his last game in a Cubs uni. Lucky for us that’s the day his bat warmed up.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Edmonds
I’d be shocked if Edmonds actually repeated his 2008 and brought life back into this team. Things like that just don’t happen twice.
2009 Edmonds = 1999 Gaetti
that is my main fear. we would be hoping to catch lightening in a bottle
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Bingo
The Cubs did the right thing by letting Edmonds walk. Keeping him had Gaetti written all over it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions
You can't make that comparison just because ...
… the two players are (approximately) the same age. Look. Sign Edmonds. Just like last year, if he sucks, let him go. I still think it’s worth a chance. He cannot be worse than Gathright.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree with you on Gathright. He is just a waste of roster space
I think edmonds is done but if Hendry thinks he can contribute and make us even a little better then go for it. But we also have a problem with our infield and it is a bigger monster. I am going to reserve my judgement but I am not convinced that Fontenot is an everyday player. TheRiot is not a SS but would fit in nicely at 2nd. We don’t have anyone backing up Aramis at 3rd.
With a healthy MB I think we are a good team, not a great team but a good team which is why I don’t understand why Hendry didn’t have any backup option(s). Kosuke was a mystery going into the season and thank goodness he is coming around so far.
Our lineup construction is really really bad. We have way too many holes. More importantly we were pretty pathetic executing fundamentals so far.
but....
a) Edmonds can’t play CF any more, or hit lefties anymore
b) Soriano is an above-average left fielder
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree. I don't think Edmonds is the solution.
Heck I don’t know the solution right now but certainly know that any attempt to catch lightning in a bottle twice is very risky and can be utter stupidity
False, I think
Soriano is an above average LF is pushing it. Who knows what Edmonds can do? He played amazingly well in CF for a man of his age. He could do the same job that Fuke or Reed is doing, easy.
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on Apr 25, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Really
He is not as fast, but he can judge a fly ball better than anyone on our roster. He knows his range, and he is always, or at least it seems that way, in the right spot. Reed and Fuke are not CFers
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on Apr 25, 2009 7:06 PM CDT up reply actions
fukudome is a better CF than 2009 Jim Edmonds
and it’s not even close. Honestly, that’s just the way it is.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Play Edmo in right
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Soriano IS an above average LF
occasionaly slip-ups aside, all defensive metrics rate him above average. His arm is excellent. He’s pretty quick. Wacky routes aside, LF is a BADLY fielded position in general. He’s not a good fielder, but he’s above average for where he plays.
Jim Edmonds is a bad centre fielder now. He’s not quick enough. UZR has him as a below average fielder the last two years (pretty terrible in 2008) as a CF. He hasn’t played baseball in 8 months. He is probably a decent corner outfielder but is most assuredly a mediocre CF at best. The guy is 41 years old.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
PS
agree that Gathright’s a waste of space. there’s a lot of better OF on the FA market right now.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
Goes back to the offseason moves
which I still do not understand. Gameboard played, what, 30 games in the OF last season? I still say that Abreu was the perfect fit for our team.
Dero-I understand he had a career year and the “sell high” theory, but what did we get for him and how are they helping us? His versatility would come in HUGE right now.
Gathright-traded Felix Pie and signed essentially the same player but older?
I just really hope that JH sees something in the bigger picture that I’m missing.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
I thought you guys were crazy when you traded DeRosa than signed Miles
Your right that Abreu would of been a lot smarter cause you could of kept DeRosa and Marquis. Marquis is not that bad of a pitcher in reality.
Stat Whore
by FlimtotheFlam on Apr 25, 2009 6:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Abreu only looks better because he's cheaper.
And he’s only cheaper because the market collapsed, which it wouldn’t have done until we signed someone. With Abreu our regular RF, we’d have health but poor defense. We need good defense with our other OFs that are out there and can take a risk on health.
Derrek Lee is good.
Abreu
has played over 150 games every year. and he is a career .300 hitter who can steal and run the bases.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Right - I agree on all that.
He also rated as one of the worst defensive OFs in the game the past few years.
Derrek Lee is good.
No worse that Gameboard
and his $30 mil sitting on the bench.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions
20 mill if he sits all year
and he won’t. He’ll play and play well; the hope and gamble is that he does that in the playoffs.
Derrek Lee is good.
He has 1 hit so far
in what, 27 at bats? And I just can’t be optimistic about him and his health, seeing as how 95% of his games played last year were as a DH.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
That's your perogative.
He was recovering from surgery last year and the Rangers had other OF options they liked anyway. Bradley has shown that he can play 80 games in the NL before. He’ll do it again.
Derrek Lee is good.
80 games=half the season
which equals .500. which equals our record now. Do you like the way the team is playing now?
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Abreu last year
stole 22 bases. Caught stealing 11 times. Net value = slightly less than zero. Abreu’s ability to run is currently worth pretty much nada. He’s appalling defensively. He’s a slightly better hitter than one or two OF you’ve already got. He’s relatively expensive, old, and isn’t any sort of improvement over Hoffpauir.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:03 PM CDT up reply actions
how is +11 slightly less than zero??
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
An our made on the basepaths hurts your team
nearly three times more than a stolen base is worth.
You need to steal at least about 65-70% of the time, otherwise you’re hurting your team. A 66% steal success is basically worth nothing, arguably slightly detrimental.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
110 games of Bradley > 150 of Abreau
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
No, because...
… when Bradley is not in the lineup, his replacement is far worse than Abreu.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
110 of Bradley and replacement level player > 150 of Abreu
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions
You can probably prove that statistically.
But in real life, it doesn’t work that way.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
who is also a terrible defender
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Abreu is really not a fit for the Cubs these days
he’s probably a slightly atypical DH. His defensive misadventures just about wipe-out any value he has outside of DH or PHing…
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions
And Bradley and Hoffpauir bring better defense?
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 25, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Exactly.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Hoffpauir is a better defender than Abreu in RF
heck, I expect I probably am…
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Abreu's prowess at the plate
more than makes up for any alleged defensive lapses he would commit.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Tell that to Zambrano
Seriously – we scored more runs than anyone but the Rangers last year. We didn’t need a defensive train wreck just to get another hitter. That’s why we can afford a half-season worth of Milton.
Derrek Lee is good.
we can't score runs right now.
and part of the reason is our big FA signing is sitting on the bench. So yes, we do need another hitter. This is NOT 2008.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions
We're a little cold and a little unlucky
these things even out over the course of a season.
Derrek Lee is good.
So, Lee, Fontenot and Soto struggling to hit is Bradley's fault?
The offense has gotten off to a slow start but it’s only 16 games. Really, to lay blame on Bradley at this point is rather silly. By the way, if Bradley even plays in 100 games he will bring this team more value than Abreu would have, his stats prove it. In case you forgot he led the AL in OPS last season, he can and will hit.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 7:45 PM CDT up reply actions
your thinking is off a ways
because if you were right, Hoff and Fox would BOTH be starting
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
not true
He is a below average player when you take into account offense and defense
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:38 AM CDT up reply actions
A big if every season, especially in the NL.
There’s something to be said about consistency, and Abreu brings that every season.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 25, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
including consistency in being bad in the OF
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
agreed
real head-scratcher. I think the Cubs front office have actually (contrary to what a lot of folks have asserted) made some very astute moves the last two years, but the Gregg and DeRosa trades in particular were baffling. Giving Miles $5m isn’t the sort of thing that’s going to badly hurt a team with the Cubs’ payroll but it is symptomatic of a worrying inability to assess major league talent. His 2008 season was totally BABIP-driven and he’s basically the definition of replacement level. For a contending team, that’s a wierd move.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I think
that Miles made sense to Hendry for these reasons –
1) He gave Lou a switch hitter for the bench;
2) His splits work on his career to make him a good platoon partner for Fonty
3) I think Jim hoped to screw St. Louiss’ infied; unfortunately, that didn’t quite work. Thurston looks good and I think Schumaker’s going to make it.
Derrek Lee is good.
That may be Hendry's reasoning
but what the heck a switch hitter can do if he can’t hit the darn baseball. Miles is looking like Neifi v2.
He's always
Kept a high average with the Cards. It still has a chance to be a good signing.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Miles career average is a wopping .280 with the cards
his OBP is a paltry .327, career. He’s also a so-so 2B and a very bad SS. And he has no power. He stinks.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Geee
That sounds like someone else on this team…
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:17 PM CDT up reply actions
Except Theriot (?) gets on base and is an average defender
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:39 AM CDT up reply actions
I just have to say, really quickly
that Pie was better than Gathright last year, and has a ton more potential than Gathright this year.
Derrek Lee is good.
Agree completely.
"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly
by ambrosiadreams on Apr 25, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions
That move didnt make sense then, doesnt now and probably never will.
….Lou just didnt like him, period.
New sig currently under construction
"Mr. Potential" is hitting .163...
I’d call it a draw. They’re both worthless.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions
That's three times better than Bradley.
I haven’t seen Pie’s ABs this year, and I don’t know how he looks, but the player who’s earned scouting raves for years and has power potential is not a draw with the player who just can’t hit in a 1000 tries.
Derrek Lee is good.
Potential doesn't mean much if you don't realize it....
Pie career BA: .213
Gathright: .263
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 26, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions
And, yeah, I'm sure Pie will be 3x better than Bradley by October...
…right.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 26, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
No to Soriano leading off.
Theriot is doing a very good job leading off so far. There’s no reason to change that.
We need Soriano to drive runs in, not to hit solo shots. He’s the only power hitter left in that lineup after all the injuries. I’m suspicious; maybe Soriano is swinging at everything to convince Lou to move him back in the order. The last thing this team needs is that kind of Manny-like shenanigans from a selfish player. So, I won’t help Soriano in that effort, if that’s what he’s after. If it’s just that he’s incapable of driving in runs from the 3-hole, then he’s worthless to the team, IMO.
I agree if only that could work somehow.
Time and again it’s proved that Soriano cannot hit anywhere but leadoff. It has been tried and tested. What are you going to do? Trade him? Send him to Iowa? It may be a mental thing with him. After all the trial and errors you just have to accept that and move on.
Like Karros mentioned today on the broadcast just because Soriano hits all those HRs in the #1 spot doesn’t mean that he can repeat that else where.
I would say move Soriano back to #1 and leave Lee in #5/#6 where he really belongs.
Myth: Soriano can only hit 1st.
This is what he did before he became a Cub:
1st: 2520 AB, .293/.340/.544, 333 RBI
3rd: 630 AB, .260/.310/.452, 92 RBI
5th: 583 AB, .268/.312/.513, 107 RBI
4.3 times more batting 1st than 5th. 4 times more batting 1st than 3rd.
RBI projections if he had batted as much 3rd or 5th in his career:
3rd: 396 RBI (plus 63) 5th: 428 RBI ( plus 95)
Right now we need Soriano to drive runs in, not to lead off. He’s the only legitimate power hitter left in the lineup. If the guy cannot get that in his head, he’s not helping the team. The numbers show he can be productive hitting lower in the lineup. He just needs to get off from that offensive slump he’s in right now. (Unless he’s just striking out on purpose, and that’s another matter entirely.)
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 25, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions
So, friday night you were glad to see Theriot come up in the 9th instead of Soriano?
If you would rather see Theriot get more at bats than Soriano then you aren’t interested in seeing the team have the best chance of winning.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Soriano could have batted in any position today
and he still would have been swinging at those sliders in the dirt, winning my vote for the most ugly strikeout of the year.
How did you like his swings on the 5 home runs he's already hit from the lead-off slot?
From the lead-off slot Soriano has hit homers to give the Cubs the lead in the bottom of the eighth and the top of the ninth, his team’s last at bat. Had he been lower in the order he most likely wouldn’t have come to the plate and the team would have lost. He also hit a game tying homer in the 8th inning of another game. It only makes sense to get him as many plate appearances as possible.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions
The thing is
Soriano’s leadoff homers aren’t that valuable because they only lead to 1 run. If Soriano batted down in the order, he would get less at bats, but would also hit more homers with runners on base.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions
+1
I don’t know why people take it for granted that Soriano’s production would carry over to wherever he will hit in the lineup. Karros mentioned this yesterday, may be it’s a mental thing with him.
It’s far more important to keep Lee away from the #3 spot until he can prove that he is a #3. Heck, I have more confidence in Fukudome hitting in #3 than Lee right now. So -
1. Soriano
2. Fukudome
3. Aramis
4. Bradley/Soto
5. Lee
6. Soto/Fontenot
7.Fontenot/Reed Johnson
8. TheRiot
9. Pitcher
Because it is true
If Soriano batted third or fourth, he would naturally come up with more runners on base. As a guy who’s biggest strongsuit is hitting homeruns, he should be hitting with more runners on base. As Fraggin Judge showed in this comment, the “fact” that Soriano can only hit leadoff is a myth. Over a large sample size, Soriano would hit just as well anywhere else in the order as he would batting leadoff.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Soriano is this team's best option at lead off.
Do not tell me Theriot is a better option because he isn’t. There is no way it makes sense to have Theriot getting more at bats than Soriano. If Theriot gets on base in the 8 hole then that will help increase Soriano’s rbi. Soriano’s career numbers are lower when he bats down in the order because he doesn’t see as many fast balls. The lead off slot sees a higher percentage of fast balls than any other slot in the order. This team has won two division titles with Soriano at lead off and will win another this season.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
So your argument is essentially
“Becasue I said so”?
Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! --Homer J. Simpson
by Shanghai Badger on Apr 26, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't read it that way at all.
There were several specific reasons given in that post.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
No he isn't
Soriano’s biggest assets are his power, and his ability to hit for a relatively high average. Those are two qualities that you want with runners on base. The leadoff hitter comes up with the fewest runners on base of any spot in the lineup.
Soriano’s weakness on the other hand, are his ability to get on base at a high clip. That is a quality that you don’t want in your leadoff hitter, because you want a guys on for you 3 an 4 hitters to drive in. Because of those two factors, Soriano is an ideal #5 hitter. He will still get a lot of opportunities to drive in runners, yet his OBP deficiencies won’t be as detrimental, because the #6 hitter usually isn’t as good as the guys in the middle.
Also, I don’t want Theriot in the #1 spot, because he simply isn’t that good. You generally want to put your best hitters in the #1-#5 spot’s so that they will get more at bats. Given that, I would put Fukudome leadoff, because he has the least power of your best 5 hitters (Lee, Ramirez, Soriano, Bradley, Fukudome), but he gets on base the most. I would bat Bradley second, as he is your best hitter, and that is where they should bat because that spot has the best combination of getting more at bats, and hitting with runners on base. I would bat Lee third and Ramirez 4th, then Soriano 5th. 6 and 7 should be Soto/Fontenot, 8th should be the pitcher and 9th should be Theriot.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
The only thing I agree with on what Al and others are writing is:
that the Cubs don’t have a legitimate leadoff hitter. But right now, Theriot is among the leading hitters in the NL, so, I’d rather see him on base in the 1st inning before Soriano and subsequently, instead of the automatic out the pitcher is before Soriano before his 2nd and 3rd at bats, that is before the pitcher is pinch-hit for. But I agree. If Fukudome stays consistent all season long, he is a possibility to lead off too. This is all about increasing RBI’s, that is, scoring more runs, it’s not about Theriot or Soriano necessarily. There’s a reason power hitters bat in the power spots in a lineup.
But the argument appears to be just hipothetical right now, because Lou went back to leading off with Soriano.
by Fraggin Judge on Apr 26, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
did they adjust the ABs down
since he would have less ABs batting 2nd, 3rd, and so on? Each drop in the line up is approx. 18 lost ABs for a season
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Theriot is doing a good job leading off?
2-for-9 in two losses is a good job how, exactly?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Exactly, Al
Lou probably just wanted to shake things up. I’d be shocked if he didn’t lead off with Soriano tomorrow.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
except
Riot has been up to the plate in at least three or four very clutch situations and not been able to get the job done.
Soriano has always said that he’d do whatever Lou wanted him to do. To accuse him of deliberately sabatoging the team is ridiculous and offensive.
Put him back at the top of the lineup. That’s where he hits the best, period.
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions
Folks...........
This weekend you’re witnessing the Cubs play a team with less talent but FAR superior management. If Lou was half the manager Tony is the Cubs would be capable of winning 100 games.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
As a Cardinals fan
you are sorely, sorely mistaken. LaRussa is not a good manager by any stretch of the imagination. He’s not terrible in the way that He Who Shall Not Be Names in Cincinatti is, but he’s by no means even vaguely logical. He makes bad moves week-in, week-out, plays meaningless career records in his team selection, and has bizarre favourites in the team. He also “plays hunches” bafflingly and throws away outs on stupid stuff like hit-and-runs and squeeze bunts (although, less so this year).
Piniella managed horribly today but, honestly, put TLR or LP as skipper of the Cubs, and they’d win the same number of games regardless. It really doesn’t matter as much as you think.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
He's won..........
5 pennants and 2 World Series. Enough said.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Last 1 WS and 2 pennants
was won with an exceptionally good team with the best non-Bonds player of this generation. He’s done OK at making the playoffs, I’ll admit, but he’s had a lot of talent in his career. I didn’t say he was bad, but he’s not someone who can magically make wins appear more than any other manager. In fact, there’s half a dozen managers (perhaps more) in MLB i’d happily rather have. Like I say, he does immensely stupid things OFTEN.
Day before yesterday, he allowed our SP to take an at-bat, then subbed him out for a reliever before he’d thrown a pitch in the next inning. Reasoning? Ermmm, it’s the 7th inning in a close game and we might run out of PH subs. Great, so why not let the starter hit on the OFF-CHANCE it goes to extra innings and we might (shock-horror!) have to let a reliever hit in 4 or 5 hypothetical innings. Yeah, he does stuff like that.
Because chicks dig the intentional base on balls.
by Felonius_Monk on Apr 25, 2009 7:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Any manager's move can be...........
second guessed. The point is he delivers, and in many cases, with less talent than his opponent.
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Is Pujols part of the less talent TLR wins with?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions
A talented player...
would have hit that Grand Slam even farther than Pujols did today…Pujols only has “Primary-Parking-Lot power”, not “Overflow-Parking-Lot power” like more talented players…
It’s amazing really, that LaRussa is able to make due with him… :)
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions
only 1/25 th of team is he
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Surely you don't think...
that all players contribute to the strength of a team equally? He’s 1/25 of the roster sure, but he’s a much larger percentage of the formula that ends up determining their record, and thus how people judge LaRussa.
(In other words, he’s so good that it offsets his teammates, thus making it easier overall to make the team win, which makes everyone else on the team look better by extension).
It’s why it’s helpful to analyze a team with regard on its players’ WinShares.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 11:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Not true...........
he doesn’t hit a grand slam if the three on base didn’t do their job
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
which was what?
watch Patton slide balls past the plate out of the strikezone?
You cannot possible suggest that Pujols is not a key member of the Cardinals offense, who produces far more than an equal share. Granted, that 2-3-4-5 is producing amazingly well, but Pujols is the heart of the team.
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions
all players, including Pujols, play to a higher level for LaRussa
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
Pujols is the best hitter of his generation.
Are you really going to claim that TLR is what makes him play at a high level? That is just silly. How did Mantle, Mays and Ruth manage to excel without the great Tony LaRussa? You can’t give LaRussa credit for Pujols, he’s an all-time great. Your argument loses all credibility when you try and claim Pujols is just one of 25 and that LaRussa has made him play at a higher level.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
That is so wrong it's not even funny
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 7:41 PM CDT up reply actions
thank you
I have been trying to explain this to every non-cards fan in the world.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions
stop trying.....
they just don’t get it
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
you realize
he’s disagreeing with you, right?
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
I do...............
they don’t get it
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
is it management
or development of the farm that is allowing Tony to turn piss into gasoline?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
we have had a terrible farm when Tony's mancrush Jocketty was running the show
When we hired Luhnow and Mozeliak, our farm system has improved dramatically.
St. Louis Cardinals... defying win expectancy since 2008
by vivaelpujols on Apr 26, 2009 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions
you're talking about a guy
who batted Kahlil Greene fourth, and arguably managed his team out of the series win in Chicago two weeks ago with bad moves at the plate.
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions
again.........
you can criticize isolated moves, but he is a winner in the long run
If you had to choose just one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humor.
He has won when he had talent.
Managers don’t win without out talent, just ask one if you don’t believe me.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
BTW - my call...
Lou is done after this year.
BUT RYNO'S NOT READY YET!!!!!!!!
"How's your mother?"
"She's on her way out."
"We all are. Act accordingly."
by louslovechild on Apr 25, 2009 7:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Alan Trammell.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
Joe Girardi...
(I’m betting he isn’t the Yankees manager after this year…once the Yankees miss out on the playoffs).
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
he might be gone pre ASB
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
If he goes (not on his own) then Hendry should be gone way before that.
In all I wish Lou treats position players with the same contempt that he has for pitchers :-)
You probably
Couldn’t find much better. But I was for Girardi in 07, and I still wish they would’ve signed him.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Really?
After the crappy job he’s done in NY? He seems overmatched as a manager. So did Trammell when he was managing.
Lou’s not going anywhere, anyway.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
What about when Lou's contract is done?
Look what Girardi did with the 06 Marlins. I think he’s a good manager.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, he just about ruined Josh Johnson's arm...
… and talked to a division opponent’s starting pitcher about some of the things he was doing as manager. I think Girardi is toxic as a manager, and this is coming from someone who wanted him, too.
It was the 2007 Marlins, not the 2006 Marlins.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ummm no
It was the 06 Marlins. Freddi Gonzalez was the manager in 07. Since when is 157 innings a lot? How did Girardi ruin Johnsons his arm?
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Sori finally gets off to a hot start...
and Lou moves him down. That really pisses me off. The bullpen, aside from Cotts, has been fine. So they dump Vizcaino and bring Shark up. WTF? If you wanted Shark in the pen, then they should’ve just put him there from day one. That’s basically telling the rest of the players that no matter how good they perform, their job isn’t necessarily safe. I know that’s a bit of a stretch, but it’s true.
This season is off to a very, very shitty start. And Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry are most to blame.
bullpen has been fine?
I am a big fan of Gregg but the guy has got off to a rough start except for the game one week ago today. Heilman and Marmol has been decent but I think if we don’t have Marmol its a GIANT weakness for this team.
Heilman
Has been just short of great. It would be great if he could keep it up.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Marshall probably
To bring anther lefty to the bullpen to dump Cotts. If anyone is going to be starting, it’s Shark. If Heilman starts, that leaves a HUGE gap in the 7th inning.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
I still don't think Shark has 3 pitches fully developed...
…which may be the problem.
Jack
derv
@themightycub
Someone other than Heilman
And I don’t expect it to be soon.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
8-8 is very, very shxty?
No. It isn’t. It isn’t great, either.
It’s the very definition of average.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 7:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Very, very shitty is relative.
When you’re coming off a 97 win season, and heavily favored to run away with the division, yes, 8-8 is shitty.
Do you think when they won 97 they might have had a stretch where they went 8-8?
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions
The 2008 Cubs...
… went 6-10 over a 16-game stretch from June 17 to July 3. Not coincidentally, that’s just after Alfonso Soriano went out after he was hit in the hand.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Their September
wasn’t a bed of roses, either.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 9:38 PM CDT up reply actions
No, it isn't
Sorry to disappoint you. Maybe you should have a little perspective.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes, it is.
But I’m not going to tell you to get some perspective because we disagree on the definition of shitty.
I prefer MEDIOCRE
The best defense is a good offense.....Lou Pinella...still hasn't managed the Cubs to a post season win. D. Lee still doesn't have a post seasson RBI for Cubs...ditto for Soriano
Has anyone noticed
The Bucs and the Reds have passed us in the division.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions
its SO early
you realize this? There are still 146 games to go. This time last year the Cubs were 10-6 and Rich Hill won his only decision of the year. Jim Edmonds was hitting .217 in San Diego.
So many things can change during a season. You just can’t panic or pay much attention to the standings in April, but it is pretty much beating a dead horse.
I know
I’m just pointing out.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not going to doubt
The Reds. They’re a pretty good team. The Pirates not so much.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 25, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
cmon
the Pirates are playing WAY over their heads. This is all magnified because of the few number of games that have been played. Do you honestly think that the Pirates will be playing like this in August?
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions
No
I already said that. But the Reds are pretty good.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The 2006 Reds started 20-9.
How’d that work out? I’ll let you look it up. (Hint: not well.)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Geez
I didn’t say they’d win the dang division. I only said I wouldn’t count them out.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Screw Edmonds -
I want Barry Bonds – he’s like Milton Bradley, but talks to the media more.
Derrek Lee is good.
Hell...
People can make fun of me, but I’d take Bonds in a heartbeat. Sure he has PR liabilities up the wazoo, but he’s like an aged Jordan: only a shadow of his old self, but still better than most.
(Though I don’t know if he’s even capable of playing in the field, so I guess that’d kinda be a problem. :))
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
YES I HAVE........
Hope that the Cubs brass also takes note of it …..Take a good look in the dugout and tell me what you see ?? Someone had better start making decisions now that will lead to the W flag going up,,,,,,
Patton over Vizcaino
I know Vizcaino doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record behind him, but he was throwin the ball well. Look, I’m no expert but I’m pretty sure having an ERA of 0.00 generally indicates you’re better than someone with an ERA up over 11. Is it possible to bring Vizcaino back and drop Patton?
Vizcaino
It seems like there was more involved in the decision to let Vizcaino go than just baseball numbers. He was late and didn’t have a great attitude.
IMO Patton never was going to stay with the team all year and if he did it would be something of a minor miracle. He had a great spring training and earned a look but thats about all he will get.
No the Cubs released Vizcaino
Now if he cleared waivers and they said pretty please I am not sure but I would not hold my breath. The Cubs will pay for him regardless of if or where he plays so why in the world would he agree to be a Cub again.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 25, 2009 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
The lack of execution of the basic fundamentals so far is a little scary...
…poor defense, missing the cutoff man, ill-advised SB attempts, today’s pickoff and inability to execute the sacrifice.
Good teams execute consistently and certainly when you’re not hitting you really need to execute to stay in the game.
New sig currently under construction
offense is DOA
but I refuse to believe it will stay this way for long. Fontenot, Soto and Bradley will all contribute at some point this season. Mark my words :)
Fontenot will contribute...
he came up with several clutch hits last year-the problem is that he’s being asked to do too much as any everyday player-his weaknesses are getting magnified.
I don’t doubt that Bradley will hit-he pretty much always has-but his health is going to be an ongoing concern (and his early refusal to talk to the media is adding drama we definitely don’t need now).
Not sure what to make out of Geo. As has already been mentioned, he seems out of shape-also, the league has had a chance to adjust to him.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 8:08 PM CDT up reply actions
exactly.
he was my biggest concern coming into the season. in 10% the games, he has over 20% of his career high in ABs. he is not an everyday player, and it is showing.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
It's way too soon to make any judgment on Fontenot.
If you are going to say Fontenot’s not an every day player are you also going to say that Geo is going to have a bad year? Basing your opinions on the first 16 games may be a bit hasty.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions
And they scored 26 runs the 4 games before that.
So who are they? Which four games do we judge them on? Cmon.
I just wanted to add this...
… a year ago, many of us were screaming, “Don’t sign Edmonds! He’s done!” We were, obviously, wrong.
Now we’re all screaming, “SIGN EDMONDS!” We trust that he’s not done.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Hendry must think he's done or he would have signed him instead of going with the Hoff.
I think Jim probably did the right thing. Hard to believe at this point Edmonds would have much impact.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 8:31 PM CDT up reply actions
More than Gathright, I'd guess.
Example: Edmonds could have started in CF today against Boggs — then Reed Johnson would have been available on the bench.
I think the reason Hendry (and every other GM) stayed clear of Edmonds was they thought his salary demands would be too high. I suspect that now, they’d be a lot lower.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah, salary probably wouldn't be that high.
The problem is he has had zero at bats and probably not ready to go. If you have Edmonds why would you need Hoffpauir? At least Gathright can play all 3 outfield positions and pinch run unlike Hoffpauir.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 25, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I dunno about that,
It was time to give Hoffpauir a legitimate shot at the big league club because of how he had proven himself in AAA.
Edmonds was the odd man out.
I’m surprised no team has picked him up yet, especially the Yankees.
Here’s to hoping that he becomes a Cub sometime in the near future, and I agree with Al and everyone else that has mentioned it: Gathright has only one weapon; and that is speed. I’d much rather have a useful guy at the plate who also can still play a solid OF.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
Well then here's double irony for you -
last year I was one of the few who thought he was a good signing from the beginning, but now I think he’s done.
Derrek Lee is good.
My 2 cents so far.
This Cub team has frustrated me the most in my recent memory. I wasn’t frustrated at all through bad stretches last year, I didn’t read too much into slumps or injuries. I was confident that the team would turn it around… and they did.
Not to say I have lost hope…. I’m just nervous I guess you could say. I don’t want this team to be the Detroit Tigers of a few years back (were unanimously favored by sports writers, it seemed like, to run away with the AL Central… and they didn’t)
I’m no where near those that say “Ohhhh I’m not gonna watch this team. I’ve had enough of this garbage.” I won’t abandon ship, ever. Things need to change. We’re at .500, yes, but I feel that if we don’t get some things fixed we could falter further which would could be devastating to the team.
We NEED to dump Gathright for all the reasons stated previously.
We NEED to do something with Patton.
Eric Karros elaborated perfectly on the quizzical pitch selections today. You throw a 2-1 breaking ball to Barden (A guy that has gotten off the an excellent start, yes, but is likely in just a good stretch) which isn’t even close. Really good pitch selection to Pujols….. he should NEVER EVER get a fastball anywhere close, regarless of how many ducks are on the pond. Walk the guy with the bases loaded. Who cares? We also should research the possibility of picking up a solid bullpen arm. Who that is… I don’t know.
We NEED to put Milton on the DL.
Could we even sign Edmonds after this and give Gathright a few starts to see if he’s worthy of a roster spot on this team? I see no possible way Milton Bradley gets back to 100% without making a trip to the DL.
As I said, this team deserves patience. I just feel like some things need to change. I don’t have very much confidence in this team, which is killing me.
Sorry for the rant.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
by EJThunder on Apr 25, 2009 8:48 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I think Patton was throwing whatever Soto told him to throw.
And it is always idiotic to walk people in front of Pujols. And I agree Gathright is wasting a roster spot.
I’m not happy with what I am watching only because of their stupidity. The Cardinal pitchers didn’t throw Soriano a strike today. How long does it take him to see that. Gathright should be cut for being picked off in that situation.
But they lost two to Cincy because they pitched two good games and our defense sucked. They lost 4-3 Friday. D. lee hit a line shot that would have scored the 4th run. Today, Marshall hung a 0-2 breaking ball that Soriano didn’t get to. And then Patton let the game get out of hand. But they are not getting the hit with RISP. They’re batting about .222 with RISP. That will change.
But they have to get healthy. The Ramiriz injury hurts. But Hendry based alot of this teams success on Milton Bradley. So far, he has not contributed.
Last year they were a team. They haven’t become a team yet this year. Only time will tell if they will come together.
by Rick B on Apr 25, 2009 9:10 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Good post...
that echoes my thoughts, all in all.
Rec’d.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Apr 25, 2009 10:25 PM CDT up reply actions
Soto didn't tell him to groove a fastball right down the middle...
That much was obvious based on Soto throwing his arms in the air right after Pujols hit the ball.
one radical idea and a few thoughts
If Lou continues to insist on tinkeering with the lineup, why not put Soto in the 2 hole for a week or two to get his bat going? Don’t laugh. We need to get him going and he will see better pitches and he will be forced to hit to the right side. I’m not suggesting this as a permanent move. Maybe just until we get Bradley back from a trip to the disabled list and his suspension.
When Bradley gets back Hendrey should send Gathright down and bring up Fox for the bench.
For those of you who want Edmonds, all I have to say to you is “Gary Gaetti.” The magic only works once with this age group. We were lucky last year—don’t push it.
Sean Marshall did a great job today. Lock him in as the fifth starter.
Patton is overmatched. A championship club can afford to keep a guy like this and develop him. Are we a chmpionship club…………or do we need to fill his spot with a more established pitcher?
Gary Gaetti...okay that's a VERY good point
I still have nightmares about the cubs deciding to go into ’99 with him as starting third baseman
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Edmonds
Edmonds wouldn’t and shouldn’t play everyday anymore. He wouldn’t be too happy with a part time role.
Steve Stone would have called the Gaetti nightmare you described as “first guessing.” I felt the same way.
How do you know?
How do you know Edmonds wouldn’t be happy with a part time role?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:40 PM CDT up reply actions
How can you say that Edmonds wouldn't be happy with a part-time role?
You don’t want the guy—cool, people get it.
But that comment is only credible when it comes out of Paul Cohen’s mouth.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
not happy
There were times last year when Edmonds was not happy being platooned with Reed Johnson. Add Bradley to the outfield this year and Edmonds would probabley see even less time.
Really?
Jim Edmonds was signed to this team last year to do exactly that. The man can’t play every day in the first place.
Come on, man. Give me a break.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
sorry
I was as pleasantly surprised as most were that Edmonds did so well last year. He did well and I did like him.
With Kosuke, Bradley and Reed Johnson, what do you do with Edmonds? Where does he play? Are you suggesting that he just pinch hit? i rather have Hoffpauer as a PH.
I'll lay that out for you.
Bradley to the DL.
Kosuke in RF
Jim Edmonds, Reed Johnson platoon in CF.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
I get it
And just how long is our $5 million man, Milton going to stay on the DL for you to make this work?
and how much does Edmonds ask for
finances do come into play, right?
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Considering he averages 100 games a year....
and that Dome/Reed need, um, days off…..PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES.
But, hey, you lost me at:
i rather have Hoffpauer as a PH.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:56 PM CDT up reply actions
considering he is 41 now
and the thought of him prodcing for 100+ is most likely far fetched.
lets also remember Edmonds does not fix all our troubles. He is not the LOOGY we need.
and there is a decent to good chance he will not produce as well as you are expecting, and that will lead to the next 100 FanPosts about why he should be released.
we got lucky with him last season, and as much as he helped, it would be best suited to look elsewhere OR offer him a minor league contract and see how he produces there for a few weeks before we insert him anywhere on the MLB roster.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Is he a better option than Gathright?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
if he is such a great vet
why has NO ONE signed him?
30 GM’s disagree with you
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
And San Diego released him last year...
…so what’s your point?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions
that was called
SD asking “why are we paying him this much?”
Cubs would be asked to pay much more than league min I am sure.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Is he a better option than Gathright?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:09 PM CDT up reply actions
He's 38.
Not 41. He’ll be 39 in June. He still has something left, too.
by mattisnotfrench on Apr 25, 2009 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions
oops on the age
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I respectfully disagree
I don’t think there is enough playing time for 4 guys to play two spots.
My comment about Hoffpauir was that if Edmonds was going to be a PH, I would rather have Hoffpauir’s bat. Sorry
by PalatineRol on Apr 25, 2009 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions
You do if one of those guys only sees the field 95 games....
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Uhhh... until he is 100%??
Bradley to the DL
Sign Edmonds
When Bradley is 100%, bon voyage, Joey Gathright.
If Reed is asked to play everyday I can see him breaking down at some point in the season.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
Understandable.
I’m afraid that if he does play everyday, sooner or later that back is going to flare up on him.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
the back can flare up easier
when not being stretched out and not being used. playing daily is better for a back, rather than sitting on the bench
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Regardless....
I don’t think that Reed Johnson’s desire to play everyday should deter the Cubs from exploring options to get another OF bat (i.e. Edmonds) to replace Gathright.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
how nice woud it be
to have a farm worth a damn to bring someone up instead of looking to 41 year olds to improve
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
On that I will agree with you, my friend.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
There are people
Hendry just doesn’t want to use them, and I hate that about him. Have you ever thought about Jason Dubois? He’s hitting 400+ with 3 homers in Iowa.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions
He can't do worse
Than Gathright. Give him a chance before you spend 3 million to sign a vet who might not have anything anymore.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions
Agreed - I just think he is not an option with our management staff...
…for whatever reason
Jack
derv
@themightycub
That's what I'm saying
I hate how Lou and Hendry MUST spend 3 mil on a old, possibly washed up vet instead of bringing up a younger, and cheaper person from the farm system.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions
and you believe at 41
Edmonds will be the savior we need? We got lucky, and we should count our blessings.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
I don't believe he's a savior, no.
I feel the guy has some gas left in the tank and would be a valuable option to us at this point.
As you said, we definitely need to look at acquiring a LOOGY, too.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
only way he should be signed
is a Minor Leageu contract, and see what he has in a few weeks.
that will not fix any of our offensive woes before mid May or later
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Nobody's saying he's the savior...
..and you have no way of knowing how he’d produce or if we “got lucky”.
He’s insurance. If Bradley breaks down, if someone slumps. He’s a better option off the bench than Gathright. A more viable left handed bat off the bench and able to play multiple games if we really need it.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions
but seems that way
with the “Edmonds can blah, blah, blah”
he is not going to produce as well as last season, i would be willing to bet my left nut on it.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
We were saying that last year, as well..
He was treated as a savior a couple times last year.
The guy deserves another shot.
Wouldn’t you take him over Gathright?
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
If he accepted a Minor League
non guaranteed contract, and proved he can still play in Iowa first
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Good thing we didn't do that last year...
…he never would have seen Wrigley
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions
last year when we signed him
he was not 7 months removed from seeing live pitching
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Some would argue Gathright's had the same absence...LOL
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I am by no means a fan of Gathright
but to sign Edmonds and not see a single “tryout” in ST or Iowa is not a bright idea.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Meh...
He deserves a little more credit than that. Give him some bucks in a contract, nothing to major.
If he pans out, excellent. If not, hey whats another couple million, right?
::cough::Marquis, Vizcaino::cough::
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
he deserves nothing
more than a chance, and since he has not seen live pitching since October, you make him earn a roster spot, like anyone else.
I hate when people say “he deserves a ring, a shot, etc” when those are earned not given.
what he did in 2008 does not win a single game in 2009. and to be part of 2009, you need to earn adn deserve it.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
by Cubbie-Tim on Apr 25, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, what you're assuming and what I'm writing my be 2 different things then
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
So...
It’s last year minus DeRo.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:13 AM CDT up reply actions
You're just making shit up now....
No where was it said or even implied that Edmonds wasn’t happy platooning last year.
And I would think a 41 yr old ballplayer who’s gotten no interest from other clubs to come back would JUMP at the chance to come back to a familiar ballclub with a chance for a pennant, no matter how much playing time he gets.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:47 PM CDT up reply actions
THANK YOU.
Holy shit.
p.s. I heard Jake Fox doesn’t want to be called up anyway because he wants to be the every day starter at 1B. Doesn’t make much sense to add him to the roster.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
Fox on the bench...
…helps us how? Another pinch hitter that can’t play a position.
And I’ve said it before….Patton should not have been put in that situation. Lou basically called him the “mop up” man earlier in the week. So why is he in there when it’s 3-1? And why is he STILL in there with the bases jacked and Pujols up to the plate?
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Fox can hit
Fox can hit off the bench. Gathright cannot. We really don’t need Gathright in the field (at least when Bradley gets back) and his running is of no use right now. Get a hitter to pinch hit—Fox.
We need an infielder, not another OF.
That’s what’s hurting us most with these injuries…lack of flexibility.
Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team
by carmen_fanzone on Apr 25, 2009 9:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Because the way they
have been hitting and scoring runs recently, trailing 3-1 could be considered mop up time.
NIGHTMARE ????
Yes you are right …How Gathright and Miles fit into this roster I don’t know …The ship is way off course and needs someone to take charge …..I am not giving up but they need help soon ….
I'm reading comments about making roster moves...
Dump this guy… dump that guy… move this guy to this spot in the line-up…
NONE of these things are the reasons we’re losing.
We’re losing because WE PLAY BAD BASEBALL. Period.
1. Execute a friggin sacrifice bunt for once
2. Hit behind the friggin runner.
3. Don’t get picked off base
4. Don’t make the 1st or 3rd out at 3rd base
It’s absolutely embarrassing to watch the Cubs fail to execute the fundamentals of the game on a daily basis… especially when we play St. Louis and have to watch every guy in their line-up lay down a perfect sacrifice bunt or hit behind the runner.
You want this team to get better? Then, hold your manager accountable for poor baseball. They better start working on fundamentals every day.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
by SackMan on Apr 25, 2009 9:47 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I agree, completely, with your post....
but I feel like there’s more to it. It’s bad fundamentals combined with the fact that we have no bench.
That’s why dumping excess baggage (Gathright, Patton, Cotts) and adding players that are more versatile is necessary.
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
+1 on all
I think it’s high time to make our coaches accountable for all the BS play we are watching in every game. What the heck are they doing?
But you got to admit that St. Louis is pathetic at catching routine popups. They are playing very bad defense too.
St. Louis is playing very poor defense...
But… they will improve. They have infielders in the outfield, and outfielders in the infield.
At the same time, our outfield defense with Soriano and Hoff has been ugly too. But, I can tolerate that to an extent… that’s purely a talent level issue. However, there’s no excuse for poor fundamentals in the major leagues. And everyday… the Cubs are making a mess out of fundamentals.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
100 % RIGHT ......
Even the kids in Little League know that they make a bad play they are held accountable. At every level this happens …..But the Cubs appear differant …..This i beleive has been a ongoing problem and led to their failures …..
2004 all over again I'm afraid
2008 was a season where we were blessed with lots of great years and few injuries.
I don’t think I can ever forgive Jim Hendry for shedding Mark DeRosa. That is the one player who hurts the most.
For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."
I still think Marquis
then DeRosa
Marquis allows Marshall to be the swingman again, and Cotts is no longer here
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
What really bothers me is that
so many of us who questioned those moves at the time turned out to be right. I mean, why is it that Hendry didn’t seem to see what we did? No legitmate back up for Ramirez at third, an inexperienced second baseman, etc.
It’s almost like he was so frustrated with the last two playoff busts that he started making changes just to make changes.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Well he did TRY to get a vet back up
but none of then worked out in Spring Training. No magic in a bottle like Reed Johnson.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 25, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Marshall would not be a good replacement for Cotts
He is a LONG guy , we need a LOOGY or close to that. Heilman is now the long guy. The Marquis trade was a waste but I like having Marshall as a starter.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 25, 2009 10:15 PM CDT up reply actions
i like him starting as well
but he reminds me more adn more of Mulholland, who made a living as a swingman, and I see marshall fitting that role well. He would be better than Cotts as a LOOGY, maybe not the prototypical LOOGY, but sufficient.
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Marshall's highest and best use is in the bullpen
I wish Piniella would bite the bullet and shove the Shark in the rotation, even if he isn’t altogether ready and struggles. Marshall is needed in the pen.
For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."
by BLou on Apr 25, 2009 10:31 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
On what basis would you make such a claim ?
Shark unlike Marshall has never shown the ability to start on the major league level and as I recall you are big believer in
not experimenting at that major league level. Likewise Marshall has been used almost exclusively out of the pen in long relief a role now filled by Heilman. Just because we screwed up and released Eyre and have yet to find a LOOGY don’t try to use two players in roles they are ill suited too. Someday maybe Shark is a good starter but not this year.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 25, 2009 10:42 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
You're absolutely right.
JefF7 has not shown on any level that he has the control to be a starter. It would make no sense for him to replace Marshall in the rotation as Marshall is a better pitcher.
by Acapulco Taco Pie on Apr 26, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions
Hendry;s flaw
Is working TOO closely with his managers be it Dusty or Lou. Lou wants more left handers we get Milton,Miles etc and dump DeRosa. I have said before I would prefer a GM that puts together the team he thinks can win and lets the manager do the best. The blame for holes in this club are shared between Hendry and Lou.
"I daydream just like everybody else, I just do it with my body facing the field, so everybody thinks I'm paying attention."- Greg Maddux
by Doggie Stalker on Apr 25, 2009 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree with you completely
blame should be shared equally between Hendry and Pinella.
It’s funny but I used to really believe in GM’s working with their managers but now I’m starting to question it.
by bluekoolaide on Apr 25, 2009 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
I said it in February
Hendry took a 97 win team and turned it into a 90 win team
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
This Cub team right now is more like a 85 win team
This is a team with holes and doubtful to have the benefit of so few injuries and so many big years as was the case in 2008. The law of averages is catching up to the Cubs in this regard.
The bullpen is a clusterfu*k. Simple as that.
For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."
Hendry
Jim Hendry is a master at getting good players. He is not to this point very good at assembling a “team.” The pieces need to fit. He has not been able to do that during his tenure.
by PalatineRol on Apr 25, 2009 10:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Do I hear 80?
The farther down in this thread you go, the fewer victories you find.
It’s Panic City.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 10:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Christ
Shedding credibility by the post, you are.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Apr 25, 2009 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Pound sand
If you want to live with your head up your keester in denial about this roster, then by all means go right ahead.
For those not bright enough to grasp the fundamental underpinning of a message board, please take note that "EVERYTHING I state is an OPINION."
DING DING DING!
I think this may be the first legit Blue-Mike “Pound Sand” of the season!
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:17 AM CDT up reply actions
No
Moving DeRo was good, in my opinion. Fonty is a good player, and should serve as a good 2B for years to come. DeRo isn’t exactly lighting up Cleveland either, with a near Mendoza average.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions
HOPE NOT....
But the DeRosa deal made no sense at all…..It appears they had no backup plan …Lets hope tomorrow is a better day ….Got a feeling it will turn out ok…..
Last year of DeRosa's deal.
Trading deadline deal, anyone?
"It's hard to win 97 games, it's hard to win the division. Our attitude is if you get in every year, you get in most of the time, sooner or later you are going to knock that door down." -- Jim Hendry
still wish Hendry had called Kenny Williams
when he wanted to move Dye. I know he is a righty and all, but how nice would he look in Cubbie Blue manning RF
baseball is a game of outs......pop out, ground out, line out, pitch out, strike out, fly out, and Fox and Bud's favorite black out
Marshall channeled Trachsel
in the 4th inning and it cost the team 3 runs. His rhythm was lost while the Cards took the momentum. Later in the inning he got beat by the #7 and #8 hitters on 0-2 counts. Compare that with the Cards who destroyed Soriano today by never throwing him a strike. Marshall pitched a very good game with the exception of that inning.
After today I’m convinced Sori should never bat anywhere but leadoff, His body language gave away his feelings which turned into terrible plate appearances. Sure, he should be able to adjust, but apparently he isn’t capable.
Finally, this team seems to lack the passion to be champions so far. And while it is still incredibly early, our lack of fundamentals must be addressed immediately. I want to see a team leader step and demand better focus. Trouble is, who are the team leaders who can do that?
If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.
by tharr on Apr 25, 2009 11:03 PM CDT reply actions 3 recs
Soriano
After today I’m convinced Sori should never bat anywhere but leadoff, His body language gave away his feelings which turned into terrible plate appearances. Sure, he should be able to adjust, but apparently he isn’t capable.
I agree. I was long a proponent of getting Soriano out of the leadoff spot, but no more. Whatever the reason, he’s just not going to do well anywhere else. I certainly don’t believe that he’s trying to fail, but the fact is that this has impacted him.
by dmlichte on Apr 25, 2009 11:22 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
meh
4 game losing streaks happen. Lou’s changing of the line-up doesn’t bother me. With no A-ram and no Game I don’t really expect the lineup to be that potent. Sori has been very clutch all year and he is very good in the leadoff spot but I don’t begrudge Lou trying to put him in a position where his instant offense might result in more offensive production earlier in the game.
Sometimes struggling will result in a team finding itself. We can only hope that is the case with the Cubs this year, and that our injured guys get back soon.
Admitting DeRosa Trade a Mistake
They went overboard on lefties and switch-hitters. That might all click when and if Bradley ever gets back in the lineup and stays there. Till then we’re stuck. Last year the team had hitters below the 4 spot who could hit and hit for power making it possible to put runs on the board even when the big 3 didn’t produce. This year, so far, the likes of Soto and Fontenot haven’t turned in on.
If Edmonds can still play, I wouldn’t mind having him back on the roster.
Bullpen has to be fixed.
I told you so
I posted in an earlier fanpost about the Cubs being short handed. the way their lineup is constructed, they’d have 3 players on the bench that wouldn’t get much playing time. Now what to do? Jim Edmonds? Is he even in game shape? Is A-Ram gonna be out for a while? They oughtta sit Uncle Miltie for a couple of weeks.Lou has over-worked the bullpen. Might need 4 pitchers to replace the burned out arms come June.Back up the truck Lou & Jim, the recycling bins are ready to be emptied
"It was a wise Man that invented Beer" (Plato)
Honestly
Why the F is Bradley not on the DL?
We need another body asap. I dont seem to see the question being asked
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
Lou seems to want him
To pinch hit.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I understand
but with the other injuries and lack of depth we need another body.
Someone like Bradley who cant run is a very specific pinch hitting situation. Yesterday I was missing Marquis a bit too. An extra bat and runner off the bench and I am almost positive Marquis could handle the outfield.
"Hey.....Cubs win!!!" ---Harry
"Swung on belted!!!"---Chip
I agree
I think they need to bring someone up. Seriously, Dubois might not be bad.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
Dubois? Did I just go back in time to 2005?
by bluekoolaide on Apr 26, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions
He's hitting over 400
In AAA, with 3 homers and a 700+ slugging. I would say Fox, but there’s really no room for him.
"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti
by wrigleyrocker12 on Apr 26, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions
So how does that make room for Dubois?
He can misplay the same positions as Fox.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree...
…with what someone said above that the management has to start taking accountability for what has gone wrong with this team.
Jack
derv
@themightycub
Soriano back to leadoff
as per twittermeyer..
I like this move!
sunday lineup
Soriano
Riot
Dome
DLee
Reed
Fonty
Soto
Miles (Arghhh)
Harden
dammit
you beat me to it.
and as long as Rami is on the bench, Miles is going to play.
"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 Apr 26, 2009 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I am too
although reverting the change so soon means that it really wasn’t given time to take. Lou’s in a bad spot, damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
"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 Apr 26, 2009 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions
Right now
Soriano is the only true homerun threat in that lineup. I realize there are other guys in there who have shown power in the past, but none of them have so far this year.
Some people are ripping on Hoff, but I thought his role was going to be much like Ward’s last year; pinch hit and an occasional fill in at first or in right. He can do that well; he is hitting the ball with success. Why not play him at first every fourth or fifth day? It’s not like Lee is tearing it up right now.
I thought that the Derosa trade was a bad move because he was such a flexible player; granted he wasn’t great at any position defensively, but he was adequate. I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to be hitting .203 all season. But, what’s done is done and I do believe that this team is going to pull out of their funk at some point and win the division this year. The Cardnals have looked better than I thought they would be so far.
Much better.
Glad Lou is listening to us. (Yes, I’m being facetious.)
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
AZPhil over at TCR who usually presents a balanced and objective analysis
thinks that the cubs should trade Bradley at the deadline, move Dome to RF and put Reed Jo in CF.
Sheesh I think the cub fandom has become this bad 16 games into the season. The disease is spreading wide and fast :-)
What's happening
I think is that Cubs fans are thinking that we should win like we did last year. This team is just having a rough patch, they all do.
At some point, the sooner the better, the guys who are slumping will (hopefully) turn it around. We can’t keep depending on the home runs, we need to find a way to get hits with guys on base.
Someone needs to tell those fans that you don’t win 97 games every season.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 26, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
Why isn’t the pregame up? It’s 2 hours before game time.
Evey Hammond: Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici. V: By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe.
None of the other games at 2 PM EST/1 PM CDT are up yet, either.
Cubs record since April 2004: 4-0
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Apr 26, 2009 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions
fonzie
soriano was moved down to provide some power in the 3 hole.with bradley and ramirez out there is no power. if you can hit leadoff you can hit 3rd. lets not use that as an excuse. this will be a very long season.plain and simple this team is not as good as last years.we lost too many key contributors.
pregame is up
"That’s the great thing about baseball, you never know what’s going to happen till you get the final out." — Lou Piniella
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