Energy Guys Needed - Sam Fuld Anyone??

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:24 PM CDT

OK, so it's no secret that the team has been struggling for the better part of this year, and I've heard many of you share my sentiments that team seems to be lacking energy and fire. (and yes, Lou, you need to be a dragon right now in my opinion) That being said, I have my own opinions about what this team needs right now, and as a fan I'm not shy about sharing said opinions. So, as a shot in the arm to our favorite boys of summer, I offer the following suggestion.

I've heard many of you, including Al in his nice game recap, call for a DL or benching of Soriano. While I would also like to see Fox and Hoffpauir get more playing time (and PLEASE Lou, play Blanco tomorrow instead of Miles), I think this is the perfect time for Sam Fuld to be recalled. Don't get me wrong, I understand he's not Aramis Ramirez or Albert Pujols, but the guy has hit .270 at AAA this year and there hasn't been any mention of him. Keep in mind that if he were hitting .270 at the big league level this would be the third highest BA on the active roster (behind Theriot and DLee). Fuld has also stolen 16 bases so far this year, but more importantly I think he'd bring a certain amount of passion and energy which has sadly disappeared from Wrigley this summer.

Anybody else remember 2007 when he was called up? One game against the Pirates he made an unbelievable catch and he was diving into the ivy, then appeared out of the vines and threw a strike to first to get the double play.
Had this play happened last week, or even tomorrow, I think it would wake a lot of people up. I know it's not going to happen, and I know many of you will disagree, but I'm rooting for you Sam, and I hope to see you in the OF at Wrigley soon.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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This is a joke, right?

We don’t need .270-hitting AAA outfielders. Sam Fuld had his 15 minutes of fame. It’s over. Let’s find someone who can play 2B and hit. Someone like Mark DeRosa (paging NBF, I’d like this thread to be hijacked!).

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2009 8:31 PM CDT reply actions

Do you honestly think Fuld would be worse than what we have?

I mean, let’s say he hits .245 with an OBP of .350, steals some bases, plays great defense, etc. Would he really be a worse option on this roster than Miles (I know he’s a different position, just saying) or Soriano playing at half speed?

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions

He isn't likely to put numbers that good though

We might as well just play Reed Johnson or Jake Fox or Micah Hoffpauir instead. At least those guys probably can hit that well.

by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Unless Fuld can play 2B, I'm not interested.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions

And you're going to open up a can of worms

in my thread with NBF with your “DeRomanticism”, Al. haha

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions

I did that on purpose, because...

… I can’t believe you seriously suggested bringing Sam Fuld to this team thinking it would help anything except the scrappiness quotient.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

and I want DeRo more than anybody, believe me

but I was just at a loss watching the game today. So lifeless, so monotonous. That’s the last thing I like to say from my team.

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with you.

I just don’t think adding a mediocre AAA outfielder who had a couple of highlight-reel moments two years ago is the answer.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

You're probably right.

I guess I just want to see MUCH more intensity and emotion on the field. I think Lou has let these guys get too comfortable, and I just don’t understand why the same lineup is there day in and day out.

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:58 PM CDT up reply actions

maybe not Sam Fuld..

think a Juan Pierre/Kenny Lofton/Scott Pods/ type a guy…

right idea probably not the best example..imo

by cozmotaylor123 on Jun 18, 2009 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Juan Pierre?

The luckiest guy in MLB. One good year, and now — he’s reprising that this year.

I guess the Dodgers are the luckiest team in MLB. They thought they were stuck with this guy — when they were forced to use him, suddenly it’s 2003 again for Pierre.

Which, of couse gives up hope for the underperformers we have because — just when we count them out……well, you never know.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 18, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions

+ 100

Career year. Won’t happen again.

Blue mountains high .. Blue valleys low
I don't know which way we will go ..
One summer dream .. one summer dream ..

coda

ELO, 1975

by cubnational on Jul 5, 2009 4:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Not remotely interested...

Here’s what Sam Fuld has done in AAA this year:
.270/.343/.393 (.736 OPS)

By comparison, he’s what the no-hit Andres Blanco did in AAA this year:
.316/.351/.452 (.802 OPS)

Fuld had a really nice moment in 2007. It has given him a cult following well beyond his capabilities among some. But he’s just not very good.

by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2009 8:33 PM CDT reply actions

And i'm in no way saying he's a superstar stuck in the trenches of AAA

I’m simply saying he might be just what this team needs right now.

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions

And I'm saying that I don't think he's what the team needs...

I don’t think this team needs another guy who cannot hit MLB pitching.

If you want an energy guy, go with Reed Johnson. Or Ryan Freel (at least he can maybe play some 2B, and probably won’t hit any worse than what Miles is doing).

But ultimately, I don’t think “energy” guys are what the team needs. They need guys who can hit. Sam Fuld doesn’t do that.

by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Am I Wrong........

or wasn’t Bradley brought in to be the “Energy Guy”.

Off topic, but, watching Bradley play RF today was shocking. His play, IMHO, was lackadaisical. I think we are in for a rough three years.

by timeforachange2009 on Jun 17, 2009 8:42 PM CDT reply actions

the whole team looked pretty lifeless today, imho

and that’s exactly my point. Losses I can live with (to an extent), but watching guys go through the motions really sets me off as a fan.

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Bradley was brought in to be a middle-of-the-order masher...

This team has plenty of energy guys (Theriot, Miles, Johnson, Fontenot). They need guys to hit. If Soriano, Soto, and Bradley were hitting remotely close to expectations, nobody would be clamoring for Sam Fuld. Adding yet another scrappy guy who can’t hit isn’t going to make up for the fact that our big bats aren’t producing. The only way things are going to get better is if those guys start hitting again.

by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I may be wrong but.......

I thought Bradley was the “all about the game” (in addition to being the masher).

I agree with everything else that you said. It is up to the players ON the roster to straighten this out. IMHO no trades will occur and no help will come from the minors. It is what it is…….

by timeforachange2009 on Jun 17, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

He IS "all about the game"

He’s as intense as they come. But intensity doesn’t help you hit a baseball.

by SouthernCub on Jun 17, 2009 9:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly.

This “intensity” thing is overblown. Just hit.

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

by Al Yellon on Jun 17, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions

My point....

(which was poorly made) was that we already have these players on the roster.

If they do their job the team will win. It is, IMHO, that simple.

by timeforachange2009 on Jun 17, 2009 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with that

by SouthernCub on Jun 18, 2009 6:57 AM CDT up reply actions

And who goes down?

by rlpete on Jun 17, 2009 8:56 PM CDT reply actions

many here have said Soriano needs to go on the DL

"Yes, dear. You're right. I'm sorry." -Bob Brenly

by ambrosiadreams on Jun 17, 2009 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Great

so an OF of Fuld, Johnson and Dome? No thanks. If Soriano is DLed, I’ll gamble with Hoffpauir and Fox. Someone has to hit the ball.

What a sad state of affairs when people are wondering is Sam Fuld might help. Can Jason Dubois be far behind?

by rlpete on Jun 17, 2009 9:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey, at least DuBois can hit a little bit...

Don’t get me wrong – he’s by no means a good option, and I don’t want him on the team. But he provides a lot more with the bat than Fuld. I’d turn to DuBois well before I’d turn to Fuld.

by SouthernCub on Jun 18, 2009 7:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Seein this guy

well so he will be seen at Wrigley-on August 9th when the I-Cubs play the Las Vegas 51s there for the “Road to Wrigley”

Nutdrinkingamp12
Live Long and Prosper

by nutdrinkingamp12 on Jun 17, 2009 9:05 PM CDT reply actions

JAKE PEAVY?!?!?!!?!?!??!?!!?

I'm a lefty, maybe Lou should give me a shot for a position in the bullpen!!

by Chanman25 on Jun 17, 2009 10:14 PM CDT reply actions

Just what this team needs...

… is another slap-hitting, .280 OBP “hitter”. Just saying no to this idea is not enough.

Ladies and gentlemen! It's 1985 all over again, but this time the offense goes to hell!

by Ross on Jun 17, 2009 10:52 PM CDT reply actions

Great Fanpost, Fuld would be just what this team needs!!

World Series would be soon to follow

Lets Go Hawks!

by CubsBall2202 on Jun 18, 2009 1:19 AM CDT reply actions

That fact that you used...

… Fuld’s Triple A batting average – which isn’t even all that good – to justify this idea, blows my mind. And the Cubs have made a number of decent-to-spectacular defensive plays over the past few weeks, none of them have woken the team up.

I repeat: There is no cavalry. There will be no rescue mission. This team must stand and fight on its own.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 18, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions

agreed

There is the possibility of a trade or two to tweak the lineup, but the addition of ARam will be the only major change in all likelihood.

by lookingdeadred on Jun 19, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

We fall in love with scrappy players here

I cannot believe how just a couple of games can create such a legend. Sam Fuld is NOT what this team needs.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Jun 18, 2009 10:37 AM CDT reply actions

+1

If we want scrappy, why settle for less than the best? Why not just trade for Eckstein?

by Jody Jody Davis on Jun 18, 2009 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Ced Landrum, Joey Gathright Redux

The Cubs don’t need another player like Ced Landrum or Joey Gathright. Fuld has little power. He can make sliding catches in the outfield. He is not what the northside of Chicago needs now.

"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray

by memphiscub on Jun 18, 2009 11:25 AM CDT reply actions

sounds familiar

This sound eerily familiar. No, I don’t think we need sam fuld, but I remember in late 2006 the cubs called up Ryan Theriot (our introduction to the riot) because he was an enerygy and they wanted to inject some energy into this team. Didn’t turn out very well because Dusty didn’t play him. He sat on the bench with a couple of pinch hits and was sent down about 10 days later. Hate to say it, but Lou is beginning to look a lot like Dusty. Shall we name him, Dusty Piniella or Lou Baker? They call up the hitter with the best average in professional baseball and what do we do, bench him. Thats AWESOME!

by IVYHOPESDreams on Jun 18, 2009 12:44 PM CDT reply actions

He has no position.

I've committed to tweeting about the Cubs for the rest of the season. (Does that sound as ridiculous as I think it does?) Anyway, if you're on Twitter, you can follow me here.

by daver on Jun 18, 2009 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions