A Thank You to Andres Blanco

by nji232 on Jun 21, 2009 11:31 PM CDT Comment 21 comments

Andres Blanco will probably never be confused with a great offensive force, or even somebody who can be a full-time major league starter, but I feel that his play recently warrants some special mention.

Andres came in without much notice, and has been filling in at short and second. He immediately became our best defensive option at both positions. Since Lou has a strange love with Ryan Theriot only playing short, Blanco has mostly gotten playing time at second.

Needless to say he has been awesome at defense there. Making tough plays look routine, and impossible plays very possible. (I may be going a bit overboard) He ended the game today with a nice play, and he eliminated any concern with second base being a defensive problem. To had onto that he has gotten a couple clutch hits and is the best bunter on the team. Even if he won't ever light the world on fire with his bat, he has convinced Lou to play him almost everyday which puts Aaron Miles one step closer to the DFA line.

Thank you Andres, and keep up the good work. WIth each great play on defense and the occasional hit you can be the one who gets Aaron Miles off this baseball team for good.

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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Because...

…. there was yet another post here trashing Aaron Mies, I thought I’d post his Wikipedia link. Scroll down to the part where a gunman took him hostage. I hadn’t heard this before.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Miles

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jun 21, 2009 11:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

So anyway...

…. I googled this, because as I said, I hadn’t heard about this before and figured some yahoo was playing with Wikipedia. Turns out this was a small BCB thread:

http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/1/5/709439/aaron-miles-hostage-story

Interesting to see how the opinions on Miles have changed.

By the way, since he signed a two year deal, he’s not getting DFA’d.

"When they signed Fukudome, I knew they were trying to get me fired". - Ron Santo, January, 2008

by BeerCub on Jun 22, 2009 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow what a story

Sadly you are right @ the DFA. :(

"That's what you live for. You live for the opportunity and when that day comes, you better be ready," Soto said. "I tried to make sure that whenever they gave me a chance, I was ready and I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity."

by Madison Cub Fan on Jun 22, 2009 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow is right. I think I vaguely recall hearing about this

but at a time when I had no idea who Miles was. Amazing story.

And to Nij, seriously, let it go. You wrote a nice post praising Blanco, and ruined it by ending with a gratuitous swipe at Miles. Why? There was an entire thread on that already. Aaron Miles is not your problem.

by Orval Overall on Jun 22, 2009 8:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't intend it to turn into an anti-Miles thing

Bottom line is that Blanco has shown me, and I think Lou as well that he is the best option at backup infielder for the rest of the season. two more hits tonight and more defense just makes it more obvious.

I’m dropping the Miles thing, and won’t mention his name until Aramis comes back

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 22, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually have a story of this bookmarked.

It is a cool story regardless of how you feel about him as a baseball player. This gives a good story description of the events. http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1360470,CST-SPT-cub04.article

by Glacier on Jun 22, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

My favorite part...

Miles stayed cool throughout the crisis, at one point even encouraging the gunman to escape by putting on some of his Astros gear. But the gunman was not the kind of guy to take advice.

Looks like Miles has been watching some movies.. brilliant idea.

Don't assault me and I won't assault you, because you don't know what I will, or won't, do. I'm going to end it with that. - Milton Bradley 2003 to Paul Lo Duca

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jun 23, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I can praise your post and stick my neck out at the same time....

I’m 100% with you on Blanco.. What’s so special about him is his range and extremely solid defense, where he shows signs of letigimately elite skills. If he can even be a neutral presence in the lineup offensively, then I think he’s a real gift to this team. Of course his offensive abilities are the big “if”. I would love this guy to show what he needs to to make this team.

Now, for my suicide mission. I think Aaron Miles is a legitmately good backup middle infielder who could very definitely help this team. I think his offensive numbers so far are an aberration (slugging percentage is 100 points below his career average and 138 points below last year and RISP average is 189 points below his career average). Just like DLEE, MB, and Soto are turning early season funks (only very recently in the latter two) into performances that better match their history, I believe given AB’s, Miles will do the same thing.

Fire away…

by DisCUBbobulated on Jun 22, 2009 12:09 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

I agree with you

Miles’ numbers are well below his statistical norms. He did have a big hit yesterday, although one hit does not a renaissance make. And his shoulder might not be 100 percent. But I’m willing to wait before slicing and dicing him.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 22, 2009 1:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Regarding Miles

You hit the nail on the head with your comments. His numbers this year are a total aberration. He is not a great hitter, but he is not as bad as many here claim. He is having a career bad year, but he has proven he can hit big league pitching. If he played on a regular basis, his hitting would start to trend back up to career norms in all likelihood.

Now if Blanco can hit decently, he should have a spot on the roster due to his defensive abilities at multiple positions. Defensively at least, Miles does not compare with Blanco, so as long as Blanco contributes some offense, Miles will have a hard time getting chances to play other than PHing once in a while.

by lookingdeadred on Jun 22, 2009 8:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are right about Miles

The thing is, he shouldn’t get a chance to adjust those numbers. On the list of replacement level players on this team/in AAA Miles is the worst. Blanco,Scales, even Farney are better at the same thing Miles does.

Blanco hitting at .230 is way more valuable off the bench once Aramis is back

Just say no to players named Aaron on the Cubs.

by nji232 on Jun 22, 2009 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scales is tricking us

Think about how long he has been in the minors, he clearly isnt cut to stick with a major league roster. Dont get me wrong, I like the guy, but a couple big hits are blinding us from his real numbers.. I might be alone here but I would rather have Miles in there.

Don't assault me and I won't assault you, because you don't know what I will, or won't, do. I'm going to end it with that. - Milton Bradley 2003 to Paul Lo Duca

by SouthsideCUBSfan on Jun 23, 2009 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someday my dream of Blanco at SS and Theriot at 2nd base will come true...

but probably only for a couple innings when Lou messes up a double switch near the end of a game.

As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.

by santoswoodenlegs on Jun 22, 2009 12:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep the faith, brother!

There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons

by Allie on Jun 22, 2009 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So Are We Starting the Andy White Fan Club?

by Chodes on Jun 22, 2009 9:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like Blano

But you know who I’d love to have other than DeRo? Casey McGhee. His OPS is 914 in almost 100 at bats with the Brewers. He can also play second, third and right.

"Check the magic of a winning season and there are always reasons beyond the talent." Ned Colleti

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 22, 2009 12:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I disagree about McGehee...

Believe it or not, McGehee was drafted by the Cubs in 2003…10th or 11th round I think. But despite that, I really don’t think he’s that good of a ballplayer. He is having a pretty good year for the Brewers so far on his (I believe to be) 2nd call up. But if you look at his minor league stats, his OBP is mediocre because he strikes out way more than walks. He just is not not a disciplined hitter and would not be worth trading for at all.

by cufban2522 on Jun 22, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

all true points

but he should have been kept due to the fact he was one of the few legit options as a back up for third. Hendry just decided f*uck it and decided we didnt need a back up for third. Good for McGehee though, I just wish he wasn’t doing it for the Brewers.

by Glacier on Jun 22, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs