Now that Dero's gone..........will Mr. Hendry please adress the REAL need of this team??

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 6:46 AM CDT Comment 52 comments

Ok............Mark Derosa is a Cardinal. Not exactly where we wanted him to go but so be it. He's a nice addition for them but NOT a huge difference maker. This team is 3.5 games out with alot of season left and we have Soriano and Bradley performing at career worst levels. Obviously that has to change and the law of averages says it likely will. Aram's return is close..............so I don't think a bat is the most pressing need as long as he and Sori and Gameboard perform anywhere near career average

14........count em.......14 last at bat losses in less than half a season is ridiculous! Jimbo's only hope is to go get a couple of guys to help the bullpen. Even if our hitters were hitting like they should and we were in 1st........we would be in for another playoff meltdown with this mess of a pen. Who's out there and available? IMO.....we need a loogy and a decent setup guy. Time for Jim hendry to atone for his blunders!

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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You're right about the bullpen.

But a hitter wouldn’t hurt.

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

by Al on Jun 28, 2009 7:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

but…………I’m not sure where we put a hitter in the everyday lineup when Ram comes back………..Fox and Hoff definitely need to play more………again…..if Sori and Uncle Milty do anything I think the offense gets alot better soon……….I just don’t see anyway to have sucess in the playoffs (or even sniff em) unless the pen gets WAY WAY better

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 7:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Plenz,

I think you’re making a somewhat unfounded assumption about Milton and Soriano. Especailly Milton. It is very possible that they will not improve significantly over the rest of the season. Ramirez will certainly help, but we desperately need a second baseman-utility man as another bat.

As to the relief corp. I agree 100%. Jim Hendry’s bullpen makeup is a disaster. He relied, inexplicably, on Aaron Heilman being a top-notch reliever. If it wasnt for the development of Guzman this bullpen would be even worse.

As a related aside, has a GM ever had a worse offseason than Jim Hendry. Is there one move that helped this team?

by Ryanocm1 on Jun 28, 2009 7:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm thinking.

Thinking over. Answer: no.

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

by Al on Jun 28, 2009 7:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you sure??

1. Got rid of Kerry Wood who, while a wonderful human being, would have cost many dollars and who is blowing saves left and right here in Cleveland (several of my friends have told me to “take him back”). You think Heilman drives you crazy? Wood blew the save the other day ON A WILD PITCH!!!!!

2. Moved Marquis and his contract

3. Held onto Guzman

4. Saw the potential in Randy Wells and moved him up

5. Although I’m not a huge fan of Heilman right now, he has to be better than what we had last year in Howry or Marquis in middle relief.

6. Got Kevin Gregg (what other closers were available besides K-Rod?) which is about as good as he could have done.

All of those moves seemed to have made sense. I am just very bitter about Miles (why pay for him when Hudson was available??) and particularly Bradley. Hudson and Abreu were available and would have been much better options, I think.

by nickler on Jun 28, 2009 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1. I have a feeling he would have signed him if he had the money, and most fans

would have praised him for it.
2. Even though Marquis is pitching well. I think this was the right move and hasn’t really hurt the Cubs other than we got nothing back for him
3. Definitely a good move although not that surprising since Guzman has always been highly valued by Hendry
4. “Saw the potential” might be a little generous. If he really saw the potential in him he wouldn’t have exposed him to the Rule 5 draft a couple years ago and lost him to Toronto. And what other starter was ready in the minors to cover for the injuries to Z and Harden. “Saw the potential” is more like got lucky.
5. You’re right, I’d take Heilman over Howry, but I’d take plenty of other relievers over Heilman including some in our minor leagues right now.
6. He could have had Trevor Hoffman without giving up a single prospect. I’d take Hoffman on a one year deal over Gregg any day.

Miles was a horrible move. I don’t think Hendry read the market very well. He wrapped things up to soon. He could have waited out a few of the signings and probably got in on Hudson closer to spring training. I think he got to caught up in Bradley being more athletic and versatile than Abreu, Ibanez and Dunn, but that doesn’t really matter when he’s not on the field consistently. I still think Dunn was the best option especially when money was exactly the same.

by thehat34 on Jun 28, 2009 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Regarding Bradley

I think Hendry looked at all the options and saw MB was younger than Abreu and Ibanez and a better defender than Dunn.

by Not Bruce Froemming on Jun 28, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah holding on to guzman was a no brainer. remember hendry had a hard time choose between him and gaudin. This was the ONE AND ONLY good move this man made for our team this year. he traded to much for gregg. He dealt dero to free up money than wasted half of that on Miles. He signed Bradley for way to much before and of the other options available.

FACE IT PEOPLE….HENDRY SUCKS

by Glacier on Jun 28, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2007 NLCD Champion
2008 NLCD Champion w/ 97 wins.

If you’re going to blame Hendry for the roster this year, you have to give him the credit for the roster last year and the year before.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. When they play over their heads, and when they play under the gutter. When they win the division, and then get swept in the division series. When they get no-hitters and when they blow no-hitters. And some day, when they go all the way and get those rings. This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 28, 2009 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

No those years were a fluke

So was 2003. Don’t confuse people Drew.

"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 Jun 28, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

heh

sorry. my bad.

by drewishdrewid on Jun 28, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

you may be right on Bradley and Sori

……..but good 2nd halfs are certainly possible for them. We all know there’s no way either of them get replaced anytime soon so we have to hope they rebound. I’m just saying……even if they hit .400 for the rest of the year the Cubs are f$##@&* ed with this slop in the pen

Sherill would be a nice start

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with you

I think we should at least expect Soriano to hit .250 to .260 this season. Milton, im not sure.

But given that, a bullpen arm is a must. It would be nice if our farm systems wasnt the latest version of the dust bowl.

by Ryanocm1 on Jun 28, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sadly yes. Dumping Wood

And trading Ceda for Gregg.

"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 Jun 28, 2009 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

But

Wood is terrible this year!

What other closer options were available??

by nickler on Jun 28, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um that is what I meant

Dumping Wood and trading Ceda for Marmol does for now appear to be Hendry’s best off season move. There were a few other good closers available notably Rodiriquez but way too much money needed.

"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 Jun 28, 2009 9:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep, Ceda's been injured, out-of-shape and M.I.A. for the Marlins.

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 dat cubfan daver on Jun 29, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sherrill?

Could be had for a price. Hell, in spite of his age and the fact that he’s recovering from a severe injury, I’d be all for Saito. Don’t think he’s a true 9th inning pitcher at this point in time, but he knows how to not walk the first two batters he sees in an inning…

by Ryjo on Jun 28, 2009 7:39 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How about Brad Ziegler?

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

by Al on Jun 28, 2009 7:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

is Ziegler aware of the importance of strike one?

if so……..I’ll take him!

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heilman

went 1-0 o all five batters he faced in the 6th inning and 2-0 to four of the five. Thats amazing.

by Ryanocm1 on Jun 28, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heilman

is far from our worst reliever………that my friend tells alot about what we’ve got!

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe so

but Heilman is not pitching well and he is not showing signs of getting better and that is the point. He starts almost every batter with ball one, and that is often followed by ball two. He is nibbling way too much. He has, for whatever reason, lost confidence in his stuff. He has big league stuff, but his kind of stuff requires him to pitch to contact. He should want the batter to put the ball in play as he is not a strikeout pitcher, yet he seems afraid to have the hitter make any contact, which explains why he keeps nibbling at the corners … and missing all too often. He needs to trust his stuff and work inner half and outer half, not just trying to paint the corners all the time.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He pitches like he is afraid to let hitters make contact

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As a rule

I don’t like trading with Beane. He rarely loses in trades (although to this point it appears the Cubs beat him in the Harden deal…all depends on Donaldson). Heck, if we hadn’t traded him Wuertz for two minor leaguers that aren’t even in the system anymore, our middle relief would look a helluva lot better.

Ziegler would be a slight improvement, I guess. Better than Gregg for the 9th, but until Guzman comes back (or until Marmol returns to form, hopefully), the 8th and 9th inning are going to be an adventure in close games. It’d be great if we could get Sherrill, slot him into the 9th, and move Gregg to the 7th. Pipedream, though.

by Ryjo on Jun 28, 2009 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ziegler vs. Gregg

Ziegler: 33 IP, 40H, 12 BB, 22K

Gregg: 33 IP, 31H, 16 BB, 34K

I’ll take Gregg.

by rlpete on Jun 28, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What do you see in his numbers that interests you?

by rlpete on Jun 28, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gregg

For many here it is not about Gregg’s numbers/performance, they believe he sucks and nothing will change that perception, that and he is not St Kerry of the 98 mph heater.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still think hitting should be addressed first.

When you look at the Cubs hitting stats, they’re worse than our bull-pen stats. Our power #‘s, average and RISP #’s are horrible.

If we had hit decently this year, the bullpen would be given a lot more leads bigger than 1 or or 2. Hence many less games lost in the last at-bat.

(I do realize the problem though of where do you put a new hitter(s))

I haz comedy show in August. You come seez it please?: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 28, 2009 7:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

no one ever wins crap without a decent pen though

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

true

I do agree that the Pen needs to be addressed as well.

I haz comedy show in August. You come seez it please?: hotbeans.wordpress.com

by digitalbenjamin on Jun 28, 2009 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

bullpen is a bigger cause for concern now

Hitting is coming around while the bullpen is at best getting no worse

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

There is no way the hitting will continue. The only spot I want to see a change in is second base.

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

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 28, 2009 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

2B

When ARam returns, Fontenot will play 2b against RH pitching and I assume Blanco will play against LH pitching. That should work out fine.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 10:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh

we will see

by Glacier on Jun 28, 2009 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So what do you suggest they do about 2b then?

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 29, 2009 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forgot who it was...

But someone said something similar to this the other day, and I really agree with it…

Improve the offense and that will give the bullpen bigger leads to work with.

Yes, the pen has had it’s issues… but to me, the glaringly obvious weakness on this team is the offense. Need more runs.

by kanderber on Jun 28, 2009 8:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I get that point about a bat

…….but once again……where does this bat fit in the lineup?

Does he play LF..no
RF….no
CF…..no
3B.no
1B…no
SS……no
2B…….MAYBE?
C…no

we don’t have payroll flexility to add an everyday impact player anyhow so IMHO the REALITY is that the best case scenario to improve our team for THIS year is to add arm(s) to our bullpen

by plenz on Jun 28, 2009 9:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

the bullpen is a higher priority right now

than the offense. The hitters will come around, as some have been doing lately, but the bullpen shows no sign of getting better. Gregg, Guzman and Marshall have done their jobs well enough, but Heilman, Ascanio and most notably Marmol, have not. At this point in the season, the Cubs do not have the luxury of waiting for these guys to discover the strike zone. Ascanio is young and erratic. Heilman pitches like he is afraid to let the batter make contact when he should be pitching to contact with his kind of stuff. Ans Marmol, who knows what is going on inside his head, but unfortunately, there is no indication he is going to turn it around anytime soon if at all. He is a mess right now.

So if there is a trade or two to be made, the bullpen should be priority #1. And as far as “losing” DeRo the Cards. While I believe he will help the Cards, and therefore hurt the Cubs, DeRo is not the solution to the Cubs problems, unless he adds relief pitcher to his resume of positions.

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 28, 2009 9:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's an interesting person for a second basemen

I don’t think he’s been mentioned either. Felipe Lopez. His average is above 300. He could be a solid addition if Fonty doesn’t pick it up.

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

by wrigleyrocker12 on Jun 28, 2009 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

If Hendry says

“getting Ramirez back would be like making a trade” I am going to puke.

by daeviant on Jun 28, 2009 11:00 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Then you'll probably puke...

… because I’m sure you’ll hear that from him at least once before Ramirez returns.

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

by Al on Jun 28, 2009 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slight correction:

His exact quote will be: “It’s like trading for an all-star.”

Let me know if you need a bucket. I bought a couple extras.

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 dat cubfan daver on Jun 29, 2009 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

.Being average for this team

When struggling to be a .500 ball club in a weak division, there’s more than one thing wrong. In the bullpen the closer is inept, Marmol can’t currently be considered a good candidate for closer, Guzman is on the DL, and Heilman is Heilman. Somebody has to shape-up. A move for a great reliever would cost in players or money that doesn’t seem to be available. A good reliever could make a big difference though.

When the team isn’t hitting, then the heat is on the offense and off the bullpen. The team has been hitting for about a week now, but not clutch and the starting pitching hasn’t been as reliable. Lily and Dempster had bad outings. As long as the big 5 aren’t producing like the big 5 should, it is going to be difficult to do much more with the offense. Those players being: Soriano, Fukudome, Bradley, Lee and Ramirez. In the meantime, wondering when Ramirez will be back and how that will workout. Also, hoping Fox stays up to the high average power hitting.

by AboutTheCubs on Jun 28, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Kyle Farnsworth is on the trading block

kidding

by daeviant on Jun 28, 2009 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

(This story was produced by BCPDnewservice. Our motto: If you don’t like this story then suck it!)

by BrewCrew'sPrinceofDarkness on Jun 28, 2009 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramirez

isn’t going to be the Ramirez he was before the shoulder injury. I think it will significantly affect his power numbers, and it will take some time to get into a hitting groove again. Also, he’ll be very reluctant to dive for balls.

Look at Rolen. He hasn’t been the same since his shoulder injury.

by Clark Addison on Jun 28, 2009 11:11 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There is no real need

There are numerous needs that must be addressed. Are we willing to allow Sori with his .231 BA to set the table? Our RISP is league worst and isn’t improving. Part of this is reflected in the fact that we’ve scored fewer than any other team in the later innings. Our LH hitters are only hitting .226, again the lowest in the league. Our LHP are even worse against LHP, .176. How many times have we seen a LH reliever brought in and shut down a rally?

Our entire bullpen throws too many balls and walks too many batters. Over 40% of the first batters against them reach base.

Adding DeRosa would have been nice move. However, the problems os this team are far too numerous to be addressed by one adjustment. We don’t need a tinker. We need a huge improvement by a number of players on the roster and I don’t know if that’s forthcoming.

If you like Selig's handling of the steroid issue, you'll love his choice for next Cub owner.

by tharr on Jun 28, 2009 11:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Hendry can not sit one his ass anymore

and let the cardinals get WAY stronger, even pursuing Holliday. He has to do something. I cant even think what moves would help the team but something needs to be done. this is getting ridiculous…i’m going to puke now

THIS IS THE YEAR!!

by BadBillyGoat on Jun 28, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you just did

A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject.
--Winston Churchill

by lookingdeadred on Jun 29, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, soon as the ownership issues are resolved

This isn’t a Hendry issue, it is an ownership issue.

For a team that spent a lot of cash the last few years – not saying all of it was wise – does anyone honestly think re-acquiring a guy who’d provide a huge amt of lineup flexibility isn’t totally obvioius?

IMO, Hendry isn’t stupid, he knew he didn’t leave the team flexible enough. His hands were/are tied financially. And until this ownership BS is resolved, expect this to continue!

Sweet Lou for Mayor in '11.

by blackhawk24 on Jun 29, 2009 8:21 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The most glaring need...

…this club has is for Soriano, Bradley, Marmol and Soto to have good second halves and also Ramirez being able to contribute come August. If they do, the Cubs will win the division by 5+ games. If they don’t play the way they are capable, this team has no chance no matter who they acquire, it’s really that simple.

"I don't like them fellas that drive in two runs but let in three" Casey Stengel

by MPH73 on Jun 29, 2009 9:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs