Lou still looking for a LH Hitter
From Lou:
"Look," he said, "we still need a left-hand bat who could hit in our lineup and drive in some runs."
I dont even know where to begin.
4 months ago
bren
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Milton Bradley has been a disaster, hence the continuing need for a left-handed bat
I happen to agree strongly with Lou.
$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.
by BLou on Jul 21, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
why doesn't that surprise me.
Fire EVERYONE except Lou huh?
by Madison Cub Fan on Jul 21, 2009 9:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real challenge
will be finding a LH hitter who doesn’t lose all ability when coached by Lou.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 21, 2009 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the love of god.
You’d think a guy who just signed his first real big money contract had never struggled before or something? Especially with the cubs…..Soriano, Lee, etc. Even beltran sucked in his first year. Here are some facts that people are blinding missing: .Yeah, Ibanez is raking, but he’s 38 years old . Dunn is the best hitter . . .on the Nationals (and you thought MB & Soriano are bad in the field). Bradley was the most logical choice. Yah it hasnt worked out yet….but he has to hit eventually.
Lou needs to stop bitching. He bitched about getting a LHB and he got what he wished for. We just need to take what we have and improve on it. Bradley is a sick hitter when he is on. I’ll take this season being a dogfight; then having everyone turn it on in the playoffs. ..especially milton bradley.
by BadDecisions on Jul 21, 2009 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i thought
abreu was logical at the time
wells4roty
by jesus christos on Jul 22, 2009 2:04 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
The problem with the Bradley signing was that he was not a good LH bat...
Bradley has always been mediocre from the left side and really good from the right side. This year, he’s remained really good from the right side but gotten really bad from the left side. But there was never any reason to assume that Bradley filled the supposed LH power bat need.
Personally, I think the need for a LH bat is overstated. I think the bigger problem is simply that we’re missing that guy who can consistently produce in the #5 spot (either as a LH batter or a RH batter).
It is funny that we’ve had two big offseason acquisitions specifically designed to fill that power bat role, and neither has produced. Fukudome looks more like a leadoff hitter than a power hitter, and Bradley hasn’t shown the power he had last year either.
by SouthernCub on Jul 22, 2009 6:04 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
The other frustrating part of this
is how we added two LH bats who we expected to have power and our overall run-scoring is down from ’08 to ’09.
I don’t think that it’s the adding of LH bat which caused this. Of course not. But it does show how unable Cubs’ management is to determine the real points at which they need to improve the Cubs’ offense.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 22, 2009 7:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well at least Fukudome has pushed Soriano down in the order finally
Albeit an unintended consequence of signing him, he can get on base and w/ Sorianos struggles, its for the better
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
by bren on Jul 22, 2009 7:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
We need CONSISTANT PRODUCTION. Our offense is basically the same from last year minus Edmonds/Dero. We now have fonty/Bradley filling in for them now. Bradleys offensive struggles are only a small reason why we suck offensively. With Rammy being hurt, Soriano forgetting how to hit, Soto ( aka Puff Dadduy) being hurt and slumping, are contributing factors. Its been the whole team practically. I really dont expect us making a trade for a major bat…And those midseasons trades hardley ever work out for the buyers most of the time (except for last year). I think if our hitters start hitting like THEY SHOULD…we would have a hellacious offense.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Edmonds
I’m surprised he wasn’t in spring training with some team this year. I don’t know if he would have repeated his second half performance of last season this season or not. I find it strange that with no one else wanting Edmonds that the Cubs could not have given him a 1-year contract for not a whole lot of money. Would he have played like Gary Gaetti did in 1999? I don’t know, but I don’t think Edmonds would have done worse this year than Gaetti did back in 1999.
"The big possums walk late." - Harry Caray
by memphiscub on Jul 22, 2009 6:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou got what he asked for
And it has not produced. You made your bed by demanding sweeping changes to a 97-win team. They really need to fire him.
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Jul 21, 2009 10:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So....who's the Boss....
Lou or Jim?
(Don’t get me wrong…..it’s like whose a bigger stooge…Moe or Curly)……there’s pleanty of organizational blame to go around…….
For all who cry…..not mgt’s fault the players don’t produce…….THAT IS MANAGEMENT’S JOB…to FIND players WHO DO PRODUCE…and to create an environment thaat is conducive to that….
The CUBS need to be reconstructed from the TOP down………PERIOD.
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
by kcjones on Jul 21, 2009 11:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
reconstructed from the top down????
We are two games out of first place and basically don’t have a single every day player playing up to their potential besides D-Lee…. give me a break STOP the b.s. and stop jumping ship we don’t have to be the best team in the regular season… I would rather sneak into the playoffs as the underdog and put the pressure on everyone else
by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 22, 2009 4:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Piniella needs to be the first one to go,
the lefty righty bullshit gets old after awhile! Mike Fotenot should not be playing everyday, Jake Fox should be playing somewhere.
by cubdreamer on Jul 21, 2009 10:12 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Fontenot isn't playing everyday.
He’s platooning with Jeff Baker. Check today’s lineup.
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 Jul 22, 2009 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea...
and maybe some right handed ones too!!!ya know this Blanton guy looked like Bob Gibson out there tonight!we just aren’t a good hitting team right now….period.a shame Harden didn’t pick up a win!great performance!i wasn’t getting my hopes up too much just because we beat the worst team in mlb 4 straight.now it’s back to reality in Philly!
by goatstew on Jul 21, 2009 10:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
The biggest joke out of all this is -
where are we going to field a big LH bat? Does Lou want us to DFA Bradley and, what? trade for Adam Dunn? Are we going to try and pull of some three-way trade, where we move Soto and add Victor Martinez? You really have to stretch the imagination to come up with unrealistic scenarios to get a LH bat who can hit in the middle of the order.
In other words this is just Lou whining.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 21, 2009 10:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Lou must knows his days are numbered
And the eighth and final rule: if this is your first time at Fight Club, you have to fight.
by Ace Venom on Jul 21, 2009 10:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
VMart would be nice
Okay, just so I understand it... in your wildest fantasy, you are in hell. And you are co-running a bed and breakfast with the devil.
by bren on Jul 21, 2009 11:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lou dont care
I would just bench badly and play fox or huffpower in right .Coaches need to coach see if larussa taks things very laid back if his team messes up.Lou has no balls and is just dumb.And weres blanco..?? atleast he can play great defence.Hes loves fonts why i have no idea.All i have to say is go bears..!!
by tazz34 on Jul 21, 2009 11:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, problem is
Bradley is a more powerful hitter from the right side, so how was this adding a power left handed hitter? and Dunn, it wouldnt matter if he was on the nationals or the dodgers or yankees he is still gonna hit .240 40 hr 100 rbi and a ton of walks….anyone who says they wouldnt take that over what we have is a full of shit. and i wouldnt count on vmart. the only play to upgrade or add a power bat is at second, but they are all righty. marlins may become sellers and i suggest jorge cantu.
by MDavis on Jul 21, 2009 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I know the perfect guy, his name is...
Sammy Fuld. Problem solved.
by Cubbiegoon on Jul 22, 2009 12:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL, yeah - another power hitter.
Fuld and Sanchez in the middle of the order would be fantastic.
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 Jul 22, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Lou
start every sentence with “look”?
Tamia Lynn Davis:
Born: August 18, 2008
by Unique on Jul 22, 2009 2:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
“Look. I don’t know what to tell you. You watch the conferences. It is what it is. We’ll go back and look at the tapes but the truth is we have to start saying it.”
=P
by MattHaggard on Jul 22, 2009 5:57 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Crisis of leadership in the form of Jim Hendry
Is Jim Hendry the General Manager, or not? Does Jim Hendry have a strategic vision for how you construct a 25 man roster, or not?
Jim Hendry changes his approach for winning on an annual basis. Which speaks volumes on his incompetency.
Cubs will win 79 to 83 games. Season has been over for weeks. St. Louis will eventually run away with this division. And you can print it. BLou (7/21/09)
by BLou on Jul 22, 2009 8:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Amazing.
If the criticisms of Jim Hendry go back years and he hasn’t learned anything and changed anything, that would be a clear case for incompetency.
The fact that Jim Hendry has learned to value plate discipline, as just one example, is a good thing.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 22, 2009 9:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two words.
Adam Dunn.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 22, 2009 8:47 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I thought that door closed.
Don’t tease me.
I always have and still want him in blue.
by MattHaggard on Jul 22, 2009 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
i respectfully disagree…The man love for dunn needs to stop around here. I have nightmares thinking about him playing RF.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you have nightmares about the 40+ homers he's going to hit this year?
Or the 100+ walks he’s going to draw?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 22, 2009 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
If Lou wanted a textbook middle-of-the-order LH run producer, the man’s name was (and still is) Adam Dunn. I still think Dunn’s defense liabilities could’ve been mitigated by the savvy use of defensive replacements.
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 Jul 22, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Meh...
You can argue that, but you forgetting Cubbie logic…Almost every free agent hitter we sign usually has horrible years with the cubs: Soriano, Uncle Cliff, Jones, Bradley….WE have pretty much have had no RF since SAmmy..ughhh. Id like to think Dunn would hit 40+ Hrs….But knowing our luck he would probably suck it up.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
1 more thing..
I know these players didnt necessary have horrible years…but they deff did not reproduce or come close to their career high numbers. Soriano has been good..but never the base stealing threat which we wanted. Jones was inconsistant. Cliff was practially a non factor on the offense. And bradley has had a outlier bad year….If bradley hit like he should..Id take him as a total package over Dunn any day.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Soriano's first two years as a Cub weren't "horrible."
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 Jul 22, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know they were "horrible"
hence me saying that…but he has not lived up to his potential. Strikes out wayyy to much…Folds like paper in the postseason…And is a bad defender in the field. Oh and he no longers steals bases….He hasn’t been horrible…..but he sure as hell hasn’t been great.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
how about
the seven or eight Ks we laid on him, along with a single meaningless HR?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
lol one series doesn't make a season ....
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
by lexmarklover on Jul 22, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
the dude
has already struck out 106 times!
He’s on pace to blow way past his previous high of 195 Ks in a season.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
then don't say the seven or eight Ks we laid on him
you’re making it sound like he sucked against the Cubs so he sucks against everybody. And who cares about Ks when you can hit 40 HRS every year, drive in 100 and walk over 100 times. As for his defense, he’s just as bad as Soriano.
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
by lexmarklover on Jul 22, 2009 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no
but we took him to the cleaners. Harden struck him out THREE TIMES IN A ROW.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 8:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm not saying he doesnt strike out a lot
lou said he wants a left handed bat that drives in runs; Adam Dunn fits perfectly.
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
by lexmarklover on Jul 22, 2009 8:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dunn had
23 more RBIs last year then Bradley did.
Thing is, Milton has an average UZR of 23.9 in the OF, and Dunn has an average UZR of… holy cow. -93!!!!
Think Dunn is really driving in more runs then Bradley is saving?
I sure don’t.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
where the heck did you get those numbers?
Fangraphs disagrees
by cubsforever on Jul 23, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
uh
from Fangraphs.
Milton Bradley’s page (http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=369&position=OF) shows a career OF UZR of 23.9.
Adam Dunn’s page (http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=319&position=OF) shows a career OF UZR of -93.0.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 23, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
WRONG WRONG WRONG!!!!
Dunn is not as bad as Soriano in the field…He is a hell of alot more worse!
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
it's a UZR differential
of well over 110. I had no idea Dunn was THAT bad.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just think..
Of some of the diving catches Bradley has made……All those are hits if Dunn is in the field.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
In addition..
WIth bradleys clutch catch today…Dunns playing..He dosnt make that catch..The inning would still be alive..and we prob would lose.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And yet he's still...
incredibly more productive than Soriano.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus, if we had Dunn
Jake Fox could be a defensive replacement.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 22, 2009 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying they should've gone with Jake from the get-go?
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 Jul 22, 2009 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hit lefty...
"That pitch wasn’t down and in, that pitch was down and up." Tim McCarver
by wrigleyrocker12 on Jul 22, 2009 11:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So does my son
He’s five, but he’ll be six in September. He can hit the ball harder than Miles.
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 22, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about a RH hitter, Lou?
I’d settle for anyone who could make solid contact once in a while
by Jody Jody Davis on Jul 22, 2009 11:51 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Milton Bradley
is that LH hitter. Book it.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Except that he's not.
And he hasn’t been for four months now.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 6:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
he will be.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not scared.
You will be.
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 Jul 22, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Convincing argument.
Do you have anything to back your claim up? I’m guessing not.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
no more to back up my claim
then anyone else has to back up theirs. Bradley has a history of excellence. I believe he will return to that form.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 8:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed...
We arent getting Dunn so ppl need to get over it. We had a better shot of getting peavy than dunn….yet ppl are still making up ways on how the cubs can get Dunn. Not gonna happen. Show some support for bradley. Cause when he gets going its going to be real fun to watch.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And just when to you think this will happen?
The Cubs have now played 93 games this year…
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um...
that’s your argument? Seriously? Because he has a history of “excellence?” That history doesn’t mean a whole lot when his previous four months have been failures. Bradley is on the wrong side of 30… it’s awfully foolish to just assume that he’s going to suddenly start hitting like he has in the past.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dont know where to start.....
Bradley is a very successful major league batter. History has shown this. Its not awfully foolish to assume he will start hitting again. He is slumping right now. Have you ever heard of “regression to the mean.” IF you are this hard on bradley then you might as well give up on Soriano and Puff Daddy Geo Soto.
by BadDecisions on Jul 22, 2009 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
See that's the thing...
You say he’s slumping right now. He’s been in a slump for FOUR MONTHS. I’ve got news for ya — when you fail for four months, that’s not called a slump.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
did I say the word
“suddenly”? Obviously he’s struggled. But I think he’ll figure it out, and he’ll be a major source of production for us in the second half. If there’s one thing Lou Piniella knows, it’s how to coach hitters.
Yes. That means I’m taking it with a certain amount of faith. I think that’s a heckuvalot better then saying “right, season over, haul up the white flag”.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And this is based on what, exactly?
He’s shown NO sign of power at all this year. I fail to see how what he did last year, in a different uniform and a different league, is at all relevant to 2009 when we’re nearly 100 games in and he’s been bad all year.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, as I said
it’s based in part on faith.
It’s also based in part on the fact that as a righty he’s hitting fairly well, it’s his lefty stats that are poor. It’s based in part on belief that Lou Piniella can get him back on track. And it’s based on the fact that players don’t tend to fall off cliffs like this.
Look, this is classic glass half-empty/half-full-ism. I look at Milton Bradley and say “look how much he could improve, that would be awesome.” You look at him and think… something else.
Bradley hasn’t batted this poorly since 2001, when he went .222 in NINE games. In 2002, he went .250 in 98 games. Since then, from 2003 till last year, he’s batted nearly .297. He’s have to hit insanely well to get to .297 for this year, but if he batted .297 for the REST of the year, that would be great for us. He needs to reduce his strikeout rate, especially as a lefty.
I don’t see why he CAN’T. That’s all I’m saying.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 22, 2009 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying he CAN'T.
But this thread topic is about Lou wanting to get a LH hitter than can “drive in some runs.” Without bringing other options into the discussion, to just have the mentality of standing pat and assuming that Bradley will somehow start to produce seems very, very risky.
by kanderber on Jul 22, 2009 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
A history of excellence?
Where do you see that? I look at his career and see one outstanding year, 2008. The rest are injury-filled and slightly above average.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 23, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
see this comment
http://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/2009/7/21/957287/lou-still-looking-for-a-lh-hitter#18552418
From 2003-2008, he batted nearly .297. I don’t see why he would revert to 2001 performance.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Jul 23, 2009 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somebody that i think the cubs should look at
Marco Scutaro, makes 1 mil this year, should be able to get him for like mid level prospect maybe…
Milton ...... see the ball hit the ball
by lexmarklover on Jul 22, 2009 8:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
This wouldn't be a bad idea.
But Scutaro is basically Jeff Baker, only better. Since Hendry already went out and got Baker, it’s unlikely he’d go get someone so similar.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al on Jul 23, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not exactly.
Scutaro is really good defender who is having a career year with the bat. Scutaro can play 2B/SS, where as Baker is more of a four corners guy who’s learned to play a fair 2B, but is struggling so far this year with the bat. Going forward, I’d expect Baker to out-hit Scutaro and Scutaro to be a significantly better defender.
Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.
by DGU on Jul 23, 2009 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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