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Mike Fontenot demotion?

The Cubs have some interesting roster moves to make on Monday when Aramis Ramirez, Reed Johnson and possibly Angel Guzman return from the disabled list. One player they will be watching this weekend is second baseman Mike Fontenot. He's batting .194 with 12 RBIs in his last 45 games.

"Fontenot's another kid who we need to get a little more consistent with the bat and help us more offensively," Lou Piniella said. "He's capable of it. He's been working with Von Joshua on some things. He's starting to show he's having better at-bats, even though he makes an out. There's no reason he can't hit in the .250, .260 range with a little power for us."

Fontenot does have options left, and Andres Blanco has played well at second. Blanco also is switch-hitting again. He's hit safely in eight of his last 12 games.


Link

I'm honestly not surprised by this. Blanco is by far the best defensive 2nd baseman on the Cubs roster, and he's Theriot's backup. He's also hit better than Fontenot recently. With the newly acquired Jeff Baker (who can play all over the infield and outfield), and (unfortunately, barring a DFA or release) Aaron Miles, Fontenot is expendable.

Poll
Should the Cubs demote Mike Fontenot
Yes
245 votes
No
136 votes

381 votes | Poll has closed

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.

0 recs  |  Comment 76 comments

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Comments

Display:

It wouldn't be a bad idea.

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

by Al on Jul 3, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Having to keep David Patton on the roster is killin us.

"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 Jul 3, 2009 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wouldn't if we would...you know...use him.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 3, 2009 7:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

easy call

put patton on the dl. as i understand, he cab be on the dl for 30 days between now and september first.

by tim815 on Jul 3, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Patton has been a solid pitcher for us as of late.

Unless ive been living under a rock…..

"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 Jul 4, 2009 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They better not....

demote Fox!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 3, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Really

I mean Really??

by niuhuskie224 on Jul 4, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yes

Mike had a great 2008 but this year has been a complete disaster for him. I had high hopes for him this year.

by jeff_pico on Jul 3, 2009 5:53 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Correction
One reason to keep Blanco over Fontenot is that he is the only legitimate backup SS.

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 3, 2009 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Theriot

didn’t look legitimate with a base knock and a winning run in the bottom of the 10th??

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 3, 2009 6:37 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He couldn't do that playing 2nd?

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

by santoswoodenlegs on Jul 3, 2009 6:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

he does ok, it's true.

he could do better at second, and Blanco could be at short. Oh, the double plays they’d turn!

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 3, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL +1

"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 Jul 3, 2009 6:57 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

No

Mike Fontenot is still capable of being a good player for us.

by Pre on Jul 3, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Very true, but he has to be used correctly though

He is not an everyday player, but he can be very successful against RHs. Platoon him at 2b and on the days Baker or Blanco start at 2b, Fontenot is a LH bat off the bench.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 4, 2009 10:37 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

As long as they don't demore Fox

I really don’t care one or another. If they do I will be livid!!!!!!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 3, 2009 5:55 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Sullivan and Kaplan...

Were talking on CTL and they seemed to think Hoff could be sent down. We’ll see.

Someday we'll go all the way...

by CubsBullsBears on Jul 3, 2009 6:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I thought he was better than DeRosa

interesting

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 3, 2009 6:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

you thought wrong

before piniella made fontenot a full time starter he should’ve @ least platooned him with d-ro this year

Nutdrinkingamp12
Live Long and Prosper

by nutdrinkingamp12 on Jul 3, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was being sarcastic

people seemed to think we had a poor mans Chase Utley around here

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 3, 2009 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yes

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 Jul 3, 2009 6:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Maybe a trade?

See if they can get a young prospect for him? We have too many people coming back and too many spots to fill.

Perhaps bundling Fontenot and Micah Hoffpauer together could get something?

by ak123 on Jul 3, 2009 6:45 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

2nd basemen

can usually be found. It’s not the most difficult position to find a guy that fits “specs”. Add in, who’s going to give something interesting for a guy struggling like Fontenot right now? There’s been a bit bad luck involved this year for Fontenot, but in the end, you gotta produce.

(I’m assuming by “something”, you mean something interesting)

by toonsterwu on Jul 3, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yea

Well unless I read it wrong, Fontenot is out of options so he can’t be demoted. He’s worth not releasing because if anyone does pick him up our luck he’ll have a career 2nd half.

I feel like Lou has to choose between Hoffpauer and Fox. I think Fox should stay up.

Finally, Fukudome and Soriano are not hitting and Bradley can’t field. This gives more of a reason to have Fuld in the mix even with Johnson coming back as an 8th inning replacement if nothing else.

by ak123 on Jul 3, 2009 7:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think you read it wrong...

Fontenot has options, and can be demoted.

by SouthernCub on Jul 3, 2009 8:56 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok good

Then send him down and bring him back when he gets his hot streak going. When Fontenot’s on fire he has to be in the lineup. When he’s cold, he’s ice cold.

by ak123 on Jul 3, 2009 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fukudome?

He’s had a HR and two doubles and two walks in the last three games…..380 OBP for the season….true, he’s not been tearing it up for a while, and I do think Fuld deserves some playing time, but I’m keeping hope alive for Kosuke being a decent .270-ish hitter this year with, say, a dozen HRs and 30+ doubles.

"[I]f we get a Jumbotron, I can't pull the instant replay thing on all the rookies. Every time there's a good play, we're like, 'Oh, look at the replay,' and you get the rookies to look at the scoreboard." - Ryan Dempster, 2 January 2009

by CaughtInTheVines on Jul 4, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Check his stats

Fukudome has a lower batting average for the month of June than Soriano. I think it’s like .190. Sometimes a few good at-bats can fool you.

by ak123 on Jul 4, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fontenot has been bad, make no mistake... but...

everyone knows that he can’t hit LHP. He’s 5-37 against LHP this year, which definitely brings his overall numbers down. Against RHP, he’s OPSing 710. Still not good enough, but not near as bad as the 656 overall number. Plus he’s been asked to play a lot of 3B, which might affect his offense, what with learning a new position and all.

I’m not opposed to sending him down, but I’m also not opposed to keeping him up and letting him do what he was supposed to do this year, once Ramirez comes back.

by kanderber on Jul 3, 2009 6:48 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I dont buy that

Unless he’s sustained some sort of injury from playing third, its still pitcher vs the batter, same as it was last year…perhaps it was a flash in the pan last year.

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 3, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is Andres Blanco the most over-hyped Cub ever?

Let’s compare Blanco and Fontenot.

Defensively, Blanco has a 16.4 UZR/150 at 2B. Fontenot has a 21.1, which means that so far this year, Fontenot has been better than Blanco at 2B.

Offensively, against RHP, Blanco is hitting .218/.283/.255. Fontenot is hitting .238/.329/.381. For those who have trouble translating triple-slash stats, that means that Fontenot is just a tick below the Nat’l League’s average for 2B hitting. Blanco on the other hand is absolute and complete rubbish.

Or let’s put it another way. To call Blanco the poor man’s Neifi Perez would be an insult to both Neifi Perez and poor men everywhere.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 3, 2009 7:16 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

You can give us the defense rankings

But I trust my own eyes better and I’m more impressed with Blanco’s performance this year than Fontenot.

by ak123 on Jul 3, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I agree with DGU

Just my 2 cents. Fontenot is a better fielder at second than can appear, because he’s not flashy.

My eyes tell me Blanco can’t hit, especially when I look at the box score and recall each of his ABs.

Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"

by zambranofan on Jul 3, 2009 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

his stats tell you Blanco can't hit

but he has to stay because he is the only guy not named Theriot on the roster who can play SS.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 4, 2009 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

In other words, to sum up these first two responses:

“I don’t care what the stats are, I’m so disappointed with Mike Fontenot that I’m going to imagine a below-replacement-level player is better than him.” I can understand it, though, in all honesty and seriousness, it is the mystery of being a fan. That said, Mike Fontenot is better at baseball than Blanco and it’s not close.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 3, 2009 8:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

there arent any absolute defensive metrics

despite what fangraphs tells you, so a fair amount of skepticism is to be expected

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 3, 2009 9:54 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

good point

defensive stats are not clear beyond a reasonable doubt, they are highly, highly subjective.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 4, 2009 10:42 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think UZR includes any direct subjective evaluation of a fielder.

Its weaknesses are that it’s noisy (admitted by even its proponents), that it includes subjective evaluations of batted balls, and that it can’t adjust for differences in playing conditions (day-vs-night games and which is the sun field, slippery grass on wet days, length of grass or astroturf, location of outfield fences); the latter two can lead to biases (which could be quite large in extreme cases) when comparing players on different teams, but shouldn’t differentiate players playing the same position on the same team over a significant number of defensive chances.

The problem is that the number of defensive chances needed to overcome the noise is apparently very large. Based on the way people at fangraphs talk about it, it sounds like neither Fonty nor Blanco has enough chances at second this year to say anything confidently about their performance based on UZR.

by aldimond on Jul 4, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's not fair

I stated from my opinion from watching games that I felt Blanco was better.

I know just as well as most here that if Fontenot can get on his hot groove, he can be the best hitter on the team. It’s not just happening.

And I like Fontenot. I’ve met him, had chance to talk to him for a few hours last year, great guy. I just don’t think he can help the team right now. I think Blanco has a better shot.

by ak123 on Jul 4, 2009 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not sure why you only posted Vs. RH pitchers, but....

Vs. LH Pitchers

Blanco .250/.280/.333

Fonty .158/.190/.237 (talk about absolute and complete rubbish!)

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 4, 2009 6:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fonty can't hit LHP

and shouldn’t be playing against LHP now with Baker, so their #s v. LHP don’t seem all that relevant to me.

But you’re right he’s horrid v. LHP.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 4, 2009 8:44 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right, and the plan was...

… to have him platoon with Miles. Obviously, Ramirez’s injury forced him to play every day, with predictable results.

I suspect with Ramirez’s return, you will see Baker and Fontenot platooning at 2B — if Fontenot isn’t sent back to Iowa. If that’s the case, Baker and Blanco might platoon.

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

by Al on Jul 4, 2009 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The case for Fontenot getting sent back to AAA

For me, the only good that comes from sending Fonty back is the hope that he can get focused on hitting, get his confidence up and come back strong in two weeks. Meanwhile, you give Baker a chance to play regularly so the Cubs’ management can see what he’s about firsthand.

I just can’t see a long-term demotion doing any good for the Cubs, so long as they still plan to contend this year.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 4, 2009 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

perhaps we shouldnt have trusted second base to a platoon player

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 4, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

we didn't.

we trusted second base to a platoon, which was broken when Rami got hurt.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 4, 2009 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Selective use of Blanco's stats

Blanco’s career numbers against LH pitching are pretty awful, only slightly better than Fontenot’s career numbers against LHs.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 4, 2009 10:46 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Blanco is here for his glove

Obsessing about Blanco’s limitations as a hitter is silly. He earns his keep via his glovework and ability to play a quality shortstop and 2nd base. Anything he can do with the bat is a bonus. His versatility and glovework make him the best option for the bench.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 4, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Blanco is here for his glove"

Obviousman strikes again.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 6, 2009 8:23 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well

we haven’t been comparing Blanco to Fontenot. We’ve been comparing Blanco to Miles, mostly, and a little bit of Bobby Scales.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 3, 2009 8:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The original post said
I’m honestly not surprised by this. Blanco is by far the best defensive 2nd baseman on the Cubs roster, and he’s Theriot’s backup. He’s also hit better than Fontenot recently.

And that’s flat wrong on both fronts if you “believe in stats.” Fontenot is better offensively and defensively.

I think it’s valid to compare Blanco to Scales and Blanco to Miles.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 3, 2009 8:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no, I understand that

but I think that when we’ve been watching Blanco PLAY, it’s usually replacing Miles, not Fonty, because Fonty has been at third much of the time.

I also think Blanco just “looks” more comfortable. But then, not playing 50 games out of your position can do that to a guy.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 3, 2009 8:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Personally

I like Blanco as the utility infielder because he can play SS as well. I’m also not impressed with Fontenot, and when I look around the diamond, the only position that could be reasonably improved based on talent and finances is 2nd base.Obviously I don’t want Blanco being our full time 2nd basemen, but I just feel Fontenot doesn’t belong there either. Unfortunately, the trade of Baker makes it look like we’re going to platoon him with Fontenot. Well, I’ll just hope for the best I s’pose.

by shoemile on Jul 3, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

come on, honestly

if you watch every game it is clear, without any shaddow of a doubt that blanco is a better defender than fontenot. it seems every single game he makes a play that fonenot would not have made. one look at the simplest of stats confirms this, blanco has yet to make an error on the season. fontenot, 4 errors in the same amount of chances.

Lou: hit Aramis 3rd for the love of everything baseball.

by kylejo on Jul 4, 2009 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

except that's not true.

Blanco
23 games at 2b, 104 chances, 42 put outs, 62 assists, 0 errors
3 games at SS, 20 chances, 8 put outs, 11 assists, 1 error

Fontenot
26 games at 2b, 99 chances, 44 put outs, 54 assists, 1 error.
47 games at 3b, 106 chances, 26 put outs, 76 assists, 4 errors

They have nearly identical lines at second base.

I'm a Cubs FANATIC. They are my team, through thick and thin. [ibid] This is the kind of fan I am.

by drewishdrewid on Jul 4, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I have some skepticism when it comes to the eyes-test.

There are a lot of times that the guy who doesn’t look as good, is just smoother and less flashy, but getting to just as many balls if not more.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 4, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I fell for that with Cedeno

But I’m not sold on your theory for Blanco yet.

by ak123 on Jul 4, 2009 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Fontenot has turned back into a pumpkin

Andres Blanco is nothing to write home about but brings more value to the table to the Cubs. Mike Fontenot needs to be shipped back down to Iowa. Why Jim Hendry and Lou Piniella ever thought he could be an everyday 2nd baseman is beyond me.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 3, 2009 10:19 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Because he played well last year

That’s generally how people determine whether or not to keep playing someone for another season. Fontenot had a really good season off the bench, and Hendry felt comfortable letting him take over at second. Mike hasn’t performed up to snuff so far, but he’s still a really talented guy who is needed on the bench. Sending him to Iowa is pointless.

by Pre on Jul 3, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

It would chap my hide

to see Miles in the Cubs dugout, and know Fontenot is back in the minors.

"This is an environment of welcoming, and you should just get the hell outta here." --Michael Scott

by Reddevil on Jul 3, 2009 11:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

On that, I would agree, but I don't think that's the choice here.

We’re debating whether Fontenot would return to the minors when Ramirez comes back. I don’t think Miles is anywhere close to returning.

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

by Al on Jul 4, 2009 4:32 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I will give Fontenot this credit

I think we’ve forgotten that in both 2007 and 2008 he had two hot streaks that were incredible. He’s obviously capable of getting into a fantastic groove. But when Fontenot’s hot streak ends, he doesn’t hit well. When that occured, Lou was able to have him sit more often.

Unfortunately there is no 2B calibre player at the moment to replace him. I think that during these times Blanco should/can play 2B.

However, Fontenot had 2 hits today, helped the team get the win, so maybe he’s turning around. I’d love that for him.

Just keep Aaron Miles on the DL.

by ak123 on Jul 4, 2009 12:04 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

It's unfair to...

judge Fontenot on what has gone on this season, so far. If not being thrust into a starting role at the start of the season wasn’t enough, he had to adjust to playing a different position when Ramirez went down. And that all falls on Hendrys fat ass. There should have been a capable replacement for Ramirez before the season started, instead of putting Fontenot into the twilight zone while he’s still trying to adjust to being an everyday player. Hendry cost Fontenot a half season of development.

by montecarlo on Jul 4, 2009 1:53 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

agree

Having to play third base messed Fontenot up big time. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that he stopped hitting this year when he moved from 2nd to 3rd. Looking ahead to the second half he is the best option we have for the 2nd base position (not a great option, just the best one we have).

Moving Theriot in the middle of the year, that would not be a good decision.

by PalatineRol on Jul 4, 2009 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

mike

too bad as mikey was handed the 2nd base job for his own. was really rooting for the guy. i guess you can only keep struggling players if they make over 10 mill.example fonz/bradley. go back to the platoon if we keep fontenot. fox wont go back down im sure.

by NOMAR on Jul 4, 2009 9:15 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Doubtful

as I think the Cubs end up keeping all three of them. Fontenot has very good career numbers against RHs and could be very successful in a platoon at 2b and as a LH bat off the bench. Who plays 2b against LHs? Either Blanco or Baker. Blanco is a terrible hitter from the rightside, but a quality glove man. Baker is a solid hitter and an average glove man at 2b. But you will need all three of them as ARam will need a lot of days off, and Baker could can spell him at 3b. Blanco has to stay because who else can backup Theriot?

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 4, 2009 10:35 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Blanco is here for his glove and ability to play a quality shortstop and 2nd base

He should’nt be the one sent down. Fontenot should be.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 4, 2009 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Neither of them should be

There’s not a legitimate reason in the world to demote Mike Fontenot.

by Pre on Jul 5, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Both Fontenot and Hoffpauir need to go down, for different reasons

I think that both Fontentot and Hoffpauir have to go down to Iowa for a couple of weeks, maybe even just the minimum 10 days. Hoffpauir isn’t exactly lighting up the scene this year (a Neifi-esque .289 OBP) and could some game action – although it’s a shame that the AAA ASG days off are the same set of days as the MLB ASG. Start him for a couple of weeks to see if it’s just rustiness or the league adjusting to him, then bring him back when the Cubs go to Philly on July 20.

Fontenot, however, needs to work on his game more, and needs confidence. Keep him down in Iowa through the trade deadline, when hopefully things get a bit more settled on the big league club. If the Cubs are sellers, maybe Fontenot comes back as the #1 LHPH.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Jul 4, 2009 4:06 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If it's confidence only

then I’d keep him up and let him ride this hitting streak he’s on now…

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 4, 2009 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

This is what happens when you become reliant on journeyman minor leaguers being long-term answers

Fox, Hoffpauir, Fuld, Fontenot, Baker, Blanco… It ’s not surprising that the lightning in a bottle moments come to an end with players of this ilk. None of these guys has ever been considered a well thought of major league prospect at any stage. Ryan Theriot is a rare exception to the rule. And even he is not without his limitations and meaningful critics.

$136 million payroll for a .500 style ballclub. Good work Jim.

by BLou on Jul 4, 2009 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's heating up

I guess this post is officially over for now?

And I will admit I was one supporting Fontenot being sent down.

I have absolutely no problem being wrong in these scenarios.

by ak123 on Jul 5, 2009 4:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I like Mike.

Over the past 7 days: .400/.438/.467.

It certainly lends creedance to the theory that he was overwhelmed playing 3B. I think between Fontenot and Baker, we will have an above average offense at 2B for the rest of the season.

I still can’t believe over 200 people here wanted to see Mike sent down.

Randy Wells - You continue to astound me.

by DGU on Jul 5, 2009 8:04 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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Convention Sold Out
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OT: Why not name a field after Ernie?
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Vernon Wells - prepping to be a Cub

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FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recommended FanShots

Gomez to drink your Brew, Hardy to eat your Twinkie
BP interviews Sam Fuld. Great read!
Who was the best MLB player born on your birthday?
Gary Matthews Jr.
Kerry Wood Says Black Players Got Hate Mail

Recent FanShots

J.J Putz's Option Declined by Mets.
Does Soriano's defense at 2B really cost more runs than in LF?  He makes a lot fewer errors in LF since misplays and mental mistakes aren't figured into the stats, but I have to imagine that his mistakes are more physical at 2B.  Any thoughts?  Is there a statistic on this?
Sosa pays tribute to Michael Jackson?
Harden, Johnson File For Free Agency
Brett Myers released by the Phillies
Mark Teahen to Chicago....White Sox
More On The Dodger Divorce
WrigleyBound on Josh Vitters's "plate discipline"
Who Does Joe Girardi Look Like?

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It Is Only...

Cubs By The Numbers

Cubs By The Numbers is a history of the ballclub by uniform number, but the biographies help trace the history of our beloved team in a new way. For everyone who's a Cubs fan, anyone who ever wore the uniform is like family. Cubs By The Numbers reintroduces readers to some of their long-lost ancestors, even ones they think they already know.

Click here to order your copy, available now!

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Ticket Exchanges: Cubs Convention 2010
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