My First FanPost

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 6, 2009 5:27 PM CDT Comment 66 comments

With both the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family and the trade deadline imminent it is time for the Cubs to do something they should have done two years ago, make the trade for Brian Roberts. The last couple of months could turn out to be a blessing for Jim Hendry. Just a couple of months ago everybody was complaining about our depleted farm system. These last few weeks have shown that maybe that's not the case at all. Even if it is the case that these guys are just overachieving for the time being we might as well take advantage of the opportunity, right?

Bobby Scales, even though he is 31 years old, has proven that he can offer something at the big league level. Jake Fox and Micah Hoffpauir have proven that they can be major power bats. I know Randy Wells is the man right now but if we can get optimum value out of him I think you have to jump at that opportunity. Mix in a package of young prospects and even a Fontenot, Miles, or Baker into a deal for Brian Roberts. He is exactly what we need, a switch-hitting bat to break up all the right handers and someone who can steal some bases and play defense. I feel like this would give Blanco the opportunity to play some shortstop as well (imagine that DP combo).

Also, I just wanted to open up a discussion on Rich Harden. I could not help but notice on Saturday that his velocity was at about 88-89mph. It seems to me that when we first acquired him he was throwing about 93-94 and was mixing in some more breaking balls rather than just straight 4-Seamers and change-ups. I know that one of the reasons for this is because of his arm issues. However, if he is throwing an 88 mph fastball and an 83 mph change-up there are going to be a lot more days like Saturday.

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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Seriously

I’m sure that Andy and company is just busting to make another deal with JH.

It’s funny, alot of us as Cubs fans treat minor league talent as if they were our own kids – we think more of them than anyone else will.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 6, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

You'll possibly get some grief for the Brian Roberts point..

But that’s because a lot of folks around hear spent a couple of years gettig worked up about a rumor that never happened, so many have adopted the Missouri State slogan on that one “Show me!”. However, I think the Cubs give that a sniff, for the reasons that you mention – no one will believe it until it happens, though.

On Harden, a dip in his velocity is a problem, if that’s the case. A couple more bad outings and they’ll have to think about what else do do with him… My secret wish is for him to become a closer or late inning guy to shore up our bullpen if he can’t stay healthy, pitching Z, Lilly, and Wells in the playoffs with Harden, Guzman, Marmol, and Gregg holding down the pen could be killer if things work out.

by DisCUBbobulated on Jul 6, 2009 5:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Would be nice...but

Harden is not suited to be a bullpen arm, its been pointed out that he requires longer rest, and takes longer to warm up.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 6, 2009 5:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah... check out his situational stats on pitches 1-15 - the time he needs to warm up..

is a problem. Oh well.

by DisCUBbobulated on Jul 6, 2009 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its a case of

two things running against him. He needs the rest between starts – hurting his ability to come out of the pen, and unfortunatly, as a starter he can stuggle going deep. Its a good idea, but in his case its not likely to work.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 6, 2009 6:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think anyone was suggesting using him in the pen between starts.

That would be goofy. As for Harden needing rest between starts, isn’t that true of all starters?

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 7, 2009 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok.

Hmm I guess I was not clear. I was not suggesting using him in the pen BETWEEN starts nor assuming that the poster, to which I was responding to, was suggesting that. The point is they tried it in Oakland – he is not as effective as a bullpen arm, for one he takes time to warm up, especially if he works 2 innings and is expected to come out of the pen another day. He is a starting pitcher who requires the maximum allotted time of rest between starts. Unfortunatly, he often cannot go deep into games, but when he is on, 6 innings of work from him is awesome. If you disagree with this, thats cool, maybe I’ll be proven wrong — I hope so.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

by StevenABQ on Jul 7, 2009 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually if you look at my posts regarding Harden as a reliever

you would see I think moving Harden in the bullpen is a badly flawed idea.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 8, 2009 10:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

My reply had more to do with DisCub’s original point. We’re good.

"Ask Dad. He'll know. And on the off chance he doesn't, he'll make something up"

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

The A's tried Harden as a closer (briefly)

and gave up. I don’t recall if it was because he could not handle it physically or he just didn’t like it.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 7, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Understandable

Just graduated from Indiana University and starting to realize that times can get pretty boring in the real world. This is the first time visiting the site and hadn’t really seen any posts about picking up a middle infielder but rather mostly ignorant posts discussing the release of Soriano and/or Bradley.

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 6, 2009 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sometimes I wish we could DFA some of these posters, but it's cool

If we all sat around agreeing and saying totally reflective things all the time, It wouldn’t be as entertaining. Just gotta ride the rollercoaster around here sometimes. Nice post, BTW.

by DisCUBbobulated on Jul 6, 2009 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks!

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 6, 2009 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roberts would be a welcome addition… a deal needs to be made for sure

by wiltfongjr on Jul 6, 2009 5:37 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Just for future reference

Your fanpost should be formatted, edited, and presented like this: Here

"It's been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies." - Mike Royko

by DTJchris on Jul 6, 2009 5:46 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

ISWYDT

"I'm not much of a chemistry guy, you know. Chemistry to me is a pinch-hit double with the bases loaded"--Jim Frey, Chicago Tribune, 1985.

by zevkalman on Jul 6, 2009 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Best fanpost ever....

nothing says I’m very knowledgeable and informed like all caps!

"Yeah, Moe, that team sure did suck last night. They just plain sucked! I’ve seen teams suck before, but they were the suckiest bunch of sucks that ever sucked!" - Homer

by propheteer on Jul 6, 2009 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

CAPSLOCK INCREASES THE AWESOME!

"Political correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority, and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end"

by AndrewJStone on Jul 6, 2009 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Love Live Eric Hanna!

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

by ambrosiadreams on Jul 6, 2009 10:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can you change your title?

I was excited to see what you might have to add… and now I’m bummed it just another 2B from BAL post.

Won’t somebody think of the children!

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 6:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How ironic

I bet you are one of those people who was crying for Brian Roberts a couple summers ago. I also bet that you are one of those people crying for Hendry’s head after he traded away Mark DeRosa. Well guess what sweetheart, do you know who the Cubs 2B was a couple of summers ago? Do you know what would have happened to DeRosa if we would have traded for that certain “2B from BAL”? We wonder sometimes why Cubs fans get such bad reps… and you don’t have to look far (the post above) to see why

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 6, 2009 6:43 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of assumptions there.

by madcow256 on Jul 6, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh

and now the shine is off. That’s too bad, because I was SO interested in a discussion of how we’d get Baltimore to take Scales, Miles and Hoffpauir for Brian Roberts.

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 7, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you have a cigarette in the corner of your mouth when you typed this?

Well guess what sweetheart,

… and you don’t have to look far

Lighten up, Bogey.

I'm singing, "GO CUBS GO! GO CUBS GO!" -- DrCrawdad on Jun 12, 2009 7:23 AM CDT

Facts are meaningless. You could use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true! -- Homer J. Simpson

by Shanghai Badger on Jul 6, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was on your side

until you decided to talk to Allie like this. If you want respect around here, be ready to treat others with respect.

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

by ambrosiadreams on Jul 6, 2009 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

You’re Hoff-like… batting 0-fer.

Lets see.. No. No. No… and no.

Go you. Way to go.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 8:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

My point still stands: Use a descriptive title for your fanpost.

I realize you’re a newbie, but you’ll get a MUCH better response if you put a title that gives a clue of what you’re talking about. Try something like:

Roberts, Harden, and Ricketts: My first fanpost

Or snap at everyone who tries to give tips. That always makes you fit into a new community.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry I get what you are saying now

Didn’t realize you were giving me a tip… I didn’t mean for this post to be just another post saying how Brian Roberts would help us out (because that’s pretty obvious) however, I was trying to say that this could be the best opportunity we have had in awhile to go after him because the Orioles are in the AL and we have DH-type talent to unload and other young players that have proven themselves (albeit in short stints) this year at the ML level

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 6, 2009 9:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry for the sarcasm on my end

After you’re here for a bit… you’ll see that we’re all a bunch of smart asses.

Just for future reference: Titles should tell what you’re writing about.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 9:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow.

First: You owe Allie an apology. She was giving you advice on the subject matter of your post.

Second: Roberts has been talked to death on this site for 2 years. Any post containing Roberts or Jake Peavy are bound to be met with lots of “not again” comments.

Third: Good luck in the future. You haven’t made a good first impression.

Nobody cares about your fantasy baseball team

by carmen_fanzone on Jul 6, 2009 9:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not gonna make friends

On here with a post response like this.

by ak123 on Jul 6, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This post was a waste....

of my valuable time!!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 6, 2009 7:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He thought out his point

Your post on here wasn’t cool.

by ak123 on Jul 6, 2009 9:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I negate my above comment

After seeing the post above in response to Allie, your post isn’t that bad.

by ak123 on Jul 6, 2009 9:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so did

the other 84000 people who made trade for brian roberts post!!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 6, 2009 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And its NOT all about Roberts

At least he used punctuation, and competent capitalization.

Besides, no one’s clamored for Roberts for a while. We were sorta due.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's trade for

Jimmy Rollins too.

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 6, 2009 9:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

can we afford

to give up Miles and Hart for someone like Jimmy Rollins? Think of the children!

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 7, 2009 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your time

that is so valuable, you used more of it to make a comment about the post. Makes sense to me (plz note the sarcasm).

by bamix1 on Jul 6, 2009 8:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

because maybe

just maybe if we get enough of these kind of comments posters like this will get the drift!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 6, 2009 9:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you're going to be snarky

at least use the reply button.

Nobody who ever gave his best regretted it. -George Halas

by Allie on Jul 6, 2009 9:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When

you start running something around here then you can tell what to do!!

Go Cubs Go!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Jul 6, 2009 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lighten up.

She’s just trying to help. I would have done the same thing.

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

by Al on Jul 7, 2009 4:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

All of this has happened before and will happen again.

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 6, 2009 9:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

trading

Miles, Hoffpauir and Scales for Roberts is EXACTLY the sort of plan the Cylons woulda thought up, too.

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 7, 2009 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then they would've hacked into the Orioles' computer systems...

…and forced them to accept the trade. Damn toasters!

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 7, 2009 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the right price...

…I would love to have Roberts, but I believe this ship has sailed a while ago.

I don’t know if anyone caught pre-game quotes from Hendry, but he was saying how he has made no effort to meet with Ricketts (or other prospective owners), while others have seeked them out for lunch etc.. It appeared to be a bit of a dis towards Kenney, as talk is he has tried to coddle up to Rickets.

Believe Kenney’s days are numbered. If I am putting up almost a billion for a team, I am certainly going to bring in my own hand picked President who I know and can trust 100%, The rest of the business operations have value and are probably very secure, but I can’t see someone coming up with this kind of dough without bringing their own hire in to run the whole shabang.

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

by MPH73 on Jul 6, 2009 10:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree with everything you say

the only thing that makes me think the other way, though, is how many times Jim has dealt with Andy and the Orioles. They obviously have a good business rapport, and it is the one position where we could get a significant upgrade.

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

by ambrosiadreams on Jul 6, 2009 10:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Welcome to the site,

Some subjects have been talked about for a long time on this site. Roberts, Peavy, DeRosa, so to talk about players not on our team that have been much discussed will get many people’s ire up.

But Roberts probably isn’t going to happen, Baltimore isn’t in the league just to give away their talent for our purposes, I don’t care how many disposable parts you throw at them.

I personally don’t think a trade would help this team. I have a feeling that the worm has turned on this season with Lou taking control of the team. (Can anyone have imagined that he would finally move Sori down in the order before last week). I think holding the players we have accountable for their play is the right answer. If they are struggling then let them watch from the bench or move them around the lineup to shake things up a bit. We are starting to play much better, just let the players play to their capabilities and we will be fine.

Say this much for big league baseball - it is beyond question the greatest conversation piece ever invented in America. ~Bruce Catton

by KaliCub on Jul 7, 2009 12:06 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

About FanPost content and titles...

… if you are new here, I suggest reading all the posts under “BCB Specials & Site Info” on the right sidebar first BEFORE you make “your first FanPost”. There are tips about content there, one of which is to try to discuss ground that hasn’t been tread here before.

Thanks.

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

by Al on Jul 7, 2009 4:08 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

so if you are so concerned about Harden (justifiably IMO)

doesn’t it make more sense to keep Wells? I think keeping Wells around is more important than getting another 2b, even one as good as Roberts. Fontenot as the lefty hitting half of a platoon at 2b will be fine.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 7, 2009 8:24 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I would say yes

However, I feel that Wells is catching a lot of beginner’s luck. I watched the entire game last night from first pitch to last. There were a few breaking balls hung up and over the middle of the plate against guys like Chipper, McCann, and a couple more to McLouth even after he took him yard that were mishandled… these guys don’t miss those pitches very often but they did last night. You can’t get away with leaving that many hangers to a hall of fame caliber player and perennial All-Stars. I think that’s why Lou had the pen warming up in the sixth because he recognized it as well. I’m not really concerned about Harden but more concerned about how the coaching staff is dealing with him by not letting him throw breaking balls and pitching him every 5th day and not getting sufficient rest… I think as Cubs fans we happen to jump on whoever is hot at the current moment rather than who has proven themselves over their careers (i.e. Soriano, Harden, Bradley, Fukudome, Zambrano)

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 7, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Last night's game was Wells' 11th start of the season.

That’s an awful lot of beginner’s luck, don’tcha think?

I’d also like to know how you came to the knowledge that the Cubs coaching staff is forbidding Rich Harden from throwing breaking balls, and I’d be interested to learn how a starter who throws every five days isn’t getting sufficient rest.

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 7, 2009 3:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True

11 starts is quite a lot but baseball is 80-90% mental just look at Soriano right now… Right now he is throwing with a ton of confidence but it will be interesting to see how he deals with a couple of bad outings is all I am saying.

I can’t remember the exact source but it was one on ESPN.com talking about how he isn’t throwing the breaking ball anymore because that was one of the sources of his arm troubles. You can tell by watching him throw that he is throwing straight fastballs and change-ups. Someone with the injury history of Rich Harden might need an extra day of rest (most of last year he got 6 days of rest).

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 7, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think he can deal with bad breaks

see first 7 starts

wells4roty

by jesus christos on Jul 10, 2009 1:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And now with Dempster on the DL

trading Wells as part of a package for Roberts is an even worse idea.

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

by lookingdeadred on Jul 8, 2009 10:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You gotta love any trade proposal that begins with:

“We’ll give you Bobby Scales!”

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 7, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

come now. Jim Hendry is a professional.

Surely any trade proposal he has starts with

WE’LLGIVE YOU BOBBY SCALES GET IT DONE ANDY!

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 7, 2009 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Breaking news!

Eric Hanna hired as Special Strategic Advisor to the General Manager. I repeat:

ERIC HANNA HIRED AS SPECIAL STRATEGIC ADVISOR TO THE GENERAL MANAGER!!!

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 7, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

hahaha

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

by ambrosiadreams on Jul 7, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Haha totally agree that it sounds dumb, what I meant was Scales

can contribute somewhere else and it’s not fair for him to be stuck in our AAA system. What I said was “Mix in a package of young prospects and even a Fontenot, Miles, or Baker into a deal for Brian Roberts.”. By young I definitely meant under 31… maybe a Fox, Fontenot, Hart, Fuld combination would work.

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 7, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

When proposing trades...

…it’s important to justify what the other team would get out of the deal. Why would the Orioles want to replace Brian Roberts with Mike Fontenot? Why would they want Sam Fuld when we just gave them Felix Pie? Why would they want Jake Fox when they have Luke Scott? If I’m not mistaken, what the Orioles need most is starting pitching. So you were closer to the truth when you suggested offering them Wells, though I’m completely against that.

Above all, you seem to be ignoring the fact that Jim Hendry practically put himself back in the hospital trying to swing a deal for Brian Roberts back in the ‘07/’08 off-season, and he walked away from the failed deal very aggravated. It’s highly doubtful that he’s going to revisit that kind of frustration. I get the impression he’s still willing to work with MacPhail on minor deals (such as Ryan Freel) but any major trades are highly, highly doubtful.

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 7, 2009 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great point

I completely agree but at the same time that is his job to make the team better. However, if he did decide to resume talks with MacPhail what would you think about Ascanio, Hart, Fox and some cash considerations for Roberts and a PTBNL? I think that’s a pretty fair deal.

by IowaCubsWS09 on Jul 7, 2009 3:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's still sounds pretty doubtful to me.

The O’s asking price was very high back in ‘07/’08. They’d probably want to begin with a major league ready starter – probably Sean Marshall or maybe Wells (big maybe, seeing as how Wells isn’t totally proven yet) – and go from there. Ascanio and Hart would probably be considered mid-level relievers at best. And, again, I’m not sure how interested they’d be in Fox – they’ve already got a DH or two.

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 7, 2009 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs