Cubs Will Sign Kevin Millar To Minor-League Deal
by Al Yellon on Feb 1, 2010 1:32 PM CST
in Chicago Cubs News
Email
PrintVia tweet from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick:
Kevin Millar is signing a minor league deal with the Cubs, with an invite to big league camp. Will be official later this week.
Well. I would have loved this a couple years ago, but now? I guess on a minor league deal, can't hurt.
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Jim Hendry takes depth
to an idiotic level.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
This isn't a move I'd call "idiotic".
If Millar has nothing left, you just release him after spring training.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I was punning
on “The Idiots”; there’s nothing to complain about when it’s a minor league deal… unless… This Must Foreshadow a Trade of Hoffpauir Where We Give Him Away for Nothing!
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
Smacking forehead.
I get it now.
Maybe Hendry can get Hoffpauir into that Miles/Taveras deal. Everyone seems to be getting DFA’d from that one, why not add Micah into the ful?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
For some reason I really, really like Hoffpauir
If his ZIPS projections come close to accurate this year, he could be a productive bench bat.
I think we can thank Micah for his service...
… and let him go play in Japan, where he could be very successful.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Let's trade him to the Chunchi Dragons!
That’s not true!!! WHY THE F*CK WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOU AHOLE!! Ok maybe your right but you gotta give a little something here for it to work. I don’t know what I’m going to do this is the worst thing I’ve ever read, this day could not get any worse. Fine, F*ck it, you’re right.
by Ditkavsworld
I bet you could come up with a logo design for that.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Are these the Ham Fighters?
"A waist is a terrible thing to mind." - Terry 'Fat Tub of Goo' Forster
@Twitter as @brommmietze
Can (we) Jews get swine flu?
Continuing the theme
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Yeah, let's just rid of everyone
So that Bobby Scales, Andres Blanco and company can take us to the World Series….my God…
Jake Fox wasn't going to take us there
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
it has to be Clutche Al
come on, its so simple to figure that out.
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
you ARE Clutche!
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 Feb 1, 2010 7:40 PM CST up reply actions
Hello, Clutche.
Still hating upon some guys with bright futures, I see.
At least you’re consistent.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 1, 2010 8:18 PM CST up reply actions
because Micah Hoffpauir
was going to take us to the world series???
Maybe as the bus driver.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 8:51 PM CST up reply actions
And it would have a manual transmission . . .
which, of course, necessitates a clutch!
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:14 PM CST up reply actions
aw
you went there…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 2, 2010 2:38 PM CST up reply actions
What does ZiPS have him hitting this year?
Bill James is high on him, too – projecting a .350 wOBA. CHONE has him at .337. I don’t see how he has a roster spot – especially now that Hendry has signed Nady, Tracy and Millar. Plus, that LaHair guy. Micah seems like a nice guy, but I think he’s bound for either Iowa (as roster filler) or Japan.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I just don't see how ZIPS can project him that high.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
These projections systems
often overrate the Quad-A guys
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 2:00 PM CST up reply actions 3 recs
you mean
Fox and Hoff wont be All Stars?
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
In an optimistic world
I could seeing him hitting that. Of course, he’d have to be playing full time (his PH numbers are bad news), and since the only position he’s capable of playing is 1st, a 108 ops+ just isn’t going to cut it there.
I gave up on Bill James...
when he projected Ronny Cedeno to be a .300 hitter a few seasons ago, and Matt Murton to have power. I find his system a bit divorced from reality.
by Damen Jackson on Feb 1, 2010 2:14 PM CST up reply actions
If Hoffpauir gets any playing time
I will consider…
writing several snarky posts.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 1:42 PM CST up reply actions
Really?
you’d boycott the Cubs for handing a career AAA/Quad-A player his walking papers…
- Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no!
- Germans?
- Forget it, he's rolling.
lots of hand wringing
over the possible loss of Micah frikkin Hoffpauier? Really?
C’mon!!
Really?
Look man, Micah needs to go someplace where they tolerate sticking him in a corner outfield spot a couple of times a week, so as to get him in the lineup enough to keep his bat sharp. He’s not a pinch hitter, and we should all be thankful that the Cubs wised up on that one.
Best to just wish him well, and move one.
by Damen Jackson on Feb 1, 2010 2:11 PM CST up reply actions
Why?
Hoffpauir is a “decent” bat off the bench at best.
No, he's not.
As a PH last year, Micah was 9-for-41 with 10 strikeouts.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Not enough PA to tell you much.
In his career, in all PAs as a sub, he’s slashing .291/.356/.494 (87 PA). Quite good! Oddly enough his total PH numbers still suck: .222/.300/.352 in 60 PA. Those other 27 PA, however, :
27 PA, 25 AB, 7 R, 11 H, 1 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 6 K; .440/.481/.800.
I have a feeling neither the 60 weak PH PA nor the 27 mighty non-PH bench PA represent Micah’s ability to hit off the bench. For that matter, his 87 quite good total bench PA don’t really mean much. Much better to look at overall numbers and maybe some projections — and, as most of his career has been in the minors, professional opinions on how his skills play in the majors.
by aldimond on Feb 1, 2010 4:54 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
I didn't need the stats to tell me Micah would never make it.
I watched him swing at three straight pitches that landed in the 3B dugout and I said, “Self, that’s not a successful ballplayer you’re watching.”
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 7:24 PM CST up reply actions
As I've said many times
That’s because HE NEVER PLAYED….why do you think Scales was such a good pinch hitter? Because he played almost every day (out of position). The same thing happened to Jake Fox down the stretch. Hoffpauir was doing well at the beginning of the season, as was Fox, and then both of them were sat down for pretty much the remainder of the season, even though we were in a PENNANT RACE.
Those of you knocking Hoffpauir and Fox should sit for a week, and then try to get a hit off Francisco Rodriguez.
Your comments didn't make any sense when you first made them...
… and they make less sense now.
The job of a PH is exactly that — to sit for a week, and then get a hit off Francisco Rodriguez. Both Fox and Hoffpauir proved they couldn’t do it.
Playing every day, as Scales did for a while (and I wouldn’t have done that either) did not make him a good pinch-hitter. The two skillsets are not the same.
All of us here can continue to tell you this, because it is the truth. However, I don’t expect you to get it.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
by Al Yellon on Feb 1, 2010 7:06 PM CST up reply actions 10 recs
I'm gonna go ahead and follow suit.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
Imma gonna let you finish
But Al’s comment was the best post EVER
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 Feb 1, 2010 7:41 PM CST up reply actions
I went ahead
and rec’d it, too, even though it already was green, because … well, it deserved it.
by Not Bruce Froemming on Feb 2, 2010 2:18 AM CST up reply actions
Just as an aside...
That’s a pretty high bar you’re setting for a PH, Al. Better players than Fox and Hoff would fail that test. Even pinch-hitters extraordinaire would have a tough time there.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Well...
… obviously, not every PH is going to get a hit off every topnotch closer every time.
However, essentially, that IS their job, because most top PH are in the game in the late innings when a closer would be in the game. Many of them fail. However, I’d say there are quite a number better at it than Micah Hoffpauir and Jake Fox.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
IIRC
Daryle Ward had some good knocks as a PH.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 8:53 PM CST up reply actions
can it get more green
for Grinch/Clutche to see how moronic he is with what he keeps saying over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
there's no parking in the red zone
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Just want to say good luck, we're all counting on you
Start Sean Marshall!!
by Chanman25 on Feb 1, 2010 10:41 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
You know what they say,
see a broad to get dat booty, leg ‘er down an’ smack ’em yak ’em!
"If I did not laugh, I should die." -- Abraham Lincoln
Excuse me
I speak jive
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
So you think that playing every day doesn't help give you an edge
over other guys who rot on the bench for a week?
Maybe we can trade Hoffpauir...
for Miles!!
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 1, 2010 5:32 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah really...
when is that veteran pitching rollin into town? Not sure why I don’t see the Cubs on the list of teams interested in Wang. Seems like there is some serious possible upside there.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
Seems like there are some serious possible injuries there.
No, wait. There are some serious ACTUAL injuries there.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Injuries that would say...
get better with time? Dude’s had time to recover from his base running issue. Seems like a one year deal with incentives/options for the former 2 time 19 game winner wouldn’t be the most absurd think I’ve seen Hendry do.
Kwa...Ki...Sur...Pee...Nee...Ku?
But did you hear the even more exiting news?!?!?!
Aaron Miles is back!!!
In the NL Central
Start Sean Marshall!!
I thought it was after the 2008 season that you advocated for the signing of Millar
Along with trading for Matt Cain and flipping him for Nolasco
People should remember that while they have the right to their opinion, they are not entitled to be taken seriously. -- Bruce Bartlett
Was it that recently?
Well… OK, that wasn’t such a great idea, was it?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Me too
just searching for the right reasoning. Thought we were all set w/the exception of that Righty set-up man. Maybe Hendry just couldnt help himself. I’ve done that before when I’ve gone shopping. Come home w/4 pants and only 1 shirt, tons of junk food and not enough real food, etc.
BCB - We have our own dictionary!
I think Hendry is signing all of these veteran "has-beens" to see if he can find one diamond in the rough
It’s never too bad to have many backups. Your question would have made much more sense if we actually had a 1b in waiting in the minors, or if Ramirez was told that he would have to move to 1b soon..
Start Sean Marshall!!
I agree, or maybe trying to
recreate some of the clubhouse chemistry Milty smashed into pieces last year.
BCB - We have our own dictionary!
Yeahd, Edmonds was pronounced "done" before the 2008 season
Hendry has actually done some decent dumpster diving, and there is not risk to a minor league contract
Funny you should say that...
I think that unfortunately -that’s what will happen..we’re getting way too old and the balance of power is going to shift-possibly to the Reds.
"He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know. " Abraham Lincoln
We'd have to be doing
REALLY badly for that to happen
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
Obviously Tom Ricketts is a UNION-BUSTER!
Can’t wait for Da Mayor to opine on this one.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
One upside to this move: Spring Training is going to be a helluva lotta fun.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Ryan Dempster is a happy man about this move.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Are there any comedy clubs in Mesa?
Maybe they can do some gigs in the evenings.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
Nah.
Probably Ryan Dempster lobbying for him.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I hope that
this isn’t the start of another Chad Fox-like love affair.
by Damen Jackson on Feb 1, 2010 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
If he's willing to play for Iowa
until there’s an injury in the majors, like So Taguchi did last year, then this is a good signing. If we have to put him on the major league roster or cut him, well, then I guess we’re not out much.
Man I have to admit I like this mini-moves that fly under the radar so far in 2010.
A good solid bench and MLB-ready AAA team can go a long way when the injury bug hits. I like it.
"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks
Maybe Hendry just wants to be extra, extra, extra sure...
…that clubhouse chemistry is good this season – if nothing else, during spring training at least.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
We need Millar to get the stank of Bradley out of the clubhouse
Every player should be accorded the privilege of at least one season with the Chicago Cubs. That's baseball as it should be played - in God's own sunshine. And that's really living."
It looks like Jim Hendry is trying to do some union bustin'
Since Millar was a replacement player in ’95 spring training. Say no to scab labor!
He did that years ago.
Ron Mahay was another of the replacement players. He pitched for the Cubs in 2001 and 2002 (and yes, I know Hendry wasn’t the GM for that entire time).
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Yeah, I was just messing around
One consequence of his being a replacement player is that his likeness can’t be in any MLBPA licesened merchandise like video games.
As was Damian Miller
The catcher on the 2003 team. I remember that his name was left off all the commemorative stuff (bats, t-shirts, etc.) that were produced for that team for that reason.
See the Cubs 2010 schedule (now with game times) at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/sched2010.html
Also see what old Cubs Scorecards looked like at http://cubsbythenumbers.com/scorecards.html
Not "lame".
That’s part of the union agreement.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I know.
I think the Union is lame generally, and the vindictive stuff with the replacement players was petty.
It’s not like there is some critical mass of replacement players that need to be quashed lest they kill the future negotiating power of the union.
Anyhoo, not really worth arguing about I suppose. :)
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 1, 2010 7:37 PM CST up reply actions
I think he was let in
A lot of the replacement players were
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 Feb 1, 2010 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
Dumb
This is one of the stupidest comments I have ever seen on BCB.
by If we only had Hubbs on Feb 1, 2010 5:04 PM CST up reply actions
Scabs
I am referring to this comment.
by If we only had Hubbs on Feb 1, 2010 5:05 PM CST up reply actions
Dumb
This is one of the stupidest usernames I have ever seen on BCB.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 5:22 PM CST up reply actions
If we only had Hubbs
I am referring to this username.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 5:23 PM CST up reply actions
Dumb
This is one of the stupidest replies I have ever seen on BCB
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
+ reply
I am referring to this reply. :)
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
yeah, you're referring to me....I was in the moment, I couldnt help myself...sorry SWL
baseball.........is Kool Aid the remedy, or the cause of my desire for it
Love scabs
I respect him if for nothing other than crossing a union line. Plus being one of the RedSox “idiots” of ’04.
Just win the next game...!
If Millar hits for us as proficiently as he hit against us
it will be a good signing. Career #’s against the Cubs —
.384 BA, 1.148 OPS in 25 career games
I'll always remember his inside-the-park homer at Wrigley
May 24, 1999: Millar, then a rookie with the Marlins, hit a 3-run inside-the-parker (the ball rattled around in the RF corner and got away from Sosa) with 2 outs in the top of the 9th to put Florida ahead by 2. Still one of the most painful Cubs losses I’ve ever seen, probably because I hadn’t been following the team for long at that point, and it really drove home how hard it can be sometimes.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
That was one of Rick Aguilera's first games as a Cub.
And, one of the biggest reasons Aguilera got booed nearly every time he set foot on the mound.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ah, the life of a relief pitcher.
The first time you come in to pitch for your new team, the fans want you to be perfect. Then, they expect you to get better…
Now only 12,859 on the "Cubs Season Tickets Waiting List"...
If Millar makes the club
Dempster will have a prankster partner in crime it seems
Millar and Dempster were teammates....
… in the Marlins minor league system, and then in the major leagues, from 1997-2002. Clearly, they’re very good friends.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Making no statements about the validity of the 'clubhouse chemistry' argument . . .
. . . but, if he would happen to make the team, at least it’s got to be better having a guy like that around than other alternatives.
"From childhood's hour I have not been as others were - I have not seen as others saw." - Alone, Edgar Allan Poe
Its not a bad move...
If he doesn’t have it, release him.
People are talking about Hoff being gone. i think that happened with Tracy if he’s healthy.
Fontenot should be worried now.
???
why? Millar has NEVER played second base.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Having Millar and/or Tracy means Baker doesn't have to worry about playing the corners (IF and OF).
If Baker becomes the mostly full-time 2B, then you have less need for Fontenot, assuming Blanco (or Castro) makes team. Of course that assumes carrying only 3 MIs is enough – I’m not sure if I agree with that…
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
I suspect that either Millar or Tracy or both...
… might agree to go to Iowa, with the understanding that if they get a major league offer the Cubs would release them. Jim Hendry has made deals like that before.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't think Fontenot's spot is in any real danger
My guess at who makes the bench:
Koyie Hill
Mike Fontenot
Andres Blanco
Xavier Nady
Millar/Tracy/Hoffpauir/Fuld (whomever does best in ST)
Mike the Wonder Hamster isn’t the greatest hitter around, but he’s at least as good as Millar and Tracy with more fielding flexibility.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
I think Fuld is on the team.
… he’ll be needed for defense. Fontenot may be on the bubble.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I agree that he SHOULD make it
But he’s not just going to be handed a roster spot – IMO, a bad spring probably lands him in Iowa to start the season, particularly if one or two of the other “bubble” guys play well.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
Uh, no...
not really. There is no such thing as a bad Spring for a fifth outfielder. Your only responsibility is to be a defensive substitution, and catch the damn ball.
by Damen Jackson on Feb 1, 2010 4:18 PM CST up reply actions
Unless Fukudome is perceived as the backup CF
..which the Cubs can do if Nady is healthy enough to play RF when Byrd sits. I would like to keep Fuld around myself as his on-field effort has to be contagious to somebody, but this staff has ignored having good fielders in reserve before.
Actually at least for April & May
I think Fuld is in Iowa, Fukudome backs up Byrd and either Tracy or Nady back up RF. I just can’t think the Cubs are going north with this middle infield roster.
Millar shows how and why. If he is on the roster he is a pinch hitter deluxe, as for Nady and Tracy,
The other question is whether the Cubs are going north with 11 pitchers? therefore leaving 14 position players, with nine that include K Hill, Nady makes ten that leaves either three or four position player backups….the math
Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."
you think
Lou Piniella is going north with 11 pitchers? I think he’s trying to figure out how to go north with THIRTEEN pitchers.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 8:56 PM CST up reply actions
I think he'd take 17 if he could
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:15 PM CST up reply actions
what the hell
Sean Marshall can play left field! Go with 25 pitchers!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 9:19 PM CST up reply actions
Fuld
- barring injury – is a stone cold lock to make this team. As a fifth outfielder, he really doesn’t even have to hit in ST, just continue to catch the ball.
That said, Fontenot’s role then becomes a PH bat off the bench, which is a role that both Tracy and Millar do better. Mike’s got some real problems right now.
by Damen Jackson on Feb 1, 2010 4:14 PM CST up reply actions
Millar is actually a lousy PH.
He’s 24-for-120 in his career (a .200 average) – a bit worse than Fontenot, and the bulk of his pinch at-bats came 10 years ago.
Tracy is a surprisingly good pinch-hitter, 26-for-85 in his career with a nice 8-for-29 showing last year.
(I’m aware there’s a sample size issue there, but they always will be when analyzing pinch-hitters.)
That said, I don’t buy that Fontenot’s only hope of making the roster is as a PH. Because if you leave him off the roster, that leaves only 3 guys capable of playing the middle infield – I don’t know how comfortable Lou and Hendry would be with that idea. I do agree that his spot is probably in more jeopardy than I originally supposed, though.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
It will be interesting to see
how much the Cubs trust Fontenot, because you know they want another LH bat in the lineup, but he just couldn’t cut it all through last year. Do they think he can be successful in the role he was in in 2008, or has he been trade bait all off-season and we just haven’t heard or something else entirely?
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
Blanco and Baker can play 2B
Yes, I have Blanco ahead of Fontenot because he is by far the best defensive SS we have.
Drew, try to think outside of your small minded box.
my who what now?
the player on the bubble is Fuld. Fontenot is a lefty bat with some pop. Fuld is not.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
Fuld's the only legit CF, though, outside of Byrd
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:17 PM CST up reply actions
if Lou thinks
that Dome can play center when Byrd is down, tho…
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 9:19 PM CST up reply actions
of course
worst case is they send Blanco back to AAA. Think Lou will do that? :P
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 9:19 PM CST up reply actions
I think Blanco became one of Lou's guys last year
Of course, I think Fontenot did in 2008, so . . .
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:23 PM CST up reply actions
If they do, who is the backup SS-Fontenot?, Baker? I don't think so......
Blanco, if he does not completely fall apart in ST will make this team.
As will Fuld, he will as well…..For his defense. Even if Byrd is as good a fielder as you say he is, we have a DH playing LF in case you forgot. Oh, wait I forgot, you think Soriano is a good fielder, my mistake.
AJS is right
You are obsessed. Dude, lighten up. You can disagree with the guy without attacking him in every freakin’ post.
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:48 PM CST up reply actions
So I am incorrect about the backup SS...and Fuld being a good OF and Sori being a shitty fielder.
You all whine about me attacking little Drew, but almost never can prove what I say is wrong.
Where did I whine? Because I disagreed with you?
You really are coming across as immature, but you don’t seem to care.
And I CAN INDEED prove what you say is wrong – about Maddux, for example. Jeez, did Drew run over your dog or sleep with your sister or piss in your Cheerios?
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:56 PM CST up reply actions
As I said who cares about the Maddux stuff
Whatever reason, both times he left we didn’t get anything.
You of course skipped everything I said in the last post.
No, I didn't
And if you think people are skipping your content, maybe you should stop and think that maybe – just maybe – your tone is off-putting.
You could be capable of putting Einstein’s theory of general relativity into layman’s terms, but if you said it in a condescending tone, no one would hear it.
Again, where did I whine? I notice you skipped over that. It seems you have a problem with people not agreeing with everything you say.
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 Feb 1, 2010 10:00 PM CST up reply actions
Fuld is the best fielding OF they have have, despite what you think.
Plus he can run and hit LH.
Fontenot is probably behind Blanco at this point.
Try again….
we shall see
my tormented friend. We shall see.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 11:03 PM CST up reply actions
I smell Fontenot being traded for nothing
Just like Wuertz, Fox, Maddux, and company have been. It’s all about helping the other teams!!
Fonty makes the team
if Darwin Barney isn’t ready. With Tracy around, the better lefty bat is Tracy. Barney can play all around the infield.
that's not
how it went down with Maddux.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 8:58 PM CST up reply actions
the second time Maddux left, it was via trade
If you’re going to follow Drew around and refute everything he says, at least be correct.
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:49 PM CST up reply actions
As has been widely discussed, it was a personal favor to Maddux
And likely laid the groundwork for him coming back in his current capacity.
Drew and I disagree on a lot of things, but I’m telling you – to this third party, you REALLY are coming across as a man on a rather odd mission.
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:53 PM CST up reply actions
Did you see that he attacked my post without any provocation? Wasn't talking to him at all....
Didn’t see you running to my aid…..So I will defend myself as usual.
Its ok for him but not me. Typical.
I saw he DISAGREED with your post
If you think a disagreement is an attack, then you have a very thin skin.
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 Feb 1, 2010 9:58 PM CST up reply actions
I see, so I should have just realized it was an idiotic response and let it go.
I am talking about the Millar response above that most that a 10 year olkd knows was stupid. Are you looking at the same?
You think this:
why? Millar has NEVER played second base.
is an attack? Because that’s the one that I was looking at, and I think to say it is an attack is overreacting at best.
If you can show me one that is an attack, I’ll apologize.
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 Feb 1, 2010 10:02 PM CST up reply actions
It seems there is some kind of history here that I'm unaware of
I’ve said my bit and I won’t bother you about it any more . . . I just don’t think it’s worth it, but it’s your call.
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 Feb 1, 2010 10:05 PM CST up reply actions
I will ask you direct baseball questions....
Better fielder -Fuld or soriano. Fuld or Byrd.
Outside of his throwing arm, do you think Soriano is a good fielder period?
Backup SS-Blanco or Fontenot/Baker
Can Blanco, Baker and Theriot and Blanco take care of the middle IF enough to keep Fuld around and is there a possibility of it costing Fontenot his job?
This is with Nady and Tracy already making the team and Hoff out.
I watched TV after posting the above comment
Anyway, I’ve said many times I don’t think Soriano is a good fielder. So that answers two questions.
I haven’t seen enough fielding stats or Byrd playing to answer that.
Blanco is the back-up SS, or should be. I think Fuld has a spot. Fontenot may be in trouble, but I think Piniella likes him.
Tracy making the team is not a slam dunk.
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 Feb 2, 2010 6:50 AM CST up reply actions
No real history.
Just an odd BCB Boner for Drew. Which is weird, i seem to remember being the guy that originally pissed him off back at the end of the season (TJ was VERY anti-bradley) when he starting coming around these parts. Now that i think about it, i was so close to this wrath being unleashed on me. Guess i had some good luck!
I sometimes imagine his seeing one of Drew’s posts to look something like my Beagle when i get home from work. Just so darn excited. Down girl! DOWN!
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 10:23 PM CST up reply actions
I will be shocked if there is a straight answer....
I don’t think you could handle being in agreement with me and not drew.
its very easy to answer
go to FanGraphs and look at the numbers that actually measure the defensive stats, and remove your (not you personally) opinion from the answer
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
What are your common sense answers to the above questions?
We KNOW Fuld is a good fielder, he also is going to have a small sample size in all those stats, so I think they don’t matter much.
What do your eyes tell you?
Don't give me that crap. I stay legit when we disagree on a real point...
I give you credit for the straight answer. At least you don’t spin.
by TJ11 on Jan 25, 2010 4:16 PM CST
I’m not interested in this particular baseball debate. I chimed in because Shanghai, another commenter even more impartial to Drew than I am, mentioned that i was right about your odd obsession. I don’t care to argue Jake Fox of whatever your point is… without trying too hard to figure out what you are saying, i can pretty much ascertain that its silly and i don’t care enough to debate it.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 10:36 PM CST up reply actions
You did give a straight answer then and I said it.
But you proved my point tonight.
Simple baseball questions and you can’t handle it. Shocking….
What part of that post said anything about Jake Fox?
You are the one full of crap.
The whole debate was so silly that i immediatly tossed it out of my brain.
I have no opinion about it, one way or the other. I don’t care. I’m not here to talk about it. I commented about your obsession with Drew.
Its ok. You’ll be ok.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 10:47 PM CST up reply actions
pathetic is trying to bait him
when he said he wishes not to continue on with you about it. let it ride and move on, instead of continue to bait
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
My answer in the aformentioned / linked to post...
… didn’t agree with drew.
Maybe you should go back and re-read that baby before you look a fool. Again. For the hundredth time.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 10:54 PM CST up reply actions
i understand why he posted that
if you are suggesting he replaces Fontenot, it makes sense to as you that. Maybe you read too much into it. no worries IMHO, it is nothing more that that.
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Just thinking big picture, where did I say anything about him playing 2B?
Most Cub fans are aware both Blanco and Baker can play 2B. Even soriano has filled in in a pinch. That is why I think Fontenot (Who I like) may be expendable.
ok for those who are having trouble understanding
Its not a bad move… If he doesn’t have it, release him.
People are talking about Hoff being gone. i think that happened with Tracy if he’s healthy.
Fontenot should be worried now.
by TJ11
??? why? Millar has NEVER played second base.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid
he was asking you why signing a non second baseman would mean the end of a second baseman. its a question that is sensible to ask in reply to you, and unlike how you snark at Drew (as has been pointed out more than once by many on BCB) in reply to it, ballhawk answered it quite well
Having Millar and/or Tracy means Baker doesn’t have to worry about playing the corners (IF and OF). If Baker becomes the mostly full-time 2B, then you have less need for Fontenot, assuming Blanco (or Castro) makes team. Of course that assumes carrying only 3 MIs is enough – I’m not sure if I agree with that…
Lou Brown: “My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team…”
by ballhawk
you have done the same snark crap to many here, and it is a shame. you have some good posts, but the attacking tone you use gets some here up in arms, derailing the thread from talking about the trade into a pissing match.
Those you have done this with include (and I am sure there are others)
Drew (for a few weeks now)
Shanghai
Andrew
Me
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
im just tossing my 2 cents nothing more
not taking a side, not trying to stir you up more, just trying to give my understanidng of what caused a simple comment to become a 20+ comment thread pissing match
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
I am just saying, its funny people have time to come after me but can't handle answering simple baseball questions.
They are common sense questions. But they may put them in the uncomfortable position of agreeing with me.
Nobody else is playing the agree / disagree politics game you seem so focused on.
We are all just talking baseball, man.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 11:00 PM CST up reply actions
Simple baseball question-
Does common sense tell you Fuld is a better fielder than Soriano or Byrd?
Why is this so hard?
common sense for some
will say that Reed Johnson is the best OF defensively, based on the highlight catches he makes. The numbers will say different, based on a lot of things that we will not take into consideration or in some cases realize, based on perception alone.
that being said, Soriano is more important to the team, based on baseball abilities, not glove work alone, so its a moot point and a question not needed to be answered IMHO
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
ok to end the pissing match about it
Career OF UZR
So according to UZR for their careers, Soriano is a better fielder. Say what you want about small samples, etc, but these are the numbers and I hope this can end the pissing match so we can all move on and enjoy some good ol baseball chat
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
its an example of opinion
based on eyes vs stone cold facts
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Common sense tells me...
… i haven’t seen enough of Byrd to comment on his fielding beyond reciting stat fodder about his time in center field last season not looking great, and that he’s projected better in left according to UZR. Common sense tells me that Soriano’s value has little to do with his glove, so the point is moot.
It isn’t hard. Its just not worth debating.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 11:10 PM CST up reply actions
If i posted a fan post who do you think would be the first to attack it?
No matter if you liked the content or not?
That would be me...
I would most likely make fun of you and insult your mother.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 10:57 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
LMAO
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Asking questions does not equal attacking...
… and as i said the other day, your victim complex is amusing. Everybody can read all the words everybody else types here, and the consensus seems to be you are a bit petulant.
Drew might BE the first to comment on a fanpost you put up here. He does, after all, comment at about 10x the rate as the rest of us. But…
??? why? Millar has NEVER played second base.
That does not constitute an attack, and you whining about it won’t convince everybody else that it does.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 10:57 PM CST up reply actions
this is all
very surreal.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 11:06 PM CST up reply actions
dood
don’t stand next to me. People will think we’re together.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 11:09 PM CST up reply actions
If you knew anything about the Cubs, you would know that they traded Maddux a few years back for Cesar Izturis.
When real teams trade away quality players to teams in the playoff hunt, they get quality in return. Everyone was pushing for the Cubs to ask for Andre Ethier at the time, who was a rookie prospect that year, but the Cubs did as usual and took what they wanted off their hands.
That’s what I was talking about. And it’s nice to say that we were helping Maddux, but why don’t any teams help us?
This move is full of meh.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 4:33 PM CST reply actions
agreed -
I understand there are never enough catchers and pitchers at ST, but I’ve never heard of a shortage of first basemen.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
Is this gonna be a Chad Tracy vs. Kevin Millar type deal for the ML roster?
"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
No.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 7:29 PM CST up reply actions
Why?
Kevin Millar? Why? Does Jim Hendry feel indebted to Kevin Millar the same way he did Chad Fox?
Good friggin grief.
The Blackhawks and the Stanley Cup in 2010.
He's not getting a NTC and an guaranteed spot in the lineup...
Hendry didn’t rent him shoes. I’m not buying it a fucking beer. He’s not taking your fucking turn, Dude.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 6:58 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Yeahbut,
If Kevin Millar asked me to take care of his f*cking dog while he and the Cubs went to ask for the opinion of BLou , I’d tell him to go f*ck himself Why can you board it?
Come visit me inside Wrigley along the Addison side mezzanine fence straight up from 1st base.
by section229beer on Feb 1, 2010 9:27 PM CST up reply actions
I should have known you'd come around with a Debbie Downer comment.
This is a no-risk signing. If he sucks, he gets released. If not, he likely goes to Iowa as injury insurance.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
At least he's consistent.
But seriously, I get tired of seeing him complain about every guy who is signed. If the guy will end up doing well, BLou will likely complain that the guy cost too much.
And if the player does poorly, BLou will say that we should not have signed the player.
In BLou’s world, Jim Hendry is in a no-win situation.
Who cares if he's a Cubs fan? This is a football forum! He is a PACKER fan as well. So, from now until March, I’m sure he’ll dedicate a lot of his time here. In late March, then we can be enemies during the baseball season. Besides, the Cubs have perhaps the most loyal baseball fanbase in the country. You have to respect that.
Go Pack!
by Jabooty on Jan 25, 2010 2:58 PM EST
by Vermont Cubs Fan on Feb 1, 2010 8:23 PM CST up reply actions
I'd rather have Jake Fox
He’ll make less, he can play more positions, has more power, and is a better overall hitter. I’ll agree that Millar’s a good clubhouse guy, but Fox seemed to be as well.
(Cue the Kool-Aid comments now)
Millar does seem to be a much older worn down version of Fox, who if he makes the team will actually cost more.
But of course Fox was needed to help get rid of Miles. Which had to happen……Now he is with Dusty where he belongs.
That's why he'll be loved as much as this guy
"If I were playing third base and my mother were rounding third with the run that was going to beat us, I'd trip her. Oh, I'd pick her up and brush her off and say, 'Sorry, Mom,' but nobody beats me." ~ Leo Durocher
That explains 2009 completely.
Aaron Miles is one of Dusty’s horses. No wonder the record sucked eggs.
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
I'd rather have Felix Pie.
He’s good.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 7:30 PM CST up reply actions
+alot
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 9:00 PM CST up reply actions
And you’re ignoring the fact that Hendry specifically went to Fox and said “we’re going to try to move you so you get more playing time.” Fox had no place on this team. Millar doesn’t either, but at least he’s on the downside of his career, and won’t waste his prime days in the dugout or in Iowa.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 9:00 PM CST up reply actions
I think people discount the value of Hendry's "players guy" status.
Stuff like that has to help when it comes to things like avoiding arb for so long (well, till now i guess) or knocking out final points of contention during negotiations.
Dum spiro spero... | Follow me on twitter or else: @andrewjstone.
by AndrewJStone on Feb 1, 2010 11:02 PM CST up reply actions
the Cubs are not avoiding arbitration
because Theriot is a… well. I think he overvalues himself.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 1, 2010 11:07 PM CST up reply actions
You are correct Drew! Theriot should realize what his true worth is.
Meet the Cubs halfway and put this money stuff behind us!
Andres has no offensive value unfortunately.
Theriot isn’t a superstar, but he’s not terrible offensively.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 1:34 PM CST up reply actions
Numbers from 2009.
Theriot: .284/.343/.369, .712 OPS, 83 OPS+
Blanco: .252/.303/.341, .644 OPS, 65 OPS+
Care to rephrase that?
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I don't follow?
Doesn’t that support my point that Theriot is superior offensively? Even more, Theriot’s wOBA last year was .318, which was lower than his career norm. Blanco’s was .271.
Are you saying that Theriot’s numbers are only marginally better? I’m confused.
To my mind, Theriot is a superior offensive player, even with his off-year last year. Blanco plays better defense, but Theriot is 1)underrated defensively by most people, and 2)serviceable at the position.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 2:29 PM CST up reply actions
You said...
… Blanco has NO offensive value. My point is that he isn’t that much worse than Theriot, and provides excellent defense.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Ah.
I grant I was using the term “no” liberally and certainly not literally.
But looking at the numbers you listed, and other metrics (such as the wOBA I mentioned), I view Theriot as a step above Blanco offensively. To me, Blanco is quantitatively “much worse” than Theriot. (Theriot last year was a 2.8WAR; Blanco: 0.0.)
Even with greater player time for Blanco, I don’t see that changing. I guess we just look at the meaning of the numbers differently.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 3:09 PM CST up reply actions
is it possible
Blanco is enough of a better defender to make up the difference?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 2, 2010 4:25 PM CST up reply actions
In theory yes...
but I haven’t seen any numbers that indicate that that’s the case (WAR, et. al). I’m open to correction though.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 4:28 PM CST up reply actions
Would that be like Dunn being a better batter than Bradley to make up the difference?
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 2, 2010 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
That's how I'd see it, anyway.
I’m not advocating Blanco starting over Theriot, and I agree that Theriot isn’t as bad offensively as he was last year.
But if Blanco has to start 20-30 games at SS, the Cubs don’t lose too much.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
if he had been
perhaps, sure. But there were sufficient numbers for both players to know that the projections weren’t going to show that.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 2, 2010 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
I think we need to set up a ground ball derby
to settle this. If a gold ball makes it halfway to the wall, a lucky fan wins a pet gerbil.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 2, 2010 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
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 Feb 2, 2010 10:20 PM CST up reply actions
awesome
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
I wouldn't quite go that far.
But it does appear Theriot is heading for an arbitration hearing.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
YOU SOUND DUMB WITH THAT STATEMENT!
you should not be in this chat by saying theriot is not a starting SS his numbers were slightly above average for starting SS in the league last year
by cubbieblue27 on Feb 2, 2010 11:44 PM CST up reply actions
do you think he's the 12th best in the league?
because that’s the money he’s looking for.
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 3, 2010 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
Funny, pretty much every baseball writer saw the trade as a win for the A's.
He was a quality player, and they should have gotten more for him.
Wasn't it last year...
when Taguchi was more or less brought in as a friend to Fukudome? Looks like Dempster won the drawing of the straws to get his friend in this year.
by kanderber on Feb 1, 2010 6:03 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
Lol
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 1, 2010 7:31 PM CST up reply actions
Seriously - I've been wondering the same thing.
Demp’s done a lot of nice PR work for the Cubs this off-season – showing up at the Ricketts’ introductory press conference, doing the skating rink thing, shaking a lot of hands at Cubs convention. I wonder if Ryan didn’t just go to Hendry and say, “Jimbo, my buddy Kev needs a gig this spring. How ‘bout ’boot signing him up? He’ll keep the guys loose, we’ll have a few laughs and then you can send him on his way. Whaddya say?”
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I hope he makes the team.
If for no other reason than I can yell “Oh my gawd! Kevin Millah!” during games.
Sounds weird, but
This feels like a backup plan for Tracy.
I can’t imagine Millar has even an outside shot at the 25 man out of spring. But it couldn’t hurt to have him in camp, and if he’s willing to go to Iowa, he can be a 6th bench guy should Nady or Tracy go down (if Tracy is healthy and makes the team).
As far the as the roster goes, I have to imagine that, if Tracy has a good spring, that Fontenot and Fuld are on the the bubble. I’d rather have Fuld, but I have a feeling that Lou is going to prefer Fontenot.
Shameless self promotion: Check out my website!!!
http://www.itsnotabook.com
If Kevin Millar is your 6th bench guy
Then you obviously should go with 5 bench guys.
Fontenot (fon-te-no): Cajun for "scrappy"
Actually, it's a backup for the backup's backup.
Nady: Tracy: Millar
(With Hoffpauir and LaHair floating around in here somewhere.)
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
did you go "beep beep beep" when you posted that?
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Waiter! There's a LaHair in my roster!
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 Feb 2, 2010 1:02 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
My apologies, sir. We'll get you a replacement roster immediately.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
Would you care to take a look at our 4th OF/1B backup menu?
It’s quite extensive, I assure you.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
You used to have a wide assortment of scrappy 2B
When did you change the menu?
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 Feb 2, 2010 1:55 PM CST up reply actions
Well, we still have at least four second baseman on the 25-man roster.
But if you want something special, let me know and I’d be happy to talk to the chef.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
What are your shortstops today?
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 Feb 2, 2010 2:05 PM CST up reply actions
Spam spam spam spam spam, Ryan Theriot, spam spam spam spam and spam.
Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so.
can I have some
without so much Ryan Theriot in it?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 2, 2010 2:41 PM CST up reply actions
Our chef is working on some new dishes...
…but it’ll be a year or two before they make the menu.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
And when you get the food served....
… you’ll get more in the second half of your meal than the first.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
And dessert! Don't forget to leave room for dessert!
I hear the October Surprise is out of this World…
…series. ;-)
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
hoffpauir needs to get traded while hes still valuble and get some more depth in our farm system millar can take his spot
by cubbieblue27 on Feb 2, 2010 11:42 PM CST up reply actions
I think if there were takers for Hoff he would have been traded by now
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
Chad Tracy signing a minor league deal proves there is no market for Hoffpauir.
"What a lot of people don’t see is the tremendous amount of progress that has been made in the organization over the last few years. We have a lot of very talented guys coming up through the system. Jim has built an incredible scouting organization." - Tom Ricketts
by DGU on Feb 3, 2010 6:26 AM CST up reply actions
He's really not valuable enough to add any significant depth to the Cubs farm system.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
To be more accurate...
… the best next stop for Micah is probably Japan.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
"still"?
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 3, 2010 10:22 AM CST up reply actions
I wonder if Maddux
recommended bringing in good clubhouse guys as non-roster invitees (Millar, Tracy) to improve the likelihood of having a good March. Dunno. Probably never will.
I love having Maddux around, even if that is not true, it sounds like the winning type of thinking he would come up with.
I believe he has a future in the front office and JH better watch out.
you know it was maddux that said that i dont think jim hendry is smart enough as weve seen in the past to not fill the clubhouse with mature men who know how to act. derrick lee and mark derosa and kerry wood are only ones that were the past few years and guess what hendry got rid of 2 of them.. haha hendrys a joke.. i love the cubs but were not gonna win with him as gm… GREG MADDUX as General Manager and Ryne Sandburg as Head coach
by cubbieblue27 on Feb 2, 2010 11:41 PM CST up reply actions
"Head coach"?
Baseball teams don’t have “head coaches”. At least, none has since the idiotic Cubs College of Coaches almost 50 years ago.
And, it’s “Sandberg”, not “Sandburg”.
Finally, I see Maddux’ future in the dugout, not in the front office. He’s not a front office type of guy.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
I think he was referring to the Cubs intramural basketball team.
Catch my act on Twitter as @dat_cubfan_dave.
I'd think Sean Marshall would be the best coach for that team.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Sweet signing
Now all the Cubs can have a drink with a real cool dude.
"But it doesn't matter what I do, what I choose. I'm what's wrong. This is fate" - Dexter season 4....I mean Lovie season 6.
It seems like there are setting up D Lee for a possible trade if we aren't contenders
And for Baker to be a full-time 2B and include Hoff and Fonty in a trade for Frasor. We also have LaHair to come up and Snyder as another backup OF
Please win one before I leave this place. Thank you.
i dont understand why people keep tkaing tj11's bait
by jesus christos on Feb 1, 2010 10:58 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
We're most likely going to finish in 2nd or 3rd place.
You should probably start getting used to this idea.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 1, 2010 11:29 PM CST up reply actions
right behind Iowa and West Tenn?
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
No way!
This team is built to win now! Jim Hendry and Lou will pull it off and we will all be celebrating in November.
Yes, like I said in the post.
Now, it just seems like a “have fun in spring training” move.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Wait Al, now you have me confused. After defending your point
all last season that you wanted a “Millar” type, now you admit you truly pined for Millar?
Not sure I can withstand all this double talk on Cook County election/Illinois primary day. ;)
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
LOL
In any case, I think Millar’s time has passed.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
No kidding, I just don't understand needing to take a flyer on a LF/1B when
worst case is Hoffpauir can play first in AAA.
I’m not sure I’ve every been concerned about the 6th outfielder, but the Nady reports Friday didn’t make me happy. The phrase “he’s on schedule” indicate he’s not 80% and may be delayed. So, if Nady’s not ready, who comes north?
at daver's request, Let's frontload this B**ch!
If Nady not ready, then I think Fuld & Tracy are your extra outfielders.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
eh, maybe not.
I just checked Tracy’s stats – I thought he had more time in the OF than he actually does (52 games, 51 of which were back in 2005).
Maybe it’s Fuld & Millar – at least Millar has played more OF than Tracy but unfortunately, it’s been a few years for him as well.
So maybe it’s Fuld & ____? I guess it should be easy enough to pick up somebody towards the end of Spring Training as other teams make their cuts. As long as Nady’s not behind schedule too much, the only real risk is if Soriano tweaks a hamstring early on in the cold weather.
Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."
Quick!
Knock on wood (regarding Soriano). The last thing we need is him getting hurt again. :(
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 2:23 PM CST up reply actions
Only a sick & twisted person that would hope for that to happen.
As I've told you before, I never repeat myself.
by santoswoodenlegs on Feb 2, 2010 2:27 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah...
Unfortunately you know those kind of idiots are out there.
I hope Soriano goes gang-busters and shuts up all the boo-birds.
by CubsWin!Oregon on Feb 2, 2010 2:31 PM CST up reply actions
sadly if he does
the anti-Soriano crowd will complain about how he let us down last season instead of enjoy the 2010 run
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
The odds of Kevin Millahh
actually helping the Cubs this season are somewhere between slim and none. That said, it’s not as if he cost them very much, so no less when he washed out. Great clubhouse presence but very little game left. Tracy would seem to have a lot more potential upside, plus he hits lefty.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
Good ol' Kevin
seemed waaaaay more excited about joining the Cubs than the Cubs in getting him. Hell, he broke the news faster than the team did. It’s almost as if he was running around to everyone saying “Yeah, we’re together.” And the Cubs saying, “Um, I just agreed to one date with him.”
Well, as it’s been said. I guess it couldn’t hurt.
"What the hell, let's review it." - Dale Tallon
"They are!" - Pat Foley
"What a farce." - Dale Tallon
Good signing
There is nothing wrong with adding depth in spring training. You always want to have extra veterans around in case of spring training injuries. Obviously Millar is a longshot to make the squad and is competing with Hoffpauir and Tracy for the lefty pinch hitter role. But people do get hurt in spring training. It’s good to have options. Especially when they don’t cost more than a look.
Jim Hendry Sucks
Why does he keep going after players that are either past there prime or never had a prime or coming off major surgery and wont be effective like they used to be.. i just saw rumor that were looking at kris benson who is comin off rotater cuff surgery and hasnt really pitched in 3 years. wtf does jim hendry think time after time when he signs these people to 3 years and it never pans out? hes gotta improve his scouting for sure
kevin millar is a good signing at the price.. he adds a clubhouse presense you dont even know about and veteren leadership that alfonso doesnt seem to understand
so you disagree with yourself
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
There was a point in there?
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 Feb 3, 2010 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
Two of them, actually.
Right after the word “price”.
"You can observe a lot just by watching." ~ Yogi Berra
Someone's got
their own personal mambochicken collective going.
ONE OF YOU. ONE OF YOU!
Forget all that other stuff. I gotta believe.
by drewishdrewid on Feb 3, 2010 10:23 AM CST up reply actions
in a strange way
could we think of this as trading Gregg for Millar in a round about way?
Wait for it....POUND SAND Without me this board is Al Yellon talking to himself.....................by BLou
fontenot
should have no trouble making the team. but if he has another season like last year he will be traded.
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