Sullivan Tweets Millar out, Tracy in

I was hoping that Millar would get the spot, as I felt he would be this years Eric Karros, but based on results, I guess Tracy won the job.

about 2 years ago kaseyi 45 comments 4 recs |

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I wonder if Millar would take a AAA job?

by TJ11 on Mar 30, 2010 1:53 PM CDT reply actions

Like trip planning

and roadside assistance?

I bet he’d at least consider it.

"Look, we're gonna win here."

by ChubbyCubbyFan on Mar 30, 2010 1:57 PM CDT up reply actions

ISWYDT...

Some men learn through what they read. Some men learn through what they're told. Some men have to piss on the railroad tracks. And some men keep on pissin'.

by Ryno Runner on Mar 30, 2010 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions

if he wants to play baseball this year

I’d imagine he’d have to. I don’t know that the Cubs want him gumming up our minor leagues though. Of course I have no idea who is currently slated to play first base for Iowa this year

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Mar 30, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

The Hoff?

Eamus Ursuli!

by WGNstatic on Mar 30, 2010 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions

does he have any options left?

………

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Mar 30, 2010 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Will it matter?

He’s almost certainly been optioned during three years. But I have to imagine that he’s going to clear waivers.

MLBMilestone.com - following the numbers to Cooperstown

by D98 on Mar 30, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Hoffpauir, Micah

That being said we don’t have a ton of 1B depth in our system so it probably wouldn’t be a horrible move

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

by Musicdude10 on Mar 30, 2010 3:43 PM CDT up reply actions

bryan lahair is also there

at least, last i checked.

by toonsterwu on Mar 30, 2010 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Ah true

Is he much better than Hoff at this point though?

"Baseball is almost the only orderly thing in a very unorderly world. If you get three strikes, even the best lawyer in the world can't get you off." ~ Bill Veeck

by Musicdude10 on Mar 31, 2010 8:11 AM CDT up reply actions

Millar Released

According to EspnChicago.com

BCB - We have our own dictionary!

by tony412 on Mar 30, 2010 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

my bet

look for him to catch on with texas.

by toonsterwu on Mar 30, 2010 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, that is what I heard as well.

A-well-a Byrd, Byrd, Byrd, well the Byrd is the word.

by mikegncb34 on Mar 30, 2010 7:18 PM CDT up reply actions

not anymore

Rangers are supposedly no longer interested.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 30, 2010 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions

They’re going more with need and a LH bat off bench, with experience, who can spell the injury-prone Ramirez makes more sense than a defensively challenged PH/backup to a 1B who rarely sits out. Millar may catch on with another team or go to minors, we’ll see, nice idea, if not for Colvin’s breakout spring, who knows? (Altho they would need some kind of defensively capable spare OF).

I thought Nady would be DL’d or they’d somehow find a way to keep Millar at least to start the spring but his "feel good’’ clubhouse presence will have to be carried forward by others now. Just not having the toxic Bradley there with his persecution complex will go a long way toward a happier, more productive group.

by QuincyCub on Mar 30, 2010 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

There was a note a few days ago that the Rangers might be interested

Frankly I don’t know how this was even a close call other than all the other bad roster calls. He is a better hitter and better back up, Of course he probably won’t have them rolling in the aisles in the club house.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 30, 2010 2:15 PM CDT reply actions

totally agree

and if this really was a “tough call” for Hendry, I have to think it’s going to be another long year of mind boggling roster and lineup decisions.

If Tracy had shown that he still wasn’t healthy, or that he couldn’t swing the bat anymore that’s one thing. But when it’s a virtual tie between the two, it’s a no-brainer

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Mar 30, 2010 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

As with other decisions I suspect this was Lou with Hendry just agreeing as usual.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 30, 2010 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

which again points to a long year of mind boggling lineup and roster decisions

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Mar 30, 2010 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions

yep.

couldn’t agree more

The journey is the reward!

by wicubfan on Mar 30, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Ya never know

Just cuz he says, “tough call”, doesn’t necessarily mean that it was.

They may have known for a little while that they’d be going with Tracy, and wanted to give Millar a chance to audition for another team. No need to come out and say that it was a “no-brainer” kind of decision or something like that.

Think it’s just the politically correct kinda answer…

"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." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Mar 30, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

+1

by CubbieJamus on Mar 30, 2010 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree...

…Hendry goes out of his way to be respectful, and there is nothing wrong with that.

You keep who makes your club better, and chances are, this is what they did.

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

by MPH73 on Mar 30, 2010 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the memories, Kevin

I’ll always remember the good times…

"I love when they play that Go Cubs Win song."

by BMoney79 on Mar 30, 2010 2:18 PM CDT reply actions

I feel sick to my stomach.

I really shouldn’t have had another doughnut….

by Flatley on Mar 30, 2010 2:47 PM CDT reply actions

Here ya go, buddy

"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." ~Alvin Dark

by DamonBerryhillsMitt on Mar 30, 2010 2:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Fast relief for upset stomach and other symptoms including, nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, and indigestion?

NO FUCKING WAY!

by Flatley on Mar 30, 2010 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I like Millar

but there was no way we could keep him over Tracy. Tracy can play third base and Millar can’t.

I never travel far without a little Big Star. R.I.P Alex

by Josh Timmers on Mar 30, 2010 3:06 PM CDT reply actions

Sign him on...

as a “special assistant” to the GM or something… so he can still hang around.

Then maybe he could be a bench coach – or something similar – down the line.

by fsuapollo on Mar 30, 2010 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

Millar and Tracy job interview results

Tracy – “Hi, I’m 30 years old and bat left-handed.” = Hired!

Millar – “Hi, I’m 38 years old and bat right-handed.” = We’ll call you if we need you…

"On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 outs" - Earl Weaver

by RiskyBusiness on Mar 30, 2010 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

So if Millar got released

how do they compensate him for the Minor League time he spent in Arizona with the team? Did he just play for a roster spot, lose out, and get nothing? Or did he compete, and get paid a little? Just wondering because really it is a big risk for him to spend all that time playing, and not get any money. I hate to talk money, but I was just wondering if anyone had the answer to that?

by alabamacubbie on Mar 30, 2010 3:35 PM CDT reply actions

I BELIEVE he would get paid at a pro-rated rate for the days he was actually on the club

For a player like Millar, it’s not that big a financial risk, because he got a couple of contracts that made him a multi-millionaire

I guess I'm just a worrier, that's why my friends call me whiskers

by Nunyabidness on Mar 30, 2010 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions

Players don't get paid in spring training.

They only get a per diem for every day they’re in camp.

Hey, it's a new century!

by cowsarecool220 on Mar 30, 2010 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks, I was just wondering, but also

how do players get paid if you may know this? I’ve asked people before and they don’t know the answer. I was wondering if players got paid every week like a person does who has a 40 hour a week job or if it was every month? Like if you had an 18 million dollars a year contract, do they spread that out into weeks? Do they get the check in their lockers in an envelope, and while opening his envelope Soriano says to Byrd, “Well no bonus for me this week”? Is that what happens, just asking?

by alabamacubbie on Mar 30, 2010 11:50 PM CDT up reply actions

I believe players get paid twice a month.

I’d guess most of the checks go to their agents or are direct deposited into a bank account.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 31, 2010 8:41 AM CDT up reply actions

Except for Manny

who kept them in his locker uncashed.

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 31, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

No, that was Rickey Henderson who did that.

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

by Al Yellon on Mar 31, 2010 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions

It's the right choice considering the team needs.

I was worried they’d keep Millar because he’s a cut up and bypass the younger player to fits the roster need. As for character and cluhouse stuff, the trade in the offseason should prove a big enough improvement.

may addition by subtraction be real

by N Oakley on Mar 30, 2010 4:09 PM CDT reply actions

I thought Millar would make it after they announced Colvin was in

as he is a RH bat, but I hope Sullivan is correct about Tracy making the team.

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

by lookingdeadred on Mar 30, 2010 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions

The right

move. Father time stinks for us all. Millar is getting just a tad old.

by Grockcubs on Mar 30, 2010 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

Sobering thought

Tracy was the obvious choice between the two. What’s sad is thinking Ramirez probably won’t be playing 150+ games this season and the question of when will he get back into being an everyday player again. I wonder how many games he’ll be out this season.

by AboutTheCubs on Mar 30, 2010 5:08 PM CDT reply actions

this was expected

as noted, other places had reported that Tracy was a lock awhile ago.

I think we’re overstating the value of Chad Tracy being a third baseman, though. first off, he was never a good third baseman anyways, and he hasn’t played 3rd base on a consistent basis since 2006 (granted, he’s been banged up since then, but even back then, the expectations were that Chad would have to shift to 1st).

Now, I think his better versatility was a factor, but I simply feel like they made this decision to give them better lefthanded options off the bench. With Baker/Nady on the right side, and Tracy/Colvin as lefties, Lou does have a lot more options for pinch hitting scenarios.

That said, I believe that Jeff Baker would probably head back to his former position if there was an extended need for a replacement at 3rd (unless multiple injuries occurred).

by toonsterwu on Mar 30, 2010 5:34 PM CDT reply actions

Hendry claims it was between Tracy and FULD??? WTF

From USA Today.
Hendry said the team wrestled between keeping Tracy or Sam Fuld. Fuld only has 79 games of big-league experience, while Tracy has 704.

If I were Millar I would be pissed by that statement which is just stupid. It’s like Hendry is saying “Sure we planned on carrying 6 outfielders since one of the back up guys can’t throw and the other can’t take a walk. Fontenot should have no trouble backing up all 5 IF positions if needed and hey Sam is such a great defender we are going to try him at SS”

I don’t know what the exact quote was but it is just silly. Perhaps he was trying to be nice to Fuld, but there is no chance you have 3 back up guys in the OF and only one in the IF

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 30, 2010 6:10 PM CDT reply actions

Glad Fuld is in AAA....

He is not a major leaguer and Colvin at the worst is a fourth outfielder while FUld is a fifth. Also way to go Hendry and Jim on Tracy over Millar.

I for one think we will have a good year.

4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42

by fischisgod on Mar 30, 2010 6:44 PM CDT reply actions

Lost cause I guess but Fuld is a PERFECT bench player

for a team that actually wants speed and defense instead of offense at all costs including an OF who can’t field and one who can’t take a walk . To be fair I am in favor of letting Colvin be up , but Nady should be on the DL . There is no place in the NL for
a a DH. I am supposed to believe he is fine to play one or two games a week? I don’t know if he is safe to play one or two INNINGS a week. He is batting .185, he can’t field and he he is hardly someone you can use to pinch run , so what exactly is he good for?

"I am not ashamed to say I love Greg Maddux" - Jim Hendry
Me either Jim

by Doggie Stalker on Mar 30, 2010 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions