Building a ballclub

lot like the blog version of a Jackson Pollock.

Tell us something we didn’t know.

—Ramirez should be disabled if he’s in so much pain that he has to hold his bat a different way. And why would he hit clean-up in supposed pain, along with a .160 BA? DL him and then promote Chad Tracy, who is tearing the cover of the ball in AAA at 3B.

-Fontenot and Colvin should be playing more and there’s no excuse that they don’t. I agree with your comment about the manager not looking into statistical match-ups before games. Let’s look at yesterday-Theriot went 0-5 the previous day and has a .316 OBP (going into yesterday). He had a .265 career average against Wainright while Fontenot, who was 5 for his last 7 with two triples the previous day, has a career average of .353 against him. For some reason, he was sitting and didn’t even get into the game! Horrendous managing.

—Besides that, Soriano had a career average of .179 against Wainright and Fukudome a .182 average against him. Looked like a good day to play Colvin to me. I don’t buy this “we’re going to play Colvin more” garbage.

—Nady had a .375 career average against Wainright. Wouldn’t he have a better shot then either of those two guys as well? I’m tired of this lefty-righty stuff. If a guy hits a pitcher well, especially career-wise against an ace in a big game, then he should play. Obviously someone isn’t preparing well for these games.

—Speaking of Theriot, I know he leads the league in singles, but someone with a .316 OBP has no business batting 1 or 2. He should be batting 8th. I do agree that he SHOULD platoon with Fontenot at 2B as that was what they were doing with Fontenot/Baker before Theriot was moved.

—Starlin Castro has been playing well the past few days with some outstanding defense, so I expect him to sit today. That’s the usual management move on this team, to sit people when they start to get hot while you play people who aren’t doing anything.

—I think that you’re right, that we do need a new manager. I would replace Piniella with Sandberg immediately. We need someone who wants to be here and who will put effort into things. Let’s reward loyalty to the Cubs for once instead of kicking loyal people in the teeth (see Mark Grace, Mark DeRosa, Kerry Wood, etc.) This team needs to go in a different direction because the course we’re on obviously isn’t working.

—I’d also get a new GM in there before our fire sale, because Hendry will probably end up giving away Lilly, Lee, and others for nothing like he did Maddux. He’s always trying to “help” other teams or players so that they can play for contenders. How about helping the Cubs?

—I would put Grabow up in a hotel, and tell him to take his time recovering from his “knee tendinitis”. When he says that he’s recovered, tell him to take a few more weeks just to make sure it’s all healed.

—Fukudome is 0 for 6 lifetime against Ohlendorf, the Pirates pitcher for today. Let’s see if he’s playing and leading off again. For me, I’d send a line-up out there today of Fontenot 3B, Castro SS, Colvin RF, Lee 1B, Byrd CF, Soriano LF, Soto C, Theriot SS, Wells P.

It was a special circumstance. The Dodgers were basically the only team that wanted Maddux that he would go to ( FYI he did NOT have an NTC , he did not need it, everyone knew that you don’t trade Maddux without his approval). If Lee or Lilly get traded, I am sure Hendry will get something worthwhile or they will not be traded. Hendry’s track record on trades, especially in season trades is very good.