Oh, No. Not ALREADY.
I had a post almost finished and got a browser burp. It was one of the most magnificent pieces of writing I've ever done.
But you'll never see it. Instead, you'll have to make do with this one.
The Cubs cranked up their bats again today and beat the Giants 10-5, but that's likely not what you want to talk about.
Derrek Lee left the game in the second inning after an awkward slide into second base, "tweaking" his groin. It didn't seem serious, and after something like that you'd leave a spring training game right away as a precaution anyway.
But we worry, given this club's starcrossed last couple of years.
Henry Blanco also left early after fouling a ball off his knee; it was likely almost time for Geovany Soto to get some playing time anyway.
Carlos Zambrano threw 72 pitches in four innings, which is a lot. He walked two, which is too many, and struck out five, and gave up only three hits. He almost matched that at the plate, hitting a double and a triple (which the TV guys said might have been an inside-the-park HR had Z not slipped nearing third base) and driving in a run.
Jeff Samardzija threw two scoreless innings, but allowed five baserunners after the first two batters made easy outs in both innings. This is, obviously, something he has to work on, keeping his focus. I hope he gets to do it in High-A or even Double-A; it's been Cub policy to start college players at levels that are really too low for them, and with a talent like his I think they should start him higher, because he could be fast-tracked to the majors with his fastball and mound presence. His first-ever encounter with Barry Bonds resulted in a lazy little single to RF, after which Bonds left for a runner.
Other good things today: Jacque Jones had two more hits, and I'd like to see him get some PT in CF, even though Alfonso Soriano looked a little less tentative out there today. Jake Fox cracked another two-RBI double, but he's ticketed for Iowa anyway. Will Ohman struck out the side in his inning of work. Cliff Floyd -- yes, he really exists! -- had a two-run single in his first spring at-bat.
Bob Howry gave up a home run to a guy named Chad Santos -- I wouldn't worry about Howry, perhaps he was working on something.
I had more, but it was lost in the browser belch. And I thought I had copied it to the clipboard before everything closed. Oh, well. Tomorrow, Wade Miller will face the Diamondbacks in Tucson, and Rich Hill, whose turn would come up on the off-day Wednesday, will throw "an inning or two" in a minor league game and then resume his regular turn the next time around.
Don't worry too much about the injuries. There haven't been any updates -- good OR bad -- yet, on this, and as I said, neither seemed too serious.
Oh, go ahead. Cross various body parts and entreat whatever source you plead or pray to. Can't hurt.
49 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Where's...
Dan
cuts and lee
Lee was decoyed going into 2nd. He first tried to slide, then held up and his spike caught. He didn't scream in horror or anything. he just walked around and they decided he'd better not finish the game. who knows at this point.
by cashcowsquirtingsourmilk on Mar 12, 2007 7:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Two things Al
- where the heck is Brenly?
- I think Jeff Samardzija needs time to learn to work out of the stretch, that's something to work on in the minors, his pitches aren't as sharp in the stretch right now. He also needs time to develop more pitches if he is going to be a starter. A good year in the minors and you might see him in September.
I don't know about Brenly.
Good point about Samardzija pitching out of the stretch. He can work on that in minor league camp. I think his future is as a reliever.
Dan Plesac...
DmL
Yes.
Man, I hadn't thought it was that long ago.
Dan Plesac's career stats at baseball-reference.com
His 1064 games rank sixth on the all-time list for pitching appearances.
OT
That sucks. Hopefully they can get something worthwhile out of him. He's a good player and seems like a good guy, the Bears need to stop alienating everyone, or nobody will ever come there.
I like him...
I hope they figure him out because I love watching Briggs, and he's a great player.
Why?
The Bears will only continue to alienate players and keep better ones from coming as long as the McCaskeys own the team and Phillips is President.
by southerncubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually.....
FWIW, the teams who have won consistently do not stock up via free agency. They do it through the draft.
I agree about McCaskey. He is a weasel. I like Phillips. He has done a good job thus far.
For those who have Bears season tickets, I recently received my 2007 invoice. My tickets went from 75 to 82. The price of success?!?
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Briggs
by MHef08 @ Bleed Cubbie Blue on Mar 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Well...
DmL
Stupid....
If he shut his mouth, the Bears most likely would have moved him.
Now, the other GMs smell blood and will not give up what the Bears will demand in return.
I am amazed that Rosenhaus continues to sign clients. He continues to either offer bad advice or can't get through to his players.
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions
ok
Not worried yet.....
If not, he will miss some of the camp but ultimately play. If he sits out, he loses out more than the Bears.
Look for the Bears to draft a LB on the first day.
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:35 PM CDT up reply actions
totally agree..
I usually side on management's side. That said, football is a bit different. Very little of total deals are guaranteed and guys are often cut so the clubs don't have to pay the salaries they had signed guys for.
Briggs should not have escalated this to the media. Perhaps the Bears would have an easier time moving him and all would be happy.
the only thing
From all reports Briggs is a classy guy, and i have to wonder if he exhausted all the clsoed door options and did this to force the bears hand. he still a star player, and if he plays well he'll probably make more in the long run if he plays under the franchise tag this year and then signs a big free agent contract next year.
For all the people that threaten to hold out, for some reason i believe briggs. that is kind of scary, because he's not relpaceable in the short term.
FWIW....
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:44 PM CDT up reply actions
i didn't know that
i don't like the mccasky's. i wish they'd sell. they are part of the halas legacy but i don't think they really give a crap about that--seems like its just about money to them.
From.....
If the day ever comes that they do sell, I would personally drive Michael to the nearest airport and wish him a fond farewell.
The Bears have actually spent money on players. It is the BS like jacking up the parking during the playoffs (40 to 80) that piss me off.
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 9:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Briggs is gonna play
by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Mar 12, 2007 11:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Paging Al Harris
Skipping a year in the NFL has negative long-term expected value.
by Invalid User on Mar 13, 2007 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
cuts
Infielder Scott Moore and left-handed pitcher Clay Rapada have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa. In addition, infielder Brian Dopirak has been optioned to Double-A Tennessee and right-handed pitcher Jeff Samardzija has been optioned to Single-A Daytona.
Ten non-roster invitees have been returned to minor league camp, including right-handed pitchers Jason Anderson, Sean Gallagher, Adam Harben, Ben Howard, John Webb and Randy Wells. Infielders Mike Kinkade and Eric Patterson, as well as outfielders Tyler Colvin and Chris Walker, have also been returned to minor league camp.
Chicago's spring roster of 44 players consists of 22 pitchers (three non-roster invitees), five catchers (two non-roster invitees), 10 infielders (three non-roster invitees) and seven outfielders.
I'm sorry to see...
he won't be there long if
Was he there last year?
No
I don't see how Daytona is slow tracking him. His second year in professional baseball (and he didn't even play the whole season last year) and he's in High A. That actually seems like a bit of a fast track to me.
And Jody Davis will be managing him, which, as far as I can tell, is a good thing.
by Josh Timmers on Mar 12, 2007 8:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Amen to that...
I can't believe he's not good enough for AA_West TN.
by southerncubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions
FYI
by FullyKraeusened on Mar 12, 2007 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions
I just had no idea...
by FullyKraeusened on Mar 12, 2007 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I think....
With as much talent as he has, I like the path the organization has put him on. Build a strong base and watch him grow. It will be exciting to follow his progress.
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Lets hope....
by timeforachange on Mar 12, 2007 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Samardzija, Impressive....
He displayed the confidence, presence and power to have what everyone's calling a really "high" upside.
He's pretty intimidating out there on the mound, with a fastball that was working between 93 and 95 today--Best of all....he throws strikes.
Samardzija, Veal, Gallagher, Guzman......
Mark who?
Tennessee Smokies AA
by TnLadyCubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:53 PM CDT reply actions
That'd be great!
that would be beautiful
by TnLadyCubbie on Mar 12, 2007 7:55 PM CDT reply actions
Brenly
cuts
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070312&content_id=1840385&vkey=spt2007news&fex t=.jsp
Hope this helps anyone hoping to catch a quick glimpse at some of the spring moves. Just a quick note to all those of you lucky enough to be able to bask in the heaven that is spring training baseball at Ho Ho Kam--I truly hope you enjoy it and remember all us working class slobs you left behind.
Cuts revisited
Javy Lopez released by Rockies
I'm not surprised.
He had a monster, 43 HR, 109 RBI, .328/.378/.687 year in 2003 with the Braves -- got a big-$ deal with Baltimore out of that. He was decent in 2004, but was already 33 and rapidly declined after that. He's 36 now and likely done.
IMHO.......
by timeforachange on Mar 13, 2007 7:42 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know about Jones in CF Al..
by santo for prez on Mar 13, 2007 12:08 AM CDT reply actions

by 


















