Blanco to DL, Hill Called up

by kaseyi on Jun 1, 2007 11:13 AM CDT

Well..all you people in the Hank WHite Fan club, time to be worried about your idol. The CUbs today put Henry Blanco on the DL with a herniated Disc and they called up Koyie Hill.

Official Press Release

SO much for all those people advocating Blanco replace Barrett on a long term basis.

Kasey

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Is Blanco really injured?

Herniated disc here seems more specific than Wade Miller's alleged back spasms. Can we assume then that Blanco's really hurt, and if so, when did it occur?

by John Q Freejazz on Jun 1, 2007 11:15 AM CDT reply actions

And furthermore

It had been indicated a few days ago that Barrett would be benched for a couple of games, although part of that was based on Lou saying he liked the way Blanco worked with Zambrano. It will be interesting to see who starts behind the plate today.

by John Q Freejazz on Jun 1, 2007 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Wow

Herniated disk is a significant injury for any player, but especially a catcher. I suspect that he may be done for the season. Even more Michael Barrett behind the plate. Lord help us.

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

by BlueMike on Jun 1, 2007 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

And before

the bandwagon for Hill as a starter begins. He's 28. He's been in 4 organizations and didn't even appear in the majors last season. He has a lifetime average of .231 (27 for 117) with 1 homerun. I can hardly wait for the lineup with Theriot, Izturis and Hill. Maybe the Cubs will move in the fences.

by rlpete on Jun 1, 2007 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

The Cub farm system to the rescue again !!!

snicker

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

by BlueMike on Jun 1, 2007 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks

Didn't see this before I posted.

by cubsbak on Jun 1, 2007 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

Anybody know

anything about this guy? I've never heard of him. How is his defense? Could he possibly be auditioning for a job, in the hopes that Barrett would be traded if this guy can play?

by cubsbak on Jun 1, 2007 11:21 AM CDT reply actions

Koyie Hill

Hill was drafted in the 4th round by the Dodgers and was the primary piece in the deal between the Dodgers and Dbacks for Steve Finley. Although that was purely just a salary dump for the DBacks.

by lemon20pie on Jun 1, 2007 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions

A herniated disk

can disable a normal person for a month or two easy, and an athlete longer. If we're lucky Blanco may be back for the start of the playoffs.

by JFCubFan on Jun 1, 2007 11:23 AM CDT reply actions

If it looks like he'll be done for a while...

I'm sure they will sign a veteran as a backup. I know they got Hill, but I gotta think someone else could be acquired pretty cheaply.

Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

by eamuscatuli1881 on Jun 1, 2007 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

What about Geovany Soto?

I'm a bit surprised that Hill was called up over Geovany Soto, who seems to be figuring things out offensively this season at AAA:

AVG/OBP/SLG
319/383/504

He's always had good patience, but now he's hitting for average and power as well (small sample size issues aside). I've always heard he's pretty good defensively as well. I'm sure he's next in line if Hill can't get it done at the big league level.

by mportsch on Jun 1, 2007 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

Futhermore,

Soto is already familiar with several of the Cubs pitchers from time spent together in the minors (Rich Hill, Sean Marshall, Angel Guzman, Carlos Marmol, Michael Wuertz); Koyie Hill just joined the Cubs organization this spring, so has only caught in spring training and a few of the guys in AAA. This isn't a huge issue, but I would think it would be another small reason to promote Soto over Hill. Ah well, I'll still be pulling for Hill.

by mportsch on Jun 1, 2007 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah

I would think the guy to call up would be Soto, not Hill. Soto's actually a prospect.

maybe Lou wanted a veteran. Let's be honest, he may not be a mean Dusty Baker like I called him once, but Piniella isn't exactly rushing to play the kids.

It may also be that they want Soto to play everyday, and he wouldn't do that behind Barrett. But with Barrett's play lately, giving him a few days off a week might be a good thing.

by Josh Timmers on Jun 1, 2007 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Catchers

If we draft Wieters next week, how fast cen we sign him and bring him up?

Just kidding. (a bit)

by John in DC on Jun 1, 2007 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

Catchers

Hill and Soto have very similar stats at Iowa. They have 3 catchers on the roster, so I suspect they called up the backup to Soto so he can back up Barrett and the 3rd string catcher can back up Soto. May not have brought up Soto to get minimal playing time. But, who knows?

by jballgame on Jun 1, 2007 11:45 AM CDT reply actions

Who is out there?

There can't be anybody worth anything hanging around unsigned. If the injury is long term, we just don't know enough yet, I hope it affects draft philosophy. If Wieters is available at # three in the draft grab him. Heck, maybe we bump up two spots by giving up an arm to get him.
On another note, with Giambi possibly out for the year it may open up room for a deal with the Yankees for one of our abundance of outfielders. I don't think we can trade Floyd currently, but I can openly fantasize about Jones being attractive to the Yanks.

by Nibbles on Jun 1, 2007 11:46 AM CDT reply actions

You can't trade baseball draft picks

and I sure hope that whether Henry Blanco is on the DL has no influence on who the Cubs draft. By the time either Wieters or Vitters make the majors, Blanco will be well gone.

by rlpete on Jun 1, 2007 12:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Chris Widger to the rescue !!!!

"Gentlemen, you can't fight in here! This is the War Room."

by BlueMike on Jun 1, 2007 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

Herniated Discs

If you took 100 people off the street, 50% would have herniated discs and of that 50%, maybe 10% would show any signs and symptoms. There is a study out there that says that. I have no idea what Blanco's symptoms are, but to say that he is out for the season is a little premature in my opinion.

by MerigoldBowling on Jun 1, 2007 9:06 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

... a herniated disk is a little different for a "person on the street" and a major league catcher, particularly one who is 35 years old. I'd think Henry might have to worry about his career, not just this season.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2007 3:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Maybe they could go after Damien Miller

Oh, I forgot, he's stuck with the first place Brewers. Isn't he the guy who caught for the Cubs when they played in the NLCS in 03? And then was on the A's team that won 91 games in 04? And I guess he was on the Brewers in 05 and 06, and both those teams finished above Cub teams that were suppose to have more talent. Boy, it's a good thing catchers aren't very important to a baseball team.

"Just give me 25 guys on the last year of their contracts; I'll win a pennant every year" - Sparky Anderson

by MPH73 on Jun 1, 2007 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

Couldn't agree more.

Miller was a BIG reason the Cubs won in '03. Had he been here in '04 I think the Cubs would have easily made the postseason. Yes, he could have made that much difference.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Jun 2, 2007 3:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Of all the dumb things Hendry has done...

....trading away a great Defensive Catcher with a buttload of experience for a Catcher at the time at best, a project, with young pitchers like Wood, Zambrano and Prior is the one that pisses me off the most. That's mindboggling that a GM with any clue would brush away the notion and the importance of a good Defensive Catcher, especially considering the youth at the Pitcher position.

I think when the Hendry reign is over, that will go down as the dumbest move he did. Misjudging talent is one thing, but absolutely disregarding the importance of Miller with such a young corps of pitchers, proves his ignorance about the game of baseball itself.

by lemon20pie on Jun 2, 2007 4:43 AM CDT up reply actions