Today's Bruce Miles article: Jacque Jones

[goonys evil twin]

Ahhh...I see...so we get Milton Bradley and he gets hurt 10 games into the season and so then Dusty can put in whoever becomes the heir-apparent to Gremlin into RF for the rest of the season?

 

People...this is THE CUBS!!! Whenever we depend upon a cost-benefit ratio, it always comes out on the COST side against us. I would normally be optimistic about Bradley because he is very good hitter and would fit great with us....but i'm too cynical these days.

 

 

I don't think Bradley is a good choice for RF either. He's just a much better option than Jones. Bradley should be the CF, with Patterson and Hairston as fallback options, and somebody good should be the RF.

[OleMissCub]

Ahhh...I see...so we get Milton Bradley and he gets hurt 10 games into the season and so then Dusty can put in whoever becomes the heir-apparent to Gremlin into RF for the rest of the season?

 

People...this is THE CUBS!!! Whenever we depend upon a cost-benefit ratio, it always comes out on the COST side against us. I would normally be optimistic about Bradley because he is very good hitter and would fit great with us....but i'm too cynical these days.

At the very least we hold on to Patterson and keep him as a 4th OF.

 

In that case I suppose a healthy Patterson couldn't be any worse than Jones. I guess I might rather gamble on Bradley than hope on Jones if Bradley's backup is just another Jones.

[Balsa]

Wow. Jones's R/L splits are awful.

 

Although he does bat significantly better with RISP or just runners on than with none on.

[da bears]

Well, an awesome offseason is just continues to get me really pumped up! :roll:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

 

Bradley WON'T even play but for half the season! He's only played over 100 games TWICE in all his years. Has someone put some special tonic y'alls juice that makes you fall in love with a guy who A) Is a proven headcase and a cancer in the clubhouse and B) averages ONLY 76 games a year!!

 

This would be THE typical Cubs pickup! Just say no!

 

I'm not saying Jones is a better baseball player, but i DO know that he more than likely isn't going to call reporters "uncle tom's" or throw things at fans, scream at umpires, and i DO know that he'll more than likely play OVER 76 games this year.

 

76 games a year? That's some fuzzy math for sure.

 

2000: 42 MLB games, 88 at AAA, 120 total

2001: 77 MLB games, 35 at AAA, 112 total

2002: 98 MLB games, 9 at AA/AAA, 108 total

2003: 101 MLB games

2004: 141 MLB games

2005: 75 MLB games, 5 AAA games, 80 total

 

Last year was the first year since he broke into the Major Leagues that he didn't play 100 games.

[JWCUB]

The bottom line is that the Trib needs to open up the pocketbook. The window of oppertunity is closing IMO. When it is time for raises, do you honestly think the Cubs will keep Prior, Z, and Wood? They will try, on Prior and Z at least. But honestly they will not be able to afford to keep this staff together. IMO they need to try and win at all costs this year. They either need to land Abreu or Manny. I have been a Cubs fan for 22 years now, and I'm tired of losing. The Tribune should be too. After the Sox this year, I'm really burning inside. Abreu or Manny. NOTHING LESS.

 

I don't see why they need to expand the payroll anymore, as it just means more raises for guys like Rusch, Neifi and the rest. They have plenty of money available, assuming the $100-105m payroll, to acquire a big time RF. They had plenty of money available in the offseason to greatly improve upon the 2005 team, but as of now it looks like Hendry will just fritter it away on marginal upgrades.

 

That is what is really frustrating about this organization. They have one of the biggest fan bases (if not the biggest) in the world. And yet they still refuse to do what it takes to win. Mark Cuban where are you??????

 

I think you're missing the point of what I wrote. Ownership isn't the problem. Ownership hasn't been great, but their job is to hire management, and give management a high enough budget to win. They hired Andy, who by all accounts should be a great baseball executive, and they pretty much stayed out of his way, which owners should do. They gave him time, and an ever increasing budget to get the job done, but the results have not been there. The Cubs problem is a management issue, it's not cheap ownership. This isn't the Wirtz family. Over that time Andy has made the franchise much more solid overall, so he's done a good job, for the most part. But they haven't achieved nearly enough success as they should have. So, it's hard to really get pissed at ownership for being cheap, because they aren't, and it's hard to get pissed at them for sticking with Andy, because the team is much better off now than they were before he was hired. The biggest problem has been Andy sticking with Hendry and Baker, and an out-of-date belief system that hasn't brought enough results.

 

I get your point Goony. I'm just really frustrated today. I prematurly got my hopes up for Tejada this weekend and then read the article on Jones today. :x Wow, what a turn around. As all of us on this board, I just want a winner put on the field. And you are right, the Tribune is not to blame, at least not all. I just see what the Mets are doing, and just ask myself "why not us?"

[YearofDaCubs]

CubfaninCA, do you think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the Trib? If not, how do you spread the blame around? Believe me, I am not a big fan of the Trib, but they have given management a more than adequate budget to build and put a winning team on the field. I think there is plenty of blame to go around starting with Andy MacPhail, Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and even down to the coaches (everyone remember Wendell Kim) and players. MacPhail's tenure has lasted well over 10 years and how many W.S. titles has he brought to the North Side? How many Division Titles? I think the buck stops at MacPhail and Hendry.

They were not willing to cough up the extra 5-6 mil to upgrade the OF in 2005 when they traded Sosa. Instead we ended up with Burnitz. MacPhail has said that he feels the Cubs should NEVER go after the best free agent available on the market because of cost and years. He also said he will never move the salary up to the point that we hit the luxury tax. Obviously we don't need to hit the luxury tax but the first quote is disturbing. To me it tells me we have limits on what we can do and who we can acquire. That was also obvious when the higher ups would not allow Hendry to put up the extra 2mil to get Furcal. MacPhail as a business man has been very successful and I'm sure the Tribune loves him. MacPhail as an Executive for the Cubs and making sure all is done to put a winning team on the field has been pathetic.

[CuseCubFan69]

Let's add to this.....Minny accepted arby for Jones.

[OleMissCub]

 

76 games a year? That's some fuzzy math for sure.

 

2000: 42 MLB games, 88 at AAA, 120 total

2001: 77 MLB games, 35 at AAA, 112 total

2002: 98 MLB games, 9 at AA/AAA, 108 total

2003: 101 MLB games

2004: 141 MLB games

2005: 75 MLB games, 5 AAA games, 80 total

 

Last year was the first year since he broke into the Major Leagues that he didn't play 100 games.

 

But it's still safe to say that he has never even come close to playing a complete season (other than in 04) in either minor leagues OR major leagues put together in those stats you posted.

[CubfaninCA]

CubfaninCA, do you think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the Trib? If not, how do you spread the blame around? Believe me, I am not a big fan of the Trib, but they have given management a more than adequate budget to build and put a winning team on the field. I think there is plenty of blame to go around starting with Andy MacPhail, Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and even down to the coaches (everyone remember Wendell Kim) and players. MacPhail's tenure has lasted well over 10 years and how many W.S. titles has he brought to the North Side? How many Division Titles? I think the buck stops at MacPhail and Hendry.

 

The blame should go in many directions. Hendry's not a dictator. Perhaps the biggest blame goes towards whoever's in charge of drafting hitters. The Cubs inabilitiy to draft good hitters is a killer.

 

As for Hendry and Baker, I give Hendry a B- and Baker a D. The Trib, I give a B. Wendell Kim F.

[YearofDaCubs]

CubfaninCA, do you think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the Trib? If not, how do you spread the blame around? Believe me, I am not a big fan of the Trib, but they have given management a more than adequate budget to build and put a winning team on the field. I think there is plenty of blame to go around starting with Andy MacPhail, Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and even down to the coaches (everyone remember Wendell Kim) and players. MacPhail's tenure has lasted well over 10 years and how many W.S. titles has he brought to the North Side? How many Division Titles? I think the buck stops at MacPhail and Hendry.

 

The blame should go in many directions. Hendry's not a dictator. Perhaps the biggest blame goes towards whoever's in charge of drafting hitters. The Cubs inabilitiy to draft good hitters is a killer.

 

As for Hendry and Baker, I give Hendry a B- and Baker a D. The Trib, I give a B. Wendell Kim F.

I give MacPhail a D, Hendry a C and Baker an F.

[badgercub]

CubfaninCA, do you think all the blame should be laid at the feet of the Trib? If not, how do you spread the blame around? Believe me, I am not a big fan of the Trib, but they have given management a more than adequate budget to build and put a winning team on the field. I think there is plenty of blame to go around starting with Andy MacPhail, Jim Hendry, Dusty Baker, and even down to the coaches (everyone remember Wendell Kim) and players. MacPhail's tenure has lasted well over 10 years and how many W.S. titles has he brought to the North Side? How many Division Titles? I think the buck stops at MacPhail and Hendry.

 

The blame should go in many directions. Hendry's not a dictator. Perhaps the biggest blame goes towards whoever's in charge of drafting hitters. The Cubs inabilitiy to draft good hitters is a killer.

 

As for Hendry and Baker, I give Hendry a B- and Baker a D. The Trib, I give a B. Wendell Kim F.

 

They went with a philosophy of drafting pitchers, which is fine if you use some of those pitchers to acquire good hitting. The problem with that is Hendry couldn't see the forest through the trees and got spooked after Dontrelle's success which led to him keeping way too many guys too long and it ended up in the Cubs losing a guy like Andy Sisco in the Rule 5 draft. And more recently IMO he over paid by shipping 3 young arms for Juan Pierre.

[CubinNY]

The blame should go in many directions. Hendry's not a dictator. Perhaps the biggest blame goes towards whoever's in charge of drafting hitters. The Cubs inabilitiy to draft good hitters is a killer.

 

As for Hendry and Baker, I give Hendry a B- and Baker a D. The Trib, I give a B. Wendell Kim F.

 

That would be Jim Hendry. The Cubs have drafted position players plenty high. One of the major problems was and is player development of both pitchers and hitters. The buck has to stop somewhere, and it stops with Hendry.

[BigbadB]

Jones is just an unproductive Milton Bradley.

 

fixed

 

Bradley WON'T even play but for half the season! He's only played over 100 games TWICE in all his years. Has someone put some special tonic y'alls juice that makes you fall in love with a guy who A) Is a proven headcase and a cancer in the clubhouse and B) averages ONLY 76 games a year!!

 

This would be THE typical Cubs pickup! Just say no!

 

I'm not saying Jones is a better baseball player, but i DO know that he more than likely isn't going to call reporters "uncle tom's" or throw things at fans, scream at umpires, and i DO know that he'll more than likely play OVER 76 games this year.

 

76 games a year? That's some fuzzy math for sure.

 

2000: 42 MLB games, 88 at AAA, 120 total

2001: 77 MLB games, 35 at AAA, 112 total

2002: 98 MLB games, 9 at AA/AAA, 108 total

2003: 101 MLB games

2004: 141 MLB games

2005: 75 MLB games, 5 AAA games, 80 total

 

Last year was the first year since he broke into the Major Leagues that he didn't play 100 games.

 

He also wasn't injured during those seasons either. He was in a platoon situation while Cleveland sorted out who they really wanted playing in the outfield.

[frostwyrm]

Jones would obviously need a righty platoon partner. I wonder if Hendry has anyone in mind.

[RynoRules]

Yeah, I worry less about Bradley getting injured than I do about him imploding. If that were not an issue, I'd say that Jim should zero in.

[JWCUB]

Yeah, I worry less about Bradley getting injured than I do about him imploding. If that were not an issue, I'd say that Jim should zero in.

Jim needs to zero in on Manny or Abreu.

[ThePenguin11]

Bruce is on the Score w/ Murph right now:

 

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/solon/media/tuner/Tuner?aff=670thescore&useSame=true&type=IE

[BigbadB]

I agree that Bradley by himself is not enough for RF. However, a combination of Bradley and one of Huff, Green, Floyd, Wilkerson, etc...

 

would create a deep outfield and allow Murton to smoothly transition into an everyday player, rather than a sink or swim situation with NO back up plan.

[Wheelimus]

well, get Tejada and we might even be able to survive Jones in RF :wink:

[CubfaninCA]

Weren't the rumors Bradley for Walker? Putting that into consideration as well, Bradley's a slight improvement, if that. If he was slotted for CF, it would be a different story.

[RynoRules]

well, get Tejada and we might even be able to survive Jones in RF :wink:

 

I'll throw you one better; how about Bradley in RF and Tejada at SS (assuming Walker is not traded in this scenario):

 

Pierre

Walker

Lee

Tejada

ARam

Bradley

Murton

Barrett

 

:thumleft:

[Priorknowledge]

Bruce is on the Score w/ Murph right now:

 

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/solon/media/tuner/Tuner?aff=670thescore&useSame=true&type=IE

 

Did he say anything interesting?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Bruce is on the Score w/ Murph right now:

 

http://tuner1.dc1.sonixtream.com/solon/media/tuner/Tuner?aff=670thescore&useSame=true&type=IE

 

Did he say anything interesting?

 

Who, Bruce or Murph? :lol:

[NCCubFan]

Enjoy the holidays Jim, it'll be your last as GM of the Cubs.

 

Zero chance.

Plenty of chance. You definitely do not know that the Cubs will keep Hendry if next season is another disappointment.

 

Zero chance.

It's not a zero chance, and you know it. You may think there's LITTLE chance, and you might be right about that, but ZERO chance is an absolute statement that is clearly and factually not true because nobody can say with certainty what will happen after next season. When you make such a clearly incorrect statement, and refuse to back off it when called on it, you're likely to be criticized, and rightfully so.