Well Mr. Miles...what's the Cubs next move?

[CubinNY]

The Cubs also would be comfortable with Hairston getting a good number of starts at second, too. He seems to be the forgotten guy here.

 

Mr. Miles,

 

It is my impression that Hairston is not well liked by Dusty. He made a number of comments about him missing signs and base running gaffes. Is this the case?

 

Dusty seemed to have a distaste for Hairston right from spring training, for whatever reason. Hairston missed a number of signs during the season, and that certainly didn't endear him to the boss. But as the year went on, Hairston seemed to grow on the Cubs a little more _ Hendry also said as much at the winter meetings. He can be a valuable guy to have on a team, and he certainly wasn't the only Cub to make mental errors.

 

I agree and thanks for talking to us starving Cub fans. We all appreciate when you stop by.

[Bruce Miles]

Not necessarily. If they wind up with Tejada or another shortstop, they'd be fine with Cedeno at second with Neifi as the backup. I believe Hendry knows you can't play Neifi every day and thus expose him. And you must never, ever bat him 1 or 2. I have a feeling Hendry is working on things nobody has even talked about. The Derrek Lee trade came literally out of nowhere. The did a good job keeping the Blanco signing quiet _ everybody assumed they'd re-sign Bako. The Cubs also would be comfortable with Hairston getting a good number of starts at second, too. He seems to be the forgotten guy here.

 

Anything you can share regarding Brian Giles? Was there no interest in him? Did Giles not want to play in Chicago? Did Hendry assume or have some sort of first hand knowledge Giles had no desire to leave San Diego?

 

Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

Giles would have been my first choice, but the Cubs felt all along that he'd stay in San Diego or get an unbelievable offer from the Yankees.

[Bruce Miles]

Cheers Bruce, read you all the time in the herald, your a great read from over here in England. Realiable and informative keep up the good work.!!

 

Thank you. I appreciate that.

[goonys evil twin]

But as the year went on, Hairston seemed to grow on the Cubs a little more _ Hendry also said as much at the winter meetings.

 

Co stanza

[abuck1220]

Not necessarily. If they wind up with Tejada or another shortstop, they'd be fine with Cedeno at second with Neifi as the backup. I believe Hendry knows you can't play Neifi every day and thus expose him. And you must never, ever bat him 1 or 2. I have a feeling Hendry is working on things nobody has even talked about. The Derrek Lee trade came literally out of nowhere. The did a good job keeping the Blanco signing quiet _ everybody assumed they'd re-sign Bako. The Cubs also would be comfortable with Hairston getting a good number of starts at second, too. He seems to be the forgotten guy here.

 

Anything you can share regarding Brian Giles? Was there no interest in him? Did Giles not want to play in Chicago? Did Hendry assume or have some sort of first hand knowledge Giles had no desire to leave San Diego?

 

Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

Giles would have been my first choice, but the Cubs felt all along that he'd stay in San Diego or get an unbelievable offer from the Yankees.

 

i think it just woud have made me, and probably others, feel better if they would have at least made an effort to go after him, instead of just assuming he was staying in SD. i mean, that's just kind of lazy. at least then i would have felt like the cubs didn't think jacque jones was better than giles.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce:

 

What was Dusty's fascination with Jose Macias? I never understood why that guy hung on around here for two years and played as much as he did.

 

Remember that the front office had to sign Macias so don't put all the blame on the manager. The Cubs seemed to rationalize Macias' presence by saying, "All teams have a guy like this," meaning a marginal player who makes little money, is happy to be in the big leagues and maybe can do one thing well. Jose is a terrifically nice guy, but no way is he your No. 1 pinch hitter.

[UK1679666180]

How can the manager blame the players for mental errors when he himself has his share of them.

 

I don't think managers make many mental errors, I just think he has a flawed system of beliefs that is pretty strict. Pitchers can run high pitch counts regradless of their fatigue level, all LH'ers will do better vs. LH'ers and vice versa. Hitters are best defined by avg., HR, RBI.

 

But, Baker has every right to be upset with fundamental mistakes. Of course, he rarely takes responsibility for the lack of fundamentals while they occur on his team and would rather harp on players not having learned it in the minors, when they were younger, or if they were not on a team that was not managed by him.

Edited December 21, 2005 by UK

[USSoccer]

Bruce,

 

Any chance Eric Byrnes is on Hendry's radar?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Bruce,

Just once I'd like to see you go on for several rant-filled paragraphs like many posters around here. Any chance we can see that?

[Bruce Miles]

Not necessarily. If they wind up with Tejada or another shortstop, they'd be fine with Cedeno at second with Neifi as the backup. I believe Hendry knows you can't play Neifi every day and thus expose him. And you must never, ever bat him 1 or 2. I have a feeling Hendry is working on things nobody has even talked about. The Derrek Lee trade came literally out of nowhere. The did a good job keeping the Blanco signing quiet _ everybody assumed they'd re-sign Bako. The Cubs also would be comfortable with Hairston getting a good number of starts at second, too. He seems to be the forgotten guy here.

 

Anything you can share regarding Brian Giles? Was there no interest in him? Did Giles not want to play in Chicago? Did Hendry assume or have some sort of first hand knowledge Giles had no desire to leave San Diego?

 

Any help on this would be appreciated.

 

Giles would have been my first choice, but the Cubs felt all along that he'd stay in San Diego or get an unbelievable offer from the Yankees.

 

i think it just woud have made me, and probably others, feel better if they would have at least made an effort to go after him, instead of just assuming he was staying in SD. i mean, that's just kind of lazy. at least then i would have felt like the cubs didn't think jacque jones was better than giles.

 

"Lazy" probably isn't a fair assessment. That's one thing Hendry isn't. But all organizatons target certain players and concentrate on them. This off-season, the Cubs felt they would spend money on Furcal and also try to land Pierre. I'm sure Giles' age worked against him coming to Wrigley, too, but that's just my speculation.

[Ram1380]

The Cubs didn't give Jones $16 million to platoon him. The Cubs will probably try to see what the O's want for Tejada, but I don't see Baltimore doing a deal for some of the names bandied about here. They probably want a big name in return. (If they were smart, they'd load up with prospects because I don't see them having much of a chance in 2006.) Beyond that, Hendry will try to move Walker and Patterson.

 

Bruce, why is Hendry still set on moving Walker? If he were the trade chip for a rightfielder, I could understand...but that spot is filled. What beneift could the Cubs get from trading him?

 

Is there something about him that we don't know, or is Hendry that clueless?

 

Boy would I love to hear a candid answer tothat question.

 

I always give candid answers, both here and in the newspaper. The Cubs, as Goony mentioned, are stressing defense, for better or worse. They don't seem to like the way Walker plays the position compared with other second baseman. There are pitchers who've also voiced concern about the defense behind them. The Cubs feel, again right or wrong, that if the defense can turn the double play instead of extending the inning, their pitchers will have a better chance.

I, too, am dismayed by the Cubs' seeming lack of emphasis on OBP and OPS. From an offensive standpoint, Walker certainly would look good in the No. 2 spot. And for the money _ and considering what they spent for a lot of mid-level guys _ Walker is an absolute bargain.

Walker might annoy them with some of his comments to the media from time to time, but that really has no bearing on them not wanting to keep him. It's interesting to note, however, that Walker has worn out his welcome with other teams.

If he does go, I'll miss him, not only because he provides provocative and juicy quotes. He's one of the best guys I've dealt with.

 

 

Thanks again for your insight Mr. Miles, always EXTREMELY appreciated.

 

 

 

So the Cubs are "stressing" defense this year are they??

 

Hmmm, don't we still have the nit-wit, toothpick soaked in idiot juice, self-serving clown in the dugout on a daily basis?? You know the guy who had no problem running Trinidad Hubbard/Gremlin Macias out to play center, or penciling in a "heavy" career pinch hitter at 3rd base on a daily basis, in one Lenny Harris? But NOW, Dunsty(the organization) has a problem with Walkers defense at 2nd, amazing.

 

 

How about stressing fundamentals.... pitchers/players covering bases......communication on the infield and in the outfield on pop flys(the kind that seem to fall in 6 or 8 times a year on the northside), hitting cuttoff men, running the bases WITHOUT your head up your ... for a change........fielding bunts and making the throw, making sure the base coaches eyes have been screened recently....Who's job is it again to see to it that all of this is tight???

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

Just once I'd like to see you go on for several rant-filled paragraphs like many posters around here. Any chance we can see that?

 

My weekly column on Fridays in the Daily Herald serves that purpose. Thanks for the offer, though.

[abuck1220]

But as the year went on, Hairston seemed to grow on the Cubs a little more _ Hendry also said as much at the winter meetings.

 

Co stanza

 

that's what i like about hendry...never afraid to just up and decide that something's to his liking. maybe he decided he liked hairston the same day he decided he liked guys who can catch the ball.

[Bruce Miles]

The Cubs didn't give Jones $16 million to platoon him. The Cubs will probably try to see what the O's want for Tejada, but I don't see Baltimore doing a deal for some of the names bandied about here. They probably want a big name in return. (If they were smart, they'd load up with prospects because I don't see them having much of a chance in 2006.) Beyond that, Hendry will try to move Walker and Patterson.

 

Bruce, why is Hendry still set on moving Walker? If he were the trade chip for a rightfielder, I could understand...but that spot is filled. What beneift could the Cubs get from trading him?

 

Is there something about him that we don't know, or is Hendry that clueless?

 

Boy would I love to hear a candid answer tothat question.

 

I always give candid answers, both here and in the newspaper. The Cubs, as Goony mentioned, are stressing defense, for better or worse. They don't seem to like the way Walker plays the position compared with other second baseman. There are pitchers who've also voiced concern about the defense behind them. The Cubs feel, again right or wrong, that if the defense can turn the double play instead of extending the inning, their pitchers will have a better chance.

I, too, am dismayed by the Cubs' seeming lack of emphasis on OBP and OPS. From an offensive standpoint, Walker certainly would look good in the No. 2 spot. And for the money _ and considering what they spent for a lot of mid-level guys _ Walker is an absolute bargain.

Walker might annoy them with some of his comments to the media from time to time, but that really has no bearing on them not wanting to keep him. It's interesting to note, however, that Walker has worn out his welcome with other teams.

If he does go, I'll miss him, not only because he provides provocative and juicy quotes. He's one of the best guys I've dealt with.

 

 

Thanks again for your insight Mr. Miles, always EXTREMELY appreciated.

 

 

 

So the Cubs are "stressing" defense this year are they??

 

Hmmm, don't we still have the nit-wit, toothpick soaked in idiot juice, self-serving clown in the dugout on a daily basis?? You know the guy who had no problem running Trinidad Hubbard/Gremlin Macias out to play center, or penciling in a "heavy" career pinch hitter at 3rd base on a daily basis, in one Lenny Harris? But NOW, Dunsty(the organization) has a problem with Walkers defense at 2nd, amazing.

 

 

How about stressing fundamentals.... pitchers/players covering bases......communication on the infield and in the outfield on pop flys(the kind that seem to fall in 6 or 8 times a year on the northside), hitting cuttoff men, running the bases WITHOUT your head up your ... for a change........fielding bunts and making the throw, making sure the base coaches eyes have been screened recently....Who's job is it again to see to it that all of this is tight???

 

Quoth the manager: "Go ask Larry."

[brfahey]

Your answer explains well why some teams cut him.

 

Nobody cut him.

 

Sorry. Why some teams chose to end their contractual relationship with him. Is that better or do I get homework tonight?

 

I just think it's dishonest, unfair and leading to phrase it like "cutting him" "cut their ties", "got rid of".

 

Guys get traded or are allowed to walk all the time. Minnesota "cut their ties" with David Ortiz because they were cheap bastards. All sorts of supposedly good guys have been on loads of teams. The story on Walker is he's good, but not special. He's a good hitting 2B, but not good on defense. I'd say he's about average, some will say below average. His value is in his cost/production. His production comes cheap. At 3/15 he'd be overpaid, just like Grudz wasn't worth such a contract, and Jones isn't worth it.

 

Not to extend this discussion, but what do you call it when a team has the option to keep and chooses not to do so? Whether it's for a good or bad reasson, they've passed on the guy or cut their ties with the guy, or gotten rid of the guy. Why so sensitive about phrasing.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Any chance Eric Byrnes is on Hendry's radar?

 

Possibly. He'd fill the bill of a right-handed hitter who could come off the bench and start now and then.

[JWCUB]

Mr. Miles, I just wanted to thank you for taking time for us Cubs fans. Even though you don't have to, you still do. Getting to talk to you on NSBB is almost as exciting as a big trade. Thanks again.

[Blueheart05]

Your answer explains well why some teams cut him.

 

Nobody cut him.

 

Sorry. Why some teams chose to end their contractual relationship with him. Is that better or do I get homework tonight?

 

I just think it's dishonest, unfair and leading to phrase it like "cutting him" "cut their ties", "got rid of".

 

Guys get traded or are allowed to walk all the time. Minnesota "cut their ties" with David Ortiz because they were cheap bastards. All sorts of supposedly good guys have been on loads of teams. The story on Walker is he's good, but not special. He's a good hitting 2B, but not good on defense. I'd say he's about average, some will say below average. His value is in his cost/production. His production comes cheap. At 3/15 he'd be overpaid, just like Grudz wasn't worth such a contract, and Jones isn't worth it.

 

If we're going to be honest please don't call the Twins cheap. They are a small market team and they couldn't afford to give him what he would have earned through arbitration. Ortiz understood the move.

[Bruce Miles]

Mr. Miles, I just wanted to thank you for taking time for us Cubs fans. Even though you don't have to, you still do. Getting to talk to you on NSBB is almost as exciting as a big trade. Thanks again.

 

Thanks. And maybe we can still get that big trade.

[frostwyrm]

The Cubs didn't give Jones $16 million to platoon him.

This is where I disagree a little. As the LH half of a platoon, and facing all RH starting pitchers, Jones would get the lion's share of the playing time, since LH starting pitching is scarce. I absolutely agree no team would give a player $5.33 million per year to face only LH pitching, but it is not unthinkable for RH pitching, and Jones really does need a platoon partner, as he is certifiably horrible vs. LHP's.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Mr. Miles, I just wanted to thank you for taking time for us Cubs fans. Even though you don't have to, you still do. Getting to talk to you on NSBB is almost as exciting as a big trade. Thanks again.

 

Thanks. And maybe we can still get that big trade.

 

Put a bug in someone's ear on behalf of all of us!

[Ram1380]

The Cubs didn't give Jones $16 million to platoon him. The Cubs will probably try to see what the O's want for Tejada, but I don't see Baltimore doing a deal for some of the names bandied about here. They probably want a big name in return. (If they were smart, they'd load up with prospects because I don't see them having much of a chance in 2006.) Beyond that, Hendry will try to move Walker and Patterson.

 

Bruce, why is Hendry still set on moving Walker? If he were the trade chip for a rightfielder, I could understand...but that spot is filled. What beneift could the Cubs get from trading him?

 

Is there something about him that we don't know, or is Hendry that clueless?

 

Boy would I love to hear a candid answer tothat question.

 

I always give candid answers, both here and in the newspaper. The Cubs, as Goony mentioned, are stressing defense, for better or worse. They don't seem to like the way Walker plays the position compared with other second baseman. There are pitchers who've also voiced concern about the defense behind them. The Cubs feel, again right or wrong, that if the defense can turn the double play instead of extending the inning, their pitchers will have a better chance.

I, too, am dismayed by the Cubs' seeming lack of emphasis on OBP and OPS. From an offensive standpoint, Walker certainly would look good in the No. 2 spot. And for the money _ and considering what they spent for a lot of mid-level guys _ Walker is an absolute bargain.

Walker might annoy them with some of his comments to the media from time to time, but that really has no bearing on them not wanting to keep him. It's interesting to note, however, that Walker has worn out his welcome with other teams.

If he does go, I'll miss him, not only because he provides provocative and juicy quotes. He's one of the best guys I've dealt with.

 

 

Thanks again for your insight Mr. Miles, always EXTREMELY appreciated.

 

 

 

So the Cubs are "stressing" defense this year are they??

 

Hmmm, don't we still have the nit-wit, toothpick soaked in idiot juice, self-serving clown in the dugout on a daily basis?? You know the guy who had no problem running Trinidad Hubbard/Gremlin Macias out to play center, or penciling in a "heavy" career pinch hitter at 3rd base on a daily basis, in one Lenny Harris? But NOW, Dunsty(the organization) has a problem with Walkers defense at 2nd, amazing.

 

 

How about stressing fundamentals.... pitchers/players covering bases......communication on the infield and in the outfield on pop flys(the kind that seem to fall in 6 or 8 times a year on the northside), hitting cuttoff men, running the bases WITHOUT your head up your ... for a change........fielding bunts and making the throw, making sure the base coaches eyes have been screened recently....Who's job is it again to see to it that all of this is tight???

 

Quoth the manager: "Go ask Larry."

 

 

:D

 

 

Bruce, you're the goods.

[goonys evil twin]

Not to extend this discussion, but what do you call it when a team has the option to keep and chooses not to do so? Whether it's for a good or bad reasson, they've passed on the guy or cut their ties with the guy, or gotten rid of the guy. Why so sensitive about phrasing.

 

When teams trade a guy, it's not cutting. Boston didn't just cut Damon, they decided they didn't want to pay what he wanted. Are you telling me they decided to cut ties with him and were just looking for somebody else to take him? No, Walker isn't as good as Damon, but Walker was in a similar situation. Boston was tight in the salary dept that year. They were going to go hard after Schilling and find financial room for Pedro, Foulke and raises for others. They had Bellhorn making nothing in the wings, and Walker was asking for 3/15. That's not cutting a guy.

 

Neifi Perez is a guy who was cut. Sidney Ponson was cut.

 

But the vast majority of player movement is based on teams going in another direction, stressing one area over another, weighing cost benefits, not cutting people.

[Bruce Miles]

The Cubs didn't give Jones $16 million to platoon him.

This is where I disagree a little. As the LH half of a platoon, and facing all RH starting pitchers, Jones would get the lion's share of the playing time, since LH starting pitching is scarce. I absolutely agree no team would give a player $5.33 million per year to face only LH pitching, but it is not unthinkable for RH pitching, and Jones really does need a platoon partner, as he is certifiably horrible vs. LHP's.

 

Very good point. I don't think they'd sit him against all lefties. Dusty will look at his "matchups," I'm sure.

[UK1679666180]

How about stressing fundamentals....

 

Watch the Cubs steal bases, they're horrible at it. It takes almost 1/2 of the game to get an idea of what type of move the pitcher has.

 

That 1st baserunner never extends his lead beyond the typical 10-12 ft. to get the pitcher to show him his best move or the token throw over.

 

You watched it with STL against Pettitte in the playoffs, they found something in his delivery they were able to spot and were able to run every time. Of course, Pettitte obviously balked and picked a runner off after that.

 

But, I've never seen the Cubs look for obvious signs that a pitcher is tipping his intentions and execute them. Usually, the Cubs will run with someone fast and only on a bad catcher or a slow pitcher.