Trib Baker Q&A: Walker is starting 2B

[Ding Dong Johnson]

OK, I finally read the article, and I am reading it as though the answers were actually Dusty's.

 

Dusty Baker was unusually and uncharacteristically upbeat heading into this weekend's Cubs Convention.

 

Maybe Thursday's spring-like weather prompted Baker's mood, because his team still has some nagging questions with training camp exactly one month away...

 

...here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering

[goonys evil twin]

OK, I finally read the article, and I am reading it as though the answers were actually Dusty's.

 

Dusty Baker was unusually and uncharacteristically upbeat heading into this weekend's Cubs Convention.

 

Maybe Thursday's spring-like weather prompted Baker's mood, because his team still has some nagging questions with training camp exactly one month away...

 

...here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering

 

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

 

Yes, gleaned. Maybe not verbatim, but it definitely seems to be a much different scenario than Bruce's column.

[goonys evil twin]

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

 

Yes, gleaned. Maybe not verbatim, but it definitely seems to be a much different scenario than Bruce's column.

 

Perhaps it's different because Dusty never said what either guy wrote they think he will say. Talking about how a guy "is on the team right now" is pretty standard Cubs speak. He's probably generalizing here, and not quoting Dusty, or even paraphrasing.

[wastra]

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

 

Yes, gleaned. Maybe not verbatim, but it definitely seems to be a much different scenario than Bruce's column.

 

I agree with you. If Baker had actually been asked those questions, I have no doubt he would have been directly quoted (i.e. in quotation marks and all with no confusing introductions). But apparently, Baker was pretty upbeat and probably made a couple general comments from which this article is written.

 

They're not Baker's words, but they're based upon the general sentiment he portrayed Thursday, IMO.

[goonys evil twin]

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

 

Yes, gleaned. Maybe not verbatim, but it definitely seems to be a much different scenario than Bruce's column.

 

I agree with you. If Baker had actually been asked those questions, I have no doubt he would have been directly quoted (i.e. in quotation marks and all with no confusing introductions). But apparently, Baker was pretty upbeat and probably made a couple general comments from which this article is written.

 

They're not Baker's words, but they're based upon the general sentiment he portrayed Thursday, IMO.

 

So you think Baker gave the impression to those in attendance that Todd Walker was going to be the starting second baseman?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

So you think Baker gave the impression to those in attendance that Todd Walker was going to be the starting second baseman?

 

Assuming the contents of the article were actually "gleaned from" the meeting, then yes, I believe he did give that impression.

[frostwyrm]

(Bad pun alert)

 

This article, while not gleaningless, IS meaningless. I want actual quotes.

[wastra]

Gleaned, not quoted. He's giving his best guess on how Dusty will answer the questions, this is not what Dusty said, even if he tried to write it in Dusty speak.

 

Yes, gleaned. Maybe not verbatim, but it definitely seems to be a much different scenario than Bruce's column.

 

I agree with you. If Baker had actually been asked those questions, I have no doubt he would have been directly quoted (i.e. in quotation marks and all with no confusing introductions). But apparently, Baker was pretty upbeat and probably made a couple general comments from which this article is written.

 

They're not Baker's words, but they're based upon the general sentiment he portrayed Thursday, IMO.

 

So you think Baker gave the impression to those in attendance that Todd Walker was going to be the starting second baseman?

 

Not per say. I think he likely was asked or commented on the possibility of further moves and other lineup changes from last year and said something like "I'm assuming our roster is set, and I'll be fine with it if so" and "I'm assuiming I'll play with what I've got today" in typical non-answer sports-figures-turned-politicians spin.

 

I have zero doubt that both Hendry and Baker expect Walker to NOT be on this team at the start of the spring.

[UK1679666180]

For those who can't make the convention this weekend, here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering:

 

How am I paranoid? What does paranoia have to do with stating that Baker did not say it?

 

Baker could very well say that or say the opposite of what was written in the article.

 

I do know that Baker didn't say that, which was originally implied with the 1st couple of posts in this thread.

[goonys evil twin]

Not per say. I think he likely was asked or commented on the possibility of further moves and other lineup changes from last year and said something like "I'm assuming our roster is set, and I'll be fine with it if so" and "I'm assuiming I'll play with what I've got today" in typical non-answer sports-figures-turned-politicians spin.

 

I have zero doubt that both Hendry and Baker expect Walker to NOT be on this team at the start of the spring.

 

Which probably means then that nobody asked him who his starting 2B was, or at least Dusty never said Walker is the starter. He may have said Walker is still here so he's in the mix, and people may have assumed that since Walker was the started last year, that if he's still here, Dusty will start him again.

[nucubs]

These quotes seem to be from Dusty's interview on WGN 720 a day or two ago. I think it was the Spike O'Dell show. I was very impressed with the way he answered and listened very closely to the part about the middle infield. When asked about the situation, he mentioned that cedeno, neifi, and walker were all in the mix (leaving out hairston) and said that as of now cedeno was starting at SS and walker was starting at 2B. he also mentioned that the cubs never brought up prior's name with baltimore, but that baltimore wanted him. seems to me that the tejada rumors were largely blown out of proportion. they mostly discussed the cubs caravan and the reactions of Barrett and others at their first cubs convention. I know a lot of posters listen to the Score, but did anyone else hear this interview to back me up?

[goonys evil twin]

These quotes seem to be from Dusty's interview on WGN 720 a day or two ago. I think it was the Spike O'Dell show. I was very impressed with the way he answered and listened very closely to the part about the middle infield. When asked about the situation, he mentioned that cedeno, neifi, and walker were all in the mix (leaving out hairston) and said that as of now cedeno was starting at SS and walker was starting at 2B. he also mentioned that the cubs never brought up prior's name with baltimore, but that baltimore wanted him. seems to me that the tejada rumors were largely blown out of proportion. they mostly discussed the cubs caravan and the reactions of Barrett and others at their first cubs convention. I know a lot of posters listen to the Score, but did anyone else hear this interview to back me up?

 

I've heard the "in the mix" talk before from both Dusty and Hendry. Makes sense.

 

I wonder if what you say is accurate, and if it means anything since Hendry said we have 3 middle infielders in the mix, Cedeno, Neifi and Hairston, leaving out Walker. Is there a conflight here where Dusty wants Walker and to get rid of Hairston, while Hendry wants Hairston and to get rid of Walker?

 

I'd be pretty surprised if Dusty said Walker was the starter, but the fact that he said "as of now" leaves open the very real possibility that he's just playing diplomat and is very much on the get rid of Todd bandwagon.

[dalgreen]

I wonder if Walker fell out of favor with Hendry when he stated, "I hope they don't pick up my option then trade me. I would prefer them not picking up the option then I could pick my own team." Or something to that effect. He had to fall out of favor for something since he's the only returning Cub everyday position player from last year not to have a job for 2006.

[RynoRules]

For those who can't make the convention this weekend, here is how Baker will answer the tough questions from fans, gleaned from Thursday's gathering:

 

How am I paranoid? What does paranoia have to do with stating that Baker did not say it?

 

Baker could very well say that or say the opposite of what was written in the article.

 

I do know that Baker didn't say that, which was originally implied with the 1st couple of posts in this thread.

 

I think "paranoid" was the wrong word or term. What we are doing is "assuming the worst" (at least from a certain point of view).

[UK1679666180]

Assuming the worst by saying Baker didn't say those things?

 

It was printed that the author was assuming the role of Baker, that's what I pointed out.

[CUBZ99]

About Cedeno:

 

He was the rookie of the year in Venezuela (winter league) and I was proud of him for going to play. He's ready to play for us.

 

I doubt the author of the article would be as detailed as this quote, if those were not Dusty's words. It is possible that Dusty said those things.

[Soul]

Let him "do his thing" and the Cubs will be ready? :shock:

 

 

Didn't we let him "do his thing" last year? What happened?

 

How about the year before? Results?

 

 

 

I think we shoud do OUR thing and kick his overrated managing arse out of town.

[Brian]

Dusty said today Todd is #1 to cheers, BUT "alot can happen" between now and then to BOOOS. And then they cheered Neifi's name. ugh

 

This was from the convention broadcast.

[Laura]

The booing was louder than the cheering, at least.

[Cubfanintheknow]

44 posts speculating something Dusty Baker may or may not have said.

 

How long 'til spring training?

[FadeToBolivia]

I dont know if this has been pointed out elsewhere...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060113&content_id=1295559&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

CHICAGO -- It's the first day of the Cubs Convention, and 15,000 fans are packed into the Hilton Chicago with questions. The team will open the 2006 season in about 12 weeks. Does Cubs manager Dusty Baker know who will bat second in his lineup?

 

"I don't know yet," Baker said on Friday. "It's probably [Todd] Walker -- if Walker's playing."

 

Which prompts another question -- is Walker still the Cubs starting second baseman? The left-handed hitting infielder is the best hitter among the three second baseman on the roster, but would trail Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. if the trio was ranked by its defensive skills.

 

"There's not some second base controversy," Baker said during a session with beat writers prior to the start of the 21st annual Cubs Convention. "I'm not going to say Walk doesn't have the job. He's been doing the job. Everybody wants to know who your second baseman is going to be or whoever is going to be your fifth starter right now.

[snoodmonger]

I dont know if this has been pointed out elsewhere...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060113&content_id=1295559&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

CHICAGO -- It's the first day of the Cubs Convention, and 15,000 fans are packed into the Hilton Chicago with questions. The team will open the 2006 season in about 12 weeks. Does Cubs manager Dusty Baker know who will bat second in his lineup?

 

"I don't know yet," Baker said on Friday. "It's probably [Todd] Walker -- if Walker's playing."

 

Which prompts another question -- is Walker still the Cubs starting second baseman? The left-handed hitting infielder is the best hitter among the three second baseman on the roster, but would trail Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. if the trio was ranked by its defensive skills.

 

"There's not some second base controversy," Baker said during a session with beat writers prior to the start of the 21st annual Cubs Convention. "I'm not going to say Walk doesn't have the job. He's been doing the job. Everybody wants to know who your second baseman is going to be or whoever is going to be your fifth starter right now.

 

 

What really freaks me out--after making Sammy and (to a lesser degree) Corey untradeable via smear campaigns, I'm concerned that's the Cubs organization's best attempt at driving up Walker's trade value.

[TB_11]

I dont know if this has been pointed out elsewhere...

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060113&content_id=1295559&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

CHICAGO -- It's the first day of the Cubs Convention, and 15,000 fans are packed into the Hilton Chicago with questions. The team will open the 2006 season in about 12 weeks. Does Cubs manager Dusty Baker know who will bat second in his lineup?

 

"I don't know yet," Baker said on Friday. "It's probably [Todd] Walker -- if Walker's playing."

 

Which prompts another question -- is Walker still the Cubs starting second baseman? The left-handed hitting infielder is the best hitter among the three second baseman on the roster, but would trail Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr. if the trio was ranked by its defensive skills.

 

"There's not some second base controversy," Baker said during a session with beat writers prior to the start of the 21st annual Cubs Convention. "I'm not going to say Walk doesn't have the job. He's been doing the job. Everybody wants to know who your second baseman is going to be or whoever is going to be your fifth starter right now.

 

 

What really freaks me out--after making Sammy and (to a lesser degree) Corey untradeable via smear campaigns, I'm concerned that's the Cubs organization's best attempt at driving up Walker's trade value.

 

Same fear here. It sounds like there's a big if - Walker will bat second IF he's on the team in April, IF they can't find a good trade offer for him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I've contended all along that Baker will play Walker if he's on the team. While I think Hendry does have an agenda to trade Walker, I'm not confident that Baker feels the same way.

 

What I do believe is that Walker will sit against left handers in favor of Perez and is likely to get double switched out of a lot of games late for defensive reasons. But I think if Opening Day rolls around and the Cubs are facing a right hander, Todd Walker will be in the line-up.