Walker's comments on 2nd base battle

[YearofDaCubs]

Walker is pretty good offensively but it's his mouth that probably make management think low of him.

[BigbadB]

Many players have to battle for a starting job in this game. The best way to go about winning that battle is to let your bat do the talking.

[YearofDaCubs]

Many players have to battle for a starting job in this game. The best way to go about winning that battle is to let your bat do the talking.

I think in this case it's just not the bat in question, it is also the defense.

[ManEatingTarp]

On this episode of "As the Cubs Turn"...

 

 

I'm grabbing some popcorn and turning the radio on!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

When the people competing for the job have as much major league playing time as Walker and Hairston do, you shouldn't be making the decision based on Spring Training, unless it's clearly obvious that there's something very wrong with one of them.

 

EDIT: Fun Facts here. Spring Training OPS for Walker and Hairston.

 

Hairston

2003: 917

2004: 1000 (1 PA)

2005: 1002

 

Walker

2003: 829

2004: 820

2005: 605

 

Funny how Walker's worst ST leads to one of his best years, and vice versa for Hairston.

Edited March 13, 2006 by Transmogrified Tiger

[BigbadB]

Many players have to battle for a starting job in this game. The best way to go about winning that battle is to let your bat do the talking.

I think in this case it's just not the bat in question, it is also the defense.

 

His bat has done enough to give him a starting job on a major league club basically every year he's been in the majors.

 

His defense is suspect, it's been well documented. Offense trumps defense, therefore if he just lets his bat do the talking, he will get a majority of the at bats at 2nd base.

 

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

[Blueheart05]

Many players have to battle for a starting job in this game. The best way to go about winning that battle is to let your bat do the talking.

I think in this case it's just not the bat in question, it is also the defense.

 

I agree. It looks like Hendry is impressedwith Hairston's improvements.

 

..."Jerry has come in lighter and faster and seems much improved defensively from last year. [special assistant] Ken Kravec, when we made the trade [with Baltimore before last season], described him as the kind of player we are now seeing.

[goonys evil twin]

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

Competing for jobs in spring training isn't very smart baseball. And is Walker really arguing about competing? It sounds to me like he thinks he should be the starter based on his track record and the likelihood of what the candidates will bring to the table this year. That's about the mpost rational train of thought in this silly storyline.

[Blueheart05]

On this episode of "As the Cubs Turn"...

 

 

I'm grabbing some popcorn and turning the radio on!

 

 

LOL, yeah this 2B competition seems to be full of drama.

[BigbadB]

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

Competing for jobs in spring training isn't very smart baseball. And is Walker really arguing about competing? It sounds to me like he thinks he should be the starter based on his track record and the likelihood of what the candidates will bring to the table this year. That's about the mpost rational train of thought in this silly storyline.

 

I agree. However, that's not the way Dusty thinks. I can't control how Dusty thinks and neither can Walker. All Walker can do is just go out there and prove his bat deserves to play everyday.

 

Yapping to the press is not going to earn him the starting job. Hitting .200 in Spring Training is not going to win him the starting job.

 

Walker's desire to speak to the press everytime he is unhappy about something is why I think Cub management wants him gone, not lack of production.

[RynoRules]

Agree with whoever said it above: shut up and earn the job with your bat. You're pissed? I don't blame you. But vent to your wife or your agent. If you really desire to stay here, you are not helping things out by calling the GM (and I think its clear that he is refering to Hendry) a liar.

[Blueheart05]

When the people competing for the job have as much major league playing time as Walker and Hairston do, you shouldn't be making the decision based on Spring Training, unless it's clearly obvious that there's something very wrong with one of them.

 

EDIT: Fun Facts here. Spring Training OPS for Walker and Hairston.

 

Hairston

2003: 917

2004: 1000 (1 PA)

2005: 1002

 

Walker

2003: 829

2004: 820

2005: 605

 

Funny how Walker's worst ST leads to one of his best years, and vice versa for Hairston.

 

Hairston was also injured last year. I think this whole thing is about the Cubs wanting to see what Hairston offers now that he's healthy (they already know what Walker brings to the table; he's a good hitter and below average defender). I also think the team had envisioned trading Todd by now... It still may happen.

[Magnetic Curses]

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

Competing for jobs in spring training isn't very smart baseball. And is Walker really arguing about competing? It sounds to me like he thinks he should be the starter based on his track record and the likelihood of what the candidates will bring to the table this year. That's about the mpost rational train of thought in this silly storyline.

 

I agree. However, that's not the way Dusty thinks. I can't control how Dusty thinks and neither can Walker. All Walker can do is just go out there and prove his bat deserves to play everyday.

 

Yapping to the press is not going to earn him the starting job. Hitting .200 in Spring Training is not going to win him the starting job.

 

Walker's desire to speak to the press everytime he is unhappy about something is why I think Cub management wants him gone, not lack of production.

 

dusty can't decide on whether to start a player based on what he did 10 years ago or what he does in 30 days in early spring.

[oldcubsfan]

Agree with whoever said it above: shut up and earn the job with your bat. You're pissed? I don't blame you. But vent to your wife or your agent. If you really desire to stay here, you are not helping things out by calling the GM (and I think its clear that he is refering to Hendry) a liar.

This isn't anything new for him. Why do you think other teams have let his "great" bat leave for very little or nothing at all?

[BigbadB]

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

Competing for jobs in spring training isn't very smart baseball. And is Walker really arguing about competing? It sounds to me like he thinks he should be the starter based on his track record and the likelihood of what the candidates will bring to the table this year. That's about the mpost rational train of thought in this silly storyline.

 

I agree. However, that's not the way Dusty thinks. I can't control how Dusty thinks and neither can Walker. All Walker can do is just go out there and prove his bat deserves to play everyday.

 

Yapping to the press is not going to earn him the starting job. Hitting .200 in Spring Training is not going to win him the starting job.

 

Walker's desire to speak to the press everytime he is unhappy about something is why I think Cub management wants him gone, not lack of production.

 

dusty can't decide on whether to start a player based on what he did 10 years ago or what he does in 30 days in early spring.

 

Dusty decided to let Neifi Perez play everyday last year based on 30 at bats in April.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Agree with whoever said it above: shut up and earn the job with your bat. You're pissed? I don't blame you. But vent to your wife or your agent. If you really desire to stay here, you are not helping things out by calling the GM (and I think its clear that he is refering to Hendry) a liar.

This isn't anything new for him. Why do you think other teams have let his "great" bat leave for very little or nothing at all?

 

He's giving the job to Hairston with his mouth, that's for sure. Shut up and play is right. The job is his if he'd just do that.

[Magnetic Curses]

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

Competing for jobs in spring training isn't very smart baseball. And is Walker really arguing about competing? It sounds to me like he thinks he should be the starter based on his track record and the likelihood of what the candidates will bring to the table this year. That's about the mpost rational train of thought in this silly storyline.

 

I agree. However, that's not the way Dusty thinks. I can't control how Dusty thinks and neither can Walker. All Walker can do is just go out there and prove his bat deserves to play everyday.

 

Yapping to the press is not going to earn him the starting job. Hitting .200 in Spring Training is not going to win him the starting job.

 

Walker's desire to speak to the press everytime he is unhappy about something is why I think Cub management wants him gone, not lack of production.

 

dusty can't decide on whether to start a player based on what he did 10 years ago or what he does in 30 days in early spring.

 

Dusty decided to let Neifi Perez play everyday last year based on 30 at bats in April.

 

i don't know, i think it's a mix of the 2, even though neifi has never put up good stats, he won a gold glove once!

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Now Walker is saying that he and Baker had a conversation in the offseason? After he said that the two played phone tag but never spoke? He needs to get his story straight.

 

Good point. He should do a lot less talking and more hitting because, even though Jerry was forced to take a few days off following the beaning, Hairston seems be winning the all around battle on the field. According to yesterday's game notes, Jerry is hitting .444 and Todd is hitting .231 so far this Spring.

 

Once again, judging players with a long major league history on their performance in one month of the spring is ludicrous.

 

For anecdotal evidence, I remember that even in his all-star years, Jeff Bagwell would routinely hit in the low 200's during the spring.

[BigbadB]

Now Walker is saying that he and Baker had a conversation in the offseason? After he said that the two played phone tag but never spoke? He needs to get his story straight.

 

Good point. He should do a lot less talking and more hitting because, even though Jerry was forced to take a few days off following the beaning, Hairston seems be winning the all around battle on the field. According to yesterday's game notes, Jerry is hitting .444 and Todd is hitting .231 so far this Spring.

 

Once again, judging players with a long major league history on their performance in one month of the spring is ludicrous.

 

For anecdotal evidence, I remember that even in his all-star years, Jeff Bagwell would routinely hit in the low 200's during the spring.

 

Bagwell? How about Sandberg? Notorious slow starter.

[Blueheart05]

Now Walker is saying that he and Baker had a conversation in the offseason? After he said that the two played phone tag but never spoke? He needs to get his story straight.

 

Good point. He should do a lot less talking and more hitting because, even though Jerry was forced to take a few days off following the beaning, Hairston seems be winning the all around battle on the field. According to yesterday's game notes, Jerry is hitting .444 and Todd is hitting .231 so far this Spring.

 

Once again, judging players with a long major league history on their performance in one month of the spring is ludicrous.

 

For anecdotal evidence, I remember that even in his all-star years, Jeff Bagwell would routinely hit in the low 200's during the spring.

 

I'm not giving it value (just showing the numbers as they stand). It was Walker who said he would out-hit the others in ST. He even boasted in the paper that he was hitting well. My point is that he should stop talking so much because its obvious that the Cubs are waiting for a reason to pick Hairston over him. His remarks about Hendry and Baker won't help his standing.

[Wheelimus]

If we're judging by spring training thus far, we better slot Mike Restovich and his 1188 OPS into the starting lineup :D

[ltb]

His bat has done enough to give him a starting job on a major league club basically every year he's been in the majors.

 

His defense is suspect, it's been well documented. Offense trumps defense, therefore if he just lets his bat do the talking, he will get a majority of the at bats at 2nd base.

 

If he was just as good defensively as he is offensively, then he might have an argument about having to compete for a starting job.

 

While I'd like to think this is correct, I just can't bring myself to believe it. With all the talking this team has done about "guys who catch the ball," I just can't see Walker having a fair shot at winning the 2B job. Really, the guy shouldn't even need to be fighting for a starting job - he's far and away the best option we have at 2B - but the inept management of this team has alienated one of our best hitters, who they will likely get rid of so we can play a guy who can "catch the ball."

 

I really hope you're right - if Walker can earn the job with his bat (which he should certainly be able to do), I will be fine with this "competition." I just don't see it being fair.

[Blueheart05]

Murph on The Score is talking about Walker. He's asking the callers "if he's becoming a pain in the ass?" Surprisingly, Murph (a big Dusty hater) is supporting Baker's comments about Todd calling "somebody a liar." Baker said that he wasn't sure who Todd was talking about but he should bring that up man to man instead of in the media...

 

IMO, Walker's days are numbered.

 

listen here

[goonys evil twin]

Dusty and his players routinely contradict each other when it comes to revealing info about conversations between them. Are we going to just ignore that history and the implications it has about the honesty with which Dusty speaks about his players, and villify Walker.

[Blueheart05]

Dusty and his players routinely contradict each other when it comes to revealing info about conversations between them. Are we going to just ignore that history and the implications it has about the honesty with which Dusty speaks about his players, and villify Walker.

 

Does that really matter in the scheme of things? Walker is the player and Baker is the manager. How is this different than what goes on in the regular workplace? Many times workers feel that management has wronged them but they don't talk about it publically.

 

Now Walker is saying, on the radio, that Jim Hendry and Dusty Baker never lied to him. He says his comments were generalizations about his previous experiences on other teams...

Edited March 13, 2006 by Blueheart05