Why is there a battle at 2nd?

[Mark Priors Calves]

Here's a quote from the Tribune about Walker.

 

Hendry, who according to a source had Walker traded twice in the off-season only to have the deals fall through at the last minute, said he didn't read Walker's comments in the daily clips of news articles he receives.

[Blueheart05]

Here's a quote from the Tribune about Walker.

 

Hendry, who according to a source had Walker traded twice in the off-season only to have the deals fall through at the last minute, said he didn't read Walker's comments in the daily clips of news articles he receives.

 

He certainly was informed about the comments because he summoned Walker to a conference...

[CubfaninCA]

Here's a quote from the Tribune about Walker.

 

Hendry, who according to a source had Walker traded twice in the off-season only to have the deals fall through at the last minute, said he didn't read Walker's comments in the daily clips of news articles he receives.

 

Have to think he's gone by opening day.. The rumors about his knee are not good at all. Probably killing the little trade value he has left.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

Here's a quote from the Tribune about Walker.

 

Hendry, who according to a source had Walker traded twice in the off-season only to have the deals fall through at the last minute, said he didn't read Walker's comments in the daily clips of news articles he receives.

 

He certainly was informed about the comments because he summoned Walker to a conference...

 

yeah, he just wasn't informed by reading the articles. :wink: Hendry, the master of double talk.

[Monco]

It seems to me that the Cubs are making a point to talk about Walkers knee.He came back from his injury in May.The injury at the end of last tear was diagnosed as a bruise.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050923&content_id=1220907&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

 

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

[goonys evil twin]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

[Blueheart05]

It seems to me that the Cubs are making a point to talk about Walkers knee.He came back from his injury in May.The injury at the end of last tear was diagnosed as a bruise.

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050923&content_id=1220907&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc

 

 

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

To be honest, I heard Walker saying on the radio that he wasn't sure if it was heeled. It's hard for others to have confidence if he's not convinced.

[BigbadB]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

 

Apparently, they still haven't learned from Patterson and Sosa. I really don't understand the concept of destroying a guys value to the point he is worthless in trade.

[Blueheart05]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

 

Apparently, they still haven't learned from Patterson and Sosa. I really don't understand the concept of destroying a guys value to the point he is worthless in trade.

 

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested would prefer to use him as a DH.

[BigbadB]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

 

Apparently, they still haven't learned from Patterson and Sosa. I really don't understand the concept of destroying a guys value to the point he is worthless in trade.

 

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested in him would prefer to use him as a DH.

 

Then it stands to reason, IMO, that you don't trade a guy who currently has little to no trade value. You sit him down and work it out. He's still way better coming off the bench with his bat than he is playing for some other team.

[goonys evil twin]

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested would prefer to use him as a DH.

 

Worst players get traded all the time. Worse defenders get traded all the time.

[BigbadB]

Baltimore worked it out with Tejada. Boston worked it out with Manny. Teams work out their disagreements, and if you can keep it out of the public, even better.

 

Cubs management doesn't appear as though they have any desire to work out any disagreements, which makes me wonder why they picked up his option in the first place. I think they did it to piss him off. He said that he didn't want it picked up if all they were going to do is trade him.

 

This whole Walker debacle is ridiculous. I agree that he needs to shut his trap. However, he's likely the best 2b option we have, and even if he's sitting on the bench, he's probably our best option off the bench. Work it out and move on.

 

Trade him for Luis Matos, and this place is going to erupt.

[Blueheart05]

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested would prefer to use him as a DH.

 

Worst players get traded all the time. Worse defenders get traded all the time.

 

I think the difference is the position. 2B is a key defensive spot. In reading Walker's quotes I get the idea that he sees a position change (1B) in his future if he plans to stay in the NL.

[indifferent]

I thought that it was widely known that Walker isn't starting when Zambrano is pitching. There will be some sort of platoon situation at 2B to get extra offense when Barrett or Ramirez are resting.

 

Where did you read/hear this? It is news to me.

 

If the pitchers are whining about the defense at second base then maybe they should throw better pitches. IMO Walker's defense is not that bad. Certianly not bad enough to warrent a position battle with the likes of Neifi Perez and Jerry Hairston Jr.

 

Although pitchers would undoubtedly complain about lack of run support = less wins, if I'm a pitcher (especially a GB pitcher) and I'm looking out for my future, I'll take the defense all day long. There's a little self interest involved here. Poor defense equates to higher ERA which even in laymen's terms means more to those giving out contracts then wins.

[Blueheart05]

Trade him for Luis Matos, and this place is going to erupt.

 

I'm not so sure. I think Walker's most recent issues have lost him some points with the fans. I nolonger care if he stays. I just want a productive all around player;if he's here and productive so be it.

[Monco]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

 

Apparently, they still haven't learned from Patterson and Sosa. I really don't understand the concept of destroying a guys value to the point he is worthless in trade.

 

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested in him would prefer to use him as a DH.

 

Then it stands to reason, IMO, that you don't trade a guy who currently has little to no trade value. You sit him down and work it out. He's still way better coming off the bench with his bat than he is playing for some other team.

 

If he stays healthy and performs,his trade value would definately be higher at the deadline.But,he has said he will not be happy not starting and then being asked to later.

[oldcubsfan]

He says an awful lot of things. He will sit when they tell him and play when and where they tell him, because if he doesn't, there will be no market for him this year or in the offseason.

[BigbadB]

He says an awful lot of things. He will sit when they tell him and play when and where they tell him, because if he doesn't, there will be no market for him this year or in the offseason.

 

And I was basically going to offer up the same thing, but got sidetracked. If there is this small of a market for him now, what will it be like for him if he continues to make a bunch of noise through this season?

 

He's basically playing now to extend his career. I think he's the best option we have, but I don't think he's all that far ahead of Hairston. Between the 2 of them, I think 2nd base will not be a problem area (if Walker just talks through his bat).

[Blueheart05]

Is this their way to get the fans support in moving him?A smear campaign?

 

We know what they do when they want guys out.

 

Apparently, they still haven't learned from Patterson and Sosa. I really don't understand the concept of destroying a guys value to the point he is worthless in trade.

 

Unlike Sosa and Patterson, the Cubs tried to trade Walker before mentioning anything negative about him (and they got no takers). I think the Cubs inability to trade Walker has been predicated on his own reputation as a subpar defender. As it stands, the only team (Baltimore) that's rumored to be interested in him would prefer to use him as a DH.

 

Then it stands to reason, IMO, that you don't trade a guy who currently has little to no trade value. You sit him down and work it out. He's still way better coming off the bench with his bat than he is playing for some other team.

 

If he stays healthy and performs,his trade value would definately be higher at the deadline.But,he has said he will not be happy not starting and then being asked to later.

 

Yeah, I got that idea as well. Here is an excerpt from the Suntimes

 

Walker fears being relegated to the bench early, then called on in midsummer to start again.

 

"They have been saying they want somebody to turn all these double plays and with all this range,'' he said. "What would be tough for me would be for that guy to be hitting .160 in June and they say, 'Oh, now we need you, Walker.' That would be tough.''

 

 

Again, he should just be quiet and play because this sounds like he isn't a team player.

[ltb]

Again, he should just be quiet and play because this sounds like he isn't a team player.

 

but despite his backhanded comments about cedeno, neifi is? give me a break - walker has every right to be angry here.

[Blueheart05]

Again, he should just be quiet and play because this sounds like he isn't a team player.

 

but despite his backhanded comments about cedeno, neifi is? give me a break - walker has every right to be angry here.

 

What are you talking about? I didn't mention Neifi in that post. If you read this thread you'll see one of my posts where I mention Perez's selfish comments about Cedeno. Right now we're talking about Walker...

 

BTW, why does Walker have a right to be angry?

Edited March 17, 2006 by Blueheart05

[Laura]

I don't care about Walker's feelings.

 

I care that the Cubs seem to value a happy-happy-joy-joy clubhouse over things like winning.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Why should Walker have to be quiet when management has been very public in their criticisms of him. Maybe if every time Hendry opened his mouth he didn't criticize Walker's defense, Walker wouldn't feel the need to spout off so much.

[Blueheart05]

Why should Walker have to be quiet when management has been very public in their criticisms of him. Maybe if every time Hendry opened his mouth he didn't criticize Walker's defense, Walker wouldn't feel the need to spout off so much.

 

Because Walker is trying to win a starting job?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Why should Walker have to be quiet when management has been very public in their criticisms of him. Maybe if every time Hendry opened his mouth he didn't criticize Walker's defense, Walker wouldn't feel the need to spout off so much.

 

Because Walker is trying to win a starting job?

 

So, you're saying the Cubs would allow Walker's talking to affect their decision of who starts even if he out performs the competition. If they do, they are a more poorly run organization than I feared.