Have the players quit on Dusty?

[CubfaninCA]

They're pressing, especially the vets, Pierre, Walker and ARam.

[Shilzzz]

I don't believe players "shut it down".......way too much money at stake. Would you do a bad job at work to get your boss in trouble?

 

not personally, but i think we all know people that may.

 

and as far as money, most are locked in to their deals, and in this era most gm's will sign someone with an impressive contract year performance. jones is in his first year, ramirez is locked up for a bit iirc, perez, rusch, etc. pierre is the one person i can think of who is playing poorly in the last year of a contract. maddux is in his last year, and we'll see what happens with wood.

[CheeseHead Cubs Fan]

I don't believe players "shut it down".......way too much money at stake. Would you do a bad job at work to get your boss in trouble?

 

Point well taken! Either I was way to positive or didn't see the truth coming, either way as others have mentioed I did not think this team would fold this early in the season.

 

Makes for a long, sad summer!

[OleMissCub]

I don't believe players "shut it down".......way too much money at stake. Would you do a bad job at work to get your boss in trouble?

 

When I played, I could never imagine "shutting it down" out of spite for anyone, I loved competition and absolutely HATED losing. However....i've never had a manager who I thought was dumber than me. I always had coaches that I was sure knew more than me about baseball.

 

I can't imagine a time when i've been more pissed off at this team, save the end of the 2004 season.

[RegulusBlue]

I don't think there is a ghost of a chance that the players have given up on the team. In the MLB, you put so many days of the year into baseball, it wouldn't be realistic to suggest such a thing.

 

That said, its very possible that they are in a funk that they lack the leadership, skill, or guts to dig out of. They apparently cannot convince themselves to take a the first strike every AB, or what most slumping good hitters try to do. Maybe it just isn't registering that three pitch innings aren't what this team needs.

 

On a very direct level, its clear that team leadership is at an all time low, because not one player not named Neifi, Bynum, or Mabry is benefitting under the regime. As it happens, those three players are the worst three on the team, so the thinking by our coaches has a flaw or two, to say the least.

 

This also speaks to the lack of professionalism rampant in our stalwart veterans, charged with holding the team afloat. The complete inability to change their approach at the plate is disgusting. How many times have Barrett or Aramis swung at a first pitch, ending a rare scoring chance immediately?

 

Along with a new coaching staff, this team needs to turn over a few of the players. Just hold on to Murton, Cedeno, and Walker, and trade a few big fish to give the team new life. Rarely is blowing up a team the right answer, but rarely are we in danger of setting an all time offensive futility stat, either. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and 2-14 and 1-11 certainly fit the bill.

[BigSlick]

Along with a new coaching staff, this team needs to turn over a few of the players. Just hold on to Murton, Cedeno, Lee, Zambrano and Walker, and trade a few big fish to give the team new life. Rarely is blowing up a team the right answer, but rarely are we in danger of setting an all time offensive futility stat, either. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and 2-14 and 1-11 certainly fit the bill.

 

Fixed.

 

Everyone else is expendable to me.

[LeftCoastCubFan]

It amazes me how Todd Walker is immune from criticism here. In the last 16 games .204/.296/.259, yet he escapes any blame for the offensive slump. Yet people want to bring him back as a core player next year?

[mul21]

It amazes me how Todd Walker is immune from criticism here. In the last 16 games .204/.296/.259, yet he escapes any blame for the offensive slump. Yet people want to bring him back as a core player next year?

 

I think he is being given a pass for several reasons. 1-He doesn't make a ton of money. 2-This is really the 1st time as a Cub he has had an extended cold streak (I think). 3-He's not a guy who has ever been accused of not hustling or working hard. All things other guys getting critcized don't have going for them.

 

He's the kind of player most fans on this board would like to have in a Cub uniform, save the occasional diarrhea of the mouth.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

It amazes me how Todd Walker is immune from criticism here. In the last 16 games .204/.296/.259, yet he escapes any blame for the offensive slump. Yet people want to bring him back as a core player next year?

 

Wouldn't that line put him as one of the more productive hitters in the lineup? :(

[LoneStarCubFan]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

[illiniguy]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

Why not get the good ones, like Willis and Cabrera.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

Why not get the good ones, like Willis and Cabrera.

 

At least we still don't have Conine or Lenny Harris.

[CubfaninCA]

It amazes me how Todd Walker is immune from criticism here. In the last 16 games .204/.296/.259, yet he escapes any blame for the offensive slump. Yet people want to bring him back as a core player next year?

 

taking walks gives him immunity.

 

i'm starting to wonder if he's already worn out. he's not the most durable guy. 6 for his last 42 makes me wonder.

[mul21]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

 

You know, I was actually thinking about that the other day. There are some similarities between the two situations. A lackadaisical manager, a fairly young team, Juan Pierre leading off, a capable 2nd baseman, D. Lee, and the potential for a whole lot of pitching (if and when it gets healthy).

 

Not that it is probable or even remotely likely, but it gives you a little something positive to think about. Unfortunately, there isn't a potential ML ready superstar at AAA.

[illiniguy]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

Why not get the good ones, like Willis and Cabrera.

 

At least we still don't have Conine or Lenny Harris.

Why do I feel like you should have to say yet as you finish that thought?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

Why not get the good ones, like Willis and Cabrera.

 

At least we still don't have Conine or Lenny Harris.

Why do I feel like you should have to say yet as you finish that thought?

 

Funny, I thought the same thing after I clicked on submit.

[stitchface]

Maybe its because walkers slump brought him from grotesquely high numbers to near his career norms? Can you really not see the difference between a player who was red hot and is now slumping and player that has never been productive in their career?

[illiniguy]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

Why not get the good ones, like Willis and Cabrera.

 

At least we still don't have Conine or Lenny Harris.

Why do I feel like you should have to say yet as you finish that thought?

 

Funny, I thought the same thing after I clicked on submit.

Although if we would have kept Lenny in 03 we might have swept the fish because then Dusty wouldn't have chose to face Lowell before Lenny. God I love the Dusty Baker era.

[LoneStarCubFan]

If Hendry insists on collecting 2003 Marlins he should make the next logical step and hire Jack McKeon.

 

You know, I was actually thinking about that the other day. There are some similarities between the two situations. A lackadaisical manager, a fairly young team, Juan Pierre leading off, a capable 2nd baseman, D. Lee, and the potential for a whole lot of pitching (if and when it gets healthy).

 

Not that it is probable or even remotely likely, but it gives you a little something positive to think about. Unfortunately, there isn't a potential ML ready superstar at AAA.

 

Felix Pie please pick up the white courtesy phone