Its Scary Quiet

[LuckyPup]

Boys, as much as i hate to admit it, i think we are done- Hearing Hendry talk about Pie's defense in CF i think he is just going to stand pat with our lineup as is-let me just say yuck- other than a Cliff floyd signing to take at bats away from Murton, i just dont think Hendry is planning on anything else- you guys get the same feeling?

 

Who knows, maybe the silence is Hendry putting together a blockbuster for Tejada :D , but i doubt it-

[goonys evil twin]

Boys, as much as i hate to admit it, i think we are done- Hearing Hendry talk about Pie's defense in CF i think he is just going to stand pat with our lineup as is-let me just say yuck- other than a Cliff floyd signing to take at bats away from Murton, i just dont think Hendry is planning on anything else- you guys get the same feeling?

 

Who knows, maybe the silence is Hendry putting together a blockbuster for Tejada :D , but i doubt it-

 

Dave van Dyck is speculating it's done. And all the talk of Pie (by writers, Lou and others) makes me think they really want Felix to win the CF spot this year.

 

I don't see them signing Floyd and keeping Jones, so, it's probably one or the other.

 

What if they just keep everything intact from here. That would make LF a platoon of Murton and Jones, which would be really productive. And CF would be a mix of Pie, Jones, Pagan and maybe Theriot, which could end up anywhere from terrible to fantastic. And if Soriano needs a day off here and there, Jones plays there.

[soapy]

I don't look forward to the days where Pie, Blanco, Izturis and the pitcher are back-to-back like that.

[fromthestretch]

Boys, as much as i hate to admit it, i think we are done- Hearing Hendry talk about Pie's defense in CF i think he is just going to stand pat with our lineup as is-let me just say yuck- other than a Cliff floyd signing to take at bats away from Murton, i just dont think Hendry is planning on anything else- you guys get the same feeling?

 

Who knows, maybe the silence is Hendry putting together a blockbuster for Tejada :D , but i doubt it-

 

I would not be surprised to see a couple relievers and probably a young starting pitcher dealt at some point. One of Marshall, Mateo, Marmol, and Ryu will probably be traded. I also wouldn't be surprised to see one or two of the following relievers traded: Novoa, Ohman, Eyre, Dempster, Cotts.

[Tracer Bullet]

Boys, as much as i hate to admit it, i think we are done- Hearing Hendry talk about Pie's defense in CF i think he is just going to stand pat with our lineup as is-let me just say yuck- other than a Cliff floyd signing to take at bats away from Murton, i just dont think Hendry is planning on anything else- you guys get the same feeling?

 

Who knows, maybe the silence is Hendry putting together a blockbuster for Tejada :D , but i doubt it-

 

Dave van Dyck is speculating it's done. And all the talk of Pie (by writers, Lou and others) makes me think they really want Felix to win the CF spot this year.

 

I don't see them signing Floyd and keeping Jones, so, it's probably one or the other.

 

What if they just keep everything intact from here. That would make LF a platoon of Murton and Jones, which would be really productive. And CF would be a mix of Pie, Jones, Pagan and maybe Theriot, which could end up anywhere from terrible to fantastic. And if Soriano needs a day off here and there, Jones plays there.

 

I just don't like the idea of Jones still being on the team next year. He isn't likely to repeat his numbers, so I'd prefer to deal him now. I also don't like the idea of a platoon w/ Murton since there are more RHP in the world than LHP. Murton has enough experience that we should run him out there every day. If he struggles mightily for 3 months, maybe he's not meant to be an every day player. But if he rarely faces RHP, we're not going to know that.

 

The days of Jones, Pie, Izturis, Blanco, P in the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 spots are going to be really tough. Especially b/c that lineup also features DeRosa in the 2-hole most likely. Yikes.

[fromthestretch]

Boys, as much as i hate to admit it, i think we are done- Hearing Hendry talk about Pie's defense in CF i think he is just going to stand pat with our lineup as is-let me just say yuck- other than a Cliff floyd signing to take at bats away from Murton, i just dont think Hendry is planning on anything else- you guys get the same feeling?

 

Who knows, maybe the silence is Hendry putting together a blockbuster for Tejada :D , but i doubt it-

 

Dave van Dyck is speculating it's done. And all the talk of Pie (by writers, Lou and others) makes me think they really want Felix to win the CF spot this year.

 

I don't see them signing Floyd and keeping Jones, so, it's probably one or the other.

 

What if they just keep everything intact from here. That would make LF a platoon of Murton and Jones, which would be really productive. And CF would be a mix of Pie, Jones, Pagan and maybe Theriot, which could end up anywhere from terrible to fantastic. And if Soriano needs a day off here and there, Jones plays there.

 

I just don't like the idea of Jones still being on the team next year. He isn't likely to repeat his numbers, so I'd prefer to deal him now. I also don't like the idea of a platoon w/ Murton since there are more RHP in the world than LHP. Murton has enough experience that we should run him out there every day. If he struggles mightily for 3 months, maybe he's not meant to be an every day player. But if he rarely faces RHP, we're not going to know that.

 

The days of Jones, Pie, Izturis, Blanco, P in the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 spots are going to be really tough. Especially b/c that lineup also features DeRosa in the 2-hole most likely. Yikes.

 

Jones put up an .833 OPS in 2006. If he put up those numbers as a CF, he would have ranked 8th in the majors among regular centerfielders, behind Mike Cameron and ahead of Torii Hunter. His three year avg. OPS is .777, which would have ranked him 11th in the majors among centerfielders in 2006, behind Eric Byrnes and ahead of Curtis Granderson. His contract isn't that bad considering the market. If the Cubs can get good talent in return for him, they should make a deal. But having Jones in CF in 2007 doesn't necessarily handicap this team offensively.

[cybercub]

IMO,

 

IF an upgraded bat at shortstop is aquired, Pie will be fine in CF.

 

IF an upgrade at short doesn't happen, an upgrade in CF will.

[apete6]

At least Pie won't be counted on as much as Patterson. Looks like if he plays, he will bat 7th or 8th and just be out there for his defense--what we should have done with CPatt. Pie will be the Cubs version of 2005 Kyle Orton--just do what we need you to do (defense, steal a few bags) and don't completely kill us (bat .198 and K 70% of the time). I would still rather have Jones in CF though.

 

Here's your lineup if Hendry has anything to do with it:

 

Soriano RF

DeRosa 2B

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Barrett C

Murton LF

Pie CF

Izturis SS

 

instead of what it should be as of now??

Soriano RF

Murton LF

Lee 1B

Ramirez 3B

Jones CF

Barrett C

DeRosa 2B

Izturis SS

 

Sign me up for the latter please

[YearofDaCubs]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

[Bruce Miles]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I hate it when you say such things. Any ideas on what's happening with Jacque?

[goonys evil twin]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I know that. I believe that. I completely understand this to be true.

 

But I'm still hoping it's not.

[radarluv1]

IMO,

 

IF an upgraded bat at shortstop is aquired, Pie will be fine in CF.

 

IF an upgrade at short doesn't happen, an upgrade in CF will.[/quote

 

unfortunately, i think these are the best case scenarios. platooning murton would be a worst case scenario, with jones as everyday CF also very bad. it would be great but unlikely to upgrade CF and SS. ideally we find a team desparate for relievers that has an SS that can hit.

[Bruce Miles]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I hate it when you say such things. Any ideas on what's happening with Jacque?

 

There doesn't seem to be much of a trade market for Jones at the moment. As one poster pointed out above, a Murton-Jones time-share in left isn't out of the question if Pie tears it up in spring training. The Cubs will bide their time on this one.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

 

I hate it when you say such things. Any ideas on what's happening with Jacque?

 

There doesn't seem to be much of a trade market for Jones at the moment. As one poster pointed out above, a Murton-Jones time-share in left isn't out of the question if Pie tears it up in spring training. The Cubs will bide their time on this one.

 

Thanks. I'd love to see Jacque get serious consideration for CF if Pie is less than spectacular in ST, much like he has been in winter ball.

[BigbadB]

The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis

 

Oh, we don't like it. You can rest assured on that.

 

Why exactly is Hendry so enamored with him? That's what I don't understand.

 

Izturis is just another in a long line of slick fielding/no hit SS's who come and go in this league, and are soon forgotten.

 

I wasn't fond of his offensive output pre-injury. He's 2 years removed from that offensive output and may never match it again.

[RichHillIsABeast]

Sounds like we're in no great hurry to sign Floyd either, which IMO, is a good thing. Give Murton 600 ABs.

 

Jones/someone platoon in CF would be fantastic.

 

Other than LH bat, we're set until the trade deadline.

[YearofDaCubs]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

I definitely don't like it even though what you are saying is true. It just goes to show you with all the money spent on this team we will be lucky to make the playoffs.

[Bruce Miles]

The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis

 

Oh, we don't like it. You can rest assured on that.

 

Why exactly is Hendry so enamored with him? That's what I don't understand.

 

Izturis is just another in a long line of slick fielding/no hit SS's who come and go in this league, and are soon forgotten.

 

I wasn't fond of his offensive output pre-injury. He's 2 years removed from that offensive output and may never match it again.

 

The Cubs apparently feel they'll get enough offensive production from Soriano, Lee, Barrett, Ramirez and others that whatever Izturis gives them will be fine as long as he continues to play defense as he has in the past.

[LuckyPup]

This is why we need to sign Giles for 2B and move DeRosa to SS.

 

People are wasting their time talking about this shortstop thing and Giles. The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis and are not looking for a shortstop. They signed DeRosa for three years to be their second baseman. They are not going to sign Giles.

I definitely don't like it even though what you are saying is true. It just goes to show you with all the money spent on this team we will be lucky to make the playoffs.

isnt it ridiculous how much medicrity costs these days- a quarter of a billion for a third place team-

[YearofDaCubs]

The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis

 

Oh, we don't like it. You can rest assured on that.

 

Why exactly is Hendry so enamored with him? That's what I don't understand.

 

Izturis is just another in a long line of slick fielding/no hit SS's who come and go in this league, and are soon forgotten.

 

I wasn't fond of his offensive output pre-injury. He's 2 years removed from that offensive output and may never match it again.

 

The Cubs apparently feel they'll get enough offensive production from Soriano, Lee, Barrett, Ramirez and others that whatever Izturis gives them will be fine as long as he continues to play defense as he has in the past.

Bruce,

 

Any ideas about CF? Is Jones out of here? Are they looking to leave CF open for Pie?

 

EDIT nevermind it was already answered.

Edited December 14, 2006 by YearofDaCubs

[goonys evil twin]

The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis

 

Why exactly is Hendry so enamored with him? That's what I don't understand.

 

Izturis is just another in a long line of slick fielding/no hit SS's who come and go in this league, and are soon forgotten.

 

Hendry likes him because he likes that long line of slick field SS. He has acquired about 30% of those that have been in baseball at one point or another during his regime.

 

His love for Izturis is because of his defensive reputation and the fact that he doesn't strike out. Hendry values the ability to make outs when putting the ball in play. Over 162 games, Izturis will probably strike out less than 75 times. That's not Juan Pierre, or even Ichiro, but it's low. It's lower than guys like Royce Clayton.

 

Hendry is also the type of guy that will judge a player on what he has done at his peak, and just assume that's what he'll do as a Cub. And at his peak Izturis hit a lot of singles and had an acceptable average.

[Bruce Miles]

The Cubs, whether you like it or not, are happy with Izturis

 

Oh, we don't like it. You can rest assured on that.

 

Why exactly is Hendry so enamored with him? That's what I don't understand.

 

Izturis is just another in a long line of slick fielding/no hit SS's who come and go in this league, and are soon forgotten.

 

I wasn't fond of his offensive output pre-injury. He's 2 years removed from that offensive output and may never match it again.

 

The Cubs apparently feel they'll get enough offensive production from Soriano, Lee, Barrett, Ramirez and others that whatever Izturis gives them will be fine as long as he continues to play defense as he has in the past.

Bruce,

 

Any ideas about CF? Is Jones out of here? Are they looking to leave CF open for Pie?

 

I've addressed that briefly above. For a guy to be "out of here," it takes two teams to deal. That's what amuses me about some of these Ryan Church posts. It's not that easy to make a trade. You had 30 teams together last week in Florida, and how many trades were made? As of now, Jones is on the team, the Cubs will bide their time, and if Pie tears it up in Mesa, they'll possibly make room for him.

[BigbadB]

The Cubs apparently feel they'll get enough offensive production from Soriano, Lee, Barrett, Ramirez and others that whatever Izturis gives them will be fine as long as he continues to play defense as he has in the past.

 

And it's decisions like these that will probably put Hendry in the unemployment line.

 

Unrelated: I can't imagine they are done at this point. Isn't there a 40 man roster issue right now?

 

Unrelated part 2: Come on, Jim. Give us SABR guys just one guy to hang our hats on. You've ignored our screams at NSBB for improved OBP by never going after the guy that "we" want. Just give us Church to shut us up for awhile. Thanks!

[goonys evil twin]

Unrelated: I can't imagine they are done at this point. Isn't there a 40 man roster issue right now?

 

They just cleared 2 spots to get down to 37, and should not be able to fit Lilly, Marquis and Ward without making a move.