Its Scary Quiet

[Garwilly]

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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

[BigbadB]

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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

He's referring to the life of the contracts signed this offseason.

[daske17]

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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

Unfortunately, that was the result of Hendry giving Izturis a $130 million/10 year contract.

[BigbadB]

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.

 

Whoops. I missed that. I thought it was still over 40 with Ward, Marquis and Lilly still to be added.

[pitchcs]

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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

Quarter Million spent this offseason, but I'm sure you knew that.

[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 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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

Quarter Million spent this offseason, but I'm sure you knew that.

 

I'm not a big fan of the "quarter billion spent this offseason" rhetoric. It distorts the truth. They didn't spend $250 million this offseason. They committed to spend that much over the next 8 years. And the way they backloaded the deals, they haven't spent nearly as much for this upcoming season as it seems.

[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.

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

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

Quarter Million spent this offseason, but I'm sure you knew that.

 

I'm not a big fan of the "quarter billion spent this offseason" rhetoric. It distorts the truth. They didn't spend $250 million this offseason. They committed to spend that much over the next 8 years. And the way they backloaded the deals, they haven't spent nearly as much for this upcoming season as it seems.

You know with all the back loaded contracts and big money we have to dish out in the future I wonder if they made a decision not to resign Z, and others after this year? Who knows, I hope not.

[Amazing_Grace]

I agree with the OP. I think the Cubs are mostly done other than perhaps trading a reliever for prospects or a LH bench player. The fact is the Cubs just don't have a lot of minor league pieces to trade right now other than Pie, who is apparently not going to be dealt. I really hope they don't bring Pie up this season. If they do, I strongly suspect that we'll see Corey Patterson part 2, where a guy is rushed to the bigs too soon and expected to do too much, and then gets benched and yo yoed from AAA to the big leagues, ruining whatever chance he had to develop ML level skills.

 

IMHO, this team hasn't improved enough offensively to win with mediocre and/or inconsistent pitching, which, outside of Z, is what they have. Defense doesn't make 2 beans worth of difference when compared to offense and pitching which is why Izturis is a worthless ballplayer, regardless of what Hendry thinks. He's worse than Alex Gonzalez, and he was awful. I'd honestly rather have kept Neifi to play SS than Izturis, because there's at least a decent chance of Neifi hitting over .250. Neifi is actually about 40 points of OPS better than Izturis over his career. Our best chance of having a productive SS may be for Izturis to get hurt and force the Cubs to play Theriot there.

 

If Hendry wants to win this year, he MUST upgrade either CF or SS offensively. We might be able to hover around .500 and attempt to make a trade midseason, but the team as things stand now will probably finish around .500, unless we're decimated by injuries again which would probably make us worse.

[goonys evil twin]

I agree with the OP.

 

Omniscient Peruvian?

Ominous parable?

Overweight priest?

Obnoxious pric...............?

[Yestheydo]

Hey Bruce, if you're still reading, do you know if they are considering platooning Theriot in CF with Jones or Pie or whomever winds up there? I notice Pie only had 8 ABs against lefties last year. Just wondering.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Original Poster

 

And Pie had 156 at bats against LHP last year. That split at Milb.com is from winter league.

[cheapseats]

 

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.

 

http://web.mit.edu/jonb/www/animate/grinch.gif

 

I know, I know, don't shoot the messenger.

[Bruce Miles]

Hey Bruce, if you're still reading, do you know if they are considering platooning Theriot in CF with Jones or Pie or whomever winds up there? I notice Pie only had 8 ABs against lefties last year. Just wondering.

 

At the moment, they are not considering such an arrangement. They see Theriot as their fifth infielder and someone who can play the outfield every now and then.

[Bruce Miles]

 

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.

 

http://web.mit.edu/jonb/www/animate/grinch.gif

 

I know, I know, don't shoot the messenger.

 

Glad you made the distinction.

[cheapseats]

 

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.

 

http://web.mit.edu/jonb/www/animate/grinch.gif

 

I know, I know, don't shoot the messenger.

 

Glad you made the distinction.

 

I think I'd get an ulcer if I had your job, watching the team make mistakes and being powerless to do anything about it.

Edited December 14, 2006 by cheapseats

[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 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-

 

Payroll jumping to 250 million!! Now we're really talking.

 

Quarter Million spent this offseason, but I'm sure you knew that.

 

I'm not a big fan of the "quarter billion spent this offseason" rhetoric. It distorts the truth. They didn't spend $250 million this offseason. They committed to spend that much over the next 8 years. And the way they backloaded the deals, they haven't spent nearly as much for this upcoming season as it seems.

You know with all the back loaded contracts and big money we have to dish out in the future I wonder if they made a decision not to resign Z, and others after this year? Who knows, I hope not.

 

The two aren't related. My guess is they'll avoid arbitration with Zambrano and then work on an extension. They did this with Wood and Lee and got it done (by the skin of their teeth) with Ramirez.

[BigbadB]

At the moment, they are not considering such an arrangement. They see Theriot as their fifth infielder and someone who can play the outfield every now and then.

 

There are going to be a LOT of question marks with this team if this is really what they plan to open the season with.

[RichHillIsABeast]

I think I'd get an ulcer if I had your job, watching the team make mistakes and being powerless to do anything about it.

 

You do watch the team make mistakes and are powerless to do anything about it, even more powerless than a beat writer who has frequent contact with the team in question.

 

Hello ulcer!

[Backtobanks]

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-

 

Well, this is the quiet (and boring) time of the year. I stated in another post that I think all of Hendry's transactions this offseason has spoiled us into thinking that he needs to do something every 2 days. I think Hendry will find a trade partner for Jones, but he has to have a replacement lined up in case Pie isn't ready. Also, I have trouble believing that there won't be some kind of deal involving Marshall/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo/Ryu. Hopefully Zambrano's extension will come soon and then he will have most of the starters locked in for quite a few years, so I don't think he is going to let the young pitchers I mentioned rot at Iowa for the next 4-5 years. Also, it wouldn't surprize me to see Cedeno packaged with others in a deal. Something will happen, but it may not be until spring training.

[Bruce Miles]

I think I'd get an ulcer if I had your job, watching the team make mistakes and being powerless to do anything about it.

 

You do watch the team make mistakes and are powerless to do anything about it, even more powerless than a beat writer who has frequent contact with the team in question.

 

Hello ulcer!

 

Somebody mentioned earlier about how nice it would be if they listened to the NSBBers. I'd like to see some of you guys (and women) ask some pointed, well-reasoned and thought-out questions at the Cubs Convention during that Saturday session. If anybody's going, make sure you get there early and get in line.

[Bruce Miles]

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-

 

Well, this is the quiet (and boring) time of the year. I stated in another post that I think all of Hendry's transactions this offseason has spoiled us into thinking that he needs to do something every 2 days. I think Hendry will find a trade partner for Jones, but he has to have a replacement lined up in case Pie isn't ready. Also, I have trouble believing that there won't be some kind of deal involving Marshall/Marmol/Guzman/Mateo/Ryu. Hopefully Zambrano's extension will come soon and then he will have most of the starters locked in for quite a few years, so I don't think he is going to let the young pitchers I mentioned rot at Iowa for the next 4-5 years. Also, it wouldn't surprize me to see Cedeno packaged with others in a deal. Something will happen, but it may not be until spring training.

 

You've got it sized up pretty well.

[SAMMYWHO]

Bruce, help me out please. It wasn't long ago that everyone (including most posters) thought that Ronny Cedeno was the next greatest thing. What happened to him offensivly and did the Cubs give up on him? I can understand the rookie mental mistakes causing some errors but somebody who hits about .370 at AAA couldn't of forgot how to swing a bat that quick. Please shed some light and I thankyou in advance.

[TheDude]

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.

 

Izturis is only 26 years old. Is it really that bad to assume he can reach prior peaks, and possibly surpass them?

 

(note: asking this question doesn't make me an Izturis lover or Hendry defender...in fact you could simply replace Izturis with any other 26 year old hitter and apply the same question)

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce, help me out please. It wasn't long ago that everyone (including most posters) thought that Ronny Cedeno was the next greatest thing. What happened to him offensivly and did the Cubs give up on him? I can understand the rookie mental mistakes causing some errors but somebody who hits about .370 at AAA couldn't of forgot how to swing a bat that quick. Please shed some light and I thankyou in advance.

 

He got into some bad habits at the plate and did not adjust. It seemed at times he was the only one who didn't "get" that he was struggling. I also think he didn't adjust well to the big-league lifestyle. He probably has some growing up to do.

[Bruce Miles]

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.

 

Izturis is only 26 years old. Is it really that bad to assume he can reach prior peaks, and possibly surpass them?

 

(note: asking this question doesn't make me an Izturis lover or Hendry defender...in fact you could simply replace Izturis with any other 26 year old hitter and apply the same question)

 

This is a good post. To be fair, I got a lot of e-mails after the December 2002 trade of Hundley to the Dodgers for Grudz and Karros. Most people said Grudz sucked, he was past his peak performance and it was downhill from there. Well, ol' Grudz has done pretty well for hisself. He's not a great player, but he proved a lot of his detractors wrong. Izturis is their guy. We'll see what he can do healthy.