No DeRosa in the OF

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Link.

 

For now, DeRosa is the starting second baseman and should get occasional games at third base (where he played 40 games in '06) and shortstop (seven).

 

''There's going to be plenty of places to put DeRosa, and I would think he fits in more in the infield,'' Piniella said. ''I've got enough outfielders.''

 

 

Other notes from the article.

 

1. Pie likely not to make the team out of ST. (No surprise here.)

 

''Hey, look, I like young kids -- it has nothing to do with that -- but the way we're put together, I don't want a steady procession of players coming into my office and saying, 'When in the hell do I get to play?'''

 

 

2. When listing OF likely to play, there's no mention of Pagan.

 

The Cubs plan to keep 13 position players, and four of them are outfielders who figure to fill almost every inning of playing time there: Soriano, Floyd, Jacque Jones and Matt Murton.

 

 

3. Soriano feels comfortable in CF thus far.

 

''I see the ball better,'' he said. ''I see the contact better because I have everything up front.

 

''But practice is easy. I'd like to see in a game.''

 

[wade]

At first I didn't like hearing Derosa wouldn't be in the outfield much, but it makes sense. If Murton could handle RF it would make things easier as far as getting at-bats for everyone.

[Wheelimus]

If only Murton could play even just an "almost adequate" center field. Because with Soriano leading off, there will be a lot of games in the 6th or 7th inning if we're doing well where he's already been at bat 5 or so times. No reason in those situations you couldn't throw Matt out there to get some at bats if he was sitting on the bench.

 

If only, lol...

[David]

:(

[Balsa]

Good to hear that about Pie. He really needs at least another half-year at AAA.

 

No sense rushing him when he's so young.

[soapy]

Not happy to hear about DeRosa not playing in the outfield. I was still holding out some sliver of hope that he would be playing a lot of RF against LHP. On the other hand, I take interest in the mention of him playing SS. I'd like to see Theriot or DeRosa playing there, if they can handle it. Get Izturis out of there.

[nilodnayr]

Not happy to hear about DeRosa not playing in the outfield. I was still holding out some sliver of hope that he would be playing a lot of RF against LHP. On the other hand, I take interest in the mention of him playing SS. I'd like to see Theriot or DeRosa playing there, if they can handle it. Get Izturis out of there.

 

You were holding out hope for on the days we face lefties for DeRosa plays in right and Theriot plays 2b, right? Well there is no mention of Theriot not playing the OF, so on those days Theriot could play RF and DeRosa could play 2b, making it exactly the same offensively as you wanted. At least thats what I'm hoing for. It makes sense if DeRosa is going to be our primary 2b to not move him to the OF and if Theriot is going to be on the bench to use him as a super sub all over the field.

[BigbadB]

You were holding out hope for on the days we face lefties for DeRosa plays in right and Theriot plays 2b, right? Well there is no mention of Theriot not playing the OF, so on those days Theriot could play RF and DeRosa could play 2b, making it exactly the same offensively as you wanted. At least thats what I'm hoing for. It makes sense if DeRosa is going to be our primary 2b to not move him to the OF and if Theriot is going to be on the bench to use him as a super sub all over the field.

 

Good point. I'm definitely hoping for that. If Jones hits against LHP, we'll have 2 Cesar Izturis' in the line up. If Blanco is playing that game, we might as well forfeit.

[CuseCubFan69]

I like the flexability of this team expect for a couple of things. A good backup CF but if Soriano can do the job and Jones/Theriot can back him up I'm fine with it. And #2 a righty off the bench with a little spank. I'm really not worried about what Lou says about who's playing where because as he said in another thread production plays.

 

I would also like to point out something about Murton. I haven't seen the numbers but he seems to have a Lou like Career going for him and IMO that might be to his benefit.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Good to hear that about Pie. He really needs at least another half-year at AAA.

 

Not necessarily.

 

 

And this sucks about DeRosa not being in the mix in the OF.

[nilodnayr]

 

And this sucks about DeRosa not being in the mix in the OF.

 

As long as Theriot is in the mix, I disagree.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

 

And this sucks about DeRosa not being in the mix in the OF.

 

As long as Theriot is in the mix, I disagree.

 

Meh, hard to imagine Theriot getting significant time in RF.

[CuseCubFan69]

Good to hear that about Pie. He really needs at least another half-year at AAA.

 

Not necessarily.

 

 

And this sucks about DeRosa not being in the mix in the OF.

 

I don't think that is written in stone. I think it's because of the lack of depth at second/infield unless Theriot proves he really is a decent player and not a late season fluke. The Cubs do have 4 quality OF's (if Floyd is healthy) and no DH so I understand why they are bugging Lou about this. Add to that mix the 5th Ward and there isn't a lot of room. They are too right handed for my taste right now though unless the leftys can hit lefty pitching.

[Amazing_Grace]

This isn't terribly surprising to hear. To me, the comments still seem like they may be thinking that Theriot could win the starting 2b job in ST or take over later. Lou didn't exactly say DeRosa would start at 2b, just that he fits more in the infield and that we have enough outfielders, which is certainly true.

[rawaction]

Completely off the subject, but finally the Cubs will go into interleague play (barring injury) without having to play Macias/Neifi/Mabry at DH.

[erik316wttn]

At first I didn't like hearing Derosa wouldn't be in the outfield much, but it makes sense. If Murton could handle RF it would make things easier as far as getting at-bats for everyone.

 

Murton should be the starting LF'er. End of story.

[Sammy Sofa]

At first I didn't like hearing Derosa wouldn't be in the outfield much, but it makes sense. If Murton could handle RF it would make things easier as far as getting at-bats for everyone.

 

Murton should be the starting LF'er. End of story.

 

No, it's not.

[CubColtPacer]

At first I didn't like hearing Derosa wouldn't be in the outfield much, but it makes sense. If Murton could handle RF it would make things easier as far as getting at-bats for everyone.

 

Murton should be the starting LF'er. End of story.

 

Um, Murton getting at-bats in right doesn't hurt his chance of being the starting LF. It does however allow Murton and Floyd to play together sometimes instead of having only 2 possible combinations-Murton and Jones, or Floyd and Jones. Would you rather have Floyd only getting his at-bats at the expense of Murton and not Jones a little bit as well? Because one thing we do know, and that is that Floyd is not going to be in RF a whole lot-he almost certainly wouldn't be able to play it. So if you don't want at-bats for Murton in RF, you're essentially taking at-bats away from him.

[Derwood]

listen, I like Murton as much as anyone, but the truth is, a healthy, fully productive Floyd is better than Murton. That's a big if, of course. But if Floyd can go out and be really productive, I'll live with Murton splitting time. If you start Murton, you literally have one lefty and one switch-hitter in the lineup.

[BigbadB]

listen, I like Murton as much as anyone, but the truth is, a healthy, fully productive Floyd is better than Murton. That's a big if, of course. But if Floyd can go out and be really productive, I'll live with Murton splitting time. If you start Murton, you literally have one lefty and one switch-hitter in the lineup.

 

But, that's okay. Because most of those righty hitters pack a wallop.

[Derwood]

listen, I like Murton as much as anyone, but the truth is, a healthy, fully productive Floyd is better than Murton. That's a big if, of course. But if Floyd can go out and be really productive, I'll live with Murton splitting time. If you start Murton, you literally have one lefty and one switch-hitter in the lineup.

 

But, that's okay. Because most of those righty hitters pack a wallop.

 

this is true. we didn't do so bad with Lee/Ramirez/Alou/Sosa. okay, the team sucked, but that part of the lineup was good

[soapy]

Not happy to hear about DeRosa not playing in the outfield. I was still holding out some sliver of hope that he would be playing a lot of RF against LHP. On the other hand, I take interest in the mention of him playing SS. I'd like to see Theriot or DeRosa playing there, if they can handle it. Get Izturis out of there.

 

You were holding out hope for on the days we face lefties for DeRosa plays in right and Theriot plays 2b, right? Well there is no mention of Theriot not playing the OF, so on those days Theriot could play RF and DeRosa could play 2b, making it exactly the same offensively as you wanted. At least thats what I'm hoing for. It makes sense if DeRosa is going to be our primary 2b to not move him to the OF and if Theriot is going to be on the bench to use him as a super sub all over the field.

 

I think it makes more sense to put DeRosa in RF because he has a lot of experience there. Theriot doesn't. Either way, getting Theriot's bat in the lineup in place of Jones' against LHP would be nice.

[cheapseats]

Getting a bat in the lineup to replace Derosa's against righthanders would be nice.