A-Rod talkin' like Mr. Cub

[CubColtPacer]

I don't understand the theory that the Cubs lineup is all fine and dandy right now. We're talking about one of the worst lineups for the past 4 years. Soriano is the only real upgrade, and he's not going to turn them into top notch on his own.

 

On paper, the team probably has the best lineup in the division.

 

As far as upgrades from last year, let's look at the differences

 

1B for the Cubs put up a .266/.337/.437 line last year-if Lee is healthy for most of the year, they should be able to put about 100 points on that line in a normal season, and possibly up to 200 (his 05 line was over 300 points away from that line, but both because of the fact that Lee is not likely to hit that well again and the fact that Ward will get some at-bats at that position puts the high end for 1B at about 200 extra)

2B for the Cubs put up a .274/.326/.411 line overall-DeRosa and Theriot should be able to match that (if DeRosa struggles and is under that, then Theriot will get the majority of the playing time by the second half), and might be a little bit better.

SS for the Cubs put up a .246/.275/.324 line. Izturis would match that at the low point, and could be reasonably as much as 100 points above that.

3B for the team put up a .282/.340/.544 line-that seems about right. Aramis will be a little above that, and the at-bats that others will get at that position will push it down to that number.

LF put up a .280/.346/.428-This one should go up with Murton/Floyd being there-at least 50 points, and up to 125.

CF-.294/.333/.393-this one should go up at least 100 points, and possibly 200.

RF-.288/.337/.498-this one could go down 50 points or so or could go up 50 points or so depending on Jacque's year and how much they platoon him.

C-.287/.341/.473-this one should stay about the same as well. Barrett and Blanco had career years, but their decline should be offset by the fact that Barrett will hopefully play about 25 more games than he did last year.

P-.145/.156/.252-this one is unknown. Z and Marquis will be above that number, possibly by quite a bit, and the other 3 will likely be below.

 

Other situations

PH-.216/.284/.320 (241 AB's)-this one should go up by at least 100 points with the Cubs bench this year.

DH-.212/.278/.212 (33 AB's)-this one doesn't matter very much, but it should go up by a whole lot.

 

So 1B, CF, LF, and the bench will be major upgrades. 2B and SS could be the same at the low point, but they are likely upgrades-the question is just how much. C and 3B should be about the same. RF could be up or down depending on what they do, and P is unknown.

 

That's a vastly improved offense, even when not believing much in people's career years.

 

Edit: I do get one of your points though that no matter what the offense is now, that if an improvement can be made one should do it, and a player like A-Rod would be another significant improvement.

[Andy]

Didn't you hear him? Lineups with all home run hitters just can't be good.

C Posada

1B Howard

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B ARam

LF Dunn

CF Soriano

RF Dye

DH Ortiz

 

Come on, do you really expect to score any runs with this lineup?

[David]

Didn't you hear him? Lineups with all home run hitters just can't be good.

C Posada

1B Howard

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B ARam

LF Dunn

CF Soriano

RF Dye

DH Ortiz

 

Come on, do you really expect to score any runs with this lineup?

 

Wow. Terrible lineup. So in need of some table setters and a prototypical 8th hitter.

[goonys evil twin]

Didn't you hear him? Lineups with all home run hitters just can't be good.

C Posada

1B Howard

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B ARam

LF Dunn

CF Soriano

RF Dye

DH Ortiz

 

Come on, do you really expect to score any runs with this lineup?

 

Wow. Terrible lineup. So in need of some table setters and a prototypical 8th hitter.

 

I guarantee that lineup would leave people on base.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Didn't you hear him? Lineups with all home run hitters just can't be good.

C Posada

1B Howard

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B ARam

LF Dunn

CF Soriano

RF Dye

DH Ortiz

 

Come on, do you really expect to score any runs with this lineup?

 

Wow. Terrible lineup. So in need of some table setters and a prototypical 8th hitter.

 

I guarantee that lineup would leave people on base.

 

Only because they already scored 1900 runs.

[DivineBovine]

According to CNNSI today:

 

The best bet for the coming season: This is the year Alex Rodriguez has his best shot at finally winning a World Series ring while wearing pinstripes. Unfortunately for him, the pinstripes he'll be wearing will be bright Cubbies blue, not Yankees navy blue. Yankee fans be delighted come July to see Rodriguez traded to the Cubs, who are spending money like the federal government in a crazed effort to buy their first World Series ring in 99 years.

-- Arizona Republic

 

 

Yeah right. I can see it now. The Yankees, 20 games out of a playoff spot in July, will trade away ARod, batting 300 with 30 HR's at the time, to the Cubs for Cezar Izturis, cash, and a minor leaguer to be named later. I can't wait.

 

I love these completely unfounded rumors. And now, I just bumped this wonderful thread right back to the front page.

[shnsajax]

According to CNNSI today:

 

The best bet for the coming season: This is the year Alex Rodriguez has his best shot at finally winning a World Series ring while wearing pinstripes. Unfortunately for him, the pinstripes he'll be wearing will be bright Cubbies blue, not Yankees navy blue. Yankee fans be delighted come July to see Rodriguez traded to the Cubs, who are spending money like the federal government in a crazed effort to buy their first World Series ring in 99 years.

-- Arizona Republic

 

 

Yeah right. I can see it now. The Yankees, 20 games out of a playoff spot in July, will trade away ARod, batting 300 with 30 HR's at the time, to the Cubs for Cezar Izturis, cash, and a minor leaguer to be named later. I can't wait.

 

I love these completely unfounded rumors. And now, I just bumped this wonderful thread right back to the front page.

 

No but with the Yankees 5 games behind the Red Sox and with the Red Sox signing Clemens. The Yankees get desperate behind their subpar pitching making a three way trade to bring in Dontrell Willis with the Cubs getting Arod. :-)

[A New Era]

According to CNNSI today:

 

The best bet for the coming season: This is the year Alex Rodriguez has his best shot at finally winning a World Series ring while wearing pinstripes. Unfortunately for him, the pinstripes he'll be wearing will be bright Cubbies blue, not Yankees navy blue. Yankee fans be delighted come July to see Rodriguez traded to the Cubs, who are spending money like the federal government in a crazed effort to buy their first World Series ring in 99 years.

-- Arizona Republic

 

 

Yeah right. I can see it now. The Yankees, 20 games out of a playoff spot in July, will trade away ARod, batting 300 with 30 HR's at the time, to the Cubs for Cezar Izturis, cash, and a minor leaguer to be named later. I can't wait.

 

I love these completely unfounded rumors. And now, I just bumped this wonderful thread right back to the front page.

 

No but with the Yankees 5 games behind the Red Sox and with the Red Sox signing Clemens. The Yankees get desperate behind their subpar pitching making a three way trade to bring in Dontrell Willis with the Cubs getting Arod. :-)

 

The article. . . lame april fools effort?

[Banedon]

It's just a prediction article. There's at least half a dozen other things he predicts in there.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0401bbprepredix0401.html

 

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

 

:shock: :shock: :shock:

[NCCubFan]

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

:lmao:

[Post Count Padder]

It's just a prediction article. There's at least half a dozen other things he predicts in there.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0401bbprepredix0401.html

 

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

 

:shock: :shock: :shock:

*proves you can die from laughter*

[Andy]

It's just a prediction article. There's at least half a dozen other things he predicts in there.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0401bbprepredix0401.html

 

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

 

:shock: :shock: :shock:

I was convinced this was an April Fool's Prank - but no. Every other prediction in there appears serious and rational.

 

I just...

 

wow.

[soccer10k]

Didn't you hear him? Lineups with all home run hitters just can't be good.

C Posada

1B Howard

2B Utley

SS Rollins

3B ARam

LF Dunn

CF Soriano

RF Dye

DH Ortiz

 

Come on, do you really expect to score any runs with this lineup?

 

Wow. Terrible lineup. So in need of some table setters and a prototypical 8th hitter.

 

And a true leadoff hitter like Juan Pierre.

[soccer10k]

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

 

Words fail me.

[Amazing_Grace]

It's just a prediction article. There's at least half a dozen other things he predicts in there.

 

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/0401bbprepredix0401.html

 

Vladimir Guerrero wins the AL MVP and Juan Pierre takes NL honors for the Dodgers.

 

:shock: :shock: :shock:

 

Are you familiar with the old robot saying "does not compute".