Rosenthal's new article

[98navigator]

The article is about how the Cubs have greater flexibility in the outfield with Soriano in CF.

 

Soriano acknowledges that center is more difficult than left, his position last season with the Nationals. Still, he says he is more comfortable now that he has played a full season in the outfield. By playing center, he increases the Cubs' options.

 

Matt Murton — a solid defender who is "vastly underrated" in the opinion of one rival scout — figures to get most of the playing time in left.

 

This is good to see...

 

The team is trying to acquire another middle infielder who would give Piniella the option of playing DeRosa and Theriot at the same time.

 

This is a surprise! This might have something to do with the rumors that the Cubs are scouting other teams (ATL/Blue Jays).

 

Link

[98navigator]

Also checkout the interview Rosenthal did with Lou.

 

 

Part one

Part two

[YearofDaCubs]

Lou hasn't managed a regular season game yet and I already feel that he is a much better manager than Dusty.

[goonys evil twin]

Lou sure has done a ton of press since taking the Cubs jobs. He's been featured multiple times in all the NY papers, and has even been on the local radio. He's been interviewed on radio, tv and print repeatedly since spring training began.

[98navigator]

Absolutely. Everyone wants a piece of him... He's also been on WGN radio & tv, and ESPN AM 1000 a few times since ST began. Not to mention the HBO Real Sports piece.

[C.C.]

Absolutely. Everyone wants a piece of him... He's also been on WGN radio & tv, and ESPN AM 1000 a few times since ST. Not to mention the HBO Real Sports piece.

 

Not surprising. Cubs are very popular and Lou's a entertaining guy.

[b_wiggy_66]

I wonder who the Middle Infielder is that they may be talking about. Do you know anything about this Bruce?

[98navigator]

Absolutely. Everyone wants a piece of him... He's also been on WGN radio & tv, and ESPN AM 1000 a few times since ST. Not to mention the HBO Real Sports piece.

 

Not surprising. Cubs are very popular and Lou's a entertaining guy.

 

Yes, but Dusty wasn't nearly as sought after. Lou is not only entertaining he's more highly regarded as a manager. That's clearly the difference.

 

I'm not surprised just pointing it out.

[98navigator]

Bruce Miles has a new article about Soriano just about locking up the CF job. Pie is headed back to AAA. There's also a tid bit about Prior's throwing today.

 

Link

[oldstyle81]

Lou hasn't managed a regular season game yet and I already feel that he is a much better manager than Dusty.

 

my 9 year old brother would be better than Dusty

[TheDude]

The team is trying to acquire another middle infielder who would give Piniella the option of playing DeRosa and Theriot at the same time.

 

Either I'm dense today, or just confused. How does acquiring another MI give Piniella the option to play both DeRosa and Theriot? If he wants to play those two in the MI, wouldn't Izturis then slide into Theriot's bench role?

 

I don't understand how acquiring another player fits into this discussion.

[CubColtPacer]

The team is trying to acquire another middle infielder who would give Piniella the option of playing DeRosa and Theriot at the same time.

 

Either I'm dense today, or just confused. How does acquiring another MI give Piniella the option to play both DeRosa and Theriot? If he wants to play those two in the MI, wouldn't Izturis then slide into Theriot's bench role?

 

I don't understand how acquiring another player fits into this discussion.

 

Rosenthal was saying that one of those players would play in RF-Izturis, DeRosa, and Theriot would all be in the lineup on those days, but there would be no backup MI on those days-which is why they need to get another backup if they are planning to use DeRosa or Theriot as Jacque's platoon partner in RF.

[TheDude]

Rosenthal was saying that one of those players would play in RF-Izturis, DeRosa, and Theriot would all be in the lineup on those days, but there would be no backup MI on those days-which is why they need to get another backup if they are planning to use DeRosa or Theriot as Jacque's platoon partner in RF.

 

Got it, thanks. I wonder if we'll see Jones dealt for an MI and a B prospect before April.

[CubColtPacer]

Rosenthal was saying that one of those players would play in RF-Izturis, DeRosa, and Theriot would all be in the lineup on those days, but there would be no backup MI on those days-which is why they need to get another backup if they are planning to use DeRosa or Theriot as Jacque's platoon partner in RF.

 

Got it, thanks. I wonder if we'll see Jones dealt for an MI and a B prospect before April.

 

I doubt it-if Jones is dealt, no backup MI is needed anymore. Plus, this article seems to think that Jones will not be traded at all now.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Izturis for ARod?

[Post Count Padder]

Izturis for ARod?

Where do I sign?

[YearofDaCubs]

Lou hasn't managed a regular season game yet and I already feel that he is a much better manager than Dusty.

 

my 9 year old brother would be better than Dusty

 

I don't even know your brother but I agree with you.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

We could trade Miller and a reliever for a middle infielder.

 

How about seeing what San Diego would want to return Todd Walker to Chicago?

[goonys evil twin]

How about seeing what San Diego would want to return Todd Walker to Chicago?

 

I enjoyed Todd while he was here, but his best days are behind him and I don't see any point in bringing him back at 34 to see if he can help. The Cubs could use some offensive help, but Todd is no guarantee to be of use with the bat.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

How about seeing what San Diego would want to return Todd Walker to Chicago?

 

I enjoyed Todd while he was here, but his best days are behind him and I don't see any point in bringing him back at 34 to see if he can help. The Cubs could use some offensive help, but Todd is no guarantee to be of use with the bat.

 

Plus if the whole goal is to get DeRosa and Theriot playing together, SS is the obvious target.

[CubColtPacer]

How about seeing what San Diego would want to return Todd Walker to Chicago?

 

I enjoyed Todd while he was here, but his best days are behind him and I don't see any point in bringing him back at 34 to see if he can help. The Cubs could use some offensive help, but Todd is no guarantee to be of use with the bat.

 

Plus if the whole goal is to get DeRosa and Theriot playing together, SS is the obvious target.

 

The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS.

[JeffH]

The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS.

 

I think the whole point of the MI pursuit is that Lou is not really comfortable with either DeRosa or Theriot at SS.

[goonys evil twin]

The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS.

 

You're not sure why that would have anything to do with SS? SS is a MI position. A MI, by definition, has to be able to play SS.

[98navigator]

How about seeing what San Diego would want to return Todd Walker to Chicago?

 

I enjoyed Todd while he was here, but his best days are behind him and I don't see any point in bringing him back at 34 to see if he can help. The Cubs could use some offensive help, but Todd is no guarantee to be of use with the bat.

 

Plus if the whole goal is to get DeRosa and Theriot playing together, SS is the obvious target.

 

The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS.

 

I think the point might be to have Theriot in the OF while keeping DeRosa at 2B. I know DeRosa has played out there in the past but Lou has maintained he will play the bulk of his time at second base. Theriot is already slated to spend some time in the OF during Spring Training.

[CubColtPacer]

The goal is to have Izturis at SS, Theriot at 2B, and DeRosa in right field against LH-that's why they are trying to get a backup MI to be on the bench for those days. I'm not sure why that would have anything to do with SS.

 

You're not sure why that would have anything to do with SS? SS is a MI position. A MI, by definition, has to be able to play SS.

 

True-but to get a backup MI, all they need is somebody who can play 2nd or SS, as long as they are confident that the other 3 can all play both SS and 2nd. There will never be a situation where they will absolutely have to have that other backup play SS, so there's no reason why the backup would have to play SS. That would be preferable, but not a real deterrent if they find a good backup who only plays 2B.