Blanco to be Zambo's personal catcher

[YearofDaCubs]

Are you guys serious in Barrett playing OF or 2B? Can he even play those positions? Something tells me that he cannot. How is Barrett an improvement over what we currently have a 2B or OF? If he is, it isn't by much.

[jersey cubs fan]

A) He's dumb as a box of rocks

 

Even if true, that's a bit harsh, isn't it? I've never heard Barrett speak and thought to myself, "he's a total moron."

 

Its his actions not his words.

 

Actions and words. How many times does he make the wrong throw and then say to himself "I know I shouldn't have done that"? He reminds me of Chris Farley getting pissed at himself for asking stupid questions over and over to Paul McCartney. Besides all the ill-advised throws, everytime I hear him speak just confirms to me the guy is a mimbo. Seems nice, by all accounts, and has great intentions, but not a lot going on upstairs.

[CubColtPacer]

A) He's dumb as a box of rocks

 

Even if true, that's a bit harsh, isn't it? I've never heard Barrett speak and thought to myself, "he's a total moron."

 

I don't necessarily think he was talking about his overall intelligence, just his baseball intelligence. His instincts are pretty bad on the field, and he doesn't seem to take into account the score or spot in the game either. We've seen numerous examples this year-Barrett is the worst of all the Cubs at swinging at the first pitch for a guy who's walked the previous couple guys, his throwing behind the runner, trying to steal 3rd with 2 outs, the list could go on.

[jersey cubs fan]

Are you guys serious in Barrett playing OF or 2B? Can he even play those positions? Something tells me that he cannot. How is Barrett an improvement over what we currently have a 2B or OF? If he is, it isn't by much.

 

That's the thing, given the fact he's past his prime and doesn't have a great track record to begin with, even if he does manage to adapt to OF over the offseason and next spring, he's no sure thing to be a significant improvement over a guy like Murton. And there's just no way he handles the move to 2B. So now you have a guy who is going to be a free agent, and you are going to have to commit serious cash to him without knowing his ability to handle the spot.

[OleMissCub]

The main thing is that I just don't think we NEED him at corner OF or Mid-INF. Our future is with Soriano and Murton as corner's and Theriot and Patterson up the middle.

[Abe Frohman]

The main thing is that I just don't think we NEED him at corner OF or Mid-INF. Our future is with Soriano and Murton as corner's and Theriot and Patterson up the middle.

 

How far away do you think Patterson is from being our 2nd baseman? He is already considered one of the oganizations best baserunners and plate disciplined hitter (I know, it's funny).

 

I wonder about Chris Jackson, the outfielder, also. Lots of speed coming up.

[OleMissCub]

The main thing is that I just don't think we NEED him at corner OF or Mid-INF. Our future is with Soriano and Murton as corner's and Theriot and Patterson up the middle.

 

How far away do you think Patterson is from being our 2nd baseman? He is already considered one of the oganizations best baserunners and plate disciplined hitter (I know, it's funny).

 

I wonder about Chris Jackson, the outfielder, also. Lots of speed coming up.

 

He seems pretty close. He's hitting .323/.380/.521 with a .901 ops and 6 homers in 167 AB's in AAA.

[jersey cubs fan]

The main thing is that I just don't think we NEED him at corner OF or Mid-INF. Our future is with Soriano and Murton as corner's and Theriot and Patterson up the middle.

 

How far away do you think Patterson is from being our 2nd baseman? He is already considered one of the oganizations best baserunners and plate disciplined hitter (I know, it's funny).

 

I wonder about Chris Jackson, the outfielder, also. Lots of speed coming up.

 

Chris Walker? He's 27 (or actually turns 27 this July) and hasn't done much in the minors. He might be a lesser version of Pagan, although with more speed. I think you really have to have a solid and settled OF situation if you want to have a guy like that on the roster.

 

I think Patterson might be able to start at 2B by next year, but with DeRosa around I'm not sure he'll be given the chance. I also don't think the Cubs future has Murton in a corner OF spot.

[Abe Frohman]

Chris Walker? He's 27 (or actually turns 27 this July) and hasn't done much in the minors. He might be a lesser version of Pagan, although with more speed. I think you really have to have a solid and settled OF situation if you want to have a guy like that on the roster.

 

I think Patterson might be able to start at 2B by next year, but with DeRosa around I'm not sure he'll be given the chance. I also don't think the Cubs future has Murton in a corner OF spot.

 

DOH! Yes, Chris Walker! I guess I have Abdul Mahmoud Rauf on the mind. He was a great college basketball player for LSU (Chris Jackson). Didn't realize Walker was that old. Doesn't look like he'll be getting a chance in the near future either, with our logjam in the OF.

[rawaction]

The main thing is that I just don't think we NEED him at corner OF or Mid-INF. Our future is with Soriano and Murton as corner's and Theriot and Patterson up the middle.

 

How far away do you think Patterson is from being our 2nd baseman? He is already considered one of the oganizations best baserunners and plate disciplined hitter (I know, it's funny).

 

I wonder about Chris Jackson, the outfielder, also. Lots of speed coming up.

 

He seems pretty close. He's hitting .323/.380/.521 with a .901 ops and 6 homers in 167 AB's in AAA.

 

I think he will get a Sept callup this year, but will be back in AAA to begin next year. He still has a long way to go. Still striking out in nearly 20% of his ABs. For a future top of the order hitter, he doesn't quite walk enough, though not bad.

[Backtobanks]

I've always liked Barrett and listened to critics complaining about his defense. I must admit that this is the first year I've really paid attention to his catching ability and he is terrible. Umpires must hate calling pitches behind him. It seems like 6 or 7 pitches a game that are borderline strikes go right past him. Forget pitches in the dirt. I appreciate his offense, but his defense is atrocious.

[jersey cubs fan]

I've always liked Barrett and listened to critics complaining about his defense. I must admit that this is the first year I've really paid attention to his catching ability and he is terrible. Umpires must hate calling pitches behind him. It seems like 6 or 7 pitches a game that are borderline strikes go right past him. Forget pitches in the dirt. I appreciate his offense, but his defense is atrocious.

 

As in passed balls past him?

[NCCubFan]

There may be a few catchers who have done it, but the two most prominent examples are Biggio, Bench and Berra.

That's something Yogi might say. :lol:

[Monco]

I don't believe that Barrets offense makes up for his defensive shortcomings.

[bhogg]

I think he's better suited as a relief pitcher. Just think, he may give up some runs, but he'd make up for it with his bat. You'd never have to double switch or pinch hit him.

 

He has a good arm, so he'd probably throw hard.

 

I think it's a no-brainer.

[sunnydoo]

i wonder if Carlos, Cesar, and Henry are keeping close tabs on their relatives back home.

 

Got to be somewhat unnerving for all of them with things about to break loose in their homeland. Wonder if it is affecting them at all.

[OleMissCub]

i wonder if Carlos, Cesar, and Henry are keeping close tabs on their relatives back home.

 

Got to be somewhat unnerving for all of them with things about to break loose in their homeland. Wonder if it is affecting them at all.

 

No way man, the people LOVE Chavez. Just ask Sullymon

[Keener98]

A) He's dumb as a box of rocks

 

Even if true, that's a bit harsh, isn't it? I've never heard Barrett speak and thought to myself, "he's a total moron."

 

See 2nd inning of tonights game as prime example of Barret being dumb as a box of rocks

[sunnydoo]

No way man, the people LOVE Chavez. Just ask Sullymon

 

Lol. One of the things i found funny over the weekend was one of the main reasons the government shut down the opposition television station was because the govt. wasnt getting its point out because the opposition tv station had better ratings.

 

See kids, this is why Hollywood is bad. :wink:

 

Its always about the ratings in TV and last week was sweeps week.

 

Just wondering when Bush is going to shutdown all our TV stations and force us to watch Fox. I can kind of understand the frustration of the people in Venezuela in that perspective.

[Abe Frohman]

I'll tell you what, I think Brenly made a GREAT point in tonights game. Several times, Barrett called for the high fastball - and I don't think any of the pitchers hit the spot once. Most of the "high" fastballs were left over the plate.

 

So what happens? Bases loaded in a situation where you really want to keep the ball on the ground and Barrett (once again) calls for the high fastball, and it gets pissed on to the wall, clearing the bases.

 

Here's your chance, Cubbies. Gonna need to play some ball as everyone in the NL Central is sucking right now.

[baseball7897]

I don't believe that Barrets offense makes up for his defensive shortcomings.

[sunnydoo]

I don't believe that Barrets offense makes up for his defensive shortcomings.

 

If by offense you mean .244/.294 then you got it.

 

Barrett is just awful. We need a real catcher. Someone who could stop a slider in the dirt, throw out anyone under the age of 75, or .... would be a good start. (I was going to say something else, but its not quantifiable which means it doesnt exist, sooo skip it). Any offensive abilities would be a plus.

[jersey cubs fan]

There may be a few catchers who have done it, but the two most prominent examples are Biggio, Bench and Berra.

That's something Yogi might say. :lol:

 

I originally listed just Bench and Biggio, and later added Yogi. Guess I did a poor job making those changes.

[biittner77]

Moving Barrett during this season solves nothing. Suppose he could somehow play 2nd base, who plays catcher and puts up numbers better than Theriot or DeRosa?

 

Barrett is a FA and sees himself as a catcher. He'd be a pretty good fit for an AL team that could DH him on days that he doesn't catch.

[SouthSideRyan]

The Cubs must have the greatest pitching staff in the history of baseball to put up the numbers they have this year with Barrett as their catcher.