7/7 Cubs (LILLY) @ Pirates (VAN BENSCHOTEN), 6:05 CT WGNTV

[Yestheydo]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

[cubweiser03]

Blowen. Even though he aint starting. Thats his new name. Yah creative.

[otis89]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

 

Does anyone know how Soto's defense is? I doubt it's worse than Barrett's.

[Fred Hornkohl]

The lack of hitting from the catcher position is irritating.

 

Especially since we had a catcher who could hit and gave him away for one that can't and a minor leaguer who can't hit too.

 

And that we have another catcher that can hit wasting away in AAA.

 

Zips' projection for Soto last year was..........

 

Name         P    AVG   OBP   SLG   G  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB   K SB CS 
Soto         c   .236  .312  .334  98 305  35  72 12  0  6  33  33  84  1  1 

 

....... and his actual line was..........

 

04/03 - 10/01      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Soto               25    1    5    1    0    0    6    2    0    5  0.200  0.231  0.240  0.471

 

Let's don't go overboard, eh?

[Guest]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

 

Does anyone know how Soto's defense is? I doubt it's worse than Barrett's.

 

It's above average.

[Omar]

Chicago Cubs Vs. John Van Benschoten

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/1328/vanvscubsnz3.jpg

 

Pittsburgh Pirates Vs. Ted Lilly

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2803/piratesvslillysa5.jpg

[otis89]

The lack of hitting from the catcher position is irritating.

 

Especially since we had a catcher who could hit and gave him away for one that can't and a minor leaguer who can't hit too.

 

And that we have another catcher that can hit wasting away in AAA.

 

Zips' projection for Soto last year was..........

 

Name         P    AVG   OBP   SLG   G  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB   K SB CS 
Soto         c   .236  .312  .334  98 305  35  72 12  0  6  33  33  84  1  1 

 

....... and his actual line was..........

 

04/03 - 10/01      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Soto               25    1    5    1    0    0    6    2    0    5  0.200  0.231  0.240  0.471

 

Let's don't go overboard, eh?

 

Yes, he didn't hit very well in limited time in the majors last year. However, he's tearing up AAA right now, and it's pretty obvious Hill and Bowen aren't cutting it offensively. Why not give Soto a chance?

[Butterscup1679666578]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

 

Does anyone know how Soto's defense is? I doubt it's worse than Barrett's.

 

It's above average.

 

So what you are saying is, there is officially NO reason for Soto not to be on this team?

[Drew Doughty]

Perfect lineup for today

 

Soriano LF

Fontenot 2B

Lee 1B

Ramirez3B

DeRosa RF

Theriot SS

Pagan/Pie CF

Hill/Bowen C

Pitcher

Other than the better version of Bo Hart at 2B, a productive second baseman playing the role of a right fielder, a utility guy playing the role of a starting shortstop and a black hole behind the plate, I completely agree.

 

Oh yeah -- and the career minor leaguer masquerading as someone valuable enough to take away time in CF from the legit prospect.

 

Cmon now..Bo Hart? Their ML #s arent even close. Sure you can say hes better but thats a low hurdle for him to compare to.

 

Bo Hart had a 916 OPS over his first 116 PAs. Their numbers are actually strikingly similar

 

Dig deeper. Im talking ML.

MLB yes.

 

they're still similar. Fontenot's age 26 season in the minors (the same year hart was called up) was slightly better than Hart's, but not by much at all.

[otis89]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

 

Does anyone know how Soto's defense is? I doubt it's worse than Barrett's.

 

It's above average.

 

So what you are saying is, there is officially NO reason for Soto not to be on this team?

 

Yep. Too bad Hendry doesn't realize that.

[Butterscup1679666578]

Wow. 32 K/31 BB for Von whatever. Take some pitches tonight, boys

[Lockes Eye Scar]

Wow. 32 K/31 BB for Von whatever. Take some pitches tonight, boys

 

I expect under 12 pitches for von boy in the first

[Yestheydo]

I think we should petition Hendry to call up Soto. Sure, you can sacrifice SOME offense for defense at catcher, but I would like a catcher that actually has a chance of doing something at the plate.

 

I have a theory that Zambrano has let them know that if they want him to come back no more sucky defense at the catcher position or else.

 

Does anyone know how Soto's defense is? I doubt it's worse than Barrett's.

 

It's above average.

 

So what you are saying is, there is officially NO reason for Soto not to be on this team?

 

Yep. Too bad Hendry doesn't realize that.

 

Yeah, because he wants to lose. I hate when that happens.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

The lack of hitting from the catcher position is irritating.

 

Especially since we had a catcher who could hit and gave him away for one that can't and a minor leaguer who can't hit too.

 

And that we have another catcher that can hit wasting away in AAA.

 

Zips' projection for Soto last year was..........

 

Name         P    AVG   OBP   SLG   G  AB   R   H 2B 3B HR RBI  BB   K SB CS 
Soto         c   .236  .312  .334  98 305  35  72 12  0  6  33  33  84  1  1 

 

....... and his actual line was..........

 

04/03 - 10/01      AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR   TB  RBI   BB   SO     BA    OBP    SLG    OPS
Soto               25    1    5    1    0    0    6    2    0    5  0.200  0.231  0.240  0.471

 

Let's don't go overboard, eh?

 

Still better than Bowen/Hill, no?

[Butterscup1679666578]

Woo infield singles.

[Fred Hornkohl]

Soriano grounded an IF single to shortstop

[Fred Hornkohl]

Soriano stole second base

[bhogg]

Theriot up to .330 on obp . . . not terrible.

[Fred Hornkohl]

CUBS are 17-18 when they steal a base.... 26-24 when they don't

 

 

Go CUBS !!

[cheapseats]

I like to see sac bunts in the first inning!

[Butterscup1679666578]

Damn, wish he could've scored. Here comes a DP from lee to make it 1-0. :?

[Fred Hornkohl]

Theriot singled to right field , Soriano to third

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Nice hit by The Riot.

 

Come on, Lee!

[bhogg]

why didn't he score? there was no chance to catch that ball.

 

One can only assume Soriano was not looking at the base coach (again).

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Damn, wish he could've scored. Here comes a DP from lee to make it 1-0. :?

 

Lee will hit a sac fly.