Piniella Dumb Decisions Thread

[Little Slide Rooter]

His worst decision of all: wait for it...Agreeing to manage this team.

[brewfandave]

Letting Rich Hill pitch for the Astros... :oops:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc

 

(Check the fourth thumbnail)

[Backtobanks]

Jason Kendall and Cliff Floyd each bring one main skill to this team, that is their ability to get on base. They are consistently put in the 5 spot(AND NOW 4th???) and the 8 spot where their OBPs are marginalized.

 

The worst aspect of Alfonso Soriano's offensive games is his OBP. He is placed in the spot where it is most important.

 

All Lou could do in the beginning of the season was piss and moan about how awful Michael Barret's defense was. He needed someone in there that could catch the damn ball. Jason Kendall can neither catch the damn ball, nor can he throw the damn ball.

 

Soriano is a #5 hitter, not a leadoff hitter.

 

It really is as simple as that. How Lou doesn't see that is beyond me.

 

I'm hoping Lou will convince Soriano that batting 5th and playing RF will help the 2008 Cubs. Doing those 2 simple things gives you more power and RBIs in the middle of the order, gives you a higher OBP guy leading off, strengthens your OF defense in both LF and RF, and allows Murton to play everyday. Make Soto your starting catcher and you've improved the defense at that position too. Obviously, these changes won't be enacted for the rest of this year.

[C.C.]

Jason Kendall and Cliff Floyd each bring one main skill to this team, that is their ability to get on base. They are consistently put in the 5 spot(AND NOW 4th???) and the 8 spot where their OBPs are marginalized.

 

The worst aspect of Alfonso Soriano's offensive games is his OBP. He is placed in the spot where it is most important.

 

All Lou could do in the beginning of the season was piss and moan about how awful Michael Barret's defense was. He needed someone in there that could catch the damn ball. Jason Kendall can neither catch the damn ball, nor can he throw the damn ball.

 

Soriano is a #5 hitter, not a leadoff hitter.

 

It really is as simple as that. How Lou doesn't see that is beyond me.

 

I'm hoping Lou will convince Soriano that batting 5th and playing RF will help the 2008 Cubs. Doing those 2 simple things gives you more power and RBIs in the middle of the order, gives you a higher OBP guy leading off, strengthens your OF defense in both LF and RF, and allows Murton to play everyday. Make Soto your starting catcher and you've improved the defense at that position too. Obviously, these changes won't be enacted for the rest of this year.

 

Doesn't it seem like every game he leads off he's always down 0-2?

[RynoRules]

This was the first loss in some time that i can recall where I scratched my head a bit at some of the moves. Overall, I think Lou has doen a nice job, certainly a ton better than the former occupent of his position.

[Keener98]

How about leaving Marquis in too long in 2 consecutive games. When Marquis starts to lose it, he starts getting the ball up, and loses his control. Well his last start it was obvious he was losing it but Lou left him in and it backfired, then last night same thing and it backfired. You take what good you can get from Marquis. If its 5 innings then so be it, cause when he loses it he really loses it.

 

Floyd over Murton? Give me a break

Floyd in the 4 hole? Give me a break

Not giving Soto a chance? Ignorant

Steve Trachsel? Enough said

[Pushfrog98]

Letting Rich Hill pitch for the Astros... :oops:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc

 

(Check the fourth thumbnail)

Good catch...

http://www.jms2k.com/junk/Hill_vs_cubs.jpg

[Post Count Padder]

Letting Rich Hill pitch for the Astros... :oops:

 

http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/index.jsp?c_id=chc

 

(Check the fourth thumbnail)

Good catch...

http://www.jms2k.com/junk/Hill_vs_cubs.jpg

Good job, cubs.com

[Soul]

The way Rich has been pitching lately, I think that qualifies as a freudian slip.

[BigbadB]

I'm going to bet that this is the first time in the history of baseball that a team got the lead off hitter on base in 3 straight innings and then loading the bases in the next inning with a 2-0 count and failed to ever score a single run.

 

And I'm sorry, but what the heck was Jacque doing swinging at a pitch with a 2-0 count and the bases juiced? Yes, the pitch was pretty meaty. But, the one after that might not have been. The opportunity to walk in the lead run was there, and ultimately taken away.

 

Ironically, the Astros got a runner on with 1 out and scored without having to sacrifice anyone. I hope Lou was watching closely.

[Warren Brusstar]

kendall doesn't strike out

kendall is good at hit and run

lou gives up outs with kendall at the plate

 

:wall:

 

Sacrifice bunts are good strategy in very limited circumstances -- when one run strategies maximize win expectations. Both times Kendall bunted, playing for one run made sense.

[Warren Brusstar]

I'm going to bet that this is the first time in the history of baseball that a team got the lead off hitter on base in 3 straight innings and then loading the bases in the next inning with a 2-0 count and failed to ever score a single run.

 

And I'm sorry, but what the heck was Jacque doing swinging at a pitch with a 2-0 count and the bases juiced? Yes, the pitch was pretty meaty. But, the one after that might not have been. The opportunity to walk in the lead run was there, and ultimately taken away.

 

Ironically, the Astros got a runner on with 1 out and scored without having to sacrifice anyone. I hope Lou was watching closely.

 

Jones got a get-me-over fastball and hit a rocket. I have no idea how somehow can complain about that.

[BigbadB]

Jones got a get-me-over fastball and hit a rocket. I have no idea how somehow can complain about that.

 

Lidge was already over 40 pitches and looking very fatigued. If all he had left was a get me over fastball, he could have waited until the 4th or 5th pitch to swing. If the count goes 3-1, that get me over fastball might have been a lot meatier than the 2-0 fastball he got.

 

I see zero reason to swing when a guy is clearly having trouble throwing strikes.

[NewUserName]

kendall doesn't strike out

kendall is good at hit and run

lou gives up outs with kendall at the plate

 

:wall:

 

Sacrifice bunts are good strategy in very limited circumstances -- when one run strategies maximize win expectations. Both times Kendall bunted, playing for one run made sense.

 

 

I disagree. If Kendall was a poor hitter I would agree. Giving away outs is almost always a bad idea. In the case of a pitcher its understandable because most of the time a out is assumed anyway. In the case of Kendall and his .370 obp, he should be hitting. Also to send a guy who has hit like a pitcher(Fontenot) up to pinch hit after the sacrifice was just stupid.

 

Also playing for a run on the road is not a smart move to begin with.

[Guest]

I'll add:

 

2. Dempster in a non-closing situation? Seriously? When we've got a deep, fairly well rested pen?

2A. Leaving Dempster out longer than an inning.

 

2. Who would you bring in that situation? Dempster is the best remaining pitcher with Marmol and Howry gone. Just because it's deep and rested doesn't mean the remaining pitchers are good. Oh, and it's practically a save situation - he gives up 1 run, team loses.

2A. He threw 5 pitches in his first inning of work. 5!

[Vanilla Ice]

Lou is dropping the soap.

[Vanilla Ice]

Geovany Soto.

[moorecg]

I'll add:

 

2. Dempster in a non-closing situation? Seriously? When we've got a deep, fairly well rested pen?

2A. Leaving Dempster out longer than an inning.

 

2. Who would you bring in that situation? Dempster is the best remaining pitcher with Marmol and Howry gone. Just because it's deep and rested doesn't mean the remaining pitchers are good. Oh, and it's practically a save situation - he gives up 1 run, team loses.

2A. He threw 5 pitches in his first inning of work. 5!

 

Eyre, Wood, Marshall, Ohman, Wuertz, Maybe even Hart...

 

I especially didn't like it b/c it was on the road...even if he got out of the inning and we scored, we were going to need someone to come out and "close" the next inning....at home, maybe....but I didn't like it on the Road at all, and there were still 5-6 pitchers who could do the job...I really don't like using closers in non-save situations......

[frostwyrm]

Cliff Floyd is the very poster child for the old adage that bulky unathletic ballplayers tend to turn old in a hurry. I heard that adage as a kid. Apparently Lou hasn't heard it yet, despite having been in pro baseball since dinosaurs roamed the earth.

[sethuel1]

Geovany Soto.

[NCCubFan]

And I'm sorry, but what the heck was Jacque doing swinging at a pitch with a 2-0 count and the bases juiced?

Even the bases are on steroids now. :lol:

[badger1679666666]

Remember Dusty's bad managerial thread was likee 90 pages long.

 

:lol:

[hardcorecubfan]

Remember Dusty's bad managerial thread was likee 90 pages long.

 

:lol:

and that was after the first 15 minutes

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Sean Marshall, you have the 2nd best ERA of the starters, you, you can go hang out with Ohman.

 

This loss right here is up with "This game is Ova", the 5 run ninth inning against the Mets, and numerous other Astros losses this year.

 

To quote Mitch Hedberg: God, God, Damnit, Damnit

 

Both these deserve more recognition. Outstanding.

[CubmanPi]

And I'm sorry, but what the heck was Jacque doing swinging at a pitch with a 2-0 count and the bases juiced?

Even the bases are on steroids now. :lol:

Was there ever any doubt? That's the only reason the Astros scored a run in the 9th last night.