Mark DeRosa On ESPN Radio AM 1000

[HoopsCubs]

Waddle and Silvy "grilling" him on how he feels about the Cubs potentially acquiring Roberts and Fukudome and turning him into a supersub.

 

You can tell he's not happy about it (he's stressing about it), but he's being a team guy and will do what he's asked to do. He'd rather play infield over RF. He acknowledges Roberts would make the Cubs a better team with his speed, OBP ("the guy's a 2 time all star") and clubhouse presence. He knows Roberts off the field and likes him very much. So, he's "torn."

 

He doesn't believe he'll get quality playing time with Aramis, Roberts and Fukudome starting though he feels he's earned the right to be an everyday player.

 

Waddle and Silvy's take: "If those moves are made, the only scenarios where DeRosa will get to play full time is if someone's injured, or if the Cubs deal Pie and put Fukudome in CF." DeRosa agreed to a certain extent on that assessment.

 

He loves being a Cub. It's better than anything he experienced in Atlanta or Texas.

 

He (just like all the fans) is waiting to see how it all plays out in the next few weeks.

 

Hoops

[BigbadB]

No mention of playing SS regularly?

[windycityfan]

Waddle and Silvy "grilling" him on how he feels about the Cubs potentially acquiring Roberts and Fukudome and turning him into a supersub.

 

You can tell he's not happy about it (he's stressing about it), but he's being a team guy and will do what he's asked to do. He'd rather play infield over RF. He acknowledges Roberts would make the Cubs a better team with his speed, OBP ("the guy's a 2 time all star") and clubhouse presence. He knows Roberts off the field and likes him very much. So, he's "torn."

 

He doesn't believe he'll get quality playing time with Aramis, Roberts and Fukudome starting though he feels he's earned the right to be an everyday player.

 

Waddle and Silvy's take: "If those moves are made, the only scenarios where DeRosa will get to play full time is if someone's injured, or if the Cubs deal Pie and put Fukudome in CF." DeRosa agreed to a certain extent on that assessment.

 

He loves being a Cub. It's better than anything he experienced in Atlanta or Texas.

 

He (just like all the fans) is waiting to see how it all plays out in the next few weeks.

 

Hoops

 

It's a forgone conclusion Roberts or DeRosa could play SS, correct?

 

Thanks for the info.

[Mephistopheles]

Waddle and Silvy's take: "If those moves are made, the only scenarios where DeRosa will get to play full time is if someone's injured, or if the Cubs deal Pie and put Fukudome in CF." DeRosa agreed to a certain extent on that assessment.

 

Would be so smart....putting Greene at short..

[ZMovieman]

The more I listen to DeRosa, the more I like him. He's an absolute class act. If we get Roberts and Fukudome, I hope he plays RF with Fukudome in CF. Use Pie and others to try and pry away Bedard as well Roberts.

[wrigley23]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

[Mephistopheles]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

are you talking to me, son?

[WrigleyField 22]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

Everything but the right handed part I don't understand.

 

Edit- Nevermind, I thought you were talking about DeRosa. Looks like you meant Greene. Silly Me.

[Wrigley Rat]

Does Pie have any options left? I think realistically that Pie could see more time in Iowa (based on his low success rate in winter ball and at the end of last year). That would free up Fukudome to play center and DeRosa to play right.

[Guest]

Does Pie have any options left? I think realistically that Pie could see more time in Iowa (based on his low success rate in winter ball and at the end of last year). That would free up Fukudome to play center and DeRosa to play right.

 

Felix has one option remaining.

[Mephistopheles]

yes, because hitting AAA pitching well for the third season in a row is really going to help him. :roll: ](*,)

[David]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

 

Even if all this were as absolute and true as you'd like to think it is, he'd still be a big upgrade over Ryan Theriot.

[WrigleyField 22]

Does Pie have any options left? I think realistically that Pie could see more time in Iowa (based on his low success rate in winter ball and at the end of last year). That would free up Fukudome to play center and DeRosa to play right.

He has an option, but he won't improve against ML pitching unless he faces ML pitching. If anything he'll probably just develop bad habits at AAA because it probably won't be that difficult for him. We have to either commit to him on the big league club, in a platoon role at the least, if not starting full time, or trade him for someone who can contribute right now.

[Mephistopheles]

Ryan Theriot is the definition of crap. He's Neifi, Macias, etc.

[E.J.]

I don't understand why we can't just have an actual outfielder playing CF and RF, and not some 2b who is passable in the outfield.

[Exile on Waveland]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

Greene is a good player who is extremely hindered by playing in Petco. He'd also be replacing a player that isn't good.

 

As to your "points":

 

1. Theriot bats right handed. Moot point.

2. Again, neither does Theriot. Except here, Greene has a lot of power for a SS and his numbers would improve at Wrigley.

3. Strike outs? Lame.

4. Batting Average? Super lame.

5. First, defense isn't near as important as offense. Second, errors aren't a good way to judge defense at all. Third, Greene made 11 errors last year at SS, Theriot 8 (and 11 overall).

[BigbadB]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

Greene is a good player who is extremely hindered by playing in Petco. He'd also be replacing a player that isn't good.

 

As to your "points":

 

1. Theriot bats right handed. Moot point.

2. Again, neither does Theriot. Except here, Greene has a lot of power for a SS and his numbers would improve at Wrigley.

3. Strike outs? Lame.

4. Batting Average? Super lame.

5. First, defense isn't near as important as offense. Second, errors aren't a good way to judge defense at all. Third, Greene made 11 errors last year at SS, Theriot 8 (and 11 overall).

 

Khalil Greene is a human highlight reel at SS. I very much enjoy watching him play defense at SS. Theriot? Meh.

[MSG T]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

Greene is a good player who is extremely hindered by playing in Petco. He'd also be replacing a player that isn't good.

 

As to your "points":

 

1. Theriot bats right handed. Moot point.

2. Again, neither does Theriot. Except here, Greene has a lot of power for a SS and his numbers would improve at Wrigley.

3. Strike outs? Lame.

4. Batting Average? Super lame.

5. First, defense isn't near as important as offense. Second, errors aren't a good way to judge defense at all. Third, Greene made 11 errors last year at SS, Theriot 8 (and 11 overall).

 

Plus, his number at Petco are pretty much even with Theriots total numbers. And Greene's numbers on the road destroy his numbers at home. I believe Meph showed a comparison that suggested he would be around .800-.820(low end) at Wrigley.

[BigbadB]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

Greene is a good player who is extremely hindered by playing in Petco. He'd also be replacing a player that isn't good.

 

As to your "points":

 

1. Theriot bats right handed. Moot point.

2. Again, neither does Theriot. Except here, Greene has a lot of power for a SS and his numbers would improve at Wrigley.

3. Strike outs? Lame.

4. Batting Average? Super lame.

5. First, defense isn't near as important as offense. Second, errors aren't a good way to judge defense at all. Third, Greene made 11 errors last year at SS, Theriot 8 (and 11 overall).

 

Plus, his number at Petco are pretty much even with Theriots total numbers. And Greene's numbers on the road destroy his numbers at home. I believe Meph showed a comparison that suggested he would be around .800-.820(low end) at Wrigley.

 

I'd be interested to know just what parks elevate his road numbers so much. Petco isn't the only poor hitter's park in the NL West.

[Mephistopheles]

I don't understand why we can't just have an actual outfielder playing CF and RF, and not some 2b who is passable in the outfield.

 

 

Because you never know when your starting 2B will get hurt.

[HoopsCubs]

No mention of playing SS regularly?

 

None. He talked only about 2B and 3B. He says Ryan Theriot is the Cubs everyday SS, and that Theriot will be fine. DeRosa loves the kid - "Ryan brings an energy that is great for our club."

[Wrigley Rat]

Does Pie have any options left? I think realistically that Pie could see more time in Iowa (based on his low success rate in winter ball and at the end of last year). That would free up Fukudome to play center and DeRosa to play right.

He has an option, but he won't improve against ML pitching unless he faces ML pitching. If anything he'll probably just develop bad habits at AAA because it probably won't be that difficult for him. We have to either commit to him on the big league club, in a platoon role at the least, if not starting full time, or trade him for someone who can contribute right now.

I completely agree, but I sometimes wonder if the Cubs actually want to develop position players. In recent history, all of our impact position players have been acquired through trade or free agency:

C - Michael Barrett - Trade

1B - Derrek Lee - Trade

2B - Todd Walker - Trade, Mark DeRosa - Free Agent

SS - no impact players

3B - Aramis Ramirez - Trade

LF - Alfonso Soriano - Free Agent

CF - Juan Pierre - Trade

RF - Cliff Floyd - Free Agent, Jeromy Burnitz - Free Agent

 

I think the Cubs prefer to develop and trade for pitching prospects, but trade away position prospects because there always seems to be a lot of hitting talent available via trades or free agency.

 

I really question their interest in fully developing and relying upon position players such as Felix Pie, Ryan Theriot, and Geovany Soto (who may be an exception since catchers are hard to come by). I think they are waiting to get full value for Pie via trade, but really want a heavier hitter in that spot. Who knows?

 

My guess is that they will do everything they can to try to sign Fukudome and trade for Roberts, and we will see Pie as a backup or in AAA.

[David]

I don't understand why we can't just have an actual outfielder playing CF and RF, and not some 2b who is passable in the outfield.

 

 

We could have that in Pie and Fuku (presumably with Theriot at SS)...

 

I'm not sure if you were directing your comment at the idea of trading Pie, but if you are,I'd take Fuku and DeRosa with Greene at SS over that in a heartbeat, though. Wouldn't you?

[BigbadB]

No mention of playing SS regularly?

 

None. He talked only about 2B and 3B. He says Ryan Theriot is the Cubs everyday SS, and that Theriot will be fine. DeRosa loves the kid - "Ryan brings an energy that is great for our club."

 

Energy. Yes!!!!! That's exactly what the Cubs have been lacking all these years. :roll:

[Exile on Waveland]

what part of he bats right handed, doesn't get on base, strikes out too much, has a poor batting average & makes a lot of errors don't you understand?

 

Greene is a good player who is extremely hindered by playing in Petco. He'd also be replacing a player that isn't good.

 

As to your "points":

 

1. Theriot bats right handed. Moot point.

2. Again, neither does Theriot. Except here, Greene has a lot of power for a SS and his numbers would improve at Wrigley.

3. Strike outs? Lame.

4. Batting Average? Super lame.

5. First, defense isn't near as important as offense. Second, errors aren't a good way to judge defense at all. Third, Greene made 11 errors last year at SS, Theriot 8 (and 11 overall).

 

I admit I don't know tons about Greene's defense, simply that when I've seen him he's been good. From what I've seen, he'd definitely be an upgrade over Theriot at SS defensively (obviously he is offensively), but I've got no stats to back it up.