Lou on the score...Notes

[YearofDaCubs]

Center field only position on the field open for competition

 

Looking for 3rd starter to break two lefty starters, will also take care of 5th starter(Marshall has no chance if you ask me)

 

Looking for a young arm to take Demp's spot.

 

Lou saw Demp and lost weight and throwing the ball real well. He's a better pitcher now than he was with Florida(Fluff talk if you ask me)

 

North asked him about Z being the only guy in the rotation that has high velocity. Lou responds by stating what other teams have more than 1 or 2 of those, our guys will throw strikes and location. Lou is very happy with rotation, depth, experience and so forth.

 

Marmol is versatile starting in minor leagues and moved to bullpen. Lou says no question his arm is way ahead of the rest of the guys right now due to winter ball. Only problem with Marmol is just a little experience

 

Howry, veteran pitched as well as anybody towards the end. Will look to change to have him start out of the gates strong

 

Wood has done everything asked and he's looked great throwing the ball. Lou mentions never used Wood 3 days in a row must stay healthy to be successfull bullpen.

 

Lou is looking for another righthander for bullpen already have guys in camp to compete.

 

 

Lou sees Soriano in leadoff, Theriot in the 2 spot.playing idea with hitting Fukudome 4th Lee 5th ARam 6th DeRo Soto 7th 8th CF That would be the lineup barring trades. Wants not to have a lot of small guys towards the end of the lineup, more balanced lineup power wise. He's not saying for sure this will be the lineup but he's starting to think that way

 

Fuld the type of kid the more you watch him says is baseball player grows on you. Pie changed his style a bit swinging the bat well. Watch Sam he is no slouch.

 

Fukudome - cross between Ichiro with speed make contact and Matsui of Yanks with power.

 

Talk about Soriano's leg, Lou surprised Soriano still having issues with the leg. It's been a long time should have healed better than it has. Cubs being cautious. If he can't run in 1 hole will be moved down to alleviate it.

 

Lou mentions Cubs very right handed, says other opposing bullpens have advantage and not need to make moves because of it.

 

 

Lou congratulated Ward in finishing his first full workout. Sounds like he is in bad shape.

 

 

New field being a big advantage now. No more peaks and valleys on the field it was tough on players. Had a hard time seeing RF and 1B from dugout.

 

One big concern is not real deep in areas. Lack of depth.

 

Lou really likes team, has Cubbie swagger, there's a lot of that in this Cubs camp.

 

North says Z is probably the one guy you can't afford to lose and Lou agreed. Lou also says we can't afford one of our power hitters. Can't classify Cubs as power team, has finesse to it.

 

Lou really looking forward to a really nice end of spring training and into the season.

 

HA HA HA - Lou said Milwaukee signed Gag Nee hahaha then corrected by North as Gagne.

 

Lee looks wonderful working on increasing power. Looks to be in great shape.

[BudHouse]

Lou was on with Mike North. Just a Cliff Notes version:

 

Would like Dempster to be #3 starter. Wood(Mr. February) looked good yesterday. Lou says he won't put him in any important role until Wood shows he can go 3 straight days. Wants Howry to start strong, unlike last year.

 

Toying with batting Fukodome 3rd, Lee 4th and ARAM 5th. Lee looks he has regained his power so far.

 

If no deal for Roberts is made(sounded like he was hedging his bet that something will be done), Soriano leads off and Theriot is 2nd. Soriano's leg is still bothering him and won't put him in leadoff until he's healed.

 

Wants speed at the 8th spot-says that Pie has worked on his stroke in winter ball and looks good. Likes Fuld also, but sensed he knows it's Pie's to lose.

 

Isn't concerned about 100 year thing..concentrates on this year's team-the team you've got. "Cubbie swager"-Confidence in the team.

 

Big Z is in good shape and thinks 18 wins is 'stepping stone to 20'. We can't lose any of the power bats. Had to tinker with last year's team early, knowing what they had. No need this year. Thought that team was tired from middle of the season on and plans on resting players.

[Schwarber Fan]

merge with Budhouse's thread?

[cbbryan]

Lou was on with Mike North. Just a Cliff Notes version:

 

Would like Dempster to be #3 starter. Wood(Mr. February) looked good yesterday. Lou says he won't put him in any important role until Wood shows he can go 3 straight days. Wants Howry to start strong, unlike last year.

 

Toying with batting Fukodome 3rd, Lee 4th and ARAM 5th. Lee looks he has regained his power so far.

 

If no deal for Roberts is made(sounded like he was hedging his bet that something will be done), Soriano leads off and Theriot is 2nd. Soriano's leg is still bothering him and won't put him in leadoff until he's healed.

 

Wants speed at the 8th spot-says that Pie has worked on his stroke in winter ball and looks good. Likes Fuld also, but sensed he knows it's Pie's to lose.

 

Isn't concerned about 100 year thing..concentrates on this year's team-the team you've got. "Cubbie swager"-Confidence in the team.

 

Big Z is in good shape and thinks 18 wins is 'stepping stone to 20'. We can't lose any of the power bats. Had to tinker with last year's team early, knowing what they had. No need this year. Thought that team was tired from middle of the season on and plans on resting players.

 

He did not name Roberts specifically and went on to say that "they" were still talking to a couple clubs, but he didn't really expect a deal. He also said he was happy with team as is.

 

Also, he didn't say he wouldn't use Wood in saves positions until he went 3 days straight. He just said that he didn't know if Wood could go 3 days straight and they would have to see what he could do. Said his arm was in much better shape then last year. Last year, his arm hurt and then it didn't............ then it did again. This year Kerry has done everything that the other guys have done and his stuff is "electric."

 

Note: Dempster as the #3 scares the bejesus out of me!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

[Derwood]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

 

just wait till it's Fuld hitting 8th

[cbbryan]

I'm getting a bit tired of the Sam Fuld talk. Talent wise he's not even comparable to Pie. Pie should be given every opportunity to succeed in CF this year. Throw him out there and let the kid play.

 

Maybe it's just the Cubs trying to talk Fuld up so they can get some value for him. I just don't ever foresee Sam Fuld being an average/above average MLB player. He's Theriot in the OF.

 

Sorry for the rant!

[BigbadB]

Sam Fuld is a lefty version of Doug Glanville with a better walk rate. 5th outfielder material. Free Felix Pie!

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Lou congratulated Ward in finishing his first full workout. Sounds like he is in bad shape.

 

Has Ward ever been in good shape?

[BigbadB]

Lou congratulated Ward in finishing his first full workout. Sounds like he is in bad shape.

 

Has Ward ever been in good shape?

 

I have to admit, I have been eyeballing Ward as a possible recruit to line up on the left side of the Bears offensive line. :wink:

[B]

Lou sees Soriano in leadoff, Theriot in the 2 spot.playing idea with hitting Fukudome 4th Lee 5th ARam 6th DeRo Soto 7th 8th CF That would be the lineup barring trades. Wants not to have a lot of small guys towards the end of the lineup, more balanced lineup power wise. He's not saying for sure this will be the lineup but he's starting to think that way

 

 

good news. =D>

[David]

Lou sees Soriano in leadoff, Theriot in the 2 spot.playing idea with hitting Fukudome 4th Lee 5th ARam 6th DeRo Soto 7th 8th CF That would be the lineup barring trades. Wants not to have a lot of small guys towards the end of the lineup, more balanced lineup power wise. He's not saying for sure this will be the lineup but he's starting to think that way

 

 

good news. =D>

 

Ya, that won't last long, assuming Theriot doesn't pull another monster month out of his butt.

[MSG T]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

 

More than Theriot hitting 2nd?

 

Or are you saying it irritates you because Theriot should be hitting 8th?

[davearm2]

I find it interesting that everyone is writing off Sam Fuld as a worthless 5th OF before he's even gotten a chance with the Cubs. Onbase skills like his tend to translate pretty well to the bigleagues, and his defense and baserunning will be assets.

 

Now don't get me wrong, Pie absolutely deserves the first crack at the CF job, but Fuld isn't exactly trash. And as opposed to Theriot, Fuld could actually be a nice fit in the 2 hole.

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

[Derwood]

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS.

 

at what ages?

[cbbryan]

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

Felix Pie in 2171 MiLB ABs: .300/.355/.469/.824; 215 XBH, 106 SB/63 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

If you take out Felix Pie's first 2 seasons (at 17 and 18 yrs old) his numbers would go way up. There should be no argument that Felix Pie is a better player then Sam Fuld. No offense to Fuld, but Pie has a much higher ceiling and more talent in which to reach his ceiling.

 

Can Fuld play SS? :grin:

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

 

More than Theriot hitting 2nd?

 

Or are you saying it irritates you because Theriot should be hitting 8th?

 

Yeah, there's a bit of cause and effect there with Theriot hitting 2nd, but even if Theriot was 7th it really irritates me. Pie hitting 8th is the one spot where it sets him up to fail, since it's the one spot in the lineup where he's likely to get pitched to much differently with the pitcher on deck. I really hope ST works out that he hits his way out of the bottom of the order, or Theriot "hits" his way down to the 8 spot.

[jersey cubs fan]

I find it interesting that everyone is writing off Sam Fuld as a worthless 5th OF before he's even gotten a chance with the Cubs. Onbase skills like his tend to translate pretty well to the bigleagues, and his defense and baserunning will be assets.

 

Now don't get me wrong, Pie absolutely deserves the first crack at the CF job, but Fuld isn't exactly trash. And as opposed to Theriot, Fuld could actually be a nice fit in the 2 hole.

 

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. His on base skills include an Isod of 80 and absolutely no power, not to mention being pretty old when putting up numbers.

 

Fuld is probably a closer comp to Ryan Theriot in that regard.

[Wilson A2000]

I can't believe that Soriano's leg is still bothering him. I hope he takes it easy in ST.

[David]

This Soriano leg thing is being made into a bigger issue than it is.

 

As long as he doesn't reinjure it, all this really means is that he won't be green lighted to steal a bunch of bases. Big friggin deal. The sports talk guys out here are making it out like it's this huge cloud that might be hanging over the Cubs.

 

As long as there isn't a big risk of him hurting himself further, I'm not really concerned.

[jersey cubs fan]

This Soriano leg thing is being made into a bigger issue than it is.

 

As long as he doesn't reinjure it, all this really means is that he won't be green lighted to steal a bunch of bases. Big friggin deal. The sports talk guys out here are making it out like it's this huge cloud that might be hanging over the Cubs.

 

As long as there isn't a big risk of him hurting himself further, I'm not really concerned.

 

Not being able to be caught stealing as often may be a good thing for the team. However, not having the running thing takes away one of two things they vastly overpaid him for, that and leading off. Stupid Cubs.

 

 

It's also concerning that injuries are starting to add up and linger when there are 7 years left on the deal. I think there's a fairly sizable risk of him further hurting himself, and I am concerned. It was one thing when we all knew he'd suck in years 5-8, it's quite another if he's going to be missing considerable time (and not being all that great) in years 1-4.

[David]

Yea, it's a negative, no doubt. If they want to be in an uproar about how Soriano already has nagging injuries in the second year of an insane 8 year contract, that's fine by me and makes a lot more sense. The steals thing, though (and not having that speed at the top of the order)? Just doesn't bother me all that much.

[jersey cubs fan]

The steals thing, though (and not having that speed at the top of the order)? Just doesn't bother me all that much.

 

It only bothers me in that the Cubs chose to pay for that speed and aren't going to get much out of it - regardless of the fact that it was a stupid motivation to sign him in the first place.

[nilodnayr]

Pie hitting 8th irritates me more than any other lineup decision.

 

While I hate it, its nothing compared to Theriot hitting second. Hes a TLR, #9 hitter.

[TruffleShuffle]

And just for kicks:

Sam Fuld in 1184 MiLB ABs: .296/.377/.417/.794; 105 XBH, 52 SB/17 CS

Brian Roberts in 1097 MiLB ABs: .281/.377/.372/.749; 73 XBH, 111 SB/29 CS

Felix Pie in 2171 MiLB ABs: .300/.355/.469/.824; 215 XBH, 106 SB/63 CS

 

Good thing the O's didn't blow off Roberts as a worthless utility IF and just stick with Jerry Hairston instead.

 

If you take out Felix Pie's first 2 seasons (at 17 and 18 yrs old) his numbers would go way up. There should be no argument that Felix Pie is a better player then Sam Fuld. No offense to Fuld, but Pie has a much higher ceiling and more talent in which to reach his ceiling.

 

corey patterson also has (had) a higher ceiling and more talent than, say, david dejesus and aaron rowand. i'll let you guess which of the three i'd least like to have playing cf for my team.