Now what is the Cubs biggest need?

[David]

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up?

 

Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

[David]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

I like how you threw that in yourself.

 

It's really not most obviously, since there's not another player on this roster that can back up SS.

[CubColtPacer]

The problem with the errors with a guy like Gomez is not as a defensive replacement. You're right, Cedeno's not doing that either. The problem is that he's a liability defensively when he's starting.

 

Considering that he would likely get as many at-bats starting the rest of the year as pinch-hitting, that's a problem. Theriot can't play every game. Plus, if Theriot goes down for the season the day after they made the trade, who plays SS for the next 2 months?

 

It's a good upgrade for being a pinch-hitter (considering that whoever is in that spot the Cubs are going to send up against LH pitching), a downgrade for days he's starting (especially because Theriot needs the day off most against tough right-handers, and Cedeno is better against those than Gomez), and carries a significant risk factor with it. That factors out at best to a lateral move and quite possibly a downgrade overall.

 

So it's a good move for that one specific role. But it doesn't really help overall, and it could possibly hurt quite badly.

[sharkfan50]

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up?

 

Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

 

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

[sharkfan50]

The problem with the errors with a guy like Gomez is not as a defensive replacement. You're right, Cedeno's not doing that either. The problem is that he's a liability defensively when he's starting.

 

Considering that he would likely get as many at-bats starting the rest of the year as pinch-hitting, that's a problem. Theriot can't play every game. Plus, if Theriot goes down for the season the day after they made the trade, who plays SS for the next 2 months?

 

It's a good upgrade for being a pinch-hitter (considering that whoever is in that spot the Cubs are going to send up against LH pitching), a downgrade for days he's starting (especially because Theriot needs the day off most against tough right-handers, and Cedeno is better against those than Gomez), and carries a significant risk factor with it. That factors out at best to a lateral move and quite possibly a downgrade overall.

 

So it's a good move for that one specific role. But it doesn't really help overall, and it could possibly hurt quite badly.

 

I understand what you're saying, but if Theriot keeps it up offensively, I really don't see Gomez getting too many starts. Although Theriot isn't the slickest of defenders though. Cedeno has only started 10 games at SS as well though.

 

Chris Gomez may not be the answer but he would most certainly be an upgrade and would cost next to nothing. Plus again, he's a veteran and has been in pressure situations and I would feel much more comftorable with him up in a late inning pressure situation than Cedeno, that's for sure.

 

One thing though, is that Cedeno is not long for this team and I think it's a certainty that he will be replaced.

[javy knows my name]

Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

This is the weirdest effing thing I've ever read.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up?

 

Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

 

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

your feeble attempt at humor just cost you any shred of credibility you ever had

[sharkfan50]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

I like how you threw that in yourself.

 

It's really not most obviously, since there's not another player on this roster that can back up SS.

 

and who exactly do you think would be replaced? Fontenot? He's actually contributed to this team this year. I guess the other obvious option is to use that roster spot by sending down a pitcher and going to a 12 man pitching staff. As long as they add a RH bat to push Cedeno down on the totem poll, is fine with me.

[sharkfan50]

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up?

 

Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

 

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

your feeble attempt at humor just cost you any shred of credibility you ever had

 

What a shame.

[David]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

I like how you threw that in yourself.

 

It's really not most obviously, since there's not another player on this roster that can back up SS.

 

and who exactly do you think would be replaced? Fontenot? He's actually contributed to this team this year. I guess the other obvious option is to use that roster spot by sending down a pitcher and going to a 12 man pitching staff. As long as they add a RH bat to push Cedeno down on the totem poll, is fine with me.

 

 

Wait, what? Cedeno hasn't contributed to this team this year?

 

Nice job answering your own question, though. It was only a matter of time before you realized we're carrying 13 pitchers.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

Miles' Cubs sources "emphatically" denied interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. And as we noted Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune killed that rumor several hours after they posted it.

[David]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

Miles' Cubs sources "emphatically" denied interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. And as we noted Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune killed that rumor several hours after they posted it.

 

Miles mentions the possibility of the Cubs pursuing an extra bat, presumably of the bench variety.

 

I'm assuming he was referring to that part, where it says nothing about it being to replace Cedeno.

[sharkfan50]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/07/cubs-rumors-fue.html

 

Cubs pursuing a bat for the bench, most obviously to replace Cedeno's? What a novel thought.

 

Miles' Cubs sources "emphatically" denied interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. And as we noted Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune killed that rumor several hours after they posted it.

 

Miles' Cubs sources "emphatically" denied interest in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. And as we noted Monday, the San Diego Union-Tribune killed that rumor several hours after they posted it.

Jim Hendry is in the market for a reliever, and Miles expects him to be one of many GMs inquiring on Colorado's Brian Fuentes. Roughly a dozen teams are eyeing the lefty, so the Rox should get something good.

Miles mentions the possibility of the Cubs pursuing an extra bat, presumably of the bench variety.

[Fu1kudome]

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up?

 

Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

 

No, just a team with Ronny Cedeno on it. Garth Brooks would be an upgrade over Cedeno.

Me, I've always liked Cedeno and find Garth Brooks to be overrated.

[jyoung55]

My apologies, I wasn't aware that improving the team was "nitpicking". I personally like the idea of improving the team as much as possible and the next time Cedeno comes up late in the game in a crucial part of the game and shows no plate discipline and swings at garbage over his head and strikes out, you let me know if you still think that i'm "nitpicking".

 

Now, HERE'S some nit picking for ya ..........

 

Cedeno               P   PA  P/PA  BDI  LOB   RBI%
6th inning          82   19  4.32    2    5  0.286
7th inning         104   25  4.16    1   13  0.071
8th inning          79   20  3.95    8    9  0.471
9th inning          36    9  4.00    0    5  0.000

6th thru 9th       301   73  4.12   11   32  0.256
All innings        569  145  3.92   19   75  0.202

 

Factionista! Fact Nazi! Harbinger of Facts!

 

That's the beautiful thing about stats: You can pretty much use any variation to support your opinion. Just ask Rich Hill fans.

 

The stat I look at when judging how sucktacular Cedeno is as a PH is his robust .083 BA this year as a PH. Yeah, he only has 20 ab's as a PH so what does that tell you? It tells me that Lou has very little confidence in him as a PH. Not a good sign with your first choice for a RH PH. Cedeno is just sucking up a roster spot and he is thankfully not long on this roster as Hendry is more than aware of this weakness.

 

Maybe I did overreact slightly about saying that this is the most "glaring" hole on this team ( which is actually a good thing when a single bench player is your most glaring hole- means you're a good team) but it definitely is something that has to be and will be addressed. Like I said previously, those of you who don't think that improving this need is not a big deal, the next time Cedeno is up as a PH late in a game and he swings at junk over his head and chokes yet again, I will bump this thread.

 

I not only want someone who is a good PH in his roster spot, but a veteran who's been through pressure situations late in games. That's another thing I dislike about Cedeno, he's a headcase and is a terrible fundamental player who will choke every time.

 

Can you tell I don't like Cedeno........whatsoever????

 

Wait... don't pull me into this as on your side. I was just doing a Colbert reference sarcastically.

[Guest]

Biggest need? BLB

[Mugged By Fluffy]

The Harden addition was good, but they still need another starting pitcher to replace Lilly. He's unreliable and you never know which Lilly is going to show up on any given outing. The guy who strikes out 10 or the guy who has given up 61 ER and 22 HR's already by mid July.

 

You figure if this NL Central race is going to go down to the wire with Milw and St Louis, you need a reliable SP that is going to keep the Cubs in every game come Sept. Especially since they play those teams 12 times come Sept.

 

My worst fear is that Lilly is going to be scheduled to start the final game of the season against Milwaukee, with both teams tied for first in the standings.

[Exile on Waveland]

The Harden addition was good, but they still need another starting pitcher to replace Lilly. He's unreliable and you never know which Lilly is going to show up on any given outing. The guy who strikes out 10 or the guy who has given up 61 ER and 22 HR's already by mid July.

 

You figure if this NL Central race is going to go down to the wire with Milw and St Louis, you need a reliable SP that is going to keep the Cubs in every game come Sept. Especially since they play those teams 12 times come Sept.

 

My worst fear is that Lilly is going to be scheduled to start the final game of the season against Milwaukee, with both teams tied for first in the standings.

 

He is their fourth starter. He's 9-6 with a 4.49 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP and a 100 ERA+. That's after a terrible start to the season (6.46 ERA in April). Six of his last eight starts have been quality; and one that wasn't he went seven innings and gave up four runs and got the victory. He's also only had one worse year the past six years. He hasn't been great this year but he's a fine fourth starter.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

Yeah he is a fourth starter, but in a tight race with what may be two other teams, an injury prone Harden and uncertainty as to how Dempster is going to hold out the rest of the season, an upgrade to Lilly would not be a bad thing.

 

In case of injury or ineffectiveness can you imagine a Sept down to the wire rotation of:

 

Zambrano

Dempster

Lilly

Marquis

#5

 

Zambrano

Harden

Lilly

Marquis

#5

 

Harden

Dempster

Lilly

Marquis

#5

 

 

A guy that isn't prone to longballs and big innings against will come in handy down the stretch. You can never have too much starting pitching.

[inari]

Lilly is not someone the Cubs are going to be looking to replace, nor should they be.

[Amazing_Grace]

Lilly is not someone the Cubs are going to be looking to replace, nor should they be.

 

Certainly not while Marquis remains on the roster.

[NCCubFan]

The Cubs' biggest need? Some runs.

[RynoRules]

The Cubs' biggest need? Some runs.

 

And there you go.

[Mugged By Fluffy]

Lilly is not someone the Cubs are going to be looking to replace, nor should they be.

 

Certainly not while Marquis remains on the roster.

 

Aha! You are right and shame on me for not thinking of this. :oops:

 

Marquis does need to get replaced first. Before Ted Lilly, before Ronny Cedeno and before the broadcasters.. Good catch!

[Keener98]

I think one of the bigger needs for this team is for Bob Howry to get his head out of his ass and start pitching decent. Hes been terrible this year for the most part, which causes Lou to depend even more on Marmol.