Blow the chokers out of town

[Sammy Sofa]

When do we start blowing the chokers?

[CUBZ99]

I can't wait to read DeRosa's blog to see how sad he is the Cubs didn't do well again this year. Next year, if he is with the Cubs, he needs to not talk so much and worry about playing. There comes a point when we don't care to hear excuses. The last two games he was terrible. Tonight there is no excuse for not bringing in the runner on third with one out, and then watching pitch after pitch go straight across the plate, and then swinging at the ball in the dirt.

 

Howry, at least he got us off to the start we needed in the playoffs with the HR. Obviously the boot on the ground ball was equally big, but come on.

 

Sorry, I don't give him a pass for one good at bat all series. The time was for him to put up or shut up. The rest of the series he was terrible. He had opportunity after opportunity to come through and he [expletive] the bed. I don't want to hear anymore talk from the Cubs, just get it done.

[ArthurVandalay]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

[windycityfan]

Yea, the answer is DEFINITELY moving DeRosa to the bench and replacing him with Soriano.

You really should have Hendry's job, you're an effing genius.

 

You're saying DeRosa is a more valuable hitting asset than Soriano? And replacing Soriano in LF with similar prodcution would in turn not make us a better team?

 

I know it's a pipe dream anyways since Soriano will never be put back in 2B, but above and beyond a more valuable player at 2B than as a corner outfield.

 

Just admit it.

[hawkeyecub]

Okay. So constructing a team that's good against "Good" RHP is more important than constructing a roughly 100 win team that was the best team in the league, best offense in the league, best against RHP and best against LHP.

 

That makes sense.

 

False choice. You can construct a team that is balanced with good hitters from both sides of the plate *and* build a team that is great in the regular season. It does not have to be an either/or.

 

The point is, this team still crushed RHP despite not having the balance you desire. I don't see how you quantify exactly what is "good" RHP and prove that we were able to destroy bad RHP but not scratch across 7 runs in 3 games against above average RHP.

 

It wasn't a flawless team but it was the best team in the league. That's Hendry's job.

[imb]

again with no proof

 

i'm not opposed to it being right, i'd just like to see it there in front of me

 

All three playoff teams in the NL were significantly better pitching to RHB.

 

Brewers had the smallest split:

.255 .318 .396

.257 .331 .420

 

 

Last year's Diamondbacks were:

.255 .318 .396

.271 .353 .450

 

Since most pitchers are right handed and most hitters are right handed, this isn't a surprise. i thought we were talking about how we did this year against "good rhp"

[Old Style]

I wish we could get rid of Soriano, but that's not going to happen. He better not lead off next year. I love what Edmonds/Johnson did for us this year, but we can't expect that again next year. I wish Pie would be given a legitimate shot to play everyday, but I'm relatively certain that will never happen unless he bats over .300 the first week of the season. Fuku should spend the next 4 months in America trying to learn how to hit American pitchers. We need a real SS. We need to examine DLee's role going forward. He should either be a #2 hitter or no higher than 6th. What power he did have has completely left him. And that's just the position players. God knows what we need to do with the pitching staff.

[XZero771679666304]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

 

I don't buy that at all. We'll have even less competition in the Central next season (IMO). And as is becoming clearer and clearer, this playoff business is a crapshoot.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Okay. So constructing a team that's good against "Good" RHP is more important than constructing a roughly 100 win team that was the best team in the league, best offense in the league, best against RHP and best against LHP.

 

That makes sense.

 

False choice. You can construct a team that is balanced with good hitters from both sides of the plate *and* build a team that is great in the regular season. It does not have to be an either/or.

 

The point is, this team still crushed RHP despite not having the balance you desire. I don't see how you quantify exactly what is "good" RHP and prove that we were able to destroy bad RHP but not scratch across 7 runs in 3 games against above average RHP.

 

It wasn't a flawless team but it was the best team in the league. That's Hendry's job.

 

So you don't think there's *any* chance that their playoff chances are hurt by having all the playoff teams pitch better against right-handed batters, and we have almost nothing but? None at all?

[zamrambo]

How do you build a team around "not choking?"

 

Clone David Ortiz?

[ArthurVandalay]

The fact is, DeRosa has been an above-average second baseman for each of the last three seasons, and has gotten better each year. What do you propose? Move Soriano to 2B so he can commit 53 errors next year, and then sign two high-priced corner outfielders? How do you suggest we pull that off?

[Wheelimus]

Eh, I'm not quick to throw a guy with a .387 OBP off the boat. Obviously if you can get equivalent value to that on the trade market, sell high. But he's going to be cheap for a while still and isn't the only reason we failed. We weren't winning those first two games no matter how well Theriot or anyone else played.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

 

I don't buy that at all. We'll have even less competition in the Central next season (IMO). And as is becoming clearer and clearer, this playoff business is a crapshoot.

 

Zambrano and Harden's arms are about to fall off. I guess we can hope that Dempster's season was legit, but otherwise our pitching staff is in trouble.

[hawkeyecub]

I can't wait to read DeRosa's blog to see how sad he is the Cubs didn't do well again this year. Next year, if he is with the Cubs, he needs to not talk so much and worry about playing. There comes a point when we don't care to hear excuses. The last two games he was terrible. Tonight there is no excuse for not bringing in the runner on third with one out, and then watching pitch after pitch go straight across the plate, and then swinging at the ball in the dirt.

 

Howry, at least he got us off to the start we needed in the playoffs with the HR. Obviously the boot on the ground ball was equally big, but come on.

 

Sorry, I don't give him a pass for one good at bat all series. The time was for him to put up or shut up. The rest of the series he was terrible. He had opportunity after opportunity to come through and he Howry the bed. I don't want to hear anymore talk from the Cubs, just get it done.

 

DeRosa drove in 4 runs in 12 AB's this series.

 

The rest of the team drove in 2 runs in 104 AB's.

[big_shooter17]

Why doesn't Lou get any blame. I know that he isn't the one who is performing on the field, but when you look at the body language of the players throughout the series, he simply did not do a good enough job of preparing and/or motivating the guys in the postseason. The Brewers were into it from the get go (I know that they were on home, but still) today while the Cubs looked dead after Soto's broken bat ground out. Lou Piniella has now managed the Cubs in two postseason series and both times, the team came out looking defeated. I can't completely blame the manager here, but the manager must motivate. If you go into the business world and you see a line of workers who are all underperforming, the management style immediately is examined. This is no different. The club needs to look at how Lou prepares his team for the playoffs and determine what needs to be changed in this regard.

[CUBZ99]

I can't wait to read DeRosa's blog to see how sad he is the Cubs didn't do well again this year. Next year, if he is with the Cubs, he needs to not talk so much and worry about playing. There comes a point when we don't care to hear excuses. The last two games he was terrible. Tonight there is no excuse for not bringing in the runner on third with one out, and then watching pitch after pitch go straight across the plate, and then swinging at the ball in the dirt.

 

Howry, at least he got us off to the start we needed in the playoffs with the HR. Obviously the boot on the ground ball was equally big, but come on.

 

Sorry, I don't give him a pass for one good at bat all series. The time was for him to put up or shut up. The rest of the series he was terrible. He had opportunity after opportunity to come through and he Howry the bed. I don't want to hear anymore talk from the Cubs, just get it done.

 

DeRosa drove in 4 runs in 12 AB's this series.

 

The rest of the team drove in 2 runs in 104 AB's.

 

And tonight when he had an easy chance to drive in a run, he blew it. Why are you defending a guy that played like [expletive] this series? The only reason I single him out, is because he is the one that is always running his mouth on his blog. Stop blogging and start producing. Granted it is not his fault entirely, but next year he should do a little less talking and a little more producing.

[ArthurVandalay]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

 

I don't buy that at all. We'll have even less competition in the Central next season (IMO). And as is becoming clearer and clearer, this playoff business is a crapshoot.

 

 

That's what we say EVERY YEAR but somehow the Cardinals are always in it til the end and the Brewers will probably be there too.

 

We have big problems in 2/3 of our outfield, 1B, and SS. Not to mention that piece of [expletive] in left field.

 

If we make the playoffs next year, our fourth outfielder should start over Soriano. I am not joking.

[YearofDaCubs]

I can't wait to read DeRosa's blog to see how sad he is the Cubs didn't do well again this year. Next year, if he is with the Cubs, he needs to not talk so much and worry about playing. There comes a point when we don't care to hear excuses. The last two games he was terrible. Tonight there is no excuse for not bringing in the runner on third with one out, and then watching pitch after pitch go straight across the plate, and then swinging at the ball in the dirt.

 

Howry, at least he got us off to the start we needed in the playoffs with the HR. Obviously the boot on the ground ball was equally big, but come on.

 

Sorry, I don't give him a pass for one good at bat all series. The time was for him to put up or shut up. The rest of the series he was terrible. He had opportunity after opportunity to come through and he Howry the bed. I don't want to hear anymore talk from the Cubs, just get it done.

 

DeRosa drove in 4 runs in 12 AB's this series.

 

The rest of the team drove in 2 runs in 104 AB's.

 

And tonight when he had an easy chance to drive in a run, he blew it. Why are you defending a guy that played like Howry this series? The only reason I single him out, is because he is the one that is always running his mouth on his blog. Stop blogging and start producing. Granted it is not his fault entirely, but next year he should do a little less talking and a little more producing.

I lay more blame on lou, aram and soriano over anyone else.

[windycityfan]

The fact is, DeRosa has been an above-average second baseman for each of the last three seasons, and has gotten better each year. What do you propose? Move Soriano to 2B so he can commit 53 errors next year, and then sign two high-priced corner outfielders? How do you suggest we pull that off?

 

I know what DeRosa brings but I also don't expect him to keep it up. Conversely, Soriano's abominations yet productive bat can be best swallowed in the infield. It's not going to happen, but would free up a corner outfield spot to go after a proven veteran with post-season experience and proven leadership (like Manny still was at the point he was being shopped around).

 

We do not have the talent to acquire needs via trade, so the new owner must keep ponying up and going for the free agents. Furcal would fill two huge needs (SS and leadoff). I don't know what the other OF would be.

[big_shooter17]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

 

I don't buy that at all. We'll have even less competition in the Central next season (IMO). And as is becoming clearer and clearer, this playoff business is a crapshoot.

 

 

That's what we say EVERY YEAR but somehow the Cardinals are always in it til the end and the Brewers will probably be there too.

 

We have big problems in 2/3 of our outfield, 1B, and SS. Not to mention that piece of Howry in left field.

 

If we make the playoffs next year, our fourth outfielder should start over Soriano. I am not joking.

 

And how could they not give Reed Johnson a shot at the plate? He certainly wouldn't have done worse than anyone else and we all know that he wanted to win.

[XZero771679666304]

Eh, I'm not quick to throw a guy with a .387 OBP off the boat. Obviously if you can get equivalent value to that on the trade market, sell high. But he's going to be cheap for a while still and isn't the only reason we failed. We weren't winning those first two games no matter how well Theriot or anyone else played.

 

I beg to differ. I think it is entirely probable we win game 2 if not for the errors in the second inning. If Ryan gloves that ball in the 2nd and gets it to second (a very reasonable thing for even an average SS to do), we may not be having this discussion right now. I said before the season ended that one of my biggest fears was Theriot's defense causing a problem at a key moment.

 

He isn't the only reason we failed, not by a longshot. But he is one that can be remedied, unlike Soriano.

[big_shooter17]

The fact is, DeRosa has been an above-average second baseman for each of the last three seasons, and has gotten better each year. What do you propose? Move Soriano to 2B so he can commit 53 errors next year, and then sign two high-priced corner outfielders? How do you suggest we pull that off?

 

I know what DeRosa brings but I also don't expect him to keep it up. Conversely, Soriano's abominations yet productive bat can be best swallowed in the infield. It's not going to happen, but would free up a corner outfield spot to go after a proven veteran with post-season experience and proven leadership (like Manny still was at the point he was being shopped around).

 

We do not have the talent to acquire needs via trade, so the new owner must keep ponying up and going for the free agents. Furcal would fill two huge needs (SS and leadoff). I don't know what the other OF would be.

 

Maybe it was just me, but I somehow feel like the Cubs used Marshall tonight to showcase him for a trade. Who knows, but I get that feeling when there were other options at that point in the game. Granted, Marshall was obviously as good of a choice as could have been made to go to there.

[Old Style]

How do you build a team around "not choking?"

 

Clone Manny Ramirez

fixed

[Hairyducked Idiot]

again with no proof

 

i'm not opposed to it being right, i'd just like to see it there in front of me

 

All three playoff teams in the NL were significantly better pitching to RHB.

 

Brewers had the smallest split:

.255 .318 .396

.257 .331 .420

 

 

Last year's Diamondbacks were:

.255 .318 .396

.271 .353 .450

 

Since most pitchers are right handed and most hitters are right handed, this isn't a surprise. i thought we were talking about how we did this year against "good rhp"

 

Wait, that makes no sense. Why isn't it a surprise?

[XZero771679666304]

There is going to be very little opportunity to upgrade this team, save for a new shortstop. Whatever we have in center is going to have a hard time matching the production we got out of our platoon this year. We're stuck with Soriano and Lee.

This was the year we had to do it.

 

I don't buy that at all. We'll have even less competition in the Central next season (IMO). And as is becoming clearer and clearer, this playoff business is a crapshoot.

 

 

That's what we say EVERY YEAR

 

No we don't. I sure didn't say it last year.