Realistic, Bold Predictions for '09

[FearTheBako]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

[SweetZombieJesus]

those are realistic?

[Roast]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

In what galaxy are those realistic?

[biittner77]

Cubs will finish the season 150- 12 with all 12 losses coming at the hands of the pirates.

[FearTheBako]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

In what galaxy are those realistic?

 

In the galaxy where Hoff has a career .900 + OPS and has been tearing the cover off the ball, and Demp got votes for the Cy Young in '08.

[grassbass]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

 

The only way that #1 happens is if Lee suffers a season-ending injury, and the Cubs can't work out a trade with another team for a first baseman for the rest of the season.

 

Item #2 is possible, but not probable. I guess that makes it a "bold" prediction.

[Tracer Bullet]

Here's mine: I win the lottery...without ever buying a ticket.

[David]

Fontenot will have the second highest OPS among NL 2B after Utley.

[jersey cubs fan]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

 

The only way that #1 happens is if Lee suffers a season-ending injury, and the Cubs can't work out a trade with another team for a first baseman for the rest of the season.

 

Item #2 is possible, but not probable. I guess that makes it a "bold" prediction.

 

Well, Lee is already banged up, and if he plays as poorly as he did late last year, I'm not sure how long Lou will stick with him, assuming Hoff is hitting.

 

Highly doubtful though.

[CubbieBum]

I think Hoff will probably be part of a Peavy trade so he won't be around.

[FearTheBako]

Here's mine: I win the lottery...without ever buying a ticket.

 

 

Wow...this is sooo beyond clever I am embarrassed to show my face around here again.

[Roast]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

 

The only way that #1 happens is if Lee suffers a season-ending injury, and the Cubs can't work out a trade with another team for a first baseman for the rest of the season.

 

Item #2 is possible, but not probable. I guess that makes it a "bold" prediction.

 

Well, Lee is already banged up, and if he plays as poorly as he did late last year, I'm not sure how long Lou will stick with him, assuming Hoff is hitting.

 

Highly doubtful though.

 

Yeah, definitely not happening. And poor is a little bit of a stretch: he still got on base at a .361 clip last year and had a 110 OPS+. Certainly not what you want in the three spot because of the low slugging percentage (in the 400's), but not bad enough to be benched in favor of a guy who has 73 career big league at bats.

[FearTheBako]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

 

The only way that #1 happens is if Lee suffers a season-ending injury, and the Cubs can't work out a trade with another team for a first baseman for the rest of the season.

 

Item #2 is possible, but not probable. I guess that makes it a "bold" prediction.

 

Well, Lee is already banged up, and if he plays as poorly as he did late last year, I'm not sure how long Lou will stick with him, assuming Hoff is hitting.

 

Highly doubtful though.

 

Yeah, definitely not happening. And poor is a little bit of a stretch: he still got on base at a .361 clip last year and had a 110 OPS+. Certainly not what you want in the three spot because of the low slugging percentage (in the 400's), but not bad enough to be benched in favor of a guy who has 73 career big league at bats.

 

I agree that DLee should get the benifit of the doubt and I truly hope he has a great year, its just at this point, I'm starting to think that his wrist injury really did have an effect on his power. Bottom line, if Hoff keeps crushing the ball, and DLee is still hitting weak grounders, how do you keep Hoff out of the lineup?

[Little Slide Rooter]

Niether Rich Harden or Milton Bradley have any soreness, tightness, or discomfort until early-mid May.

 

Cubs win a playoff game on an Albert Pujols walk off home run after Jake Peavy pitches a perfect game.

[UMFan83]

Thought this might be kinda fun. I'll start with mine:

 

1. Hoff takes the majority of the playing time at 1b by the June.

 

2. Demp wins Cy Young.

 

 

The only way that #1 happens is if Lee suffers a season-ending injury, and the Cubs can't work out a trade with another team for a first baseman for the rest of the season.

 

Item #2 is possible, but not probable. I guess that makes it a "bold" prediction.

 

Well, Lee is already banged up, and if he plays as poorly as he did late last year, I'm not sure how long Lou will stick with him, assuming Hoff is hitting.

 

Highly doubtful though.

 

Yeah, definitely not happening. And poor is a little bit of a stretch: he still got on base at a .361 clip last year and had a 110 OPS+. Certainly not what you want in the three spot because of the low slugging percentage (in the 400's), but not bad enough to be benched in favor of a guy who has 73 career big league at bats.

 

I agree that DLee should get the benifit of the doubt and I truly hope he has a great year, its just at this point, I'm starting to think that his wrist injury really did have an effect on his power. Bottom line, if Hoff keeps crushing the ball, and DLee is still hitting weak grounders, how do you keep Hoff out of the lineup?

 

Considering DLee is a team leader, former all star and still above average defensive first baseman, and Hoffpauir is a 29 year old non-prospect that never made it to the bigs before last year, I am pretty sure Lou will give Lee an extremely long rope before replacing him in the lineup.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well, Lee is already banged up, and if he plays as poorly as he did late last year, I'm not sure how long Lou will stick with him, assuming Hoff is hitting.

 

Highly doubtful though.

 

Yeah, definitely not happening. And poor is a little bit of a stretch: he still got on base at a .361 clip last year and had a 110 OPS+. Certainly not what you want in the three spot because of the low slugging percentage (in the 400's), but not bad enough to be benched in favor of a guy who has 73 career big league at bats.

 

 

The OPS+ was 94 in the second half.

His OPS was below 800 in every month but April.

"Poorly as he did late last year" was probably taking it easy on him.

[17 Seconds]

I like the "Hoff has a career .900+ OPS"

 

in 73 abs

 

and only because of 1 game

[rocket]

fukudome's obp will be over .400

 

rich harden wins the cy young and makes 30 starts

 

marmol sucks this year

[FearTheBako]

I like the "Hoff has a career .900+ OPS"

 

in 73 abs

 

and only because of 1 game

 

 

I knew it wouldn't be long untill someone played the "small sample size" card. The numbers are still real, and he continues to impress with every opportunity he gets. I probably should have quoted his career .800 + OPS through the minors. As long as he keeps hitting, how do you keep him out of the lineup? I understand that with more Ab's, his numbers might dwindle, and if so, fine, he is still a great bench bat. Its time to stop assuming DLee is going to hit like he did in '05. Hoff may very well be out best offinsive option at 1B this year. Thats reality.

[Backtobanks]

I think Hoff will probably be part of a Peavy trade so he won't be around.

 

I can't think of any reason why the Padres would want Hoff when they have a great young 1B (Gonzalez) and a top 1B prospect (Kyle Banks).

[otis89]

Zambrano will hit for the cycle in a game this year.

[Guest]

I think Hoff will probably be part of a Peavy trade so he won't be around.

 

I can't think of any reason why the Padres would want Hoff when they have a great young 1B (Gonzalez) and a top 1B prospect (Kyle Banks).

Because Gonzalez will be a throw-in on the Peavy deal? 8-[

[UMFan83]

I like the "Hoff has a career .900+ OPS"

 

in 73 abs

 

and only because of 1 game

 

 

I knew it wouldn't be long untill someone played the "small sample size" card. The numbers are still real, and he continues to impress with every opportunity he gets. I probably should have quoted his career .800 + OPS through the minors. As long as he keeps hitting, how do you keep him out of the lineup? I understand that with more Ab's, his numbers might dwindle, and if so, fine, he is still a great bench bat. Its time to stop assuming DLee is going to hit like he did in '05. Hoff may very well be out best offinsive option at 1B this year. Thats reality.

 

Before ripping sample sizes, do you first understand why people point to sample sizes as arguments? Ryan O'Malley has never given up a major league earned run. Where is that guy anyways, we have a rotation spot waiting for him.

[sneakypower]

I like the "Hoff has a career .900+ OPS"

 

in 73 abs

 

and only because of 1 game

he had a MLE 900 ops the last two years in iowa

 

whats your point, anyways? he'll have to do that over a much more significant sample in the majors for you to realize he's a good hitter? that's really your problem, not anyone else's.

[jersey cubs fan]

I like the "Hoff has a career .900+ OPS"

 

in 73 abs

 

and only because of 1 game

 

 

I knew it wouldn't be long untill someone played the "small sample size" card. The numbers are still real, and he continues to impress with every opportunity he gets. I probably should have quoted his career .800 + OPS through the minors. As long as he keeps hitting, how do you keep him out of the lineup? I understand that with more Ab's, his numbers might dwindle, and if so, fine, he is still a great bench bat. Its time to stop assuming DLee is going to hit like he did in '05. Hoff may very well be out best offinsive option at 1B this year. Thats reality.

 

I don't know about "may very well be". It would be extremely unlikely. A Lee/Hoff platoon might be the best option, but even that could be a longshot. Lee's 2008 numbers against RHP - .286./344/.441 was well below his career average, and may wind up being better than Hoff can do on a regular basis.