Stone and Garza

[PackLandVA]

Was listening to the local sports radio yesterday and Steve Stone was on commenting about his beloved Sox (he kept referring to them as "we") and the "Northsiders". While defending his position about Starlin Castro probably NOT being a future SS (which the host didn't get Stone's logic, either), he mentioned Castro's defense and the fact that Hendry traded away a young, better defender in HJ Lee. Stone went on to mention that "Hendry traded away 'winning in the future' for a 'win today' in the Garza deal".

 

I called the station, got through and had a chance to ask for a clarification from Stone. I said, in a nutshell:

 

-Garza was still pretty young by MLB standards and has already had proven MLB success;

-the Cubs still controlled Garza for several more years;

-and Garza's last three seasons in the American League East, he posted a sub-4.00 ERA.

 

I then asked Stone why the deal couldn't be looked at as a "win now" and a "win in the future" deal from the Cubs standpoint. Certainly Garza could be a valuable asset today and several years from now.

 

I certainly won't kid myself thinking I flustered Stone with my question. After all, he's a jag-bag, but he knows a hell of a lot more baseball than I ever will. But I thought his answer sucked and was typically negative concerning a "Hendry move".

 

He basically said he didn't really know how long the Cubs controlled Garza and mentioned nothing of his age. He then went on to make the point that Garza's success was probably related to pitching at home in the Rays "pitcher friendly" ball park and his home/away splits from last year were not good. He did mention, briefly, that Garza pitched in the AL East, but quickly pivoted to Garza being a flyball pitcher and how that doesn't relate well in Wrigley. Then he went on to talk about how Hendry is really counting on this trade because he's made several poor trades in the past.

 

 

Now certainly Stone made some valid points about Garza's splits. But did he have to be such a douche concerning my question? He didn't really answer it, and along the way made sure to blast Hendry. And while the merits of the trade won't be known for some time, Stone gives the impression that Archer and Lee are locks regarding MLB success.

 

The man has issues!

[SouthSideRyan]

You sell yourself short, you probably know more baseball than him.

 

Also next time you talk to him, ask him about the Aramis for Izturis trade

[hawkcub]

No you know far less then Stone thinks he knows. But from your post it was typical Steve Stone in his reply. He has an axe to grind when it comes to the Cubs. He isn't stupid but his opinion is so skewed because of his hatred for the Cubs organization it's not worth my time. Edited April 16, 2011 by hawkcub

[Tarver]

You sell yourself short, you probably know more baseball than him.

 

Also next time you talk to him, ask him about the Aramis for Izturis trade

 

[expletive], and I thought I hated Izturis, you never miss an opportunity to bring that Stone quote up.

 

Who was the Trib guy who thought we should've given him a 10 year deal?

[Irrelevant Dude]

I heard that call yesterday and agreed with you completely. Stone really sounded misinformed, making conclusions about Garza as a "win now" acquisition when it was obvious he didn't know anything about Garza's future contract status.

 

Stone's Starlin Castro as a shortstop hate is mind-numbing. I can't believe I used to like the guy as a Cubs broadcaster.

[dougdescenzo]

When you call into a sports talk radio show you've already lost as a person.

[questionmarkgrace]

I heard that call yesterday and agreed with you completely. Stone really sounded misinformed, making conclusions about Garza as a "win now" acquisition when it was obvious he didn't know anything about Garza's future contract status.

 

Stone's Starlin Castro as a shortstop hate is mind-numbing. I can't believe I used to like the guy as a Cubs broadcaster.

 

Stone gets paid to be controversial on the score. dont let it bother you. his job is to get people riled up and keep them listening.

 

besides when Ha juk lee is a better defender yes but will be nothing special on offense. I'll take castro and let him develop into a better fielder any day.

[JeffH]

Garza is not good. And is certainly not the kind of guy you trade an Archer/Lee/Guyer/Chirinos package for.

 

This was a typical Hendry debacle.

[Derwood]

Garza is not good. And is certainly not the kind of guy you trade an Archer/Lee/Guyer/Chirinos package for.

 

This was a typical Hendry debacle.

 

except it's not, since Hendry's usual debacles involve signing free agents. Usually he does very well with trades

[TruffleShuffle]

that post was a typical JeffH debacle.

[Guest]

that post was a typical JeffH debacle.

 

He's still trying to figure out how the Cubs managed to beat Wandy Rodriguez on Wednesday.

[Chisoxillini]

Garza is not good. And is certainly not the kind of guy you trade an Archer/Lee/Guyer/Chirinos package for.

 

This was a typical Hendry debacle.

 

What the hell is wrong with Garza? He is a solid #2, high end 3 guy. The prospects the Cubs gave up aren't elite talents and 'can't miss' guys. In return you netted a quality starting pitcher who is an innings eater with years left on his contract. Anytime you get a chance to make a trade like that you do it. That is unless you can package those prospects for a player of greater value. You can always replace guys like Archer, Lee, and Guyer through solid drafting and player development.

[Bote McBoteface]

NO YOU CANT GARZA Sox N SO DOEZ HENRY

[BeerHere]

I was listening to the score this morning (AM670) and they had Stoney on again. After listening to him gush over Castro I have come to the conclusion that Stoney is negative about anything that Hendry touches (Garza, Bradley, Silva, trades in general, etc) but anything that Hendry can't take direct credit for (scouting, draft etc) he is more open minded about. He is clearly bitter about being fired.

[Bote McBoteface]

...didn't he leave?

[Bote McBoteface]

....and are we that immature here that we really need "S ux" to be autocorrected to Sox?

[SABR Gamer]

....and are we that immature here that we really need "S ux" to be autocorrected to Sox?

 

 

Pretty sure that is in place so that when people deliberately type "White Su x" it shows up as White Sox, White Sox.

 

Also assuming most people are going to spell "su x" as sucks.

[SABR Gamer]

....and are we that immature here that we really need "S ux" to be autocorrected to Sox?

 

 

Pretty sure that is in place so that when people deliberately type "White Su x" it shows up as White Sox, White Sox.

 

Also assuming most people are going to spell "su x" as sucks.

 

And it's late, and I realized you already understand that. Anyway, lol, I'm going to go to bed, goodnight.

[TruffleShuffle]

....and are we that immature here that we really need "S ux" to be autocorrected to Sox?

 

i think on WSI the word "cubs" is autocorrected to flubs or scrubs.

[BeerHere]

...didn't he leave?

He and Chip Caray were let go for being too critical of the team. I think it was a situation where the contracts were not renewed. At least that is how I remember it. Am I wrong?

[BeerHere]

...didn't he leave?

He and Chip Caray were let go for being too critical of the team. I think it was a situation where the contracts were not renewed. At least that is how I remember it. Am I wrong?

According to wikipedia Stone refused to renew his contract after the 2004 season during which he was confronted by several players who thought he was overly critical. My bad.

[champaignchris]

...didn't he leave?

He and Chip Caray were let go for being too critical of the team. I think it was a situation where the contracts were not renewed. At least that is how I remember it. Am I wrong?

According to wikipedia Stone refused to renew his contract after the 2004 season during which he was confronted by several players who thought he was overly critical. My bad.

 

I think it was Chip Caray whose contact was not renewed. If I recall correctly, Stone's refusal to renew was in part because he thought that Chip was getting a raw deal.

[treebird]

...didn't he leave?

He and Chip Caray were let go for being too critical of the team. I think it was a situation where the contracts were not renewed. At least that is how I remember it. Am I wrong?

According to wikipedia Stone refused to renew his contract after the 2004 season during which he was confronted by several players who thought he was overly critical. My bad.

 

I think it was Chip Caray whose contact was not renewed. If I recall correctly, Stone's refusal to renew was in part because he thought that Chip was getting a raw deal.

 

poor chip caray, got a job because of his last name, was horrible at it, and failed upwards.

 

go to hell stone.

[Soul]

Surely going from a job in one of the most heralded baseball cities like Chicago, to a lesser baseball town like Atlanta, is a lateral move at best -- probably more like a move slightly downwards.

 

 

But I nitpick.

[Guest]

Surely going from a job in one of the most heralded baseball cities like Chicago, to a lesser baseball town like Atlanta, is a lateral move at best -- probably more like a move slightly downwards.

 

 

But I nitpick.

 

He was on a national station.