Bruce Miles Chat, 05-21-03

[mlpeel]

Northside Baseball welcomes Bruce Miles, who's being kind enough to stop by to answer questions from our posters. Bruce covers the Cubs for "The Sporting News" and "The Daily Herald"; he also contributes articles to the Cubs' official publication, "VineLine". Bruce has been writing about baseball since 1989; he's in his sixth year full-time on the Cubs beat and has covered the team at least part-time since 1993. Without more ado, take it away, Bruce! Edited June 12, 2003 by mlpeel

[Bruce Miles]

Here is my question and I guess a little background to go with it.

 

Awhile back some reporter approached Derek Lowe and tried to explain Voros' DIPS theory to him, incorrectly I might add. Derek did not treat the theory kindly. So my questions are these:

 

Does it appear that any players, management, or front office subscribe to the current sabremetric theories? Do they have a resident stat-head like other teams? Finally if they are aware of them what do they think of them?

 

Front offices are slow to change. Some have stat-oriented people and some don't. I know that Bill James' presence in Boston has been met with some derision. One thing some baseball people say is that the stat people don't take into account the human element.

[Bruce Miles]

Here's a question for Bruce....

 

There has been much speculation in the media about the Cubs trying to acquire a 3B. Lowell and Hillebrand's names have been mentioned quite frequently, and the bait mentioned has been Juan Cruz. One thing about rumors is generally they tend not to materialize. But these rumors keep coming up. Do believe there is any validity to them? Who might be dangled as the bait?

 

Also, how do the Cubs feel about Kelton? Could he be a possibility later this season in lieu of a trade for a 3B? Thanks.

 

The Cubs will definitely talk to Florida. Right now, there is nothing concrete on the table. The Marlins feel McKeon may be able to get them turned around, so they may wait on a trade. We may see Kelton in September. The Cubs would like to get him as much time in Triple-A as possible.

[Bruce Miles]

Everybody seems excited about the change in manager to Dusty Baker.

 

Can you give us some specific examples of how his style of managing differs from our past Cubs managers?

 

I'm curious as to what sort of effect Baker has had on guys like Farnsworth, Choi, and Sosa.

 

Baker communicates daily with players. If he's going to make a change in the lineup, he'll tell the player a day ahead of time. I didn't see this in the past. He also won't "bury" a player in the media. He may want to light a fire under somebody now and then, but by and large, he keeps it positive. From being in the clubhouse every day, I can tell you players do respond to him.

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the chat Mr Miles.

 

There is alot of Buzz around the boards and in certain circles that the Cubs will be making a deal with Florida at some point this season, as a previous person has asked already. But I'd like to change the focus of the question a bit as well as ask a second overall question about next year.

 

While Grudz has done an adequate job at both leadoff and secondbase is there any interest on the Cubs behalf of perhaps working a deal to obtain both Lowell and Castillo? Is there any interest in Castillo at all? If the Cubs did trade for Castillo would they be able to extend him, or would they want to? And finally would it have to cost us Cruz to land either or both? I personally don't think it would and pray it wouldn't as I love his arm.

 

I personally would like Lowell and Castillo and feel they would put us over the top as we'd have a true leadoff hitter, another proven RBI man and our team defense would be improved overall. But i have to admit I'd be less willing to do it myself if it cost us Cruz.

 

Last question. Is there any chance the Cubs will pursue Kazou Matsui from Japan at shortstop this offseason?

 

Thank you for your time to answer our questions.

There is interest in both players, but the Cubs will be careful about what they give up, especially if they think Kelton and Hill are indeed their future. The Marlins may not move Lowell at all. Yes, the Cubs would have to extend Castillo if they were to get him. Talks haven't proceeded that far yet.

[Bruce Miles]

Not only has Karros started over Choi against most left-handers, he's started against a few righties lately too. Do you think this is impeding Choi's development any?

I like the way Baker has handled this. Choi is getting plenty of playing time. Remember, he's a rookie and he will struggle at times. Karros is on the roster, so he needs to play, especially if something, God forbid, happens to Choi. Choi's development has not been hurt at all.

[Bruce Miles]

Mr. Miles,

 

If you were on a deserted island, which Cub wife would you want to be alone on the island with and why? Mary Ann doesn't count!

 

In case my first question doesn't make the cut:

 

Mr. Miles,

 

Do you feel that the Cubs would increase payroll to 90-100 million to try to make a push for the World Series this year or next? If so, how would they spend the money? Thank you.

I'm married, so I disqualify myself from the first question. LOL.

I don't know about 90-100 million, but Hendry has the authority to add what he needs if the Cubs are in the race.

(I liked Mary Ann, by the way.)

[Bruce Miles]

Mr Miles

The Cubs seem to have a lot of players that will be rule V eligible after this season. How do you think they will approach this? Will they actively seek trades to get a better return than just 50K? Will they protect as much of the essential ones as possible and see what happens with the rest? Did what happened with Dubois change their thinking on this?

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.

 

You're quite welcome for the answers. It's my pleasure.

 

I do think with the depth in the system, the Cubs will try to trade some of the Rule V eligible guys. They'll protect, as you said, as many as possible and take their chances. I do believe Dubois and how well he's done this year affects their thinking.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Thanks for doing the chat.

 

Everyone talks about the improved attitude of the team with Dusty at the helm and how much better the chemistry is this season. My question for you is that in your time covering baseball, does winning create good chemistry or does good chemistry create winning?

 

Thanks!

 

Yes and yes, Tim. Good players create winning first of all. Winning will take care of a lot of chemistry problems. The 1998 and 2001 clubs had good chemistry from the beginning and that helped both have winning seasons. Last year, the chemistry was lousy from Day 1. Couple that with poor performances and you have a miserable year.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Any idea what kind of player the Cubs might get from the Rangers for Alan Benes, i.e., a minor leaguer or a major leaguer? Does this depend on Benes's performance at all?

 

Yes, it does depend on how Benes does. In fact, Alan Benes could conceivably be the player to be named later. I look for it to be a minor leaguer.

 

 

1)Have Baker and Rothschild addressed the poor defensive efforts of our pitching staff thus far this season? Z has just made another horrible play as we speak

 

I know the pitching defense has been bad. I chalk it up to "one of those things," as silly as that sounds. I don't think it's reflective of any deeper problems. The errors have just happend in a bunch. They will, however work on more PFPs.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Do you think the Cubs will pick up Matt Clement's option for 2004, and/or do you think they'll look to deal him, and replace him in the rotation with Juan Cruz?

 

Thanks,

HoopsCubs

 

Good to hear from Hoops. Too early to tell at this point. My guess is they'll pick up his option. But a lot can happen.

[Bruce Miles]

The last two games at St. L. have been decided by fielding miscues by our pitchers. While I can't be specific, I believe that we have lost several other games because of other pitcher's errors (collectively they have either 11 or 12). In addition, on a number of occasions, runners have gotten on base or advanced a base because the pitcher has been late covering first or stood idly by rather than backing up the play. Don't the coaches have any drills or sessions with the pitchers about their role after they throw the ball? :cry:

 

They do PFP as often as they can. I look for this area to get better.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Any possible update on how the contract talks are going with Kerry Wood? When he signed the 1yr deal for just over 6, all the media outlets mentioned a long-term deal that was 3yrs at around 8mil per. Also, how slim are the chances of Cubs of doing likewise w/Clement?

 

PS. Thank you for answering the various questions.

 

Talks are going, but slowly. It might even take into the winter. Wood can't become a free agent until after 2004. Clement's situation will wait, too.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

This one from a friend of mine here in Kansas City.

 

How real was the preseason deal between Kansas City and the Cubs for Joe Randa and who was supposedly involved in the deal going to Kansas City? Glass has said he Blocked the deal at the last minute (so to speak) but he doesn't have a reputation as a straight shooter in these parts.

 

 

This was almost a done deal, with the Cubs all set to head to the podium in Nashville to announce it. The KC owner really undermined his GM.

[Bruce Miles]

What players are being advertized for a trade, and which Cubs have been mentioned by other GMs and GM-types in trade talks? I'd like to know what other teams covet from our team.

 

You can bet on Cruz, Farnsworth, Hill, Beltran being highly coveted. Other minor leaguers such as Krawiec and some of last years draftees also will draw interest.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Any thoughts on the Wood negotiation as to how long the Cubs would like to lock him up vs. the risk of long-term injury? Is he set on testing the market? Think he'll end up signing for under $10m-12m? Will his contract be driven by what Colon and Millwood receive this year?

 

Cubs would probably like to do three or four years.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Of all the free agent signings last offseason the one that has me confused is the re-signing of Antonio Alfonseca.What was the thought process behind this move?Was he really the best player available,or was Jim Hendry convinced he could turn things around?

 

Thank You

 

Hendry indeed thought Alf could turn things around, and he might. Overall, he has not thrown the ball badly, but I would still leave Borowski in there. When Alf lost weight and got himself into shape, I think the Cubs were convinced he could close. Jury is still out.

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for doing the chat Bruce.

 

A couple of questions:

 

1) Do you feel that the Cubs farm system has too much hyped or there is a general concensus around the league that it is in the top 5?

If anybody's done the hyping, it hasn't been the Cubs. Hendry has been careful about that. The system is highly regarded among baseball types. It could probably use some more position players, though, and some catchers.

[Bruce Miles]

Thanks for the time, Bruce.

 

We keep hearing how day baseball could be a big reason for the Cubs' futility. As a beat writer, does day baseball fit your schedule better or is night baseball better for you?

Night games allow me to get a lot of stuff done around the house early in the day. I get to the park about 2:30 on night-game days, and some players are already there. With night games, there is much more time for players to take extra batting practice and fielding practice. I like my schedule the way it is. Night games on the road and mostly day games at home. If the Cubs wanted to go to 30 home night games, that would be fine with me, too.

[Bruce Miles]

One more question from the Borgster.

 

If Eric Karros continues to hit under .200 with runners on base and continues hitting into double plays about 14% of the time with runners on base, how long will Baker stay with the platoon? Granted Karros's initial numbers look good at .328/.419/.516 through Sunday's game. However he has 4 RBI's with 3 homeruns despite having 38 PA's with runners on base and 20 PA's with runners in scoring position. Five of the 38 times he's come to the plate with runners on have been double plays. Karros's numbers with runners in scoring position are .000/.350/.000 with 1 RBI in 20 PA's (and that was on a bases loaded walk) don't improve dramatically over the next 40 games or so how he can stay in a platoon.

 

Sorry for being so wordy on this one but Karros has been horrible with men on base through the first 1/4 of the season despite having a reasonable number of chances, Choi has 21 RBI's in 38PA's with runners in scoring position for comparison purposes where he hits .200/.500/.520 and with runners on base he's at .275/.500/.625 while Karros is at .179/.361/.179 with runners on base. sorry I'm rambling again.

 

Thanks again for your time.

Actually, it's not a straight platoon. Choi gets most of the playing time. If things continue the way they are statistically, Choi will play more and more. Contrary to what a lot of people say and post, Baker really does like Choi and he does want to do what's best for the kid.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Do you think the Cubs will be in the market for one of the big name shortstops in the offseason? In particular, do you think they might make a run at Kaz Matsui?

 

If so, do you think they'd try to trade AGon or slide him to 2B or 3B?

 

Gonzalez is signed for another year, so that makes me doubt they'd sign Tejada or anybody else. They'll look into Matsui.

 

Please contrast the GM styles of Andy and Jim. Can you tell us which is more aggressive or if Jim's relative inexperience is a factor?

 

Hendry is much more aggressive than MacPhail. He's not all that "inexperienced." Andy had him doing a lot of the GM duties while he was the assistant. I think Hendry is up to speed on all facets of the job.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

What kind of off season training do the Cubs coaches have the young players in the system go through? Also along the same note, how about the current men on the 25, do they do any do any kind of streatching or after game workouts to prevent injury?

 

Thanks Bruce.

Some players who live in Arizona take advantage of the facilities there in winter. Others get prescribed programs from the trainer to do on their own at home. Some players, those with lots of money, can hire personal trainers for off-season work. I'm not sure what the Cubs do with their minor-leaguers, but I can check. The weight room is a busy place even after games. Players may lift weights or do cario work.

[Bruce Miles]

2)What is the timeline for bringing Kelton up to the big club, and how much playing time does he project to have while up the first time?

 

I would project late summer or even September for Kelton. He can hit big-league pitching. The Cubs want him to play and play well at one place for most of the year. They'd like him to regain his confidence in the field, which I hear he is doing. A lot also will depend on if the Cubs trade for a 3B. If Kelton comes up, I'm sure he'd share time with somebody.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Do Karros and Alou have any sort of no-trade clauses? Would a team take Alou (and his remaining salary) in trade if the Cubs had an alternative OF in mind?

Karros has a no-trade. A team would have to decide if they want to pay Alou for next year, because he'd exercise a lucrative option. I look for him to stay here.

[Bruce Miles]

2) What is the real scoop in the divorce between Leon Lee and the Cubs? I have not heard any impending signings from the Pacific Rim since they parted. Will this hurt the Cubs future in signing other Chois and Ryus?

I don't know the whole story, but part of Leon's duties with the Cubs was to sell players to Japan. I don't think the Cubs did well in this area. Leon also might have wanted to coach hitting, and the Japan team was a good opportunity for him. I think the Cubs have a pretty good reputation in South Korea.