Bruce Miles Chat, 05-21-03

[Bruce Miles]

The NYY will be in need of a RF next season (Mondesi leaving). Think Sammy might bolt for the pinstripes? (Assuming King George upps the ante for his services of course). He seems a bit disenchanted (possibly with gasp, "the media") with there being talk of his productivity being down, and that maybe he's on the downside of his career. Think there is anything to this, or is this just a case of Sammy being Sammy.

 

Sammy will be with the Cubs next year. The Yankees didn't take him when they had the chance, and now teams will indeed think of him as possibly being on the down side. The media have treated Sammy just fine here, and he has the Sun-Times in his hip pocket. This is all Sammy being Sammy.

 

Another.....

 

Will Alfonseca get the closer job back, or is it Borowski's job to lose at this point?

 

It's Joe's job for the foreseable future.

[Bruce Miles]

What is your take on the All-Star game format where the winning league will get home field advantage for the World Series? Also, do you think it is necessary to have every team represented at the All-Star game?

I don't think it's necessary for every team to be represented. The new format is OK with me. The World Series simply rotated from league to league in years past. Might as well try this.

[Bruce Miles]

It's me again.

 

Do you at this point in time have any idea who the Cubs are leaning towards or really desire in the June draft?

 

I don't know a name, but I would think a position player would be desirable, and if a good catcher is there, they might go that route.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Who do you think the Cubs will take in this year's draft?

 

Don't know who they'll take in the draft.

 

How much has the internet changed your job? How do you and your brethren percieve the internet sites like Baseball Prospectus and Baseball Primer? Basically how do you guys feel about the outsiders writing about baseball?

 

The more the merrier as far as who is writing about baseball. I learn from all of them. The advantage we have is that we can guage emotions and get immediate reactions from players.

 

3)Lowell and Castillo are very attractive options from this fan's vantage point. Has Hendry been on the phone with the fish?

 

Hendry is talking but nothing is on the table.

[Bruce Miles]

Bruce,

 

Have the Cubs even considered trying to upgrade a position less "obviously" needed to get the best TALENT in the lineup rather than the best available player at a position "easier" to fill (IE: 2B/3B vs LF)?

 

Yes, but I can't give you a specific example. I think they'd like to be as versatile as possible, but I'm not sure I'm getting the full meaning of the question.

[mlpeel]

Bruce has a game to go cover, so that's all he has time for right now; but he'll try to swing back in the near future to get to some more of these questions. You can submit followup questions over in the "Questions For Guests" forum while this one is locked. Tim and I will keep you posted if Bruce can make it again.

 

Thanks a million, Bruce, and hurry back!