Bruce Miles Chat, 04-21-04

[mlpeel]

Northside Baseball welcomes Bruce Miles, who's taking an hour or so before tonight's game in Pittsburgh to answer questions. Bruce covers the Cubs for "The Daily Herald"; he also contributes articles to the Cubs' official publication, "VineLine". Bruce has been covering the Cubs for more than a decade; he knows the players and the front office folks. You're up, Bruce!

[Tim]

Other then the obvious (like Orlando Cabrera), are there really any viable alternatives to upgrade at shortstop come the trading deadline this year?

[Tim]

Bruce-

 

It's early, but Hee Seop Choi is tearing it up down in Florida, and he's much less expensive than Derrek Lee. Is there any reason to think that the Cubs gave up on him too quickly? Was this another of the famous "Dusty won't play the kids?"

[Tim]

Jim Hendry has been very reluctant to trade top prospects in the minors, but seemingly had a short leash with Choi, Cruz, and Hill without given them a full-time starting job. I know the last 2 managers have been criticized for being "veteran-friendly", so do you think those trades had more to do with the Cubs giving up on those players who admittedly had down years or have those trades been influnced by the respective managers?

[Tim]

If Mitre struggles (so far so good) with Guzman and Prior still out who is next in line to recieve a rotation spot?

[Tim]

Much has been said of Borowski's drop in velocity. So my question is simple, what is thought to be the cause of the sudden drop-off from last years level.

[Tim]

Is Dusty Baker really set with Corey Patterson as his number 2 hitter? Is there any chance he'd move him out of that spot, and, if so, whom would he put there?

[Tim]

Bruce,

 

You are just hired to be the GM on May 1st 2004 for the Chicago Cubs. What would be the first 3 things you would do to improve the team.

[Tim]

Last year Lofton gave the Cubs a different look in the leadoff spot with his speed and OBP. In 05 will Hendry focus on trying to sign or acquire a true leadoff hitter as a major priority?

[Tim]

there's been a little talk of clement being dealt for an arm at the deadline. between need for arms and excess system shortstops among contenders, my targets if i were gm would be anaheim, kansas city and texas (at least if you count them as contenders or near-term contenders). do you see this as a possibility, and if so, what positions/teams etc. do you think might be targeted?

 

seattlecub

[Tim]

Bruce,

In the off season, was there much talk off getting rid of the shortest, worst third base coach in the majors, Wendell Kim? I heard some rumblings, but they were quickly quelled. Do you have any additional insight? In that same vein, while loyalty is often perceived as good, do you see Dusty's loyalty to some coaches (Kim, Sarge, etc.) and players (Lenny Harris, Eric Karros, Alf, etc.) as a character flaw/hinderance?

[Tim]

Bruce,

 

Do you think the Cubs regret in any way not making more of an effort to convince Kaz Matsui that Chicago was as good a destination as NY, LA or Seattle were, ala Theo Epstein reversing Schilling's anti-Boston sentiment? Or are they comfortable with possibly being stuck with Gonzalez not only this year, but the next couple as well?

 

 

Last year the Cubs went pretty heavy after catchers in the draft. A couple seasons ago they were all over athletic middle infielders. With no first rounder, do you see them focusing on a specific position this June, and which position would that be? OF, potential leadoff guys, college relievers who could progress quickly but might not have a ton of upside, more middle infielders?

[Tim]

Looks like I beat everyone to this question. Why on earth would Dusty send Zambrano back to the mound in the 8th inning with a wet infield and a 9-1 lead after already throwing 96 pitches? Is there any way to justify this? I don't mean to seem picky (especially right after a nice and easy "W"), but with 7 guys in the bullpen, I just don't see any reason to keep him in the game.

[Tim]

Bruce, thanks so much for stopping by.

 

Since the start of last season, the Cubs have smashed all the old underestimations of their fan base's scope - TV ratings, ticket sales and merchandising are all through the roof. In particular, the '03 playoff TV numbers and this year's ticket sales were/are flat-out phenomenal.

 

How much has the Tribune's perception of the value of their unique "asset" changed since the start of last season?

Edited April 21, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Reading your responses to the Gonzalez question, since you don't expect the Cubs to bring back Alex, do you see them getting an SS at the deadline? If not, who do you see them pursuing this offseason?

Edited April 21, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

Many jokes have been made (at least on this board) about Baker's "clogging the bases" theory on walks, yet one of the main pitching woes that the Cubs have experienced early on this season is getting beat with walks. In the last few games, it seems like there has been a definite trend toward working the count, and it seems to have paid off. Was Baker just defending his "free-swinging" guys, or do you think he genuinely believes that walks are bad?

Edited April 21, 2004 by Tim

[Tim]

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[Tim]

Have you seen or heard from someone who has seen Ben Christiansen in action this year? Is he (once again) a possibility to see sometime in the next year or so at the Friendly Confines?

[Tim]

Any idea of the plan for Mark Prior when he returns? Will he do rehab in the minors and/or be on a strict pitch count when he rejoins the rotation? How worried are the Cubs about his longterm health?

[Tim]

As a baseball insider, despite the "Hush Order" mandated from the Commissioner, do you get the sense that baseball is worried about the steroid issue or that it simply hopes it will again blow over? As an avid fan, this issue truly shakes my faith in the game, and while there are those who believe that it doesn't matter if guys are juicing, I think the vast majority of fans are outraged, or at least distressed, by players' (i.e. Fehr's) responses to this issue. Where do most Cubs fall on this issue, if you know.

[Tim]

The Cubs have made great strides as an organization with the development of the farm system, the promotion of Jim Hendry as GM, and the hiring of Dusty Baker. We have a great chance at being competitive for the next 3 to 5 years. We have made wise and economical moves to this point (other then the Maddux splurge), but haven’t really targeted top of the line free agents. Are the Tribsters really committed to winning, or are they just willing to continue to spend a percentage of the revenues (albeit increasing)?

[Tim]

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