Dusty Bad Managerial Moves Thread

[Wheelimus]

The thing with Dusty Baker is, he brings enough good to the table that it makes you just want to punch him in the nose even more.

 

If he had someone in his ear during the game who knew what to do in these situations, Dusty would all of a sudden become manager of the year legitimately. Think Larry Bird flanked by Rick Carlisle. But he doesn't, and since we know Dusty, he wouldn't listen even if he did. We need a motivator in the clubhouse to get the most out of the guys, and a general on the field who looks at every player as a bullet to shoot at his opponent until he drops. We have one, not the other....

 

Imagine if Dusty had, say, Ryne Sandberg sitting next to him as the bench coach, and would heed Sandberg's advice on in game decisions. Hell, imagine if he had any one of us there.....

[halplm]

Hendry has got to do something. He has got to get rid of Macias and Perez... I don't care who it means putting there, but they are going to get the PH ABs first EVERY SINGLE TIME until they are gone.

 

The sickening thing is, the whole team has the "it's early, wait until warm weather" excuse for at least a month... stupid stupid stupid...

 

IF we waste this year, it's just one less year where Wood/Prior/Z could have taken us all the way...

[JC]

The thing with Dusty Baker is, he brings enough good to the table that it makes you just want to punch him in the nose even more.

 

I think this point is open for debate. The "good" he brings to the table has taken huge hits from the turmoil of 2004 alone.

[goonys evil twin]

Nobody should be surprised that Dempster got rocked.

 

Dempster stinks. I could give a rodent's rear end about his "make-up" or "mentality" or whatever redeeming, intangible quality you want to throw at me. He has shown nothing that warrants a spot on this pitching staff anywhere.

 

 

I think last night's start was a perfect example of why he was an intriguing option out of the pen but a terrible option to be a starting pitcher. He was dominant for short bursts, but he just does not have the ability to consistently get people out 2-3 times through the order.

 

The funny thing is he could have a good outing next time and some people will say, "see, that's what we knew he was capable of all along". Well sure, with his talent he's capable of being good from time to time. But his history shows he will not be consistently good enough to be a starter. And as a starter, you can't merely be good every other game, then get lifted early having given up more runs than innings pitched. It kills the bullpen when you have guys going out there getting pulled in the 3rd and 4th. As much as people rag on Wood for not going 7-8 every game, at least he almost always goes 6+. He doesn't go 8 one day and 2 the next. Maddux and Dempster are both at risk of going back to back disaster starts, as evidenced by the last two days.

 

Put Dempster in the bullpen right now. Go with just about anybody else in the starting rotation. Make the switch now. Don't wait a month to see how he adjusts. The decision was wrong from the start. It was obvious.

[CuseCubFan69]

Nobody should be surprised that Dempster got rocked.

 

Dempster stinks. I could give a rodent's rear end about his "make-up" or "mentality" or whatever redeeming, intangible quality you want to throw at me. He has shown nothing that warrants a spot on this pitching staff anywhere.

 

 

I think last night's start was a perfect example of why he was an intriguing option out of the pen but a terrible option to be a starting pitcher. He was dominant for short bursts, but he just does not have the ability to consistently get people out 2-3 times through the order.

 

The funny thing is he could have a good outing next time and some people will say, "see, that's what we knew he was capable of all along". Well sure, with his talent he's capable of being good from time to time. But his history shows he will not be consistently good enough to be a starter. And as a starter, you can't merely be good every other game, then get lifted early having given up more runs than innings pitched. It kills the bullpen when you have guys going out there getting pulled in the 3rd and 4th. As much as people rag on Wood for not going 7-8 every game, at least he almost always goes 6+. He doesn't go 8 one day and 2 the next. Maddux and Dempster are both at risk of going back to back disaster starts, as evidenced by the last two days.

 

Put Dempster in the bullpen right now. Go with just about anybody else in the starting rotation. Make the switch now. Don't wait a month to see how he adjusts. The decision was wrong from the start. It was obvious.

 

I agree. Put Dempster in the Penster now.

[JC]

Nobody should be surprised that Dempster got rocked.

 

Dempster stinks. I could give a rodent's rear end about his "make-up" or "mentality" or whatever redeeming, intangible quality you want to throw at me. He has shown nothing that warrants a spot on this pitching staff anywhere.

 

I think last night's start was a perfect example of why he was an intriguing option out of the pen but a terrible option to be a starting pitcher. He was dominant for short bursts, but he just does not have the ability to consistently get people out 2-3 times through the order.

 

I'm not as intrigued. He has gotten lit up early all spring. At this point, even if relegated to the bullpen, I'm not particularly excited about it. But, it would be a better option than starting, without question.

[goonys evil twin]

I'm not as intrigued. He has gotten lit up early all spring.

 

Part of that may be due to him knowing he last to last later in the game, so he's holding back early. He was showing signs of being a decent reliever last year when he knew he was only going to be in for 3 batters at most. Now he has to hold back so he can throw 100 pitches instead of 15.

 

He may never do it, but he has a lot of similarities with the typical failed starter with good stuff who makes it as a reliever. I still can't believe they spent that much time and effort turning him into a reliever and convincing people he could be a good reliever, and then put him back in the spot he's always sucked at.

[CubinNY]

I'm not as intrigued. He has gotten lit up early all spring.

 

Part of that may be due to him knowing he last to last later in the game, so he's holding back early. He was showing signs of being a decent reliever last year when he knew he was only going to be in for 3 batters at most. Now he has to hold back so he can throw 100 pitches instead of 15.

 

He may never do it, but he has a lot of similarities with the typical failed starter with good stuff who makes it as a reliever. I still can't believe they spent that much time and effort turning him into a reliever and convincing people he could be a good reliever, and then put him back in the spot he's always sucked at.

 

The fifth starter spot could be a problem for a while. Remember Dusty let Estes stink in that role for an entire year.

 

I also agree Dempster good be a good middle inning/set up guy. That is two in a row, goony.

[erik316wttn]

Hendry has got to do something. He has got to get rid of Macias and Perez... I don't care who it means putting there, but they are going to get the PH ABs first EVERY SINGLE TIME until they are gone.

 

The sickening thing is, the whole team has the "it's early, wait until warm weather" excuse for at least a month... stupid stupid stupid...

 

IF we waste this year, it's just one less year where Wood/Prior/Z could have taken us all the way...

 

We will never reach the promised land with Dusty Baker as our manager.

 

Never.

[erik316wttn]

Hendry has got to do something. He has got to get rid of Macias and Perez... I don't care who it means putting there, but they are going to get the PH ABs first EVERY SINGLE TIME until they are gone.

 

The sickening thing is, the whole team has the "it's early, wait until warm weather" excuse for at least a month... stupid stupid stupid...

 

IF we waste this year, it's just one less year where Wood/Prior/Z could have taken us all the way...

 

Hendry has to know that the dipwad he has running this team has no clue what he's doing. He has got to get rid of those guys, because that's the only way Dusty will stop using them.

[goonys evil twin]

Hendry has got to do something. He has got to get rid of Macias and Perez... I don't care who it means putting there, but they are going to get the PH ABs first EVERY SINGLE TIME until they are gone.

 

The sickening thing is, the whole team has the "it's early, wait until warm weather" excuse for at least a month... stupid stupid stupid...

 

IF we waste this year, it's just one less year where Wood/Prior/Z could have taken us all the way...

 

Hendry has to know that the dipwad he has running this team has no clue what he's doing. He has got to get rid of those guys, because that's the only way Dusty will stop using them.

 

The problem is Hendry apparantly likes Macias and Neifi. He traded for Jose. He gave him 2 raises. He could have replaced him, but he didn't.

[gflore34]

I'm not as intrigued. He has gotten lit up early all spring.

 

Part of that may be due to him knowing he last to last later in the game, so he's holding back early. He was showing signs of being a decent reliever last year when he knew he was only going to be in for 3 batters at most. Now he has to hold back so he can throw 100 pitches instead of 15.

 

He may never do it, but he has a lot of similarities with the typical failed starter with good stuff who makes it as a reliever. I still can't believe they spent that much time and effort turning him into a reliever and convincing people he could be a good reliever, and then put him back in the spot he's always sucked at.

 

The fifth starter spot could be a problem for a while. Remember Dusty let Estes stink in that role for an entire year.

 

I also agree Dempster good be a good middle inning/set up guy. That is two in a row, goony.

 

I believe Estes was taken down for a few starts nevertheless, how many starts are they going to give Dempster before they realize its a failed experiment? 2? 5? 10? When Dempster starts the Cubs might as well spot the opposition 5 runs, many of us seem to know a Dempster start means the Cubs will down by 5 or more runs within 4 innings. The unfortunate aspect is neither Baker nor Hendry seem to know this...

[soapy]

Hendry has got to do something. He has got to get rid of Macias and Perez... I don't care who it means putting there, but they are going to get the PH ABs first EVERY SINGLE TIME until they are gone.

 

The sickening thing is, the whole team has the "it's early, wait until warm weather" excuse for at least a month... stupid stupid stupid...

 

IF we waste this year, it's just one less year where Wood/Prior/Z could have taken us all the way...

 

Hendry has to know that the dipwad he has running this team has no clue what he's doing. He has got to get rid of those guys, because that's the only way Dusty will stop using them.

 

The problem is Hendry apparantly likes Macias and Neifi. He traded for Jose. He gave him 2 raises. He could have replaced him, but he didn't.

 

Agreed. I know there is a lot of clamoring for Grieve to be called up so that Macias can be sent down/released/whatever. I don't think that will happen. I think that if/when Grieve gets called up, you can say goodbye to Dubois (that just made me sick typing it).

 

Also, no way is Perez is going anywhere. I think he's the only bench guy capable of playing SS on the roster right now.

[BadKermit]

Heck, consider stretching Welly out. I'd rather see him or Leceister try their hands at ML starting than the $2M mistake that is Ryan "Crazy Man" Dempster.

Leicester looks enough like Dempster that they might just need to switch jerseys to get Ice some starts.

[dime]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

macias, I would not miss. I don't know why hairston is not getting PAs.

[goonys evil twin]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

Neifi is alright as a backup shortstop. Just as long as he doesn't have to start, they can win with him on the team. But there's no reason why he's the 2nd bat off the bench.

 

The Cubs have 3-4 "25th men" yet they seem to want to use them all the time.

[CuseCubFan69]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

Neifi is alright as a backup shortstop. Just as long as he doesn't have to start, they can win with him on the team. But there's no reason why he's the 2nd bat off the bench.

 

The Cubs have 3-4 "25th men" yet they seem to want to use them all the time.

 

That reminds me of a scene in the movie Parent Hood" when Clint Howard was yelling "No reason" when Steve Martins son was out there playing second base and dropped a fly ball.

 

IMO, Blanco and Perez have to be the worst hitters and having a Macias is just making this whole pinch hit thing askew. Call Grieve up now and give Macias his walking papers.

[AI]

IMO, Blanco and Perez have to be the worst hitters and having a Macias is just making this whole pinch hit thing askew. Call Grieve up now and give Macias his walking papers.

 

Let me preface this by saying that I am all for doing whatever it takes to send the Gremlin back to the pet shop. If we bring up Grieve, who can play third in the event that something happens to ARam? Can Neifi or Hairston play 3rd? I know Hairston took some ground balls there in ST, but is that enough? Damn you Hendry for putting us in this position with your Macias infatuation.

[JC]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

Neifi is alright as a backup shortstop. Just as long as he doesn't have to start, they can win with him on the team. But there's no reason why he's the 2nd bat off the bench.

 

The Cubs have 3-4 "25th men" yet they seem to want to use them all the time.

 

That reminds me of a scene in the movie Parent Hood" when Clint Howard was yelling "No reason" when Steve Martins son was out there playing second base and dropped a fly ball.

 

IMO, Blanco and Perez have to be the worst hitters and having a Macias is just making this whole pinch hit thing askew. Call Grieve up now and give Macias his walking papers.

 

The "problem" with letting Macias go is that there is nobody to handle 3B to spell ARam. Neifi has appeared at 3B on 6 occassions in the majors, compiling 1 error in 4 chances. Hairston has played exactly 3 ML innings at 3B. Barrett has the most experience, but that leaves the catching corps thin and Blanco getting additional ABs. Thus, my preference was to keep Hansen. He has a better bat than Macias and plays 3B. Of course, I'd have gone with an 11 man pitching staff allowing for additional revisions to the roster, but thats just me.

[CuseCubFan69]

IMO, Blanco and Perez have to be the worst hitters and having a Macias is just making this whole pinch hit thing askew. Call Grieve up now and give Macias his walking papers.

 

Let me preface this by saying that I am all for doing whatever it takes to send the Gremlin back to the pet shop. If we bring up Grieve, who can play third in the event that something happens to ARam? Can Neifi or Hairston play 3rd? I know Hairston took some ground balls there in ST, but is that enough? Damn you Hendry for putting us in this position with your Macias infatuation.

 

I don't think that the Gremlin is a defensive wizard over there either SCCF. I'd like to see Hairston get a shot to play there and add some AB's. I really wanted Hendry to aquire a lefty 1st-3rd guy this off season but that didn't happen.

[Wheelimus]

Neifi is fine for the bench, if used correctly. Have a blowout either way, and want to give Nomar a couple innings off? Neifi is great. Nomar need to be spelled a day, and you're facing a weak team? Neifi is great. Bottom of the 9th, Nomar just batted last inning, and you're up 1 run, and are thinking about putting a gold glove caliber guy in for defense? Neifi is great.

 

What Neifi isn't, is a primary left handed bat off of the bench. You should only be bringing Neifi up to pinch hit when everyone on your bench other than Blanco has already hit...

[frostwyrm]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

macias, I would not miss. I don't know why hairston is not getting PAs.

 

Neifi has value, but it is confined strictly to his defense. The problem is Dusty considers Neifi an OFFENSIVE asset because of his ability to bat left-handed, and Macias too. Dusty will play the L/R matchup every time. With our current roster that means an opposing manager can insert a righty reliever whenever our pitcher's spot in the batting order comes up and Dusty will always PH with Macias and Neifi. Competent managers will exploit this weakness all year. Only an extraordinarily stupid opponent would put in a lefty reliever to face Dubois/Hairston when the alternative is a righty vs. Macias/Neifi. Most closers are righties, so I expect to see the Cubs give up some easy saves, as in game 2 of this season.

[soapy]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

macias, I would not miss. I don't know why hairston is not getting PAs.

 

Neifi has value, but it is confined strictly to his defense. The problem is Dusty considers Neifi an OFFENSIVE asset because of his ability to bat left-handed, and Macias too. Dusty will play the L/R matchup every time. With our current roster that means an opposing manager can insert a righty reliever whenever our pitcher's spot in the batting order comes up and Dusty will always PH with Macias and Neifi. Competent managers will exploit this weakness all year. Only an extraordinarily stupid opponent would put in a lefty reliever to face Dubois/Hairston when the alternative is a righty vs. Macias/Neifi. Most closers are righties, so I expect to see the Cubs give up some easy saves, as in game 2 of this season.

 

But Macias and Neifi are switch-hitters. Won't matter. They'll get to hit either way.

[BigbadB]

3 year splits against right handed pitchers:

 

Neifi Perez: .249/.279/.592

Jose Macias: .251/.294/.668

Hairston Jr.: .279/.359/.748

Dubois: .267/.313/.913

 

Obviously, Dusty knows what he's doing. :roll:

[frostwyrm]

neifi has value. the cubs could do worse for a backup shortstop.

 

macias, I would not miss. I don't know why hairston is not getting PAs.

 

Neifi has value, but it is confined strictly to his defense. The problem is Dusty considers Neifi an OFFENSIVE asset because of his ability to bat left-handed, and Macias too. Dusty will play the L/R matchup every time. With our current roster that means an opposing manager can insert a righty reliever whenever our pitcher's spot in the batting order comes up and Dusty will always PH with Macias and Neifi. Competent managers will exploit this weakness all year. Only an extraordinarily stupid opponent would put in a lefty reliever to face Dubois/Hairston when the alternative is a righty vs. Macias/Neifi. Most closers are righties, so I expect to see the Cubs give up some easy saves, as in game 2 of this season.

 

But Macias and Neifi are switch-hitters. Won't matter. They'll get to hit either way.

 

No, when the situation call for a righty bat I am sure Dusty will use a PH who can ONLY bat right-handed whenever possible. Unnecessarily using Macias or Neifi vs a lefty pitcher would be a waste of one of our only two lefty hitters on the bench.