Baker Forcing a Trade??

[PackLandVA]

I know most of you wouldn't give Baker this much credit......but could he have a reason for batting CPatt first even though the guy is completely struggling each and every at bat? Could Dusty be forcing Jim Hendry's hand into making a trade for a "real" leadoff hitter? I mean, it's one thing to not be hitting. it's another to not even be making contact. It's almost sad to watch the guy be forced into the leadoff role. I know there are better options, like Walker or Cedeno or JHJ, but maybe, just maybe Baker is gonna push CPatt there until a trade is made.

[UMFan83]

Could be. I missed the question during today's postgame, but I heard a response from Baker that was: "Until we get a full-time leadoff hitter"

[UMFan83]

Adding to the 1-2 problem, here is a list of situations Derrek Lee has come up in the last 4 games. See a problem here.

 

(These are in reverse order)

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 1 0UT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 2 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 0 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 1 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think that we'll have acquired a lead-off hitter by the middle of July. I think Baker made his comments knowing that is priority number one on Hendry's to-do list.

 

I think Patterson was given a shot. It was like trying Dempster at closer. If it works, one less piece you need to acquire. Dempster worked out; Patterson didn't. Now it is clear that we don't have a lead-off hitter on this team....unless it is Jerry Jr. My next move would be to bench Patterson over the next seven games and let Hairston try CF. I've stated over and over that I don't think his defense is good enough. I still believe that, but if I'm proven wrong, then once again...one less piece you have to acquire.

 

I don't know if that is what Baker has in mind, but it is definitely worth a shot.

[imb]

Adding to the 1-2 problem, here is a list of situations Derrek Lee has come up in the last 4 games. See a problem here.

 

(These are in reverse order)

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 1 0UT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 2 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 0 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 1 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

 

Hahah, all of them are 0 or 2 out except two. That means in all those at-bats, Corey and Neifi made the first two outs in the inning 5 times, and that Neifi made the last out in the inning before 9 times.

[Electron Blue]

Adding to the 1-2 problem, here is a list of situations Derrek Lee has come up in the last 4 games. See a problem here.

 

(These are in reverse order)

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 1 0UT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 2 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 1 ON, 0 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 1 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

 

AB 1 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

AB 2 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 3 - 0 ON, 0 OUT

AB 4 - 0 ON, 2 OUT

 

Hahah, all of them are 0 or 2 out except two. That means in all those at-bats, Corey and Neifi made the first two outs in the inning 5 times, and that Neifi made the last out in the inning before 9 times.

 

Nice analysis IMB. Sad.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I know most of you wouldn't give Baker this much credit......but could he have a reason for batting CPatt first even though the guy is completely struggling each and every at bat? Could Dusty be forcing Jim Hendry's hand into making a trade for a "real" leadoff hitter? I mean, it's one thing to not be hitting. it's another to not even be making contact. It's almost sad to watch the guy be forced into the leadoff role. I know there are better options, like Walker or Cedeno or JHJ, but maybe, just maybe Baker is gonna push CPatt there until a trade is made.

 

If this were true, Dusty should be fired for attempting to sabotage the team's chances at success and trying to ruin a player.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think that we'll have acquired a lead-off hitter by the middle of July. I think Baker made his comments knowing that is priority number one on Hendry's to-do list.

 

Now the REAL question is, would it be too late?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I think that we'll have acquired a lead-off hitter by the middle of July. I think Baker made his comments knowing that is priority number one on Hendry's to-do list.

 

Now the REAL question is, would it be too late?

 

I don't know, but regardless of how impatient we get, you can't force these things. You can't make the other team trade when they aren't ready. We've all heard it, but it takes two to trade.

[frostwyrm]

I think Dusty does what he sincerely believes will help the team win. Unfortunately he's not very bright and often stubbornly refuses to pull the plug on his failed experiments.

[Jon]

I doubt either Hendry or Dusty make decisions without at the minimum the other's input.

[CUBZ99]

I think Dusty does what he sincerely believes will help the team win. Unfortunately he's not very bright and often stubbornly refuses to pull the plug on his failed experiments.

 

 

That is the understatement of the year. Dusty has been in baseball long enough to know that you don't put your worst hitters at the 1 and 2 spot in the order. Supposedly he is planning on keeping Neifi at leadoff or second. That is just stupidity. I like Neifi and think he should be out there every day but common sense would tell you he shouldn't be batting higher than 7th or 8th in the order.

[KW34]

I think Dusty does what he sincerely believes will help the team win. Unfortunately he's not very bright and often stubbornly refuses to pull the plug on his failed experiments.

 

 

That is the understatement of the year. Dusty has been in baseball long enough to know that you don't put your worst hitters at the 1 and 2 spot in the order. Supposedly he is planning on keeping Neifi at leadoff or second. That is just stupidity. I like Neifi and think he should be out there every day but common sense would tell you he shouldn't be batting higher than 7th or 8th in the order.

 

And exactly how would one know whether or not Dusty is very bright? Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't make them stupid. Furthermore, an individual decision may indeed be "stupid" without it making the decision maker "stupid".

[biittner77]

I don't believe Baker is too stupid to realize that Patterson and Perez are struggling. What Baker is doing is letting two veteran players try to hit their way out of prolonged slumps.

 

From Baker's standpoint he doesn't have much choice. If he bats Walker 1 or 2 the back end of the lineup is pretty bad. If he benched Patterson he'd have to play Hairston whom he doesn't seem to like very much.

 

The idea that Baker would throw Patterson out there to illustrate how much he needs a leadoff hitter seems far fetched. Hendry could rightly point out that Baker could play Hairston in CF and Cedeno at SS if he doesn't like his current starters.

[MembersOnlyJacket]

How does Dusty think Hendry will acquire this great leadoff hitter ? Unless it's Hendry calling up Matt Lawton from the Pirates to play LF and hit 1st or 2nd with Walker, I don't see it.

 

There are few canidates who fit the profile:

 

Clark, OF, .383 OBP

Lawton, OF, .380 OBP

 

Inge, OF/3B, .382 OBP

 

Other than that, it has to be Hairston, Walker.

[CubfaninCA]

If Baker's doing this, he should be fired cause he's essentially throwing games. He should have Hairston and Walker batting 1-2. It's beyond ridiculous.

[CUBZ99]

I think Dusty does what he sincerely believes will help the team win. Unfortunately he's not very bright and often stubbornly refuses to pull the plug on his failed experiments.

 

 

That is the understatement of the year. Dusty has been in baseball long enough to know that you don't put your worst hitters at the 1 and 2 spot in the order. Supposedly he is planning on keeping Neifi at leadoff or second. That is just stupidity. I like Neifi and think he should be out there every day but common sense would tell you he shouldn't be batting higher than 7th or 8th in the order.

 

And exactly how would one know whether or not Dusty is very bright? Just because someone disagrees with you doesn't make them stupid. Furthermore, an individual decision may indeed be "stupid" without it making the decision maker "stupid".

 

To repeatedly make the same decision, which flies in the face of all logical reasoning is stupid, or more aptly ignorance. Dusty has continued to make horrible decisions this year regarding the lineup. Nobody, with any common sense inserts their two worst OBP guys on the team, who at the time were struggling mightly, into the first two spots in the lineup.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

I think having Corey and Neifi hit 1-2 is stupid and I'm a Dusty Buster, but I think it's over the top to say he's not very bright.

[dime]

Baker had to hit patterson leadoff after corey asked him; it was the first sign of any initiative that patterson has shown in his career...baker couldn't have rebuffed him -- what if the light had gone on for corey?

[CUBZ99]

I think having Corey and Neifi hit 1-2 is stupid and I'm a Dusty Buster, but I think it's over the top to say he's not very bright.

 

Based upon his moves and comments I think it is a fair assement to say he is not very bright. You may have a different assessment as to bright or not bright, which is fair. In my book, anyone who repeatedly does something that is clearly not working is not bright.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Baker had to hit patterson leadoff after corey asked him; it was the first sign of any initiative that patterson has shown in his career...baker couldn't have rebuffed him -- what if the light had gone on for corey?

 

Todd Walker's comments make it seem like Corey was asked to leadoff again, not that Corey asked to do it.

[gflore34]

I believe the next experiment is going to be what we saw today - Hairston, Walker in the 1 and 2 spots. Yes, Walker went 0 for 6 today but, Hairston got on base three times and we all know Walker will hit and get on base.

[AFCubsFan]

I believe the next experiment is going to be what we saw today - Hairston, Walker in the 1 and 2 spots. Yes, Walker went 0 for 6 today but, Hairston got on base three times and we all know Walker will hit and get on base.

 

Walker also hit the snot out of the ball...it was just one of those days for him. Hairston-Walker-Lee is definitely the best top of the order for this team.

 

Brenly even made some comments about the bad decisions of Neifi and CPatt in the 1 and 2 spots (although I'm not sure he called them by name.) Bob said that putting higher OBP guys like Hairston and Walker in those spots would result in more than 100 more baserunners in the season. Better yet, those baserunners would be on for D Lee, ARam, and Burnitz to drive in. I know it's common sense, but it was refreshing to hear. Maybe Bob will get run out of town for offering a valid opinion.

[biittner77]

I believe the next experiment is going to be what we saw today - Hairston, Walker in the 1 and 2 spots. Yes, Walker went 0 for 6 today but, Hairston got on base three times and we all know Walker will hit and get on base.

 

Walker also hit the snot out of the ball...it was just one of those days for him. Hairston-Walker-Lee is definitely the best top of the order for this team.

 

Brenly even made some comments about the bad decisions of Neifi and CPatt in the 1 and 2 spots (although I'm not sure he called them by name.) Bob said that putting higher OBP guys like Hairston and Walker in those spots would result in more than 100 more baserunners in the season. Better yet, those baserunners would be on for D Lee, ARam, and Burnitz to drive in. I know it's common sense, but it was refreshing to hear. Maybe Bob will get run out of town for offering a valid opinion.

 

If the 2005 Cubs was the novel Animal Farm, Brenly would be Squealer "Dusty is always right" to Steve Stone's Snowball.

[Nobody youd want to know]

Unfortunately [Dusty's] not very bright . . .

 

What's the famous definition of insanity?

 

Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.