Dusty losing them?

[dalgreen]

I have defended Dusty as well - but I can't take it anymore.

 

He needs to go, or this team loaded with tons of talent will continue to suck.

 

We're loaded with tons of talent? :scratch:

 

I'd say there is tons of talent.

 

Productivity and talent are not he same thing. Some of the most talented players in the game aren't all that productive. They have physical gifts that allow them to do things others cannot, but they don't consistently utilize those talents in a productive manner. If you ask me, that defines the Cubs. Corey is talented as heck, just not productive. Zambrano, Prior, Wood, Lee, Ramirez, Dempster and Barrett have enough talent to measure up against the best in the game. They just don't all produce to their talent level on a consistent basis, or maximize their abilities.

 

8/25 = tons? And I don't think Barrett is talented. But I'll give you that one.

 

You don't think Barrett is talented? I think he's incredibly talented. He's a great athlete capable of producing outstanding numbers for his position for sizable chunks at a time (April, May, July and August 2004, May 2005) he's just terribly inconsistent and at times appears clueless at the plate.

 

I don't think there are a lot of teams who have much more talent than the Cubs have. There are just several more teams that do a better job utilizing their talent. That's an organizational failure, from the players, to the coaches/instructors to the front office. Inefficiency defines this organization, and considering they are owned by a well respeced corporation, that's surprising. It's like in football, with the Patriots, vs a team like Washington. The Redskins are a terribly inefficient organization, while New England runs their ship like a high class fortune 500 company.

 

Great football analogy. I think I used the same one months ago but used Kansas City instead of Washington. But I digress....

 

I think we just have different views of Barrett. I don't see athleticism in him. I see potential, but then his career numbers suggest to me that what we see is probably what we get -- inconsistency. I don't think he's baseball savvy and he frustrates me with his lack of mobility behind the plate at times. I guess I'd look at him as more of an athlete if I thought he could play any other position at least at an average level. I think he's just a catcher.

[goonys evil twin]

I think we just have different views of Barrett. I don't see athleticism in him. I see potential, but then his career numbers suggest to me that what we see is probably what we get -- inconsistency. I don't think he's baseball savvy and he frustrates me with his lack of mobility behind the plate at times. I guess I'd look at him as more of an athlete if I thought he could play any other position at least at an average level. I think he's just a catcher.

 

I didn't say that I thought Barrett's athleticism meant someday he'd be more than what he is right now. I don't expect much more out of Barrett, and considering his contract, that's not good. But he's still talented as heck. You don't put up an 800+ OPS from the catcher spot for a prolonged period of time without being talented.

[Satch80]

"He needs to go, or this team loaded with tons of talent will continue to suck. "

 

I don't see this team ( as assembled) as having tons of talent. Outside of Lee and Aram, the starting lineup is average or worse.

Barrett as catcher probably does not call a very good game and is not very good defensively. His BA is ok. Call him average.

The LF platoon of DuBois/Holly is below average.Holly is a streak hitter and no more than a bench player. DuBois is a defensive liability and a very average hitter.

Walker's bat is above average for his position but his range is poor thus his defense below average.

I don't know what to say about Corey but I would have to call him below average at this point.

Burnitz is a very average RF, not bad, not great.

Nefi is no more than a bench player and is well below average.

 

Moving on to pitching, we have a grab bag pen except for Dempster and oft injured starters in Wood and Prior plus an erratic Zambrano. We also have Maddux who can only go 5-6 innings and is giving up more and more runs.

 

Contrast the above with the Cards where Puljos, Rolen, Eckstein, Edmonds and Walker are all above average for their positions with Molina, their catcher being outstanding throwing out runners and hitting for a decent average. Their platoon in LF and RF of Sanders and Mayberry are at least average.

 

Morris and Carpenter are their 1-2 starters talented, healthy and producing. Mulder is a talented healthy pitcher. Marquis and Suppan are fine 4-5 starters also making every start.Izzy is and has been a solid closer. Their pen has been reliable and some experience in Tavaras and King.

 

I;m not saying that Dusty is a good manager, I don't think he is. But I think we are fooling ourselves if we think at this point we have a talented team.

[NCCubFan]

he's not TRYING to lose his job is he?

I think I've figured it out. Dusty is actually competing on a baseball version of the reality show "Fire Me, Please," and he needs to get fired by the All-Star break in order to win. :D