We need Austin Kearns (or Adam Dunn).

[CubsHawks25]

I don't think Kearns would cost us Hill, but Dunn most likely would, so no Dunn (at least right now, maybe in the offseason....).

 

Murton won't and isn't getting a realistic chance to start regularly in LF because of Dusty's aversion to rookies, so we need someone to keep Hollandsworth from starting 90% of the time. I like Holla, I really do, but the stats just plain bear out that he loses effectiveness as a near full-time starter. You could suggest Geret maybe getting the bulk of the time in LF, but I don't know if I want to put my trust a guy who's nursing along a previously injured knee at the current time.

 

Something needs to be done about that hole in the lineup from the LF's spot when Hollandsworth starts; either get a guy like Kearns/Dunn or Hendry step up and tell Dusty that he HAS to give Murton at least 66% of the starts, no matter the oppositions' starter's throwing hand.

 

 

(Oh and also, not sure if we need to trade for a reliever what with Wood moving out there and all now, but Mitre is not an MLB bullpen guy. He has his moments, but they are very few and far between in the actual times I get to see him work.)

[rickrolled]

Amen. Please get Dunn, Hendry. I'm not very high on Kearns, but it appears Hendry is, so maybe he feels that he'll turn out to be an ARam/Barrett type acquisition.

[Sabermetrician]

I don't think the Cubs need to do anything. If the opportunity is there, then go for it, but don't force anything.

[katway]

We need to play Murton and Cedeno and there will be no need for Kearns.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

after watching Hill tonight, there is no way Hendry should dish him off for Dunn or Kearns (and it was by no means a dominating performance from Hill...but the makings of a filthy pitcher are there).

[Buford T Justice]

Keep him!!

[rickrolled]

We need to play Murton and Cedeno and there will be no need for Kearns.

 

Problem is, Dusty will not play Murton unless a lefty's on the mound.

[CubsHawks25]

We need to play Murton and Cedeno and there will be no need for Kearns.

 

Problem is, Dusty will not play Murton unless a lefty's on the mound.

 

Exactly. Which is why I mentioned "... but Matt won't get equality when it comes to starting in LF from Dusty because of Baker's aversion to playing rookies".

[CubfaninCA]

I like Hollandsworth as a pinch hitter.

[mhuber92211]

Wow...I wa going through withdrawls. No Dunn new Thread in a couple of days.

[imb]

I'd like either Kearns or Dunn, too. We need to do something, because Holly's hot streak died a cold death, and it looks like Murton is pretty much going to be stuck a straight L/R platoon. He looks to me like he's just a singles hitter with a nice approach anyway.

 

I'm pretty convinced that Kearns will outproduce both Holly and Murton, but I'm afraid that Kearns recent hot streak in AAA has jacked up his price, and If Hendry is unwilling to part with Hill for Dunn, I can't imagine he'd give up anyone of value for Kearns. Hell, who knows if Kearns would get 90% of the PT even if we did trade for him.

[biittner77]

I'd like either Kearns or Dunn, too. We need to do something, because Holly's hot streak died a cold death, and it looks like Murton is pretty much going to be stuck a straight L/R platoon. He looks to me like he's just a singles hitter with a nice approach anyway.

 

I'm pretty convinced that Kearns will outproduce both Holly and Murton, but I'm afraid that Kearns recent hot streak in AAA has jacked up his price, and If Hendry is unwilling to part with Hill for Dunn, I can't imagine he'd give up anyone of value for Kearns. Hell, who knows if Kearns would get 90% of the PT even if we did trade for him.

 

Couldn't Kearns play CF? With Murton in LF batting 2nd it would give the Cubs this lineup

 

Walker

Murton- good place for a singles hitter that draws walks

Lee

Burnitz

Ramirez

Kearns

SS- be it Nomar, Cedeno or Perez (in that order)

Barrett

 

Not too shabby

[katway]

We need to play Murton and Cedeno and there will be no need for Kearns.

 

Problem is, Dusty will not play Murton unless a lefty's on the mound.

 

Exactly. Which is why I mentioned "... but Matt won't get equality when it comes to starting in LF from Dusty because of Baker's aversion to playing rookies".

 

In Dusty's mind... is Kearn's a veteran or someone fresh from AAA? Dusty is so stuck on the lefty/righty thing he might not even start Kearns everyday even if we acquired him.

[imb]

I'd like either Kearns or Dunn, too. We need to do something, because Holly's hot streak died a cold death, and it looks like Murton is pretty much going to be stuck a straight L/R platoon. He looks to me like he's just a singles hitter with a nice approach anyway.

 

I'm pretty convinced that Kearns will outproduce both Holly and Murton, but I'm afraid that Kearns recent hot streak in AAA has jacked up his price, and If Hendry is unwilling to part with Hill for Dunn, I can't imagine he'd give up anyone of value for Kearns. Hell, who knows if Kearns would get 90% of the PT even if we did trade for him.

 

Couldn't Kearns play CF? With Murton in LF batting 2nd it would give the Cubs this lineup

 

Walker

Murton- good place for a singles hitter that draws walks

Lee

Burnitz

Ramirez

Kearns

SS- be it Nomar, Cedeno or Perez (in that order)

Barrett

 

Not too shabby

 

That still would mean that Dusty was starting Murton, which he has shown he doesnt want to do. Unless for some reason Hollandsworth is magically traded, do you really there is a chance Murton gets the majority of the starts versus RH pitching?

[gflore34]

I'd like either Kearns or Dunn, too. We need to do something, because Holly's hot streak died a cold death, and it looks like Murton is pretty much going to be stuck a straight L/R platoon. He looks to me like he's just a singles hitter with a nice approach anyway.

 

I'm pretty convinced that Kearns will outproduce both Holly and Murton, but I'm afraid that Kearns recent hot streak in AAA has jacked up his price, and If Hendry is unwilling to part with Hill for Dunn, I can't imagine he'd give up anyone of value for Kearns. Hell, who knows if Kearns would get 90% of the PT even if we did trade for him.

 

Couldn't Kearns play CF? With Murton in LF batting 2nd it would give the Cubs this lineup

 

Walker

Murton- good place for a singles hitter that draws walks

Lee

Burnitz

Ramirez

Kearns

SS- be it Nomar, Cedeno or Perez (in that order)

Barrett

 

Not too shabby

 

That still would mean that Dusty was starting Murton, which he has shown he doesnt want to do. Unless for some reason Hollandsworth is magically traded, do you really there is a chance Murton gets the majority of the starts versus RH pitching?

 

I don't know what games Baker has been watching lately but, Hollandsworth' lack of production has been a killer. Many of his recent at bats have been with runners on and he's failed in nearly every one of them. I dare say his lack of production was difference between the last five games being close and not so close. Hollandsworth' value is as a pinch hitter and spot starter. Unfortunately, Baker can't get this through his thick skull and we'll continue to see Hollandsworth leave men on base vs. RHP - Unless of course, Hendry trades for a "proven veteran" LF'er.

[LoneStarCubFan]

The idiotic thing about the Hollandsworth situation is that if Hendry sacked up and told Baker to start Murton no matter what it would actually improve two spots on the roster.

 

1. We'd have a legitimate hitter playing left field.

 

2. Macias would no longer be the first left-handed PH off the bench.

[gflore34]

The idiotic thing about the Hollandsworth situation is that if Hendry sacked up and told Baker to start Murton no matter what it would actually improve two spots on the roster.

 

1. We'd have a legitimate hitter playing left field.

 

2. Macias would no longer be the first left-handed PH off the bench.

 

 

Such a move makes far too much sense for Baker. "You're getting logical on me dude..."

[biittner77]

I'd like either Kearns or Dunn, too. We need to do something, because Holly's hot streak died a cold death, and it looks like Murton is pretty much going to be stuck a straight L/R platoon. He looks to me like he's just a singles hitter with a nice approach anyway.

 

I'm pretty convinced that Kearns will outproduce both Holly and Murton, but I'm afraid that Kearns recent hot streak in AAA has jacked up his price, and If Hendry is unwilling to part with Hill for Dunn, I can't imagine he'd give up anyone of value for Kearns. Hell, who knows if Kearns would get 90% of the PT even if we did trade for him.

 

Couldn't Kearns play CF? With Murton in LF batting 2nd it would give the Cubs this lineup

 

Walker

Murton- good place for a singles hitter that draws walks

Lee

Burnitz

Ramirez

Kearns

SS- be it Nomar, Cedeno or Perez (in that order)

Barrett

 

Not too shabby

 

That still would mean that Dusty was starting Murton, which he has shown he doesnt want to do. Unless for some reason Hollandsworth is magically traded, do you really there is a chance Murton gets the majority of the starts versus RH pitching?

 

It's probably wishful thinking on my part but addign Kearns' production to CF would soften the blow for Dusty to play Murton more often.

 

I'm not sure if this is a case of Baker not liking Murton (or any rookie for that matter) so much as not wanting to dump on a veteran. He did eventually bench Hollandsworth so I guess there's still a chance it could happen again.

[Evers2Tinker2Chance]

Can Kearns actually play CF? I thought he was strictly a corner guy.

[biittner77]

Can Kearns actually play CF? I thought he was strictly a corner guy.

 

I though he came up as a CF but since they had Griffey he got bumped over. That was before some leg injuries though. It seems to me that Hendry wouldn't be as enamored of him as strictly a corner OF.

[CubsHawks25]

IF we went and got Kearns, I don't see Dusty sitting Hairston for him in CF, whether it should be done or not. So I think this lineup would rather fearsome to opposing pitchers - also, if Kearns is acquired and Hollandsworth isn't included in any deals before 7/31, Murton will join Cedeno on the bus trip back to the minors (quite unfairly);

 

Hairston

Walker - (or Nomar, if comes back hitting really well)

Lee

Ramirez - (for obvious reasons)

Burnitz

Kearns

Nomar - (or Walker, if Nomar hits well)

Catcher

 

You could maybe switch around Nomar/Walker and Kearns, but either way... I'd hate to take on that lineup in August/September if everyone's (last 15 games) hot hitting continues, save for a couple guys and a couple games in that 15-game stretch - especially if Nomar comes back and hits around .300.

[biittner77]

IF we went and got Kearns, I don't see Dusty sitting Hairston for him in CF, whether it should be done or not. So I think this lineup would rather fearsome to opposing pitchers - also, if Kearns is acquired and Hollandsworth isn't included in any deals before 7/31, Murton will join Cedeno on the bus trip back to the minors (quite unfairly);

 

Hairston

Walker - (or Nomar, if comes back hitting really well)

Lee

Ramirez - (for obvious reasons)

Burnitz

Kearns

Nomar - (or Walker, if Nomar hits well)

Catcher

 

 

You could maybe switch around Nomar/Walker and Kearns, but either way... I'd hate to take on that lineup in August/September if everyone's (last 15 games) hot hitting continues, save for a couple guys and a couple games in that 15-game stretch - especially if Nomar comes back and hits around .300.

 

Baker doesn't seem to like Hairston very much and he certainly isn't a natural CF. Unfortunately, he'd probably play Hollandsworth in LF if he had Kearns for CF. Nevertheless, I remain hopeful that Baker will put the best team on the field.