Bakers love of Hollandsworth

[LuvChicagoSports]

We'll be facing lefty's two straight days and again on Thursday. Murton should get all of those starts, but who wants to bet that Hollandsworth gets at least one of them.

 

I'll bet Murton gets the starts -- if there are three straight lefties facing the Cubs. I dislike Hollandsworth starting, as I said back in March, but isn't Murton's average benefitting from his first start? I thought with his hit last night, he's now 4-16. I like the kid, but I'm not sure yet if he's Bo Hart or a real everyday player. My main contention is that we should've gotten a bonafide leftfielder in the offseason (as I still scratch my head wondering why so many people were hoping we weren't going to get Cliff Floyd), hopefully we can still get one.

 

Murton is hitting over 400 not .250. He actually could be a legitimate LF and we don't need a huge power guy. We need a guy that makes consistent contact and can get runners in. Murton also showed decent pop in the minors, so he could be a quality starter for us if we get rid of Dustbag.

[Dr. Cub]

We'll be facing lefty's two straight days and again on Thursday. Murton should get all of those starts, but who wants to bet that Hollandsworth gets at least one of them.

 

I'll bet Murton gets the starts -- if there are three straight lefties facing the Cubs. I dislike Hollandsworth starting, as I said back in March, but isn't Murton's average benefitting from his first start? I thought with his hit last night, he's now 4-16. I like the kid, but I'm not sure yet if he's Bo Hart or a real everyday player. My main contention is that we should've gotten a bonafide leftfielder in the offseason (as I still scratch my head wondering why so many people were hoping we weren't going to get Cliff Floyd), hopefully we can still get one.

 

Murton is 9 for 22, or .409 AVG.

[dalgreen]

We'll be facing lefty's two straight days and again on Thursday. Murton should get all of those starts, but who wants to bet that Hollandsworth gets at least one of them.

 

I'll bet Murton gets the starts -- if there are three straight lefties facing the Cubs. I dislike Hollandsworth starting, as I said back in March, but isn't Murton's average benefitting from his first start? I thought with his hit last night, he's now 4-16. I like the kid, but I'm not sure yet if he's Bo Hart or a real everyday player. My main contention is that we should've gotten a bonafide leftfielder in the offseason (as I still scratch my head wondering why so many people were hoping we weren't going to get Cliff Floyd), hopefully we can still get one.

 

Murton is 9 for 22, or .409 AVG.

 

I should've been more clear. I meant 4 for his last 16. I know he's had more than 16 at-bats total. In any event, I was wrong. I look forward to seeing him play tonight. I hope the Giants don't throw Tomko tomorrow.... check that. I hope they do throw Tomko tomorrow (he sucks), and I hope Murton gets the start, but he won't.

[Stu]

Also, I like the idea of Mark Grace, but don't think he has the coaching experience you look for, Grace is more a future candidate.

 

Grace would be interesting, but I think he said he doesn't want much to do with the Cubs as long as MacPhail is there.

[Mad Ducks]

I think Murton sitting while Hollandsworth sucks is angering me more than Dubois sitting while Hollandsworth sucked earlier in the year. I'm pretty sure Murton, a contact hitter with good patience, can handle right handers.

 

With each passing day, I hope more and more that there's a new manager for the Cubs next season.

 

Larry Dierker has been shown some love around here. He would be a decent choice, though, Fredi Gonzalez likely tops my list.

 

Gonzalez would be ideal but he is going to be in big command this offseason...

[gus_dog]

The thing I love is now that 0-fer-Gerut is on the team, he has passed up Murton on the PH depth charts too. Maybe we should make a backdoor agreement to "loan" Cedeno and Murton from us to play for like 1/2 the season and then trade them back to the Cubs next July as grizzled veterans.

 

Gerut has not passed up Murton on the ph chart. You're going overboard now. If the first pinch-hitter up is against a lefty pitcher, do you really think Gerut would get the call?

 

They both have to stand in line behind Macias! :x

[dalgreen]

The thing I love is now that 0-fer-Gerut is on the team, he has passed up Murton on the PH depth charts too. Maybe we should make a backdoor agreement to "loan" Cedeno and Murton from us to play for like 1/2 the season and then trade them back to the Cubs next July as grizzled veterans.

 

Gerut has not passed up Murton on the ph chart. You're going overboard now. If the first pinch-hitter up is against a lefty pitcher, do you really think Gerut would get the call?

 

They both have to stand in line behind Macias! :x

 

I don't know why some people get worked up when Macias is the first off of the bench in the middle innings of a one-run game, or a blowout. That's when I want a weak hitter hitting. Thank God he wasn't available in the ninth inning to hit!

[Derwood]

Kids, kids, we've been over this before. Dusty has his little "clique" of players, and if you're not in it, you're screwed:

 

Dusty's Boys

Hollandsworth

Perez

Macias

+

Lee

Ramirez

Burnitz

Barrett

Walker

 

Outside looking in

Murton

Gerut

Cedeno

Blanco

+

Hairston

[UK1679666180]

The thing I love is now that 0-fer-Gerut is on the team, he has passed up Murton on the PH depth charts too. Maybe we should make a backdoor agreement to "loan" Cedeno and Murton from us to play for like 1/2 the season and then trade them back to the Cubs next July as grizzled veterans.

 

Gerut has not passed up Murton on the ph chart. You're going overboard now. If the first pinch-hitter up is against a lefty pitcher, do you really think Gerut would get the call?

 

They both have to stand in line behind Macias! :x

 

I don't know why some people get worked up when Macias is the first off of the bench in the middle innings of a one-run game, or a blowout. That's when I want a weak hitter hitting. Thank God he wasn't available in the ninth inning to hit!

 

If he is the 1st one off the bench in a 1 run game, I fail to see how that is not an important AB even if it is the 6th inning. Macias has almost 3X the PH ABs as Hollandsworth who is in 2nd with 14 PH ABs. Macias is 8 for 35, with 1 BB and no power. The most productive PH'er, Grieve, he's done much more in about 10ABs than Macias in 35. Dusty uses Macias in any PH situation whether it is close and late or early and done.

 

He has used Macias way too often, there have been examples throughout the year where he used Macias over Dubois (who despite not performing, was more productive than Macias) and Murton. If Macias is the 1st RH option off the bench, I can say that Dusty is not assuming there are two situational LH'ers. Dusty is thinking that Macias has been a PH'er for a bulk of his career and has a better chance of getting a hit coming off the bench compared to Murton or Cedeno.

[Derwood]

The thing I love is now that 0-fer-Gerut is on the team, he has passed up Murton on the PH depth charts too. Maybe we should make a backdoor agreement to "loan" Cedeno and Murton from us to play for like 1/2 the season and then trade them back to the Cubs next July as grizzled veterans.

 

Gerut has not passed up Murton on the ph chart. You're going overboard now. If the first pinch-hitter up is against a lefty pitcher, do you really think Gerut would get the call?

 

They both have to stand in line behind Macias! :x

 

I don't know why some people get worked up when Macias is the first off of the bench in the middle innings of a one-run game, or a blowout. That's when I want a weak hitter hitting. Thank God he wasn't available in the ninth inning to hit!

 

Scary but true: Macias is 5th in the league with 35 pinch at-bats despite a .229/.250/.314/.564 line off the bench. Those pinch hitting situations also include a whopping 1 run scored and 1 RBI. Thanks Dusty, this guy is SOOO clutch!

[SouthSideRyan]

How is Mark Grace the slightest bit qualified for a management job?

[MadDog07]

I know how this website has a powerful disliking for Dusty, and usually I've never had a big problem with him...the pitch counts don't bother me too much, the lineup management seems to get the right guys in the right situations, but one thing that's always getting me is how he picks his favorites and doesn't quit on them. Holla has a quiet bat, while Murton got another 3 hits tonight, and Holla gets the majority...he plays everyday now...but Hairston never got the time he should have had when Patterson was still on the team...and I don't think Cedeno should be an everyday starter, but I never see him playing because Neifi is always there, and his numbers have gone to the wayside after June...Whether the head management makes him start the players that are getting bigger $'s or what...Dusty just seems to not quit on some of these guys.

[10man]

Dusty is loyal to a fault... until he turns on you (see Sosa, Samuel).

[Beer Kaese]

The fact is Dustbag ties the hands of his GM and makes roster construction more expensive.

 

Murton should be getting more playing time then he is. The result? Hendry has no idea if he actually needs a leftfielder. Matt Murton is an absolutely insane 10 for 15 with 4 walks and only 2 K's in the 8th spot in the lineup. (1 for 7 batting 5th, 1 for 4 pinch hitting) Freaking Holly has a sub .300 OBP and a sub .700 OPS for July.

 

Everyday, everywhere you read and hear the Cubs need a leftfielder. Do we? There is no answer to that question because Dustbag is sticking with a sub .300 OBP guy while a guy with the potential of a plus .350 OBP rots on the bench.

 

Dustbag needs to be fired now.

 

We have Williamson and Garciaparra on the cusp of helping this team. Neither one of those guys does anything about leftfield. They should make us better but they don't answer one of our biggest questions.

 

Do we need a leftfielder?

 

My problem with Dustbag is simple and it ties into how I would build my team. Set aside pitching and just look at the position players/hitters for a second.

 

You need one guy at each position. Simple enough. We have (now and next year) Lee, Ram and Barrett at the core. Blanco is signed so we have catcher covered and I think we're ok. With a right handed core I think we need some lefty. Walker and Burnitz are both solid, reasonably priced starter quality players so I'd bring one back without thinking too much about it. If forced to choose, I'd take Walker. We have plenty of options for a lefty in the outfield (Gerut, Patterson) so I'd place the premium on Walker. I like Perez a ton as a utility infielder. Quality defense with a decent utility infielder bat. So .... I have 3B Ram, 2B Walker, 1B Lee, C Barrett, Bench Blanco and Perez.

 

Not a bad start, I think most would agree.

 

Now I start to have problems. The problems are directly tied to the complete incompetence of my Dustbag. Can Ronny Cedeno play shortstop at the major league level? The injury to Garciaparra and the tanking of Perez' bat should have opened up the opportunity to maybe answer that question. At this point I have no other choice but to consider bringing back Garciaparra with a incentive heavy deal. I'd do something like 6 million guaranteed with 2 million for 400 plate appearances, and an additional million for 500, 600 and 700 appearances.

 

Not knocking Nomar but that's a ton of money to spend for a shortstop when we might have a sufficent guy near the minimum that would allow us to spend in the outfield.

 

Stupid Dustbag.

 

So now I have Nomar, another right handed hitter, and a need for a RBI lefty. Enter Burnitz. I believe we have an option and I'm going to bring him back. This gives me a 2-6 order of Walker, Lee, Ramirez, Burnitz and Nomar. On paper that's pretty tuff but it's also expensive and, with Barrett in the mix, it means I need to get a 1 or 2 hitter that plays left or center.

 

You might ask, what about moving Walker to 1 and letting Murton hit 2? We could have Patterson hit 7 and Barrett 8. Wouldn't that work?

 

Stupid Dustbag!!! We'll never know ....

 

(WOW!)

[Larry Horse]

The fact is Dusty ties the hands of his GM and makes roster construction more expensive.

 

Murton should be getting more playing time then he is. The result? Hendry has no idea if he actually needs a leftfielder. Matt Murton is an absolutely insane 10 for 15 with 4 walks and only 2 K's in the 8th spot in the lineup. (1 for 7 batting 5th, 1 for 4 pinch hitting) Freaking Holly has a sub .300 OBP and a sub .700 OPS for July.

 

Everyday, everywhere you read and hear the Cubs need a leftfielder. Do we? There is no answer to that question because Dusty is sticking with a sub .300 OBP guy while a guy with the potential of a plus .350 OBP rots on the bench.

 

Dusty needs to be fired now.

 

We have Williamson and Garciaparra on the cusp of helping this team. Neither one of those guys does anything about leftfield. They should make us better but they don't answer one of our biggest questions.

 

Do we need a leftfielder?

 

My problem with Dusty is simple and it ties into how I would build my team. Set aside pitching and just look at the position players/hitters for a second.

 

You need one guy at each position. Simple enough. We have (now and next year) Lee, Ram and Barrett at the core. Blanco is signed so we have catcher covered and I think we're ok. With a right handed core I think we need some lefty. Walker and Burnitz are both solid, reasonably priced starter quality players so I'd bring one back without thinking too much about it. If forced to choose, I'd take Walker. We have plenty of options for a lefty in the outfield (Gerut, Patterson) so I'd place the premium on Walker. I like Perez a ton as a utility infielder. Quality defense with a decent utility infielder bat. So .... I have 3B Ram, 2B Walker, 1B Lee, C Barrett, Bench Blanco and Perez.

 

Not a bad start, I think most would agree.

 

Now I start to have problems. The problems are directly tied to the complete incompetence of my Dusty. Can Ronny Cedeno play shortstop at the major league level? The injury to Garciaparra and the tanking of Perez' bat should have opened up the opportunity to maybe answer that question. At this point I have no other choice but to consider bringing back Garciaparra with a incentive heavy deal. I'd do something like 6 million guaranteed with 2 million for 400 plate appearances, and an additional million for 500, 600 and 700 appearances.

 

Not knocking Nomar but that's a ton of money to spend for a shortstop when we might have a sufficent guy near the minimum that would allow us to spend in the outfield.

 

Stupid Dusty.

 

So now I have Nomar, another right handed hitter, and a need for a RBI lefty. Enter Burnitz. I believe we have an option and I'm going to bring him back. This gives me a 2-6 order of Walker, Lee, Ramirez, Burnitz and Nomar. On paper that's pretty tuff but it's also expensive and, with Barrett in the mix, it means I need to get a 1 or 2 hitter that plays left or center.

 

You might ask, what about moving Walker to 1 and letting Murton hit 2? We could have Patterson hit 7 and Barrett 8. Wouldn't that work?

 

Stupid Dusty!!! We'll never know ....

 

(WOW!)

 

Great post !!!!! =D>

[TuffyRhodes]

Sure Murton was on base 4 times last night in 5 plate appearances, but as everyone knows, we really needs Holly's defense and baserunning back in that lineup today!

[LoneStarCubFan]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

 

That's the smart move. Gerut is a better hitter against RH than Hollandsworth. To be honest, with Gerut and Murton on the roster, there's no reason for Hollandsworth to get any more than a spot start in CF.

[LoneStarCubFan]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

 

That's the smart move. Gerut is a better hitter against RH than Hollandsworth. To be honest, with Gerut and Murton on the roster, there's no reason for Hollandsworth to get any more than a spot start in CF.

 

I haven't looked at the numbers but my guess is that Holly is the better hitter in PH situations than Gerut is.

 

Gerut should have already been in the game in CF anyway instead of our Panamanian service station employee.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

 

That's the smart move. Gerut is a better hitter against RH than Hollandsworth. To be honest, with Gerut and Murton on the roster, there's no reason for Hollandsworth to get any more than a spot start in CF.

 

I haven't looked at the numbers but my guess is that Holly is the better hitter in PH situations than Gerut is.

 

Gerut should have already been in the game in CF anyway instead of our Panamanian service station employee.

 

Gerut only has 10 PH ABs in his career. I'd consider their overall numbers v. RH more important than PH numbers given their instability and small sample.

[dalgreen]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

 

That's the smart move. Gerut is a better hitter against RH than Hollandsworth. To be honest, with Gerut and Murton on the roster, there's no reason for Hollandsworth to get any more than a spot start in CF.

 

I haven't looked at the numbers but my guess is that Holly is the better hitter in PH situations than Gerut is.

 

Gerut should have already been in the game in CF anyway instead of our Panamanian service station employee.

 

And if Holla strikes out or pops up? Hits into a double play? After all, he is very prone to all of the above. Better yet, what if Gerut had hit a sac fly? Perhaps Baker should've pinch hit for Perez in the eighth, too? I don't get the criticism for that move unless it's just another chance to take a shot at Baker. The choice between Gerut and Holla is not as obvious as others that Baker misses.

[LoneStarCubFan]

The fact is, Hollandsworth is a good pinch hitter. My guess is Gerut hasn't had to do that very much. Once again, Dusty doesn't know how to use his roster.

 

The more critical mistake IMO was not putting Gerut in CF when Hairston got hurt. Absolutely no excuse for using the Panamanian Service Station Attendent in that situation.

 

Of course, if Dusty had done that he probably would have used Macias over Holly in the eighth.

 

BTW, Hawkins never threw a strike to Macias in that at-bat.

[dalgreen]

The fact is, Hollandsworth is a good pinch hitter. My guess is Gerut hasn't had to do that very much. Once again, Dusty doesn't know how to use his roster.

 

The more critical mistake IMO was not putting Gerut in CF when Hairston got hurt. Absolutely no excuse for using the Panamanian Service Station Attendent in that situation.

 

Of course, if Dusty had done that he probably would have used Macias over Holly in the eighth.

 

BTW, Hawkins never threw a strike to Macias in that at-bat.

 

This issue may have been a non-issue if Wuertz doesn't hang a slider. I'm not a great fan of Holla, anyway. I don't know why he would've been such a better option than Gerut. A slow roller somewhere gets you a run, a flyout to medium/ deep outfield, gets you a run, a fielder's choice gets you a run. Based on the way Holla's been hitting, I have little faith in him that he would've brought home the run. I don't think the choice was as obvious as you're making it.

[Beer Kaese]

As much as I hate to see Hollandsworth starting over Murton I'd love to know what the hell Baker was thinking sending Gerut up to PH instead of Hollandsworth in the 8th inning last night.

 

Dusty Baker is to intelligent thought as Rabbits are to Chastity.

[Beer Kaese]

The fact is Dusty ties the hands of his GM and makes roster construction more expensive.

 

Murton should be getting more playing time then he is. The result? Hendry has no idea if he actually needs a leftfielder. Matt Murton is an absolutely insane 10 for 15 with 4 walks and only 2 K's in the 8th spot in the lineup. (1 for 7 batting 5th, 1 for 4 pinch hitting) Freaking Holly has a sub .300 OBP and a sub .700 OPS for July.

 

Everyday, everywhere you read and hear the Cubs need a leftfielder. Do we? There is no answer to that question because Dusty is sticking with a sub .300 OBP guy while a guy with the potential of a plus .350 OBP rots on the bench.

 

Dusty needs to be fired now.

 

We have Williamson and Garciaparra on the cusp of helping this team. Neither one of those guys does anything about leftfield. They should make us better but they don't answer one of our biggest questions.

 

Do we need a leftfielder?

 

My problem with Dusty is simple and it ties into how I would build my team. Set aside pitching and just look at the position players/hitters for a second.

 

You need one guy at each position. Simple enough. We have (now and next year) Lee, Ram and Barrett at the core. Blanco is signed so we have catcher covered and I think we're ok. With a right handed core I think we need some lefty. Walker and Burnitz are both solid, reasonably priced starter quality players so I'd bring one back without thinking too much about it. If forced to choose, I'd take Walker. We have plenty of options for a lefty in the outfield (Gerut, Patterson) so I'd place the premium on Walker. I like Perez a ton as a utility infielder. Quality defense with a decent utility infielder bat. So .... I have 3B Ram, 2B Walker, 1B Lee, C Barrett, Bench Blanco and Perez.

 

Not a bad start, I think most would agree.

 

Now I start to have problems. The problems are directly tied to the complete incompetence of my Dusty. Can Ronny Cedeno play shortstop at the major league level? The injury to Garciaparra and the tanking of Perez' bat should have opened up the opportunity to maybe answer that question. At this point I have no other choice but to consider bringing back Garciaparra with a incentive heavy deal. I'd do something like 6 million guaranteed with 2 million for 400 plate appearances, and an additional million for 500, 600 and 700 appearances.

 

Not knocking Nomar but that's a ton of money to spend for a shortstop when we might have a sufficent guy near the minimum that would allow us to spend in the outfield.

 

Stupid Dusty.

 

So now I have Nomar, another right handed hitter, and a need for a RBI lefty. Enter Burnitz. I believe we have an option and I'm going to bring him back. This gives me a 2-6 order of Walker, Lee, Ramirez, Burnitz and Nomar. On paper that's pretty tuff but it's also expensive and, with Barrett in the mix, it means I need to get a 1 or 2 hitter that plays left or center.

 

You might ask, what about moving Walker to 1 and letting Murton hit 2? We could have Patterson hit 7 and Barrett 8. Wouldn't that work?

 

Stupid Dusty!!! We'll never know ....

 

(WOW!)

 

Great post !!!!! =D>

 

I think this is the type of thing that Dusty got fired for in Frisco. He handled Dubois poorly, butchered Cedeno and is in the process of killing Murton.

 

He needs to be fired.

 

As bad as Dusty using Remlinger as a loogy is, it doesn't compare to being Dusty.