Andy McFAIL still doesn't get it

[CubbieRich]

MacPhail was on WGN radio last night with Cubs lapdog Dave Kaplan. Andy still doesn't get it. He didn't take phone calls, because he doesn't want to lower himself to talk with pissed Cub fans. He said the Cubs minor league system was rated as #2, but had excuses for the lack of current everyday homegrown players. He said the team is headed in the right direction..blah..blah..blah.

 

He blamed injuries for the team's lack of progress. Under MacPhail's guidance, the team will have finished a cumulative 200+ games out of first place.

 

Kaplan, who hasn't had a new thought in years, said that the team may seek another starting catcher with better defense. He said he wouldn't be surprised if Barrett was traded.

[Tracer Bullet]

MacPhail was on WGN radio last night with Cubs lapdog Dave Kaplan. Andy still doesn't get it. He didn't take phone calls, because he doesn't want to lower himself to talk with pissed Cub fans. He said the Cubs minor league system was rated as #2, but had excuses for the lack of current everyday homegrown players. He said the team is headed in the right direction..blah..blah..blah.

 

He blamed injuries for the team's lack of progress. Under MacPhail's guidance, the team will have finished a cumulative 200+ games out of first place.

 

Kaplan, who hasn't had a new thought in years, said that the team may seek another starting catcher with better defense. He said he wouldn't be surprised if Barrett was traded.

 

Right, Barrett is the reason the Cubs are underperforming. All those runners he hasn't caught stealing and that one messed up run down have ruined the Cubs season. Never mind that his .857 OPS ranks second in MLB (catchers w/ 200 PAs) to Varitek. Trade that lousy bum. :roll:

[wastra]

Sweet Lord. :evil:

 

If we take Barret's bat off this team, they'll have to land Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, AND anotehr big-time hitter in the outfield in order to offset the what-now-looks-imminent combo of a light-hitting catcher and Neifi in the everyday lineup. :roll:

[IowaCubsFan]

If they traded Barrett I would go ape. He's the best offensive catcher they've had in nearly 15 years.

[shnsajax]

We can go ahead and try that out this season, call it the "Blanco Experiment". I think we all know how this will turn out.

 

While were at it, we might as well implement the "Upton Movement". The official tank job in hopes Justin does in fact go to juco to reenter the draft next season.

[JC]

I've thought for a couple months now that Barrett would be a goner. Its evident that he is not the staff favorite behind the plate, and his contract is too big to have him sitting.

 

Maybe we can realize a Walker/Barrett trade for Kent/Bako? Aside from the general nausea of the suggestion, wouldn't the staff love a Blanco/Bako catching duo?

[UK1679666180]

The Cubs can't be dumb enough to try and emulate the White Sox offense and moves to their position players of a year ago?

 

If the Cubs wanted to get somone as productive as Garland, Hermy, and Politte, while having Wood Zm and Prior stay healthy, then maybe the Cubs would take on a similar improvement as the Sox did.

 

Improving the defense and team speed is going to make matters worse if that is at the expense of the the current offensive structure. If you can improve OBP especially at the top while improving defense/speed, I'm all for it. But, getting rid of Barrett and Walker would more than likely do more harm than good as far as scoring runs at the expense defense and speed.

[1908]

Cubstitle, is that you?

[AAApittsburgh]

I've thought for a couple months now that Barrett would be a goner. Its evident that he is not the staff favorite behind the plate, and his contract is too big to have him sitting.

 

Maybe we can realize a Walker/Barrett trade for Kent/Bako? Aside from the general nausea of the suggestion, wouldn't the staff love a Blanco/Bako catching duo?

Blanco's game calling has not impressed me. If people want to be blame Barrett for the struggles of this pitching staff, Blanco can also be blamed for Prior's struggles. He's not having a great year.

 

That said, I think we can get a lot more than that for Walker and Barrett. I'd want at least one of their good pitching prospects.

[JC]

I've thought for a couple months now that Barrett would be a goner. Its evident that he is not the staff favorite behind the plate, and his contract is too big to have him sitting.

 

Maybe we can realize a Walker/Barrett trade for Kent/Bako? Aside from the general nausea of the suggestion, wouldn't the staff love a Blanco/Bako catching duo?

Blanco's game calling has not impressed me. If people want to be blame Barrett for the the struggles of this pitching staff, Blanco can also be blamed for Prior's struggles. He's not having a great year.

 

That said, I think we can get a lot more than that for Walker and Barrett. I'd want at least one of their good pitching prospects.

 

Just to be clear, I'm not advocating Barrett's departure, just stating what I think is likely to happen. I agree that Blanco hasn't knocked my socks off with his game calling.

 

The trade suggestion wasn't meant to be serious. I was just coming up with something to get Bako back so the absurdity of a Blanco/Bako duo could be seen.

[Garwilly]

Why is "MacPhail" appropriate, but "Corey" is not?

 

Not that I advocate either, but a double standard exists.

[dalgreen]

Are you guys saying Barrett is an untouchable? I would have no problem trading him if you're able to get value in return. But I feel the need to repeat that it was David Kaplan with that thought.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

If they trade Barrett, I'm going to be very angry. That is unless they can get someone with his or Varitek's production at the catcher position. And I'm sorry, but Mike Piazza is over the hill, so that player doesn't exist anymore.

[dalgreen]

If they trade Barrett, I'm going to be very angry. That is unless they can get someone with his or Varitek's production at the catcher position. And I'm sorry, but Mike Piazza is over the hill, so that player doesn't exist anymore.

 

Why do the Cubs have to have great production out of the catcher's position vs. the outfield or SS? The Cardinals and Astros have shown the last few years that you can be a successful offense without an offensive productive catcher. In my opinion, although I like Barrett's bat, he's far from untouchable.

[Shawon12]

They probably won't find a better offensive catcher, but this staff has underperformed since his arrival. Perhaps he's a scapegoat, but would I have no problem moving him. They need to retool the offense of course, but that needs to happen anyways.

[YearofDaCubs]

One thing to consider though is when Barrett was catching for the Expos their overall ERA was pretty low.

[1908]

Why is "MacPhail" appropriate, but "Corey" is not?

 

Not that I advocate either, but a double standard exists.

It's not that one is more appropriate then the other; it's frequency of use. If the board gets flooded with MacPhail's, we'd consider turning on a word filter.

[cubbyvirus00]

i don't see Hendry trading his boy, Bare.

 

Jim loves the kid.

[CuseCubFan69]

Cubstitle, is that you?

 

That was a blast from the past no doubt.

 

What somebody like MacPhail says over the radio and what action they actually take may be two different things....at least I hope so.

[Tracer Bullet]

Are you guys saying Barrett is an untouchable? I would have no problem trading him if you're able to get value in return. But I feel the need to repeat that it was David Kaplan with that thought.

 

I don't think Barrett is untouchable. Not in the least. If you can trade Barrett for another piece that makes up for the offensive loss you'll take w/ Barrett's replacement - fine by me.

 

I just don't think there's a "need" to replace Barrett with a better defensive catcher. Moving Barrett should not be priority #1 this winter.

[sonicdethmonkey0]

it's always a good idea to trade the best offensive catcher in the national league!

[dalgreen]

it's always a good idea to trade the best offensive catcher in the national league!

 

Are you saying you wouldn't trade him if you could get a more productive player that plays another position in return? I'm for any trade that will improve the team.

[UK1679666180]

Why do the Cubs have to have great production out of the catcher's position vs. the outfield or SS? The Cardinals and Astros have shown the last few years that you can be a successful offense without an offensive productive catcher. In my opinion, although I like Barrett's bat, he's far from untouchable.

 

Right now, they have 3 OF'ers, all 3 are playing below avg, and they have Neifi playing most of '05 at SS.

 

If they had a solid OF or even an avg. one and someone who isn't a reserve player starting at SS, they could get away with an offensive hack/defensive whiz at C. But, even with an offensive C, they aren't scoring nearly enough runs.

 

The Cubs are no position to sacrifice offense for defense at this point, it would be beyond stupid. I have no idea what they would try and get for him either, an OF'er or some prospects???

[jtownie]

Is it possible they would want to go after Ramon Hernandez this off-season? Then use Barrett as trade bait to fill other needs?

[Nobody youd want to know]

Is it possible they would want to go after Ramon Hernandez this off-season? Then use Barrett as trade bait to fill other needs?

 

I could get behind that move. And he probably won't cost any more than Barrett. On the other hand, losing Barrett's .356 OBP will hurt.