Trade Deadline Time?

[somechick]

You need to realize that someone disagreeing with you isn't some kind of personal attack. I don't care that you have a different opinion, I care that I think your different opinion is wrong. Although in the future, I certainly won't care, as no kind of opinion is worth arguing with you over and over about something so meaningless.

 

I have no idea where you get that I'm trying to put you down? Just how badly do you want to be a martyr? I recommend that we just end this little disagreement now, as it's useless and it's accomplishing nothing other than riling you up.

 

I realize quite well what constitutes a personal attack--you did not go after my argument, you made a direct accusation at me--and a very inaccurate one at that. And you have yet to give any reason for what you are basing it on--because you can't. And that entire last paragraph is just another attempt at you trying to belittle me, which, ironically, is designed to make you look like the martyr. I have no problem with you having a difference of opinion--I fully expected there to be. But what I do take issue with is the way you expressed it. You can deny it all you want, but you went after ME, not my opinion.

[Outshined_One]

Seriously, what would trading Walker have accomplished aside from maybe netting some decent prospects who would likely be some time away (since they'd have to clear waivers)? Do we really want to give Dusty the option of having Jose Macias and Neifi Perez platoon at 2B for the rest of the season? Like Ronnie Cedeno would see regular playing time since Dusty now has this option?

 

Who would man 2B next season, Cedeno? I'm guessing you'd be taking a gamble on Nomar staying healthy at SS? Or would you rather hope that Raffy Furcal is not looking to get painfully overpaid? Or heck, maybe you want a 2B from in-system to take Todd's place. That's fine...

 

Except Richard Lewis' numbers at AAA have been absolutely excrutiating. Michael Fontenot, on the other hand, would be a decent utility option. But as a starter, no thank you. Eric Patterson? He's a year away, he could take over anyways on schedule (2007) without having to trade Walker. Ryan Theriot? A nice player and a nice guy by all accounts, but he's in the same boat as Fontenot.

 

Face it, it's a good thing the Cubs decided to hang on to Walker. His defense has been shoddy at times, but I'll take a consistent bat like his from the left side eight days a week.

[rocket]

I don't get why every thread can be overrun with incessant posts mocking Dusty and the stupid things he says and does ad nauseum, but I post a valid criticism of Walker and that gets called hyperbole?

 

Look at your post again, there isn't much valid criticism of Todd there. It is in fact mostly hyperbole.

 

It isn't just that roadkill cover more ground than Walker, but he is so completely inept at fielding balls hit RIGHT AT HIM!!!!! He is so passive in the field. He literally tiptoes up to the ball--like he is in slow motion. And he never, ever, ever runs hard to first. I am so sick of seeing him stand in the batters box throwing a hissy fit every time he hits a pop-up or weak grounder. I don't know why Walker seems to get a free pass for spending more time making sure he gets his daily soundbites in with press than he does working on his glaring deficiencies, yet other players who bust their butts on a daily basis get raked over the coals just because they arent among "the chosen ones".

[somechick]

I don't get why every thread can be overrun with incessant posts mocking Dusty and the stupid things he says and does ad nauseum, but I post a valid criticism of Walker and that gets called hyperbole?

 

Look at your post again, there isn't much valid criticism of Todd there. It is in fact mostly hyperbole.

 

It isn't just that roadkill cover more ground than Walker, but he is so completely inept at fielding balls hit RIGHT AT HIM!!!!! He is so passive in the field. He literally tiptoes up to the ball--like he is in slow motion. And he never, ever, ever runs hard to first. I am so sick of seeing him stand in the batters box throwing a hissy fit every time he hits a pop-up or weak grounder. I don't know why Walker seems to get a free pass for spending more time making sure he gets his daily soundbites in with press than he does working on his glaring deficiencies, yet other players who bust their butts on a daily basis get raked over the coals just because they arent among "the chosen ones".

 

Walker has no range. Walker will stand in the batter's box and slam his bat down and scowl instead of running hard to first. He is always running his mouth in the press (just go check out Baseball Discussions). He has complained to the press about having a bad rap regarding his defense, yet I have never seen anything showing that he works on this. He does tip-toe up to the ball--it is even more apparent in person. Take out my "hyperbolic" imagery and the fundamental issues I have with him are still the same. You may not agree with the criticism, but I think it is very valid.

[neely crenshaw]

there is no player om this team that busts his butt everyday. maybe nurton but tough to tell when he isn't out there all the time.

[Backtobanks]

there is no player om this team that busts his butt everyday. maybe nurton but tough to tell when he isn't out there all the time.

 

I think Burnitz has busted his butt everyday.

[fromthestretch]

Walker has no range.

 

His career stats indicate that his range factor is slightly above average. His fielding percentage for his career (entering this season) was right at league average. I'm not saying he's a gold glover, but outside of his year in Boston, he's not nearly as bad as people make him out to be.

 

Walker will stand in the batter's box and slam his bat down and scowl instead of running hard to first.

 

I think it's necessary to point out that he doesn't do this every single at-bat. I think it's also necessary to point out that several baseball players are guilty of this as well. I can't fault a guy for being mad that he didn't come through in an at-bat. And to be honest, I can't remember one time where he just stood in the batter's box while a play was (or even wasn't) made. I don't care if he slams his bat down, as long as he runs after he does it.

 

He is always running his mouth in the press (just go check out Baseball Discussions).

 

If nothing else, he's honest...probably to a fault. The press knows that he'll talk, so they aren't afraid to ask him questions. Yes, he probably should tone it down a bit, but I think a lot of people here make him out to be a person that seeks out a microphone into which he can talk. Now I can't be certain, but I don't think that's the case. I think it's the people with the microphones seeking him out.

 

That said, I wish he would keep his mouth shut when it comes to discussing the Cubs broadcasters. Someone get the man a cue card that says "no comment."

 

He has complained to the press about having a bad rap regarding his defense, yet I have never seen anything showing that he works on this.

 

I haven't seen anything showing that he doesn't work at it. Does that mean I should assume he's taking 500 ground balls a day? As for the bad rep, you can see how many people on just this site alone make the claim that he's a terrible fielder. I'd say he has every right to complain about that, considering that the numbers make him out to be about average, perhaps just slightly below at worst.

 

There's certainly nothing wrong with criticizing players, coaches, or managers. But I find it difficult to make certain assumptions without having all the facts. Implying that Walker doesn't work on his defense is difficult to back up unless you're around him all year round. It's similar to those saying that Aramis doesn't hustle after seeing him "dog it" on some ground balls. Then it comes out that he's been playing with a leg injury for quite some time. Kind of puts things into perspective.

[neely crenshaw]

walker is no gold glover but he has been more than decent. sandberg and ripken caught hell about their defense too. no range, doesn't dive. no one will ever be totally happy. most people regurgiatate the defense thing because they have heard it mentioned so they think it's true.

how anyone can tell if someone is working on his defense is a question for me. i mean are you there to see if takes extra groundballs early? or on off days? does he watch tape to see if he is doing anything wrong? is he studying hitters to know where to play them?i have no idea. if you know for sure then i guess you can make that statement.

if we had a prospect ready or near ready i could see trading todd, but we don't. and for right now he is one of the few cubs who hits for a decent average and gets on base regularly.