Walker's Nonstop Mouth

[brfahey]

Walker didn't even play in the game yesterday but he managed to be quoted all over the Sun-Times today about his situation for next year. This guy talks like he's irreplaceable and he talks all the time. Who apppointed this team spokesman? In the Sun-Times story he ridicules the Red Sox for letting him go-- the team that won the World Series the year after he left. Cubs have done nothing but disappoint since he arrived and does anyone think we're better off with him rather than Grudz at second. Walker is terrible at turning the double play, which leads to hitters getting more cracks at out great pitching.

 

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

[Cubzfan64]

Hard to say whether I agree with you or disagree - I guess it all depends on how the players view him. If they like the fact that he says what's on his mind and is a "spokesman" for the team, then I don't have a problem with it - if they are as sick of it as some of the readers here, then I agree it's a detriment to the team.

 

I sort of liken his "talking" to that of Kevin Millar on the Red Sox - they guy is the biggest "hick" blowhard I've ever heard speak, but his teammates (for the most part I think) like the fact that he takes the pressure off them to talk after the games. He sticks his foot in his mouth more often than not, but his teammates like that about him and he's been less productive this season than Walker.

 

I'm torn on Walker for next year - I think his bat fits well with the team, but his defense is below average imho (especially as you said on the DP's). If there was a better option out there, I'd go for it - but not sure there is for the price.

[fromthestretch]

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

 

Is there a yawning emoticon?

 

If Walker isn't back, I hope we can replace him at 2B with someone who can hit a "soft .300," matching what I assume you view as a weak .475 SLG and .355 OBP.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Let's see...Walker hit 305/355/475 this season.

 

I'll take that at 2.5 million for next season. I don't think he's hurting anyone with his comments. He shows up to play everyday and while he isn't stellar defensively, the metrics indicate his defense is hardly the problem people make it out to be.

 

Walker is not the problem with this team.

[CubinNY]

Eureka! Not making the playoffs the last two years has been all Walker's fault. Release the bum. Anyone have Pokie Resse's agent's number? If so please forward to JH. Thanks.

 

BTW> What is a soft .300? Is that like a soft round of 4 under par in golf?

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Eureka! Not making the playoffs the last two years has been all Walker's fault. Release the bum. Anyone have Pokie Resse's agent's number? If so please forward to JH. Thanks.

 

BTW> What is a soft .300? Is that like a soft round of 4 under par in golf?

 

It's the same as Clemen's soft 1.89 ERA.

[David]

What is this??? Walker is the furthest thing from the problem on this team. Why does it bother you that he's outspoken? That's probably my favorite thing about him. He's honest and tells the fans what is actually on his mind...not the standard cliche crap that the other players give you..

 

Oh, and I'll take his "soft" .300/.355/.475 any day...

[J.R.]

I can't understand why anyone would rant about Walker while at this very moment we're looking at Baker's favorite midget/black hole at second.

 

Todd is not one of our problems. The manager and his band of useless pets is.

[abuck1220]

i think you're confused about what a 'soft' .300 is. alex sanchez puts up a 'soft' .300. juan pierre puts up a 'soft' .300. todd walker does not, as evidenced by his solid slg.

[MeatampPotatoesMan]

I'll take "Soft .300" for $2.5M, Alex.

[erik316wttn]

"Soft" .300 is still .300

 

I swear, sometimes nothing will please people. Give me a "soft" .300 over a "hard" .260 any day.

 

And his D is not that bad. Sheesh. If you have a bunch of gold glovers on a team, but they cant hit for crap, I guarantee you we'd be competing with the Royals for the top draft pick.

[NorthsideAvenger]

Walker didn't even play in the game yesterday but he managed to be quoted all over the Sun-Times today about his situation for next year. This guy talks like he's irreplaceable and he talks all the time. Who apppointed this team spokesman? In the Sun-Times story he ridicules the Red Sox for letting him go-- the team that won the World Series the year after he left. Cubs have done nothing but disappoint since he arrived and does anyone think we're better off with him rather than Grudz at second. Walker is terrible at turning the double play, which leads to hitters getting more cracks at out great pitching.

 

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

 

If Todd was outspoken and didn't back it with the performance on the field, that is one thing, but Todd does produce, thus that entitles to be "outspoken." I have not heard one complain from his teammates, thus there isn't a problem.

 

Stop insisting there is a problem, when in reality, there isn't a problem outside the manager and his "matchbox" collection of incredibly non-talented players.

[brfahey]

Walker didn't even play in the game yesterday but he managed to be quoted all over the Sun-Times today about his situation for next year. This guy talks like he's irreplaceable and he talks all the time. Who apppointed this team spokesman? In the Sun-Times story he ridicules the Red Sox for letting him go-- the team that won the World Series the year after he left. Cubs have done nothing but disappoint since he arrived and does anyone think we're better off with him rather than Grudz at second. Walker is terrible at turning the double play, which leads to hitters getting more cracks at out great pitching.

 

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

 

If Todd was outspoken and didn't back it with the performance on the field, that is one thing, but Todd does produce, thus that entitles to be "outspoken." I have not heard one complain from his teammates, thus there isn't a problem.

 

Stop insisting there is a problem, when in reality, there isn't a problem outside the manager and his "matchbox" collection of incredibly non-talented players.

 

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Walker didn't even play in the game yesterday but he managed to be quoted all over the Sun-Times today about his situation for next year. This guy talks like he's irreplaceable and he talks all the time. Who apppointed this team spokesman? In the Sun-Times story he ridicules the Red Sox for letting him go-- the team that won the World Series the year after he left. Cubs have done nothing but disappoint since he arrived and does anyone think we're better off with him rather than Grudz at second. Walker is terrible at turning the double play, which leads to hitters getting more cracks at out great pitching.

 

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

 

If Todd was outspoken and didn't back it with the performance on the field, that is one thing, but Todd does produce, thus that entitles to be "outspoken." I have not heard one complain from his teammates, thus there isn't a problem.

 

Stop insisting there is a problem, when in reality, there isn't a problem outside the manager and his "matchbox" collection of incredibly non-talented players.

 

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

 

You're right, we should probably follow the example of other organizations. If they did it, then it's probably the right call. Why do you not think he's any good? Because of the number of teams he's played for? Because he's quoted a lot? Because other people like him?

[barrettismyidol]

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

 

This is a ridiculous statement. Walker is at fault for the Cubs not winning? Have you watched the team all year? Because I have, and there are a bunch of people before Walker who deserve the blame.

[abuck1220]

 

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything.

 

yeah...him and ernie banks...what a couple of sucky losers. now, jim leyritz on the other hand...there's a ballplayer.

[rocket]

you know, ryne sandberg's teams never won anything either, and he was the second baseman. i guess he's to blame as well.

[brfahey]

Walker didn't even play in the game yesterday but he managed to be quoted all over the Sun-Times today about his situation for next year. This guy talks like he's irreplaceable and he talks all the time. Who apppointed this team spokesman? In the Sun-Times story he ridicules the Red Sox for letting him go-- the team that won the World Series the year after he left. Cubs have done nothing but disappoint since he arrived and does anyone think we're better off with him rather than Grudz at second. Walker is terrible at turning the double play, which leads to hitters getting more cracks at out great pitching.

 

I would venture a guess that if one reviewed all the game stories (at least in the Sun-Times and Trib) from this year, Walker would be far and away the most quoted player. I am sick of this guy's phony "I'm a throwback with my CRaig Biggio-dirty helmet" crap. See you later Todd. Go to your sixth big league team and charm all the writers in that city and hit a soft.300 like you've hit here. As long as I don't have to see your self-serving quotes in the paper every day.

 

If Todd was outspoken and didn't back it with the performance on the field, that is one thing, but Todd does produce, thus that entitles to be "outspoken." I have not heard one complain from his teammates, thus there isn't a problem.

 

Stop insisting there is a problem, when in reality, there isn't a problem outside the manager and his "matchbox" collection of incredibly non-talented players.

 

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

 

You're right, we should probably follow the example of other organizations. If they did it, then it's probably the right call. Why do you not think he's any good? Because of the number of teams he's played for? Because he's quoted a lot? Because other people like him?

 

Because he plays horsecrap defense and rarely seems to get a hit that means much. Point out five or so big hits he's had this year that have put us ahead or won a game for us. I'll give you a head start: he got that one vs. the Reds in the ninth about two weeks ago.

 

Which organization made a istake in letting him go? Did Boston?

 

I know you metric guys reject the concept of clutch hitting; you'd have to if you think Walker is a meaningfully productive player. Despite your (I think) reasoning, all runs are not created equal.

 

And, finally, no one who responded to my initial post mentioned the Grudz point. Interesting. Please share with me their comparative numbers. I'm guessing Walker probbaly has better hiitng numbers, but nobody mentioned they would rather have Walker than Grudz.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

 

You're right, we should probably follow the example of other organizations. If they did it, then it's probably the right call. Why do you not think he's any good? Because of the number of teams he's played for? Because he's quoted a lot? Because other people like him?

 

Because he plays horsecrap defense and rarely seems to get a hit that means much. Point out five or so big hits he's had this year that have put us ahead or won a game for us. I'll give you a head start: he got that one vs. the Reds in the ninth about two weeks ago.

 

Which organization made a mistake in letting him go? Did Boston?

 

I know you metric guys reject the concept of clutch hitting; you'd have to if you think Walker is a meaningfully productive player. Despite your (I think) reasoning, all runs are not created equal.

 

And, finally, no one who responded to my initial post mentioned the Grudz point. Interesting. Please share with me their comparative numbers. I'm guessing Walker probbaly has better hiitng numbers, but nobody mentioned they would rather have Walker than Grudz.

 

FYI, profanity is a no-no around here.

 

Walker's defense isn't above average, but he's not even near bad enough where we should ship him out for it.

 

If getting rid of Walker was the key to success, why don't the Rockies and Reds have trophy after trophy on their mantles?

 

You know who the best "clutch" hitters are over their careers? They're the one's with the best numbers, because almost all situational numbers revert towards career numbers when you have enough of a sample. But, since it never SEEMS like Walker gets a big hit, he's not really any good.

[brfahey]

I'll check in with all the Walker lovers next year when he's on another team that doesn't win anything. Also. being quoted frequently doesn't make you outposken; it makes you a media ass-kisser like Mark Grace. Being outspoken would be him saying he hasn't done much to help this team despite his great "metrics." Maybe his teammates do like him. If so, do you really want a vote of confidence from this bunch of underachievers as evidence of your asset as a teammate.

 

Why have so many teams given up on walker? What did these teams get in return for him when they let him go? Why wasn't he swimming in offers after 2003 when he had a great offensive season?

 

You guys will be cluthcing his great metrics to your collective breast a year from now when he has another great "metric" year and does little or nothing to help his team win.

 

You're right, we should probably follow the example of other organizations. If they did it, then it's probably the right call. Why do you not think he's any good? Because of the number of teams he's played for? Because he's quoted a lot? Because other people like him?

 

Because he plays horsecrap defense and rarely seems to get a hit that means much. Point out five or so big hits he's had this year that have put us ahead or won a game for us. I'll give you a head start: he got that one vs. the Reds in the ninth about two weeks ago.

 

Which organization made a mistake in letting him go? Did Boston?

 

I know you metric guys reject the concept of clutch hitting; you'd have to if you think Walker is a meaningfully productive player. Despite your (I think) reasoning, all runs are not created equal.

 

And, finally, no one who responded to my initial post mentioned the Grudz point. Interesting. Please share with me their comparative numbers. I'm guessing Walker probbaly has better hiitng numbers, but nobody mentioned they would rather have Walker than Grudz.

 

FYI, profanity is a no-no around here.

 

Walker's defense isn't above average, but he's not even near bad enough where we should ship him out for it.

 

If getting rid of Walker was the key to success, why don't the Rockies and Reds have trophy after trophy on their mantles?

 

You know who the best "clutch" hitters are over their careers? They're the one's with the best numbers, because almost all situational numbers revert towards career numbers when you have enough of a sample. But, since it never SEEMS like Walker gets a big hit, he's not really any good.

 

That's not profanity; it's barnyard language.

 

Thanks for repating the standard reposne about clutch hitting; I've seen it before. Thanks for not pointing out the hits Walker has had that have put the Cubs ahead or won games for us. And for not addressing the Grudz thing.

 

Finally, when I think of Walker and his great numbers I think of a guy like Eckstein as the opposite. Who would you have rather had this year in your lineup and then let's see their respective hitting numbers. Again, Walker's are probably better. And if you say that you would rather have had Walker this year you are incredible or lying.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

That's not profanity; it's barnyard language.

 

Thanks for repating the standard reposne about clutch hitting; I've seen it before. Thanks for not pointing out the hits Walker has had that have put the Cubs ahead or won games for us. And for not addressing the Grudz thing.

 

Finally, when I think of Walker and his great numbers I think of a guy like Eckstein as the opposite. Who would you have rather had this year in your lineup and then let's see their respective hitting numbers. Again, Walker's are probably better. And if you say that you would rather have had Walker this year you are incredible or lying.

 

Whatever(about the language), just giving you a heads up.

 

Yeah, the standard response has basically been proven true. That's why I'm not going to waste time searching game logs to prove some meaningless point.

 

I also apologize for not taking your bait with regards to Grudz. If I say that I'd rather have Grudz, it somehow justifies your point that Walker is worthless. If I pick Walker, then I'm just a stat-hugging loony. But for the record, I'd probably take Walker, but they aren't incredibly far apart.

 

And yes, I'd rather have Walker than Eckstein, I prefer the most productive player.

 

What are your feelings on Scott Podsednik?

[ZMovieman]

When Walker is healthy, I'd place him behind only Lee and Ramirez for consistency over the course of this season offensively. Walker is a welcome breath of fresh air for a team that seems to gag every time they see more than one pitch. As for his defense, everyone's right: he's really not that bad. I'd say the only detriment is that Walker + Nomar turning the double play is slow. But Walker by himself is far better than people give him credit for.

 

As for Grudz, I like the guy, but you are drinking the Kool-Aid if you think he's a better player than Walker. While it may not show statistically (as comparing .292 and .305 isn't all that far off), I think over the course of his career, you can count on Walker more than Grudz. I'm sure that was the Cubs thinking.

 

There is no way that Walker's option is not picked up this offseason. At worse, he becomes valuable trade bait towards a bigger need. But unless he nets us something huge and needed, Walker should (deservedly) be a Cub next season regardless of his mouth.

[1908]

That's not profanity; it's barnyard language.

No, it's profanity. Please refrain from using it.

[brfahey]

That's not profanity; it's barnyard language.

 

Thanks for repating the standard reposne about clutch hitting; I've seen it before. Thanks for not pointing out the hits Walker has had that have put the Cubs ahead or won games for us. And for not addressing the Grudz thing.

 

Finally, when I think of Walker and his great numbers I think of a guy like Eckstein as the opposite. Who would you have rather had this year in your lineup and then let's see their respective hitting numbers. Again, Walker's are probably better. And if you say that you would rather have had Walker this year you are incredible or lying.

 

Whatever(about the language), just giving you a heads up.

 

Yeah, the standard response has basically been proven true. That's why I'm not going to waste time searching game logs to prove some meaningless point.

 

I also apologize for not taking your bait with regards to Grudz. If I say that I'd rather have Grudz, it somehow justifies your point that Walker is worthless. If I pick Walker, then I'm just a stat-hugging loony. But for the record, I'd probably take Walker, but they aren't incredibly far apart.

 

And yes, I'd rather have Walker than Eckstein, I prefer the most productive player.

 

What are your feelings on Scott Podsednik?

 

I don't think much of Podesednik. He hurt the Cubs his first year but he is basically a slap .270 hitter who seems to steal an awful lot of bases for a team that struggles to score. Not much of an arm in the outfield. Didn't belong on the All-Star team.

 

I love the reponse about game logs and my meaningless point. Baseball is a numbers game but not totally and metrics guys just can't accept that. Numbers give you some material, probably a lot of material. with which to analyze the game. But if you think that numbers give you everything you need you are way off. Why even play the game. Let's just turn baseball into a board game.

 

Do you think Walker has done more to help his team win than Eckstein has this year? And while I am asking maybe you can answer me this: does the best or better "metric" team win a championship every year. If not how do you explain that?

[treebird]

I don't think much of Podesednik. He hurt the Cubs his first year but he is basically a slap .270 hitter who seems to steal an awful lot of bases for a team that struggles to score. Not much of an arm in the outfield. Didn't belong on the All-Star team.

 

I love the reponse about game logs and my meaningless point. Baseball is a numbers game but not totally and metrics guys just can't accept that. Numbers give you some material, probably a lot of material. with which to analyze the game. But if you think that numbers give you everything you need you are way off. Why even play the game. Let's just turn baseball into a board game.

 

Do you think Walker has done more to help his team win than Eckstein has this year? And while I am asking maybe you can answer me this: does the best or better "metric" team win a championship every year. If not how do you explain that?

 

time to mow the lawn, nick