Why are Neifi and Macias playing???

[Geech]

i'm starting to think that Hendry needs to be sent out of town on the same flight as Dusty for allowing this madness to continue.

 

I definitely agree with you. I can't recall when I came to the conclusion, but I've viewed Hendry as part of the problem for some time now.

[Crash]

With the injuries to Cedeno and Walker I can almost accept playing Perez and Macias. I don't think it is the best way to go but it isn't suprising.

 

But what absolutly drives me crazy is that Baker puts them 1&2 in the order! It is just mind numbing that a manager will put the two players with the worst OBP's in the two most important slots for OBP, i.e. hitting in front of Derek. Between Nomar, Murton and Barrett there are more than enough options for the top two spots. Heck even it if was just Nefi I could deal as long as Nomar or Murton was batting second. Sometimes I wonder if during the season Lee ever wanted to "accidently" sucker punch Baker because he has constantly insured that he is batting with the bases clear all season.

[muntjack]

Who cares if the offseason is "eventful" or not? Activity doesn't mean acquiring the right pieces.

 

I agree that "eventful" does not necessarily mean we improve. However, my point was that I believe Hendry feels a great amount of pressure to win NOW (because of the reasons illustrated above).

 

He can't have watched the entire season without develping a good idea of what we need (OBP%). Obviously Jacque Jones and Juan Pierre < Brian Giles and Marcus Giles. I imagine he knows this.

 

We are several (3+) years away from making a serious WS run.

 

A couple offseason pickups aren't going to save us.

 

Do you really believe this? If we added just Brian and Marcus our team OBP% skyrockets.

 

Murton

Giles

Lee

Giles

Ramirez

Barrett

Cedeno

Patterson

 

That's just two pickups, well within our budget.

 

This lineup would score runs, undoubtedly.

[mhuber92211]

reagardless, one of them has to play since THeriot is the only backup INF on the roster healthy enough to play right now.

[CuseCubFan69]

I think they believe that winning is a habit that one has to cultivate. I think they believe that ending with a .500 record will do more for the franchise in the future than giving a "fringe" guy like Theriot 5-6 starts to end the year. Or the possibility of losing their first round pick next June because they get ranked outside of the top 15 picks.

 

Who am I to say that they're wrong? It is certainly my opinion that they're incorrect. I don't think it means all that much to end up 82-80 instead of 79-83. I think the draft pick means a lot. I think it would be nice to get a better feel if Ryan can handle a backup MLB job next year. But it's close enough that I can see their point of view and understand it.

 

I just can't understand the rationale that Macias gives a better chance to win these games than Theriot. I'm lost on that one.

 

Unless Macias and Perez are coming back next year what's the point of playing them both everyday and every inning? I understand what you're saying about breaking that losing culture but not playing Theriot and seeing what he can do is not smart thinking IMO. Also, this is a nice opportunity to see if Murton can handle hitting 1 or 2. I think this foolish reasoning is a combo of things:

 

-Baker doesn't want to be proved wrong

-Bakers unhealthy love for veterans

-500 is a goal and because of the bad start and injuries it means something (not to me but them obviously)

 

I also don't inderstand why Fontant (sp) wasn't called up. You have two gimpy third baseman and he was already up this year so what's the problem with having him up once his season was over? I just do not understand this love for the boytoys, Macias especially, and if the Cubs really did want to reach 500 it would be a good idea to add depth as Baker could pinch hit with Grieve more often and keep rotating/pinchhitting for Macias, Theriot and Fontant.

[LoneStarCubFan]

I asked this on another thread. What's wrong with Hairston?

[Tim]

I asked this on another thread. What's wrong with Hairston?

He cracked the "calcium deposits" around his knee. The bone structure itself is reportedly fine.

[dalgreen]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

 

The lineups stunk this year; however, I think you're underestimating just how poor our starting pitching and bullpen were for many parts of the season.

[BigbadB]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

 

The lineups stunk this year; however, I think you're underestimating just how poor our starting pitching and bullpen were for many parts of the season.

 

I don't think he is underestimating how poor the starting pitching and bullpen have been. A one game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team at .500. A two game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team with a winning record.

 

I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that the Cubs could have won 2 more games with quality OBP guys at the top of the order. I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that they could have won 10 more games with productive OBP guys hitting in front of Derrek Lee all year.

[dalgreen]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

 

The lineups stunk this year; however, I think you're underestimating just how poor our starting pitching and bullpen were for many parts of the season.

 

I don't think he is underestimating how poor the starting pitching and bullpen have been. A one game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team at .500. A two game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team with a winning record.

 

I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that the Cubs could have won 2 more games with quality OBP guys at the top of the order. I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that they could have won 10 more games with productive OBP guys hitting in front of Derrek Lee all year.

 

Fair enough. I just think there were games this year that we won where we should've lost and definitely vice-versa. I'm just saying even with the crappy lineups that Baker trotted out there, there were many games that we had the lead in the seventh inning or later that the bullpen gave up.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is what happens when you refuse to even call up a guy that should've been in Macias's spot since about May. It's inexcusable for Fontenot not to be in Chicago.

[dalgreen]

This is what happens when you refuse to even call up a guy that should've been in Macias's spot since about May. It's inexcusable for Fontenot not to be in Chicago.

 

I'll go even further, I don't know why he was ever re-signed.

[JC]

This is what happens when you refuse to even call up a guy that should've been in Macias's spot since about May. It's inexcusable for Fontenot not to be in Chicago.

 

I'll go even further, I don't know why he was ever re-signed.

 

Because he is Dusty's Everything Guy. Sheesh. How many times does he have to say it?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

This is what happens when you refuse to even call up a guy that should've been in Macias's spot since about May. It's inexcusable for Fontenot not to be in Chicago.

 

I'll go even further, I don't know why he was ever re-signed.

 

Oh definitely. There was a slimmest bit of purpose for Macias in not having a backup at 3rd, and that disappeared the day Fontenot played there at AAA, and Neifi filled in for a couple innings at the big league level.

[biittner77]

This is what happens when you refuse to even call up a guy that should've been in Macias's spot since about May. It's inexcusable for Fontenot not to be in Chicago.

 

I'll go even further, I don't know why he was ever re-signed.

 

Oh definitely. There was a slimmest bit of purpose for Macias in not having a backup at 3rd, and that disappeared the day Fontenot played there at AAA, and Neifi filled in for a couple innings at the big league level.

 

Not to mention Mclain.

[BigbadB]

They could have cracked .500 if they'd had someone else filling out the lineup card everyday...even with the injuries

 

The lineups stunk this year; however, I think you're underestimating just how poor our starting pitching and bullpen were for many parts of the season.

 

I don't think he is underestimating how poor the starting pitching and bullpen have been. A one game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team at .500. A two game swing from the loss column to the win column has the team with a winning record.

 

I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that the Cubs could have won 2 more games with quality OBP guys at the top of the order. I don't think it's out of the scope of reality that they could have won 10 more games with productive OBP guys hitting in front of Derrek Lee all year.

 

Fair enough. I just think there were games this year that we won where we should've lost and definitely vice-versa. I'm just saying even with the crappy lineups that Baker trotted out there, there were many games that we had the lead in the seventh inning or later that the bullpen gave up.

 

And I don't disagree that there were games we won that we should have lost. However, for every game they won and should have lost, there were other games that we had no chance of winning because of who they had hitting at the top of the order. Every team will win games they should have lost. Every team will lose games they should have won. It's not those games that determine the final standings. It's winning the close games. It's making the most use of your line up. The Cubs didn't do that this year. They assembled line ups that virtually made them no better than a .500 team. As bad as the bullpen has been this year, a decent line up card might have helped this team make the playoffs. I don't give Baker a whole lot of credit for how bad the bullpen has been, but he certainly played a part in that as well.

 

Neifi Perez and his below .300 OBP had the equivilent of a half a season's worth of at bats in the top half of the order this year. Add in other poor OBP guys (Patterson, Macias, Enrique Wilson), and you're closer to a full season of crap top of the order hitters, dragging down the team.

 

And what's worse about this than anything else, there were TRUE options to hit there and do much better. Cedeno, Murton, Walker and Hairston are 4 guys who have good OBP's at the top of the order. Nomar would be a 5th candidate, but I really prefer his AVG and OPS in the 5th or 6th spot.

[biittner77]

 

 

Who cares if the offseason is "eventful" or not? Activity doesn't mean acquiring the right pieces. We are several (3+) years away from making a serious WS run. The lack of plate discipline and OBP on this team is truly astounding (encouraged by management). A couple offseason pickups aren't going to save us. Last year's FA debacle in the outfield assured that with this year's weak FA class, we will again be twiddling our thumbs come October.

 

Things looked pretty bleak during the 2002 season too. Look what happened in 2003. Sometimes it takes a disappointing season to call attention to bigger problems. Despite all the bad things that happened this season, some questions were answered:

 

1. Clearly Patterson is not a lead off hitter.

2. Ryan Dempster is much more effective as a closer than as a starter.

3. Wuertz, Novoa and Ohman showed that they could make up a good part of the back end of the BP.

4. Derrek Lee is the player Hendry thought he'd be. To a lesser degree so is Barrett.

 

The Cubs still have a lot of question marks (2nd, SS, LF, CF, RF) but they also have viable options at those at 3 of those 5 positions in house. Four if you consider Pie or Patterson in CF a viable option.

 

I don't believe it's hopelessly optimistic to say that the Cubs are 2 productive OF and 2 pitchers away from being pretty good.

[goonys evil twin]

Every team will win games they should have lost. Every team will lose games they should have won. It's not those games that determine the final standings. It's winning the close games.

 

I may be wrong, but I could have sworn that after yesterday's game, Len said something about the Cubs' record in 1-run games, and it was positive, something like 24-19?

[goonys evil twin]

I don't believe it's hopelessly optimistic to say that the Cubs are 2 productive OF and 2 pitchers away from being pretty good.

 

It might not even take that much. 2 productive OF bats and 1 great arm could make this team great.

 

 

But it'll take a lot of work to get those guys.

[CuseCubFan69]

I don't believe it's hopelessly optimistic to say that the Cubs are 2 productive OF and 2 pitchers away from being pretty good.

 

It might not even take that much. 2 productive OF bats and 1 great arm could make this team great.

 

 

But it'll take a lot of work to get those guys.

 

You'll have to get old school players for it to work with Baker in charge though. If the Cubs get some sluggers and sign Perez guess who will be leading off? You need a successful OBP speedy leadoff guy or Baker will make a great team an average one in one blink of a lineup card.

[biittner77]

I don't believe it's hopelessly optimistic to say that the Cubs are 2 productive OF and 2 pitchers away from being pretty good.

 

It might not even take that much. 2 productive OF bats and 1 great arm could make this team great.

 

 

But it'll take a lot of work to get those guys.

 

The Cubs do have some important factors going for them in that regard. They don't really have any bad contracts as far as position players goes. There not stuck with someone like Alou or a fading Sosa. They also have the payroll flexibility to take on someone that another team can't/ doesn't want to pay.

 

Those advantages, unfortunately, could lead to disaster if not used properly.

 

What the Cubs really lack is a really attractive trading chip. Presumably they can't/ won't trade any of the big 3, Maddux, Lee, Barrett or Ramirez. The closest thing they have is Walker but he's not exactly a household name.

[J.R.]

Enrique Wilson

 

I had forgotten about that horrible series in the Bronx.

 

"He knows the park, dude."

 

What the hell is wrong with Baker?!

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Every team will win games they should have lost. Every team will lose games they should have won. It's not those games that determine the final standings. It's winning the close games.

 

I may be wrong, but I could have sworn that after yesterday's game, Len said something about the Cubs' record in 1-run games, and it was positive, something like 24-19?

 

Remember when the Cubs were really bad in 1-run games last year, and everyone said that it was one of the problems with the team?

[dalgreen]

Every team will win games they should have lost. Every team will lose games they should have won. It's not those games that determine the final standings. It's winning the close games.

 

I may be wrong, but I could have sworn that after yesterday's game, Len said something about the Cubs' record in 1-run games, and it was positive, something like 24-19?

 

Remember when the Cubs were really bad in 1-run games last year, and everyone said that it was one of the problems with the team?

 

There are a lot of overrated stats in baseball, but the record in one-run games has to be one of the most overrated stats.

[brinoch]

Last year they knocked us out. We knew we were going to be one of the deciding factors on if they go to the playoffs or not. It's another reason why you have to play your best lineup against teams that are contending."

 

Here we have Baker discussing his lineups again. Can anyone tell me when Baker has said we don't need to play the veterans now? Can anyone show me where he's said it's a good idea to see what we have with some rookies? Right.

Edited September 26, 2005 by brinoch