Bruce Miles 11/1 column.......

[Bgbird68]

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp

 

Leading man: One of the top priorities for the Cubs this winter will be a leadoff man. If the Florida Marlins make center fielder Juan Pierre available, look for the Cubs to get involved.

 

If the Cubs can land Pierre, they’d likely try to deal center fielder Corey Patterson, who suffered through a miserable year at the plate.

[CubinNY]

The Cubs already have a pretty decent lead off hitter in Walker. Unfortunately the Cubs don't know it. So they will go after Juan "slappy" Pierre. Whopie!!

 

My only hope is they make him wear his hat bill forward not cocked to the side.

[fiver]

Who thinks that we'll see Corey in half a season of winter ball? The article suggests that Hendry is pushing for this.

[CuseCubFan69]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

[RockTheIvy]

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp

 

Leading man: One of the top priorities for the Cubs this winter will be a leadoff man. If the Florida Marlins make center fielder Juan Pierre available, look for the Cubs to get involved.

 

If the Cubs can land Pierre, they’d likely try to deal center fielder Corey Patterson, who suffered through a miserable year at the plate.

 

Horse, why the change in name?

[nilodnayr]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

[CUBZ99]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

 

Where did you see that Hendry wants to overpay for Preston Wilson, Encarnacion or Jacque Jones?? Also, why do you think that Rusch is not worth $3M a year?

[USSoccer]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

 

Where did you see that Hendry wants to overpay for Preston Wilson, Encarnacion or Jacque Jones?? Also, why do you think that Rusch is not worth $3M a year?

 

Hendry has a very bad habit of overpaying fringe talent. Neifi, Macias and to a lesser extend Blanco and Burnitz are excellent examples of this. He's pound wise, penny foolish.

 

In regards to Rusch, the issue is that we have multiple internal options for the role Rusch will pay, and all of them are much, much cheaper. Plus, if Rusch isn't starting he's absolutely terrible.

[nilodnayr]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

 

Where did you see that Hendry wants to overpay for Preston Wilson, Encarnacion or Jacque Jones?? Also, why do you think that Rusch is not worth $3M a year?

 

Most all media outlets had confirmed Hendry's interest in Preston Wilson at the deadline last year, coincidentally all media outlets confirmed Hendry's interest in Burnitz at the deadline the year before and look what happened there. Encarnacion and J Jones are very similar players, and the cubs have been rumored to be interested in J Jones. Rusch is worth 3M a year to a team that doesn't have a better option for .5M (and you know Rusch will get the 5th spot over Williams). We need 6 starters because of Wood, but if he goes down and Rusch, Maddux, and Willaims are in the rotation then we are pretty much screwed anyway.

[Bgbird68]

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp

 

Leading man: One of the top priorities for the Cubs this winter will be a leadoff man. If the Florida Marlins make center fielder Juan Pierre available, look for the Cubs to get involved.

 

If the Cubs can land Pierre, they’d likely try to deal center fielder Corey Patterson, who suffered through a miserable year at the plate.

 

Horse, why the change in name?

 

I can't listen to B and B anymore sinced they changed time slots. I thought it was time for a change.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

Don't be silly. This is the Cubs, that'll never happen.

 

[sets worthless Burnitz baseball cards on fire]

[Backtobanks]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

 

Where did you see that Hendry wants to overpay for Preston Wilson, Encarnacion or Jacque Jones?? Also, why do you think that Rusch is not worth $3M a year?

 

Hendry has a very bad habit of overpaying fringe talent. Neifi, Macias and to a lesser extend Blanco and Burnitz are excellent examples of this. He's pound wise, penny foolish.

 

In regards to Rusch, the issue is that we have multiple internal options for the role Rusch will pay, and all of them are much, much cheaper. Plus, if Rusch isn't starting he's absolutely terrible.

 

Name all of those "multiple internal options" for Rusch' role that are cheaper. Hill and Koronka stunk, Mitre and Welly stunk and are RH, and Williams shows promise, but he is our 5th RH pitcher. I think Rusch at $3 million is a good deal, he gives us a LH starter, a veteran swingman, and enough depth to use him or our younger pitchers as trade bait.

[USSoccer]

What worries me is if Hendry can not get the players he originally targets and ends up overpaying average to below average players just to fill in the spots.

What worries me is Hendry wants to overpay average to below average players. Furcal, Preston Wilson, Encarnacion, Jacque Jones, Pierre, Rusch...

 

Where did you see that Hendry wants to overpay for Preston Wilson, Encarnacion or Jacque Jones?? Also, why do you think that Rusch is not worth $3M a year?

 

Hendry has a very bad habit of overpaying fringe talent. Neifi, Macias and to a lesser extend Blanco and Burnitz are excellent examples of this. He's pound wise, penny foolish.

 

In regards to Rusch, the issue is that we have multiple internal options for the role Rusch will pay, and all of them are much, much cheaper. Plus, if Rusch isn't starting he's absolutely terrible.

 

Name all of those "multiple internal options" for Rusch' role that are cheaper. Hill and Koronka stunk, Mitre and Welly stunk and are RH, and Williams shows promise, but he is our 5th RH pitcher. I think Rusch at $3 million is a good deal, he gives us a LH starter, a veteran swingman, and enough depth to use him or our younger pitchers as trade bait.

 

Williams' numbers with the Cubs were quite good, and he wasn't even in shape. Were he to go down, you could legitimately see Hill, Koronka, Guzman (if healthy), Pinto, Wellemeyer or even Nolasco in a true emergency slide in and start. I don't think Rusch is multiples better than any of those guys, and he certainly isn't better than Williams.

 

Also, it doesn't matter that the Cubs would have 5 RHP in the rotation. Having a lefty is no good if that lefty sucks. See Estes, Shawn circa 2003. If Rusch gets bounced around again from pen to rotation, he'll stink again. Also, the fact that he may not make the rotation but be a swingman means having a 12 man pitching staff, which is ludicriously stupid.

[UK1679666180]

I can't see must of a case why you'd want Rusch starting over Williams. There are times when they should look down the road and examine short-term/long-term analysis. If you think Rusch would be better in the short-term over Williams, ask yourself if the 3mil was worth it also. How much of a difference would there be between Williams and Rusch over the next 25-30 starts? Personally, I think Williams would do better under that scenario.

[YearofDaCubs]

I can't see must of a case why you'd want Rusch starting over Williams. There are times when they should look down the road and examine short-term/long-term analysis. If you think Rusch would be better in the short-term over Williams, ask yourself if the 3mil was worth it also. How much of a difference would there be between Williams and Rusch over the next 25-30 starts? Personally, I think Williams would do better under that scenario.

That's one reason why I question the move.

[TXCubsFan]

I can't see must of a case why you'd want Rusch starting over Williams. There are times when they should look down the road and examine short-term/long-term analysis. If you think Rusch would be better in the short-term over Williams, ask yourself if the 3mil was worth it also. How much of a difference would there be between Williams and Rusch over the next 25-30 starts? Personally, I think Williams would do better under that scenario.

 

Having Rusch allows Hendry to hedge against Wood's and Guzman's shoulder problems, Hill's uncertain development, Maddux's arm aging, and allows him to trade Williams for the right deal.

[UK1679666180]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

[CubsWin]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

Several fans on this site, not saying one of them was you, have criticized Hendry heavily for not having better back-up plans at SS and in the rotation where known injury-risks exist for the Cubs.

 

Hill is still unproven and can't be counted on to perform when called upon like Rusch can. So Hill doesn't seem like a sound option as an insurance policy while Rusch's numbers over that last two seasons show he has the ability to get the job done when called upon. And the results of this season seems to have shown the need for reliable insurance policies.

 

Plus, estimates show the Cubs have around 50 million dollars to spend this off season. So, spending 2.75 million on a player who can provide insurance to the starting rotation and effective relief is money well spent considering the amount of money the team has to shell out.

[nilodnayr]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

Several fans on this site, not saying one of them was you, have criticized Hendry heavily for not having better back-up plans at SS and in the rotation where known injury-risks exist for the Cubs.

 

Hill is still unproven and can't be counted on to perform when called upon like Rusch can. So Hill doesn't seem like a sound option as an insurance policy while Rusch's numbers over that last two seasons show he has the ability to get the job done when called upon. And the results of this season seems to have shown the need for reliable insurance policies.

 

Plus, estimates show the Cubs have around 50 million dollars to spend this off season. So, spending 2.75 million on a player who can provide insurance to the starting rotation and effective relief is money well spent considering the amount of money the team has to shell out.

 

Will this team make the playoffs with a rotation of Z, Prior, Maddux, Rusch, Williams? Thats an average rotation. Unless we get Giles, resign Nomar, keep Walker, and get Bradley, we need at least an above average rotation. If you are going to get an insurance option, why not get actually a decent starter and use Williams as insurance. If we get a #3 and Wood gets hurt and Williams has to step in, we still have a chance. Dusty needs defined roles because he has no clue what the right moves are.

[mg420]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

Several fans on this site, not saying one of them was you, have criticized Hendry heavily for not having better back-up plans at SS and in the rotation where known injury-risks exist for the Cubs.

 

Hill is still unproven and can't be counted on to perform when called upon like Rusch can. So Hill doesn't seem like a sound option as an insurance policy while Rusch's numbers over that last two seasons show he has the ability to get the job done when called upon. And the results of this season seems to have shown the need for reliable insurance policies.

 

Plus, estimates show the Cubs have around 50 million dollars to spend this off season. So, spending 2.75 million on a player who can provide insurance to the starting rotation and effective relief is money well spent considering the amount of money the team has to shell out.

 

Will this team make the playoffs with a rotation of Z, Prior, Maddux, Rusch, Williams? Thats an average rotation. Unless we get Giles, resign Nomar, keep Walker, and get Bradley, we need at least an above average rotation. If you are going to get an insurance option, why not get actually a decent starter and use Williams as insurance. If we get a #3 and Wood gets hurt and Williams has to step in, we still have a chance. Dusty needs defined roles because he has no clue what the right moves are.

 

i know everyone is sick of the white sox examples but here's another one. what kind of rotation was burehle, garland, garcia, el duke & contrares (sp?)? i'm sure most people here would have given it a below average score before the season started.

[nilodnayr]

 

i know everyone is sick of the white sox examples but here's another one. what kind of rotation was burehle, garland, garcia, el duke & contrares (sp?)? i'm sure most people here would have given it a below average score before the season started.

 

You want to know what kind of rotation they were? OVERACHEIVING! If you want to bank on all of your pitchers having career years/coming up huge in the clutch, then why do we even need Rusch? Wood will be healthy and will strike out 250, Prior will win 25 games and Z will have an ERA under 2 and Maddux will win 10 games in the second half.

[CubsWin]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

Several fans on this site, not saying one of them was you, have criticized Hendry heavily for not having better back-up plans at SS and in the rotation where known injury-risks exist for the Cubs.

 

Hill is still unproven and can't be counted on to perform when called upon like Rusch can. So Hill doesn't seem like a sound option as an insurance policy while Rusch's numbers over that last two seasons show he has the ability to get the job done when called upon. And the results of this season seems to have shown the need for reliable insurance policies.

 

Plus, estimates show the Cubs have around 50 million dollars to spend this off season. So, spending 2.75 million on a player who can provide insurance to the starting rotation and effective relief is money well spent considering the amount of money the team has to shell out.

 

Will this team make the playoffs with a rotation of Z, Prior, Maddux, Rusch, Williams? Thats an average rotation. Unless we get Giles, resign Nomar, keep Walker, and get Bradley, we need at least an above average rotation. If you are going to get an insurance option, why not get actually a decent starter and use Williams as insurance. If we get a #3 and Wood gets hurt and Williams has to step in, we still have a chance. Dusty needs defined roles because he has no clue what the right moves are.

Who said Hendry was done acquiring starting pitching? The FA signing period hasn't even begun. He may not acquire anyone else for the rotation considering that the latest report on Wood is that he is on schedule. (I'll believe it when I see it). But, still, it is a little early to make that assumption, isn't it?

 

I described Rusch as an insurance policy against injury not as a member of the rotation. You would like Williams to be the insurance policy. So would I. Who wouldn't? But who are you going to sign to be the 5th starter?

 

The Cubs have to, have to, get someone the caliber of Brian Giles. Whether that is Giles himself or someone else acquired in a trade, it is going to cost money. Then it seems they will sign a SS. That will cost money as well. Then there is CF. Who knows what Hendry will do there, but the question remains, after all that is done will there be enough money to get one of the top FA starters for the rotation?

 

If you want to bump Williams from the rotation then that FA will have to be better than him. Now it doesn't have to be a FA, he could come in a trade (Zito), but it is going to have to somebody good and likely expensive. Who do you have in mind?

[nilodnayr]

That's fine, but for 3mil. the Cubs have larger holes to worry about than insurance policies. It would've been an ideal time to utilize Hill in an insurance role and put the 3mil to better use.

 

If the Cubs value Rusch more than Williams at this stage, it tells something I don't want to know about this team. Early indications have Rusch being the #5 before Williams and that's a poor early indicator.

Several fans on this site, not saying one of them was you, have criticized Hendry heavily for not having better back-up plans at SS and in the rotation where known injury-risks exist for the Cubs.

 

Hill is still unproven and can't be counted on to perform when called upon like Rusch can. So Hill doesn't seem like a sound option as an insurance policy while Rusch's numbers over that last two seasons show he has the ability to get the job done when called upon. And the results of this season seems to have shown the need for reliable insurance policies.

 

Plus, estimates show the Cubs have around 50 million dollars to spend this off season. So, spending 2.75 million on a player who can provide insurance to the starting rotation and effective relief is money well spent considering the amount of money the team has to shell out.

 

Will this team make the playoffs with a rotation of Z, Prior, Maddux, Rusch, Williams? Thats an average rotation. Unless we get Giles, resign Nomar, keep Walker, and get Bradley, we need at least an above average rotation. If you are going to get an insurance option, why not get actually a decent starter and use Williams as insurance. If we get a #3 and Wood gets hurt and Williams has to step in, we still have a chance. Dusty needs defined roles because he has no clue what the right moves are.

Who said Hendry was done acquiring starting pitching? The FA signing period hasn't even begun. He may not acquire anyone else for the rotation considering that the latest report on Wood is that he is on schedule. (I'll believe it when I see it). But, still, it is a little early to make that assumption, isn't it?

 

I described Rusch as an insurance policy against injury not as a member of the rotation. You would like Williams to be the insurance policy. So would I. Who wouldn't? But who are you going to sign to be the 5th starter?

 

The Cubs have to, have to, get someone the caliber of Brian Giles. Whether that is Giles himself or someone else acquired in a trade, it is going to cost money. Then it seems they will sign a SS. That will cost money as well. Then there is CF. Who knows what Hendry will do there, but the question remains, after all that is done will there be enough money to get one of the top FA starters for the rotation?

 

If you want to bump Williams from the rotation then that FA will have to be better than him. Now it doesn't have to be a FA, he could come in a trade (Zito), but it is going to have to somebody good and likely expensive. Who do you have in mind?

 

Id gladly take Bradley and Lowe/Odalis from LA. I completely understand the desire to stockpile pitching, but in my opinion 7 ML starters is overkill, if we lose 2 starters we are done for anyways, what kind of insurance is that? If Hendry wanted insurance he should have gotten some one that is not good enough to compete for the 5th spot (which Rusch is questionable), but some one who is good enough to bump Maddux down to the 5th spot. CF and another starter are two positions that Hendry should look to acquire through trades, since theres no one on the market who would be adequate/get a reasonable contract. In a FA market like this you have to focus more on trades than signings.

[mg420]

 

i know everyone is sick of the white sox examples but here's another one. what kind of rotation was burehle, garland, garcia, el duke & contrares (sp?)? i'm sure most people here would have given it a below average score before the season started.

 

You want to know what kind of rotation they were? OVERACHEIVING! If you want to bank on all of your pitchers having career years/coming up huge in the clutch, then why do we even need Rusch? Wood will be healthy and will strike out 250, Prior will win 25 games and Z will have an ERA under 2 and Maddux will win 10 games in the second half.

it remains to be seen if they overachieved or if garland & contrares have finally figured out how to pitch. if zambrano, prior & wood are all healthy i'm not too concerned about the #4 & 5 guys.