Hendry on channel 9 WGN shortly.

[goonys evil twin]

I can't argue with the fact that he has been unreliable, obviously. But to say that he "is unreliable", where what you're essentially getting at is that you think he'll be unreliable in the future, on the basis of nothing besides the fact he's been unreliable in the past, somewhat irks me. Is there no chance that he'll improve with experience? And are the chances of his filthy stuff prevailing non-existent? Are last year's walks necessarily the best indicator of the extent of his control? Goony seems to have to his conclusions, presumptuously.

 

I'm sorry, but the fault lies in your interpretations of my words. Novoa is unreliable. That does not at all assume that he will always be unreliable. What irks me is the fact that I've had to repeat my stance several times that I have no problem with having Novoa in the bullpen, and taking the risk of a less than steller relief corps. I've said Novoa has great stuff with the ability to be a great reliever. He's just shown nothing to do to make me confident that he will be. He's unreliable. He's the very definition of unreliable when discussing pitchers.

 

Why some people are so taken aback from such a simple, uncontroversial, completely dispassionate statement is baffling.

 

Perhaps it's just a discussion. You gave your opinion, I gave mine, others gave theirs. I don't see how anyone has been right or wrong in this. Has living in NY made you bitter? I lived in NJ for three years and certainly came out angrier. :wink:

 

My biggest problem was you lumping him in with Welly, Mitre and Koronka who have been much worse. I also don't agree with your assessment of JVB. I think it's very difficult for anyone to give any kind of assessment of his reliability (good or bad) based on six major league innings.

 

My bitterness is based solely on diffusion's smartass replies to my statements and his decision to put words into my mouth and ignore what I wrote even as he commented on it.

 

The fact that JVB hasn't done a thing in the majors and isn't a highly touted prospect is exactly why he's unreliable.

 

Why is this word so caustic?

[Diffusion]

I can't argue with the fact that he has been unreliable, obviously. But to say that he "is unreliable", where what you're essentially getting at is that you think he'll be unreliable in the future, on the basis of nothing besides the fact he's been unreliable in the past, somewhat irks me. Is there no chance that he'll improve with experience? And are the chances of his filthy stuff prevailing non-existent? Are last year's walks necessarily the best indicator of the extent of his control? Goony seems to have to his conclusions, presumptuously.

 

I'm sorry, but the fault lies in your interpretations of my words. Novoa is unreliable. That does not at all assume that he will always be unreliable. What irks me is the fact that I've had to repeat my stance several times that I have no problem with having Novoa in the bullpen, and taking the risk of a less than steller relief corps. I've said Novoa has great stuff with the ability to be a great reliever. He's just shown nothing to do to make me confident that he will be. He's unreliable. He's the very definition of unreliable when discussing pitchers.

 

Why some people are so taken aback from such a simple, uncontroversial, completely dispassionate statement is baffling.

 

If Novoa is unreliable, I'm not sure what the problem is. Whether you're reliable or not doesn't make any difference in November. There aren't any baseball games in November. His unreliability at this present moment in time, hence the use of the present tense, makes absolutely no difference.

 

Hence what you meant, and I don't particularly care whether this is putting words in your mouth or not, by Novoa is completely unreliable is that you think that Novoa will still be completely unreliable at the stage when his reliability is actually an issue, as in, when the Cubs next start playing games, as in next year.

 

One thing I certainly never said as far as putting words in your mouth is that you think that Novoa will always be unreliable. Or at least I didn't mean to. But I too have been obscure though, I see. Here, I'll rephrase...

 

But to say that he "is unreliable", where what you're essentially getting at is that you think he'll be unreliable at the next point in the future where his reliability is an issue, on the basis of nothing besides the fact he's been unreliable in the past, somewhat irks me. Is there no chance that he'll improve with experience by the time that his reliability is next a factor? And are the chances of his filthy stuff prevailing by the time his reliability is next a factor non-existent? Are last year's walks necessarily the best indicator of the likely extent of his control at the time when his reliability is next a factor? Goony seems to have to his conclusions, presumptuously.

 

You happy now, or do you want to explain what the problem is here?

[Andy]

Let's face it, even the Angels, who a lot of people say had a good bullpen, had guys like Esteban Yan and Kevin Gregg pitch over 60 innings in relief. The Astros had Russ Springer. The White Sox are one of the few teams that got good seasons from all their regular relievers, and that's not exactly common.

 

Perhaps that reflects more on the need for a manager to bite the bullett sometimes and give his backend guys work, so as to save the good guys from breaking down. Unfortunately I don't see it happening. Dusty will find his 2 or 3 guys, and run them into the ground by July, when he'll whine about needing more relievers.

 

I agree with that. He loves to play the hot hand. If a reliever is throwing well, he won't hesitate to use him every chance he gets. The workload has to be balanced.

I was trying to complile a list of pitchers who possibly have been affected by Baker's use/abuse of the pitching staff. You can make a case..

 

Prior

Wood

Nen

Fox

Livan

 

I fear to see who might be next on the list. I think Z might be next unfortunately.

Is it just me or is Z just an old-school fireballer who can throw this many innings without problems? He's done it three years in a row now without problems, whereas the first year Wood and Prior were used in the same manner they started breaking down. I just think Z has just about the biggest rubber arm in baseball.

 

As for who's next, it'll be His Eyreness beyond the shadow of a doubt. He's a Dusty boy, so if he shows any amount of results this year (and probably even if he doesn't), Dusty will use him anytime he can.

[goonys evil twin]

You happy now, or do you want to explain what the problem is here?

 

I don't think an explanation is necessary, it seems pretty clear.

[TB_11]

Trades

What we're going to see is a certain amount of clubs all chasing the same 10 to 12 free agents, or a lot of that group. When the music stops, and all those guys get signed, all of us will still have holes to fill that aren't available in the free agent market. So the change in scenery trades I think you'll see some of those. We can help you over here, we got some pitching we can give you for this guy. I think you'll see some good, fair, old baseball trades being made this winter.

 

Hopefully the deals for Rusch, Neifi, and Eyre have something to do with this.

[CubbieSouthpaw]

BOOOOO!!! :x

 

 

<<< see avatar

 

Looks like Hendry's picture. Who is Moran?

[Careless]

2. My head will explode if Dusty ever hits Neifi higher than 8th. Ever.

We'll mourn your passing april 5th. (note: I'm not actually sure when opening day is)

[Andy]

BOOOOO!!! :x

 

 

<<< see avatar

 

Looks like Hendry's picture. Who is Moran?

It's yet another reference to a Cardinals' fan's sign that says "Get a Brain! Morans!"

 

Anyone got the picture?