CubinNY

Would he accept a trade to Baltimore? We do know he doesn't like fans that boo. Do they boo in Baltimore? We also know that Baltimore likes him as they nearly traded for him before we stepped in and stole him away. The Cubs didn't steal him away. The owner wouldn't give him an extension so the deal fell through. Hendry was there to get sloppy seconds. It turned out to be a good trade for the Cubs but it wasn't exactly a steal. Considering the way Hee Seops career went, and how much Derrek Lee did for the Cubs the past 4 years, yeah, it was almost as much of a steel as the Ramirez trade. Here's a tip: Read the post before responding to it. Lee wasn't stolen from Baltimore. The deal between the Marlins and the Orioles was dead before Hendry made his move. Lee wasn't stolen even if it was a good deal for the Cubs.

Would he accept a trade to Baltimore? We do know he doesn't like fans that boo. Do they boo in Baltimore? We also know that Baltimore likes him as they nearly traded for him before we stepped in and stole him away. The Cubs didn't steal him away. The owner wouldn't give him an extension so the deal fell through. Hendry was there to get sloppy seconds. It turned out to be a good trade for the Cubs but it wasn't exactly a steal.

They were also playing crap teams with bad pitchers. That's true, but they were playing crap teams with bad pitchers in the first half. They play in the NL West. I really doubt the only reason their offense improved was because they all the sudden started playing bad teams, and not because they added 4 solid hitters to their everyday lineup. (3 technically because Furcal only played a week) Look at their schedule. They played their division rivals down the stretch. They added one great hitter at the deadline. Overall, they are very mediocre and don't have a good lineup outside of Manny. If he goes into a slump they have a terrible lineup. Their only hope is that the Cubs get impatient and start swinging at junk. That's the only way they're going to win. Down the stretch they did, just as they probably had a long stretch in the first half when they played bad teams. I mean they play in the NL West. Those numbers also include their August schedule, when they faced the folllowing teams: vs. AZ @ STL @ SF vs. PHI (4) vs. MIL vs. COL @ PHI (4) @ WAS @ AZ Not an impossible schedule by any means, but its not like their September schedule. The way you are wording your argument is implying that the Dodgers played nothing but easy teams for the last 2 months of the season, while their numbers are bogged down in the first half by playing only hard teams. Certainly its not the case. The day before the Manny trade was made, the Dodgers put together an outfield consisting of Andruw Jones (.505 OPS), Juan Pierre (.655 OPS) and Matt Kemp (.799 OPS). Now its Manny Ramirez (1.031 OPS), Kemp (.799) and Ethier (.885). That's a sizable difference right there. They will also be upgraded offensively by replace Angel Berroa (.614 OPS) with Furcal (.764 career OPS, 1.012 in limited sample this year). They are not better than the Cubs by any stretch, but its pretty clear they are significantly better right now than they were in July. Well screw it then, the Cubs should just pack it in. They are a MEDIOCRE TEAM with Manny and bad team without him. This is the 84 win Dodgers we are talking about not the 1927 Yankees. This year's Cubs team is head and shoulders better than the Dodgers and should win easily.

They were also playing crap teams with bad pitchers. That's true, but they were playing crap teams with bad pitchers in the first half. They play in the NL West. I really doubt the only reason their offense improved was because they all the sudden started playing bad teams, and not because they added 4 solid hitters to their everyday lineup. (3 technically because Furcal only played a week) Look at their schedule. They played their division rivals down the stretch. They added one great hitter at the deadline. Overall, they are very mediocre and don't have a good lineup outside of Manny. If he goes into a slump they have a terrible lineup. Their only hope is that the Cubs get impatient and start swinging at junk. That's the only way they're going to win.

They were also playing crap teams with bad pitchers.

Somebody posted somewhere else that their #s weren't much better post-July. Like .1 R/G better. Hmm...well Furcal didn't return until this week, Blake hasn't been hitting to his potential, and Ethier didn't fully replace Pierre until September I believe, but that is surprising. Try to be optimistic for once. The Dodgers are best team in a terrible division who the Cubs beat 5-2 in the regular season. It's not a cake walk but the Cubs should beat this team in a 5 game series. All your fretting won't make things better if they lose.

I'm guessing that these numbers wouldn't be the same if we just went with August and September...or even just September. The Dodgers pitching has finished a lot stronger than the Cubs, mostly because Zambrano has stunk, and Harden has pitched sparingly. That's what SoS is for. The Dodgers also finished with teams that had little to no offense to speak of. I'm more confident of a Cubs series victory than I have ever been. The Dodgers are not good.

Good. You'll be happy when the Cubs sweep them out of the playoffs.

They are practically the same player. I mean Ludwick was a high school kid drafted in the 2nd round and made it to the majors by age 23. Huffpauir was a college guy drafted in the 13th round and made his major league debut at age 28. Even so, Ludwick isn't going to repeat these flukish numbers ever again. But, then again neither will Huffpauir. So, maybe they are alike.

Exactly. At the beginning of the season I didn't think the Cubs would make it to the post-season. I was way wrong; way, way, wrong. They have demonstrated that they are the class of the national league. Now all they have to do is show it. I'm excited as I've ever been about the post season.

Me too. Guzman misses bats.

CubsGM? And isn't it okay to be a little nervous? I don't think you are a Cubs fan, for one. I have no idea what sort of sense of humor it must take to post on a website for a team that you are not a fan of. Second, having said that, a little nervous? Dodgers in 5 isn't a little nervous. It is Howrying in your pants stupidity.

I don't see Samardzija waiving his NTC to move to NY It's a big stage for the big guy from ND. Stupid NTC.

Big friggen deal. They've got the second best staff in the NL and they have the best offense. The Dodgers have been playing the dregs of the NL for the better part of a month. The Cubs in a sweep.

I down with Tim's suggestions. If the Mets don't make the post season (and as of now they're down 4-2 in the bottom of the 9th), they are going to make some big changes in the off-season. I hope Hendry sees if they're willing to give Beltran up and at what cost. I'd give up PIe, plus Samardjzia (sp?) if they payed some of his salary.

Can I unofficially take Howry off the post-season roster?

As if dealing with Beltran, Delgado and Wright is any better? When you factor in pitching staffs, It's a lot better.

If the Brewers end up beating the Cubs in the NLCS I am going to really hate Howry. I mean really hate. More so than I already do. A lot more. A really lot more.

What in the F is that supposed to mean? Is he trying to say he can't pitch if they make it to the playoffs? I think that is exactly what he's saying.

The NL Central was by far the strongest division in NL this year. The Cardinals, Astros, or Brewers would have won the NL West this year. Only Houston is way off their Pythagorean W-L total (+9). The Cubs are exactly at 0. They didn't get lucky this year, they are just good. Only Cin. and Pitt. had a losing record against the West and only Mil and Pitt had a losing record against the East. Offense The NL Central had 3 of the top 8 offensive teams in the NL with the Cubs #1 in runs/game. Interestingly, the Cardinals scored more runs/game than did the Brewers. Pujols for MVP (is there really any doubt?) Pitching The NL Central had 4 of the top 8 pitching staffs the NL. Cubs were behind only the Dodger in ERA+. And they are going to again lead the league in strikeouts. Phun Phact: The Cubs will draw 3.30 million fans this year. That puts them behind: NY 3.9 mill LA 3.7 STL 3.34 PH 3.32 Cubs Mil 3.0 What's it all mean? Maybe nothing but the Cubs should win the NL this year. They're the best team in the strongest division in the NL and there is no question about that. (EDIT: This may need to go into general baseball discussions? who can keep it straight anyway?)

When the Cubs switched, it was because the fans just weren't supporting the team in Jackson (I think they were always at or near the bottom of the league in attendance). The Marlins switching from Carolina to Jacksonville was because theywanted the team to be located closer to the parent team (understandable, since callups from AA straight to the majors are fairly common these days). I don't know the reason for the other moves this time, but a lot of times it is because a minor league city opens up closer to the parent team's home. All the games I went to, including playoff games, were very sparsely attended. The ballpark is gorgeous though. http://www.ballparkreviews.com/wtenn/wtenn.htm I strongly disagree with the comments about the stadium on that page. The stadium is right in the middle of a cornfield. It's almost like the Field of Dreams. I don't think the ballpark is to blame for the lack of atmosphere, but the lack of fans is to blame. Fans still don't come out to see the Diamond Jaxx. The cornfield is long gone (if there ever was one) and has been replaced by I-40 to the left and parks to the right. What they need is some development around the park.

As long as he doesn't pitch.

Nice couple a first posts. Welcome.

Obscure stats? :D) ](*,) :D)

I agree wholeheartedly with the last sentence above. I'll never get the desire for people, Cubs fans no less, not to get behind him 100 percent. He doesn't get on in the 10th, we don't win. Period. Sure, obsess over his imperfections, but he's had a great season, and any notion to "bench" Theriot is absurd. I can take or leave Cedeno, but he sure strikes me as a dumb player most of the time. Theriot has worked his butt off to maximize his talent and had a fine year. I, too, don't understand why so many posters are against him. I'm not "aganst" him, but I want the Cubs to upgrade SS if possible. Cedeno isn't that upgrade, but Theriot's age, sub-Neifi/Pierre levels of power, terrible defense and horrible baserunning meas he should be the backup in 2009 for, ideally, whoever the Cubs find as their new starting SS. It is hyperbole like this that leads to these long argumentative threads. That's one the least hyperbolic things written in this thread in the last few pages. "terrible" and "horrible" and Neifi are all gross hyperbole. You can criticize his defense or baserunning or power, but, believe me, if he was "terrible" and "horrible" and Neifi-like, he would not be playing. My God, what would that make Cedeno? It is over the top stuff like this that makes what it is said not very credible. http://www.fangraphs.com/comparison.aspx?playerid=620&playerid2=3811&playerid3=&position=SS&page=6&type=full Neili-like power His defense is probably not terrible but it's not good either. And his base running is terrible. His CS rate is right around 50% not to mention the base running boners. On a hyperbole scale of 0-10 I'd rate it a 1.5. Here is a little Ronny Cedeno thrown in the mix http://www.fangraphs.com/comparison.aspx?playerid=620&playerid2=3811&playerid3=2179&position=SS&page=6&type=full