CubinNY

If you're talking about Aramis, not that many You must be joking. Aramis swings at just about every breaking ball on 2 strike counts, no matter what the location is. http://www.fangraphs.com/graphs.aspx?playerid=1002&position=3B&page=4&type=full You can check BB% and BB/K if you would like too.

Mostly youngsters and some career journeymen (Yates in this group). Their payroll has dropped drastically the past few years giving them the need to try to catch lightning in the bottle. well clearly no one goes to their games anymore The Braves have a pretty good team.

If you're talking about Aramis, not that many

I really hope Rich gets 2 starts against the Sox and dominates both times. That would be so great.

The Don has hit a rough patch. Still it could be a lot worse.

Chickens

I like the idea of lettiing Hill start every game. It could be just like little league.

Except for his 72 walks. The way he's going he might walk under 50. I think his ERA might be a lot lower than projected as well. Anyone remember his predictions for Hill? Fangraphs http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=4806&position=P

I <3 Hill

you can see why he's been doing so well. hopefully, hitters will never catch on to when he's going to throw it. it still kind of scares me that it may happen... it's just a curve and fastball. It doesn't matter if he has a 17'-24' break. It will freeze the batter long enough that it won't matter.

I'm glad Izturis isn't starting after last night. Ronny probably sucks but I like him.

Nice 12-6 curve there.

Exactly. I'm self medicating with beer. No work for me tomorrow.

Hill better be on tonight becuase the rest of the team left their brains in the hotel. The Cubs continue to play some of the dumbest baseball this side of T-Ball

Teh Cobs are STupId.

I always seem to have this issue with your replies. Not only have you repeatedly sniped one point out of several (trying to extrapolate that one point to the entire argument), but now you're attributing a position and opinion to me that I did not state, and can't even be reasonably inferred. Nowhere in my original post did I state 'the Cubs won't be good this year' or that they 'suck'. I don't believe either to be true. Please stop adding your opinion to my position and stop trying to snipe one point of out many and claim it to be the entire discussion. I'm talking about trends in pitching that result in the current record. I'm talking about how these trends reflect upon current management, despite a management change. I'm talking about walks, control, and command for the staff. Sorry, what is you believe then? Here is what I believe: 1. The Cubs have the same problems with walking batters that they've had previously (mostly Z and the relief pitchers) 2. The offense has the same problems that they've had previously (they can't get on base) 3. Their "nerve", "manliness", "stones", "balls", "clutchiness" or "anti-clutchiness" is a non sequitier. If you add 1 and 2 together it doesn't bode well for the season. It reflects badly on one James Hendry, General Manager, Chicago Cubs, National League Ball Club. This is what I love about this site. As long as you can hide your insults in a "I'm attacking the post, not the poster" sort of condescending way, everything is all good. I don't see that as an insult in any way, shape, or form. Is disagreing with someone an insult? Really, I don't understand the person's original point.

Don't let Vance see this thread.

I always seem to have this issue with your replies. Not only have you repeatedly sniped one point out of several (trying to extrapolate that one point to the entire argument), but now you're attributing a position and opinion to me that I did not state, and can't even be reasonably inferred. Nowhere in my original post did I state 'the Cubs won't be good this year' or that they 'suck'. I don't believe either to be true. Please stop adding your opinion to my position and stop trying to snipe one point of out many and claim it to be the entire discussion. I'm talking about trends in pitching that result in the current record. I'm talking about how these trends reflect upon current management, despite a management change. I'm talking about walks, control, and command for the staff. Sorry, what is you believe then? Here is what I believe: 1. The Cubs have the same problems with walking batters that they've had previously (mostly Z and the relief pitchers) 2. The offense has the same problems that they've had previously (they can't get on base) 3. Their "nerve", "manliness", "stones", "balls", "clutchiness" or "anti-clutchiness" is a non sequitier. If you add 1 and 2 together it doesn't bode well for the season. It reflects badly on one James Hendry, General Manager, Chicago Cubs, National League Ball Club.

I'm not pulling for him, thats for sure. What a waste. [thread hijack] I agree. I'm not going to expend energy rooting for someone who has failed without the assistance of others! I don't understand why people who have abused drugs, done time, or--pick the infraction--, deserve our support. He's to blame for his problems and he has to earn some credibility. Lost in the shuffle of this "feel good story" are the guys who succeed without succumbing to pressure or those who don't get a second chance. The guy is lucky to be in this position.[/thread hijack] Yes he his, and I'm sure he knows that. If he stays straight and lives up to his potential, it's still a good story. Battling an addiction is about as difficult as anything anyone can ever do. He should not be forever condemned for making stupid mistakes with drugs at a young age. Why is this a good story? I can see someone battling back from a devastating injury, cancer, or after an unprovoked attack that took them away from the game, but this? No, using crack was his fault. BTW, I'm not advocating condemnation. If he proves he is clean there's nothing to talk about but he hasn't earned universal respect, praise, or support. There are plenty of young people who don't throw away years of their life because of drug abuse. Also, let's not characterize this as youthful transgressions, this guy was married with children. Instead of adequately supporting his family he was terrorizing them--so much so that his wife kicked him out of the house!!! I don't hear enough praise for those who do the right thing the first time around. They don't get the limelight. Now Hamilton is viewed as a symbol of strength and perseverance? Not in my world. You're not only advocating condemnation, but you are wholeheartedly engaging in it. :D I strongly disagree with his previous behavior, but I think that people can change for the better. However, I don't believe in heaping praise on someone who is finally doing what's expected of everyone. The people who need support are his family and friends for the hurt and sacrifice they endured. Judging from his comments on RealSports I think he would agree with you 100%. There is a lot ot like about the guy. We all cannot be blessed with stable home lives, wonderful parents, or a supportive environment in which to grow up. I'm not making excuses for the problems that people get themselves into, I'm trying to bring in some context.

Every infielder has played SS before, whats your point. Im talking about constantly changing his position during the season. They wont stick with him at SS. There is no way he has the range to play everyday there. If you put him at SS then you essentially have an 3 utility infielders. Rotating angles increases chance of injury. Did you watch any Dodgers games, or are you basing the sub par D on 25 games he has started in Cub colors? He has made a career showing good range and turning the DP. If he gathers form he is in the top 3 NL SSs with Everett and A Gon. Last time Izturis was truly healthy, was the front side of the 2005 season. If he can get anywhere close to that form we are in great shape. You cant pull the plug after 40 ABs. Especially considering you have zero real options at SS other then the former All Star gold glover. I'm not cathing the angles thing? What are you saying? Edit: Vilkomen!

Pretty big if, I would say. For instance, do you think that Alfonso Soriano's OBP is going to stay in the .288 range? Matt Murton's .310? Michael Barrett's .302? Granted, D-Lee will fall and so will Aramis, but probably not as much as those other three will go up. Plus we've got Ronny Cedeno and Hendry Blanco stinking up our averages. I can see your argument, but I think it's more likely that we don't have nearly as much to worry about with our offense than we do with our starting pitching. I hope you're right, but I doubt it. Soriano's career OBP is a pedestrian .325 and Matt Murton is not playing every day or even every other day. The entire point of my position on this is that, claiming that the Cubs won't be good this year becasue they "can't finish off an inning" is pretty far out there when one considers the other tell-tale signs of why the Cubs suck.

who are you agreeing with? personally, i don't give two craps about clutch hitting, and i only care slightly more about defense. What about scrap and grit and heart and fire and intensity? Scrap = .75 crap Grit = .5 crap Fire and intesity = .25 crap each All told, less than two craps.

hes looking like he can sneak back into the first or supp.Could he be there for the Cubs supplemental pick? Do they still have one?

How did you figure I ignored OBP? Simply because I'm talking pitching and not hitting? The jist I got from your post is that the Cubs are sucking becuase they "can't finish off an inning". You showed a statistic that detailed the Cubs problems in RA with two outs. That is a problem to be sure, but the problem holds very little in the way of predicting how the season shakes out. On the other hand you said you weren't worried about the offense. The Cubs offensive problems are very predictive of how the season will shake out if current trends hold.

It's kind of strange that you would use a statistic with almost no predictive validity and at the same time ignore others with predictive validity. BA w/RISP has almost no predictive value (i.e., gving up 2 out hits w/risp). However, The Cubs woeful OBP is predictive of a crappy baseball team.