CubinNY

Hendry was enamored with simply save totals when he went after Alf. Dempster has 57 saves the past two years with a terrible team that didn't give him many opportunities. His ERA is in the 3's, his OPS against is sub 700, his k/9 is about 8.5. He's not a worthless reliever. You can dig up peripherals and make a case that he has value as a middle reliever, but unfortunately he makes closer money, and I very much doubt he could be sold as an elite middle reliever. Non-elite middle relievers aren't worth much. As a closer he's a very hard sell because people who want a proven closer don't want to hear about peripherals. They want save percentage. Go look at save % of the league and tell me he wouldn't be a welcomed addition to a lot of teams.. I like Dempster and I don't look and don't put too much stock in this season's numbers

I like that idea! They could also have flames shoot out too. That would be awesome

He's on the roster but he might pitch one or two games toward the end of the season as ST approaches. No need to worry. Big stars come and go as they please in these leagues. The need to worry is based on the idea that Zambrano would probably want to pitch/participate more than most stars. I think that is an irrational fear. But that's just me.

I would say Pierre is adequate at getting to the ball, due to his speed. As you know his arm is terrible, but he does seem to hit the cut off-man most of the time. I was most disapointed with Cedeno. he gets to balls well but his arm is strong and not accurate. I thought Aramis was above average defensively, but he did have some foot work issues from time to time. Michael Barrett is arguably the worst defensive catcher in the big leagues. He sets up way too late, he lunges for balls instead of blocking them and his release point on throws to second is erratic. He is bad. JJ, well, he made some great diving plays this year. He seems to get to balls well but his throws are nothing short of comical. If he isn't air mailing the ball, he's throwing it into the ground. Murton was a little below average I think. He missed some balls he should have caught this year. However, like Pierre he hit the cut-off man most of the time. Overall I'd say the defense was average.

Do you think the Yankees would send him another AL team? The Rangers did. I think the inter-division, inter-league trade prohibition is a baseball myth. I think teams look for the best possible deal they can get.

He's on the roster but he might pitch one or two games toward the end of the season as ST approaches. No need to worry. Big stars come and go as they please in these leagues.

Does it matter? Unless Hendry brings in some more talent this club will be pathetic again next year. There is another thread in Transactions that discusses Bochy. Of the potential candidates for the job, I like him best. I can do without arcane rules about facial har, bunting early in the ball game, and the value of "leadership". I can also do without four-year old temper tantrums. But in reality, I don't really care if the Cubs don't have the players.

there may be hope yet . . . I just read that Piniella already said he won't take the Nats job because they are rebuilding. So why in the world would he take the Cubs job? The Cubs were worse thant the Nationals last year.

I had the field over the Yankees from the get-go. Oh yea? I picked the A's in the pre-season :shock:

That's good news. Who would the Cubs have to give up if he were to come to Chicago? Of all the prospective candidates I like Bochy the best. If Hendry gives up any player of value in a deal for a manager he's a bigger idiot than I thought. This team needs the right players, the manager is a secondary thought. Managers don't win. I agree, that's what kind of worries me. Maybe they'd take Cedeno and put him a 2nd?

That's good news. Who would the Cubs have to give up if he were to come to Chicago? Of all the prospective candidates I like Bochy the best.

You know a funny thing, I think Dusty was the least responsible for this season's train wreck than any other season he managed the Cubs. Regardless, I think he has to be judged on his body of work in Chicago. Every year he managed the team got worse (not record wise from 03 to 04, but in terms of reaching the playoffs). This team needs a change. They need a change in personnel and a change in management. Unless Hendry pulls a miricale out of his hat, I kind of feel sorry for the next manager. This team is not good.

West Virginia is going to end up playing for the National Championship without playing anyone. I am including Louisville in there BTW. It's a shame

I'm torn. I'd like to see if Bochy is available and the best way to find that out is to see the Padres loose. In addition, if the Padres come back and win the series I would have to believe that Bochy would be off the market. On the other hand, seeing the Cardinals loose is never a bad sight. Decisions, decision.

He told Loria to quiet down and let him handle the umpires. Good for him. If you could point to one signle shred of evidence to support he is a control freak you'd have a much stronger argument in that regard. Again, it won't upset me at all if he isn't hired, but he is a viable option. Of course he's viable. I just don't think he's the best as I've seen espoused at every turn. I certainly don't think that the Cubs will be making a monumental mistake not hiring him. In fact, there are likely lesser known guys like Mills and Washington which would be equally good, if not better hires. I definitely don't think this hire is a "match in heaven." Well, I have introduced evidence that he's a control freak, you just choose not to trust the word of Beinfest. The last thing the Cubs need is to hire a manager that has no track record. Not to say that Mills or Washington may not turn out to be fine managers, but with the Cubs payroll and ability to get a proven manager, it would be ignorant for them to take a chance on an unknown. How far have the "proven" managers gotten them so far?

That really sounds like a guy that is reckless with young arms. Don't let the facts get in the way. The fact is he let a guy pitch after an hour and change rain delay. To me what is even more damaging is that he's seen this happen before when he was a player. He was catching Leiber when Baylor sent him out after the rain delay. Learning from past mistakes is a good thing. Repeating them is a bad thing. Starting pitchers come back all the time after rain delays with no ill effects. A lot of things go into that decision. It's not some general rule. People aren't numbers. No they don't generally come back after an 82 minute rain delay. When a manger does that sort of thing it's just plain foolish. You're taking one incident and extrapolating it to Girardi's entire philosophy. No. I'm talking about that one incident. And to repeat myself, the incident although bad is made worse by him being through the experience once before when he was with the Cubs. Josh Johnson is their best pitching prospect. What he did showed bad judgment. In this thread I haven't discussed other judgment decisions that I think are poor. But since it was brought up. Defensive replacements in late innings with a poor bullpen Bunting early in the game with a runner on first and no outs Starting the season with guys in the bullpen who should have been starting and starting guys who should have been in the bullpen. Wanting to put Caberra in at first at the beginning of the season. Wanting to put Dan Ugla in LF at the beginning of the season Wantign to put Josh Willinghan at catcher at the beginning of the season.

That really sounds like a guy that is reckless with young arms. Don't let the facts get in the way. The fact is he let a guy pitch after an hour and change rain delay. To me what is even more damaging is that he's seen this happen before when he was a player. He was catching Leiber when Baylor sent him out after the rain delay. Learning from past mistakes is a good thing. Repeating them is a bad thing. Starting pitchers come back all the time after rain delays with no ill effects. A lot of things go into that decision. It's not some general rule. People aren't numbers. No they don't generally come back after an 82 minute rain delay. When a manger does that sort of thing it's just plain foolish.

No it doesn't. A short series doesn't mean anything. Before the Yankees series that great staff were routed by the Royals in three games.

P.S. Send A-Rod our way, please Love, Cubs

ARod .070 Batting average.

When the Tigers beat the best lineup we'll ever see in our lifetime with superior pitching. (Getting ahead of myself, but Monroe just homered) Anything can happen is a short season. Yeah, but it's funny how often "Anything" happens in the postseason. I really don't feel like going down this road for the 15th time, but if by "anything" you mean the old saw," that good pitching beats good hitting" the data don't support that as far WS champion goes. This same team that is whipping the Yankees lost their last three games of the season to the Royals.

That really sounds like a guy that is reckless with young arms. Don't let the facts get in the way. The fact is he let a guy pitch after an hour and change rain delay. To me what is even more damaging is that he's seen this happen before when he was a player. He was catching Leiber when Baylor sent him out after the rain delay. Learning from past mistakes is a good thing. Repeating them is a bad thing.

Ya, more comments about the "great baseball philosoher" Tony Perez. The entire Big Red Machine walked on water, don't you know.

When the Tigers beat the best lineup we'll ever see in our lifetime with superior pitching. (Getting ahead of myself, but Monroe just homered) Anything can happen is a short season.

Bruce, It seems to me that the entire Cubs organization is in a state of flux. Do you think McDonough is a "care taker" President? What effect if any, do think this will have on the short and long term status of the Cubs? It seems to me like the Cubs are adrift with no real direction. Thanks for contributing to our community. CubinNY