CubinNY

My plate patience comment was in terms of the playoffs, but I can see how you thought I meant the regular season. Specifically, the big inning of Game 3 where they made Roy Oswalt throw ~50 pitches in one inning. But in the playoffs as a whole, the Sox's lineup 1-9 were more patient than in the regular season. Guys like Juan Uribe, who rarely walked in the regular season, were drawing a handful of walks in 12 games. The Sox fouled off lots of pitches too, always working the opposing starting pitcher. That's small ball. Plate patience isn't simply defined by walks. Take Tadahito Iguchi, for example. All through the regular and post season, he was patient enough to take pitches--often strikes--early in the count to allow Scott Podsednik the opportunity to steal a base. Stats don't account for that. That's small ball. Statistics also don't account for the unofficial sacrifices batter's make. There is no statistic showing a sacrifice where a batter intentionally grounds to the right side of the infield to advance a baserunner. Again, Tadahito Iguchi has performed this sacrifice dozens of times throughout the 2004 season. According to the statistics, it is recorded as an out, and his batting average is lowered. The stats do not note the ground out benefitting the team. That's small ball. The numbers you and others use show the total team's statistics, but two men, Podsednik and Iguchi, greatly change the makeup of the team in a manner that at this point, is impossible to calculate on a stat sheet. I think this is where the confusion lies: Only two of the nine men in the lineup play much small ball, so one cannot qualify the entire lineup as a small ball team. That's where the season-long statistics of the entire lineup skew your perception of the team. The Sox are really an all-ball team, meaning they beat teams playing for one run or playing for the big inning. But one cannot say that they don't play small ball or that small ball wasn't an important reason for winning the AL Central and the World Series. I agree with you. But then again I was once abducted by Saskwatch.

No kiding. Dusty for Bradley, let's get the ball rolling. I heard from a LA Dodger cleaning lady's nephew's sister's next door neighbor who heard from a waitress at a Fish Taco resteraunt that Tommy Lasorda eats at, that they are interested in bringing John B. back home to LA.

I've seen that written several times. Does anyone know if this is true? Or is it urban legend?

The rumor could be true, I hope it is not; howerver I don't think we'll see much happen at least until the Winter meetings next meonth. I think GMs use this meeting to start the ball rolling. But we should keep this in mind, Hendry spent a lot of time in the Marlin organization as a scout and whatnot. He has traded with Florida in the past, Alf/Clement for Sybil/Willis and the Chio for Lee trade. He usually gives a good deal. For this reason I have to believe that at least one good young arm will go if the Cubs get Piere, and probably more. To me that cost is too high.

As I stated earlier in a different thread, Furcal will be overpaid. Now it looks like he will be REALLY overpaid. I cannot imagine that given the differrence in salary Furcal would outproduce Cedeno, for cost. I hope Hendry gets sticker shock and walks away. Remember, SS is not a position of need for the Cubs.

I'm late to the discussion, but here is what I'd do (or what I want Hendry to do) Assess if Pie is the "real" thing. If so let him develop for another year. If not trade him while his value is high If Pie is "real"- I sign Lofton or keep Patterson and hope he rebounds. Actually Patterson has to rebound b/c it is next to impossible to have as bad a season as he had last year. If I trade Pie I trade him for a difference maker, and that guy is NOT juan "slappy" Piere. I would try to get Abreu or figure some way to get another corner outfield. I would love Dunn, but I think he is a pipe dream for us. But that is not to say I wouldn't try and get Slappy. I think he has value but the Cubs must upgrade power elswhere. I don't think my suggestion is that innovative, but I do think it is prudent.

Angel Guzman? I think they would want some talent to go with Guzman considering his injury risk. Guzman and Hill might get it done, though. I'd give the Reds Guzman and Hill for Dunn and not think twice about it. I'd give them Guzman, Hill, and Pie. But before I'd do that I'd make sure I could lock Dunn up at least until 2010.

This is a great poll. My wife just asked why I was laughing so hard.

Sing and Coats with pretty bad AFL numbers. :pukel:

One thing Hendry doesn't generally do is play his cards close to the vest when going after someone. The only reason the Lee trade was such a surprize is because the deal with Baltimore fell through.

I'm beginning to think more and more that Neifi's bloated contract was part of the price for Furcal.

As long as the contract stays in the three year/$10 mill/year range Hendry has to be a player. If not, well then I've lost whatever little faith I have left in him.

If I'm a professional athlete in either sport they would be my agent. These guys are good at what they do, that is why they take all the heat and the player gets all the love. Unless, the player is a moron like Owens. No one was mad at Maddux when he took his time, but everyone was mad at Boras. Maddux makes the decisions Boras takes the heat. And both get rich, rich, rich.

Zito is probably the worst of the big three, but if I'm Hendry I would intertain any reasonable offer for Zito. What holes do the A's have?

Whoa. The line for Corey bashing usually forms right behind me, but this is a bit much. The fact that he is going at all should tell you something about his "mindset." He's a professional athlete for goodness sakes. I'm sure he doesn't enjoy being awful at the plate. Let him go work on it, show up early for spring training- again, and let the winter play out. At least there is an effort to improve. Playing a 1/2 season of winter ball doesn't tell me anything positive about his mindset. It says he will do just enough to get his critics and Hendry off his back, but not as much as a player who really wants to reach his potential would. And I'd hope he doesn't enjoy being awful at the plate, but if I were in his shoes when asked by reporters if I'd consider winter ball, I'd enthusiastically respond with a: "YES! I'm having a very poor year and I have disappointed Cubs fans and the team, but I know I can do better. I plan on getting better by playing the game when most MLB players aren't: in winter ball." "But my game isn't the only thing I need to improve on. I'm also going to adjust my attitude, because there were times when I just didn't care about the game. Remember my 'It's just a game' comment? I'm going to work on my intelligence too." To clarify, though certain beat writers reported that Corey uttered the "it's just a game" comment, it was later confirmed that Corey actually said "it's just the game." Big difference. Carry on. I'm aware of that, but believe that his quote was "corrected" as a cover up. I think the first interpretation is correct because it's certainly consistent with his attitude. Oh, dear Lord. Corey's got enough issues on his own without people making things up. No Warp it helps. Because it is not good enough that he had a bad year he also MUST have some personality faults too. It makes it so much more fun to not just hate the baseball player but hate the person too.

Are you talking about Baldeli? He is like 23. He will only get better.

Exactly

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Nic23, Of qualified SS he is not in the 10 ten in F%, yet he is #1 in RF (range factor) and 6th in zone rating. Over rated.

Furcal will be overpaid, his defense is not that good (he does have a strong arm). He is a streaky hitter who will not be a difference maker on this club. Once again Hendry is filling a hole that he has created. Worse offf, he seems to be buddying up with Furcal's agent by signing a useless offensive player at inflated prices for too long. In the meantime what is going to be done about right field and center field. When I see Furcal I see a rich man's Shawan Dunston.

Hendry and Dusty are of the same mindset. I see nothing to indicate otherwise. Hendry hired Dusty and Hendry will go down with Dusty when the time comes. And I hope the time comes soon. Leave the conspiracy theories to the UFO nuts.

I would like to go on record and say that if Furcal signs with the Cubs the ire on this board over his baseball performance will rival if not exceed that of Neifi F. Perez.

Who are the Cards going to trade for Giles? The stud AAA pitchers didn't fare to well this year. And the system otherwise is barren of talent. Funny how we hear the same old record every year. The Cardinals don't have any talent to trade.... What? They just traded for _________. I'm not saying that the Cards have the richest farm system in the majors, far from it, but Walt seems to make things happen with what they do have. You still have not answered my question.

Who are the Cards going to trade for Giles? The stud AAA pitchers didn't fare to well this year. And the system otherwise is barren of talent.

I really do have to wonder why Hendry gave him so much and for two years. That is a question I'd like to see the sportswriters ask. It seems like an aweful high amount for a roster filler.