CubinNY

From what I've read neither is the GM.

Best baseball player of our life time (last 70 years), steriods or no steriods. Tough guy to like off the field I know I've posted this anecdote before but it still amazes me. When I lived in Florida I took my wife to see SF play the Marlins (or Marleenz as the locals say it). Anyway, in his first at bat he hits a BROKEN BAT HR right down the right filed line. Aside from seeing Prior get hit on the elbow eariler this year, it was the most incredible thing I've ever seen in person at a ballgame.

. This is not a personal attack, but referencing some defensive stats can make one look quite foolish and deminish any credibilty from his or her other posts. Makes me wonder if some watch games or just read box scores Yes because statistics can be deceiving and our perceptions of reality are never wrong. Makes me wonder if some still use flint to start a fire. This is not a personal attack

Baker also said he started Dubois against Tim Wakefield because he thought Wakefield's knuckleball might mess up Hollandsworth's stroke. How does that jibe with Baker's stated approach of putting rookies in situations to succeed and gain confidence? I hate to re-hash this debacle of a season but all one has to do is look at Hendry's comments from the convention and compare them to Dusty's comments in ST related to Dubios and Mr. Craptacular. They don't jive whatsoever. I can just see it. Five years from now someone on Dodger Blues will look up all the rookies that never got a chance under Dusty and mention how terrible Dubios turned out to be. The person will never mention he was competing for playing time against the likes of Todd hollandsworth and Jose Macis. Once again, I'll try an analogy. Pat Robertson and I are being chased by a lion. I don't have to be faster than the lion to not get eaten I only have to be faster than Rev. Robertson. The rookie doesn't have to be great he only has to be better than the veteran who he is competing for playing time. Holla was good when he was healthy last year. He got the benefit of the doubt for too long this year, but DuBois wasn't any better considering he can't field a lick. Whatever makes you happy. Hollandsworth was a real cracker jack out there

Baker also said he started Dubois against Tim Wakefield because he thought Wakefield's knuckleball might mess up Hollandsworth's stroke. How does that jibe with Baker's stated approach of putting rookies in situations to succeed and gain confidence? I hate to re-hash this debacle of a season but all one has to do is look at Hendry's comments from the convention and compare them to Dusty's comments in ST related to Dubios and Mr. Craptacular. They don't jive whatsoever. I can just see it. Five years from now someone on Dodger Blues will look up all the rookies that never got a chance under Dusty and mention how terrible Dubios turned out to be. The person will never mention he was competing for playing time against the likes of Todd hollandsworth and Jose Macis. Once again, I'll try an analogy. Pat Robertson and I are being chased by a lion. I don't have to be faster than the lion to not get eaten I only have to be faster than Rev. Robertson. The rookie doesn't have to be great he only has to be better than the veteran who he is competing for playing time.

Ah but there is the rub Tim. If a rookie plays in meaningless games then the teams will get the book on the rookie. Now if they already have the book on the wily veteran then it doesn't matter as much. However, the wily veteran may known that the teams has the book on him and may cross them up. It's all a matter of ball bearings and not going against a Sicilian when death is on the line.

This is about the 6th or 7th permutation of this arguemnt. It goes like this: Dusty can't be faulted for not playing rookies b/c he's never had a rookie who turned out to be any good. That is illogical for several reasons: 1. Affirming the consequent- The absense of evidence of goodness is a non sequiter. It is irrelavent. It is also drawing an affirmitive conclusion from a negative premise. Which leads to: 2. False premise- The said rookie does not have to go on and have great career to jusfify playing him over a vertran who has had a great career. I could dig up Babe Ruth's bones and throw them in RF and they would not be better than David Kelton. Even though Kelton will not have the career of Ruth. I would argue that if Dubios was given the opportuntiy to start in left field from Spring Training he would have out produced Hollandsworth this year. Instead he was given about five weeks of inconsistent starts under conditions that were not condusive to developing whatever talent he has. I could go on but I'll leave it at that. All we have to work on is Dusty's record. And the record shows he does not play young positions players if a "proven vetran" is available.

I'll take both Give Cincy a pick of Guzman or Dope plus Bacon and Williams Give Washingon Patterson and Patterson and Mitre or Nolasco Probably not realistic and not what you were asking for, but I'm getting giddy with end of the season trade talk.

Ok, if I were GM here is what I would do: 1. Go after Aubry Huff- The GM is one his way out so they may be easier to deal with. Huff made 4.9 mill last year (a bit over priced but he is coming into his prime). It is rumored that they are looking to move him for front end pitching rotation. I'd see if they would take back end and middle rotation plus a prospect (Mitre or Williams and Welly plus one of Craig/Doparik). Dope has DH written all over him Huff is having a terrible year so his value will not be any lower. 2. If Patterson is not willing to go and play winter ball and change his approach then I get rid of him for a bullpen arm. Maybe try and get Scott Shields from LAA for Patterson and a prospect (A ball). I would definately try to get him to the AL though. I am having a hard time with this one. If I have to trade Patterson then I will have to find another CFer. Damon is out b/c he will want more years and money then I am willing to give. Although I don't care for Lofton, I'd sign him for one year and hope like hell that Pie learns some discipline at the plate next year so I can bring him up at the ASB I keep Nomar and quietly explore trade opportunities for Aramis Rameriz. Very quiet. I would see who was willing to give up a young front end starting pitcher. If I can't trade Aramis I leave the infield the same. Does Boston have anyone??? I have no idea what to do about the bullpen b/c this always seems like a crap shoot to me. I guess I resign Dempster, keep Wurtz, Ohman, and Novoa and see what is out there in the free agent market. Batting order Lofton CF (L) Nomar SS ® Lee 1st ® Aramis 3rd ® Huff RF (L) Murton LF ® Walker 2nd (L) Barrett C ®

I thought Aardsma was supposed to be prjected as a quality BP arm. I'm I wrong?

I was going to make some snide comment about the author but I think Tim wrote it best.

I don't see it. Murton and Corey are nothing alike. Corey is blazing fast, Murton has good speed, but nothing special. Corey has true power hitter abilities. Corey uses a long swing, Murton is much more compact. Other than relative youth and the fact that they play in the OF, I don't see any comparison between the two. Corey will never have the patience of Murton, he could improve in that category, but he's always going to be a swing first type of player. I don't think Corey is a true power hitter. I think he is a 15 -25 HR a year HR hitter. I think that is part of his problem and also the reason why I made the post. Murton's plate approach and swing is what Corey should aspire towards. I'm not ready to give up on Patterson yet but he needs to drastically change his approach. I'm also not saying he can, but if he could I think Muton's would be the one to use. If he did so he could take atvantage of all his tools.

I agree, although I don't think he'd be a nice addition. IMO Manny will be in Met pin stripes next year, with either Beltran or Cameron wearing Boston Red. If Beltran comes over the Mets also send a prospect. If Cameron comes over Boston pays some money and the Mets send a prospect. I'd be willing to bet that Manny is a Met next year.

i'd maybe give him a .270/.335/.400, but, yeah, i think a lot of people are expecting a little much out of him. I would like to know why so many of you are expecting him to do so much worse next year. because if he put up these #'s over the course of a full season, he'd contend for a batting title and be one of the top 20 hitters in major league baseball. maybe i've got a negative attitude, but i just don't see that happening. i don't get too caught up in such a small sample size. unlike some others on here, i'm not ready to call him the next tony gwynn based on, what, 50 games? just like i'm not ready to write off rich hill or welly. I appreciate your and others (Tree, Rocket, and IMB) temperance in regard to Murton. It is important to not get caught up too much in end of the season heroics. Yet, from what I've seen Murton seems to understand is his limitations. He looks for pitches he can drive, and so far he hasn't missed many. Call it luck, call it small number of opportunites, however his approach at the plate hasn't seemed to change. With that approach and his hand speed he could be very productive. Probably not Tony Gwynn productive, but who is?. Nevertheless, there is is not much of difference between .330 and .280, less than an extra hit a week.

IMO Murton is the player that Patterson could become. Aside from handedness and skin color they are very similar. Both have lightning quick hands and very good speed. Obviously, Patterson is a better outfielder. If Corey could somehow forget that he thinks he is a power hitter and develops Murton's paitence they both could very productive players for many years to come. Just for the record, I think Murton could be a .300 hitter next year, but .280 isn't bad either with his paitence.

So....

The thing that Torre and Cahman are best at, up until recently at least, is managing Steinbrenner. Torre is the same manager who stunk in St. Louis and stunk in Atlanta. That is not to say he is a terrible manager but he has had lots and lots of talent to work with during his tenure in NY. Torre is loyal to a fault (See Tino Martinez) and has mis-handled his bull pen throughout his time in NY. However, he has had the one constant to save him and that is Mariano Rivera. I don't think he is the right man for the Cubs. I agree with UK and others, I'd like to see Deiker given a shot.

From our pal Bruce Miles: http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp?id=94432 I've never used this emoticon becuase frankly I hate it but this surely calls for it :roll:

Arguing along the same line as BK. It is not that Neifi is terrible, it's that Neifi is terrible and having a career year. It wouldn't be a problem if he were 26 or 27, but he is 32. What worries me is that the Cubs will not recognize this fact and give him the starting job in 06, just as they did Garry Giatti in the early 90s. I am happy Neifi has played relatively well this year (in compairson to his career numbers), but that doesn't mean he should be rewarded for his medicority.

Len, First off, I have to tell you that I was a big fan of Chip and Steve. I was fully prepared to not like you and Bob, however, you've won me over. I especially like the saber-analysis you do from time to time (I wish Dusty would listen though). Anyway, enough with the brown nosing. My question: Even though you mention the Cubs are still in it, is it tough for you to "get up" for a game when the team you broadcast for is playing out the season and has no realistic hope for the playoffs?

fixed, thanks

Michigan is getting badly out played and out coached. As a refugee from the land of the golden dome, it's painful to watch.

Two gems from Bruce http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp and http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/cubs.asp?id=93297 My favorite quote:

Others have typed it before, but there aren't many worse things then overspending on medicore (and worse) ball players. I'd like to see the Cubs invest the money into scouting (modern scouting not toolsy scouting) and development in Latin America and the Pacific Rim.

Getting rid of Hendry.