biittner77

Perhaps part of Marmol's control problems are due to not having command of the 3rd pitch he uses as a starter but could ditch if he became a closer. Haven't there been many pitchers that had control problems as starters that did much better as relievers? Without checking, it seems like Dempster would fall into that category.

When thinking of the characteristics ideal to a #2 hitter they would be: gets on base a lot good handler of the bat (smart, uses whole field) decent-good speed power is a plus but not a necessity ability to steal bases is a plus but not required By that criteria Murton should be batting 2nd. So why isn't he? Dusty's rule #4: A players position determines where he bats CF= leadoff 2nd= 2nd corner infield/ corner outfield 3-6 SS=7th C= 8th

As bad as Santo ever is, he's still no worse than Harry Caray. I think Santo would be better on TV as I think he forgets that people listening on the radio can't see what's happening on the field.

The key for Maddux has always been location. Even at 88 mph he's not going to overpower anyone. As for Maddux dogging it. If he was selfish enough to dog it wouldn't he also be selfish enough to pitch well enough last year to continue his 15 wins streak? Wouldn't he throw harder to win enough games to get another multi year deal?

Ozzy Ozbourne The Guy that sang Louie Louie

I think Dusty's jabs will be much more subtle. He is never up front with a straight answer. It's always a bunch of jibberish. It will be clear to those who pay attention, but he'll be able to look back at the quote and point out that he never directly insulted the GM or made excuses. Also, it won't help him get another job if he whines too much about Hendry- unless it's with the Dodgers who seem to really hate the Cubs. I see the scenario where Hendry offers Baker a 1 year deal and Baker turns it down saying he needs more time or he deserves better or some such and the two sides go their separate ways. The best part is we could get to here Baker's fishing analogies on BBTN for a year until someone else needs a manager.

Anyone they hire will be welcomed by the fanbase. The Cubs have floundered with 2 big names: Don Baylor (who was highly thought of at the time) and Dusty Baker. The marketing will be young team, young manager.

I think he already does. OK, plan B. Boomhauer from King of the Hill Phil Rogers: "Why aren't you getting more clutch hits?" Dusty Baker: "Come on Man, sum nam do dat Cubs dat swing bats ober am ober sab dap ball Young guys danneran Dude"

I kinda disagree with you. If you fire Baker mid-season who would you get to replace him? Most mid-season replacements are "Temporary" managers anyway. The right move was for him to finish this diaster and start fresh next year. That kind of thinking was fine when they were still clinging to the slim chance of turning things around. It doesn't matter who they get to replace Baker now. Whoever took the job would be doing it as a favor to Hendry which would be rewarded further down the line or take it as an opportunity to show what he could do by making some lemonade out of this rotten basket of Lemons. The biggest dangers of keeping Baker around the rest of the way 1. Eyre and Howry get run out there every other game. If the Cubs are going to do anything at all next year they'll need these guys. Running them out there for 80+ appearances is taking an unnecessary risk 2. Over extending young starting pitchers. Baker's track record of running up pitch counts is well documented. 3. Overtaxing the rest of the BP needlessly. Baker manages every game as though it were game 7 of the WS. Sometimes when the starting pitcher makes an early exit, it's better to let your mop up guy eat some innings rather than use 5 relievers, 4 double switches and have 3 guys not available the next game. 4. Neifi Perez should never start another game this season. 5. Mabry should makes as few starts as possible and should never start again once rosters expand. How about playing Murton at 1st. That allows the Cubs to get a look at Pagan without having to bench Jones. Murton won't be Derrek Lee over there but he can't be any worse than Phil Nevin.

For the Flaming Lips fans out there. I've had this tune stuck in my head for over a week and came up with these new lyrics in about 30 seconds I knew a player he had red hair he had bad acne and arms like a bear he didn't use vitamins or creatine he didn't do push up or drink protein he used androstine

Until he actually admits it, his fans can still fool themselves into believing he didn't really do anything. People are going to be more upset if he admits it. Look at Pete Rose, for years people said "If he only admitted to the gambling he'd be welcomed back with open arms" but once he did admit it people said "Why didn't you do it sooner?" At some level, all of us really want to believe that McGwire and Sosa were clean. A small sliver of hope is better than nothing. There will be a time when McGwire etal. can admit to using steroids but that will be years from now when their health is failing or people don't care anymore. At that point the fans will be much more sympathetic.

I've seen his name listed at 2nd base recently. Is this due to injury or are they trying to work him in there on a regular basis? If he could handle 2nd base that makes him a more interesting prospect.

Maybe Baker should answer all interview questions in scat Bruce Miles: "Theriot has been hot lately. Why would any sane person start Neifi Perez over him?" Dusty Baker: "Skee deet bo dat en dat wad an can chu." Bruce Miles: "Um..." Dusty Baker: "bee.. skeddly deet bo dat da dee.. zoot."

If a trade for Wilson is inevitable sit back and try to enjoy it. Astros get: Juan Pierre and Neifi Perez Cubs get: Preston Wilson and ____ How long is Wilson signed for?

The wave at Wrigley? I guess people aren't taking those Old Style Ads to heart.

I'd be more concerned about overworking some of the younger pitchers than I would depriving them of experience. If the Cubs are going to sign a bleh innings eater type vet they might as well see if they want to consider Miller for that role.

I would say that would true in most ballparks unless they have some signature quirk such as Fenway or Jacobs Field.

And the comparisons to Pierre grow even closer.

If only Hendry could put his finger on what went wrong. :wall: I really believe our only hope is that all the young players get better and one of the craptacular vets has a career year. That's not completely out of the realm of possibility.

Quote: "I can't see a prolonged [youth] movement," Baker said. "You have to have a number of youth ready up and down your system to be prolonged. I know something about our system, but I can't answer that because I don't know everything about [it]. I just see reports, see the stats, but you don't know who's ready to play big-league baseball. The stats don't always tell." A lot going on in this quote. On the one hand, Baker has a built in excuse never to play young players because he hasn't seen them. As amanager he'll likely never have time to see any ML games. A response straight from the Joe Morgan Bible of archaic baseball dogma. On the other hand, Baker is right in that there really aren't any position players in the high minors that are screaming for a promotion. Baker might handle Pie's September callup well but for all the wrong reasons. Pie will be called up and get a really good seat to some MLB games. This should give him a feel for what it's like which will hopefully make him more comfortable when he does get called up next year.

He's been working with Juan Pierre?

It may not seem like a serious question but what can Pierre do that Pagan can't? Neither walk much. Neither are great defensively. Pierre can steal bases but Pagan hits for more power and matches Pierre in the speed department. As far as I'm concerned Pagan is a lateral move from Pierre except that he is significantly cheaper. I'm not suggesting that Pagan is a long term solution but as a stop gap until Pie's arrival the Cubs can and frequently have done much worse.

It just goes to show how bad this team sucks. A 15-11 record is only a .577 winning percentage, which won't even help come close to the Wild Card. God, this team just SUCKS. wouldn't a .577 winning % mean 93 wins over the course of a season? That would be pretty close to winning it most years and likely would win it this year.

Not in 2007 at least. If Wood pitches next year and is healthy enough to show signs that he could return to somebodies rotation someone will sign him for 2008 and will give him a close to $10 million.

I suppose if his rehab goes anywhere, Wade Miller would be in the mix as a back of the rotation innings eater. I'd actually prefer that Hendry address the offense first. The Cards have proven that a good offense can carry a mediocre pitching staff. I expect the young starters that have logged time this year to get better next year.