biittner77

Just like Hairston did tonight. An experienced OF catches that ball and really changes the complexion of the whole game. Instead, Hairston runs in circles and it drops for a double. This is why CF defense is so important. That being said, if the Cubs are willing to run Hairston out there I don't see where giving Murton some AAA time in CF would hurt.

Maybe, but until we win a World Series, I'm still mad at Alex Gonzalez bobbling that double play ball. I'm still upset that Baker didn't go out and round-up the troops after the Bartman play. I still can't fathom why he didn't go out and talk to everyone. Thats something only a good manager would do. Dusty doesn't bother himself with that stuff. Supposedly, from the dugout they didn't really know what had happened/ didn't see it very well since they didn't have the benefit of seeing the replay 300 times. They had little reason to suspect that Moises Alou of all people would go into the stands to catch a ball. If you want to blame Baker, blame him for leaving Prior in too long during the blowout. That led to him running out of gas and leaving a hanging curve to Irod and serving up a fat pitch to Derek Lee.

I've never seen Jimmy Kimmel but he can't possibly be any worse than Too late with Adam Corolla. It should be too late for Adam Corolla.

Can Murton be worse than Hairston in CF? He's not as fast as Hairston but he should have better instincts. Keeping in mind that Pie is the CF of the future, perhaps as early as mid season 2006, if Murton could play a passsable CF until Pie was ready that could be a way to allow Murton to prove his worth while playing a position that normally doesn't produce a lot of power. It also fits in with Baker's archaic baseball thinking. If Murton is playing CF he should bat toward the top of the order because that's what CFs do.

Walker vs. Soriano- if those are the options- it really depends on what you want from that position. Neither are very good defensively. Soriano has more speed and power while Walker gets on base more and has decent power. Supposing that the Cubs signed Furcal and started Murton in the OF somewhere other than CF. In that scenario they'd probably prefer a run producer, 5-6 hitter from that position. SS Furcal LF Murton Lee LH hitter acquired through trade or FA Ramirez Soriano Patterson Barrett The problem is that Baker would probably have Soriano lead off or bat 2nd. In which case Walker is a much better option.

Bedard plz. After they got done laughing I'd ask for Luis Ramirez whose pitching in low A. Not that they'd give him up but he's the guy I'd want from the O's system. Ramirez's stats: Name ------- W- L ERA- G- GS- CG SHO SV-- IP--H -R ER HR BBSO Luis Ramirez 9- 6 2.46 -27 -26 ----1---- 1- 0--- 157.1 122 50 43 7 53 152

Does anyone know if Wood can be put on the 60 day DL this late in the season? If he could that would open a spot for JVB.

Borowski is pitching for the D-Rays so yes, he is in baseball purgatory in that sense.

Yesterday they put Murton in CF. Perhaps they want to give him some more time there while at Iowa so they can see how he does before his 9/1 call up. Another possibility is that they are showcasing Hollandsworth for a trade. Finally, having someone that has experience playing 3rd would be a plus. It's also a nice way to reward a guy that's been a good soldier for the organization. Promoting McClain sends a ray of hope to all the other system guys that they might too get their moment in the sun.

Perez- you're probably right. That's fine as long as he's backing up a veteran that figures to start most of the time. Macias- I'm not so sure. Macias hasn't gotten as many starts as he might have this year. Ideally, I think Baker would like someone with more power off the bench. Also, if Perez is around he can cover any of the infield positions that Macias can except 1st. It shouldn't be too hard to find a spot starter for 1st. Macias has been terrible defensively as an OF without enough offensive to justify starting him at a corner. He's shown he can't play an even remotely acceptable CF.

But with all the day games, the wind blowing in, white guys in the sun, the thick grass, the rain, the wind blowing out, all the youth, bad breaks, bad luck, bad MRIs, unknown pitching opponents, wind blowing sideways, different starting times, hurricane season, the witch hunt for steroid users, completely unpredictable injuries, wind not blowing at all and the booing, changes might not be enough to turn things around. But think of all the good things the Cubs org. has done this season. *Neifi Perez showed why he's unvaluable *Macias showed his versatility by being able to butcher multiple positions *Cedeno gained valuable bench riding experience *Murton showed himself to be the best young player that Dusty won't play because of lack of experience best of all, Kerry Wood won his 100th simulated game!

Sometimes they'll send a guy that is borderline and they want to see how he fares against this level of competition so they can make a decision on his future. That might be why they sent Coats. Anyone surprised they didn't send Van Buren?

I knew I should have checked Harvey's stats :oops:

The Cubs have to make a decision on JVB as he'd be a likely rule 5 casualty if not protected. The problem is who do you cut to make room for him? As far as Hendry and Baker are concerned the candidates would be 1. Another minor league like Leicester, Rohlicek or Koronka or 2. a position player like Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Macias or Perez. I don't see #2 happening. I don't believe Hendry wants to give up any of those other pitchers for free. It's possible one of those guys could be traded for a PTBNL to clear a roster space. That's assuming someone would want any of them. If number 2 doesn't happen then we need to clean house of this group if we ever want to be competitive again. #2 will happen but not until the offseason. With any luck 3 of those 4 will be gone. In the offseason Hendry can try to trade some of those pitchers that don't figure to be key to the Cubs' plans (those mentioned above) or some of the other oft mentioned young pitchers (Wellemeyer, Mitre and Hill)

The Cubs have to make a decision on JVB as he'd be a likely rule 5 casualty if not protected. The problem is who do you cut to make room for him? As far as Hendry and Baker are concerned the candidates would be 1. Another minor league like Leicester, Rohlicek or Koronka or 2. a position player like Hollandsworth, Burnitz, Macias or Perez. I don't see #2 happening. I don't believe Hendry wants to give up any of those other pitchers for free. It's possible one of those guys could be traded for a PTBNL to clear a roster space. That's assuming someone would want any of them.

I have a huge problem with our minor league managers, coaches and instructors. Over the past few years, it appears to me the guys brought up just aren't ready to play. You don't develop guys in the majors, they should be ready to contribute when they arrive. For example, is there any reason why Dubois was still getting poor jumps and misreading fly balls? I mean it's not like he came up with only two years of pro ball under his belt. Is there a reason why Choi's and Patterson's swings weren't corrected or improved by the time they came to Chicago? Patterson was rushed to the majors. Can't blame him on the coaches. Choi had little left to prove at the AAA level. Sing looks like a very patient hitter. It seems like Harvey has a decent w/k ratio. There's also Eric Patterson who seems to understand the importance of getting on base. While they didn't develop Murton Hendry insisted on getting him in the Nomar deal. Maybe Hendry is coming around on the OBP issue.

Your analysis here really resonates with me for some reason. Nice job. Could it be because Tejada is making what 12million a year? That seems like a bargain. I still sit around and wonder why we didn't go after him harder. As dumb as that move (or non move) looks now, at the time there were doubts about Tejada. He struggled somewhat during his walk year. He also hadn't put together the kind of credentials that made him the kind of sure thing bet that someone like Hendry wanted for what Tejada was going to get.

Considering the league wide emphasis on pitch counts, it seems like common sense to try to run up the opposing starter's pitch count.

Dusty actually keeps a notebook. In fact WGN often shows him taking notes especially after a rookie does something bad. Or after every time Patterson Ks. What exactly he's writing, of course, is anybody's guess but he does keep a "book" of his own.

In Greenberg's case it doesn't really matter as he is in the option years. I think it might be 7 games for position players and longer for pitchers but I'm not positive. If the player is a vet he can agree to a longer rehab assignment.

Bring back: Walker- as he's a bargain at the team option Patterson- as a bridge to Pie. Dempster- he'll likely be an effective closer for half the price of Ryan or Wagner Williamson- $2 million is a fair price for a reliable set up Nomar- worth an incentive laid deal Get rid of: Baker and his entire staff Burnitz- even if he'd play for free. He's through as an every day player Macias- need I explain? Perez- see Macias Rusch- the magic is gone Hairston- wouldn't mind keeping him though Sign: Giles- could really backfire but he could be a nice bridge to Harvey. Lineup: LF Murton- he's what the Cubs wish Patterson was 2nd Walker Lee Giles Ramirez Nomar Patterson- ahead of Barrett to balance the lineup and protect him. Barrett Rotation: Prior, Zambrano,Wood, Maddux, Williams/Hill (If Maddux retires use that money toward signing Burnett) Cl: Dempster RH: Williamson, Wuertz, and Novoa /Wellemeyer/ JVB/ Brownlie LH: Ohman, and Bartosh/Hill/FA signee Bench: Blanco- whether we like it or not Cedeno- gets a decent amount of time backing up Walker and Nomar Fontenot- Replaces Macias Greenberg/Bacon- provides speed plus alternative to Patterson LH veteran bat RH veteran bat

If Ramirez goes on the DL does it really matter who plays 3rd? Perhaps two weeks of seeing Macias play 3rd will be enough for the Cubs to not re sign him.

Hogcard sighting. Brings back so many memories.

In the interest of being PC, the team name should be the Illinois Competitive Persons Here we go competitive persons, here we go. c-o-m-p-e-t i-t-i-v-e And the new cheer p-o-l-i-t-e we ain't offending nobody not we B-E s-u-b- m-i-s-s-i-v-e be submissive, got to be submissive

This is why Andy's job is safe, and his thinking is key. I truly believe that Andy really wants to win with the Cubs. And I think the Tribune is very willing to do what is reasonably necessary to win. The problem lies with the old school mentality of the baseball decision makers. They are all about giving responsibility to good baseball people. And in this sport, "baseball people" is a euphemism for members of the good ole boy network. There is no new thinking amongst baseball people, because the primary focus of baseball people is the past. Stick with conventional wisdom, and you won't be led astray. This safe mindset generally keeps you away from 90 loss seasons. But when you take no chances you generally are incapable of 100 win seasons. At this point, the only hope the Cubs have to win under this regime is for Hendry to realize his mistakes and change his ways. Of course that is possible, it's just not very likely. It's either that, or luck. And no Cubs fan is dumb enough to count on luck. I was thinking about the players that Hendry has brought in. Lee, Walker and Ramirez are the types of high OBP, high OPS players that any of the moneyball teams would love to have. Lawton- if you look at his career numbers- used to get on base. Barrett doesn't but he's a catcher and that's a take what you can get situation. The free swingers were either already here (Patterson) or the best available options (Nomar, Burnitz). Which begs the question: is Hendry more progressive than we think or did he luck into those acquisitions?