gflore34

I'm thinking we've seen the last of Mr. Jones in the starting lineup (barring injuries, etc.), I'm guessing Pagan vs. LHP?

I can't sort it by the number of outs, but here is a quick summary of how the team has performed with the bases loaded. Theriot has had the most opportunities-14. He is 1 for 14 with 1 BB and 4 RBI's. DeRosa has had 12 chances. He is 4 for 12 with 1 HR, 3 BB's, and 13 RBI's. Jones has had 12 chances. He is 3 for 12 with 1 3B, and 6 RBI's Lee is 2 for 9 with 1 HR, 1 2B, and 7 RBI's. Ramirez is 1 for 9 with 1 HR and 5 RBI's. Izturis is 1 for 7 with 1 RBI Nobody else has any more than 3 AB's with the bases loaded, and nobody else has a hit or a walk in that situation. The Cubs team has a .203/.284/.407 line with the bases loaded (59 AB's). Thanks, I never thought Lee and Ramirez' combined 3-18 would bring down Jones', et al, 9-41. Nevertheless, 56% of the bases loaded at bats have been taken by Jones, Izturis and Theriot - this had played a large part in the Cubs inability to break open a game with the bases loaded.

I wonder if a statistic is available for the number of at bats/player with the bases loaded in any out situation. For, it seems to me, Soriano, Pie, Lee and Ramirez do the job of getting on base for the likes of Jones, Barrett and Izturis i.e. people who a tough enough time getting on base in non-rbi situations let alone with the bases loaded.

Without question, the man simply can not catch the ball, if he's not hitting, he worthless and a very large liability.

If the Cubs can manage to win this series and the next (vs SD), I'm thinking they'll pickup at least three games on the Brewers. Brewers on the road at Detroit and Minnesota for the next six - 1 and 5 is real possibility.

I believe with Floyd activated we'll soon see a platoon of him and Murton in RF - it makes the most sense.

If Lilly somehow ends of with a suspension because of the Umpire' interpretation of his hitting Renteria intentionally. There's no way Renteria shouldn't be suspended as well, after all, there was obvious intent on his part to injure Fotenot. By the way, is there a process by which Cubs could send the graphic evidence of Renteria' actions to MLB and request that he, along with Wolf, be suspened/fined?

I think it's still a bit premature for that. There's nobody who is going to replace him now who is going to be significantly better, whether that ends up being Pagan (I know, he's up right now, but Ward will probably replace him when he comes back), Cedeno, or Fontenot. Jones isn't necessarily completely washed up yet-trade him for absolutely anything you can get, but just releasing him doesn't really help the Cubs right now without a great option to replace him on the roster. Right now, he can be a pinch hitter and backup CF. A month ago I may have agreed. But time's a wasting, and this roster needs fixing. They need backup IF help ASAP. An OF of Soriano, Pie, Floyd/Murton, with Ward and Pagan on the bench is as good or better than one that has Jones in the mix. At the very least you cut down substantially on veteran whining, by getting Jones out of here and Floyd more playing time. And Jones has shown no signs of hitting his way out of this funk. Last year's slow start didn't last in May, let alone June. Jacque and the Cubs are like poison to each other at this point. There is no value in having him on the team, and it's quite possibly there is actually negative value. Indeed, removing Jones = addition by subtraction

I'm ignorant of the details so, this may be a dumb question but, does Jones have any options left? If so, send him down, if not, unless necessitated by injury, etc., why does he have play at all? With Pie taking over in CF, why not go with a straight platoon of Floyd and Murton in RF?

Bottom line Jones needs to go, if there ever was a player who's play reflects his dislike with playing for the Cubs it's Jacque Jones. He's a California native, Hendry should look trading him to the Angels, Dodgers, Giants or Padres - take anything Jim - lower level prospect, bucket of balls, six pack of Anchor Porter or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale - just get him out of town. I didnt see this posted elsewhere, but in the trib they had an article today about some of the players on both Chicago teams that might be traded plus the views of various scouts on each of the players. Here is what they said about Jacque: Jones: "Pass," one scout said bluntly. "I would have very little interest [in recommending him], although scouts aren't in the money business. He has put up some decent numbers, although his defense is nothing great." "[The Cubs] would love to trade him," another said, "but they would have almost no left-handed hitting. To me, he would have more value in the American League because he still has some offensive value. But we're talking about [the Cubs] eating a sizable portion of his contract." I thought it was a bit surprising given his numbers last year. I figured teams would view him as a low cost option for decent production assuming he gets to play every day. Apparently not. I guess the fact that he's a terrible hitter doesn't matter, just the fact that he bats from the left side is somehow an asset. What a load of nonsense...

Bottom line Jones needs to go, if there ever was a player who's play reflects his dislike with playing for the Cubs it's Jacque Jones. He's a California native, Hendry should look trading him to the Angels, Dodgers, Giants or Padres - take anything Jim - lower level prospect, bucket of balls, six pack of Anchor Porter or Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Stone Arrogant Bastard Ale - just get him out of town.

Took the one of the best HS hitters, didn't take a chance on a HS pitcher and best of all, didn't pull a Colvin out their asses like last year - I'm happy!

At least a couple of the woman billiard players were good looking and dressed in black, don't have that luxury with Phillips, et al.

For some reason I have a feeling most of us will be disappointed. I hope not but that's my feeling right now. They'll either take Parker - who'll end up bombing in the minors - or pull someone out their collective asses (who'll also ending bombing), such as Colvin last year. In meantime Vitters, etc. will go to have successful MLB careers. I think this sounds about right

I share your opinion of Parker, I'd rather the Cubs go offense be it Wieters, Vitters or Moustakas.

I don't believe their 15-9 record with Pie in the lineup is a coincidence, no question they're a better team with him in the lineup. Do you believe he's going to remain in CF - including vs a LHP - for the rest of the season?

They don't play baseball like that now. It's really too bad. With his slow trot and all, what do think someone like Gibson, Drysdale or Jenkins would have done to Fielder?

You know there's nothing bad about brushing a guy back once in a while, I'd love see someone brush Fielder off plate. He's getting way too comfortable at the plate.

From About.com: Definition: A knee sprain means that you have injured one of the ligaments around the knee joint. Grrrrrrreat!!!!!!

Why is it every time things appear to headed in a positive direction, some BS crap like Ramirez getting injured happens? Every bloody time!!!!!!!

With Pie performing well the Cubs combination of speed and power 1-4 just may be the best in the NL.

Barring injury and an occasional day off I believe 1-4 is set for the remainder of the season however, 5-8... Yeah, we're gonna end up losing games just to try and trade a guy nobody wants. The more he is played the less his trade value is going to be. That is what is really sad. Maybe Floyd aggrevated his Rib thing. He lunged pretty well to make that catch in 4th or 5th yesterday, didn't seem to hinder him as he later singled and homered.

Barring injury and an occasional day off I believe 1-4 is set for the remainder of the season however, 5-8...

The offense is starting to click, they'll be good for at least 5 runs, so, it boils down to Zambrano' performance. If he gives the Cubs a QS they'll win, if not, they may still win but, probably not.

I wrote yesterday that a 1-4 of Soriano, Pie, Lee and Ramirez may start to click, thus far, 17 runs have been scored. If the Cubs put 5+ tonight, can we call a trend?