gflore34

Set back and watch Leyland utilize what Neifi brings to the table in the right way.

Unfortunately, there are racist fans every where it's not exclusive to Chicago. As for the rest of the article, it reads as yet another thread amongst the many lame excuses the Cubs have thrown at us for not winning.

I'm well aware of the differences. However, both are rookies with limited experience in the big leagues. The Cubs are going to get inconsistent outings from both at this point; neither is a guarantee to go out there and pitch 6 good innings. However, if we go into next season with a rotation of Z-Schmidt or Zito-Prior-Young Guy #1-Young Guy #2, I'm not liking the Cubs' chances. Health problems could inevitably lead to one or two more rookie SPs coming into the rotation at some point. I like the potential and the depth the Cubs have at SP right now, but we don't know what to expect out of those young guys in terms of consistency. Getting a halfway decent #3/#4 guy along with some one like Zito or Schmidt would go a long, long way. While the offense has had its share of problems, getting a strong pitching staff would make life a lot easier for everyone involved. I wasn't addressing your idea about acquiring 2 arms. I was just refuting the insinuation that they were the same player. Guzman should be starting now to get past that "he's an inconsistent rookie" phase as quickly as possible. There's a chance he could be a solid starter next year. Marmol doesn't really stand much of a chance to be a good starter in 2007. Which makes perfect sense to someone who knew what he was doing however, when a team has Dusty Baker for a Manager...

I have a feeling he might become despised by Cubs' fans. In the same way that Edmonds and Matt Morris are/were disliked. Probably, because in typical Cardinal fashion, he's playing waaaay over his head - .271/.358/.448 career ML numbers.

Is Dick Vitale Duke Fan #1?

I believe we have to take or accept as fact the 2007 Cubs DP combination is going to be Cedeno and Izturis, along with Pierre in CF. Leaving LF as the only position in which an offensive upgrade is a possibilty...

You can try out different lineups here: http://www.baseballmusings.com/cgi-bin/LineupAnalysis.py According to the simulator, Murton and Barrett would be the ideal 1 and 2 hitters for the Cubs, but as goony said, the difference in runs per game isn't very much (about .7 runs) no matter how you shuffle the same 9 players around. .7 runs total, or .7 runs per game? It's per game. And I don't understand how you can say .7 runs per game isn't very much--is a pitcher with a 3.80 ERA not much better than one with a 4.50 ERA? Yeah, that's why I asked. .7 runs a game would push us from the 20th best offense last year to the 5th. It would have pushed Pittsburgh from the 28th best offense to the 7th best offense. I know we probably don't have the absolute worse lineup, but even a .2 to .5 difference per game is signficant over the course of a season. I was thinking along the same lines, over 120 games that translates to 84 more runs, pushing the Cubs' total to 593.

goony I haven't the stats in front of me but, do you believe lineups with a 1 and 2 of Murton and Barrett instead of Baker' inane MO of a speedy OF and MI would have made much of difference this year?

What of the ball Huff hit in the 4th? I believe some with Pierre' speed should have caught that ball.

That's why Dusty and Co. are paid the Big Bucks.

Regardless of what Prior says or thinks what about the physical evidence? Keeps missing high, velocity is down, if he was as heallthy as Prior and Cubs claim, would this be as ongoing as it has? Haven't Baker or Rothschild noticed this?

Of course it's moronic but, Hendry did, amongst other moves, sign Perez and Rusch to multi-year contracts and, will probably do so with Pierre along counting again on Prior and Wood being healthy. You don't believe he's capable of such stupidity? Honestly, wouldn't Hendry salivate over an offer of Jeff Suppan and Aaron Miles for Prior? Or, Jason Marquis and Aaron Miles?

As a few have already stated I believe something is wrong, I'm not ready to give up on Mark Prior. In the off-season, should he get traded for the peanuts he's currently worth to a competent Organization; it'll go down like the Lou Brock trade. That Organization will find out what's wrong and take whatever time is necessary for a 100% Prior who, will perform as expected - book it.

The Cubs could only wish they had Detroit's offensive deficiencies. Detroit is 7th in run production. Cubs are 30th. Give them the Cubs' staff, do you believe they'd be .500 or better?

I'm not ready to give up on Prior but, I believe he's done for this season, shut him down and find out what's wrong.

6 in row!! Can he reach 10?

Unless he's hurt, shutting him down isn't going to help. I forgot to add I believe somethings wrong...

The last start not withstanding, something is wrong, Prior should be shut down and sent home, let Guzman take his spot.

If I were Yost I'd fine anyone who swings this inning, given the chance Prior will walk in 3 or more runs...

Five K's in a row for Nevin, anyone know the record for consectives at-bats ending with a K?

I'm believer in OBP leading to offensive consistency but, when one looks at the year the Tigers are having with lineups featuring 1,2,3 of Polanco (.330 OBP), Monroe (.305 OBP) and Rodriguez (.330) it underscores the importance of pitching. Their staff far away leads all of Baseball; such a performance covers up the Tigers' offensive decencies, leading to another way to fix the Cubs. Hendry going out and pretty together a real solid starting staff by doing so, he won't be banking on it having one of those magical years but, at least he'll increase the chances of it happening.

His last K wasn't vs. Bush nevertheless; I find it ironic that Brenly mentioned the Cubs posted a scouting report on Bush emphasizing patience. I'm beginning to think Brenly, after observing what doesn't work for the last two seasons, may not be a bad choice as Baker' replacement.

What about something like: 1. Letting Pierre walk 2. Moving Jones to CF 3. Moving Murton to RF 4. Sign Carlos Lee to play LF 5. Extend Aramis Ramirez go with a lineup of: Murton Barrett D. Lee Ramirez C. Lee Jones Cedeno Izturis P I believe Murton and Barrett will get on base at a pretty rate ahead of D.Lee, Ramirez and C. Lee of course, the bottom of the order would be a void. And someone besides Dusty Baker would have to be the Manager, no way would he bat a non-speedy OF and a C 1&2, only a speedy OF and a MI can bat 1&2 in Dusty' world.

Another interesting quote from the article: “We have lot of work to do during the off-season. I know one pesky reporter has been after us to start valuing on-base percentage and slugging percentage, but I’ll be looking for guys who have a track record of knocking in a run from third base or stealing a bag and for guys who can catch the ball. We’ll also look, obviously, at upgrading our starting rotation." Right on Bruce...

Great article, let's hope Hendry reads chicagosports.com.