gflore34

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.

Listening to a little of the Score on the way in to work this morning, heard complaints of not playing someone with high splits vs. RHP's, staying too long with Buehrle, Cintron' not that good and shouldn't be playing as much as he has, etc. sound familiar? Perhaps, Guillen' not a great Manager after all, maybe the fact that their staff had an unbelievable year last year was the primary reason the won the WS and not Guillen' managing.

At the moment, given Mauer' success and Prior' recent struggles, it's real easy to give up on Prior (all the Chicago Sportswriters have). On several occasions, out of frustration, I've given up on Mark Prior but, I believe there's hope, we've not seen the best of Mark Prior. The Cubs and we will be rewarded in very big way for our patience and the Chicago Sports Media will all eat a gigantic helping of crow.

Gorzelanny: 25 IP, 18 BB - check Cubs: Swing at every thing he throws up there - check

Is there some "Old School" rule that states a MI must bat 2nd?

How do Cubs consistently look this bad against mediocre crap like Arizona, and the whole NL West? I know the Cubs are bad but, seriously Arizona' not much better...

Heard an interview of Izturis by Boers and Berstein Tuesday afternoon, they asked him what's his job batting second. I don't if Izturis' reply was playing to Boers and Berstein or not but, he mentioned taking pitches and getting on base ahead of Lee, Ramirez and Barret and moving runners along. At the very least, he seems to have some idea of a #2 hitter' job, whether or not he'll be able to accomplish it remains to be seen.

I thought the same as well; it's downright ludicrous to think their top prospects were available for a 40 yr old pitcher near the end of his career.

I find it extraordinarily hard to believe, that Colletti, would budge on any of of Kemp, Guzman or Ethier, for, despite his HOF career, a declining pitcher in his 40’s. That would have been the act of a mindless GM, I’m certain Hendry asked perhaps, if he had a Lugo to trade, he would have ended up with Guzman, etc. I to am disappointed with Izturis – I would have settled for a low A high ceiling prospect – but, seriously what was expected?

When you think in terms of turning athletes into Baseball players, it's easy.

Not that we know of, anyway. But don't be surprised to see Izturis at 3B, Ronny at SS and Neifi at 2B at some point. With Mabry at 1B. Woo hoo! Don't forget about Rusch taking Maddux' spot in the rotattion!

I think my brain knew, but my heart was really trying to convince me something would be done to make this team better. I felt the same way goony, all in all, a terrible way to begin prepartions for 2007.

As dismal as the thought of Baker finishing the season is, I found some hope in this Hendry quote towards the end of the article in the Trib: "Maybe by [Monday's trading deadline] if a couple of guys aren't here anymore, then it'll open up some playing time for somebody else," Hendry said. Perhaps, Hendry' going to remove some of Baker' toys thereby, leaving him no choice but, to play the youngsters.

I believe many of us knew Koronka 4-0 or 5-0 start was a mirage, at best, he's a fifth starter.

Way out of it? That trade was in 2002, and as of the trade deadline in 2002 they were leading the division by 5 games. That was a classic buy from a buying team and has no relevence to the Cubs current situation. Whoops, i feel like an idiot go with San Diego trading for Brian Giles the year before they opened their park. They were out of it the year of the trade, but they wanted to give the fan base reason to believe they were serious about fielding a winner the following year. For them, it really helped build the season-ticket sales during the offseason. The Cubs may not need that as badly, but the positive publicity would certainly be beneficial for them. This brings up an interesting point: Would you rather see them tear this thing down, hire a guy with patience for young players and play kids around a few vets (for example, Lee, Z, and Barrett), or do you really believe they are only three or four good moves away? I am torn. I'm not sure how realistic this would be, but given the reports that Philly wants to dump Abreu to anyone that will take the full contract, let's say these trades + offseason signings were made: 1. Abreu for Hill + Harvey 2. Ethier + Broxton for Maddux + Howry 3. sign Jason Schmidt 4. sign Zito 2B Walker (re-sign him) LF Ethier 1B Lee RF Abreu 3B Ramirez CF Jones C Barrett SS Cedeno SP Zambrano SP Schmidt SP Zito SP Prior (when or if healthy) / Marshall SP Marshall / Marmol / Guzman / etc. RP Dempster RP Broxton RP Eyre RP Ohman RP Wuertz RP additional arm from plethora available I think that team wins the central and is WS - worthy. Schmidt and Zito are paid from the Wood and Maddux money, so the payroll just needs to go up for Abreu's salary. what about z? he'll probably get wood's money and he'll probably get it next season. i'm of the opinion that zito will be on the east coast, most probably, so schmidt would be our guy. and, as i've professed before, i really like koskie, clark, and freel--and think that they are somewhat undervalued and could be had for a reasonable price. (if anyone could fill me in on koskie and clark's contract status, i'd be grateful.) but supporting players with high obps to fill in around 3 big bats in the middle of the lineup would more than fill our needs. and a rotation of zambrano, prior, schmidt, hill, and marmol would satisfy me just fine. Unfortunately, Hendry doesn't value OBP hence; I don't believe he recognizes the need for high OBP around three big bats. As I've mentioned to my wife on many occassions, I'm convinced some of you could turn the Cubs around into WS contenders before Hendry ever does.

One has to wonder if any moves Hendry makes will be helpful at all, its rather clear he doesn't value such stats as OBP. His MO seems to be acquiring the all around athlete in the hopes of turning him into a Baseball Player as oppose to dealing for a Baseball Player who happens to be a good athlete. These are the type of prospects I believe he'll deal for, who, in Baseball terms, are pretty much useless.

My hope is that Hendry can find one of the contending teams desperate for a LHP out the pen and dump Rusch on them. At this point I'd settle for a bag of used BP balls.