RynoRules

I really like the way today's lineup is constructed. And job by Kosuke........ and De-Row!

Then you haven't been watching Lou for the past 1 1/2. Pie is the rule. Theriot is only playing b/c there is no one else Lou is comfortable with (read, no vet). Barrett was a very dumb baseball payers and an even worse defensive catcher, Soto has produced. And even then it took them almost an entire year of Koye Hill and Rob Bowen to give him a shot. With Lou, if you're a first or second year player you better produce right away and you better not make any mistakes because you only get one shot. He's as old school as they come. The difference between Dusty and Lou is that Lou lives in a reality based world and Dusty doesn't. Your post is illogical and full of baseless spin. I'll take your assertions one at a time, and also point out some stuff you chose to leave out: 1) Theriot didn't get the job because no one else was on the roster. Theriot replaced Izturis, a marginal verteran. 2) Soto replaced veterans. The notion that Soto should have gotten a shot earlier than he did ignores the fact that, up until last season, he hadn't done anything to indicate he would be a good ML catcher. 3) Fontenot played 2B for quite a long time last season and has played quite a bit this season is pite of his struggles at the plate (hitting .230, last I looked). 4) Cedeno is on the team and has played well, getting spot starts at both MIF positions and being sent up to PH in crucial situations. He is blocked by a Theriot, not by some marginal vet like Izturis, Neifi or Macias. 5) Marmol is argauably the most important pitcher on the staff. Lou shows great faith in him, even when he struggles a bit. 6) When Hoff was up he played, and played quite a bit. The only reason he is down now is b/c Ward came off the DL. And who the hell cares if Lou is "old school"? What the hell does that even mean? Just last week he was going on about how good someone's OBP is and how important that is. If "old school" means what I think you intend it to mean, then no, Lou is not "old school". It's such a dumb, throw-away term. Right up there with calling every small, white, MIF'er "gritty".

Agreed, but his penchant to act like people in the game threads here is displeasing to say the least. A fair point, but this team is built to win now. We aren't the D-Rays where we ripped the thing down and are building it up again, thus allowing young guys to work through rookie mistakes. It may not be how some of us prefer to go, but its the reality. That said, my thesis is simple: Lou does not discriminate against young players. The fact that they sent Pie down (exception, not the rule) does not change this.

This hardly sounds like he is in "the doghouse": Some of you guys got suckered by the melodrama created by craptastic sports writing.

Let me be clear - I did not see yesterday's game so I can't testify as to whether Patterson was as brutal in LF as has been reported, and I don't feel like Patterson should be sent down over one bad game. That said, I trust Lou's evaluation of players. He has a good track record in that respect, IMO, and he has not been afraid to sit fringe vets in favor of youngsters since he got to the Cubs. Just b/c a player is young doesn't mean he should be playing everyday in The Bigs and that we should all jump to be hypercritical of management when they decide not to play him.

Let's clear this up right now - Lou does not have anything against young players. Fontenot, Theriot and Soto are position players who see significant time. Gallagher is in the rotation. Marmol is trusted with the most crucial moments in most of our wins. Lou is not Dusty. Period. Get over it.

Guys, we are going for it this year and have some holes to fill. Accordingly, we probably have scouts at every single ML game looking at and taking notes on anyone and everyone who plays. This Lewis rumor is pure speculative b.s.

Paxson is so in over his head. I agree with this in general. If his solutionto the backcourt glut is to simply let Gordon walk, then he's an idiot.

Bingo, though his skill set, for the time being, is more of a defensive ace and rebounder.

Are we really sour on this guy b/c he is young and from Europe? Hollinger had him rated as a top 10 prospect. The Spurs have shown all of us how a smart team will use a 2nd rnd pick on a Euro prospect, let him develop on someone else's dime and roster, and then bring him over. Think outside the box, people. EDIT: Plus, ESPN says we gave up future second rnd picks for him and kept Weems, so he'll get his shot to make the roster. What we should be focusing on now as Bulls fans is where to ship Hinrich to. Miami?

Release him. I'm continually baffled as to why the Cubs can't seem to grasp that concept. With a year and a half left on his deal? As I understand the rules, if he is claimed by another team we will have to pay the lion's share of his contract. The only way to get out from under his ocntract in full is to trade him or for him to clear waivers such that he can be released.

From a pure stuff standpoint, I think he has enough to be a solid no. 4, yet he can't seem to keep the ball down. Its really frustrating. Here's the thing - if you get someone to replace him (Marshall when Z returns or a trade), what do you do with him? He'd be just as bad if not worse out of the pen.

They could wind up with Walker at 32. BTW, if he falls to the Bulls 2nd rnd pick, Pax would have to be an idiot not to take him.

I am calling "BS" on this one: That's just crazy talk.

Done deal: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3461029

From the Pistons' p.o.v., I don't get the Davis / Harrington to Det. for Billups / Wallace rumor. They are both allergic to defense and Davis is set to make something $17 mill. this yr. Moreover, who will score on the inside for them if Wallace is gone? How will that effect Rip Hamilton and his jump shooting? And how do you now blame Flip for the three straight outs in the EC Finals if you are tearing the team down? The only reason I can see to do this is that Davis is in the final year of his deal and thus leaves you with a ton of cap room next offseason. Harrington can score and is relatively young, so if he you hate him he is tradeable (again).

I think those MIB's might be right.

O'Neal was worth that price 3 or 4 yrs ago, but not anymore with his salary. That said, I get why the Raptors are interested in him. Someone has to take the pressure off of Bosh up front. If he plays with some heart, he could make Toronto a very tough out come playoff time. Ford is underrated, IMO. He would certainly solve the Pacers PG issues, they'd be left with no inside presence other than Granger. This would also take away a potential Hinrich suitor.

Not doubting anyone personally, but I should think this would be getting a lot more play on ESPN and the like if it he said these things. Link?

Still plenty of time left to catch up.

If and only if he keeps this up. If he doesn't and goes back to his norm, don't you think he is looking closer to 3 yrs and 24-27 mill?

Westbrook would be my preference. His defense would make a difference by itself.

I don't get that either. They already have Wallace, Z, etc. It may seem like a reach, but I'd go for CDR. At least he has a shot at taking the load off LeBron.

Good point about Damon. Along those lines, Juan Pierre has 1,500 hits and is only 30.

He has hit the ball hard several times over the last few days, but they just haven't fallen for him. I would bet my bottom dollar that Perry has his ear and is reminding him of this. He'll be fine.