RynoRules

Sans Williamson's ninth, but good to see that they didn't crawl up into the fetal position as they have in the past. Bats looked very good; Jones is hitting over .300, so anything can happen. Keep it up boys.

That's a far more interesting question. With all of the injuries and a tough loss like last night's, is their luck finally ending?

good point. Either they are full of it or not very smart...or maybe both.

I don't think anyone would disagree with that, but that's different than what Fred was pointing out.

Except that's not true. Neifi had a sub .300 OBP. Cedeno now is better than Neifi last year. The bothersome part is that Ronny has 31 Ks to 7 BBs. That's exactly the same line as Jones.

I dunno who else wore no. 12, but I do know that Dusty's career stats - .278 .347 .432 - aren't horrible.

You can't assume a player cares or tries to get better? That should be the assumption at all times for all athletes unless it can be proved untrue. Why? Because we call them "professionals"? That's a label we brandish on all of these guys without regard for whether they earn it and/or display the qualities the term implies. We certainly don't assume that in other walks of life, why should we do it for athletes? If you work for me I'm going to assume you care about your job until you show me otherwise. That doesn't mean I will be oblivious to evidence showing the contrary, but if you aren't doing your job I will consider lots of other potential reasons before even considering that you just don't care. And how do your define "until you show me otherwise"? Do you have a list of behaviors that you feel are indicative of someone not caring or not giving their best efforts? Some sort of criteria? Or do you go with your gut and what your exprience tells you? I personally don't think Corey stopped caring; I do think he was suffering from a sort of mild depression at the end due to circumstances he wa s living under. I also think people are entitled to interpret his behavior as they so choose, and blasting people for their perceptions on this issue is silly, because none of us "know" or can "prove" what happened. We are entitled to our opinions.

You can't assume a player cares or tries to get better? That should be the assumption at all times for all athletes unless it can be proved untrue. Why? Because we call them "professionals"? That's a label we brandish on all of these guys without regard for whether they earn it and/or display the qualities the term implies. We certainly don't assume that in other walks of life, why should we do it for athletes?

You don't see how they could use two guys with pop on the bench? Nevin is not a poor man's Wilson. Besides the fact that he costs more than twice as much, Nevin is 6 years older, and coming off a season with a 79 OPS+, compared to Wilson's 112. And Craig is running circles around Nevin now. Wilson could start for this team in LF, moving Murton into a platoon with Jones, which blows the doors off the current OF production. Nevin is the backup for 1B and 3B, and a pinch hitter. Wilson is a legit starter. Not for the Cubs he dosen't. He is costing the Cubs a mere $375 k, which is virtually nothing in this day and age. Accordingly, if he doesn't work out and the Cubs find themselves in a position to acquire a true difference maker, I could see JH DFA-ing him.

Nor have I, but i can't prove that he did care or try, and I refuse to assume. Accordingly, everyone has an opinion on this issue, but no one really knows.

I read this on the "L" this morning and was wondering how long the thread might be... Wow.

It is much needed. Along with several other things, too many to mention. Putting Nevin at first, moving Walker to second, and thus benching Neifi is a good start. When Lee gets back, we can hope that Neifi will next be associated with the organization known as "DFA".

May be we were trying to get Nomar back.

There's enough blame to go 'round. Jacque has had some brutal moments, though (if you forget the drop last week) there have been far fewer lately. He's been pretty good. I was essentialy expressing my admiration for his pop and hoping that he can keep it up.

Well played. Some of us are in denial when we read the standings.

I agree. Problem is his consitency. Here's hoping he bucks his former trends and keeps it up. :cheer:

Is anyone in this thread saying that it is? Yes. And more than once. I never said this was a terrible move or one that shouldn't be done. To me it is a so what trade at best, and a what were they thinking trade at worst. But he comes cheap and if he helps the bench great, but the Cubs could have used the help about 8 weeks ago. It makes the team better. Isn't that the bottom line? And if so, why complain??? It's obviously not some sort of blockbuster deal, but it gives them a better chance to win from here on out. Sometimes the nitpicking gets old. Sometimes the losing gets old. It could make the team better, but not appreciably better. And it could serve as an excuse not to make a deal that would actually make a difference. Hendry's first excuse was nobody else wanted to deal. When that was proved wrong, he made a move for a guy who can only help in minimal ways. So when people beg him to get the bat, he can say he already did, and his apologists will tell us not to be greedy. To be fair, Levine reported this morning that Hendry continues to work the phones with other GMs. I think your comment is a bit speculative.

I'm not saing he has turned the corner, I am simply noting that when he makes contact the ball jumps off his bat. Of course, problem is that he does not make consistent contact andhis swing is longer than...well this is a family site.

He also said he won't be extending Dusty "right now".

You often jump on people for generalizing (and rightfully so), so I must ask, to whom are you referring?

I wish he was more patient at the plate, b/c when he makes contact the ball really "jumps" off his bat. Might have the most "live" bat on the team. He's so streaky though. Had an awful April and good May, which means he's due for a bad June.

He probably would have inked a 1 yr deal. I agree.

Let me go on record as saying that I love Zim. That said, 89' was a flukey thing. Walton and Smith played a station above what they really were, Mike Bilecki might have had the luckiest year of any pitcher in franchise history, Wild Thing dodged about 50 landmines, and they played very aggressively on the basepaths but were fortunate enough not to run themselves out of innings. Dawson had a very down year, and Vance Law was Neifi-like at 3B. It was a lucky year. That said, if we stink anyway, bring Popeye back.

We don't need another "Mabry", the one we have now can't hit. That was a poor analogy. He's been a lot more productive in his career than Mabry has. We are paying $375,000 for the guy, which means we have plenty of room to go out and make another deal. All in all, the upside is pretty good (if he is utilized correctly).

c'ya Matty. In light of the fact that Dusty has had ample opportunity to bench Matt already and has not done so, I'm taking a wait and see approach. Murton has been hot lately. Let's see how this plays out. I like this move. Nevin can play first until Lee returns and then gives use RHed pop off the bench, and hopefully a platoon partner for Jones.