BigbadB

The importance of OBP does slap them in the face everyday. For the month of April, the Cubs had a batting average more than 20 points higher than their opponents (.256 to .235). The Cubs had 19 more hits than their opponents that month. The opponents scored more runs than the Cubs. (112 to 109). For the month of May, the Cubs batting average slipped to .248. However, the opponents AVG was only .249. The Cubs had more hits in the month of May than their opponents (243 to 240). The Cubs were outscored in the month of May 151 to 93. That's almost a 60 run difference. So far in June, the Cubs are actually hitting the ball pretty well. For the month, they have a .282 AVG. The opponents have a .280 AVG. The Cubs have had 4 more hits than their opponents, but have been outscored 91 to 77. If you go through the entire 2005 season month by month, you'll see the same pattern. That pattern is where this organization falls flat on their face. The refusal to acknowledge the importance of a walk. As a team, they have drawn a base on balls 166 times this year. They are on pace to draw less than 350 for a full season. I wonder what the record is for least amount of walks in an entire season? That has to be right there among the worst walk rates in history. Meanwhile, the opponents are walking AND scoring runs when they play the Cubs. They've walked 294 times already. They are on pace to walk over 600 times, and may just double the Cubs output and walk closer to 700 times for the year. No, it's not "just" about the walk. The Cubs are being outslugged as well. But, not at the significant rate that opponents get on base and score runs on the whole. Many walks turn into runs. Ask our pitching staff. It's honestly smacking them in the face everyday, yet they pretend that it is not a problem. The only way to fix this problem is to get rid of those people who fail to recognize it as a problem. How well would Dale Earnhardt Jr. do in a NASCAR race if he pulled a couple of spark plugs out of his engine before the race? That's what Dusty has done with this offense. And just to exaggerate his stupidity, he bats one of the worst offenders at the very top of the line up, assuring he makes even more outs with those extra at bats. Utter stupidity.

Yet? They have never adjusted the right way, period. They don't even realize the problem and it's been smacking them in the face everyday the entire time Hendry and Baker have been in charge.

Hendry has done the most damage.

So, you are about to hit pay dirt on the free agent market. Your value couldn't be any higher. Do you? A. Sign an extension with a team you just got traded to? B. Let 30 teams attempt to outbid each other? So, a crappy, poorly run organization like the Cubs has this illusion that they are just 1 good player away from turning things around, so they trade off most of their farm for a guy like Soriano. Keeping in mind the Cubs are one of the most futile organizations in any sport, do you? A. Sign an extension to play on a team that may never be competitive? B. Let 30 teams attempt to outbid each other, and choose one of the teams that has the best chance of reaching the World Series some day? Zito? The dude loves to surf. Expect him to sign with San Diego or LA next year. Trading for him and giving him an extension will require lying to him about the size of the waves on Lake Michigan. :wink:

I guess it depends on what shade of lipstick satan is wearing. I have read enough to know that satan is passionate and not the horned, red skinned demon looking thing with a forked tounge and tail. One good looking win last night. It's step number one to the drive toward .500. Last night was the same old song and dance. Nothing is being changed. Great, everybody made contact last night. A team of NSBBers could hit well against ineffective pitching occasionally. Heck, Cubs opponents have been doing it all year, and last night was no exception. The team also only drew 2 walks last night. Until they start showing some patience at the plate and taking some freebies, this team won't amount to squat. Their approach is horrible. With their poor SLG and AVG, they should be doing anything and everything they can to improve their OBP. They should be doing everything they can to knock pitchers out of games earlier with high pitch counts.

Darn that Figgins!

Matt Cain with a no hitter thru 7. 112 pitches already, though. Dilemma time for Felipe.

I could have sworn that Rolen's top two choices were the Cubs and Cardinals.

I'd keep Speier, because you need someone to take over as the interim manager. This gives him an opportunity to be evaluated. Let him call a few of his buddies to fill in at the other coaching positions. It may be tough finding someone to fill the manager's position midseason, and it's not like anyone could do anything positive with this current mess anyway.

No [deleted] the building can't pitch, etc. And I'm not making excuses for bad baseball, etc. You are missing my point. Recap: The reason why the Tribune/MacPhail aren't motivated to win is because people happily flood Wrigley Field simply because it's Wrigley Field. And the Tribune/MacPhail have absolutely no motivation to put a winning team on the field because Wrigley continues to sell out and be extremely profitiable for the Tribune. Thus I have a love/hate for Wrigley because I want a World Series right now!!!! No cussing, please!

Yeah. Not sure if you saw a post I made in another thread, but if they fired Dusty and paid 1m for his replacement, they'd have 3m right there to spend on scouting in the DR, Japan, Venezuela, PR, South Korea and Mexico. I'm quite certain that a manager making 1m could do what Dusty is doing for the Cubs at 4m.

Brenly?

First and foremost, get rid of MacPhail, Hendry, Dusty and all the coaches. Prior is not to be traded. Since there is probably nothing outside of throwing no hitters all the way to the trade deadline to increase his trade value to where it would be worth it to trade him, you just keep him and hope that he stays healthy and gets his velocity back. The new management team should recognize Walker's value to this team and keep him as well. There is no reason to trade Dempster, either. The tradeable parts that I see are: Williamson- He could step in as someone's closer immediately. Pierre- He's not worth much and we'd probably have to pick up most of his salary, but someone might be in dire need of a CF by the deadline. Get whatever you can and cut your losses. Maddux- LA seems logical. They could probably make good use of Williamson as well. With their boatload of prospect talent, the Cubs should see what it would take to lure Guzman and/or Ethier. Jones- Yeah, he's not doing too bad, but he's a platoon player nonetheless. I wonder if a Jacque Jones, Greg Maddux, Scott Williamson for JD Drew and Andre Ethier deal might work. Kemp appears to be the real deal, so why not work the phone lines with LA and help them win. Heck, Pierre might even be of interest to the Dodgers. Nevin- His trade stock is rising.

I'm torn. I predicted a 4th place finish for these Cubs at the beginning of the season. Oh wait, their in 5th and definitely not as good as the 4th place team. Go Bucs!

If the season went until Spring Training, yes, I believe they could win 90. But, just barely.

What's the record for quality starts for a week? I had 8 and came within a third of an inning from a 9th. The 10th start was a no doubt about it bad start. Also had 7 wins. My team will suck again next week, however. :D

Agreed. But, with Jim Hendry at the controls, we should all be very scared.

And is a good clubhouse guy.

And fast.

Have people not yet resorted to wearing brown bags on their heads? That might get someone's attention. It's usually good for some National exposure as well.

Good call starting Prior..... I left him on the DL in my Yahoo fantasy league. And it's a good thing I did.

And 29 major league managers breathe a sigh of relief that Rusch was not DFA'd for fear that their GM would be as stupid as Hendry to take a chance on Rusch.

I thought I might have a shot at 400 at the beginning of the week. 9 starts and so far only 1 bad one, with Blanton still to take the hill. Of course, I got nothing from my utility spot, Griffey has had a horrible week and my relievers all suck.

Nice job, Torre you idiot. Puts Wang out there in the 9th working on a 4 hitter and a 1 run lead. Ryan Zimmerman with a walk off. The first hit should have been enough to pull the plug. Now I'll never make it to 400 this week. [-(

I would side with the Big Skirt on this one. A TE in college is a big boy to begin with, especially a big football school like Auburn. As far as the injuries, I would imagine guys who played any significant amount of football might see their bodies break down as they age. The older you get, the harder it is to stay in tip top shape. Bo Jackson was out of baseball and football at a pretty young age. Brian Jordan should have retired at the beginning of 2006, or maybe even before that.