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MembersOnlyJacket

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  1. MembersOnlyJacket
    No I wasn't, actually. If I was I probably wouldn't have bothered. I am still interested in looking at this issue an a bit greater detail, however. In particular, I'm wodering how the distribution of "talent" in this area works out. I've been fascinated by the success of Braves youngsters, so I started to work on a Braves/Cox excel sheet about a month ago. This was also motivated by the BP peice from the 2003 that that UK mentions. I am getting close to finishing with the data. Maybe we can put them side-by-side in the coming days ?
  2. MembersOnlyJacket
    While mentioning Cedeno as the shortstop of the future (who knows when ?), he also continued to show the love for Neifi Perez: Youth served? If Nomar Garciaparra goes on the disabled list, the Cubs likely will recall shortstop Ronny Cedeno from Class AAA Iowa. That doesn’t mean Cedeno will get a lot of playing time, as Dusty Baker reaffirmed his allegiance to backup Neifi Perez. “It depends on where we are,” Baker said. “It depends on where we are in this race here. He (Cedeno) is most likely the shortstop of the future. I got a pretty good idea what he can do. I like the young man. “As of right now, it’s hard to take Neifi out the way he’s playing. You got to reward the guys who busted their butts for you. That’s how it is, man.” That's not how it is. That's ridiculous. I'm happy with Neifi's performance as a backup and if I were assured that he'd be a backup in 2006, I think he'd be a good player to have back. Unfortunately, he will play everyday on a Dusty Baker team where there is no marquee player. He will never backup Cedeno.
  3. MembersOnlyJacket
    Here is the list of 2005-06 Free Agent SS: Rey Ordonez Barry Larkin (Retired) Royce Clayton Ricky Gutierrez Jose Vizcaino Chris Woodward Desi Relaford Alex Gonzalez (FLA) Nomar Garciaparra Deivi Cruz Jose Hernandez Jose Valentin Luis Lopez Ramon Martinez Alex Gonzalez (TB) Rafael Furcal Benji Gil Lou Merloni Chris Gomez Rich Aurilia Rey Sanchez Neifi Perez Based on this pathetic group of players, I can see why you'd make the statement on Furcal being grossly overpaid. While the walk totals are still low for Cedeno, he has drastically improved the BB/K ratio this season relative to the rest of his pro career: A - 02, 31/99, .313 A - 03, 21/82, .256 AA - 04, 24/74, .324 AAA - 05, 20/31, .645 Cubs - 05, 3/6, .500 This shows me that despite the low walk totals, he is developing a much greater knowledge of the strike zone. It is debatable as to whether Ronny is ready to play every day next season for the Cubs, but given the alternatives, it may be worth giving him the job. This is especially true if the Cubs acquire a marquee LF or RF'er and lessening the burden on a SS to produce big numbers.
  4. MembersOnlyJacket
    Why not bat Zambrano 8th ? I'm not kidding. Corey is having difficulty, to put it mildly, driving in runs (16 LOB in Colorado) and even if he gets on base Zambrano will be bunting thus negating the speed element. With Patterson hitting 9th, if he gets on he'll have a better chance to use his speed with two patient hitters at the top.
  5. MembersOnlyJacket
    What troubled me about yesterday was that Baker double-switched in an attempt to get the 8th inning out of Williamson after he recorded the out in the previous inning (and inserted Macias to leadoff). The club has 12 pitchers for no reason, especially with a clown who can't manage the bullpen. If the pitchers are Larry's area, as Baker so often suggests, then why not let him make the in-game switches as well ? Neither of the three W's had been in a ballgame since the previous Monday until Williamson got into yesterday's game. Prior to Novoa's appearance this weekend, he hadn't been in a ballgame since 8/12. Being well-rested and sharp are two totally different things. Wuertz will likely be called upon for some important innings in the next couple days. It'll be interesting to see how he responds.
  6. MembersOnlyJacket
    Here is what Phil Rogers wrote in today's (8/21) edition of the Chicago Tribune: Streak-proof While the Cubs have had three losing streaks of at least seven games this season, and Kansas City is enduring an abomination, 1980 was the last time a Bobby Cox team lost as many as three games in a row. That's 25 years, which is simply amazing. Having Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and John Smoltz helped, but don't overlook Cox's steady hand in the clubhouse. His teams always seem to remain calm, seldom pressing. I don't even want to guess where Rogers got this tidbit from.
  7. MembersOnlyJacket
    I think he will develop some power (20 HR), but why does he have to hit for power. Ichiro plays a corner OF, Tony Gwynn didn't have power, and Pete Rose played corner OF without power. When a team has a corner OF without much power, it needs to get power from non-traditional positions (2B, SS, CF, or C). Players like Arod at SS, Sandberg or Kent at 2B, Griffey, Mays, or Mantle in CF, and Piazza (in his prime) at C allow you to have corner OF without much power. Along those same lines, who says Murton won't develop into a power threat, or at the very least a solid SLG threat ? Sandberg hit just 25 HR in 1738 minor league AB and 15 in his first 1300 major league AB. Those numbers were all posted before age 25; then the power numbers and high OBP entered into his game. If the Cubs stick Murton in LF for 500+ AB next year, he will net them 30 doubles and 15 HR.
  8. MembersOnlyJacket
    I had a very bad dream about the Cubs and get-away day and here's the lineup that came out of it: Lawton Macias Lee Ramirez Garciaparra Burnitz Hairston Blanco ...
  9. MembersOnlyJacket
    I don't think Patterson has become the poster-boy at all other than amongst the sidewalk fans who don't know any better. However, comments like the following have me continuing to question Corey's perception of reality: “What can you do?” said Patterson, who is 9-for-42 (.214) since his recall from the minor leagues. “I’ll stay right there. I’ll take those at-bats any day. It’s really not about me. It’s about the team collectively. We lost, and it’s tough game. We fought back. We played well.” First pitch hacking four times. He'll accept that ? He'll accept a humpback liner to SS with a man on 3rd/1 out, a pop-up to LF, and a roller to second with the bases-loaded ? That's wrong. That is unacceptable. The club played well last night ? Where does that come from ? Walker misplayed a ball at 2nd, Lawton did the same in left. They failed to execute with runners in scoring position on several occasions. The only two guys who can be proud of their play are D. Lee and Rusch. And, I bet they don't feel they did enough tonight. Meanwhile, Corey is accepting of his play because he made contact four times. Something is wrong.
  10. MembersOnlyJacket
    There's no difference in Patterson (10-42, 2 bb, 1 eb hit). He raised his hands but so what ? His approach at the plate is brutal and the reason he got away with the loop at triple A is because no one's ball moves. I'm sick of his play already. It's time to give the reigns back to Hairston.
  11. MembersOnlyJacket
    Joey Devine made his debut with the Braves today in the 12th inning. He's the first player from the 2005 Amateur Draft to make the majors.
  12. MembersOnlyJacket
    It looks like the beat writers are on the same page these days. Paul Sullivan has virtually the same headline: Despite .339 Average, Murton Heads to AAA Brutal.
  13. MembersOnlyJacket
    The most pitiful thing about this situation is that when the rosters expand, Murton will return and not see any starts in September if the Cubs are within 5 of the Wild Card. Hairston will play when Lawton/Burnitz are on the bench because "he's been there before." It's been said time and again, if you don't remove the veteran crutches from Dusty he will continue to limp on with them. It'll be a real test as to the direction of the organization this Winter. Hollandsworth, Hairston, Perez, and Macias are all free agents. Will the resign one or more of these guys or replenish the roster with young players from inside or outside the system ?
  14. MembersOnlyJacket
    Bellhorn has been designated by the Sox: Horny Wagon has Stalled Hopefully he finds a home for September (maybe, October).
  15. MembersOnlyJacket
    For the first time all season the club has defined roles for the bullpen. It is starting to show. The Cubs get a lead and after the 6th, that's been about it for the other club (StL, Houston, Colorado). With the roles established, I'm hoping they drop back to 11 pitchers after this series and through the rest of August.
  16. MembersOnlyJacket
    The Mets have a helluva bullpen. That's important considering they have a 2-man rotation.
  17. MembersOnlyJacket
    Someone might want to take a flier on him again as he will get on at a .360-.370 rate and hit 20 hrs in an even numbered year.
  18. MembersOnlyJacket
    It appears that Horny is about to officially be Wally Pipp'd by Tony Graffanino: Bellhorn I think he may end up with the Twins in their desparate attempt to find a 2nd baseman
  19. MembersOnlyJacket
    Here is who the Cubs face in the last two weeks of August per the current rotations: 19 - Kim ® 20 - Cook ® 21 - Francis (L) 22 - Hudson ® 23 - Thompson ® 24 - Hampton (L) 26 - Vargas (L) 27 - Willis (L) 28 - Beckett ® 29 - Penny ® 30 - Houlton ® 31 - Lowe ® The way things have been going, that'll be 4 lost starts for Murton. Hopefully Wellemeyer is sent back.
  20. MembersOnlyJacket
    Corey has a nice career split against Oswalt: 12-39, 4 doubles, 2 hr Corey's lift and drive stroke lended itself well in the past to the Oswalt sweeping slider. It should be interesting to see how Corey's approach is tonight against him.
  21. MembersOnlyJacket
    Take this for what it's worth, but here's what Baker had to say about the Rusch performance: “Glendon wasn’t really as sharp as we would have hoped he would be,” said Cubs manager Dusty Baker. “He hung a breaking ball to Burke, and he hit it out. At first, they were just blooping them all over, they really were, and finding every hole.” In contrast, here are comments made by Dusty following Hill's last start: "We have to address it," Baker said. "I don't think I've ever seen six hits and eight runs like that."
  22. MembersOnlyJacket
    Is Bill James managing the Cubs tonight ?
  23. MembersOnlyJacket
    The Cubs are not just chasing the Astros; they are chasing five clubs. The baseball season goes so fast, that it's human nature to keep the blind faith in hopes that the season can continue just a little bit longer --- and have meaning. The Cubs are not going to win the Wild Card, but they sure could spoil it and allow one of the clubs in the East to grab it!
  24. MembersOnlyJacket
    Baseball Prospectus (http://www.baseballprospectus.com) Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract Journal of the American Statistical Association The Hidden Game of Baseball - Thorn and Palmer The Diamond Appraised - House and Wright
  25. MembersOnlyJacket
    Who has managed to post these mediocre, yet amazingly similar stat lines in 2005 for their respective clubs ? Player A: .250/.326/.390/5 hr/32 rbi/15 2b/4 sb Player B: .254/.302/.390/5 hr/32 rbi/15 2b/4 sb Hint: Both have played for the Chicago Cubs.
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