nick23

Obviously not. The question is, why would you say it's not his fault? He insulted another person quite flagrantly and right to their face, because he gave up some home runs in the game and was touchy about it. That's his problem, and he chose to lash out at the reporter for it. He's a jerk. I'm not necessarily saying it's not his fault he called the guy [expletive]. I'm saying I can't blame him for doing so. I can understand why he did it.

I have seen thousands of player interviews over the past few years, and I have seen players snap a bit, but I haven't seen a player call another reporter a [expletive]. Just another gem from baseballs resident wife beater. Well you got me there. I haven't seen thousands of interviews over the past few years. That's pretty impressive though. You must watch a lot of baseball.

Neither are the journalists. To say Myers isn't at fault is ridiculous. What's even more ridiculous is comparing players and journalists. Because one is any less human than the other? Um no. Because Myers is in the middle of a playoff race and just blew game. He's a little more emotionally invested than the fill in reporter. There's nothing wrong with the reporter asking the qestion, I just don't blame Myers for getting pissed and calling the guy a [expletive]. We've all done this sort of thing. It happens. Just because this guy plays baseball for a living doesn't make him immune to getting pissed and calling some dude a [expletive].

Neither are the journalists. To say Myers isn't at fault is ridiculous. What's even more ridiculous is comparing players and journalists.

I don't blame Myers at all for this. It was probably 15 minutes after he blew a save and some reporter he doesn't even know comes in and starts asking him about blowing the game. These guys aren't robots, he was pissed off and insulted someone that was probably baiting him. I'm suprised it doesn't happen more often.

I'm much more concerned about this anemic offense than I am Carlos Zambrano. You arent concerned about your supposed ace having an almost 4. ERA? No, Z has been really good over the last two months. This offense is terrible. Might want to check your stats before stating false things. Might want to check yours. His last two starts have been bad but the 10 before those he was very dominant. Much more worried about the offense than Z.

I'm much more concerned about this anemic offense than I am Carlos Zambrano. You arent concerned about your supposed ace having an almost 4. ERA? No, Z has been really good over the last two months. This offense is terrible.

I'm much more concerned about this anemic offense than I am Carlos Zambrano.

overreaction much? No kidding. He gave up 2 runs. It happens.

Oh well. At least he can hit LHP fairly well.

I had the complete oppisite feeling. I enjoyed the hell out of it.

Funny quote from the ESPN chat. Chris (CT): Jonah, I disagree with the "strikeouts are about the same as other outs". The chances are very, very slim that a runner on third would score on a strikeout versus a ground-out or sac fly. A strikeout with a RISP is a wasted out. Jonah Keri: (3:52 PM ET ) You must be a big fan of double plays, then.

I'll be making the trip from Memphis on Thursday. Where is a good place to go for drinks before the game?

I don't understand how many people have Jocketty on the list. What's he done besides make awful trades and sign players to bad contracts?

I don't think you understand what I'm saying. Obviously over the course of his career, Jones has hit decently vs RHP. At times he has not, however. Including 2004, and 2007. He's had a mediocre career, where he's hit for okay average, struck out a lot, and drawn very few walks. He's got a very poor skill set for anybody hoping to have a longer than usual successful career. And his lack of skills make him a good candidate for somebody who will be worthless at a relatively young age. I do not know if he's done. I don't know if he's got another year or three in him. But I do know he's been awful for a very long stretch, and that he is no guarantee to bounce back. This isn't ARod having an off year. This isn't Vladdy struggling a bit, or even Paul Konerko struggling. This is a mediocre player on the wrong side of 30 with a very unattractive skill set in the midst of a prolonged struggle, and it's a gamble to expect him to bounce back. I don't think you understand what I'm saying. I'm not expecting Jones to light the world on fire in the second half. I am however fully expecting him to outproduce Pie by a wide margin. That's how this whole discussion got started. To me Jones first half vs RHP was much more of a fluke than his prior 3 seasons. Before you come back at me I do understand that Jones has a very flawed skillset that makes him vulnerable to steady decline. I just don't think he's there yet. IMO if you're trying to win this year, you play Jones over Pie vs RHP.

Except he isn't hitting them now, and has had similar bad stretches in the past. People need to stop pretending Jones routinely owns RH pitching. When he's at his best, he's pretty good vs RHP. He has fallen. Whether he can get back up is in question. That's why it's a gamble. I'm not pretending anything. He's .292/.341.485 against RHP for his career. He hits righties. I'll go on his last 1000 at bats against righties rather than his last 150. By the way last year he hit .303/.358/.528 against them.

I don't believe that. I think it's more of coincidence over anything else. I don't think it's far fetched that Soriano would be a little more motivated playing next to a player he has taken under his wing. I heard that Pie was staying with Zo, at first they were batting next to each other and playing next to each other in the OF. Soriano seemed to pick up shortly after Pie was recalled, and you can't discount the Cubs winning percentage with Pie in the lineup. I was disappointed to see Pie sent down (especially so we could carry 3 catchers). The kid has done everything he could in the minors, and it was time to let him grow into a MLB player. Few rookies come into the league on fire each year, and we could have used his glove and speed in the lineup until the bat warmed up. His average seemed to slip when his PT diminished. And it's not like we have a stellar replacement for him. JJ is worthless this season and Pagan isn't an everyday player. I think you absolutely can discount the Cubs winning percentage with Pie in the lineup because he had very little to do with the winning.

Because mediocre players routinely disappear quickly in their 30's. Think Troy O'Leary who was very similar to Jones and out of the league by 33. Another br.com comparable is Mel Hall, done at 31. Remember Jeff Blauser? Mediocre career highlighted by a resurgent age 31 season, which was followed by a disastrous 32 and 33 season before he was gone. He's not good and past his prime, assuming this has been a fluke is a big gamble. Man I hate to defend Jones but I'm just not buying it. Two players off the top of my head that compare to Jones are Shannon Stewart and Tori Hunter. Hunter is 31 and Stewart is 33. Both are having very solid years. I just don't think there's this magic age number where players just fall off a cliff. It's a slow, sometimes steady decline and after Jones numbers last year there's no way he's at the end of his career. The problem is you think it's magic. It's not magic, it's nature. The thing is, Jacque has already fallen off a cliff. It's not like he's playing well and I'm predicting he will fall. He has already fallen. Assuming he'll bounce back is foolish. Hoping he'll bounce back? Fine. But to pretend it's not a gamble is just ridiculous. It happens all the time. Mediocre players disappear rather quickly in their 30's. Some may stick around to cash their checks, but that's about it. Jones could 800 OPS the rest of the season and carry that into 2008. But it's a significant gamble. Guys who generally don't hit for average, strike out a lot and don't draw walks don't exactly have long shelf lives. I just don't think a bad half season coming off a good season means he's already fallen. I understand he's 32 and leaving his prime years but I still think he's a better bet to hit RHP the rest of the season. He's never not hit righties.

Because mediocre players routinely disappear quickly in their 30's. Think Troy O'Leary who was very similar to Jones and out of the league by 33. Another br.com comparable is Mel Hall, done at 31. Remember Jeff Blauser? Mediocre career highlighted by a resurgent age 31 season, which was followed by a disastrous 32 and 33 season before he was gone. He's not good and past his prime, assuming this has been a fluke is a big gamble. Man I hate to defend Jones but I'm just not buying it. Two players off the top of my head that compare to Jones are Shannon Stewart and Tori Hunter. Hunter is 31 and Stewart is 33. Both are having very solid years. I just don't think there's this magic age number where players just fall off a cliff. It's a slow, sometimes steady decline and after Jones numbers last year there's no way he's at the end of his career.

If Pie has given us nothing, Jones has given less than nothing. The "if he can just play up to his norms" is the gamble. Jones sucks, and he's worse now than when he was putting up those careers norms. His mediocre career is winding down. He's in his 30's, it should surprise nobody if he underperforms his norms. And he already is. But is it a bigger gamble than sticking Pie out there everyday and hoping he can give us anything? I just think Pie is the bigger question mark. I don't believe that in one year Jones has gone from outplaying his career averages to completely done and washed up. It doesn't add up.

And that is the big gamble. A terrible gamble. A gamble the Cubs shouldn't take. If they upgrade elsewhere they won't have to worry so much about CF. And once again, Pie wasn't exactly given much time to "prove" himself. I've seen this movie before. It always ends the same way. How is it a big gamble for a 32 year old to play up to his career norms? He had a bad 200 at bats. He's been very solid throughout his carerr vs RHP. It's not a big stretch at all to think he'll be productive in the second half against RHP. If you ask me the big gamble is sticking Pie in CF for the rest of the season and hoping he doesn't suck. This offense can't afford that. If we hope to overtake the Brewers this year Jacque Jones will probably have to play a decent part in that. It's a sucky scenario but it's probably true.

Jones vs RHP .239 .298 .346 Pie vs RHP .243 .305 .411 And Pie plays much better defense. Pie over Jones obviously makes the team better. Jones would have to completely turnaround his season to even come close to being the better option. Yeah, obviously. Pie over the last month is 7 for 58. He's lost. Jones isn't great but I'll take my chances with how he's produced over the last three years against righties over the .243 .305 .411 Pie's put up this year. That's a big gamble. He was good against RHP in 2005 and 2006, but in 2004 and 2007 he wasn't good. It's actually not a big gamble. Pie has given us nothing this year. If Jacque can just play up to his career norms vs righties he's a solid bat towards the bottom of the lineup. I'll take the dropoff in CF defense in exchange for not having yet another black hole in the lineup.

Jones vs RHP .239 .298 .346 Pie vs RHP .243 .305 .411 And Pie plays much better defense. Pie over Jones obviously makes the team better. Jones would have to completely turnaround his season to even come close to being the better option. Yeah, obviously. Pie over the last month is 7 for 58. He's lost. Jones isn't great but I'll take my chances with how he's produced over the last three years against righties over the .243 .305 .411 Pie's put up this year.

If Pie is going down he should stay there until September. A Jones/Pagan platoon in CF gives us the best chance of winning IMO. Sori, Jones, and Floyd against righties. Sori, Pagan, and Derosa against lefties.

I would bet Pie is the center piece in the deal. This is a salary dump they're probably not wanting to take Jones back. I can see Pie and Marshall for Griffey. And I would do that in a heartbeat. That would be an absolutely awful trade for the Cubs. I hope you aren't serious. That said, I'm all for getting Griffey, Jr., for the right price. Yes I'm serious. I'm not high on Marshall or Pie. Marshall's a decent pitcher with decent stuff. I have no problem including him in any deal that nets us a big bat. Pie(meh) yes he's young and very athletic but I just don't see him ever being anything more than a low obp decent slugging(for a CF) outfielder.