MajikRat

Heard a quote from LaRussa on the radio and he he "respected McGuire even more now". What a tool! :banghead:

While I completely agree about the ineptness of Soriano as a lead-off hitter, why does everybody fail to mention the equally epic failure of Aramis Ramirez in the post-season. I know he is loved on this board, and I admit I am big fan myself. But let's call a spade a spade - he has not gotten the job done the last two Octobers. Your cleanup hitter is a combined 2-for-23 with 1 lousy RBI in the last 2 post-seasons. And he did leave 7 men on base this year alone. So for all the arguing over who to point the finger of blame at, I think Ramirez deserves to be at the top of the list as much as any of them. Year G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO BA OBP SLG +------+-----+---+---+-----+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+ 2007 NLDS 3 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 .000 .077 .000 2008 NLDS 3 11 1 2 1 0 0 0 1 2 .182 .250 .273 +------+-----+---+---+-----+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+ 4 Post Series 18 67 7 13 2 1 4 10 9 15 .194 .299 .433 +---------------------+-----+---+---+---+---+--+--+--+---+---+

Maybe he could spend his off-time getting his chakras aligned or re-reading that self-help book he previously credited for helping him get his head on straight. He is the Rex Grossman of the Cubs - million dollar arm, 5 cent head.

Now this is a compelling post. It made me laugh and weep at the same time (mostly weeping though). Bravo LLF!

100 years without a World Series victory and you guys are really comfortable with Rich "Headcase" Hill on the mound in September as we attempt to ward off the Brewers?? I don't think my stomach could survive such a trauma. I feel more comfortable with Sean Marshall myself . . .

The guy that jumped in my mind was the Corey Patterson of my youth. All of the Cubs problems would be solved when he was ready for the bigs. Of course, I am referring to the immortal Karl Pagel (20th pick of 1976 draft).

I was listening to Sporting News radio early this morning, and the guy hosting said that the Cubs were interested in Junior and that the Reds were weighing their options for trading him within the division. He also said that any deal would start with Sean Marshall and go from there. He cited no source for such a rumor. Anybody else heard anything along this line? I find it hard to believe, but if true this sounds like a disaster in the making. With Griffey's injury history and the Cubs luck, he definitely will dislocate something on the first ball hit to right field.

I thought I heard Bob or Len mention on the pregame show yesterday that Theriot and DeRosa had been taking some balls at shortstop prior to the game. Maybe a change is a coming???

http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/ap/20070214/capt.azpc10102142123.cubs_spring_baseball_azpc101.jpg That picture looks like Lou just discovered some of Dusty's old lineup cards from last season. Yuck

We also have a new batting coach who does not seem to take kindly to the undisciplined hacking we been forced to endure during the reign of the previous regime. Hopefully he walks it like he talks it, and can instill a little selectivity into the lineup, resulting in an improved team OBP.

CBS Sportsline lists DeRosa's salary this year as 675K, so that seems to be a more then fair jump in pay. Considering we paid 53 year old John Mabry 1M+ to drive in 24 runs and hit a whopping .203, DeRosa would be a bargain by Cubs standards. Go get him Jimmy!

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Ryno himself toss his hat into the ring prior to the Dusty hiring? I seem to remember him making the rounds on the sports radio shows and doing a bit of campaigning. Would he or would he not be a good manager - I don't know. But I agree with Vance. This organization is so screwed up I'd hate for Ryne to have some of that stink rub off on him and for my opinion of him lowered in any way.

What do you guys think of Mark DeRosa? He would seem to be a decent and economical option as a potential platoon partner for Jones (.406 vs lefties, .435 OBP), plus he would provide backup flexibility at all the infield positions. He certainly has been more productive then Mabry and for a fraction of the cost, and could free us of the albatross that is Neifi.

I remember ARam as kind of our fallback position that year. If I remember correctly most people were clamboring for the Cubs to pry Mike Lowell (shudder) away from the Marlins. Instead I think Lowell signed a contract extension and we "settled" for Aramis. Funny how the fates have changed.

It seems to me that God dislikes Chicago sports in general. The last really great break I can think of that went a Chicago team's way was when Portland drafted Sam Bowie. :D That one still makes me laugh! But for once, the Cubs seemingly have a fair amount of money to spend in the offseason. And what happens? The crappiest free agent class in recent memory. ](*,)