jaxxradio

BTW, I am frying up some OBP and OPS today if you guys want to have some good eats.. the Old Style is on me.. lol

grass, Theriot isn't a power hitter.. most shortstops aren't. Besides, its not a position where you look at offensive numbers first. SS is a position where defense is number one. Theriot made eleven errors total and had 337 assists as short this year. Those are good numbers and he is more than adequate with the glove. Does he have range? Having seen him play more than 200 games, yes he has range.. not great, but good range. Offensively, I'd like to see his OBP a little higher, but .266 with twenty-eight steals and just fifty strikeouts in 537 at-bats isn't horrible by any stretch of the imagination. I just looked at Theriot's numbers compared to Rafael Furcal and they are pretty much even. Furcal isn't chopped liver. Warpt, I wish there was a way to judge the worth of the player defensively, other than seeing him play everyday in person.

Ronnie Woo Woo, the Tribune doesn't want to spend anymore money because it might disrupt the possible sale of the team. Look at it this way, if you were to buy the team and the soon to be former owners just spent another 20-30 million on next years payroll, you might be a little perturbed. Especially if its money spent on players that you don't like.

Seriously, why is Theriot being compared to Murton? One plays at a premium defensive position while the other one is a corner outfielder, where the offense is top priority. I thought Theriot did very well this year. Is there room for improvement? Sure there is, but here's the thing. You're not going to get A-Rod or another premium player here because the sale of the team probably won't happen until around opening day and this team isn't going to spend money on a position that isn't a pressing need. Look, Theriot's fielding percentage was .979 this season. That's not a horrible number, in fact its actually better than Jeter's fielding percentage (.970), as well as Miguel Tejada's (.971). I'm not saying that Theriot is better than those guys, he isn't, but he fielded his position well (please spare me the "inside the numbers" stats..one glaring problem with number-crunching is the fact that the numbers don't tell you how a player was positioned when the error was made. Perhaps the error in question was the result of great range, but poor fielding or a poor throw. You don't know unless you physically saw every game.) One other point about Theriot...his minor league numbers are skewered. Until the 2005 season, Theriot was asked to be a switch-hitter, something he never did before. The experiment ended after the 2004 season. If you want to look at his numbers, start with 2005 when Theriot exclusively batted right-handed.

hawkeye.. what game is Z pitching?? Game four?? There isn't a game four as of right now. What if there isn't a game four after tomorrow? My point is that Lou shouldn't be thinking about game four or any other game except the one he is currently managing. This guy has done a horse-sh*t job managing the series to this point. In fairness it doesn't help when the offense has been shutdown by a very good Arizona pitching staff. Having said that.. the decisions Lou has made to this point STINK.

Taking Z out was a stupid move for the reason Lou gave. Again.. the only reason why Lou took Z out in the first place was to rest him for game four. Well the Cubs are down 2-0 and to this point and game four is still non-existant. Keep in mind Z only threw 85 pitches in game one. He could have gone 1-2 more innings. You play for the present in post-season baseball, not the future. It would be like me giving you guys $20 so you can buy a GI Joe with the Kung-Fu grip. Then you wait four days before buying it, thinking the store will have plenty in stock.. only to find out that they are sold out (I know the analogy is stupid, but you get the idea of what I am saying). The point is.. in post-season baseball.. when the opportunity is there to get a win, grab it. Don't plan on something that might not ever happen.

Saving Zambrano for game four was without question one of the stupidest thing I have seen this post-season. You can't save a pitcher to throw for a game that didn't exist then and still doesn't exist. What good is saving Zambrano if the Cubs lose on Saturday? Post-season baseball is about winning the game at hand and NOT thinking about the immediate future.

In a sick kind of way, the Cubs are right where I thought they would be after one game. I got the Cbs winning the next three games from the beginning, so I will stick with that prediction. You gotta love post-season baseball. It's all about pitching and defense and if the Cubs have that, no worries.

The Yankees haven't seen Sabathia since 2005, so I am cautiously optimistic that CC gets it done tonight at the Jake. Having said that, if the Tribe doesn't win tonight, I don't think they will win this series (as a life long Indians fan, I hate saying that). I love Carmona, but down one with a veteran post-season guy in Pettite would be a potential recipe for disaster. GO TRIBE!!!

Webb pitched a solid game and you have to tip your cap to him and the bullpen for outpitching the Cubs. I actually thought the Cubs were going to lose last night. Hopefully, the wakeup call has been placed and the team responds. Tonight's game is by far the biggest game of the season. I'm not worried in the least about tonight's game. Of course, if Davis pitches out of his mind, then the sweat will be pouring out. Just goes to show once again.. good pitching always beats good hitting and that post-season baseball is ALL about pitching and defense.

California Raisin.. you think I am a tad bit biased on the tams?? lol In all seriousness, last night was what I thought it would be. Arizona gets a win with Webb and their bullpen outdueling Z and the Cubbies pen. IMHO, the Cubs will win the next three games and move on. That being siad, tonight's game is HUGE. If Arizona wins tonight, they win the thing in five. Hopefully, you Cub fans will root for your suffering brethren in Cleveland tonight (I know 59 years isn't as much as 99 years, but NO Cleveland sports team has won a title since 1964.. talk about jinxed).

I think the Cubs win this series in four. I give all the respect in the world to Arizona. Lets face it, there is a reason why this team finished with the best record in the National League. That being said, their solid defense takes a hit with Orlando Hudson out, the rotation is questionable after Webb and the offense doesn't scare anyone. As long as the Cubs aren't down after six innings, they should be in good shape. If the Cubs offense doesn't produce, it will become a battle of the bullpens and, with all due respect to Marmol and Howry, the Diamond Backs have a better 'pen, especially in the closers role. One thing that worries me about the post-season (not so much in this series, but IF the Cubs move on) is the lack of a shutdown lefty specialist. I am going to cringe everytime Lou goes to Eyre or Ohman to face a Ryan Howard, Todd Helton or (dare we dream) Big Papi or Travis Hafner. BTW.. I am on record... it will be a Cubs-Indians World Series.

Raisin, you are right. Like I said its six of one, half dozen of the other if the rally is complete. I'm just saying there are guys in the game that would rather have guys on base if given the preference. I think its the whole "working from the stretch instead of the windup" argument. Don't shoot the messenger.. lol

USS.. I disagree..the tying run at the plate can double or triple the fourth run in to make it 5-4 with the tying run at second or third. The next batter no longer has to worry about hitting a home run.. he can single and the game is tied.

davhern, I'm not saying the batter is limited to hitting a home run. What I am saying is if the guy gets on base, the whole rally gets restarted and the chances of the tying run scoring depend on where the batter/runner is.

abuck, a bases clearing double makes you down two with a runner at second. A two run double makes you down three with runners at second and third. The key here is having runners on base. Your down regardless if you hit the grand slam or not. It comes to, either being down a run with nobody on and two out, down two runs with a runner at second or down three runs with runners at second and third. There are MANY people in this game who want the baserunners so the batter has more options than just trying to homer to tie the game. If everyone does their job, its six of one, half dozen of the other because the rally is complete. I'm just saying that having runners on base gives the hitter more options.

Abe, I agree with you in one instance. Take the ninth inning. Your team is down by five. Bases loaded and two outs. Do you want a grand slam to pull within a run and empty the bases or take a two or three run double that pulls your team within two or three runs? I take the latter and here is why: You have runners on base so the hitter has more options than just trying to hit a home run (which as we all know is next to impossible when TRYING to hit one). If you have runners at second and third or a runner at second, a single drives in one or two runs and you got the tying run on base. The key here is base runners. Hitting a home run in the scenario above isn't the best thing to do because you empty the base paths and are still down.

Rob, Let me break down your answers one by one.. In question number two, you said getting "all the information possible." While I totally agree with you, here is yet another example of the game being "more than numbers." There were many people in the organization who felt that Maddux wasn't coming back at the end of the year. They traded him for what they felt was the best offer out there. In question three, you said Theriot is "lacking in range and his arm strength is mediocore at best." Your way off-base IMO. Theriot has good range, not great but good and his arm is solid. You asked if "the team, not the player should get credit?" This is the what came first the chicken or the egg scenario. I do agree that the team should be given credit, but having said that is it just a coincidence that Theriot has won multiple chamionships?? I don't think so. That's where the "clubhouse chemistry" scenario comes into effect. Again, going "beyond the numbers." In question four, you said that "signing A-Rod would essentialy cost us a lot less than if the Royals signed him for the exact same amount of money." Hate to say it Rob, but your wrong and I will explain why. The Cubs play to 90-95% capacity everyday while the Royals are lucky to be at 40-50%. If the Cubs signed him, there isn't enough of a surplus from ticket sales to justify this where as the Royals would make solid gains just from the hike in attendance by 10-15,000 a game. I do agree that merchandising sales and other forms of income would increase, but not nearly as much as the Royals. Add to the fact that the Cubs are in the middle of being sold and the point is moot. A-Rod won't be a Cub unless the team is sold immediately after the season, which is highly doubtful. In question five, you called hitting behind the runner a "circular reasoning." Perhaps it isn't wise to move a runner up a base all the time, but in certain situations, it is not only the right thing to do, its done. You might have numbers to back up how wrong it is, but EVERYONE in this game has done it. Let me put it to you this way.. if a pitcher is working a hitter on the outer edge of the plate, the last thing a player wants to do is pull the ball because it will result in a weak groundout or pop out. The player is taught to take that pitch the other way. In a perfect scenario, a basehit or extra basehit would be ideal, but life ain't perfect. Thats why the hitter hits behind the runner with less than two outs. In a perfect world, I would love to see a game with all of you guys and gals just to see how you view the game. I'm sure we could all have fun dissecting the game over a Bud.

I can see your point, though if it bothers you that much maybe you should think about getting a job in the game. From now on, I won't use "the card" anymore. I'll share my opinion and leave it at that. I do apologize if it hurt your feelings or bothered you. BTW.. that's one reference in 485 postings. That works out to a pretty good average don't you think??

Cub, I'm not taking anything personally.. everyone has their opinion on this game, thats what makes it great. I just get tired of people accusing me of being arrogant and a know it all when I am not.

I apologize to you IMB.. I thought you did something else. BTW, you are right.. especially about Hawk..

USS.. I don't play that card at all.. Look, this is a childish argument that I don't want any part of. Root for the Cubs, drink your Old-Style, sit in the bleachers and have a great time. Hopefully, the Cubs win the division and go deep into the playoffs.

I get it IMB.. I am a minor league baseball broadcaster.. but I still work in the game. Does that make me different from Joe Morgan or Hawk Harrelson? Only in the sense that they get to broadcast on the biggest stage.

Okay, lets answer some questions: 1) Do you have to be a baseball broadcaster, scout or former player to peg a baseball player? Of course not. Anyone can see who is a major leaguer and who isn't, but the opinions from the scouts and those inside the game (not necessarily the broadcaster) should mean a little bit more since they do work in this game. 2) Is my opinon spot on 100% of the time? HELL NO!! Shoot, I thought Izturis was a solid acquisition when the Cubs traded for him. I missed big time on that one.. lol 3) Is Ryan Theriot a solid major league SS? YES!! Look, numbers aside..he has brought something to this team that we haven't seen in quite a long time. Intensity for one and a winning trait. Look at his career. LSU? College World Series title. Champion in Short-A, Low-A, would have been in Double-A one had the Cubs not sent him to the majors in 2005. That's an example of going "beyond the numbers." 4) (Just for you Rob..) Would you rather have a "premium" SS than Theriot? It depends. Would you like to spend 15-20 million dollars a year on one position player who does things better or spend the minimum on a guy who does a solid job and save the money you were going to spend on the "premium" SS to get help in other positions? Look, baseball is a business first and foremost. Numbers wise, A-Rod or Tejada would be perfect, but at what cost? getting average pitching staff?? No thanks. 5) Have any of you seen batting practice before a game? If you haven't, do yourself a favor and watch it from beginning to end. At some point in the practice (toward the beginning), you will see players hitting the ball to the right side. Why? Because hitting the ball to the right side with a runner at second and less than two outs is ESSENTIAL in this game. If it weren't, they wouldn't be working on it. Again, I don't want to sound arrogant because I am not. I am just a guy who has been TREMENDOUSLY BLESSED with the opportunity to "work" in baseball for a living.

Mizzou (and everyone else who wants to bag on me).. I'm a minor league broadcaster.. yep, thats right.. you got me pegged.. I'm a minor league broadcaster who has seen close to 2,000 games, talked with many hitting coaches, pitching coaches, managers, scouts, farm directors, major league general managers, etc. Is this me patting myself on the back? Nope, not in the least. This is what I do, this is my job and I am thankful for it. Mizzou, if you want me to "get over myself".. no problem. You have your opinion and you are entitled to it, but don't get in a pissy mood because I expressed my opnion as someone who, unlike yourself and 99% of the other posters here, haven't had the pleasure to sit down and talk baseball for hours on end with people (see above) that are involved in the game. Does this make me a more intelligent baseball person? Of course not, but it does shed ALOT of light on some of the things an organization does that you folks aren't privy to. If this post makes me sound arrogant and obnoxious, its not meant to. Like I said, I am a baseball broadcaster and talking with the people listed above is something I get to do. I wish alot of you had the opportunity to as well.