TC3_Hinrich12

I guess that's why we have numbers to measure them then. Walker's been slightly below average at 2B this year, a 97 rate(100 is average). I can recall a few times when there were routine balls hit to him, he doesn't make the play and they call it a hit when it should be an error. And as I said before, bad range.

A little below average glove? His range is terrible.

Anyone know the exact time of the trade deadline?

How about the Illinois Civilized Illini and have the chief shake hands with players and fans before the game. Seriously though, someone mentioned the Orange Crush. That's the best one but I would change it to Orange Krush. They'd probably have to pay that Orange Crush drink company the rights to use the name though.

I voted for the Twins because I also root for them and actually consider myself a fan of them. They have the pitching to do it, and the best pitcher in the MLB. I don't know how Crain blew it today. Anyway, they have a 3 game series with KC coming up, they should get back on track their. Plus a lot of games with the Indians, that can make their season right there. They control their own destiny. And as far as their hitting goes, they need to stay healthy. Stewart get healthy ASAP. Jones will carry the team emotionaly and physically. Ford has been hot lately and Mauer will be huge. They need Morneau to heat up. But they don't need to score a ton of runs to win. They've won 3 straight divisions, hopefully they can pull out the WC.

Should make this a poll Until Sammy is forgiven for what he did in 2004, walking out on his teammates, he will never get his number retired. That one incident is holding him back. You look at his numbers and what he did before all that, yes his number should be retired. But not until he is forgiven.

I hope they shut down Ramirez regardless. I want to see him 100% healthy from start to finish next season.

So what do you suggest the Cubs do? We've seen my opinions and the players I'd like to see in a Cub uniform, how about you? This style of play, having your whole offense be based on HRs does not work. The Cubs have rode the horse as far as it can go with this style. It just doesn't get you to the playoffs. I think contact and "situational hitting" is a huge part of winning games. Having the most LOBs in the MLB, one of the worst RISP averages, leading the league in K's and no clutch hitting does not win you ball games.

I'm tired of watching this team get so many errors. I want to see this offense built around speed, situational hitting and defense, not just heavily depended on power which has translated to a lot of K's and terrible clutch hitting. I know Walker is capable of the hitting part, but I want to see the D part for once. Defense is very underated, with a bad defense, you will go nowhere. I don't think I said anything about trading our good players either. Of course I want Aramis, Lee and Barrett here. I know Ramirez doesn't fit into the "great defense" but we have to have his bat. Same with Barrett, but he can keep improving behing the plate. I'd like to see Blanco back though. And I wouldn't mind seeing Damon, Jacque Jones and Pie in the OF next year. Yes, Jacque Jones. He may still be a Twin next year but it would be great to get Jones. He may K a little more than 100 times but he can win a gold glove, is a great clutch hitter, pretty good power, can still hit over 270 and a team leader, not selfish, just does what he's asked and is a team guy. Jones still has good speed, but not base stealing speed. I think all that should translate into for once, not one of the worst clutch hitting teams and RISP hitting teams. Jones, Damon, Cedeno, Pie, Hairston and Lee, that's a lot of speed. I think we would see more runs. How do you plan on getting a team that is a good "situational hitting" team, when "situational hitting" numbers vary wildly and ultimately end up around the player's career numbers? Free agency, trades. In case you didn't see already I mentioned Damon and Jones. That's wisful thinking for me, 2 players I want the most. You're missing the point. It's basically impossible to get a good "situational hitting" team, because there's almost no such thing as a good "situational hitter". The numbers for players in those situations vary from year to year, sometimes extremely. They aren't predictive. That's not 100% true. Situational hitting=clutch hitting too. Are you saying it's always different clutch hitters every year? No, not true at all. Damon just hits, any situation, he is a hitter that will drive in runs when need be. Jacque Jones has had a history during his whole career being a clutch hitter, something the Cubs have 0 of. Believe me, I have seen a lot of Jones. I have been watching as many Twins games as possible and rooting for them for a long time now. But getting Jones is just a dream because he will probably be a Twin next year anyway. Someone stated it well in an above post. Fundamentals and contact is basically what I want to see. A lot of that translates to "situational hitting" and not blowing games because of defense. This offense is depending on the homerun way too heavily and it has NOT worked at all. That kind of team translates to way way way too many K's, not great contact hitting, bad situational hitting and a lot of LOB's. LOB's has KILLED the Cubs this year. We have way too many guys that can break the K record.

I doubt the Cubs have much of a shot @ Damon. With the Yankees needing a cf, they'll probably offer him a long term deal. I can't see the Cubs offering Damon more than 4 years. I'd be cool w/ giving Patterson more time to prove himself in cf. The guy has tons of talent, and could turn out to be an Andruw Jones type. However, if they can trade him for a starter or a hitter that's fine too. As for Pie, it doesn't sound like he'll be quite ready. Ideally, I'd like to see the Cubs get a major upgrade in rf and a defensive upgrade @ either 2b or SS. I know that about Damon but I'm hoping he will not want to play with the Yankees, that's my only hope. BTW if Marcus Giles is available, get him. I'd take Giles over Hairston or Walker anyday.

I'm tired of watching this team get so many errors. I want to see this offense built around speed, situational hitting and defense, not just heavily depended on power which has translated to a lot of K's and terrible clutch hitting. I know Walker is capable of the hitting part, but I want to see the D part for once. Defense is very underated, with a bad defense, you will go nowhere. I don't think I said anything about trading our good players either. Of course I want Aramis, Lee and Barrett here. I know Ramirez doesn't fit into the "great defense" but we have to have his bat. Same with Barrett, but he can keep improving behing the plate. I'd like to see Blanco back though. And I wouldn't mind seeing Damon, Jacque Jones and Pie in the OF next year. Yes, Jacque Jones. He may still be a Twin next year but it would be great to get Jones. He may K a little more than 100 times but he can win a gold glove, is a great clutch hitter, pretty good power, can still hit over 270 and a team leader, not selfish, just does what he's asked and is a team guy. Jones still has good speed, but not base stealing speed. I think all that should translate into for once, not one of the worst clutch hitting teams and RISP hitting teams. Jones, Damon, Cedeno, Pie, Hairston and Lee, that's a lot of speed. I think we would see more runs. How do you plan on getting a team that is a good "situational hitting" team, when "situational hitting" numbers vary wildly and ultimately end up around the player's career numbers? Free agency, trades. In case you didn't see already I mentioned Damon and Jones. That's wisful thinking for me, 2 players I want the most.

I'm tired of watching this team get so many errors. I want to see this offense built around speed, situational hitting and defense, not just heavily depended on power which has translated to a lot of K's and terrible clutch hitting. I know Walker is capable of the hitting part, but I want to see the D part for once. Defense is very underated, with a bad defense, you will go nowhere. I don't think I said anything about trading our good players either. Of course I want Aramis, Lee and Barrett here. I know Ramirez doesn't fit into the "great defense" but we have to have his bat. Same with Barrett, but he can keep improving behing the plate. I'd like to see Blanco back though. And I wouldn't mind seeing Damon, Jacque Jones and Pie in the OF next year. Yes, Jacque Jones. He may still be a Twin next year but it would be great to get Jones. He may K a little more than 100 times but he can win a gold glove, is a great clutch hitter, pretty good power, can still hit over 270 and a team leader, not selfish, just does what he's asked and is a team guy. Jones still has good speed, but not base stealing speed. I think all that should translate into for once, not one of the worst clutch hitting teams and RISP hitting teams. Jones, Damon, Cedeno, Pie, Hairston and Lee, that's a lot of speed. I think we would see more runs.

Uh, a team option means the Cubs decide whether to pick it up or not, so Walker's desire to test the market has no impact. I know that, and I think the Cubs will decline it and I don't think Walker will want to be here next year

Walker is going to draw a lot of interest from many teams because he is clearly the best 2B available. And Walker is going to want to go to a winning team and with the Cubs having kind of a "rebuilding year" next year, that's why I don't think he will be here next year. Walker is a team option for next year, and he might want to test the market anyway.

Hairston is capable of being a pretty good glove at second, he hasn't gotten enough time there this year. And yes, Walker can produce better offensively but, look at the title of the thread. It's about improving defensively. Anyway I like Todd but I think the Cubs may be parting ways with him this year. But that all depends on whether Hairston comes back, I think they will be keeping only one of them. It's time to build this team differently anyway. Hairston just switched from a different league and is capable of hitting 300 and he brings speed to the table. Hopefully his injury days are behind him and he has settled to the NL. I'd be willing to take a "chance" on him as the everyday 2B next year. Free Agents are thin at 2B though, so it's either Walker or Hairston.

Hairston is much better defensively at 2nd than Walker.

I want to see Cedeno starting at SS, Walker let go and Hairston starting at 2B. Damon patrolling CF, Pie will probably be starting in RF and I don't know about LF and Murton. I'm not sure if he will be the everyday man next year or if they will get someone else... Barrett and Aramis are obviously going nowhere though.

We need a firey manager next year. Someone who will give this team heart and not let them get away with anything. This team has no heart at all.

He would have to be a good player when he gets in the upper 30's to be in the HOF. I think he still has some work to do.

2Pac is the greatest artist of all time.

Sox fans are the ones that ceated this rivalry. I didn't even hate them until they started tauniting us, rubbing it in all the time, worrying about the Cubs 24/7 and bashing us. They're more concerned about the Cubs losing than the Sox winning. I really don't care about them anymore. I don't need a Sox loss to make my day like Sox fans do vice versa.

Haha. Nice Avatar. Anyways. Position: Sosa, 2001. Durrrr. Bench: Ron Santo, 1969. Pitcher: Rick Sutcliff, 1984. Hey you too

Todd Hundley

Who's starting the first game after the break and what pitcher are the Cubs facing?

Clemens has earned it over the longer run. You're right though, it really doesn't matter. Most will get 1 inning