LuvChicagoSports

I don't mean it in that sense. I just mean every time you see a prospect that you once had in your system turn out to be an all-star even if just for one season you can look back and see what you got out of it. Did it turn out to be a good trade. NO WAY. And I am basing that off the fact that I didn't want Karchner to being with and he was garbage from the start. I just mean look at the prospects you dealt and the ones that you have kept. Have you done a good job of projecting which players have careers pan out as something of value and then those that turn out to be very good?

The Cubs could have gotten a ton at the trade deadline for Rich Hill. I am not putting my thoughts on tonight's perfomance. Obviously this is not his best nor his usual pitching or the Cubs would have dealt him at any offer. All GM's talk about the fear of thinking that their own prospects are better than they are. The Cubs may have already seen this in C-Pat, although if he honestly embraces what he is working on in AAA right now he still has a chance to get it all together. My point is, if you look at the minor league numbers from Hill they are not impressive. Sure the strikeouts are, but you don't win games by striking people out. Kerry Wood has never even sniffed winning 20 games in a season even when he was healthy, because you have to be a complete pitcher not just a strikeout guy. Hill was a hot commodity and many clubs probably would have given up a good amount to take a chance on him especially given his first two starts for us. I hope for one, that Hendry made the right decision in not dealing him, although I can't say either way because I don't know what we could have gotten in return. Point being, as we all know the minor league farm system really has two ways of helping the major league affiliate. First is the obvious develop the players that eventually get to make your big league roster and hopefully blossom into great player. The other is to trade the prospects for the betterment of your team. Not only just you major league present, but also the future. Sometimes one prospect doesn't fit the mold of what you are building to, so he needs to be traded for other prospects that do. As of late, the Cubs have done an average job at best with the trading part of their minor league system. A GREAT trade that stands out for me was the dealing of Bobby Hill for Aramis which is essentially what that deal was. Obvious bad moves were dealing Dontrelle Willis and John Garland. Willis isn't too bad though because we did get Clement who more than accomplished his job for us. Garland is an obvious disaster. Some players that we elected to keep that have not worked out are Juan Cruz, C-Pat (thus far), Hee Sop Choi (great trade later, but that was ML player for ML player) and Kerry Wood. Kerry is the most arguable, but if you look at what he has done as a Cub, it is very unimpressive. Besides the 20k game and the 2003 postseason, Kerry has been a very overpaid player. I hope the Cubs make good decisions regaurding the future of this ballclub. Obiously that is way easier said than done, because in all honesty we do not know what any of the prospects will develop into. Our best future pitcher could be a no namer in the system right now. Our best hitter could be Eric Patterson who we all know, but he is not the highly touted prospect as guys like Pie and Harvey are. David Kelton was a big name prospect that probably could have landed some decent help if traded when he was a hot commodity, but now he is just sitting at our AAA level and is basically worthless. What prospects do you feel should be dealt because they are over rated or you simply don't think they are going to pan out? What prospects would you demand be kept if you were put in a position to do so? What do you see as the future of the Cubs?

Hey Mets play mindless baseball without effort too. Guess what? We both are well on our way to missing the playoffs even though we have salary budgets way above many of the other teams that are battling in front of us.

maybe this will give the Cubs front office some clue as to what to do with our idiot manager.

I'd love to see Rusch start as well, but his value as a lefty in the pen is becoming extremely important as Remlinger is terrible. Rem could never get lefties out anyway which Dusty still probably doesn't know, but you need two lefty arms in your bullpen and Glendon is beginning to embrace that role once again. Williams and Hill have done fine. Even yesterday Williams did fine. He was taken out because they Cubs had a chance to score and needed a pinch hitter. If Williams wasn't lifted he probably could have gone another 2-3 innings and had clearly settled down after this 2nd inning that was full of defensive mistakes by him and his teammates.

I find it pathetic that the guy who's said all along he's quiet is the one who's starting to have to say stuff cause our manager is too big of a wuss to do it himself. Dusty is obviously not the motivator that he's given credit for as this team has done nothing consistent all year except look mediocre. Derrek knows everyone makes mistakes, but I think his problem is what the hell where the two pitchers after Williams doing that they too forgot to run to cover first. One mental mistake is not OK, but it does happen and you can live with it. Three of the same mental errors is absolutely not ok, but our players manager does not make it clear to the players that this is not ok. That is why this team continually makes the same fundamental mistakes. Dusty Baker has no business in the Cubs clubhouse next season if he does not lead this team to the playoffs. The way the clubhouse imploded last season proved he is not what he claims to be. This team has become increasingly more difficult to watch under him as well. Even now our good pitchers don't pitch as well as they did before. I think the best thing for all parties involved is for the ax to fall on Dusty's tenure.

Yeah I saw the swing you are talking about with Lee. Looked nearly identical to the one where he ended up having to take a few days off to let the inflamation go down. I certainly hope he is ok.

It's interesting you have "Play Cedeno" in bold letters. Who's fault is it that we have no idea if Cedeno could be an everyday SS? Who's fault is it when Remlinger is brought in yet again against a lefty to give up a hit? How about continuing to start "Holly" when he's hitting .250? How about never trying a squeeze play when the O is struggling? Oh I forgot, "My guys don't bunt" another Dusty excuse. Yeah, tonight is all on the players, but no way is Dusty getting off easy in my book for this teams failures. The items I paranthesized are examples of excuses given by Dusty, not the fans. If you are citing the WHOLE package as a reason to hate dusty, I'm with you. If people place blame of tonights fiasco on Dusty, well, I can't say what I'd say because it would be against the rules of the board. I'm not saying tonight is Dusty's fault at all. Obviously it was a disgusting display by the players as the looked like they weren't aware of what to do, but I am saying that them looking like they don't know what to do is looking all to common. If there is a game or a couple games where mental mistakes can happen, but if it becomes a disgusting pattern as it has with the Cubs can the blame also be transferred to the manager. I'm not suggesting that they players aren't at fault too, because it is obvious that they are, but I am asking if the blame should also be put with the coaches and manager.

lol yeah but the sick part is that it seems like the Cubs under Dusty Baker find a new way to lose at least once a week.

oh I'm sorry man.....I'm still relatively new to the boards. I'll make that note and not post anything like that from now on.

Wow is all I can say. This one on of the worst fundamental baseball games I have ever seen. This is a horrible showing by the Chicago Cubs players. They looked like a college team out there. Looked absolutely lost making TONS of mistakes. This team looks like they play lazy or mindless baseball as I said previously.

Lofton nearly got a hit because Remlinger didn't cover the base. That is the third time tonight that this happened. What the hell is going on. Just as Brenly put it, this is simply unexcusable. To me it is unexcusable that they can get away with it without a manager being all over them.

WTF! Why would Dusty bring in Remlinger? Everyone in Chicago knows how absolutely pathetic he's been except Dusty the all knowing idiot who somehow is a manager for the Chicago Cubs. We are not going anywhere with him as our manager.

yeah I know but with them taking out Williams so early they have to be careful because of a lack of pitching depth in the bullpen. Especially because Remlinger is terrible and can't pitch back to back days.

I hear ya, but who would you rather see Remlinger? At least Novoa has promising stuff just hasn't quite learned to harness it.

no Dusty will play the other insanity card and play Hollandsworth because he got a crap broken bat hit for his second hit in 50 ab's. We'll probably see some Macias too. Murton will still only play against lefties because he struck out against Urbina. That makes sense to Dusty. Oh wait I'm making fun of Dusty again I guess I should stop so nobody thinks I'm racist.

Hairston is obvioulsy hurt because a double swith took him out when he was set to lead off. The question is how hurt? I saw the play and it didn't look too bad so hopefully he's ok. I don't think Corey is ready to come up yet. He needs to get his swing refined and come up at the start of a road trip so he doesn't put extra pressure on himself. Let's just hope they decided to let Hairston rest tonight, cause Burnitz in center isn't a great idea for long term.

At what point does a manager have to take some responsibility for his players absolute lack of playing with fundamentals. Obviously some players just don't care and aren't going to play that way (Sammy). However over the last two seasons, the Cubs have had WAY too many mental mistakes on the fundamentals. Baserunning mistakes, people throwing over cut off men, not hitting conservatively when the situation calls, not covering bases. As bad as Dusty Baker is, everyone knows that he is at least making sure everyone knows the fundamentals in Spring Training. I just think he stops after Spring Training and he never holds players accountable. Twice tonight we saw a pitcher late to cover the base. Thing is it's not the first night that it has happened. Last night Burnitz took off for second base without watching the runners in front of him. I like the way Burnitz plays, but that was the second crucial baserunning mistake he's made this season late in a game. My question is that at what point does the trend of non-fundamental play become a reflection of the manager and not just the players. It seems as if players become lazy or mindless while playing for Dusty Baker. On top of Dusty not utilizing things like the hit and run or the squeeze, his players seem to just forget things like making contact with a man on second nobody out. I get tired of watching the same mindless baseball day in and day out, but the question is; is it our current group of players or does it have to do with the manger that is leading them? Or both? What can be done to change this as well?

Yeah looking back it wasn't a great flip at all, but Neifi still could have set his back leg and thrown. The runner peeled off and wasn't even sliding into him. I just think he was being lazy and it cost him. Same type of play yesterday. I'm not saying he isn't a good glove man at all, because that is the one thing Neifi does that I like. Just odd to me that it happened two days in a row with the same running throw.

First let me say that if the Cubs don't make the playoffs this season I don't think Dusty Baker will be the manager next season because the Cubs will want to see the kids play and the front office knows just as well as the fans that nobody is going to see that with Dusty writing out the lineup. I'll give my two lineups and they are going to be identified not as vet-kids, but as playoffs-non playoffs (meaning this season). First I'll give the if we get lucky and make the playoffs this season which I don't think will happen and I am VERY glad Hendry didn't trade one of the promising young prospects. 1. Lawton lf (if we make the playoffs he will be a huge part and resigned) 2. Garciaparra SS 3. Lee 1b 4. Burnitz rf 5. Ramirez 3b 6. Walker 2b 7. Patterson cf 8. Barrett c 9. Prior This is a veteran filled lineup that will be put together knowing Dusty won't play young guys. Garciappara would sign a 2 or 3 year deal in hopes of going back to the playoffs with the Cubs because he loved the atmosphere. Walker loves Chicago so he resigns. Lawton is resigned because Dusty finally realizes obp is an important stat, but will only use it if a veteran is who gets to play. Patterson gets called up to play instead of Pie because he's done it before. Here is my lineup that is just a possibility and is written by a different manager because Dusty is run out of town. 1. Damon/Lawton of (position is determined in Spring training) 2. Walker 2b (loves Chicago wanted to stay, good hitter, glove is fine) 3. Lee 1b 4. Ramirez 3b 5. Patterson of 6. Barrett c 7. Pie/Murton of 8. Cedeno ss 9. Prior A new manager comes to town and instantly announces that Aramis will hit 4th even though he isn't a lefty because that is just the smart thing to do for your offensive lineup. The only legitimate move the Cubs make in free agency is to land Damon because the importance of a lead off man is evident as it has crippled the Cubs the past two seasons. Walker stays in Chicago and signs a 2 year deal which Hendy hopes is enough time for Eric Patterson to develop his skills in the minors. Lee and Ramirez provide the power in the middle of the lineup. Patterson ideally refines his swing in the minors and comes back up to the majors with the ability to have some dicipline at the plate. Barrett is moved up in the order because the new manager recognizes that while he has the dicipline to hit 8th he is better suited in a spot where he can drive runners in because that is more valuable. Pie and Murton have a spring training showdown and the winner is declared the starting outfielder. Nomar leaves for his homestate California and Cedeno is given a chance to man the position everyday and Neifi is kept to play backup which is where a new manager would keep him. I know the outfield seems a little crazy. Patterson can easily hit 20 hr in a season if he can smooth out the problems he has had swinging at everything. Pie is said to be a leadoff type hitter with 20 HR potential. Along with Damon that could possibly give you 50 HR's in the outfield with amazing speed and defense. With Lee and Aramis you have huge power numbers at you corner infield along with Walker who has above average power. Cedeno can hit for a good average and has decent speed. Barrett is rejuvinated with confidence as he gets to move up in the order and catch more than 3 times through the rotation everytime. Power is NOT the Cubs problem so losing some HR's is ok. We would have WAY more speed with that lineup and better defense. We could also play more small ball and do things like hit and run. A new manager would be willing to do these things. We would possess the best defensive outfield in baseball and also have a lot of team speed which is something we lack right now.

Has he always done the little running throw thing or has that been a factor just in this series. He just cost the Cubs another run because he didn't just set and throw which is the fundamental way to do it. I know Rollins was running but you get a TON more on the throw by setting yourself then throwing while on the run. He did the same thing yesterday as well and didn't turn the dp because of it.....just a lack of strength on the throw not an errant throw as in today's case.

Actually, a compelling argument is frequently made that players will run more often on a guy with a poor arm, giving him more opportunities to get assists. They tend to stay put when the ball is hit to a guy with a cannon, giving him less chances to get an assist and, subsequently, fewer assists. Point well taken, but we all know that is not the case with Hollandsworth. I've never heard of any base runner fearing the cannon of the almight Holly. So I think in this case it just means that Lawton has simply been able to throw out more runners. If Dusty put Holly into the game because of his cannon arm I am going to be sick. If our manager is this unable to manage a big league team I want to throw up now.

CSN just said he doesn't have a great glove which I am aware of, but I also can look at the research and see that in his career he is a better fielder than Todd Hollandsworth. It's all there in black and white Cubs fans, our manager isn't the kinda guy that plays things by the numbers. He plays the guys he likes and only plays the guys he doesn't like when someone makes him. I hope he goes to LA. They can put up with this garbage. And Scoop Jackson can join him.

Why would Dusty Baker take Matt Lawton out so Todd Hollandsworth could play defense in the 9th inning? If you look at the numbers Lawton has a higher career fielding percentage and more outfield assists which suggest a better throwing arm. We also know that Lawton is faster. It turns out that it didn't matter as Dempster didn't even allow a ball to be put in play as he was all over the place, but that doesn't matter because we got the win. This is classic Dusty in my mind. He's going to make some argument that Lawton didn't play in the NL until this season so Hollandsworth knows this field better even though this field is only a year old and last season the Cubs had Sammy and Alou starting which mean his boy Holly doesn't know the field. Dusty just has to make a point to everyone that his guys that he likes are going to continue to play and even if we have a better player it doesn't matter. I want Dusty Baker out of town. Oh an I guess that makes me a racist.

I'm honestly considering cancelling my ESPN Insider and magazine subscripition because they let this idiot write this article. I'm absolutely appaled that this racist would write this collumn. He is the most racist person out of all the people he mentioned. I'm honestly mad about this because I'm tired of stuff like this. Dusty is a bad in game manager and that cannot be disputed by anyone. But Jackson pulls out the race card even though 3 out of our 4 major sports teams have minorty mangers or head coaches. Scoop Jackson is a fool and I wrote a long letter to ESPN and I want to see how they respond. I want the to post my letter somewhere or they have instantly lost all future money from me.