Exile on Waveland

He's gone. Hendry screwed this up, like he does everything else. Like re-signing Aramis? Or D-Lee? Or Kerry? Hendry has his faults, but he gets the players he wants re-signed. I realize this is a different situation with the impending sale, but I still think it gets done. Both sides want it to happen. I agree. It'll get done. As you said, both sides want it to happen. Also, I'm usually of the cynical mind that money is all important for athletes, but I don't think Zambrano will move to the AL and give up batting.

The infield fly rule may be stupid, but I don't believe the reason behind it is. It's a pro-offense policy. By reducing easy double plays, it stimulates offense. I think we all know baseball wants scoring/home runs, and rightfully so. i agree, but not as enthusiastically on the pro-offense angle. I'm just glad we don't have to deal with cheap DPs on these types of plays. Personally, I don't need home runs or even much scoring to enjoy the game. But it's quite obvious that casual fans are drawn to offense.

I agree. In fact, I think almost everyone down there is.

It's hard to go to the pen when you look into it and see only two pitchers (Howry and Marmol). Those guys have to be tired, too bad there's no one else down there... Piggy is insulted. Oh, I think there are more quality pitchers down there. That was meant as a comment that it doesn't seem like Lou realizes it.

It's hard to go to the pen when you look into it and see only two pitchers (Howry and Marmol). Those guys have to be tired, too bad there's no one else down there...

The infield fly rule may be stupid, but I don't believe the reason behind it is. It's a pro-offense policy. By reducing easy double plays, it stimulates offense. I think we all know baseball wants scoring/home runs, and rightfully so.

cool, i was waiting for the first "is zambrano injured" post in this thread. It's much like the "Rich Hill is a head case" post in any bad start that he has... you know it's gonna happen, it's just a matter of when. Keep up. Zambrano was injured early in the year, then suddenly healthy for awhile, now injured again. Hill wasn't a headcase to start the season, but became one again. Duh.

No. I was also stunned.

why floyd? Because he's not good. .292 with 4 homers and 36 RBIs isn't all that great, but to say he's not good is a flat-out lie. Check his slugging. Then check what position he plays. Then reconsider your stance.

I agree. The Dodgers will likely fair well over the next few season because of the farm system (I'm assuming Colletti won't trade them all away like Betemit for Procter, ugh). The large payroll will help, too, though not tons if he keeps signing guys like Juan Pierre to big deals. The guy is terrible.

I was against the signing only because I pretty much knew it was going to cost Murton a lot of playing time. Maybe not this much, but still. People said it wouldn't, but I saw this coming a mile away. I also would've expected more production from Floyd; he hasn't been good.

The Cubs and Brewers both have 52 losses... The problem with the Brewers is that over 46% of their offense is homerun dependent. How's that a problem? It's a problem because they aren't able to score enough runs, on most days, to win when they don't hit homers. It's not a well rounded offense. The way some people are talking, the Brewers should have fewer loses and more wins. They've out homered the Cubs by 64 (and two players combine for 52). I think what you are failing to grasp is that each HR equals at least 1 run. Being "well rounded" is a non-sequiter as is the number of losses each team has. Give me a team of HR hitters any day. The 64 more homers they've hit haven't given them much of an advantage in the standings. Um, pitching?

Hahahaha :lol: He is a professional athlete, if he can't handle the pressure he should work as a toll booth operator or something. Jeez, the excuses are already starting to roll before the game even starts. Would be nice to see him step up and force Lou to play him. Whether or not you want to admit it, expecting baseball players to produce IN THIS GAME RIGHT NOW TODAY or be labelled as not getting the job done is just asinine. That's how they've dealt with Murton this year. You simply can't hand a guy a game, or even 3-4 games, and say you better capitalize on your opportunity. Playing time should be doled out based on reasonable expectations of future performance, not how you did last week. Unfortunately, Baseball is a performance driven sport. There are hundreds of hungry players that want to steal your job at the first opportunity. I agree that you can't expect players to produce in the first 3-4 games, but Murton does not fall into the "only got 3-4 games to produce" category. I truly hope he comes out fighting for a spot tonight and catches fire. The Cubs could really use his second half numbers from last year with Soriano out. You're right. Murton didn't get 3-4 games to produce. He got a full year. And he DID produce. That's why he should be playing, and should've been all year.

I'm a fan of neither the Bears or Bulls (Colts and Pacers for me, an Indiana boy), but good luck. I'll likely stop by, if I remember, since I'm sure the Colts/Pacers are bound to come up some.

Nice job Jones! He's really hit pretty well recently.

Nice job DeRosa! Ha ha at Alou's arm. Seen that before.

OK, c'mon DeRosa, bust this open!

Well, hell, then he should've just walked into the dugout and not bothered sliding. It doesn't matter what Jones "knows" because the umpire evidently didn't know it. it was an easy play. simple throw to third to get him on the force. like I said, JOnes knew he was out. should players fake it everytime it's a close call just to fool an ump (who the vast majority of the tme, will get the call right)? Hitters certainly don't decline walks on clear strikeouts. Pitchers don't decline strikeouts on clear balls. While I understand (and somewhat agree) with the honor and sportsmanship you are talking about, it clearly does not work that way. A player must accept the umpires call, beneficial or not, correct or not. Therefore, Jones should've attempted to get back on the bag and hoped for a blown call.

Well, hell, then he should've just walked into the dugout and not bothered sliding. It doesn't matter what Jones "knows" because the umpire evidently didn't know it.

Even if he was tagged out -- which he was -- the umpire hadn't called anything. Jones had to try to get back on the bag. That was pathetic.

Link. I found it curious because I don't see how Dunn would clear waivers. A team claiming him would not be taking on a big contract, so I could see many teams making the claim to prevent someone else from getting him. Either way, I found the quote interesting. If he's still out there, I'd hope in light of our anemic offense, Hendry would make a run at him. Yeah, I don't see how that's feasible. Edit: I also think "anemic" is hyperbole. Average, yes; anemic, no. The Cubs are 8th in the NL in runs OBP, SLG and OPS. That's average. They have also averaged 5.2 runs per game since the all star break and almost 4.7 for the season. That's not anemic. That said, if Dunn's available they should certainly try for him. Yeah, I'm not sure I understand the anemic reference either. Cubs numbers in June: .277/.336/.440, 4.75 R/G Cubs numbers since the All-Star Break: .275/.346/.408, 5.10 R/G They had that one really bad offensive week the first week of July that took down the July numbers-other than that, they've been pretty good. Would an upgrade help? Sure, especially because that since the All-Star break slugging is pretty bad, and Dunn could help raise that quite a bit. It's a far cry from anemic though (which a lot of people try to present it like it is). That OBP especially I like quite a bit-here are the OBP's of the Cubs starters since the break: Soriano-.284 Theriot-.388 Lee-.444 Ramirez-.372 Floyd-.348 DeRosa-.388 Jones-.361 Kendall-.341 That's pretty good right there. This team as currently constructed has almost no power in it, but with Theriot in full-time at SS and Kendall behind the plate, this team could easily become a very, very high OBP team. -I added up and got 5.2 rpg since the all star break, I must've added wrong. -Soriano has been horrid (284 -- yuck), he needs to pick it up. And fast. -Still, those are very good OBP numbers. It would, of course, be nice to add another slugger.

Link. I found it curious because I don't see how Dunn would clear waivers. A team claiming him would not be taking on a big contract, so I could see many teams making the claim to prevent someone else from getting him. Either way, I found the quote interesting. If he's still out there, I'd hope in light of our anemic offense, Hendry would make a run at him. Yeah, I don't see how that's feasible. Edit: I also think "anemic" is hyperbole. Average, yes; anemic, no. The Cubs are 8th in the NL in runs, OBP, SLG and OPS. That's average. They have also averaged 5.2 runs per game since the all star break and almost 4.7 for the season. That's not anemic. That said, if Dunn's available they should certainly try for him.

This thinking is what led us to the Kendall trade, and look how that's turned out so far. Kendall overall with the Cubs: 237/341/316/657. However, 313/421/438/859 the last seven games and 300/382/400/782 the last 14 (per baseballreference.com). I don't know how much credence I put into "change of scenery" and it's likely Kendall will return to his previous putrid play. But, as of right now, Kendall is actually producing and I'd say the trade has turned out well so far (well, excepting that it's possibly costing Soto a chance to produce more). That said, I am vehemently against Jose Contreras.

No way!

Last year for Yankee, I believe. Don't quote me though. I think next year will be the last, so the All Star game in 2008 will be at the current park.