bobbyd20

Jose Lima designated for assignment today 0-3 with a 8.79 ERA. Ouch. Unfortunately, Cubs fans probably couldn't get lucky enough for Hendry to do this to Rusch (1-5, 7.31 ERA).

I think Maddux could properly fill out a lineup card. Regardless of anything else he did on the job, that would be an upgrade.

In my opinion, Murton is the least of the Cubs problems right now. He's a young guy who is going to go through some struggles at the dish. At least he has the right approach at the plate. I like that. I'm not saying he's a future all-star, but the Cubs need more guys that get on base at a .349 clip.

Yes to Cuban. No to Brenly. Bob may be a nice guy, but he's not a good manager. Going back to the '01 World Series (or was it '02), he had Johnson on the mound in game six up like 12-0 or something against the Yankees. After about the fifth inning, everyone in the country was screaming at him to take Johnson out so that he could be available in relief the next day (or a couple days later...can't quite remember the exact circumstances). Brenly was the only person (besides Yankee fans) that thought it was a good idea to keep Johnson in for 7 innings in a blowout. It worked out for the Diamondbacks, but it wasn't the right move. I think that over time, Brenly would prove to be as shaky as Dusty. It's too bad Hendry didn't get rid of Dusty last year and go out and get Joe Girardi. Who knows? Maybe Damon Berryhill is available.

I opened this thread expecting to read about Mark Prior and steroids.

Our sixth place hitter bunting for a hit with the tying run on base and two outs in the ninth? Or, Our the fact that our sixth place hitter was Neifi Perez?

Did I hear him right when he said that coming into the season, he was satisfied with the setup of the Cubs bench? Hairston Perez Mabry Blanco Pagan Bynum That bench isn't really acceptable for a team with a $50 million dollar payroll. For a team spending nearly $100 million it's criminal.

Nomar @ $5 million (and his injury concerns) vs. Neifi and Rusch @ $4.5 million Someone please enlighten me how a $5 million gamble on Nomar isn't the better option. Even if he were to get injuried again and sit out the rest of the season, he's already brought more value to the Dodgers this season than Neifi and Rusch will all summer (and probably next season too) for the Cubs.

No more juice left in the tank.

I'm officially not watching today. Perez hitting 2nd and Murton 7th is completely laughable. Dusty must being trying to get fired.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering Dusty was the guy that hit Burnitz between D. Lee and Aramis for a good two months last season just to be able to go right-lefty-righty-lefty. Interesting that he only did this last year against right-handed pitchers. Against lefties he would stack his three left-handed hitters in the 6,7 and 8 spots. Dusty reminds me a little of an old coach I had. He would see some strategy play out on Baseball Tonight one day and come to the park the next day bound and determined to find a way to use that strategy to show everyone how smart he was. Of course, my old coach (just like Dusty) usually didn't know the proper situation to apply the strategy and it would blow up in his face.

Why? Jim Hendry please make it stop. ](*,)

Meanwhile Cubs pitchers threw 146 pitches in only eight innings. Some things never change. How is it possible that the organization hasn't picked up on this? Everyone in baseball talks about getting pitch counts up, getting into the other teams bullpen and OBP but the Cubs management is oblivious to this idea.

Maybe we should change Completely Useless By September to Completely Useless Before Spring training

That's a good point. With Sosa it wasn't about arm strength

The Cubs have led the league recently in poor-armed outfielders. Rondell White Moises Alou Sammy Sosa Juan Pierre Jacque Jones

When I was 13, I stole third base with two outs and a good hitter at the plate. My coach was so mad that I took an unnecessary risk, he sat me for the rest of the game. Lesson learned. That was the last time I took a chance at making the third out at third base. Since we know Dusty would never make an example of a player for poor fundamental play, maybe I can look up my old coach and see if he'd be interested in becoming the next manager of the Chicago Cubs.

Never. Everyone knows that the fastest guy on the team should hit first. :wink: No team would ever put someone who doesn't have blazing speed in the leadoff spot. Well, except for Boston who seems to be doing alright with Youkilis hitting leadoff.

I like Ramirez both his effort leaves a lot to be desired at times. If his groin really is that ginger, then he needs to get in better shape. Either way, effort isn't something that should be a sometimes thing. I don't care if your Aramis Ramirez or Barry Bonds. Hustle the four or five times you are expected to run hard per day.

If Dusty was getting after the players about poor fundamental play (getting doubled off repeatedly, swinging at the first pitch after a four pitch walk, etc) don't you think we would see improved fundamental play. The fact that we have seen the same garbage for 3+ years leads me to believe that Dusty doesn't get on the players about fundamental mistakes.

Nomar at 5 million for one year in RF was, is and always will be a better option that Jacque Jones for 3 years at $15 million.

And all of the anger is directed toward Dusty. This is by no means an attempt to defend Dusty as the lineup he put out there Friday made me think he is actively trying to get fired. Let's look at some of the things Hendry has done. He made two great trades getting Lee and Ramirez. Other than that, I haven't been impressed. His signings are a collection of mediocre role players and guys two to three years past their prime. And the development of the farm system (especially from a position player standpoint) has been a complete joke. When I look at this team, I can't imagine how the payroll is nearly $100 million when there are so many bad players on this team. Here's what Hendry did during this past off-season - Howry - good move Eyre - decent move, paid too much as evidence by Eyre saying his agent didn't even counter Hendry's first offer Pierre - typical Cub acquisition, no patience at the plate for a leadoff hitter, looks to be past his prime Bynum - terrible resigning Rusch - if this would have been one year for $1 million ok - but locking him in for 2 years at around $10 million is just a terrible contract when you could have a youngster do the same job resigning Neifi - terrible - see Rusch description Jacque Jones - 3 years, $15 million...for a guy that should be a platoon outfielder...another awful signing given the terms To me that adds up for 2 for 7 in the off-season for Hendry...that's not acceptable for a team that had so many needs to address in the off-season. What does everyone think? What am I missing about Hendry that makes people think he is going a good job?

Even more scary is the fact that we are an RBI walk in the 4th inning of Wednesday night's game (by the pitcher no less) from being on a 36 inning scoreless streak.

With that lineup, the Cubs may set a major league record tonight by scoring a negative amount of runs.

Guzman will look fine as soon as some other team trots out a lineup as impatient at the plate at the Cubs.