thedaymen

I thought he single-handidly proved the Burnitz protecting D Lee lineup when he hit that grand slam on ESPN in StL?

Really? He always seemed like a great 2b when he and I both lived in Baltimore. Maybe it was just the O's announcers that made him seem that way. Where do you get your stats from for this one?

Play Jerry at second for an entire season, or look at his numbers with the O's.

I think one of the many reasons for this bad Cubs' season is the defense up the middle is atrocious. Neifi and Walker are both below average defensively. And Nomar is a disaster in the field. Its tough going to Mets games with my fiance and seeing Reyes and Cairo every time then going home and watching "Adventures in Infielding" with the Cubs. I don't think there's anything wrong with starting an "unproven kid", even on a contending team. Robinson Cano? Howard on the Phillies? Reyes on the Mets? If they got the talent, play them. I think with the Sammy money coming off the books, the Nomar money coming off the books, and the team's serious needs in the outfield, another starter and another arm in the bullpen (at least), fixing the infield defense shouldn't be a top priority, and it can be fixed with players we already have on the roster. My solution: Cedeno at short, Hairston at second. They both have good range, don't kick the ball around a lot. Have above average speed (imagine that). Hairston isn't a great hitter, but he does work the count, move runners along and clog up the bases with walks. We don't know what Cedeno can do yet at the plate, but so far so good...even if the other team doesn't have a book on him (but of course they do...) This leaves the Cubs money to sign or trade for an outfielder or two. I would like to see Giles in Left, Murton in right, and Mike Cameron keeping center warm for Pie; but that's just me.

I don't think there is any way Jones is near Lee's value this year. Pujols and Lee are close, but Lee has a small edge across the board offensively, and may be the best defensive first baseman in baseball right now. Pujols isn't close. But, since I expect that Dontrelle will easily win the Cy Young Award because he is almost as good as Clemmons and Carpenter but has a better publicist, I think Lee will have to win the triple crown to win the MVP. I expect Pujols will have it otherwise.

The good news is, since this is the first time the Cubs have seen Vargas, they're bound to hit him better next time. They just don't have a book on him yet. \:D/

Fair point. At least he wants to play and is willing to adapt to do it.

Did he say something about the board? I'm stuck at work.....

But hey, they do have a secondbaseman in as well... ...of course he's playing centerfield.

I lived in Baltimore until about two years ago, and I gotta say Jerry Hairston is a fantastic second baseman. If he was a better hitter he would probably have been in the running for a gold glove or two while at Baltimore. (That last line is a nock on the Baseball Writer's of America, I do know what a gold glove is, I also know its given out at random). I would actually like to see Hairston at second full-time next year, but as I understand it Walker is almost a shoe-in at that spot. I don't see Hairston as a much worse offensive player then Walker (when you factor in speed, which is useless because the Cubs don't steal bases) and he's world's better on defense. But back to the original topic: Nomar at third. I wouldn't fear for the safety of fans on the first base side because of Nomar's wild throws. After all, the ball loses signifigant momentum each time it bounces.

Wastra and some others nailed the point I try to make when discussing a "youth movement." At this point in time, I would like to see Cedeno at short and Murton playing one of the corner outfield spots the rest of the way. Why? Because if Murton can give numbers similar to Lawton's good numbers, then the Cubs have one outfield position covered. If Cedeno can give us Neifi or better numbers, the same holds true with shortstop. I actually think the Cubs should work out a trade with the Mets this offseason for Cameron and Trachsel (assuming he does allright from here to the end of the season. Both players are available and are stopgag players for two years while the guys at A and AA have a shot to develop. Cameron can play center and could give numbers very similar to Burnitz's offensively with much more speed. Not the move that will propel them to a title, but it improves the rotation and the outfield.

I think the Padres are going to win the World Series and Mark Loretta will bat about .500 this post season. Why do I think that? Because it means the Cubs will sign Loretta to a 4 year $60 million dollar contract to play second next season.

Thats because there's no scouting on rookie's in the Cubs organization. (And they also believe there's no scouting done by the opposition on rookie's.) One of the reason you can't judge September call ups based on how they play.

You can look at it that way, but its probably closer to reality to say that once a week the Cubs give a mediocre pitcher a break by beingtoo impatient and make the other's job a lot easier.

Hendry said he and Baker remain on the same page and he has "absolutely" no problem with the job Baker has done. "We've had a little hiccup here, but hopefully we'll play well the last five weeks," he said. "Hopefully we still have a chance, and if we don't, hopefully we'll still finish over .500. Either way, we're going to get to work early and get ready for the off-season." You don't have a chance. The Cubs don't have a chance. The team's overall record isn't as important as preparing for next season. Risking Prior, Wood and Aramis to get to .500 is a terrible baseball decision. The Cubs can plug in youngsters such as shortstop Ronny Cedeno, left fielder Matt Murton and center fielder Felix Pie in 2006, but starting a youth movement with Baker as manager appears unlikely. "I can see ourselves having a good balance," Hendry said. "We've done that with the pitching." Exactly what balance is he talking about? Why not have a youth movement. Can't the manager handle it? We all know thats the case, but lets be honest here. Injuries to Kerry Wood and Mark Prior have hurt the Cubs in each of the last two seasons, and the Cubs haven't had the pitching depth to make up for their absences. "It's not something they did wrong or they didn't try to fight through," Hendry said. "It kills a guy like Woody when he misses that much time. Prior, for the first time in his life in '04, had [arm] problems … Yeah, it sure isn't Wood's fault he has crappy mechanics and is constantly getting hurt because of it. Its, uhm, can't be Dusty's either, so it must be, uhm, not Rothschild, uhm....its Riggleman's fault. Hendry is not looking to trade Corey Patterson, who he says will have an "interesting and important off-season" while getting mentally prepared for 2006. "We all thought not too long ago he was heading to All-Star-type potential," Hendry said. But Patterson has regressed and now is hitting .227 overall, .174 against left-handeders. The Cubs are unlikely to ask Patterson to play winter ball. "He still has talent and he still has aptitude," Hendry said. "He's still capable of being a very good player." So what exactly does he think Corey is going to learn this "interesting and important" offseason if he isn't playing? Disheartening. Glad I already decided to stop watching the games.

Hat tip UK. http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0940279738.01.TZZZZZZZ.jpg Ok, all kidding aside... ...I have to eat entire posts from yesterday when I said as soon as the Cubs realized this current team isn't good, and isn't going to the playoffs they would shut down the gimps (Wood and ARAM) reduce the pitches for Prior and Z, and give time to Cedeno, Fontenot and Murton. Apparently that isn't going to happen and there is no more point in paying attention. Good to know. So, Hutch vs. the Rookie, who should be the Bears starting QB? Edited because HTML posting makes daymen something, something.

Well, yes, I agree with that as well....I think with a better manager, Z's ERA would be about .5 lower. I wonder if we could figure out opponent rbi's after 100 pitches. I bet its a lot. But Dusty doesn't trust the 'pen, so he leaves his starters in too long. That may make sense if you think the games are all sooper dooper important. I don't think it does, but I'll concede it might to other folks. It makes zero sense to anyone to risk Mark Prior on a day like today. If Prior had struck out Furcal its still a terrible risk to leave him in on a meaningless game. Its time to start managing like the Cubs are out of it, so even Dusty will be pulling guys before anything is at risk. I have a friend I post with on a Utah Jazz message board that gurantees me that Dusty is going to ruin all three of the Cubs' aces before next year is over. One down (granted, a strong assist from Riggs)...two to go.

I just made this point on another thread, so if people just want me to shut the heck up, let me know and I will. This particular problem stems back to Dusty's, and perhaps the organizational, belief that the Cubs are right in the thick of a playoff race. Heck, this is a big game for the Cubs, so they need their ace to get these big outs. You wanna trust Novoa when the 2005 World Series hangs in the balance? Are you crazy? The best thing that can happen to this team is the realization that they kind of stink so we might as well shut down Wood and ARAM, start Cedeno, Murton and Fontenot (or whoever at third) and use the last month to really evaluate what needs to be done this offseason.

The problem with that, and the big problem this team is dealing with overall is...THEY STILL TALK AND ACT (except on the field) LIKE THEY'RE IN THE PLAYOFF RACE. Why play kids and endanger the playoff race. Same thing with Dusty's bizarre Neifi love and all this stuff about him being a savior. Dusty, THIS TEAM IS BELOW .500. Bad teams don't have "saviors."

I'll take the over. Not fair, you saw who their pitcher is.

And, lets not count this out, he has a great nickname and a cute leg-kick move. He's a shoe in for any award the Baseball Writer's of America give out.

What's all this about Neifi's defense being great? I don't even think its above average. Sure, compared to Nomar he looks like The Wizard, but I certainly wouldn't compare him to any top defensive ss's in the league, and I'm not sure I would even think he's better then Cedeno would be. Here's just the reality with this Cubs team: They are a terrible defensive team. Walker is bad. The left side of the infield is bad. Barrett is below average, and the outfield, well, it depends on what day of the weak it is, but at best, its average (Lawton, Patterson, Nitz). Should the Cubs bring back Neifi? No. And that's not a shot at Dusty. Neifi has done better then we could expect him to based on his career norms. The problem most of us have with him is our manager has him confused with AROD. Since Dusty is the super-duper bestest manager ever and we have to keep him; I hope we don't bring back the players whom his delusions overhype in only his eyes. That being said, I would be stunned if Neifi isn't brought back. Dusty and Hendry are bosom buddies it seems, and one doesn't break their buddy's play station or take away his favorite toys.

I certainly wouldn't mind getting Loretta. A very good player coming off injury...thus reduced value. I don't hear his name enough as a possible Cubbie next year. Plus I imagine he's got to be better in the field then Walker.

So there you are, in order to play "meainingful" games, all the Cubs need to do is pick up a game every two weeks until the end of the season. If they win tonight, that means 3 of 4 at the end of the season = a one game playoff. Thats if the rest of the NL East stays out of this. However, I think the Cubs shouldn't be looking or talking about the playoffs right now. They moved ahead of the Brewers last night. Next step is back to .500. Then the Mets, then...

I'd like to see Gary Varsho considered. Sure he's young, but he's an ex-Cub (from the magical 1989 team no less), he's been a coach with the Philadelphia Phillies for a couple of years and he once lead the Reading Phillies to a AA Eastern League title. He might be too much of an up and comer, and sure he'd make some mistakes, but I think he'd be a great long-term fix.