goonys evil twin

Actions speak louder than words, Dusty's actions make it tough for many to believe any of the often times nonsensical words he has to say.

Soriano is exactly the type of hitter this team needs less of.

It seems, to me at least, that it will. From the little I have seen, it seems like they have more of a "workman" type attitude. Like they know what it takes to get it done, and work on it. I have seen 22 spring trainings, and this one just seems diffrent to me. I see a lot of focus, a lot of personal commitment, and team commitment. Something that I have not seen since 1984. I would like to believe there's a little more focus and a better attitude going into this season. But it's going to take more than one day of practice to give that theory any legs. At this stage, I think every team is in the same boat, with some guys a little out of shape, some guys looking trimmer than normal, a few guys more banged up than expected, and a couple others progressing at an accelerated pace. I love reading everything that comes out of these practices, but I don't take much stock in any of the rah-rah we hear.

I've been saying all along that I thought Dusty would play Walker at 2b if he were still on the team. Let's hope that happens. Typical superficial Cub-bashing by BP. They really don't understand the situation either in LF or 2B. I'm wondering what about that analysis is causing problems for you. Everyone in the Cubs organizatin recognizes that Murton is going to be the everyday LF for the Cubs, INCLUDING DUSTY. BP assumes that because Murton and Cedeno are young that Dusty can't wait to replace them with Neifi! and Hairston. Dusty can be faulted for being extra cautious, if somewhat outright biased, against rookies, but he's not stupid. Saying Hairston may get "some time" in LF is hardly replacing him. I would be and am very worried about Neifi taking time away from Cedeno, especially with Neifi's lefthandedness. TT, I understand your concerns, but I'm optimistic. Dusty might play Neifi! at SS 20-25 games, but his numbers against LHP, especially SLG, would be acceptable if he bats 7th or 8th. Cedeno, I believe, will play against most RHP. Dusty has a rudimentary understanding of splits (and I say rudimentary, given his use of Remlinger), and Dusty mentioned that he might start Grissom in RF against tough LHP. http://cubs.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060207&content_id=1307836&vkey=news_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc Dusty has his frustrating quirks, but again, he's not stupid, and Hendry has tried to compensate for Dusty's weaknesses. Many on this board were wondering why Dubois or Choi weren't playing more. I find it interesting that other organizations don't seem all that high on those two either. The only prospect that the Cubs gave away was Willis, but given the Choi for Lee trade, I consider trading with the Marlins over the past five years a wash. I would be surprised if Murton got more than 500 PA, and I expect Neifi to get lots of time at SS, no matter how well Cedeno performs. And no, his sub .300 OBP would not be acceptable from any spot in the order.

I've been saying all along that I thought Dusty would play Walker at 2b if he were still on the team. Let's hope that happens. Typical superficial Cub-bashing by BP. They really don't understand the situation either in LF or 2B. I'm wondering what about that analysis is causing problems for you.

Those are inaccurate payroll numbers. The Cubs have spent more than 2 of the past 3 world series winners, they've spent more than several division winners. The Red Sox and Yankees, two enormous outliers, completely throw off the curve. The Cubs are in a class with the *** LA/SoCal teams, Philly, NYMets, Seattle, SanFran, Atlanta, *** and most of those teams have enjoyed greater success than the Cubs because their management has been smarter with the money. Blaming ownership/money is just a weak defense of the inept management group from Andy and Jim, through Dusty and the coaches and all the scouts and instructors. The Cubs have a baseball problem, not a money problem. ***Several of those teams also play in taxpayer funded cash cows that the Cubs do not have the luxury of using as a source of revenue. The Cubs on the other hand have diverted their own funds to fix the stadium (which they and other teams should have to do), and they've met with enormous resistance from an unprecedented amount of government oversight.

The money has been made available to sign those big name guys, management has decided to spend excessively on mediocre 3rd and 4th tier guys who could be easily replaced with cheaper players. Philly is a team that has gone out and signed that one big free agent, Thome, and it didn't do them any good. They spend a similar amount as the Cubs overall, and have had massive amounts of disappointment. Some teams spend significantly less than both the Cubs and Phillies and have enjoyed much more success. The difference is management, not ownership. The Cubs are in a league of their own when it comes to failure, but the Tribune is in a league with several others when it comes to the decision to not just continue to throw money at the problem and grow their payroll to 3-4 times the league average. They are in fact in a very small group of teams that have increased their payroll every year this decade, while many others (Braves, Dodgers, Orioles, etc) have had times when they were forced to cut back in salary.

I don't know who BJ ranked as his top 100 CF. But the issue with Pie is he could still not even hit well enough to make a roster, let alone crack such a list. His K rates and lack of patience has to put some doubt into even his greatest supporters. Pie could easily never make it in the big leagues. Dunn is already an established stud, and he is young. Nobody becomes a star on defense alone. You have to do something with the bat, especially as an outfielder.

Book 'em Danno.

What exactly are they advertising?

I have thought that both sides of this issue have good reasons to support their opinion for months now. I waver back and forth on whether I would be willing to give up on Pie before knowing more about his likelihood of fulfilling on his potential. But I still think that Pie's ability to play CF and play it incredibly well, his arm and his speed on the basepaths are going unacknowledged in this thread. These are abilities that he possesses now. We don't have to wonder if he will be able to do them at the major league level. The base running still needs some refinement, but his defense, by all accounts is there now. He is already better than Dunn at that and is able to do it at near gold glove levels in a much more impactful position (CF) than Dunn's (LF). I don't think that big difference in their games is being taken into account when you are making your argument. Nobody is trading Dunn for Pie for defensive purposes. There are quite a few guys who can handle major league positions from a defensive standpoint. The problem, and really the thing that matters most, by far, is his hitting. A gold glove caliber fielder who can't hit is worthless. You trade Pie for Dunn because you know Dunn is a great major league ballplayer, and he is young, while Pie is still a major unknown.

Absurd. Anyway, like Vance, I've predicted Walker will play 2B as the primary if he is retained. I think he'll be somewhere between a regular and a platoon. If healthy maybe 110-120 games. That's certainly a possibility with Baker at the helm, but I think the only way Neifi sees that much playing time is if Walker is traded and no other 2B is brought in or there are major injuries again at SS and 2B. Injuries are the only reason why he has seen as much playing time as he has thus far, and I don't see any reasons why that should change. I was talking about Walker, not Neifi. I think Neifi will get anywhere from 50-100 starts at SS, depending Ronny's progress, and then another 10-20 starts at 2B (if Walker stays).

The article in the first post of this thread? This is what I read: "at 32, he’s no lock to continue posting good numbers at the plate. " That's hardly talking about falling apart. He'll turn 33 this May. He is coming off back to back 800+ OPS seasons, but at this age he could easily take a step back to 5-6 year lows. As a 700-740 OPS hitter, his defensive issues would be tougher to deal with.

I'm not sure who said players fall apart at 32. I haven't see it. I know the Cubs talk like they believe guys are just getting to their prime at 32. Anyway, guys typically peak from 26-28, plateau from there, and then decline in their 30's. Decline does not mean fall apart.

The World Baseball Classis is going to disappoint.

The X games should get curling Xtreme Curling? That would be Xtra freaXing aweXome

Really? From 2003-2005, against lefties, .255/.288/.408. Don't let those whopping 9 homeruns fool you into thinking he's any good there, just because announcers insist on calling him a threat from that side.

Absurd. Anyway, like Vance, I've predicted Walker will play 2B as the primary if he is retained. I think he'll be somewhere between a regular and a platoon. If healthy maybe 110-120 games.

Anybody going to watch? I'd like to see some hockey, some skiing and snowboarding, a little speed skating, luge and skeleton, and I'm definitely going to find time for the curling. I'm least interested in figure skating/ice dancing, opening and closing ceremonies, and

The quote said LF, with Murton. Or were you not referencing that?

Who in this thread said that the cubs had no chance of getting Giles?

Nobody said it would have been as simple as just showing interest. Obviously you would have had to bid aggressively, and really show the guy you wanted him on the team. That's how teams get guys who otherwise may not show interest in going there. The only hyperbolic part of this discussion are the people who say the Cubs wouldn't have had any chance at getting Giles.

Colorado Rocky Mountain High all the way.

They added about 7 rows in the corners, which is where most of the home runs that go onto the streets go over. That'll certainly reduce the number of balls going out there, but it'll be no means eliminate them. I'm also not sure how big of a deal that is to most fans. As I noted in the other thread, those aren't bleacher seats that cost $60. They never were. And the restaurant takes away fans only in the sense that it allows there to be more out there. Or by letting fans rent it out on non-game days. I'm not sure why people expected to go in and out of there with east from the bleachers. And I'm not sure why people would even want to be in there instead of in the seats unless it's raining or cold out. I'll reserve final judgement until I see the finished product and can get out to the bleachers, but it looks like the renovations are coming along well. How much higher will the seats be compared to the old fence that held in some balls? Will there be a new fence just as high?

If this ridiculous level of scrutiny was placed on every post we wouldn't have anything to write about. We do know they could have had Giles, simply by realizing they are a major league baseball team with money to spend and Brian Giles was a major league baseball player who was a free agent. And we know Hendry spoke out against the idea of pursuing Giles.