Yestheydo

I was just getting ready to break out the little graphic explanation... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/cubbybear314/Random%20Cool%20Shit/caring.png Except that "could care less" is sarcasm. From time to time. Most of the time, it's someone getting the actual phrase completely wrong. Yeah, I don't buy it either. Go ..............somebody

What is a "situation favorable to Pie?" How about batting him somewhere he'll see something to hit? When Johnson plays, he's got Lee and Ramirez hitting behind him. When Pie plays, he has the pitcher "protecting" him. Yeah, that's fair. I think/ hope he's hitting 8th so he'll learn to take a walk, and eventually wind up batting 2nd (not ideal but I've given up on the idea of DeRosa there). I guess it's early and we just have to wait and see. Wouldn't it be funny if the Orioles finished the season with a better record than the Cubs? Putting developing players into the pressure spots at the top of the lineup is usually not a good idea. Hey, Jerome Walton batted leadoff as a rookie, and look how great his career turned out :roll: Seriously, though, it's only a bad idea if it doesn't work. What's the worst that could happen?

What is a "situation favorable to Pie?" How about batting him somewhere he'll see something to hit? When Johnson plays, he's got Lee and Ramirez hitting behind him. When Pie plays, he has the pitcher "protecting" him. Yeah, that's fair. I think/ hope he's hitting 8th so he'll learn to take a walk, and eventually wind up batting 2nd (not ideal but I've given up on the idea of DeRosa there). I guess it's early and we just have to wait and see. Wouldn't it be funny if the Orioles finished the season with a better record than the Cubs?

Ooh, do I get to be the first to mention Adam Dunn? Soriano, Lilly, Wuertz for Dunn, Arroyo, Freel

I don't think anybody is blaming him for being frustrated. No, you're blaming him for not keeping his mouth shut about it. He seems like a professional, and if a trade happens I doubt he'll throw a tantrum. But letting everyone know that he's not going to be happy about it could factor into their decision, especially considering how long the talks have dragged on. I think a lot of fans decided long ago that a marginal upgrade at a position they're set at isn't worth the trouble or the prospects. Hopefully the Cubs agree, soon.

I highly doubt Jim promised he's be the starting second baseman for his entire contract. He said he'd be the starting 2B last season, which he was. Things change. Anyways, I don't think anybody here is arguing that Derosa was wrong, they're just saying that he doesn't need to repeatedly be saying it. There's a difference between having the right to say something and actually saying it. This is what, the 5th time he's told the media about how he's unhappy with the situation? We get is Mark, you made your point. Suck it up. He paid his dues and earned a three-year deal to be the starting second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. If he'd underperformed, he'd have nobody supporting him now. But he actually exceeded expectations and now they're going back on the deal. My guess is they wanted him as a supersub all along (primarily because of Ramirez) but the only way he'd sign is if they gave him the starting job. After a year, they're weaseling out and I won't blame him if he raises hell about it. Suck it up, Cubs.

This is a true statement. They showed the Reds/ Tigers game Monday on FSN Ohio and I couldn't believe how much weight he lost.

DeRosa Fukudome Lee Soriano Ramirez Pie Soto Theriot Three most patient hitters at the top, followed by the two most powerful. After that, who cares, Ramirez has never had any protection before anyway.

That's good news. Now if he'd just switch Lee with Soriano.

Except it may take years to convince him Theriot isn't an everyday player.

I could see them going for Randy Winn. But of course, the universe is at a standstill until Brian Roberts puts on his Cubs uniform.

Or maybe your standards are lower then mine. Because any GM who wants to win, and does whatever takes (not necessarily meaning stupid trades, signings) to win, and does this consistantly, is in my book, a good GM. Maybe your not use to the idea of a GM who wants to win, because Hendry definately does want to win. Hendry does get his fair share of blame, but it's not because he isn't trying. I honestly believe people on this board, underrate Hendry as a GM. Actually winning >>>>>>>>>>>> Desire to win "Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win." -- Bobby Knight

In a broader sense, does anyone else feel this image captures perfectly what it's like to be a Cubs fan?

When they trade Dunn to make room for Norris Hopper, I'll laugh even louder.

I think it is a little much as well. I do, too. I think Gallagher is going to be good. Cedeno, who knows. It really depends on who the other players in the trade are. If the Cubs are giving up somebody like Veal, then definitely not. If its Patterson or Fontenot, cool. If they give up Murton, it would be nice to get Sherrill coming back. If the Cubs do go through with this, it is definitely a trade to win now which always means giving up more long term value. I'm okay with that so long as it isn't done too often. The question remains, however, will Roberts make enough of an impact to justify the deal. He might. It all depends on the difference having a more balanced line-up will make. Does getting better match-ups against relievers noticeably impact a team's ability to win games? Will having three lefties in the line-up mean that the Cubs will get deeper into their opponents bullpen and face less talented pitchers late in the game? Will Soriano actually be moved to the middle of the order and if he does, will that result in more runs being scored? How big of an impact will DeRosa coming off the bench and filling in for injured players really make? We've seen the stat lines of DeRosa and Roberts being compared a lot in this thread, and they aren't that different, but it is these other more subtle advantages that will make this deal worth doing or not. I think Soriano leads off regardless. No Roberts means Theriot hits 2nd, Fukudome 3rd. Roberts means Roberts hits 2nd, Fukudome 5th, Theriot 8th. This is why I want Roberts. If there was any chance they'd bat DeRosa 2nd, I wouldn't. I know batting order "doesn't really matter", but I just want the top of the Cubs lineup to not suck for once.

(to the tune of "Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks) I’ll blame it on Adam Dunn Cause that big boy can’t run But he sure likes to take him a walk Well I came into town And I sat him right down And I said, “Buddy, we need to talk” “Now I know you been Usin’ ‘plate discipline’ When you don’t get good pitches to hit Well listen here dude I’m in a free-swingin’ mood So hack if you don’t want to sit…” Cause I can’t stand them clogged bases Where the big guys walk at such slow paces Just swing and pray Then get out the way Now I’m not big on fancy phrases Such as “work the count” and, like, “plate patience” Dude, I can’t stand Them clogged bases Well Dunn looked at me And he said, “Oh I see” Went over and picked up a bat My jaw hit the floor As he looked at ball four And walked down to first, and just sat So I said to Wayne “Dude, this guy’s a pain What you get for him I don’t care” Well the Dodgers are nuts Cause they took his fat butt For the man of my dreams, Juan Pierre….. Cause I can’t stand them clogged bases I like pitchers knowing when they face us We’ll swing away All freaking day Now you won’t see no more fourth places Long as all my players are Willie Mayses Dude, I can’t stand Them cloooooggggged baaasessssss……

The whole point is he's a worse hitter with men on base. We should think of Soriano as a one-man lineup, all by himself, followed by the "real" lineup. With Theriot (or Roberts, if he happens to be a Cub), leading off: 1. Soriano *********** ########## 1A. Theriot 2A. Fukudome 3A. Lee 4A. Ramirez 5A. DeRosa 6A. Pie 7A. Soto 8A. Pitcher

I bet Daryl Ward loves hearing that he should get even fewer ABs this year. With RF and LF locked up and DeRosa "possibly seeing time at first" if he becomes a bench player.

I Can't Stand Them Clogged Bases (to the tune of "Friends In Low Places" by Garth Brooks I’ll blame it on Adam Dunn Cause that big boy can’t run But he sure likes to take him a walk Well I came into town And I sat him right down And I said, “Buddy, we need to talk” “Now I know you been Usin’ ‘plate discipline’ When you don’t get good pitches to hit Well listen here dude I’m in a free-swingin’ mood So hack if you don’t want to sit…” Cause I can’t stand them clogged bases Where the big guys walk at such slow paces Just swing and pray Then get out the way Now I’m not big on them fancy phrases Such as “work the count” and, like, “plate patience” Dude, I can’t stand Them clogged bases Well Dunn looked at me And he said, “Oh I see” Went over and picked up a bat My jaw hit the floor As he looked at ball four And walked down to first, and just sat So I said to Wayne “Dude, this guy’s a pain What you get for him I don’t care” Well the Dodgers are nuts Cause they took his fat butt For the man of my dreams, Juan Pierre….. Cause I can’t stand them clogged bases I like pitchers knowing when they face us We’ll swing away All freaking day Now you won’t see no more fourth places Long as all my players are Willie Mayses Dude, I can’t stand Them cloooooggggged baaasessssss……

Soriano in CF would be absolutely awesome. In my fantasy world, the Cubs move Alf to center, Murton goes to left, and trade Pie for Greene or any top 15 SS... if you can't do that, trade Pie for Roberts, move Dero to SS, and watch the Cubs score 5 runs a game. With a team like that, you could literally bat anyone anywhere and I really wouldn't care. What I don't get is why they're so dead set against moving Soriano to CF "because he's not comfortable there" -- yet they seem equally set on moving him from leadoff, when his career numbers, not to mention Soriano himself, make it extremely clear he's most comfortable there. If you're going to take him out of his comfort zone anyway --all but guaranteeing a severe drop in productivity -- may as well stick him in CF and platoon Pie with Murton in left. Or better yet, find out what it would take to turn Murton into Luke Scott and use Pie to upgrade SS.

The Cubs never had a hitter of Votto's caliber come up when Dusty was here. Either that or he's doing his part to sell some team on Votto as the centerpiece for a starting pitcher.

I don't consider myself old, but I agree with this 100%. You want colorful uniforms, follow the Harlem Globetrotters.

Skyline is OK; it's just not chili.

Wait....you don't think Soriano should lead off?