stitchface

correct me if I'm wrong, but that looks like a very tools oriented list to me.

i think they signed him for this year. perhaps they'd move him come july if his value goes up and the cubs aren't contending.

yea, I think he was lucky - I would lump that time with his initial starting time. Perhaps he was able to build some strength through bullpen work? Possibly, but his strikeout rate was pretty poor during his time in the bullpen, pretty much identical to what it was in his first rotation stint.

that looks like two sets to me - one with good luck and one with terrible luck. the increase in the k rate certainly supports an increase in velocity but he seems to have given up an inordinate amount of hits for that rate.

The Cubs definitely will be in the market for a pitcher next offseason. They'll still have Prior and Zambrano, but with the 12 million or so to Wood and the 9 million to Maddux coming off the books, I could see a run at Mulder or Zito or maybe even Schmidt happening. I see them going after a lefty. I don't think they can get any of those three without a long term deal though so I won't count on any of them signing.

And that would be a bummer because with Walker batting second, the notion of small ball goes out the window. Having just one speedy leadoff hitter is not enough. Pierre needs a fast 2-hitter behind him to be more effective. Furthermore, I don't think Walker lays as good a bunt as Cedeno. Walker will square off to bunt, Cedeno doesn't. That keeps the other team guessing. Cedeno can hit to both sides, Walker is a dead pull hitter. When Walker struggles (and he struggles for a long time), he hits too many ground balls. I just see a lot of wasted SB opportunities with Pierre because Walker does not know how to play small ball. He's too dumb and makes too many mental mistakes. My issues with Walker don't end with just his lack of fundamentals, but his less than impressive defense. How many times did we see him and Neifi hack away on the first pitch to hit a pop up when we had a runner trying to steal second?? you've convinced me - walker should definitely bat 2nd. eliminating smallball will lead to many more runs.

I just don't see his age having that huge negative effect. That being said, the only explanation I can offer is Questec. I don't see a big dropoff from Maddux coming but I don't expect a huge improvement either. Has his K rate changed substantially?

I don't think I would deal Pie. Guzman I would certainly deal and Hill probably as well. Kind of hurts the pitching depth but that could be evaluated at that time as well. The cubs could open the purse for one of the FA pitchers on the above list perhaps.

If Jones continues to struggle against lefties and hits around .260-.270, then you're right. Do you think that slow Walker would have a problem getting picked off at 2B when Murton gets those infield hits? I don't think Walker is that slow. Jones should be on the bench against lefties.

looking at those numbers, I'm thinking Hairston should be starting against all lefties. In RF.

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually). If the Phillies are in contention, then it's likely Abreu would come off the market. On the other hand, if the Phillies feel they are out of the race, then Abreu may could be had for players with upside but that aren't major league stars. That's the only thing I could see changing in regards to Abreu. so Pie instead of Prior?

More prospects flop than succeed? I think the biggest change is that we now know all about prospects when 20 years ago we knew nothing. I'm not denying the Cubs have failed to develop hitters, just pointing out that the increase in flops is largely due to the internet and our new awareness of prospects. I would also add that we largely over-value prospects because we are looking at the wrong stats or just ignoring relevant stats based on scouting reports.

I would rather see Walker 5th and Jones 7th. I'm not opposed to trying Cedeno 2nd to see how he does.

I've been thinking this throughout this thread and BK pretty much brings it to light, firing Baker would only help the Cubs win a couple more games (and this only if a better manager was hired - a dubious proposition). Thus, if the team's offense continues to decline and perform subpar, Hendry should be the first to be fired, or perhaps MacPhail. You will gain more wins by changing the composition of the roster than you will be firing the manager. I think Jim Hendry has suffered the Peter Principle - he was an asset in his role with scouting and the minor leagues. As a GM he is a liability.

Interesting predicament. I saw in one of the articles that Dr. Andrews actually examined Bagwell from his hospital bed - very odd!

Piazza for $2 million or frank thomas for $500k and bonuses? I think I may have gone for Mike unless he refused to DH.

He has to go. I can't understand how anyone can defend this guy. His offense is a joke. IU spots their opponents points at the start of every half because he is outcoached. He has missed the tourney 2 years in a row, and what seemed to be a promising team this year is going in the wrong direction. His seniors, especially Strickland, are no better today than they were the day they came to IU as freshman. He was a recruiter who was put in a job over his head 5 years ago, and we are still paying for it. It hurts even more when you consider the coaches who have been available at one point during Davis tenure at IU. Pitino, Calapari, Matta, Pearl, and Self to name a few. IU deserves better. Luckily, I went to watch a movie this afternoon. Where did IU get beat today? .....Poor outside shooting, lack of paint presence other than Killingsworth, weak side defense, Davis running onto the court hysterically?....??? I believe I did hear that White can get a medical redshirt although I seriously doubt that matters. I only see him playing two more years for IU if he fully recovers....He'd probably opt to test the draft waters after his junior year if he does get the redshirt. Given his injuries, he'd be foolish not to get the redshirt. There are going to be a lot of doubts about him after two foot injuries. IU at one point was 3-18 behind the arc.

My feeling is that Pie could develop into a solid hitting centerfielder but would be average or slightly below average on an outfield corner - unless his power really develops (and that is a possibility). Do you think Abreu's cost will go down at the deadline? I can't see giving up Prior for him at that point (or at any point actually).

yea, interesting deal. I would guess Piazza would play 1b against lefties with klesko hitting the pine. its not like klesko is anything special anymore and .304 .260 looks pretty good on the bench (That is its an awful awful split and should remain on the bench).

yea, should have got giles while we could have. now we have to trade for a RFer.

wow. I gotta think davis is in big trouble. the hoosiers seem to have completely quit.

Yes, and that improvement can pretty much all be credited to the bullpen. or luck looking at the k/9 and hits/9.

so the cubs pitched better when neifi hit second as opposed to first?

I don't see how the giants could let him go if he is healthy. particularly if he is a few short of Hank.

We would have had to give up a precious reliever.