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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    You can't be serious about that offer as being an opener. Pie, Marshall, and those three might get their attention.
  2. Backtobanks
    When push comes to shove Lou (and most managers) go to the veterans over rookies. That's why Ward and Howry are on the roster. Pie is on because the wind will be howling in for the first two nights, which means you need to emphasize speed and defense.
  3. Backtobanks
    After watching what Sabathia did for the Brewers, it might change my mind on whether a pitcher should be considered for the MVP. It won't happen (MVP), but you can't find a better example of carrying a team to the playoffs almost single handedly than Sabathia in 2008. I would love to be his agent this offseason, unless his arm falls off during the playoffs.
  4. Backtobanks
    A lot of sites are mentioning the Tigers trading Ordonez, so I'm sure they're not going to trade Granderson too.
  5. Backtobanks
    I'm amazed that they're in contention every year. Gardenhire ought to be Manager of the Year every year.
  6. Backtobanks
    .280/.360 + 18-20 HRs + very good speed + good defense + youth + cheap contract = great CF I might think about Pie + Cedeno + Marshall, but I would prefer Pie, Cedeno, plus 1-2 other prospects.
  7. Backtobanks
    From MLBtraderumors: The following three names are being bandied about in the Yankees' clubhouse for center field next year: Nate McLouth, David DeJesus, and Matt Kemp. DeJesus seems the most reasonable target, though Robinson Cano could be part of a package for Kemp. DeJesus, it should be noted, played a poor center field this year according to the plus/minus system. If McLouth is available, we should be able to match any Yankee offer. Obviously, Pie would be in the package. Including Cedeno would allow them to trade one or both of Wilson and Sanchez for more prospects. Throw in a couple of young pitchers and the offer should be competitive.
  8. Backtobanks
    There's a fine line between resting your regulars and having them lose their sense of timing. Stagger days off for Theriot, DLee, Ramirez, Soriano, DeRosa, and Soto while using your starters for 5 innings. Give a lot of ABs to Pie, Ward, Hoffpauir, Fukudome, McGahee, etc. and innings to Wells, Wuertz, Guzman, Hart, Wells, etc.
  9. Backtobanks
    http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AnODyGEKA8kw2TsPLpkidmU5nYcB?slug=txcubssnyder&prov=st&type=lgns Can anyone tell me the point of this? It probably means Pie will make the team next year or be traded and Iowa needs a CF.
  10. Backtobanks
    Basically. And he arguably got the job done by getting the batter to hit into a perfect DP ball that would have ended the inning that DeRosa completely screwed up. As Kasper and Brenley have pointed out, he needs to work on his secondary pitches. The reason I think he is in trouble is that he can't throw strikes until he's in a hitter's count and then the batter knows a fastball is coming. Lou is very intolerant of pitchers who walk people and fall behind on every batter.
  11. Backtobanks
    And that's ultimately where we're at. Hard to imagine anyone that's eligible to replace him actually replacing him. If he keeps sucking, he'll just be held back from remotely important situations. Which is terrifying, because then there's the ever-looming spectre of Bobby Howry... Howry does have that "experience" factor going for him. I think Samardzija had better start showing something in these last 10 games or he could be left off of the playoff roster. Walks and falling behind in the count are something Lou doesn't tolerate.
  12. Backtobanks
    I'm betting that Kosuke will be great at taking advice from Piniella and Perry. I look for a solid year for him next year.
  13. Backtobanks
    Knowing Piniella's lack of patience when it comes to walks, Smardzja could be in trouble. He's falling behind every batter and they're sitting on his fastball.
  14. Backtobanks
    And he's going to show that in a week? Pie will likely make it regardless of his hitting because of his defense and speed. Fact is, he is the guy you want in center when trying to preserve a lead, and he is the best guy the cubs have to use as a pinch runner. I think the cubs roster will look like this: Pitchers (11) (S) Z, Demp, Harden, Lilly ® Marquis (longman), Cotts, Marmol, Wood, Howry, Shark, Gaudin (if healthy, Marshall if not) Position players (14) Lee, Derosa, Riot, Ram, Soto, Fukudome, Edmonds, Soriano, Reed, Fontenot, Blanco, Cendeno, Ward, Pie I expect the Cubs to clinch within a few more days and then Lou probably will be giving a lot of playing time to Pie. Pie might be great for speed and defense, but Edmonds and Johnson are pretty solid defensively. If Gaudin is healthy, it wouldn't surprise me for both Marshall and Gaudin to be on the roster. A second lefty in the bullpen might be necessary.
  15. Backtobanks
    Edmonds will positively be on the roster. Howry has the "experience" factor going for him. Marquis will make it unless he really sucks the rest of the way. Pie won't make it unless he shows he can hit. Fukudome will make the roster for depth and defense.
  16. Backtobanks
    The latest from MLBtraderumors: File this under rumor… Word on the street is that Thomas Ricketts and the Ricketts family are the winning bidders for the Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, and a 25 percent stake in ComcastSports Chicago. Thomas Ricketts is the chief executive of Chicago investment bank Incapital LLC, His father, Joe Ricketts, is the founder of TD Ameritrade Holding Corp.
  17. Backtobanks
    I really feel old when posters grew up listening to Steve Stone. I go back to Jack Brickhouse and Vince Lloyd.
  18. Backtobanks
    That team is full of chokers. Only one of them has a World Series ring. And we don't have a bullpen. With that lineup and those starters, even Howry could pitch in relief.
  19. Backtobanks
    The topic of this thread is what we would do during the off season, but realistically DLee isn't going to be traded by the Cubs. He is the high-character, elder spokesperson for the team. It might be in the best interest of the Cubs to replace him, but it won't happen.
  20. Backtobanks
    If you're interested in Burrell, that means Fukudome moves to CF and Pie is traded. It looks like the Mets will be in the playoffs, but I had heard that they might shop Beltran if they missed the playoffs. A package starting with Pie and Marshall (plus others) for Beltran and his overpriced contract would be interesting. I would think that Cedeno will be traded to someone who needs a young SS.
  21. Backtobanks
    And replace him with?
  22. Backtobanks
    Did anyone else look at the title and think the Cardinals called up Randy Wells?
  23. Backtobanks
    As long as you consider Jason Marquis your #5 starter, he's decent. The problem has always been about the raised expectations because of his contract. You can't blame Marquis for taking the money.
  24. Backtobanks
    Fixed
  25. Backtobanks
    I don't see how Lou should be given any credit for not pitching a pitcher who is obviously hurt. Lou should get credit for many things about the Cubs, but he has many faults too. The most obvious fault with him is his "doghouse" where players have been known to disappear for weeks at a time (i.e. Murton, Eyre, Wuertz, Marshall, Pie, etc.).
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