Jump to content
North Side Baseball

Backtobanks

Old-Timey Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    7,315

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Profiles

Joomla Posts 1

Chicago Cubs Videos

Chicago Cubs Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

2026 Chicago Cubs Top Prospects Ranking

News

2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

Guides & Resources

2024 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks

The Chicago Cubs Players Project

2025 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

2026 Chicago Cubs Draft Pick Tracker

Blogs

Events

Forums

Store

Gallery

Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    I can't see Hatteberg being free for very long. Somebody will sign him tomorrow.
  2. Backtobanks
    San Diego is giving up too much. Cleveland too little. I agree with the exact opposite of this. So, you feel San Diego is giving up too little? They are giving up what is probably the best player in the deal and getting back guys with the upside of a #4 starter, a 4th OF, and a middle of the road SS. Then they throw in Giles, who sucks, but still has some value with his OBP. I'll rephrase. I think Cleveland is giving up quite a bit for Khalil Greene and roster filler. If I were San Diego and the trade was for Westbrook instead of our spare parts, I wouldn't hesitate to do it, bad outfield situation be damned. Westbrook may be Cleveland's fourth starter, but he isn't most teams'. No question the Cubs are giving up the least amount. We aren't giving up enough here to justify talking about Westbrook or Greene, regardless of the inclusion of a third team. I used to try to work out trade scenarios where the Cubs ended up with Greene as an upgrade at SS, but I'm not impressed with what he has been showing. He seems to be digressing from a few years ago. I suppose somebody will come up with some stats to show what a great hitter he is away from Petco on Tuesdays in the 4th inning, but his numbers have been going in the wrong direction for quite awhile now.
  3. Backtobanks
    Teams had wanted to make him an OF for a long time because of how terrible he was at second. The Nationals finally forced the issue because they already had a second baseman. The problem with Soriano right now is that before, he had good range and rather poor instincts. Combined with that great arm, it made him a well above average fielding left fielder. Since he doesn't trust running on his leg, his range is poor and combined with those poor instincts, makes him really bad out there. He can't even use his arm as much out there because he cannot get to balls fast enough for his arm to become a factor. And don't forget that he's afraid of fences and walls. He either stops or starts flinching when he comes within 25 feet of the fence or wall.
  4. Backtobanks
    Soriano's a good fielder compared to Dunn and Burrell. Fixed!
  5. Backtobanks
    That will help the Indians' offensive problems.
  6. Backtobanks
    -Play to his manager's weaknesses, such as Dusty Baker's love of veterans over young players (Neifi Perez over Ronny Cedeno) and Lou Piniella's lack of willingness to platoon guys, despite clear splits (Reed Johnson and Pie). -Are, quite frankly, terrible players who should never have been bench options for this team in the first place (Neifi Perez, Damian Jackson, Jose Macias, etc.). Actually, I find that one of his biggest weaknesses is the fact that he listens to the manager too much about roster issues. I think he acquired some of the over-the-hill and incompetent veterans because his managers didn't feel confident in playing youngsters. Nearly every spring, Hendry has been quoted as saying that 1 or 2 youngsters would be playing important roles on the Cubs only to be shot down by his managers who insist on not giving some of those youngsters the chance to play regularly.
  7. Backtobanks
    How How about Marquis, Murton, Hoffpaur and one of Gallagher/Marshall/Patterson?
  8. Backtobanks
    From MLBtraderumors: Cleveland GM Shapiro Ready To Talk Trades The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Joe Maxse writes that Indians GM Mark Shapiro will soon be talking to every team in an effort to upgrade his roster. The Tribe have gotten off to a surprisingly slow start in April and May and currently have a 22-26 record, 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. While Shapiro concedes that major trades don't usually occur so early in the season, he's already apparently ready to consider all options: "We will get on the phone with every team in the league, although sometimes a trade of magnitude comes down the road. We will explore everything at this point." The question then becomes "What could Shapiro do". The Indians' pitching staff has been fantastic in 2008, only allowing roughly 3.8 runs per game. But the offense has been lacking, scoring 4.1 per game. Thus far, Grady Sizemore has been the only starter pulling his weight offensively. But does the Cleveland lineup even have any movable parts right now? Do you think Marquis plus Murton would be enough for Westbrook? Maybe adding Hoffpaur would get it done.
  9. Backtobanks
    Excellent column. I think Bruce was very fair in his analysis. I do think some of the moves that he has made were moves that Baker asked for and he complied. I still think that many of the Hendry-bashers don't realize what a tough (and usually thankless) job it is. As I've stated before, he gets criticized for every move he makes and every move he doesn't make.
  10. Backtobanks
    If the Mets continue to suck, how about going all out for Maine. I know they wouldn't want to trade him, but it doesn't hurt to ask. They might decide to raise the white flag and start over. Marquis, Gallagher/Marshall, Murton, Hoffpaur for Maine. If they want more, possibly add a player from Veal, Hart, and Patterson. The Mets need to get younger offensively and this deal would give them Murton to replace Alou and Hoffpaur to replace Delgado. Possibly they could trade Alou and/or Delgado by eating most of their contracts and picking up low level prospects in return. Rotation: Zambrano, Maine, Lilly, Dempster, and Hill with Lieber, Gallagher/Marshall, and possibly Hart as backups.
  11. Backtobanks
    No thanks on Dontrelle. Maybe on Verlander.
  12. Backtobanks
    The only reasons that I can think of as to why any of these players doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot are: Bonds - Steroids Clemens -Steroids Sosa - speculation of steroids Johnson - short of 300 wins Piazza - poor defense Biggio, Maddux, Martinez, Glavine, Smoltz are all cinch 1st ballot HOF. The numbers would make all 10 of them 1st ballot HOF. Johnson - 4653 K's (soon to be #2 all-time) Piazza - arguably the greatest offensive catcher in the history of the game I'm not saying I would use any of the reasons that I listed, I think those could be excuses for some sportswriters to exclude certain players. I think all 10 should make the HOF on the first ballot.
  13. Backtobanks
    The only reasons that I can think of as to why any of these players doesn't make the HOF on the first ballot are: Bonds - Steroids Clemens -Steroids Sosa - speculation of steroids Johnson - short of 300 wins Piazza - poor defense Biggio, Maddux, Martinez, Glavine, Smoltz are all cinch 1st ballot HOF. The numbers would make all 10 of them 1st ballot HOF.
  14. Backtobanks
    Pretty sure Bonds and Piazza will be in the ridiculous class with Sosa, Clemens, and Biggio since they didn't/probably won't play this season. Well, I guess that makes two great classes in a row. The first group certainly will generate some discussion with Bonds, Clemens, and Sosa. Biggio and Piazza should get in on the first ballot while Sosa (because of speculation), Bonds, and Clemens might have to wait. The next year Maddux, Martinez, Smoltz, Glavine, and possibly Randy Johnson could all be eligible. Can you imagine those five in their prime as your starting rotation?
  15. Backtobanks
    Another name to add to one of the greatest HOF classes ever. Probably Maddux, Smoltz, Martinez, Bonds, Glavine, Piazza, and anyone else that I missed.
  16. Backtobanks
    If there's an injury to Soriano or Fukudome, the Padres are expected to make Brian Giles available.
  17. Backtobanks
    Well, he doesn't fit the Giants' profile of 40-year-old has beens. As for Cain, I think he is a pretty good young pitcher, but he's not going to step into the #2 spot in the rotation. For what it would cost for Cain, no thanks.
  18. Backtobanks
    I guess a lot depends on what happens during the next two months, but looking at the available names while adding in the health and cost factor, I think we're better off taking our chances with Gallagher, Lieber, Hill, Marshall, Marquis, and Hart to go along with Zambrano, Lilly, and Dempster. The White Sox probably will be reasonably close at the deadline, but Vasquez would be a perfect fit. Bradley looks like a great fit assuming Edmonds flops and Johnson stays at his earthly numbers, but otherwise I don't see much need for anything else. Of course, everything is subject to change during the next two months.
  19. Backtobanks
    Your description "impatient, free swinging, and streaky" fits most power hitters. it does???? impatient and free swinging? Top 5 home run hitters in the NL last year: Fielder, Howard, Dunn, Holliday, (t) Berkman, Braun, Cabrera Top 5 home run hitters in the AL last year: A-Rod, Carlos Pena, Ortiz, Thome, (t) Konerko, Morneau of those 13 names, ONE (Braun) can be somewhat accurately described as impatient and free swinging. If "free swinging" means a lot of swings and misses, I stand by my statement. Those 10 hitters have a ton of strikeouts.
  20. Backtobanks
    Hey, be careful giving credit to Hendry because the Hendry-haters will come after you.
  21. Backtobanks
    Your description "impatient, free swinging, and streaky" fits most power hitters. Your description "way overpaid" fits 98% of major leaguers. What? Most power hitters are patient, only a handful are free swingers, and very few of them come close to the streakiness of Soriano. Soriano's overpaidness blows away 98% of all other overpaidness. While Soriano may be one of the most overpaid players, power hitters are always at the top when it comes to strikeouts. I will agree that Soriano is more streaky than most, but other HR hitters will slump for a month and then hit 15-18 the next month.
  22. Backtobanks
    Relative to what, exactly? When the "average" salary is well over $3 million per year and you look at what the "average" player produces, I would say 98% are very overpaid. Mediocre starting pitchers sign for $10 million per year. Teams are locking up their young players who have 1 good year with contracts for $7-$8 million per year for multiple years.
  23. Backtobanks
    So are we not supposed to not talk about any of the team's success because we are only in mid-May? I would say that a 5-1 record, sub 2.50 ERA and top 20 ranking in Ks is worthy of a little Demp recognition. Great point. If we can't give Dempster some recognition because it's mid-May, then we shouldn't be complaining about Marquis because it's only mid-May. It works both ways.
  24. Backtobanks
    Your description "impatient, free swinging, and streaky" fits most power hitters. Your description "way overpaid" fits 98% of major leaguers.
  25. Backtobanks
    The Cubs signed a Korean high school shortstop named Lee Hak-ju. Aaron Shinsano, who works for the Cubs as a scout, says the team believes he'd have been a first round pick in the states.
×
×
  • Create New...