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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    He can be pretty supportive especially when he knows he's not going to be their manager much longer.
  2. Backtobanks
    1B - DLee 2B - Durham SS - Izturis 3b - ARam LF - Murton CF - A. Jones RF - Jones/Craig Wilson C - Barrett SP - Zambrano SP - Schmidt SP - Hill SP - Prior SP - Miller/Marshall/Guzman/Mateo Bullpen - Wuertz, Howry, Eyre, Ohman, Aardsma Closer - Wood (Howry) Bench - Moore, Theriot, Pagan, C. Wilson, Soto Cedeno, Marshall/Guzman/Marmol/Mateo, plus ???? traded for Andruw Jones. Dempster & Novoa traded separately for ?????
  3. Backtobanks
    I don't understand what they did wrong? The pitching staff went south. Who knew that Buerhle would crumble? Agreed -- IMO KW did a great job making a good team even better on paper this past off-season, but what looked good on paper did not materialize on the field. Maybe the starters threw too many innings last year and just didn't have anything left for this year, maybe the drive to win another championship isn't as strong as it is to win the first, or maybe it just goes to show how many things have to go your way to win it all.... 2005 White Sox = very lucky, 2006 White Sox = not so much luck. BTW -- not saying luck is the only reason they won last year. You have to be a good team for luck to even matter in the equation. Both the White Sox and Red Sox did nothing at the trade deadline and they will both be watching the playoffs this year. Every writer was telling KW to go out and get a starter, but he was confident in his club and it backfired.
  4. Backtobanks
    Womack was on fire earlier this year too. There's a simple solution, carry Theriot as a utility IF next year and when he gets a chance to play, see if he offers the same spark he is offering now. If he hits and gets on base, let him play until he shows he can't be a starter. If the Cubs were in contention now, they would be crazy to take him out of the lineup. Expect him to be a utility IF and anything beyond that is a plus.
  5. Backtobanks
    The best thing about the White Sox not making the playoffs is that Kenny Williams and Ozzie Guillen have lost their "genius" status. It should be an interesting offseason on both sides of town. I can't believe the Sox are going to retool the whole team since they will have 90+ wins this year.
  6. Backtobanks
    I think the Cubs need to sign a top FA pitcher (Schmidt). I think there are cheaper FA position players that could help the Cubs (Durham, C. Wilson). I think the impact bat is going to have to come from a trade.
  7. Backtobanks
    *Cue the drum roll!!* I like Jacque in the sense that he appears to give his all. I just wish he would try and have the ability of say, Abreu. That said, we knew what we getting here, and like some other folks said, he's a decent complimentary player if surrounded by studs and hitting 7th. How many players play at 100% and have the ability of someone like Abreu? Players like Abreu are probably in the top 5 - 10% in the league. Unfortunately, when a player reaches "superstar" status often they don't need to show the 100% effort anymore. That's why Jeter is so respected by everyone.
  8. Backtobanks
    And Cedeno. Right? ...................Right? I would love to have an "eating crow" thread for Cedeno next year, but I'm afraid that all of this talk about FA 2B and getting an impact bat that Ronny will lose out on his shot or he will be traded. I'm not sure the new manager is going to go with Cedeno and Izturis in the same lineup. I'd love for the Cubs to trade Izturis and put Cedeno back at SS, but Hendry's first reaction to getting Izturis seems like he's sold on him.
  9. Backtobanks
    The argument has wandered off into the illogical. Comparing a non-hustling superstar with a hustling average player makes no sense. Jones hustling is a better player than Jones not hustling. Of course Jones hustling doesn't make him better than Babe Ruth not hustling. Some of you are comparing apples to oranges. My original point meant that, as a fan, I appreciate any ballplayer giving 100% effort which maximizes that individual's play.
  10. Backtobanks
    Yeah, that's the sort of trait that wins baseball games... That aside, if the Cubs had a better CF, SS or 2B you can deal with Jones in RF batting 6th or 7th. He had a nice power year. I still think what would be best for him would be a platoon situation. It might get you an infield single or it might prevent a double play to win a game. All I'm saying is, that as a fan, I appreciate when a player hustles on every play. There are far too many players that stand around like inanimate objects and refuse to hustle on any play. There seems to be a lot of support on NSSBB for Adam Dunn who is a perfect example of an inanimate object.
  11. Backtobanks
    I appreciate the fact that he runs out every ground ball.
  12. Backtobanks
    I have trouble seeing the Cubs outbidding other teams for Soriano. Personally, I think there are other ways to solve the Cubs' problems. A trade for Andruw Jones and signing 2 cheaper FA (Durham and Craig Wilson) would add a ton of power to the lineup. Also, signing Schmidt or trading for a dependable #2 or #3 starter would be a great move. I think trading chips could/should include Dempster, Cedeno, Novoa, Guzman, other young pitchers.
  13. Backtobanks
    I've stated that I'm not a big Dunn fan, but if they want Izturis and not too much more, I'm all for it.
  14. Backtobanks
    I was one of those guys who wondered what Hendry saw in this guy to make him untradable. I understand how frustrated everyone has been this year, but there could be some hope for next year with 1 FA pitcher to go with Zambrano, Hill, Prior, and Miller/Mateo/Marshall/Guzman. Also, I'm hoping there will be another "eating crow" thread for Matt Murton next year for the doubters.
  15. Backtobanks
    What I'd really like to happen is for the Cubs to trade Izturis, but I think Hendry loves him. I'm rooting for Cedeno, but Theriot has played pretty well, there's lots of 2B available in the offseason, Patterson isn't too far away, and Cedeno is one of the few young position players that the Cubs have that might be of some value to another team.
  16. Backtobanks
    The more I see Cedeno, the more that I think he is playing himself out of a starting job. Cedeno could be added to some young pitchers to get someone like Tejada.
  17. Backtobanks
    The only advantage to Posednickis that he's cheaper.
  18. Backtobanks
    I would hope that Hendry would crack up at this proposal. The Reds have a right to ask for whomever they want in a trade, but if this is what they ask for Dunn will retire a Red. As has been stated before, Dunn gives you a K, BB, or HR with lousy defense and a .240 BA along with a high OBP. If you were talking about that Package for Cabrera it would be a different story.
  19. Backtobanks
    I'm not a big Dunn fan, but I would certainly take him if the price was right. Jones & Dempster would be fine, but adding much more than that is more than he's worth. I am totally against trading Murton unless Cabrera is the target.
  20. Backtobanks
    Bynum's ceiling is the 25th man on a team because of his speed and versatility. He is the new Macias and unfortunately, Dusty is using him like Macias (starting, batting 2nd, using him as the first bat off the bench, etc.) Theriot's ceiling is the utility infielder on a team. One of the problems most of us have is the lack of direction that the Cubs have. If Cedeno is the future 2B (now that Izturis is back) then play Cedeno. Personally, I don't think any of these 3 guys will be the starting 2B next year. Are we playing the kids or are we trying to win now? Why do some guys get a 2nd chance, while others are buried on the bench after one screwup?
  21. Backtobanks
    Again we see what 2 of the biggest problems that the Cubs have. Hendry liking "toolsy" players and overpaying them and Dusty's insistence on playing the 25th man (Macias, Bynum) every chance he gets. Not only does he play them, but he bats them at the top of the lineup. Having a player on the team like Bynum, Macias, or Perez might be a necessity to complete a roster, but you don't play them on a regular basis, bat them at the top of the lineup, or use them as the first bat off the bench in a tight game.
  22. Backtobanks
    You guys had better be careful. Saying good things about Hendry will get you attacked around here.
  23. Backtobanks
    I'm tired of reading about defensive statistics (especially for a catcher). Give me one of the top offensive players at all the positions and a few good pitchers and I'm sure you would win the WS. I think defense is overated unless you are a borderline team.
  24. Backtobanks
    I think Hendry might go to 4/50, but Hendry knows he needs to sign at least ARam and an expensive pitcher, so any other free agents might be the cheaper variety (Durham, Loretta, Craig Wilson, etc.)
  25. Backtobanks
    He would be crazy not to test the market and get a bidding war going.
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