Backtobanks

After watching today's game, I don't see how anyone can deny Baker needs to be fired. This team was totally unprepared for the game and that's the manager's job. Why weren't they running on Piazza? Baker talks about shaking up the lineup and puts Neifi at 2B while Theriot sits. After Cedeno's mistakes today, I would expect Neifi to be at SS tomorrow (even though Neifi made an error on a bonehead play too).

I strongly DISAGREE with your comments about Guzman. You do understand that he has only had 3 starts at the major league level? Yup...just 3. In all 3 starts, he showed excellent stuff, but a lack of command. Since he has been known for his command throughout his minor league career, most observers feel his command will return shortly...that it is shaky due to the fact he hasn't pitched many innings since recovering from surgery. Guzman's first 3 starts were roughly the same as Marshall's first three starts. What if Marshall had been written off after his first 3 starts? Don't believe me: Marshall Start 1: 4.1 IP, 4 Hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 k's Start 2: 5 IP, 5 hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 k's Start 3: 5 IP, 2 hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 k's TOTAL: 14.1 IP, 11 hits, 10 ER, 5 BB, 8 k's Guzman Start 1: 5 IP, 6 hits, 3 ER, 4 BB, 5 k's Start 2: 5.2 IP, 6 hits, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 k's Start 3: 4.1 IP, 5 hits, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 k's TOTAL: 15 IP, 15 hits, 12 ER, 11 BB, 16 k's So Guzman allowed 2 more ER, while going deeper into games. And at least 2 of those runs scored AFTER he left the game. He struck out twice the number of batters as Sean (good stuff!), totally more than a k an inning, but he also walked twice the number of batters (shaky control). Once Guz finds more consistant control (which will come with more innings pitched), he is going to be VERY good. I love the fact that the Cubs seem to be stocking up on young pitchers with potential. The problem is that if the Cubs are going to start solving their offensive problems and their lack of good young position players they are going to have to trade some of the young pitching. It doesn't do much good if you have 6-7 major league starters and you can't score more than one run a game.

The part that I bolded and underlined shows the difference between many of us and Hendry. You stated we couldn't get a top-tier prospect, but someone along the lines of Cedeno or Hill. During the spring, Hendry put Hill on an "untouchable" list and the Cubs act like he's the second coming of Sandy Koufax whereas we see Hill as a prospect with potential.

If the Tribune had a sense of humor, they would have put "Cubs Win" in gigantic type on the front page this morning.

The Cubs seem to be stocked with young pitching. I would trade Hill or Guzman in a second if it would bring us a solid major league bat. I never understood how Hill became an "untouchable". Pie, I would try to hold onto unless we're talking someone like Cabrera.

why do the cubs hit bad, soft throwing lefties? ....never mind Actually, I'm surprized he didn't stick around through the Cub series. If he had pitched, he might have revived his career.

The Mets would make that deal as soon as the Cards trade Pujols for Maddux and Neifi.

Source? I've been pushing for a trade to get Wilson since Lee went down. Wilson fits perfectly for the Cubs (right-handed 1B, RF, power pinch hitter). Let's hope it's Hill and Bynum.

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that. I disagree with that last statement. Guz clearly has plus-stuff, but he isn't comfortable being in The Show. Is there any guarantee that he will ever be comfortable being in The Show. Juan Cruz had plus-stuff, Rich Hill has plus-stuff, Guzman has plus-stuff, as do many AA and AAA pitchers, but all that means is they have the potential to be a good major league pitcher. Personally, I would like the Cubs to put some of these players in a package for Craig Wilson (even if it means overpaying). Neither Guzman nor Hill have pitched enough to make any claims about their ability to pitch in "the show". Trading either one for the likes of Craig Wilson would be beyond stu[/b]pid.[/quote] I don't understand why trading Guzman or Hill for Craig Wilson would be stupid. The Cubs need a right-handed power-hitting 1B who can also play RF and hit with power off of the bench. That sounds exactly like Craig Wilson to me. Guzman or Hill might be overpaying, but they might end up being AAAA pitchers too.

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that. I disagree with that last statement. Guz clearly has plus-stuff, but he isn't comfortable being in The Show. Is there any guarantee that he will ever be comfortable being in The Show. Juan Cruz had plus-stuff, Rich Hill has plus-stuff, Guzman has plus-stuff, as do many AA and AAA pitchers, but all that means is they have the potential to be a good major league pitcher. Personally, I would like the Cubs to put some of these players in a package for Craig Wilson (even if it means overpaying).

Obviously, Baker can still use the injuries as an excuse. Assuming Baker is still the manager when Wood, Prior, Miller, and Lee return, he better get the team moving at about a .700 clip for a month or else he could be in trouble. There's no more excuses after those guys return.

That when Wood returns he will bat 4th. Although 6th, 7th, or 8th remain a possibility.

Yeah, like any of those 3 deals would happen.

The problem is if you bring up minor leaguers who aren't ready, what are they going to show you? They're going to look overwhelmed at the plate and on the mound. How are you going to decide who can produce at a consistent level for 2007, if they come up and stink. Kaspar and Brenley were talking about the fact that Guzman will be a good major league pitcher. I haven't seen anything yet that suggests that.

I guess you enjoy seeing Bynum and Perez on this team! Did your Glendon Rusch Jersey come in the mail yet? Just kiddin :D If Hendry can't make a deal now for a 1B, because everyone knows the situation the Cubs are in, can you imagine all of the wonderful players and prospects they could get for Rusch, Bynum, Perez, Walker, Mabry, etc. The Cubs would end up paying all of their salaries and receiving low-A ball prospects in return. I agree that we could bring up someone from the minors and get rid of Bynum, but having a white-flag sale when everyone knows you're desperate is ridiculous.

After reading the first few posts, I'm glad Hendry is still the GM.

Everybody was after him to sign Furcal at $13 million per year for 4 years. Furcal is making Pierre look great. The signing of JJ has been explained numerous times. He had to offer that to sign him, but if Pie progresses as expected, JJ will be traded after this season with the Cubs eating part of his salary. Reading these posts everyday certainly doesn't give me the impression that Hendry is getting a free pass.

Let's remember that Nomar has already been on the DL once this year and we have a long way to go. As for Nomar in RF, the pitchers would be having fits when every single to CF or RF turned into a double when the throws take 15 bounces into 2B.

Johnson homered twice yesterday off of 2 lefties. I think it's time to overpay for Craig Wilson. Most of the players that might be available are overpaid, overage veterans. After filling in for Lee, Wilson can platoon in RF and pinch hit. Obviously, the Cubs cannot wait for Lee to return or they will be 20 games out.

Kind of like Remlinger was a lefty so he could automatically get out lefties.

Christian Guzman is out for the season with a shoulder injury. Maybe a deal involving Neifi and Hill for Nic Johnson would work. Johnson bats lefty, but hits lefties at .314 over the last three years. The Nationals have Daryl Ward to replace Johnson.

If he makes it to the bigs, he can shut out the Cubs on 2 consecutive days.

Miller is a FA after this year, so he'll want to pitch. Wood is too, and the Cubs won't pick up that option if he doesn't do anything this year. And Prior, it doesn't matter what you do to safeguard, he will miss significant time just like he does every year. I'm not saying don't pitch them. I am saying to be mighty carefull with them. Pitch them in more of a sense to feel them out for next year, don't worry about making them throw 120 pitches to win a close game.[/quote] But if you pitch them carefully, can you make a good enough evaluation to decide whether you want to sign them at big money. Also, you might be right about this season being pretty hopeless now, but it's the beginning of May. If somehow the Cubs can figure out a way to ride out Lee's injury and still be less than 10 games out, the addition of Wood, Prior, Miller, Lee, and another midseason bat could make for a run at the division. I'm not saying I would bet on it, but you must admit that adding those players for the second half could make things interesting.

I do think teams and players do regress toward the mean. You have multiple players hitting .340 - .350, Pujols is on a pace to hit over 100 HRs, and teams playing .750 ball. Obviously, some teams are better than others and may regress to .600 ball instead of .750, but it is a regression. The same goes for the players.

Today's Tribune reports that the D'backs are asking too much for Clark.