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Backtobanks

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Everything posted by Backtobanks

  1. Backtobanks
    Do we have dumb athletes or complicated systems? Cubs' players constantly miss signs, Bears' players take months to learn "the system" or how to run their routes (receivers), and the Bulls' players have trouble learning to play different forms of defense. All of these athletes have been playing their respective sports since they were 6-7 years old and then they get brain cramps when they come to Chicago. How tough can it be to watch the 3rd-base coach and interpret a sign in a series of signs? How tough can it be to learn a pass route, when you have been a receiver all of your life?
  2. Backtobanks
    For all of you who think it was a "no-brainer" to not trade Walker, there are 20 pages of posts discussing the fact that "Walker is as good as gone."
  3. Backtobanks
    I think Burnitz has busted his butt everyday.
  4. Backtobanks
    For all of you Hendry critics, I hope you acknowledge that he did what was in the best interest of the Cubs by keeping Walker. I think it would have been an interesting year if Hendry would have managed the Cubs (or had a manager that agreed with Hendry). The final results might not be much different, but we would certainly have more insight on the 2006 and beyond Cubs team.
  5. Backtobanks
    No they're not written down anywhere and subject to each individual's interpretation of what MVP means. That's why I suggested 2 awards.....MVP and Player of the Year.
  6. Backtobanks
    I really appreciate his hustle and his attitude. Tracking down balls in the OF, hitting his cutoff man, hustling down the line on ground balls, and not blaming everyone else when things aren't going well are examples of what he has brought to this team.
  7. Backtobanks
    This argument always comes up at this time of the year. I think there ought to be 2 awards.....Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player. The MVP would have to come from a team that finished 1st or 2nd in their division while the Player of the Year could come from any team. Obviously, one player could win both awards. That would solve the problem of whether to vote for the SS hitting .270 on the championship team or the OF hitting .350 on a last place team.
  8. Backtobanks
    I'm surprized there hasn't been much mentioned about trading Burnitz. I would think that a team that needs an OF or a left-handed power hitter off the bench wouldn't consider him. He is the kind of hitter who could get hot for a month.
  9. Backtobanks
    Why do so many of you think Lee is going to regress? I assume he won't forget now that he's learned how to hit those inside pitches. Will he hit .340 with 45-50 HR next year? Probably not, but I think over .300 with at least 40 HR is probable and that puts him in the top 3 or 4 1B.
  10. Backtobanks
    I might still think they should be a .500 team if you told me that Lee was going to have a triple-crown type of year, that Zambrano would be as dominant as he has been, that Dempster would be as successful as he has been as closer, that Barrett would be the best offensive catcher in the NL, that Ramirez and Walker would have the type of years that they have had in spite of missing games, and that the Cubs would have the luxury of platooning (and then sending down) a player hitting about .360 with an OBP of about .450.
  11. Backtobanks
    Also, Dusty will put up with a veteran that's in a 3-week slump, but let a rookie go 0-4 and he's back on the bench.
  12. Backtobanks
    I don't blame Hendry because the harshest critics thought he had assembled a team that would be .500. Since .500 is looking like an impossible goal, it must be the way the players are being used. In other words, Hendry didn't assemble a team capable of winning the division, but Baker misuse of the players has this team near the bottom of the division.
  13. Backtobanks
    I mentioned about 2 pages ago that I thought this team could have been 10 games better with a different manager. The way this team has played lately, it looks like those 10 games would put us at about .500 by the end of the season. I don't believe anyone didn't think that this was at least a .500 club at the beginning of the season, so I stand by my comment.
  14. Backtobanks
    I hope they get Ramirez on some kind of physical training program next year. Can you imagine what he would be like if he wasn't so "soft".
  15. Backtobanks
    I don't blame the whole season on Dusty, but I do think this team could have been 10 games better than it is with a different manager. The real problem with Dusty is now we don't have any insight into the 2006 Cubs. We won't know if Murton or Cedeno could fill 2 holes cheaply. The Cubs might be forced to overspend on veteran free agents just to please Dusty. Of course, overspending usually means over-extending the length of a contract which means we might be stuck with high-price 37-39 year olds in 2007-08. I just hope that players like Cedeno or Murton come out of spring training hitting about .650 because that will be the only way they will get the chance that they deserve next year.
  16. Backtobanks
    As long as he isn't proven guilty with steroids, then yes he should have his number retired. Time heals all wounds.....look at Carlton Fisk.
  17. Backtobanks
    Hoops, If Giles wants that much, it's time to look in another direction. I like Giles, but not at those prices.
  18. Backtobanks
    That's what I've been saying. I'm thinking 5/6 years, 10/11M per. But there's still the thing that both LA and NY teams have a SS (or 2 in case of the NY teams). The larger markets appear to be set at SS besides the Cubs. Still, I think Seattle, Washington and others will be players in the FA market this offseason. I agree...with the lack of SS's available he will be a very expensive signing. What SS's could the Cubs get via trade? There's been lots of speculation about Lugo from TB. I would love to get Furcal, but not 5/6 years and $10/$11 million per year. When he starts getting in that range, I would let Cedeno have the job.
  19. Backtobanks
    I agree with you about monitoring both of them for the rest of the season. 85-90 pitches for both of them in each start will give them a good shot at a win and will give the Cubs a chance to evaluate some guys out of the bullpen.
  20. Backtobanks
    Sound like a couple of differing viewpoints to me. What else is new. Contrary to what Hendry says about being on the same page as Baker, they are not. Are those the same paying customers that have been begging you to play the kids all year? As for "respecting the game", How is it respecting the game by sending out a bunch of veterans who don't can't execute the fundamentals of baseball?
  21. Backtobanks
    I assume since we are giving up 7 players for Garrett Anderson, the Angels are paying his whole salary. I like Anderson too, but 7 players for him?????
  22. Backtobanks
    If you want to convince Giles to come to Chicago, all you have to do is show him his splits while in Chicago at Wrigley... AB R H HR RBI AVG OBP SLG OPS 41 18 19 6 19 .463 .593 1.073 1.666 [edit]Those are 2002-2004[/edit] Yea, but that is against Cub pitching.
  23. Backtobanks
    One thing Dusty could do is play the kids. At least they're closer to Little- League age and probably remember how to play fundamental baseball.
  24. Backtobanks
    Don't insult the teams playing .500. The Cubs will have to get real hot for the rest of the season to have a shot at .500. I look for them to end up about 5-6 games under .500.
  25. Backtobanks
    I did the numbers and we can still afford Giles and Ryan while keeping the payroll around 95M this year. With CF (Pie), LF (Murton), SS (Cedeno), we will have some money to go around when its the pitcher's time to cash in. After 2006, Wood, Maddux, Nomar (assuming they bring him back for another year) will free up another ~25M that should be replaced from within cheaply. I don't know where you have been all year, but if you think Baker is going to start Pie, Murton, and Cedeno then you haven't been paying attention. To tell the truth, I'd be very surprized if one of those three gets significant playing time next year.
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