Backtobanks

More radical ideas by you posters: play Murton, recall Patterson, put Burnitz in CF, etc. You guys are so predictable because you want outfielders playing the OF.

I get a kick out of people who blame Macias or Perez. It's not their fault that they're put in positions where they have no hope of succeeding. Macias is not a CF and should not be the first bat off the bench. Perez is a substitute SS with a horrible lifetime OBP and should never be batting above 7th in a lineup or playing for more than 2 games in a row. I know people will jump all over me for this, but a case could be made for both of those guys when you compare them to the players holding the same positions on other teams. Compare Macias to the 25th player on other team's rosters and compare Perez to the backup SS on other teams. Looking at them from that perspective makes you realize that the real problem has been the way they were used and the frequency that they were used. Blame Baker with an assist to injuries.

Where would our payroll be next year with Murton, Pie, Patterson, and someone like Kearns as our OF's. Add to that D. Lee, Walker, Cedeno, and Aram with a sub in the $1 million range. Barrett & Blanco catching a pitching staff of Wood, Prior, Zambrano, Maddux, Williams, Ohman, Dempster, Wuertz, Welly, with another 2 pitchers at a total of $5 million. We could bring back Nomar at about $4 million and a Hollandsworth/Burnitz/Grieve/Stairs kind of sub/pinchhitter for a few more million. After getting out from under Sosa's contract, Nomar's contract (or greatly reduced), maybe Burnitz', and Remmy's, we could field a pretty competitive team for a whole lot less money. Who knows, we might save money on Baker's salary too. Also, I think that a lot depends on the rest of this year with Maddux because he might decide that he doesn't want to tarnish his reputation by being a below-average pitcher for another year. Maybe he will decide to take some kind of settlement and retire.

If the Cubs continue playing like this, they will have a better shot at all of those August & September waiver deals. Maybe, they could find someone to help for next year cuz they won't need it for this year.

Sadly the louder they get, I'm afraid the ears (in Cubs management) still don't care. That may be true, but sometimes a disgruntled fan base can make some noise. Hopefully, Dusty will be booed at this year's Cubs Convention. Hopefully, Dusty won't be the manager in January.

Nomar said they haven't bought a home in the Chicago area :oops: I would only take Nomar back for another 1-year deal, this time for 1/2 as much. If we signed him for $8 million to prove he was healthy and he missed 1/2 the season, I would say "you weren't healthy, you weren't worth the investment, so now you have to take a pay cut. We like you, but we have to cut our losses." The if he regains All Star level, you sign him to an extension. I can't see anyone offering Nomar more than a $4 million contract for 1 year. Of course, if he hit .350 for the remainder of this season it might be a different story (but it ain't gonna happen).

I predicted this yesterday under "Hairston's Replacement (Dusty's Boys)". Just what we need another over-the-hill player. Does anybody really think we're a real contender when we look at every other team's rejects? Let Murton play LF, put Burnitz in CF, and Lawton in RF at least until September, so that you can start to make some decisions about next year (Is Murton a starting OF?, Should we resign Burnitz and Lawton?, etc.). It's bad enough that we're not going to get to the playoffs this year, but Hendry won't have any idea about the OF next year and whether Cedeno can be counted on to be the starting SS in 2006 or 2007.

I do think that a lot of this is made up. Cubs underperforming so Baker might be gone, so what team might want him, etc. These rumors remind me of the trade deadline: Cubs need a LF so they're close to getting Dunn, Floyd, Kearns, Huff, etc.

Prospects have to uses: to play for your team or to bring players in a trade to help your team. With Dusty as manager, we can eliminate option #1. The problem is that everyone considers the Cubs to be contenders and the Trib has given them $100 million payroll, so there is the pressure to win right now. Hendry has been very vocal this year about wanting the kids to play, but has had to work with Baker's desire to have a veteran team. I didn't think the Tribune would fire Baker and eat part of his contract, but I'm starting to believe that Baker might be fired after the season because of the club's poor showing and his reluctance to allow some of the kids playing time.

To answer the one question, yes he would have to be an off season deal and there would be a lot of teams after him, but Texas needs pitching and we have pitching. I agree that Texas wouldn't want to get rid of him, but they have a ton of young hitters with no pitching. If they ever want to compete, I would think that somebody has to be traded for pitching. I dont disagree with you that they need pitching but I think they would be much more likely to trade Dellucci or Adrian Gonzalez because he is major league ready but stuck behind Teixiera at first. They could get decent pitching for either of those 2 guys and keep Mench. But would Adrian Gonzalez get you the pitching you need? As we have found out the hard way, a prospect is just that until they prove themselves in the majors. Mench has proven himself.

While we're talking about Dusty's boy, don't forget Marquis Grissom is available.

To answer the one question, yes he would have to be an off season deal and there would be a lot of teams after him, but Texas needs pitching and we have pitching. I agree that Texas wouldn't want to get rid of him, but they have a ton of young hitters with no pitching. If they ever want to compete, I would think that somebody has to be traded for pitching.

Following that headline on a contract extension (3 years/$12 million), maybe the Cubs could make a trade in the off season for the pitching-hungry Rangers. Mench would look good playing next to Pie for the next 3-4 years. Not only would they look good, they would be reasonably cheap for those 3-4 years.

I guarantee that the Yanks would claim him if no one claimed him before them. I can't believe he would get all the way to the White Sox. Also, I can't believe that the Reds would let him go for nothing (just salary) when they could certainly work a deal in the off season and receive some players in return.

And let's not forget that the reason everyone loves playing for Dusty is that he'll never get on their case for messing up. Just once, I'd like to see him go crazy (tear up the dugout, smash a water cooler, etc.) over something stupid the Cubs did on the field.

What they're good at is the next topic in Baseball Discussions: "Fingerpointing and Frustration"

Actually, Houston has a better PITCHING STAFF as a whole, at least the last month they have/do. Their lineup leaves alot to be desired, even compared to ours. One thing they do do, however, is they play fundamental baseball. Something Dusty must not believe in, because our fundamental's have sucked total arse the last 2 years. I agree exactly with you.. that's what sets apart from being a playoff team every year is the damn fundamentals. We can't bunt.. we can't hit and run.. we can't run bases.. To make a run at the WC, the Cubs have to have a streak of winning 8-9 in a row, or something like 17 out of 20. I've seen optimistic posters who wonder why other teams can do it and not the Cubs. I agree with you, the manager is a problem, no fundamentals (what you stated plus we can't cover 1B on a ball to the right side and we can't perform a simple rundown-- both taught in Little League), can't adjust to pitchers they haven't seen, can't play "small" ball, can't steal a base, can't have consistent efforts from hitters, bullpen, and starters, etc. Does anyone really think we can get on a long winning streak with Maddux, Hill, and Williams at the end of our rotation?

Well, let's start with Neifi. His problem is basically Baker has used him wrong. He has a terrible OBP and was used at the top of the lineup for much of the year. I do agree that he has down okay when you consider that he is a 2nd string SS. Unfortunately, he has had to start all year. Putting Burnitz in CF is okay in an emergency, but he doesn't have the speed and range to play CF everyday and especially in a big ballpark. Until Patterson returns or Pie is ready, Hairston needs to be in CF. As for Damon, I think he will be looking at 3-4 years and $28-40 million and the Cubs are committed to Pie by 2007, if not next year. As for the bullpen, let's hope Woody is okay. Remmy is over the hill, Novoa is still inconsistent, and Dempster has been good, but scary at times. If Lawton, Nomar, Wood, and Williamson all contribute the way we hope they will, I think the Cubs have a good shot at the Wild Card.

The whole Royal roster plus their whole farm system for Pie. (Royals pay all salaries)

Obviously, statistics mean a lot, but don't forget a lot depends on what city you play in. If you play in NY, the media automatically builds you into a superstar. Also, the attention you get from playing on championship teams goes a long way in HOF balloting. The success of the Cards helped Smith gain the notariety he needed for the HOF, while Dawson played most of his career in Montreal. Look at the individual statistics that Santo has and tell me that playing on a losing team (for the most part) hasn't cost him a place in the HOF. Players from places like Toronto, KC, Florida, and Tampa Bay will have to put up numbers far superior to their peers from NY and LA to be considered for the HOF.

What makes you expect that Lawton will be a Cub next season? Or Burnitz for that matter? I'm not as certain as you are. I don't know what to expect when it comes to those guys. I have to wait until the off-season and see what options are on the table. Dunn could be traded. Kearns could be traded. Patterson might continue to struggle in AAA and we'd have to see how he does in the AFL or winter ball if he agrees to go. Nomar might want a lot of cash, I doubt it, but its a possibility. If Cedeno continues to hit after he returns to AAA, he might be given a chance to be Nomar's back-up and they might let Neifi go. Dusty might not be in Chicago if the team fails to make the playoffs. Lots of factors are up in the air at this point. I think Lawton's future as a Cub depends on what he does for the next 2 months. As for Burnitz, I think everyone in the Cub organization appreciates what he has done this year and they will resign him. There is no way Nomar could command a lot of cash and I think him and his wife have settled into Chicago and would want to return at a more reasonable salary. Dusty will be back because of his contract and the built-in excuse of injuries. After 2006, Dusty & the Tribune will part ways with kind words on both sides. As for Neifi, if a small market team offers him a starting job he might take it, but it wouldn't surprize me to see him back as a sub. Patterson has a lot to prove in AAA and over the winter. Murton and Cedeno's futures depend on who is resigned or brought in on a trade. If they're both with the Cubs in the spring, they need to really impress people in spring training.

I know there are 1000 posts on Dusty as a manager, but Hendry must be getting worried that Dusty's reluctance to play and correctly use rookies not only affects the Cubs future but also the value of these prospects in a trade. The most recent case is Mitre who has probably lost all of his value in a trade. When a rookie comes up and sits for weeks at a time, or plays and not allowed to make a mistake without being replaced in the lineup, it has to mess with their minds and confidence. While I like the trade for Lawton, it sure looks like their won't be much room on this team for rookies next year. I expect them to bring back Nomar, Neifi, Burnitz, Lawton, and Walker next year, so the only spots that I see are in the bullpen. Murton might hang on as a 4th OF unless he's dealt in the off-season. So again, if these prospects aren't going to play for us, they need to be able to bring us something in a trade.

Don't bet on that the way he is hitting down there. He'd better get it together or his brother will be playing in the majors before he gets back.

In addition to everything else stated here, it is also the cnterfield camera angle most teams use in there TV coverage. Most often, the camera sets up to the third base side the pitcher. That angle makes lefties to appear to have a more pronounced sweep on breaking pitches. Hat Thanks Hat, I did wonder about that.

Never. Besides I believe Farnsworth is a FA, a RENTAL. So I doubt Farnsy stays in Atlant beyond this season. Either Farnsworth will listen to Mazzone and become the elite closer in the NL or he will be gone at the end of the season. As we all know, it's a matter of Mazzone being able to get inside his head. I don't think Atlanta will tolerate Farnsworth if he won't take Mazzone's instruction.