jersey cubs fan

Of course a guy is going to look better when you only judge him by the good parts of his game. But overall productivity matters, and the Cubs are still far too below the elites in the NL for my taste, and it's because of far too many positions with compromised production. I have no problem with Theriot playing SS. I do have a problem with a lineup that features 4 pretty big holes at SS, CF, C and RF. You can probably make the playoffs with any one of those black holes remaining so, but there's no reason to chance trying to make it with all 4. I'm not sure why we're just assuming any trade the Cubs try would be a fleecing. My only point is using "power" stats to evaluate Theriot is never going to have a positive outcome. It clearly is not his game. At the same time though, he is doing an adequate job and is very cheap. The production he gives makes him valuable. His cheap production is valuable if you then use that payroll flexibility to get production elsewhere.

Wow, never realized how much faith some people put in short-term hot streaks.

Keep throwing out the hyperbole if that makes you feel better. That is not what I said. I just don't think are reasonable pgrades available without giving up way too much. No, this is what you wrote. I think that's a ludicrous notion. Call me crazy, but this team has holes. If they didn't, they'd be running away with the division right now and not just some middle of the road NL offense.

Of course a guy is going to look better when you only judge him by the good parts of his game. But overall productivity matters, and the Cubs are still far too below the elites in the NL for my taste, and it's because of far too many positions with compromised production. I have no problem with Theriot playing SS. I do have a problem with a lineup that features 4 pretty big holes at SS, CF, C and RF. You can probably make the playoffs with any one of those black holes remaining so, but there's no reason to chance trying to make it with all 4. I'm not sure why we're just assuming any trade the Cubs try would be a fleecing.

Seriously, the Cubs are perfect, no room for improvement, they averaged 6 runs per game in Cincy so no reason to try and get better. And I was afraid I was getting a little carried away with my hopes for this team.

FTH does that mean? Means he's not mentally tough. Can't handle the pressure Lou puts on players to perform. I've heard this before from Levine. In other words, let's make up an excuse for not playing the guy.

Wow, this hot steak really has people closing their eyes to flaws on this team.

You are nuts. The Cubs are getting bottom of the NL barrel production from SS, CF, C and RF, and you think there are no holes? You should check Theriot's July stats and find me an NL shortstop who put up better numbers. Are you kidding me? Check Neifi's April 2005 stats. You can't seriously think his July stats negate the need for improvement at SS. I will just assume you are kidding and not really thinking something like that.

SS, C and RF remain problems. There are holes on this team. We get no SLG from RF, no anything from C and I'm not sold on a middle IF of Theriot and Fontenot. Are you forgetting CF?

You are nuts. The Cubs are getting bottom of the NL barrel production from SS, CF, C and RF, and you think there are no holes?

Len does revert back to puberty when he's calling a big play. It's kind of jarring on the ears, but he's a smart, well-informed announcer who does a good job overall.

That's only true if you think Hill not catching would somehow make Zambrano not hit.

http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/story.asp?id=335621 Bruce and the other Chicago writers had this in today's papers.

Salty is likely moving to 1B to replace Texiera. They don't want to wear his bat down by playing C everyday in the Texas heat. Because that Texas heat affected Pudge so much. And Salty's from Florida, played in the GCL, Sally, Carolina, and Southern League, ohh yeah and Hotlanta. I'm sure hes not used to heat. I don't think it has anything to do with being "used to" the heat. Whether you are from Florida or Michigan, catching in a place like Texas is going to take its toll over time. I don't think it means much to include Pudge, who is an outlier on almost everything as it pertains to the normal catcher.

The Mets have to get an OF, I think. I still don't know if the Braves have enough starting pitching to make up the ground. The Braves are now behind Philly, NY Mets, Dodgers, Padres, D'Backs, Cubs, and Brewers for 2 playoff spots. 2.5 games isn't much to make up, but they gotta at least jump 6 teams. They might not. But with a top 5 offense improving from the worst to one of the best 1B production, they probably don't need a ton. But they only "have" to jump 2 teams, Philly and the Mets.

Because the acquisition has been a baseball disaster. The team is god awful and he's been injured throughout his entire time there. His value is at the highest it has been since he signed the contract, and they have absolutely no chance of ever winning with him on the roster. I really don't see how he's a merchandising gold mine either. He's not on the field enough to sell many tickets, and after 8 years of being there I don't see how he could be selling much product. He'd sell much more at whatever contender he ends up on.

The Mets have to get an OF, I think.

yeah, but he just traded a very valuable, long term-inexpensive commodity for a guy who's due to make a killing. yes, a jones's deal is up and he'll be more than replacing that production next year--but i think salty is an all-star sooner than later. both teams got what they wanted. But unlike a lot of trade deadline deals for guys about to break the bank, he traded for a guy whom he still controls through next year. Tex in Atlanta is pretty huge. He is still very much in his prime, unlike the guys in their 30's we hear about being in their prime. You're talking about taking your worst performing position on the roster and possibly turning it into top 5 territory. It would be like the Cubs getting Jeter to fill the SS problem, although a much younger Jeter who isn't a liability with the glove.

Are people really saying this? I haven't noticed people saying this Cubs team is just lucky.

That's definitely true. All you can really do is build a team that makes the playoffs. And all you can do to build a team that makes the playoffs is have a team that scores more and gives up less than most of the rest of the league. I would say it's possible to build a team that could and should win 90+ games, without relying on luck. And that is what GMs should be striving for. Give yourself the best possible chance, so that, if you are a team that "should" win 98, but if you hit some bad luck you can still win 90-92 and have a chance to make it.

Calling Grossman a five-year veteran with no further qualification is just flat out dumb. Grossman is essentially in his 2nd full season and should do a much better job this year. I think this whole analysis is at best flawed and at worst flat out wrong. Calling him a 5 year vet is misleading. But calling him a 2nd year QB is as well. Obviously the truth is in between. He's started just a season+ worth of games, but has been around the league for a while. He's probably equivalent to a 3rd year player now, a guy who saw limited action as a rookie, started every game and was hit or miss as a 2nd year guy, and now has to either sink or swim. Another problem I have with this is the whole "take practice seriously" story. Rex sucked in the New Years game against GB, it was a meaningless game and Rex admitted as such afterward. Many in the media decided to say this meant Rex was out drinking and partying all week instead of practicing, and now many believe he doesn't practice or study hard. One writer went as far as saying he's more interested in the next party at the playboy mansion than the next game. Which is funny when you think that's pretty much what Matt Leinert is. It's Leinert, Romo, Roethlisberger, and a handful of others that are dating supermodels and going hollywood, while Rex is considered more or less a family man with a very low profile outside the game itself. I'm not sure why that story has had legs.

I'd like Griffey, but Griffy to Seattle would be cool.

I was under the impression he was doing much worse than he actually is so far this year.

I hope the White Sox DO get someone good, because that would weaken the Phillies and hurt their Wild Card chances. :D No kidding. People need to put things in perspective. The Phillies are much more of a competitor for the Cubs than the CWS, despite the rivalry.

He was never given a chance this year. He did struggle, but it was sporadic time. He also struggled at times last year. And most of the veterans on this team have struggled. Plus, the OF has offered basically nothing. Murton put up good numbers in the minors, and has the type of game that should translate to good numbers in the majors. He will probably never approach great, or even very good. But he could and should be a solid piece of the puzzle. But the Cubs screwed him over this year with their mismatched outfield mess and decided that he would be the odd man out, even though he didn't deserve that treatment.