Dr. Cub

If that's the kind of talent we have to give up, then in the immortal words of my favorite southern waitress from Mel's diner; "kiss my grits".

I've been for trading Wood for some time now, so it isn't a knee jerk reaction to his injuries, but I would be extremely angry if we traded Wood to get Soriano. Could a mod please edit the title to reflect SOME uncertainty as to if it has even been mentioned.

I never really understood this logic. I believe a hitter should take a walk no matter where they are hitting in the lineup. Even in the 8 hole, the hitter should be patient and take a walk to bring the pitcher up, so you can then lead off the next inning with the top of the order. It isn't so much an OBP factor as it is patience. Every hitter should be patient and work the count until they see a pitch to hit, and Soriano doesn't do that. What's his P/PA? I should have made myself more clear. I was speaking about the 6 or 7 hole. Of course in the 8 hole you want someone to get on base by any means necessary (and I mean any), to get that pitcher to the plate. However, with a decreased likely hood of driving runs in as you move from 7-9, I want a guy who can drive in runs with extra base hits (in the 6 hole) otherwise your good OBP guys (3-5) are getting stranded more. I'm not saying to disregard walks completely, just that I believe it's more important for that 6 hole guy to be able to drive guys home with a high SLG%. I don't believe Soriano is the answer to our prayers, but in the 6 hole his production would belittle what we have now. Also, I understand what you're saying about plate patience, and I'm not advocating swinging at crap. However, if given the choice between two guys (one with a good AVG, great SLG, and poor OBP) the other (good AVG, mediocre SLG, and good OBP) I will take the first guy for my 6 or 7 hole everytime.

While I would never suggest OBP is not important, it's my belief that in the 6 or 7 hole (which I would hope Soriano would be placed) I want someone who can bring our 3-5 or 3-6 higher OBP guys home. If he gets on base at a good clip even better. Give me a good SLG% guy in those spots. A walk is great, but as you move into the 7-9 spots the likelyhood of those runners being stranded increases. Again, I am a firm believer in OBP, and believe it's important at every spot, but certain spots in the order have different needs, and thus other stats which may be of better analytical value. Just my opinion, NOT PREACHING GOSPEL. O:)That being said, I wouldn't want to touch Soriano with a ten foot pole if it meant giving up more than some mid level guys.

Even though he walks a lot of guys, I think Webb is one of most underrated pitchers in the game. If he wasn't on the DBacks, he'd be a lot more well known. That game should be good. Good as in Webb has owned us, and treated our offense like blind, one-armed school girls without bats? Or a different kind of good?

Bingo. IMO the above quote holds the key to why Hawkins has been receiving such vocal disgust from the fans at Wrigley. If he had conducted himself with more humility, I highly doubt that he would have become such a target. Sure there would've been boos -- he was terrible at a point late in 2004 where there was such little room for error -- but if he had been more humble and apologetic for his failings, I highly doubt the boos would have been to the extent that he is experiencing them now. Also, while I personally don't boo Cubs players (I tend to just sit in my seat and seethe in silence when I'm upset with their performance), I think the presumption that fans that boo or jeer are any less of a "true fan" than the Cubs fans that come to Wrigley just to cheer and sing the 7th inning stretch, is a load of B.S. This fandom thing is not a caste system -- and you can't tell me who's a better fan than another because of how they choose to support their team, show their emotions, invest there lives and often hard earned money in their team..... We are all Cubs fans and we're all after one thing: 4 zeros at the end of the AC sign in our lifetime. =D>

I'll bet Murton gets the starts -- if there are three straight lefties facing the Cubs. I dislike Hollandsworth starting, as I said back in March, but isn't Murton's average benefitting from his first start? I thought with his hit last night, he's now 4-16. I like the kid, but I'm not sure yet if he's Bo Hart or a real everyday player. My main contention is that we should've gotten a bonafide leftfielder in the offseason (as I still scratch my head wondering why so many people were hoping we weren't going to get Cliff Floyd), hopefully we can still get one. Murton is 9 for 22, or .409 AVG.

I don't know how it isn't obvious to you, because your question had the answer contained within itself. Obviously, it's because he changed his middle name to "freakin", what other possible explanation could there be? :oops:

As you noted, a crappy first couple of weeks at of the gate will do that to you. A good spring and 25 cents will get you a cup of coffee. Maybe. I realize you added the disclaimer "maybe", but do you not drink coffee? I would imagine you must not, because I don't know where in the hell you can get a cup of coffee for 25 cents.

I would add "what does this mean for Harriston??" I like the direction JH JR. is going - but PIERRE! Come on -- how could you say no to him if he's available??? I first would put the "N" and then follow it up with about 1.76 million "O's", and I think that would do the trick.

Is it just me or have we had a ludicrous number of balls hit off the top of the wall these last 2 games? It seems like we've had 5 or 6 near HR's.

I've got some Huggies wipes in the car you guys might need to use. It looks as though you have a stain on the tip of your nose. :wink:

You're probably right. But I wouldn't for fear of prosecution, certainly not for fear of Oswalt. =D>. That's good stuff. I agree, he's a twerp.

Wow, reality bites!!!!

It doesn't make sense as to why the Rockies would want Ronny Cedeno in the first. 1: They had the "front-runner" NL ROY SS Clint Barmes. 2. One of their top prospects in the organization is Chris Nelson. Third they JUST drafted a SS in the first rd....Troy Tulowitzki. Them asking for Ronny Cedeno is beyond redundant, and I believe Hendry has to know that, and thus WON'T put Cedeno in the deal. Add in the fact that they already have a top prospect at 3B in Ian Stewart...I really can't figure this deal out. They can't exactly shift one of their players over and moving some one like Nelson or Stewart out into the OF would just be more trouble that it's worth, imo. Plus Barmes should be coming back sooner or later. They're all better than Cedeno...so why in the blue blazes would the Rockies want him?! These rumored deals just aren't making any sense. The only way it would make sense is if the Rockies are shipping one or more of those prospects off in some sort of deal either involving one team dumping a high salary guy on them with cash or if the Rockies are shipping Todd Helton off somewhere and tossing in a really good prospect or two to make the deal palatable. Can anyone else make any sense of what the heck is going on here from the Rockies' standpoint? Well one thing is all of you are assuming the Rockies are competent to run a baseball team and are thinking logically about Barmes, Stewart, etc., history indicates that may not be the case. My question is, can someone tell me how Preston Wilson is an improvement over Corey Patterson? Yes, I could. However, I would be lying out my arse. :^o

I'll look for you on tv, Vance. Prior sure knows how to pull the pitching matchups. Hopefully, I'll get some air time! :D I'm planning on making a sign, but everytime I say that, I never get around to it. Dude, it's four letters, and you're an educator. Come on. :club:

The perfect post. You said EXACTLY what I wanted to. Of course, I would be calling my mom instead.

=D>

While I agree with you wholeheartedly about Hill, Z, and the gang, I just don't see this team being better than mediocre with this bullpen and outfield. As much as I despise the lack of OBP in the 1 and 2 holes (especially with much better options on the team), the lack of OF production and the atrocious bullpen (60.1 IP, 38 ER, 5.69 ERA in June) will keep this team from consistantly winning ballgames. This team truly is mediocre, and the real traveshamockery of it is that it shouldn't be with as much great talent as they have. I have to believe that some intellgent managing, and a few key moves in the bullpen and OF are what is keeping this team from being a true contender.

I won't give the boring details of all the silly little superstitious things I 've done over the years, but after reading these I can't help but think we're all a tad bit insane. :willynilly:

If that's the case can we make Burnitz and Hollandsworth pay us if they catch it?

Team Stats/Scoring: 1. 83 2. 6 3. 767 4. 674 Player Stats/Scoring: 1. 29 2. 52 3. .303 4. 107 5. 15 6. 3.01 7. 178 8. 27 TB: .788 --------------------------- ETA (Serena) Team Stats/Scoring: 1. 83 +200 2. 6 + 10 3. 767 + 75 4. 674 +300 Player Stats/Scoring: 1. 29 + 0 2. 52 + 0 3. .303 + 5 4. 107 + 20 5. 15 + 30 6. 3.01 + 30 7. 178 + 0 8. 27 + 50 TB: .788 Total: 720

How would you feel about Matsui, Walker, Aramis, Beltran, Lee, Patterson, Barrett, Dubois? I'm sure that could be arranged if Sammy is shipped out to the Mets for Matsui. I'd love it. But why would the Mets make that deal? Why wouldn't they just sign Beltran themselves? Or Richie Sexson? or Carlos Delgado? or JD Drew? Etc... I would say a big reason would be that obviously the player has to WANT to go to the team. I would say that would make it diificult to sign most of them. Not impossible, just difficult. In addition, none of them would put butts in the seats like Sosa would. More butts equals more money equals more revenue equals better teams equals more butts equals.............you get the idea.