CubsWin

I'm with you. Toolsy means crappy. It's like those scouting reports you read -- "Good baseball body" what the hell does that mean? I care about guys who get on base, score runs, hit the ball with authority. Actually, I don't care if he calls them toolsy, so long as he shows that the ability to get on base -- ie, not make outs -- is a valued skill for the players he acquires, promotes, etc. I've yet to consistently see that. You're right. I'll be glad when he follows "toolsy" with "and gets on base." Even better will be the day (and maybe it will come) when having a good batting eye/patience will be considered a "tool". I agree, to an extent. I think Hendry uses the term "toolsy" most often when talking about a prospect, not a major leaguer. When he does it with a major leaguer, I just shake my head. But usually he is referring to someone in the minors, and there, I think it is fine to scout both performance players and toolsy athletes that can become superstars. I don't think Hendry values OBP as much as some on this board would like. But I think the fact that almost every acquisition he has made has brought in someone with a better OBP than the guy he was replacing is a evidence that he does seek to improve the team's OBP. The fact that he hasn't gone out and gotten several guys with over .400 OBPs doesn't mean that he wouldn't if given the opportunity. Those guys are fairly rare and the teams that currently have them don't want to give them up. It is far more difficult to put together an argument that Hendry isn't trying to improve the team's OBP than it would to argue that he is. That is if you are using evidence and logic and stuff. :wink:

Perhaps I missed something, but has anyone in the last few pages of this thread based anything on anyone's spring training numbers? People keep mentioning that basing your opinion of a player on his spring training numbers is a bad idea but no one is doing that, are they? True, is any team's 25th man someone to get excited over?

yeah, that was the problem. these guys really can't be that oblivious to walks, can they? You know the answer to that. I've heard or read very little that says the Cubs coaching staff recognizes the value of a walk. I don't think it would shock a lot of people if we characterized the Cubs current set of coaches and manager as "old school", when batting average was the stat that measured a successful hitter. However, there is plenty of evidence that Hendry recognizes the value of OBP given that he has acquired Nomar, Ramirez, Lee, Grudz/Walker/Hairston, Murton, Pierre, Miller/Barrett and promoted Dubois who all have higher OBPs than their predecessors. Jones does not, but it is clear that Jacque was not Hendry's first choice to play RF this season. Why he has stuck with Baker who is responsible for hiring his coaching staff, I don't know. I wouldnt necessarily say that Hendry's acquisitions are perfect evidence that Hendry recognizes the value of OBP. Nor would I, just evidence. To be honest, I don't even know what perfect evidence means.

You might be right. Then again, Grissom is getting old...fast. He had a huge drop-off last season and that is his most recent performance. It is possible that he will bounce back, absolutely. But most trends continue in the same direction as a player nears 40. Grissom will be 39 in a month. Pagan is 24 and may continue to improve over the next couple of years. Many players don't reach their peak performance years until they turn 27 or 28 (Derrek Lee). Pagan may also not improve, but he has more speed now than does Grissom, will be a superior late-inning defensive replacement, he put up a better OBP last year at AAA than Grissom averaged over the course of his career, and he isn't coming off of a hugely disappointing season last year. That said, I still think Restovich makes the most sense, at this point. Pagan would be a good guy to have in AAA in case Hairston goes down with an injury.

Totally agree. That's what I've been saying. Disregard Pagan's numbers this spring and look at what he did most recently over a full season to get the more accurate view of what he is capable of.

what makes you think he'll suddenly hit for power? its not like he is slugging .450 with a ton of doubles. I don't think a lot of players suddenly gain power at 24 or 25 unless they get hooked up. Come on, stitchface. I never said that he would hit for power, just that he would have some power, meaning more than Otis Nixon. Go back and read it again, its there, twice. Plus, I also already explained on what I based that assessment, his numbers last season at AAA. In 516 ABs, he had 8 HRs, 10 triples and 20 doubles. Those numbers, given a full season leading off over 162 games instead of the shortened minor league season, could translate to what I described (10-15 HRs, 10-15 triples and plenty of doubles) given that he fulfills his potential, successfully adjusts to the major leagues and takes his talent to the next level. As far as his career minor league SLG% not holding a lot of water, it doesn't because much of those numbers were put up when he was younger and thus skinnier and less powerful. Now that he is 24, he is probably about as powerful as he is going to get, and so I based his potential power numbers on what he most recently has accomplished, not what he was doing when he was younger.

I like the thought of Restovich being our right handed corner outfield bat off the bench. He has far more potential than Grissom, I think, LOL. He;s not a prospect, but he looks like he could be coming into his power. Clearly, Grissom hasn't earned a spot on the Cubs roster as of now. So, I've been thinking about Pagan and Restovich and who would be better? I like Pagan. I like that he is still only 24 and has speed as well as some power. It is interesting to note that of the three, Grissom, Restovich and Pagan, Pagan is the only one currently on the 40-man roster. The only problem is that as a player type, he is very similar to Hairston and would basically be duplicating him on the roster. The Cubs lack power off the bench and thus have a greater need for someone like Restovich. But, at this point, its anybody but Grissom for me. Pagan is having a nice spring, but the guy has over 2200 Minor League PA's and has a SLG of .373 and an awful .095 IsoP. I wouldn't count on many XBH's from him. My preference is Restovich, because he has minor league performance in addition to the tools that got him(and Pagan) drafted so high, and he isn't redundant with another player on the roster like you said. I didn't say that Pagan had some power because of how he is hitting this spring. I said it because of the numbers he put up last season at AAA. Pagan clearly isn't in the same power catagory as is Restovich, but as a 24-year-old, his power numbers will be better than when he was younger thus, his career minor league SLG% doesn't hold a lot of water with me. At this point, my preference is Restovich as well for the reasons I laid out in the previous post. But I think Pagan has the potential to hit 10-15 HRs, 10-15 triples and plenty of doubles. That's not too shabby when it comes to SLG%.

I like the thought of Restovich being our right handed corner outfield bat off the bench. He has far more potential than Grissom, I think, LOL. He;s not a prospect, but he looks like he could be coming into his power. Clearly, Grissom hasn't earned a spot on the Cubs roster as of now. So, I've been thinking about Pagan and Restovich and who would be better? I like Pagan. I like that he is still only 24 and has speed as well as some power. It is interesting to note that of the three, Grissom, Restovich and Pagan, Pagan is the only one currently on the 40-man roster. The only problem is that as a player type, he is very similar to Hairston and would basically be duplicating him on the roster. The Cubs lack power off the bench and thus have a greater need for someone like Restovich. But, at this point, its anybody but Grissom for me.

yeah, that was the problem. these guys really can't be that oblivious to walks, can they? You know the answer to that. I've heard or read very little that says the Cubs coaching staff recognizes the value of a walk. I don't think it would shock a lot of people if we characterized the Cubs current set of coaches and manager as "old school", when batting average was the stat that measured a successful hitter. However, there is plenty of evidence that Hendry recognizes the value of OBP given that he has acquired Nomar, Ramirez, Lee, Grudz/Walker/Hairston, Murton, Pierre, Miller/Barrett and promoted Dubois who all have higher OBPs than their predecessors. Jones does not, but it is clear that Jacque was not Hendry's first choice to play RF this season. Why he has stuck with Baker who is responsible for hiring his coaching staff, I don't know.

Maybe its the excellent example of Cardinals propaganda you created, or maybe it was the use of the prefixes "super" and "uber", but for the first time I equated the St. Louis Cardinals with the Nazis just now. Here's hoping LaRussa grows a very silly mustache this season, and they go down in flames this season. :twisted:

That's former Astro Luis Pujols, now 50.

According to mlb.com, Juan Mateo isn't going to stick in St. Louis. It is difficult to know who the Cards would be willing to part with, but who from the St. Louis organization would you want in return for Mateo? Or is Mateo someone that you would not like to part with?

According to mlb.com, Juan Mateo, the Cubs minor league pitcher who was selected by the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft, will not make the 25-man roster, but St. Louis still likes him.

IMO, he hasn't earn the job, simply because this is a small sample size in SPRING TRAINING (scrubs supreme). Marshall has given Baker/Hendry a good impression about what he can do (and Marshall has leapfrogged Hill as the first pitcher to be call up during the season), but Sean still needs at least a strong half yr at AAA before he is ready. If he needs half a year at AAA, he might not be ahead of Hill. Last I read, Marshall was likely headed back to AA to start the season. That might change though if he keeps performing like he has. I still think it is too early to say who is ahead of who to be the 5th starter or the first one called up. But even if Marshall is at AA and Hill is at AAA, I don't think it will matter much who is at the higher level. The Cubs decision will likely be based on who they think is throwing better at the time. A lot can (and will) happen in the next 3+weeks, so this decision is impossible right now. Marshall's arm might fall off on April 13th. Shhhhhhhh...... Your avatar just made me laugh out loud, btw. Good work!

IMO, he hasn't earn the job, simply because this is a small sample size in SPRING TRAINING (scrubs supreme). Marshall has given Baker/Hendry a good impression about what he can do (and Marshall has leapfrogged Hill as the first pitcher to be call up during the season), but Sean still needs at least a strong half yr at AAA before he is ready. If he needs half a year at AAA, he might not be ahead of Hill. Last I read, Marshall was likely headed back to AA to start the season. That might change though if he keeps performing like he has. I still think it is too early to say who is ahead of who to be the 5th starter or the first one called up. But even if Marshall is at AA and Hill is at AAA, I don't think it will matter much who is at the higher level. The Cubs decision will likely be based on who they think is throwing better at the time.

Bingo. Hasn't he been head and shoulders above Hill, Guzman, Ryu and Williams? Again, there must be a good reason for this; I think Raw's reasoning above is the best I have read thus far. The future sure looks brighter if Ryu, Guzman and Marshall are all the real deal. Its a nice problem to have. The comments I've been reading say that there is too much time left before that 5th starter will be needed (April 15th) for it to matter who is pitching well now or "in the lead". Marshall has definitely gotten off to the best start and shows the best control right now, but that doesn't matter much when the decision who to call up will be made 3 weeks from now.

I know I'd really miss the constant injury updates and wondering each year if Prior would be able to make all his starts. I think what he means, is that if prior is no longer on this team, it's disappointing because of what a waste of talent it would be. Though your sarcasm is really productive. Likewise. Actually, the purpose was good. It was to get you to read and think before responding like a smart-aleck. The productivity on the other hand is up to you. Come on, badger. Keep it above the belt, meaning address the post not the poster. Sarcasm is allowed on message boards...unfortunately.

I don't think anyone has said anything like that, except for the people who have said that others are implying that. So what do you think the original post in this thread, the one that I quoted, was saying? It seemed clear to me that frostwyrm was saying that Baker was being critical of Cedeno when he would never be critical of Neifi even though he does the exact same thing. Thus, the old rookie SS vs. veteran SS routine, but maybe he was saying something completely different. What was your take?

I think that's a rather arbitrary and subjective claim. Its only arbitrary if it has nothing to do with the thread, and it is only subjective if you can show that it isn't necessarily accurate which means that there are several negative interpretations of Dusty's quote. Thats certainly possible. I just couldn't think of any at the time. How many ways can you negatively interpret Dusty's quote?

I thought the bolded quote was funny because it perfectly describes Neifi's whole career. Of course you'll never hear Dusty mention that. http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-kiley21.html This could be a simple case of Dusty being asked this question about Ronny and not about Neifi. Or it could be that he believes Ronny has the ability to be more than what he is showing now while believing that Neifi isn't going to get better than what has been showing. It sounds like to me that Dusty is simply sharing with the media the coaching he has been giving Ronny which is very supportive coaching if you ask me. He empowers the young player by letting him know that it is within the player's power to make this simple adjustment and have the success he was having before. There is nothing wrong with his swing mechanics. There is nothing lacking about the player's talent level. It is completely within the player's control to succeed. How does this supportive coaching promote the idea that Baker dislikes young players? There are a lot of positive or neutral ways to spin this quote, but only one way to take it negatively. I fail to see how this is any sort of evidence in favor of the theory that Dusty loves Neifi Perez because he is a veteran and dislikes Ronny Cedeno because he is inexperienced. That's not to say that a solid case can't be made that Baker prefers to play veterans. I believe he does. I just don't think a quote like this one is evidence in support of that theory.

Didn't they sever Teddy Baseball's head as a part of the freezing process? Why not put his head on Angel Pagan's body? :shock: Do you think the Williams family would agree to do it for 15 million? Wow, Ted Williams with base stealing ability. There, right field is solved.

What I don't get about all of this is waiting until the middle of ST to even contemplate this stuff. Seems to me that if they could see the need to adjust, you start it in the offseason so you have time to ingrain the changes. Doing it now is absurd. Well, the adjustment they are making with Prior now is due to this inflamation in his shoulder which just happened a few days ago. So, in this case, making this adjustment before the injury occurred would be, as you put it, absurd. You raise a good a point, Sooner. I'm interested to find out what kind of throwing program Cubs pitchers have during the off season. They may have regular mound work. They may just do long toss. They may do nothing at all. Or the Cubs may leave it up to the individual. That would be interesting to find out.

Most likely both Wellemeyer and Wuertz will make it. There are still two weeks left of spring training which is plenty of time for Wuertz to find it. But if he doesn't, I think next in line would be Koronka. He was up last season as a fill-in starter and was inconsistent. But then the Cubs sent him to the Arizona Fall League where he pitched exclusively as a reliever and he dominated. The Cubs have a track record of turning starters who had success at the lower levels of the minor leagues but then struggle at AAA into relievers. It worked with Wuertz, at least last year. Maybe Koronka will be next in line.

Now the Cubs are saying that Novoa has valley fever instead of pneumonia. This is far more serious because it can lay you up for several months, sometimes up to a year or more. With Novoa out of the picture, at least for the start of the season, does Wellemeyer make the team? Dempster Howry Eyre Williamson Ohman Wuertz Wellemeyer? Dusty usually breaks camp with a 7-man bullpen because his starters aren't stretched out to go more than 5-6 innings. If he does, once again, go with 7, who else is Wellemeyer in competition with? Actually, we might want to be asking who is in competition with Wuertz for that 7th spot. He continues to get rocked this spring.

My cousin who lives in Fountain Hills just outside of Phoenix got this illness, too. It does knock you out, for sure, but the thing about it is that no one really knows how long you'll have it before it goes away. Novoa could be sidelined for several months which means that the option-less Todd Wellemeyer might have just secured himself a spot on the 25-man roster.