soapy

I can't really bring myself to root against them. Certainly a part of me knows that each loss brings them closer to getting rid of Dusty, but I still find myself rooting for them (and watching most of the games). I just find that I don't really care about the outcome so much.

This is the best one. Also, as someone else mentioned, I recommend keeping it simple.

I'm glad to see people are starting to take it to Dusty. It's taken too long.

Fred, you and your pesky stats are messing with my perception.

It's almost as if he creates lineups based on some sterotypical "way" that a line up is supposed to be created. It goes like this regardless of who is filling the position CF 2nd 1st 3rd LF RF SS C P I am still sore that they've given up on Murton after less than half a season. I guess when Murton doesn't do well in his career all the Dusty appologists will use the tired "he sucked after he left the Cubs" excuse. When if was the Cubs that stunted his development. Not to mention that the "he sucked later" arguement doesn't really apply when the alternative is still worse (see: Bynum, Neifi, Macias, Hollandworth, Karros, etc.).

Of course, Neifi went like 3-4 or something that game which is all Baker needs to see to give Neifi another month at the top of the lineup. :pukel: If I recall correctly, just about everybody went 3-4 that day. :P Because of Neifi's presence in the two-spot. He got everyone else going! :^o

He may also wait to see how the Baker scenario plays out. Whether he loves him or hates him, it may effect his decision.

Of course, Neifi went like 3-4 or something that game which is all Baker needs to see to give Neifi another month at the top of the lineup. :pukel:

1. It's happening. Murton v. LHP; Bynum v. RHP 2. IIRC, Neifi has been getting most of the 2B time, though I missed a few of the Detroit games. Walker has been at DH and 1B 3. I don't know. Blanco has done the only catching so far. 4. He "felt something" or "felt fatigued" after 60 pitches. That is up for debate. 5. He was terrible at the beginning, but settled down. He said he just wasn't hitting his spots 6. Better, but still terrible. Ramirez is turning it on. 7. Neifi and/or Walker

Ramirez has seemingly rebounded from his poor start. His line in June: .315/.363/.562

Lots of Bynum and Neifi!!! Oh boy!!!

I also posted a link to this here (non-premium). It's nice to see Bruce continue to point out the defiencies in Hendry's approach to constructing a competetive team (including his poor evaluation of players, and poor use of funds). I also like how he threw in the "save" the Cubs line in the title. Sweet.

What is Freel's contract status? He is someone I'd be interested in to play CF until Pie is ready and could lead-off. I'd be willing to deal off some of the young pitching in order to get a difference maker (Cabrera, Abreu, etc.). For my purposes here, I'm going to assume Hendry keeps Jones (though he shouldn't), so I'll pencil him into the OF. Murton would likely be part of a deal to get Cabrera or Abreu along with the young pitching (Marmol, Marshall, Hill, Guzman, Ryu, Williams, etc.). If he can be kept, he platoons with Jones. If not, find a platoon partner (or hold onto Nevin). I'm not against trading Pie if necessary either (especially for Cabrera). I doubt Walker would be back, but I'd be interested in re-signing him. I'm not anxious to deal Prior yet, but I wouldn't count on him to be my #1 or #2 either. If you deal guys like Marshall, Marmol or Hill, you need to pick up another starter. Possibilities include Schmidt and Zito. In the bullpen, I'm definitely open to trading Dempster. I'm not down on him, I just think he's got some good value right now for a team that is in the race and needs a closer. Trading him in the offseason is still a possibility too. The Reds might be interested in a deal for the aforementioned Freel. I let the other guys in the bullpen battle for the "closer" role. Howry is probably a strong candidate. I'm still a big fan of Wuertz as well. Depending on who you have to trade for Freel and/or Cabrera or Abreu, you could probably put together something like this for opening day 2007. Freel CF Walker/Kennedy? 2B Lee 1B Cabrera/Abreu (LF or RF) Ramirez 3B Barrett Jones RF of LF Cedeno SS If Pie is ready, he can see some time at CF. Freel is nice because he can play OF, 2B or 3B and be in the lineup on a regular basis. If Walker isn't brought back, he can be the full-time 2B for a while. SP-wise; I'm assuming that at least a few of the young SP mentioned above are gone. If I can add Schmidt, I'm looking at a 1-3 of Zambrano, Schmidt and Prior and I haven't added that much payroll yet because of the loss of Wood and Maddux. Depending on who I still have left from the young arms, I might be able to fill in the rest of my rotation. If not, I might still have enough money to make a run at someone on the FA market.

Bruce chimes in on some trading deadline and offseason thoughts. I'm not a huge fan of Carlos Lee, but he's definitely got the right idea. Nice article Bruce. I like that you continue to bring up the Cubs' flawed method for contstructing a team.

Join (though Wood's abuse dates back before Dusty's involvement).

Bruce explainshow Dusty will try to assure they never get there, Scott. I look forward to seeing Bynum and Neifi saving the Cubs this weekend.

I usually still watch if I'm at home anyway. I don't attempt to plan my schedule around games though as I have done often in the past.

Yeah, those aren't excuses, they're just plain lies.

Was it last year when the pitchers were having trouble remembering to cover first base multiple times on grounders to the right side and Dusty just said, "Talk to Rothchild. That's his department."

I'm certainly not opposed to trading Dempster at all. If you add in someone like Walker, you could probably get some decent talent in return. I'd be interested to see how Hendry would try to fill that spot next year. Williamson? There are some possible injury concerns there (plus he's a free agent). Honestly, I'd be game for letting Howry, Eyre, Williamson (if re-signed), Wuertz and Aardsma all battle it out for the rest of this year to see who will take over the closer role in 2007. I've never been a huge believer in the "closer mentality" anyway.

blaming announcers for distracting his players by pointing out their actual weaknesses.

I just want to take a moment to applaud Goony's outstanding "Trading Places" reference, which seems to be lost on everyone. Kudos

Things I wouldn't have guessed; Cub-wise: Murton's and Walker's lack of power Ramirez's awful start Marshall and Mormal's relative success Jones' production (better then I thought) Cedeno has actually played more then I thought (probably becuase Neifi gets to start at 2B now)

Wait, who says Wood has a stubborn attitude and questionable work ethic? wood has refused to change his delivery (which probably has alot to do with his inability to stay healthy) for several years now. i guess he made some progress on that front this year but it looks like too little too late. as far as his work ethic goes, that is an assumption on my part. he seems to have gotten out of shape the last few years and gained some weight. not every pitcher can be like clemens but he is way too young to be slacking off in the conditioning department imo. Okay. I just wanted to clear up that was opinion based on your part. I've never heard anything about him "refusing" to change his delivery (in fact, I've heard the opposite) and have never heard anyone publicly question his work ethic. What I have seen is a pattern of arm abuse dating back to high school. Most of that stemming from coaches, and likely some stemming from his mechanics, as you mentioned. Source? I don't have a source. I just remember reading multiple times, coming into this year especially, that the coaching staff was working in tweaking Wood's delivery to lessen the strain on his shoulder. In addition, I believe he's changed how he's thrown certain breaking pitches (the "slurve"?) since his TJ surgery.

Can Womack still play SS? If so, release Neifi instead, please. Yeah, I know, not gonna happen. Besides, there isn't really much difference.