soapy

-Murton (during his rare appearances) -Cedeno (same as above) -Zambrano -Lee -Ramirez (at times) -Dempster (possible closer for next year) -Williamson (assuming his arm doesn't fall off) However, the "con" list far outweighs this one.

I've drawn mine too, but unfortunately we will get to hear how it's injuries and unsupportive fans who are to blame.

I didn't think I could possibly be more depressed than I was when I went to sleep last night. I stand corrected.

Agreed. I think it is the right baseball move, but I'm still surprised Hendry is doing it. Then again, DFAing Borowski set the precedent. Good point.

That's probably the right choice, but it still surprises me a little.

I don't disagree that the dislike for some players may be a little extreme. However, your examples of Choi, Hill, Cedeno, Harris, DuBois, Hairston and Kelton or misplaced IMO. Let's look at who those guys were competing with for playing time: Choi: Karros and Randall Simon I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect Choi to be more productive then either of those two, offensively and defensively. Hill: Grudzelanik (I can't spell) The biggest debate on this was ST 2003 when Grudz was coming of some subpar years in LA and stunk it up in Spring Training just as bad, if not worse, than Hill. Cedeno: Neifi I still believe that Cedeno would be more productive then Perez. DuBois: Hollandsworth Neither played well, but I think an arguement can be made that DuBois could be more productive if given the chance (not to mention he has a lot more upside than Holla) Hairston: Neifi (2B before Nomar's injury) and CF Hairston has stuggled since being inserted into CF, no doubt. But he's still been more productive than Patterson was (and Neifi), and his defense hasn't been any worse IMO. Kelton and Harris: I don't remember people clamoring for these two to be starters. I know some people would have liked them to be used off of the bench, and there was some clamoring for Harris to start when Ramirez was injured last year.

Translation: "We're trying to win, and all rookies suck. Therefore, I can't play them."

This was the best post in thread. I applaud you for bringing it up. Dusty was correct in this issue. Effective managers delegate responsibility for certain things, and all around baseball, at any level, this is the pitching coach's area. Of course he delegates responsibility. Nobody is saying he shouldn't. But he's still ultimately responsible for what happens on the field. The buck stops with him, period. I don't doubt that this is Rothchild's department, but it doesn't mean Dusty doesn't share in the responsibility.

I think Lee was right to say what he said. I didn't see him blaiming anyone. He clearly made a mistake too (with the attempted steal) and I'm sure he'd tell you that. In fact, he admitted as much immediately after the fact. Somebody has to start calling people out. Lee has been the offensive leader of this team. He might as well be the guy to try to light a fire under his fellow teamates if he feels that's what is required. The most frusting play was the one where Lee actually got the out. I mean, Remlinger didn't even freaking move. That was pathetic, to say it nicely. I think it's the kind of game that can either open some eyes and make people start focusing, or start a downward slide. It will be interesting to see what happens. This is why I could never be a "player's manager" (not that I could be a manager period). I would lose it on my pitchers after a game like that.

That would make some sense to me. You would figure that they would be shallower than normal because a medium-deep fly ball will score the run regardless of whether direction the player is moving, but they would need to be deep enough to get some momentum behind a throw that they could get Rollins on. My impression from the radio was that they weren't playing any shallower that normal and that seemed odd to me. The radio guys were pretty critical and I ran with that. I have to disagree with Brenley. You still have to play your outfielders shallow enough to catch a "blooper". Any medium depth flyball was going to score Rollins regardless of which way the OFers momentum was taking him. They should have been playing in closer.

After I got done screaming at my television last night (especially Barrett, Williams, Rusch and Remlinger) I started asking myself one question: What do the Cubs do well? The only answer I could come up with: nothing. Can't hit (get on base) Can't field SP has struggled (save for Z and Prior) BP has struggled (off and on) Manager stinks Can't run the bases Just plain poor execution in almost every aspect So tell me, if you can, what does this team do well?

I haven't looked at Dempster's usage pattern recently, but it seems he's been used infrequently as of late (dating back to the all-star break). Perhaps that has a slight effect on his control. Again, I haven't looked at the numbers, and I've missed a few games the last couple of weeks, but it might be something to consider. But yeah, it was hot as hell last night. I'd say that's why he was sweating

I still think Hairston can serve a purpose on this team as a backup. He can back up 2B and every OF position. If you're going to cut someone loose, it should be Macias. Neifi can play 3rd if there is a problem with Ramirez and Cedeno can play SS if necessary. I don't see any possible use for Macias at this point. Especially if/when Patterson is recalled. If there was a chance in getting something in return for Hairston, maybe.

I think I'd go with Lawton (LF) Hairston (CF) and Burnitz (RF). Move Hairston down to the 8th spot. I wouldn't be totally opposed to going Murton (LF) Burnitz (CF) and Lawton (RF), but I think the defense might suffer a great deal.

Disclaimer: I'm NOT advocating this... Something that Hendry could be thinking IF Walker is dealt (to Texas as part of Soriano trade, or somewhere else for BP help) the Cubs may go with a lineup like this: Hairston CF Murton LF Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Soriano 2B Neifi SS Barrett C Pitcher That would obviously change if/when Nomar returns. I think Hollandsworth would have to be dealt somewhere for Dusty to consider playing Murton everyday, but I suppose it's not out of the realm of possibility. I'm also intrigued by JC's suggestion that Soriano could be an option at SS. Though I seriously question how well he'd play there defensively. I really don't like the idea of shipping off one of our better hitters (Walker), but his OBP might be replaced at the top of the order with Murton.

I'd really like to see someone who is a fan of Dusty's explain some of the smart things he does, or things they think he does well in order to make him such a good manager. It seems like the people that "slam" Dusty generally (not always) explain why they disagree with the majority of his decisions. Where as often times people who like Dusty say "back to back winning seasons", "proven winner" and "He's the Cubs manager, therefore I will support him". Then of course there's the, "People on the internet are just idiots who think they know everything" comments. It just gets old IMO. That's obviously a generalization and I don't want to offend people, but I'd just like to see someone show some particular instances where they feel that Dusty has made this team better than it would be without him.

Also in that game, Sammy passed Frank Robinson for 5th all time in homers. Congrats Sammy. I look forward to seeing you reach #600. There are currently four player in front of him. Aaron, Ruth, Bonds and Mays. Wow. Those are some serious names.

Using pieces of broken bats to make toothpicks for Dusty.

Murton is playing right now, but I think that's because the Cubs have faced so many lefties lately. I question whether he'll get any significant PT when they face a string of RHP. I don't think he will. With Cedeno, Dusty's at the point where he won't even play him against lefties. He started yesterday, but when was his last start before that? Dusty also made is clear that the reason he was starting Cedeno was to rest Neifi for this weekend. Craptacular.

And if replace "Novoa" with "Remlinger" then you have the turning point of last night's game.

Not to mention Lefties that have OWNED him. Rusch seemed like the obvious choice in that situation to me.

Who's Adam Dunn? Seriously though, this has got to be the greatest thread this year, regardless of whether this deal goes through or not.

I would hope that Dusty learned something from the Chad Fox epirement. I don't think he'll put Williamson in the closer role unless something happens to Dempster. But I guess anything's possible.

This is what I'd do as well. Plus get Murton in LF often.

I especially enjoyed how they spent 2 inning talking about nothing but Rogers and the "incident" with no mention of what was happening on the field, but then said, "I don't think it's been a distraction." No, not at all fellas. By the way, I'm very fascinated to hear Joe talk about how La Russa has probably been thinking about this years All-Stare game since the end of last season. In fact, not only was I fascinated the first time he said it, I was down right tickled pink after several other mentions of it. Also, I can't get enough talk about Eckstien's hustle. It's fascinating. More please.