soapy

I agree. I'd really like to see Dusty keep the lineup the same for at least a week to see what happens.

I'm going to dream: (I'm assuming Lee won't start) Hairston CF Cedeno SS Walker 2B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Holla 1B Barrett C Murton LF Won't happen. What will happen: Perez 2B Macias CF Burnitz RF Ramirez 3B Holla LF Walker 1B Blanco C Cedeno SS

Considering last night's "shake-up", I go with this: No Lee: Hairston CF Cedeno SS Walker 2B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Holla 1B Barrett C Murton LF Pitcher I hate to put Murton that far down in the order, but I'm not sure where else I want him. Plus, I don't really want him to feel pressure by being slotted into a top spot right off the bat. I put that lineup out there FOR THE ENTIRE MARLINS SERIES and see what happens. With Lee: Hairston CF Walker 2B Lee 1B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Holla LF Barrett C Cedeno SS Pitcher As much as I'd like to get Murton in the lineup, I just don't think it's realistic that Hollandsworth will be benched right now. Whichever way it plays out, I hope for three things; 1. Do not play Macias in CF (or anywhere else); 2. Start Cedeno; 3. Stick with a lineup for a while to see if it can work (don't change it every freakin' game).

That may be, but do you really think he's worse than Macias? I mean that's what were talking about here. Nobody is claiming that Grieve is some outstanding player. The point is, he's better than Macias. As is Kelton for that matter. It seems fairly obvious to me.

I think they're just guessing what the lineup will be. That's all I was doing, guessing. Regardless of how serious the injury is, I don't think Lee will play tonight. But, again, just a guess. It will be interesting to see who plays 1B.

Any guesses on the tonight's lineup? Hairston CF Walker 2B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Dubois LF Hollandsworth 1B Neifi SS Barrett C Prior

It might be reasonable to accept "okay" production from the corner OF if the Cubs were actually getting heavy production from positions that are not typically offensively productive (like SS, 2B, C, CF all of which have been mentioned) which the Cubs aren't. You are right to say that it doesn't really matter what position that production comes from, but the Cubs simply lack offensive production, period. No matter how you look at it. It's typically mush easier to find available corner OFers who are productive rather than SS, CF and Catchers.

I don't want to start a new thread on this, but who does everybody think is going to be playing 1b for the next few games (assuming Lee is out till say...the all-star break or something). I guess the way I see it, our current choices on the roster are Hollandsworth, Walker and Dubois. I know someone (JC?) mentioned calling up Die Hard to get some time there, but I just don't think that's likely. I thought Grieve might have had some time at 1B, but in checking 2002-2005, it doesn't look like it. I still think the first thing to do is call him up and get rid of a pitcher (assuming DLee doesn't actually go on the DL). 1. Who would you put at 1B and how would you construct the lineup? 2. What do you think Dusty will actually do? Last night, Dusty put Walker at 1B, and Hairston at 2B. I wouldn't be totally opposed to putting Hollandsworth at 1B and Dubois in LF, but then we're stuck with Neifi leading off again. Also, Dusty pretty much said he won't put Hairston in LF, so we can probably cross that out. But if it were me, I think I might put Corey back on the bench for a few days and do this: Hairston CF Walker 2B Ramirez 3B Burnitz RF Dubois LF Hollandsworth 1B Barrett C Cedeno SS (I know, won't happen) Pitcher I throw that lineup out there and stick with it for the next few games to see what happens.

I agree to an extent. I would be hard pressed to name any prospect as "untouchable" if the right deal came along. However, I wouldn't give up someone like Pie for someone that isn't going to be a huge difference maker for many years to come. Also, I wouldn't use the manager's reluctance to play rookies that are deserving as a reason to trade said prospects. I'd instead fire the manager.

I'm feeling stupid today, so I say Dusty is going to surprise everyone and have Cedeno leading off today (In reality, I'm sure this won't happen): Cedeno Walker Lee Burnitz Ramirez Hollandsworth Barrett Patterson Maddux However, I didn't ever actually here Dusty say Patterson would definately be in the lineup today, so I wouldn't be shocked if he sticks with Hairston for at least one more game in CF (and leading off). Unfortunately, my gut tells me that Perez will be leading off tonight.

I'm not a big Lofton fan. The only way I would be okay with him would be if we were also acquiring a "premium" bat in LF also. If Patterson got traded in the LF deal, I guess I could live with Lofton in CF until Pie is ready. Even then, I'm not sure. I'd just assume we solve our leadoff problem in house with Walker and Cedeno at the top of the order (or Hairston when he's playing).

I read that this morning too. The thing is, everyone seems to know this (and has for some time) except Dusty. I don't know that this will change that.

I wonder if Blanco will still catch Prior. Perez, Macias, Blanco and Patterson (with his struggles) in the same lineup together is not a pleasant thought at all. :-&

I kind of figured Macias might get a start because today as Dusty is prone to give guys days off when they've won the first two games of a series. At least he's hitting 8th.

I'm actually hoping for a 6-4 record in those games. Possibly looking something like this: 2 of 3 vs. WSH 2 of 4 @ ATL 2 of 3 @ FLA 2 of 3 is certainly reasonable at home against the Nats. As has been stated, they aren't as good on the road. I think 2 of 4 is more reasonable then 3 of 4 at Atlanta. I haven't seen the pitching matchups yet, but they've been playing well lately. Florida is struggling a little right now, so I think 2 of 3 is a real possibility in Miami. I think 6-4 would be pretty respectable and would put the Cubs at 45-40 heading into the break.

Only if it's followed by a trade for a significant bat in LF (which would likely include Patterson). I don't see how Mark Kotsay alone solves our offensive problems. If you are going to play him in LF, why not just put Hairston out there? No no, you inferred correctly the first time, Kotsay is just one of two new OF-ers I want. I put him in CF and go get a bat for LF (Huff? Mench? Kearns?) I like Kotsay's defense, I like his attitude (always plays HARD), he has some speed, he makes contact. He's not a power hitter, big deal, neither is Patterson really. But I want Kotsay's 60 points better OBP and 100 points better OPS in my lineup. I bat him leadoff of course, and put Walker right behind him. What would it cost? Dunno, hard to say what Beane is looking for. Yankees would offer any or all of their three semi-marketable, semi-prospects (Cano, Duncan and Wang). Red Sox could dangle Youkilis (who'd likely interest Beane, but where would he play with Chavez at 3B?) and then what? They've consistently said Hanley Ramirez is untouchable. Then there's us. I put a pool of 5 nice prospects in front of Beane and tell him to pick any two he wants. These would be our good, but not premier prospects--things like Hill, and Sing, and Craig, and Ryu etc...Then see what happens. I'm glad you clarified. I agree with much of what you've said. I'm not necessarily against having Kotsay in CF for the next year and a half (until Pie is ready) if it means Patterson has been flipped in another deal that yields a significant bat.

Only if it's followed by a trade for a significant bat in LF (which would likely include Patterson). I don't see how Mark Kotsay alone solves our offensive problems. If you are going to play him in LF, why not just put Hairston out there?

More speculation on the interest in Kotsay (I didn't see this already posted, so I hope it's not): http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=makingaplayforkotsayyank&prov=tsn&type=lgns Lists the Yankees, Red Sox and Cubs.

Neifi has value, but it is confined strictly to his defense. The problem is Dusty considers Neifi an OFFENSIVE asset because of his ability to bat left-handed, and Macias too. Dusty will play the L/R matchup every time. With our current roster that means an opposing manager can insert a righty reliever whenever our pitcher's spot in the batting order comes up and Dusty will always PH with Macias and Neifi. Competent managers will exploit this weakness all year. Only an extraordinarily stupid opponent would put in a lefty reliever to face Dubois/Hairston when the alternative is a righty vs. Macias/Neifi. Most closers are righties, so I expect to see the Cubs give up some easy saves, as in game 2 of this season. But Macias and Neifi are switch-hitters. Won't matter. They'll get to hit either way. No, when the situation call for a righty bat I am sure Dusty will use a PH who can ONLY bat right-handed whenever possible. Unnecessarily using Macias or Neifi vs a lefty pitcher would be a waste of one of our only two lefty hitters on the bench. Do you think that matters? What if it's the bottom of the 9th? Will he still be worried about saving one of his lefty "bats"?

Neifi has value, but it is confined strictly to his defense. The problem is Dusty considers Neifi an OFFENSIVE asset because of his ability to bat left-handed, and Macias too. Dusty will play the L/R matchup every time. With our current roster that means an opposing manager can insert a righty reliever whenever our pitcher's spot in the batting order comes up and Dusty will always PH with Macias and Neifi. Competent managers will exploit this weakness all year. Only an extraordinarily stupid opponent would put in a lefty reliever to face Dubois/Hairston when the alternative is a righty vs. Macias/Neifi. Most closers are righties, so I expect to see the Cubs give up some easy saves, as in game 2 of this season. But Macias and Neifi are switch-hitters. Won't matter. They'll get to hit either way.

Hendry has to know that the dipwad he has running this team has no clue what he's doing. He has got to get rid of those guys, because that's the only way Dusty will stop using them. The problem is Hendry apparantly likes Macias and Neifi. He traded for Jose. He gave him 2 raises. He could have replaced him, but he didn't. Agreed. I know there is a lot of clamoring for Grieve to be called up so that Macias can be sent down/released/whatever. I don't think that will happen. I think that if/when Grieve gets called up, you can say goodbye to Dubois (that just made me sick typing it). Also, no way is Perez is going anywhere. I think he's the only bench guy capable of playing SS on the roster right now.