CubfaninCA

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll: Uh oh. You used "herd." :wink: Uh, ok, um, don't get that.... :-k Just teasin ya. :D That's labelling.

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll: Uh oh. You used "herd." :wink:

No offense to you, nick23, but that's a widespread misperception on this board. The Cubs are first in BA in the NL, second in HRs, lead in total bases, and are 6th in runs scored. That's hardly 'no offense.' The Cubs' problem is that they allow more runs than they score. Period. That's a function of bad pitching, bad pitching, bad pitching and bad pitching, with some bad fielding thrown in. Stand pat on the hitting, improve the fielding (especially up the middle) and add one good starter, 2 good relievers and one great closer, and I guarantee you the Cubs will be a playoff team. That having been said, I agree with you about Furcal. He makes this team better with his defense alone. It was awfully brave of you to take on the groupthink here w/ stats. Rather ironic too. "No offense" and "bad offense" do not describe this Cub lineup. It's middle of the road, just like the pitching and the defense. The Cubs need to improve all 3 areas and get a new manager, and hope for some luck for a change. Hey look, more unnecessary labeling! The Cubs are middle of the road on offense, and it's something they have to improve upon. Lee won't keep up this pace, and we have holes at all 3 OF positions plus SS. The Cubs pitching has been middle of the pack, but there's reason for optimism, since Prior missed the time he did, Dempster was only in the pen for part of the year, plus Wood is still a talented pitcher when he comes back. The pen could stand some revampment, but with 3 of the rotation spots in stone with Wood likely to come back into one, adding a starter is not an absolute necessity IMO. To my surprise, the Cubs are near the top of the NL(2nd or 3rd I believe) in defensive efficiency. It's not necessarily an area that I'd target to downgrade or upgrade intentionally, although I wouldn't let below average defense in certain areas prevent me from going after a superior offensive player. Oh cmon. The same ol crap about "no offense" is thrown out ad naseum here. The facts speak for themselves, and some people are just plain wrong. I guess I should apologize for using the word "some" now. :o

Lol @ your obsession. Perhaps it would have been idiotic to let Hill get shelled a third time in a row??? I'm glad he got on his feet @ Iowa. Let him start the rest of the way and move Rusch to the pen. what's funny is that when hill was pitching poorly, and rusch was pitching well the fact that you were starting a thread per day about it was just fine. but now that you've been proven WRONG (and have been noticeably silent on the matter), i'm 'obsessed' with it. of course when you were saying the two needed to be flipped it was after hill had pitched poorly, and when i said that sending hill down for rusch was stupid it was before rusch pitched poorly. but i guess it's easier to be 'right' when you say stuff after the fact. Just cause Hill got guys out @ Iowa doesn't mean he'll get guys out in the big's. Wellemeyer can get outs @ Iowa too. The guy didn't need to get thrown to the sharks a third time, and when you're a big market team in a pennant race, and you have a guy w/ 3.32 ERA in 10 starts in the pen you start him instead of the kid who can't get anyone out. With that said, I hope Hill does great when he returns.

Authority? When the hell did I ever claim authority on any issue on this board. Man, it surely is interesting to know how many people apparantly stockpile past posts of mine and wait to come out of the woodwork to attack me with words from history. I must really have affected your lives for you to act this way. How humbling. For the record, I freely admitted that Lee was much better than Choi, and the trade, on a player for player basis was certainly a "win" for Hendry. However, what I didn't like was the fact that the team made a move that I didn't think improved the team on the whole. Oh, and while people sit there and say there was no possible way to predict the injury riddled seasons of Prior and Wood, thus giving a free pass to Hendry for his failings to produce a winner, there was also no possible way to predict Lee's emergence from a clear cut second tier mildly productive 1B to an MVP candidate. The Cubs traded for a stable, consistent good 1B, and had no idea he would turn into a 1100 OPS kind of guy. They also thought Zambrano was done as a starting pitcher prospect and tried moving him to the pen, apparantly not realizing he would be the best of the starters in a couple years. That stuff happens in both directions. Individually none of it matters. What matters is the team's record at the end of the year. And right now we're approaching the end of the year and the team Hendry spent $100 million putting together, has an awful, unforgivable, inexcusable record. But you go ahead and spend your time worrying about how unfair I am to judge the team, the GM, the manager, the entire organization, on it's record. You don't need to claim it. It's implied. So what are your solutions?? Where should the money have went??

What else do you judge a GM on other than the success of the team he put together? Am I supposed to praise Hendry for putting together a team with a good batting average (ignoring the lack of OBP)? Should I get excited that he managed to once again field a pitching staff that will lead the league in K's? I am very willing, and very able to make a solid argument about how poorly this team was put together, and how Hendry has failed. I've done it for 3 years on this board. The results speak for themselves. The only way to justify defending Hendry's moves is by ignoring results and living in fairy tale land. What were your moves again?? Keep Choi? Sign Beltran?? The way you carried on about the Choi trade should leave you w/ little authority. Didn't you just bemoan the axe grinding in a previous post in this thread? Bringing up an alleged position of another poster from two years ago certainly sure seems to fit that bill. I don't remember where Goony was on the Beltran signing. However, if you're looking to cast dispersions at someone who advocated to sign him, point your rather feeble remarks in my direction. Beltran certainly has had a disappointing season for the Mets, but there are issues that need to be accounted for, which include injuries and an adjustment period to the Big Apple. You may not think much of those facets of his transition, but I give them weight. In addition, you have to look at the long range availability of difference making OFers available. In short, there are none currently and the Cub OF is an absolute wreck. As far as Goony's "authority" goes, well, based on his posting history, the thought he puts into his posts, and the level of knowledge he generally brings to the table, I give his opinion great weight, much moreso than anything I've see from you to date. Tell me, what exactly have the Cubs accomplished since acquiring Derrek Lee? I love the guy, but was 1B a need position when the trade was made? Could that money been used better, such as acquiring Tejada or pursuing Guerrero? There is a bigger picture here that needs to be considered. Simply taking a juvenile shot at another poster for a single facet of larger scenerio is ridiculous. Without Lee this team would have 10-15 less wins. The Guerrero signing didn't happen cause Sosa was in rf. The Trib wasn't going to put up the money for Tejada or Beltran. Perhaps the shots should be targeted at the Trib?? The bottom line is that if Prior and Wood are as good as 2003, this team's on it's way to 90+ wins. I think most thought those two would only get better given their age.

Lol @ your obsession. Perhaps it would have been idiotic to let Hill get shelled a third time in a row??? I'm glad he got on his feet @ Iowa. Let him start the rest of the way and move Rusch to the pen.

Nomar probably ends up playing 3b on the west coast.

No offense to you, nick23, but that's a widespread misperception on this board. The Cubs are first in BA in the NL, second in HRs, lead in total bases, and are 6th in runs scored. That's hardly 'no offense.' The Cubs' problem is that they allow more runs than they score. Period. That's a function of bad pitching, bad pitching, bad pitching and bad pitching, with some bad fielding thrown in. Stand pat on the hitting, improve the fielding (especially up the middle) and add one good starter, 2 good relievers and one great closer, and I guarantee you the Cubs will be a playoff team. That having been said, I agree with you about Furcal. He makes this team better with his defense alone. It was awfully brave of you to take on the groupthink here w/ stats. Rather ironic too. "No offense" and "bad offense" do not describe this Cub lineup. It's middle of the road, just like the pitching and the defense. The Cubs need to improve all 3 areas and get a new manager, and hope for some luck for a change.

Very good... :o

Choi tanked before the injury. I think the vast majority of players in the game go through a stretch where they hit .200/minimal run production over 50 ab during the course of a 600 ab, 162 game season. Indeed. By they way... has Choi extracated himself from that tank yet ?? .809 OPS this year, still far better than Eric Karros against RH. Gmab w/the .809 ops. He's still not an everyday player. He rarely plays against lefties and Tracy sits him against certain righties. Play him everyday and he's probably in the mid-700's, if that. HE'S STILL BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE THAT DUSTY PUT OUT THERE. Jeez, people are so quick to point out his lack of success on the whole that they forget that the "crappy" Choi WAS OUR BEST OPTION AGAINST RHP. Better than Randall Simon?

Give him another shot next year, but how much you want to resign him for?? If the Yankees offer him 3 and 30, you want to match??

If the Cubs can get Giles, and either trade for Manny or sign Burnett to a huge contract, then go cheap @ 2b & SS w/ Walker & Cedeno. If not spend some money on a guy will be around for quite some time, Furcal.

Yet Walker w/ his .353 obp and lightning speed is great @ leadoff. Furcal's speed generates runs and distracts the opposing pitcher. The Cubs need some intangibles. They have to be the worse situational team in baseball.

What else do you judge a GM on other than the success of the team he put together? Am I supposed to praise Hendry for putting together a team with a good batting average (ignoring the lack of OBP)? Should I get excited that he managed to once again field a pitching staff that will lead the league in K's? I am very willing, and very able to make a solid argument about how poorly this team was put together, and how Hendry has failed. I've done it for 3 years on this board. The results speak for themselves. The only way to justify defending Hendry's moves is by ignoring results and living in fairy tale land. What were your moves again?? Keep Choi? Sign Beltran?? The way you carried on about the Choi trade should leave you w/ little authority.

So what should have been done differently?? Who foresaw Wood and Patterson giving this team zero this year and Prior declining?? Yes Prior's still good and has been injured, but he's not near the pitcher he was in 2003. Imo the moves that can be scruntized are signing Maddux, Burnitz and Nomar. What would you have done w/ that money?? Sign Beltran?? Oops that would have backfired. Some of you w/ axes to grind are failing to acknowledge that the HUGE difference from 03 to 05 is that Wood and Prior are not shutdown pitchers anymore. Would things be a lot different if Prior pitched 30 games this year w/ a 2.43 ERA instead of 3.68, and Wood started 32 games w/ a 3.20 ERA instead of starting just 10 games?? I'm sure some you guys foresaw the decline of Wood and Prior though. :roll:

You don't recall correctly. I liked Choi, but viewed then (and still do) Lee as a far better player, as was one of the few that didn't have a negative knee-jerk reaction to the trade. I am a defense and fundamentals type of person. Lee fits my ideal for 1B. I was addressing goony, not you.

Weaver? Why? Throw out his one bad year in NY, and he's been solid since 2000, and he's only 29.

Get either Weaver or Millwood. Better start preparing for the end of the Wood era.

The Cubs aren't going to outbid Boston or NY for Damon. Time to move on already... Furcal's obp is 12 points lower than Walker's btw.

Choi tanked before the injury. I think the vast majority of players in the game go through a stretch where they hit .200/minimal run production over 50 ab during the course of a 600 ab, 162 game season. Indeed. By they way... has Choi extracated himself from that tank yet ?? .809 OPS this year, still far better than Eric Karros against RH. Gmab w/the .809 ops. He's still not an everyday player. He rarely plays against lefties and Tracy sits him against certain righties. Play him everyday and he's probably in the mid-700's, if that.

Interesting stats.... Choi ranks 12th amongst 1b's in ops. Neifi ranks 13th amongst SS's in ops. Of course Choi, only has 24 AB's against lefties. And for those who want to throw out Neifi's April, Choi's pretty dang streaky himself. Hence why he got benched in 03. I could have probably struck him out w/ my 75 mph fastball in August. :o Hmm interesting that anytime a good pitcher has come up recently, Choi has sat. He sat against Burnett, Oswalt and Clemens recently. But keep throwing that .817 ops @ us. He's awesome like Neifi. :D

Who says? Id rather have two average defenders who are in the top 25% offensively for relatively cheap. Especially considering the offensive question marks we will undoubtedly once again be entering the season with in the OF. Ever notice the pitching and defense aren't that good either. Get Giles to solve the offensive problem. Getting Giles may not be enough, though. If the Cubs gamble with unproven bats in LF and SS and a question mark of a bat in CF, they could easily be out of it by June if those gambles don't pay off even with Giles in the line-up. 3 question marks in the same line-up is 2 too many, IMO. If Nomar will come back for a base salary of 3-4 million with heavy incentives for plate appearances, the Cubs had better take it. Then all they would have to worry about is how to acquire 2 great offensive OFers... :roll: If Murton's as good as some say, a 1-6 of Furcal, Murton, Giles, Lee, ARam and Barrett's pretty solid. Put Patterson in cf and Cedeno @ 2b. People should be happy that the kids are finally getting a shot.

The Cubs offense in 03 vs. the Cub offense in 05. 03. C. Miller. 05 C. Barrett 03. 1B. Choi/Simon/Karros. 05. 1B. Lee 03. 2b. Grudz 05. 2b. Walker 03. SS. Gonzo 05. SS. Nomar/Nef 03. 3b. Harris/ARam 05. 3B. ARam 03. Lf. Alou 05. LF. Holla/Murton/Lawton 03. CF. Patterson/Lofton 05. CF. Patterson/Hairston 03. RF. Sosa 05. RF. Burnitz. I see an improvement from 03 to 05. Given the Cubs budget constraint, I'm not really certain who the Cubs should have got to replace Alou or Sosa. As I recall many wanted Alou gone & nearly slit their wrists over Choi being traded. Saying Hendry doesn't have a clue is a load of crap.

Who says? Id rather have two average defenders who are in the top 25% offensively for relatively cheap. Especially considering the offensive question marks we will undoubtedly once again be entering the season with in the OF. Ever notice the pitching and defense aren't that good either. Get Giles to solve the offensive problem. Walker and Nomar arent problems defensively (Walker because hes fine, Nomar because he hasnt played enough), I dont know where you are coming up with that. And yes, Giles is my #1 offseason target, I believe he is a MUST if we want to compete next year. But that does still leave LF open. Wade Murton Grace in LF. :D