CubfaninCA

Hate to go against the conventional wisdom of ~ the hitting is the problem, not the pitching. Cub pitching is not that good and they need a good fielder in cf. That's a pretty important defensive spot. Go w/ either Hairston or Patterson. If Blanco could draw walks, I think some of you would prefer him in cf. :D

Put Griffey in the cleanup spot. Griffy > Burnitz. Bat Burnitz 6th.

In addition to Tejada, Tim, I would add that in my opinion Jeff Kent was a great signing for Houston and for LA based on his high OPS. Good point about Kent. He seemed like a good fit, as he has a track record w/ Dusty.

I'm pretty sure his speeds fine. I don't know if he's conventually fast, but He had quite a few steals in AA, and the guys got like 3 infield singles. As long as Murton keeps that BA and OBP up, he's got a welcome spot on this team as long as I'm cheering for them. We can make up the power in other ways. He may be a good #2 hitter in a few years if he keeps hitting like he has been. I'd rather go w/ Lawton in LF or RF and either Pie or Patterson in CF. Find a power hitter for the other outfield spot. The Cubs can get their #2 hitter from 2b or SS. If Murton was a leadoff man, I'd like to keep him, but I doubt he can come close to stealing as many bases as Lawton. It's too early to give up on Murton developing a power stroke. Aside from that, if Lawton/Burny is resigned, figure 20 homers. If CPatt or Pie come up, figure 15 to 25 homers. If Murton plays full time for a year, figure 10 to 15 homers with the potential to hit 25 if he decides to change his swing like Ryno did. I'd be satisfied with that kind of production if they are getting on base. Hairston wont get waived this year, but will probably be packaged in an offseason trade. I doubt Burnitz is back. I want one slugging outfielder w/ 30+ home run potential. I guess they could get a power guy at 2nd in Soriano, but as had been listed here ad naseum, Soriano has negatives.

Question: What "sure fire fixes" have there been on the market the past two years? Here's what I see: Beltran - big disappointment in NY Drew - hurt again Vlad - had back questions at contract signing, so was no sure thing at the time etc. About the only free agent signing that has gone gangbusters in that time has been Tejada. While I do wish that we had him, I have to admit that I didn't think he'd be this good, either. Well, me, JH and about 28 other GM's in the business who failed to outbid Baltimore. Iirc Bartolo Colon was on the market a few years ago. Guess JH could have got him instead of Maddux, but few could forsee Prior and especially Wood's injury problems. Vlad would have been nice, but Sosa was in rf at the time and was still productive and a huge ticket draw.

I'm pretty sure his speeds fine. I don't know if he's conventually fast, but He had quite a few steals in AA, and the guys got like 3 infield singles. As long as Murton keeps that BA and OBP up, he's got a welcome spot on this team as long as I'm cheering for them. We can make up the power in other ways. He may be a good #2 hitter in a few years if he keeps hitting like he has been. I'd rather go w/ Lawton in LF or RF and either Pie or Patterson in CF. Find a power hitter for the other outfield spot. The Cubs can get their #2 hitter from 2b or SS. If Murton was a leadoff man, I'd like to keep him, but I doubt he can come close to stealing as many bases as Lawton.

Can't see Hairston being released. If they bring up Patterson, send Murton to Triple A and let him play everyday and increase his trade value. An outfielder who doesn't hit for power, w/ average to below average speed, isn't that valuable. If he played 2b, ss or catcher he'd be pretty valuable.

DuBois was the hottest prospect?? It's amazing how some turn 2 1/2 tool guys into 5 toolers. People need to get a grip. As for mortgaging the past 2 years, did you forsee Wood's injury problems?? If so, what would you have done??

That wouldn't matter, because as the rules state, the claiming team is responsible for the remainder of the player's contract (if not pulled back). Griffey's contract as is, is way too much for any team at this point in the season - including the Yankees (imho). That's why he'd likely clear waivers, paving the way for the Reds to negotiate to a team interested, and likewise a team Griffey would play for. Just my :twocents: The problem isn't getting Griffey to pass through waivers, it's the players it will take to get him getting passed through waivers. You could put one of them as a PTBNL I suppose, but I think that Cincy would still have to choose the PTBNL before the end of the year, which would still subject that player to waivers. But given how bad Cincinatti is, wouldn't the have one of the first cracks at the waiver claim? Thus, if we tried to slip a couple players through to them in exchange for Griffey, wouldn't they not have to go through all 30 teams but just through the DRays and Rockies before getting to the Reds? San Fran and Seattle have worse records than Cincy. Can't see them letting good prospects pass.

Cincy's stupid if they hang onto their over-surplus of hitters. Being #1 in runs scored in the NL hasn't gotten them anywhere. They need some pitching. If Nomar's 80%, the Cubs have the best lineup in the NL w/ Griffey, Lawton, Nomah, Lee, Griffey, ARam, Burnitz, Walker and Barrett.... The Cubs guys can clear waivers by being listed as PTBNL correct??

Is their any team below the Cubs who would pick him up?? I sure can't think of any. Maybe LA, but I doubt it. They have enough injuries problems and will probably just go w/ Bradley.

Our offense is streaky, but I don't know why everyone thinks it is so unbelievably terrible. It is above average in the NL, and not the team's biggest problem. I'd say that our pitching, specifically the bullpen, should be a much bigger concern. Today's game is a good example of the team's pitching problems. Cubs pitching in close and late games is the 2nd best in the league. Offense is the problem, especially OBP. Lack of patience is the reason why they get shut down by crappy pitchers and bullpens very often. Does lack of patience also explain why they are 5th in the NL in runs? They do score quite often. The are probably streakier than most teams, but I think some people underestimate the offense. Do you not understand that very high batting average and slugging percentage can make up for somewhat below average OBP? The team is in 8th in the NL in ERA. It's not bad, but should be better for a playoff team. Thanks for disspelling the myth that the Cubs offense is the main culprit. If people want to point figures, point it at the Trib for not giving Hendry enough money to get another superstar pitcher. Offense has been a problem because we get streaky and score in bunches. Sure that helps your stats when you get 10 mruns in one game, but it does't help if you only score two or three runs for the next three games and get shut out 5 times during the year. The offense needs to be more consistent. The year long stats don't tell the whol story and being 5th in a category may not be good enough if you want to lead your division or win the wildcard. One thing for sure, the 5th best team in the NL wont make the playoffs. This is just utter propaganda. The 11th best team in runs, Houston, is up in the wildcard. The White Sox are 5th in the AL in runs and blowing everyone away in the AL. Sure the Cubs need to score more runs, but having a strong 3rd starter would be nice.

Our offense is streaky, but I don't know why everyone thinks it is so unbelievably terrible. It is above average in the NL, and not the team's biggest problem. I'd say that our pitching, specifically the bullpen, should be a much bigger concern. Today's game is a good example of the team's pitching problems. Cubs pitching in close and late games is the 2nd best in the league. Offense is the problem, especially OBP. Lack of patience is the reason why they get shut down by crappy pitchers and bullpens very often. Does lack of patience also explain why they are 5th in the NL in runs? They do score quite often. The are probably streakier than most teams, but I think some people underestimate the offense. Do you not understand that very high batting average and slugging percentage can make up for somewhat below average OBP? The team is in 8th in the NL in ERA. It's not bad, but should be better for a playoff team. Thanks for disspelling the myth that the Cubs offense is the main culprit. If people want to point figures, point it at the Trib for not giving Hendry enough money to get another superstar pitcher. Offense has been a problem because we get streaky and score in bunches. Sure that helps your stats when you get 10 mruns in one game, but it does't help if you only score two or three runs for the next three games and get shut out 5 times during the year. The offense needs to be more consistent. The year long stats don't tell the whol story and being 5th in a category may not be good enough if you want to lead your division or win the wildcard. One thing for sure, the 5th best team in the NL wont make the playoffs. Baseball's situational?? Take it back!! :D The bottom line is that the Cubs score runs and are 5th in the NL.

Our offense is streaky, but I don't know why everyone thinks it is so unbelievably terrible. It is above average in the NL, and not the team's biggest problem. I'd say that our pitching, specifically the bullpen, should be a much bigger concern. Today's game is a good example of the team's pitching problems. Cubs pitching in close and late games is the 2nd best in the league. Offense is the problem, especially OBP. Lack of patience is the reason why they get shut down by crappy pitchers and bullpens very often. Does lack of patience also explain why they are 5th in the NL in runs? They do score quite often. The are probably streakier than most teams, but I think some people underestimate the offense. Do you not understand that very high batting average and slugging percentage can make up for somewhat below average OBP? The team is in 8th in the NL in ERA. It's not bad, but should be better for a playoff team. Thanks for disspelling the myth that the Cubs offense is the main culprit. If people want to point figures, point it at the Trib for not giving Hendry enough money to get another superstar pitcher.

Our offense is streaky, but I don't know why everyone thinks it is so unbelievably terrible. It is above average in the NL, and not the team's biggest problem. I'd say that our pitching, specifically the bullpen, should be a much bigger concern. Today's game is a good example of the team's pitching problems. The Cubs starting pitching is not very good. Kerry Wood has killed this team. If Hendry could have foresaw Wood's continual problems and addressed the need for another starter, perhaps this team could be 10 over. However, I'm not going to gripe about Hendry giving Wood the benefit of the doubt. That's true too. None of our starting pitchers have lived up to expectations so far this year. Maddux is essentially the #3 and he's not that good anymore. Also, Prior has missed a number of games.

Our offense is streaky, but I don't know why everyone thinks it is so unbelievably terrible. It is above average in the NL, and not the team's biggest problem. I'd say that our pitching, specifically the bullpen, should be a much bigger concern. Today's game is a good example of the team's pitching problems. The Cubs starting pitching is not very good. Kerry Wood has killed this team. If Hendry could have foresaw Wood's continual problems and addressed the need for another starter, perhaps this team could be 10 over. However, I'm not going to gripe about Hendry giving Wood the benefit of the doubt.

Talk about glass half empty. Would a leadoff man w/ a .450 obp make you happy? gmab

This was also mentioned earlier by George Ofman At least Patterson would be a better 8 hitter than Alex Gonzales. Well, at least I hope so. :D Let him work out his problems batting 8th. Being sent down to Iowa has to be quite humiliating considering how much big league ball he's played. Perhaps he'll get going w/ another chance and show of confidence. I'm really rooting for him. At minimum, CPatt = pitching upgrade

Have either Hairston or Patterson in cf. That's a pretty important defensive position.

Write off Cedeno too. If Nomah has any success, he's probably back and Dusty loves Neifi.

Good job by Hendry. Lawton for Gerut. Nomar & Murton for ummmmm, do any of them play?? Lee for Choi. Ramirez and Lofton for Hill and ummm ???

Cincy's nuts if they don't trade one of their hitters for some pitching. They have quite a surplus of hitters.

My guess is that Murton gets dealt in the offseason, and perhaps they make another run for Soriano. If Wood shows he can pitch a few innings out of the pen w/out getting hurt, he may be packing his bags. Pitching out of the pen may get pretty old, pretty quick. Hope so. Lawton, Nomah, Giles, Lee, ARam, Sori, Patterson & Barrett should be within the budget and could put lots of runs on the board. :D

He's got a lot to work on before he see's the light of day at Wrigley. Since he's batting below the Mendoza line, I don't see a return until the September call-ups. Bury him in the 8 spot. The Cubs did nothing to address their average pitching. Perhaps improving the defense is their only move. The Cubs aren't going to walk their way to the wildcard. Sneak into the playoffs and the Cubs pitching becomes a strength, as rotations are shortened.

Yep, I think that will be the outfield. Some people really undervalue defense. Cub pitching is not that good. Murton & Hairston may be the odd men out. If that's the case, then it means Murton goes down for Patterson, which I don't like. Of course, they could always get rid of the redundant reliever, and keep Hairston as a utility guy. But I doubt we see them do that this late in the season. Is Macias gone?? You think Hairston can clear waivers and be traded??