CubfaninCA

Well then Dusty should stop playing craps with the Cub players. He seems to be crapping out a lot. However, it is not as simple as that. Dusty didn't roll the dice. He made a decision and stuck with it even when it showed to be not in the best interest of the team. He is a piss poor excuse for a manager. You can rationalize all you want, but the rationalization will not change the facts. He was dealt a hand of crap to start with. Thankfully he got Murton, who he's playing over Hairston now. Since some of you love to throw out stat upon stat to support your opinions, I can't see how Dusty can be considererd a piss poor manager given his winning percentage over the years. I still want to see someone else manage, but will give the guy some credit.

Oh so that's the point... So just more nitpicking over craptacular and crap sandwich. (See Holla v. DuBois for more) You can certianly say that for Hollandsworth but not for Dubios. We cannot redo history so we will never know what kind of player he would have been this year if given a real chance to succeed. Everytime he started his job was on the line. No margin for error, no 0 fors. So one cannot argue with you, as someone else pointed out, that is the beauty (if you want to call it that) of your and Dusty's logic. It is not falsifiable, but it is illogical. We'll see if DuBois is any good over the next 3 year. If not, I'll rip all those who thought he'd be good, and treat them like a bunch of Dusty's and Neifi's. :o I'll try to type slow. It does not matter one iota what Dubios does for the rest of his career. What matters is it is Dusty's job to put the team in the best position to win. Hollandsworth was a known entitiy. An entity who was likely to be worse than medicore if given the everyday job. Dubois had very good numbers in every level of minor league ball. Yet when Hollandsworth demonstrated his value, he still started. That is all that matters. He rolled the dice w/ a vet who has had some success in the league over a crap sandwich 26 year old "kid." I see no reason to get all bent out of shape over someone who was doing very little after April when the league had adjusted. Scoff away @ the league adjusting. Yes it was Baker's fault cause he wasn't playing him consistently.

Oh so that's the point... So just more nitpicking over craptacular and crap sandwich. (See Holla v. DuBois for more) You can certianly say that for Hollandsworth but not for Dubios. We cannot redo history so we will never know what kind of player he would have been this year if given a real chance to succeed. Everytime he started his job was on the line. No margin for error, no 0 fors. So one cannot argue with you, as someone else pointed out, that is the beauty (if you want to call it that) of your and Dusty's logic. It is not falsifiable, but it is illogical. We'll see if DuBois is any good over the next 3 year. If not, I'll rip all those who thought he'd be good, and treat them like a bunch of Dusty's and Neifi's. :o

If Dusty's hindsight is perfect, perhaps he goes w/ Choi instead. Karros was a good player for a number of years, so Baker decided to roll the dice w/ him and was wrong. It's not like it cost the Cubs the playoffs or cost the Cubs a good player. Question were you upset w/ the Lee for Choi trade. If so, how about I rake you over the coals everyday for the next 3 years cause you were wrong. People make mistakes. That's life.

If Choi is struggling with 15 homers, hitting .257 with a .336 OPB in about 300 ABs, I'd better never see you shower praise on Neifi Perez again. I hate those .794 OPS players. That's better than Jeromy Burnitz, who has started almost every stinkin game for the Cubs. Maybe there's a reason why Choi only has 300 at-bats. He's been healthy. Perhaps Tracy's just wrong for trying to put a young guy in a position to succeed though. Sidenote - The LA media thinks Choi's garbage.

Oh so that's the point... So just more nitpicking over craptacular and crap sandwich. (See Holla v. DuBois for more)

Most shortstop's have unimpressive stats. Look @ his ops, which is middle of the pack, and factor in his very good defense, and the guy's average. He should never bat 1st or 2nd though. Dusty's fault there.

If Choi is struggling with 15 homers, hitting .257 with a .336 OPB in about 300 ABs, I'd better never see you shower praise on Neifi Perez again. Do you follow the Dodgers at all or just read the stats?? Choi's a part-time player. He doesn't face left-handed pitchers and Tracy has a tendency to sit him against guys like Clemens and Oswalt. Neifi's faces all comers, and I've said all along that he's a middle of the pack SS. Can't see how that's "praise." Nice spin though. :o Put Choi in there every day and his stat line wouldn't look as good. Of course, it's about average for a 1b where it stands. or his numbers could improve w/ more consistent playing time. Yes, Tracy's another manager w/out a clue.

The guys to build around are Z, Prior, ARam and Lee. They need to hang onto Dempster, cause he's done a nice job closing. However, I can't consider him someone to build around. Beside these 5 everyone else should be on the market, and see what they can get. Ideally, they target Giles, but the Trib lacks the cajones to do anything that significant. Hence something more realistic is targeting Furcal. Hopefully, they go after Millwood as well. After that try to pull off a trade for a left-handed power hitter and go from there.....

I can see the Muts being all over Delgado, as they lost him to Fla last year. Perhaps a 4 way blockbuster w/ the Cubs, Boston, NY & Fla where the Cubs get Floyd. Go to work guys. :wink: Ok won't happen. :o

If Choi is struggling with 15 homers, hitting .257 with a .336 OPB in about 300 ABs, I'd better never see you shower praise on Neifi Perez again. Do you follow the Dodgers at all or just read the stats?? Choi's a part-time player. He doesn't face left-handed pitchers and Tracy has a tendency to sit him against guys like Clemens and Oswalt. Neifi's faces all comers, and I've said all along that he's a middle of the pack SS. Can't see how that's "praise." Nice spin though. :o Put Choi in there every day and his stat line wouldn't look as good. Of course, it's about average for a 1b where it stands.

He went Patterson in '03 and stuck with him in '04 as well as the start of '05 b/c who was there that could play CF? Macias? Dusty wouldn't start Hollandsworth or Burnitz in CF for any extended period of time. Plus, the ceiling of Patterson and those of Murton, Dubois are separate items. neither Murton or Dubois have ever been close to the top prospect in MLB. Dubois was coming off a great AAA season, Hollandsworth was coming off a strong '04 season. The difference is that Hollandsworth proved throughout his career he was a career 4th OF'er even with his strong '04 season. With Hollandsworth being a career 4th OF'er, Dubois should've gone in as the primary LF'er unless they got an additional LF'er (I wanted Floyd). Baker could have pushed for a cf free agent.. He's the guy who brought Neifi, Macias and Burnitz here right?? Why not bring Lofton w/ him from SF??? Or perhaps he views Patterson as a 5 tool prospect, who should play despite his struggles??? Perhaps Baker has more patience w/ 5 toolers than w/ 2 1/2 toolers like Dubi.

Dubois has played all this year at 26, and spent 4 years(not exactly an eternity) in the minor leagues. The comparisons are there, Dusty handled their successes nearly the exact same way. Fortunately, Murton hasn't faltered yet so we haven't seen what he'll do if that happens. In baseball terms, it is an eternity. There is a reason why Dubois didn't see his first real big league action until 26, sorry for the misinformation I provided stating he's 27. Maybe Murton hasn't faltered because he's just better than Dubois. I think some just had too high of expectations for Dubois. I still think Murton is in a different class than Dubois. The expectations are pretty much irrelevant. I'm not trying to make a point that Dubois and Murton would have similar results, I'm trying to show how the two rookie OFs were treated, and how Dusty pats himself on the back for their success(despite hindering them), yet doesn't take any blame for their failures. Maybe it's not his fault. Maybe DuBois just isn't that good. The same arguments were made for Choi and 2 years later he's in LA and still struggling. Choi was a better prospect than DuBois too. You're missing the point entirely. Can't see why people can't get a grasp of "putting youngsters in position's to succeed." The point should be that DuBois should be playing for Tampa, not a big market team. Time to move on already and end the incessant nitpicking.

Dubois has played all this year at 26, and spent 4 years(not exactly an eternity) in the minor leagues. The comparisons are there, Dusty handled their successes nearly the exact same way. Fortunately, Murton hasn't faltered yet so we haven't seen what he'll do if that happens. In baseball terms, it is an eternity. There is a reason why Dubois didn't see his first real big league action until 26, sorry for the misinformation I provided stating he's 27. Maybe Murton hasn't faltered because he's just better than Dubois. I think some just had too high of expectations for Dubois. I still think Murton is in a different class than Dubois. Ding, ding, ding. Correct answer. Murton >> DuBois. DuBois had a hot April then cooled off considerably whereas Murton keeps producing. It's interesting how some totally disregard how Baker has stuck w/ Corey Patterson through thick and thin. He's younger than DuBois. You better duck before you're hit with the flying reason of, "Patterson was already an established position player. So he doesn't count." Dusty probably liked the .284 obp Corey posted in 2002.

Dubois has played all this year at 26, and spent 4 years(not exactly an eternity) in the minor leagues. The comparisons are there, Dusty handled their successes nearly the exact same way. Fortunately, Murton hasn't faltered yet so we haven't seen what he'll do if that happens. In baseball terms, it is an eternity. There is a reason why Dubois didn't see his first real big league action until 26, sorry for the misinformation I provided stating he's 27. Maybe Murton hasn't faltered because he's just better than Dubois. I think some just had too high of expectations for Dubois. I still think Murton is in a different class than Dubois. The expectations are pretty much irrelevant. I'm not trying to make a point that Dubois and Murton would have similar results, I'm trying to show how the two rookie OFs were treated, and how Dusty pats himself on the back for their success(despite hindering them), yet doesn't take any blame for their failures. Maybe it's not his fault. Maybe DuBois just isn't that good. The same arguments were made for Choi and 2 years later he's in LA and still struggling. Choi was a better prospect than DuBois too.

Dubois has played all this year at 26, and spent 4 years(not exactly an eternity) in the minor leagues. The comparisons are there, Dusty handled their successes nearly the exact same way. Fortunately, Murton hasn't faltered yet so we haven't seen what he'll do if that happens. In baseball terms, it is an eternity. There is a reason why Dubois didn't see his first real big league action until 26, sorry for the misinformation I provided stating he's 27. Maybe Murton hasn't faltered because he's just better than Dubois. I think some just had too high of expectations for Dubois. I still think Murton is in a different class than Dubois. Ding, ding, ding. Correct answer. Murton >> DuBois. DuBois had a hot April then cooled off considerably whereas Murton keeps producing. It's interesting how some totally disregard how Baker has stuck w/ Corey Patterson through thick and thin. He's younger than DuBois.

Neifi starting is the wrong spot. The only reason he didn't strike out was the same reason he didn't walk. He swung at everything. At usually, early pitches are pitcher's pitches. Which is why he leads the team in GIDP. I don't dispute that at all. But RBI is a real stat that can't be discarded. Same with Burnitz. People like to decry him as a terrible outfielder. I lump them into the same boat. Both are above average defensively, and both have given more RBI than expected. That's not to say I want either back, but no one here likely believed that the two would combine for 135 RBI and 133 runs scored? Compare that to last season, when the primary RF (Sosa) and SS (Nomar/Martinez) combined for 130 RBI and 119 runs scored. Sadly, Neifi and Jeromy have been a slight upgrade offensively and a big upgrade defensively. Probably why management defends them so much. I don't really understand the thought process that Burnitz and Neifi provided quality RBI's this year. Burnitz hit directly behind 3 guys hitting .300 or better all season. 1 of those guys (Walker) got on base in front of him at a .356 clip, another is one of the league leaders in OBP in Lee at .423 and Ramirez had a .358 OBP. Burnitz should have 83 RBI's with his eyes closed up there with that kind of production in front of him. But, 23 of his RBI's came from his own bat driving himself in. 12 of those at bats came with runners on, which now explains where a minimum of 35 of his RBI's came from. His poor .256 AVG/.426 SLG/.742 OPS with runners on base explains why after more at bats than anyone else on the team in a high production slot in the batting order, he only has 83 RBI's on the season. In 100 less at bats this year, Aramis still has 9 more RBI's than Burnitz. That's what comes from an OPS difference of 150 points. Burnitz has come to the plate this year with runners on 295 times. Ramirez has come to the plate this year with runners on 247 times. Lee has come to the plate this year with runners on 275 times. I would also give Burnitz the advantage in lefty/righty match ups. In other words, Burnitz sees more right handers than Aramis and Lee see left handers. This makes Burnitz look even worse. I won't even go into Neifi's RBI totals, since his OPS is as horrible as it is. Burnitz was probably the best we could get given the circumstances last year. I don't fault him for that. I do fault management for waiting until the last minute to do something with RF and having to settle for Burnitz. I was adamant about getting Cliff Floyd last year to replace Sammy. But, I really can't give Burnitz any offensive production props. Poor OPS, average pop, lack of overall production from a high production slot in the batting order. I think Murton can outproduce Burnitz with a bat now. Therefore, that experiment should be over. Next! Good post about Burnitz. With all the opporunties, he should have over 100 rbi's. Should have gotten Kent.

Neifi starting is the wrong spot. The only reason he didn't strike out was the same reason he didn't walk. He swung at everything. At usually, early pitches are pitcher's pitches. Which is why he leads the team in GIDP. So you would have went w/ Cedeno instead? Just curious. Not trying to start shhh.

Baker also said he started Dubois against Tim Wakefield because he thought Wakefield's knuckleball might mess up Hollandsworth's stroke. How does that jibe with Baker's stated approach of putting rookies in situations to succeed and gain confidence? I hate to re-hash this debacle of a season but all one has to do is look at Hendry's comments from the convention and compare them to Dusty's comments in ST related to Dubios and Mr. Craptacular. They don't jive whatsoever. I can just see it. Five years from now someone on Dodger Blues will look up all the rookies that never got a chance under Dusty and mention how terrible Dubios turned out to be. The person will never mention he was competing for playing time against the likes of Todd hollandsworth and Jose Macis. Once again, I'll try an analogy. Pat Robertson and I are being chased by a lion. I don't have to be faster than the lion to not get eaten I only have to be faster than Rev. Robertson. The rookie doesn't have to be great he only has to be better than the veteran who he is competing for playing time. Holla was good when he was healthy last year. He got the benefit of the doubt for too long this year, but DuBois wasn't any better considering he can't field a lick.

Neifi shouold be on the bench, if anywhere. That would be ideal. What's more ideal is Nomar, ARam and Walker not missing any games. :(

Coin toss. It's not like Cedeno's a 5 tool prospect, and Neifi hasn't been horrible this year. He's been a middle of the pack SS. Neifi has been horrible. And, personally, I think it's quite a little bit more than a coin toss. Neifi was extremely bad for us. His OBP, on an OBP-challenged team, was a .301. .301!! And, get this, he now has a career .301 OBP. We knew about what Neifi was going to give us -- a .301 OBP and about a .380 SLG (his career norms, including time in Colorado)! Cedeno could hardly have done worse than that. And, given his numbers in AAA, he was likely would have done a lot better than that. In 80 AB, he gave us a .356 OBP and a .375 SLG. That's a substantial upgrade, and you get the chance to evaluate him for 2006. This is what the Cubs should have done. Moreover, you probably could have traded Neifi to the Nationals, who were desperate for any kind of "upgrade" to Christian Guzman, and gotten something for one of the five worst players in MLB. Neifi should be batting 8th where obp isn't as important. His ops is middle of the pack amongst shortstop's and don't forget his glove.

What about after the Lawton trade to the Yanks? There was a window there that showed Murton hitting well in a small sample and Hollandsworth continuing to not hit before being traded? That's not throwing Murton to the wolves, that's doing what is best for the ballclub. You know what you had in Hollandsworth and yet he still started a large % of games after the Lawton trade, until he was traded. Maybe they were showcasing Holla?? :wink: Hey I wanted Murton in there earlier too. I wanted Murton, Patterson and Lawton. This should be in the archives. :o Of course, Hendry & Baker weren't going to give up on their big FA signing, Burny. I see no reason to nitpick though since the young guys, Murton and Patterson, are playing over Hairston, who's been somewhat productive. I'd rather have Neifi back than Burnitz next year. Both are used improperly and Neifi costs A LOT less. Burnitz is a 7 hitter, if that.

Coin toss. It's not like Cedeno's a 5 tool prospect, and Neifi hasn't been horrible this year. He's been a middle of the pack SS.

So what if Murton wen 2-30 against righthanders? Did Hollandsworth or the newly acquired Lawton do any better? And based on Murton is doing now and what he did in the minor leagues prior to being called up and during his second trip down this year, it's highly unlikely that he would have wen 2-30. Have you read what Cox has said about Kelly Johnson going 0-22 in his first chance? It's in a thread somewhere here. Cox knew Johnson could play, had always been a starter, and left him in to take his lumps. Johnson went on a tear shortly afterwards. If Murton had been called up to sit because an obviously better player was in front of him, that would have been one thing. Instead, he hit from the moment he got here and still had to sit while Todd Hollandsworth got playing time. Surely you can see the ridiculous nature in that! Furthermore, he didn't get to play against all lefties. Remember prior to the ASG, Holly got a start against a lefty because 5-7 days is too long to sit without losing your stroke. Baker's words, not mine. If that is true for a craptacular veteran like Hollandsworth, then why isn't it true for the rookies? Baker trying to take credit for Murton's success is ridiculous. In fact, what Murton's success shows is how much Baker has been a detriment to this team. Murton should have been the starter on July 8th and on ward and not had to wait until September. I take it you didn't like the Lawton trade... Given what Lawton had done all season prior to joining Chicago, it looked like one heck of a move given what the Cubs needed (a leadoff man). Of course, it didn't work out though. If hindsight's perfect, obviously the deal isn't made. I wish they would have sat Burnitz and played Murton. Heck bat Walker 4th. Burnitz has killed this team given what he's supposed to do (cleanup).

Little tidbit on Francoeur. He was on Rome today and said Cox has never said anything about him taking walks. He just lets him play, and he really likes that. Kinda sounds like a Dusty approach. :D