CarolinaCubFan

I love the "old tyme" feel of Wrigley, but nothing seems to be sacred in this game anymore. Been nice knowing you Wrigley.

Can you hook me up with some links? I'd love to read this. Not really saying a SB is high in value, rather speed has value on the basepaths.

He might hit the ball a little harder than Juan, could be one variable. I considered that, but it also means the ball gets to the fielder faster giving them more time. Juan's little dribblers off the sweet spot make the fielder rush more than a solid grounder 1 step to the right of the 3B. Agreed, but that solid grounder 1 step to the right at 3B can just as easily take a bad hop and dribble 30ft away.

this is a case where using conventional methods (i.e. actually watching) rather than stats probably wins. that or just using simple logic, of course. What about infield singles? He's obviously not getting enough of those, considering his OBP has been in the .330s or lower the past three years. Also, extra-base hits are more valuable than infield singles. Even a single to the outfield is more valuable, as it could give a runner from second a better chance to score. I hear what you are saying. There is plenty not to like about Pierres game, but when he's on base, albeit at a .330 clip, the defense has to take notice. IMHO, speed is a valuable tool to have. I agree that speed can be a valuable tool to have. However, when you're not on-base enough to use it, it's not nearly as valuable. I don't necessarily agree that the defense always has to take notice when he's on base. Greg Maddux essentially ignored baserunners for his entire career. At the Major League level, I don't think a fast baserunner rattles the defense and pitchers as much as people want to believe it does. At the lower levels, it can certainly play a bigger role. For every Greg Maddux, there are 10 "lesser" pitchers. The point is that you can have a successful (and in Maddux's case, dominant) career without worrying about how fast the guy on base is. These are Major League players. They play at the highest level of competition the sport has to offer. They don't suddenly panic because Joey Gathright is on first base or because Juan Pierre hit a ground ball at them. You can be aware of the runner's or hitter's speed without it taking away from your focus. Really? I would start typing names that don't fit that mold, but I understand what you are saying. Speed is a factor that multiple variables are involved, yet most stats people use just seem to throw speed into the category of no impact. I have a hard time swallowing that pill.

He might hit the ball a little harder than Juan, could be one variable.

this is a case where using conventional methods (i.e. actually watching) rather than stats probably wins. that or just using simple logic, of course. What about infield singles? He's obviously not getting enough of those, considering his OBP has been in the .330s or lower the past three years. Also, extra-base hits are more valuable than infield singles. Even a single to the outfield is more valuable, as it could give a runner from second a better chance to score. I hear what you are saying. There is plenty not to like about Pierres game, but when he's on base, albeit at a .330 clip, the defense has to take notice. IMHO, speed is a valuable tool to have. I agree that speed can be a valuable tool to have. However, when you're not on-base enough to use it, it's not nearly as valuable. I don't necessarily agree that the defense always has to take notice when he's on base. Greg Maddux essentially ignored baserunners for his entire career. At the Major League level, I don't think a fast baserunner rattles the defense and pitchers as much as people want to believe it does. At the lower levels, it can certainly play a bigger role. For every Greg Maddux, there are 10 "lesser" pitchers.

this is a case where using conventional methods (i.e. actually watching) rather than stats probably wins. that or just using simple logic, of course. What about infield singles? Infield singles count as hits. Thanks. I'm just saying Juan has legged out slap hits, that Aram would be thrown out on.

this is a case where using conventional methods (i.e. actually watching) rather than stats probably wins. that or just using simple logic, of course. What about infield singles? He's obviously not getting enough of those, considering his OBP has been in the .330s or lower the past three years. Also, extra-base hits are more valuable than infield singles. Even a single to the outfield is more valuable, as it could give a runner from second a better chance to score. I hear what you are saying. There is plenty not to like about Pierres game, but when he's on base, albeit at a .330 clip, the defense has to take notice. IMHO, speed is a valuable tool to have.

this is a case where using conventional methods (i.e. actually watching) rather than stats probably wins. that or just using simple logic, of course. What about infield singles?

I couldn't possibly disagree with this more. Devaluing BA to the point of nothingness is just plain stupid. But hey, maybe we can just walk our way around the bases all day, that'd be fun. Batting average has its merits, but not on its own. Take this for example: Both Dunn and Justin Morneau have 10 at bats with a runner on third (completely hypothetical). In 5 of those 10, Dunn hits a home run. The other five he strikes out. Morneau, on the other hand, hits a single in 8 of those 10 ABs. The other two he strikes out. In this example, Dunn has a batting average of .500 and Morneau has a BA of .800. Who is more productive solely on that stat? Morneau. Problem is, Dunn actually created 10 runs, whereas Morneau created just 8 - therefore Dunn truly was more productive even with the lower batting average. That's why it's extremely important to not just look at how often a player gets a hit (what batting average shows), but what kind of hits those are (what slugging percentage and OPS show). When somebody can start including all variables in stats, I'll listen.

Olney is only repeating what's been said since the offseason began. The Padres want their payroll to be cut down to 40m, if not lower. Giles and Peavy alone make up half of that at 20m. Giles has stated that he won't waive his NTC. That pretty much forces San Diego to trade Peavy. Towers' only job this offseason is to meet ownerships request. His job probably depends on doing exactly that. Towers is probably playing the leverage game to the full extent that he can with Hendry, but Hendry isn't stupid. Let's hope not. Peavy, Zambrano, Harden would get me just as excited as what Wood, Prior, Zambrano did.

I'm not a big fan of Buster Olney, but this is what he said this morning. Towers has to trade Peavy, money constraints don't allow the Padres to keep him. The Only trade partner is the Cubs and Towers is trying to get everything he can. I'm sure Hendry is trying not to give up anymore than he has to. Peavy seems to be a Cub, lets hope Jim doesn't mess this up.

Somebody needs to tell Upton that the SB is a worthless stat.

you don't think they think about their jobs as much as we think about their jobs? Lou and all the players weren't here 20 years ago, many of the fans have been. I think a lot of the fans are more emotionally vested in this teams performance than what most of the players are. I'm not saying the players don't care, I'm just saying the fans have long suffered. what does that have to do with anything? I wasn't with my company 20 years ago, and that doesn't mean I don't think about my job and performance any less than those who have been or our stockholders. I'm sure your job is very similar to Soriano's or most other players. For starters, is your job guaranteed for 8 years and $136M? No worries of getting fired, no evaluations, no reviews. I hear what you are saying, I just don't think your example is a good one. you're right, it was just as bad as those who claim the players don't care that much after the final out I concur. You know some of the Cubs are watching the playoffs from home, reading all the media reports, and feeling totally miserable.

you don't think they think about their jobs as much as we think about their jobs? Lou and all the players weren't here 20 years ago, many of the fans have been. I think a lot of the fans are more emotionally vested in this teams performance than what most of the players are. I'm not saying the players don't care, I'm just saying the fans have long suffered. what does that have to do with anything? I wasn't with my company 20 years ago, and that doesn't mean I don't think about my job and performance any less than those who have been or our stockholders. I'm sure your job is very similar to Soriano's or most other players. For starters, is your job garunteed for 8 years and $136M? No worries of getting fired, no evaluations, no reviews. I hear what you are saying, I just don't think your example is a good one.

you don't think they think about their jobs as much as we think about their jobs? Lou and all the players weren't here 20 years ago, many of the fans have been. I think a lot of the fans are more emotionally vested in this teams performance than what most of the players are. I'm not saying the players don't care, I'm just saying the fans have long suffered.

If Zambrano pitched like an ace this past year, I'd be all for Harden. Z has me worried, I'm getting Wood and Prior flashbacks. Having said this, I still think you gotta bring Harden back, I just hope there is some sort of back up plan.

I've heard the same thing I've heard for 30 years.

Pretty much. Freak accident. You best friend is pinned under a car and is going to die if you can't lift it. What do you do? Get in there and give everything you have to lift that car? or Sit back and say sorry dude, there isn't anyway I'm going to lift that car off of you.

We're one of the biggest markets in baseball. Just seems to me it's a given the press is involved.

Do people really think a lack of motivation is the problem? I've lumped several aspects into "motivation". Pressure from fans, the city, 100 years, being a playoff environment...... I'm fired up for these playoffs. The team looks like they just woke up from a nap.

If I throw a personal attack at you, you'll come back at me guns a blazing. Lou won't get banned for throwing one at Soriano. The offense has to have some kind of motivation, and so far, the playoffs doesn't appear to be enough.

Dusty Baker hugs or Lou holding the players accountable? I'll take Lou's approach any day. This team looks mezmerized, scared, or something. Lou's only hope is to light a fire under this teams butt. We can win 3 in a row against the Dodgers. If the only way to get that fire in a players eye is to call him out, I'm all for giving it a shot. We don't have much time. Hey Lou! Lee could use a swift kick to the butt while you're at it! Light a fire under their butts? Are you actually suggesting that they need motivation to win this series? Yell at the right times, and it can be extremely effective. Yell at the wrong times, and you risk losing your grip on the players. Loose 1 game and you go home. There is a reason Lou is calling players out, they haven't preformed. Give them somthing to think about over the winter, if they get mad, GOOD! I'm mad too.

He might be digging the vibe in LA, but can LA afford him? Aren't they on the hook for Andruw Jones and Juan Pierre in 2009? I could have sworn I read somewhere that Jones signed a 2 year deal at 18m per. On the other side of the coin, can LA not afford to sign him. Without him, their just a young team with some crappy contracts.

Dusty Baker hugs or Lou holding the players accountable? I'll take Lou's approach any day. This team looks mezmerized, scared, or something. Lou's only hope is to light a fire under this teams butt. We can win 3 in a row against the Dodgers. If the only way to get that fire in a players eye is to call him out, I'm all for giving it a shot. We don't have much time. Hey Lou! Lee could use a swift kick to the butt while you're at it!