dalgreen

As a refresher, here is what Beane got for the other two of the "Big 3" Hudson: P Juan Cruz, P Dan Meyer, OF Charles Thomas Mulder: P Danny Haren, P Kiko Calero, C Daric Barton Of those 6 players, Haren (12-10, 3.86) has had the most success. Calero has been a good reliever, Cruz has been terrible, Thomas is hitting .109 in limited AB's. I haven't looked up the minor league stats. So what would be the Cubs equivalent of thos prospects? In asking that question, you can't look at what those prospects or players did this year, but how they were viewed prior to being acquired. That was their value (or perceived value) at the time of the trade. Hudson: Cruz (had completed a season as a top flight reliever). Dan Meyer (top pitching prospect in Braves system) and OF Thomas (4th OF with nice tools) Mulder: P Danny Haren (top pitcher in Cardinals system), Kiko Calero (serviceable reliever) and Daric Barton (top minor league hitter in Cardinals system) Applying that equivocation to the question, to get Zito, the Cubs would likely have to include a package of Rich Hill, Roberto Novoa, and Ryan Harvey. That's too steep in my opinion. I would part with either Hill or Novoa but not both. Harvey I definitely wouldn't mind giving up. It's sad that I've already pretty much given up on him.

We talk about trading guys at the height of their value yet very few speak of Barrett. Yes, I know his offensive numbers are one of the better ones from the catcher's spot in the majors, but if you can trade his bat for two bats or one bat of equal or better value, why wouldn't you? I think taking his four million off the books would help us. If we can make serious upgrades to the outfield positions, I believe we could be okay with a better defensive and less offensive catcher. The Astros and Cardinals have done well over the years with Ausmus and Matheny, for example.

I see great minds think alike!

I'm rooting for the Phillies or Nats because I hate the Cardinals and don't want to see them playing the Padres in the NLDS. What is the rationale for the wild card and division winners not playing in the NLDS, anyway? I don't agree with a lot of Joe Morgan's opinions, but he's right regarding the NLDS. The wild card should only get one home game instead of two. Thus making it a 2-1-2 series, instead of a 2-2-1 series.

I agree with all of that. However, people are now at the point where they are searching for ways to make Baker look bad. There is nothing wrong with stating that fundamentals are an issue league-wide. Yes, take issue with the fact that he defered blame yet again with respect to his own team and ability to manage. But that doesn't make the statement false or idiotic. All you have to do is listen to the players who marvel at Iguchi or Ichiro for their fundamentals. There does appear to be a gap in the US with the current generation, but perhaps that the "old" in me talking. I've grown extremely tired of Baker's excuses as well, but there will be people (particularly on here) who will take every opportunity to blow anything Baker says out of proportion just out of pure hatred without any want to offer up good baseball talk. I agree with you, fundamentals are down in baseball and other sports, but some seem incapable of even stating Baker's right even if it's in a small way. In basketball, the art of passing seems to have left as well as the mid-range jumper and free throw shooting -- all fundamentals. In football, I get sick of seeing guys who only hit instead of wrapping up and making the tackle, I get sick of seeing guys on 3rd and 8 running six yard patterns and falling short of a first down by a yard. Again, fundamentals. Baker's right, fundamentals are down everywhere, catchers refusing to shift their body to block pitches in the dirt, players' inability to lay down a bunt, or run the bases. Baker's right, but if any other manager had have said this it wouldn't have been scrutinized and criticized. Again, for those who love to read what they want to read, I hate the excuses that Baker makes a lot of times, but he's right that fundamentals in baseball aren't what they used to be. Unless, of course, you've only been following baseball for the last ten years, then I can see why you couldn't see a difference in the fundamentals of today's game vs. the past.

With the injury histories of Wood and Prior, I think the Cubs need to hold on to guys like Williams and Hill.

They already stay away in droves. I'm talking about staying away as in, "The upper deck is closed today" staying away. Yes, a blast from Wrigley Field's past.

I hope the Pirates fans stop going to PNC Park until their ownership decides if they want to field a major league team or a AAA team. Their excuse for "conning" the public into building a new stadium was they needed it to be competitive. So all they did was throw a couple of bones at Giles and Kendall and then traded them (yes, they got Bay, but he will be gone soon, too). Do any of you see any difference between the Pirates now and the Three Rivers Stadium Pirates? PNC Park is a beautiful park and the fans deserve that for putting up with the nonsense known as Pirates baseball for the last 12 seasons.

Really? Have you read my opinions in the "MVP" thread? Not biased toward Pujols, at all. How about the thread titled "Who will win the World Series". My pick? Not the Cardinals, but the Red Sox. Did I campaign for ANY Cardinal to win ANY award last year? No. I believe that Bonds deserved the MVP, and there were no Cardinal pitchers worthy of the Cy Young Award. So you point isn't really valid. If Clemens and Carpenter had their numbers reversed, would I be clamoring for Carpenter as the Cy Young winner? I'm not sure. It's certainly a close enough contest that a little "Redbird bias" can sway me. It's those of you who think it's a "no brainer" for Clemens who are biased. There's a VERY solid case for Carpenter to win, because he has the whole package, not just the ERA title. Oh, and Andruw Jones doesn't belong in the MVP conversation with Pujols, and it is pretty much "ridiculous" that he's mentioned. Wow, I didn't expect a StL media member to be on here! :P Let me further explain my points. First, based on the number of Cardinal fans I know and hear, your opinion that Bonds has deserved the last two MVP's is definitely in the minority. Second, the whole argument for Pujols the last two seasons has been, "Is the MVP for the player with the best stats or the player who's most valuable to his team?" That has been the question. Of course, a ton of Cardinal fans and media thought it was who was most valuable to his team, and since the Cards won last year and the Giants didn't , they said it should've gone to Pujols. Now the script is flipped, and, no, Andrew Jones' numbers don't compare to Pujols, but where would the Braves be without Jones considering the Braves injuries? I'm not saying Jones should win the MVP, I'd vote for Pujols, but I'm talking about the automatic dismissal of Lee or Jones winning as ridiculous. It's not. Heck, one could argue that Carpenter is the Cardinals MVP over Pujols. I'm not saying he is, just saying you could make an argument that Carpenter is the team MVP. I can't think of anyone other than Jones who could be the Braves MVP. Again, for those who love to read only what they want to read, if I had a vote, I'd vote Pujols for MVP, and flip a coin between Carpenter and Clemens (unless Clemens is hurt the rest of the year).

Carpenter's extra innings of great performance are taken into account in more advanced metrics. Clemens still comes out ahead. Which "metric" measures this: The Cards and Astros battled for 13 innings Friday night (the Astros ultimately won the game). The bullpens were spent. So on Saturday, Clemens and Carpenter squuare off. Clemens bails out after 5 innings (having given up 2 earned runs), with his team trailing 2-1, and Houston ends up having to use 5 more relievers, after the 13-inning affair the night before. Clemens didn't give himself a CHANCE to win that game, really. Carpenter, meanwhile, clearly didn't have his best stuff (was in alot of trouble early), but battles for 9 innings, giving up only 2 runs, and gives his team a completely rested bullpen for the next day's game. This isn't the first time that Clemens has bailed out of a game early. But hey, at least he's keeping his ERA and "WARP" intact!! Carpenter is now on pace to pitch at least 28 more innings than Clemens this year. That's the equivalent of 4 extra games. You don't think that makes a difference to a team? Carpenter's downfall is one bad start, back in April. One bad start has cost him, but people forget that he's going to pitch the equivalent of 4 extra games over Clemens. Oh, one more thing. Carpenter has now pitched 24 innings at Minute Maid, and has a 1.13 ERA there. So don't give me this crap about how what Clemens is doing is "even more amazing, because of the park that he plays in". Minute Maid is playing as one of the most extreme pitchers parks in baseball this year. Yeah, Clemens really bailed. He said to himself, "I might be able to help the team further, but I might gain a little bit in ERA so I better not risk it. I'll just make up some stuff about my hamstring". If by "most extreme pitchers parks in baseball this year" you mean middle of the road with a slight lean towards hitters, than you'd be right. Busch is much more of a pitcher's park this year than MMP, but then again, I never brought up or even insinuated park factors were an issue. As you will quickly find out ,now that you're a Missouri resident, there is a definite "small market" inferiority complex among St. Louis sports fans and media. Flip the script, and give Carpenter Clemens' stats and the team, and give Clemens Carpenter's stats and team and they'd swear Carpenter should win the Cy Young. To me, there are great arguments for both guys, but I hate how in St. Louis there seems to be a great feeling of injustice if Carpenter doesn't win it. I just find it remarkable how any pitcher pitching in Minute Maid half the time can have a below 2.00 ERA. Same thing regarding Pujols vs. Jones vs. Lee for MVP. Joe Buck (whom I generally like) said yesterday he finds the comparisons between Pujols and Jones for MVP, "ridiculous". Why?

Which makes me wonder why anyone would trade for Atlanta's pitchers or their pitching prospects. Other than Jason Schmidt, I'm trying to think of impact pitchers that they let go who then had success after leaving. From the wayback machine, didn't Paul Assenmacher come from the Braves? He was a very effective loogy for some bad Cub teams, IIRC. Good call. But I'll call him the exception rather than the rule until we come up with other names.

Which makes me wonder why anyone would trade for Atlanta's pitchers or their pitching prospects. Other than Jason Schmidt, I'm trying to think of impact pitchers that they let go who then had success after leaving. I still remember people scratching their heads when they let go of Avery, Rocker, Milwood, etc. It will be interesting to see how the two pitchers we picked up from them in the Holla trade work out. I remember other trades we made getting some of their pitching prospects not working out --Michah Bowie, Ruben Quevedo and Andy freakin' Pratt.

:shock: Even when calling for walks, he denounces walks. I give up. http://www.phog.tv/images/emoticons/burningman.gif On a not really related note, Bruce, is it more or less guaranteed that we'll see Neifi in Cubbie blue next year? What's wrong with not being a "walk guy?" On its face it's a bad quote, but I felt he explained it pretty well. I wouldn't want guys going up every plate appearance just looking for a walk. I thought he explained it very well with the use of the 3-1 count explanation. It's just too bad he waited until halfway through the season before he even acknowledged the poor plate approach of our hitters.

I don't think this is a big deal. If announcers criticize players, the players should be free to state their case too. I can understand Walker being frustrated. He's played fairly well and been subject to a number of trade rumors this week (when he clearly wants to stay in Chicago). There's no reason to blow this out of proportion. But what is the big deal when an announcer says anything as long as it's not personal? Are there now spies relaying information from the tv sets in the clubhouse to the players? If Brenly had said, "The Cubs have quit" or "They are showing no heart" I could see the need to respond, but Walker responding to "The Cubs haven't hit the ball hard" doesn't seem harmful to me, especially if you've been one-hit. There are other things he should be concerned about. And regarding the trade rumors, I think it a bunch of bunk when professional players allude to or claim that they may be distracted by trade rumors. These are the same guys who are constantly saying, "it's a business."

It's not the number of pitches that gets a guy hurt, it's the stress of the pitches. Hernandez is frequently among the league leaders in numbers of innings pitched. He can throw 120+ a game and it'd be the equivalent of Zambrano and Prior throwing 90 because Hernandez throws a lot of off-speed stuff. Anyway, Leyland is the one who recommended to Jocketty to get Abraham Nunez, who up to this year looked like a scrub. One could argue that he's one the top three MVP's for the Cardinals. But, it would bother me that Leyland had a job once (in Colorado) and just quit. Anyway, no matter who manages the team you need good players to be successful.

In the Daily Herald's article, Walker is quoted as saying, "Brenly said on the broadcast we didn't hit too many balls hard. I hit three right on the screws and eight or ten more were hit hard." I don't pretend to know what question he was asked that would produce such a response, but I don't see what the importance of what Brenly said has to do with anything.

A bunch of writers will climax over Carpenter's probable 22 -24 wins this year (I think he has 6 starts left). Assuming Carpenter and Clemens finish the season strong the question will be, "Do you vote the Cy Young to the best pitcher or the most dominant pitcher?" By the way, I think it would be cool if they split the vote and Willis ended up winning.

What is neifis OBP compared to Hairston? How many ABs has Neifi had compared to Hairston. How many SBs? Runs? SOrry, I dont buy that Perez has been better. Even being a little better than Perez shouldn't be considered a compliment for anyone. The problem is Hairston, Perez and Macias are all too similar to be on the same team.

Okay, Santo has lost it. He said, "Perez has had a stellar year." I'm not one who thinks Perez is the devil, but stellar is not how I'd describe his season.

Do the Cubs have the right to make Patterson to play over the winter? I don't think so. However, I don't know why Patterson wouldn't want to do it. I made the suggestion on here prior to his demotion. But, "It's just a game, you know."

The Dodgers have scored 19 runs so far this series against us. I bet they don't get a combined 19 runs in their next seven games. Pathetic. Do you think Corey Patterson should play winter ball? Better yet, maybe Baker should manage winter ball to brush up on some things. Never mind, he'd just play the 22 year olds over the 20- 21 year olds.

Play Jerry at second for an entire season, or look at his numbers with the O's. As I said back in April, Jerry Hairston is a mediocre player. He could be the Jose Macias in terms of versatility for 2006, but he shouldn't be an everyday anything. Walker should be the option at 2nd next year. There's a couple scenarios in which I'd be willing to see Hairston as a starter, but it should be a fallback option, not a first or second choice. Scenarios, such as? And I agree. It should only be a fallback, a serious fallback, I mean a serious fallback, option.

Play Jerry at second for an entire season, or look at his numbers with the O's. As I said back in April, Jerry Hairston is a mediocre player. He could be the Jose Macias in terms of versatility for 2006, but he shouldn't be an everyday anything. Walker should be the option at 2nd next year.

And here I make fun of St. Louis sports fans for their inability to let go of their former players like Ozzie Smith, Kurt Warner, Brendan Shannahan and Brett Hull. Why is the comparison of Simon and Choi still being made?

You can take chances on "kids" when you have stud-like players in the lineup as the Yankees do with Sheff, Jeter, Giambi and A-Rod, or the Mets with Wright, Floyd, Beltran and Cameron (pre-injury). After the way this season has gone, I hope the Cubs realize guys with histories of injuries need to be treated like you expect them to have injuries next year. We need another high OPS guy in the lineup in case Aramis Ramirez has groin or quad problems next season. That's why i'd like to see high OPS guys playing the corner outfield spots (unless you can find a high OPS guy who plays centerfield) next year. I think Murton makes for an ideal 4th outfielder next year.