Outshined_One

I don't think anyone here is advocating trading DeRosa simply for the sake of trading him. I think most people on this board would agree that he was a surprisingly good pickup and has been one of the better players on this team both offensively and defensively. However, at the same time, it is possible that his value might be at an all-time high right now. Maybe there's a good likelihood that he'll continue to produce beyond the amount of money the Cubs are going to pay him over the coming seasons, but at the same time, there was plenty of consternation when he was first signed over his possible productivity. Maybe he's producing well now, but will he continue throughout the duration of his contract? Along with that, this team has a surplus of cheap and potentially productive guys who could play 2B in Theriot, Patterson, and Fontenot. Once again, it's not a given these three guys will outproduce DeRosa over the coming seasons, but the Cubs have a lot of options and they're going to have to start freeing up some space. I think I should emphasize something right now, though. I'm not burying DeRosa. Far from it. I think he's one of the most valuable members of this team in terms of what he brings to the table for what the Cubs are paying him. I'd hate to see the Cubs arbitrarily trade him away for low level prospects and spare parts. However, if the Cubs traded him for some worthwhile prospects or as part of a larger deal for a worthwhile upgrade at a position of need, I'd be all in favor of it.

It's also what makes him a valuable trading chip though. Precisely. If some team is dumb enough to part with a B+ level prospect or better for DeRosa, I'd take the prospect and run.

Florida traded him to Texas with Will Smith and Ryan Snare for Ugueth Urbina. Wow.

Considering his youth and ungodly IsoD, I'd say no. that 38.7 K% certainly isn't helping things. that's an ungodly K rate. The guy sucks at making contact, but his relative youth and high BB rate are reason for some hope.

Why do I have a feeling this will be one of those games where Maddux goes 7 and won't see a single ball leave the outfield?

Why do I have a feeling this will be one of those games where Maddux goes 7 and won't see a single ball leave the infield?

Tulowitzki has been awful this year, granted he has big upside. Theriot and Tulowitzki have virtually been the same plyer, except Tulowitzki has hit a couple more dingers and Theriot has stolen more bases. Adding Tulowitzki would be a wash with the way he's playing right now, we might as well keep Theirot at SS and Fontenot at 2B. Plus if we trade Barrett we need a bat to supplement the loss of power from his position, and Hawpe fits the bill as well as the debacle in RF, and I'd miuch rather have Hawpe and his 139OPS+ over Tulowitzki's 84OPS+ Considering Tulowitzki was called up last season, the Cubs would have him under their control for a considerable amount of time. He also skipped AAA altogether, so some of his development time went flying out the window. He'll get better with time. I'd do Jones + Barrett for Tulo in a heartbeat. However, something tells me that's not going to happen. The Rockies have a pretty good system talent-wise, although many of them have been struggling or putting up unimpressive numbers on the season with a few exceptions (Greg Reynolds). Plus, the team has shown a complete blasé attitude about throwing around cash towards players who don't deserve it...so something tells me money wouldn't be a factor in terms of acquiring talent. I think they'd make a good trade partner.

Ugggggggggggggh. What a disappointment.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9674/hamsterwh8.gif

The Barrett fight hurt him in my eyes, but this guy is so hard not to like. I was cracking up when I read about this.

While some guys are legitimate flops, others seem to be more the victim of injuries than anything else. That's something else altogether, imo

Daniel Moskos will soon be joining those ranks, based on what I've seen of the guy.

My favorite umpire story... My dad went to medical school down in South Carolina and the school had a club baseball team. The umpire behind home plate was giving the team a rough time one day calling balls and strikes to the point where the pitcher pretty much had it. The pitcher goes up to the ump and the following exchange occurs: Pitcher: "That's it, I've had it! If you ever get carted into the emergency room, you better pray I don't take your case." Umpire: "Boy, if you're as good of a doctor as you are a pitcher, then you'd better let me bleed!"

Here's a fun exercise, go to the National Baseball HOF website and look at all of the second basemen inducted who played most of their careers after 1945. Here's the list: Nellie Fox Rod Carew Bobby Doerr Bill Mazeroski Joe Morgan Jackie Robinson Ryne Sandberg Red Schoendienst That's it. Some comments... -Carew spent the first 8 years of his career at 2B, then the last 7 at 1B/DH. Robinson's best stretch was during the five years he spent at second, but he played much of his career elsewhere around the diamond. It's a bit tough to classify both as 2Bs compared to some of the guys on this list who spent the overwhelming majority of their careers at 2B. -The two players above aside, what an underwhelming list. Mazeroski was a joke of a selection while Nellie Fox was a bit of a head-scratcher. Schoendienst is a name I'm unfamiliar with, ditto Doerr, so I can't comment on either. However, Doerr's offensive numbers compare pretty well to Sandberg. I wonder how his defense compared? After a cursory evaluation of players from this era and the ones on the above list, Biggio is a lock. His numbers slot in pretty well with Doerr and Sandberg, plus there are enough other positive factors in his favor to see him get elected. Frankly, he deserves it. However, the more fun question is, what other 2Bs from this era have a shot at getting in? Here are some possibilities: Robbie Alomar Jeff Kent Lou Whitaker ...ouch. Whitaker was a really underrated 2B, though. In spite of the lack of accolades (save for AL ROY), he put up some darn good numbers.

Feh, they'll call up a replacement who'll hit .300/.380 the rest of the way with 15 HRs.

Let's hope Ned Yost can be an idiot and use him out of the pen.

Surprise of the day? No HRs! :shock:

Big win today with Milwaukee winning and St. Louis facing KC! If they can get back to .500 by the end of the month, I'll have a really good feeling about the rest of the way.

If the wind's blowing out, this game may very well end with a score of something like 18-14.

THT had a terrific article on the Top 10 Draft Picks, complete with video for many. Here's Vitters: Some nice food for thought, especially considering most people were wondering whether Vitters would ever hit 25 or more HRs in a season if he made the majors.

so he has to win a world series and the reason he hasn't so far is because he trades his prospects that failed to win him a world series? At least he got a playoff series win that managed to get some people off his back.

It's sad that I automatically know what a person means when he says about a hitter, "he hit a Pierre" or "he Pierre'd it".

Suarez probably will head to the DSL or VSL. Andersen's battling some injury issues (back I think?) and probably won't be back at 100% until the end of the month at the latest. If Vitters' bat is as good as advertised, there's a pretty good chance you'll see him in Boise this season.

I'd have to wonder what that record would look like if he didn't wear armor on his elbow. If someone could show how many of those HBPs hit his body proper rather than his elbow, I'd like to see it. Hmmm.... 1) Eddie Collins 2) Ryno 3) Rogers Hornsby 4) Napoleon Lajoie 5) Biggio or ....hate to say it Joe Morgan Good list...but I think Morgan has to be higher than 5. The guy was an offensive force of nature for many years and has a legitimate case to be considered the greatest Post-WW2 2B. As for Biggio's chances, he'll make the HOF, no question asked. It's difficult to assess whether he's going to be a first ballot guy, though. He received MVP votes in five years, 1994 (16th), 1995 (10th), 1997 (4th), 1998 (5th), and 1999 (12th). The only seasonal meaningful (in the eys of HOF voters) offensive categories he ever led were Runs (twice, 1995 and 1997), Doubles (three times, 1994, 1998, 1999, and also the leader among active 2B), and Stolen Bases (once, 1994). He also leads second basemen in singles. One curious thing that holds him back is that he is 12th in outs made over his career and first among active second basemen. Odd. However, you have to remember that the following words will be used in any given puff piece that will come up when his career ends: Hustle Gritty Intangibles Guts Scrappy Clutch Toughness Feisty Pest Enthusiasm Gumption Will Heart Role Model Overachiever Infectious Tough Tenacious Middle aged sports writers everywhere might jump all over voting for him. He might not be the ideal candidate for first ballot, but the potential is most certainly there.

Whoever came up with the word "proactive" should be dragged out into the street and shot. I can't stand that buzzword. /end rant