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TheDude

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Everything posted by TheDude

  1. TheDude
    I didn't Zambrano laboring at all. He looked as strong in the 7th and 8th as in the 1st.
  2. TheDude
    There are times Dusty doesn't get it, and in general it is a warning flag that Dusty will ride all arms the same. Zambrano at 120 pitches shouldn't bother anyone, but I worry about Marmol, Guzman, Prior, and Marshall at that count. You want these guys to build up arm strength and reliably get into 6th every game, but they can't do it in one year. Zambrano is only guy on the staff that has proven he can handle that level of pitch count.
  3. TheDude
    Everyone is over-reacting. 120 pitches for Zambrano is not a big deal. 120 pitches for Wood is a big deal. This idea of a fixed pitch count ceiling for all pitchers without regard for the specific pitcher is silly.
  4. TheDude
    Despite the short-sighted and anger-driven commentary about Hendry in this thread, Wells is exactly a Hendry-type player. Wells has always been billed as a 5-tool player. His defense is outstanding, he has speed and power. He is a toolsy player that also has some plate patience. Simply saying that because Wells has a high OBP, Hendry won't look is really ignorant. The real question/issue is whether the Cubs have enough to get Wells, and I think no. The Blue Jays will want a can't miss prospect for Wells, and the Cubs don't have that. A package of players likely won't equate either.
  5. TheDude
    There is no difference on the field between keeping Baker for the remainder of the year and letting him go now. The only difference is in the fans' minds and in perceived PR.
  6. TheDude
    What is so evil about this move again? 4-man rotations have a lower occurance of injury than 5-man rotations if you listen to Neyer.
  7. TheDude
    I actually think the Cubs might deal the two with the greatest upside, Marmol and Guzman, and use Hill and Marshall in the rotation next year. Hendry loves his lefties, so a 2007 rotation of Zambrano, Prior, FA (Schmidt please), Marshall, and Hill gives Hendry his two lefties without inserting your auto-loss Rusch/Estes prototype. Then he could deal the upside guys with higher value (Guzman and/or Marmol) as part of a package for an impact corner outfield bat.
  8. TheDude
    They can't. Javy was put on waivers when the division was tied. In that case they go back to 2005, but that was also a tie, so they go back to 2004, when the Yankees had the better record.
  9. TheDude
    Sports racism in the US exists, but it should be recognized that the US is actually in much better shape in this respect than most other countries worldwide, where it's quite a bit more prevalent and flat-out nasty. That said, I hope Jones gets to hear the other side and doesn't get jaded by select fools.
  10. TheDude
    If the Cubs make an offseason push for Soriano, it will be for LF. Hendry has been Jonesing for Izturis/Cedeno combo since last winter.
  11. TheDude
    I don't see the pursuit of Tejada anymore. I genuinely think Izturis-Cedeno is what Hendry wanted since last December. I believe Hendry is doing what he think is right: Pitching and Defense. This is not the first time, nor will it be the last. This is his MO. Therefore, if we fast-forward to the offseason, I think Hendry's number one target is Jason Schmidt. I think Hendry's number 2 target is Gary Sheffield. I also think Hendry will try to re-sign Pierre. That puts out a rotation of Zambrano, Schmidt, Prior, kid A, and kid B. That puts out a lineup of Pierre, Izturis, Lee, Ramirez, Jones, Sheffield, Barret, Cedeno. I'm [edit] NOT [/edit] saying this is my ideal, as 3 sub-.700 OPS guys is 2 too many. I just think that is your 2007 Cubs.
  12. TheDude
    Dodgers have some good talent - let's hope the Cubs got something of value in return. Especially with the cash considerations.
  13. TheDude
    You're right. They should have let him walk away a free agent with zero returns, because that is so much more brilliant. Hendry did the right thing. He got some value out of what would be no value. Let a kid play 2B for the rest of the year and see what's happening.
  14. TheDude
    You've probably heard it about 9 times. The number of starts he's had. That is not enough in anybody's book.
  15. TheDude
    Not sure the Red Sox want to gamble on a rookie is the problem. Now if Marmol was used in a 3-way deal with another team that has a starter on the block... Example: Blue Jays get Marmol Red sox get Lilly Cubs get Wily Mo Pena Insert various prospects that complete the deal.
  16. TheDude
    The Red Sox are rumored to be in all sorts of deals and Wily Mo Pena keeps popping up as a guy they can move. They want a reliable starter, which unfortunately the Cubs don't have (outside of Maddux, who won't be going to the AL). Any creative ideas out there that nets the Cubs Wily Mo Pena?
  17. TheDude
    Folks you either let the kids learn in the big leagues or you don't - there is no middle ground. The Cubs don't have can't miss prospects right now. Hill has not had anywhere near too many chances. He needs a 100 IP in the starting rotation just to properly evaluate his progress. The stuff is there, the mental make-up appears lacking at the moment.
  18. TheDude
    No. In fact, going into the season the common perception was that the Astros and Cardinals regressed bewteen 2005 and 2006 (and they have), while the Cubs, Brewers, and Reds had gained (2/3 correct). The NL Central was billed as the tightest division to start the season, and it was in April. Only the Cubs have not lived up to expectations.
  19. TheDude
    He's priced right for a closer. 3 year splits from 2002-2005 have 2.82 ERA with 248 K's in 223 innings. And those are AL numbers. This year appears to be the anamoly and with a switch to the NL, it looks like the Brewers are gambling he returns to his 3-year splits numbers prior to 2006.
  20. TheDude
    I also think the Rangers are winners in this deal, but Cordero is a decent return. Age for a pitcher, especially a reliever, is completely irrelevent. And switching from the AL West to the NL Central will greatly improve his numbers.
  21. TheDude
    I wouldn't bet on it. How many players in the Hendry era have received 5 year contracts (or longer)?
  22. TheDude
    Hmm, I'd be surprised if more than one of those deals goes down. Those three teams don't have the wants the sellers desire, so they would really have to sell low for any of those to go down.
  23. TheDude
    Isn't that how we ended up with Jones, waiting until it was too late? If Abreu's available now, he won't be in October. Any team currently in the race that can afford him will keep him for next year. Next year isn't the issue - it's the option for the for the following year that has all teams balking. If you're trading for Abreu, you are commiting to 2.5 years at ~$35 million.
  24. TheDude
    Because he won't be available in the offseason. I'm not convinced Philly will move him. Teams aren't willing to give up the asking price at this stage, and on top of that, Abreu will demand that extra year on the contract. I'd be surprised if he wasn't still a Philly come October. Then the Cubs could make a solid run at him.
  25. TheDude
    Ok, so why does Hendry pay Abreu 5+ million for the remainder of this season instead of going hard after him in the offseason? What does he have to gain now, and how does he explain the financial loss to his superiors who aren't interested in a cheerleading session? The Cubs are sellers right now with the luxery of not needing to sell any significant players or high dollar contracts. Everyone that is healthy and walking away at year's end should be dealt - none of those players are the core of this team and nothing coming back will be significant. So while they are sellers, it is only insofar as to prepare for next season's reload. I have yet to hear one convincing argument for why spending the oney on Abreu now makes fiscal sense. Tim had an excellent point with Giles, but that was a unique situation. The Cubs aren't opening a new ballpark and aren't fawning for fan support.
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