brinoch

Playoffs? http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/topstory/mora_jim0108.jpg lol

Nope; it's perfectly sane and rational.

Brilliant! (I so hate that we're starting Steve Trachsel in one of the most important games of the year.)

I'm already asleep. Thanks Trachsel.

I find this "debate" entertaining. Soto is better than Kendall both behind and at the plate. Whether or not you believe a catcher's defense is critical, Soto's still an upgrade over Kendall. Personally, I believe that defense tends to be important -- or a reason to play another player -- only when someone is so glaringly awful that their offensive contributions cannot sufficiently offset their defensive shortcomings. Alternatively, if two players are more or less the same offensively, but one is better defensively, I'd play the better defensive player. I'd be curious to see how many additional bases Kendall's given up (stolen bases and passed balls) while with the Cubs as compared to his total number of offensive bases. Moreover, I think Kendall's responsible for a bunch of wild pitches that other catchers would stop, so I'd be curious to see if our pitchers' WP percentage is higher with Kendall than without. If I have time this afternoon, I'll try and determine this -- unless someone else wants to take it on.

That's not good.

I'll let Phil Rogers do the talking:

Because what fans do with regard to playoff tickets or playoff gear has so much to do with how the Cubs perform on the field...

It's not going to matter because the Cubs are going to win 4 more games. But, hey, I don't mind if the Brewers lose a couple more games.

According to the AP, Dunn is having surgery tomorrow. He's finished for the year, so there will be no Griffey or Dunn when the Cubs head to Cincy.

as is Pujols, I believe. And nobody in MLB believes Pujols is the age he proclaims. Riii-iight, the same Albert Pujols who was born in the Dominican Republic. Who later moved to Kansas City in 1996, graduated from a high school there, enrolled in a community college to play baseball, and became a US citizen in 2007? Got news for you, Albert is the age he says he is. Because today, after 9/11, you can't become a US citizen without real, verified documentation. He might be, anything is possible. P-shaw! And monkeys might fly out of your butt.

No argument on this statement. Kendall should be sent packing this offseason. Soto is likely to provide significantly more offense, definitely superior defense, all for a fraction of the price.

as is Pujols, I believe. And nobody in MLB believes Pujols is the age he proclaims. Riii-iight, the same Albert Pujols who was born in the Dominican Republic. Who later moved to Kansas City in 1996, graduated from a high school there, enrolled in a community college to play baseball, and became a US citizen in 2007? Got news for you, Albert is the age he says he is. Because today, after 9/11, you can't become a US citizen without real, verified documentation.

Really? Or is it just that every player who hits for some power is subjected to a media-stoked steroid/HGH flagellation session? I'm going with the latter.

Wasn't Cabrera a young (for MiLB) teenager for most of those AB's, though? It's a little more understandable there. Not that I have any doubts about Soto, I'm just saying. Yes, Cabrera was a young teenager for most of those at bats. And going back to my original comment, players develop at different stages. Soto just got it going later. No disrespect intended, but you have no more idea if this is true than I do if the juice is true. In modern day baseball, when a guy's numbers change as dramatically as this, esp at his age, it brings suspicion. Especially at his age? This whole conversation is a brutal oversimplification. Soto isn't 31, he's 24. Players at his age in the minors make adjustments in their swings to add power, they add muscle (see the comment about him getting into shape this offseason), or they finally start facing age appropriate competition and take off. All of these are possible if not probable factors in Soto's case. He was always young for his league, and showed the discipline throughout his minor league career to be a discriminating enough hitter. Add in the fact that catchers are often have a later offensive development due to the physical demands of fielding their position, and there's plenty of reason to think Soto is legit. Jumping straight to "Soto hit a bunch of HR that he never hit before, he could be on steroids" is simply a lazy intellectual response. It is a natural response in today's game. I hope he is 24. :) I don't think it's a natural response in today's game. To be frank, it's a ridiculous jump to a conclusion unsupported by any facts, whereas an analysis of minor league improvement trends would demonstrate that this isn't a unique or even an extraordinary circumstance. He's an American citizen -- born in Puerto Rico.

Fair enough... and Stone wouldn't take it into account. Hey, did you know that a slider off the plate on an 0-2 count will strike this guy out?

Wasn't Cabrera a young (for MiLB) teenager for most of those AB's, though? It's a little more understandable there. Not that I have any doubts about Soto, I'm just saying. Yes, Cabrera was a young teenager for most of those at bats. And going back to my original comment, players develop at different stages. Soto just got it going later. No disrespect intended, but you have no more idea if this is true than I do if the juice is true. In modern day baseball, when a guy's numbers change as dramatically as this, esp at his age, it brings suspicion. Whoa now, Soto's 24 years old. A lot of players show significant power development at this age. Additionally, one factor that you haven't taken into account is the nature of the PCL this year. It was very clearly a huge hitter's league.

I think you saw this played out with the Pirates this last weekend. It's been a long season, and it's hard to get up for late season games if you have no hope of making the playoffs. I don't really see anything wrong with it.

There's no difference in the situation tonight. Just win four games. Ignore the Brewers. I can't believe people are up in arms because the Brewers won. They are irrelevant. All that matters is the Cubs going out and winning games.

I played forward before I became a keeper. I've been playing a combination of forward/wing over the summer as I transition back into the field. I'm in good shape, so I can handle midfield -- though not the middle. My first touch and dribbling isn't where I want it to be, but my passing is very good. I'm also fast (for a 32 year old).

And since Bonds is such a swell guy I'm sure he'll sign for 1 million a year too! I'd rather spend the cash on ARod because Bonds isn't going to do this cheap imo. Come on now, stop with the crazy talk. Bonds... teehee. Seriously, though, let's be realistic about ARod. There's almost no way that the Cubs can afford him. It's not going to happen unless something really odd happens. I'd love if it did, but I wouldn't bank on it.

I think it's a move that ought to be considered. Even if Bonds only starts 100 games, he'd be valuable. Consider him in a platoon with perhaps Murton. Now compare Murton's current platoon partner -- Cliff Floyd -- to Bonds. Yeah, that should really end the discussion. I'll take Bonds over Floyd. Obviously, Barry's cost is a concern. There are other possibilities out there for OF, but what kind of contract will they receive, too? With Bonds, you know he's only going to play for one more season -- two more at most. I think if the Cubs target him, he very well might be interested. After all, the Cubs are a decent, low-level playoff contention-type team, and he'd be a significant upgrade.

No love for this Cubs fun. 30+ windows.

Looks like there a chance that Guillen might be available and another indication that Renteria could be moved. My guess is that the Braves will let Jones go, trade Renteria and sign Teixeira to a long-term deal. Escobar will take over at SS, and perhaps Willie Harris will play CF. But, frankly, he's nothing particularly special. I think the Cubs could probably acquire Renteria for Pie or pitching.

1. Marshall should pitch. 2. Oy. Hopefully this thing is clinched before then. 3. Of course, I know that there needs to be at least one start from the #5 slot, and this allows Lou to set the rotation for Zambrano, Hill, Lilly to close the season -- if necessary.