somechick

ya know, if I was the Braves, I would be just a wee bit peeved that he is already planning his escape, to a division rival, no less, while the team paying his current paycheck is in the middle of the playoffs......good to know where his priorities lie....

McCarthy just pitched yesterday so he can't go again til Thursday anyway. And despite being one of their best pitchers of late, he is not going to start ahead of Buehrle, Garland, or Contreras (who has been arguable their best pitcher the past 2 months). By the time his turn in the rotation would come around, odds are, the first round is over anyway. They have far more need for a relief guy, who is conditioned to that role, and can pitch in every game if necessary, than a fifth starter. And since the WS are gonna get swept in the first round anyway, it becomes even more of a moot point :wink: .

I don't see anything wrong with what Hendry said. He is saying that while you can't just rely solely on September to judge the future of a young player (whether it be a good or bad September), those two have done everything they could to prove they are ready. Part of the reason those two did so well is because they were out to prove they deserved to be here. Hendry wants that same intensity from them coming into next year because despite their success thus far, they both still have a lot to learn at this level. You gift rap a starting spot for them, and you run the risk of another Bobby Hill. I personally don't see that happening with either of these two but then again, I am not with them every day. I want them starting and think they bring an intensity and energy severely lacking in this team, but I also want them to continue to adjust and get better. What it comes down to is Hendry is praising them for what they have done well, and for working on what they need to work on and that they need to keep doing so. And he is right.

the Cubs always get owned by the Harangutang.

What is SD's record? I don't put any money on them if a win puts them over .500. Uh, er, they aren't playing SD.

who's Fookie?

Wait, wait, wait...Hairston missed a sign, Cedeno gets benched? WHAT???? And who is gonna get benched for the missed sign when Walker got thrown out at 2nd? Either he or Blanco missed a sign there too....

Look at your post again, there isn't much valid criticism of Todd there. It is in fact mostly hyperbole. Walker has no range. Walker will stand in the batter's box and slam his bat down and scowl instead of running hard to first. He is always running his mouth in the press (just go check out Baseball Discussions). He has complained to the press about having a bad rap regarding his defense, yet I have never seen anything showing that he works on this. He does tip-toe up to the ball--it is even more apparent in person. Take out my "hyperbolic" imagery and the fundamental issues I have with him are still the same. You may not agree with the criticism, but I think it is very valid.

I realize quite well what constitutes a personal attack--you did not go after my argument, you made a direct accusation at me--and a very inaccurate one at that. And you have yet to give any reason for what you are basing it on--because you can't. And that entire last paragraph is just another attempt at you trying to belittle me, which, ironically, is designed to make you look like the martyr. I have no problem with you having a difference of opinion--I fully expected there to be. But what I do take issue with is the way you expressed it. You can deny it all you want, but you went after ME, not my opinion.

Okay, if it isnt baseless, then what exactly are you basing it on other than "a feeling"? Whine and moan? I made that comment ONCE and it wouldnt even have been an issue if certain posters hadnt made similar comments to me in the past. And the fact that you are trying to diminish my opinion at all, regardless of whatever euphamism you want to use as your reasoning, just exemplefies my point that you are trying to put me down--you arent trying to refute my comments, just belittle me for having a differing opinion. You went after me personally.

Your "opinion" that I hate Walker because of Grudz is completely baseless. It is just your way of diminishing my opinion because you dont like it. And really, you are the last person who should be telling others to stop inferring things. Seriously. I'll reserve my "feelings" about you.

When did I ever make mention of Grudz? You are the one assuming that that is the reason. And I can pretty much bet if my screenname was "somedude", you wouldn't be so quick to make blanket statements like that and try and belittle me every time I criticize Walker. Please. I don't care if you're a woman, man or some kind of hideous man-beast, if you make a post that I think is patently wrong, I will point it out. Please point out which label exactly it was that I gave you. I'll save you the time, you can't because I didn't. And you have absolutely nothing to back up your insinuation that my dislike of Walker has anything to do with Grudzielanek. That is where you were labelling me. And you didnt point out anything in my post that you felt was wrong or stated anything to dispute it. You instead went straight to insulting me and trying to belittle my opinion. So when you makes posts that I find blatantly offensive, I will point it out.

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll: Uh oh. You used "herd." :wink: Uh, ok, um, don't get that.... :-k Just teasin ya. :D That's labelling. Oh, I see, but IMB can label me however, right? I see how it is.... :wink: The mocking does get carried away. (SEE THE OTHER WALKER THREAD FOR MORE). :D Which mocking are you referring to? I really hesitated posting anything because I knew I would get reamed by someone for it. I don't get why every thread can be overrun with incessant posts mocking Dusty and the stupid things he says and does ad nauseum, but I post a valid criticism of Walker and that gets called hyperbole? And this isn't the first time my opinion of Walker has been dismissed under a false assumption that I have the hots for Grudz (it might not have been stated explicitely this time, but I havent forgotten that certain posters have made that accusation before).

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll: Uh oh. You used "herd." :wink: Uh, ok, um, don't get that.... :-k Just teasin ya. :D That's labelling. Oh, I see, but IMB can label me however, right? I see how it is.... :wink:

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll: Uh oh. You used "herd." :wink: Uh, ok, um, don't get that.... :-k

When did I ever make mention of Grudz? You are the one assuming that that is the reason. And I can pretty much bet if my screenname was "somedude", you wouldn't be so quick to make blanket statements like that and try and belittle me every time I criticize Walker.

Oh no, please why dont you just tell everyone the "real" reason I dislike Walker, since you have such insight into what I think. I have expressed quite clearly my reason for not liking him, and those reasons have been the same long before he was ever a cub. I guess it is easier to make condescending generalizations just because i dont follow the herd. :roll:

Hinske is already there. He has a little under 2000 AB, but over 200 BB's so his PA are over 2000. ETA: dangit...would people stop posting what i am right before me...

Doug Glanville

It isn't just that roadkill cover more ground than Walker, but he is so completely inept at fielding balls hit RIGHT AT HIM!!!!! He is so passive in the field. He literally tiptoes up to the ball--like he is in slow motion. And he never, ever, ever runs hard to first. I am so sick of seeing him stand in the batters box throwing a hissy fit every time he hits a pop-up or weak grounder. I don't know why Walker seems to get a free pass for spending more time making sure he gets his daily soundbites in with press than he does working on his glaring deficiencies, yet other players who bust their butts on a daily basis get raked over the coals just because they arent among "the chosen ones".

Corey, to me, is someone who fell into baseball just because he happened to be good at it, not because he truly loves it. Corey is like those really smart kids who breeze through elementary and high school getting straight A's and never cracking open a book then go to college and bomb out because they dont know how to study, because they never had to. That isn't something that is easily learned at that age. That just epitomizes Corey. He has so much natural talent, he really never had to try to be the best--he just was. Then he gets to the elite level, and suddenly he can't adjust because he has never had to. And it is darn near impossible to learn it that late, at that level. And that is sad because this kid is one of the most naturally gifted at this sport, and among the most clueless in utilizing it.

To me Lieber is like Maddux--usually good control, gives up a lot of hits, but can escape many of those with the DP because of the ability to get a ground ball. But when they arent getting those DP's, the floodgates open. Neither are huge K guys either. I loved Lieber as a Cub and have always rooted for him since but I am not sure I would want him back at this point.

1. Entourage 2. Veronica Mars 3. Degrassi (hey, nothing beats Canadian teenage angst.....) I wouldnt watch any of those shows on that list (meaning the original, not my list)..... :lol:

For the record, some people around here have always disliked Todd Walker. The guy comes across as a complete egomaniac. He never shuts up, pisses and moans to the media about what everyone else is doing wrong (not directly, but he sure puts a lot of innuendo in it). He never takes responsiblilty for his shortcomings and instead complains that "he gets a bad rap" because his defense blows. I have never seen one player so inept at fielding a ball hit right at him. And if I see him stand in that batters box one more time throwing a hissy fit when he hits a weak grounder or a pop-up instead of running it out...I have never seen him run hard to first. It amazes me how other players who bust their butt at every opportunity get so berated here but Walker is treated as this god. He is a good player....but hardly the almighty savior some perceive him to be.

Since all this injury mess with Kerry cropped up again, I was pondering something. Now, everyone knows Florida is shopping Burnett and want to dump Lowell at the same time. Likewise, Minnesota is desperate for any offense--3rd base being a primary target (there have been rampant rumors of Minnesota getting Mueller from the RS for JC Romero, but arent sure they want to part with him, weakening their pen...blah, blah). So, do you think it would be possible to get Burnett from Florida and take Lowell off their hands at the same time (with Florida picking up at least some of his contract, although chances are, it wouldnt be a huge amount). Then the Cubs could flip Lowell to Minnesota (again, perhaps the cubs pick up a little more of contract--not a lot, just some--to offset the sticker shock for Minny) for Romero. This would make Rusch fairly expendable as well and could go to Minnesota to to help take over Romero's spot and not make his lost such a burden to Minnesota. I could see Minnesota being a little more willing to deal with a team they arent in direct competition with for the postseason. (and it would help keep burnett from the white sox too!!!). Now, I wouldnt normally have any interest in Burnett, especially since the odds of him walking at the end of the year are fairly high, but it would give the cubs another solid starter and allow them to just shut Wood down and get healed. If he is able to pitch at some point, great, send him or Williams to the pen and make this team that much stronger. As far as what it might take to get Burnett and Lowell from Florida, I have no clue. But I just thought it was something to ponder because, delusional as I may seem, I think this team can go on a major tear if the pitching can just get more consistent. Another bat would be a huge plus as well, but I am not sure that alone is enough if the pitching is the way it is.