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Neifi's defense at SS doesn't makeup the difference in offense between him and Walker. Now, that's an opinionated answer, I won't look at numbers since they're selective as is me saying Neifi is below avg. as a starting SS, I can look at numbers or I can go thru the 29 other rosters and still come to the same conclusion that I could easily find 15 SS I'd rather have over Neifi. Which defines Neifi's ideal role, switch hitting PH/defensive replacement. As far as taking a look at the pitching as the real problem, did I or did I not mention why the Sox can have a below avg. SS and still win? I would not mind having Perez on the team next year, he's a solid 25th guy and a strong defensive replacement at 2B/SS. Increase his role and I think his abilities won't meet the demand of that role. I think Perez and Macias have taken too much abuse, I think it should be more directed at the one putting them in their current roles than the actual players. You put two players who have a higher failure rate offensively into key spots (hitting 2 for Perez and key PH spots for Macias) and I don't blame the players for that unless they swing away at the first pitch or expand their zone. Now, if you have a problem with how the site feels about a certain player, you're trying to start an argument with the wrong person for your global (well, NSBB) damnnation.

O:) I try.

Selective numbers? Nothing selective about the numbers. His VORP (which is the equiv. of 1 win over a AAAA/25th man) is only at 11 at this stage and he has been amazing defensively. His .300 OBP has been a problem for this team, especially hitting 2nd for a bulk of the time in front of Lee. If the Cubs had the starting pitching and bullpen of the Sox as well as playing in a less top heavy division as the NL central, they'd be able to perform well w/Neifi. But, since they don't have the pitching of the Sox, they have to score more runs. Having Neifi in the lineup hurts the Cubs chances of scoring runs.

I would've rather have seen Cedeno start once Neifi started slumping, there comes a point when you realize he won't be able to keep up his outstanding play of April and will regress to his career numbers. Plus, how does his lack of production as a starter diminish if he is the only/best option? B/c if he is the first or worst option and he is out there, it doesn't matter b/c he is still out there performing at a below avg. rate is he not?

Him starting is one of several reasons why this team has played below average.

When a hitter is in a slump, how do you handle it? George Brett once said, instead of "trying harder" he had to learn to "try easier" to try and prevent himself from pressing as every hitter does in a slump. How difficult is it trying to relay that type of message to a hitter is a slump? What do you suggest to a hitter in the mental stage of a slump? Also, Duke Snider mentioned this when he was struggling with learning the strike zone. I know it can't be applied frame by frame because of time constraints but... Is this type of training method practiced by the Cubs at any level of the organization? Also, can you give your opinion on the effectiveness of it when applied properly?

Let it be known, I will be very angry if Walker is traded. They have the chance to bring him back at a reduced rate per production. If Lawton and Burnitz aren't traded, I hope it is based on getting not enough in return.

Dusty shouldn't have platooned Walker as much as he did in the 1st place. Walker has been the 3rd best hitter on this team, yet he is being platooned for Perez? Dumb move to begin with. To have an effective platoon, you need one hitter to hit good one LH'ers and one hitter to hit good against RH'ers. The platoon backfires when one hitter hits better against both LH'ers and RH'ers as Walker does, then you're costing the team by having the lesser player out there. Regardless of the defensive advantage of Perez, the difference in offense for Walker dwarfs that.

Those from the ESPN boards might remember "cardssuck" forecasting Lee to hit 40-50HRs and hit well over .300 b/c he left the Fish Bowl in Miami.

I'm still predicting that Furcal will be the most overpaid FA. Cedeno would be fine by me, but that money better be used to improve the OF. Personally, Lugo will likely be equal to Furcal as far as production. I think they can get Giles for what they'd spend on Damon or Furcal with 1 less year. Perez is hitting like a 25th man, next year, if Dusty is back, I'd rather have Chris Gomez over Perez.

The qualities opposing ballplayers like in a ballpark Wrigley doesn't have, locker room, playing conditions, etc. Nothing wrong with that. If Chipper was more interested in historical ballpark and sightlines, he'd be more like a fan. I've never been opposed to blowing up Wrigley, you're just not going to find anywhere to put a better park in a better location.

The Cubs are 14th in defensive eff. over at Prospectus. Typically, the best hitters in baseball are the best at clutch hitting as well as situational hitting. The reason behind that? In any situation they're typically the best hitter. They have to get someone besides Walker who can get on base at the top in front of Lee, Ramirez, etc. They have to upgrade at least 2 of the 3 OF'ers. They can hit as many HRs, you get runners on base, you'll have the benefit of less solo HRs and runs created w/out the HR. The common thread, runners on base.

That story is one of many reasons why Ted Williams is my very favorite old time ballplayer. Drysdale is my favorite old time ball player for diffrent reasons, but he wasn't what you'd call a friendly fellow. I always loved his 2 for 1 policy, you throw at 1 of my batters and I'll throw at 2, typically the pitcher and the best hitter. The good ole days...

Herr was released from Atlanta's farm system at the beginning of the year, I believe.

There is a 6'5" 225 1B on the Saudi Arabia team, who wears a size 18 shoe. It's on ESPN 2 right now. He's the tallest little leaguer by far. Take a look at their SP, he's tall with a lot of baby fat.

You can lack emotion on the outside and be just as emotional on the inside. Look at Orel, he would get himself worked up before a game, be pretty much stone faced and have to read sections of the bible to help him stay relaxed. Ted Williams is another that during BP, he would scream at the top of his lungs how this *ing pitcher thinks he can get me out with that "__!". Bob *ing Feller ain't going to get that FB by me I'm Ted *ing Williams.

As the Cubs are about to find out, the reason why the last team in basketball has a small chance of winning it is b/c there are 8 teams in the playoffs. The 8th team is obviously less talented and doesn't play as well as the 4th team in MLB. The catch is it is much more difficult to make the playoffs in MLB than any other US sport. The Cubs will soon find that out, given how they've played thru 75% of the season, how difficult it will be making the playoffs by playing poorly underachieving. But, they won't make the playoffs. I have doubt in my mind, they'll finish around .500 and 5-7 games out of the WC.

Dayton Moore would be a nice starting piece to the puzzle.

Rolen is done for the year. I like Rolen, I like his approach to the game, he's one of few in the game who if I had a son, I'd have him watch the way Rolen carries himself on the field and try and emulate that. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2139768

Neifi proves me wrong for one day. I still would've started Walker.

is that what i think it is? The walls are crumbling in someone's city.

Rumble...Rumble...Rumble... =D>

Rusch had a solid start last night, if you had your choice of Hill or Rusch the rest of the year, Rusch would likely outpitch Hill as Hill adjusts to ML hitters. But for the good of the team and Hill in the long-term, it would be better for the Cubs to start Hill the rest of the year unless sub .500 teams can make the playoffs.

I know for certain, that the utility player I wanted instead if Neifi was Chris Gomez on Balt., RH bat can play 2B, SS, and 3B and can hit at an above avg. rate for a utility player. He's hitting much better than Neifi at a chaeper rate, the Cubs had their chance but decided to spend more on a lesser player. For validity purposes... viewtopic.php?t=15033&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

I know for certain, that the utility player I wanted instead if Neifi was Chris Gomez on Balt., RH bat can play 2B, SS, and 3B and can hit at an above avg. rate for a utility player. He's hitting much better than Neifi at a chaeper rate, the Cubs had their chance but decided to spend more on a lesser player.