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He's definitely getting worse, but the fact that he put up a good OBP just last year likely means his good eye at the plate has not given out and he should be able to give us as good or better an OBP as he has to this point with the Cubs. I'll agree that it isn't impossible for him to maintain this level of production for the second half. He should be much better than he was in the first half, and miles ahead of Hill. Agreed. It's very true that his lack of slugging affects his overall value, but we're paying him less than $1 million and he's not an integral part of the team structure. A good OBP will easily make him more valuable than Barrett, K. Hill or Bowen given their numbers this year. Yes, but that wasn't my argument. My argument was only that measuring non-sluggers by OBP only is not as accurate as measuring them by OPS. And my argument is not that Kendall has a lot of value, but that he can do better than the other three options we had back there. He's not going to be an extremely valuable piece to the team primarily because he can't slug, but he can have some value by getting on base. Like almost everyone on the board, I don't want him to be re-signed after the year and I definitely wouldn't have given up anything of great value to get him. But he's better (or signifcantly better) than all other options for this season because he'll likely get on base at a good clip and nobody else was giving us that, much less good slugging.

The reason they haven't signed him yet is the uncertainty surrounding the ownership. Big money cannot be committed for multiple years when the current ownership is only in place the remainder of this season. As much as Hendry and McDonough want to sign Z, they have no option but wait until a new owner has been decided on and can give the go ahead.

He's definitely getting worse, but the fact that he put up a good OBP just last year likely means his good eye at the plate has not given out and he should be able to give us as good or better an OBP as he has to this point with the Cubs. It's very true that his lack of slugging affects his overall value, but we're paying him less than $1 million and he's not an integral part of the team structure. A good OBP will easily make him more valuable than Barrett, K. Hill or Bowen given their numbers this year.

I'd say Hendry's probably chomping at the bit to sign him too, but before new ownership comes in, his hands are tied.

That's not a totally accurate comparison. Shelton had never done anything like that before, while Kendall has an entire career of performing like he's performed lately. So I don't see Kendall's latest performance to be as fluky as Shelton. And Kendall, as recently as last year, put up a .360 OBP. I just don't see how it's so ludicrous to think he could continue this .340-ish OBP or bump it up a little. What I really don't understand is the people who say "this isn't the Kendall of six years ago" or "this isn't the Kendall of 2000-2003 anymore." He was respectable last year (2006), decent the year before (2005) and good the year before that (2004). That doesn't even reach back to 03 or before. The reason people say that he isn't the old Kendall is because he has been declining for a few years and is unlikely to improve on last year's numbers due to his position and age. I think it is reasonable to expect him to be better than he was in the first half of the season though. If he can have a resurgent second half for the Cubs, he'll probably produce more than any of the other catchers we have would. .399 OBP in 2004, .345 OBP in 2005, .367 OBP in 2006. Before 04, he posted a .399 OBP (03) and a .350 OBP (02). So, he was worse last year than he was in 04, but better than 05. He was also better last year than 2002. I'm not seeing a steady decline in his OBP. Even in OPS (which will be bad because he can't slug) he had a .789 in 04, .666 in 05 and .709 in 06. I don't see how he declined from 2005 to 2006. Especially given his 06 numbers are better than his 2002 numbers. EDIT: Do not take this post as meaning I think Kendall's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I don't. I simply think a .350-.360 OBP as a Cub (or possibly a little better) isn't outrageously stupid.

No Jones or Floyd. I'd wager we'll see a repeat today.

This could of course mean absolutely nothing. The way I'm reading it, Z's saying he's ready to sign but the article doesn't indicate whether the Cubs are ready to pay the money. It just sounds like Z reiterating that he wants to stay in Chicago. Though, that said, I'm still holding out hope we announce he's been inked today.

That's not a totally accurate comparison. Shelton had never done anything like that before, while Kendall has an entire career of performing like he's performed lately. So I don't see Kendall's latest performance to be as fluky as Shelton. And Kendall, as recently as last year, put up a .360 OBP. I just don't see how it's so ludicrous to think he could continue this .340-ish OBP or bump it up a little. What I really don't understand is the people who say "this isn't the Kendall of six years ago" or "this isn't the Kendall of 2000-2003 anymore." He was respectable last year (2006), decent the year before (2005) and good the year before that (2004). That doesn't even reach back to 03 or before.

Cuban will pay whatever it takes to sign him. :wink:

If we register as a member now, will that remain? I'm assuming not, but am really not sure at all. I'm strongly considering being the resident Titans troll. Second City Football doesn't seem to be getting much love in the polls. So everything there is probably throw away. That's what I figured.

He did a very similar thing last year where he was horrible in the first half of the year and then came on strong with a good OBP in the second half. I believe he did something like that the year before too. I wouldn't be surprised to see his OBP stay around where it's been for the Cubs. He won't slug much, if any, for us - but that's been his weakness his entire career. I'll be pleased if he can post a .350-.360 OBP as a Cub.

If we register as a member now, will that remain? I'm assuming not, but am really not sure at all. I'm strongly considering being the resident Titans troll.

Exactly. As bad as letting Z go would be, there are far worse things the Cubs have done and could do. Especially considering the outside factors of ownership change, etc.

I think WindyCityFootball is kind of catchy. Either that or the consistency of NorthsideFootball.

The problem with NorthsideBasketball is that it's initials are NSBB just like this one. If you want consistency without redundancy, I'd go with NorthsideHoops.

In my opinion, the only lefty that should be considered to start is Floyd - only because he's had a lot of success against Glavine. Fontenot and Jones don't hit lefties well and haven't hit Glavine well either (of course, Fontenot's never faced him). The lineup I'd put out there - and I think Lou will too - is: Soriano Theriot Lee Ramirez DeRosa Murton Pagan Kendall

Yup, if you're a pathetic excuse for a pitcher your numbers will probably be close to that of a Douche :wink: Start Murton. Despite Floyd's 1.081 OPS and Murton's 0 for 7 against Glavine, I'd say that's a pretty good bet. Yeah, lefties hit Glavine pretty well. Floyd will definitely start, at least you would think. I could live with either starting. I'd like to see Murton get some more at-bats and Floyd get a breather, but at the same time, Floyd's hit Glavine really well.

Yup, if you're a pathetic excuse for a pitcher your numbers will probably be close to that of a Douche :wink: Start Murton. Despite Floyd's 1.081 OPS and Murton's 0 for 7 against Glavine, I'd say that's a pretty good bet.

Weurtz, Ohman and Eyre........better have our hittin' clothes on. Cherry should also be available - unless Wood takes his spot tomorrow.

I just want to be the first to say in this thread: The Cubs are in first place. 8-) It feels so good just to type it. :D

I agree. If Krivsky was demanding Pie, Gallagher and Murton (at least) for Dunn or the three-way swap that would have netted us Renteria, I'm glad Jim held off. I'm still disappointed something didn't get done, though.

That's freaking cool, my friend. While I don't get to go to any NFL games, a kid from one of the schools I cover signed with Tennessee this year and it sounds like I'm going to get to attend five Vol games this year in the press box. Being at as small a paper as I am, that's a pretty big deal. Covering big time college games is something I would love to do as well. I didn't even know our paper did this. I think it might be something my editor is offering to me because I'm a Raiders fan. I actually got to cover one Vol game last year - the near loss to Kentucky. I loved the experience, got free (good) food in the press box and it was a very unique perspective. I have a feeling my publisher is doing this for the same reason as yours though. We're only a twice weekly paper and, even though we're just 15 minutes south of Knoxville, there's no way we could compete with the News-Sentinel (the major Knoxville paper). But, I guess the local tie is enough to warrant 5 games this year and I'm not complaining. :D

Len just said this is the latest we've been in first since Aug. of 2003. I think there was something special about that season too. :D

WP! ball in the dirt and the Cubs Win!!!!! :D

Bases loaded, one out. Cliff Floyd coming up to pinch hit. Kendall just struck out.