Soul

I don't know who you're talking to but I didn't once consider this as "helping" Pie by benching him. I'm suggesting benching him because he isn't hitting the baseball and Reed Johnson is. The manager's job is to put players in a position to succeed and give the Cubs the best chance to win every day - that would be Reed Johnson. The manager's job is to put the players on the field that would give the Cubs the best chance to win more games overall. Short term fixes to sacrifice long-term development is not the way to do that. Pie has no more he can learn in AAA. He adjusted to and mastered that league. He needs time to adjust to the major leagues, and the Cubs need time to evaluate him in their long-term plans. Neither is accomplished by benching Pie or sending him down. Pie has initially struggled for a few months at every stage of development. Once he adjusts, he's been a phenominal player, on all levels. The important thing right now is to not have a knee-jerk panic reaction and stunt his development even more just to get a below average offensive performance from CF for a month instead of a poor one. It could even be argued that his defensive value over Johnson makes up most of the offensive difference. The whole problem I have with it is what you just eluded to: you don't have this significantly better option to go to. You're getting only marginal, short term extra offensive production in Reed. It's really not that much more. And in return, you guarantee that Pie won't be productive in the 2nd half, so you're basically saying it's going to be Johnson all year unless a trade is made. You're locking yourself into the production of Johnson, essentially. Doesn't seem wise to me, but what do I know.

Bring up Murton. I don't see how Matt Murton isn't a flat-out better player than Soriano at the moment. Both are butchers in the field, but at least with Murt you won't get the flailing at junk all day long. Sori's not going to be productive until the Summer anyway. He's not going to be out that long, I don't think. He'll still be able to have his hot streak in June/July/August. No big deal. And if had to judge, I'd say this injury was almost certainly the result of not warming up for the game correctly. 1st inning, chilly April night -- injury happens on a non-stressful play. For $130 million I would think that buys you a player who at least prepares for the game correctly. Jesus.

I was kidding when I called you racist. I'm sorry, I guess I shoulda made it more obvious. I thought the "dude" would tip it off. Anti-racist sympathizer!!

The same reason they had such an easy ride to 16-0, they play in the pathetic AFC East. When the Bears went to the Super Bowl in 2006, they had the easiest schedule in the league that year I believe even though they had the first or second best record in the NFC the year before. The NFC Central/North was just plain terrible. But remember, although the Patriots have the easiest schedule based on last season's record, many teams improve from season to season which could mean they have a much tough schedule than was originally thought. Yeah, this just makes me that much more glad that the Giants stuck it to them though. Just doesn't seem right that a Super Bowl club should have such an easy ride the next season. Bears really didn't -- the schedule was tougher last year for us, with the resulting extra losses.

It makes the game more boring. I've always thought that, and I always will. AL baseball is simply more boring. And it's largely because of the DH.

Ugh, the Sori injury is inexplicable. How do you suffer an injury like *that*?!?

Lee's so damn good right now it makes me tear up.

So, I missed part of the game. What happened with Soriano??

I don't disagree, but Cub fans boo alot of players and it may as well be opposing ones. That was absolutely an unfair pitch by Woody. Wowza.

I think Lou has visions of Colorado in his head It's because enough is enough. And memories of games like the Mets game last year. We don't need that crap.

Some people see the glass half full, some people see it half empty, Soul sees it as rancid milk, with maggots crawling out of the glass, and a giant turd floating in it. Seriously man, the bolded is about a pessimistic as one could possibly be about anything. He came off hamstring surgery, played through an injured knee for most of the season, and recorded 8 sacks. I don't see how you could possibly say that he gave you no indication that he'll ever be the same. What exactly are you looking for out of a defensive tackle? Is it true that his hammy didn't fully heal all year long? Yes. Is an injury that doesn't heal during an entire calendar year a concern? Yes. End of story. Pretty sure that's not the end of the story, doctor. I'm not even sure that #1 is correct. Was it his hamstring or his knee bothering him last season? Even if it was his hammy, I'm not sure why one year is the "He'll never be the same again!!!" point. Tommie's an elite tackle and played at an extremly high level despite being banged up last year. Take a deep breath. *deep breath* I know he played at a very high level despite injury. No questioning the man's heart. My recollection was that he was fighting through both the knee and the hammy. The hammy was just something he was learning to live with. The knee -- I understood that would get better.

Welcome to the board! :rotfl: :rotfl: *1st post*......OMC flame job......WELCOME TO NSBB, PAL!

I was just getting ready to break out the little graphic explanation... http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/cubbybear314/Random%20Cool%20Shit/caring.png Except that "could care less" is sarcasm. From time to time. Most of the time, it's someone getting the actual phrase completely wrong. The diagram is funny. As for you? I COULDN'T CARE LESS!

He's in town now. Has the inevitable racism started yet?

Bah, I liked the "discussion of lesser teams" title.

Some people see the glass half full, some people see it half empty, Soul sees it as rancid milk, with maggots crawling out of the glass, and a giant turd floating in it. Seriously man, the bolded is about a pessimistic as one could possibly be about anything. He came off hamstring surgery, played through an injured knee for most of the season, and recorded 8 sacks. I don't see how you could possibly say that he gave you no indication that he'll ever be the same. What exactly are you looking for out of a defensive tackle? Is it true that his hammy didn't fully heal all year long? Yes. Is an injury that doesn't heal during an entire calendar year a concern? Yes. End of story.

Ted's well, well below his career norms right now. He should get better, but the question is how much better and how long do we have to wait. This BP is starting to get taxed way too often already; it's not just Lilly but he's a contributor.

Simply ridiculous that's 5 years ago already.

End of '04. He finally "gets all his horses back" as he was so wont to use as an excuse. The stretch run. We've got a modest lead in the wild card, all the key players back -- ready to go. What happens? Massive losing, out of the playoffs. That was the beginning of the end for Dusty, IMHO. After that, '05 and '06 seemed like a foregone conclusion.

Umm, what? Dusty's coming back to Chicago and it's a given that it will devolve into racial bickering? What did I miss again?

Come on. That homer by DeRosa was clearly fair. You all need to get glasses. We deserved this win all the way! :yahoo:

Thank God we pulled this one out of the fire.

It hit the wall first, Fuku couldn't have made that play on second look. Come on now, please . CUBS WIN!!!

OH CRAP it was in his glove! No!

Oh come on that was good enough ump.