sunnydoo

Good old Alex Sanchez. Saw him not to long ago sticking it out in AA ball. Fixed: Juiced Alex Sanchez > Corey Patterson. :wink:

true, but not usually with Phds. Ya, missed the point. I was saying he has credibility because he has the degree and because he has the experience in the major leagues. For you to easily dismiss him as being an "idiot" makes you look myopic and only concerned in furthering your viewpoint. Many pitchers get by with less than a 92 mph fastball by changing speeds and locations. To say there is only one way to pitch at 95mph is kind of silly. Greg Maddux late in his career is a perfect example. Good mechanics, good change of speed, and good location with a perfect mix. I would think like his brother that he would make an excellent pitching coach one day. And to say Marshall's services arent in demand is also kind of silly. He may not want to do it. But if he does and clubs dont want to hire him, doesnt make him any less right either.

Yah, he has Phd in Kinesioloygy (the physics/mechanics of human motion) from Marshall as well as being a former major league pitcher, Cy Young Winner, and All Star. Truly an "idiot."

First, i am not using saves as a metric for the bullpen. It would be pretty stupid of me to mention blown saves and then not mention the save total. Cherry pick or not, 60% is not good. Second, look at the comments of Mike Marshall and Don Cooper among others in regards to the mechanics of the pitching deliveries of Wood and Prior. In large part, both of them think the injuries to their arms could have been avoided with changes in their overall mechanics. And dont be surprised if we arent headed that way again. One of our starters who isnt doing well at the moment, isnt using the throwing motion he normally uses. Either he is hurt or he needs someone to tell him to knock it off and throw the ball which isnt exactly happening.

Our bullpen is 0-4, 2 blown saves, 5 wild pitches, and 3 saves through 15 games. Yes, some of the relievers have been doing an outstanding job. However as a unit, they are failing.

Rothschild is awful. He may be able to set up game management better than when he worked for Dusty, but he has zero clue on pitching mechanics. And if he is so great, why is our bullpen so terrible (with a tip of the hat to our "brilliant" GM).

Lets see.... 33% of their roster is composed of former WhiteSux or Cubs players...and they are off to a slow start? Gee, who would have thunk it. 6 starters and 5 spots. Garcia, Hamels, and Moyer have 3 spots taken...so that leaves Eaton, Leiber, and Myers. Neither Myers or Eaton were getting it done, so one had to go...just shocked it wasnt Eaton. Myers does have stuff to be a better reliever than Eaton...more of a power pitcher...but ya, taking out the ace is not a good message to send to the club, unless you are really trying to shake them up.

He was filthy on ESPN tonight. Took a no hitter into the eighth and had the BoSux hitters mesmerized. 98 mph fastball + devastating slider (around 92 i think) + bending curve ball (mid 80s) + 89 mph change up = total annihilation Looks like the 2 problems he has are youthful exuberance and maybe a lefty thing....but the kid has a tremendous upside for only being 21. His ERA was hefty last season, but it looks like he had a terrible start and a terrible finish. Interested to see this year.

Howry set a Cub record for appearances last year... a year after setting an all time Cleveland Indians club record for appearances. Both good points there. Generally speaking, you are entering a danger zone around 80 appearances or innings pitched in relief the following season. Doing it consistently will eventually overtax and blow out the stuff. I hope we arent heading that way with Howry. The really big blunder in the inning wasnt the HR, it was the WP. Putting the runner on 3rd with less than 2 outs had a direct cause to that HR. I am hoping the WP/PB problem will be fixed by warmer weather and that this is a small sample size. However, this is the Cubs...anything is possible.

Yes, i know it was a wild pitch...but again today with Howry right before the homer wasnt even close again. If Hendry is going to insist on these type of setup guys, then we need to have a catcher that is going to give us a chance in the late innings. Over and over and over again...Wuertz, Howry, Ohman, etc are just missing outside and low with hard sliders. Going to lose a lot of ball games this year if we dont get it figured out.

The Cub hitters have looked at on avg. 138 pitches per game this year or between 15 and 16 per inning. They have looked at more pitches than our pitchers have thrown (although there is 2 less innings thrown than hit). From 16th in walks and 14th in Ks, we have progressed to 6th and 12th so far this year. This team isnt going to do much better on the Ks, b/c we just arent built that way. The walk % is more encouraging, but it is way way to early to tell. Something interesting i noted...in the 3 games the Cubs have won, they have more ground ball outs than fly balls. In the 2 losses, it was reversed. But way to early to tell anything yet.

If the Mets starting pitching continues to throw like this without Pedro....its going to be a long long year in the NL for everyone else. Dont know the last time it happened in a game, but the last time the same player did it in the same inning was last season with Cory Sullivan in Colorado, who did it for the first time in baseball since 1951.

One of the only bright spots i have seen in this deal for the Cubs so far is that Zell is seriously considering breaking up the organization and the ballpark. I think that is wonderful b/c it will eventually cause a conflict of interest. Your #2 option isnt really plausible. Several years ago the City of Chicago forced Wrigley Field to become eligible for Natl Historic Landmark Registry status (around 87). When the overall federal measure failed, the City slapped a local Landmark designation on it meaning they have to approve all changes/demolitions above even the City Planning commission by some sort of special election/vote. Considering how votes usually go in Chicago and that the "mayor" would probably be against it, it aint happening. In doing so they ended any legitimate shot at expansion or a major facelift ever being done to the place. All of the changes and renovations that have to be done now have to be certified and signed off on by numerous people. To me that was the last straw between the City of Chicago and the Cubs organization. Yes Wrigley has been a wonderful place to play for 93 years. However, we have never won a Series in it. The Series we have played in in it have all been memorable in very bad ways. I have witnessed many games there and there is a ton of memories with the place, but even Yankee Stadium is going by the way. Time to let go and move on to a better place. I for one am sick of the people like Murphys and the neighborhood and the others who are complaining all the freaking time about the Cubs, their fans, and starting trouble with the City Council. The Cubs where there before just about any of them and its time to just be done with the headaches and the mess associated with the Neighborhood association. So relocation it is to a northern suburb and away from the corrupt organization disguised as the City of Chicago, that is nothing but a front for the White Sox loving mob boss...i mean "mayor."

Really think it is going to be Wrigley Corp coming in again. After Selig read Fitzsimons the riot act on Tuesday, no way Cuban gets to come in now. Selig and Dupay both have said they are going to be heavily involved in the vetting process of one of the marquis teams in the league. With the problems Cuban has caused in the NBA (for better or for worse, b/c lets face it, no one likes what the NBA is now), no way does Selig and Dupay sign off on it....no way. Seriously doubt Cuban could raise the cash needed now also w/o getting a group together. Foxsports is saying what i have been saying, with the 25% stake in comcast sports channel up, its going to be 800 to 900 million total. If Wrigley comes back, they will want the stadium too which Zell may be shopping seperately, so then you are easily talking the $1b.

They really need to trade Cantu if they can for some bullpen help. Their bullpen may end up being historically bad this season b/c of the division they play in and the lack of proven talent. A bunch of rookies (including my boy Ryu aka Ozzy), washups and an unproven closer (or a bullpen by committee) is a certain recipe for late inning disaster. Reyes probably will be ok to close, if they can get it to him. Still the Devil Rays should win a few games and might even surprise a few folks because they will be able to score a freaking ton of runs.

The reason he doesnt get much credit behind the plate is twofold. First, he isnt very good at throwing out runners. 19.1% last year is just awful. Sure, the pitching staff is culpable also, but that is atrocious. And he never has been good at it, even in Montreal. 25% is about the best you can expect from him over the course of a 110 game stretch as catcher. Like Brantley said tonight, the scouting report on Barrett is run, run, and run some more. Second reason is that he is a converted SS. Some people have a problem with transplants at certain positions. And this is one of those cases. The old school believes catchers should be born and bred at that position. Although i am not a barrett defensive fan, i will say he isnt as bad as he used to be. i can remember his first year as a cub. i thought we had traded for a matador behind the plate. At least it takes quite an effort by Wood or Zman to wiz one by him these days. His hitting, team mechanics, and handling the pitching staff (which he does well) are all pluses that help to negate the defense somewhat. I really felt that if ARam had left, they should have moved Michael back to 3b and went shopping for a C.

Game Notes say that Murton was held out as emergency catcher...but i could have sworn i saw Blanco in the dugout at one point during the game. Part of the joy in carrying 12 pitchers is the dilemma it can create in the field late in a ballgame where many of the extras are used or are not available b/c of injury or major cases involving intl smuggling, conspiracy, and money laundering. Hopefully we can return to normalcy and 11 pitchers soon. Nice sacrifice by the Riot. If Dusty had called that, everyone would have been screaming on this board. But oh well, nice move Lou. PS- thought Thom and Brantley did a good job working together, although it sounded like Brant may have had a few cocktails during the pre-game.

Washington won't be good but I don't see how they will lose at least 117 games. A review of their pitching staff: #1- John Patterson, 4.20 lifetime ERA coming off major forearm surgery. #2- Shawn Hill, limited MLB time but coming off major elbow surgery. #3- Matt Chico, rookie #4- Jason Bergmann, a 5.76 lifetime ERA although all in relief for Wash. to this point #5- Jerome Williams, still trying to figure it out That wouldnt be so bad, if you had a bullpen to back them up. Especially given the arm issues and control issues of those guys, you would need the Pen to eat some innings, but.... Ryan Wagner, still trying to dial it in and never thrown more than 52 innings in a season. Jesus Colome, 4.73 ERA mostly as starter...lost to Williams Micah Bowie, i dont want to tell you how his last full season (1999) in the majors went...please dont make me decent setup and good closer though in Jon Rauch, Ray King (although he is starting to get a little long in the tooth), and Chad Cordero. Ayala (elbow surgery) and Simontacci (groin) may join later on but are on the DL at the moment. Ayala could definitely help both in innings and production if he can get back to his previous form from the bone spurs. But the worst part for them is they have to play in the East against the Braves, Marlins, Mets, and Phils for 18 or 19 games each (which is about 45% of their schedule). God help them if they have a bad outing against the Fish or Mets or in the bandbox in Philly, they might get 50 scored on them. They also drew the AL Central and have games against the Tigers, Tribe, and Twinkies (along with their "rivals" the Blue Jays and Orioles). Not going to be happy time in DC this year. If they win 50, Acta should be Manager of the Year in the NL.

I would also, like the Boss in NY. But with the amount of money its going to take to get a deal done (and dont kid yourself, even with 300M committed over the upcoming years- no way do the Cubs go for less than 800M), its just no longer feasible. I fully expect the Cubs to go somewhere in the $1B range. Too many interested parties already that have a serious load of cash and ties. This is one of the marquee sports franchises in all of Sports, with a huge fan base, stadium, and big TV contracts already in place. Also Baseball as a whole is doing very well profit wise atm (look at Seligs comments last week), so really i dont think 1B is totally crazy. Not too many people can pony that kind of cash.

1st off excellent timing by the boys at the Trib again. Hits the Natl Media on Opening Day. Way to take care of things in the offseason again, so we dont have this mess going on all season. Special bonus points for holding up the Z deal now too. Timing is everything and you guys fail. The interesting question here is this: 3 billionaire groups already have stated interest. And thats just who we know of so far. The one that probably has the inside track however, has an interesting decision to make. Wrigley Co. has said numerous times that it was one of the worst mistakes they ever made in being forced to sell the Cubs. They have the money and the liquid cash to get a deal done. However, they are also looking at purchasing the half of the Cadbury company that is now up for sale- especially since the Hershey deal now appears to be a hoax. So can they afford both (which i doubt after last years acquisition of Krafts Candy division), or which one will they choose? Should be an interesting decision either way. As for the WGN thing. I heard that the 25% stake in the Comcast/Fox Sports thing is going with the Cubs, but not necessarily the WGN part. I think being the minority partner in the Sox, they would be a fool to give it up. So we can look forward to all the media outlets being after the Cubs now in Chicago and slowly but surely more Sox games on WGN.

NATIONAL League NL EAST: Philadelphia Phillies New York Mets Atlanta Braves Florida Marlins Washington Nationals NL Central: Houston Astros Chicago Cubs Milwaukee Brewers Cincinnati Reds St Louis Cardinals Pittsburgh Pirates NL West: Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres Arizona Diamondbacks Colorado Rockies NL Wild Card: NY Mets AMERICAN LEAGUE AL East: New York Yankees Toronto Blue Jays Boston Red Sox Baltimore Orioles Tampa Bay Devil Rays AL Central: Cleveland Indians Detroit Tigers Minnesota Twins Chicago White Sox Kansas City Royals AL West: Los Angeles Angels Texas Rangers Oakland A's Seattle Mariners AL Wild Card: Detroit Tigers POSTSEASON: NL Pennant: NY Mets AL Pennant: NY Yankees Champion: NY Yankees NL Cy Young: Roy Oswalt (just beating out Derek Lowe) Al Cy Young: Johann Santana NL MVP: Miguel Cabrera AL MVP: Alex Rodriguez NL Rookie: Chris Ianneta Al Rookie: Alex Gordon Bonus Predictions: Washington will not win 45 games. Hampton and Sheff will win comeback players of the year. All time ERA record will be set this season for the league. I cant remember the last time i saw so many teams with so lousy of staffs. Several teams ought to be ashamed of themselves. HRs will be down this year. However, I think Sheff has a big comeback in Motown and joins 4 others for 500 HRs all time this season (becoming the 21st-25th people to accomplish it in ML history). Bonds unfortunately will catch Aaron. However, ARod will catch him in about 6 more years, so we will give him an asterisk til then. Glavine will become the 5th lefty for 300, but the Unit wont make it. Biggio and Bonds will join the 3000 club also. This will be the last year Jim Hendry is employed by the Cubs. Thank God its almost over.

This post captures every single reason why i hate the Big Least and their fans. MSU won it in 2000, which is this century. From 2000-2006, the Big 10 put 6 entries into the Final Four. The only conference that had more was the ACC at 7. The Big Least had a total of 2 (Marq/Louis dont count b/c they were in the CUSA at the time). And just because somehow someway those teams did win championships, they think they are the best conference in all of collegiate basketball- not minding the fact they didnt win a single championship from 1985 to 1999. The Big Least has no balance and no depth. They are more of a mercurial phenomenon than a power conference and i wish their fans would start to understand this.

Crystal.

No one yet has mentioned the happiest man in this conversation. His name is Andruw Jones. How much money will he get next year if he has another MVP performance this season? 7 and 150 for sure and probably a whole lot more.

As usual....The Big Least is overrated again this season. Badgers roll in a huge blowout at home. In the words of Vitale, Pitt got taken to the shed. Cant wait for Mr Butch to meet Mr Buckeye in the Madtowne the 1st week of January. That Alando Tucker kid is really really really good. He keeps it up and you will be talking about the PoY for him. GO WISKY!