Transmogrified Tiger

can someone give more details on Patterson's bunt? would he have beat it out? Throwing or fielding error?

Go back a page. Starting a player because they are "familiar with the ballpark"

What I meant is that the fans that don't pay enough attention, whether they are Hendry backers or not, likely wouldn't change their position on the issue based on PT after they've been mathematically eliminated, since they, well, wouldn't pay attention to it.

Burnitz = Enrique Principle at it's finest Neifi = Enrique Principle's cruel reality

I'm waiting for you to toss in a capital letter or two "just for something different." :P Woah, let's not get carried away.

If Macias counts as an OF, than Hairston should too.

One thing I don't understand about this is that nearly every single broadcaster that has done a Cubs game has made mention of how great Neifi has been for the Cubs and has gone on to say that he made it easier to lose Nomar. Now broadcasters are fickle sure, but to have every one of them (including Len) state that Neifi was a savior to me means that he had to have done something right. I think it reflects that the broadcasters are not knowledgable or just say that to satisfy someone. I would think the same way if it wasn't for EVERY single one of them. While Perez isn't the best SS in the league, he certainly was useful. Sometimes there are times where we can not like one or two players, but that can cloud the actual reality. Yes there are different options at SS, but what if Cedeno flamed out? Then would we be anywhere as close as we are? I'm not saying that Perez is the reason that the team is still alive but how would it feel to be a certainty that there isn't a chance? I personally still like the fact that the Cubs are still competitive. Numbers help us from having perceptions cloud reality. If Cedeno "flamed out", it would be very very difficult for him to perform worse than Neifi did during the time when Cedeno could have been starting. Instead, his hot month bought him a season of ineptitude.

Abreu and Santana and all they get is Kevin Stocker. hahaha

As far as I know he's still day-to-day. Dusty probably felt it best to give him two consecutive days, and let Neifi play because he's "familiar with the ballpark", henceforth known as the Enrique Principle.

Neifi in the 6 hole is comical, yet I die a little inside every time it happens.

Something tells me that won't be an issue. If the Cubs fail to make-up any ground before September, and they keep running out the likes of Burnitz & Co. everyday, then perhaps the Cubs fans who still think this regime is doing well will change their mind. If the argument is you can't use kids when trying to contend, then what would be the defense for not using kids when you can no longer pretend that you are contending? But even if they fail to make up any ground, they will still be able to say they are "in the race" until there are very few games left, at which point many casual fans who still back the Cubs brass won't care what happens.

Become Albert Pujols? Seriously though, he could cut down some of the K's with his power, but a pretty high strikeout rate is the likely price for his power. What I'd like to see are some walks along with those K's.

Shhh, making fun of Raisin is much better.

Considering he'd be pitching 10-15 innings in September, and roughly 30 next April, I'd lean towards him missing this September. Why not give the beloved Mitre, Hill and Welly shots next April when it's still really early?? I lean towards playing to win, and not giving up on a season. Wanting Wood to pitch 30 innings in April rather than 10-15 in September doesn't mean giving up on the season.

I doubt it. Also, make sure to note how much use Wellemeyer gets. He's the 12th arm, and after his terrible outing in Houston, I doubt he pitches more than once a week. In essence, an outing that a 6 man pen could easily handle while we have Macias and Perez pinch hitting. Hopefully Murton continues hitting in Iowa, he's never been there.

Who do you have in mind?

Young position players are so shafted. You perform poorly at first, you never see the light of day. You perform well in a limited role, it's because Dusty put you in the right situation and will never expand your role.

No, I'm quite sure you just made that up.

One thing I don't understand about this is that nearly every single broadcaster that has done a Cubs game has made mention of how great Neifi has been for the Cubs and has gone on to say that he made it easier to lose Nomar. Now broadcasters are fickle sure, but to have every one of them (including Len) state that Neifi was a savior to me means that he had to have done something right. I think it reflects that the broadcasters are not knowledgable or just say that to satisfy someone.

Zambrano 2005: 3.76 million 2006: Arbitration eligible 2007: Arbitration eligible 2008: Free Agent Prior 2005: 3.55 million 2006: 3.55 million 2007: Arbitration eligible 2008: Arbitration eligible 2009: Free Agent

Me too, I dig the alternate jerseys.

Considering he'd be pitching 10-15 innings in September, and roughly 30 next April, I'd lean towards him missing this September.

Those numbers sound a lot like the numbers people were pencilling in for Bobby Hill before 2003. I like Ronnie, but it wouldn't be pessimistic to expect anything more than .260/.300/.380. I think a .680 OPS as a ceiling is a little pessimistic. I agree with Tree's reasoning, but I think Cedeno could/would hit .270-.275/.320-.325/.390-.400 if he played full time.

With the 26th pick, Cut for Cap Space selects Terrell Owens, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia

Macias is at 3.6 RC/G, which is a pretty big step up from his numbers of a couple weeks ago(2.8). Before I look any of it up, I'm guessing there are going to be more players that he has outperformed than before. Macias has 128 PA's, so I'll set the minimum at 120. Here are the NL non-catchers worse than him: Corey Patterson (Demoted previously) Quentin McCracken Alex Cintron Raul Mondesi (released) Dustan Mohr Desi Relaford (DFA'd) Chris Burke Jose Vizcaino Cesar Izturis Mike Edwards (Demoted) Jason Grabowski J.J. Hardy Junior Spivey Chris Magruder Kaz Matsui Tomas Perez David Bell Jack Wilson Sean Burroughs (Demoted) Cristian Guzman So with his recent surge, Macias is better than 15 non-catchers who have been in the big leagues all year.