David

I like how you threw that in yourself. It's really not most obviously, since there's not another player on this roster that can back up SS.

What on earth leads you to believe that Gomez's line this year is something he has any chance in hell of keeping up? Honestly... clamoring for Chris Gomez? Is this bizarro world?

Who cares that he's 37 years old? I'm not suggesting they sign him to a long term contract. Bottomline is he's hitting .311 with a .341 OBP and is hitting .316 with an OBP of .350 as a PH. That is not only consistent numbers but ten times the prodoction you'll get out of Cedeno as your primary RH hitter off the bench. There's no comparison really and more importantly he's a veteran. I also could care less that he has 3 errors in 18 games at SS.....again, I'm not asking him to be a late inning defensive replacement either. Sh*t, Cedeno right now isn't even a defensive replacement. He is just sucking up a roster spot and needs to go and will be gone. This is ridiculous. There's pretty much no use in attempting to predict what either player can or will do in 15-20 pinch hit at bats. Those situational stats based on limited ABs also mean nothing. But go ahead and feel free to keep ranting on this team's "need" for a RH pinch hitter.

Now, HERE'S some nit picking for ya .......... Cedeno P PA P/PA BDI LOB RBI% 6th inning 82 19 4.32 2 5 0.286 7th inning 104 25 4.16 1 13 0.071 8th inning 79 20 3.95 8 9 0.471 9th inning 36 9 4.00 0 5 0.000 6th thru 9th 301 73 4.12 11 32 0.256 All innings 569 145 3.92 19 75 0.202 Factionista! Fact Nazi! Harbinger of Facts! That's the beautiful thing about stats: You can pretty much use any variation to support your opinion. Just ask Rich Hill fans. The stat I look at when judging how sucktacular Cedeno is as a PH is his robust .083 BA this year as a PH. Yeah, he only has 20 ab's as a PH so what does that tell you? It tells me that Lou has very little confidence in him as a PH. Not a good sign with your first choice for a RH PH. Cedeno is just sucking up a roster spot and he is thankfully not long on this roster as Hendry is more than aware of this weakness. Maybe I did overreact slightly about saying that this is the most "glaring" hole on this team ( which is actually a good thing when a single bench player is your most glaring hole- means you're a good team) but it definitely is something that has to be and will be addressed. Like I said previously, those of you who don't think that improving this need is not a big deal, the next time Cedeno is up as a PH late in a game and he swings at junk over his head and chokes yet again, I will bump this thread. I not only want someone who is a good PH in his roster spot, but a veteran who's been through pressure situations late in games. That's another thing I dislike about Cedeno, he's a headcase and is a terrible fundamental player who will choke every time. Can you tell I don't like Cedeno........whatsoever???? Go ahead and bump it as this team is on it's way to 95+ wins.

I don't think you are giving him enough credit. He's not the Ted Lilly of last year (and to be honest, people that thought he would be are pretty naive ) but after his first 4 awful starts, his ERA is 3.82 with a 1.28 ERA. His career numbers are 4.48 and 1.34, so for the season, including his bad starts he's pretty much at his career numbers. Again, Ted Lilly is not a number 2 starter, but now that we have Harden in the mix, he makes a decent number 3-4 starter. You can bet that he will be our 3 starter in the playoffs if everyone is healthy because Lou will want a lefty. I have a hard time seeing Lou slotting Dempster 4th in a playoff rotation with the season he's having, even if he does want a lefty. I also think there's no way Z and Harden aren't starting 1,2 to make sure they get the most starts... I guess we'll see, though.

there are few baseball analysts I dislike more than Orel. he's absolutely terrible did we just become best friends? (I've never been more excited to see a new movie than I am about Step Brothers) I think Will Ferrell is much better off in supporting roles. Frank the Tank > * his other roles. that movie was terrible no.

there are few baseball analysts I dislike more than Orel. he's absolutely terrible did we just become best friends? (I've never been more excited to see a new movie than I am about Step Brothers) I think Will Ferrell is much better off in supporting roles. Frank the Tank > * his other roles. That said, Step Brothers looks like it might actually be funny. Oh, and I already considered you a best friend since you had Paz as your av.

there are few baseball analysts I dislike more than Orel. he's absolutely terrible

Count me in the "doesn't like Santo as an analyst but does occasionally get a laugh out of his rambling" camp... "I'm gonna hit him!"

Is Darvish being posted this offseason or the next one?

Both looked absolutely awesome. Dempster had pinpoint command and Marmol's slider was nasty. That's just great for Marmol! Hopefully he'll be back to his usual dominate self after the break.. ](*,) ](*,)

They need to get, be, and stay healthy. That's all they need.

The Bears won before with the same QB and less talent at WR. Every WR on the roster now is better than Rashied Davis (the #3 WR in 06) was then. At least 1/2 are better than Moose was in 06. Are you referring to 2005? I don't see how our current WR's are better than that. People keep downlplaying the loss of Berrian, but he is one of the best deep route runners in the NFL. He's referring to 2006.

If it's terrible, it won't be because of those things. Or will it be because we are relying on a 2nd round draft pick RB and another RB with 2 major leg injuries? Or a rookie starting at one of the most dificult positions to play as a rookie(LT), on an offensive line that was brutal last season and made no major upgrades other than the draft. Bingo.

I don't think the offense will be terrible. I would hope the defense and special teams would go back to being elite. Below average (better than terrible) offense, elite D, and elite special teams equals a pretty good team. I was about to re-word it that exact way. The special teams and defense (when healthy) would be elite, not just "above average."

If it's terrible, it won't be because of those things.

I hate getting buried at the end of a page...especially in a thread like this.

Looks like he will take a rehab stint, too... http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1057769,CST-SPT-starnt16.article

Going into 06, all anyone talked about was how bad the offense would be and how the Bears had no deep threat and needed to make a run at Deion Branch, Ashley Lelie, or Jerry Porter. Then they went on to destroy a bunch of teams by 20-30 points for the first half of the season (while the defense was healthy). If the run game is remotely effective, the offense will be fine. It all hinges on just how much the line improves. With the run game, the play action deep pass will follow. Should be interesting to see, but I can definitely see them having an average offense, which would be enough to be a very good team (especially with their ridiculous return game) if the defense is healthy and dominant.

Great news on the "clean bill of health" part.

Absolutely not. It's unfair that the Cubs lost home field advantage (assuming they make it to the Series in the first place) because a Brewer couldn't throw out the runner at the plate. Maybe. That said, we still wouldn't have gotten home field this year had it been the old system. I still feel cheated by Billy Wagner, Uggla, and everyone else's suckitude. Dempster striking out the side was cool, though.

Wow, some people here have REALLY short attention spans. ...and I thought I was bad.

No, he went in as a Red Sox. He's the reason they changed the rule. http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.jsp?playerId=111153 Still, why the hell does he have a Yankee hat on, besides the typical forced special moment from Fox. Prolly cause he's in Yankee Stadium.

No, he went in as a Red Sox. He's the reason they changed the rule. http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/hofers/detail.jsp?playerId=111153

haha so I just looked up "let's chop cats" so I could figure out what the hell IMB's location meant and found the youtube clip.... friggin hilarious carry on.