hawkeyecub

I think worst case scenario is that Hendry brings him back to play the same role he was acquired to play this year. We all know Hendry's act and how he (understandably) talks up everyone's skills and talents beyond reality when they're acquired. Every time he's talked about Monroe he's either emphasized that he can hit lefties and can be a right-handed bat off the bench. I think he's made it clear that he doesn't see him as an everyday player.

As politely as he could, Hendry basically made it clear that Monroe is here to face LHP. I'm thinking/hoping he's going to be Jacque's platoon partner in CF, the top bat off the bench to face lefties out of the pen and get an occasional start on the corner based on matchups. Actually, if you heard Hendry, he stated that Monroe was a right-handed bat off the bench to replace some of the kids. Lou will make the final decision on playing time, but Hendry made it sound like he is a right-handed pinch hitter. Yeah and my point is that he made it pretty clear that Monroe isn't here to play everyday and face a lot of RHP which is what I was hoping to hear. He's here to be our right-handed bat off the bench against LHP and can play any of the outfield spots when we face a lefty.

As politely as he could, Hendry basically made it clear that Monroe is here to face LHP. I'm thinking/hoping he's going to be Jacque's platoon partner in CF, the top bat off the bench to face lefties out of the pen and get an occasional start on the corner based on matchups. I would be willing to bet $10 that most of his starts will be in for Murton. You say that like it's a bad thing. Murton has hit .250/.314/.328 against lefties this year. If Murton were producing against LHP like he had in the past I doubt they make this trade. For any number of reasons Murt hasn't been productive this season and he isn't showing signs of improving.

And Jacque's and Floyd's and, until recently, Ward's. Our OF's lack of power is laughable. Yeah but he isn't going to take any AB's away from those guys. They'll still get the AB's against most RHP. Murton (like most of our lineup) has been dreadful against LHP and that's what Monroe will be doing. If Murton had produced this year against lefties like he had in the past, I doubt we make this deal. Hendry said as much today.

Or he is adding to the problem, getting another guy who is allergic to walks. I really don't care. You're not going to get an ideal hitter at this point of the year. If you want power, you aren't going to get a good OBP guy. If you want OBP, you aren't going to get power. Power is the most glaring need from that group. This team and our OF's in particular can't hit for power and don't hit lefties. Monroe can do both of those things better than just about everyone but our top 3 guys.

And yet some people wonder why Hendry is adding Monroe. He's desperate to get something out of our OF, particularly someone with the slightest resemblance of power who can hit LHP.

Good AB Murton. After Fontenot battles for about 10 pitches and has a great AB, you roll into a DP on the first pitch.

Dominant stuff or not, for the stuff that counts, he has a 7.04 ERA in 23 August innings. Not exactly where you want your ace during the stretch run of a close pennant race. I'm talking about the bi-polar nature of people. Sunday night before the rain the majority were celebrating his signing and how dominant he looked through 3 innings, lamenting the fact that he couldn't fulfill the no-hitter he was set to throw that night. Today all of this talk was going on after he had given up 2 runs in 5 innings. It's just entertaining.

This is hilarious. Sunday night at least 5 people were furious the game was rained out because Z had no-hit stuff and was set to dominate. 90% of the people on this board were happy about his signing. 4 runs over 5.1 innings later and we've had 312 "he's not our ace" "glad we get to pay him 90 million" "good thing the new contract straightened his head out" comments.

LOL, now we know why Z walked him the last time.

Gah, if Cain falls off to either side of the mound it's 2-1 right now.

As politely as he could, Hendry basically made it clear that Monroe is here to face LHP. I'm thinking/hoping he's going to be Jacque's platoon partner in CF, the top bat off the bench to face lefties out of the pen and get an occasional start on the corner based on matchups.

THE GAME ISN'T OVER YET. It kinda has that feeling. Yeah and you've said that the last two nights.

Good thing he won't be playing much against RHP and we have someone who has at least a decent amount of power and success against LHP.

Carlos finally decides to shorten his swing, puts it in play and gets on thanks to an error.

Wow Z got bailed out on that 2-1 call

If we got cash that probably means we gave up a decent prospect. That's not good. I doubt it. I believe it means "We DFA'ed him so instead of having to pay his full remaining salary to go away, we'll pay a portion of his remaining salary and get a roster filler in exchange."

We'll see, Warren. This move costs us the playoffs when Craig starts over Murton constantly, and drives Pie out of the rotation. Soriano doesn't fix anything, either, because then his starts move to CF. We'll be too far down the drain when it becomes obvious to the Cubs that picking low-OBP guys from other teams' waste heaps isn't the way to run a team. If you have any faith at all that he'll be used properly (as if there is a way to do that with a career .303 OBP guy), then it won't hurt as much. This is Lou Piniella we're talking about here. Another terrible manager, although I'll admit that there is no such thing as a good manager. Drives Pie out of the rotation? He's not in the rotation and doesn't belong in the rotation this year. And why would you be upset that it drives him out of the rotation? He's been completely overmatched this year. Did you look at his stats compared to Murton against lefties this year that I posted? Murton has been terrible, Monroe has been good. It's that simple. Have you compared his power numbers to Murton's or any of our other outfielders? I don't care about his OBP (which by the way is better against LHP than Murton's this year). I'm not looking for an everyday productive player in Monroe. I'm looking for a guy who can provide a little power against lefties and hit for a decent average. Just like I'm not too upset that Kendall gives us no SLG. He gets on-base and isn't an automatic out like our other catchers. We aren't in a position to add good all-around everyday players. You just try to add guys with specific skill sets and put them together into a tolerable combination. Definitely not ideal, but it's reality at this point.

The '07 version of Randall Simon. Unfortunately he might have used up all of his postseason, big hit luck last year.

This is absolutely absurd. If Monroe isn't used against RHP (which he shouldn't be and I don't expect him to be) then those overall stats you posted are irrelevant. Vs. LHP in '07 Murton- .250/.314/.328 Monroe- .302/.317/.542 Murton (like the majority of this team) hasn't hit a lick against lefties this year. Monroe has. Used in that role he can help us win games.

Jock can't hit LHP can he? Monroe's good good power and splits vs. lefties. His splits against lefties in his career .277/.321/.501/.822 aren't anything special. He has only hit 2 hr's since the break. He's the right handed Jacque Jones. I just dont see the point of this trade. My comparison is based on what he brings to the table, which is the same as Jacque overall. Does anyone honestly think Lou will use a straight platoon? He hasn't all year, why would he start now? No one is saying he's a good overall player. He can hit lefties and has decent pop. Those are skills that this team can use right now. That career .501 SLG he has against lefties? That would be 3rd on this team right now until Soriano gets back. You don't see the point of this trade? The fact that he's a RH version of Jacque (somewhat) is the point. If he were better than that, we wouldn't have gotten him for such a low cost.

The key will be how he's used. If he doesn't start against RHP, then you have him and Ward as legit options off your bench from each side. Put him in the 6 or 7 spot against lefties and you get better defense and a threat of power. He'll replace Fox on the roster (and is an obvious upgrade) and Soriano will replace Pie when he gets back. Some of the better news is that when we face a LHP, it will keep DeRosa at 2B and Fontenot on the bench. Anyone know his contract status?

Pitchout on a 2-1 count with a pitcher struggling with his control and a DP candidate? SQUEEZE!!!!!!!

Kendall is a great guy to have up in this spot. Thankfully Font walked or they would have just put Kendall on and gotten Jacque to roll into a DP.

Alright we're due to win an extra-inning game.