CubbieRich

Analyzing a situation doesn't mean you take cheap shots when not warranted, and it also means that you think critically, not be critical. Thinking critically, you would say that Aramis is playing through pain and thus shouldn't be expected to run flat out to 1B on a ground ball to third. His bat is more important that making it a close play, given the risk. Critical thinking tells you that Murton has command of the zone, and thus could be a valuable ML player, and at the very least is the best option in the OF right now when put against Holla and Macias. Critical thinking tells you that it's stupid to call up a guy who's missed 9 weeks with a bad ankle injury just for the sake of it. Critical thinking. Not just criticism. I realize that one makes for better talk radio, but I'm tired of people taking Stone's word for gospel. It's not, and it's seeming more and more obvious that he has a big axe to grind with this organization. Excellent post and very well said. His bitterness isn't hidden by his claims of objectivity. Please show me Bruce Levine's career MLB stats.

Stoney was on The Score for 4 hours on Sunday afternoon and was at his critical BEST. Here are some of things he discussed: Kerry Wood-Cubs are kidding themselves by doing anything but starting him. He says they should shut him down, clean up his shoulder and prepare for 2006. He says that Kerry is still throwing across his body and will continue to have arm problems. At $12 million next year, he is too expensive for anything but starting. Mentioned that Texas has money and is in desperate need of starting pitching, but won’t deal for him until they are assured he can start with no problems. Ronny Cedeno-Likes what he sees with Cedeno and feels he is the Cubs SS of the future. Matt Murton-Will not be everyday player. Thinks Red Sox discovered something about his play that they did not like. Doesn’t have power for the corner OF position. Jeromy Burnitz-Team option of $7 million+ for 2006. They will let him go. Aramis Rameriz-Must correct laziness in fielding and running out ground balls. Knock on him in Pittsburgh was lack of hustle and attitude. Feels he’s suffering from groin or lower leg problems right now that must get healed. Felix Pie-Real deal. Once he recovers from injury and gets back into shape, should be called up. The question is can the team count on him in 2006 to hit well enough to get on base a lot against Big League pitching? Corey Patterson-Still hasn’t figured out what kind of player he is-speed and contact or HR/strikeout. Until he does, he will struggle. Stoney mentioned that the Yankees have shown interest with Bernie Williams being phased out and need for speed in CF. CPatt has low salary and could be dealt if he shows something in remaining 6 weeks. He said if the Cubs are showcasing him this year, he will be brought up before St. Louis series. Dusty-Isn’t going to be fired by Cubs. Hendry’s reputation is on line. However..Grady Little is waiting in the wings and wasn’t hired to be roving instructor. Feels that Dusty has played Perez and Macias far too much in starting lineup-they are complimentary players. Macias is CF was a mistake. Players need to take it upon themselves to be motivated. Hendry-Needs to have the minor leaguers come up and play every day. Will have a lot of money in 2006 for weak FA class.

McGwire didn't have much range; I do believe he was better defensively than you give him credit for, but I'm going to let it go at that. It's too hard to quantify defensive play, and I don't have the time to get together and watch old tapes with you. At any rate, he certainly didn't suffer a defensive decline during or after the 1998 season beyond what you would expect from any 34-year-old ballplayer with bad feet. And I haven't seen this gradual decline in Sammy's defense. He was always a guy who could occasionally make the spectacular catch, and also miss a routine fly ball. I don't think anything's changed there. Yes, his arm isn't what it once was. In his prime he had an arm like Clemente. He still throws like a former Pirate outfielder; unfortunately the former Pirate outfielder he now throws like is Omar Moreno. But as I said before, that didn't happen until his offensive skills were also in decline in 2002 or 2003. So it can hardly be said that it was the result of too much focus on hitting. McGwire was an average first baseman. His range was nil and could barely reach down to grab throws in the dirt. His throwing was erratic and for not the bias of St. Louis official scoring, have numerous throwing errors. He made Eddie Murray look like a Gold Glover by comparison Sosa never had the arm of a Roberto Clemente. Sosa's arm was comparable to a Larry Waker or Raul Mondesi. Ichiro has a better arm and accuracy than Sammy ever had.

Everyone keeps saying you'd be playing with a 24 man roster..it's 23. Wood and Maddux would both be unavailable. The other is financial. Who in their right mind would tie up $21 million(next year) in 2 pitchers for 1 out of 5 games?

Maddux has served his purpose here. Now he's a .500 pitcher who makes $9 million and that's too rich for my blood. I know he has an 400 innings clause that has about 47 innings to vest. Considering he's averaging just over 6 innings per start, if he starts every 5th day he'll make it with his next to last start this year. I hope the Cubs come up with another solution and let him go. I think it's time to move on, Greg. Wood will make $12 million next year and far too expensive for the Cubs-starter or reliever. I am hoping the Cubs trade his worthless arm in the off-season to someone who can be foolish enough to believe he is still a starter. With the Sammy, Nomar, Wood, Remlinger and Maddux money freed up for next year(over $30 million), I see nothing that can't be replaced.

Why do you say that Edmonds is better than Griffey? Over their careers they have remarkably similar numbers. Or were you just talking about present day? Present day. It's unwise to only take snapshots and base one's opinions on a player's effectiveness by ignoring production stats and projecting what may be, rather than what is. If this wasn't true, Kerry Wood with his small BA against would be highly regarded, rather than the over-priced, oft-injured bum that he is. Edmonds is an above average CF, not HOF material. He is no Andruw Jones or Griffey, Jr. though. Additionally, open criticism from one's teammates undermines the team's attitude and eventually their success. Edmonds makes some wonderful catches, but also showboats. His fellow players said that Edmonds at times was more interested in getting on Sportscenter than anything else.

Please show me any article that even hints that any of Andre Dawson's teammates called him anything less than a professional. You can't find it. While SI had stories of how Edmonds' Angels teammates criticized him a great deal. Look it up. I checked with Baseball-Reference and found they compare Dawson's career numbers with players like Billy Williams, Tony Perez, Dave Parker, Al Kaline.. They compare Edmonds to Shawn Green, Tim Salmon, Jason Giambi and Wally Berger. Please feel free to begin your own 'Wally Berger for the HOF' thread today. You can't ignore the Andre's career stats, All-Star selections and other accomplishments. Again I don't know if that is HOF material, but Edmonds is clearly not better than Andruw Jones, Griffey Jr. and they play CF in the NL. Not sorry.

The only thing Edmonds has over Andre is that he wears eye makeup. My Jimmy, you look so cute. Andre was an MVP of the NL. Edmonds hasn't been close. Andre has far more HR, RBI, etc.. than Edmonds. Andre had more speed and used it for more SB. Andre was a feared OF who would throw you out with his great arm. Andre was selected for 8 All-Star Games, Edmonds a mere 4. Andre's teammates NEVER accused him of showboating flyballs or being a cancer in the clubhouse. Edmonds wore both lables quite well. Little wonder the Angels won the WS after Edmonds was dealt. I don't know if Andre deserves the Hall of Fame, but Edmonds is clearly not the premier CF in the NL..let alone HOF material. Not sorry.

With the 'red light at the end of the dugout', 'name on the front means mre than name on the back' and '20 pounds heavier' comments, I thought Ryno was firing an AK-47 on automatic at Sammy, Big Yak and other steroid, me-me-me players. Good for Ryno. Excellent speech. His words to Margaret were very touching. As Boggs was talking, I thought maybe that was a plumpier Margo Adams sitting next to his wife. Boggs's words to his wife were quite hollow. Tastes like chicken, does it Wade?

Damon and Todd Walker were together here when the Red Sox were in town. Damon was quoted in the Chicago papers that he enjoys the ambiance of Wrigley and the Cub fans. He said that 'it would be something to really look at' when the season is over. I suspect he will test the FA waters and be in great demand. Would I take Damon over Pie in CF in 2006? Don't know, but certainly possibly one of them could move to LF or RF. The chances are Pie will not come out and hit .330 in the BIGS the first year and Damon would be a great tutor(plus, hitting .300+ himself).

This week-end, on Sat. night I believe. As I remember the broadcast, Bob Costas was reading the credits and saying good-bye to everyone when Ryno connected in the 9th.

The best way to stop such chants is to play well and succeed, not berate the Cubs fans by telling us "I'm not playing for the fans". Latroy was a tool here with the media and the fans. Effort means nothing in the BIG LEAGUES. You get paid for RESULTS. Try telling your boss today that you will try real hard but you're not interested in what he/she thinks about your performance. I think you'd be gone pretty fast.

Come on. If you were Kenny Williams would you give up a "stud" AA player for Neifi Perez? I'm all for making trade proposals, but at least make it realistic. It's very realistic. The Sox have a hole at SS and considering the other SS they might deal for, Neifi is their best option. If you read the Chicago papers, the Sox have no 'untradeable position players in the minors'.

The White Sox need a dependable SS. Nomar is coming back in the next week. Ronnie Cedeno is the SS for 2006. Trade Neifi(while he has value) to the White Sox for one of their stud AA OF.

quote="oldcubsfan"]Would you rather play in front of a supportive fan base like St. Louis and the way Chicago was or in front of a bunch of childish, mean and often stupid fans who think they know everything? The mystique of informed, loyal Cardinal fans is not only over-rated, but simply an overblown myth. Look at what happened at Game #3 and #4 of last year's W.S. Cardinal fans threw seat cushions, cups and other trash onto the field in the 7th inning on until after the game. In Game #4, they sold thousands of tickets to Red Sox fans. Again trashing the field with their debris. This is the same franchise which ended the season a few years ago in Florida and made the players find their own travel plans back to St. Louis. real classy!