TXCubsFan

I'll second that opinion. Hard to know if Sisco's composure will hold over the long haul. A tall, hard-throwing lefty is going to give the league real trouble the first time around because of his novelty, much like Dontrelle's unorthodox style did in 2003. I'm not convinced, after the league catches up with Sisco, that he'll mature as Dontrelle has done after the league caught up with him. The odds of a young, immature pitcher that hadn't thrown a pitch above Low A making it in the majors were very slim when Hendry left him unprotected. Except that he is just 22 years old and is likely to improve. Like Juan Cruz was likely to improve? Overall, Hendry has a good track record on which pitching prospects to keep and which to trade.

I'll second that opinion. Hard to know if Sisco's composure will hold over the long haul. A tall, hard-throwing lefty is going to give the league real trouble the first time around because of his novelty, much like Dontrelle's unorthodox style did in 2003. I'm not convinced, after the league catches up with Sisco, that he'll mature as Dontrelle has done after the league caught up with him. The odds of a young, immature pitcher that hadn't thrown a pitch above Low A making it in the majors were very slim when Hendry left him unprotected.

I guess you guys are in the same boat we are for a while. I know La Russa said closer-by-commitee, but who do you see being the primary closer while Izzy is out? I'd have to figure it'd be old rubber-arm Tavarez who would get the bulk of the duties. Who in the Cards bullpen is designated to flip off LaRussa this year? :lol:

He's not coming back regardless of the rest of the season's performance. The Royals suck and can afford to keep him all year. As stated by others, the problem wasn't management not forseeing this success this quick in Sisco, it was the moronic gamble they took when complete garbage like Stephen Randolph was (temporarily) given a 40-man spot instead. On the other hand, I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that Sisco's success results from being a power lefty facing a few batters only one time in a game. The novelty works in his favor. Using him this way for an entire season will stunt his growth unless the Royals plan to use him as a power closer, which diminishes his long-term value, which would be as a #1 or #2 starter. A top line major league starter needs to develop several good pitches and to learn how to adjust during a game as batters in the league learn his stengths and weaknesses. Pitching in the minors would give Sisco that experience. His current workload won't. And if KC wanted to return him to the minors next year to upgrade his skills, how would Sisco react? Not very maturely, I think. At this rate, neither the Cubs nor the Royals will see Sisco as a top line starter. If KC wants to send him to the minors this year to maximize his long-term potential, they will have to pay the Cubs "Royally" for the privilege.

Tim, perhaps the Cubs need a new manager to move in another direction. The team has a decent amount of inexperienced but promising position players at the major league level or near there. Some of the youngsters are ready to take key bullpen roles as well. Dusty just isn't the man to manage a franchise like that. I don't know if I'm ready to give up on this season, but Dusty no longer fits this team. Using Macias for Dubois and Remmy for Wuertz this week is proof enough for me.

This has got to be an all-time low in the history of Major League managing. What the Cubs need to do: 1. Fire Dusty ASAP. 2. Release Macias or trade him for a career minor leaguer. 3. Start Dubois in LF (with Holla as platoon) 4. Have Wuertz close until Borowski returns. 5. Find a stopgap SS and return Cedeno to Iowa.

YOU STALKER! Those are the last 4 digits of my phone number. Are you gonna get my zip code and address next?!?!? I know where you live, I know where you work, and I know which messages board you frequent. :wink:

I'm Cub_Fan2689 on the ESPN.com message boards.