vance_the_cubs_fan

You can like him all you want, but for those who want Theriot at second, then you must make either one of two choices: 1. Replace Murton with a power bat in left. 2. Accept the fact the Cubs will not contend in 2007. Considering the number of secondbaseman who will be an improvement at second on the FA market, I can't see going with Theriot. Murton in LF > Theriot at 2b. Also, there are more upgrades available on the market this winter for 2b.

I disagree. And if teams constantly threw pitchouts with the pitcher up, that would work into Pierre's team's favor as it would waste pitches with the pitcher at the plate. As I said in the post where I said Pierre would make a great 8th hitter...

Just because one guy failed doesn't mean that the next guy will. You have to give young players a shot. That is why teams like the Braves, Marlins, A's, and twins have been good for years now. It's ok to give young guys a shot when you've built a team that is not dependent upon their success. The problem with handing secondbase over to Theriot is that the Cubs do not have an offense that can sustain success if he doesn't succeed. The Braves have been able to work kids into the line-ups because they had teams that could sustain success with the gamble. The Twins and Marlins have done it more out of payroll necessity than desire, though at times it has worked out. If the Cubs had better offense in the outfield, or a hitter like Tejada or Young at short, then they could take a chance with Theriot. As it stands, the Cubs have two bonafide power hitters in Lee and Ramirez, and some nice complementary hitters in Barrett, Murton, and Jones. Izturis provides nothing offensively. Centerfield and secondbase have to be better in order for this team to score enough runs. Theriot doesn't bring enough of what this team needs, unless we upgrade from Jones in right or Murton in left. Look at it this way. Because of what this team needs, we're left with the choice of either keeping Murton as a starter or Theriot as a starter. I think that choice is an easy one. Now, if the Cubs were considering Theriot at SS, then I'd have a much different view on where he fits.

I'm late to the discussion here, so I'm going to offer a few points. I'm with TT in believing that saying "pitching and defense" is being too general. Furthermore, I think the further away from the majors you get down the spectrum, the more defense becomes critical. For example the difference in a good fielding high school player, a great fielding high school player, and a poor high school player is huge. So, in the high school game, a pitcher can be a huge victim of poor defense. But, in the pro game, most players are more bunched defensively. Yes, there will occasionally be a player like say Brooks Robinson who is head and shoulders above others defensively and then there are the rare players that may be so horrible with the glove that they do cost their teams significant runs, but for the most part, the difference isn't that negligible. I will agree that preventing runs is critical, but I think that rests far more on the pitcher. I'm not going to say the pitcher doesn't need defenders to do their job, but that most defenders who have made it to the major leagues are capable of making the plays they are asked to make. So, because of that, a player who's only reputation is as a defender is of less value to one who provides more offense than the average player at his position. Now, as to the Cubs using Izturis and Cedeno or Theriot up the middle for defense. A team might could live with that combination if they had strong offense at the corners and in the outfield. The Cubs do not have enough power at those positions to warrant an all-defense, no stick middle infield. We have the needed production at third and first, but if the Cubs go with Izturis-Cedeno/Theriot up the middle, then Murton nor Jones provide enough to help the Cubs be more than a middle division team.

Reports are that Steve Smith has gone to get another opinion on his balky hamstring. Without Smith, the Panter offense is abysmal. It's also hurting me since Delhomme is my fantasy QB.

I have no problem with Pete's baseballs. It's memorabilia. I've seen pictures of the Bartman play autographed by none other than Moises Alou. Players will do whatever in the memorabilia industy as long as they are paid for it. Though, I did see Robin Ventura get pissy when someone asked him to sign this picture. http://z.lee28.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/venturaryan.jpg

Pierre wouldn't be a terrible option as a ninth hitter on an AL team or an 8th hitter on an NL team. As an 8th hitter, his skills as a slap hitter would be nice as pitchers are rarely inclined to walk the 8th hitter anyway. If he's on ahead of the pitcher, he might can make something happen and be in scoring position when the top of the order comes to the plate. That being said, you don't pay 8th hitters the kind of money Pierre will be looking for.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/ww/news/2006/09/19/pete_rose_baseball_lg.jpg Link

Trustmark is the only SL park I've been to, and I really like it. It's easy to get to and most of the staff have been really friendly. I just wanted to know how it compared to other places. I just wished the Jaxx made it there more than that one five game series. I was only able to make two of those games.

I thought him mentioning that he did a few weeks back. Wait..nevermind..that was a KK article http://www.krispykreme.com/varieties.html http://www.bjacked.net/LuvToHunt/forums/phpBB2/modules/gallery/albums/album01/Beat_Dead_Horse.jpg

WE CAN'T TRADE WITH THE WHITE SOX UNLESS WE FLEECE THEM!!! WE SHOULD NOT HELP THEM GET OUT OF BAD CONTRACTS! WE SHOULD ONLY TRADE THEM PLAYERS LIKE WALROND AND MABRY!!!! Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Theriot reminds me of Mark McLemore without the ability to switch hit. He's versatile and might could be a starter on a team that doesn't need much offense from the position. McLemore was a great fit for the Ranger teams that already had Clark, Pudge, and Gonzalez with some power from Palmer and others. He wouldn't have been a good fit on other teams.

Ron, What's your impression of the Mississippi Braves park in comparison to others around the SL?

Did you also read Spot on the Wall by Hu Flung Pu Why, yes, yes I did read that one. Slow at the beginning, but quite hilarious at the end. :D Much like this Cubs' season.

Did you also read Spot on the Wall by Hu Flung Pu

I wouldn't mind if Theriot started at SS over Izturis, but there are too many upgrades available at secondbase to go into 2007 with Theriot penciled in as the starter.

Keeping Daywalkers Down by Dusty Baker One for the Road by Chris Speier How to Negotiate Your Own Trade Out by Phil Nevin [/i]

Short Hops by Jacque Jones

If he's hurt, then he collects. If he retires, then he does not.

So what have I missed? I've been watching a rather uninspiring MNF game.

Supersize Me by Glendon Rusch

"Thanks for Ricky" by Dave Dombrowski

The Missing C: Going from Closer to Loser in a Mere 6 Months by Ryan Dempster

Why Novoa? by Michael Wuertz

With Georgia at Florida being scheduled for the same day (Oct 28) Missouri-OU doesn't have a chance for GameDay. That's a CBS game, right? If Mizzou-OU is the saturday night game, I'd think they'd come to CoMo rather than fly Herbstreit from Florida to Missouri. Especially if neither team loses before then(which would mean OU beating Texas and Mizzou being 8-0). Heck, poll wise it would probably be a similar matchup, especially with Florida having a chance to lose at Auburn the week before. It doesn't list anything on ESPN.com's schedules as to what channel but the Florida-Georgia game is at 1230. There don't appear to be any marquee games that weekend that are TBA. Obviously that could change in 5 weeks but we'll have to wait and see. Florida-Georgia likely will be on CBS. I think they have rights to the SEC games if they want them.