vance_the_cubs_fan

Well stated, BBB! =D>

They had plenty at Wrigleyvillesports when I was there in June.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Not to mention, we'd be helping the White Sox more than we'd be helping ourselves. I think Kottaras would be a great help to the Cubs in the future, likely more than Broadway or Fields would. A catcher who can post a 400 OBP with a cannon for an arm is a great talent. I'd gladly give the Sox Howry if the end result is getting Kottaras from the Padres.

In my scenario, we would only be trading for the vets in order to get a very good catching prospect from the Padres. I wouldn't make the deal to keep Vasquez or Garcia.

I wouldn't mind Sheffield in Right with a Jones/Murton platoon in left. Or trade Jones and play Murt in LF or another FA (Catalanatto would be a very good LF for the money). If everything worked according to plan, I'd have an OF of Jones in LF, Matthews in CF, and Sheffield in RF. Murton would be a 4th OF and platoon partner with Jones. I think that OF could be very productive. Also with Murton on the bench, there's a little injury insurance if Sheff goes down. Murton could be the everyday leftfielder and Jones slides back over to right. If Sheff would take a one year deal in the 8-9 million range, I snatch him up quickly. He gives us potentially a big bat to compliment Lee and Ramirez. If we're unable to get Matthews at a reasonable price, there will be other CF available or possible give Pie a chance. I'm still doing some payroll crunching for next season and I'll post more when I'm done. Ideally, I'd like to spend Maddux's money on Sheff, Wood's money on Schmidt, and Pierre's money on Matthews.

With the Cubs losing, I decided to focus more attention on the Rangers. That had nothing to do with me hating any other team.

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I was hoping Carlos Gonzalez would get promoted for me to watch him play.

I'm not sure anyone cares enough to start game threads any more.

Cedeno is Shawon Dunston with less power.

I'm enjoying following the Rangers now. They have a team that can actually hit. I'm going to see them next week when they play the hated Yankees.

I can see Sheff being a Hendry-like move. He has a reputation of being a good hitter, he won't require a long term deal, and we'd be banking on him achieving a past performance level.

Agreed. It's not as if Cedeno is known for his unbelievably accurate throwing arm. Ronny has made numerous throwing errors on the year so who is to say that he didn't make another one here. I'm not trying to place the blame on Ronny but I'm just throwing it out there (no pun intended). Exactly. And I was watching the ESPN broadcast today. Interesting enough, the ESPN crew didn't mention a bobble by Walker at all. They spent a few minutes discussing Cedeno's throwing problems. In fact, they spent an extended time discussing how while Cedeno is a slick fielder, he's going to have to learn to be more accurate on his throws.

Indirectly? His comments sounded direct to me. And that was another stupid thing Baker said/did. And that should explain Walker's angst and defensiveness. I don't know what kind of work you do, but put yourself in Walker's position. If my school had a poor performance score and in the newspaper my principal pointed the finger at me directly, I can almost guarantee you, I'm not going to humbly accept it. and yes, someone likely would be thrown under the bus when I'm asked about it. I'm not a Baker apologist and I really like Walker. But, like you mentioned iin a previous post that Walker is the type of guy that appreciates and uses candor in what he says. Well, then he has to be able accept/appreciate Baker's candor in THIS particular situation. Watching the conference, I didn't feel he criticized Walker but rather was explaining the game situation as he saw it. But that's just it. He doesn't agree with Baker's candor so he's candidly saying so. He's saying the ball took a funny hop, but he still got the ball to the shortstop. And maybe Baker wasn't criticizing Walker, but Baker's comments in conjunction with what Brenly said could easily be construed as blaming the loss on Walker. That's likely how Walker saw it too, and no I don't know him, and is likely why he responded the way he did.

Indirectly? His comments sounded direct to me. And that was another stupid thing Baker said/did. And that should explain Walker's angst and defensiveness. I don't know what kind of work you do, but put yourself in Walker's position. If my school had a poor performance score and in the newspaper my principal pointed the finger at me directly, I can almost guarantee you, I'm not going to humbly accept it. and yes, someone likely would be thrown under the bus when I'm asked about it. But don't we always complain about this organization's (including players)not holding themselves accountable? In my opinion, Walker was wrong for even bringing up Brenly's name. And, yes, had I been Walker I would've simply said I didn't bobble it and leave it at that. Our department is criticized a lot at my job. Do I "drop a dime" on my team to save me from criticism? Nope. As I've said, I have no problem with Walker denying he bobbled the ball or had trouble getting the ball out of his glove, but there was no reason for him to complain about Brenly's call or for calling out Cedeno. But Walker is not only being called out, he's feeling pushed out the door. In his mind, he's really not "part" of the team anymore so looking out for the team is no longer in his mindset.

Indirectly? His comments sounded direct to me. And that was another stupid thing Baker said/did. And that should explain Walker's angst and defensiveness. I don't know what kind of work you do, but put yourself in Walker's position. If my school had a poor performance score and in the newspaper my principal pointed the finger at me directly, I can almost guarantee you, I'm not going to humbly accept it. and yes, someone likely would be thrown under the bus when I'm asked about it.

Yep. Maddux definitely appears to be tired of this crap. Frankly, so am I.

So how would you respond if a reporter publicly questioned your ability to do your job? I don't know if you have had a chance to read the article yet, but I had no problem with his response until he brought up Bob Brenly's name, which had nothing to do with the original question. And, he was right there when he saw what happened to Cedeno, and if he didn't see it he was right there asking Cedeno if he was okay or what happened or whatever when Cedeno stayed on the ground after the play. I know Walker is one of your favorites, but I don't see how anyone can justify his bringing up Brenly's comment. I read the article. It appears that Dusty threw Walker under the bus first. I'm not saying Walker handled it perfectly. I am saying that when you have a manager that acts as Dusty has, that players are going to start thinking of themselves, especially ones that already believe the organization is going to send them packing. Walker likely referred to Brenly because he knew the questioning began because Brenly said he "bobbled it" and Walker wanted to clarify that in his mind he didn't. Should Walker not have been so defensive? Probably, but once again his manager was blaming the loss on that play, and not so indirectly on Walker. When that crap happens, people are going to get defensive. I think the questioning started when Baker referenced that play as being costly. I'm not sure the reporters even knew about Brenly's comments. And in Baker's comments, he indirectly places the blame on Walker. It's not surprising that Walker got a bit defensive.

In some circles around here, value is placed on being direct and speaking your mind. Bluntness and telling it like it is is of higher value than being meek and declining comment. You may not agree that is the case, but to some honesty means not hiding your feelings and thoughts. My dad is that way, and so I understand it. It's not a "political" idea in the least. My guess is that Walker is like that. He's not going to decline comment. If someone asks him a question, he's going to make his feelings known, rightly or wrongly. That's just who he is. For some, being that direct isn't the best course of action. For others they appreciate his candor.

So how would you respond if a reporter publicly questioned your ability to do your job? I don't know if you have had a chance to read the article yet, but I had no problem with his response until he brought up Bob Brenly's name, which had nothing to do with the original question. And, he was right there when he saw what happened to Cedeno, and if he didn't see it he was right there asking Cedeno if he was okay or what happened or whatever when Cedeno stayed on the ground after the play. I know Walker is one of your favorites, but I don't see how anyone can justify his bringing up Brenly's comment. I read the article. It appears that Dusty threw Walker under the bus first. I'm not saying Walker handled it perfectly. I am saying that when you have a manager that acts as Dusty has, that players are going to start thinking of themselves, especially ones that already believe the organization is going to send them packing. Walker likely referred to Brenly because he knew the questioning began because Brenly said he "bobbled it" and Walker wanted to clarify that in his mind he didn't. Should Walker not have been so defensive? Probably, but once again his manager was blaming the loss on that play, and not so indirectly on Walker. When that crap happens, people are going to get defensive.

I'm not condoning their actions, but trying to place them into context. Have you ever worked for a crappy boss that always passed the buck and blamed everyone but never took any responsibility himself? I have. And after awhile, very good employees become very bad employees. They begin to take advantage where they can and they begin to often take on the personality of their leader. I've seen it happen in two places where I've worked. It doesn't surprise me that this team has taken on a me-first attitude when that is exactly what attitude it's leader has. Baker's statement about if the team struggles with the youth, would that be held against him shows what exactly the manager is thinking. When the players see that, it tells them that their leader believes in looking out for himself first and that they should as well. Furthermore, what Walker is doing is only human. He believes he's going to be traded. Like others have mentioned in this thread, he heard the rumors of his being traded all offseason. He was the starter in 05, yet not once did he receive a public backing by his bosses this offseason. He's hearing the rumors again that he'll be traded. He's a FA who will be looking for a job and has received no indication that his current employer plans on retaining him. Why should he exhibit loyalty to said employer when they haven't done so to him? As a teacher, I usually try to be a team player. In fact I score high in that regard on every evaluation I recieve. I rarely take days off because I know that it is difficult for my school to get quality substitutes and often my co-workers end up having to cover classes on what should be their break. Yet, if I heard rumblings when I reported in August that my principal tried to have me transferred over the summer, and then in February-March, I continue to hear from reliable sources that I'm not going to be re-hired for the next school year, suddenly I may not be as willing to cover someone's class or cover someone's duty, and I may just start taking my sick days at my leisure. Why would I do this? Human nature. I have to disagree, Vance. We're talking about one player today and two players (Alou and Mercker) from 2004. I'd be inclined to agree with you if generally stand up guys like Lee, Pierre or Maddux started to act like this. And it infuriates me that in order for these types of incidents to happen they would have to go to the clubhouse rewind the tape AND turn up the volume. What's the point of turning up the volume to see a replay? But it's not just one player today and two from 2004. Have we forgotten so soon Scott Williamson's comments? Or what about Ramirez throwing the pitching staff under the bus? Or Scott Eyre, who is normally a stand-up guy, saying the media questioning Dusty is part of the problem? Just because Lee, Pierre, and Maddux haven't stooped to this level is no way proof that the attitude hasn't permeated the clubhouse. Some guys are more vocal than others. Walker, Alou, and Mercker were always vocal in good times and bad. It's not surprising that they were the ones who spoke out since they were always outspoken. I'm not saying that they are all model citizens either, but wasn't Dusty's strenght his ability to keep a happy clubhouse and keep veteran players focused on the team concept? Well, it appears he sucks at it. Alou went bad under Dusty. Mercker, who in every interview from anyone who ever played with him says he's the best guy you can have in a clubhouse, had issues under Dusty. Williamson went as far to saying Dusty had "favorites." This kind of bickering and backbiting is a sign that there is a poor leader at the top. If being 20 games under 500 isn't enough to justify firing him, this should be. If Hendry is too dense to see it, then he should be fired as well.

I'm probably going to see Mississippi play the Smokies this coming week. Who on that team is a good prospect if any. I looked on the roster and didn't really recognize any of the names.

Move Jones to LF and platoon with Murton. Sign Matthews for CF. Sign Sheffield for RF.

So how would you respond if a reporter publicly questioned your ability to do your job?

I'm not condoning their actions, but trying to place them into context. Have you ever worked for a crappy boss that always passed the buck and blamed everyone but never took any responsibility himself? I have. And after awhile, very good employees become very bad employees. They begin to take advantage where they can and they begin to often take on the personality of their leader. I've seen it happen in two places where I've worked. It doesn't surprise me that this team has taken on a me-first attitude when that is exactly what attitude it's leader has. Baker's statement about if the team struggles with the youth, would that be held against him shows what exactly the manager is thinking. When the players see that, it tells them that their leader believes in looking out for himself first and that they should as well. Furthermore, what Walker is doing is only human. He believes he's going to be traded. Like others have mentioned in this thread, he heard the rumors of his being traded all offseason. He was the starter in 05, yet not once did he receive a public backing by his bosses this offseason. He's hearing the rumors again that he'll be traded. He's a FA who will be looking for a job and has received no indication that his current employer plans on retaining him. Why should he exhibit loyalty to said employer when they haven't done so to him? As a teacher, I usually try to be a team player. In fact I score high in that regard on every evaluation I recieve. I rarely take days off because I know that it is difficult for my school to get quality substitutes and often my co-workers end up having to cover classes on what should be their break. Yet, if I heard rumblings when I reported in August that my principal tried to have me transferred over the summer, and then in February-March, I continue to hear from reliable sources that I'm not going to be re-hired for the next school year, suddenly I may not be as willing to cover someone's class or cover someone's duty, and I may just start taking my sick days at my leisure. Why would I do this? Human nature.

That play did not cost us the game, but Walker gets the blame because of the bobble or trouble he had getting the ball out of his glove that disrupted the timing of the play. Cedeno's throw was poor because as he threw it the runner (I forgot who it was) actually made an attempt to grab the bag and when he couldn't he grabbed Cedeno's foot making Cedeno get off a poor throw. These guys are adults who have been playing baseball all their lives. If they have to act like babies I don't fault the manager, I fault the players. Walker threw Cedeno under the bus with his comment that you'd have to ask Cedeno what happened on the throw when Walker was right there as Cedeno was being tripped up. I understand when fans don't want to place any blame on "their" guy, but you can't then blame Baker or anyone else who does the same thing. I still don't know why more wasn't mentioned of Walker's lie when he created a stir by saying he never spoke to Baker during the offseason when a month later he admitted he did. As I said earlier, it was always curious to me that any team could've had him, as Hendry was seemingly dangling him , yet no one wanted him. But we don't know for a fact what Hendry would have taken for Walker. Everyone wants to say that he could have been had for a song, but we don't know that. We only know what was reported in the media. And yes, it seemed as if Walker was actively being shopped, but we really don't know what Hendry's asking price was, just as we don't know definitively that Hendry could have had Dunn for Rich Hill. You're right we don't know what Hendry's asking price was. But it's rare to have several outlets (and I mean Chicago papers and national people) say that a player is being shopped around without any mention of a comment like "...but the asking price is high..." if the asking price wasn't too high. It wasn't as if he was ever given a ringing endorsement even when the rumors were out there. And with the ineptitude that Hendry has shown in valuing defense and speed over OBP and SLP, is Hendry not wanting Walker around really an indictment over Walker's skills?