Bull

not to defend Kaplan, but just to be clear...you don't think Z is hot tempered and you don't think he reported out of shape? I think both of those are true. I think those are true of a lot of players, but the ones being pointed out share one characteristic. Then he is a bad example in the argument. Z is one of my favorite Cubs. I was at the game in Atlanta, and argued with the Braves fans around me that there's no way Z was throwing at Chipper based on the situation. Unfortunately sportscenter the next morning showed replays which made me a liar. I still think Z is awesome and should be brought back. But I also think he's at Andruw Jones level of, "man this guy could be so much more". We're establishing a pattern here. I do not, however, think there's any reason to believe that Zambrano is lazy. And more to the point, I believe that if Zambrano were white, then those same attributes would either be given a pass or lauded. I could make a list of Santo incidents and Zambrano incidents, scramble them up, and I bet the average non-Cubs baseball fan couldn't tell which ones belonged with which player. Yet Zambrano's incidents prove that he's an unacceptable, lazy clubhouse cancer, while Santo was a fiery competitor and beloved hero. Soriano gets ripped for taking Felix Pie clubbing. When Mark Grace led numerous young players into drunkenness, it's just part of his charm. I don't know where to start. I don't find Grace charming. His slumpbusting ways are disgusting. Santo was a great ballplayer, belongs in the Hall, but was never confused with a member of mensa, and was clearly not loved by the sportswriters or many of his peers (apparently because they hate white guys). He was what he was. Zambrano is an elite talent, and while I love his competitive nature on the mound, he makes Joaquin Andujar (sp?) look like Mohatma Gandhi.

not to defend Kaplan, but just to be clear...you don't think Z is hot tempered and you don't think he reported out of shape? I think both of those are true. I think those are true of a lot of players, but the ones being pointed out share one characteristic. Then he is a bad example in the argument. Z is one of my favorite Cubs. I was at the game in Atlanta, and argued with the Braves fans around me that there's no way Z was throwing at Chipper based on the situation. Unfortunately sportscenter the next morning showed replays which made me a liar. I still think Z is awesome and should be brought back. But I also think he's at Andruw Jones level of, "man this guy could be so much more".

not to defend Kaplan, but just to be clear...you don't think Z is hot tempered and you don't think he reported out of shape?

Completely fair. The primary use of WAR is to be able to compare the general value of players across different roles and positions. Regarding WAR with a pitcher, you have to wonder how useful offensive WAR is. Last year Dontrelle Willis had a combined WAR that was equivalent of Zambrano, and I sure the hell wouldn't want him in the rotation. Personally I would much rather prefer a pitcher that was good at pitching. Why is that your question about WAR with a pitcher? Offensive stats are almost certainly more trustworthy than pitching stats. please explain this. this reeks of "walks matter for pitchers but not for hitters". the total stats for all pitchers in a year match exactly the total stats for all hitters in a year. How is one more trustworthy or valuable than the other?

in general, I prefer catchers as field managers, but I think maddux would be SO good with the pitchers, and that the Cubs have a hitting coach who has enough respect with the hitters, that it could definitely work out.

His redeeming grace was the fact that he is unteachable!

video removed. sad. I missed it.

The Cubs are going to care more about someone who can get on base at the top of the order. Say it again!

wow, I read the title to mean there was news of the Cubs cutting payroll. in response to the actual post: I don't think there will be too many "cuts" as much as much as not pursuing exiting free agents like Hill, Johnson and Grabow. Baker, Dewitt and Wells remain fairly cheap and should be back. If I'm not mistaken, Colvin still has options. eta: I guess you covered Colvin having options by saying "sent down". I suppose Colvin's future depends on who is brought in. i.e., I'm not prevented from trading for an outfielder because of Colvin, but I'm not pressured in negotiations for that outfielder, because my trading partner knows I have Colvin to fall back on as a fourth/fifth outfielder or half of a platoon.

my band flew to Calgary on the same flight as Lifehouse. Loading gear we chatted with them a little about their gig and ours and how we covered one of their songs. They were really nice.

Would you be dumping Z in that scenario or simply not giving Wells / Cashner / Shark / etc. a place in the rotation? Assuming we dump Zambrano. The difference between Pena and Pujielder, assuming a very good year from them, is still only 3 or 4 wins. I prefer Fieljols

reference to him getting hit in the head?

No? Then you have Soriano, Byrd, Sizemore, Jackson and Colvin fighting for playing time. You're going to have to promise Sizemore a starting role. I'm not worried about Colvin. Does that leave Byrd, Soriano, or Jackson as your fourth outfielder?

Why not? If he can stay healthy, I don't think there's any reason this is impossible. Likely? No. But not impossible either.

What?! Use our available assets to take advantage of our strengths in a way that risks very little, but could potentially provide significant results, especially now that we have an organizational philosophy that will provide a better chance of realizing that potential? Yeah, you're crazy.

Most? I'd say most Cubs fans do. Most here perhaps. I have yet to talk to anyone in the real world who even knew who Hoyer was. Oh. I thought this was the Theo thread. Never mind. I agree most don't know who Hoyer is. Reminder: every thread is the Theo thread.

It is becoming clear that every thread is a Theo Epstein thread. please adjust these numbers accordingly.

I've said before, I have no problem with the manager preaching play the game the right way, as long as you have a front office that is looking for talent rather than grit. Its not a bad arrangement. reverse it and you have problems.

fixed How about we just add eventually between Theo and coming? No because then people will make dumb jokes like "well there is a Red Sox-Cubs series at Wrigley next summer!" too late.

this

We tried that surely he's joking. shirley? Or it could be that I haven't kept up with the ins and outs of all this drama, thus why I admitted Apparently it was, which is fine with me. But thanks for answering the question. Major props. wasn't calling you stupid. really thought you were joking. big thread. no stupid questions here, only stupid organizations.

gooney died. jersey killed him. right, but I thought maybe he changed his name again, with all the gooney references and no jersey to be seen. I should have just let it go over my head...clearly not worth it. when someone changes their name they usually leave their old name in their avatar for a period of time (see Tremon aka Treeman). Jersey lost his old avatar (gooney) along time ago, its been awhile since he's been called that. and actually, I think the board really did eat the gooney avatar. It just disappeared. My biggest question is who is C.C. and how do I not recognize a guy with 23,000 posts? Also is he serious in this thread with his 23% crap. Also, also, how did he survive 23,000 posts here with that insanity?

Wait, who the hell are you? So confused! is there a thread where people announce name changes. Help me understand who is making fun of whom and for what, especially when the things they are making fun of them for happened several years ago. i.e. several references to gooney and I'm not even sure who he is anymore. gooney died. jersey killed him. right, but I thought maybe he changed his name again, with all the gooney references and no jersey to be seen. I should have just let it go over my head...clearly not worth it.

We tried that surely he's joking. shirley?

Wait, who the hell are you? So confused! is there a thread where people announce name changes. Help me understand who is making fun of whom and for what, especially when the things they are making fun of them for happened several years ago. i.e. several references to gooney and I'm not even sure who he is anymore.