CuseCubFan69

I doubt it. Jones is just as mediocre as Lieber, only he's not a pitcher so he's not going to be valued as much. Nobody is going to be giving up top prospects for Jones. I'd like to move Jones and a pitching prospect, if Pie proves he can play, for a SS prospect. I agree with BbB that it's nice to have some depth in the OF but the lack of talent at the SS postion in this organization really bugs me. I'd like to see the Cubs do that too, but from everything being said in the front office, they like Izturis. Yeah I know. Well let's hope that Lou and Perry can turn on a light for Mr. Izturis then and he can improve his hitting approach and numbers.

I like the announcers for the BE games but once they flash to Digger....not so much.

I'm liking Lou quite a bit right now!

I doubt it. Jones is just as mediocre as Lieber, only he's not a pitcher so he's not going to be valued as much. Nobody is going to be giving up top prospects for Jones. I'd like to move Jones and a pitching prospect, if Pie proves he can play, for a SS prospect. I agree with BbB that it's nice to have some depth in the OF but the lack of talent at the SS postion in this organization really bugs me.

I'm glad to see this progress in Pie's game. Me too and he is only 21, correct? He turned 22 in February. Thanks Bob! If he was in college he'd be a senior right now, I like the fact that he has had some time in AAA instead.

I just got a report out of Arizona that they had a tee set up near homeplate, and Prior just simulated a delivery while someone ran out and put the ball on the tee. Thanks Jay!

Yeah, that too!

I'm sorry but I'm still thinking about Jennie Finch being on the show to even remember what Stark had to say! Speaking of that, I wonder how hard she could throw a baseball from 60 feet?

I agree. These are the numbers I would go by.

Wonder why the hell I put Neifi Perez in my lineup. ;) Because he's proven!

Meaning? I'm aware of the small sample size but how often do you continue to steal with him? What if he gets thrown out the next time and is now 2-5? When is the sample the correct size? oh lord. Assume you have some wierd coin where the chances of it landing on heads is 70% and the chances of it landing on tails are 30%. Assume you flip it 4 times, the probability of that coin landing on heads two times or less is over 34%. That's one in three. The chances of it going two for five is still about 1 in 8. Those are pretty high. However, at the point after the fourth flip, the FIRST FOUR EVENTS HAVE NO IMPACT ON THE NEXT ONE. of course stealing bases is not done in a vacuum probability matter, until the sample size is pretty very large, we're talking at least 25-30. In four attempts, what if two of them were in one game off say Carlos Zambrano (who has a great slidestep) and Hank White (who has a strong arm). Theres also a belief that if you play more and run more, you're going to get better, at BP they call playing more means more production the Jeremy Giambi effect. If you're flipping coins you have no adverse effects correct? I don't think you're analogy works here. I agree with what you said regarding the rest of your post. I'm just asking when a person who goes by the numbers, when would they judge those numbers to be a valid point to go by. Pie for example has struggled with his steal percentage in the minors but has improved as we have seen in the minor thread. Whe do you know a player is at their peak to judge weather or not to have him steal? Do me a favor, go into some actual scenerios and show me what you'll do those instances like I did with O_O.

I love this tournament. It's at the Madison Square Garden and I think that helps make it awesome IMO. I think it's the best of any Conference Tournament every year but I admit I'm very bias regarding this.

I think there is a difference between an injury like that with Giles and one when you are throwing mentally. Do you know why he is rehabbing in the first place and why the lack of velocity? None of us do. But I can't imagine he felt great after either of those injuries and he still had to fight back. Of course, this is the first time he's basically missed an entire year. I'm not totally dismissing the mental aspect of what's going on with him, but I'm so sure it's the main issue. I don't think any of us really can be sure and are just speculating on what we think it might be. As I said earlier, Prior is the one and only guy that really knows.

As a general rule, I tend to disfavor stolen base attempts. When you have a guy who is 65% effective, that suggests to me that he either is a below average baserunner in terms of judging reads (or something comparable) or that he had a moron for a manager. However, there are some cases where I'm fine with stolen bases, even if a guy does not have ideal speed. There are plenty of pitchers (Maddux) and catchers (Piazza) who are poor when it comes to holding and throwing out baserunners. These instances tend not to pop up very often. More often than not, I'd rather not have guys try to steal bases. Interesting. I'm more aggressive than you are but I see what you're saying regarding MLB. Now, matchups can be in your favor or you see a pattern you can take advantage of, would you do both of these? Some situations may call for you to make a move you normally wouldn't. Let's say it's a 1-1 game in the bottom of the 9th. You have an average pitcher and catcher steal wise and a guy that steals around 65% on first with 2 outs. You have a 250/290 hitter up with no power. The guy behind him is a 290/345 guy. What would you do?

I'd urge anyone with questions or comments about his review to post them over at that blog -- link above. He is conscientious about responding to posters. The report makes me sad. I want him to play 2B Me too but you know I have a lot of faith in Tremmell and I hope he can help him with this.

I think there is a difference between an injury like that with Giles and one when you are throwing mentally. Do you know why he is rehabbing in the first place and why the lack of velocity?

Let's say Pie does make the big team. I'd like to see Theeriot make the team and hit off leftys once in awhile to give it a minny platoon. I'd like to see Pie hit against leftys once in a while to keep his development going but not all the time. If the Cubs could get a solid prospect SS for Jones I'd be thrilled but I would still be ok with Pie starting in Iowa and Jones in right or Center.

I'm glad to see this progress in Pie's game. Me too and he is only 21, correct?

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs. My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him? Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing. Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004. The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though. What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating. That or Dusty's stupidity. Game 2 we are up what 9-0 and we let him throw 130 pitches. Thanks Dusty, thanks a bunch. Thanks for reminding me of that! Was Cruz on the playoff team at the time? If he was or another reliever was ready to go, this is where Baker shot down the whole series due to his narrow thinking.

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs. My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him? Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing. Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004. The 2003 Prior is gone. That's why it hurts so much we didn't win it all that year. I still think he can get back to being a good pitcher, his window is shrinking though. What is that stat or thing that posters bring out when a pitcher is overused? What was Prior at in 2003...I just thought of it, abuse rating.

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs. My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him? Well at this point he has to have a mental block as well. I really wonder if this isn't similar to the Knoblach, Ankiel, Sax thing. Could be, I was thinking that he has the superstar effect. I've seen kids dominate for awhile and when they finally hit the top level they meet failure for the first time and how they react to that shows a lot to me. I never liked what I saw from Prior when he was struggling and I'm not sure he has the mental makeup to be able to fight when he isn't on top of his game. He's still young and I hope he can prove me wrong but he has a ways to go before he can be the pitcher he was in 2003 or 2004.

Too old-Micah Hoffpauir will be 27 this year. Wow. I didn't realize he was that old already, thanks. I wish the man well and I hope he hooks up with somebody if the Cubs don't keep him.

I'm not worried about what these guys think I'm worried about what Mark Prior thinks and feels. I think that Prior is following the regiment that House has him on and it's going to be a gradual processs. My question is if as many have said that Prior has never had a pitching injury why is he taking so long to come back and what exactly is wrong with him?

I will say what I have said about Angel for the last 4 years. If he is physically able to pitch, he will do it well. Easily the most talented arm to come thru the Cubs system since Zambrano. I agree. Why is he hurt so often? I hope it isn't because his arm motion sucks, like Woody... I really would like to see his moition now and then. He's a heck of a pitcher and it looks as if Lou thinks that way too. I really don't see Prior as being more effective than Guzman in 2007. did you feel that way three days ago?accusing question> I've felt that way for all of 2007. I'm on record as saying Prior won't be back until June or so and IMO no way will he ever pass Guzman from here on as long as Guzman stays healthy. Honest question, quality answer. I've not had much hope for prior over the offseason, but I must admit I've gotten my hopes up a little with all the positive news out of camp. Right now I'm cautiously optimistic. I think we'll have a definite answer after two more appearances. I hope Prior comes back too believe me. I want the Cubs to have all the weapons and obviously Prior is one on them and I'm rooting for him to be healthy and effective.

Meaning? I'm aware of the small sample size but how often do you continue to steal with him? What if he gets thrown out the next time and is now 2-5? When is the sample the correct size? you pick your spots. you don't let him steal at his discretion. But you don't take away that part of his game. I agree. But, for the guys that go strickly by the numbers what is a decent sample size? the sample size is too small until he reaches 70% ;) It's like gambling, you keep trying and hope you're going to break even and you never do!