Its only 1 day away from 2009 so I'll start spouting my opinions on the Cubs for the upcoming season.
I'm not totally jacked about the offseason moves so far. We're subtracting Kerry Wood, Bob Howry, Mark DeRosa, and Jason Marquis (soon) so far and added Kevin Gregg, Gathright, Miles, and Vizcaino.
Supposedly we are going to sign Milton Bradley to a big contract? I really hope its not for very many years. He is 30 years old and has topped 500 ABs ONE time in his 9 year career. He's a nice hitter but just can't stay healthy. Why would you think he's going to be healthy now? Maybe he's worth a gamble on like a 2 year deal though since we clearly need another outfielder after the disappointment of Fukudome. But I'd rather go get Pat Burrell for RF and Bobby Abreu for CF for relatively cheap and get 2 guys who play every game.
2009 Lineup:
Soriano LF
Reed Johnson? CF
Fukudome? RF
Ramirez 3B
Theriot SS
Miles? 2B
Lee 1B
Soto C
We need a second baseman and an outfielder. One positive with Bradley when he's healthy is he draws alot of walks and hits for a high slugging percentage which is what made last year's Cubs score more runs than anybody else. I can't wait to see what Hendry does.
Yikes, you have to admit, an OF with Soriano in LF, Burrell in RF and Abreu in CF would have to be the worst OF in the history of baseball. 2 of them are LFers, and the other should be a DH.
How can the Cubs get rid of a .289 hitter with a on base percentage of .375? He also played almost every position error free!
I hope these are some good minor league players. The Cubs will miss DeRosa. :angry:
Is it too early to say "Wait 'til NEXT year!"? ;D
Quote from: Jon Brakel on January 01, 2009, 01:25:54 PM
Is it too early to say "Wait 'til NEXT year!"? ;D
You got that right! Again and again and again and again................
Cubs signed Bradley for 3 years 30 mill. I hope he doesn't mind the cold! The Rays got Burrell for 2 years 16 mill. I still think Abreu would have been the better move for the Cubs than Bradley. Abreu has played over 150 games every year of his career. Bradley has basically had 2 full seasons out of a 9 year career because of injuries. Abreu is old, but still hit .296 with 20 HR last year and he swings from the left side. I'm sure he'll only be getting a 1 or 2 year deal, so its not like the Cubs would have had to committ long-term to him.
Hopefully next summer I won't be looking back at this post as prophetic. So, Kosuke/Reed Johnson in CF then unless Felix Pie somehow gets his career kickstarted?
Milton Bradley:
Lifetime: 817 games played. .280 hitter with a .383 on base %.
2008: Batted .321 in 126 games with a .436 on base %.
Lifetime in Playoffs: Batted .310 with a .383 on base %. A outstanding .667 slugging %.
Switch hitter who hits about the same from both sides.
27 total errors.
I'LL TAKE HIM ON MY TEAM, BAGGAGE AND ALL. ;D
DeRosa... I'd want a team of 9 of them if I could. My favorite Cub in a real long time...
Quote from: Sr. on January 05, 2009, 05:14:18 PM
Milton Bradley:
Lifetime: 817 games played. .280 hitter with a .383 on base %.
2008: Batted .321 in 126 games with a .436 on base %.
Lifetime in Playoffs: Batted .310 with a .383 on base %. A outstanding .667 slugging %.
Switch hitter who hits about the same from both sides.
27 total errors.
I'LL TAKE HIM ON MY TEAM, BAGGAGE AND ALL. ;D
Nobody will argue with you that Bradley is an excellent hitter and produces when he is in there. The question mark is his ability to stay healthy. I hope I'm wrong, believe me. I've watched enough baseball though to know when a guy is that injury prone for that long, you can usually bank on him being injured. Remember Rondell White?
I'm not making this up:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=4245
Going backwards from 2008: 142 games, 61 games, 96 games, 75 games, 141 games, 101 games, 98 games.
Thats an average of 102 games played, or 60 games missed, per season for the last 7 seasons. Thats more than just some bad luck. So don't be mad at Bradley when he goes down for a couple months this year, it was not a secret what we were getting.
On the flip side look at Abreu:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?playerId=3537
156 games, 158, 156, 162, 159, 158, 157, 162, 154, 152, 151. Thats what I call consistency. Lifetime average .300 22 HR 98 RBI
All I'm saying is I'd rather have Abreu for 150 games than Bradley for 100 games. But hopefully I'm wrong and after getting paid, Bradley will go the opposite way and become more motivated to stay healthy which will result in him playing 150 games and winning the NL MVP. You can always hope!
But he's got a great collection of board games for rain delays and road trips! ;D
It seems the Cubs are positioning themselves for a shot at Peavy still.
Pie is gone somehow someway.
Lot of cash spent on outfielders.
Two former White Sox added to the roster, one with World Series ring.
Luiz should provide some good middle relief, Miles - journey man at best but fits the model Lou wants.
Milton Bradley better be able to handle the boos, didn't he throw a chair in to the stands in OAK ?
DeRosa - class act - he will be missed.
Again, I predict a White Sox vs Cubs World Series. ( Sox will win in seven games)
Let's hope both teams can get by the first round this year.
The Hawks would have won if the game played at the Cell.
MB will probably play 50% of the year in RF with Kosuke and Reed platooning center and Kosuke in RF and Reed in CF while MB is hurt. I'd rather have Jim Edmonds but oh well.
Marmol 8th Wood 9th was better than Gregg 8th Marmol 9th.
Mr. Pinella, please hit Aaron Miles in leadoff and not you know who. Aaron is as versitile as De Rosa, just not as powerful. He'll do ok.
Intriguing question: would you rather see MB, Soto, or DLee hitting 3rd? If I remember right, I remember hearing the Cubs hired a Japanese hitting coach (not replacing Gerald Perry) to help Kosuke with his swing. If that's true, that will hopefully be the best piece to this puzzle.
My guess at opening day lineup if the roster remains the same:
Miles 2B
Soriano LF
Lee 1B
Ramirez 3B
Soto C
Bradley RF
Fukudome CF
Theriot SS
Zambrano P (probably)
Soriano just isn't coming out of that leadoff spot is my bet. And Bradley will hit 4th to setup the righty lefty righty combo.
It'll be:
Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Bradley
Ramirez
Soto
Fukudome
Miles
...finally big Z who should probably be hitting 3rd.......
CUBS = Completely Useless By September
Uncalled for. This thread is for a class organization and is not ment to be reduced to namecalling like the other worthless thread.
Quote from: Dan Michler on January 06, 2009, 03:33:56 PM
Uncalled for. This thread is for a class organization and is not ment to be reduced to namecalling like the other worthless thread.
A class organization? What class is that? Losing?
Quote from: Dan Michler on January 06, 2009, 10:50:22 AM
Soriano just isn't coming out of that leadoff spot is my bet. And Bradley will hit 4th to setup the righty lefty righty combo.
It'll be:
Soriano
Theriot
Lee
Bradley
Ramirez
Soto
Fukudome
Miles
...finally big Z who should probably be hitting 3rd.......
you're right, my lineup was more of a "wishful thinking" lineup and probably won't happen. I agree on the RLR that MB would provide between Lee and Ramirez. It would be nice to see Fukudome actually be able to step up and hit well in the 2 spot - that would give RLRLRRRS. Again in dream world, but I wonder if you put Miles 7 with Theriot 8 and Fukudome 2, it would be RLRLRRSR - that would be very balanced. But when your 1-2-3 is K-Pirouette-DP, you can't have that again. I wonder if DLee was trying too hard. He smacked the ball all over and hit it hard, but it was just right to people. That's what led to all the double plays. I'd like to see him go back to the doubles hitting machine that he used to be with some extra power to at least get 25 out. I'm not expecting 40+ again, just get the doubles and get those runs in (hopefully not with 2 outs already!!)
The Cubs had the most runs scored in the NL last year, so I'm fine if everybody just does the same thing as last year. Bradley/whoever plays when he's injured, will really only have to improve on the performances of our center fielders last year (Reed Johnson/Pie/Edmonds), so thats pretty feasible. However, Miles has no chance of equaling the 2008 DeRosa. Hopefully Soriano stays healthy though and everything equals out to a 2009 World Series.
That is my official prediction: Cubs World Series Champs in 2009! :D
world series are you joking
If they do not get Peavey trading Derosa was stupid. Even if they do get Peavey will he stay healthy.
Good luck keeping that outfield healthy. Bradley and Soriano might play 100 games together in the outfield.
The 2009 Cubs are a contender for the World Series again. But they could just as easily be a team that has injury issues worse than last year and they are not nearly as deep a team as they were last year without Derosa.
Huge injury risks for the 2009 Cubs.
Peavey. If they get him.
Harden. Is on the DL every year.
Soriano. Is on the DL every year since being a Cub.
Bradley. Has a history of being on the DL.
Rameriz. Is on the DL or is hobbling around the field.
The Cubs will have to play a significant amount of games with 2/3 of those 5 on the DL at any given time.
They have downgraded at the following positions;
Closer. Marmel is good but he is a rookie when it comes to closing.
Starting Pitching. If they get Peavey it will help alot.
Relief pitching. Moving Marmel to closer might be their biggest mistake. This leaves a big hole is the bullpen.
Outfield. It is still a mess. Bradley is a reach for alot of money. With the best RBI/Power hitter of the group leading off. Fuku turning his game around could change this a little.
I can not see them taking Ramirez out of the 4 spot. He has been one of the most productive cleanup hitters in MLB for the past few years. Bradley is not a proven RBI guy, his high is 77 last year. I think he will hit 2 or 5. He does not hit with power from the left side of the plate. Like most switch hitters his power comes from the right side of the plate.Bradley is not the guy we needed. Bobby Abreu is more the player the Cubs needed.
With Soriano and Derek Lee on this team you will never have balanced lineup. Bradley just adds to the problem. There are only so many positions on the baseball filed that a left handed thrower can play. The outfield and 1B. You do not want your RF being a lefty. You can get away with it but it is not best. Maybe you could have a lefty catcher but usually not. More right handed hitters than lefties. but nobody steals anymore so maybe that doesn't matter. That is all. So that means you have to resort to switch hitters who usually do not hit with power from the left side of the plate. So then you end up with freaks like Ken Caminitti and Bobby Abreu who throw right and hit left. Which I believe is the correct way to hit.
If this were the AL Big Z would be hitting in the 3 spot for me too. It would be cool to see him go to the AL and be a starting pitcher and everyday DH. He is the best left hand power hitter the Cubs have.
I could see the lineup looking like this.
Soriano - Unfortunatly I do not see this changing
2B - Need LHH to break up RHH.
Lee - He has nowhere else to hit on this team. This is the problem in the lineup. With Soriano on this team it really needs a LH power hitting 1B.
Ramirez - He is really good here I would not take him out of the 4 spot
Bradley - The best spot for him. Breaks up the RHH. He would also make a good 2 hitter. But then he would be asked to sacrifice.
Soto - Takes alot of pressure off a starting catcher.
CF - Theriot is a better OBP guy and that is what you really want in the 8 spot. Plus both CF have better power than Theriot.
Theriot - He should be the Cubs leadoff hitter. You can not have 4 righties at the top of the order. Bradley should not be hitting 4th.
Pitcher. Unless Big Z is pitching. Then Z hits 3 and Lee hits 5. The rest of the order moves down 1 spot.
Overall I think if they stay healthy and get Peavey all is good. But those are 2 big IF's. Last year the Cubs were gonna get Brian Roberts. That turned out well didn't it.
Go Cubbies...
I think your being a little bit hard on ARAM there Clark. Since joining the Cubs he's played 145, 123, 157, 132, and 149 games. Is he the picture of health? No, but you can count on him for 500 ABs yearly and he's had 100+ RBI in all but 1 year with the Cubs. Look at his numbers, he is the model of consistency at the plate and he has made large improvements in the field. He's the best position player we have right now and was our team MVP last year.
The rest of those dudes will be hurt, I agree, but Soriano was hurt alot last year and we were still successful. Even without Harden our starting rotation is still very solid. We'll be fine, and NO Matt Travis, the Cubs winning the World Series is no joke! 8)
I totally agree with you about Abreu. He is going to be a great value pickup for whoever gets him. Orlando Hudson is still a free agent 2B out there. Derek Lowe also available and would be a good fit with the Cubs I think.
I was just reading that MB is a switch-hitter - I didn't realize that. It still doesn't matter - against a righty pitcher it will still break up a string of righties.
Aramis will be fine - just needs to hustle! Hopefully Harden will be handled well (not another Prior), and I think that Sean Marshall by the end of the year would be seen as an upgrade over Marquis. IF the Cubs do get Peavy, I don't want it to turn into a Zito-like explosion (although Zito was a free agent).
Does the Brewers signing Hoffman trouble anyone? I'm more comfortable with them throwing Gagne (Gag-me) out there more often, but I don't know how much Trevor still has left in his tank.
I have nothing against ARAM. He is our best position player offensively. He has turned into a really good 3rd basemen. Not many better in baseball right now. He should have been rested longer last year. How long did he play on bad legs last year? Who is going to play 3B for the 30/40+ games he will probably miss? Who plays 3B to give him a rest?
I think between Fontenot and Miles they are fine at 2B. They will be better defensively. They are really good where it counts the most. Catcher, SS, 2B, and CF.
Marshall is not slated to be an everyday starter this year. At the moment they say they plan on using him as long relief and backup stater. They have also talked about Jeff Samardzija going back to the minors to work on being a starter. I hope that does not happen. It is too early to know for sure. Starters are Z, Lilly, Dempster, Hill, Harden/Marshall. Harden is not their 5th best starter but it is easier to rest him in the 5th spot in the rotation. Hill or Marshall would go in any trade for Peavey. After some thinking I am not so down on their starting pitching as I was. To be honest I forgot about Rich Hill. So I thought they would be going into the spring training without a 5th starter unless they traded for Peavey. I still think the bullpen is shakey especially if Marshall and Samardzija are not part of it. Hendry really likes Kevin Gregg. I have not clue about him. His numbers are okay but I do not see competing for the closer spot like Hendry has said.
My problem with the 2009 Cubs is the same as the 2008 Cubs. Really good individual talent just a poorly constructed team. Maybe 2 soft hitting switch hitters are the answer for this team. But I am pretty sure all they were missing last year was LHH power hitter and a backbone. Not sure what they could have done about the backbone. But there were more than a couple of LHH power hitters available. Neither Bradley or Miles are them.
The Brewers do not scare me at all. They have a long way to go before they are a good team. Who is pitching for them this year anyway? What is the point of signing a closer when you do not even have 5 pitchers capable of starting a MLB game?
Sorry to double post.
Just heard on the radio this morning that if the Cubs can't work something out to get Peavey they are going to try and sign Randy Wolfe again. That is okay with me a a 4/5th starter. Lowe wants 4 years. No one wants to give him 4 years right now. The Mets offered him 3 years 36mil. He turned it down. Bradley's contract is not as straight forward as they make it sound in the media. 7mil this year. 11mil year 2, year 3 is the Cubs option. And there are some incentives in the contract based on playing time due to injury and personal behavior. The value of the contract can decrease significantly if he gets hurt for a long period of time or he acts like an ass. The most they are on the hook for is 30mil. That is very good for the Cubs. Don't slam if I'm wrong this is radio/internet hearsay.
The Peavey trade might be up in the air. The Padres may no longer have to cut pay roll. They are being sold as well.
Quote from: Mike Clark on January 10, 2009, 09:57:40 AM
Sorry to double post.
Just heard on the radio this morning that if the Cubs can't work something out to get Peavey they are going to try and sign Randy Wolfe again. That is okay with me a a 4/5th starter. Lowe wants 4 years. No one wants to give him 4 years right now. The Mets offered him 3 years 36mil. He turned it down. Bradley's contract is not as straight forward as they make it sound in the media. 7mil this year. 11mil year 2, year 3 is the Cubs option. And there are some incentives in the contract based on playing time due to injury and personal behavior. The value of the contract can decrease significantly if he gets hurt for a long period of time or he acts like an ass. The most they are on the hook for is 30mil. That is very good for the Cubs. Don't slam if I'm wrong this is radio/internet hearsay.
The Peavey trade might be up in the air. The Padres may no longer have to cut pay roll. They are being sold as well.
From what I understand of the Bradley contract, it is 3 years and 30 mil, unless he misses so many games this season because of injury, than the 3rd year becomes a team option. It sounds similar to the Magglio Ordonez contract a few years ago, if he plays a certain amount of games, his contract becomes guaranteed.
http://www.thecubsbrickyard.com/2008/07/02/inspired-by-rick-ankiel-rich-hill-to-attempt-comeback-as-hitter/
Its an old story. I didn't realize things have gone that badly for him. I guess the cubs do need a 5th starter.
lol, I thought the story was true and possibly a good thing for Hill until I got to the end and realized those quotes were a joke. I really wish he did know how to bring back that control - he taught some of it to Sean Marshall who excelled at it and then he lost it himself. It sucks because when he was on target, he was a phenomenal lefty strike out pitcher.
Unless you are going to be a DH you still have to throw strikes. throwing funks plagued Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblach. Both were very good players and before their meltdowns, good fielders. Have any of us ever had a period where we forgot how to putt? Hill needs to concentrate, focus on mechanics and get his game back. He'll hit the chains, er, glove again.
Quote from: Chainmeister on January 15, 2009, 11:22:22 AM
Unless you are going to be a DH you still have to throw strikes. throwing funks plagued Steve Sax and Chuck Knoblach. Both were very good players and before their meltdowns, good fielders. Have any of us ever had a period where we forgot how to putt? Hill needs to concentrate, focus on mechanics and get his game back. He'll hit the chains, er, glove again.
Good point Dave. I actually do often compare myself to Rick Ankiel on the disc golf course. It happens!
Just saw this yesterday, looks like Harden may already be having troubles this year.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1384290,CST-SPT-cub18.article (http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cubs/1384290,CST-SPT-cub18.article)
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/cubs-close-to-a.html
Is Heilman the 5th starter or a piece of the puzzle for Peavey?
I hope he is part of the puzzle for Peavey.
Quote from: Mike Clark on January 28, 2009, 01:40:40 PM
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/cubs-close-to-a.html
Is Heilman the 5th starter or a piece of the puzzle for Peavey?
I hope he is part of the puzzle for Peavey.
Any chance of getting Peavey are over. Mark my word, the fifth starter is going to be Jeff Smardziji. Another embarrassment for the evaluators of a Chicago team. They basically gave up their 2 hopeful prospects in Pie and Cerdano, for a guy who had over a 5 era last year. The beat goes on. :huh: Heilman is worthless. Smardziji could be a 15 game winner though.
Jake Peavy was never going to the Cubs. I think the Padres were just trying to use the Cubs to get what they wanted out of Atlanta. I would think the Cubs would have to give up Samardja, and that other big prospect, can't think of his name right now is it Vitters? plus others, probably Marshall and one other top/MLB ready guy. I know they would try to get Marmol, but that would be out of the question. I actually think the Cubs would be better off anyway not getting Peavy, but that's my oppinion.
Quote from: Sr. on January 28, 2009, 02:26:15 PM
Quote from: Mike Clark on January 28, 2009, 01:40:40 PM
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/01/cubs-close-to-a.html
Is Heilman the 5th starter or a piece of the puzzle for Peavey?
I hope he is part of the puzzle for Peavey.
Any chance of getting Peavey are over. Mark my word, the fifth starter is going to be Jeff Smardziji. Another embarrassment for the evaluators of a Chicago team. They basically gave up their 2 hopeful prospects in Pie and Cerdano, for a guy who had over a 5 era last year. The beat goes on. :huh: Heilman is worthless. Smardziji could be a 15 game winner though.
Pie and Cedano were out of minor league options with the Cubs. If they did not make the team coming out of Spring Training they would have had to be released and the Cubs would have got nothing for them. Rich Hill will be next if they can get a bag of balls for him. He is out of options as well. I do not like losing another good bench player like Cedano but I understand moving him.
The Cubs still have a shot at Peavey. The Cubs will have to guarantee the 3rd year of his contract. There is no way the Cubs are a better team without a healthy Peavey. He would be a #1 starter on 90% of the teams in baseball. He would be the 4th or 5th starter on the Cubs staff. The Cubs have been positioning themselves all winter to trade for Peavey. Like I said earlier in this thread. If they do not get Peavey after trading Derosa, I will add Marquis to that as well now, it would be flat out stupid. Trading Derosa and Marquis only makes this team weaker without acquiring Peavey. If they gave up Derosa and Marquis, to clear salary, to get Bradley that would be really stupid. None of it makes any sense to me without Peavey. With all of the prospects the Cubs have acquired with the trades have been making they should have enough bodies to give up at this point. It might not happen until mid season but I think Peavey is in the picture. The problem with waiting is if a team trying to contend has a starter go down they might be desperate and offer the Padres something totally ridiculous.
Making Samardzija a starter at this point would make the bullpen even weaker than it has already become. Not that they won't do it. It just doesn't make sense if the goal is to win a World Series. The bullpen is the weakest part of this team going into Spring Training. Toss up on who the closer is. If Marmol is the closer you lose a great setup guy. Then if you make Samardzija a starter you just lost your other setup guy from last year. That could be tough to overcome.
Cerdano i have no problem getting rid of because he always threw to the wrong base and always got thrown out on the base paths. Pie is another story. Cubs never gave the kid a chance. Lou hates putting rookies in the lineup. 47 games just isn't enough. After nurturing him thru the minors they should have gave him the job and said run with it. Pie will have a good year with Baltimore if they give him the chance. The Cubs bullpen has to many pitchers. They want Heilman to be in the bullpen because his era is around 3.50 as a reliever. As a starter he has over a 5.10 era. Smardziji is now #5 with Heilman in the pen. Peavey won't be a Cub. That's my prediction. Your right about Rich Hill. If they can get a rosin bag for him they should do it.
Can a team really have too many pitchers going into Spring Training?
I have to disagree about Pie. I am not sure how you can keep a player in the lineup who has numbers like this:
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBCS BB SO BA OBP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+---
2007 22 CHC NL 87 177 26 38 9 3 2 20 8 1 14 43 .215 .271
2008 23 CHC NL 43 83 9 20 2 1 1 10 3 0 7 29 . 241 .312
What else were they supposed to do? Let him sit on the bench and go to waste. They gave him 5 chances over the past 2 years to go down to the minors and work on his game. That is all you get in MLB. After that a team has to do something else. You can't play him everyday. Maybe in the American League where they have the DH. The guy was always trying to hit home runs. It just wasnt working out. Maybe he will do better somewhere else. Was he miss managed? Maybe, but he sure didn't help himself when he did get the chance to play. Was it bad timing with the hiring of Pinella? Probably. The Cubs are lucky we got anything for him. I think the only reason Baltimore took him is because he was originally a McFail prospect like Corey Patterson.
Heilman worries me. Not so much because of his stats. Anyone can catch lighting in bottle and have a good year. More Because I found a couple of articles that said Hendry has liked him since his college years. I also found one article that said Hendry tried to trade for Heilman straight up for Marquis back in early December. The Mets wanted the Cubs to eat a large portion of the Marquis contract. I guess the Cubs weren't willing to do it. So it looks like Hendry really likes Heilman for some reason.
I'm hoping that Heilman, Cub fan at heart, will want to pitch a lot more because he IS a Cub now. I like the idea of him to be either a swing man in the bullpen allowing Marshall to start if the Peavy deal does not happen, or he could be a 7th inning guy, or even let Marshall be the swing guy and Heilman an inning eater again (if allowed to start again). This might allow Samard.. yeah.. going to have to learn that one someday... that might allow Jeff to start out in AAA to work things out even more as a starter instead of just sitting in the bullpen. Then if one of the current options chunks, Jeff would be there waiting. It also keeps some possibilities remaining in case the cubs have to trade a bunch for Peavy. My guess would be Vitters, prospect, prospect, Kevin Hart, Rich Hill as a throw in, probably one other guy for Peavy. I'd survive trading away a top prospect third baseman than a good lefty arm like Sean Marshall.
Quote from: Mike Clark on January 29, 2009, 03:44:03 PM
Can a team really have too many pitchers going into Spring Training?
I have to disagree about Pie. I am not sure how you can keep a player in the lineup who has numbers like this:
Year Ag Tm Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SBCS BB SO BA OBP
+--------------+---+----+----+----+---+--+---+----+---+--+---+---+-----+-----+---
2007 22 CHC NL 87 177 26 38 9 3 2 20 8 1 14 43 .215 .271
2008 23 CHC NL 43 83 9 20 2 1 1 10 3 0 7 29 . 241 .312
What else were they supposed to do? Let him sit on the bench and go to waste. They gave him 5 chances over the past 2 years to go down to the minors and work on his game. That is all you get in MLB. After that a team has to do something else. You can't play him everyday. Maybe in the American League where they have the DH. The guy was always trying to hit home runs. It just wasnt working out. Maybe he will do better somewhere else. Was he miss managed? Maybe, but he sure didn't help himself when he did get the chance to play. Was it bad timing with the hiring of Pinella? Probably. The Cubs are lucky we got anything for him. I think the only reason Baltimore took him is because he was originally a McFail prospect like Corey Patterson.
Heilman worries me. Not so much because of his stats. Anyone can catch lighting in bottle and have a good year. More Because I found a couple of articles that said Hendry has liked him since his college years. I also found one article that said Hendry tried to trade for Heilman straight up for Marquis back in early December. The Mets wanted the Cubs to eat a large portion of the Marquis contract. I guess the Cubs weren't willing to do it. So it looks like Hendry really likes Heilman for some reason.
260 at bats over 2 years, in spotty situations? Give him a break. You call that giving him a chance? That comes out to about 34 games as a starter per year . The Cubs brass even admitted they didn't give him a fair shake. Anyone in the Major leagues can tell you that's not giving him a chance. His numbers in the minors were awesome because he got to play consistently. Time will tell if the Cubs made another mistake. This could be another ex Cub in the World Series that we are all so used to seeing.
if the Cubs weren't on the brink of another playoff and WS run, I think they would not have signed Bradley and kept Pie for CF with Fukudome in RF. However, since it's back to back NL Central Champs and certainly good enough to play better in the playoffs, they couldn't risk it. I think the one name that looms too large in the back of Hendry's mind is: Corey Patterson. Yes Corey was awesome the first half of 2003, but thankfully they were able to pick up Lofton to finish the way after Patterson's knee blew out. Corey was still somewhat problematic in 2003, and Pie was just too eerily similar.
If the cubs somehow managed to actually win the world series last year, I could also see Hendry be more willing to keep Pie around... but out of options + out of room on the roster save for a bench spot = time to move on.
When it comes down to it Lou is the man. Since putting on a Cubs uniform he's changed this franchise. He obviously saw that Pie could not play or he would still be a Cub. I like what the Cubs have done this offseason besides Woody but what can you do. He just cost too much. He isn't worth $10 mil a year that Cle signed him for.
I agree that Peavy is one of the better pitchers in baseball, but he would also moving from one of the worst offensive divisions in all of baseball, and also a very pitcher friendly park. Also I've seen that some people had questions about his health. With all of that, plus what the Cubs would have to give up, I don't think he would make them a better team. Remember the problem last year wasn't pitching, but it was the offense. You can put all the Aces in the rotation you want, but the team still has to score runs, and if you get rid of key pieces of your bullpen, you need people to be able to hold a lead also.
Opening Day baby! Thank god the MLB schedulers got a little smarter this year and put the Cubs in Houston and Milwaukee to start out the year instead of getting games snowed out or playing in 30 degree weather.
I'm feeling jacked up for this season. I nailed last year's NL Central standings perfectly, so I'll give you some insight as to what is going down this year in the Division.
1. Cubs........A strong lineup that led the league in runs scored last year. Hopefully Soto can avoid a sophmore slump and Bradley can play 120 games. Soriano has produced 2 of his highest 3 career slugging %'s with the Cubs the last 2 seasons. If he can play 155 games, I look for a 40 HR/30 SB season. Lee is a .290 20 HR 90 RBI guy at this point. Aram is the model of consistency, expect him to give us the same as last year. Rotation has some question marks, but its still a top 5 rotation in the NL. Bullpen, I like Marmol in the setup role and hopefully everything else just magically works out. You never know with any team's bullpen in the preseason. Just have to wait and keep your fingers crossed.
2. Brewers......Well they didn't make any improvements and lost Sabathia. I still like a lineup with Fielder, Braun, and Hart. I also really like Gallardo. They should be the Cubs stiffest competition.
3. Cardinals....On paper they suck, but they are the Cardinals and always seem to overachieve. Need Wainwright and Carpenter healthy. Not sure if Ludwick can give them another year like 2008, but Ankiel seems to keep improving and Khalil Greene will probably have a renaissance year now that he's in a St. Louis uniform. The Cardinals are just lucky like that.
4. Reds....If they'd lose Dusty Baker they might be contending with the Cubs. Rotation with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto seems nice until Dusty overworks them. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the best young hitters in the league, but since when has Dusty ever gotten the most out of his young guys.
5. Houston....Brutal pitching staff. Maybe I.Rod and Tejada can juice this team up though!
6. Pittsburgh....They are who we thought they were.
because I was a moron and said the Reds will be in 2nd place, I'm going to have to say this year that they'll be in 5th place. So I'll be wrong again there. I agree with your predictions, but to make sure I punish the Reds enough for making me think wrong, I'd flip-flop your 4 and 5.
let's just hope the Pirates don't pull a Tampa Bay Rays anytime soon.
As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!
As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.
I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed. He's never been anything else his entire career. Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame. What a waste of 30 million dollars. I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.
Quote from: Dan Michler on April 24, 2009, 08:49:07 AM
As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!
As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.
I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed. He's never been anything else his entire career. Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame. What a waste of 30 million dollars. I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.
So true.
I would have signed Abreu or Dunn before signing Bradley. Let's just hope the bullpen doesn't kill this team and Bradley has a chance to come around by the second half of the year. In reality they only need him for the post season. That isn't what I want but it is what is important. Maybe he can spend enough time not playing that all the CUB'S options in his contract come through. Then he will only be here for 2 years at less than $10mil a year. I wish I knew the exact details of the contract. But I think it is either missing 75 games or 75 days on the DL in 2009 and the Cub's option for the 3rd year kicks in. then they can buyout the last year for $2mil.
And do not for get that they traded DeRosa and Marquis to make room for Bradley's contract. So now Sean Marshall is your 5th starter and that leaves you 1 lefty in the bullpen, who sux. Now you have no starting 2nd basemen. Not to mention DeRosa was the most versatile player on the team. He can backup nearly every position on the field.
I really hope they can straighten this thing out. Otherwise what a waste of another year with good talent and top 3 in payroll.
Quote from: Dan Michler on April 24, 2009, 08:49:07 AM
As Denny Green would say, Milton Bradley was who we thought he was!
As I stated earlier in this thread (before the Cubs had signed Bradley) I would rather have had Bobby Abreu who is making 5 million dollars this year and hitting .373 with 8 SB, than Milton Bradley who is not playing and making 10 million dollars.
I'm not getting mad at Bradley because he's exactly the same player we signed. He's never been anything else his entire career. Jim Hendry should have been able to see this as clearly and he is to blame. What a waste of 30 million dollars. I'm sure Bradley will eventually be productive when he does play, but don't expect this to be his last injury.
Not that it's a great consolation prize, but if MB doesn't play enough games, the deal is only a 2 year, $20 million deal. He has to play something like 125 or more games a year in order to get the vested 3rd year for another $10 million. So I'm sure he'll only hurt himself *just enough* to still get that 3rd year, but right now the deal is only a 2 year deal.
That doesn't excuse his play thus-far, but I'm willing to give him another month. Players can have bad months, especially when it's the first month with a new team where there's a TON of pressure to win. At least his one hit was a homer :)
I'll be bringing at least a dozen freshly dyed Cubs discs to Bevier. Here's one:
<img src="http://img4.glowfoto.com/images/2009/04/25-0844326468T.jpg" alt="free image hosting" border=0 /> (http://www.glowfoto.com/user_imageredirect.php?iid=2451765)
The entire collection is in this album:
http://www.glowfoto.com/users3/bruce_brakel/view.php?aid=67775
The Cubs have gotta get out of this slump there in. Losing the last 4 games. Those cubs discs look pretty cool Bruce.
Bruce, do the Cubs dyes float? I figure that would be helpful.
actually wake up and smell that 101 year odor CUB FANS! And here's a lil song for ya's...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrobcJa_EV8
Quote from: pdga#7648 on May 28, 2009, 10:10:35 PM
actually wake up and smell that 101 year odor CUB FANS! And here's a lil song for ya's...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrobcJa_EV8
You're just jealous your team doesn't have a sick song like "Go Cubs Go" playin' in the background after they win.
This could be the Cubs make or break month. 17 road games and 9 homes in the month of June. Ouch. That is gonna hurt unless they pick things up.
I guess it takes me getting pissed off and turning off the game only to find out a few hours later that the Cubs have won. What a crazy 2 days.
Quote from: CEValkyrie on June 19, 2009, 05:47:24 PM
I guess it takes me getting pissed off and turning off the game only to find out a few hours later that the Cubs have won. What a crazy 2 days.
I hear ya. I did the same thing, but hey....now they have got a winning streak...two games. :toothy9:
Milton Bradley fits in so well with this team. Gotta love Lou telling him to go home in the middle of the game the other day. Great pickup by Hendry! Its not like Bobby Abreu was available for half the price or anything and hitting right at his career .300 average while playing every game like he always has.
Also, fantastic move getting rid of DeRosa! Now he's on the Cardinals who are 3 1/2 games ahead of us. Clearly DeRosa could not match last years numbers, unless your counting Runs, HR, and RBI which he is on track to outpace last years performance.
The Cubs really do have a dream team right now when you look at their daily lineup.
I love seeing Andres Blanco in there with his .239 average.
Then there's Fukudome with a .261 average, worth every penny of the $12.5 million we pay him this year.
The Cubs need to make a trade immediately if they want to salvage an embarrassing season on the heels of 2008 where we had the #1 offense. Middle infielder or a center fielder.
Good luck with a trade. Team has no owner. 3rd highest payroll in baseball. I do not see how you can trade any of this dead weight payroll. They are in no position to eat contracts or send money else where.
This season has turned into a huge joke. The Cubs needed to make 1 move after last year. They needed to add a left handed power hitter. Preferably one that played center or right field. Instead they make 3 questionable moves.
1. Miles for DeRosa. DeRosa could have started 2nd base. Filled in for Rameriez. I understand they got some really good prospects for DeRosa but they were in position to seriously compete for a World Series Title.
2. Traded their 5th starter when they had no other replacement other then to weaken their already weak bullpen by making Marshall their 5th starter.
3. Signed Milton Bradley who is a often injured switch hitter with alot of unproven potential.
None of these have panned out.
Here is an extra one for ya.
4. Why did they think that Kevin Gregg could be a closer? He blew 9 out of 38 save opportunities with the Marilns in '08. I understand they had to do something. They were not going to give Kerry Wood would the contract he got with Cleveland.
They could have had 2 much better and more proven players. Bradley might have more potential but a much more risky move.
Dan's choice:(1/2 the money 1 yr)
Abreu - .296 - .393obp- 4hr - 43rbi - 35yo
My choice(same money 2 yrs)
Dunn - .256 -.396obp - 19hr - 53rbi - 30yo
I like Dunn cause is a pure power hitter and younger. His average might be low but his OBP and OPS are always high. He is paid to drive in runs and that is what he does.
I am looking forward to watching Derek Rose and Jay Cutter this Fall.
Quote from: Mike Clark on June 29, 2009, 07:56:12 AM
Good luck with a trade. Team has no owner. 3rd highest payroll in baseball. I do not see how you can trade any of this dead weight payroll. They are in no position to eat contracts or send money else where.
This season has turned into a huge joke. The Cubs needed to make 1 move after last year. They needed to add a left handed power hitter. Preferably one that played center or right field. Instead they make 3 questionable moves.
1. Miles for DeRosa. DeRosa could have started 2nd base. Filled in for Rameriez. I understand they got some really good prospects for DeRosa but they were in position to seriously compete for a World Series Title.
2. Traded their 5th starter when they had no other replacement other then to weaken their already weak bullpen by making Marshall their 5th starter.
3. Signed Milton Bradley who is a often injured switch hitter with alot of unproven potential.
None of these have panned out.
Here is an extra one for ya.
4. Why did they think that Kevin Gregg could be a closer? He blew 9 out of 38 save opportunities with the Marilns in '08. I understand they had to do something. They were not going to give Kerry Wood would the contract he got with Cleveland.
They could have had 2 much better and more proven players. Bradley might have more potential but a much more risky move.
Dan's choice:(1/2 the money 1 yr)
Abreu - .296 - .393obp- 4hr - 43rbi - 35yo
My choice(same money 2 yrs)
Dunn - .256 -.396obp - 19hr - 53rbi - 30yo
I like Dunn cause is a pure power hitter and younger. His average might be low but his OBP and OPS are always high. He is paid to drive in runs and that is what he does.
I am looking forward to watching Derek Rose and Jay Cutter this Fall.
I like Dan's choice much better. While I do like the kind of better Adam Dunn is his defense is probably one of the worst if not the worst in the league. That is why he is the DH for Washington. Either player though I would have gladly taken over Bradley. And why the cubs had to trade DeRosa is beyond me. He is such a vaulable player, a great defense player at a crapload of positions. I dont see the likely hood of the Cubs making moves , but if they want to have a better chance at getting to the playoffs they better at least put in the effort to try and put some deals together.
Quote
That is why he is the DH for Washington.
Ummmm... no...
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 09:40:06 AM
That is why he is the DH for Washington.
The National League does not use a DH. The Nationals play in the National league. He is a Career 1B/LF/RF.
Bradley was not brought here for his defense. He was brought here to drive in runs from the left side of the plate. Bradley's defense is horrible as well. Like most switch hitters Bradley has more power from the right side of the plate which makes it even dumber to have brought him to the Cubs and they needed left handed power. This team is loaded with right handed power.
I can live with Dunn's .390+obp, 40hr, 100+rbi over the past 7 years and some bad defense from time to time. I would rather have Dunn mainly because he is 5, maybe more, years younger and hits for more power. Oh by the way he loves to hit in Wrigley if you ever watched him when he was with the Reds.
Edited cause I get frustrated talking about this sucky team and didn't check my spelling. That's how mad this season makes me.
If your trying to win a fantasy baseball league then you go with Adam Dunn. If you want to win actual baseball games then you go with Bobby Abreu.
Quote from: Mike Clark on June 29, 2009, 10:20:02 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 09:40:06 AM
That is why he is the DH for Washington.
The National League does not use a DH. The Nationals play in the National league. He is a Career 1B/LF/RF.
Bradley was not brought here for his defense. He was brought here to drive in runs from the left side of the plate. Bradley's defense is horrible as well. Like most switch hitters Bradley has more power from the right side of the plate which makes it even dumber to have brought him to the Cubs and they needed left handed power. This team is loaded with right handed power.
I can live with Dunn's .390+obp, 40hr, 100+rbi over the past 7 years and some bad defense from time to time. I would rather have Dunn mainly because he is 5, maybe more, years younger and hits for more power. Oh by the way he loves to hit in Wrigley if you ever watched him when he was with the Reds.
Edited cause I get frustrated talking about this sucky team and didn't check my spelling. That's how mad this season makes me.
Lol I just meant the past couple of days Dunn has been playing DH in interleague play. Sorry for the confusion if you thought that I didn't no what I was talking about and assumed I was thinking the Nationals were in the American League. I do have Dunn on my fantasy team, but if I were the Cubs I would rather have Abreu. However, both are some great players, Dunn just only has one side.
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 11:05:17 AM
Quote from: Mike Clark on June 29, 2009, 10:20:02 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 09:40:06 AM
That is why he is the DH for Washington.
The National League does not use a DH. The Nationals play in the National league. He is a Career 1B/LF/RF.
Bradley was not brought here for his defense. He was brought here to drive in runs from the left side of the plate. Bradley's defense is horrible as well. Like most switch hitters Bradley has more power from the right side of the plate which makes it even dumber to have brought him to the Cubs and they needed left handed power. This team is loaded with right handed power.
I can live with Dunn's .390+obp, 40hr, 100+rbi over the past 7 years and some bad defense from time to time. I would rather have Dunn mainly because he is 5, maybe more, years younger and hits for more power. Oh by the way he loves to hit in Wrigley if you ever watched him when he was with the Reds.
Edited cause I get frustrated talking about this sucky team and didn't check my spelling. That's how mad this season makes me.
Lol I just meant the past couple of days Dunn has been playing DH in interleague play. Sorry for the confusion if you thought that I didn't no what I was talking about and assumed I was thinking the Nationals were in the American League. I do have Dunn on my fantasy team, but if I were the Cubs I would rather have Abreu. However, both are some great players, Dunn just only has one side.
Now worries. I was just having some fun with you. I would not have complained at all about signing Abreu. Either would have better than Bradley.
Dunn is a more dangerous offensive player with suspect defense.
Abreu is a better all around player.
Bradley is exactly what Lou said he is until he proves otherwise. Its too bad that Lou apologized. He was right.
Quote from: Mike Clark on June 30, 2009, 08:08:51 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 11:05:17 AM
Quote from: Mike Clark on June 29, 2009, 10:20:02 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 29, 2009, 09:40:06 AM
That is why he is the DH for Washington.
The National League does not use a DH. The Nationals play in the National league. He is a Career 1B/LF/RF.
Bradley was not brought here for his defense. He was brought here to drive in runs from the left side of the plate. Bradley's defense is horrible as well. Like most switch hitters Bradley has more power from the right side of the plate which makes it even dumber to have brought him to the Cubs and they needed left handed power. This team is loaded with right handed power.
I can live with Dunn's .390+obp, 40hr, 100+rbi over the past 7 years and some bad defense from time to time. I would rather have Dunn mainly because he is 5, maybe more, years younger and hits for more power. Oh by the way he loves to hit in Wrigley if you ever watched him when he was with the Reds.
Edited cause I get frustrated talking about this sucky team and didn't check my spelling. That's how mad this season makes me.
Lol I just meant the past couple of days Dunn has been playing DH in interleague play. Sorry for the confusion if you thought that I didn't no what I was talking about and assumed I was thinking the Nationals were in the American League. I do have Dunn on my fantasy team, but if I were the Cubs I would rather have Abreu. However, both are some great players, Dunn just only has one side.
Now worries. I was just having some fun with you. I would not have complained at all about signing Abreu. Either would have better than Bradley.
Dunn is a more dangerous offensive player with suspect defense.
Abreu is a better all around player.
Bradley is exactly what Lou said he is until he proves otherwise. Its too bad that Lou apologized. He was right.
Agreed.
A random question for you Mike, if you don't mind......do you play saxophone? I was just looking at your picture and wondered.
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 30, 2009, 07:53:27 PM
A random question for you Mike, if you don't mind......do you play saxophone? I was just looking at your picture and wondered.
No. I just think that the kokopelli dude is cool looking.
Quote from: Mike Clark on July 01, 2009, 08:01:30 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on June 30, 2009, 07:53:27 PM
A random question for you Mike, if you don't mind......do you play saxophone? I was just looking at your picture and wondered.
No. I just think that the kokopelli dude is cool looking.
Yea he does, but that is most likely because he is playing the soprano sax. :rolleyes:
I am not giving up on this team. The Cubs lead the majors with quality starts from their rotation. The division is absolutely brutal. Aram is on schedule to be back within the next week. At home we are 21-13 and a brutal 16-25 on the road.
All it takes is a few guys getting hot. I just don't see Soriano, Bradley, and Soto batting .235 the rest of the year. They are bound to get hot.
But ALL THAT TALENT, and they are struggling to get to .500???? They should be ashamed. Bottom line is they HAVE TO WIN ON THE ROAD in the playoffs if they want to get to The World Series. But a TRUE FAN shouldn't give up on that team, cause they are VERY GOOD, 1-8
The Cardinals have 1 guy and are 4 games over .500. Soon to be +5 as they are up 5-0
If Wainwright, Carp, and Lohse( back very soon) can get hot with another BAT getting hot as well, this team will contend, Like it or Not???
Going to the game 7/12 against the cards. Since I won't be able to attend IOS #3 that day are they any decent courses by Wrigley that are worth checking out?
There's an object course in Wrigley, just aim for all the people wearing Red Birds on their shirts. I don't think there is any courses near Wrigley unless you make one up yourself at a local park.
Quote from: SIUFrolf on July 03, 2009, 08:39:04 AM
There's an object course in Wrigley, just aim for all the people wearing Red Birds on their shirts. I don't think there is any courses near Wrigley unless you make one up yourself at a local park.
Lol. Yea I look and the only ones are Edgebrook DGC and Illinois University of Tech DGC.
I'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow for the Brewers/Cards game. My wife is a Cardinals fan and I couldn't pass up free tickets. I'll have my Cubs gear on. Just like that we're 2 back with both teams that are on top playing each other. I'll be rooting for the Brew Crew tomorrow and hoping Pujols stays hot for my fantasy team. Priceless!
Quote from: StrikerME02 on July 03, 2009, 11:18:48 AM
Quote from: SIUFrolf on July 03, 2009, 08:39:04 AM
There's an object course in Wrigley, just aim for all the people wearing Red Birds on their shirts. I don't think there is any courses near Wrigley unless you make one up yourself at a local park.
Lol. Yea I look and the only ones are Edgebrook DGC and Illinois University of Tech DGC.
Don't waste your time on the IIT course.
Quote from: tacimala on July 07, 2009, 09:34:33 AM
Quote from: StrikerME02 on July 03, 2009, 11:18:48 AM
Quote from: SIUFrolf on July 03, 2009, 08:39:04 AM
There's an object course in Wrigley, just aim for all the people wearing Red Birds on their shirts. I don't think there is any courses near Wrigley unless you make one up yourself at a local park.
Lol. Yea I look and the only ones are Edgebrook DGC and Illinois University of Tech DGC.
Don't waste your time on the IIT course.
hey, hey, hey... you're knockin' the best 9 holer in Chicago, buddy.... ::)
Quote from: CEValkyrie on July 06, 2009, 09:07:26 PM
I'll be in Milwaukee tomorrow for the Brewers/Cards game. My wife is a Cardinals fan and I couldn't pass up free tickets. I'll have my Cubs gear on. Just like that we're 2 back with both teams that are on top playing each other. I'll be rooting for the Brew Crew tomorrow and hoping Pujols stays hot for my fantasy team. Priceless!
Bet you didn't like the Intentional Walks Pujols got. Hope you enjoyed seeing the ROOKIE OF THE YEAR in Colby Rasmus hit another HR. Trying to help them Cubs back into 2nd before the BIG 4 game series this weekend.
Did anybody else just see Randy Moore Sr. on the Cubs telecast? Len and Bob even made a joke about him saying they look like Crosby, Stills, and Nash. He should have pinch hit for us cuz we've only managed 1 run thru 8 innings.
lol yeah a couple people, including myself, posted on the fox valley boards about seeing Sr. They kept showing him on the tv back in May when he was out there too. Guess he has camera magic :) lol. I didn't hear what they said on the tv since I was listening to the radio - but he certainly got a lot of face time in that 9th inning!
Quote from: stpitner on July 08, 2009, 01:13:06 PM
lol yeah a couple people, including myself, posted on the fox valley boards about seeing Sr. They kept showing him on the tv back in May when he was out there too. Guess he has camera magic :) lol. I didn't hear what they said on the tv since I was listening to the radio - but he certainly got a lot of face time in that 9th inning!
Was he that guy with that huge head of grey curly hair?
yes that is RMS.
Quote from: Dan Michler on April 06, 2009, 08:43:55 AM
Opening Day baby! Thank god the MLB schedulers got a little smarter this year and put the Cubs in Houston and Milwaukee to start out the year instead of getting games snowed out or playing in 30 degree weather.
I'm feeling jacked up for this season. I nailed last year's NL Central standings perfectly, so I'll give you some insight as to what is going down this year in the Division.
1. Cubs........A strong lineup that led the league in runs scored last year. Hopefully Soto can avoid a sophmore slump and Bradley can play 120 games. Soriano has produced 2 of his highest 3 career slugging %'s with the Cubs the last 2 seasons. If he can play 155 games, I look for a 40 HR/30 SB season. Lee is a .290 20 HR 90 RBI guy at this point. Aram is the model of consistency, expect him to give us the same as last year. Rotation has some question marks, but its still a top 5 rotation in the NL. Bullpen, I like Marmol in the setup role and hopefully everything else just magically works out. You never know with any team's bullpen in the preseason. Just have to wait and keep your fingers crossed.
2. Brewers......Well they didn't make any improvements and lost Sabathia. I still like a lineup with Fielder, Braun, and Hart. I also really like Gallardo. They should be the Cubs stiffest competition.
3. Cardinals....On paper they suck, but they are the Cardinals and always seem to overachieve. Need Wainwright and Carpenter healthy. Not sure if Ludwick can give them another year like 2008, but Ankiel seems to keep improving and Khalil Greene will probably have a renaissance year now that he's in a St. Louis uniform. The Cardinals are just lucky like that.
4. Reds....If they'd lose Dusty Baker they might be contending with the Cubs. Rotation with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto seems nice until Dusty overworks them. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the best young hitters in the league, but since when has Dusty ever gotten the most out of his young guys.
5. Houston....Brutal pitching staff. Maybe I.Rod and Tejada can juice this team up though!
6. Pittsburgh....They are who we thought they were.
2 days from the All Star Break, you have 3 teams correct(Brewers, Reds, Pirates), not bad. Let me try to break this down without hoping... LOL
Cardinals 48 40 .545 -- ( With The BEST PLAYER to ever walk this EARTH :P, and the 3rd winningest MANAGER of ALLTIME, it's not OVERACHEAVING, it is KNOWING how to win!! If Lohse comes back healthy, and we get ROY HALLADAY from Toronto??? LOOK OUT!)
Brewers 44 42 .512 3.0 ( Without SHEETS every 5 days, this offense can't win every game. They need pitching)
Astros 43 43 .500 4.0 ( With those names, these guys will contend. Wandy Rodriguez is having a JIM DANDY of a year on the mound. We knew Berkman, Lee, and Tejada could hit)
Cincinnati 42 43 .494 4.5 ( You are correct about Dusty. Until he is gone, this TALENTED TEAM will have to wait to win. Up 3-0 bases loaded 2 outs, YOU DON'T PITCH TO PUJOLS!!! WALK in 1 run, the next guy flew out, would have ended the inning. Pujols hit the Grand Slam, REDS LOSE!)
Chicago 41 42 .494 4.5 ( WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? :huh:????? What a JOKE. Spend all that money on Bradley? OUCH! ALL that talent and they lose 4 straight to a team that SUCKS ON PAPER?? Actually down 7-3 to the 1st Place Redbirds h2h this year. Yes injuries kill a good team, but no one cared the last 2 years when Carpenter was hurt, I was told to suck it up. Guess it's that time for you Cubbie Lovers? Again, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR)
Pittsburgh 38 48 .442 9.0 ( Glad the STEELERS don't represent this City the way the Pirates do ;D)
Not trying to start a war here guys, just giving my input on this season. I just can't beleive the Cubs are not dominating this division, as starting the season they were favored to win the Series?? I figured St. Louis would struggle, but with that Awesome April, now this Red Hot start to July, with Capenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro getting quality starts, and Rasmus(The ROY), Ludwick getting Hot, and the ALL WORLD Pujols, 32HR, 85RBI, .338 AVG flirting with the Triple Crown( would be the 1st in NL since 1937) this team will be tough if they avoid the injuries the Cubs have had to deal with this year.
Houston will be there in the end as well I think. And IF?? Lou gets his players all on the same page, it may come down to a 3-4 team race if Milwaukees Bats get real hot.?
Wow, hard to make sense of that post, but I'm guessing you are excited about the Cardinals being 4 1/2 up on the Cubs half way through the season?
I like how the 1st paragraph states the Cards are not overachieving and the last paragraph states that you figured St. Louis would struggle this year. According to my dictionary, 'overachieving' would be considered performing better than expectations.....
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 06:39:59 AM
Quote from: Dan Michler on April 06, 2009, 08:43:55 AM
Opening Day baby! Thank god the MLB schedulers got a little smarter this year and put the Cubs in Houston and Milwaukee to start out the year instead of getting games snowed out or playing in 30 degree weather.
I'm feeling jacked up for this season. I nailed last year's NL Central standings perfectly, so I'll give you some insight as to what is going down this year in the Division.
1. Cubs........A strong lineup that led the league in runs scored last year. Hopefully Soto can avoid a sophmore slump and Bradley can play 120 games. Soriano has produced 2 of his highest 3 career slugging %'s with the Cubs the last 2 seasons. If he can play 155 games, I look for a 40 HR/30 SB season. Lee is a .290 20 HR 90 RBI guy at this point. Aram is the model of consistency, expect him to give us the same as last year. Rotation has some question marks, but its still a top 5 rotation in the NL. Bullpen, I like Marmol in the setup role and hopefully everything else just magically works out. You never know with any team's bullpen in the preseason. Just have to wait and keep your fingers crossed.
2. Brewers......Well they didn't make any improvements and lost Sabathia. I still like a lineup with Fielder, Braun, and Hart. I also really like Gallardo. They should be the Cubs stiffest competition.
3. Cardinals....On paper they suck, but they are the Cardinals and always seem to overachieve. Need Wainwright and Carpenter healthy. Not sure if Ludwick can give them another year like 2008, but Ankiel seems to keep improving and Khalil Greene will probably have a renaissance year now that he's in a St. Louis uniform. The Cardinals are just lucky like that.
4. Reds....If they'd lose Dusty Baker they might be contending with the Cubs. Rotation with Harang, Volquez, and Cueto seems nice until Dusty overworks them. Joey Votto and Jay Bruce are two of the best young hitters in the league, but since when has Dusty ever gotten the most out of his young guys.
5. Houston....Brutal pitching staff. Maybe I.Rod and Tejada can juice this team up though!
6. Pittsburgh....They are who we thought they were.
2 days from the All Star Break, you have 3 teams correct(Brewers, Reds, Pirates), not bad. Let me try to break this down without hoping... LOL
Cardinals 48 40 .545 -- ( With The BEST PLAYER to ever walk this EARTH :P, and the 3rd winningest MANAGER of ALLTIME, it's not OVERACHEAVING, it is KNOWING how to win!! If Lohse comes back healthy, and we get ROY HALLADAY from Toronto??? LOOK OUT!)
Brewers 44 42 .512 3.0 ( Without SHEETS every 5 days, this offense can't win every game. They need pitching)
Astros 43 43 .500 4.0 ( With those names, these guys will contend. Wandy Rodriguez is having a JIM DANDY of a year on the mound. We knew Berkman, Lee, and Tejada could hit)
Cincinnati 42 43 .494 4.5 ( You are correct about Dusty. Until he is gone, this TALENTED TEAM will have to wait to win. Up 3-0 bases loaded 2 outs, YOU DON'T PITCH TO PUJOLS!!! WALK in 1 run, the next guy flew out, would have ended the inning. Pujols hit the Grand Slam, REDS LOSE!)
Chicago 41 42 .494 4.5 ( WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? :huh:????? What a JOKE. Spend all that money on Bradley? OUCH! ALL that talent and they lose 4 straight to a team that SUCKS ON PAPER?? Actually down 7-3 to the 1st Place Redbirds h2h this year. Yes injuries kill a good team, but no one cared the last 2 years when Carpenter was hurt, I was told to suck it up. Guess it's that time for you Cubbie Lovers? Again, WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR)
Pittsburgh 38 48 .442 9.0 ( Glad the STEELERS don't represent this City the way the Pirates do ;D)
Not trying to start a war here guys, just giving my input on this season. I just can't beleive the Cubs are not dominating this division, as starting the season they were favored to win the Series?? I figured St. Louis would struggle, but with that Awesome April, now this Red Hot start to July, with Capenter, Wainwright, and Pineiro getting quality starts, and Rasmus(The ROY), Ludwick getting Hot, and the ALL WORLD Pujols, 32HR, 85RBI, .338 AVG flirting with the Triple Crown( would be the 1st in NL since 1937) this team will be tough if they avoid the injuries the Cubs have had to deal with this year.
Houston will be there in the end as well I think. And IF?? Lou gets his players all on the same page, it may come down to a 3-4 team race if Milwaukees Bats get real hot.?
I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.
Quote from: Dan Michler on July 11, 2009, 09:32:46 AM
Wow, hard to make sense of that post, but I'm guessing you are excited about the Cardinals being 4 1/2 up on the Cubs half way through the season?
I like how the 1st paragraph states the Cards are not overachieving and the last paragraph states that you figured St. Louis would struggle this year. According to my dictionary, 'overachieving' would be considered performing better than expectations.....
your original post said St.Louis ALWAYS overachieves, and that just is not true. A team that has the most World Series Titles in the NL is not a team that has won them by overachieving! But by being good. You don't see them having the best record in baseball, just to be SWEPT in the 1st Rd of the playoffs, that would be those Cubs!
And yes, very excited to be 4 1/2 up on the team that was picked to win it all. But feels even better beating up on you after the last couple of years of getting beat on. They are going for 5 straight today. :P
I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.
[/quote]
I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 11:42:54 AM
I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.
I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.
[/quote]
You kind of messed up the quote there.
What's wrong with dreaming. I wanted to point out that you can't even begin to compare the Cardinal's injuries last year to the pile the Cubs have had this year, and it is only half way over and they have had way more bignames than the Cardinal's last year. WEre still only 4.5 games back so we really dont have to dream with half the season left. What has been said is that no team can run away with it while the Cub are having all their woes plague them. That is what make me crack up about the Cardinal's they don't no how to run away with the division, and they are keeping it very close with pratically the whole division right behind their back.
Quote from: StrikerME02 on July 11, 2009, 11:57:20 AM
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 11:42:54 AM
I don't think that you can make an assumption half way through the season. Just like I don't like it when people decide on who's going to win the division before the season even starts because you can never tell with injuries. The cubs have gotten killed with injuries this year. Yes carpenter was injured last year, but how many of your other big names were out for a good length of time. The cubs have lost Ramirez twice, Bradley (that was a plus), Lee, Zambrano, Harden, and now Dempster and Soto. Just look at all those big names and then compare that to Chris Carpenter. I'm just sayin', one side has enough weight to catapault the Cardinal's injuries from last year into the heavens. I will give it to you that f the season ended in the next week the Cardinals would certainly be in the playoffs with their division, but you can't predict that now because guess what. What if the only guy who makes the team "click" gets injured. If Albert Pujols is sidelined for a length of time the redbirds will fall apart. Yea the Dodgers power hitter Manny got suspended for 50 games and that didn't seem to affect the dodgers to much, but he doesn't bring a team together. Pujols is the reason hitters like Ludwick can get so hot. There is stilll half of the season left and who knows if the cubs can finally learn to score runs and keep there start pitching dominant there is no way that they can't take the division. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I just don't see how a team as stacked as the Cubs will not get hot at some point, and I truly believe they eventually will and then you better watch out. I am going to the game tomorrow (7/12) against the redbirds and hopefully the Cubs can start playing offense again.
I'm not counting on anything at the halfway point, just pointing out the facts to all you DREAMERS in DREAMLAND Chicago. The Cubs have so much talent, but can never find a way to win when they are suppose to. They have struggled all year to play .500 ball, and are under it again, Thanks to the Redbirds.
You kind of messed up the quote there.
What's wrong with dreaming. I wanted to point out that you can't even begin to compare the Cardinal's injuries last year to the pile the Cubs have had this year, and it is only half way over and they have had way more bignames than the Cardinal's last year. WEre still only 4.5 games back so we really dont have to dream with half the season left. What has been said is that no team can run away with it while the Cub are having all their woes plague them. That is what make me crack up about the Cardinal's they don't no how to run away with the division, and they are keeping it very close with pratically the whole division right behind their back.
[/quote]
but not to bad for a team picked to finish 4th in the division. And yes, alot more injuries from the Cubs I agree. But I brought up Carpenter cause he was our STUD starting pitcher, used to getting 30 starts. Position players easier to fill than your #1 pitcher. And your injuries are not to BIG NAMES. Lee, Ramirez, and Soriano are your only proven great players. The Soto's, Theriot's Fotenot's and Fukodomes had ABOVE AVERAGE seasons a year ago. The real them is showing up this year. Not anyone on the team, besides Ramirez batting over .300. And he is only cause he sat out so long.
Uh-oh, Cubs should get the win up 5-1, but it may have came with a price. Lee went out with Neck Spasms :'(
"Not trying to start a war here." Just gonna occupy Poland for a bit. ;D
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 02:54:33 PM
Uh-oh, Cubs should get the win up 5-1, but it may have came with a price. Lee went out with Neck Spasms :'(
cubs now just 1 game back and actually 1 game up in the loss column. pdga#7648?
still pretty piss pour for all that money they spent! And still TRAILING the best franchise in the NATIONAL LEAGUE!!! ;D
With all that talent, they should have about a 10 game lead in that division. But it is the Cubs we are talking about, the best in the National League at CHOKING!! :-[
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 23, 2009, 07:42:11 AM
still pretty piss pour for all that money they spent! And still TRAILING the best franchise in the NATIONAL LEAGUE!!! ;D
With all that talent, they should have about a 10 game lead in that division. But it is the Cubs we are talking about, the best in the National League at CHOKING!! :-[
Cubs in 1st place. pdga#7648?
Keep up the good work cubbies ;)
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 06:39:59 AM
Chicago 41 42 .494 4.5 WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? :huh:????? What a JOKE.
What did we say about "the season is only half way over?" Look who's leading the division now. Even if it's only by a half game, it's hard to call us a joke now. Perhaps a pun, though.
nice to see Milton Bradley and Soriano suddenly making those 5 and 6 holes a lot more formidable and what we've expected all year long. Hopefully Soto can play like the ROY that he is when he gets back and compensates if any of these guys cool off.
I like Lou's lineup's that are going out there right now. Yeah it was two bad Astros pitchers, but it wasn't just score in one inning and done - they kept adding on and scored 12 runs in both of those games - awesome.
Quote from: keitherboo on July 31, 2009, 01:42:03 AM
Quote from: pdga#7648 on July 11, 2009, 06:39:59 AM
Chicago 41 42 .494 4.5 WOW, HOLY COW, 5TH PLACE??? :huh:????? What a JOKE.
What did we say about "the season is only half way over?" Look who's leading the division now. Even if it's only by a half game, it's hard to call us a joke now. Perhaps a pun, though.
St. Louis is! ;D
Quote from: stpitner on July 31, 2009, 07:20:54 AM
nice to see Milton Bradley and Soriano suddenly making those 5 and 6 holes a lot more formidable and what we've expected all year long. Hopefully Soto can play like the ROY that he is when he gets back and compensates if any of these guys cool off.
I like Lou's lineup's that are going out there right now. Yeah it was two bad Astros pitchers, but it wasn't just score in one inning and done - they kept adding on and scored 12 runs in both of those games - awesome.
Hill has the best winning percentage for all Cubs catchers. Very underated!
Quote from: Sr. on July 31, 2009, 10:41:50 PM
Hill has the best winning percentage for all Cubs catchers. Very underated!
I read an article not so long ago about a very successful basketball coach who attributed his success to taking a different look at statistics. Instead of looking at scoring, rebounding, assists and other traditional individual stats, he looked at points for player X's team versus points for the opponents when player X is on the court compared to how the two teams did against each other for the game. There are some players who add things to the team that don't appear in any traditional stat but who stand out when you look at this nontraditional stat. He built a successful team by acquiring a bunch of second string and unrecognized players by mining this one stat.
Your post reminded me of that. I wonder if anyone has thought to mine that stat and apply it to baseball. Any baseball fans know?
did the Marlins really bring a goat on the field ?
Ever since the Cubs blew the last few games away last year, I can't watch them :(
If only my grandfather was still alive. He'd smack me and say..
"What are you watching the Cubs for? The Sox are the better team!"
Cubs back in a tie with the Cards for 1st (actually 2 ahead in the loss column), still a long way to go but the Cubs are playing their best baseball of the season right now.
Didn't someone on this thread mention Colby Rasmus for Rookie of the Year?
Randy Wells 8-4 2.73 ERA
Colby Rasmus .252 11 HR 35 RBI.....on pace for 17 HR 54 RBI in 483 AB
Quote from: Dan Michler on August 04, 2009, 07:24:21 AM
Cubs back in a tie with the Cards for 1st (actually 2 ahead in the loss column), still a long way to go but the Cubs are playing their best baseball of the season right now.
Didn't someone on this thread mention Colby Rasmus for Rookie of the Year?
Randy Wells 8-4 2.73 ERA
Colby Rasmus .252 11 HR 35 RBI.....on pace for 17 HR 54 RBI in 483 AB
Yea they're tied, but their win percentage is .001% better ;D
Quote from: Dan Michler on August 04, 2009, 07:24:21 AM
Cubs back in a tie with the Cards for 1st (actually 2 ahead in the loss column), still a long way to go but the Cubs are playing their best baseball of the season right now.
Didn't someone on this thread mention Colby Rasmus for Rookie of the Year?
Randy Wells 8-4 2.73 ERA
Colby Rasmus .252 11 HR 35 RBI.....on pace for 17 HR 54 RBI in 483 AB
Wells is having a fine season.( he's on my fantasy roster) If Rasmus has to keep sharing time with Ankiel, then maybe not, but if he gets his AB's, yes he will win the ROY in the NL.
And it's about time they start playing their best ball of the year, but I think this month they only have 6 home games where they Dominate, but 17 on the road, where they can't win???? LOOOOOONGGGGGG way to go DannyBoy!
Best of luck to ya tho, my new bestest bud online ;D
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 04, 2009, 02:24:40 PM
Wells is having a fine season.( he's on my fantasy roster) If Rasmus has to keep sharing time with Ankiel, then maybe not, but if he gets his AB's, yes he will win the ROY in the NL.
Your crazy Doug! There are several other candidates that have flown past Rasmus for NL ROY.
After Happ's 4 hit shutout last night he is 8-2 with a 2.74.
Other candidates include Tommy Hanson who was called up in June and is now 6-2 with a 3.22.
Dexter Fowler is .257 wit 24 SB and 47 runs scored.
The best rookie hitter in the NL this year is Andrew McCutchen .292 avg .491 slugging 7 HR 32 RBI 9 SB in just 226 AB since being called up in June.
Rasmus isn't even on the radar anymore after being the favorite back in early July.. His average is now down to .248. Since July 7th Rasmus has 0 multi-hit games, 0 HR, 1 RBI in 61 AB's and he started in 16 of those games. Terrible! He'll be lucky to keep his job as a platoon starter now much less win any awards! If I were you I'd be begging LaRussa to sit this guy. You need runners on base for Pujols and Holliday.
Cubs and Cards both shutout yesterday keeping this a tight race. The 3 game series @STL next month could be huge. Cubs have 7 left with MIL, so I'm not counting them out quite yet, although they look terrible.
Coyie Hill is a good part of the reason Wells has blossomed this year. A good catcher is a must for rookie pitchers!
Hill has filled in great for Soto. Gives Lou another tough decision. I hope Soto contributes right away.
Soriano also needs to quit getting picked off. What a bone head! And I don't give a rats ass that Hills first name is mispelled!
;D
Quote from: Sr. on August 06, 2009, 09:20:13 AM
Coyie Hill is a good part of the reason Wells has blossomed this year. A good catcher is a must for rookie pitchers!
Hill has filled in great for Soto. Gives Lou another tough decision. I hope Soto contributes right away.
Soriano also needs to quit getting picked off. What a bone head!
Yep
Koyie Hill has done all that the Cubs have asked of him and more. It is good to see alot of up and coming players from our farm league, Randy Wells, Jake Fox, Micah Hoffpauier (who knows how to spell his last name), Sam Fuld.
UH OH!!!! ;D
loss column looks the same now, but the better team the Cardinals have 4 more wins, and are widening the 2 game lead they have!!
The Cubs should start cleaning up the golf clubs and reserving tee times very soon!
thank you Randy Wells, Jake Fox, and Sam Fuld for having easy names to spell. Now I'd like to have a word with the same Micah Hoffpauire (i have no clue either), Jeff Samardzidja (I think I got that one right), and Koyie Hill (ok, his isn't THAT tough).
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 10, 2009, 08:34:57 AM
UH OH!!!! ;D
loss column looks the same now, but the better team the Cardinals have 4 more wins, and are widening the 2 game lead they have!!
The Cubs should start cleaning up the golf clubs and reserving tee times very soon!
Geez, you are the king of overreaction! All I've ever said about the standings was, 'there is still a long way to go'. Guess what...there is still a long way to go my friend! I'm not counting the cardinals, cubs, or brewers out at this point in the season. Alot can happen in 1 1/2 months. Talking smack about a 2 game lead on August 10th is kind of like Milton Bradley making the 2nd out of the inning with runners on base, and then tossing the ball into the stands.
no more over reacting than you telling the world that the Cubs(were) so many games ahead on the loss column ??? All that meant was the Cubs needed to play 5 more games at that time to make up for the 5 Cards were ahead. Now the losses are tied at 51. Once the Cubs play the 4 games, that the Cards have already played, it will even out and the Cards will come out on top. I will even be a good buddy, and tell you why......
Holliday, Lugo, Ludwick and DeRosa PROTECT Pujols, so he will get his swings now, and even YOU know what that means!! Carpenter and Wainwright are better than the Cubs 1-2, by Far. Hell Zambrano is on the DL with a hangnail or something, and Ramirez is going back to the DL it looks like. Those kids you guys mentioned, Fuld, Hill, Wells( came back to earth yesterday huh?) will not be able to carry that team, just like Albert couldn't carry the load by himself. If the Cubs got rid of Lou, they might have a chance, he cannot manage a world series winner. Look at those teams he had in Seattle. Tons better than these Cubs teams the last 3 years, and he couldn't win in Seattle, he sure wont win in Wrigleyville!!!
True, alot of season left to be played, but since the Holliday trade St.Louis made, they are playing better ball. Are never out of a game(sort of like Cubs last year) they scored 5 runs in the 8th inning yesterday, and 1 in the 7th, 8th, and 9th on Saturday. Yes it's the Pirates, but to score late, usually brings good things.
I will quit ruffling your feathers the rest of this month, but come September you will see that your original post, was all just WISHFUL thinking!! And I might just have to remind you??
Pointing out the #
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 10, 2009, 09:33:52 AM
no more over reacting than you telling the world that the Cubs(were) so many games ahead on the loss column ??? All that meant was the Cubs needed to play 5 more games at that time to make up for the 5 Cards were ahead. ......
Pointing out how many games the Cubs are ahead in the loss column was not 'overreacting', just stating a fact. Speculating that the current standings on Aug. 10 are indicative of the final outcome is what I would call 'overreacting'.
I honestly have no clue what will happen the rest of the way and I'm not betting on the Cubs with all these injuries. If the Cubs can get healthy, I believe they are a better team, but that doesn't really matter a whole hell of a lot. The Cards do have a powerful top of the rotation, but Pujols' protection can be considered average at best. With the best hitter in the game they rank 8th in the NL in runs scored. Since getting off that 17-7 start this season, the Cards are just 1 game over .500...I'm just saying ;) The Brewers have 7 left with the Cubs and 9 left with the Cards, so they'll have alot to say about what happens the rest of the way.
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This is what my 3 yr old thinks about the cubs. All nonsense and chaos.
Go Dodgers!
THEY GONE! GO SOX!
Nice fans.
Is it to early to start breaking out the brown paper bag hats?
not at all!!!!
Cubs need to capitalize on their chances. I'm tired of all this "and they only score 2 after having the bases loaded and no outs".
Wow! Greg is terrible. Add another BS to your stats dbag.
Quote from: CEValkyrie on August 17, 2009, 09:56:46 PM
Wow! Greg is terrible. Add another BS to your stats dbag.
obviously gregg is terrible, but when you only score 1 run you deserve to lose. the bullpen has been terrible this year but the offense is 80% of the problem. and we're stuck with Soriano for a few more years which is fantastic! other than Lee and Aram, its hard to want any of our position players back next year.
6 back only 4 in loss column thou
lou is looking very tired
trying to plug to many holes with out having enough fingers this year
sox 61 cubs 60
one up on u dan
Quote from: airspuds on August 18, 2009, 09:45:53 AM
6 back only 4 in loss column thou
WAY too many with that Lineup in St. Louis!!!
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 18, 2009, 01:57:48 PM
Quote from: airspuds on August 18, 2009, 09:45:53 AM
6 back only 4 in loss column thou
WAY too many with that Lineup in St. Louis!!!
Now you added Smoltz, we'll see if that pays off.
he has to be better than Boggs or Wellemeyer. I just don't know about him as a starter. Would rather him set up Franklin, but we will see.
the fat lady is warming up her voice. Since July 24th(Holliday trade) the Redbirds are 18-7, the poor Cubs are 13-13, LMAO!! Behind 7 games, not looking good at all.
QuoteI will quit ruffling your feathers the rest of this month, but come September you will see that your original post, was all just WISHFUL thinking!! And I might just have to remind you??
What happened to this promise? Its only August 21st.
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 21, 2009, 04:02:52 AM
the fat lady is warming up her voice. Since July 24th(Holliday trade) the Redbirds are 18-7, the poor Cubs are 13-13, LMAO!! Behind 7 games, not looking good at all.
was not directed at you buddy ol pal. Just posting the facts, in case some wanted to know??
Quote from: deucemeister on January 06, 2009, 03:31:13 PM
CUBS = Completely Useless By September
Yep, it still rings true. Better close this topic up, as I am sure you all are ready for the 09 Bears, yea?
I have to say wake up Dan The Dreamer! Or load me up a bowl of whatever you are smoking!! I understand you are a FAN, but you have to be more realistic than to expect them to duplicate last year. They showed the real CUBS style of playing this year.
Like the shirt says...
Real sports fans know the difference between a DYNASTY(Cardinals) and a WANNABEE(Cubs). About 280 Miles! And 8 World Championships(soon to be 9)
And the Cardinals Franchise knows how to sign great players when they need to. From The McGwires, Will Clarks, Larry Walkers, Derosas, Hollidays, now Smoltz? To where you SCRUBS pick up jokes like Milton Bradley, who doesn't even know how many outs there are in an inning. And the Closer Gregg, who couldn't close a zip lock baggie! If they don't get quality players, they will never be able to make a playoff series even interesting.
Bottom line is this... you can hate on the Cardinals all you want,(oh yea, ahead by 10.5 games), pick them to finsih 4th in the division, say they overachieve or whatever. But when it really comes down to it, they are by FAR, the BEST FRANCHISE in the National League!! With 10 World Series Titles, 2nd only to the Yankees, how could anyone argue this FACT??
Like the sportswriter in Chicago said, How can they(Cubs) consider themselves a Professional Franchise, when they can't be Champions in over 100 years? Ooooops I mean 101 years!!
Get the clubs out, and grab them early tee times, cause once again we say it with a HUGE SMILE. Wait Till Next Year!!
Central W L Pct GB
St. Louis Cardinals 77 55 .583 --
Chicago Cubs 65 64 .504 10.5
Milwaukee Brewers 64 66 .492 12.0
Houston Astros 63 68 .481 13.5
Cincinnati Reds 58 73 .443 18.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 53 77 .408 23
Go compare this to your picks for the division. LMAO!
Only 9 games back in the loss column. They still have a chance ;D
Actually I'm not sure where you got your information, but I'm a YANKEES fan Doug. We have 26 world championships to your PATHETIC 10! Congrats on being the best franchise in a PATHETIC league with an even more PATHETIC division! Even if you LUCK your way into another championship, you'll still be well over a DOZEN behind us! So go suck on that one you bandwagon riding Steelers fan! Maybe your brother should have informed you of a REAL baseball team as well!
CAPITAL letters are so SWEET for delivering my internet forum BURN!
good 1 Dan, maybe someone will beleive you on this, but not this dude. But the Yankees play in the easier league. Either get rid of the DH or have it in the A.L. and N.L., not just 1.
And when the Cardinals get back into the playoffs this year, it wont be luck, it will be because they are the better Franchise! By far.
And being a fan since 1978 doesn't say I am on the bandwagon. Hell, I have been a fan longer than you have been alive son!!!! But now if you were a Yankees fan, I woulkd at least respect you a little, as they do know how to win, unlike the JOKES we call the CUBS!!
Quote from: Dan Michler on August 10, 2009, 08:48:12 AM
Quote from: pdga#7648 on August 10, 2009, 08:34:57 AM
UH OH!!!! ;D
loss column looks the same now, but the better team the Cardinals have 4 more wins, and are widening the 2 game lead they have!!
The Cubs should start cleaning up the golf clubs and reserving tee times very soon!
Geez, you are the king of overreaction! All I've ever said about the standings was, 'there is still a long way to go'. Guess what...there is still a long way to go my friend! I'm not counting the cardinals, cubs, or brewers out at this point in the season. Alot can happen in 1 1/2 months. Talking smack about a 2 game lead on August 10th is kind of like Milton Bradley making the 2nd out of the inning with runners on base, and then tossing the ball into the stands.
after reading all these posts over the last 10 days, I thinked I picked myself up from falling out of my chair laughing soooo hard for about the 43rd time here at this beauty!!
Quote from: pdga#7648 on September 01, 2009, 04:13:41 AM
Quote from: deucemeister on January 06, 2009, 03:31:13 PM
CUBS = Completely Useless By September
Yep, it still rings true. Better close this topic up, as I am sure you all are ready for the 09 Bears, yea?
I have to say wake up Dan The Dreamer! Or load me up a bowl of whatever you are smoking!! I understand you are a FAN, but you have to be more realistic than to expect them to duplicate last year. They showed the real CUBS style of playing this year.
Like the shirt says...
Real sports fans know the difference between a DYNASTY(Cardinals) and a WANNABEE(Cubs). About 280 Miles! And 8 World Championships(soon to be 9)
And the Cardinals Franchise knows how to sign great players when they need to. From The McGwires, Will Clarks, Larry Walkers, Derosas, Hollidays, now Smoltz? To where you SCRUBS pick up jokes like Milton Bradley, who doesn't even know how many outs there are in an inning. And the Closer Gregg, who couldn't close a zip lock baggie! If they don't get quality players, they will never be able to make a playoff series even interesting.
Bottom line is this... you can hate on the Cardinals all you want,(oh yea, ahead by 10.5 games), pick them to finsih 4th in the division, say they overachieve or whatever. But when it really comes down to it, they are by FAR, the BEST FRANCHISE in the National League!! With 10 World Series Titles, 2nd only to the Yankees, how could anyone argue this FACT??
Like the sportswriter in Chicago said, How can they(Cubs) consider themselves a Professional Franchise, when they can't be Champions in over 100 years? Ooooops I mean 101 years!!
Get the clubs out, and grab them early tee times, cause once again we say it with a HUGE SMILE. Wait Till Next Year!!
Central W L Pct GB
St. Louis Cardinals 77 55 .583 --
Chicago Cubs 65 64 .504 10.5
Milwaukee Brewers 64 66 .492 12.0
Houston Astros 63 68 .481 13.5
Cincinnati Reds 58 73 .443 18.5
Pittsburgh Pirates 53 77 .408 23
Go compare this to your picks for the division. LMAO!
Only 9 games back in the loss column. They still have a chance ;D
Mon Aug 31, 2009 11:04PM EDT
See Comments (348)
Buzz up!211 votes WHAT COULD BE MORE ANNOYING THAN THIS? MAYBE IF IT WAS BOLD? AND RED?
OK, I can't actually make that text red due to the publishing system I'm on, but it would certainly be annoying, wouldn't it?
And if you worked for New Zealand's ProCare Health, it could even get you fired.
That's exactly what hapened to Vicki Walker, who was abruptly kicked out of her job for sending "confrontational emails" with text formatted in a variety of red, bold, and all caps fonts. Walker had sent the emails to fellow workers within the company, usually with stern and detailed instructions on how forms should be properly filled out.
Someone at ProCare didn't like her approach, suggesting she caused "disharmony in the workplace" and was being too confrontational via email, eventually firing her without warning.
Walker, however, got the last laugh. She sued for wrongful termination and won the case, pocketing $17,000 in lost wages and for other unspecified harm caused due to the firing.
Quite a predicament. Is it actually possible to be confrontational in an email message? With instructions on how to fill out a form? By all accounts, Walker's emails sound rude and brusque, but did she cross a line? Just how angry would an email have to be in order to merit being fired from her job? I know I've sent a "confrontational" message or two to my co-workers in the past, and I've received more than my fair share of them, I think. I never recall anyone getting fired for it.
What do you think? Is it OK to fire someone for misuse of their caps lock button? Feel free to respond in the comments section below. First one to do so in all caps gets fired.
4 Posted by rolerol77 on Tue Sep 1, 2009 1:30AM EDT Report Abuse
GET RID OF THAT BOSSY, DEMANDING-SOUNDING WOMAN CAUSING DISHARMONY IN THE WORKPLACE!!! I feel its appropriate of an employer to do just as mentioned in this article. Plus, wjat an easy but sleazy way to boot an employee to the curb! Hey Chris... youre too cool to get fired man! LoL. Ill be first to protest such a decision!
3 Posted by twohlrab3 on Tue Sep 1, 2009 1:05AM EDT Report Abuse
That is absolutely hilarious. I FIND MYSELF LAUGHING EVERY TIME I SEE ALL CAPS SIMPLY BECAUSE OF HOW OBNOXIOUS IT LOOKS. It's hard to take someone seriously when they type like an eldrey person who doesn't realize the caps are still on.
EVEN MORE EVIDENCE THAT AIRSPUDS' POSTS ARE THE bomb
11.5 behind
just wanted to get 1 last laugh about this topic, and to let Mr. Michler think about this all winter long.....
This season been a disappointment after 2 NLC Division Titles. After todays win we are 8 games over .500. I don't feel like this team has tanked and has kept playing down the stretch. I give Lou credit for telling MB he was a POS several monthes ago. He is what he thought he was.
When it comes down to it we couldn't hit the ball all year. The Cards picked up a hitter at the break and we did nothing. Hendry should be fired for his Bradley signing alone. Our outfield was an issue coming into the year and who knows what's going to happen next year. Hendry did nothing to address that area.
The pitching has been pretty darn good this year. Harden is probably gone after this season. I am very sick of Big Z and would like to see his lazy phat ass traded to get some players. Marmol is clearly our best bullpen guy and closer. If he can command that fastball for a strike he will be unhittalbe next year. He's been unhittable this year but he walks way too many. 71 IP 89 SO's
Wellls 11-9 3.00 ERA
Lilly 12-8 3.02 ERA
Dempster 10-8 3.68 ERA
Zambrano 9-6 3.69 ERA
Harden 9-9 4.09 ERA
Gorzelanny 7-2 5.08 ERA
2010
Pitching
1. Z
2. Lilly
3. Dempster
4. Wells
5. Gorzelanny/Harden/????
BP
Closer-Marmol
Gregg
Guzman
This team is unbelievable week up the middle. Can Soto come back and hit the ball? Our Middle Infield is one of the worst in the league. I can live with Soriano in the outfield and batting down in the order. Center Field remains the biggest issue. If Milton Bradley is back in a Cubs uniform next year i'm giving away all my Cubs shit and joing the in-laws. I'll be the 1st one to buy a Pujols jersey.
C-Soto
3rd-Aram
SS-?
2B-?
1st-Lee
LF-Soriano
CF-?
RF-?
since Wednesday, had the Cubs won out, and the Cardinal lost out, they would have been tied, with a 1 game playoff. Wonder how long Michler was holding his breath?
But now.... it's officially over. What's that saying you all are so used to??
Oh yeah...... wait till next year.
c'mon 3 and out for St. Louis (and I'm not talking football).
now that that's said...
I really hope Tyler Colvin grows up quick. He's a lefty, and he plays a good center field. That would be nice to see. I think that Jeff Baker should stay and continue at 2nd base. I'm ok with Theriot continuing at shortstop because he's a grinder. Those are great players to have on your team. If Geo can find a way to get back to the way he was in 2008, that would be fantastic. I wish they had a place for Jake Fox (well, if he could learn how to hit a slider that would be nice too), but I think they are going to have to trade him away. I wonder if they would consider going after someone like a Brad Penny for the rotation. Lou wants and RBI guy. Unless there's a big name Center fielder out there, I don't see where the Cubs could get a true fit - you don't want to push Fukudome back to center. If you continue to be stuck with him, he needs to play in the corner.
Gregg will not be in a Cubs uniform next year. woohoo! Grabow, Guzman, and Marmol need to be the core. That would be a good 7,8, 9 combo. The bullpen should be decently set for next year.
I was looking at a list of key free agents for 2010. Heh, Ankiel might be available for Center Field. Reed Johnson might become a free agent - hopefully he's resigned. I like his style of play.
There are a number of free agent outfielders available for next year, but hopefully the Cubs won't be so hasty to jump into yet another long term contract for an aging player. If I were the GM I'd be looking to deal some aging talent in exchange for some youth.
This was our 3rd straight winning season which is great, but we need to develop some position players from our farm system if we want lasting success. We haven't had a long-term talent in the field out of our own system since Mark Grace. Look at the Florida Marlins. They just had yet another winning season with a next-to-nothing payroll with guys like Ramirez/Coghlan/Uggla/Bonaficio all making less than 6 million per year because they develop these players. We HAVE to get something from our minor league system, or we'll just continue to have problems like Soriano, Milton Bradley, and Fukudome who made a combined 36.5 million dollars this year. We gave up on our top prospect Felix Pie after 260 major league AB's that came sprinkled throughout 2 seasons. He produced at a similar rate to Fukudome this season who made 12.5 million to Pie's 410,000. Does anybody still think Fukudome is going to get any better at age 33?
We've got the starting pitching to maintain competitiveness, but I'd love to see us take a shot on some of these younger hitters such as Fox and Hoffpauir. Gotta give Soto another year to see if he can figure it out. We're stuck with Soriano, so we just have to hope for the best there. It'll be interesting to see what happens in the offseason after the ownership situation is all settled.
just a remnder. This is a picture that tells it all.....
Thats really funny in the same way that the motion picture Saved by the Bell: Hawaiian Style was funny! I think everybody here accepted over a month ago that the Cardinals won the division. Congratulations. Are you looking forward to the playoffs, or just satisfied to be there? If you are still performing internet searches for corny pictures like this to post on this forum then I feel bad for you.
actually Dan, my retired dad sent it to me in an email today. I don't have to search the web to know how bad the Scrubs have been forever!!
But thanks for taking the Cards winning so well. It was evident that after the Holliday deal, the division was decided early in August. I am looking forward to the playoffs. Just hope the guys on espn know what they are talking about. Having Carp, and a Dominating Wainwright as a 1-2 will be strong. But getting to the Series will be tough.
Head to head vs playoff teams.
L.A. won 5-2
Phil lost 2-5
Col lost 1-6
Want the Dodgers 1st round for sure. Anything can happen after the 1st round. I know you wouldn't know about after the 1st round though. Hang in there, it may come someday??
Have a good one. Maybe see ya in Normal if you are going Sunday?
well your dad needs to look for some funnier material then!
I'd like to be at Bloomington, but I don't believe its in the cards for me. I will be at Springfield on Saturday to end my PDGA 2009 tour.
going to the last Friday night home game for the Cardinals, so wont be much for playing Springfield on Saturday, but Sunday officially ends my 2009 tour as well. 11 wasn't bad this year, as I traveled alone for 95% of them. Might take the next year off,(except for Sterling and the Peoria Open.) to tune up the game a bit before the jump to Open Masters. 10+ years of Am1-Advanced was enough.
Good luck to you at Springfield. Lincoln Park should suit you well
what's sad is that he needed a sign to explain what it was. I must admit that I'm impressed he got the family to go along with it though.
Quote from: stpitner on September 28, 2009, 11:51:37 AM
c'mon 3 and out for St. Louis (and I'm not talking football).
Thank you LA :)
Quote from: stpitner on October 10, 2009, 06:13:48 PM
Quote from: stpitner on September 28, 2009, 11:51:37 AM
c'mon 3 and out for St. Louis (and I'm not talking football).
Thank you LA :)
Absolutely enjoyable series to watch. And the Card fans like to ride Soriano in left field. Nice play Holliday! There is always next year STL fans!
cards were a bush league squad this year who happened to win a bush league division that contained not 1 solid team. this was a pretty predictable outcome.
but you would still be bragging had the Cubs won that division. :D
But scoring 6 runs in 3 games, you wont win to many of those games. But predicted to finish 4th in that division, to dominating it, that's a pretty good year!! Now can they re-sign Holliday and Derosa is the real question.
And remember now, the Cards had the worst record of the 4 NL teams. I think the Cubs were the best in baseball last year when they got swept. BIG difference!! But now they can clean off their clubs and join the Cubs on the golf courses!
not a big difference at all. Both teams lost. Both teams watch the rest of the playoffs from their couch at home. end of story. It doesn't matter how many you win as long as you are in the postseason.
I wonder if the tv stations hate it that 3 out of the 4 series in the first round were all sweeps lol.
milton bradley
chicago is not your kind of town
or any where else for that matter
please note
first order of business for new owner
ticket prices increased