Bleed Cubbie Blue

Because Miles is on the DL and cannot be moved right now.

If they wanted Baker active today, someone else had to go.

Remember, Ramirez is coming off the DL on Monday (presumably). Coincidentally (or perhaps not?), that’s the day Miles is eligible to return from the DL.

I think

that stinks. Oh, well. Bye bye, Farny.

but, but, did they DFA Farney too?

N Oakley - July 2, 2009 reply

I don't think Farney

had his own contract. He was a rider.

Get it? Rider?

Explain how that's a significant coincidence

I’m genuinely confused.

Yeah, so am I, come to think of it.

Never mind.

i liked freel… too bad

Amen Al!

Amen to that Al!

jselinger24 - July 2, 2009 reply

is this sarcasm?

we have like 400 second baseman.

The day I figure out why Jim Hendry keeps acquiring below average middle infielders is the day I can die happy

We have Fontenot, Miles, and Baker now

Freel is gone now. Scales is still in AAA, and figures to stay there. Blanco’s an SS who can also play 2B. And hopefully Miles will be gone when Aramis comes back. 2 people who primarily platoon at 2B sound about right to me.

Baker’s skills are roughly those of Mark DeRosa, when he was 27. Hopefully he can continue to develop past 27 into being the player Mark was after that age.

Don't Fear the Reaper - July 2, 2009 reply

agreed, he could be a DeRosa in the making

yes

joeschmitt - July 2, 2009 reply

what are you talking about?

we don’t really need a 2nd baseman as far as defense goes. Blanco, fonty, and even miles can cover 2nd well. what we need is a 2nd baseman who can also hit, and looking at bakers stats, he cant very well. I understand getting rid of freel tho, ive wanted that since we got him. but i dont get why we need another 2nd baseman, we need a backup SS more than another 2B

no kidding dood

joeschmitt - July 2, 2009 reply

Andres Blanco is a natural SS. He's our backup at that position.

And Baker put up a .791 OPS in 333 PAs in 2008, so it appears he can hit fairly well – or at least well enough for a platoon 2B and backup 3B.

wow jim hendry thanks

so much for going and getting us such a great bat to score some runs…..not

wrigley12 - July 2, 2009 reply

I only like this comment

because I watched Borat on TV last week and it reminds me of the NOT scene.

this tie is black not

*suit

joeschmitt - July 2, 2009 reply

Miles won't be DFA'd this year...

Just too much money. Glad Blanco wasn’t sent down to make room for this guy.

CubsBullsBears - July 2, 2009 reply

screw Hendry

dfa’s Freel? why not Miles?

Glacier - July 2, 2009 reply

60 days on the DL can be seen as step 1 in the DFA process...

Was Miles?

put on the 60-day?

AGC - July 2, 2009 reply

Not yet, but he could be.

yeah

i think he will be joining the chad fox club of ‘you suck, but i guess you can hang around’

TJ3117 - July 2, 2009 reply

He's getting paid a lot more than Chad Fox.

Unfortunately.

No. Just wishful thinking on my part...

Um

Because we know Freel’s done, and we hope Miles can get healthy and become productive. Why keep Freel just to spite Miles?

Because it makes us...

feel better? :-p

why do we know Freel's done, but think Miles can suddenly become productive

I don’t know Freel is done. At least Miles was given consistent playing time……until it was obvious he was horrible

I would have thought

the exact opposite — Miles is done, but Freel came back up and did some good things.

Why keep Miles just to spite Freel? Except for the contract, of course.

Miles has been injured (supposedly)

which means he has a note from his doctor.

so has Freel

I'm going to miss Freel

He was the sparkplug this team needed, a fine human being who was almost at the Level of Ted Lilly.

carolinacub - July 2, 2009 reply

DeRosa!

;-)

Yeah

Just like Ted, except minus the supernatural / godlike abilities.

StevenABQ - July 2, 2009 reply

Isn't It Possible...

… that Freel would pass through waivers and accept a minor league assignment, thus adding to our depth? I wonder if Freel is still hurt, thus no one would really want him. Then, he can come up in September and help the ball club?

initram - July 2, 2009 reply

It's possible

but I don’t think the Cubs really want anything more to do with him. Freel made some comments while he was in Iowa that were…….stupid.

There's a little Coors Field effect to Baker, unfortunately.

Home: .295/.348/.550
Road: .205/.266/.335

I mean, seriously, doesn’t anyone in the front office look at this stuff first? It took me about 30 seconds to look it up.

In an extremely small sample size 16 AB at Wrigley Field...

… Baker has five hits, including four doubles.

Isn't he the guy who hit four doubles in the game the 10-9 Cubs' win?

Cubbiegoon - July 2, 2009 reply

Why, yes. Yes, he is.

All four of Baker’s doubles at Wrigley were in that game on May 31, 2008.

I was at that game.

Baker had his best season last year, 12HR, 48 RBI. The Cubs can use a bat like his off the bench. Miles should be next to go, unless they want to send Mike Fontenot down to Iowa.

tripdenten - July 2, 2009 reply

But...

That was off our pitching!

Cubbie Cale - July 2, 2009 reply

There's reasons why its been over 100 years

You’d think we’d learn by now. That would be toooooo easy though.

TkGoUWGB - July 2, 2009 reply

but he is a bad defensiuve infielder

hendry loves those

Glacier - July 2, 2009 reply

Baker is an excellent defensive 3B...

He isn’t worth much at 2B. He is the classic ‘tweener: 3B glove and 2B bat. Both he and Ian Stewart were blocked by Garrett Atkins; Dan O’Dowd just wasn’t smart enough to trade him two years ago while he still had value (and options).

He runs very well and isn’t a bad OF.

DeRoMyHero - July 2, 2009 reply

Just great...

Colavito for Kuenn it ’aint…

Maybe they actually did the math instead of just looking it up online

I mean, seriously, doesn’t anyone in the front office look at this stuff first? It took me about 30 seconds to look it up.

Baker’s 2008 home batting average was .301. At Wrigley last year that would translate to a respectable .285, at a difference of roughly 4 hits on the season.

I’m going out on a limb here and will suggest that the people who are paid millions to understand these decisions probably take these into account, and actually understand how to make sense of home / road splits.

Yeah, makes sense.

Maybe.

However, Baker hasn’t hit well away from Coors. At all.

It's not like the Rockies play most of their road games in SD, LA, and SF

just sayin’. It’s also not like Baker is moving to Petco

berselius - July 2, 2009 reply

So there’s two possible explanations here.

Either Coors is a magical place that affects offensive numbers in a way that makes players awesome while somehow escaping the ability to be measured by park effects, OR Baker, like many players, is just better when he’s in the comfort of his own ballpark.

To add to my point

So let’s say there’s this player right? He’s young, pretty good, high OPS. His home OPS is .890 and his away OPS is almost 100 points lower – .799.

Woah, read flag time- clearly this guy plays at an offense-friendly stadium, right?

In fact, this player is Andre Ethier, and plays at the 2nd-least offense friendly stadium in all of baseball.

100 points lower? Hardly a significant difference.

Baker’s home OPS is almost 300 points higher than his road OPS.

For exhibit B, I would like to present Matt Holliday, whose OPS dropped by about 150 points when he left Coors.

Maybe the Coors effect isn’t as big as it used to be. Maybe Baker can still hit in other parks. But it does exist.

Matt Holliday went

from Coors to one of the hardest parks to hit in, in the more difficult league. And he might also be one of those players who struggles under the pressure of a free agency year.

Holliday's OPS drop...

probably as much to do with playing in Oakland than it does him not playing in Denver anymore. I mean, seriously… you can look this stuff up in like 30 seconds.

I don't think you even know what you're arguing here.

I didn’t say Coors field doesn’t help players. It does. But so does Wrigley – by a fairly significant amount.

You know what else helps players? Playing at home. Every player gets a boost to their OPS simply from playing at home.

Al you often claim to understand advanced statistics, but it’s clear (again) here that you don’t understand how to evaluate players based on league and park differences. Ethier’s home / road splits take place at an offense-unfriendly park. Of course the difference isn’t going to be as much as Baker’s – he’s playing his home games at Dodger stadium for crying out loud. If Ethier’s home stadium was Coors that 100 point difference would be even greater.

BA is just a component of OPS, but let’s do this exercise here because the math is simple:
Andre Ethier’s home batting average career is .301. If he played at Coors field, his home batting average would be .352 (using Coors’ 2008 Park Effect).

So there’s 50 points to his OPS just from his batting average. It’s safe to assume that Ethier’s home OPS would close much of that 300 point distance pretty quickly.

He hits well at Wrigley...

and against LHP.

Maybe they did...

and took longer than the 30 seconds you took to post this. Maybe they looked at the park factors for Coors and realized that these numbers probably have very little to do with the altitude there.

I can remember when.....

… people here were clamoring to get a guy like Freel. They did that, and then all hell broke loose.

And, I don’t know how many times it needs to be said, Miles isn’t going anywhere.

wasn't the clammoring

like 6 years ago?

+ 1 Billion

Not Bruce Froemming - July 2, 2009 reply

Again

Chicago Cubs fans: The most neurotic in professional sports.

I wouldn't debate that

But given the team’s track record, doesn’t it kind of make sense?

Not Bruce Froemming - July 2, 2009 reply

Not really

Not unless you were here for all 101 years of futility. Othewise, you’re just as futile as the Brewers.

We needed a backup third baseman...

…so all the “clamoring” was pretty justified.

Yeah define..."clamoring"

I think it's something fishermen do.

bearded clams?

clam slam?

no,

that’s something hookers do.

Gotta pay extra, though.

wasn't Clammoring

the name of Gandalf’s sword?

CyberCyclist - July 2, 2009 reply

glamdring

Gandalf had a sword?

yeah

didn’t you read the hobbit?

Wizards can't equip long swords

Duh

in D&D world, tolkien is a rebel though

Genre mixing alert

Black Mage at the town shop

Oh, I was thinking FF

For your reference:

Is that sung to the tune of

“Fat Man in the Bath Tub” by Little Feat?

mattvegas - July 2, 2009 reply

actually. No

I read the Lord of the Rings, books, but never read The Hobbit

he has the sword

in LOTR too.

true

but The Hobbit is when he finds it.

Seriously, you should read The Hobbit. Its good. And a great way to kill some summer time.

well duh

he was a he ya know…

I don't get it

I thought Freel was doing fairly well upon his return. Why DFA him?

Because, he is

a 33 year old right-hander with a career .726 OPS?

Because Baker is a better player.

Baker > Freel > Miles

Freel looked like he came from the same mold as RJ. Maybe he’s bad in the clubhouse.

http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/06/18/cubs-freel-on-a-variety-of-topics/

His comments when he was in Iowa would indicate that he's not the best team player

Right.

That was discussed here when it happened. I suspect they were looking for someone to take his place since then.

On Oklahoma City pitcher Neftali Feliz’ fastball: "I haven’t seen a guy with an arm like that since probably back in Vietnam and those guys throwing grenades."

Really?

talk about

a slurve!

Once again, thank you for your service, Mr. Freel.

May the road rise up to meet you.

wow, I missed the "I was in 'Nam" comment from Freel

that guy is a certified whack job

Perhaps was Farney talking then

Seriously, you have to wonder if he’s had one or two concussions too many in his career.

brook - July 2, 2009 reply

agreed

also rec’d for the Pinky and the Brain signature

maybe ...

he can go manage the Blue Jays now.

Boy.. he ain't the sharpest tool in the shed.. but he got that one right.

Sounds like he was telling the truth – but not sure if he left any info out on WHY he was going to get DFA’d.

Clubhouse guy?

Maybe not the most important issue, but do you know what kind of clubhouse guy he has been?

wccubfan - July 2, 2009 reply

based one what?

Freel was at least versatile, Baker is yet another second baseman who can barely hit

Baker appears versatile as well.

He can backup 3B and platoon with Fontenot at 2B. And he hit relatively well last season – .791 OPS.

Baker was stretched to become a 2B.

He’s more of a four corners guy.

Baker is versatile.

Career starts:
1B 22
2B 49
3B 21
OF 52

And he started games in all of those positions as recently as last year. I like this trade. He’s only 28, and cheap.

Inkin - July 2, 2009 reply

Freel represented a decent attempt...

…to find a player who could (theoretically at least) hold down third base while Aramis was out. But he was injured too often, and Lou seemed hesitant to use him at third with any regularity anyway. He was a spare part who served his purpose. Thanks for your service, Ryan.

Exactly

Freel was worth trying. We tried him and it’s time to move on.

to another incredibly crappy second baseman

Please god, won’t someone think of the children and fire Jim Hendry?

Hmmm...

I actually liked Freel’s energy on the basepaths. I have no opinion on Baker, but I’m not sure that (with my limited knowledge) I would’ve picked Freel to be DFA’d…

Jeez I prefer Freel

Much more versatile and seems to hit better than Miles. Pretty much nothing.

Doggie Stalker - July 2, 2009 reply

He's hitting a buck thirty

he’ll fit right in

You're probably joking...

..but let the record reflect that Baker’s had only 24 PAs so far this season.

i was joking

A bannable offense

Go easy on her

♪Katie Casey was baseball mad . . . .♫

Flagged

Gratuitous use of non-standard characters.

æ!

☼ ↕ ‼

You're right,

I have the fever and I have it bad. And it’s not more cowbell that I need.

Excellent

Am I the first to figure out the user name?

Yes

Can you figure out why I picked the harvest moon as my profile image?

Big Neil Young fan?

NO

Small Neil Young fan?

no

You're a farmer?

no

a vampire?

I'll trade you a sheep for a wheat

I'm not going to let you activate your knight that easily.

I was playing that game super-baked with my friends recently

One friend offered a sheep for a sheep and a wheat

The other friend considered it for a solid 3 seconds before denying the trade.

Nice.

You're a werewolf?

no

but you reminded me that I need to tell my son to shave

and get a haircut!

damn hippie

are you michael j fox's mom?

my son is hairier

but not as hairy as my husband

You want to see the Cub play in October...

…when the harvest moon is out?

YES!!!!!!

Jack Norworth who wrote “Take me out to the Ballgame”(the original lyrics is where my katie casey name comes from) also wrote “Shine on Harvest Moon”. The harvest moon this year just so happens to fall on Oct. 4th-the last day of the season. So I want it to shine on.

welcome to club, dear

we all want that. :-)

are you sure???

blue mike, krummy12,

eh

i think they want that…

as long as they’re right about everything along the way.

but you know they get proven wrong...

so I think they wouldn’t just outta spite.

Holy cripes, I got it.

That really was a shot in the dark – no pun intended. Hey, that’s really cool. You definitely put more thought into your name and avatar than many of us.

here

You definitely put more thought into your name and avatar than many of us.

Fixed that for you.

Thanks...

…though “reed’s johnson” may want to have a word with you.

What did I start?

Your answers are all way better than mine. I feel stupid telling now.

That's alright...I'm so proud that no one else got the name ;-)

in 2007 he played in 85 games

and hit .222

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

That's Milton Bradley like!

Has there been any mention of Baker playing for the Cubs in the near future?

Well...

… he’s activated for tonight’s game. Could wind up starting at 3B or 2B.

thanks

Dusty Baker is too old to play for the Cubs...

I honestly think Hendry would trade for him

if he agreed to play second, and bat left handed

Halleluleah

I don’t really care about Baker or Freel, but getting Alburquerque out of the system makes my life easier.

Josh Timmers - July 2, 2009 reply

LOL

He needs to get traded to the Dodgers.

That way, he can someday play IN Albuquerque. (Yes, I know it’s spelled differently.)

That's what makes it so tough

reminding yourself it’s spelled differently all the time.

Josh Timmers - July 2, 2009 reply

FYI...

…a Rox fan is asking you for info about Alburquerque in the minor league wrap thread.

You know

Since we’re talking about my home town, there was talk recently to change the city name back to Alburquerque (which is the correct spelling). The name changed over time as maps and offical documents excluded one of the "r"s. To hear it in spanish, particularly from my parents and grandparents – you would wonder why its not spelled with the extra “r”.

Lots of Rrrrrrolling.

StevenABQ - July 2, 2009 reply

Where did the "R" go in the first place?

He took

a left turn when he got to ABQ. hehe

Seriously though, when you look at city documents from the late 1700s, the name is spelled with the additional “r”, by the territorial days in the mid to late 1800s it was excluded.

StevenABQ - July 2, 2009 reply

for the record

i’ve been trying to send AlbyAlby to the rockies since april. to call off the patton deal. since patton is soon due for an extended ‘rehab’ assignment, they shuttle off the guy i said to the team i said. we just get a middling infielder instead.

tim815 - July 2, 2009 reply

Dusty Baker is back?

It's a good trade

While I’m not huge on Baker, I like him enough, and there’s no doubt that he has a lot of ability and was a bit blocked in Colorado. We didn’t give up all that much. Alburquerque is a nice arm (low-mid 90’s fastball with some life, solid slider I believe, and a decent change) and maybe he develops. But, IMO, he wasn’t all that high in the system rankings, and while I hope Al gets a look as a starter, I’m not all that sure he is anything more than a pen arm … if he makes it up. He has sharpened his control this year, so who knows.
That said, Baker gives the lineup some flexibility, with his ability to play in a lot of spots.

I'm not certain how there's no doubt he has a lot of ability

He’s had one good season, and one bad one

Well, I'm guessing there are scouting reports.

Scouting reports...

got us Fukudome too.

And statistics indicating he was an elite hitter in Japan.

He WAS an elite hitter in Japan.

I wonder if that elbow injury he had — you know, the one that had him out for half the 2007 season there — is still affecting him.

Yeah, maybe it flared up in June...

…and his good hitting last night indicates he’s feeling better. I dunno. He’s back to question mark status.

I hope so.

we need him to succeed as much as we need Bradley to.

When he hits ampersand, sell!

weren't Kaz Matsui and Kenji Johjima considered elite hitters in Japan?

I'm just saying...

scouting reports don’t always do much.

But those and stats are all a GM can really use to make these choices.

It was a failed attempt

at messing around.

I remember 8th grade too.

ha.

That’s funny.

It's not a science

that’s for sure

which is why the hindsight

on this board is always 20-20.

there were scouting reports saying Felix Pie and Corey Patterson were destined

to be five tool super stars. And even if there ARE scouting reports, I’m doubting toonsterwu has read them

Jesus, guy

Talk about thread-crapping. Who kicked your dog today?

I wouldn't be so sure of that.

i hope my below comment clears it up

I’m not saying he will ever reach his ability, but at his age, I didn’t think it appropriate to say potential anymore. but maybe it reads better if you plug the word potential in there.

having ability

doesn’t mean that he’s been a productive player. He has a solid enough minor league track record, was noticeably blocked in Colorado, and has a good enough scouting report. Doesn’t mean he’ll ever put it together, though. For what we gave up, I think the gamble was worth it, though.

Blanco better not go down when miles is activated

actually miles should never be activated

I hope not.

Maybe they can put Miles on the 60-day DL.

Miles should be fired

from a cannon

Well, that would probably put him on the 60-day DL.

or they can trade him to the Yankees for a single A player

Why would they want Miles?

Why would anyone want Miles?

for reasons that could not be explained

Because

It’s the only way they can sign everybody

Take THAT, Cardinals!

rec'd because it

made me laugh out loud.

rec'd

also for the same reason

gwood - July 2, 2009 reply

Could be the most rec'd comment ever.

UNTIL ERIC HANNA GETS HERE!!!

Who's Eric Hanna?

The cousin of Eric Bana?

fee fi mo manna, Hanna!

I dunno, but I think his girlfriend is named Barbara

HE'S STILL LEARNING HIS KEYBOARD!!!

WRACK THIS PUST!

Peer pressure

Ok, I’m in

Good, I'm in the secret club.

Now, tell me who Deep Goat is.

He would but then he would have to kill you

Doggie Stalker - July 2, 2009 reply

So, people have complained that Jim Hendry never buys low.

He’s just bought low on a guy who can play every position Mark DeRosa can with a good bit of power potential, a guy CHONE predicted pre-season to have a very comparable line to Mark DeRosa’s (yes, I know park effects account for some of that).

Good point

Not much risk in Baker’s acquisition. Let’s see if he can hit consistently away from Mile High.

propheteer - July 2, 2009 reply

I read that as

“Let’s see if he can hit consistently away from Miles” And that is the opposite of what we want our hitters doing

Chone Figgins predicted that? Wow.

CHONE is Sean Smith's projection system

He’s an angels fan, so he named it after him in the tradition of naming systems after forgettable MI (see Pecota, Bill)

berselius - July 2, 2009 reply

I know. It was a joke

ahhh.... but how is it pronounced?

Sheesh.

That means someday there might be a MILES projection system.

I can see it now

“Predictions that are always MILES within accurate.”

Oh, and to get the predictions, you’d have to wildly overpay.

And they'd get hurt a lot.

but at least you'd get two years worth of numbers...

Exactly. The only knock I have is you have to make a few of these to make

certain one pans out. Only doing this occasionally decreases the chances for one of the moves to surprise and become great.

N Oakley - July 2, 2009 reply

Baker serves two purposes (hopefully)

1. He’s a platoon partner for Fontenot who simply can’t hit lefties, and is a significant upgrade over Blanco offensively (at least we hope so, his numbers away from Coors Field are scary bad, Miles-like).

2. He can play a lot more then just 2nd base, almost DeRo-like.

He's also a real 3B.

Baker came up as a 3B, but was blocked by Atkins (and to a lesser degree Stewart), and that’s what had him playing all over the place as they tried to find him playing time.

Hasn't Fox

proven that he can be an adequate backup/fillin for Aram? I guess Baker’s an insurance policy on that, but from what I understand he’s no defensive wiz either, just serviceable.

He hasn't proven it to me.

And I like Fox more than most.

An .853 OPS / 0.6 UZR

I’ll take, small sample size or not.

I think Fox will keep hitting ML pitching.

I’m not convinced he’ll stick at 3B, when he’s been tried there before in the minors with little success. Minor league records do tell us real things about players.

4 total minor league games at 3rd

Leave him out there till he proves he CAN’T play the position.

I'm not saying I wouldn't play him there.

I’m saying there’s a reason people don’t think he can play there. And it’s 5 games, but plenty of games at 1B to see how he fields a corner IF spot.

He's been passable for us when used there this year

but the fact that he hasn’t played nearly any 3B in his career there is a pretty good reason to not keep trying our luck.

"Minor league records do tell us real things about players."

I think Felix Pie has that tattooed on his bottom.

That's the $1 million dollar question.

I wonder whether another trade is in the works.

he's proved that in about five games he's an adequate fillin

that isn’t PROVING it.

That's GREAT news.

Good Hendry, go get Heath Bell now.

We don't need Bell

and the Padres will, as usual, ask for too much.

Don't need Bell?

What are ya nuts? Who wouldn’t want Heath Bell to stabilize a bullpen?

Don't need Bell?

They sure do. Just don’t overpay.

we don't need Bell?

The bullpen is still average at best.

Gregg's fine as the closer

and Marmol will regain his control. Guzman comes back from rehab and we’re plenty fine in the bullpen with Marshall out there as well.

Gregg and Marmol are very questionable.

Heath Bell is light outs in the 9th.

With all due respect

Have you seen Bell? he’s a monster. Have you seen Gregg? Nice guy, but he’s a pussycat next to Bell.

bell would be wonderful

but they would want more than i’m willing to give up.

tim815 - July 2, 2009 reply

Bell, Young and Gonzalez

aren’t going anywhere

We'll see.

A padres writer for MLB.com said it.

@FollowThePadres its a few tweets down

I'm not saying your wrong.

Things could happen by July 31st. In the end, you’re probably right.

I think

Young could be moved, but not the other two (barring a “stupid” trade). Unless they get top talent back, dealing Bell makes little sense as they have other ways they can clear money. And if they deal Gonzalez, well, he doesn’t cost that much, and he’s basically the face of the franchise now.

I don’t ever rule out a “stupid” deal from happening, but I’ll be quite surprised if Bell/Gonzalez are moved.

This was my point

Bell doens’t make much so they’re only moving him for a lot of big upside talent. They’d want Vitters for sure.

for a

33 year old pitcher?

Should they sew "Trachsel" on the back of his jersey?

And get it over with, what an insignificant move, might as well keep Freel, at least he’s fast and has some balls

bren - July 2, 2009 reply

Baker's career OPS

against LHP (assuming he’s now in a pretty strict platoon with Fontenot) is a very healthy .902. I don’t know how that breaks down into Home/Away though.

too many infielders

yet another average infielder. Fontenot, Blanco, Miles, Theriot, Freel (so long, farewell) and now Baker. Atleast we didn’t give up much, Hendry is definitely scrambling.

tahazen - July 2, 2009 reply

I think the fact that Baker can play 3rd was the main factor in this...

Rami isn’t going to be able to play everyday as he has said his shoulder isn’t anywhere near 100% I am sure having someone who knows how to play 3rd to spell him will help instead of throwing Fontenot over there who isn’t a true 3rd baseman.

Yep, Baker should be the bona fied backup 3B we've been clamoring for.

I though Fox

was doing a fine job at 3rd.

Yeah. I don't disagree but...

There must be a reason. Either there is another trade in the works and Fox is part of it or Lou STILL doesn’t trust him to play there.

I think we're going to get Pujols

This is the only way we're getting Pujols:

That's awesome!

well played, sir

do you think we'll trade bradley and dome 2 for 1

OR MAYBE WE’LL GET LIND

LIND! LIND! LIND!

Or PV

Get PV!!!

♪I want my . . . I want my . . . I want my♪

♫Jake PV♪♫

OMG THAT WOULD TOTALLY RULE DOOD

then they could send bradley down AA needs someone who can walk

BRING UP VITTERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt Walbeck!

Wait, what?

Mark Wahlber?

g

Oh jeez, dont say that

or some of these guys will crap all over you.

If they do, we'll laugh at him.

Because dr stab was kidding.

*laugh at THEM

I'm sorry for teasing you

Your avatar has pacified me

lol

No pun intended.

Damn, good point. I missed that one.

twice

yes soriano could be sent down too

also

send down Lou and bring up Von Joshua!

Yeah, I like what Fox has done at 3B, too.

I only wish he’d been given the chance earlier. I’m guessing Hendry sees Baker as a more sure thing defensively and a more realistically versatile player (3B, 2B platoon partner, 1B). Or, as mentioned, he may be working out a trade involving Jake.

pretty ironic that we acquired that bonafied backup five days before we don't really need on

It's all too fitting the way things have gone this season.

Something rockies related

Jason Marquis …. wow

what?

He’s about the same pitcher as last year. Well, he has sharpened up his command a bit, so he’s a bit better than last year, but there’s half a season to go.

exactly...

the only thing he’s really doing better at this year is not walking as many batters.

what do you mean what?

he’s 10-5 and just shutout the Dodgers. That’s what.

FFS

Now that DeRo is out of the picture, is it Jason friggin’ Marquis’ time to shine on BCB???

I'm not regretting the trade, i'm just saying how well he's doing

Ah

Sorry, some other posters were trumpeting this idea. Didn’t mean to jump on you.

He's the kind of pitcher that could do well at Coors Field

This has been noted before.

Ace Venom - July 2, 2009 reply

his peripherals are all about the same

as last year, outside the improved walk rate. I’m very glad that he has 10 wins on the season and a low ERA, but neither statistic is a great indication of a pitcher’s ability. He’s improved from last year, but only marginally so, imo.

It will likely get him a selection to the All-Star team.

And has it been mentioned that every single team he’s been on has made the postseason?

that's what we call a GIANT coincidence

Well, exactly.

Still, if the Rockies get in this year — and they are only a couple games behind the wild card lead — you’d have to wonder.

There are no giant coincidences. Don't you watch your Seinfeld?

ELAINE: No, no.. but it is quite a coincidence.
RAVA: Yes, that’s all, a coincidence!
ELAINE: A big coincidence.
RAVA: Not a big coincidence. A coincidence!
ELAINE: No, that’s a big coincidence.
RAVA: That’s what a coincidence is! There are no small coincidences and big coincidences!
ELAINE: No, there are degrees of coincidences.
RAVA: No, there are only coincidences! ..Ask anyone! (Enraged, she asks everone in the elevator) Are there big coincidences and small coincidences, or just coincidences? (Silent) ..Well?! Well?!..
(Everyone just kinda shrugs, then murmurs. The doors open)
MAN: Will you put that cigarette out?!
RAVA: (Pointing the lit end at him) Maybe I put it out on your face! (To Elaine) It’s just like Ray said – you and Jerry are jealous of our love. You’re trying to destroy us.
ELAINE: Shouldn’t you be out on a ledge somewhere?

kinda reminds you of a certain recap thread, doesn’t it? ;-)

RAVA CAN SUCK IT!

Though she was hot

Reminds me of just about every BCB thread ever.

Great comment

and I mean that sincerely

Thanks!

I’m no Eric Hanna, but I do what I can.

who the hell is Eric Hanna?

read the "cubs need to make a trade" thread

worth your time

that guy is a legend

no kidding

i’ve been avoiding nearly all fanposts lately… but Badger poked me until I read this one.

I’m glad I did.

only the greatest

post on BCB EVAR!

It's a site about nothing.

check out his career stats

he has a good first half almost every year

Apparently...

We got Alburquerque in the Joey Gathright deal with Baltimore, by releasing Freel, we have essentially acquired Baker for Gathright, a deal I will take any day of the week.

tripdenten - July 2, 2009 reply

we didn't get him in the gathright deal

we got freel in the gathright deal, sullivan messed it up.

Never mind then.

Well at least Hendry got rid of Gathright and Freel. Miles can’t have much time left.

tripdenten - July 2, 2009 reply

Minor note

Al, I understand why you make these brief posts to bring news to the front of everyone’s attention. However, it would be a nice gesture to link or refer to the discussion that has already gone on from a fanshot. This is one time where someone actually posted news in a timely and concise way, and people have been discussing it for a few hours now.

cubzfan - July 2, 2009 reply

I agree with this

Does SBN allow a way to “promote” an existing fanshot or fanpost to the frontpage (while adding a photo or some comments of your own? That would be a useful feature to keep the previous discussion linked.

Yes, I could do that.

Sorry — I definitely should have linked the fanshot. I have also promoted existing fanshots or fanposts on occasion.

Pardon me if this has been mentioned..

…but when is Miles scheduled to come off the DL?

early next week

the same day Rami comes back.

Baker really helps our bench construction.

He gives us right-handed power and the ability to play the four-corners and 2B. Combining all of that in one player gives us a lot of options.

I’m reading a lot of “meh” responses to this trade here, but if you go to the Rox site, they’re sad to see him go.

Chicago Cubs #10 ???

that’s what the link shows anyway. Aw geez!!

redivycubs - July 2, 2009 reply

Yes, sir!

I wonder if this...

had anything to do with Freel’s comments he made in AAA prior to being called up? Or anything related to his clubhouse presence? (I have no idea how he is in the clubhouse, just speculating)

kanderber - July 2, 2009 reply

I doubt it helped him

Wow, talk about shuffling the deck chairs

….a medoicore player coming off a wrist injury. Way to shore up the team Jimbo

JB 23 - July 2, 2009 reply

This move seems awfully lateral to me.

Freel was just starting to grow on me after he did the “dust off my shoulder” move to the White Sox.

What was your favorite Ryan Freel moment?

He made a pretty spectacular defensive play at third base...

…in one of his earlier games with the Cubs.

stealing

third.

scoring the run on Andres's groundout

That was pretty sweet.

Winner!

It’s the whole “if a tree falls in the woods..” line.

If a Freel never has a good moment, can you ever pick a favorite?! That’s right, blowing your mind!

oops...that was suppose to be to Al.

haha that’s like asking for people to rec my fanpost

Leaving.

Favorite Freel moment,

today?

"I'm looking forward to this opportunity,"

-From the one and only, Jeffrey Glen Baker

Freel was excited to come here too, what was that like two months ago?

Well,

I hope this isn’t the final move made.

I'd love to get another light hitting shortstop

I bet the Royals would be willing to part with Tony Pena Jr.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Bruce Froemming - July 2, 2009 reply

Al Albuquerque

Is he related to Tom Tucumcari? Steve Santa Fe? Larry Las Cruces? George Gallup? (Wait, that one was a real person …)

Seattle Sutton

The Cubs once had a second baseman named Al Montreuil.

Jack Brickhouse insisted his name was pronounced “Montreal”, but as he was a Cajun from Louisiana, it probably should have been “Mon-TROY” or some reasonable facsimile thereof.

Maybe we'll pick up Henry Rowengardner

does anyone know why Scales just doesn't come back up?

He’s been playing 3rd down here in Des Moines.

Because he can't hit

He had his hot streak and that was it.

rlpete - July 2, 2009 reply

He's comparable to Baker though, isn't he?

I believe Baker has shown more power

throughout his professional career.

And Baker is younger.

Baker has a lot more potential than Scales and has done more in his pro career.

Baker is a lot closer to Mark DeRosa than Bobby Scales.

In the same sense that

a Honda Civic is a lot closer to a Cadillac than a Toyota Corolla

Raise your hand if you've heard of Jeff Baker before today...

Raise your hand if, not knowing anything about him beyond a 30-second peek at a player card, you’ve ripped the player as useless…

I remember seeing him play in the playoffs

with the Rockies in 2007.

I have heard of him before today.

I’m not saying he’s useless. He’s mediocre. We don’t need anymore mediocre infielders. Period. Difference of opinion I guess.

Well I'm fine with saying, "Difference of opinion" if you want to leave it there.

But I am curious how you developed this certainty that Baker is doomed to mediocrity.

raises hand

Hey you can get a lot of miles out of a Honda Civic… I’m willing to see where this takes us. I like Baker over Freel. I never said he was useless, I’m just saying he looks to be a lot closer to the Scales end of that curve you’ve drawn there.

Never heard of him.

His name sounded vaguely familiar...

…but, as mentioned in the other thread, I really didn’t know anything about him until today.

raises hand

he’s mediocre at best

You mean he IS or he HAS BEEN?

Because he hasn’t played a single inning for the Cubs yet.

In case you haven't noticed

The Cubs have performed in a very mediocre fashion up to this point in the season.

So he should fit right in!

No, I hadn't noticed.

he IS a mediocre talent

I’m not sure what playing for the Cubs has to do with it, unless you actually believe being a Cub makes you better

But couldn't he play better as a Cub?

Wasn't he one of The Fabulous Baker Boys?

I have neither heard of him before today

nor ripped him as useless.

Wait, that’s not true — I do remember his name from that game the Cubs came back and won in the bottom of the 9th.

But other then that…

My Civic

much nicer than the Corolla we have as a company car.

Just sayin…

wallrock - July 2, 2009 reply

Best car I've ever owned

60,000 miles and not a spot of maintenance.

right

the pricetag between the two is about 5 thousand dollars, that’s where I drew the comparison.

Opposed to the Cadillac (that the cubs sold so they could buy a Ferrari that turned out to be a lemon…)

Should've gotten the carfax

But he had a note from the previous owner!

maybe something "weird" happened

when they shipped it up from Texas to Illinois during the dead of winter…

Ah the old

’it happened during shipping" excuse.

i love that.

So Rami comes off the DL Monday, Reed Johnson and Miles a few days later....

Who goes down?

I think Fuld is a given, but then what? I’d hate to send Fox (hitting) or Blanco (ability to play SS, defense) down. Do we just keep rotating DL stints?

carmen_fanzone - July 2, 2009 reply

that's tough

I think the Cubs have had enough of MIles and will do anything possible to get rid of him except straight up release him.

Miles

doesn’t HAVE to come off the DL. He’s simply ELIGIBLE to come off the DL.

well, they brought him back once before once he was eligible

and he sat on the bench for eight days

and went right back on the DL.

And that was his best contribution to the Chicago Cubs to date.

Do they have a daycare program for employees' children?

I mean, he’s got to contribute to the organization somehow.

yes but that wasn't the point

it's not?

they could very well extend Miles’ DL stint.

Personally, I think Fontenot is going to be sent to the minors

when Aramis is activated. While Miles may be eligible to be activated, I don’t think he’s going to be ready to play.

Fontenot looks lost

I’m all for sending him down.

Since Fontenot has an option left, that's not a bad idea.

Baker can play 2B; Blanco can back him up.

Sad to say it, but I'd be OK with this.

PLUS, it they send Mikey down,

he would no longer be a super 2 player next year. If he spends the entire 2009 season, he is likely to be a super 2 player which means he would be eligible for arbitraition after his 2+ service years (so he’d have 4 arbitraiton eligible season instead of 3 before he becomes a free agent.)

well, I'd be okay with not offering him arbitration and watching him ride the pine

on some other team

patton is due an extended dl stay soon

tim815 - July 2, 2009 reply

they aren't going to go short pitchers...

carmen_fanzone - July 2, 2009 reply

Aaron Miles has pitched though.

Hopefully he pitches better than he hits

Still, I bet he gets a chance before Patton.

i don't ever wish ill on anyone

but um … could fukudome get a dl break? wouldn’t mind seeing fuld up here a bit longer and let fukudome uh … go heal … something.

after a 2-4 night (double and HR)...yeah...time to sit him.

Here's to hoping we see a lot of these this weekend, break 'em out, boys:

LOL

NEVER FORGET!!!

the horror

…the horror…

Or this.

Vermont Cubs Fan - July 2, 2009 reply

Everytime my roomate drinks High Life

I can only think of their 1 second commercials.

All we can tell you right now is that Ms. Harding is cooperating with authorities

Worf - July 2, 2009 reply

Okay, that's funny, Worf.

WOO WOO!

-1

HWSNBN

LORD VOLDEMORT

It’s okay, you can say it.

Even Voldemort doesn't like the sounds that HWSNBN emits

what's that?

a pronoun.

AKA: a noun that no longer has amateur status...

TWSS

Anyone

Baker was born in a place called Badkissagen Germany. That’s a pretty cool town name.

Ted Lilly was born in BadASSagen, Germany.

Probably from a military family, I'd guess.

There have been 13 major leaguers born in the former West Germany. Three of them played for the Cubs (before today): Craig Lefferts, Dave Pavlas, Will Ohman.

Shocked

My name is Steve, I live in Orlando and am currently looking for a summer job…since I have a lot of free time, I should be inputting a lot more around here….anyhow read the Rockies fansite, and someone was “ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED” they didn’t get Josh Vitters for Baker…are they serious?

sgerring21 - July 2, 2009 reply

Is Eric Hanna posting over there, too?

PS.

The person who runs the site was the one who made the Josh Vitters comment. I think she was joking.

Looking for a summer job ?

Are a below average hitter who rarely makes contact with runners on base and play 2b ?
Send your resume to J.Hendry 1060 W Addison Chicago Il 60657. If you are 5"10’ or under it will increase your chances of geting
the job.

Doggie Stalker - July 2, 2009 reply

hmmm...

Where’s my pen and paper?…

I hope they don't check my references.

or do a urine analysis lol

Clutche - July 2, 2009 reply

That, too.

Damn poppy seed muffins.

sger21,,,your first line

just made me have a slight Seinfeld moment…

cozmotaylor123 - July 2, 2009 reply

Umm...

His numbers last year were very comparable to Fontenot’s with 50 more ABs. This trade is not going to do much.

Baker came up as a third baseman...

…so he provides legit depth at that position. And just because Fontenot hasn’t been hitting this season doesn’t mean Baker won’t.

Fox

has done fine, and he’ll out hit Baker two times over. The offensive difference between Fox and Baker will make up for whatever defensive liability Fox is.

He’s been on the DL majority of the year and hasn’t hit in the bigs since late April. How many of these guys do we need? One big old cluster **** of mediocrity. The thought that Baker should play over Fox is preposterous.

Baker can also play 2B...

…making him a platoon option for Fontenot. Fox can’t do that. I agree Jake has done well at third, and I still don’t understand why he wasn’t groomed as a 3B backup from the get-go, but clearly the organization doesn’t see him that way. It’s also entirely possible Jake is being shopped to an AL team as a DH.

Thats fine,

given that its part of something bigger, but I really doubt it is. I just don’t see the need to keep collecting mediocre players. Hendry collects average infielders like old coins. Enough is enough.

Baker simply isn't a mediocre player.

Baker has a lot of potential and even if he doesn’t fulfill it, he’ll have a role on this club.

His numbers

are mediocre. There is not denying that. Most players in the bigs have potential. They gave away potential to get him. Making moves for mediocrity does nothing. In that case, every trade would be good because most players “have potential”.

His numbers are totally scattershot; they don't tell us much.

This is a guy who was legitimately blocked by Atkins and Helton. He had to learn other positions to get playing time, and even then he was fighting against Rockies that were preferred, guys like Hawpe and Clint Barmes. So, he’s fought for playing time against good players. He wasn’t just blocked because he wasn’t any good.

So, Baker’s had weeks where he was really good at hitting and weeks where he was horrid. That’s understandable to me when you’re not getting regular playing time and you have no defined role on a team.

When I say he has a lot of potential, I mean that he has the potential to be Mark DeRosa plus more power. That’s not potential “most players have” and it’s definitely not the same potential our other bench options right now have.

That's stretching...

Fontenot was blocked by DeRosa. His career path is a lot like Fontenot’s. It has nothing to do with being blocked. It has everything to do with trading for mediocrity. They don’t need anymore of his type. Do you know how many people have the potential to be Mark DeRosa?? Quite a few. That doesn’t do much for me, saying someone has the potential of a career utilityman.

But teams NEED utilitymen.

This team needed a utilityman who could legitimately play third base when Aramis went down. And I know you think Jake Fox is the answer in that role but I’m not so sure – and apparently neither is the Cubs organization. Every player can’t be Albert freakin’ Pujols.

OK. Stop taking things to the extreme.

I’m simply saying this isn’t going to do anything for us. I’m not saying he sucks. He’s not a difference maker on this team.

He's not supposed to be a difference maker.

He’s supposed to provide depth.

Thats depth that

we don’t need… in my opinion.

Might as well have

kept the prospect and moved Scales up.

Baker is younger and has more upside than Scales.

And Scales wasn’t brought up as a third baseman as Baker was.

Last time I'm saying it...

they don’t need a God damn third basemen.

Be happy then...

because we haven’t had one for over a month now.

I'm saying when Aramis comes back

Fox is good enough to give him a break.

I agree with this.

Fox has also shown he's capable of contributing as a PH

Maybe he fills that role for us on most days.

You're awfully confident...

… in Jake Fox’s now-legendary defensive abilities. The Cubs, apparently, are not.

we are going to have

a lot of balls going down the LF line then…..hope Soriano is ready….

cozmotaylor123 - July 2, 2009 reply

Maybe we can sneak Sam Fuld out there...

…to help Alfonso out.

what?

much of the difficulties of the season have been because we didn’t have depth.

Let’s be realistic now — there’s just as much a chance that Rami re-injures his shoulder as he doesn’t. We NEED a third-baseman who we can rely on. Fox has not proved that he is that guy.

What exactly are your criteria for "proving he is the guy?"

Fox's offensive production

will benefit the Cubs more than whatever Baker will do.

And his defense has been sufficient

Until he proves he CAN’T play the position, he’s fine.

But Baker will be there regardless to fill in should Fox fail.

I don't see

how you can know that. It’s all I’m saying. The guy is brought in to be a backup. He’s not here to solve all of our problems, but if he brings some pop, then great. Did anyone REALLY expect Sam Fuld to hit doubles and make strike-throws to the plate yesterday? NO, we expected him to be a passable LF. This guy is a passable utility guy who gives us the same kind of depth DeRosa did — something that EVERYONE was screaming about when Rami went down.

And they should have

went straight to Fox.

maybe

but they didn’t. And Fox CAN’T play middle infield.

I don't see

how you can know that. It’s all I’m saying. The guy is brought in to be a backup. He’s not here to solve all of our problems, but if he brings some pop, then great. Did anyone REALLY expect Sam Fuld to hit doubles and make strike-throws to the plate yesterday? NO, we expected him to be a passable LF. This guy is a passable utility guy who gives us the same kind of depth DeRosa did — something that EVERYONE was screaming about when Rami went down.

Baker could easily out-hit Fox from this point forward in the season.

Easily?

You’re begging. Not a chance.

This is Fox's first time getting an extended chance;

I like Fox, but it wouldn’t surprise me if he stumbles over the next month. Baker’s been through that and is seasoned.

And Baker’s pre-season projections were good. He had a similar projection to Fox in power and an extra 30 pts of OBP.

So, lots of chances, really.

Seasoned?

He has been terrible just as much as he’s played well. He’s wildly inconsistent. I think calling him seasoned is generous.

All I'm saying is that he's played more at the ML level.

Sheesh.

Ask yourself this...

You’re pitching late in a tied game. Do you wanna pitch to Baker or Fox?

Do I throw a knuckler?

I don't think we have enough info to say either way.

Remember, Fox was 0-8 against the White Sox.

having played the position

more than five times is a start.

oh boy.

Their difficulties

have been because they cannot hit. And the reason they didn’t have depth is because Ramirez was out.

what's your motivation here?

Is it just blind hope?

I've followed Baker somewhat for the past few years.

I know a bit about him as a player. I think he can be very good for the Cubs.

So, I guess you could say my motivation is to share the joy… in a snarky kind of way.

Okay, well

lets wait until he’s played a few games as a Cub.

I mean, “you wanna crown em go ahead and crown em..”

I hope he does well. I hope you’re right. I doub’t you’re going to convince any of us this afternoon. Not until we’ve seen him play as a Cub.

Check the fanshot.

I say there that I think he could very well flop; banged up players can lose their skills rapidly. See Freel, Ryan. I think the most likely occurrence is that Baker is our 3B/2B/CoF Reed Johnson. But I also think he has a chance of being more than that, too.

In other words, I’m not trying to crown him; I’m trying to counter this insistence that he’s nothing.

I think that's what many of us are saying: Give the guy a chance.

However, a few of us have already written off Baker as a mediocre flop, and that’s not exactly fair.

I've joked about the ridiculous number of second basemen...

…in the Cubs organization, too. But, in Hendry’s defense, you can’t just pick non-mediocre (i.e., good) players off trees. You have to find available players with certain skill-sets and roll the dice. I’m happy that we now may have a versatile IFer who can play third base and bring some pop to the plate. We’ll see what happens.

I think we have

a backup 3B that can bring more pop to the plate.

having Baker and Fox

means that Lou can rest both Sori and Rami, remember.

assuming both Baker and Fox are on the roster once Rami is back

and that’s not necessarily a sure bet

you think Fox

will be sent back down?

roster spots

After Reed and Aramis get back and assuming we carry 12 pitchers, we’ll have two spots for Miles, Fox, Blanco and Fontenot. Given Miles’ contract and Lou’s lefty fetish, I’d say there’s a very good chance Fox goes back down — unless he gets traded first.

Fox goes down all right

+1

you're really in favor of sending Fox down

And keeping Fontenot up? I can’t think of any reasoning for that that isn’t horrible.

No.....

You got all that from...

a Stormtrooper pelvic-thrusting?

:)

Ha, no

I got it from the Kool-Aid guy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjacMS7Siqw

Speaking of...

The always classic…

I understand the lefty-righty situation

But I’d like to see Fox and Baker stay with Fontenot going back to Des Moines (if he has options left).

and have a Baker/Blanco

platoon?

don't care that much

But I’m pretty convinced that Fontenot is not the answer.

Commence Drew telling me why he is …

I'll save drew the trouble.

Fontenot needs to pick it up, but I’ll give him more time if we can just get him back to playing 2B only and against RHP only. Fontenot has been asked to do two things this season that he’s really not equipped to do very well or easily. Take that strain away and see what he does.

hitting major league pitching being the main thing he's not equipped to do

It’s funny to me how many think his .236 average against righties is somehow due to his playing 3rd base

thank you!

Also, look at Fontenot’s .194 average in the past month.

When did the Cubs decide as an organization, along with many fans, that baseball players can’t keep up their performance while moving to a position that isn’t THAT different than the one they’re used to playing?

It’s not like the Cubs asked Fontenot to catch of play center field.

I might be OK giving Fontenot more time, but we might need the roster spot once Aramis and Reed get back. At this point, there’s NO WAY Jake Fox should go to Iowa and Mike Fontenot should stay with the Cubs.

which means Hendry will do the opposite

second and third

aren’t “that” different?

they're both infield positions, Drew

At one point in 2007, the Cubs tried Fontenot at short! I don’t remember anyone worrying about whether he could hit moving from second to short, do you?

They are very different positions

and many players have reported that learning a new position brings down their hitting.

DGU

If it came down to Fox and Fontenot, would you rather have Fontenot on the roster?

I'd rather have Fox and Fontenot

and tell Hoffpauir to go swing and miss in AAA.

hmmmmm

.554 OPS in the last 28 days

And a third of his plate appearances are SOs.

Both Fontenot AND Hoffpauir have the same OPS for the last 28 days.

and Fontenot

can field.

And has put up sick numbers against lefties

Prior to being jerked around this year.

Also, more Fontenot means less Miles.

Er, against righties

a consumation

devoutly to be wish’d.

we have a lefthanded middle infielder with much better defense

...but who will probably never hit as well as LBR feasibly could.

We could do this for days.

won't fonty be platooning

with Blanco?

There's enough spots for both

and LBR has a better MLB track record.

ha!

careful… the hoff fanboys will be here soon for that.

that always gets a little too entertaining

it's like having too much fun at the amusement park

sooner or later, you end up puking in a garbage can whilst children scream in the background.

It's like getting drunk at Chuckie Cheese

see now

I thought I had all those memories blocked out.

My wife keeps saving the police blotters

She says they are grounds for divorce.

sometimes its even worth it

that feeling right before you need a trash can.. awesome.

Really?

Go to a Nickelback concert. You’ll be in heaven.

i had the same feeling

at KORN.

it was awesome… until I had to go to school the next day.

Are there still hoff fanboys?

Do they still admit it in public?

just

the one.

Clutche, please pick up the white courtesy phone. Clutche.

he's too busy correcting

my grammar in the recap thread from last night.

100% agreed.

Except for the fact that Hoffpauir is on pace to K at a lower rate than Fontenot

this makes sense.

?

Mike’s K’ing 1/5th of the time and Micah’s K’ing 1/4th of the time.

my bad...

I flip-flopped them when I read the numbers.

nah

he played

ONE GAME there. In fact, he played ONE INNING there last year. That’s it.

I know he only played one inning there

But were there any concerns that the move would hurt his hitting? I didn’t hear any.

he wasn't there

long enough for it to matter . Had he played nearly 50 games there and struggled, there would likely have been outcry.

Lots of players move over a position and continue to hit fine

Jacque Jones in 2007? He actually got better after the move.

I'm gonna suggest

that there’s less change in moving outfield positions. And yes, I know that goes against my suggestion that Lou played Fuld in left so that Bradley wouldn’t have to move from Right.

Theriot in 2007?

are you talking about

him moving from second to short?

drew

your signature looks a mile long…

can we lobby for a shortened version? its killing my screen.

especially because, um,

how do I say this? Many of your conversations seem to end up smushed on the right side of my screen.

TC Cubby - July 2, 2009 reply

Is that A-Rod making out with himself?

Y'know that wouldn't surprise me at all.

MY EYES

ZE GOGGLES DO NOTHING

yeah ...

I believe santos is making the point that A-Rod moved to a different position. So did a guy named Sandberg, after playing third in his first season as a Cub.

that would

indeed be the one

yeah

I’m just saying that moving to new positions on the infield can be done — without the player sucking wind at the plate.

didn't Riot

get to play spring training at SS, tho?

Fonty got tossed into the position with no preparation at all, and had to learn on the job.

Riot played SS in previous seasons

The point is the adjustment midseason didn’t make him forget how to hit.

did Fonty

play 3rd in previous seasons?

see below

for more examples

I believe Jacque played CF in Minnesota.

true -- several years earlier

What about Michael Barrett?

Yeah, that's the epitome of a small sample.

I bring it up to show that ...

moving a player over a position doesn’t seem to be that big of deal — until the Cubs this year.

It's about the length of time...

…the player spends at the new position. One game is negligible. Mike Fontenot was asked to essentially learn a new position at the major league level this season when he probably wasn’t expecting to – and play there for an extended period. Seems like a significant challenge that may have affected him at the plate.

OK ...

1) Michael Barrett, as a young player, moved from third to catcher and kept hitting, through injuries.

2) Theriot (see above)

3) Jacque Jones in 2007 (moved from right to a much more demanding center)

4) Alfonso Soriano — moved from second to left in 2006 and had his best season.

Soriano moved to LF in spring training, didn't he?

In any case, it may not hold true for every player. And it’s obviously not something anyone can prove absolutely. My gut tells me Fontenot was thrown by the adjustment. Maybe that’s a strike against him, but it doesn’t change the fact that he’s established himself as an excellent defensive second baseman with a nice-looking swing who’s had some significant success at the major league level. That’s why I’m not giving up on him.

I think Soriano moved in the spring

And I think Fontenot is just average defensively. But if he has options left, send him to Des Moines and let him work on his swing.

UZR shows Fontenot to be well above average at 2B.

cool

What is average?

Because I read it as 2, 5, 2 or something like that. Is that well above average?

Can you give me an idea of what is crappy/average/above-average/excellent? I haven’t seen enough numbers to make sense of it.

UZR measures runs saved...

…over a league-average replacement player. So anything positive means a player is saving runs defensively over what your average Triple A could do. Anything negative means the player is costing his team runs at that position.

I understand that much

But what would be considered the far ends of the range, both positive and negative? Like, what would you consider to be a really good or really bad UZR to be?

I’m trying to get something to reference the numbers to.

I guess I'd say...

…anything in or approaching double-digits is really good (or really bad, if negative).

Mike Fontenot’s career UZR/UZR 150 at second base: 10.6/14.6

Agreed and rec'd.

I’ve given up trying to argue that Fontenot may still be an everyday player, but I’m not giving up on LBR himself.

even at the expense of keeping one of our hottest hitters with the club?

You really think, between Fox and Fontenot, Fox should go back to Des Moines?

of not keeping

Oh no - I'm open to sending Fontenot down to Iowa.

I just mean I haven’t given up on him succeeding as a major league second baseman.

fair enough

As a platoon player, he put up real good numbers last year

.911 OPS against righties. Get him back in his comfort zone.

NOT ... if it means sending Fox to Iowa

Let LBR get back into his comfort zone in Des Moines.

Better yet

Let’s drop Miles.

Oh, I'm all for that

I just don’t see it happening.

no

I have no real vested interest in Fontenot. I like him, and I think he’s been horribly exposed having to learn a new position, but if he was sent back down, I wouldn’t be particularly upset. I think Blanco is a better defensive player than he is, and at the moment, their bats are relatively equal.

cool

Personally, I like Fontenot. But I don’t think there’s any way he should stay with the team at the expense of Jake Fox.

I'll agree with that.

i wouldn't put it in the bank

yet that Fox would outhit Baker two times over. The only thing we have to go on with Fox, to make such bold predictions, is his minor league season this year. Well, Baker’s got a solid minor league track record to compare as well.

Fox's minor league numbers weren't even all that great until the last couple of seasons.

Just. Like. Soto.

but with opposite splits.

This is a very good deal. The Cubs now have the ability to get excellent production out of 2nd base.

or the exact same production they've been getting all season

which is almost none at all

We gave up a single-A reliever

It’s not like we would be taking any steps backward.

why play the games? ;-)

Because baseball is a highly stocastic sport.

I can predict what I think will happen with stats… and much better than I can (or you, for that matter) can without them. That’s the point to them.

That Gathright signing sure paid off

as did handing a starting job to Mike Freaking Fontenot

I was OK giving him the starting job against right handers

That doesn’t mean he should keep it based on his performance in the past six weeks.

whether or not you were okay with it

doesn’t mean it paid off. I was okay with the Gathright signing, had we used him the way he’s most effective, as a defensive replacement and pinch runner. It didn’t pay off

Fontenot has not paid off

I wouldn’t argue that.

Considering we dumped Sosa and got Fontenot

Not a bad trade considering those 2005 stats from Sosa…

Ace Venom - July 2, 2009 reply

Totally agree

But Fontenot has not paid off as a starter in 2009.

he did last year though. Every one one the cubs is having a pathetic season, why lynch fonty? having said that i would still send fonty down since fox is good at 3b and i havent seen baker play. maybe faont yshould stay ad baker go down if baker turns out to be a dud just like EVERY OTHER F—-ing trade this season

he wasn't a starter last year, he was a backup and excelled there

was dero the starter then?

yes

Fonty filled in when DeRo was backing up other players.

from what i remember though, he got his fair share of games. Yes he didnt play every game though obviously

He never got a fair audition.

I wonder if Mayor Daley can step in a run this team for a while

why the hell not try?

derv - July 2, 2009 reply

Please, go on.

Yes.

This, I gotta hear.

Just what we need,

Cub executives in jail.

The cries for socialism on this site are alarming.

are you freaking kidding me?

Someone said a head of government should take control of the team

thattttts socialism, buddy

the cubs are true patriots, not socialists!

it was a freaking joke

just go back to listening to Rush Limbaugh, and leave the politics off the board

I didn't politics up.

And I’m not a fan of Rush Limbaugh. Thanks for the tip though.

aaaahahahahhahahahahhahahahahhahahahhahahhaaa!

that thing there, that was funny…

Keep BCB Strong! GO America!

One of your best posts.

That Photobucket Conference has paid off.

I soooooo need that statue

you need a clue, try to stay off the huffington post and msnbc for a while

To turn this conversation back to something more important....

watch this truly patriotic video clip. God Bless America.

I'm going to lunch now.

i am

literally crying

Abe Fromin is smiling

Stop

Now

settle down francis

no one wants to discuss politics here

You brought up Limbaugh.

and you brought up socialism, when someone made a joke

I didn't think anyone on this board would actually be a proponent of socialism,

while I’m sure plenty of people here do listen to limbaugh, so it’s different.

ahem.

But, it’s irrelevant. Please, let’s just drop this.

Yes, drop it RIGHT NOW.

NO POLITICS ON THIS SITE. Period.

Because he's a crooked idiot

Itchy - July 2, 2009 reply

Wow.

Now do we get the opportunity to finally hear Jim Hendry speak, as he takes controlled, softball questions from guys on the company payroll about the “fine player” he’s acquired from Colorado?

A utility infielder hitting .205 outside of Coors Field, with mediocre defense – that’s what we needed to take this team to the next level!!! Now if he only can’t run fast and makes bone-headed baserunning errors, he could get a three-year contract!

The Jade Scorpion - July 2, 2009 reply

Look at his platoon splits against lefties.

He’ll be the perfect partner for Fontenot.

Exactly. See my comment below.

Platoon stats (If I have this right):

(3-yr average):

.288 vs. left-handers.

.222 vs. LHP outside of Coors field

The Jade Scorpion - July 2, 2009 reply

Look

Here.

Do ya ever think

Hendry could sign up on BCB and ask us for research before he makes moves?

Those are not promising numbers.

Forget that

it’s called “google” Jim. And its got lots of fun information.

Its not like its hidden on the back of baseball cards anymore. Its really mindblowingly easy to find.

...and that .288 batting average is good.

.288/.347/.582 are his 3-year splits vs. LHP. This is going to be a very, very good platoon.

I like your optimism

even if it’s completely unfounded

Completely unfounded?

He just give you a reason as to why the optimism is completely valid.

Stats are unfounded?

shhhhh

don’t combat his idiocy with facts!

I think the best course of action...

would be to ignore your comments henceforth. That’s a totally baseless accusation, and more in line with your arguments than mine. If you come back at me with something stronger than this, I’ll consider replying.

It appears

most of his production vs lefties came at Coors field.

Where'd you get the vs. LHP road numbers?

Look at his platoon splits against lefties.

He’ll be the perfect partner for Fontenot.

perfect acquisition...

Assuming an 80/20 split of ABs vs. RHP/LHP, a 2nd base platoon of Fontenot and Baker would look like this, based on their career numbers:

vs. LHP: .279/.343/.559
vs. RHP: .279/.363/.445

Overall: .279/.359/.468

That’s very good. That OPS (.827) would be the 5th-best production out of 2nd in the majors. And I think Fontenot performing at that level in a platoon is at least as likely as the other guys on this team returning to their normal production levels.

you need to look deeper

...

what’s that supposed to mean?

baker cant hit outside of coors field

I doubt that's true.

Coors Field doesn’t have the dramatic park factors it once did. This guy will be useful in a platoon. If I could find his road numbers vs. RHP, that would answer the question.

Oh, and just for kicks (small sample size warning): Career numbers @ Wrigley: .313/.353/.563

Home: .295/.348/.550
Road: .205/.266/.335

... and he's got good splits

during the day, which bodes well. We could sling numbers back and forth all day, but the bottom line is Hendry got someone who appears to be a good platoon partner for Fontenot, for very little cost. Why sweat it?

except that he doesn't appear to be a good platoon partner for anyone

unless they’re playing in Colorado

why don't you wander off a cliff

well thats awfully rude

I'll tell you what, you do it first, I'll consider trying it

Watch your attitude.

I probably should, but it's not without provocation.

all you had to do was actually look at his home/away stats

instead of launching into why you doubt it’s true

Why would he bother? You clearly don't understand park effects

…and are just trumpeting some half-understood point about home/away splits and ignoring his point.

Last season, Coors was the 3rd-most offensive park in baseball. Wrigley was 8th. In terms of weighted runs scored, you’re talking 1.126 vs 1.068 – that’s not a significant difference.

You are all vastly overrating Coors Field’s offensive influence, and underrating Wrigley’s.

Didn't they fix this with the humidore anyway?

I

want a cigar.

Cuban?

sure

thanks

That's what cooled it down, yeah.

In 2001 Coors was worth almost 1.5 runs for every run scored at an average park. Last few years it’s been brought waaaay down.

Again, just to refute this stupid home / road split argument: Baker’s 2008 home batting average was .301. At Wrigley last year that would translate to .285.

I saw his home/road stats

… and my launch was skepticism as to whether that trend will continue. See Wreckard’s post. If you can refute that, then you’ve got a valid argument.

Exactly.

Can’t help but be happy about this. I’m sure you’ll be lambasted for posting something that makes sense here.

...and Hendry got him for nothing.

Anyone that’s complaining about this trade has no idea the usefulness of a player like Baker. I’d honestly prefer this to the Cubs trading an MLB-ready pitching prospect for DeRosa.

so would I, but everybody around here thinks DeRosa is the second coming, so...

not a single person here has mention Derosa, except those claiming that Baker is somehow

similar to him.

I'm guilty of dropping the D-bomb earlier

Because their stats and skills looked pretty similar at the same age (which, of course, weren’t DeRosa’s best years). I was not trying to rile up the hornets nest though.

I think we will be pleased with this acquisition.

What spot

does Baker bat in this evening, if he starts at all… and 3B or 2B?

leadoff?

hes still on the DL i think

correcto

I thought

you couldn’t move people on the DL? Or is it you can’t DFA people on the DL, which is why Miles is still here?

maybe since he's scheduled to be activated today, you can?

article clearly said he's being activated tonight

Why don't you activate a gun trigger next to your head.

Again, you go first, then I'll consider trying it

I'll gladly do it to you first.

sweet sweet internet tough guys

Using a gun doesn't actually require toughness.

Seriously

grow up. both of you. this is ridiculous.

if you can’t respond to something without being a jerk… don’t say anything.

Both of you are flagged.

...so no one feels like answering my question?

No one knows...

If he's activated

I’d like to see him bat 8th or so and play 3rd.

Depends on who else plays

I’d bat him before Fontenot, but after Blanco.

You think blanco is a better hitter?

I meant to say

Soto. My bad.

thank you

out of line

Was that over the line? Judges?

Anyone else find this mesmerizing?

Weird.

Geo does

I cant stop wathcing this......

JB 23 - July 2, 2009 reply

woah!

that’s not exactly neighborly. Cut it out.

right

He’s activated.

Fuld should lead off again. One more day off for Sori to really light a fire under him.

hollandsworth didnt sound like lou would bench soriano 2 days in a row

yeah

I guess that’s too “extreme” for the Cubs.

Even though other teams often bench guys 2-3 days… good luck getting Sori to step down when the first place Brewers are in town.

Can we actually

SEE this guy play before we decide he’s no good?

Wow.

No no no.

We don’t do things like that here.

I'll lay off

but it’s not like this is his major league debut. We HAVE seen him

dont be so logical.....

…although I am setting my expectations pretty low……he is coming off an injury to his wrist

JB 23 - July 2, 2009 reply

Much more fun to kind of, you know, change our minds every 2-3 innings?

First inning: Baker singles to right – “BAKER!!!!! Move over Miles/Riot/Etc – Yer gettin’ baked! I told you all this was a good deal”
3 rd inning: Baker flies out to shallow center – “Dude.. I thought they said this guy had power – he hits like Miles!”
6th inning: Baker strikes out looking. “Aw Jeez! Swing the bat!”
9th inning: Baker strikes out swinging with 1 out and runners on second and third. “Take a damn ball Baker. Another bonehead move by Hendry! DFA the loser!!”

And in other news that interests no one but me

we can now click and collapse comments again!

woohoo

javascript ftw

all i know is that it was broken

and now it works.

and i missed it.

You should have just bought a new one.

I really hope that's a toothbrush

Interesting looking toothbrush...

That's what the attachment set is for

how does "javascript" = magic wand?

are we in SWL bizarro world now?

reread your comment above my pic.

the javastick

ah

Craig in South Bend - July 2, 2009 reply

This is the most epic of Photobucket posts

I was just going to say the same thing.

Gentlemen (and SWL), start your Photobuckets!

Clutch16 - July 2, 2009 reply

:-)

such a small feature.

but really… so great.

Welcome back to the Game Threads

(Offer applies only when the lead is 5 or more, Cotts is not on the mound, or Fontenot is not batting. Some restrictions apply, see dealer for complete details. Offer may not be valid in all states, including but not limited to IL, IN, WI, IA, MI, MN, VT, CA, VA, MD, and GA. No warranty is expressed within this offer. Take it or leave it, caveat emptor – I didn’t get a ‘Harrumph’ from that guy:Harrumph!:You watch your ass… Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball.)

Clutch16 - July 2, 2009 reply

haha

yes indeed welcome back to game threads.

not being able to collapse comments AND having no “ignore user” feature AND a losing crappy team… really no fun at all.

getting 1 of the 3 fixed helps, a lot!

TWSS

OMG i didnt know we could do that that is Amazazing

TWSS

niCE

So what's the consensus on the Baker deal?

27 year old IF/OF for basically nothing

and a step closer to less Miles…

I’ll take it.

If there was a guarantee that it actually was one step closer to less Miles

I’d open a bottle of champagne. But it’s not. People keep talking about how Baker can play third. This might be one step closer to the same amount of Miles, and less Fox

as far as the internet is concerned...

it’s a good thing

firing Dusty Baker is/was/always will be the right decision.

Oh and this guy? Yeah he was like a freebie. Why not roll the dice considering the Freel experiment didn’t do much for us except rid us of that awful Gathright character.

See above.

A Butcher (Miles), A Baker, A Candlestick (Freel) DFA'er

that pretty much gives you the Manny, Mo & Jack of it…

In other words, people are more excited to see Miles go (eventually) versus anything else.

Baker must have been...

One of the few guys who didn’t vote for Lou as the “manager he would least like to play for”.

CalDeano - July 2, 2009 reply

Even if the worst case scenario happens

I’m okay with this deal. That is, even if Baker doesn’t succeed in the bigs and is demoted to AAA. I think some people are looking for that big trade to shake things up, when all indications are, the chances of that happening, particularly anytime soon, is likely slim to the budgetary reasons, the seller’s market, and a system still on the rebound, but primarily the budgetary aspect. Here’s hoping we can swing a big move, but I imagine the FO is hoping that the guys get going, to fill in the bench, and maybe add a pen arm to the mix, and hoping for a little luck.

Let’s take the worst case scenario. Baker struggles and is sent to AAA. The net result of the deal? Alburquerque may be a tad underrated, but we have a similar arm with a better fast/slide combo in AA in Marcos Mateo. I am curious about Alburquerque as a starter, but the Cubs didn’t seem to feel that way, and the quick bump to AA b Colorado suggests that they don’t feel that way. So, we deal a minor league pen arm, with some late inning potential, for a AAA third baseman in a worst case scenario.

That’s not the worst thing for us. As noted, we have a similar arm in Mateo, and we have some guys in Boise/AZL/DSL that profile similarly to Alburquerque. We also have a system that has a lot of 7th/8th inning pen options that are fast/slide guys (Maestri comes to mind, amongst others). If he pans out, you nod, say congrats, and move on. He’s a guy that’s been hampered by injuries in his career. I think his best case scenario is probably what Juan Cruz became, but only time will tell (that is, becoming a decent pen arm with some setup flashes, but not enough consistency).

Our 3rd base depth chart is a mess in the system right now. We have Josh Vitters at Daytona and … ? Josh Harrison and Jose Made got the 3rd base starts the last two times out in Peoria, but neither is a guy who profiles as 3rd basemen of note. Maybe Flaherty gets moved there, maybe Junior Lake, but both could stick in the middle infield for now. Maybe LeMahieu if he signs. In the upper levels, we have Marquez Smith, who, if he makes it up to the bigs, will be because he can play other positions like, well, like Jeff Baker (but Marquez’s bat looks very iffy), and a whole bunch of, let’s shake it out and see who starts at Iowa today (okay, that’s a bit crass).

Short of it is, if the end case (and I look at this as the worst case, barring an injury) is us adding a 3rd baseman to the upper levels of our system for this year, and maybe next, I’m fine with the deal. Here’s hoping for better.

well

after typing that, i just realized that Matt Craig came home and is back on Iowa’s roster. Doesn’t change the basic point, although AAA does have a better 3rd base option now than before. Here’s hoping that I-Cubs offense can get going, as it’s ugly down there.

what about this guy named Ramirez

we got starting in Peoria on Friday

i think he’s on the fast track

DartmouthCubsFan - July 2, 2009 reply

Rec'd

Meh

toonsterwu

thats a lot of recs to hand out

Just me

or is anyone else going through baseball withdrawl?

feels like 7 pm is forever away!

it's an eastern time zone thing

true

and thank you for the cliff note’s sig. :-) much easier to read!

So, is the lineup tonight?

Fuld – CF
Theroit- SS
Fox – RF
Hoffpauier – 1B
Hill – C
Fontenot – 3b
Baker – LF
Blanco – 2B
Dempster – P

theroit?hoffpauier?who?!?!

Too lazy to look up spellings - I'm lexiconographically challenged, so piss off.

I'd give you a pass on Hoff

but spelling ’riot" wrong?

really?

Well... at least i didn't spell it "thyroid"

Theroit is very adroit.

piss off?

geeze, I’m new here, didn’t realize that’s how people act.

some do

civility has gone down the drain lately

I am very sorry, actually..

The internet loses subtlety – this is how I talk to my good friends when I’m joking around, but it was inappropriate in this situation. Please fogive me.

BTW the "piss off" comment was not serious. I don't really want you to piss off.

Patience, grasshopper.

Neifi Puppy - July 2, 2009 reply

uh, no.

Fuld — LF
Riot — SS
Bradley — RF
Lee — LB
Soto — C
Baker — 3b
Blanco — 2b
Demp — P

oh right

Dome In Center, batting before Baker and after Soto

I was gonna say...

I like that Derrek is a linebacker

thats pretty cool

I'd rather see Urlacher, Lee has clearly lost it.

How long

can we allow Lee to fail to sack the opposing quarterback?

or clank the three point shot

while missing the alley, and throwing a bumper

look

every time he picks up a cue too long, he shoves the puck into the 10-Off section. It’s time to DFA.

Drew is that the lineup for tonight's game?

no

it’s my guess.

someone's

got to try to sack the pitcher before he slapshots the puck into the basket for a point.

lous lost his mind!

You know what is a complete joke .....

Cubs website pinning for Soriano to start the All-Star game

you'd think they'd show a little common sense

and realize how ridiculous that looks.

I hope he doesn't make it, can use the rest.

But there’s nothing wrong with the team’s website rooting for their own player to make it.

depends on whether beltran comes back or not

I disagree

you don’t see the Washington Nationals site asking fans to vote for Josh Willingham. IMO It looks ridiculous for a team to be pushing for a player to make it who clearly doesn’t belong there

they're probably obligated to write something prasing the

farce of the ASG.

and he’s the position player most likely to get voted in.

“this time, it counts!”

I don't know the full lineup but ....

Soriano isn’t in the lineup. Somebody has finally gotten to Lou.

Interesting....

no

Sori wasn’t in the lineup yesterday. That’s what resting is.

Funally, some sense coming back to Lou.

Sense coming back to Lou is indeed fun

If Baker can match his 12HR, 48 RBI 2008 numbers

He’ll outhit our $10 million dollar rightfielder!!

Itchy - July 2, 2009 reply

if you're going to give Baker a chance to match his numbers for last season

don’t you have to give Bradley a chance to hit his?

Yes.

nah

bradley a bum who taunts children. why would we give him a chance?

DFA! DFA!

Bradley has had and will have plenty of chances to match his numbers

who said he wouldn’t? But he’ll continue to try and milk his OBP and keep getting 3-2 count strikeouts.

Itchy - July 2, 2009 reply

Aren't you one of the people telling us we should've signed Dunn?

keep getting 3-2 count strikeouts.

And you’re gonna go on about that? Really?

"who said he wouldn’t?"

you pretty much insinuated it, since you claimed 12 homers and 48 RBI would be more than Bradley comes up with

milk his OBP?

Apparently, while Sori milks his HR count, as a selfish, guess hack hitter, Bradley milks his OBP numbers as a selfish, guess stand walker.

I think I've read a couple of people getting down on Bradley for walks.

Geez, if the pitcher isn’t throwing good pitches to you then whatcha gonna do? Hit pitches outside of the zone, yeah that makes alot of sense.

I'm glad when he walks...

he doesn’t do much when he does hit the ball anyway, so I’d rather he just walk to first.

The more men on base the better off we are.

Wasn’t that the magic of last year?

I think the desire

is for him to hit some of those strikes, instead of running full counts. I say, if it’s helping him see the ball better, walking now is fine. He does need to start hitting more. And he’s begun to do that.

When he gets going...

…he will start to hit some of the balls he is letting go by for strikes.

The guy has been in a funk, and chances are he hits a hell of a lot better in the 2nd half.

You have to hope the same for Soriano, because they will need him to have any chance for the playoffs.

MPH73 - July 2, 2009 reply

well

if the point is to do something when the pitch is in the strike zone, then yes, I agree.

But when the pitchers don’t give you a juicy one down the middle, and they start nibbling just outside of the zone, take the base and have faith that your teammates will drive you in.

Most of our problems are with guys not having faith in the next guy in the lineup and going outside of their roles and zones.

talk to your doctor.

I hate it when I've been away from BCB for 2 hours

and I come back to find a 700+ comment post.

SO EXHAUSTING. Can someone please just give me the cliff-notes???

digitalbenjamin - July 2, 2009 reply

Baker is either the next Mark Bellhorn, or Mark Derosa

This thread has gotten ridiculously long.

It’s slower than Prince Fielder after a three-burrito lunch.

yeah

its down to a crawl for me too

Wouldn't he technically be faster?

what with the strong wind blowing behind him?

meet the immovable

object.

We need an overflow thread

to discuss a trade for Jeff Baker. We all need more to do, apparently.

Day before a three day weekend

you think I’m actually going to WORK?

Oh, I know

I’ve been one of the worst offenders. I’m just saying it’s a LOT of posts.

game thread

should be up soon.

Jump!