Cubs' Off Season That Bad?

[Lipsander]

Foxsports.com and Dayn Perry gave the Cubs a "D" for their off season signing/trades. They gave the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds a "C". I think someone there is against our Cubs really hard. They gave us the same rating as they did the Florida Marlins....??? I think that analysis is total bs. What do you guys think?

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5198854

[rockin500]

Foxsports.com and Dayn Perry gave the Cubs a "D" for their off season signing/trades. They gave the Colorado Rockies and the Cincinnati Reds a "C". I think someone there is against our Cubs really hard. They gave us the same rating as they did the Florida Marlins....??? I think that analysis is total bs. What do you guys think?

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5198854
its dayn perry. so take it for what its worth: toilet paper.

[Bob Sacamento]

I'd say it's an appropriate grade, at least in the general vicinity, the highest I'd go is a C- or a stretched C. Cub fans are lullying themselves into a false sense of security with the addition of Howry and Eyre that the bullpen is vastly improved. And Dayn is correct (didn't think I'd ever say that) in that Pierre is overrated and Jones screams a "we have to do something".

Over last season's team, we haven't made any major improvements that will increase our standing in the division or league.

We're going to need Wood, Prior and Zambrano healthy all year and putting up career years in order for us to go anywhere.

[Lipsander]

We're going to need Wood, Prior and Zambrano healthy all year and putting up career years in order for us to go anywhere.

That's going out on a limb. The only big help we got was St. Louis and Houston getting a little worse in the off season.

[weatherdood]

St. Louis and Houston might have gotten worse but we did not get that much better. We finished 10 games behind Houston last year and 21 games behind St. Louis. Our additions and their subtractions are not 10 and 21 games worth!

I still place the Cubs no higher than 3rd in the Division this year. They'll win 85 games, but still finish at least 10 games behind St. Louis

[Cubsfan97]

But think like this. If some miracle happens and Wood has a career year then thats almost the equivalent of making a big off-season trade, w/o even losing someone. If Miller has a semi good year (10-6 3.70 ERA) then thats like a semie-great off season signing. If we have Prior the whole season then theres a little lets get 5 more wins trade. If Jones is like 2001 theres a big aquisition. If Pierre, Howry and Eyre are what they are then theres 3 solid players added. If Cedeno and Murton are what they were last year then theres 2 more huge moves. Now looking at it like that thats probably the best off-season in a looooong time. And I dont think you realized how bad the Astros and Cards got injured this off-season. I would say that if we dont make 1st then we will onlt be a few games out. I honestly believe this year will be better than 2003. And FOX Sports rating the MArlins or Reds same or the better is complete BS.

[ZR56664]

I agree with you Cubsfan 97.
I think if their starters can stay healthy for most of the year then they do have a good chance at winning the division. I know it's hard to keep everyone healthy but they don't have Garciaparra so we know he wont be hurting the Cubs anymore. I actually look for the Cubs to break 90 wins this year. My prediction is that they will go 94-68. and get a wild card spot. I think the Cardinals will just edge them out of the division by 2 games.

[Lipsander]

Honestly, what were we missing last year? Runners on base in front of Derrick Lee and Aramis Ramirez......right? Juan Pierre getting on base an being his usual base stealing threat ought to produce big things for us.

[burger eater]

I think Howry and Eyre are an improvement over these two.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/players/5/4673.jpghttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/players/5/5336.jpg

The Cubs did have to get a right fielder unless you wanted to throw Hairston out there or bring Burnitz back one more year. Jacque certainly wasn't the best RF available, but I'd take him over Burnitz, Reggie Sanders, Preston Wilson or Encarnacion.
I wouldn't pick the Cubs to win the division, but they look better than they were last year. Send Dusty off into the sunset and that would add 8-10 extra wins.

[Bob Sacamento]

But think like this. If some miracle happens and Wood has a career year then thats almost the equivalent of making a big off-season trade, w/o even losing someone. If Miller has a semi good year (10-6 3.70 ERA) then thats like a semie-great off season signing. If we have Prior the whole season then theres a little lets get 5 more wins trade. If Jones is like 2001 theres a big aquisition. If Pierre, Howry and Eyre are what they are then theres 3 solid players added. If Cedeno and Murton are what they were last year then theres 2 more huge moves. That's a lot of IFs that we're dependent on.

[Bob Sacamento]

I think Howry and Eyre are an improvement over these two.Over a 2005 Remmy and Hawkins, yes, but not over Remmy/Hawkins in their first seasons in Chicago. Eyre is a better lefty specialist than Remmy ever was, but he's not a better overall reliever. Hawkins was mis-signed (closer bonus/incentives) and mis-roled, setup man all the way and his numbers in non-save situations for the Cubs was great.

The Cubs did have to get a right fielder unless you wanted to throw Hairston out there or bring Burnitz back one more year. Jacque certainly wasn't the best RF available, but I'd take him over Burnitz, Reggie Sanders, Preston Wilson or Encarnacion.I would have taken Sanders/Burny/Wilson for a 1 year deal before shelling out a 3 year deal on Jacque Jones. If a RF is going to hit .250, then he better hit with an OPS of .800 or greater. And a note that everyone keeps forgetting is that Jones puts up splits that make him a platoon player, he can't hit lefties, never has, never will.

Jones' Splits vs Lefties

Career .227/.277/.339/.616
2005 .201/.247/.370/.617
2004 .245/.328/.329/.657
2003 .269/.310/.393/.703
2002 .213/.259/.331/.590
2001 .182/.224/.200/.424
2000 .230/.269/.297/.567

I wouldn't pick the Cubs to win the division, but they look better than they were last year. Send Dusty off into the sunset and that would add 8-10 extra wins.Better than what was expected from the players at the beginning of 2005? No, not even.

As for Dusty costing 8-10 games, no. The difference between a good-in game manager or a poor one, is 3-5 games at most. Put LaRussa at the Cubs helm and the end result will be the same, the Cubs not making the playoffs.

[burger eater]

Over a 2005 Remmy and Hawkins, yes, but not over Remmy/Hawkins in their first seasons in Chicago.


That's simply not true, Bob. Do you wish it was true? It's not, but I can understand if you wish it was. Howry & Eyre both had better years last year than Hawkins or Remlinger had in their best years as Cubs. Hawkins stunk the joint up last year and did more of the same for the Giants.
Remlinger is done.

Jones can't hit lefties. Neither can Burnitz. Sanders is 38 years old and coming off an injury. Preston Wilson has knee problems. Jacque's contract is certainly movable if the Cubs want to trade him after 2006.

Better than what was expected from the players at the beginning of 2005? No, not even.

Better than who expected? You?... maybe. I expected Nomar to get injured, Hollandsworth to prove he wasn't a full time player and Corey to be as streaky as he's always been.
I hoped for the best, but I thought last year's team looked all-around weaker than the 2006 roster looks.

As for Dusty costing 8-10 games, no. The difference between a good-in game manager or a poor one, is 3-5 games at most. Put LaRussa at the Cubs helm and the end result will be the same, the Cubs not making the playoffs.

It can't be proven how many games Dusty cost the Cubs last year, but 3-5 is an extremely conservative estimate. Lee was having an MVP year and Dusty stood by helplessly with his thumb in his ass while he put the 2 worst OBP guys in front of him for over 600 AB's.
Corey/Neifi at the top of the order, Hawkins as closer, Dempster in the rotation, Rusch in the pen, the usual mishandling of the bullpen. All evidence that Dusty is a major liability.

[weatherdood]

That's a lot of IFs that we're dependent on.

I couldn't agree more. Trust me, I'd love nothing more than to see it happen...but we're just asking too much from too many unknowns. I think Murton and Cedeno will have "nice" seasons, but I just don't see it being enough to push us over the top.

Secondly, up the middle (C/2B/SS/CF), we're arguably one of the weakest teams in the majors... Barrett is average to slightly above average offensively, but quite honestly, calls a poor game behind the plate. Look at pitchers ERAs last year when Barrett was behind the plate compared to Blanco. I want to say it was something like one run per game difference! I'm sorry, but Barrett does not produce a run a game offensively to make up for that.

Cedeno is going to be good someday, but I can't put that much faith in an unproven commodity

Hairston/Perez are good utility players, but substandard everyday players.. See: Todd Hollandsworth. Walker is my choice at 2B but I don't think he'll see a pitch as a Cub this year.

Pierre is a definite upgrade over CP in CF, but as Bob has said on many occasions, he's a bit overrated. I wouldn't go as far as to call him one of the most overrated players in the game, but I think he gets a little more credit than he is due. He's going to get on base a lot more than CP, which is obviously a good thing....but there's still nobody, other than Todd Walker that I could trust in the #2 hole to move Pierre over to set up the big boys. But given the Cubs' lack of a vote of confidence in Walker, I don't have a good feeling myself.

Hey, I'd love to look back on this in October and say I was dead wrong, but there are just too many questions with this team. I give Hendry a C for his offseason moves. He has addressed some of the question marks on this team, but unfortunately, has added a few different ones.

[Cubsfan97]

That's a lot of IFs that we're dependent on.
What else do we have though?

[Bob Sacamento]

That's simply not true, Bob. Do you wish it was true? It's not, but I can understand if you wish it was. Howry & Eyre both had better years last year than Hawkins or Remlinger had in their best years as Cubs. Hawkins stunk the joint up last year and did more of the same for the Giants.
Remlinger is done.When the Cubs signed Hawkins from the Twins, he has very similar stats as Howry before joining the Cubs and the same goes for Eyre and Remlinger.

Player Year Team Age G IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
Hawkins 2003 Twins 31 74 77.1 69 20 16 4 15 75 1.86 1.09 .239
Howry 2005 Indians 32 79 73.0 49 23 20 4 16 48 2.47 0.89 .191

Player Year Team Age G IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
Remlinger 2002 Braves 37 73 68.0 48 17 15 3 28 69 1.99 1.12 .198
Eyre 2005 Giants 33 86 68.1 48 21 20 3 26 65 2.63 1.08 .200

As for Hawkins and Remlinger first years as a Cub, fans can only hope that Eyre and Howry do as well in the first year.

Player Year Team G GS W L SV CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
Hawkins 2004 Cubs 77 0 5 4 25 0 0 82.0 72 27 24 10 14 69 2.63 1.05 .233
Remlinger 2003 Cubs 73 0 6 5 0 0 0 69.0 54 30 28 11 39 83 3.65 1.35 .211

It's the following years that were deal breakers and caused both of them to be shipped out.

Jones can't hit lefties. Neither can Burnitz. Sanders is 38 years old and coming off an injury. Preston Wilson has knee problems. Jacque's contract is certainly movable if the Cubs want to trade him after 2006.I'd still take an injury risk in Wilson or Sanders for a year before shelling out a guarenteed 3 years on Jones, were his contract escalates.

2005 Burnitz vs Jones against Lefties

Burny .236/.268/.445/.713
Jones .201/.247/.370/.617

Career-wise

Burny .242/.320/.448/.767
Jones .227/.277/.339/.616


Better than who expected? You?... maybe. I expected Nomar to get injured, Hollandsworth to prove he wasn't a full time player and Corey to be as streaky as he's always been. I hoped for the best, but I thought last year's team looked all-around weaker than the 2006 roster looks.Most analysts had the 2005 Cubs to challenge the Cardinals for the Central and at least make a valiant run at the playoffs, if not win the wildcard. Of course, like in 2003 and 2004, we were heavily dependent on our rotation to take us to the promised land, and when one or two of your "messiahs" go out for long durations, it puts increased stress on the pen and the offense, not too mention the AAA starters that filled in.



It can't be proven how many games Dusty cost the Cubs last year, but 3-5 is an extremely conservative estimate. Lee was having an MVP year and Dusty stood by helplessly with his thumb in his ass while he put the 2 worst OBP guys in front of him for over 600 AB's. Corey and Neifi were 1st and 2nd in the order by default as of injury. I've stated before Hairston and Walker started nearly as much as CP/Neifi with similiar results in the lineup hitting in front of D.Lee, too bad neither Jerry nor Todd could stay healthy.

Batting 1st

Players G BA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB/SBO AVG OBP SLG OPS
CP/Perez 58 242 25 56 8 1 6 20 10 45 6/9 .231 .262 .347 .609
Hairston 78 306 43 81 22 1 4 28 29 36 8/16 .265 .344 .382 .726


Batting 2nd

Players G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB K SB/SBO AVG OBP SLG OPS
CP/Perez 83 346 40 89 15 2 9 30 10 45 9/11 .257 .278 .390 .668
Hairston/Walker 69 275 40 77 15 2 11 30 21 24 1/2 .280 .331 .469 .800

Overall between 1st/2nd

Between Walker/Hairston 147 581 83 158 37 3 15 58 50 60 9/18 .272 .330 .420 .750
Between Patterson/Neifi 141 588 65 145 23 3 15 50 20 90 15/20 .247 .271 .372 .643





Corey/Neifi at the top of the order, Hawkins as closer, Dempster in the rotation, Rusch in the pen, the usual mishandling of the bullpen. All evidence that Dusty is a major liability.
Corey and Neifi were the best "alternatives" left as everyday starters beyond Hairston and Walker (both were down with significant injury times) at leading off and batting second. Hawkins was the closer to start with but like in 2004 he faulted under one run pressures. Dempster started in the rotation due to the "handshake agreement" he had with Hendry that he'd be used as a starter primary and reliever secondary. And the platoon with Holly/Dubois was Hendry's brainchild for the 2005 season, and it failed miserably.

Dusty could be the greatest "cook" in the world but if he's not given the "right ingredients" by management then the main course is going to come up subpar.

[redwhitenblue]

Bob don't you think that with even just a decent year jones will be on the trading block come next offseason, he has no NTC in his contract and if they have a shot at picking up a better guy i think they could find a taker for him fairly easily

[halloffamefan]

Dempster started in the rotation due to the "handshake agreement" he had with Hendry that he'd be used as a starter primary and reliever secondary.

Incorrect. No such agreement was ever made. In fact, Jim stated on multiple occassions that he wanted Dempster in the pen. Dusty, however, inserted him into the starting rotation.

[Cubsfan97]

Why did we give up on Shawn Green? Wern't we really close to getting him from Arizona?

[Bob Sacamento]

Incorrect. No such agreement was ever made. In fact, Jim stated on multiple occassions that he wanted Dempster in the pen. Dusty, however, inserted him into the starting rotation.
Sorry, your incorrect. Dempster said it himself on various radio accounts and in print, that Hendry was to give him every full opportunity to start if his arm was healthy enough to and if there was an opening in the rotation. It was also one of Dempster's reasons for signing with the Cubs. He was on the Matt Morris post-op plan, pitch in relief to get some bounce back to his arm halfway through 2004 and if it the arm was well, he was to start in 2005 as he did.

[Bob Sacamento]

Why did we give up on Shawn Green? Wern't we really close to getting him from Arizona?
Green has a limited No Trade Clause that allows him to be dealt to only the Angels, Dodgers, and Padres without his permission. Supposedly, him and his wife love the West Coast living and who can blame them. It's great out here. :D

As for us being close to him, eh, it was discussed but I believe the D-backs had a high asking price and needed him for offense in that lineup.

There are new rumblings though of the Cubs talking to Washington for either Vidro or Soriano. Both would add even more confusion at the second base spot for the Cubs but I wouldn't be suprised to see one of them dealt before Opening Day, though not neccessarily to Chicago.

[burger eater]

Bob, have you looked into doing damage control for the Cubs PR dept.? They could use another guy who insists on making excuses as much as you do.

[Bob Sacamento]

Bob, have you looked into doing damage control for the Cubs PR dept.? They could use another guy who insists on making excuses as much as you do.No excuses, just facts, sorry you can't deal with that.

[rockin500]

Incorrect. No such agreement was ever made. In fact, Jim stated on multiple occassions that he wanted Dempster in the pen. Dusty, however, inserted him into the starting rotation.
then he was contradicting himself at every turn. because he did say he wanted dempster to earn a shot at starting. And dempster wanted to start but if he was going to close then he wanted to close and not have any yoyoing effect. Dempster wanted to start going into ST.

The cubs did need a 5th starter last year and dempster was given the shot going into ST. If they didnt want to use him there they would have gotten someone more capable to be a #5.

[burger eater]

No excuses, just facts, sorry you can't deal with that.

What a cop out. Your statements lately are often based on opinion or just plain BS.
I won’t deal with that. I’ll call you out on it every time.

I just exposed you last week for changing your stance on the leadoff situation when it was convenient to fit your agenda.

You tried throwing in a comment that in their best Cub seasons, Hawkins & Remlinger were as good as Howry & Eyre are now and they absolutely were not.

You continue to make excuses for Dusty using Corey & Neifi at the top of the order by claiming that Hairston & Walker were down with injuries. Aside from a handful of games near the end of September, one of Walker or Hairston was healthy at all times. Neifi & Corey should never have been at the top of the order regardless. Barrett was available most of the season to hit in the 2 hole and Murton was also available for the majority of the games in the 2nd half.

Everyone seems to remember Hendry touting Dempster as his choice for closer as far back as last winter. The 5th starter’s spot was still up in the air between Dempster and Rusch during ST. Dusty made the final call, and he put Rusch in the bullpen, where he’s not as effective as when he starts, and left pants-*****er Hawkins in at closer without even giving Dempster a shot until Hawkins had soiled himself beyond redemption.
Plus he gave Chad Fox a shot before trying Dempster.

[The Big C]

Didn't Dempster start one of the games in the opening series against the D-Backs? If so, that would seem to me to be a window into the mind of Dusty/Hendry on how they were going to use Dempster.

[rockin500]

Didn't Dempster start one of the games in the opening series against the D-Backs? If so, that would seem to me to be a window into the mind of Dusty/Hendry on how they were going to use Dempster.
yep he did.

[Bob Sacamento]

What a cop out. Your statements lately are often based on opinion or just plain BS.
I won’t deal with that. I’ll call you out on it every time.Son, if either of us are basing their statement on opinion or BS it's you. My opinions are supported by imperical data.

I just exposed you last week for changing your stance on the leadoff situation when it was convenient to fit your agenda. I changed nothing in my stance on the leadoff. Is Pierre going to be an upgrade over a 2005 Patterson/Perez, yeah you betcha'. Is Pierre going to be an upgrade over having a full season of either Hairston or Walker, no not really, not enough to make a drastic difference.

You tried throwing in a comment that in their best Cub seasons, Hawkins & Remlinger were as good as Howry & Eyre are now and they absolutely were not. When the Cubs brought Remmy into the fold during the 2002 offseason, he was a better overall pitcher than Eyre, but not as a lefty specialist. When Hawkins was brought in during the 2003 offseason, he was as good as Howry was in 2005, except Hawkins not only had one outstanding season in 2003 but was just as outstanding in 2002 to back him up and had never missed significant time with an injury unlike Howry who threw only 4 innings in 2003 and missed a good chunk of time in 2004.

Hawkins and Remmy's first season as Cubs:

Player Year Team G GS W L SV CG SHO IP H R ER HR BB K ERA WHIP BAA
Hawkins 2004 77 0 5 4 25 0 0 82.0 72 27 24 10 14 69 2.63 1.05 .233
Remlinger 2003 73 0 6 5 0 0 0 69.0 54 30 28 11 39 83 3.65 1.35 .211

The Cubs will be lucky to get a 2006 season from Eyre and Howry as effective as Remmy and Hawkins were in their first seasons as a Cub.



You continue to make excuses for Dusty using Corey & Neifi at the top of the order by claiming that Hairston & Walker were down with injuries. Aside from a handful of games near the end of September, one of Walker or Hairston was healthy at all times. Neifi & Corey should never have been at the top of the order regardless. Barrett was available most of the season to hit in the 2 hole and Murton was also available for the majority of the games in the 2nd half.Walker was needed as a "production bat" last season for the Cubs as much if not more than he was needed as a table-setter. That's what happens when your only big bats are Lee and Burny, with Ramirez sidelined again with a bum groin/hamstring/leg. Walker's running ability was greatly reduced after his knee injury in April caused by a sliding Carlos Lee that cost him over a month of playing time.

Walker's splits between 2nd and 6th in the order

Batting Order AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Batting 2nd 254 36 76 14 1 11 29 20 1 23 1 0 .299 .351 .492 .843
Batting 6th 100 9 33 9 2 0 7 8 0 12 0 1 .330 .376 .460 .836

As for Hairston, when he started it was as the leadoff hitter, batting 1st nearly more than everyone else on the club combined. Hairston's only problem was that Hendry brought him in as a supersub and that's how Dusty treated him for most of the season. Hairston had to be an opportunist and with the Cubs' history of injuries, he had plenty of chances to showcase his abilities. Dusty went with Hendry's platoon of Hollandsworth and Dubois until it crashed, Hairston then got some opportunities there. Hairston then got opportunities when Walker went down with his knee problem, and again some significant time when Corey tanked and was in Iowa. It wasn't until Jerry's own injury in September that caused him to lose time in the leadoff spot with Neifi getting the bulk of the time. Hairston was so impressive in 2005 that he'll likely be the everyday 2B in 2006, that's why Walker was shopped during the Winter Meetings and still is being shopped.


2005 Cubs' leadoff batters

Player AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB HBP SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG OPS
Hairston 306 43 81 22 1 4 28 29 8 36 8 8 .265 .344 .382 .726
Patterson 128 14 27 2 1 5 13 8 1 37 5 1 .211 .263 .359 .622
Perez 114 11 29 6 0 1 7 2 0 8 1 2 .254 .263 .333 .596
Lawton 78 8 19 2 0 1 5 4 0 8 1 0 .244 .280 .269 .549
Macias 35 3 8 1 0 1 2 2 0 6 1 1 .229 .270 .343 .613
Theriot 9 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .111 .111 .222 .333
Total 670 81 165 34 2 12 56 45 9 97 16 12 .246 .294 .372 .666



Everyone seems to remember Hendry touting Dempster as his choice for closer as far back as last winter. The 5th starter’s spot was still up in the air between Dempster and Rusch during ST. Dusty made the final call, and he put Rusch in the bullpen, where he’s not as effective as when he starts, and left pants-*****er Hawkins in at closer without even giving Dempster a shot until Hawkins had soiled himself beyond redemption. Plus he gave Chad Fox a shot before trying Dempster. As Rockin stated earlier, Hendry backpeddled on himself several times. But going into the 2005 season, Dempster was primed to start, he had his arm strength, the track record, and he had Hendry's word that he'd be given every opportunity to start. The Cubs lived up to their side of the deal, by starting Dempster in the rotation. Dempster started out of the gate starting 6 games before being transfered to closer where he blew his first save opportunity against the Mets as the closer on May 11th.

Dempster starting:
TEAM IP H R ER HR BB K Dec
@ARI 3.2 9 7 7 0 3 7 L
SD 6.0 4 1 0 0 3 7 L
@PIT 6.0 6 3 3 1 3 5 W
@STL 6.0 4 1 1 0 3 4 L
CIN 5.1 8 6 6 1 5 7 ND
@MIL 6.2 6 3 3 1 5 6 ND

Hawkins lost the title of closer after a blown save April 23rd , Fox closed out 1 game (April 24th) before blowing out his arm (again the 3rd time) in the 9th on April 25th vs the Reds. Hawkins was reinserted back into the closer role but lost the role again after a May 6th blown (the throwing error off Offerman's helmet). It was then that Dempster was called upon to close after only mild effectiveness as a starter even though 4 of his 6 starts were quality. It also forced the Cubs into trying everyone and their brother as the 5th starter, Rusch, Leicester, Koronka, Mitre, etc.

Concerning Rusch, he was needed in the pen as a lefty specialist, considering Remlinger was injuried much of 2005 and Ohman was an unproven commodity coming into the season. Still due to injuries, Rusch started 19 games going 110 1/3 IP with a 4.32 ERA, 1.48 WHIP, .296 BAA. Rusch chewed up lefties in 2004, as they hit .225/.289/.283/.572 against him; that didn't translate in 2005, .333/.349/.581/.930 as Rusch returned to his previous ways. As it appears 2004 was a career that he's not likely to reproduce.

[burger eater]

Son, if either of us are basing their statement on opinion or BS it's you. My opinions are supported by imperical data.

:laugh Is that anything like imperial datica?

Exchange on Dec. 31st
posted by me
How did Hendry leave the Cubs short in 2004?

posted by Bob
He left that big glaring hole at the leadoff spot.


Posted by Bob on Feb. 3rd
Pierre will be a bonus to what was leading off in 2005 but he's not as good as Todd Walker was 2004 leading off. In 60 games as a leadoff man in 2004, Walker had 45 runs and 12 hrs in 228 at bats, posting lines of .294/.370/.535/.905

I changed nothing in my stance on the leadoff. Is Pierre going to be an upgrade over a 2005 Patterson/Perez, yeah you betcha'. Is Pierre going to be an upgrade over having a full season of either Hairston or Walker, no not really, not enough to make a drastic difference.

Yes, you absolutely did change your stance on the leadoff situation when it was convenient. On Dec 31st (while defending Dusty), Walker was a big glaring hole at leadoff in 2004, but on Feb. 3rd (after Hendry went and aquired Dusty's type of leadoff guy) Walker's better than Pierre.

You can't have it both ways and you can dodge the issue all you want but you did change your stance to fit your argument.

Here's another example:
In a simple statement that Howry & Eyre are better now than Hawkins and Remlinger, you said:

Over a 2005 Remmy and Hawkins, yes, but not over Remmy/Hawkins in their first seasons in Chicago.

That in itself is dodging the issue, because the 2006 Cubs wouldn't be getting the 2003-2004 versions of Remlinger & Hawkins if they still had them on the roster. They'd be getting the should-be-retired and pants-wetting versions.

Even judging by your cherry picking of their best years, your statement is wrong. Howry and Eyre were both better this season than Hawkins and Remlinger in their best Cub years.

----------------- ERA - WHIP - BAA
Hawkins 2004 --- 2.63 - 1.05 -- .233
Howry 2005 ----- 2.47 - 0.89 - .191

Remlinger 2003 -- 3.65 - 1.35 - .211
Eyre 2003 ------- 2.63 - 1.08 - .200

Is that your "empirical data"?

Walker was needed as a "production bat" last season for the Cubs as much if not more than he was needed as a table-setter. That's what happens when your only big bats are Lee and Burny, with Ramirez sidelined again with a bum groin/hamstring/leg.

This spin is incredible. Aramis never went down until August 24th and the Cubs were out of it by that point. Lee, Burny and Aramis were the production bats. While Lee was having an MVP season, the best OBP options should've been in front of him in the order. Walker, Barrett & Hairston were those guys. Even Murton during the 2nd half would've been a great option. Flat Earth Dusty doesn't understand how to contruct a lineup. I don't know why it's so hard to for you to see that Corey & Neifi friggin' Perez should've never seen the top of the order. Everyone else sees it. The guys at the top of the order get the most AB's. Neifi should never hit outside the 7-8 hole and Dusty's incompetence in this area is pathetic. Dusty was under the illusion that Neifi "saved" the team and that he was fast so he gave him 382 AB's at the top of the order. He grounded into 20-some DP's and carried a sub-.300 OBP.
Barrett hits 8th because he's the catcher, dude.

Hairston's only problem was that Hendry brought him in as a supersub and that's how Dusty treated him for most of the season.

Hairston's main problem was that Dusty was in love with Neifi and showed extreme favoritism with an inferior player. Neifi is a sub also and Dusty chose him over Hairston from the outset. Walker had to get injured before Jerry got significant playing time. Jerry never had siginificant OF time until Corey was sent away. Hendry had to take Corey out of Dusty's hands for him to stop using him.

Hairston was so impressive in 2005 that he'll likely be the everyday 2B in 2006, that's why Walker was shopped during the Winter Meetings and still is being shopped.
If Walker's gone, I hope you're right, but I'm sure Dusty will find Neifi more playing time than he should.

As Rockin stated earlier, Hendry backpeddled on himself several times.

Several times? Do you have any imperial data or links to support that?
Dusty is the field manager and made the final call on the closer situation just as he makes the call on the batting order and pecking order. After Dusty tried Fox and left him in for 29 pitches in an April game where the Cubs had a 5-6 run lead, he did go back to "Hawk".
Is that just Dusty putting guys in a position to succeed?

Concerning Rusch, he was needed in the pen as a lefty specialist
Dusty's great with match-ups. He failed to use Remlinger properly way too often. Rusch was needed as a 5th starter more than as a reliever. He's been a starter virtually all of his career before coming to the Cubs. More importantly, anyone else was needed more as closer than Hawkins and Dusty had to be hit over the head before trying Dempster.
I don't get it. Hawk's got the stuff, dude. We're snake-bitten.

[Lipsander]

I'm going into this season as a real Cubs fan should. Pulling for my team through good and bad. We'll just have to wait and see........as usual.....lol