06-10-2010, 10:45 AM
<!--quoteo(post=100683:date=Jun 10 2010, 09:24 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ Jun 10 2010, 09:24 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=100677:date=Jun 10 2010, 09:02 AM:name=Scarey)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Scarey @ Jun 10 2010, 09:02 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=100673:date=Jun 10 2010, 08:45 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ Jun 10 2010, 08:45 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=100672:date=Jun 10 2010, 08:41 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ Jun 10 2010, 08:41 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Probably too little too late, but at least I can agree with the plan for now.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cu...T-cub10.article
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->It was just the fourth time in 12 games the Cubs scored more than three runs in a game -- having won all four with the bigger totals and lost the eight others, including five when scoring just one run.
It's no wonder Piniella has gone a week without shaving again. And why he didn't rush to the ballpark Wednesday after Tuesday's sleep-depriving walk-off loss to the Brewers.
When he arrived, hours later than usual, he showed up with purpose.
On the day the Cubs placed their biggest trouble spot in the lineup, Aramis Ramirez (.168), on the disabled list, Piniella talked to his third baseman, telling Chad Tracy and Jeff Baker they'll be platooning until Ramirez returns.
He talked to his two second basemen, Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot, and apparently gave them a similar message (though Theriot's status as a leadoff man gives him an advantage in playing time).
He talked to both of his catchers. And then he called all five outfielders into his office -- which presumably puts Kosuke Fukudome (in a third straight post-April fade) on notice, if not the bench.
Individual meetings and proclamations of playing the guys who are hitting best are nothing new for Piniella. But the urgency felt new.
As Alfonso Soriano said, "We've played almost 60 games. It's not early in the year anymore.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
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Piniella remains dead to me for as long as Theriot leads off.
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It sounds like Fukudome will be platooning more often than he has been. When he's out of the lineup, the only players on the team that have higher career OBPs are Lee and Soto. Which of those two do you want leading off?
(FYI, I'm not advocating for Theriot as leadoff hitter, but instead am trying to point out your feelings of contempt may be a bit displaced. I understand if you disagree, but your sentiments seem a bit strong for a decision seemingly based on statistics.)
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Screw career OBP. At this moment, Theriot's approach at the plate is the antithesis of what you want in a lead off man. We may not have a perfect guy but all five of our outfielders and Castro could all be considered for the gig.
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I think that statement is fair.
http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/cu...T-cub10.article
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->It was just the fourth time in 12 games the Cubs scored more than three runs in a game -- having won all four with the bigger totals and lost the eight others, including five when scoring just one run.
It's no wonder Piniella has gone a week without shaving again. And why he didn't rush to the ballpark Wednesday after Tuesday's sleep-depriving walk-off loss to the Brewers.
When he arrived, hours later than usual, he showed up with purpose.
On the day the Cubs placed their biggest trouble spot in the lineup, Aramis Ramirez (.168), on the disabled list, Piniella talked to his third baseman, telling Chad Tracy and Jeff Baker they'll be platooning until Ramirez returns.
He talked to his two second basemen, Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot, and apparently gave them a similar message (though Theriot's status as a leadoff man gives him an advantage in playing time).
He talked to both of his catchers. And then he called all five outfielders into his office -- which presumably puts Kosuke Fukudome (in a third straight post-April fade) on notice, if not the bench.
Individual meetings and proclamations of playing the guys who are hitting best are nothing new for Piniella. But the urgency felt new.
As Alfonso Soriano said, "We've played almost 60 games. It's not early in the year anymore.''<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Piniella remains dead to me for as long as Theriot leads off.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It sounds like Fukudome will be platooning more often than he has been. When he's out of the lineup, the only players on the team that have higher career OBPs are Lee and Soto. Which of those two do you want leading off?
(FYI, I'm not advocating for Theriot as leadoff hitter, but instead am trying to point out your feelings of contempt may be a bit displaced. I understand if you disagree, but your sentiments seem a bit strong for a decision seemingly based on statistics.)
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Screw career OBP. At this moment, Theriot's approach at the plate is the antithesis of what you want in a lead off man. We may not have a perfect guy but all five of our outfielders and Castro could all be considered for the gig.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I think that statement is fair.