01-04-2010, 12:10 AM
<!--quoteo(post=73893:date=Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ Jan 3 2010, 11:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I agree to an extent, but I think the meme that Pinella conjured up a need for a lefty hitter is overstating the case. Virtually every wrap up of our dismantling by the Dodgers included the fact that they never once even had to get a lefty reliever up in the bullpen. It was somewhat a universal thought that the cubs were too right handed in 2008.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
BT - I dont think it is untrue that the team was too RH laden - but the problem was that Lou made getting a RH run producer to hit in the middle of the lineup every day the team's biggest priority - via his statements to the public. Hendry picked up on that - but then he went out and got Milton Bradley.
Bradley just isn't what Lou wanted - for many reasons. Let's ignore the doucheyness for a bit. I think we all agree that if he was just a douche, but a douche who hit .320/.450/.600 with 45 HR and 130 RBI that he'd be embraced as the best douche in the land.
First off, the every day thing is a problem. Bradley has NEVER played what we would call a full season. The most he ever played was 141 games, then 126 as a DH, then last season 124 with the Cubs. It goes downhill from there - 101, 98, 96, 77, 75 and 61. (I'll leave out his rookie season). So in 9 seasons, he didn't play a full season. Hendry heard Lou say they needed to get more LH, but didn't give him a guy who gave them a great chance of that due to durability.
Second, the middle of the order thing... My assumption always was that they wanted a bat to hit between Lee and Aramis. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that was what they wanted. So I'd look at power, the power needed to hit somewhere between 3 and 5. I'll measure power with both HR and SLG%. Milton has had only 1 20 HR season (hitting in Texas). He also had a 19 HR season. Other than that, not much. He averages (excluding his rookie year) 13 HR per year. His SLG% is better, but still nothing amazing. He's only slg .500+ in 4 of his 9 seasons. That's just not a guy who you can put in the middle of the order with confidence.
I am guessing Hendry saw Milton's 2007 and 2008 seasons and took those as a strong trendline that he could bet on (over .300/.400/.500 in those two seasons). That's not the worst logic in the world. It just didn't work out.
Third, I think Hendry and Lou forgot one of the biggest assets and liabilities the Cubs have - the fans. I'm not talking about you guys - but the vast majority of the 3mm+ who come through the turnstyles and the millions at home who are like them. They have a passion for the "cubbies" and for likeable guys. Guys who play to the fans are much more likely to be tolerated if they don't deliver at the dish. Guys who don't play to the fans will get JaqueJonesd or LatroyHawkinsd. They get Pattersond or Pied. This is not a race thing. Cubs fans love Dlee. They love Aramis. And they have good reason to. They love Sammy and Ernie - and Billy and Fergie. But if you don't play to the fans, you won't get the benefit of the doubt with them.
Now, back to the doucheyness - the fact that this guy is now on his 8th team in 11 years, including his 5th in his last 4 years, despite putting up serviceable #s as a switch hitter who can really play all over the OF is amazing. It's an indictment of what a fucking prick he has to be. The fact that it is said that there was a celebration in the locker room, lead by the veteran leadership when they heard that Milton wouldn't be back is even a bigger indictment. This is the one that I don't know how Jim missed.
BT - I dont think it is untrue that the team was too RH laden - but the problem was that Lou made getting a RH run producer to hit in the middle of the lineup every day the team's biggest priority - via his statements to the public. Hendry picked up on that - but then he went out and got Milton Bradley.
Bradley just isn't what Lou wanted - for many reasons. Let's ignore the doucheyness for a bit. I think we all agree that if he was just a douche, but a douche who hit .320/.450/.600 with 45 HR and 130 RBI that he'd be embraced as the best douche in the land.
First off, the every day thing is a problem. Bradley has NEVER played what we would call a full season. The most he ever played was 141 games, then 126 as a DH, then last season 124 with the Cubs. It goes downhill from there - 101, 98, 96, 77, 75 and 61. (I'll leave out his rookie season). So in 9 seasons, he didn't play a full season. Hendry heard Lou say they needed to get more LH, but didn't give him a guy who gave them a great chance of that due to durability.
Second, the middle of the order thing... My assumption always was that they wanted a bat to hit between Lee and Aramis. Maybe I am wrong, but I felt that was what they wanted. So I'd look at power, the power needed to hit somewhere between 3 and 5. I'll measure power with both HR and SLG%. Milton has had only 1 20 HR season (hitting in Texas). He also had a 19 HR season. Other than that, not much. He averages (excluding his rookie year) 13 HR per year. His SLG% is better, but still nothing amazing. He's only slg .500+ in 4 of his 9 seasons. That's just not a guy who you can put in the middle of the order with confidence.
I am guessing Hendry saw Milton's 2007 and 2008 seasons and took those as a strong trendline that he could bet on (over .300/.400/.500 in those two seasons). That's not the worst logic in the world. It just didn't work out.
Third, I think Hendry and Lou forgot one of the biggest assets and liabilities the Cubs have - the fans. I'm not talking about you guys - but the vast majority of the 3mm+ who come through the turnstyles and the millions at home who are like them. They have a passion for the "cubbies" and for likeable guys. Guys who play to the fans are much more likely to be tolerated if they don't deliver at the dish. Guys who don't play to the fans will get JaqueJonesd or LatroyHawkinsd. They get Pattersond or Pied. This is not a race thing. Cubs fans love Dlee. They love Aramis. And they have good reason to. They love Sammy and Ernie - and Billy and Fergie. But if you don't play to the fans, you won't get the benefit of the doubt with them.
Now, back to the doucheyness - the fact that this guy is now on his 8th team in 11 years, including his 5th in his last 4 years, despite putting up serviceable #s as a switch hitter who can really play all over the OF is amazing. It's an indictment of what a fucking prick he has to be. The fact that it is said that there was a celebration in the locker room, lead by the veteran leadership when they heard that Milton wouldn't be back is even a bigger indictment. This is the one that I don't know how Jim missed.