Posts: 4,684
Threads: 78
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96935:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If Z pitched like he is capable of, then this would be a non-issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He had one bad start and one mediocre start in the first month of the season. This after a career of being one of the best pitchers in the league.
Wang.
Posts: 14,130
Threads: 90
Joined: Nov 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96942:date=May 19 2010, 08:21 AM:name=veryzer)-->QUOTE (veryzer @ May 19 2010, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96935:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If Z pitched like he is capable of, then this would be a non-issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He had one bad start and one mediocre start in the first month of the season. This after a career of being one of the best pitchers in the league.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo. People expect a #1 to be perfect all the time. There aren't many Halladays around, and Z was never in that category to begin with. Compare Z's worst 2 seasons in 2008-09 and they are still as good if not better than any by Silva or Gorzelanny, yet that seems to count for nothing with many fans.
Lou overreacted and now it seems that his hand was forced from above. Did he honestly expect Z to enjoy all these role changes? And who honestly would?
Posts: 8,041
Threads: 100
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96936:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96931:date=May 19 2010, 07:16 AM:name=jstraw)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (jstraw @ May 19 2010, 07:16 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Part of what made it such a high-risk, low-return move was the potential for it to really fuck up Z. We probably won't know how it went on that score till he's had about three starts back in the rotation. Z is not Ted Lilly. I'm not even sure that in the head is the brain. It's a miracle to me that Z bit his tongue as much as he did and that there isn't a trail of Gatorade machines bearing the scars of his wrath.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If you guys read between the lines of what Hendry and Lou (and probably Rothschild as well) are saying, it seems to me they truly believed that Z was our 6th best starter when they moved him. They are clearly worried about his velocity. They think something is wrong. They thought moving him to the 8th might help him, and at that same time keep our best 5 starters starting. That obviously failed.
The problem is, there is no possible way to prove them right. If Zambrano comes back and completely sucks, it will all be blamed on the move to the bullpen. So even if they were 100 percent correct (and I have no way of knowing if they were), they will still be blamed, because they will be faulted for creating the problem rather than trying to fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once. And if it had been...how was that even supposed to work? He didn't get enough work after the move to the pen for it to even be meaningful.
Posts: 3,011
Threads: 81
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
Posts: 14,130
Threads: 90
Joined: Nov 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96950:date=May 19 2010, 08:43 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or it could just be them trying to come up with an excuse for why they made this change in the first place. If they truly believed something was wrong with Z, then why put him in an even higher pressure role with a higher likelihood of failure than the one he was used to? It doesn't make much sense to me at all. If he was or is hurting, then DL him, don't do this.
Posts: 3,011
Threads: 81
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96953:date=May 19 2010, 08:55 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96950:date=May 19 2010, 08:43 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or it could just be them trying to come up with an excuse for why they made this change in the first place. If they truly believed something was wrong with Z, then why put him in an even higher pressure role with a higher likelihood of failure than the one he was used to? It doesn't make much sense to me at all. If he was or is hurting, then DL him, don't do this.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
they explained it Rok. They said they though the move to having to pitch only one inning would help his velocity. Having to throw 15 pitches instead of 100 would enable him to go all out.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
Posts: 2,647
Threads: 75
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96960:date=May 19 2010, 08:28 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96953:date=May 19 2010, 08:55 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96950:date=May 19 2010, 08:43 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or it could just be them trying to come up with an excuse for why they made this change in the first place. If they truly believed something was wrong with Z, then why put him in an even higher pressure role with a higher likelihood of failure than the one he was used to? It doesn't make much sense to me at all. If he was or is hurting, then DL him, don't do this.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
they explained it Rok. They said they though the move to having to pitch only one inning would help his velocity. Having to throw 15 pitches instead of 100 would enable him to go all out.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Yup, clearly something's not right with Z physically. I wish they'd just fess up about it. Maybe the 9.2 IP over the last month will help whatever it is.
Posts: 8,041
Threads: 100
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96950:date=May 19 2010, 08:43 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Dude. It means fuck all that they're saying this NOW. It was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen.
Posts: 8,041
Threads: 100
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96960:date=May 19 2010, 09:28 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 09:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96953:date=May 19 2010, 08:55 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 08:55 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96950:date=May 19 2010, 08:43 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 08:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->I'm pretty good at reading between the lines (ok, well maybe not Lou's lines because everything out of his mouth is Buddha Spanish) and I never heard a word about the reason for this was to fix something wrong with Z. Never...not once.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ok, then don't bother reading between the lines, read the actual lines:
Hendry on Zambrano
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"It's not much of a secret the last year or year and a half, that he's not throwing as hard as a starter as he used to," general manager Jim Hendry said. "And we thought short-term, that would pick up his velocity and when he did go back to the rotation, he'd have a build-up in that velocity and some confidence in it."<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
or this:
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->"We're going to stretch him out to get back in the rotation and we'll see exactly when he's ready," Piniella said. "We took a chance that we needed to take. We thought his velocity would increase, and it hasn't.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
It doesn't take a mind reader to infer the Cubs thought there was something wrong with Zambrano, and that putting him in the pen may help fix it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Or it could just be them trying to come up with an excuse for why they made this change in the first place. If they truly believed something was wrong with Z, then why put him in an even higher pressure role with a higher likelihood of failure than the one he was used to? It doesn't make much sense to me at all. If he was or is hurting, then DL him, don't do this.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
they explained it Rok. They said they though the move to having to pitch only one inning would help his velocity. Having to throw 15 pitches instead of 100 would enable him to go all out.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Show me where this was stated at the time he was moved to the pen.
Posts: 3,011
Threads: 81
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Show me where this was stated at the time he was moved to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Dude. It means fuck all that they're saying this NOW. It was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTF? Dude, what are you trying to argue? How do you know it was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen? Why does the timing of the statement matter?
Their reasoning doesn't seem to by CYA after the fact. It seems at least plausible. It sheds some light on why they chose Zambrano instead of Silva or Gorz. Both Lou and Hendry are saying the same thing.
You seem to be getting at something, but for the life of me I have no idea what it is.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
Posts: 8,041
Threads: 100
Joined: Jun 2009
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96971:date=May 19 2010, 10:26 AM:name=BT)-->QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Show me where this was stated at the time he was moved to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Dude. It means fuck all that they're saying this NOW. It was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTF? Dude, what are you trying to argue? How do you know it was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen? Why does the timing of the statement matter?
Their reasoning doesn't seem to by CYA after the fact. It seems at least plausible. It sheds some light on why they chose Zambrano instead of Silva or Gorz. Both Lou and Hendry are saying the same thing.
You seem to be getting at something, but for the life of me I have no idea what it is.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The timing of this explanation means everything. They gave one explanation for sending him to the pen when they did it and now that it's proven the predictable failure it was inevitably going to be, we get this revisionism. This new reason, that it was some new age form of rehab for Z's secret injury, means that suddenly, the move to the pen was never (stupid) strategy at all. It's blatant, ludicrous CYA and I can't believe it engenders more than a rueful snicker. It's bullshit.
Posts: 3,011
Threads: 81
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96972:date=May 19 2010, 10:32 AM:name=jstraw)-->QUOTE (jstraw @ May 19 2010, 10:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96971:date=May 19 2010, 10:26 AM:name=BT)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BT @ May 19 2010, 10:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE <!--quotec-->Show me where this was stated at the time he was moved to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo-->QUOTE <!--quotec-->Dude. It means fuck all that they're saying this NOW. It was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
WTF? Dude, what are you trying to argue? How do you know it was NEVER the reason he was sent to the pen? Why does the timing of the statement matter?
Their reasoning doesn't seem to by CYA after the fact. It seems at least plausible. It sheds some light on why they chose Zambrano instead of Silva or Gorz. Both Lou and Hendry are saying the same thing.
You seem to be getting at something, but for the life of me I have no idea what it is.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The timing of this explanation means everything. They gave one explanation for sending him to the pen when they did it and now that it's proven the predictable failure it was inevitably going to be, we get this revisionism. This new reason, that it was some new age form of rehab for Z's secret injury, means that suddenly, the move to the pen was never (stupid) strategy at all. It's blatant, ludicrous CYA and I can't believe it engenders more than a rueful snicker. It's bullshit.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Wow. Your certainty is impressive.
I wish that I believed in Fate. I wish I didn't sleep so late. I used to be carried in the arms of cheerleaders.
Posts: 2,100
Threads: 41
Joined: Jan 2009
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=96947:date=May 19 2010, 09:29 AM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96942:date=May 19 2010, 08:21 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ May 19 2010, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96935:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If Z pitched like he is capable of, then this would be a non-issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He had one bad start and one mediocre start in the first month of the season. This after a career of being one of the best pitchers in the league.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo. People expect a #1 to be perfect all the time. There aren't many Halladays around, and Z was never in that category to begin with. Compare Z's worst 2 seasons in 2008-09 and they are still as good if not better than any by Silva or Gorzelanny, yet that seems to count for nothing with many fans.
Lou overreacted and now it seems that his hand was forced from above. Did he honestly expect Z to enjoy all these role changes? And who honestly would?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Z has been on a downward trend over the last couple of seasons.
We Cub fans had a hard time believing it.
Posts: 14,130
Threads: 90
Joined: Nov 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=97011:date=May 19 2010, 01:35 PM:name=Coach)-->QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96947:date=May 19 2010, 09:29 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96942:date=May 19 2010, 08:21 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ May 19 2010, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96935:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If Z pitched like he is capable of, then this would be a non-issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He had one bad start and one mediocre start in the first month of the season. This after a career of being one of the best pitchers in the league.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo. People expect a #1 to be perfect all the time. There aren't many Halladays around, and Z was never in that category to begin with. Compare Z's worst 2 seasons in 2008-09 and they are still as good if not better than any by Silva or Gorzelanny, yet that seems to count for nothing with many fans.
Lou overreacted and now it seems that his hand was forced from above. Did he honestly expect Z to enjoy all these role changes? And who honestly would?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Z has been on a downward trend over the last couple of seasons.
We Cub fans had a hard time believing it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not denying it. It's just that if you look at his numbers at various points over the past few seasons, it tells a different story each time. I'm not convinced of whether it is a downtrend or just injuries, or both. All I'm saying is that I haven't given up on him yet.
Posts: 2,647
Threads: 75
Joined: Dec 2008
Reputation:
0
<!--quoteo(post=97023:date=May 19 2010, 01:02 PM:name=rok)-->QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 01:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=97011:date=May 19 2010, 01:35 PM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 01:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96947:date=May 19 2010, 09:29 AM:name=rok)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (rok @ May 19 2010, 09:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96942:date=May 19 2010, 08:21 AM:name=veryzer)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (veryzer @ May 19 2010, 08:21 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec--><!--quoteo(post=96935:date=May 19 2010, 07:36 AM:name=Coach)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Coach @ May 19 2010, 07:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->If Z pitched like he is capable of, then this would be a non-issue.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
He had one bad start and one mediocre start in the first month of the season. This after a career of being one of the best pitchers in the league.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Bingo. People expect a #1 to be perfect all the time. There aren't many Halladays around, and Z was never in that category to begin with. Compare Z's worst 2 seasons in 2008-09 and they are still as good if not better than any by Silva or Gorzelanny, yet that seems to count for nothing with many fans.
Lou overreacted and now it seems that his hand was forced from above. Did he honestly expect Z to enjoy all these role changes? And who honestly would?
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Z has been on a downward trend over the last couple of seasons.
We Cub fans had a hard time believing it.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
I'm not denying it. It's just that if you look at his numbers at various points over the past few seasons, it tells a different story each time. I'm not convinced of whether it is a downtrend or just injuries, or both. All I'm saying is that I haven't given up on him yet.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Given his contract, his no-trade clause, and the fact that no GM in baseball would want anything to do with him right now... We don't have any other choice.
|
